Ciana barely got any sleep… after connecting the dots about her dreams… She began to feel like a mistake… She was quiet most of the morning and didn't give much of a response to her friends other than a smile and a wave, now dressed back in her UA uniform as well as her backpack on her back… Ciana just got ready to leave for school like everyone else as she goes to walk out the door of the dorm building slowly… staring at the ground lost in her thoughts.
"All those premonitions… all this time I wondered why I wasn't in them… it was because I wasn't meant to be here…" Ciana mumbled sadly to herself, wiping any tears that she expected to appear. "I mean… yeah, I guess it makes sense I wouldn't since I never was born in this world, but… I actually was starting to feel like I belonged here, but now that I know I don't…" She tightened her grip on her bag, trying her best to hold in her tears. "Izuku really would have been fine without me, I never was the real reason he made it this far. All I did was just ruin his love life with Uraraka…"
Knowing Izuku was meant to be with someone else pained her heart greatly… but also knowing she got in the way of them getting together like they were supposed to made her feel horrible… "What do I even do now? I-I can't avoid Izuku… and I can't tell him what's been going on more in my dreams… should I just disappear? No… now that I'm here it'll just make things worse with everyone worrying…" Ciana sighed, raising her gaze up with a concerned expression. "Maybe I should talk to Mr. Yagi about it… he might give me advice on what I should do, though is that really a good idea for me to spoil the future to someone here…?" She scratched her cheek just wondering about this more.
"So far I have only been getting small glimpses of premonitions when something important is about to come… it sure wasn't enough for me to know Mr. Yagi is All Might, Ugh! This is so confusing!" Ciana stopped her tracks to pull on her hair frustratingly. "Why did I ever have to have those dreams in the first place?! Why me?! I mean I already have a superpower! Uh, I mean quirk… whatever you call these quirky abilities here!"
"Yo, Finley?" To pull her out of her rant, her eyes met with Kirishima and Ashido as the two waved. "You alright, you look a little tense?"
"Yeah, and you were grumbling a lot to yourself, though we didn't really catch why?" The pink girl replied, stepping into Ciana's left. "Come on, take a breath, chill for a bit,"
"Are you still worked up about yesterday?" Kirishima asked.
Ciana turned around in surprise to see her other friends concerned for her well-being, did they just see her have a melt down…? She blushes embarrassingly as Ciana quickly straightens up with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of her head in an awkward manner. "Uh… y-yeah that's it!" She couldn't let them know the real reason she's acting up.
"I-I was just worried about Bakugo… he really looked so slump after that big fight, I was just concerned if he's doing okay." That wasn't a total lie at least, she had been worrying for Bakugo lately and hoped he was doing better.
"He was pretty quiet after you guys left for the nurse office," Kirishima tapped his chin but Ashido giggled with a big smile as she nudged Ciana's side.
"Aw, you're so sweet to worry about him, even if he has the personality of a wood chipper," She cooed. "Say, I heard what you said to Midoriya yesterday, he came over to your room for a bit, anything exciting happen, hmm?" She wiggled her brows a bit, curious of what she felt between the two.
"Eh…?" She certainly wasn't expecting her to bring up that kind of topic… blushing incredibly red as she wondered what she heard. "N-nothing happened! R-really!" She waved her hand in a panicked manner.
"W-we were just catching up on our work we missed out, t-that's all!" Ciana felt like she had steam coming out of her head at this point, pointing her fingers together as she felt so flustered. "W-what did you hear me say to Izuku exactly…?" Now Ciana started to wonder if they were secretly listening on them…
"Hrm, well, that's a total deflection cause you're asking, but all I heard was you two talking about studying then Midoriya asked if it would be in your room," Ashido put her hands behind her head as they walked. "I wanted to listen in, buuut Kirishima and the others would've probably nagged my ear off,"
"You just go a little overboard sometimes," He smiled sheepishly, squeezing his fingers close together. "But yours and Midoriya's business is private so I won't ask,"
"Bah, where's the fun in that? I want some blossoming high school romance!" Ashido whined, pouting. "Fiiine, I'll stop... for now, but for the record, you two are adorable together."
Ciana sighed in relief knowing they weren't actually listening on them, still she still felt flustered as she rubbed her neck awkwardly. Perking up a little at their positive nature, especially the girl who looked like a pink alien. "I-I get that a lot…"she responds bashfully, laughing a little.
"Why don't you find a nice guy you can connect with if you want something romantic to happen, you two seem to spend time together a lot… you got something going on…?" Ciana teases, her attention went to Kirishima with a raised brow and a playful smile.
"We've known each other since junior high, but-" Suddenly, Kirishima's mouth was sealed by Ashido's hands, herself laughing nervously as she marched forward quickly.
"Welp, can't be late can we? Let's hustle people!" She quickly sped out of that conversation.
"Huh, what was that about?" Kirishima, clueless as to what just happened, simply cocked his head a bit. "Ashido's always been like this, she actually helped get a lot of people together back then, guess she still can't help herself," He chuckled with his eyes closed for a moment. "But she's right, don't want Mr Aizawa to threaten us again."
Ciana giggled at her cute behavior, now starting to smile again. She wouldn't be too surprised if they liked each other. "She's definitely really good at it." Ciana giggled more, glancing back at the shark boy.
"Because of her I got to know everyone a little better, everyone is so unique in their own quirky ways… it feels nice to actually be part of a group, even if some might think I'm too bland here." She rubbed the back of her head after saying that, giving off a sheepish smile.
"You said something like that before when we did those introductions," Kirishima noted, shrugging as he smiled like always. "I think I get it, it's not important what you look like but it still bothers you anyway, well, best way to get around that is to surround yourself with people who see more to you than you do, right? Then overtime that feeling of blandness you have fades, least that's what I think,"
"And hey, now you've got me, Ashido and the girls, and Midoriya, heck, even Bakugo probably, and I don't think you're bland, you're pretty fired up when you want to be!" He pumped a fist to punctuate his point.
Just hearing his comforting words made her perk up a smile more, he was right at least. It does make her feel better being around people who care, now rubbing the back of her neck as she began to blush a little embarrassingly. "W-well I learned not to let situations like that get the better of me… where I'm from it's a pretty rough place, so I learned to stand up when situations calls for it…" she shares a little about her backstory, part of Brooklyn can be a little rough.
"Though if I didn't have a quirk, I'm not sure how everyone would think of me now… I heard people can be judgmental to those who don't have one." She looked forward now as a frown appeared on her face knowing that, Ciana never liked anyone being treated differently.
Kirishima nodded, arms crossed. "I know some people were like that, I tried stepping in a few times but ended up brawling because of it, I mean, quirks are great and all but that's not really what makes a person manly. Standing up for others and giving your all, can't see anything more spirited than that!" He punched his open palm with a smirk. "So let's give it our all today, with me!?"
Ciana glanced back at Kirishima as she listened more to what he said, knowing he's not one of those judgmental people made her happy to hear, feeling a little more better as she let out a bit of a giggle and a bright smile. "I'm with ya!" She responds by fist pumping the air as well.
"Let's show everyone what being a real hero is all about!" Ciana cheered, forgetting about her worries for the moment as she now felt pumped thanks to her new friend.
"That's right!" He yelled with her, while a few students looked at them funny, the two were fired up.
Now within the safety of class 1-A, Mr. Aizawa gave the rundown of yesterday's combat training, "-I saw the video feeds and went over each team's results. Bakugo, you're talented so don't sulk like a child about your loss, okay?"
Unlike yesterday, Katsuki seemed to have quelled his anger, but his eyes still held wounded pride within them. "Yeah, whatever," He replied.
"And Midoriya," The greenette flinched in his seat at his teacher's stare. "I see the only way you won your match was by messing up your fingers again, work harder, and don't give me the excuse you don't have control over your quirk, that line's getting old," Aizawa reminded him strictly. "But-" This brought the boy's head up. "-you didn't break your arm like last time, and I'm fully aware you've only had a handle on your quirk for little over a month, so... show a little urgency, huh?"
"Right!" He replied, sitting up straighter.
"Finley-" Hearing her name she too sat up straight. "-heroes can't always go back to aid their allies, times like this you have to put your faith in them, otherwise, you risk failing as a result, personal feelings can't overlook the lives you put at risk when you do," He scolded. "But you've got your heart in right place, just don't let it blind you,"
Ciana felt embarrassed people were watching everything what they were doing, she slumped in her seat a little hearing herself being graded like this… she knows the eraser guy is right but she didn't want to leave Izuku to possibly die… but Ciana knew if that situation was real then she couldn't run back and leave the place to blow up…
She nods in understanding, sitting a bit more straighter. "Y-yes sir, I'll try to do better next time…" she responds, times like this Ciana still wondered if they would have been fine if Uraraka paired up with Izuku instead of her…
With that, he looked away from his notes. "Let's get down to business, your first task will decide your future."
Everyone paled with worry. "Not another Quirk Assessment Test?" They all echoed the same thought.
"You all need to pick a Class Representative." The wave of fear and anxiety washed away with relief in-toe.
"Oh good, just normal school stuff..." The collective sigh soon erupted into chaos as everyone threw their name forward for the vote like a pack of wolves wanting the first bite.
"Everyone silence, please!" Iida shot up from his desk, hand risen high to attract everyone's attention from their inner arguments. "The Class Representative duty is to lead others, that's not something just anyone can do, you first must have the trust of every student in the classroom! Therefore the most logical solution is to handle this democratically, we will hold an election to choose our leader!"
But of all the people present, his hand was raised the highest, trembling with determination. "It's pretty obvious you want us to vote for you," They all caught on quick.
"Huh, class president stuff this time? That's better than doing another intense test again." She watches the situation around them as her elbow plopped on her desk and her hand holding her face up. "Iida seems like a perfect match for this kinda role, he takes rules pretty seriously and is not much of a rebel."She comments to herself, now glancing over at Izuku.
"But Izuku is pretty smart too… and is a great leader, though… he can be pretty anxious and stutters when he's nervous… that role for him would seem kinda intense for him to handle." Ciana never got any premonition this time so she doesn't know who would be more suited… Ciana looked back down to her notebook she happened to have with her as she tried to line up with her future vision and her quirk.
She sighs as her attention stays on her notebook at the moment, still feeling bad she got in the way of Uraraka and Izukus connection… they are both her friends so she wouldn't be selfish enough to get in the way of that… "I hope Uraraka doesn't take what I did too personal if she's starting to like Izuku too…" she mumbles worryingly.
"Is this really the best idea?" Kaminari's concern over the vote was sound, given how obvious everyone's desires were.
"We've only known each other for a few days how do we know who we can trust?" Asui added, with Kirishima humming in thought.
"Besides, everyone will just vote for themselves." Again, a valid point.
"Most people will-" Iida's hand chopped down. "-which means the person who receives multiple votes must truly be the most suitable for the job, it's the best way, right sir!?"
"Whatever you do just decide before my nap's over..." Aizawa had already zipped up his sleeping bag and comically tilted over like a log and onto the floor, leaving the class to begin the pole.
The results were in. Stumping the whole class.
Izuku Midoriya - 3 Points
Tenya Iida - 2 Points
Momo Yaoyorozu - 2 Points
"How did I get three votes!?" Izuku blurted out shakily, looking paler than a ghost.
"Okay you idiots, who voted for him!?" Kacchan yelled, shoot up from his desk.
"What, you honestly think anyone was going to vote for you?" Sero pointed out casually while Uraraka whistled innocently.
Ciana was a little surprised that Izuku got an extra point. "I guess I'm not the only one who thought that way of Izuku too… but who did…?" Glancing around her, Ciana noticed Uraraka was acting a bit suspicious. "Oh… that explains it…"Ciana might have giggled a little, but wondered if this is also a sign that she's taking a liking to Izuku.
"You shouldn't be too surprised Izuku." She suddenly speaks out. "You're pretty smart so I'm sure others recognized that after that intense fight the other day, I thought you made a great leader then." Ciana comments, though Ciana gasps a bit when she realizes people might suspect it was her that voted for him after saying that…
"Tch, figures you voted for Deku..." Katsuki grunted.
"Two votes, while it wasn't the outcome I had hoped for, I can't argue with the system I chose," Iida practically trembled with disappointment but didn't appear too upset by the choice.
"That begs the question, who voted for you if you didn't vote for yourself?" Asui inquired while some murmured among themselves.
"You knew it would have been better to vote for yourself, right? What were you trying to prove?" Sato tacked on.
With that in mind, Aizawa finally slumped back up a bit, still not bothering to move from his sleeping bag as he cut off any conversation. And before long, a trembling Izuku and dignified Iida stood at the front of the class, "Alright, the Class Rep is Midoriya, and our Deputy is Iida." After that, he slithered back down to the floor.
Izuku felt it, his nerves were a mess, while he probably couldn't strain a confident expression against the overwhelming pressure now sitting upon his shoulders, combined with how distant Ciana looked it didn't help him focus at all. He should just wait until lunch to ask why she's been so quiet today but he couldn't shake the feeling he needed to talk with her, every few minutes her eyes drifted to the windows, then back with a sigh.
"Really? Uh, it's not a mistake?" Izuku stuttered a bit. "But... What's eating at Ciana? Is it what she saw in her dreams?"
Ciana lifted her gaze up when she heard him speak again
With morning classes through, 1-A got themselves packed to go to lunch with Izuku walking over to Ciana's desk alongside Iida and Uraraka. "Hey, Ciana? You ready to go?"
"Hm?" She was just in the middle of putting her stuff back in her bag, including her notebook. Now noticing Izuku came over to see her. "Oh, yeah… it will be nice to have a lunch break after the whole election thing." She jokes with a little smile, but still looks kinda down. Swinging her bag over her shoulder, thinking she could write down more of her thoughts then while eating.
"Y-yeah, I'm... honestly not so sure I'm the right guy for the role," Izuku waved bashfully. "I-I mean, who voted for me? Three votes... did you...?"
"Oh, no… it wasn't me." she speaks honestly, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "Don't get me wrong, I think you're an amazing leader, but I figured this role would have been too much for you to handle… so I voted for Iida, your perfect role I believe is more of a heroic leadership."
She smiled a bit after saying that, hoping Izuku didn't feel offended it wasn't her that voted for him.
"You voted for me?" Iida looked astounded. "I... I am honored that you feel I'm up to the task," He patted Izuku on the shoulder then. "Not to worry, Midoriya, I will help to advise you on the proceedings, I understand this role isn't for everyone but you have a sharp mind for a lot of areas,"
"Th-thanks, Iida," He smiled slightly.
"Yeah, you got this, hence why me and Iida voted for you," Uraraka grinned.
"What, y-you both did...?" Izuku blinked several times in silent stupor.
"Your courage and quick-thinking under stress will help make you a worthy leader, not to mention the strength you will eventually wield once you have control over your quirk, it was the reasons I voted for you," Iida elaborated further.
"And I chose you since you're so heroic, I mean, pretty biased, I know, but I think that's a great quality to have - oh, and humble," Uraraka pointed out.
"I... thank you, both of you," Izuku couldn't believe what he was hearing, but... he still felt Iida was better suited for the role. "S-still, we should get going,"
"Agreed/You bet!" Iida and Uraraka said at once.
Ciana smiled more when Iida looked flattered by her vote, she didn't expect he would overhear them. Ciana stayed quiet when they began to speak and praise Izuku, giving off a sad smile as she felt she should stay out of the conversation. "Uraraka is starting to be a little attached to Izuku… I shouldn't get in the way…" Ciana sighed sadly, already she went to walk out of the room with a frown.
Ciana is happy for Izuku that he's being recognized more for his qualities, he's already having a lot of people looking up to him… "It's not my place to get involved… it's best I don't try and ruin any close connections he's supposed to make…" She thought sadly to herself, feeling more of a clench in her heart as she continues walking…
"Oh? Hey, wait up," Izuku jogged to the door before taking Ciana's hand, sure, it would be really awkward and possibly mortifying to explain. But right now wasn't the time to really chat publicly about what's bothering her, so instead, Izuku squeezed her hand to reassure her. A second later, Iida and Uraraka joined them. "Sorry, we got wrapped up in conversation there, didn't mean to do that," He smiled apologetically.
Ciana was a little startled and felt very warm in her cheeks when he took hold of her hand like that, glancing behind her to see their other friends were joining up. Ciana began to panic as she looked down. She wasn't sure what to say or do but she couldn't pull away after what happened yesterday. "T-that's fine… I-I figured you guys wanted to talk about class stuff, hehe…"
She rubbed her neck with her free hand as her cheeks turned more redder, Ciana wasn't sure how she would fix things without making it worse between him and Uraraka.
"I know, but... you can talk to me, in private, of course," Izuku murmured so only she could hear. Giving her a sweet smile. "Just... let me know, okay?"
She glanced back at him, staring at him for a few moments before smiling a little and nodding, his smile always made her feel so warm inside. "I-I know… don't worry I'm alright, I'm just stressed about school stuff is all…"
She tried coming up with an excuse, Ciana still didn't want to spoil anything he wasn't supposed to know to ruin it further.
As they said this, Ciana was walking one pace head of Izuku, and as a result, bumped into someone coming out of the classroom next door, the other heroics course, 1-B. Ciana recoiled slightly, bumping into Izuku as their friends stopped behind them. From the doorway, another rubbed their arm from the impact. "S-sorry about... that..." Ciana's words fell into the void as a single, sharp white eye stared back into her soul.
The black clothing was replaced with a UA uniform, and a black bow atop a head of shoulder-length, white hair, the bangs covering the right eye, and a black bandana obscuring their mouth. It was the same girl she and Izuku bumped into on their first day after leaving Ciana's apartment. "..." The girl said nothing, she didn't even blink for the longest time.
"Ah, sorry for the wait I - huh, oh, hey there, 1-A right?" Beside the girl's right shoulder, a girl of medium height and a slim build appeared. She had teal eyes and long orange hair that she wore tied into a high ponytail on the left side of her head.
"Uh… yeah?" Ciana was pretty wide eye noticing the girl from before, she's a UA student too? She never seen her around here when she first came… not even in her visions. "Wait… I remember you, your the girl Izuku and I bumped into on our way to UA." She pointed out,
Even just coming across her again Ciana felt uneasy around her… she wasn't sure why that is?
The redhead looked between her classmate and Ciana before nudging the silverette's arm. "Sorry, she's not very talkative, I'm Itsuka Kendo, by the way, this here's Remiru Yuuki, so you've met? Well, briefly I imagine-"
"He wasn't paying attention, so he ran into me," Yuuki's voice was like ice, devoid of emotion, even her eyes held no shred of warmth. And to Ciana, her aura was just as isolating.
"N-nice to meet you, I'm Izuku Midoriya - a-and sorry about that day, you're right, I should've been looking where I was going," He apologized quickly to the strange girl.
"..." She again said nothing, simply staring at the pair.
"I am Tenya Iida, a pleasure," Iida swung his hand in a chop again.
"Ochaco Uraraka!" The bubbly brunette waved.
"Nice to meet you guys, well, ready to go, Yuuki?" Kendo asked with a sisterly smile.
"Mm..." She nodded, turning to walk away without so much as a nod to those of 1-A.
Ciana stayed quiet even when they introduced themselves… just the way the girl was staring down at her made her start to shake up… without thinking she hid behind Izuku… her eyes suddenly showed a lot of fear, it was a feeling she hadn't felt since she had that dream about that monster before…
Ciana looked down and forgot her friends were there at the moment, her eyes didn't even blink as she trembled… Ciana was even close to hyperventilating…
"Hey, you okay?" It was Uraraka who tapped Ciana's shoulder. "That girl had quite the stare on you two..."
"I must admit, she did seem rather withdrawn, but I suppose she has her reasons," Iida frowned but didn't say anything to the student walking away with Kendo.
"Y-yeah, I guess so," Izuku held Ciana's hand tightly, rubbing his thumb in slow circles over her palm. "Come on, we still need to get to the cafeteria before they run out of seats," He kept himself close to Ciana until she could stop shaking. Even he had to agree, that girl's gaze... it felt so threatening. Did they offend her back then? Even her words felt like they were hiding potent anger, the complete contrast to Katsuki.
Ciana wasn't sure why she was suddenly feeling so shaken up… but being close to Izuku like this did slowly calm her nerves… but she still stayed quiet on their way to the cafeteria. During her lunch she had a sandwich made up from the dorm and had it placed in a paper bag.
Ciana couldn't eat food that she had to eat chopsticks with… it was too complicated for her. "W-why does that girl make me so scared for my life… I-I don't know why but there's something about her that gave me a familiar feeling.." she looked down at her sandwich as she wondered this, things were just getting more and more stressful for her…
While Ciana was caught up in her own head, she finally tuned in on the conversation revolving around Izuku's new Rep position. "-wanting a job and being suited for it are two completely different things, observing the Iida family's agency has taught me that much,"
This was news to them, all three staring curiously at their companion. "Agency?" The trio echoed.
"Wait, what does your family do, Iida?" Izuku asked but he looked away to sip his drink.
"Oh, uh, it's nothing," He attempted to deflect.
"You know, I've been wondering something about you," Uraraka then gave a bright smile with her fists clenched. "Admit it, Iida, you're totally stinkin' rich?"
He appeared shocked, then sighed. "I was afraid people would treat me differently if they knew about my family," But with them all staring at him so intensely he reluctantly admitted it. "You see, the Iida agency has been Pro Heroes for generations, it runs in our blood,"
"What, that's awesome!" The trio exclaimed.
"Are the three of you familiar with the Turbo Hero Ingenium?" Iida asked as Ciana rolled her eyes with a soft smile at Izuku's fanboy side coming out again.
"I know all about him! He's a super popular Pro with 63 sidekicks working alongside him at his Tokyo agency!" Then it hit him, his face dropping in awe. "Wait, don't tell me..."
Iida smiled, standing proudly. "He's my elder brother!"
"Your brothers a popular pro hero? Whoa that's amazing." Ciana commented as she started to perk up a little, though she had no info on what Izuku and everyone else knew about them. "He sounds pretty incredible, you must be proud to have someone like that you can look up to."
She compliments with a smile, at least not shutting herself out completely from the group. Everyone really has a lot of interesting stories to tell, she doesn't even have any exciting backstories compared to them, Ciana could hardly believe still she's even part of a group like this.
"Ingenium is an unmatched hero who honours the hero code, as the second eldest son, I aspire to be just like him," He stated with pride. "However, I feel it may be too soon for me to be in a leadership role, from my standing, I will learn from your examples, Midoriya, you have a way of seeing many problems through a different lens than me," He smiled, but the others bar Ciana looked surprised. "Hm?"
"That's the first time I've seen you smile, Iida," Uraraka grinned.
"Huh, what are you talking about? I smile all the time," He didn't take offense to that as Ciana giggled behind her hand.
Suddenly, the cheery mood was snuffed out by an alarm as everyone froze up. ~Warning: Level Three Security Breach~
A few third years looked shocked by this on the end of their table. Suddenly, the whole school felt like it had been flipped upside down. Before the four knew what happened, they were swept away with the mob as people crammed through the halls to escape.
Ciana was very startled and confused about what was happening, especially everyone running for their lives out of the building, she couldn't even get by with so many people around. "Aahhh!" She felt so trampled and hurt from the rough treatment. "C-cut it out everyone! W-what's even going on?!" She shouted even if they couldn't hear her, was there an attack happening? Whenever it was going on she sure felt like she got caught up in a stampede.
"Grah, crap, I can't stop!" Suddenly, Izuku's hand was torn from Ciana's as she and Uraraka remained glued together by the bumping students.
"Oh no, Midoriya!" Iida and Uraraka gawked as he was pulled into the tsunami of bodies.
"Izuku!" Ciana tried to grab his hand but she couldn't even tell who was who anymore.
"Who could've trespassed on the campus grounds!?" Iida managed to squeeze his way to the windows overlooking the entrance only to appear gobsmacked. "It's... the press that were outside!? I was worried it was some form of attack on the school but - grah, there's no need to panic everyone!"
But no one was listening.
Ciana tried to do the same, noticing at least what Iida was doing, seeing Uraraka was close by she tried to take hold of her hand to get her out of the mess further. "Uraraka! Can you see Izuku on your end?! Ciana shouts as she keeps hold on her friend so she doesn't get swept away further.
She was not willing to leave a friend behind even to save her own butt from a sudden stampede like this, Ciana wasn't sure how she is even still alive so far being caught up in a commotion like this.
"I-I can't see him!" Uraraka grunted, trying to pull herself toward Iida again as the gap between her and Ciana grew.
"This way," Without warning, a hand roughly pulled on Ciana's blazer, tearing her to the left hand side of the hall where there was a small gap between two parts of the wall that jutted out, giving her ample breathing room as Izuku was thrown against the wall too, his chest pressed against Ciana's as their saviour stared at them with a single, emotionless eye. "This panic is pointless," It was Yuuki again.
"A-are you okay?" Izuku panted, holding onto Ciana's shoulders tightly.
Ciana tried to take a moment to catch her breath, she held her hands onto Izuku's arms as she tried to get herself together. "Y-yeah… I-I think so…" she responds, she was scratched up and bruised but otherwise still alive. She looked up at Izuku for a few moments before darting around for their other friends.
"Uraraka and Iida! A-are they alright?!" She asked very worryingly, knowing how rough the crowd was being is nuts. "W-what is even going on? W-why is everyone suddenly freaking out?"
"The media broke in, they somehow bypassed UA security... or someone else did it for them," Yuuki murmured, then pointed up. "Your ally is above us."
As they followed Yuuki's finger, they watched as Iida used his engines to spin through the air, crashing into the wall to carefully balance himself on the bright green sign. "Listen up, everything is okay!" He yelled as loud as possible, catching the entire crowd's attention at his pose. "It's just the media outside! There is absolutely nothing to worry about! Everything is fine! We're UA students, we need to remain calm and prove we are the best of the best!"
Thankfully, his words got through to them as people began to notice the commotion outside and a number of them helped those who were almost trampled back to their feet. Soon, order was returning to the students that Izuku sighed in relief, his head against Ciana's shoulder briefly. "That was almost too much for one day..." He breathed. "Thank you for grabbing her, Yuuki."
The girl didn't blink, turning her head toward the students. "Most are in their second of third term, and yet, the slightest discord throws all that training out the window. 'Heroes' they call themselves, yet are no better than sheep," Her words were cold and cynical. "They will die long before they ever make good on their so-called titles,"
Ciana couldn't help but blush very red at the close contact she was in with Izuku, she stared at him for a few moments before looking down. The girl may have saved her but it wasn't enough for her to be calm around her… her grab felt very cold compared to Izukus who was warm…
"Um… w-what's going on with the media exactly…?" She asks as she glances behind her to notice a news crew and people with cameras outside… blinking her eyes in confusion why they suddenly showed up. "Did something happen here for them to come here…?"
"It's because All Might's a teacher here, they probably want to ask questions since it's only been announced once the school year started," Izuku explained, shaking his head. "They probably got very demanding and somehow they got into the grounds, but the police will disperse them soon," Izuku again turned his head to Yuuki, "A-and thank you again, for helping me too,"
"..." She said nothing, but this time, nodded once with her gaze to the windows.
Ciana huddled close to Izuku in fear of this creepy girl… she really didn't feel comfortable around her and still wasn't sure why… Ciana looked out the window more to process what's going on and what she's been told, she knew All Might is famous but she didn't think they would go far to march down to the school to find him here.
"That's what all this fuss is about? I thought an attack happened or something more serious than that…" she sighed, people in this world really are crazy.
"Do not be so quick to panic, otherwise, you may find it to be what kills you, Ciana Finley," Yuuki spoke before moving to wander off elsewhere.
"I guess she's not so bad, but that stare of hers still really creeps me out," Izuku gulped, holding Ciana close. "Are you okay?" He squeezed her biceps tightly in a brief hug to soothe her worries.
Ciana gasped the way she said those words, the fear in her eyes came back. She suddenly clung to Izuku as she began to tremble once again… Ciana didn't even hear him as she suddenly felt she was confronted by the person from her dreams again…
Her eyes shut tightly, now hyperventilating… flashbacks of her being back in the dark alley with him creeping down on her… remembering his evil smile when he reached out and… "N-No!" She suddenly shouts as she clutches her head in a very panicked and fearful manner, her eyes beginning to leak tears as she was having a panic attack.
Immediately sensing the problem, Izuku didn't hesitate to put his arms around her terrified form, placing her head against his chest as he rubbed her back. "It's okay, it's okay, Ciana, I promise... just breathe, like we were taught, long, slow breaths," To help her along he performed the technique. No one seemed to pay any mind to them all to focused on the commotion outside, giving them time to themselves. "You'll be okay..."
Ciana at least tried to breathe like he told her as she clung to him with her face buried in his chest… she started to sob her eyes out but her trembling form began to calm down little by little, Ciana felt so pathetic right now and hated that Izuku had to see her like this… but remembering how alone she felt at that moment around her had Ciana break down, she pressed herself closer to Izuku to confirm to herself he's still here with her. "P-please… d-don't leave me…" She mumbled out without even thinking.
"Never," It was hardly worth questioning, "We're partners after all," He smiled a little, and with a brief look around, he secretly planted a kiss on the top of her head, hugging her closer. "S-so I'll do my best so you c-can do your best,"
After that, Ciana managed to finally calm down… her face doesn't even leave his chest as she just stayed in his hold a bit longer, Izuku made her feel so safe and warm whenever they were together… As soon as her nerves were calm enough, Ciana pulled away a little to reveal her face again, her cheeks were red and wet from crying and had to free one of her hands to wipe her leftover tears away.
Now looking up at Izuku, her smile slowly comes back. Feeling kinda embarrassed now after her panic attack. "S-sorry… I… I-I don't know what suddenly came over me…" she mumbled out, her gaze looking back down.
"Ciana, I know... you have a lot to think about, and it's none of my business but... I-I'm really worried about you, you've been quiet almost all day, a-and... I just want you to talk to me, if something is bothering you, please don't hesitate to say anything," He cupped her hands, his face scrunched up whenever he was riddled with questions and worried. "I don't want you to think t-that I w-would judge you, you know I won't."
"I-I know…" Ciana continued to look down and then to their hands he took in his, she was stressing enough that she felt she was messing up Izuku's life but now suddenly that man that came back to haunt her again just put her over the edge… Ciana still didn't want to mention the premonitions she had… she sighed then looked away a little. "T-that girl… t-there's something about her that's… really making me uneasy…" she at least answers that part honestly.
"I-I don't know if I'm just being paranoid, but… she reminds me so much of… of…" Ciana shut her eyes tightly again to try and avoid her tears coming back out.
"Meru Zena... I see," Izuku nodded slowly. Gently, he tugged her hands, holding just her right as he led her not back to the cafeteria, but to their classroom a few hallways away. Izuku had set aside his thoughts on what he wanted to do in class later, for now, he just needed to get Ciana away from this crowded hallway.
Ciana was a little surprised by the sudden pull away, her eyes narrowing in concern for Izuku as she eyed his back while being pulled along with him. She wished she kept it together to not have worried Izuku like this… feeling very pathetic for looking like a weakling at that moment. "So much is going on right now and I'm just adding more to Izuku's problems…" she thinks sadly and worrying to herself.
"Get yourself together Ciana… you can't let this guy get under your skin again…" she tells herself with her eyes shut tightly, opening them back up to try and show she's stronger now. "I'm alright now Izuku… you got enough on your plate, you don't need to worry about me." Ciana tried to smile for him to show she's okay.
He didn't reply, keeping a steady pace until they were standing outside atop the roof of the building, the commotion silent now with a warm breeze catching them. Izuku let out a breath. "Good, no one's here," Ciana kept wondering why he was going to these lengths until he turned to her. "I realized that after what just happened, I think I've come to a decision about the class representative, and, while I don't have all the answers to God knows how many questions, I will always have time to listen and help you, that hasn't and will never change,"
Izuku lowered his gaze a bit, "I can't fix every issue, and... I still don't have answers to why you're here or what some villain wants with you, but, I'll do my best to be there when those answers do fall into your lap," Squeezing both her hands, his lips crept up in an honest smile, pink dusting his cheeks. "I-Isn't that w-what partners do f-for each other?"
Cianas hair blew past the breeze as she stood and listened to Izuku… her heart began to pick up all over again just admiring his dedication to not only his role but to her as well, looking up at Izuku the moment he took her hands again, her cheeks became more pink. Her smile slowly appeared once again as she nodded in response. "Izuku… I know you have a lot to focus on after everything is happening, but I don't want to bring anymore stress on you with my current problems."
She looks down now in a shy manner. "I don't want to get in the way of that… but I do appreciate what you want to do for me. I care about you enough too not to bring more questions and worries to you." Her head rose back up to offer another smile.
Shaking his head, he moved a little closer. "That's not it at all, yes, I worry, maybe more times than most but that doesn't subtract from how happy I am around you," Again, he didn't feel it was his place to bring up her dreams or premonitions, so he said calmly. "When you want to talk about whatever's bothering you, I'll listen, and no, you aren't distracting me from what's important, you and my quirk take top priority after all,"
Izuku really knows how to get her heart going even if he doesn't realize it, Ciana smiled more warmly at him as she stared up at him for a few moments. "It's not fair… I-I know I wasn't supposed to be the one to be with Izuku… b-but I'm happy whenever I'm with him… why does this have to be so complicated…?" Ciana thinks to herself sadly… she quickly wiped away her tears that were coming, not wanting to show anymore tears. "My situation is more complicated than you might think… I-I don't think it's really my place to say even if I really want to… it be wrong…" she looks back down now.
"I'm trying to figure it all out in my own way… which is why I was trying not to get in your way…" she admits a little about her situation, Ciana knew she couldn't spoil his relationship with Uraraka or else their relationship probably won't pursue more.
"I know it's not much to compare, but... when I first learned about All Might's secret, I felt pressure like no other, and, when he chose me to be his successor, I kept repeating to myself, even now, 'why me'? What made me so special? Why was I the exception above others?" Izuku had a brief forlorn face as he spoke. "I mean, I'm not nearly as special as some of those around me, even Kacchan is crazy talented,"
Taking a breath, Izuku continued, looking off to the sky for a moment. "But I realized, it doesn't matter the reasons I'm here now, maybe out there in worlds similar to this one, someone else is One For All's successor, maybe the people I'd have met would be different, there are so many ways my life could've gone that day, and now, here I am, training to be the hero I've wanted to be," He smiled back at her. "I guess what I'm trying to say is fate isn't set in stone, there's no one way forward,"
Ciana looked back up at him as she listened to more of what he's telling her, her hands placed over her heart as she took in what Izuku said. "He has a point… things could have gone differently than what we expected would happen, but… does that also apply to who he was meant to be with? Someone he could be more happy with that could have brought more meaning to his life?" Her smile turned sad at this thought, but one thing she knows for certain is that she didn't want to leave Izuku's side.
"I-I see where you're coming from Izuku, but… if… I wasn't here… maybe… things would be much better or easier for you…" she looked away sadly now, her hands behind her back. "I mean… I never belonged to this world, it's possible I… could have just been a mistake here… maybe you were even… meant to be with someone else…" Her eyes shut tightly just saying that, the painful thought of not being meant to be part of his life brought a huge sting in her heart.
It finally clicked in his head. That strange diary entry, her quiet attitude, the constant belittlement of her abilities. Ciana has felt completely alien this whole time, right in front of him. He mentally kicked himself, of course that was the reason! If she never came to this world, his friend group, some events, his confidence, it wouldn't have happened or be altered to fit a world without her. "Ciana... I'm sorry for never noticing, for... being so used to you being here that... I completely forgot you weren't from this world," Was that so bad? His self anger fell when she closed her eyes, trying to withhold her emotions. "You're wrong,"
It was barely a whisper, and sure, it hadn't even been twenty four hours since they made it official, but... who cares? "...I don't care how things could've been... how things were meant to go, I've never felt more like myself until you came along," He held her shoulders gingerly, pulling her just a little closer. "I don't care if things were painfully easy or who else I could've been with now or in the future, Ciana..."
Then he said five simple words, Ciana blinked as she listened. "Ciana, you're not a mistake."
Ciana was very surprised by what she had heard him say, Izuku then brought his lips to hers without a moment's hesitation. Ciana had her eyes go wide and a tiny gasp slipped out of her mouth the moment he did it. It was only for a few seconds, but it was enough for Izuku to feel that tension leave her body.
Looking back up at him after he separated… Ciana wasn't sure what to say or feel, her tears began to appear more in her eyes just from the love he showed her. Izuku truly made her feel like she belonged… she wasn't sure how and why she got to be the lucky one to meet him… Izuku was the only one who ever made her smile and feel stronger… Ciana didn't want to be selfish but she wanted to be with Izuku, more than anyone. "Izuku…" Ciana murmured as her tears couldn't help but come out but they at least weren't sad.
At first, he thought he really botched that moment up when she started to cry, but there wasn't any frown to be seen as she buried her face into his chest, sobbing slightly into his shirt while he blinked and ultimately embraced Ciana in private, burying his face into her raven hair. It totally wasn't weird he really liked the scent of her hair? Probably not. The events that led to her arrival may not have been great, but Izuku was glad that it led to them meeting.
She continued to cry for a little while as she laid in his embrace, her hands reaching up slightly to clutch his shirt, Ciana once again felt so warm in his embrace. "Y-you're only saying that because it went differently… y-you probably wouldn't think that if you were with someone you would've liked more…" she mumbled out as she cried, Ciana still wondered if she was messing up their lives differently, she didn't want to be selfish enough to ruin his life. Willing to go far to give up her feelings if she had to if Izuku would have been happier with someone he's supposed to be with, that's how much he meant to her…
"Ciana, I like you the way I do because you were the first person to see the real me, not my idol but you, you make me feel I can speak confidently, that everything will be okay because I have someone who knows me and understands me to stand against whatever walls are in front of me," He rubbed her back as she hiccupped slightly. "You did this, in a short few months you've made everything in my life so much brighter and exciting. Your smile, laugh, the fire in your eyes when you're set on a goal, your kindness, your eyes, everything about you is amazing to me, nothing and no one can compare to how you make me feel,"
"I chose you because I wanted to be with you, I want to keep standing by you, the spectacular girl I stupidly stumbled into," He chuckled a bit at the end there, and a strange weight removed itself from his shoulders. He finally got to say it all out loud.
Just hearing everything more he was saying about her not only quickened her heart rate but brought a smile to it. Her grip around him tightened as her tears still streamed from her face, Ciana still couldn't help but feel bad if she messed up Uraraka love life, but… she liked Izuku too much at this point to give him up, Ciana put her arms around him more closely in a way to keep him with her.
Izuku pushed her to this point to want to be selfish enough to stay with him… she couldn't give him up, she didn't want to. "T-that's exactly how I always felt for you too…" she mumbled out. "I-I don't deserve you Izuku, b-but I don't ever want to let you go…"
With a warm expression, he held her close, placing his forehead against hers. "That's what I've been thinking all this time..." It was strange how he felt so confident in what he said around Ciana but a stuttering mess in the rest of his life. Guess she did make everything easier. "Lunch isn't over for another fifteen minutes, want to stay up here?"
At this point she didn't want to go back down, she wanted to stay like this longer… freeing her hand to wipe her tears away with a sniffle, she nods her head. "Y-yeah, b-but…" she looks up to him now, her face red from her tears. "W-won't everyone worry what happened to us?"
"I guess so..." But then his eyes shot open a little. "Oh, w-we could just say we needed some air from the large crowd after that ordeal, I-I mean that's also part the reason I brought us u-up here,"
Ciana chuckled a little, her smile finally perking back up. "I-it was nice to get out of there… sure it was insane, I never seen anyone freak out enough to cause a stampede, it was so crazy my uniform is still dirty and messy from the crazy crowd." Also including cuts and bruises but she didn't want to say that to concern Izuku.
"Let's go get cleaned up then," Izuku suggested, turning towards the door behind them. "And I know it might make you feel weird, but I'm glad Yuuki pulled us out from the worst of it," She grabbed him from the masses like he weighed little more than a feather.
Her frown ended up coming back with just the mention of Yuuki. "Her grip was pretty cold for a save…" Ciana mumbled, fiddling with her hands now. "Izuku I'm usually pretty observant when it comes to people… why do you think I didn't think Bakugo was completely bad? I-I don't think she's here to be a hero…"
Izuku wasn't going to sour the mood now based on how the girl from 1-B acted, so instead, he tried to find a middle ground. "I understand, she was giving me a weird feeling too, so... let's keep an eye on her then? Just from a distance of course, I mean, we can't really throw an accusation around based on a gut feeling," He shook his head, but squeezed her hand with a small smile. "But I believe you, I just hope that it's just a weird feeling and nothing more,"
"I really hope so too…" she whispered out as she looked away and squeezed his hand back, for now Ciana felt she had to stay clear of her. "How's Bakugo anyways? Did you… both ever talk after what happened the other day?" Her gaze lifted back up to meet his eyes again, her expression now shown concern for the demolition fists.
Now it was Izuku's turn to look away, rubbing the back of his head gingerly. "I... may have... told him... I got my quirk from someone else," He muttered out slowly. Then he swung his hand rapidly at Ciana's brows as they shot up. "T-That's all I said! I just, I-I didn't want him to s-still believe I withheld my quirk from him f-for years, though I really don't believe he took me seriously... at all," He neglected to say anything about his reaction, for one of the rare few times, Katsuki had gotten emotional, but in class it was as if it never happened. "He's been mulling it over I think, or he just hates me even more," Izuku slumped in defeat.
Ciana was definitely surprised when he almost told Bakugo the truth about his power, though for some reason she didn't feel too worried about the idea of ratting Izuku out if he knew. "I think he just might be upset that he thinks you'll end up stronger than him… I'm not sure." Her gaze looks up.
"But… as much as I hated what happened the other day, I think… that was a good way for you both to let everything out…" her gaze back to Izuku. "You needed to stand up for yourself after how he treated you and Bakugo needed to see where his actions are taking him." Her hands went behind her in a manner of anxiousness. "I-I don't know if you heard… but after that fight… I kinda confronted him on his actions… he actually seemed almost ashamed of what he did to you."
"Y-you did?" Izuku didn't seem too surprised, the two had a habit of yelling at one another, "I guess that might also be why he hasn't acted out since I told him at least not the extreme I'm used to seeing," Quickly, he gave Ciana a hug. "But thank you for doing that, um, what do you mean by 'confront' anyway?" He did air quotes to punctuate his wording.
She smiled at his hold, bringing her arms around him to hug him back, but then looked away with a sheepish smile at the question. "I… might have smacked him across his face… I was pretty furious after what he did to you, but… I didn't stay mad for too long as I gave some of his strength back to him." Ciana admits… hoping Izuku wouldn't be mad hearing she smacked his childhood friend.
He stared at her sheepish grin for a few seconds, unblinking. "...I need a new word to compliment you... um... phenomenal? Yeah, that," The mere idea of someone striking Katsuki and leaving without burn marks was an impressive feat. "And probably stunning."
Ciana burst into giggles hearing and seeing Izuku's stunned state, looking back up at him with a wide smile. "The whole time I showed him how mad I was at him… I never seen him like that before, but… he… looked ashamed of himself for making me cry… he even called me by my last name." She smiled more after stating that last part, it made her happy to hear him call her by her name even if it's by last.
"Maybe... he's mellowing out now?" Izuku wasn't going to be hopeful. "Well, I guess we'll see - come on, if we show up to class like this, Mr Aizawa will probably throttle us regardless of the circumstances,"
With great haste, the pair ran down the stairs to find the bathrooms before classes.
Afternoon classes had begun and roles needed to be established among the class but Izuku had other plans, after everything today, he spoke a little clearer than normal. "Before w-we start I... need to say something first," Standing up straighter, he looked to one classmate in particular. "I think Tenya Iida should be the Class Rep," The nervous look on his face vanished. "He was able to grab everyone's attention and get us all in line, so I believe that he should be the one to lead our class from now on," He smiled to his friend's surprised look beside him.
"Yeah, you know what?" Kirishima spoke up. "If Midoriya vouches for him, I'm good. Plus, he was a big help, he totally manned up and took charge, right?"
"Yep," Kaminari nodded in agreement. "Hah, did you notice he looked like the dude on the emergency exit sign earlier?"
"This is a waste of time," Aizawa spoke up from his sleeping bag, startling Izuku. "I don't care who the Rep is just hurry up," Then he slumped back down to sleep.
Iida closed his eyes a moment, turning in Izuku's direction, "If Midoriya is nominating me for this job-" Then he shot his hand up proudly. "-then I humbly accept, and pledge to carry out the duties of Class Rep to the best of my abilities!"
Ciana smiled at Izuku's wise leadership skills, knowing it's wise to pass on the position to those they deem more worthy. Though Ciana hoped part of the reason wasn't because of her, but ether way she was happy for Iida as she clapped for him. "You make a very wise leader to this school Iida, I'm sure even your brother would be proud if he saw the way you took charge of that crowd."
Ciana compliments him with a wide smile, she could tell by day one he's most suited to carry out as a class rep. Knowing he will be great as well as Izuku being a pro leader.
The school day was over, and students were finally let free to return to their dorms or go to after school clubs. One student kept to themselves.
"Someone's playing their hand," Yuuki murmured into the open air after school, leaning against a tree as she watched students filter by, her hand pressed to her ear. "What should I do if they attempt to make a move?"
~Hm, best play by ear, the hero course can handle themselves, and with how events are shaping this will work in our favor~ Her caller replied, mulling it over. ~Keep to the plan, and don't blow your cover~
"Hey, Yuuki!" By the path, Kendo and two others from her class were waiting.
"And what of Finley? She seems to suspect me of-"
~Stay the course~ The voice was firm this time. ~-do you job, and I assure you all will work out, we need only bide our time~ Then the call cut off, leaving Yuuki to sigh as she removed her fingers, walking toward her 'class'.
Yes, she had a job to do, that was all these people were. A means to an end.