This idea has been playing in my head for a good while and with CHAT GTP, it came to fruition. It is largely inspired by a RWBY fanfic that I read years ago and which hasn't seen an update in the last eight years.

Crazy how much stuff stays with you. Couple that with a few suggestions from a few Discord friend and you get this story or abomination of a fic, pick whatever you'd prefer to call this. One can consider this my Christmas Present for you guys.

I'll also put this here now. This is done in an AU where the whole last few major fights didn't happen and where we don't have a time skip to the end.

While I am/was a fan of BNHA, I am not sure where I can put this on terms of time line hence why this is an Alternative Universe. For this fic, I don't need to keep up with it.

If you read through this, you'll see what I mean.

I had fun on this bit and see where it took me. It's frightening on what you can do on this but well, I had fun on the evenings after the job and I decided to pull this on a file after my trips.

As this is done by AI, I have decided not to include this on my usual update list. It might see sporadic updates or for now, seven chapters as I think many of you would dislike having one huge block of text on updates.

That's just me though.

You'll also have the usual hetero pairings for this fic. I like what I like.

Posted on 24/12/2024

The early afternoon sun bathed the UA campus, casting long shadows from the dormitory buildings as students milled about, enjoying a brief break between classes. Laughter echoed in the courtyard where Momo sat with her friends, the usual crowd of familiar faces—Jiro, Mina, and Denki—spread out on the grass in their small circle. A pleasant breeze swept through the air, carrying their playful chatter, but Momo's mind wasn't entirely on the conversation.

Instead, her thoughts drifted toward Shoto Todoroki, who sat a few paces away with Izuku and Tenya, engaged in their own discussion. She couldn't help but notice how much they had all grown during their first year at UA. The fierce battles, relentless training, and shared hardships had brought them closer. Shoto, in particular, had changed. His once cold, distant demeanor had softened, and while he remained reserved, Momo had seen the subtle shifts—the way he sought her out during team drills, the quiet moments they shared after training.

Her heart fluttered with an unbidden warmth, her gaze lingering on him just a second too long. Momo quickly looked away, hoping no one had noticed. But of course, Mina had.

"Yao-Momo," Mina's teasing voice pierced through her thoughts, accompanied by a mischievous grin. "Checking out Todoroki again, huh?"

Jiro chuckled beside her, nudging Momo with an elbow. "It's so obvious. You've been daydreaming about him a lot lately."

Momo's face heated instantly. "No, no, I wasn't—" she started, though her protest only made Mina's grin widen.

"Sure you weren't," Jiro said with a smirk, her eyes twinkling. "Just like Uraraka wasn't staring at Midoriya all last week."

Momo could only sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. It wasn't that she didn't like Shoto—she admired him deeply—but there was something more now, something she hadn't fully acknowledged yet. And Mina and Jiro's teasing wasn't helping.

Before she could offer any more defense, a new voice entered their conversation.

"I see the UA students are as carefree as ever," Saiko Intelli's sharp tone cut through the air, drawing all eyes to the new arrival.

Momo's head snapped up, and there stood Saiko, her gaze narrowing at the group. It had been a while since they had last crossed paths, and from the look in Saiko's eyes, it was clear that their previous encounter still rankled her. Momo couldn't forget their battle during the Provisional License Exam. The way she had outsmarted Saiko had left a lasting impact, one Saiko clearly hadn't forgiven.

"Intelli," Momo said cautiously, rising from her seat. "It's been a while."

Saiko's eyes flickered toward Momo, her expression calm but calculating, before they shifted to Shoto, who had now noticed the new arrival as well. The subtle interest in Saiko's eyes didn't go unnoticed by Momo, and her stomach churned slightly.

"Ah, Todoroki Shoto," Saiko said, her voice suddenly taking on a different, almost melodic tone. "The famous dual-quirk user. I've heard a lot about you."

Momo felt a twinge of unease as Saiko's eyes lingered on Shoto, who offered a polite nod but remained quiet.

And just like that, the dynamic shifted. Momo could already sense the tension that was bound to build with Saiko's presence.

The sun dipped lower in the sky as Saiko Intelli stood before the group, her poised demeanor exuding a quiet confidence. Her sharp eyes scanned her surroundings, taking in the casual chatter and laughter of UA students. But her attention lingered on Momo for just a moment too long, making Momo shift uncomfortably.

"I'm surprised you didn't hear the rumors already," Saiko said, breaking the silence with her usual composed tone. "They've been circulating for a while now."

"Rumors?" Mina asked, her curiosity piqued as she leaned forward slightly. "What rumors?"

"About your class, of course," Saiko said smoothly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "It seems that the UA students are quite the hot topic lately. There's been no shortage of speculation about… relationships."

"Relationships?" Jiro echoed, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of speculation?"

"Oh, you know," Saiko said airily, waving a hand. "People are fascinated by who's dating who. Midoriya and Uraraka seem to be a popular guess."

Mina let out a delighted laugh. "I knew it! I've been saying they're into each other for months."

Jiro grinned, nudging Momo lightly with her elbow. "What else have you heard? Anyone else paired off?"

Saiko's smile widened slightly, her expression unreadable. "Now, now. It wouldn't be polite to share all the rumors I've heard, would it?"

"Oh, come on!" Mina pressed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Spill the tea, Intelli."

Saiko didn't answer immediately. Instead, her gaze shifted, deliberately falling on Shoto, who was passing by with Izuku and Tenya a few paces away. Her smile took on a sharper edge as she turned back to Jiro and Mina. "I am curious about one thing, though," she said lightly. "Is Todoroki Shoto still single?"

The question hung in the air, and Momo's stomach twisted uncomfortably. Before she could say anything, Jiro answered casually, "Yeah, he is. Why?"

A spark of satisfaction flashed in Saiko's eyes. "How interesting."

Momo's jaw tightened. "Why do you ask?" she said, her voice a little too sharp.

Saiko turned her calm gaze to Momo, her smile unflinching. "I suppose I find him intriguing," she said simply. "Dual quirks. A quiet, mysterious demeanor. What's not to be curious about?"

Mina and Jiro exchanged a glance, and a mischievous smile spread across Mina's face. "Ooooh, Momo," she teased, leaning in close. "You okay over there? You seem a little... tense."

"I'm fine," Momo said stiffly, though her clenched fists and the faint blush creeping up her neck betrayed her.

Saiko, seemingly unfazed, took a small step back. "Well, I suppose I should let you all return to your... bonding." Her eyes flicked back toward Shoto briefly. "Perhaps I'll see more of you soon."

As Saiko walked away, Momo let out a slow breath, but the tension in her shoulders remained.

Shoto strolled by with Izuku and Tenya, their conversation trailing off as they caught sight of Saiko leaving the group. Izuku's eyes lingered on Momo and the others. "Do you think something's going on over there?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

Tenya adjusted his glasses, his brow furrowed. "Perhaps. Yaoyorozu does seem… unsettled. Though I can't imagine why."

"Maybe it's Intelli," Izuku suggested. "They did face off during the Provisional License Exam. Maybe she's bringing up bad memories?"

Tenya hummed thoughtfully. "That could be it."

"Could be," Izuku agreed, though he wasn't entirely convinced. His gaze flicked back to Momo, catching the way Mina and Jiro leaned toward her with playful smirks. Something about the scene felt... different.

Izuku and Tenya slowed their steps as they glanced back toward the group of girls. Momo's usually composed demeanor seemed strained, her body language stiff as Mina and Jiro leaned in close, their teasing smiles practically glowing. Saiko Intelli, however, stood cool and calm, her composed expression contrasting sharply with Momo's growing irritation.

"Do you think something's wrong?" Izuku asked, tilting his head.

Tenya adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "It's possible. Yaoyorozu does seem unusually tense. Perhaps there's a misunderstanding or... some competition brewing?"

Before either could theorize further, Katsuki Bakugo strode past them, his hands jammed into his pockets and his usual scowl firmly in place. "You idiots really don't get it, do you?" he grumbled, his voice cutting through their conversation like a blade.

Izuku blinked, startled. "Kacchan?"

Katsuki snorted, not bothering to look at him. "It's so obvious what's going on over there."

Tenya frowned. "And what, exactly, is going on?"

Katsuki stopped walking and jerked his chin toward the group. "That Intelli chick's got her sights set on Icy-Hot, and it's pissing Yaoyorozu off."

Both Izuku and Tenya froze, their eyes widening in unison. "What?" Izuku stammered. "Why would she—?"

"She asked if he was single, didn't she?" Katsuki snapped, finally turning to glare at them. "How much more obvious does it need to be?"

Izuku's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air, his mind racing to piece together the hints Katsuki had apparently already connected. Tenya crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "That's quite the assumption, Bakugo."

"It's not an assumption," Katsuki said flatly. "Camie told me Intelli was coming as part of this tournament thing UA's doing again. She also said the girl's got a reputation for stirring things up."

"A tournament?" Izuku perked up. "So that's why she's here... but how did you know that?"

Katsuki's ears turned faintly pink, though his face remained defiant. "Camie told me, obviously."

"She called you?" Izuku asked, his curiosity shifting to a more personal angle. "How often do you talk to her?"

"What's it to you?" Katsuki snapped, his voice rising defensively.

Izuku's eyes widened in realization, his voice softening with wonder. "Wait... Kacchan, are you two—?"

"Shut it, Deku!" Katsuki barked, his voice turning sharp. His pink-tinged ears betrayed him, though, and Izuku couldn't help but notice.

Tenya stepped in, his tone more composed. "Bakugo, there's no need to be embarrassed. It's perfectly fine to maintain communication with someone you care about."

Katsuki's glare could have set the grass on fire. "I'm not embarrassed! I just don't need relationship advice from you losers!"

Izuku flushed, waving his hands in protest. "I'm not a loser!"

"Yeah, right," Katsuki scoffed. "When was the last time a girl actually liked you?"

Izuku sputtered, his cheeks burning brighter. "That's not—!"

Tenya, visibly offended, adjusted his glasses again. "That's completely uncalled for, Bakugo."

"Whatever," Katsuki said with a shrug, the smugness in his voice unmistakable. "At least I've got a girlfriend, unlike you two."

Izuku clutched at his hair in frustration, while Tenya sighed in exasperation. Katsuki, clearly satisfied with himself, began to walk away. "Don't screw this up," he called over his shoulder. "It's bad enough Intelli's already messing with Yaoyorozu's head."

Izuku watched Katsuki go, his expression torn between disbelief and irritation. "Why does he have to be so rude?"

Tenya shook his head. "He may lack tact, but it seems he's noticed something we haven't. Perhaps Yaoyorozu's reaction is worth observing further."

Izuku nodded slowly, glancing back toward the girls. Mina and Jiro were still laughing, but Momo's frustration was now impossible to miss.

I'm not going to put this chapter through too many things. We'll just go update by update and see where we are getting with this.