Here it is, the fifty-eighth full chapter of Miraculous Quirks released at the set time for a weekly chapter regardless of where the draft is. There isn't much to say about this chapter as the title does give it away and we all know what happens around this time in anime only this time Marinette is around so let's see what happens with her present for this. Anyway, that is all the administrative stuff I have for now and as there are no review questions to answer or guest reviews to respond to I will end this note here. Do keep the reviews coming as I enjoy hearing from y'all. Now, though, it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the 58th full chapter of Miraculous Quirks.
Disclaimer: I do not own either of these great works of fiction.
Chapter 58: Matters of the Heart
"Urg, does it have to be this hard?" Mina asked rhetorically as she led out a dramatic wail and lent back on the sofa she was sitting on. "My body is killing me from all the acid I've been producing to increase its durability to my Quirk."
It was four days after the start of Class 1-A's intensive training regime to prepare for their upcoming provisional hero license exam and they were already beat. Even Marinette with her enhanced stamina and endurance was sore and tired from all the work she'd been putting into training up her stamina to handle what she had planned and perfecting that planned ultimate move for her Quirk.
Right now, all 7 girls in the class were sitting in the common area relaxing after the long day of work they'd put into training. Mina was leaning back on one of the side sofas still groaning, clearly at the end of her ropes with Kyoka sitting next to her.
On the main 3-seater was Tsu in the middle with her hair up in a bow and drinking a carton of what looked like strawberry milk with Toru on her right and Ochaco on her left. The latter was also drinking from a carton, but she was looking contemplative about it while not focusing on her surroundings very much. Lastly Momo and Marinette sat on the stools on the other side so that they formed 3 sides of a square around the table in the middle of the area.
The girls had decided to come and chill here as a unit after enjoying a bath in the communal bath to unwind and destress after the long day of hard training that they'd had. The guys, as there was more of them, were off doing their own things. Some were sleeping or bathing, others were just in their rooms doing their own things, Midoriya was outside still training in his new style despite the long day though none of them knew that, and the rest, about 6 or so, were up in Adrien's room relaxing with a macho bro fest of foosball, video games, and other manly pursuits as Kirishima called them.
Adrien had texted Marinette to let her know about it and said the girls were welcome, but she declined as this was a rare chance to get all the girls together and just chat as a unit. Marinette loved these moments with her girls, it was just like old times down to the fact that they all saw her as their leader, and they hadn't had a moment like this since the start of the training, so she wanted to have it with them. That and Marinette had noticed a strange change in Ochaco recently, one she had a feeling she knew at least the vague cause of, so she wanted to keep an eye on the brunette.
As such the girls were just chilling and talking amongst themselves. They were too drained to do anything else, but this was nice and with Mina's usual overreaction they now had something to talk about what with the big thing they for all of them being so close to starting.
"Well, they don't call it intensive training for nothing." Toru said, her outfit of a stripped tank top and shorts an odd sight with her invisible body as she sat on the sofa. "So that is to be expected."
"That's true." Momo said. "But it's strange to think that there's only a week left before the exam. Time really has gone by quickly what with the training."
"Momo, how's your ultimate move coming along?" Toru added clearly she was the one with the most recovered energy at the moment and thus leading the conversation.
"There's something I really want to do." Momo said putting a hand on her face and sighing. "But my body just isn't ready for it yet. I need time to develop my Quirk and improve my general endurance before I can manage it. That and I need to keep studying as many molecular structures as possible to ensure that it goes well."
"Makes sense." Toru said before turning to the girl next to Momo. "Well, what about you Marinette? The strongest in our class has to have something good planned, especially with how you've basically taken over a corner of the gym with really thick concrete that no one but a running stream of Ectoplasm clones are allowed into. What are you doing in there?"
"Well, that is for safety reasons seeing as what I'm trying to do would probably have more firepower than Bakugo's gauntlets." Marinette admitted and she meant it, what she was trying to do required basically the equivalent of a reinforced bomb shelter to make sure it worked and as such Cementoss had created a special area for her to train in though like Bakugo she kept accidentally destroying Ectoplasm's clones as she slowly perfected her ultimate move. "But I think it will be ready by the time of the test, Mr. Ectoplasm has given me a suggestion for research that may help and be better than the base I was initially using. All I'll say is that if pull this off, well I think I'll make you all speechless again."
"Seriously?" Kyoka asked her eyes wide as she listened to what Marinette was saying. "You are actually trying to top yourself now? We all know how good you are but until now you've not seemed to be fully aware of it yourself, what on earth are you planning?"
"I just figured that even with Lucky Charm I can create an ultimate move for it to overcome my weaknesses." Marinette said with a shrug. "So why not. After Kamino I got some advice on how I should look at my Quirk and, well, between that and some items that have had indirect effects I've started to broaden my understanding of how it works."
"True but seriously, you're already unreal with that Quirk." Toru said. "It's basically an ultimate move if done right. When we first heard of it we understood that it was strong but now it's unreal how powerful Lucky Charm can be."
"Apparently so." Marinette admitted though she'd never really thought of Lucky Charm like that before all this training but then again school was for learning so it shouldn't have been a surprise to her. "I mean I've always known that my Quirk is, well, a hell of a lot stronger than it would seem on paper what with the requirements to get an item and how I can set my goal to victory which will be achieved if I have the time to figure out what my item wants from me, but I do have weaknesses with it."
"You do?" Kyoka asked as Mina continued to groan next to her though she was listening. "I mean I guess; you did lose to Todoroki, but he had to seriously injure your and resort to his fire to manage it and I feel like now you'd beat him."
"True and you are right, I won't lose to him again." Marinette said with a grin. "But he does have the ability to best me because speed is a weakness of mine due to my own odd way of thinking. If I don't have a set, easy idea in mind like I did going up against Ida, I can't get a useful charm fast enough and I've always preferred the item first method as that works best for how I operate. I'm also not great against Adrien, Cataclysm is a natural Quirk that can negate mine completely, same with Shigaraki's similar Quirk as he destroyed my yo-yo and that thing is tough, so destruction Quirks are a weakness too."
"That's the same with me." Momo said with a nod. "Agreste showed that during the battle trial and he's no doubt a lot stronger."
"He is but there's a third weakness I've identified with my own Quirk and that is what I am working on an ultimate move for as I feel like that is going to be the most likely issue I'll have in the exam." Marinette said. "And I should be able to overcome it with a move like the one I've got in mind; I just need the stamina and visualization to perfect it."
"A third weakness?" Kyoka asked surprised by that but then again of all of them Marinette did have the best handle on her Quirk and how to use it combat. "It's hard to think of you having even one weakness though the destruction weakness does make sense."
"Numbers." Marinette said simply. "I'm great one on one but numbers are an issue at times if they are used to overwhelm me. Sure, unknown Quirks can be countered easily as Lucky Charm is that strong that it will give me what I need, I just need to figure out how to use the item which can take time hence Adrien usually protecting my ass while I figure an item out, but if there are many even my combat skills with my yo-yo could fail. As such, I'm working on creating what I'm calling an ultimate item, a set item that I know what it is before I create it and that can counter numbers no matter what. That way I can create it quickly when needed. Plus, now that I can change the item if my goal changes, it can be flexible."
"Holy shit." Kyoka said her eyes wide at the concept though she couldn't visualize it and didn't try as with Marinette it was best to just expect anything and wait to see what her brain came up with. "That sounds totally badass, definitely something you would do."
"Thank you for your kind words Kyoka." Marinette said with a smile. "But that's what I'm working on, as well as stamina as this item might be something that drains me faster given its complexity and shifting nature, so I need to be able to keep it up as long as possible or else it might not be effective. Remember, Lucky Charm's biggest limiter is that whatever I create with it will disappear, I have yet to perfect permanent or semi-permanent items, but I will try to after the exam, and as the main purpose of this ultimate item is villain neutralization and capture it needs to last long enough for other heroes to arrive and permanently detain the villains."
"Well damn, whatever it is going to be I know that I can't wait to see." Toru said sounding stunned at Marinette's idea, she'd more than lived up to what Toru had expected from asking her about her ultimate move training, before turning to Tsu. "What about you Tsu?"
"I've perfected a move that makes me even more frog-like than before." Tsu said simply, her previous issues fully resolved now as she took a break from her drink. "I'm sure even you'd look surprised Toru."
"I bet." Toru said with a laugh. "What's your story Ochaco? Ochaco?"
"Hey Ochaco?" Tsu asked tapping the girl on the shoulder when she didn't respond as she seemed to be completely in her own world with a straw in her mouth though not actually drinking her drink. "You ok?"
The result was, well, a shriek of surprise as Ochaco was suddenly blasted from her own thoughts by Tsu's tap. She'd not been listening to the other girls because her head was trying to wrap itself around what was going on with her heart. The result of her action was throwing her empty drink carton in the air in and getting everyone's attention.
The issue that was facing Ochaco was that after seeing the way Hatsume was with Deku while working on his costume improvements, including the view she'd given him that Ochaco had also seen and showed Ochaco that size wise Hatsume was her equal at least, not that it mattered of course, she'd been all out of sorts. She wasn't sure what it was but, well, her denial was unable to keep up with her heart and she'd been trying to figure it all out before Toru and Tsu had brought her back to reality.
"You seem tense." Tsu said bluntly now that Ochaco was back with them. "What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing, everything is going awesome, I'm just getting started." Ochaco said with a forced smile and look of determination on her face that almost instantly fell as she knew they wouldn't believe her, and she couldn't hide it from the other girls as they all gave her a look to show they indeed didn't believe her in the slightest. "At least that's how I'd usually be after training. The thing is, recently my heart has been all stirred up about something and I can't get my mind off it."
Instantly Mina was revitalized at those words and found a new wave of energy that only one thing could bring out in her that no amount of fatigue could prevent. At last, one of the girls who wasn't Marinette and thus already in it had expressed a clear sign of it and she had to know who it was who'd captured Ochaco's heart. She had to help her girl out and get that man she was interested in.
"It's love!" Mina yelled excitedly knowing precisely what it was and, well, Marinette at least couldn't disagree with her assessment given how she'd felt her heart be stirred up in the past when she thought of Adrien, well it still did but in different ways now that she knew he loved her back. "That's why you're like that girl!"
"What did you say!" Ochaco said going bright red and instantly getting defensive as she began frantically waving her hands around, all but admitting that at least subconsciously that was precisely what it was. "Glove? Shove? Dove? Never seen one what's that…"
"So, who is it?" Mina asked interrupting and pressing it now that she had her heartstrings strumming at Ochaco's love life and knowing the finalists for it as Ochaco kept her actions up in a failed attempt to prevent Mina from prying this time unlike during the slumber party at the training camp. "Midoriya or Ida? You're always hanging out with those two boys, so it has to be them. This time you're not getting out of it."
"You've got it all wrong." Ochaco tried to say as she put her face in her hands and proceeded to activate her Quirk in both hands on herself due to how emotional she was now getting as the first name Mina had mentioned had indeed been the very person who was on her mind. "That's not it, I swear."
Ochaco said the last bit as she suddenly floated into the air, spinning as she did, her emotions all over the place now. The other girls just looked at her in a mix of confusion, interest, or neutrality in Marinette's case. She didn't need any more evidence. Mina was right, Ochaco was clearly in love, or at least crushing extremely hard, on someone in their class and Marinette knew exactly who it was as there was no one else who it could be. The seed had long since been planted and has now grown roots so deep they'd likely never be pulled up now that they fully encircled Ochaco's heart.
"She's floating." Mina said finding it adorable and knowing that she was right as she, Kyoka and Toru all smiled up and the now upside down Ochaco above them.
"Which one?" Toru asked excitedly ignoring more of Ochaco's continued denials from above them. "Or is it someone else? Come on spill girl."
"Yeah out with it." Kyoka said getting in on the action with a grin up at her friend. "You know we're not going to give up until we know."
"I swear it's no one." Ochaco said from her now steady, upside down, floating position above them as all the girls looked up at her. "It's not like I know the first thing about dating or love or anything like that."
"It's not good to force an investigation." Tsu said. "It won't help anything."
"Tsu's right." Momo said seeing that this was something Ochaco wasn't going to share and using it as practice just in case she had to assist with the other, significantly bigger and potentially earth shattering, secret that one of the girls had that Momo had accidently discovered recently. "More importantly it's late. We should call it a night as we will be hard at training again come morning."
"Yeah don't pressure Ochaco on this." Marinette said getting up and stretching her still sore body despite the nice bath earlier helping a lot. "Take it from someone who's fallen in love and had to deal with all her friends knowing of her crush, it can be annoying if you're not ready to accept or act on it. If it is what you think it is Mina then Ochaco needs to sort it out on her own before coming to us and only if she wants to."
"No, I want to hear everything." Mina said getting up and getting frustrated as she needed to know who Ochaco was in love with so she could set about making it happen, though she was certain she knew who it was, as Ochaco finally calmed down a bit above them mainly because she was dizzy now. "You can't just spring a hint of romance on us and expect me to go to sleep without knowing more."
"What romance?" Ochaco asked from above them when she was snapped out of daze by a sound from outside and turned to look.
Outside in the courtyard, visible to only Ochaco because of her current predicament, was Deku. He was sparking with green electricity showing that his Quirk was active as he was practicing his new kicking style of combat that Hatsume had inadvertently inspired him to change to now that his arms were a lot weaker due to breaking them too many times. That part was driven from Ochaco's mind though as she watched Deku work, pushing himself even after a day of training to get better, stronger, and be that hero that she knew he'd be, the hero that inspired her to do her best every day.
Ochaco wasn't able to speak as she watched Deku work from one of his many notebooks on getting his new style down. Her heart soared at the sight and everything else was forgotten as she watched Deku be, well, Deku. All she could hear was the sound of her own internal music as she was lost in the sight of Deku working hard as if this very moment was special to just them, that she alone got to see him like this. Still, it wasn't what Mina had said, was it?
Of course, Marinette noticed this and saw the look on Ochaco's face as she seemed to stop in midair, still upside down, and look out the window with a small smile on her face and twinkle in her eyes as she was suddenly lost to them while Mina continued to complain about not being allowed to press Ochaco. Even without seeing it, Marinette knew that Midoriya was training outside, nothing else could have brought that look to Ochaco's face and it was adorable because Marinette knew that look, it was the look of a girl in love as she got a rare glimpse of her love in a moment only she could have with him.
There was no doubt in Marinette's mind anymore, her friend had fallen just as hard for Midoriya as she had for Adrien back in the day and on that Marinette swore to help Ochaco out. The first cause of business for that was getting the lovesick school girl by proxy that was Mina Ashido away before she noticed that Ochaco was in her own little world above them and try to find out what she was looking at.
"Alright come on, if you want to talk love then I'm the best girl for it." Marinette said as she grabbed Mina by the back of her shirt and began dragging her off to the elevator knowing that Mina had no way to stop her from removing her from the area given their respective levels of strength. "I can see you need your fix so I'll provide it for you with a story of me and Adrien that will melt your heart faster than your acid melts walls."
"Wohoo." Mina said completely forgetting about Ochaco now that Marinette was offering her an actual tale of active love within their class that would satisfy her for a while. "I'm finally going to learn how Marinette lost her virginity."
"No, no you are not learning that story, ever." Marinette said pointedly. "I'll tell you of Adrien and mine's first proper date that we had in Tokyo, that will suffice. Momo, Tsu, can you guys get Ochaco down please. The rest of you should go to bed, Momo's right, it will be a busy day again tomorrow."
Marinette didn't see what was going on behind her as she'd reached the elevator, called it, and unceremoniously tossed a still cheering Mina into it to take her up to her own room where Marinette would tell her a story to satisfy her needs. As such she didn't see that all the remaining girls, bar Ochaco who was still in her own little world, didn't even hesitate to follow her directions but did as instructed. They all respected and listened to Marinette when she gave orders, and she was right, they had to help Ochaco down and then get to bed as training would resume with the same intensity tomorrow.
Marinette was once again at her sowing machine working on the outfit she wanted to make for Adrien that was slowly coming together. Between training and preparing for the exam she didn't really have the time to do much work on it, but she'd set herself a half hour of work a night at least as a way to unwind after the day and relax before going to bed. It also allowed her to feel connected to Adrien right before dreaming of him now that they couldn't share a room, well when they didn't have a late-night chat over the phone that was.
As she worked, no music this time just in case she got another visitor like when Momo showed up as she was now expecting at least Toru and Mina to come and commission some clothes from her, the kwamis playing around the room and doing their own thing as the noise generator Momo had made her worked. All but Kaalki was there as she'd decided, completely on her own, that she was moving in with Momo now that Momo knew the full truth.
Marinette had been forced to go up to Momo's room when Momo told her of it that morning before class to talk with Kaalki herself but the kwami was obstinate about her decision to become Momo's unofficial roommate. In the end Marinette had relented so long as Kaalki was sensible and careful which she promised she would be.
It seemed like Kaalki was sticking to that promise, so Marinette was starting to not worry so much about the situation. It felt good having Momo know about her past and accept her despite it and she hoped that in time the others could find out as well but that would have to wait until the right time. None of them were ready for it yet though.
Suddenly there was a knock on her door that broke Marinette from her thoughts and instantly the kwamis flew away to hide be it in or under things or in the spare, empty, room below them on the girls side. That was a useful thing to have, and Marinette turned off her sowing machine and turned in her chair to face the door.
"Come on it." Marinette called to the knocker. "I'm still up, don't worry."
"Thanks." She heard Ochaco say from the other side right before the brunette opened the door and walked in, closing it behind her.
"Ochaco, this is a surprise." Marinette admitted and she meant it, she hadn't expected Ochaco to come by tonight, especially after the little incident downstairs. "What brings you around so late? Is there something I can do or make for you. It might take time with the latter though given the training we are doing does take up most our time at the moment."
"No, at least not yet I think though maybe once I've seen what you can do I'll ask as I could use some cheap clothes if that's ok with you." Ochaco said shaking her head before bending forward in a short bow towards Marinette. "I just wanted to come and say thank you for earlier, you helped diffuse that situation with Mina. I, I wasn't really able to deal with it as you can probably tell so thank you for helping end it."
"Just doing what was right." Marinette said dismissively but smiling as Ochaco rose from her bow. "My best friend back home can be a bit like that, so I understand what it's like to be on the receiving end of the class's gossip lover so to speak. It's clearly something that you didn't want to talk about, so I grabbed her to give her what she wanted."
"I heard after Momo and Tsu helped get me down." Ochaco said. "What did you tell her?"
"I told her of Adrien and mine's first true date in Tokyo, though we'd been dating for a bit by then." Marinette said. "It was our first proper date in a big city, and we did some really cheesy romantic things that couples do in Tokyo that really satisfied Mina."
"Ah that would do it." Ochaco said with a nod. "Well again thank you for helping. I'm not sure what is going up with me but dealing with Mina and her enthusiasm for that kinda stuff is not something that I can handle right now."
"I get it." Marinette said as Ochaco turned to the door, but she wasn't done, and Marinette saw this as her best chance to get Ochaco to open up about what was going on with her. "But Ochaco, know this. If you are having issues with your heart like this, well, I am the best one of us to talk to about it. Unlike Mina, I do understand love and what it's like to be in it, at least from my own experience being in love with Adrien, so if you want to chat about it or whatever is bothering you right now don't hesitate to ask. I'm here for you and all the girls, and the guys if they need it, so feel free to talk to me about anything."
Ochaco had her hand on the doorknob as Marinette spoke when the words hit her. She wasn't sure it was what Mina thought, though apparently Marinette had a similar suspicion about it, and on this topic she'd certainly know more than Mina. Plus, she was Ochaco's good friend and the one other than Deku who she looked to as a leader and as someone who she could go to for advice when needed.
Marinette was the leader of the girls at least, they all looked up to her and she in turn looked out for them, and, well, this was certainly something that she couldn't talk to Deku about. Maybe Marinette could help and at least allow her to clear her head so that she could focus on training and getting her provisional hero license without dealing with this issue distracting her.
"Marinette." Ochaco said not looking at her. "You're right, I, I could use some advice and there's no one other than you who I feel like I can ask about this. You do look out for us, you are always there when we need your leadership or experience, and I guess this is something that I could use your aid in clarifying what is going on with me."
"Then take a seat, I'm free now." Marinette said kindly. "And don't worry, I have a white noise generator now that will prevent Kyoka from hearing if she's training her Quirk. I, um, have a tendency to sing along to my music that could be embarrassing. Well, that and, um, Adrien and I kinda have some rather private talks most nights that I'd rather no one hear."
"Private talks?" Ochaco asked as she turned around to see Marinette go bright red at that and not look at her. "What could, oh…"
That was when it hit her, and she too went red. She was fully aware that Marinette was, well, the only one of them who was active in that part of her life and as she couldn't physically be with Agreste due to the dorms they had to work around it to satisfy that aspect of their relationship. Ochaco wasn't dumb, she knew what that meant and didn't want to dwell on it as she quickly took a seat on the fancy, surprising comfortable, chaise long that Marinette had in her room.
"Anyway, what's bothering you?" Marinette asked once Ochaco was sitting down as she looked at her friend to push past the slightly awkward moment. "Something has your heart a stir so what, or should I say who, caused it? Something must have happened to do so."
"Yeah something did happen, and I can't think well from it." Ochaco admitted. "Marinette, can, can you swear not to talk about this with anyone? This, this is something that I don't understand and I'm not sure what will come of this, but I know that it's something that has to stay between us."
"On my honor Ochaco I won't." Marinette said before getting serious as she looked at the other girl. "We all have secrets that we don't share except to those we trust, secrets we lie about to maintain for whatever reason that we might have and those are often not malicious, so I understand. I'll keep this secret for you."
"Thanks, I, I think I understand what you're saying." Ochaco said with a breath of relief though she was completely unaware of the much deeper meaning behind what Marinette was saying as Marinette had a secret, but Ochaco remembered the time that she saw Marinette crying in her sleep and mumbling in French and knew that her friend wouldn't want that out hence why she understood what Marinette was saying. "Alright, um, where should I begin?"
"While I think that there is a lot more to this than what has occurred recently, but why not start with that." Marinette said. "Because that is clearly what has pushed you past anything in the past to the point that it's stuck with you making it the most important thing to deal with right now. Am I right?"
"Yeah this isn't the first time I've dealt with strange things like this, and my heart has been a flutter before in relation to this but recently it's gotten to a point I can't ignore or deny is happening." Ochaco said looking down at her lap. "And yes, it, it does have to do with a boy, but I don't think it's what Mina means. I don't think I'm in love with him, he's just my friend, my best friend, and, well, I don't know what all this confusion going on in my head and my heart is."
"So, it is about Midoriya." Marinette said causing Ochaco to look up at Marinette in surprise to which Marinette just gave a knowing look in response. "Oh, come on, I know he's your best and closest friend, we all do. That much is obvious to even Midoriya. He'd say the same about you though I think he'd have an even harder time understanding these feelings knowing him."
"Right, it is true that Deku and I have been close, we have been since he saved me in the entrance exam." Ochaco said smiling at that memory and missing Marinette's attempt to imply that Midoriya might have the same feelings towards Ochaco that she did towards him. "We actually met on the entrance way when he tripped, and I used my Quirk to make his bag float to save him from faceplanting into the path. Then I released it when he was good and said I'd see him outside."
"A fortuitous, chance, meeting." Marinette said with a smile. "As if fate herself smiled upon you knowing that you two would be tied together from that."
"In a way you could say it was." Ochaco said, she'd not thought about it like that, but the way Marinette had phrased it, well it gave her a warm feeling in her heart to think that fate had played a role in bringing her and Deku together that day. "We ended up in the same practical and I was doing pretty well though probably not enough to pass when the zero-pointer appeared."
"Those big things from the Obstacle Race?" Marinette asked. "The ones that Todoroki and Adrien destroyed?"
"Right, I forgot you had a different exam as a transfer through that exchange program that U.A. has." Ochaco said. "Yes those things, there was one per section of the practical part of the entrance exam. It caused some debris to fall and pin my legs to the ground while everyone fled leaving me in its path with no way out as I had overused my Quirk by that point. The only one who didn't flee was the scrawny, plain looking boy with messy dark green hair in a light green tracksuit that I recognized from earlier. He wasn't moving and then he shot up at the robot and knocked it out with a single punch surprising all of us with his power. However, he clearly hurt himself as he fell down so, I, um repaid the favor by slapping him across the face as he reached me."
"Let me guess, that was so that you could get all 5 finger pads that you have onto him as fast as possible to activate your Quirk before he hit the ground." Marinette said. "Right?"
"Correct, I saved him the way he had saved me." Ochaco said smiling fondly at the memory. "Then I released him as he was out cold from the pain by that point and proceeded to vomit as I was well beyond my limit. I'd heard that he didn't have any hero points, none of us knew about the hidden rescue points at the time, so I went to see Present Mic afterwards to give him some of mine because he deserved some for what he did."
"That was noble of you." Marinette said not revealing that she knew all of this already as part of her preparations for U.A. "Just what you'd expect from a future hero."
"Present Mic said that I didn't need to worry, and it turned out he was right because of the rescue points." Ochaco said with a smile. "I got over 40 for saving him and he got the full 60 for saving me so we both got into U.A. in the top 10 of those taking the exam, in fact I came 3rd because of it, and he was 7th I think despite having no hero points. I was so happy to see that he was in our class as I could get to know him properly and well you know the rest."
"I do, you two became fast friends and have been close ever since." Marinette said remembering that first day well and how Ochaco had turned Deku into a positive for Midoriya and when she knew that the seed of deeper feelings had been planted for both of them. "But something recently has changed it."
"Yes and it's something that briefly came up at the Sports Festival before the Cavalry Battle, but I just dismissed it at the time as Deku was being, well Deku." Ochaco said recalling how easily Hatsume had gotten him into full Deku mode over her inventions. "Only this time it's worse. You see, Ida and I were going to the development studio the other day to see what they could do for us. Ida wanted to improve his radiator to cool it faster so as to deal with Recipro's drawback and I wanted to see if they had anything to help with my nausea when I over use my Quirk as I'm tired of getting sick. As we were arriving Deku was outside, so I ran to greet him when, well, the doors exploded outwards."
"Exploded?" Marinette asked. "Those doors?"
"Yup, turns out Mei Hatsume is rather accident prone when she's working on her inventions." Ochaco said getting jealous and upset just thinking about what happened when those doors exploded outwards. "You know her, right? The pink haired Support Course Girl who was part of mine and Deku's team for the Cavalry Battle and then tricked Ida into being a walking billboard for her in the final bracket."
"Yes I know her." Marinette said recalling her own recent interaction with the strange Support Course girl. "She's not the most socially conscious person."
"That's an understatement." Ochaco said with a sigh. "Well, when the smoke cleared I saw that Hatsume was, um, lying on top of Deku and from the angle he got a rather up close and personal view of Hatsume's surprising ample assets. And because I was where I was I too saw what he saw, and it was a bit disconcerting seeing her boobs like that."
"I bet Midoriya was the perfect gentleman though." Marinette said already seeing where this was going.
"He freaked out and looked away." Ochaco said which was something she liked. "And afterwards he couldn't look at her though she was completely unaffected by what had happened. She didn't remember us it seemed and then turned to leave but when we said that we were there for costume improvements she was instantly interested in us again."
"That would get her attention." Marinette said. "She's working on something for Adrien as well but go on, I'll tell that story later if it's needed."
"Right well she got very excited at being able to add to our costumes, especially Deku's." Ochaco said. "And then, she, um, started feeling Deku up and getting close to him, pressing her body to his which freaked him out and caused me to worry as she was noting how muscley he was. She kept this up despite Power Loader reminding her that she'd only just been thrown into a wall twice less than an hour before for doing something similar. I didn't know what that was about though."
"Oh, that was me." Marinette said completely surprising Ochaco who blinked at her, and Marinette saw her opening for what she knew Ochaco was feeling so she shared her own interaction with Hatsume. "Yeah she did that to Adrien, so I reacted rather impulsively and pulled her off him. I was also wearing my costume, so my strength was even higher than usual, something I kinda forgot about. In my defense she was blatantly feeling up my man, but I did go a bit far."
"Ah I see." Ochaco said unable to not feel glad that Marinette had done that to Hatsume and unsure why she felt like that or why she was now thinking of floating Hatsume if she tried that with Deku again in front of her. "But the second time?"
"She decided to check out my muscles and got, well not a handful as they're not that, but a full feel of my girls." Marinette said causing Ochaco to go wide eyed again. "Yeah I reacted by lifting her off me and throwing her into the wall again."
"I take it Mr. Power Loader wasn't happy with that." Ochaco said.
"Not at all." Marinette admitted with regret in her voice at how she lost control of her emotions briefly. "I got banned until the start of the semester and have a week of detention with him to start it, as does Hatsume for her actions towards us, so I'll get to know her well soon enough."
"That could be interesting." Ochaco said.
"It could but go on with your story." Marinette said. "I think I know what is going on, but you aren't done are you."
"No, I'm not." Ochaco said. "Hatsume tried some more devices out and then she said what caused Deku to change his style, but it was to Ida about his own style just, well, you know how Deku is. He really got into it, and, well, they started talking just them like the Sports Festival and she agreed to make all his new gear. I was there but left out and that's when the whole heart thing started as I wasn't comfortable with how close Hatsume was with Deku. It's been on my mind since then and I didn't even get anything changed to my gear."
"Yup it is as I thought." Marinette said causing Ochaco to look at her with a look of hope that Marinette was about to dash because there was only one answer to what Ochaco was going through. "You're jealous of Hatsume and her close interactions with Midoriya in front of you. It's as I thought and there is only one reason for you to be in this kind of tizzy over it and, well, Mina is right about this. Ochaco, I'm sorry to say this because it's clear you're trying to deny or rationalize it to yourself, but I have to. You have romantic feelings for Midoriya, and they run very deep, deeper than a simple crush. I won't go and call it love as only you can know that but, well, I know a crush and you have it and have it bad."
"No, it can't be it's not like that." Ochaco said instantly going into denial as she shook her head violently at that as she'd hoped that Marinette had a better answer for her than, well, this. "I don't even know…"
Ochaco kept babbling as she tried to talk her way out of it, but she was barely able to convince herself anymore. She remembered what Aoyama had said to her in their practical final, the slumber party talk, that damned dream that she'd had that was still vivid in her mind, what Mina said earlier and now Marinette confirming it. Her friend was being blunt but kind with her and if any of the girls truly understood the heart in this way it was the one who was in love and had a boyfriend. Ochaco was still in this dizzy when she was interrupted by Marinette.
Marinette had wheeled over in her chair to her friend as she was talking and surprised her by taking Ochaco's hands in hers. For the first time Ochaco noted how slender and delicate Marinette's fingers actually were, an odd contrast to her own ones and really strange given how strong Marinette was, but the girl just took her hands, making sure to leave Ochaco's pinkies out lest she lose control of her Quirk again and cause Marinette to float, and looked Ochaco dead in the eye, her stunning bluebell ones boring into Ochaco's brown orbs.
"Ochaco, I know this feeling well, I know when the green-eyed monster has reared its ugly head as I've danced with her a time or two and I can tell that you are jealous but because of your denial of your feelings for Midoriya you don't know what to do." Marinette said softly and kindly clearly understanding what Ochaco was dealing with. "But I know that that is what you are feeling because I've sure as shit been there before many a time so let me tell you a story of one of those times as it will help you. It is a story of when I let my jealousy get the better of me and abused my Quirk because of it. Please listen to me so you understand that I know where you are coming from better than anyone else here."
"O, ok." Ochaco said weakly accepting that this was going to happen and willing to listen to Marinette as she did understand this best. "What happened?"
"It was a few years back, in Paris during my first year in the Hero Course there." Marinette said tailoring the true story to her current situation as it was actually 232 years ago, and no Quirks were involved but Ochaco didn't need to know that. "I had already fallen for Adrien by that point and had accepted my crush on him, but I wasn't the only one. At the time I had a rival, and it was my Bakugo in a lot of ways only this person was actually selfish, shallow, and self-centered rather than the more complex character that Bakugo is."
"That doesn't sound good." Ochaco admitted.
"No, no it wasn't." Marinette admitted. "Because we are both from well off families, Chloe and I have been at school together since kindergarten and been rivals since the start as our personalities don't mesh at all. She was also Adrien's only friend before he started at Francois Dupont, and she also had a crush on him that was even more blatant than mine but, well, she was so open about it that he thought it was a joke as it was how she always around him."
"Did she know about yours?" Ochaco asked.
"She found out recently, shortly before I left for Japan back when I was still pinning after Adrien, but that's a different story and involves our other rival for Adrien, Kagami, who joined in our second year." Marinette said glossing over that. "This was the first year and not my proudest moment. You see, Adrien's father had banned him from having a party for his birthday so his best friend, Nino, threw him one anyway in Adrien's courtyard. Nino is a part time DJ so he's really good at that kinda stuff but, well, it was a bit forced as Chloe got her hooks into it. During the impromptu party, earlier than usual, she requested a slow song and grabbed Adrien for a slow dance."
"In front of you?" Ochaco asked shocked.
"No, I wasn't there, I'd slipped away because I was still extremely insecure of my feelings around Adrien back then so usually observed him from a distance in those situations." Marinette said knowing that she had to fudge a few things as this was when Nino had been akumatized into Bubbler which she couldn't explain right now. "And as soon as I saw that though, well I saw green so to speak. Despite it being wrong, I activated Lucky Charm and got a record. I then used it, and a few things as it was like with the ball I used to find Mineta when he tried to spy on Class B at the training camp get the record onto the track to stop the slow dance. It was an abuse of my Quirk and I'm glad I didn't face Chloe as her Quirk can be a problem."
"You know her Quirk?" Ochaco asked. "Don't you guys have a secrecy thing there?"
"We do but Chloe, well she's not known for that kinda thing." Marinette said which was an understatement to say the least but again the full story couldn't be told to Ochaco, not yet at least. "So, she was the only one open about it in the class. Her Quirk is called Venom and allows her to create a potent neurotoxin that she can either channel through her fingernails or into a special item she has with her costume that stores it kinda like Bakugo's gauntlets actually. It's one of the best capture Quirks out there as once she strikes you with it, you're completely paralyzed and can't move at all until she ends it. As such she uses a bee theme in her costume."
"Woah that is strong." Ochaco said surprised by the Quirk Marinette was describing. "You French have some strong Quirks."
"Yes, yes it is but she is from a family known for even more intensive Quirk Marriages than any other in France hence why she has." Marinette said. "So, she's also got an enhanced constitution that matches, if not surpasses, mine. That's besides the point though. The lesson from my actions was that I used my Quirk in a wrong way simply because the boy I liked was about to dance with another girl who was my rival for him, and this was long before Adrien and I became a couple. I let my jealousy get the better of me and acted out. You are also dealing with jealousy but don't understand it because of your denial."
"I see." Ochaco said trying to understand what Marinette was saying but she was still trying to avoid admitting what was becoming more and more evident to her was in deed true. "I didn't want to do that to Hatsume though."
"No but that's because your jealousy is at war with your insecurity over your romantic feelings for Midoriya." Marinette said bluntly but not unkindly. "And now that it has flared up because of Hatsume you can't properly deny it anymore. Your brain is no longer able to rationalize what your heart has likely been feeling for a while now."
"I, no, that can't be it." Ochaco said still trying to deny it.
"Ok well at least answer me this then." Marinette said seriously as she looked into Ochaco's eyes. "This feeling in your chest, the way your heart is, it's like a constant buzz right? A fast beat that gets even faster when you think of Midoriya and it feels tight and pained when seeing him interact with another girl, especially one who can trigger reactions from him due to her own lack of social grace or personal space but who at the same time can get him to overcome that due to a similar passion level. That sets it off even if he's a dense, clueless, idiot towards how it is making you feel, especially when he recovers and gives Hatsume more attention now that she's making him stuff for his costume. Am I close?"
"That, that's exactly how it is." Ochaco admitted her eyes wide once more as she just stared at Marinette and how she got everything right about the situation. "How did you know?"
"Because even to this day that's how I feel around Adrien." Marinette said with a smile and Ochaco could see the love Marinette had for him dance in her blue eyes as she spoke. "Every time I see him my heart leaps and beats faster even though I am his now and learned that he always returned my love. It's the way I felt when Hatsume was like that the other day to him, or Chloe, or Kagami in the past when we competed for his heart. Then there's the way your heart goes when he smiles that smile that you love and know is just for you, that puts you at ease no matter what or that electricity you feel when you touch him. It only happens to the person you love but the heart wants what the heart wants."
All Ochaco could do was stare at Marinette as she spoke knowing that she was right about everything when she looked at it from Marinette's perspective. That was exactly how her heart got when she saw Deku and when he gave her that smile of his, the one she knew he only used for her, well she almost melted just thinking of it.
Then there was also her desire to touch him, to hold him when he needed it, but she didn't because that wasn't proper, but she knew she'd feel what Marinette was saying if she did and that dream, being carried in Deku's arms, well that was something she knew that she had to experience. Then there was all the Hatsume stuff and how it made her feel, him seeing her boobs, and how close she got to him when she was feeling out his muscles and again Marinette was right.
"I see I'm getting through." Marinette said with a smile at the look in Ochaco's eyes. "So, to finish it I'll just guess as to how this happened as it is different to me as Adrien's kindness won my heart almost right away."
"I…" Ochaco began but Marinette cut her off.
"For you it was admiration that planted the seed that your closeness with him watered until it bloomed." Marinette said. "Admiration for him after he saved you in the entrance exam, an admiration that deepened when you heard him say he'd reclaim Deku as a name thanks to you saying that it would make a great hero name showing that you two had a special bond from the start. Then, as you got to know him more you trusted him more and began to try to be like him because he inspired you with his dedication and drive, I know that from the Sports Festival because you impressed even Midoriya with your fight against Bakugo."
At that Marinette paused as she saw Ochaco flush pink and smile at that. She had a feeling that Ochaco had rejected Midoriya's help, though she hadn't been there for that as she'd been cheering Adrien on in his fight with Kirishima at the time, against Bakugo so as to do it her own way but in a way that was inspired by Midoriya. That had been clear in that match and Midoriya had even defended her when Bakugo accused him of giving her the idea. However, Marinette wasn't done with her reasoning why Ochaco had fallen for Midoriya, and fallen hard, so she continued.
"Then he officially took Deku as his hero name and though he didn't mention your name he did acknowledge that you were behind why he saw it in a new light and why it had to be his name." Marinette said brining Ochaco back to what was going on. "If I had to guess, Aoyama likely noticed as well, I can tell he at least called you out during the final as only something on that level could get you to let go of the railing like that, and from there it got deeper. This Hatsume stuff is just the final thing you needed as Hatsume is the first girl to be a true rival in your mind. If I wasn't here to explain this I am sure you'd realize yourself in time but now you can deal with it sooner."
Again, all Ochaco could do was just look at Marinette and let her words sink in. It took her a moment, but she finally understood it thanks to her friend showing her. Aoyama was right, so was that crazy bitch Toga but that wasn't relevant to her as she didn't want to think about that villain, Ochaco liked Deku, and she liked him as more than a friend.
She had full blown romantic feelings for that lovable dork. He'd wormed his way into her heart without either of them realizing it and now he was there to stay. He was who she wanted to be like as a hero. He was her strength, her motivation, her inspiration to get better, stronger, and be that hero could make others happy with their mere presence. Deku was her hero, but he was so much more than that as well and she couldn't deny the truth anymore now that Marinette had laid it all out for her to face head on.
"You're, you're right Marinette." Ochaco said in a weak voice as she finally understood and at least to herself accepted her feelings for Deku while also knowing what to do but first she had to own it to herself and to her friend aloud. "I've been in denial for too long but all this, this stuff with Hatsume and now your help in showing me it from the perspective of someone who understands it, has finally allowed me to make sense of this and accept what is true. I, I love Deku. I love him the way you love Agreste and there's no changing that. I'm in love with my best friend."
"Good." Marinette said smiling at Ochaco's realization and acceptance of her feelings. "The first step is admitting it to yourself. The next one, well I'm not the best as back before I ended up with Adrien I was kinda, well I was, basically a stalker to the point that if our genders were reversed it would have actually been a serious legal issue and problem but double standards and all, not that they should exist of course. I got lucky with Adrien because of our love square problem and the moment it was revealed we could be open to each other about our feelings. I don't know what to do to help you from now on unfortunately. I'm not some expert as Mina would like, I'm just the lucky girl who's love loved her back."
"Don't worry Marinette." Ochaco said as she hardened her resolve for what she had to do but this was what was best for both her and for Deku and who he was, it was because of why she loved him that she had to do this. "I know what I have to do with these feelings."
"Oh, what is it?" Marinette asked surprised at the tone Ochaco had as she spoke. "I see you have come to some realization about them so do tell."
"Now that I know I have them and accept that they exist I'm going to lock them away." Ochaco said seriously. "At least for now I will."
"Um what?" Marinette asked now confused as that was not what she'd been expecting at all, and it wasn't something she would have advised as when she'd tried it she'd failed rather quickly at it but maybe Ochaco had a better understanding of her feelings than Marinette did back when she was considering something similar regarding her own feelings for Adrien. "Can I ask why?"
"Because it is what is best right now." Ochaco said as she voiced why she had to do this. "Deku, he's amazing, I've always known that and it's why I've fallen for him. What makes him amazing though is that he's always running forward, charging at full speed to be the top hero while letting nothing get in his way, to be the best and I know that he will be that."
"That is true, he does have an impressive drive." Marinette admitted. "And if anyone can replace All Might one day it would be Izuku Midoriya."
"Precisely which is why I can't let my feelings, my love for him get in the way of that or of my own goals of becoming a hero." Ochaco said. "That is why I have to lock these feelings away for now so as to not distract him with them. We will continue as we are, going forward to be heroes and I will be there by his side, his equal, his rock when he needs it just as he is mine, and his best friend. That is what I have to do for the moment."
Marinette just blinked at that as she processed what Ochaco had said. It was a mature and wise thing to think, one she wished she'd been able to do back in the day with Adrien, but she also knew that she didn't have the fortitude for that, but it did come with drawbacks. She had to make sure that Ochaco was making the right choice with her own feelings for Midoriya.
"I understand why you are doing that, and I respect it." Marinette said after a pause. "Hell, if you can pull it off then I'll know that you are stronger than me."
"Wait what?" Ochaco asked taken aback by that admission as that was not what she was expecting from Marinette of all people. "Marinette, none of us are stronger than you."
"Not physical or anything like that, I mean willpower and control over your heart." Marinette said shaking her head with a small smile. "You, you have only seen me with Adrien as his girlfriend, as a couple with our mutual love shining, you didn't see me back in France. As strong as I am Ladybug, as skilled as I am when facing down a villain, I am still a teenage girl with a fragile, weak heart. I was a complete klutz around Adrien even if I was in costume. I couldn't string a sentence together that made any sense when talking to him. Hopefully it came off a bit as adorably bashful and he was a dense moron to my feelings, but it was still there. Hell, I was tripping over my feet as well as my words around him."
"That I can't imagine." Ochaco admitted unable to see Marinette as anything but the strong woman she knew her to be even with that brief glimpse of Marinette's vulnerable side at the training camp. "Not with how you are here."
"Knowing that my love was accepted, that it was mutual, and that it was there despite it being me under the mask so that we could be a couple helped." Marinette said. "And even with this hero stuff, we will make it work to the very end. Nothing will stop us because it can be done, don't forget that."
"I won't." Ochaco said. "And I know I can go to you for advice if it comes to it."
"I know so let me give you the first bit of advice I have for you about your decision." Marinette said seriously. "Be careful about it."
"What do you mean?" Ochaco asked.
"Love is hard to contain." Marinette said. "The heart is strong and has a mind of its own in a lot of ways. You know of, and accept, your feelings, that is good, but keeping them in check is something else. You won't always be able to contain them. They will come out from time to time, be it jealousy, confusion, worry, whatever, something will cause you to act or be unable to contain the love you have for Midoriya. It can't be avoided though in time you might get better at that. Know it, accept it, and when it happens be ready to know that your feelings are acting up so that you can be rational in that moment because Midoriya might need you to be that rock that only you can be in that moment for him."
"I, I don't fully understand." Ochaco admitted though she did take Marinette's words to heart.
"You wouldn't, not until the situation happens." Marinette said. "And this is Midoriya, he will end up charging headlong into some situations be it against a villain who's as strong as he is or some training mishap or whatever and you will have to deal with your feelings when that happens. Remember that and you can use them to help out but use them rationally because your love is depending on you. I've had to save Adrien as Adrien in the past so I know how it can be."
"Ok, I'll keep that in mind." Ochaco said internalizing Marinette's words. "Thank you Marinette, for all this."
"I'm here to help and if you ever need advice on this, come to me not Mina as she'd probably give you the opposite advice that you need." Marinette said. "I at least know what dating is like in the hero course."
"I will." Ochaco said with a smile before she yawned. "But, well this has been more intensive and emotionally draining than I expected, and with training tomorrow I should get to bed."
"Same." Marinette said standing and helping Ochaco to her feet. "We have to focus on passing and getting those licenses, we can't help our men otherwise."
"He's not mine, not yet." Ochaco said though she couldn't deny that she liked the idea of one day, when they were heroes, being with Deku the way Marinette was with Adrien.
"He will be, one day when you are both ready for it." Marinette said before she embraced Ochaco and kissed her on each cheek, something Ochaco was still trying to get used to but did her best to return. "Now head to bed, training is only going to get harder tomorrow but at least now your head and heart are in sync so you can really focus on training without worry."
"Agreed." Ochaco said as they broke apart and she headed to the door. "And thank you, for everything Marinette. You really are the best of us."
With that Ochaco left the room leaving Marinette alone. As soon as the coast was clear the kwamis all came out, minus Kaalki of course who was no doubt enjoying Momo's room, to talk to her.
"That was surprisingly touching." Tikki said as she floated up to Marinette. "And sensible given your own past with romance."
"I understand it better now, enough to give advice at least, and Ochaco is older than I was back then." Marinette said with a smile at the door. "She's more mature than I was back then, she can handle this, and she has me to help, I had no one who really had the experience and similar situation. Alya and Mylene had boyfriends but, well, the hero stuff was always an issue which I couldn't tell them about. That is why I can help Ochaco with this."
"Will they end up together?" Ziggy asked. "Her and that Midoriya guy that is."
"He may not know it himself because he's a rather sheltered and pretty dense kid, but he definitely has a crush on her as well." Marinette said thinking on the interactions she'd seen between Ochaco and Midoriya. "Only she can get him to be all nervous and bashful so consistently. They're perfect for each other, only Adrien and I make a better couple, but I am biased in that regard. When it happens, they'll make a great couple, I know it."
With that Marinette just smiled at her friend finally accepting her feelings and treating them in a mature way before she turned back to her sowing machine. She still had some work to do before bed and set about doing it to calm her mind before she went to sleep and prepared for another intensive day of training as she geared up for the licensing exam.
Well, there it is, the expected moment where Ochaco realized her feelings for Deku and earlier this time because she had Marinette to talk to about them and naturally Marinette knew what was going on and had the experience and history to help her friend out. Of course, as a big Izuocha shipper I hated having to make Ochaco lock those feelings away, but I understand her decision and in this story it makes sense for her to do so just like she's done in the show, for now. Naturally in time they will end up together but expect it to be a slow one just like the manga is doing. When it happens though, well I can't wait to write a double date chapter for the two best couples here but that's just me and of course ideas for a double date are always welcome as I haven't thought of a good one yet. Anyway, that is all I have for y'all so I will leave this chapter off now, the next one is going to be much shorter and a bit of a filler before the meat of this arc starts with a vengeance. If you like it or have any questions please let me know in reviews or PMs, I will try to answer them as best I could and post any questions asked between uploads at the start of the next chapter and do follow and favorite this, so you are alerted to future uploads. Do keep the reviews coming as I like hearing from y'all as you enjoy my work, it motivates me to keep producing the best work I can for y'all to enjoy. Until next time.
Stringdog
