Momo was disconcerted when the bath door opened, and Izumi walked in. They had done it numerous times before, but now Momo was acutely aware of her feelings for her friend. The sudden arrival of Izumi with a very small towel held in front, which was not doing much to hide anything, made the room much warmer for the heiress as she felt her head spin some.

Quickly, Momo averted her gaze instead, looking down at the water and her nakedness; feeling self-conscious in a way she had never truly experienced, she sank below the tub's edge, hiding herself some.

Izumi, of course, saw nothing of the turmoil she had caused in her friend. Instead, she felt like something was hanging in the air between them. Momo, slinking below the water line while cute, made Izumi slightly disappointed that her friend was ignoring her arrival. Not sure what to do exactly, she set about her purpose of washing the grime away from the entrance exam.

"Momo," she called out.

The heiress gulped and contemplated running away but steadied herself and responded. "Yes, Izumi."

"I saw Bakugo today…" Izumi said quietly as she began to lather her hair.

All other worries immediately banished themselves from Momo's head as she sat up, focusing on the statement. "Are you okay?" Izumi just nodded. "Can I ask how it went?"

"Fine," Izumi shrugged. "He said hello and stumbled over his words like he was nervous. He had this girl with him. His sister, they adopted her, and they met in the mental health facility he was forced to attend. She says he saved her by listening and stuff." Izumi's voice trailed off some. "She wants me to at least talk to him once; I told him we should talk after the exam if we both get in." Izumi was rinsing out her hair; Momo could tell that the girl was using the water to hide some tears as Izumi's shoulders trembled slightly.

Momo stepped out of the bath, went to her friend, and wrapped her arms around Izumi's shoulders. They sat silently, water cascading off them as Izumi let her tears wash away down the drain.

"The court order of protection had lapsed, I was sure that I would see him again; I just wasn't ready." Izumi turned her face to look at Momo. "All these emotions came up; I was glad to see that he seems to have changed, part of me wants an apology for all he did, but I also want to beat his ass." Momo could see the complicated emotions playing across her friend's face.

"You are happy for his possible redemption as proof that your faith was rewarded," Momo said, holding Izumi tight; she saw Izumi nod. "You are owed an apology for everything he did, and if he doesn't give it, then that is proof that he may not have changed. And wanting to beat him up is natural." Izumi looked at Momo questioningly. "He hurt you, Izumi; he is responsible for much of your pain and anguish. He could have done something so simple as to give you a note to his mother. It may have done nothing but could have ended your torment sooner. I know you, this anger won't consume you, but you don't have to hide it from me. You can always be open with me, I will never judge you and I will never leave your side."

As Momo's words danced past the falling water, Izumi felt herself melting into her friend. Momo was this constant source of joy and comfort to her. She hated being apart from her, seeing her every morning at school was the highlight. It was hard for Izumi to understand; she was happy to see Kinoko, but it wasn't the same. Whenever she would first see Momo the butterflies would do a little flutter of happiness, the best was when she would wake up next to her. Those mornings when she would open her eyes and feel Momo next to her, or the first thing her eyes would see was Momo.

Sometimes, Izumi would fall asleep next to her friend, and her whole body would heat up. Then there was the dream.

Izumi would dream of being locked in a castle, the typical princess; she would try to escape but always get caught until this knight saves her. What frustrated her was that she felt in the dream that she was in love with this knight. This was why the knights had risked themselves for her. It was out of love.

The dream would end as the knight removed their helmet for the cheesy climactic kiss. For years, Izumi never saw the knight's face or any features, but then slowly, as the dream repeated, she finally saw the knight's hair; it was black, then some skin, a flawless pale skin. Then Izumi saw everything; it was Momo.

The kiss, the feeling of the kiss from her dream, followed her to the waking world; for days, Izumi found herself staring at her friend's lips, wondering if dreams would match reality. She didn't want to be kissed by anyone else; the boys they met or that she talked to made her nervous, and the butterflies danced, but for the wrong reasons. But Momo made her feel safe, secure, loved, cared for, and special, almost everything she could dream of.

Even now, she hadn't shared how seeing Bakugo felt with anyone or that she had seen him. She knew that she had to tell someone and that someone had to be Momo. She could be vulnerable with Momo, open, flawed, scared, and anything, and it would be okay.

Izumi slowly freed herself from Momo's embrace, and a feeling of absence immediately filled her heart.

"Better?" Momo asked gently.

"Much, thank you," Izumi responded. "Let me get clean, and I will soak some with you in the bath." Momo nodded, making her way to the bath once again. They made some small talk before Izumi went into detail about the exam and everything. Momo felt a little pang of jealousy as Izumi recalled the encounter with Denki and the boy asking her out on a date, but that tidbit seemed to fly over Izumi's head.

Inko called for them to hurry up or they would be late for their dinner reservations bringing their attention back to the real world.

-Mellissa Shield-

Melissa awoke in the infirmary at U.A. as she stirred to consciousness. She felt a soft touch on her hand; opening her eyes, she saw the brunette from the exam sitting next to her bed with a relieved look on her face.

"I am so glad you are awake. Recovery Girl said you would be fine, but I was still worried." The girl said with a smile. "Thank you for saving me."

Melissa did her best to return the smile, "That is what heroes in training should do."

"But you were the one who came and did it, the others…they just ran away," the girl looked down before shaking her head and recapturing Melissa's gaze. "I never told you my name, Ochaco Uraraka," she said, her smile returning.

"Melissa Shield." Ochaco's smile seemed contagious, and Melissa couldn't help but reciprocate it.

"I am so happy to have met you, but I have to get going; people are waiting to talk to you and I need to catch the train home. I am sure you got in, and I hope I do, too. I would like to see you again." Ochaco said, grabbing her bag.

"I hope you get in as well, Ochaco," Melissa said, smiling, as Ochaco waved making her way out the door.

As soon as Ochaco left, the door opened, and in walked her Uncle Might. Melissa was reaching for her phone she smiled at her uncle and then frowned when she saw 18 missed calls from her father and 56 unread text messages. She didn't have to be a genius to figure out what it was all about, and judging by the look on her uncle's face; he wanted to address the same thing.

"Hello, Uncle Might," she said as calmly as possible. "How was your day?"

"It was going as expected till I saw this very familiar blonde-haired girl taking the practical exam for the hero course." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Melissa, that was both very dangerous and amazing." Melissa's head shot up at the last part. "You should have said something; let your father or myself know."

"Would you have let me?' she said. "I know my father would have said no." The hero fell silent. "When I saw you in that hospital bed, and how close we came to losing you…I knew in my heart that something had to change." Melissa looked away for a moment.

"I always wanted to be a hero; I looked up to you so much! There was no way someone could give me a quirk, so I knew I had to step up and take a different route. No one can fill your shoes, but I can be a different symbol. A symbol of Hope that you can if you truly want to make a difference in this world! Quirkless or not! Powerful quirk or not!"

All-Might internally winced at her mentioning that no one could give her a quirk, he could have. He could have stopped looking at Melissa like the fragile little girl who would run and follow him around and see her as the strong, determined young woman she was becoming. She had seen what had happened and not knowing that he could have done something about her quirkless status she instead went a new way. She came to a fork in the road and went straight.

"Did I get in?" she asked quietly.

"I don't know, Melissa," he said softly, touching her shoulder. "I have to abstain from voting for you due to our relationship, but you were amazing out there. I am sure that you got in; I am sure your quirkless status will cause some legal issues, but they will figure it out. Melissa, once it gets out, the whole world will be watching, don't shoulder it alone."

"You did," she said quietly, almost a hint of bitterness.

"I had a circle of friends that I trusted, and I should have had a bigger one; I may not be in this spot if I had shared some of that burden." Toshi heard the note in her voice; it stung some. He had hidden himself from her for most of her life, and it was only when death was around the corner that he told her the truth. He could say to himself that he had done it for her safety, no matter how true it would be she would probably always see it as some betrayal or that he didn't trust her.

"If Izumi, Momo, and Kinoko got in, I wouldn't be alone. I like Izumi, she really …gets it." Melissa said.

"Izumi is a great place to start," All-Might said. "Now call your father before he loses his mind. Once you are done, get dressed. We are going out to dinner tonight with Izumi and her family to celebrate the exam," Melissa nodded, turning her attention to her phone. "I am proud of you Melissa," her uncle said as he exited the room.

Melissa smiled and felt warm as those words she longed to hear drifted down to her; now the next words she chased were "Welcome to U.A."

-Dinner-

They arrived at the exclusive restaurant, with most of the Shimura clan feeling out of place. Momo, of course, had been here before. Shota was dressed in a nice suit, clean-shaven, and feeling very out of place as he extended his hand to help Inko out of the car. Both were dressed in black, with Shota accented in green to match Inko's hair.

Momo and Izumi wore matching dark green dresses with a mid-leg slit that hugged them perfectly. Nemuri wore a similar style in dark purple, with Melissa in navy blue. They were escorted in and taken up the private elevator to avoid being seen by the other patrons, leading to a private room where Toshi was waiting for them.

The three girls sat together and started talking about the exam while the adults smiled, Nemuri nudging Shota about the memories of youth. Inko, of course, took some pictures of everyone. Though feeling out of place, Shota was happy that he was here. Inko, being by his side, was drawing more out of him, bringing him more out of his shell, and watching Izumi grow from this timid twig to this robust young woman had been an amazing journey.

He wondered if she and the others would end up in his class, would he have a chance to guide them and help them grow and reach their full potential? He wanted Melissa in his class, a quirkless hero; it would cause such shockwaves that even he knew the world would be watching. He knew that Izumi shouldn't be in class due to his relationship, but he selfishly wanted her and her friends there. Watching the trio together and the sheer joy they carried with them brought back such fond memories of his school days till tragedy took that away.

His curmudgeonly demeanor had been chipped away and softened by being given a glimpse of life he had never believed to be in reach. Seeing the strength that Inko and Izumi had shown over the years to come out of that situation and to find themselves here in this moment was a wake-up call for him. The chip that had rested so contently on his shoulder felt awkward and heavy. When he walked into his first session with Hound Dog, he thought the therapist was about to burst into tears.

For so long, the burden he had carried with him from Oboro's death had eaten him, knawed at his very soul. He buried his pain and ignored the pain that Hizashi and Nemuri had and were going through. Expelling or demoting students to "save them," some needed it, but they deserved a chance to chase their dreams to grow and become better than what they were.

The strength of a willingness to grow and a determination to succeed has been shoved in his face and made him see. Inko and Izumi had dared him not to notice, but he couldn't. Then there was All-Might and his connection to the family; he respected All-Might, but they never saw eye to eye.

He was loud and bombastic until he got a chance to know the man. But he was gentle and subtle, a force to be reckoned with. He had to carry himself as a symbol of something infallible, incorruptible, unbreakable. But then he was broken, almost died, and everything changed. The man who always smiled didn't. The man who was always loud was quiet.

Shota and he had begun to bond over the fact the Fire Breath was a complete piece of shit and needed to be kept away from Inko and Izumi at all costs. Watching All-Might work when no one was watching was something to see; an intellect was hidden from the world, and cunning and wit were kept secluded from almost everyone. The fire breath disappeared; there was no word, nothing, and no one was looking for him. Shota asked All-Might about it, and he said that Fire Breath was no longer a concern. Shota wanted to question it, but he chose not to.

Now he was here at dinner; the only one missing was Hizashi, who was on his way. The family Shota had always kept at arm's length, the family he wanted but had not known, and the future he dared to dream were all around him. He looked at Inko and felt love well up inside of himself. She made him want to be a better hero, a better person, and a better man. That was a woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

The world's loudest Peacock pulled him from his musings, but he didn't mind this time; he was happy to see his oldest friend.

-The Meal-

The Meal was amazing, and with them being in a private room, Momo and Izumi could eat to their heart's content, a fact encouraged by Nemuri and Shota as this whole thing was on All-Might's tab. The hero smiled, watching the girls eat as he watched them pull Melissa further into their circle. He was worried about how Melissa would react; if things continued along this course, Izumi would tell her about One for All. He hoped that any anger Melissa had would be directed at him and not at Izumi.

Once the meal concluded, the music drifted in from the main dining area where the dance floor was; it took one pleading look from Izumi with a false lip tremble for All-Might to agree to dance with her. After a subtle elbow from Nemuri and Hizashi, Shota asked Inko, who blushed as she held out her hand so he could escort her to the dance floor. Hizashi, in turn, asked Melissa, and Nemuri was smiling when Momo asked her to dance. As the dance ended, they switched partners and kept dancing in new conversations; Melissa and Izumi were confused about who should lead until Melissa took charge.

Momo and Izumi found themselves dancing last, Momo leading Izumi in a simple waltz that they had practiced hundreds of times for Momo's courtship balls. Izumi giggled under her breath at how effortlessly Momo could take the lead.

"Is there something amusing you?" Momo said, adding an air of sophistication to her voice, making herself sound slightly snooty.

"No, my lord," Izumi replied, sounding demur, looking up at Momo through her eyelashes. Completely oblivious of what it was doing to her friend. "I was just so mesmerized in your movement that I felt we were dancing amongst the stars with nary a person around to hear my heart beating."

"I make your heart stir?" Momo said, doing her best to maintain her tone.

"Like no other," Izumi could feel her heart beating faster; the butterflies were threatening to make an escape and fly away. "In your arms, feel safe, and I know I am protected and cared for. I-I don't think I could find that anywhere else." Izumi's mind was racing; the words were flooding the front of her mind, begging for release. She didn't understand it at first. As she looked up into Momo's deep black eyes, her gaze drifted to Momo's lips, the curve of her neck, the shape of her body. Izumi's mind and heart were about to explode, as it all came to the moment of clarity, a kick to the head, Shakabuku- A swift, spiritual kick to the head that alters your reality forever.

Izumi was looking at Momo, and it all clicked and fell into place. "I love you," she whispered.

Momo stopped and froze; it wasn't the normal "I love you." It sounded different; it sounded like a dream or a declaration. She could see the look of panic on Izumi's face; she quickly smiled, took her friend's hand, and led her out to the private balcony. Nemuri saw the whole thing and began to run interference.

-The Balcony-

They emerged into the cool night air the city lights laid out below them. Izumi was trying and failing not to freak out. Momo turned and faced her; Izumi was looking this way and that, contemplating jumping from the balcony, knowing she could use a shield pillar to save herself.

"Izumi," Momo's voice was soft but commanding, calling her attention. "What did you mean?"

"N-N-Nothing, nothing at all," she waived her hands defensively in front of herself. "I mean, I love you, like best friend…and…and." Izumi felt the world trying to fall in on her and that the whole planet was about to try and crush her. She had just messed up the best thing in her life, her best friend. After this was done, Kinoko would never talk to her; Melissa would probably look at her like a freak. Oh god, what about Toshi and her mom….I am in love with my best friend; I am in love with Momo. Oh god, she is a girl; I am a girl. She is going to hate me….I don't want her to hate me…

Momo heard the whole thing, the internal rambling that was not so internal. It had been a while since she had seen Izumi mutter like this. Her heart was pounding and threatening to explode when she heard Izumi declare her love, and she broke when she listened to the fear. The same fear that Momo had experienced when she told Nemuri. Momo gently took Izumi's face and turned the still-muttering girl face up. Momo stilled her exploding heart, gently leaned down, and kissed Izumi on the lips. Izumi froze. "I love you too."

Izumi slowly began to blush. It started at the tip of her toes and worked its way up her body till she swore smoke exploded from her head.

"But…But…" Izumi protested as her mind was struggling to reboot.

"I love you, Izumi Shimura," Momo whispered. "I am in love with you. I realized it and have been trying to figure out how to tell you," her voice becoming stronger and clearer with each word. "I want to be with you, I want to be your girlfriend, the rock that you can lean on, the shelter you seek when it rains. Will you be my girlfriend, Izumi?"

Izumi could feel the tears; she fought them back as best she could, but it was a struggle. "Yes, please take good care of me," she managed to reply; she closed her eyes and puckered her lips, inviting Momo to kiss her again. Momo's heart was pounding against her chest from Izumi's response; she leaned in, her eyes closing at the last moment before their lips met.

It was warm, tender, hesitant, and wonderful. Izumi looked sad when Momo pulled back. "How do we tell people? Do we tell people? They said all those things, and they are true!" Izumi fretted.

"We can take our time telling who we want, but we should tell you mother and mine, not to mention Kinoko," Momo paused. "I don't care what anyone says, or anyone thinks Izumi. I am not ashamed of you or how I feel about you."

Izumi looked at Momo and just smiled. "We should call Kinoko after we get home, but first." She reached out and took Momo's hand. Momo smiled as they walked back in hand and hand. Nemuri smiled as Izumi waited until her Mom looked at her.

"Mom, I am in love with Momo." She turned and looked at her girlfriend. "And she is my girlfriend."