"How's his training been going?"

"Honestly. I can't say he's made much progress really. That's why I asked for young Uraraka to be here, I thought that she'd be a big help, well she has, but it's still slower progress than I'm used to from the boy"

Aizawa nodded as the two men watched from a distance. Izuku had been practicing float now for about a week, and while he was struggling to control it, it was very slow progress.

"I think we should take a break Deku, what do you say?" Uraraka asked.

"I guess so"

Both teens landed softly on the floor and sat down to rest. Izuku looked deep in thought, the training was going well, but he felt like he was missing something entirely.

"The swimming example was a good one, but not quite a fit for float"

Izuku sighed. "So you're finally going to help me out? It's been an entire week Nana"

Uraraka turned to him with a raised eyebrow. Lately he seemed to have been talking to himself.

"Sorry, I was just ... "

"Talking to yourself I know, you carry on" she said with a small laugh.

Izuku turned to the woman sitting next to him with pleading eyes. And Nana being a mother caved in to the pressure.

"Fine! I'll give you a clue though, and just that"

Izuku smiled a bit and waited for her to speak.

"Well float works like how your friend explained to you, but with One for All, it's basically flying now. You'd have to work on the quirk while in motion, and not standing in a single spot. Maybe you could try training with someone who has good mobility in the air. If you do that, then the quirk is a piece of cake to control"

Izuku chewed on that for a while, not noticing that Nana had left him. What she said made a lot of sense. His approach to training was the thing he was getting wrong all this time. He needed mobility, in other words someone who could basically fly. There were a few people who came to mind, the most prominent being Nejire, but wouldn't she be too busy?

UA was preparing for it's cultural festival coming up in a short time, and apparently she was running for the beauty pageant. He didn't want to intrude on whatever plans she may have had all because he wanted to train his quirk.

"Is something wrong? You've been lost in thought since we left the training room" Uraraka asked as they headed back towards the dorms.

"Nothing really. I was just thinking back on something, regarding the training" he replied still looking forward.

"What is it?"

"First off, I'd like to thank you for taking your time to help me out with this. It means a lot to me, but I've been thinking and I got the idea that maybe the training approach is all wrong. We've been focusing on staying balanced in one single spot, it's helped a lot, but I think I'll have to find someone who can help me with movement"

"Oh, that makes sense. Do you have anyone in mind?" the girl asked.

Izuku scratched the back of his head. "Well there's only one person I know who can fly, Nejire-senpai" he replied.

Something about that tweaked a sour reaction from Uraraka. Unbeknownst to the boy, she had feelings for him, ever since their early days in the school, but then Nejire came out of nowhere and just swept him off with her. She was so bold, downright brazen in some of the things she did with Izuku. In a way, she respected that type of boldness. She and Nejire got along just fine, but the Izuku issue was a problem that was brewing slowly, and would explode someday.

"Is something wrong Uraraka?"

"Ah, it's nothing Deku. Let's head back" she replied walking ahead of him.

"Doesn't feel like it is though... "

xXx

"Okay, I'll just ask, and I'll be on my way. Don't get your hopes up Izuku"

He had made his way to the third year dorms after school to see his senpai. All Might agreed to him asking her for help, but honestly he wasn't sure if she would be able to. No harm in trying though. The other third years looked at him as he peeped in, making the boy nervous.

"Yo, green, over here" a voice called.

He turned to the side seeing a girl with pink hair motioning for him. He had seen her with Nejire multiple times around school, so she must've been her friend.

"Sorry for coming in like this" he began.

The girl patted the seat next to her and he sat down.

"No biggie. You were looking for Nejire weren't you?"

Izuku looked down shyly at the attention that he was getting from her. Her eyes were pretty intimidating if he was being honest. He nodded in response.

"You don't have to be scared of me, I don't bite y'know" she said with a small smile.

"Yeah ... I just wasn't planning on staying. I was going to ask senpai something and head back to my dorms actually" Izuku explained.

"Huh ... well sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. Your name's Izuku right?"

"Y-Yeah. Izuku's actually my first name. It's Izuku Midoriya"

"Ah, first name basis already ... " she said to herself then glanced at the boy.

He really didn't seem like much in her eyes, nothing special ... wait ...

An insect had flown into his eye, and he tried to get it out. In the process of doing so, he pushed back the bangs in front of his face, fully exposing it.

"HOLY SHIT HE'S ACTUALLY HOT!" the girl screamed internally.

As quickly as she had seen it, he covered it up. It was a bit of a bummer, having a face like that and hiding it behind his hair. He would be pretty popular if he showed off a little bit.

"Since she isn't here, I'll leave now. Wasn't betting on the chance that she was anyways" Izuku said getting up.

"Yeah. She's got the beauty pageant coming up. It's her last year to try and win it"

Izuku stopped and turned with a look of surprise.

"She hasn't won it before?!"

Yuyu chuckled at his reaction. It was pretty understandable.

"Yeah. There's this girl who edges her to it, really bossy and all that. So Nejire's been pretty intense about this whole thing"

"Even more reason not to bother her ... "

"I'll see you around senpai" he waved and left.

That just cemented it for him. He couldn't afford to bother her with his problems. She already had her plate full as is.

"I'm a bit excited to see the beauty pageant though ... " he said to himself.

/The next day/

"HEY! NO RUNNING IN THE HALLS!"

Class 1A were out for lunch break, and heard the sound of running footsteps coming from down the hall.

"Hey, isn't that Hado-senpai?" Tsuyu asked.

"IZUKUUUU!"

Said boy turned just in time to catch her weight, luckily she wasn't heavy, and balanced himself. Nejire took a few moments to catch her breath, using his shoulder to support herself.

"Glad ... I could ... find you ... " she said in between breaths.

"Uh, is something wrong?" the boy asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, No, just come with me a sec" she said taking his hand and leading him away from his classmates.

They stopped when they were both alone.

"I heard you came to see me at the dorms yesterday" she began.

"Oh yeah, but you were busy, and I don't want to trouble you anyways"

"Ah, did you need something from me?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

"I wanted you to help me control my flight, but I heard you've been working on other stuff, so I don't want to bother you with stuff like this" he explained.

"I can make time for that. It's not big deal" she replied almost immediately.

Izuku shook his head in disagreement. "No, you need to focus on what you've been working on. I don't want you to lose the beauty pageant because you decided to help me"

Nejire pouted and pinched his arm playfully.

"I can make time for it! And also ... helping Izuku is way more important than that beauty pageant ... "

Izuku's face took a slightly redder tinge at the sincerity and sweetness in her voice. She looked like an angel right now. He slowly brought his hand to cover his blushing face.

"What's wrong Izuku? You're all red? Are you perhaps ... embarrassed?" she asked in a teasing tone.

"S-Stop messing with me senpai!" he protested, earning a laugh from her. Yuyu was right, teasing him would definitely get a reaction. Maybe she should do it more often.

"Okay, but you're not getting away from this you hear? When the cultural festival is over, I'll help you out, sound good?"

"Y-Yeah ... okay senpa-"

"Just Nejire is fine, kay?" she corrected putting her finger to his lips.

Izuku nodded and stepped back from the girl. Luckily his bangs covered his red face, but Nejire could see straight through them.

"Let's head back then"

Izuku looked to the smiling girl who was holding his hand, and wondered again, why did he always let her do whatever she wanted. Was it that he liked her? Or was it something else?

"I guess ... no, it can't be ..." he thought to himself.

xXx

The cultural festival had started off with a bang, with Class 1A's insane concert. They definitely had the best event among the first years - despite protests from the other first years. Izuku was happy with his role in his class's performance, but what made him happiest was seeing the smile on Eri's face during the song.

The girl had been through enough that she wasn't able to smile, and he was glad they could blow away all the demons that haunted her. Currently he was walking with said girl, who had insisted on following him around the festival. He was heading towards where the beauty pageant was holding.

Mirio led him into one of the rooms. Izuku was curious as to why he was being dragged her.

"Oh hey! It's Izuku! And Eri!"

"Nej- AHH" Izuku screamed.

Nejire was floating in front of him in her pageant dress, and he was getting a face full of boobies.

"Sooo~ how do I look?" she asked the boy who had jumped back.

"You look great! The dress really highlights you well ..." he said with a small blush.

Mirio tilted his head at the interaction, and was pulled aside by Yuyu.

"You seeing what I'm seeing?"

"Yeah. When did this happen?" he asked.

"Really? You haven't noticed?! A few weeks now!" Yuyu replied in a harsh whisper.

"Ah ..."

"Look. We should give them some alone time. The festival is a perfect opportunity. If Nejire wants to jump his bones now's the time to do that"

Mirio looked confused at her choice of words. "Jump his bones ...? What's that mean?"

"Your innocence is why I like you so much ... too precious" the girl said with a sigh.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's nothing"

"Izuku, I want another candy apple" Eri said tugging at his sleeve.

"Ah, sure thing. Let's go get one" he said.

"Bye guys! Wish me luck!" Nejire said with a wave.

Internally Izuku was thankful for Eri's miraculous intervention. He didn't think he could handle Nejire's up close and personal approach today. Eri seemed to be a lot more vocal than she had been the last few weeks, thankfully she was still a little kid who could potentially forget about what she had gone through, but again she may not. Overhaul really was a piece of shit.

They got to the stall and he got a few extra just in case she would like them later on, though it probably wasn't too healthy. He and Eri got back just in time for the pageant, or at least Nejire's turn. His eyes widened as he gazed upon the angelic figure twirling in the air above them. She looked stunning, and the little twinkling effect from her quirk was the icing on the cake. One of the judges even fainted - which said enough. Izuku was pretty sure she had won, everyone did. Last time, or third time was definitely the charm.

"I finally did it! I was so nervous I could die!" the girl exclaimed as soon as she was out of earshot of the crowd.

"Yeah, and I'll say you totally killed it out there. You had everyone's jaws on the ground" Yuyu added with a small giggle.

"I'm just glad it's over now. There's so much I want to do tonight! It's my last festival after all" Nejire said running off to the changing rooms.

"Haya-senpai"

"Yo Izuku, how was the pageant?" the girl asked, knowing all too well that it'd get a reaction out of the boy. It did.

"Well it was ... nice. Nejire-senpai looked really pretty" he said.

"I told you to drop the 'senpai' didn't I?" said girl cut in, coming out in a simple but cute dress.

"Ah, sorry. I forgot ..." he apologized.

"Huh ... where's Eri?"

"Oh, she was already tired out, so I had to take her back to rest before coming back here" Izuku explained.

Yuyu looked at the two of them and suddenly spoke up.

"Hey here's an idea, why don't you guys go around and see what the other classes have to offer? Izuku, you go with her, sound good?"

"Yay! That's a great idea! Right Izuku?"

"Yeah ... I guess" he answered, not really knowing what else he could've said in that moment, and much like his usual interactions with her, he was dragged off into the school festival.

It was actually a lot of fun going around. He hadn't done anything to let loose in a long time, and he got the chance to, in fact everyone did. A lot of things that most schools would do pre-quirk era were being lost, it was now all about quirks and heroism.

Tonight was a reminder that they were more than just a bunch of superpowered individuals, but just teenagers ...

"Nejire, I'm going to get ice cream, what flavor do you want?" Izuku asked.

The girl seemed to brew over her choices, before turning back to him with a bright smile.

"Surprise me"

Izuku nodded - though confused and approached the stall. He got for himself chocolate mint, and for Nejire ... he had been stumped, but then a memory flashed through his mind.

"Ugh! You like chocolate mint?! I hate it!"

"Hey! It's actually good!"

"Enough bickering you two ... or I'll turn this car right back" Nejire's mother 'threatened'.

That did the trick, both children immediately quieted down, but still gave each other side glances from time to time.

"What's up with a name like Rocky Road anyways?" he asked.

"Beats me, but it's my favorite flavor!" the girl replied taking a big bite into it, even after warnings, then groaned a little.

"... brain freeze ..."

"Told you, you should be more careful with just biting into ice cream" her mom said with a giggle.

"Mom!"

"... Sir? You still here?"

Izuku blinked back into reality and scratched the back of his head.

"I'll have Rocky Road for the other one please"

"Sure thing"

He paid and got the two treats, then headed back to where Nejire was seated. She seemed to be lost in thought too, and he had to tap her shoulder to get her attention.

"Here. I hope I didn't get something you hated" he said handing it over to her.

Her eyes widened as she saw the flavor. It had brought back so many memories, and she looked back at him shocked.

"You hate it don't you ..."

"N-No ... how did you end up picking this?" she asked.

Izuku rubbed his neck, looking down at the ground as if looking for an answer.

"It just ... felt right I guess ..."

...

He thought she didn't hear, but then he panicked seeing her eyes filled with tears. Maybe she actually hated it after all. He must've screwed up somehow.

"If it's the flavor I can get you another one ..."

"No, this one's fine. Perfect actually. Rocky Road is my favorite ice cream flavor ..."

Izuku looked down and sighed in relief. He really thought he had fumbled it somehow. He didn't know why, but he never wanted to see her sad, cry, or have any emotion that wasn't like her usual bright and sunny personality. It just felt wrong ...

His face felt the gentle breeze that blew, which meant his hair wasn't in the way. Nejire had pushed it back.

"Can you stay like this? Just for tonight ..."

He smiled and nodded, actually putting it back in a little man bun with a rubber band he had on him just in case.

"Is this better?"

"Yeah ... much better ... " she said leaning into him.

Izuku looked up at the sky, and the stars, they looked so beautiful right now.

"Woah! Check out the stars! And the constellations!" Izuku said excitedly.

"You really like stars don't you Izuku ..."

"Yeah. I think they're pretty cool, and they're so pretty"

Nejire pouted and looked away. "Why don't you just marry one then?!"

"Huh? That's not possible ..." Izuku replied with a deadpan expression.

"Yeah well you've never said I'm pretty! It's not fair some stars get compliments" she complained.

"Okay, sorry. You're pretty Nejire, prettier than all the stars in the night sky ... gosh that sounded cheesy ..." Izuku said covering his face in embarrassment.

Nejire then switched moods immediately as one caught her attention. It wasn't necessarily the brightest, but it was the color that caught her eye. It had a bluish tinge to it, just like her hair.

"Hey hey Izuku look! There's a star that's just like me!" she said pointing at it.

"Ah, it does look like you. So what about it?"

It was night time, so Izuku couldn't see the blush that the girl had on her face.

"W-W-Well remember what I said, about marrying a star?" she began.

"Yeah, what about it?" Izuku asked confused.

"I guess it's okay if it was that one"

"That's a weird thing to say. I'm not gonna marry a star y'know" he said with a chuckle.

"Huh ... we'll see about that" Nejire said with a small smile.

"Izuku"

"What?"

"The moon is beautiful tonight isn't it?"