#12- My Hero Academia: Sophomores Rising

(In which we see the aftermath of the final war.)

"The aftermath of the Second Paranormal Liberation War has been even more brutal than the first. After the defeat of Tomura Shigaraki by Deku, and the defeat of All For One by Katsuki Bakugo, alias Dynamight, the Hero Public Safety Commission has decided to award them both with full licences and-"

The TV flickered to the next channel, where the host was also talking about them.

"The promotion of Deku and Dynamight to full heroes has raised concerns about-"

Again, it flickered.

"In other news, UA has announced that it is temporarily closing down while undergoing reconstruction. It will reopen in spring of 21XX. Here's what Nezu has to say-"

This time, a different hand tapped the remote, and the TV turned off. Ochako Uraraka looked at her friend, as he sighed.

"It's been 6 months. They're still talking about you, Deku-kun."

Izuku looked back at her, a raised eyebrow and amused smirk.

"I'm gonna miss you, y'know," he said finally. "When I start in America."

"Yeah, I could say the same here," Ochako replied, letting herself rest against him. She had vowed to tell him how she felt, sooner or later before he left, but this.. This felt nice. Moments like these made her forget.

"Apparently, Melissa's going to be like my sidekick. Or something."

"Hmm?" Ochako nearly asked him whether he liked Melissa, then remembered they weren't dating and so it shouldn't be a problem. Yet still she felt jealous.

"Kinda like All Might and David Shield."

"Uh huh," Ochako nodded. "Tell me, if a year or two were to go by without me, would you still remember me?"

"O-of course I would. You were my first real friend, after all."

"A decade?"

"Still yes."

"A century."

"We'd be dead by then," Izuku deadpanned.

"Answer the question, dummy," Ochako laughed.

"Fine.. yes," Izuku replied, red in the face. "I could never forget you."

"Me neither." Ochako leaned back a bit, and let herself relax in his embrace.

Neither of them spoke for a good while. Ochako was first to break the silence.

"Deku-kun?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you too.. Ochako."

With the weight of the world off their shoulders, the pair smiled, and let themselves rest.

By 3:00 the next day, it seemed almost empty at UA. Japan had been mostly rebuilt by now, with only the small villages and towns being left. Life was back to normal, for the most part. But Project Troy still stood, a relic of the war. Set to be torn down now, the students of the former 1-A gathered one final time, the hustle and bustle of UA, and by extension Musutafu City all around them.

"Ah, this brings back memories," said a now visible Toru.

"Bad ones," Ojiro replied, though he smiled ruefully.

"Don't be such a downer, Ojiro!" Kaminari chimed in.

"I have to agree with Jamming-Yay," Jiro agreed. "Remember the good times we had here."

"Yeah," Mineta chirped.

"Where are Uraraka and Midoriya?" Iida asked suddenly.

"Last I checked, her room- oh, you don't think they could be-" Ashido giggled.

"Absolutely not. Sorry to burst your bubble, Mina," Ochako replied as she approached.

"Aw… shame."

"So this is it…" Izuku finally spoke. "The last day I spend here, then I go to America. Do you guys think I'll be recognized?"

"Not really, you looked different enough.. Bakugo, though, I can tell they'll recognize him, kero," Tsuyu replied.

"That's a relief. I'd hate to be recognized immediately and mobbed," Izuku chuckled.

"You've gotten much more confident, Midobro," Kirishima noted.

"Defeating someone like Shigaraki will do that."

Bakugo chuckled too. "Yeah, it will- Koffkoffkoffkoff-!"

"Don't strain yourself, B," A familiar voice spoke up.

"Yeah!" chimed a second.

"Ah, Utsushimi, Yoarashi, nice to see you," Todoroki greeted them.

Bakugo gave them both a scowl, but lightened up a bit when he made eye contact with Utsushimi.

Suddenly, Izuku let out a yelp. "Good heavens, would you look at the time! I hate to dash like this, but I can't be late!"

As he turned to leave, Ochako by his side..

Iida stopped him, speeding in front of him. "Midoriya, wait. Your tie's loose."

After adjusting it, he stepped back. Satisfied with his handiwork, he nodded. "Alright. Don't disgrace the UA banner while you're away, or you'll have hell to pay."

"I won't," Izuku chuckled. Then he walked off, smiling.

At Haneda Airport, as he was about to part ways with Ochako, he saw someone familiar approach…

Actually.. 5 of them.

In the lead was his mother. Behind her, Katsuma, Eri, Mahoro and Kota trailed, excited as all hell.

Izuku tackled the poor woman, nearly knocking her over as they both wept.

"I'm gonna miss you, Mom.."

"Me too, Izuku. Me too. I'm so proud of you."

"If I see Dad, I'll pay him a visit."

"Please do. Tell him everything. Especially about Ochako."

"Mom!"

Inko merely giggled, and turned to Ochako, smiling warmly. "And you must be the Ochako Uraraka my son speaks so highly of. Thank you for being his first true friend."

Ochako smiled, feeling her permanent blush intensifying. "He deserved a friend. Besides, he's.." Her face turned redder, as she fought to say the words, "pretty cool."

Meanwhile, Izuku was attempting to explain to Eri the concept of an idol.

"Think of it as… if All Might is my idol, I worship him as a godlike figure," he tried.

"But All Might isn't a God… is he?" Eri asked, confused.

"Oh no, Eri-chan's dead.." Kota snickered, covering his eyes jokingly.

Izuku, seeing this, couldn't help but let out a laugh much like All Might's.

Or at least, what he was expecting to be like All Might's. Instead, it came off more like he'd been hit by Mister Smiley again.

"Hahahahahahahahahhahaha! No, no, Eri, you're right. All Might isn't a God. But I worship him as if he is one. Or did."

"I.. still don't get it," Eri admitted.

"It's like how you have a massive crush on Mister Deku but wouldn't want to marry him even if you had the chance," Katsuma snickered, while Mahoro facepalmed and Eri turned redder than her eyes.

"Holy sh*t, that's actually a good way to put it," Kota replied, eyebrow raised.

"Language," Mahoro scolded.

"Who made you the moderator?" Kota replied, causing Mahoro to turn red, and look away.

"S-shut up, idiot," Mahoro huffed.

Eri then looked at Izuku, her shyness overcome. "Deku-sama.. I want to be like you.. Do you think I'll be able to? One day?"

Izuku smiled warmly. "Yeah. You could be the next Recovery Girl."

"I know I will. Save people with a smile, I mean." Kota supplied helpfully, his smirk reminding Izuku of Kacchan's signature grin. When he was grinning.

"Just don't take too much after me, alright, Kota-kun? I paid Recovery Girl way too many visits when I was starting out," Izuku chortled.

"What? Oh come on! I'm only one year younger than Eri!" Kota protested, but Izuku stood, his green eyes full of warmth.

"Remember, kids. Stay in school, eat your vegetables, don't do drugs ever, and work your asses off. That's how you become a hero."

"Yes, sir," the children chorused in a variety of tones- Kota being snarky, Katsuma and Eri obedient, and Mahoro just happy to see her brother happy.

But as he went to check in, Ochako suddenly stopped him.

"Ochako, as much as I'll miss you, I still have to-"

CHYUU!

The feeling and sound of her lips pressed to his cut him off immediately. He went redder than a tomato, possibly his sneakers.

"Don't forget about me while you're in America. Please. And come back soon, okay?"

"U-U-Uraraka-san.."

"Promise me."

"I promise," he replied.

"Good," she replied, smiling. "I'll be waiting, whether it takes you 2 years or a decade. But come back to see me at least."

"I will," he replied, turning to leave.

"I love you," she called as he walked.

"I love you too," he replied as she turned to leave.

And with that, Izuku's journey to the Worldwide Symbol Of Peace really kicked into gear. As he sat on his flight, he let out a contented, confident sigh, and made a fist.

"Ready or not, America… here I come!"

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed these stories! That's all for now, but don't worry, I still have plenty of other things to offer! Please sure to watch out for my new fanfic, Bokurano (Our) Hero Academia. NakedTruth out!