—.My Hero Academia: Forbidden Letters at UA: Part 3.—
In the Present
Uraraka was hidden in a dark corner, breathing heavily and clenching her fists close to her chest as she observed the situation. She tried to keep Deku's words from affecting her, but it was as if each one struck her heart directly.
—Uraraka! Stop running from me! You know we're meant to be together! —Deku shouted, his voice filled with conviction and desperation, echoing down the empty hallway— Uraraka!
She closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out his words, when suddenly a hand covered her mouth. She tensed up, ready to use a defense technique, until she felt the familiar presence of Tsuyu's hand. Tsuyu looked at her calmly and gestured for her to stay quiet and follow her.
Uraraka nodded, moving carefully with her as they made their way down the corridor. Ahead, she saw the rest of her classmates waiting around a corner, ready to protect her.
—Are you okay, Uraraka? —Momo asked in a soft voice, concerned.
Uraraka nodded with a small smile, but her expression remained tense.
—What's going on with Midoriya? —Tsuyu asked, a mix of curiosity and worry in her tone— Is he being controlled or affected by some kind of quirk?
—It's because of Komori's spores —Uraraka explained, summarizing—. They make him act out of character.
—So that explains today and the other day —Mina commented—. I knew there's no way Midoriya would act like that in a million years.
For a moment, Uraraka lowered her gaze, her face showing a hint of sadness, as if those words discouraged her. But Tsuyu immediately touched her shoulder.
—I don't think Mina means that Midoriya doesn't like you —Tsuyu said with a comforting calmness—. I think what she means is that he wouldn't be so direct with his intentions like he was now, or the other day.
—Yes. Exactly. Sorry, Uraraka. I didn't mean it like that —Mina clarified—. After all, you two have always been very close, and I think you'd make a really cute couple.
Uraraka's mood seemed to improve, although she still looked a bit tense, while Momo raised her hand slightly before taking the floor again.
—I think, rather than clarifying who likes whom, we should get out of here before...
But before she could finish her sentence, all of them froze in shock as they heard a strange tune approaching. It sounded like a cellphone ringtone, but it had the eerie quality of an old computer singing. Only Uraraka's face showed a different expression.
...
Five Days Earlier
Deku was lying in his infirmary bed, focused on the exercise he was doing with his healthy arm. Slowly, he lifted and lowered the heavy law books that Iida had lent him as part of his routine to strengthen his muscles. The weight of the books wasn't a challenge, but he knew it was a way to keep both his mind and body active. However, just when he least expected it, the soft sound of a knock on the door interrupted his concentration.
For a moment, Izuku paused, quickly analyzing who it could be. A small smile appeared on his face as he thought about the person who was probably on the other side.
—Come in,— he said, almost with certainty, expecting to see the person he had already imagined.
The door opened gently, and as he had anticipated, Uraraka appeared in the doorway with a shy smile. She closed the door behind her with delicate precision, and their eyes met.
—He-hello... Deku,— she murmured, her voice a little hesitant, but with that warm tone she always had.
Izuku couldn't help but smile when he heard her, his heart beating a little faster. His face flushed slightly as he looked at her.
—Uraraka. It's good to see you. You came to visit me before class?— he asked, adjusting his posture a bit.
She nodded, blushing too, and slowly moved closer to the side of Izuku's bed. —It was a bit early, and I thought I'd come by to see how you're doing.
Izuku smiled sincerely, flexing his arm upward and showing that his recovery was going well.
—I feel much better,— Izuku replied, demonstrating how his muscles stretched without pain. —And it's all thanks to you.
—To me? But I haven't done anything— Uraraka immediately rejected, nervous, placing her hands in front of her.
Izuku looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, an idea forming in his mind. Without thinking too much, he extended his arm toward her with a calm, gentle smile, as if inviting her to come closer.
—If I'm with you, I feel a thousand times better.
Uraraka, surprised, looked at his outstretched hand before taking it gently. The tips of their fingers brushed, and a warm shiver ran through her body.
It seems like he's forgotten what he said yesterday, Uraraka thought as she lightly squeezed his hand. I think this is better...
They both remained in silence for a long time, their hands intertwined, until suddenly, Deku gave a slight tug, pulling her closer to him. The space between their faces narrowed, and they both felt the tension in the air. Izuku intertwined his fingers with hers, pressing them gently against his chest, right where his heart was beating faster and faster.
They closed their eyes as their foreheads touched, smiles on their faces, before Deku kissed her on the cheek.
—I'm happy— he said with great simplicity and tranquility.
In Uraraka's mind, the memory of what Deku had said yesterday suddenly resurfaced:
It's not just because of the spores from Komori's mushroom. Maybe... a part of me really wants it...
Making a decision, Uraraka slightly narrowed her eyes and watched as Izuku did the same, their breaths intertwining in a shared rhythm.
—Deku... —Uraraka whispered, getting closer, her lips a breath away from his— What is it that you really want to do with me?
The question made Izuku release their intertwined hands and place his on her waist, with a tenderness that spoke of deep desire. He slid his hand down her waist, reaching her skirt, and stopping at her thigh, pressing gently. The contact made Uraraka close her eyes tightly, while Deku, with apparent control, let his lips barely graze hers.
...
The substitute doctor at UA walked calmly through the hallways, reading the results of the analysis they had done on the Komori spores. His mind was absorbed in the numbers and technical observations, so much so that he didn't even realize when he had reached the infirmary. Without thinking much, he turned the handle and opened the door, forgetting to knock first.
—Good morning, Mido... —he began to say, but his words trailed off as he caught sight of the end of a rather romantic scene between teenagers.
—Ah! —Uraraka yelled, quickly pulling away from Midoriya after seeming to have been leaning in, while Midoriya, sitting on the bed and leaning against her, had his hand under her blouse. She hurriedly adjusted her uniform and then covered her face, red with embarrassment.
Midoriya looked down, blushing but with a smile that barely concealed his feelings—G-good morning, doctor.
The doctor cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure from the surprise, and closed the door behind him, a bit uncomfortable with the situation.
—Kids... —he started in a serious tone—. I think it goes without saying that this kind of behavior isn't allowed within the academy. You could even be expelled for something like this. I believe I'll have to report you.
Izuku glanced at Uraraka, who was still partially turned away but, at the doctor's words, squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Her face tensed, and a clear sense of worry settled in her gaze.
—Y-you're right, doctor. I'm so sorry, —Izuku said, his voice full of concern.
Uraraka then turned around, bowing slightly.
—I'm sorry too —she said, her voice filled with guilt—. I think in his condition, Deku has an excuse, but I... I don't.
—No, Uraraka! —Midoriya interrupted her, his tone serious—. I was the one who manipulated you into this. You didn't do anything wrong. If anyone deserves to be expelled, it's me. You were just trying to be kind to me.
—Deku, I'm not doing this to be kind! How many times do I have to tell you?! —Uraraka exclaimed, her voice strong, as if she was feeling a mix of emotions.
The doctor, who had remained silent until that point, sighed, resigned.
—Alright —he finally said—. I'll let it slide this time, but I don't want to catch you two doing anything inappropriate again.
Both nodded, clearly relieved by his leniency.
—Well, actually, I came to see you, Midoriya, because we have the results of the tests we did on Komori's spores —the doctor continued, but his expression grew more serious—. And it turns out we underestimated the influence of the spores at first.
—What do you mean, doctor? —Uraraka asked, clearly concerned. She lowered her gaze, her thoughts restless. —Are you saying that what Deku has been saying and doing isn't really what he feels? —she asked, her voice trembling.
—That can't be true! —Izuku exclaimed, sitting up slightly on the bed—. I know how I feel, Uraraka! And that will never change!
The doctor, feeling a bit uncomfortable with their intensity, cleared his throat again.
—Let me finish, please —he asked.
Both of them blushed and lowered their heads, allowing the doctor to continue.
—The results show that these spores, in addition to causing periods of disinhibition, may also cause hallucinations and analgesic effects, which could prevent you from feeling pain —the doctor explained, reviewing the notes from the studies.
Izuku lowered his head, processing the information in his mind.
—As for the hallucinations... I don't think I've experienced any yet —he said, furrowing his brow in concentration—. But as for the analgesic effect... just before you arrived, I was telling Uraraka that I feel a lot better. My back and arm hardly hurt anymore.
The doctor looked at him seriously, approaching to examine him.
—Please, don't be complacent, Midoriya. Just because you don't feel pain doesn't mean your injuries are fully healed.
The doctor gently pressed on Izuku's back, and although there was no reaction of pain, the doctor's expression showed that something was not quite right.
Beside him, Uraraka lowered her head.
—If I'd known you were still hurt, I wouldn't have let you lean like that —she whispered, a sad smile on her face—. I guess I wasn't thinking clearly... I was just being selfish because I wanted to keep seeing you... I wanted to be with you, but most likely, I'm only delaying your recovery.
Uraraka's words seemed to squeeze Izuku's heart. Suddenly, he tried to stand up from the bed, but the movement was too fast. Pain surged through his back, and his legs gave out. The doctor had to catch him before he fell.
—That's... not true! —Izuku denied.
The doctor sighed, looking at them both with concern.
—I'm afraid Uraraka may be right —the doctor's tone was firm—. It seems that her presence is making you act impulsively, Midoriya. If this continues, you could worsen your condition. I'm afraid I'll have to ask Uraraka to keep her distance until you're fully recovered.
The impact of those words was immediate. Izuku's heart raced, panic overtaking him. His eyes started to fill with tears before he could stop them.
—No! You can't do that! You can't separate us! —he shouted, trying to break free from the doctor's grip— Not now that we've finally shared our feelings!
The doctor held him more firmly, preventing him from attempting to stand again. Uraraka, meanwhile, watched the scene with a frown, visibly affected by the situation.
—It's best if you leave for now, Uraraka —the doctor suggested, his voice firm but compassionate.
Uraraka continued watching them for a moment, her hands trembling as she adjusted the strap of her backpack. She knew she had to go, but her heart was telling her otherwise.
—No! Don't leave! —Izuku exclaimed, his voice desperate— You said you'd always be with me! I don't know if it's Komori's mushroom spores, but I can't be without you anymore!
Uraraka's steps toward the door were slow. The hand she extended to turn the handle was visibly shaking. She knew she was hurting him with each step she took given his condition, but she couldn't ignore the doctor's recommendation. Even so, the pain in her chest grew, unable to bear the sound of Deku's cries.
—Uraraka! Stay! —Izuku cried out suddenly, his voice breaking with tears.
She stopped, her shoulders tensing. She closed her eyes, fighting against the torrent of emotions overwhelming her. How could she leave him like this? But as much as she wanted to stay, she knew the best thing for him was to walk away, even if it hurt. She clenched her fists, holding back the tears threatening to spill.
Finally, with a pale face full of guilt, she opened the door and walked out. Izuku called her one last time, but the echo of her name resounded in the empty hallway. Uraraka quickened her pace, the pain in her chest only growing with each cry she heard, until she finally broke into a run, trying to escape.
...
When Uraraka turned in her assignment along with Deku's, her slumped posture was evident. Her drooping shoulders and distant gaze didn't escape Tsuyu, who quickly approached her.
—Are you okay, Ochako? You look really down —she commented with concern, noticing her subdued expression.
—Yeah. I'm fine... but thanks for asking —Uraraka replied without much energy, returning to her seat with slow steps.
From a distance, Tsuyu kept her gaze on her, thoughtful. For a moment, she considered pressing further, but ultimately decided it was better to give her some space. If Ochako needed to talk, she'd be there to listen.
As she organized the assignments, Midnight noticed part of the interaction between her students. Though she noticed Uraraka's gloomy air, she let it go as she checked her watch, remembering she needed to head to a meeting. She gathered Class 2-A's assignments, tucked them under her arm, and headed to the teachers' lounge.
When Midnight pushed open the lounge door, she felt a strange sensation, as if someone were watching her. She glanced over her shoulder, but no one was there. She shrugged it off, attributing it to fatigue, and entered, closing the door behind her.
Passing by the principal's office, she noticed Monoma sitting in the waiting area, likely about to be scolded for some inappropriate remark. It wasn't unusual to see him there.
Midnight set the assignments on a table in the lounge and headed toward the conference room.
The papers had barely been left on the table before a pair of small hands hurriedly snatched them away.
—Finally! —Mineta exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement and a hint of drool on his face—. At last, I'll have undeniable proof that I'm not the only pervert in this school or Class 2-A! This will absolutely prove it! I can't wait to see what each of the girls wrote! I wonder if they had any dirty thoughts while writing? Or if there's a trace of some scent or... substance left on the paper?
However, before he could touch them further, the papers were snatched out of his hands by someone taller. Turning, he saw Monoma glancing through the pages with mild interest.
—Well, well… what do we have here? —Monoma said, flipping through them as a mocking grin spread across his lips.
—Hey! What's your problem? Give them back! —Mineta protested, hopping up in an attempt to reclaim the papers.
—Oh, sorry —Monoma said sarcastically, holding them out of the small Mineta's reach—. Though, I'm not really that sorry. Honestly, I sometimes still wonder how some of you useless Class 2-A students managed to surpass so many of us in the entrance exam. That will forever be a mystery to me.
—Hey! Just because you're a resentful Class B student doesn't give you the right to butt into my business! —shouted Mineta, still jumping and stretching his arms to reach the papers, though he had to admit that Monoma, with his usual agility, dodged every attempt without much difficulty.
—You might be right —Monoma conceded—. I wouldn't have the right to meddle in your business… if it weren't for the fact that you're stealing papers from the teachers' lounge and whispering obscene things while you do it.
—I can't deny the obscenity part! But… I didn't mean to steal them… I just wanted...
—You just wanted…?
—I just wanted to see what the girls in my class wrote on this assignment! That's all!
—Well then! You should have said so sooner! —Monoma replied, fixing his hair and finally letting go of the papers—. But honestly, Class A students spend their time on the most ridiculous things. This will eventually lead to all of you being defeated. You're all so pathetic! Hahaha!
—Yeah, yeah, pathetic, whatever you say —Mineta muttered, ignoring him as he separated the papers into two piles, then brought them close to his face to sniff with dedication—. Wait! Something here isn't right… —he murmured, double-checking and pulling out a particular sheet—. Midoriya? Ugh. He's not a girl —he said, placing the paper on top of the other pile with disdain.
As Mineta browsed through the assignments in the waiting chairs outside Principal Nezu's office, Monoma, always on the lookout for a chance to laugh at others, picked up the first sheet from the pile Mineta had discarded. After reading a few lines, an amused grin appeared on his face.
—Looks like they were also assigned to write a song in English in that weird style of Ms. Midnight's —Monoma murmured, holding back a laugh—. Turns out I'm just as pathetic as anyone in Class A, because what Midoriya wrote here is really entertaining! Never would've guessed!
Just then, a group of American cheerleaders came out of Principal Nezu's office, whom he was politely seeing off.
—Thank you so much for coming, ladies. I hope your stay at UA is wonderful during these exchange days —the principal said.
The cheerleaders responded with cheerful goodbyes, a bit confused as they didn't understand much Japanese, while Mineta stared at them, starstruck. Monoma, still holding Midoriya's song in his hand, flashed a mischievous smile.
—This… gives me an idea to poke a little fun at Class A —he murmured to himself, his gaze shifting from amused to calculating.
...
Night had already fallen. Ochako, seated in the common room, barely noticed the commotion around her as boys and girls argued over the TV remote. Her classmates' voices seemed distant, and her mind was caught in a whirlwind of thoughts she couldn't organize.
On the other side of the couch, Tsuyu watched her with a hint of concern, still undecided about whether or not to ask her directly what was wrong.
After a quick game of rock-paper-scissors between Mina and Kaminari, the girls' group claimed the remote, and everyone settled around the TV.
—Oh, it's starting! —exclaimed Hagakure, hugging a pillow excitedly.
—Right! This is where it left off last week! —Mina replied, sitting very close to the screen so she wouldn't miss a second, munching on a plate of cookies.
Meanwhile, the boys, uninterested in the show, started playing cards at a nearby table. A few others were busy with homework, while some preferred to lose themselves in a book.
Uraraka just stared at the TV with a blank look, lost in her thoughts, replaying the image of Deku's tear-streaked face in her mind.
In contrast, on the screen, a calm-looking young man spoke to a girl with an expectant expression, standing by a fountain.
Please forgive me for calling you out so late, but I couldn't sleep without telling you this...
Hagakure, ever attentive to romantic moments, couldn't contain her excitement.
—I think he's finally going to confess! —she exclaimed with a wide smile.
I couldn't resist the urge to come see you...
—No! Just tell her you're not interested! —Mina shouted back, raising her voice a bit.
But the young man didn't stop.
Of course, you are more beautiful than the stars in the night sky and all the wonders of the world...
—Make up your mind! Are you going to confess or not?! —Hagakure shouted, clearly frustrated.
The noise from the girls' discussion made everyone in the common room turn at the same time, looking for the source of the commotion.
In that moment, Ochako felt a hand gently rest on her shoulder, and a warm, familiar presence behind her made her heart stop instantly.
—Marry me— said the unmistakable voice of Izuku Midoriya softly.
Mina turned around in shock, still holding a half-eaten cookie in her hand, her eyes wide with surprise and astonishment. Tsuyu, from her spot nearby, also watched the scene silently.
A faint "What?" escaped from Hagakure's lips, while the rest of the people in the common room could hardly believe what they had just heard. The soft background music of the TV show continued, adding an even more romantic touch to the already emotional scene.
Uraraka remained frozen, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears and her cheeks flushed. One of her hands clutched tightly in front of her chest, while Deku's hand remained gently placed on her shoulder, conveying a deep affection.
—Uraraka, please, marry me— Izuku repeated, eyes closed, his voice full of sincerity.
Tears began to fill Ochako's eyes, and before anyone could react, Izuku suddenly collapsed unconscious to the floor.
—Midoriya!— Kirishima shouted, rushing to him faster than anyone else, but soon, everyone gathered around him, concerned.
...
From the common room window, their classmates watched as Ochako walked away with Midoriya in her arms, supported by her Zero Gravity Quirk, each of them feeling a mix of worry and curiosity. Kirishima scratched his head and asked with a hint of uncertainty:
—Do you think it was really okay to let Uraraka take Midoriya by herself?
—They definitely have a lot to talk about— Tsuyu commented. —I've noticed that Ochako has been acting a little strange, and now I know why. But I think it's best to give them some space to sort things out between the two of them.
With that answer, the group decided that, after all, their friends deserved some privacy. After one last glance at the window, everyone decided to go to bed, turning off the lights.
As she walked through the grass, Ochako noticed a slight movement in Izuku's body in her arms. He started to stir, frowning as if trapped in a confusing dream.
—Calm down. We're heading back to the infirmary,— Uraraka reassured him, trying to sound more relaxed than she actually felt. — Are you okay?
Izuku slowly opened his eyes, his green pupils reflecting a mix of sadness and something deeper. Tears began to silently slide down his cheeks, though he tried to smile a little.
—Y-yeah... I'm f-fine,— he answered, but his voice was shaky, as if each word carried added weight.
Ochako felt a lump in her throat, and without thinking too much, she pulled him closer to her, holding him gently.
—Come on. Nothing's happened— she said softly, trying to mask the torrent of emotions she felt.
Izuku, still with his face wet, closed his eyes again.
—I just... felt the urge to ask you— he mumbled. —I'm sorry if I scared you.
Ochako also began to cry, her tears mixing with a soft, trembling laugh. There were so many emotions bottled up in her chest that it was hard to hold it together without breaking. She hugged him a little tighter, feeling his warmth and everything he meant to her.
In that moment, as if it were an impulse rising from the depths of his heart, Izuku began to sing quietly, almost in a whisper. The melody was old and simple, but each word felt filled with tenderness.
—Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do...— he sang softly.
Ochako looked at him in surprise, not interrupting him. There was something deeply moving about seeing him sing like that, with his eyes closed and a peaceful, drowsy serenity.
—I'm half crazy, all for the love of you...— Izuku continued, his voice fading a little as his head tilted more toward Uraraka's neck.
—It won't be a stylish marriage,— he sang, his breathing starting to slow down. —I can't afford a carriage...—
Ochako noticed how Izuku was starting to drift into a peaceful sleep, but before he fully dozed off, he murmured the final words of the song.
—But you'll look sweet, upon the seat, of a bicycle built for two...
...
Upon arriving at the infirmary, Uraraka gently released her power, allowing Izuku's weight to carefully descend onto the bed. She adjusted the sheet beneath him and placed an extra pillow under his head, making sure he was comfortable, surrounded by a calm that seemed to envelop every corner of the room. With his face now relaxed, Ochako couldn't help but smile; seeing him like that filled her chest with a quiet tenderness.
Almost without thinking, she touched his hand and intertwined her fingers with his, feeling the warmth and texture of his skin. For a moment, she just looked at him, letting the weight of the gesture hang in the air. After a few seconds, she broke the silence with a whisper, as if her words were a secret just for him.
—Yes. Someday... —she murmured, as if answering the question he had asked her.
However, when she tried to let go of his hand to let him rest, Uraraka felt a gentle pressure: Izuku's fingers closed around hers, holding her with an unexpected tenderness. Surprise showed on her face, but she didn't try to pull away. Instead, she looked at him curiously, noticing how his relaxed expression had changed to a slight smile.
—Stay... —he whispered, his voice filled with a sincere longing, as if that moment was all he needed to heal.
Uraraka leaned in a little closer, her fingers grazing Izuku's hair. Gently, she moved a few strands that had fallen across his forehead.
—I can't, Deku. Remember what your doctor said —she whispered, trying to stay firm.
Izuku, without opening his eyes, smiled slightly.
—I heard him leave earlier... while he said he had a personal matter to attend to —he murmured, barely audible—, and he mentioned that his replacement wouldn't arrive until dawn.
Miles away, Izuku's doctor was indeed far from any infirmary, on a small boat swaying with the rhythm of an unexpected storm. He held a first aid kit in his lap, his face determined, with no idea that he had been tricked.
Uraraka let out a soft laugh, amused but incredulous.
—I don't believe you. I'll go find him to check on you.
Izuku barely opened his eyes and looked at her with a touch of serenity, letting his words flow calmly.
—That's fine. But when you confirm I'm telling the truth... come back, okay? I promise I'll behave. I just want to talk until I can sleep —he said softly.
Ochako looked at him for a second without responding. Finally, she nodded and left the room.
Izuku watched her until she disappeared behind the door. Then, sitting on the bed, Izuku took the notebook from beneath his pillow and was about to cross out the box that read "Embarrassing confession followed by kisses and touches under clothes" when a voice from outside the building called to him.
—Midoriya! Stick your head out! I'm here to make your dream come true! —shouted the unmistakable voice of Monoma, followed by one of his signature mocking laughs.
At that, Izuku couldn't help but frown.
He didn't knew what Monoma was planning so suddenly, but no one was going to get in the way of his plans now. No one.
...
Author's Note:
Thank you so much for reading this far. I hope to continue this story soon! Your comments are always welcome! Thank you so much for reading, following, and liking. It always makes me smile.
Special thanks to those who have encouraged me to continue with this story!