The girls of 1-A had quickly created a tight nit group of friends, all having the same aspirations to become the next generation of female role models in the hero scene, and after the first taste of combat, their resolve had only grown stronger. However they did learn something, working together worked better than working alone. That's why they were all currently in the study space at UA
With the combination of a week passing from the exercise, as well as the medical attention of Recovery Girl, everybody's wounds were long since healed, allowing studying and classes to continue without question.
The study rooms in UA were quiet spaces, filled with selections of books, covering all topics from English, to economics, to heroism 101. Each of the rooms had a selection of tables, allowing you to study alone, or to work as a group, this is where the girls of 1-A were found, in the perfect place to study and educate themselves.
"So Kyoka, what's with Midoriya calling you by your first name hmmm?" Ashido asked with a cheeky grin, her eagerness for the gain for gossip very clear. Everyone around the study table gave an audible sigh, knowing this wasn't going to go away unless it was spoken about. Everyone put down their books and studying equipment, all eyes now on a rose tinted Jiro.
Jiro looked up at everyone, her earphone jacks going rigid as she leans back in her chair, trying to partly cover her face with her uniform. "W-what's to say? We're just good friends, known each other since UA started" She said, not wanting to draw any obvious attention.
"Then why are you spending so much time with him? We're your friends as well" Ashido countered, smiling wide as she giggled faintly.
"She has a point Kyoka, this is the first time your studying with us instead of Midoriya, and that's only because he's training with Lida today" Yaoyorozu continued, occasionally looking over her notes for the next lesson.
Jiro looked down, slightly ashamed of herself for disregarding her friends so casually. "I'm sorry" she said, slowly looking back up at everyone, to see everyone smiling back at her.
"Its fine honestly, we just wanted to know what's up" Hagakure said, waving an invisible hand to reassure her.
"Yeah it's no problem, oh wait! Since you know Midoriya so well, do you know what's up with Bakugo's murder boner for the little guy?" Mina asked, the question catching everyone's attention and curiosity.
"I honestly have no idea. He knows Bakugo, so I'm guessing they went to the same high school before UA, but Izuku gets terrified whenever he hears a sudden loud noise or explosion" Jiro explains, looking at the rest of the girls.
"Like Bakugo's" Asui said, seeing where things were starting to get pieced together.
"Exactly, so on a hunch I think that Bakugo bullied Izuku, but when I asked Izuku he just diverts the question or lies, and I know he's lying" Jiro said, moving a hand to her chest slightly as a worried expression covers her face.
"Well you just gotta be forward with him, you're his closest friend, I'm sure he will give you a straight answer if you just press it" Ashido said, giving Jiro a thumbs up and a wide smile, the other girls nodding in agreeance.
"W-well I guess, but what if he still lies? I don't want to push him away" Jiro says, twiddling her thumbs under the desk.
"You won't, I think he cares to much about you to push you away" Yaoyorozu said, scooting her seat closer to Jiro's to comfort her, placing a hand on her shoulder before giving her a warm smile.
"Yeah, yeah you guys are right. We got half an hour before our next lesson so ill go ask him now" Jiro said, beaming with more confidence as she quickly stood up, starting to pack her belongings into her school bag. She smiled at her friends before heading down to the gym, getting a few cheers of encouragement as she left.
"Try not to stare at him to much!" Ashido shouted out to her, teasing Jiro as she is swiftly hit in the side by Hagakure, succeeding to shut her up but failing to stop Ashido's giggling. Jiro swiftly left to head to the lower floor where the gym was located, trying not to think about the deep blush covering her face.
Midoriya was panting, jogging in an All Might fan shirt and shorts at a fast pace on his treadmill, Lida jogging beside him in his blue running uniform, looking much more composed. They both hear the alarm they set, one hour going by since they began, starting their cooldown as the running machines slow their pace. The machines finally stopped, both runners panting, Midoriya more so as he looks over to Lida.
"So…this…helps with…endurance?" Midoriya panted, looking at Lida as he puts his hands behind his head, opening up his chest to help with his breathing.
"Well yes, this is a good starting point. Though doing short, intense burst runs is also a good way to increase your stamina." Lida explained, clearly a professional in running.
"Got it" Midoriya said, his breathing calming down as he smiled up at his fellow student. "So how is being class rep? you handling the extra work ok?" Midoriya asked, attempting to start some small talk.
"Yes, while the extra work is to be expected, the experience is quite rewarding" Lida said with a confident smile, grabbing his water bottle and taking a swig.
Midoriya simply nodded, wiping some sweat matted hair away from his brow before following Lida's action, drinking from his own bright red bottle.
Midoriya looked at the exit, grabbing his bag and hoisting it over his shoulder, seeing the door open slowly.
Jiro popped her head through the doorway, looking around the gym before her eyes lock with Midoriya's. she smiled as she opened the door more, walking inside as she walk towards the two runners.
"Hey mophead, hey Lida" She said, smiling at the two as she gave a mock salute with two fingers.
Midoriya smiled as he saw his best friend, waving at her slightly. "Hey Ji- Kyoka" Midoriya said, correcting himself as he blushed slightly, still not used to calling her by her first name in public.
"Hello Jiro, what brings you down to the gym, if you're here to train you've chosen a bad time, class begins in twenty minutes" Lida said, using his characteristic hand chop to get his point across.
"Well I'm actually here to talk to Izuku" Jiro said, pointing at Midoriya who tensed slightly.
"M-me?" Midoriya said, surprised that Jiro wanted to track him down to talk instead of just waiting for class. 'what's happened?' He thought to himself, growing slightly concerned.
"Very well, I shall be heading to the changing rooms to get ready for class, don't take to long you two, I except you both at class" Lida said, smiling at the two with a couple faint nods before excusing himself, grabbing his bag and heading to the connected changing rooms.
"W-what's up Kyoka?" Midoriya asked, looking down at Jiro with a reassuring smile.
Jiro melted for that smile, making her feel better in almost any situation as she took a step forward, the faint smell of sweat filling her nose as she properly looks at him, her cheeks tinting red as she sees his sweat covered form, his shirt clinging to his chest slightly.
"W-well it's about something that's been on my mind a lot recently. It's about Bakugo and you, I've noticed you always hide your past with him, why?" Jiro said, looking back up with Midoriya, her earphone jacks tapping together without her even realising, her paranoia of the question apparent.
"Kyoka I don't wanna talk about it" Midoriya deflected, turning around to his bag as he placed his water bottle inside, slinging it over his shoulder. "I-I need to go get changed" He said, heading to the changing rooms.
His path was blocked as Jiro stepped in front of him, placing her hand on his chest to truly stop him in his place. "No. You don't get to do it again. Izuku I'm your friend aren't I? I might be able to help with what is going on" She said, trying to reassure her friend.
"No you can't Kyoka, n-nobody has so far so why would you?" Midoriya asked, his breathing shaking slightly as he looked over Jiro for a moment, seeing Lida fully dressed and heading to class.
"Because I care about you Izuku, please let me help you, tell me what's going on" Jiro said, not realising how serious this was to him as her concern only grew more.
Midoriya chewed his bottom lip, looking around before looking down at Jiro, concern clearly covering her face…nobody had ever looked at him that way. Maybe she was different? She certainly has been his closest friend to date, but he couldn't bring himself to reveal everything, not yet atleast.
"K-kyoka he bullied me o-ok?" Midoriya confessed, placing a hand over his chest to hold his opposite shoulder, Jiro taking notice of the action.
"Bullying doesn't make someone go pale at a loud explosion or when he walks into the room" Jiro countered, taking a step closer.
"I-it does when he does it for years of your life…" Midoriya murmured, looking down to the floor as the hand on his shoulder moves to his forearm, rubbing it.
"We need to tell the teachers" Jiro said, moving to the door, fully expecting Midoriya to follow.
"NO!" Midoriya quickly grabbed Jiro's wrist, stopping her in her stride as she turned her head to face him. "N-no, p-please don't, h-he'll find o-out. He always f-find's out" Midoriya said, his voice breaking as tears formed in the corners of his eyes. He truly looked desperate to not be found out, Jiro moving closer when she see's his breathing becoming erratic.
"Calm down Izuku, come here it's ok" Jiro said, moving closer as she brought Midoriya into a warm embrace. "Shhhh it's ok Izuku, just get it out, you've held onto this enough" She said, comforting him as she held him close. She needed answers from Bakugo, trying to contain her pure unbridled rage inside, now she needed to be a friend to Izuku, not an enemy of Bakugo.
Midoriya collapsed onto the floor, guided by Jiro as she brought his head into her shoulder, stroking the back of his head gently as her other arm laid on his chest, felling his heart slowly begin to slow down.
Midoriya wrapped one arm around Jiro, gripping onto her shirt as he let his emotions flow, crying loudly, not caring anymore.
They stayed like this for a few moments, just being in each other's embrace. Jiro slowly pulled away, much to the reluctance of Midoriya.
"Izuku, Izuku look at me" Jiro said, using a jack to lift his chin, slightly red eyes looking deep into hers. Midoriya had never realised what shade of purple her eyes were, they were a deep purple, almost like an amethyst.
"I need you to trust me Izuku, we need to tell a teacher, even if it's just one. These aren't like your old teacher's, these are pro hero's, they will take this more seriously ok?" Jiro said, hoping to convince the broken boy in front of her.
Midoriya looked spaced out, but was deeply thinking about to do next, giving a faint nod, looking back to Jiro. "Mr Aizawa" He said, "Only him" Midoriya reinforced, his breathing almost back to normal.
"Ok, ill grab him from class and bring him here ok? Why don't you get washed up while I grab him?" Jiro suggested, getting a single nod from Midoriya as he grabbed his bag, walking to the changing room, clearly emotionally drained by his zombie like walk. Jiro slowly stood up, watching him walk to the changing rooms. It hurt, she didn't want to leave him right now, even for a second. She pressed on, turning into the hallway and running to the classroom.
Mr Aizawa was talking to the class, noticing two seats were empty, he was greatly confused by this, having seen both Jiro and Midoriya at the start of the day at class form. Looking at the clock, ten minutes had gone by since class started before the door opened, a slightly panting Jiro standing in the doorway, only a few heads raising, the rest working hard on the current classwork.
"Ahh Jiro, thank you for gracing us with your presence" Mr Aizawa said, looking at her with a deadpan expression. "Please take a seat, I'll talk to you at the end of cla-"
"Sir please come with me" Jiro interrupted, the rest of the class looking up as the standoff took place.
Mr Aizawa wanted to confront this, now. But he looked closer, seeing her slightly panting form. She ran here, why? And she deliberately left out any reason to follow her, she wants this to be discreet. More thoughts swarmed his brain before giving a faint shrug.
"Ok" he said simply, walking towards the door to follow Jiro. "Everyone continue with your work, Lida keep everyone in check" He said, walking out of the room with Jiro.
"YES SIR!" Lida could be heard shouting, no doubt already at the front of the class.
"What's wrong Jiro, your never one to pull a stunt like this" Mr Aizawa said, looking down at his purple haired student, placing his hands in his pockets as he returned to his slightly slumped posture.
"It's Midoriya sir, he needs to talk to you about something very important, he's at the gym getting cleaned up while I came to get you" Jiro explained, both walking down the stairs.
"What about?" Mr Aizawa said, his interest growing.
"Simply put, bullying, but Midoriya will explain it better" Jiro said, not thinking it was her story to tell.
They soon both arrived at the entrance to the gym, Midoriya sitting outside on a bench looking clueless, like he wasn't on this plane of existence.
Mr Aizawa moved ahead, standing in front of his sitting student. "What's this about Midoriya?" He said, looking over his student, noticing the bloodshot eyes and slightly tear stained cheeks.
"M-Mr Aizawa, I-I've been bullied most o-of my a-academic life by b-b-bakugo" Midoriya said, he'd sat there for ten minutes going through the sentence, just trying to get it out in a stuttering, broken voice. Jiro moved towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder, Midoriya noticeably calming down from the action.
Mr Aizawa looked around, then taking a step closer and kneeling down to be eye level with Midoriya. "How bad?" He asked the child.
"V-very" Midoriya could only croak out, trying not to start off his tears again.
"Sir you can't tell anyone about this, I tried to convince him but Izuku said that he always finds out." Jiro said, remembering what caused Midoriya's small panic attack.
"That makes things difficult" Mr Aizawa said, pointing at Midoriya. "This isn't fake, you two aren't trying to cause drama or trouble, but the best I can do right now is keep an eye on Bakugo, as well as make sure you two aren't paired up in any training sessions" Mr Aizawa said.
The news was overwhelming for Midoriya, he explained himself and just like that someone helped, and then he did it again to a teacher and now the teacher is helping him. "T-thank you" Midoriya said, tears forming in his eyes again.
Mr Aizawa just nodded, looking at Jiro. "Jiro he's done for today, he's to emotionally compromised for this evenings hero training, would you be willing to call it a day as well and help him home? I'll have Lida write up notes for the two of you" Mr Aizawa said, Jiro nodding as she grabbed Midoriya's bag and flinging it over her shoulder.
"Good, stay safe, let me look into this Bakugo thing during training" Mr Aizawa said, walking back to class.
"We will, thank you sir!" Jiro shouted down the corridor to her teacher, looking back at Midoriya.
"Come on lets get you home" Jiro whispered to him, grabbing his arm slightly to lift him to his feet, Midoriya nodding as he followed Jiro almost like a zombie.
The two soon left the gates of UA, walking down the street, barely one in the evening as Jiro kept looking over at Midoriya, concerned for the emotionally drained boy. "Izuku you ok?" She asked, getting a reaction out of Midoriya as he shook his head, looking at her with a tired smile.
"Yeah, just tired ya know?" He said, giving his first honest smile of today, allowing Jiro to give an honest smile back, taking a step closer to him.
"Yeah I understand, let's get you home so you can get some rest then" Jiro said, both walking next to each other down the street as they head to Midoriya's house. Jiro kept a close eye on Midoriya, watching his facial expressions change to a more relaxed form.
They soon reached the Midoriya household, walking up the stairs to his home as Jiro handed Midoriya his bag. He grabbed it off her with a smile, crouching down to place it on the ground as he opened it up, rustling his hand inside as he grabbed his keys. He zipped his bag closed as he opened the door to his home, smiling at Jiro.
"Thank you for everything today Kyoka, I wouldn't have done any of this without you" He said, smiling down at her with a tired, but sincere smile. "Want to come in? I-I could get you a drink or something? My mum won't be back for a couple more hours" Midoriya asked, opening the door slightly if she wanted to come in.
"Yes pleases, tea would be lovely" Jiro said, walking inside his home as she looked around, noticing the joint kitchen and living room. She smiled as she removed her shoes, moving to sit down on the sofa, placing her bag on the side as she gave a relaxed sigh.
Midoriya quickly took his shoes off and headed to the Kitchen, filling the kettle and turning it on. He reached up to a cupboard and grabbed two mugs, smiling as he placed two tea bags inside, leaning over the counter to look at Jiro. "you want anything adding?"
"No thank you" Jiro said, lifting her head to look over the sofa, though her vision was now inverted.
'Cute as always' Midoriya said to himself, chuckling slightly as he returned to the tea, the kettle fully boiled. He poured the hot liquid into their mugs, bringing both over to the sofa as he sat down next to Jiro, offering her the tea in his hands as she happily took it.
"Thank you" Jiro said, holding the warm mug as she smelt the sweet smelling liquid, taking a small sip before giving a content sigh.
Midoriya kept tapping the side of his cup, occasionally looking at Jiro, only to look down at the warm liquid in front of him. He gave a shaking breath before taking a breath. "I've known B-Bakugo since I was a kid, and we used to be good friends. But since he manifested his quirk he changed, everyone was getting quirks and mine never showed up." Midoriya said, clutching the mug, Jiro immediately looking at him as he explained himself.
"Eventually he started calling me 'Deku' because I was the only person that didn't have a quirk, which just made us grow further apart. Soon after he was bullying this kid, and I tried to stop him. That put the final nail in the coffin of our relationship, deciding to put me in my place for trying to stop him" Midoriya said, a small sniffle escaping his nose as he looked over at Jiro, making sure she was still paying attention.
Jiro nodded, a comforting smile on her face encouraging him to keep going, scooting closer to him.
"I was then bullied throughout all of Junior high, saying stuff about how I apparently think I'm better than him. Wanting to t-teach me m-my place" Midoriya said, choking up as the memories started to flood back, placing his tea down and he held his own arms.
Jiro quickly acted, not wanting him to break again as she moved forward. She quickly wrapped her arms around his chest, hugging him tight as she rested her head over his shoulder. "I-its fine Izuku you don't have to do this, not today at least, you've already opened up so much." She said, comforting the damaged boy she was holding.
That broke the damn for Midoriya, clutching onto Jiro tightly as he let the dam break, crying loudly and ugly into her shoulder. Neither cared, Jiro moved a hand to the back of his head, gently stroking his hair, it seemed to help in the gym.
"I-I-I'm so s-s-sorry k-kyoka" Midoriya choked out. Trying, and failing to hold back tears as he spoke. "Y-You don't d-deserve th-this. J-just please don't l-leave me" He said, his voice filled with fear of losing his only true friend, clutching her tighter.
"Shh it's fine Izuku, I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here for you ok?" She said, refusing to let him go, she had to protect him, her heart hurting from what he must have had to endure.
Both of their cups of tea went cold, neither cared, they just kept holding each other. Deep down Midoriya knew things were going to get better, and it was thanks to this angel that entered his life, and he wasn't going to let her go.