- .My Hero Academia: 180 degrees. -
25. Where Deku and Uraraka talk about alternate universes during a guitar duel
Hatsume played the electric guitar, and by her side, Iida sang on stage:
"When I breathe, I drown even more, and my wings fall off,
I will fade away, leaving a mark as I fall."
(Tokoyami nodded to the rhythm of the music, sipping a drink.)
"Like the sky, that light makes me shine,
What color will I glow if the world twists me?"
(Ojiro was stunned when a laser from the stage revealed Hagakure's real form, and she quickly tried to cover her face so he wouldn't see her.)
As the band kept playing, Aoyama's peripheral vision caught some movement in his garden, and upon closer inspection through the window beside him, he saw something unexpected.
His garden, usually a haven of elegance and serenity, had turned into a lively battleground.
—Ah! What do you think you're doing in my garden?! —he exclaimed, horrified. But just as he was about to step outside to reprimand them, something caught his attention—. It's that quirkless boy from before...
Curiosity overtook his initial annoyance, and Aoyama focused more intently.
"The dream born from my ambition
Is still asleep inside me"
(A robotic hand skillfully played the keyboard.)
Everything seemed to unfold in slow motion for Aoyama as he watched Midoriya. His green hair moved with each motion as he dodged attacks with incredible precision. First, a wave of acid barely missed his face as he leaned back, avoiding Ashido's strike. In a smooth motion, he spun to the right just in time to avoid an electric bolt that Kaminari had fired his way.
"I've been reborn thousands of times,
And I don't know who I am
Looking at this vast, devastated world,
What was taken from me still lingers in my mind
Can I stand up?
Can I crawl?"
Aoyama felt a chill run down his spine as he watched the scene. Despite riding on Todoroki's shoulders, who maintained balance with his ice, Midoriya seemed to be leading the fight with strategic precision, predicting every move his opponents made.
Despite the intensity of the battle, Midoriya never lost focus. Each movement was calculated. Aoyama could see the determination in his eyes.
He felt a strange sense of admiration. Though just moments ago he had looked at him with disdain, now he couldn't help but feel inspired by Midoriya's tenacity. A small smile crept onto his face as he decided to keep listening to the band playing on stage.
"To that brilliant prism, I want to reach,
Even if my exhausted body burns out
My glow will continue to shine, never fading,
For the sake of someone else, I'll shine endlessly"
More robotic hands played the drums as Hatsume roamed the stage, strumming her guitar, with a combination of colorful laser beams creating a spectacular show. Hatsume wore a visor that resembled virtual reality goggles, and through them, she perceived the audience's reactions.
Jiro finally arrived on the scene.
—I knew it! They're robots! —she accused, glaring at the ones playing the drums, bass, and keyboard. It was a suspicion she had from the start, due to the perfection of the notes—. Somehow, this doesn't feel right... —she muttered, feeling an odd sense of unease. But what really caught her attention was the guitar Hatsume was holding—. And also... —her eyes narrowed as she focused on the guitar—. I've never seen anything like that before, but the way she moves her hands... it requires less effort to play than a real guitar.
A decision formed quickly in her mind. She wasn't going to stand by while some advanced piece of technology stole the essence and soul of music. —I'll show her.
Jiro quickly slung her guitar over her shoulder and, luckily, found another amp to plug into. As her agile fingers adjusted the controls, a memory from her childhood surfaced.
"You're almost there," her father's voice echoed in her mind. It was a warm, familiar scene: her dad kneeling next to her, helping her hold the large guitar with her small hands, while her four-year-old self smiled with excitement.
Back in the present, Jiro smiled at the memory, her fingers moving confidently as she prepared her entrance, stepping up the small stairs to the stage.
—Hey, it's still our turn! —Iida raised his hand firmly in front of her, but his expression softened when he recognized her—. Oh... you're the girl from the other band —his tone quickly became serious again—. Listen, if this is some sort of sabotage so you guys can win, that's not...
Without skipping a beat, Jiro handed Iida the bag containing their phones—. Hold this for me, please.
Iida stared at her, confused at first, but soon understood her intention when he saw the determination in her eyes. The way her fingers already seemed to play the air guitar with anticipation convinced him. With a nod, he took the bag and let her pass.
Jiro got into position and began playing her guitar, matching the rhythm of the song Hatsume had been performing, but in a different scale, subtly distinguishing herself from the other guitar. Her sound was rawer, more real, filled with the passion and energy that only someone who had lived with music all their life could infuse into it.
Hatsume, completely immersed in her own performance, suddenly paused when she heard the new addition to the music. She turned towards Jiro, lifting the visor from her eyes, which a moment earlier had shown an alert of surprise emojis from nearly the entire audience.
—Fantastic! —she exclaimed with enthusiasm, unable to contain her excitement—. People love these kinds of unexpected twists!
Hatsume quickly put the visor back on, adjusting it so she could sense the presence of the phones recording the event. For her, it was all about innovation, the spectacle, how her technology could captivate the crowd. But for Jiro, music was something deeper.
Now, it was a guitar duel.
—Those guys are monsters— commented Monoma, slightly bent over to catch his breath, but in the end, he collapsed onto the grass, exhausted, alongside the others who had already lost.
The last two standing were Bakugo and Todoroki, facing each other, both breathing heavily from the exhaustion.
From their respective teams, Midoriya lay on the ground with a slightly scorched face on one side, and on the other, Uraraka couldn't stand, her hands and feet trapped under heavy blocks of ice.
—Hey, don't you think we should call it a tie for now?!— suggested Kirishima— If you keep going, you'll start causing damage to the field.
—Sounds reasonable — Todoroki replied, his tone calm, though his body was still tense.
—Only if you admit that I won! —shouted Bakugo, his voice filled with its usual challenge.
Todoroki just sighed again, refusing to take the bait.
The tension was interrupted by Ojiro's arrival. The blond approached with a carefree smile.
—Oh! So this is where you guys were! We've been looking for you— Ojiro gave everyone a quick glance— Looks like you've been having fun without us, but things are getting interesting inside, too. The girl from your band has been battling for first place in a guitar duel for a while now. You might want to check it out. Neither of them seems ready to give up. It's kind of inspiring.
—Jiro's playing again?!— Kaminari's goofy expression vanished in an instant— And it's a guitar duel?! I've got to see that! —he exclaimed, rushing towards the mansion.
Bakugo clenched his fists, his expression fierce.
—She'd better win, or she'll pay for it! —he threatened, storming off inside.
Meanwhile, Todoroki helped Uraraka thaw out the ice that kept her trapped. With a slight shiver, she rubbed her hands together to restore the warmth.
—Thanks, Todoroki —Uraraka said, her voice soft but filled with gratitude.
Midoriya stood up, dusting off his clothes, and cast a determined look in Uraraka's direction, but before he could approach her, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he found Monoma, who was looking at him with an oddly neutral expression.
—Pretty impressive, and I'm not saying that because you're quirkless —acknowledged Monoma, his tone lacking the usual mockery that typically accompanied his words.
—Thanks —Midoriya responded, surprised by the lack of malice in the comment.
—I can't believe it —interjected Kirishima, throwing an arm around Monoma's shoulders—. So you can be nice after all.
Monoma defended himself, his expression caught between indignation and amusement.
—What are you saying? I've got the best manners! People just tend to misinterpret what I say in the worst way possible, but that's not my fault.
Kirishima shook his head with a laugh.
—Yeah, I'm not sure that's always the case.
The two began walking toward the mansion, chatting animatedly, while the others followed. Midoriya, however, turned his attention back to Uraraka, who was still trying to warm her hands.
—Uraraka —he called softly as he stood in front of her—. Could I talk to you for a moment?
Uraraka looked up, surprised by the serious tone in Deku's voice, but she nodded with a slight smile, a blush starting to creep across her cheeks.
—Of course.
Izuku and Uraraka walked away from the noise, looking for a quieter place to talk. The fresh air and the soft murmur of music created the perfect atmosphere for the conversation that was about to take place in Aoyama's illuminated garden.
Bakugo glanced back for a moment before entering the mansion, and Todoroki also stopped, casting a glance at the pair walking away from the group. Bakugo scowled when Todoroki looked at him.
—Whatever you're thinking, just stop! —he practically shouted before stomping inside, and Todoroki simply followed him in.
The night sky over the garden was sprinkled with bright stars, and the distant murmur of the party barely interrupted the silence between Izuku and Uraraka as they walked together. The cool air seemed to soothe Izuku's nerves as he prepared for what he was about to say. They had spent so much time together working on the construction every day, and yet, over the past few weeks, he had felt a subtle but growing distance between them.
Izuku took a deep breath, stopping in his tracks. Without hesitation, he decided to get straight to the point, aware that the words he'd been holding back needed to be said.
—Uraraka —he began, his voice carrying an unusual seriousness—. The main reason I came to the party tonight is because I wanted to apologize to you.
Uraraka looked at him, clearly surprised.
—Apologize? But why, Deku? I doubt you've done anything wrong —she responded gently, her soft tone trying to calm any inner turmoil he might be feeling.
Izuku shook his head, carefully arranging his thoughts before continuing.
—Before, at Todoroki's house, I realized something. Even though we agreed to wait before being together, I think I've been distancing myself from you more than I should have… and more than I wanted to. I don't want you to think that my goal of becoming a hero has become more important than you. Because I... I still want to be with you, Uraraka. My feelings haven't changed at all, and in fact... —he paused, his voice rising slightly, filled with emotion—, I think they're growing stronger with each passing day!
A deep blush spread across his cheeks, and although his heart was pounding, Izuku forced himself to meet her gaze directly. Under the stars, there was a brilliant connection between them, as if colors from a prism were shining from their hearts. Both of them knew there was something special between them, something that had been growing ever since the day they met.
Uraraka looked at him tenderly, her heart beating in sync with Deku's. The wind played with her hair, and she tucked it behind her ear, a simple action that, to Izuku, made her look even more beautiful.
—You know? It's funny how we can be so close to someone and yet feel so distant from them sometimes. So, I'm really glad you told me this, Deku. Thank you so much. It's exactly what I needed to hear from you! —Uraraka responded, her voice filled with sincerity and a gentle gratitude that warmed the atmosphere around them.
Izuku felt an immense sense of relief hearing her words, the anxiety that had been building in his chest melting away like ice under the sun. He smiled, and it was different this time—more confident, more determined. It was worth summoning the courage to say it in person, not through a message or a call. Together, they continued walking, the silence between them no longer awkward, but rather a confirmation of their mutual understanding.
—For a while, I was wondering if it was right to talk to you about my feelings now that you have so much on your mind —Uraraka said after a moment, her voice soft and reflective—. For girls, it's more normal to give hints and wait for the person we like to notice how we feel —she paused for a moment and glanced at Izuku—. Though I suppose it can be a bit frustrating when they don't pick up on the most obvious signals. I wonder how long it would've taken you to realize that I like you if I hadn't told you first —she let out a small laugh, a mix of amusement and fondness.
Izuku smiled a little sheepishly, fully aware of how oblivious he could be about these things.
—I think if you hadn't said anything —he admitted, scratching his head—, I would've kept thinking that I just felt nervous around you because you got too close. I'm not used to that. I was alone for so long, and for me, it's something completely new. So, to answer your question, it probably would've taken me... somewhere between three to ten years to figure it out.
—That long?! —Uraraka looked at him in disbelief, laughing at the same time, and he nodded with a playful smile, though he wasn't lying or exaggerating.
The atmosphere lightened even more, and they shared a soft laugh, feeling the tension that had existed between them begin to fade completely. Suddenly, Izuku hit his fist into the palm of his hand, remembering something he had wanted to talk to her about for a while.
—Ah, that reminds me. Uraraka, have you ever heard of the theory of parallel universes? —Izuku asked, his tone shifting slightly, as if he were excited.
—Huh? —Uraraka looked at him in surprise, not quite understanding what this had to do with their current conversation. Part of her wanted to keep talking about their mutual feelings and explore this new closeness they were building before moving on to another topic.
For a moment, Izuku felt unsure after seeing her reaction, worried he might come off as a science fiction-obsessed nerd. But he had already started, so he decided to continue.
—It's just... sometimes I wonder what people or our lives would be like if small things had been different —he explained, his voice becoming more serious as his thoughts took shape—. I wonder, for example, what I'd be doing now if I hadn't met you the day I fell from that building, or if I hadn't met Mr. Yagi soon after. I think I could've ended up in a pretty bad place. I've even thought that I might have become a villain, given how terrible I felt back then.
Uraraka couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, but upon seeing the concern in Izuku's eyes, she quickly tried to clarify.
—I'm sorry, it's just... I think that could never happen. You're too good, Deku —she said, her tone filled with unshakeable certainty that he would always be a good person, no matter the universe.
Izuku tried to smile at her response, though part of him still clung to that darker possibility.
—No, I think we all have the potential to do bad things, or rather, feel misunderstood and act irrationally because of that —he said, his voice becoming more introspective—. But lately, I've been feeling really grateful to be living in this universe, assuming there are more out there, because I've received so much help from kind people like you and Mr. Yagi. I feel truly blessed.
Uraraka smiled, this time more softly, feeling how his words resonated in her own heart.
—I can't imagine myself as a villain in another universe, but I have thought that I'm not as good as I could be if I pushed myself harder. Like you, Deku. I want to be as good a friend as you've been to Bakugo and Todoroki. Despite Bakugo bullying you since you were kids, I get the feeling that you would never turn your back on him if he was in trouble. And with Todoroki, you helped him without knowing much about him. You're really amazing!
Izuku shook his head vehemently.
—No, Uraraka! I want to be like you! Despite going through tough times, you always keep your smile to avoid worrying others. You know, I've admired All Might from afar for saving everyone with a smile, but now you're the wonderful person in my daily life who inspires me to give my best and try to smile no matter what!
—But you inspire me to smile too, Deku! You always give it your all, no matter how hard things get.
Izuku fell silent for a moment, processing her words. He had never thought of himself as someone who could inspire others.
—And... that's why I like you so much, Deku —Uraraka continued, her voice soft but full of emotion, her face flushed with a blush that made her look even more adorable under the moonlight.
Izuku felt his heart flip at hearing those words, and though nerves threatened to overtake him, he couldn't let fear hold him back.
—I like you a lot too, Uraraka —he admitted, though his face quickly grew red, and he started to grow even more nervous as he tried to continue with an even bigger confession—. But I've been thinking that it's more than just that... I've been thinking that I... Uraraka, I...
—Ah, look! —Uraraka suddenly got distracted, running ahead quickly.
—Wait! I wanted to tell you something! —he called out, but she had already run several meters ahead.
Izuku hurried to catch up, his footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night. When he finally reached her, he understood what had caught Uraraka's attention, and he admired it too: it was an overlook at the edge of the mansion's grounds. From there, the city spread out under a starry sky, glowing like an ocean of twinkling lights. The view was almost surreal, as if they had crossed into another world.
As Izuku gazed at the city, his thoughts kept returning to Uraraka. He remembered every little detail, every gesture that made him feel like there was something more between them than just a fleeting teenage romance. But just as he was about to speak and continue what he had wanted to tell her before, Uraraka did something unexpected: she climbed onto the railing separating the overlook from the drop below.
—AHHH! What are you doing, Uraraka?! —Worry hit him like a shock, and his heart pounded wildly.
—Come on, look. The view is much better from up here —she replied with a carefree tone that left him stunned as she held onto the railing with just one hand.
—Uraraka, get down from there! —Izuku pleaded, his voice trembling with alarm—. It's too dangerous!
—You worry too much, Deku, but if you insist...
As Uraraka tried to climb back over the railing, her hand unexpectedly slipped, and in an instant that seemed to stretch on forever, she started to lean backward.
Izuku didn't think twice. He lunged towards her with almost instinctive speed, managing to grab her arm just in time. But instead of fear in Uraraka's eyes, he saw a spark of amusement.
—Gotcha! —she exclaimed, and before he could react, she pulled him down with her, and they both began to fall headfirst into the empty air.
—AHHH! —Izuku screamed, adrenaline surging through him as he clung to her with all his strength. Ochako also wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek against his with a soft blush.
Then, halfway to the ground, Uraraka activated her Quirk, placing her pinky fingers on Deku's back to complete the five-finger touch, and the two of them floated in midair, upside down, suspended between the city and the stars.
—I told you the view was better from here —she said, but when she saw him with his eyes still closed in fear, she gently rubbed his back to calm him down—. Do you forgive me?
Izuku slowly opened his eyes, and almost immediately, his fear melted into awe. The city, the lights, the stars... everything seemed brighter, more beautiful from this perspective. But what truly took his breath away was the reflection of those lights in Uraraka's eyes, which gazed at him with a warmth he had never seen before.
Uraraka took the opportunity to snuggle against his chest, and only then did Izuku seem to realize how close their bodies were and how tightly he had clung to her without meaning to.
—Ah, sorry... —Izuku tried to pull away, his face turning even redder.
But Uraraka didn't let him. She hugged him even tighter.
—I won't let you distance yourself from me again —she said, her voice so much sweeter than Izuku could handle, and he felt his body tense up. Their legs had become intertwined as well, and it was driving him crazy.
'Despite what Uraraka had denied before, she really could make a great villain,' Izuku thought.
Uraraka lifted her gaze towards him for a moment, still hugging him, and for a split second, Izuku worried that she might have noticed some odd reaction in his body.
—You know, I've been wondering why you did that on the train the other day. I mean, kissing my hair. It was really sweet, and I liked it a lot, but... I wanted to know if there was a special reason behind it.
Izuku looked at her and had a quick flashback of Kacchan when he got off the train that day. He also recalled the challenging look Bakugo had given him, but he didn't think it was the right time to bring that up.
—That was because... because you have beautiful hair, Uraraka —he practically whispered into her ear due to their closeness. Even he was surprised by how intimate it sounded, but at the same time, it felt right, reflecting how he felt in that moment.
Slowly, Izuku leaned toward her, starting with a tender gesture, and kissed a strand of hair that fell below her ear, savoring its softness and sweet scent. Then, he placed a second kiss on her cheek, with immense tenderness, as if he wanted that moment to last forever. Finally, their faces ended up dangerously close, but instead of rushing, Izuku decided to prolong the moment as much as he could, relishing the intimacy of their closeness.
Izuku swallowed hard, feeling the moment had arrived. He knew exactly what he wanted to tell her before closing the remaining distance.
—Uraraka, I... I... I want to tell you... —he began, but before he could finish, she moved even closer, closing the gap between them, and he felt Uraraka's lips on his in a soft, tender kiss.
The world seemed to stop in that instant. The breeze, the music, the city lights... everything faded away, leaving only the sensation of their lips meeting in a gesture that had been inevitable for a long time.
The fear he had felt earlier from the fall transformed into a sense of peace and warmth, like he was exactly where he was meant to be. And one thought suddenly crossed his mind:
'If this really is... a death dream from the fall that day when we first met... I never want to wake up. And I'll gladly accept whatever comes next'
Author's Notes.-
Your comments are always welcome! Thank you so much for reading, following, and liking. It always makes me smile.