Before I could even process what had happened, I found myself and Ochaco hugging again. This time, though, things were different. Her face was inches from mine, and before I could react, her lips softly pressed against mine. My heart raced. It was a brief kiss, but it felt like time had slowed down, the weight of the moment crashing down on me. Ochaco quickly pulled away, her face as red as a tomato.

Izuku: can't believe...

I thought, my mind reeling. She kissed me. Ochaco kissed me. And right in front of Nemuri too. I darted a glance at her, expecting anger, or at least confusion. But instead, Nemuri just stood there with an amused expression, one eyebrow raised and a small smirk playing on her lips.

"No doubt, she's mad,"

I thought nervously.

But why... why did she have that smirk on her face?

"I... I..." Ochaco stammered, her eyes wide with shock at what she had just done. Her hands flew up to her face, covering her mouth as she backed up a step, looking utterly mortified.

Ochaco;I'M SOOO SOOO SORRY! I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING!

she blurted out, her words tumbling over each other as she waved her hands in a panic.

I just stood there, too stunned to speak. My cheeks were burning, my mind racing. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out.

Nemuri chuckled, crossing her arms and leaning casually against the doorframe.

Nemuri:Oh my, I didn't even know I already had competition

she teased, her smirk widening. Ochaco froze, staring at Nemuri in horror, probably thinking she was about to get a lecture or worse.

Nemuri:No worries, Ochaco

Nemuri continued, still smirking

Nemuri:I'm not mad. In fact...

She stepped closer, her eyes glinting with mischief as she looked between the two of us. "I don't even mind sharing him."

My eyes widened, and I could practically hear Ochaco's brain short-circuiting. "W-Wait, really?" Ochaco stuttered, her face turning even redder, if that was even possible. "No! I mean-wait, I... I didn't mean to kiss him! I-I'm so sorry, Midnight-I mean, Nemuri-I mean... I..." She was completely flustered, her words a tangled mess.

Nemuri just laughed softly, clearly enjoying the situation. "Relax, Ochaco," she said smoothly. "It's not like you're the first person to fall for Izuku's charms. He's got that whole 'innocent, tragic hero' vibe going on. It's hard not to be drawn to him."

I was completely speechless. "W-What?!" I blurted out, finally finding my voice, though it came out as more of a squeak. "I'm not-there's no competition-what are you even talking about?"

Nemuri chuckled again and gave me a playful wink. "Oh, Izuku, you really are too innocent sometimes."

Ochaco, still looking like she was going to pass out from embarrassment, mumbled, "I-I didn't mean to cause any trouble, I swear."

Nemuri waved her hand dismissively. "Trouble? Please. This is nothing. You two are cute together."

Ochaco's eyes flickered toward me, and I could see the guilt and confusion swirling in her expression. She bit her lip, clearly unsure of what to say next. Before she could find the words, Nemuri cut in again.

"Anyway, it's late," Nemuri said, glancing at the clock on the wall. "You both should probably get some rest. I'm sure there'll be plenty of time to talk about this later."

Ochaco looked relieved to have an out. "Y-Yeah, you're right. I should probably go... um... goodnight, Izuku. Midnight." She gave us both a quick nod and practically bolted for the door, her face still a deep shade of red.

I watched her go, still feeling a bit dazed by everything that had just happened. Once the door closed behind her, I let out a long breath, running a hand through my hair. "What just happened?" I muttered to myself.

Nemuri chuckled softly and walked over to me, her arms wrapping around my waist from behind. She rested her chin on my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck. "That was interesting," she said with a teasing lilt in her voice.

I sighed, leaning back into her embrace. "You're enjoying this way too much," I mumbled.

She laughed softly, her fingers tracing small patterns on my stomach. "Can you blame me? You're adorable when you're flustered."

I groaned softly, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against mine. Despite the craziness of the situation, Nemuri always had a way of making me feel calm, of grounding me when everything felt like it was spinning out of control.

As we stood there in the quiet room, I realized just how late it had gotten. The moonlight was filtering through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. Nemuri's arms tightened around me slightly, pulling me closer to her as we stood in the dim light.

"Come on," she murmured, her voice soft now, the teasing tone gone. "It's time for bed."

I nodded, letting her guide me toward the bed. We settled under the covers, and Nemuri immediately pulled me into her arms again, her body pressed up against mine as she held me tightly, like she always did. I could feel the steady rise and fall of her chest against my back, the warmth of her skin radiating into me. Nemuri liked to hold me like this at night, her arms wrapped protectively around me, almost as if she was afraid I'd disappear if she let go.

Her leg draped over mine, her arm slipping around my waist and holding me securely in place. She always slept like this, and while it had been a little strange at first, I had gotten used to it. Now, it felt... comforting. Safe.

I picked up my phone from the nightstand, holding it up in front of me. My eyes scanned through my messages, and I noticed a new one from Ochaco.

Ochaco: I'm really sorry again for what happened... I don't know what came over me.

I stared at the message for a few moments, my mind still trying to wrap around everything that had happened. How could I even begin to explain to her that it was okay? That I didn't mind? That I was just as confused as she was?

Me: It's okay. Really. Don't worry about it.

I sent the message, hoping it would ease her mind. A few seconds later, my phone buzzed with her reply.

Ochaco: Are you sure? I don't want things to be weird between us.

I smiled a little, feeling a warmth spread through me.

Me: I promise, it's not weird. We'll talk more tomorrow, okay?

There was a brief pause, then another message popped up.

Ochaco: Okay. Goodnight, Izuku.

I stared at the screen for a moment before typing out my response.

Me: Goodnight, Ochaco.

I set my phone down on the nightstand again, letting out a quiet sigh. My mind was still racing with everything that had happened, but for now, I just wanted to close my eyes and let the exhaustion take over.

Nemuri shifted slightly behind me, her arm tightening around my waist as she mumbled something incoherent in her sleep. I smiled softly, feeling a sense of peace wash over me as I let my eyes drift shut.

For the first time in a long while, despite the chaos of the night, I felt... content. And with Nemuri's warmth surrounding me, I knew that whatever happened next, I wasn't alone anymore.

It was early morning at school, the sun barely rising, casting long shadows across the courtyard. I arrived earlier than usual, knowing this would be the perfect time to talk to Ochaco without interruptions. She was already there, sitting on a bench with her hands folded in her lap, fidgeting slightly. She looked up when she saw me approaching.

Ochaco:Umm, hey Izuku...

she greeted me with a small, nervous smile.

Izuku:Hey, Ochaco

I replied, though the weight of what I wanted to talk about made my voice sound more serious than I intended. I sighed deeply, unsure how to begin, feeling the awkwardness between us after everything that happened yesterday. This wasn't how I imagined our next conversation going.

Ochaco shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

Ochaco:So... uh, about yesterday-

I raised my hand to stop her, not wanting to dive into that just yet.

Izuku:I think... we should talk. Really talk, Ochaco.

I paused, gathering my thoughts before continuing.

Izuku:What do you really want? And I don't mean it in a harsh way, but what do you really want from all of this?

She blinked at me, clearly taken aback by the question. Her hands fidgeted more in her lap, and she bit her lip, looking away from me.

Ochaco:I-Izuku, I don't even know how to explain it. I'm not... I'm not that kind of person who knows exactly what they want like you do. You've always been so clear about your goals, about why you want to be a hero.

I furrowed my brow, confused.

Izuku:Uhm, what do you mean?

Ochaco exhaled slowly, her eyes focusing on the ground.

Ochaco:Izuku, you want to be a hero because you want to stand for the people who society discarded, for those who lost their way because of how harsh this world can be. You want to be a symbol, someone that gives people hope. It's an amazing goal, and honestly... it's inspiring

She hesitated, then continued.

Ochaco:But me? I want to be a hero... for money.

I felt a jolt of surprise at her admission, but before I could respond, she started explaining.

"My family..." she began, her voice trembling slightly.

Ochaco:We've been struggling for years, Izuku. We barely make ends meet. My dad works so hard every day, and my mom too, but no matter how much they push themselves, it's like we can never escape this... this hole we're in. I hate seeing them suffer like that. I hate feeling powerless to help. So... I want to become a hero because heroes get paid well. I thought, 'If I could earn money, I could give them a better life.'

Her voice cracked, and she quickly wiped away the tears that had started to form in her eyes.

Ochaco:That's why I want to be a hero. Not for the fame, or the glory, or any of that. Just so I can help my parents. I feel like... like if I don't do something soon, they'll break.

My heart clenched hearing her say that. I never realized just how much pressure she was under. It was easy to forget that everyone had their own reasons for wanting to be a hero, and hers was so deeply personal, so heartfelt.

"Izuku..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ochaco:You're such an inspiration. Even before I really got to know you, I admired your drive. And now that I know the real you, you're even more of an... I don't even know what to call it. An example? A role model? You make me want to be better. But at the same time, I feel like... I'm not enough. Like I'm doing this for the wrong reasons.

I shook my head immediately, not wanting her to feel that way.

Izuku:You want to help your parents, Ochaco. That's a noble goal in itself. It doesn't make you any less of a hero. You might not be aiming to be the next symbol of peace, but your heart is in the right place. And honestly, I think that's what makes you amazing.

She looked up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes, unsure what to say. I decided to press on.

Izuku:But... let me ask you this, Ochaco. Would you still save people, even if there wasn't any money involved? Or recognition? Would you still jump in to help someone, even if it meant no one would ever know?

Without hesitation, she nodded.

Ochaco:Of course, I would. It's not about the money in the moment... I just want to give my parents a better life. They've done so much for me, sacrificed so much for me, and I can't stand seeing them work so hard and still struggle.

I smiled gently.

Izuku:See? That's what makes you a hero, Ochaco. Just because your reasons are different from mine, that doesn't mean you're any less of one. We're two different people, and you need to remember that. Don't become stronger or aim to be the best hero because you want to be like me. Be the best hero you can be because you want to be. Because you believe in yourself. And trust me, you're amazing, Ochaco. I'm really lucky to have you as a friend.

Tears spilled over her cheeks as she smiled, her face soft and vulnerable in that moment. Before I could react, she threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. Her body shook with silent sobs as she held me close.

Ochaco:Thank you, Izuku

she whispered against my shoulder.

Ochaco:Thank you so much.

I froze, unsure how to react at first, but then I awkwardly patted her back, my face burning from the sudden closeness.

After a few moments, she pulled back slightly, her cheeks still wet from tears but her expression more relaxed. She sniffled a bit before asking,

Ochaco:W-Was Midnight serious yesterday? About me being with you?

My brain short-circuited at her question. I immediately remembered yesterday's... unexpected events. My face turned bright red as I stammered,

Izuku:I-I mean, uh... well... Nemuri... she says a lot of things, so I don't really know if she was serious serious or just teasing-

Ochaco giggled softly through her tears.

Ochaco;You really are amazing, Izuku. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Her face grew serious again as she tightened the hug for a brief moment. Then she pulled back, locking eyes with me.

Ochaco:I love you, Izuku.

My entire body went rigid. Did she just say...?

My face felt like it was on fire.

Izuku:W-Wait... did you just say you l-loved me?

Ochaco's own face turned crimson, but she didn't back down.

Ochaco:Y-Yeah. I mean... I didn't plan to say it like this, but... it just came out. I love you, Izuku. I've felt that way for a while, but I wasn't sure how to say it. I didn't want to make things awkward between us, especially since we're friends.

I stared at her, my heart hammering in my chest. This wasn't happening... right? This was some kind of dream. But the warmth of her hug, the sincerity in her eyes-it was all real. And I didn't know what to say.

Izuku;O-Ochaco, I... I don't know what to say...

I finally managed to stammer out.

She smiled, though it was a bit sad.

Ochaco:You don't have to say anything right now, Izuku. I know you've got a lot on your mind, with training, and your goal, and everything. I just... wanted you to know how I feel. I don't expect anything from you, I promise.

For a moment, we both stood there, the weight of her words hanging in the air. I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, my mind racing. I cared about Ochaco. She was one of my closest friends, and I didn't want to hurt her or make her feel like her feelings were one-sided. But at the same time, I wasn't sure what my own feelings were. I never really thought about romance, especially with everything else happening in our lives.

Seeing my inner turmoil, Ochaco's face softened.

Ochaco:It's okay, Izuku

she said, her voice gentle.

Ochaco:You don't have to decide anything right now. Just... thank you for being there for me. For always being the kind of person who makes me want to be better.

I swallowed hard, trying to gather my thoughts.

Izuku:Ochaco, you're one of the most amazing people I've ever met.

The sound of Nemuri's phone snapping a picture echoed through the nearly empty classroom. Both Ochaco and I turned our heads, startled by the sound.

Nemuri:Damn it, I thought I muted it

Nemuri muttered, looking down at her phone with a mischievous grin.

I groaned, recognizing that grin anywhere.

Izuku:Nemuri, what are you doing here?

With a sly smile, she tilted her head and waved her fingers.

Nemuri:Hello there, my little cinnamon roll.

My face instantly flushed red as I averted my eyes from her teasing gaze.

Ochaco, confused, furrowed her brows and looked between the two of us. "Cinnamon roll?" she echoed.

Nemuri leaned against the doorframe, her grin only widening.

Nemuri:Oh, that's just my cute little nickname for Izuku. He absolutely loves it."

Izuku:N-No, I don't!

I shot back, the warmth spreading to my cheeks making my face feel like it was on fire.

Izuku:I told you, stop calling me that!

But Nemuri, ever persistent, simply raised an eyebrow.

Nemuri:Then tell me to stop

she teased, knowing full well I could never follow through.

Nemuri:You know you secretly love it.

I sighed in frustration, trying to resist the urge to facepalm right then and there. Why is she like this? And why do I... like her so much for it? I quickly pushed that thought aside before I embarrassed myself any further.

Ochaco, still blushing from the earlier conversation, fidgeted nervously next to me. Nemuri's eyes quickly darted to her, and her grin became even more mischievous.

Nemuri:So, Ochaco, do you like Izuku?

she asked without any subtlety.

Ochaco's face turned an even brighter shade of red.

Ochaco:Y-Yes, I do. I really like him

she admitted shyly, her voice quiet but sincere. She glanced at me, her eyes sparkling with emotion, and I couldn't help but feel my heart skip a beat.

"Well then," Nemuri said, stepping forward with a playful twinkle in her eyes,

Nemuri:I'm also dating Izuku. Yes, it's properly consensual

she added quickly, turning to Ochaco with a grin,

Nemuri:and it doesn't involve us during school hours. Don't worry.

I groaned again, burying my face in my hand this time. "Then what are we doing now? This is during school hours."

Nemuri just shrugged, unbothered by my comment. "School hours haven't officially started yet," she said cheekily, sticking out her tongue. "Technicality."

I shot her a look, but she only grinned wider. She was relentless.

Nemuri then turned to Ochaco, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "So, Ochaco, would you mind splitting this cinnamon roll with me? I'm sure there's more than enough of him to go around."

I blinked, utterly confused and embarrassed. "Why am I being treated like some sort of snack?" I asked, exasperation dripping from my voice.

"Because you are," Nemuri replied in a matter-of-fact tone before sidling up next to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. She leaned close, brushing her lips against my ear, and then playfully bit it.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I instantly turned red, while Ochaco, witnessing the entire thing, was a blushing mess. She couldn't even look at us directly, her hands nervously fiddling with the hem of her uniform.

Nemuri pulled back, giggling softly. "You two looked so cute just now. I'm definitely making this pic my wallpaper," she announced, pulling out her phone to show us the snapshot.

I sighed deeply, still trying to recover from the embarrassment. "Can you please delete that picture, Nemuri?"

"Nope," she replied without hesitation, that mischievous grin still plastered on her face.

I gave her a pleading look, though I knew better than to expect her to give in so easily. "Come on, please? I'll do that... that thing you've always wanted me to do."

Nemuri paused, eyes narrowing playfully. "Deal," she said almost instantly, pocketing her phone. The image was clearly still on it, but I knew better than to push my luck any further.

Ochaco, still red as a tomato, looked between the two of us, her innocence evident as she asked, "What thing?"

Nemuri chuckled and ruffled Ochaco's hair. "You little innocent girl, just forget about what he said, okay? Nothing important."

Ochaco's blush deepened, and she nodded quickly, clearly trying to process everything that had just happened.

Nemuri stepped back, adjusting her coat as she prepared to leave. "Well, school's about to start soon, so I'll be on my way. Oh, and Ochaco," she paused, turning back to her with a more genuine smile, "help me take care of Izuku while we're in class, alright?"

Ochaco blinked, looking surprised but quickly nodding. "I-I will," she said, her voice filled with determination.

Nemuri winked at her before turning to leave. "Good girl," she said playfully before sauntering off down the hall.

As the door closed behind her, the classroom fell into silence. Ochaco still held my hand, her grip warm and comforting. I glanced at her, my heart pounding from everything that had just transpired.

"S-Sorry about that," I mumbled, scratching the back of my head awkwardly.

Ochaco smiled at me, her face still slightly pink, but there was a softness in her eyes that made my heart ache. "It's okay, Izuku," she said gently. "I... I'm just glad I got to spend time with you before class."

I squeezed her hand back, feeling a warmth settle in my chest. "Me too," I admitted quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ochaco's cheeks flushed a deep pink as she nervously glanced down at our intertwined hands, gripping mine a little tighter. Her voice was soft and a bit shaky when she finally spoke.

Ochaco:I-Is that... does that mean we're together now?

she asked, her eyes hopeful as she looked up at me. Her expression was so sincere and adorable that it sent a jolt straight to my heart.

I swallowed hard, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Her question caught me off guard, but the warmth in her gaze made it hard to feel anything but happy. I gave her a shy smile, feeling the same heat rising in my face.

Izuku:Y-Yeah, I think so.

A bright smile spread across her face at my words, and she bit her lip, clearly overwhelmed by the moment. But then, her expression faltered slightly, her brows furrowing as she hesitated for a second. "Um... Izuku?"

"Yeah?"

She glanced around the empty classroom nervously before speaking again. "C-Can we please keep our relationship a secret for now? I mean... at least for a little while?" Her voice was gentle, but I could hear the slight tension behind her request.

I blinked in surprise, not having expected her to ask that, but then I quickly realized why she might feel that way. Dating in a school filled with aspiring heroes, not to mention with all the attention we've been getting lately, was bound to be complicated. And besides, Ochaco was always shy when it came to talking about her feelings. I understood her hesitation.

"I understand," I said, squeezing her hand gently, offering her a reassuring smile. "You don't have to explain. We can take things slow, Ochaco. No pressure."

She let out a small breath of relief, and her smile returned. "Thank you, Izuku. I just... I'm not used to this kind of thing, you know? And... I don't want people to treat us differently."

"I get it," I nodded, still smiling at her. "We'll just keep it between us for now. Whenever you're ready, that's when we'll tell everyone."

Ochaco's shoulders visibly relaxed, and she gave me a soft, grateful look. "I'm glad you understand, Izuku. I knew you would."

I felt my heart swell at how relieved and happy she seemed, and I couldn't help but feel even more drawn to her in that moment. She really was incredible-strong, kind, and so considerate.

There was a brief silence between us, and then suddenly Ochaco fidgeted, her eyes darting back and forth nervously.

Ochaco:U-Uhm, okay... I have one more question

"Yeah?"

She turned her head slightly, her blush deepening even further as she seemed to gather the courage to speak again.

Ochaco:C-Can I... can I call you 'cinnamon roll' too?

I nearly choked, my entire face lighting up at her request. "W-What?!"

Ochaco giggled nervously, her eyes sparkling with amusement despite her blush.

Ochaco:I mean, Nemuri-sensei calls you that, right? And it's really cute, so I thought... maybe I could call you that too. You don't mind, do you?

I blinked, speechless. Of all the things she could ask me, that was the one I didn't expect. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to process what she had just said. The thought of her calling me something so... embarrassing... was almost too much. But at the same time, the way she was looking at me, all sweet and hopeful, made it impossible to say no.

Izuku:I-I don't... I mean...

I stammered, trying to find the right words.

Izuku:I-I guess it's fine... if you really want to...

Ochaco's face lit up, and she grinned from ear to ear.

Ochaco:Really? You don't mind?

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, feeling like I was on fire from the embarrassment, but I couldn't help but smile back at her.

Izuku:Y-Yeah, I guess it's fine. Just... not in front of anyone else, okay?

She giggled again, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Ochaco:I promise! Only when we're alone.

I sighed in relief but couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just walked into something I'd never be able to escape from. But seeing Ochaco so happy, her cheeks flushed and her smile so bright it made everything worth it.

Ochaco:Cinnamon roll...

she whispered playfully, testing out the nickname. Her voice was soft and affectionate, and my heart skipped a beat.

Izuku:O-Ochaco...

I mumbled, feeling my face heat up again.

She laughed, squeezing my hand tighter as she leaned her head against my shoulder.

Ochaco;You're so cute, Izuku.

I groaned in embarrassment, but despite how flustered I was, I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

Izuku:I-I'm not that cute...

Ochaco just smiled, closing her eyes as she relaxed beside me.

Ochaco:You really are, Izuku. You're the cutest.

I didn't argue with her this time. Instead, I sat there, quietly enjoying the moment.