"Hey over here!"
"Look here look here!"
*FLASH*
"U.A right here!"
"This camera right here!"
*CLICK*
*FLASH*
"Here here!"

"Whoaaaa there's so many reporters here." Fuwa commented as she and the others made their way to the banquet hall. With Midoriya standing in the middle the two girls linked themselves onto his arms to form a connected trio that moved in unison with each other.

creeaaaaaak*

Or at least, attempted to move in unison with each other what with the first year's legs not wanting to budge out of their own will.

"Izuku you need to relax already." Hado stated as the girls tried to drag their friend forward but found his legs seemingly weighing similar to a ton. "We're holding up the aisle because of you we have to be inside."

"I-I-I'm trying but my legs c-can't go any faster." Midoriya chattered under the pressure of the cameras, his teeth in a permanent grin not out of joy but fear. "A-Are they still on me?"

"Yes they're still on you now move them please, the sooner we can be inside the sooner you can get away from so many cameras."

"Hey hey U.A over here!" A male reporter called from the left hand side of the aisle with a notepad in his hands. "A question for Musutafu Press please!"

The two girls dragged their junior over to the reporter who took a pen out from an open trench coat and clicked it. "Due to the number of villain incidents on your classmates the school made a decision to instate an on campus dormitory system to keep a closer eye on their students. What's it like waking up in a building with the same people you see for majority of the day at school? Are there any differences to what it's like living at home? Let's start with the first year."

"..."

"*ahem*."

Hado nudged Midoriya's back for him to defrost himself from the ice cube that he turned into, a hard gulp traveling down his throat before finally speaking out. "I put my underwear on every morning."

"...umm..."

"Sorry about him he's a little bit nervous for this kind of thing." Fuwa said. "First years haven't really gotten many opportunities of having cameras in their face like this. If I can answer for him honestly it was a little bit weird at first you know? Before living with them you don't really think about what kind of person they would be like when they're at home so having them in the same dorm as you it kinda opens up the curtain into their personal life a bit."

"Yeah and it's been REALLY fun having the dorm system for our campus." Hado beamed. "Not only does it save you time from having to walk home or having to take the train but you can hang out with your friends a lot easier too! It brings about a lot of opportunities to do fun activities like movie night and stuff. It's a shame a lot of bad stuff had to happen to the first years for this plan to be enacted but at least now everybody can feel safe while they're on campus. We trust our teachers they're kinda like our parents, especially my homeroom teacher hm-hm. He could be the cool uncle."

(Happy Time Bar)

"AH-CHOO! Hooooh boy." Snipe sniffled as he placed down his glass of beer onto the bar counter and reached for a napkin. "That was a big one."

"Geez, don't tell me your sinuses are acting up again." Midnight said two spots down, separated from the cowboy via Eraserhead and Cementoss. "It is starting to become that time of year again."

"Nah, it ain't my sinuses, probably somebody chirpin' about me. And if there's anybody I know that likes to chirp heh, I think I know who."

(Banquet Building)

"But then again all of the teachers are pretty cool in their own ways. Some are a little grumpy and some are pretty loud but they're awesome. We love them so much."

"Thank you three for your time."

"You're welcome."
"THANK YOU!"
"You're welcome."

The two girls smiled as they had to nonchalantly play off the fact that they were using all the might in their legs to bring Midoriya with them, attempting to ignore any reporters that wanted to ask any questions. Making their way past the spotlight aisle of camera flashes and media the U.A trio awed in wonder as they reached the entrance of the banquet hall.

Big, HUGE even. The sheer size of the banquet area was unlike anything they've ever seen before. There was so much space on the floor it felt as if it could comfortably house the entirety of Japan's hero roster and still have space left over. A magnificent crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, Midoriya feeling like a billionaire or a top global celebrity. All around the floor trios of other hero high schoolers interacted either with trios from other schools or broke off from their groups and acted on their own, a common sight being groups of students each having a single representative from their home school. Several reporters with cameras and notepads fluttered through the crowd of heroes in training, whether asking for pictures or asking questions for their employing media outlet.

"Man this place is ginormous!" Fuwa said. "And even still it feels kinda crowded in here. Guess that just goes to show how many hero schools there are in Japan."

"Wow look at those three." Hado said as she pointed to a group of mixed high schoolers. Within the group were two boys and a girl all dressed in angelic white Roman togas, gold bracelets on each of their wrists with an ivy floral crown over their heads. "They all look so beautiful they're like gods kind of."

"So how do we wanna do this? Do you guys wanna split off and talk to the other schools?"

"Eh?"

"Yeah that's a great idea! I wanna see what other hero schools are like outside of the ones we know!"

"Eh?!"

"Yeah me too, let's break off for now and see what the other schools are about. And we can meet up later to talk about who we were able to have a chance of speaking with."

"Good idea!"

"HUH?! Wait hang on!" Midoriya pleaded but by then it was too late as Fuwa had already released his arm and walked into the surrounding crowds. The boy spun to his left and clung onto the arm of Hado with a nervous grip. "Nejire, Nejire please-"

"Izuku RELAXXXX, it's gonna be okay." Hado assured. "Just be yourself with everybody there's nothing that can go wrong. This is meant for us to have fun and have an opportunity of seeing what the other hero schools are like don't be such a scaredy-cat. I'm willing to bet there's somebody in this building that you'd get along with perfectly it's nothing to worry about."

"A-And if there isn't?"

"Then just be yourself like I said, even if you don't really get along with the others you can listen and see what other schools are like. Plus there are the reporters that we have to deal with so gotta be mindful about that too. You're gonna be fine, okay? This will be over before you know it."

Midoriya took a deep breath as he looked around the hall then looked back to Hado. "I know it. Is it over now?"

Hado giggled as she patted his left arm. "You're so silly. But in all seriousness, you'll be fine without me. I promise."

The girl smiled before she released his arm and turned to melt into the crowds, Midoriya feeling the pressure increase once he could no longer see her light blue hair. Looking around him he gulped at the surrounding numbers in every direction he looked, taller students making the shorter ones look tiny with much larger built students making him look as if he's never picked up a dumbbell in his life. Villains he could handle, but public media appearances? Just throw him in a pit of deadly Nomu he'll be much more comfortable there.

Smoothing out his shirt around his stomach Midoriya mustered up the courage to walk into the crowds without attempting make himself stand out. 'Okay. Just, play it cool, yeah play it cool don't do anything that's gonna make you stick out like a sore thumb. If you do that, maybe you won't attract any of the reporters and you won't have to answer anything. Yeah, yeah that's perfect. Don't stick out, don't answer any questions. I can do that, I can do that! Definitely. I just have to-'

'Turn to your left don't look right.'

Midoriya froze when the voice of a male spoke out in his head. 'Huh?'

'There's a reporter to your right looking to interview somebody, in a few moments the group to your immediate right is going to move and the reporter will see you. If your intention is to avoid being interviewed by reporters turn to your left.'

The first year could only jumble in his words when a group of students right beside him began to move from their spot and relocate elsewhere which in turn caused Midoriya to immediately swing left and look away. Unveiling themselves from behind the group was a reporter with a notepad in hand as they scanned the room for any potential interviewees, completely missing the back of the student's head that blended in with the crowds around them. Instead a second year girl in a pink dress was spotted, the reporter taking off as they called out to the girl in pink for questioning.

'You are clear, though I recommend getting past your fear of facing the media for any questions they may ask. You won't be a child forever.'

'Uh, thanks?' Midoriya thought. 'Don't, really know who you are to be doing something like this but, thanksanyways.'

'Don't mention it. Quite literally.'

'Why? Are you not allowed to do this?'

'Because I'd rather not be affiliated with you by any means even if it's miniscule.'

'Oh...'

'It was a joke.'

'THAT'S a joke?'

'Sorry. I'm not good at jokes, I never have been.'

'I'm sorry who even is this that I'm speaking to right now?'

"Me."

"AHHHH!" Midoriya yelped after a male's voice a REAL one spoke out from behind him, prompting him to swivel on his feet with an accelerated heart rate. Standing behind the first year was another student several inches taller than him with combed back black hair and deep purple eyes, the outer half of his left eyebrow singed off from a fire or an intense heat source. Their attire was an all black suit and undershirt, a sharp white tie perfectly running down the middle of their chest with a stoic expression on their face. "Hohhhh, sorry about that just, you can't be popping up like that behind people."

"Oh. I apologize." The student said. "My only intention was to announce my presence behind you it was by no means meant to scare you. My teammates tell me I have an issue with that at times."

"Teammates?" Midoriya asked before his eyes caught on to something shiny behind the student. Following the bright color the first year looked behind the student's right shoulder to have his eyes widen at a shimmering cloth that was stitched onto the top of their shoulder and draping down to the back of their thighs. A golden shoulder cape. "O-Oh, n-no way. You're the second year from Tokyo High For Heroes in Leadership th-the one with the highest rank of leadership possible! Oh wow i-it's an honor to meet you."

"Please, spare your honor for those who work their efforts to secure a victory on the frontline. Those are the ones who deserve praise."

'And now I see why he has it.'

"For the sake of simplicity you can address me as Makoto. It is a pleasure to meet you Izuku Midoriya."

"You know me?" The first year asked through a handshake. "How?"

"The Sports Festival."

"Oh. Yeah."

"And aside from that the fact I utilized my Quirk on you which in turn allowed me to know your information. Forgive me for doing so by the way it just seemed like you were not too interested in speaking with a reporter."

"Oh don't worry about it, it's nothing. What is your Quirk?"

"Telepathy." Makoto answered as the two boys strolled side by side each other. "Within a certain radius I can hear thoughts, relay commands, speak with my allies I'm sure you are familiar with it through pop culture or video games. I was utilizing my Quirk to keep a constant scan for any intruders when your thoughts entered my radius and you piqued my interest."

"I did?"

"Yes. My school requires that I interact with at least one student from a different institution during this event, and seeing as how I lack certain social skills to initiate an upfront conversation that task would prove difficult. So when I heard your thoughts and how pathetic your social skills are too I took the chance when I spotted it."

"Ow."

"You are welcome."

"Damn you're like really good looking though! You sure you don't have a boyfriend or something?"

"Hm-hm oh no I'm not in a relationship at the moment. That kinda stuff just seems so complicated it's kinda scary honestly."

"Well if you were at my school I'd make those worries of yours go away."

From the distant right Midoriya heard a familiar voice and turned to it, finding Hado in a circle of other heroes in training and laughing with them. Normally it would not be an issue for the first year but when looking and taking into account that everybody in her circle was a guy who had their eyes trained on her like a hawk, a sick feeling churned in his stomach like no other. To make matters worse for him her smile was just so bright and perfect, he could tell she was sincerely happy in being around the other guys so much so that when she leaned to her left from another fit of laughter, her hand placed itself on the arm of one of the guys. The sight brought forth a pain to his heart as if somebody had stabbed him, and he felt the resolve in his body melt away as the world around him faded into nothing, leaving only he and Hado in a void with a spotlight over both of them.

Was there any chance for him? Sincerely, was there? Just when he began to think she acted in specific ways around him and him only the universe would prove him wrong by having the girl feel so happy and bright with another bunch of guys who she holds no familiarity to. She acted this way around everybody, what was he thinking? He's not special. He isn't a different colored sticky note amongst a sea of standard yellow colored sticky notes there was nothing about him that made him stand out from the others. To Hado, everybody was loved. Everybody was given the opportunity to be close to her. He wasn't anything different.

And this feeling that stabbed him in the heart let him know that. Was this what it meant to be jealous? Envious about a simple touch she gave to somebody else? Well he's received hugs from her before they haven't, so he beats them when it comes to the touch department correct? Yes, yes of course, he's superior to them when it comes to that. He's gotten hugs from her, they haven't. There's nothing to worry about. Absolutely, nothing.

So, why was he worrying about everything then?

"Jealousy is a man's biggest sin. You understand that, yes?"

Midoriya snapped out from his little void and turned to Makoto on his left. "May you please not use your Quirk on me?"

"I didn't." The second year answered. "Your expression practically gave the answer away about how you feel on something. Or given the direction that you're looking at, someone."

"Oh. It's uh, it's that obvious, huh?"

"Unfortunately so. You hold affection for her?"

"Tch, hmph. That doesn't even begin to cut the icing on this cake. That girl is just...I don't even know how to explain it properly if I'm being honest. She's just so perfect I mean the way she smiles it just lights up my day the way she laughs just makes me feel all kinds of warm inside I truly don't think there's ever going to be somebody else in my life that makes me feel the way she does. I mean she's just so BRIGHT and bubbly it's like somebody took the sun, shrunk it, gave it two legs and now it's a student at U.A that I happened to have a crush on. And I feel so little because everywhere that sun goes it takes it's brightness with it and shines light on everybody else so now the whole world sees how perfect they are. I mean, I just think about it and I wonder what chance do I have I don't even think I'm on their radar."

"How would you know what chance you have on establishing a successful relationship? Have you asked?"

"No but I don't have to that's the thing. There's an infinite amount of guys in this world that she could easily fall in love with before I cross her mind I'm nothing compared to her...nothing. I don't wanna get jealous about her being with other people that's not what I want. It just...doesn't, feel good."

"The man who understands the flaws within is the man who will endure more than anybody else. Love is a dangerous weapon, it can either harm us or bless us depending on the circumstances. Hesitating on taking this weapon by the handle and wielding it for yourself will only result in somebody else doing the same and striking you down with it. Heroes who are lucky enough to find love in their work are heroes who have truly won it all, there is no evil in this world that can take that away from them. Your emotions for this girl will only end up drowning you in depression and heartache if you do not take the opportunity that lies before you.

Jealousy is a poison, the longer you are jealous the more harm it causes to your system. It would be in your best interest to rid your body of that poison for good."

"How do I do that?"

"This sight you're looking at right now, it isn't pleasant it?"

"No."

"Then it would be wise to do something about it, no?"

Midoriya turned away from Makoto to look at Hado once again, her signature smile still on her face as she continued to laugh with the other boys. The sick feeling within tightened into a pinch and a twist until he could bear it no longer in his core. The second year was right, the sight he was looking at right now is a sight he didn't like in even the slightest. So the smartest thing to do would be to at least try, and get rid of it.

"Listen guys you boys are all really sweet but I'm nothing like any of you say I am."

"Nahhh we mean it totally!" A boy from across Hado said. "You gotta be one of the best looking girls in this entire building."

"And hey if you're not occupied by a boyfriend or anything I don't mind taking you out some time." The boy to her left commented as he reached out and gently took Hado's shoulder, his thumb smoothing across her skin and causing an uncomfortable feeling. "I could show you something fun aside from a karaoke bar."

Hado nervously chuckled as she removed the boy's hand from her shoulder. "No I'm, I'm fine on that thank you though. I'm not so good at singing anyways."

"Come oooon it'll be fun. Every chick at my school's been wanting to have a chance with me you should feel lucky I'm giving you one."

"I am perfectly okay without that offer thank you. I should go see what some of the other schools are looking like."

"Hang on wait I haven't finished yet." The boy said as he once again reached out for her shoulder. "I haven't even told you about-"

SMACK*

The hand was smacked away and down to his side as Hado gasped when a body wedged themselves between her and the boy, a head of green standing as tall as they could against the much taller student in defense of their friend. "Izuku."

"My friend removed your hand from her shoulder yet you're doing it again knowing she didn't want it there in the first place." Midoriya said sternly. "I'm sorry about smacking your hand away but I only did it because you can't seem to keep it to yourself. Aren't heroes supposed to know how to follow along?"

"Who in the hell do you think you are touching me like that?" The other student asked. "I should knock your fucking teeth out you little shit."

"Think you'll be fast enough to do it before yours come out first?"

"You little piece of-"

"Izuku." Hado lurched forward and grabbed onto the back of Midoriya's right hand. "Stop it. Remember we're being watched here you can't be causing trouble like this. He's not worth you having to go through an effort, come on."

"Hrmmm..."

She squeezed the hand. "Please?"

Midoriya held his gaze strong on the older male but felt the tug of Hado on his right hand wanting to pull him away. He will admit he was angered at the repeat advance by the other student so much so he didn't even think when his hand smacked the other's away. He felt red hot in the face but slowly cooling the longer Hado held onto his hand, bringing his pressure down enough for him to take a steady breath in and breathe it back out with ease. He released himself of the tension and allowed her tugging to pull him back and away from the circle of boys, keeping his eyes on the other until they were far enough out before turning away.

That was odd, he's never felt anything like that before in his life what exactly was that? The rush that coursed through him when he smacked the other guy's hand away from Hado was...exhilarating. But now that it's over and done with he feels guilty for having slapped his hand away from the girl, there were better ways he could have prevented him from placing his hands on her physically hitting the guy now leaves a sour taste in the back of his mouth. He wants to apologize but now he feels like a big fool for having done something so brash like that. Where was Iida to scold him when he needed him?

Through the seemingly endless crowds of heroes in training Hado guided Midoriya to the outer skirts of the population where majority of the attention was focused to the center of the building and practically nobody watched them. Finding an unoccupied tall table the third year parked her and her junior at the table as a large exhale deflated his chest and shoulders. "Are you feeling better?"

Midoriya nodded. "Yeah, yeah I am. Sorry for just barging in back there I just...I dunno."

"It's okay Izuku it's over and done with now. Besides, you kinda saved me back there if I'm being honest hm-hm. Those guys were just firing compliments at me left and right about how good I looked and stuff, it was pretty easy to figure out what they were trying to do. You sure you're okay? You look a little bothered."

"No yeah I'm fine, I'm cool now everything's fine. Nothing to worry about."

Midoriya looked off at something random but Hado kept her gaze focused on him, easily being able to see he was attempting to divert their attention away from the matter at hand. But as his friend, she would not allow that. So with her left hand she reached for the outside of his right shoulder and caressed it. "Hey. Can you look at me?"

He did so, her light blue circles gleaming so flawlessly under the chandelier light. "Yes?"

"If there's something that's bothering you Izuku, you can always tell me if you want. You know that, right?"

Love is a dangerous weapon, it can either harm us or bless us depending on the circumstances.

"...Nejire do...do you have an idea of who you want to be with?"

Hado's eyes widened with a slight tilt of her head. "That's, a bit out of the blue what makes you ask something like that?"

Midoriya shrugged. "I dunno just...my classmates keep teasing me about us two being a thing with each other since we keep being seen hanging out and all. I keep telling them we're not a thing we're just friends but, they keep coming at me with the teases. Guess that would be why."

"Oh. Um, I don't, really have anybody in particular like a name or anything. But, I know what I what when it comes to what I like and what I would want to see."

"Really? What kind of person is it?"

"I u-um...would prefer to keep it to myself if that's okay with you. It's a little personal."

"Oh. No I get it yeah, completely." He nodded. "I just wanted that assurance to know I could tell my classmates we're not a thing and that you have a type of person you're interested in. Cause I tell them I'm not your boyfriend I couldn't be, but now I have proof so thank you. That definitely takes some stuff off my mind."

Once again Midoriya turned away to look at the crowd of high schoolers and in doing so completely missed Hado furrowing her eyebrows at him. Her cheeks puffed in a pout and she opened her mouth to speak but realizing the current situation and the circumstances, this was not the time nor the sort of place to discuss this. Not even close. So she closed her trap and instead scrunched her lips to the side, holding off on the tidbit in her mind that wanted so desperately to get out.

-

"Whewwww..." Midoriya sighed as he loosened his bowtie from the front of his collar and removed it completely, he and Hado walking side by side each other on their way back to the dorms. The skies were a mixture of late afternoon orange and a darker tone of the incoming night, a hand rubbing the front of his forehead and dragging down his face. "Thank goodness that's over and done with, I just hope nobody sees any of my pictures on the internet."

Hado giggled. "Ohhh come on you weren't THAT bad looking Izuku honestly. I mean, okay I'll admit there were some ones where you looked as stiff as a wooden plank but all the other ones you looked fine in. I'm sure it's not something they're gonna poke fun at."

"Yeah you say that but considering I have people like Ashido in my class it's going to be poked fun at and I'm not gonna hear the end of it. I don't steal but for this case I just might have to hide her phone."

"Hmph, if she's anything as bad as you say she is that sounds like the only appropriate thing to do."

"Trust me, it's pretty bad." The first and third years arrived at an intersection of the pathways that went left and right, Midoriya heading towards the path on the right while turning over his left side and waving. "Well I'll see you tomorrow then Nejire, have a good night-"

"Wait."

He stopped. "Oh uh yeah?"

"U-Umm..." The girl fidgeted in her place with her thumbs dancing around each other, a blush and a pout of her cheeks making her seem nervous about what's on her mind. Midoriya looked at her in confusion with a tilt of his head before her right hand flopped in a gesture for him to approach her. "C-Can you come here...please?"

The boy nodded and approached Hado just like she requested, stopping right in front of her while she continued to fidget. "Yes?"

No words, rather, odd noises like conflicting hums and squeaks that he could hear from how close he was. An eyebrow cocked at a sight he's never witnessed before and a no less a sight he didn't think he would see in his life. Hado? Appearing to be nervous and conflicting about something? What was this all about?

"Could you...um..." With her right index Hado gestured a half-crescent motion in between them. "...turn to your right for me?"

"Uhhh, oookay." Midoriya once again followed her request by simply waddling in place and turning his body 90 degrees to his right to look away, now facing the distant grounds of the campus that were off the main paths. "Now what?"

Hado gulped as she stepped towards Midoriya and took hold of him, a hand placing itself on his left shoulder while the other reached across his chest to take the right shoulder. The first year was frozen stiff like a body in a cryochamber as he could feel the hot breath wafting against the skin of his left cheek from Hado's quick breaths of her nose. He began to shudder and feel hot from the ever closing girl before-

smooch*

A peck. A peck from a soft pair of lips, pressing together and kissing his left cheek in total bliss.

His entire face turned beet red in an instant as his head creaked towards Hado's direction, the girl showing her own face to be red in her cheeks while stepping away from him. "Thanks for being for there for me at the banquet, dealing with the other guy and all. I'll um...I'll see you tomorrow then, Izuku. Good night."

Midoriya could only choke out sounds from his throat as Hado turned away from him and speed walked down the path leading in the direction of her dorm building, leaving her junior to be stunned in a daze from a quick kiss on his face. The need of air became apparent as a deep breath filled his lungs and he began to pant for the sweet oxygen with his right hand reaching up to the left side of his face and rubbing the exact mark of where she kissed. It was soft, smooth and it was a feeling that he's never felt before. And already he wants another. But it wasn't just another that he wanted, he wanted...no, NEEDED, more of what that was.

Hesitating on taking this weapon by the handle and wielding it for yourself will only result in somebody else doing the same and striking you down with it. Your emotions for this girl will only end up drowning you in depression and heartache if you do not take the opportunity that lies before you.

'I can't take this anymore...Tomorrow. Tomorrow I...I have to try. I have to get this off my chest.'