Dekiru 10: The Symbol Of Peace And The Protector Of Earth

by Phantomdanger

Izuku Midoriya, previously quirkless, was offered One For All by the greatest hero, but during training, he discovered the Omnitrix. Now his on the journey to be the greatest hero, the Symbol of Peace and The protector of Earth. It's Hero Time!

24. Chapter 23: Meeting Melissa Part 2

U. A Japan]

"My ship's senses are tingling!" Mina said with a dramatic flair, her worried expression catching the attention of the other girls.

They looked at her in confusion, lounging in the common room, popcorn bowls scattered among them. Each girl was dressed in cozy pajamas, ready for a night of bonding.

"I guess you guys are pretty excited, huh?" Shoji asked, stepping into the room on his way to grab a snack before heading to his own space for some quiet time.

"You bet! This is gonna be great," Ochako said with a grin, giving a fist pump.

"Just do us a favor if you can, Shoji," Kyoka called from her spot on the couch, looking up at him. He raised a brow but nodded. "Keep that little perv away from Momo's room if you see him."

"Yeah!" Hagakure added, nodding vigorously. "If Mineta even thinks about ruining our first slumber party, I'll make sure Mina melts his grapes off!"

Shoji winced, visibly uncomfortable, but nodded in agreement.

"To be clear," he said cautiously, "you mean the actual grapes on his head, right?"

Hagakure just laughed mischievously, making Mina chuckle as well. The rest of the girls snickered while Shoji sighed, shaking his head as he turned to leave.

"Don't worry," he assured them over his shoulder. "Mineta isn't even here. He still isn't allowed to stay overnight in the dorms. He can visit, but his time is limited."

"Aw, man!" Mina groaned in mock disappointment. "And here I was hoping to melt that little perv!"

"Okay, ladies!" Mina clapped her hands together to grab everyone's attention. "This is our night. No boys allowed! Iida promised to keep them in check, and I made sure he had a solid reason. He said he'll keep them on a tight leash."

The girls cheered at her announcement, excitement buzzing in the air as the slumber party officially kicked off.

...

With that, they sprang into action, spreading out blankets and snacks in the middle of the room, setting up soft drinks, and rolling their futons into makeshift floor cushions. The common room was quickly transformed into the perfect setting for a cozy slumber party.

Momo glanced around, her cheeks flushed with excitement she couldn't quite hide. "To tell the truth... this is my first slumber party. Could someone explain how things usually go?"

Mina wasted no time. "Well, you get a bunch of girls together, stuff your faces, and sit around chatting about whatever!"

"Not quite!" Setsuna interjected, wagging her finger like a teacher correcting a student. "Every good slumber party demands talk about-amore!"

The energy in the room shot up at her declaration. Some girls, like Hagakure, squirmed slightly, glancing uneasily at Ochako, who was already blushing.

"Yesss!" Mina chimed in enthusiastically, pumping a fist. "The perfect slumber party topic!"

"Yikes, ha ha..." Ochako laughed nervously, her cheeks glowing pink as her mind immediately conjured up an image of a certain green-haired boy smiling shyly.

"So that's where we're taking this, huh?" Kendo said with a forced smile, trying to play it cool, though her stiff posture betrayed her discomfort.

Setsuna smirked, her mischievous eyes locking on Kendo. "Aw, is someone afraid everyone might find out who they're crushing on?"

A cross vein appeared on Kendo's forehead as she swiftly put Setsuna in a chokehold. "Shut your mouth, or I'll shut it for you!"

"Okay, okay, I'll shut up now!" Setsuna wheezed, tapping her arm to surrender.

Mina grinned, unfazed by the chaos. "Aww, someone has a crush, huh? Clearly, someone's in loooove..."

The room grew noticeably warmer as nearly every girl flushed red. Each tried to play it cool, but their minds betrayed them.

Kyoka fiddled with her earphone jacks, her face heating as her thoughts wandered to Izuku. She quickly cleared her throat and muttered, "Not like I have anything to say."

Yui took a sip of her drink, her stoic expression as unreadable as ever. Still, her gaze lingered on her cup as she thought of Izuku's kind smile and how easy it was to be around him.

Hagakure shifted slightly, pretending to adjust her position as her mind conjured the memory of Izuku's earnest attempts to include her in their last group activity.

Momo brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks faintly pink. "I suppose... it's not an uncommon topic," she said softly, though her thoughts lingered on how Izuku always treated her with such respect and admiration.

...

Ashido sighed blissfully. "I've got my sights on a certain boy myself..." she murmured, her face turning a soft lilac as she rested her head on her arm, a dreamy smile spreading across her lips.

...

---

[Flash back]

"Alright, your dancing lesson starts now!" Mina Ashido declared, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. She adjusted her sleek black dance shoes, the shine of the material contrasting against her vibrant pink skin. Her snug dark purple long-sleeved shirt and baggy green vest seemed perfectly chosen to complement her lively, bold personality.

Izuku scratched the back of his neck, already feeling a bit out of his depth. Mina's energy was infectious, but he wasn't sure if it could save his two left feet.

"You seem... really excited about this," he said hesitantly.

"Of course, dude! I love dancing, and now I get to teach one of my favorite people in the world!" she said with a grin so radiant that Izuku's cheeks flushed pink.

"T-Thanks," he mumbled, trying to hide his growing nervousness.

Mina placed her hands on her hips, golden eyes sparkling with mischief. "Alright, first things first. Show me what I'm working with! Hit me with your best moves, Midori!"

Izuku hesitated, shuffling his feet. "O-Okay..."

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward. What followed was... a disaster. His arms swung awkwardly, his steps were stilted, and he moved like a malfunctioning robot trying to keep time with a beat it couldn't hear.

Mina started with an encouraging smile, but as Izuku continued, her expression slowly morphed into one of barely contained laughter. She crouched down, hands pressed together in a mock-prayer gesture. "This... this is going to be so hard."

"S-Sorry," Izuku stammered, his face burning.

Mina sprang to her feet, shaking her head with determination. "No need to apologize! You always go Plus Ultra for us, so I'm going Plus Ultra for you! First, we need to loosen you up. Time for some stretches, robot boy!"

The stretching session started simple but quickly became grueling as Mina pushed Izuku's limits. She guided him through each movement, often stepping in to correct his form. Her hands rested on his shoulders as she adjusted his posture, her touch warm and steady.

"N-No problem," Izuku said between labored breaths. "Just... not used to being stretched like this."

"Good! That means it's working," Mina said with a giggle.

After the stretches, Mina moved on to teaching basic steps. She demonstrated a simple rhythm, her movements fluid and full of energy. Izuku tried his best to follow, but his clumsy steps still lacked finesse.

"Okay, stop for a sec," Mina said, stepping closer. She placed her hands gently on his hips, guiding him into the correct position. "You're too stiff, Midori. Loosen up here. Dancing's about feeling the rhythm, not overthinking it."

Izuku's face turned crimson as Mina's hands remained on his hips, her proximity suddenly making his heart race. "L-Like this?" he stammered, trying to shift his weight as she instructed.

"Better," Mina said, her voice softer now. She kept her hands steady as she moved with him, their steps syncing up. "See? You're getting it! It's not so bad when you let yourself relax."

Izuku glanced down, noticing how effortlessly Mina moved, her expression relaxed but focused. Her grin softened as she caught him staring, and for a moment, her usual teasing demeanor gave way to something gentler.

"Just follow me, okay?" she said, her voice quieter than before.

"O-Okay," Izuku managed, his heart pounding as she led him through a slow, simple rhythm.

For a few moments, it was just the two of them, their movements slowly syncing up. Mina's laughter filled the space when he tripped over his own feet, but she quickly steadied him, her hands never leaving his hips.

"See? You're getting better already," she said, her grin returning in full force.

"I-I guess," Izuku said, his focus shifting back to the steps as he finally began to find a rhythm.

After about thirty minutes, his movements were noticeably smoother. Mina stepped back, clapping her hands. "Now we're talking, Midori! You're not half bad when you loosen up!"

Izuku smiled shyly, feeling a small swell of pride. "Thanks, Ashido. I couldn't have done it without your help."

"Of course! But we're not done yet," Mina said, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"Why do I feel like that's not a good thing?" Izuku asked warily.

Mina didn't answer. Instead, she darted forward and swung her fist back. Izuku's instincts kicked in, and he backflipped out of the way just in time.

"Ashido, what are you doing?!" he yelped.

"Testing how much you've improved!" she said with a grin, launching into a series of quick strikes.

The impromptu sparring session forced Izuku to put his newfound flexibility to the test. He dodged and weaved, realizing how much easier it was to move now compared to before.

"Not bad, Midori!" Mina called out, spinning into a roundhouse kick.

Izuku dodged again but tripped over his own feet, landing on his back. Before he could recover, Mina pinned him down, her hands pressing against his chest. "Ha! Gotcha!"

Both of them froze, their heavy breathing filling the room. Mina's cheeks turned lilac as she realized just how firm his muscles felt under her palms.

Izuku, equally flustered, activated Full Cowl and flipped her over gently. In one fluid motion, he pinned her shoulders to the floor. They lay there, panting and staring into each other's eyes, their faces mere inches apart.

"You... got me," Mina said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Y-Yeah," Izuku replied, his voice just as soft.

For a moment, neither moved. Mina's gaze flickered to his lips, and she began to lean in. Izuku, caught up in the moment, leaned down as well, their eyes fluttering shut—

Until the door creaked open.

"Alright, you both should—" Aizawa stopped mid-sentence, his tired eyes narrowing at the scene. His eyebrow twitched, but his face remained otherwise impassive.

Both teenagers scrambled apart, their faces burning with embarrassment.

"Please... go back to your dorms," Aizawa said flatly before turning and muttering under his breath, "Goddamn it, teenagers."

The awkward silence that followed was deafening. Izuku cleared his throat. "S-S-So, we should, uh, head back."

"Y-Yeah," Mina said quickly.

Before leaving, she hesitated, then leaned in to press a quick kiss to Izuku's cheek.

Izuku froze, his face turning crimson.

"See you next time, Midori," she said with a wink before sprinting out of the room.

Izuku touched his cheek, a shy smile spreading across his face as he watched her retreating figure. Maybe dancing lessons weren't so bad after all.

---

[Flashback over]

"He's amazing, always working so hard, and one of the kindest people I know." Her chest pounded as her thoughts lingered, her smile widening unconsciously.

Momo clutched her chest, her thoughts drifting to a certain green-haired Omnitrix wielder. Her face warmed at the memory of his unwavering support, and she quickly straightened herself, trying to hide her flustered state.

As the atmosphere grew lighter with hints of excitement, Setsuna leaned forward, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Alright, first question! Who here has a boyfriend?"

The room went silent, and the girls glanced around at one another, clearly on edge. The silence stretched for a moment before being broken by Hagakure, who gasped dramatically.

"Huh? Nobody? Really? How about a girlfriend?" she asked, her voice playful as all eyes immediately darted to Jirou.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jirou snapped, a vein pulsing on her temple as she shot Hagakure a glare.

The girls chuckled at her reaction, the tension easing slightly. When the laughter subsided, they exchanged sheepish glances before shaking their heads. None of them seemed to be hiding a secret relationship, at least not one they were ready to admit.

"Well, it's not like there was much time for that at the end of middle school, with all the cramming for exams," Tsuyu said, her tone calm as she brought a hand to her chin.

"And we haven't exactly had the luxury since starting at U.A. either," Kendo added, crossing her arms thoughtfully.

"Plus, the semester's only just started," Yui said bluntly, her eyes calm as always. "Not exactly time for developing relationships or... crushes."

Yanagi's voice was soft but thoughtful as she added, "And we've been busy focusing on our quirks and hero studies. It's not like we've had much time to... think about those kinds of things." She paused, her eyes lowering slightly as her mind wandered briefly, though she kept her expression composed.

Momo nodded in agreement, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "And with the U.A. Sports Festival coming up, all of us have been training so intensely. There's barely been a moment to think about anything other than improving ourselves." Her voice was steady, but her thoughts betrayed her as they drifted to someone who seemed to always push himself harder than anyone else.

...

There was a lot to learn on the road to becoming pro heroes, so students of the Hero Course attended Monday through Friday. Beyond practical exercises, they also had ordinary school subjects with the usual homework and tests, making free time nearly a foreign concept.

"Argh! But romance! I want to hear something to tug at the heartstrings!" Mina groaned dramatically, throwing her arms in the air. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned forward. "How about crushes? Any of you gals crushing on someone?"

The room froze. Like a shark sensing blood in the water, Mina's question hit its mark. The girls' faces exploded into shades of pink and red, their thoughts betrayed by the sudden image of a certain green-haired Omnitrix wielder flashing through their minds.

"C-Crushes...?" Ochako stammered, gripping the edge of her pillow. Her cheeks turned crimson as her mind wandered to Izuku's determined expression during training.

"Crushes aren't exactly a priority," Momo said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. Yet her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her pajama sleeve as her thoughts betrayed her.

"Ribbit... romance hasn't been on my mind much," Tsuyu said plainly, though her fingers tapped lightly against her knee. Her mind briefly flickered to the warmth of Izuku's smile.

"Why so shy, everyone?" Setsuna teased with a grin, wagging a finger. "Sounds like someone-or someones-has you all flustered."

"I-It's nothing!" Hagakure squeaked, her voice high-pitched. She waved her hands defensively, though her invisible features couldn't hide the way she shuffled nervously in her seat.

...

Mina beamed happily. "Ah, I know that look-you all have the face of someone in love!"

Shiozaki felt her heart flutter at Mina's words, her mind betraying her with the image of a certain green-haired boy. She clasped her hands together, whispering a silent prayer for clarity, though her flushed cheeks revealed her inner thoughts.

Momo blushed heavily, her usually composed demeanor slipping as she tried to refocus on something else. The memory of Izuku's unwavering determination during their training kept resurfacing, making her chest tighten.

Pony's smile grew wider as she hid her face behind her hands, her blush spreading to her ears. She let out a small, nervous giggle, unable to stop herself from thinking about Izuku's kindness and how he always tried his best.

"Crushes, huh..." Ochako muttered to herself, gripping her knees. Her heart raced as the image of a freckled smile and warm green eyes floated into her mind.

Jirou, however, was having none of it. She crossed her arms and scowled, her face turning pink. "Can't we talk about anything else?" she urged, shifting uncomfortably under Mina's knowing gaze.

Tsuyu, noticing Ochako's flustered state, felt her chest tighten with guilt. She knew Ochako liked Izuku, but her own feelings for him were becoming harder to ignore. "Ribbit... maybe we should change the subject?" she said calmly, though her tone held a hint of unease. "I'm not really comfortable talking about crushes."

"No way!" Mina said with a mischievous grin, leaning toward Jirou. "Plus, we already know who Jirou likes."

Jirou's eyes widened in panic, her blush deepening. 'Was I that obvious?!' she internally screamed.

"A certain blonde electricity user..." Mina teased, her grin widening as Jirou froze, her expression turning blank.

"Huh?" Jirou said, genuinely confused.

"Shroom, are you talking about Kaminari?" Kinoko asked, tilting her head innocently.

"Really, that guy?" Yanagi asked skeptically. "He hit on me once and then immediately turned around and hit on Kodai right after."

Yui nodded. "Uh-huh."

Jirou's face darkened with irritation. "What? No. Sorry, not into him."

Mina pouted, both at Jirou's expression and the fact that she wasn't even a little flustered. "Aw, but you make fun of him all the time! You must be crushing on him-he's totally crushing on you!"

"Sorry, but the feelings aren't mutual," Jirou said flatly. "Though I'll admit, the fact he can just ask out any girl is kinda cool. He's bold like that."

Yui nodded thoughtfully. "If a certain someone was that bold..." she trailed off, her face heating up as the idea of Izuku casually hitting on her crossed her mind. Her blush deepened, and she glanced down. "Honestly... I'd probably kiss him right then and there."

The room fell silent for a moment before everyone blushed at the bold declaration.

Ochako's jaw dropped slightly, her cheeks burning. "Kiss him?" The thought sent her mind into overdrive, recalling Izuku's nervous yet genuine demeanor.

Pony squeaked, her blush growing even more pronounced. "S-Same," she muttered under her breath, barely audible but loud enough for the nearby girls to catch.

Mina, on the other hand, smirked devilishly, leaning closer to Yui. "Kodai, you've got some nerve saying that out loud!" she teased. "But now I have to know-what would you do if he actually did that?"

Yui avoided Mina's gaze, but a small, shy smile formed on her lips. "I... I don't know," she admitted softly, her blush refusing to fade.

...

"Can we talk about literally anything else?" Yanagi suggested, her tone flat but laced with the hint of exasperation.

"Ugh, but my heartstrings are begging to be tugged!" Ashido whined dramatically, flailing her arms. "I can't help it-I'm a girlie girl!"

Despite her outward frustration, Ashido's mind was elsewhere. She was trying to mask the tension in her chest, which only seemed to tighten every time they veered close to discussing romance. She had devoted so much to hero training, but, at the end of the day, she was still a young girl who craved that kind of connection, especially when it came to a certain green-haired boy.

"How about we get our fill with hypotheticals?" Hagakure suggested, grinning mischievously. She knew Mina wouldn't let the topic drop, so she might as well go along with it.

"How exactly?" Tsuyu asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That might not end well..." Yanagi muttered, almost as if talking to herself, clearly unconvinced.

"Well, a little fantasizing couldn't hurt, right?" Hagakure continued with a wink. "Like, is there a boy from Class A or B who you'd want to date? That kind of thing."

Momo's face flushed at the suggestion, and she fumbled for a response. "Choosing a single boy, though..." she trailed off, feeling a sudden weight on her chest.

Itsuka's face turned beet red. "I mean, there is one I have in mind..." Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible.

Momo, trying her hardest to fight the surge of thoughts about a certain green-haired boy, hastily added, "I view most of them as classmates, fellow heroes-in-training, and rivals even... yep! Just friends! Classmates! Nothing more!"

The words sounded forced, and every girl in the room knew it. Totally unconvincing, they all thought in unison.

Jirou, trying to deflect the conversation, sighed and shrugged. "I don't know... the guys are pretty normal. Nothing really special."

Yui, who had been unusually quiet, nodded slightly. "Mm. I have one in mind, but he's too clueless to ever notice."

Ashido's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Ah, who's this mysterious boy?" she asked, her grin widening.

Yui's expression remained flat. "Nope," she replied bluntly, shaking her head.

"Come on, Kodai, you can't just leave me hanging!" Ashido whined, playfully pouting.

"Nope," Yui repeated, her face betraying nothing.

Ashido sighed dramatically but then gasped as a thought hit her. "Wait-Kinoko! What about Kurorio?"

Kinoko's face immediately turned a shade of pink. "O-Oh... n-no, me and him are just friends. We've known each other since middle school..." she stammered, her voice soft and shy.

Jirou smirked knowingly. "Oh right, he totally gave Midoriya the stink eye when he saved you from those jerks."

Kendo chuckled. "I'm pretty sure he gives every guy the stink eye when they talk to her. You should've seen him on the first day-talk about jealous."

The girls giggled, and Kinoko's blush deepened, almost matching the color of her hair. "S-Shroom," she muttered in embarrassment.

"Though I think we can all agree..." Ashido said, bringing the conversation back to a lighthearted tone.

"Anyone's better than Mineta!" they all said in unison, before breaking into uncontrollable giggles and laughter.

...

"I'd take anyone in the whole world over Mineta!" Hagakure declared, her voice full of enthusiasm as Kendo wiped away a tear of laughter from her eye. "Anyone in Class B similar to him?" she added, still grinning.

"No way," Kendo replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Our boys are pretty straight arrows. A bunch of hardliners. Ah, but we do have Monoma, of course."

"Monoma..." Yanagi started, her tone thoughtful but not exactly complimentary.

"Mhm," Kodai agreed, her expression deadpan.

"How do I put this..." Kendo began, trailing off, as if searching for the right words.

"Mhm," Yui added, equally uninterested in continuing the conversation about Monoma.

Hagakure shook her head, a slight smirk crossing her face. "He's actually good-looking. It's such a shame he's a total nutjob."

The conversation then shifted to another popular topic. "Speaking of hot dudes, how about Todoroki?" Ashido said, her grin wide as she glanced around at the others. The mention of his name made everyone pause and start thinking.

Momo, who had been quietly listening, blushed at the mention of Todoroki, while Setsuna raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I know you both were crushing on him at the beginning of the year," Ashido said, her grin mischievous as she looked at Momo and Hagakure.

Setsuna's smirk widened. "Should've seen Yaoyorozu when she saw him enter the room. She practically tripped on her own feet."

Momo's face turned scarlet, and she quickly buried her face in her hands, unable to escape the teasing. Most of the girls shared knowing looks; Todoroki was the kind of handsome, independent boy who lived at his own pace. A lot of them couldn't find a single downside to him-he was the kind of person who made hearts race.

Shiozaki, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "He is certainly a striking figure..." she mused, though she didn't seem overly enthusiastic.

Pony smiled softly, her eyes shining with admiration. "He's calm and collected, but there's something about him. You know, it's his presence."

Yui, who had been lost in thought, finally chimed in. "Mh. Not my type." She gave a dismissive shrug, clearly uninterested.

...

The room fell silent for a moment, everyone looking at Yui as if she had just sprouted a second head. Ashido and Toru stared, their eyes practically popping out of their heads.

"What?!" Hagakure exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and amusement in her voice. "You wouldn't date Todoroki? He's like the hottest guy in school!"

"Yeah, girl, not exactly looking to date him, but I get the appeal. He's hot, he's the number 2 hero's son, and he's smart too," Ashido chimed in, her expression full of surprise.

Yui raised an eyebrow, unbothered by the attention. "First off, Midoriya is the hottest guy in school."

The reaction was instant. The room filled with a chorus of gasps, and the girls' faces turned a deep shade of pink.

"W-Wait, you mean you like-" Itsuka stammered, her voice full of disbelief.

"No," Yui interrupted bluntly, crossing her arms, "I mean he's literally the hottest guy."

As if on cue, the thought of Heatblast popped into all their minds. His fiery red and yellow form, the intense heat radiating from him, made the concept of 'hotness' feel a little more literal.

"Oh, that's what you meant," Kendo said, relief washing over her as she realized the misunderstanding.

Yui nodded, the neutral expression on her face never faltering. "Second, I don't know. The guy just kinda glares and hates everything around him. All I know is that he's the son of Endeavor, but beyond that, he just seems cold and distant." She shrugged nonchalantly.

The girls exchanged glances, concern flickering in their eyes as they thought about Todoroki's aloof demeanor.

Jirou nodded in agreement. "The guy's cool, for sure. He isn't a total jerk, but he's also hard to talk to."

"Exactly," Yui agreed, her voice softening. "Looks and prestige don't really matter to me. I kinda like the type of guy who doesn't need a ton of words to understand me..." Her tone held a hint of warmth, a subtle shift in her expression as her thoughts drifted to a certain green-haired boy.

"The type of guy who I can relate to and feel safe around, even when we're not fighting villains..." Yui's voice trailed off as her gaze softened. She blushed, but her face still maintained its neutral expression, as though she was trying to keep her emotions in check. "Someone who's sweet, funny, and kinda a massive dork..."

The girls fell into a stunned silence, each of them reflecting on Yui's words. As they did, a feeling of warmth spread through them, and they found themselves picturing the very same person. Izuku. The guy who never gave up, who always worked his hardest.

"Someone who doesn't give up, like ever, even when it seems impossible," Kendo added, a smile tugging at her lips. "Who works super hard and makes you feel like you can always count on him."

Momo sighed softly, a conflicted expression on her face as she thought back to why she had liked Todoroki in the first place. She felt a little guilty, realizing that her reasons for liking him were somewhat shallow-his good looks, his independence, and his intelligence. 'I looked at the surface, yet I don't even think I can name his favorite food,' she thought, her stomach twisting uneasily.

Toru hugged her knees to her chest, pouting slightly, feeling a kinship with Momo's thoughts. She, too, had been drawn to Todoroki's cool exterior, but deep down, she knew she wasn't quite satisfied with that surface-level attraction.'Is that why I like Midoriya more? He's practically an open book...' Toru thought to herself, her mind wandering.

'I really like who he is-his whole personality, everything about him... I never would have gone for someone like him before, but now I can't stop thinking about him.' She sighed in frustration.

"I... I guess," Ashido said after a pause, her voice thoughtful. "Though, the dorky, sweet guys are really my type anyway." She grinned, but there was a slight hint of vulnerability in her tone, as though admitting it aloud was a little more revealing than she had intended.

...

"Shroom? Dorky sweet guys... Mh, what about Midoriya?" Kinoko asked, a playful grin on her face, not realizing the effect her words would have. As soon as the name left her lips, a wave of emotions swept over everyone, nearly all the girls' faces turning a deep shade of red.

"M-Midori...?" Ashido squeaked, her voice trailing off, suddenly feeling the heat rush to her cheeks.

Pony cupped her chin, her expression turning thoughtful, though she quickly masked it with a neutral look. "Yes... he's... uh... he's got that hardworking vibe, I guess. But not really my type...I think..." she said quickly, her face still warm from the mention of his name."Plus he probably wouldn't be into me anyways..." She said more to herself.

"Midoriya-chan..." Tsuyu mumbled, her voice soft and a little more strained than usual. Her face was flushed, but she quickly averted her gaze, looking anywhere but at the others.

"Oh right, that Green monster of U.A. himself," Setsuna said, smirking as she leaned back casually, trying to mask the slight shift in her tone. "If I'm being honest, he's kind of... easy to tease, and when he's in his hero mode-like that USJ guy? He's got this... intensity about him."

"Midoriya..." Yanagi said, her voice trailing off as she seemed to drift into thought, briefly lost in the idea of him. She didn't say more, but the small shift in her expression said enough. She wasn't ready to reveal anything either.

...

[Flashback]

Yanagi drifted through the quiet halls of U.A.'s library, her posture as languid as ever, hands dangling at her sides. The school was renowned for its focus on heroics, but the library, vast and brimming with knowledge both ancient and contemporary, was often overlooked. From pre-Quirk era texts to advanced modern theories, its shelves offered everything.

Not that Yanagi cared much for science or history. Her interests were...different. She was here to sate her curiosity-seeking something eerie, something that whispered of the supernatural.

As she moved toward her usual corner, her gaze landed on an unexpected sight. Izuku Midoriya sat slouched over a table, his U.A. uniform stained with smudges of dried blood. He had a stack of books before him, their covers hinting at a strange combination of topics-aliens and knights?

Yanagi tilted her head slightly. "Midoriya?" she called out in her soft, monotone voice.

He flinched, almost knocking over a book. Turning to her, he managed an awkward smile. "Oh... Yanagi. Hey."

"Did you get into a fight?" she asked, her tone flat but her words pointed.

Izuku cringed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, something like that..."

Her gaze sharpened faintly. "I heard you punched Bakugou in the face." She paused. "Your class is worried. Kodai is looking for you."

Izuku's face turned pale. "Please don't tell them I'm here!"

Yanagi blinked slowly, then shrugged, taking a seat across from him. "Okay."

"...Just like that?" Izuku asked, dumbfounded.

She gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "I'm an introvert too. I understand needing space." Her fingers ghosted over the table, her tone as calm as ever. "Though I'm surprised. Punching Bakugou... That's bold. He probably deserved it, though."

Izuku groaned, resting his forehead on the table. "Yeah... I just want to get my mind off things."

Yanagi's eyes flitted to the books scattered around him. "Aliens. Knights." She leaned forward slightly, her ghostly aura adding weight to her words. "Why?"

Izuku flinched again, his face reddening. "Uh... just... research."

She stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke. "You wouldn't happen to be looking for information on the Forever Knights, would you?"

Izuku's eyes widened, panic creeping into his voice. "H-How do you know about them?"

Yanagi tilted her head, her voice taking on an eerie edge. "Let's just say... I'm familiar with the supernatural. The Forever Knights are one of many peculiar tales I've come across." She paused, gesturing at his books. "But you won't find anything about them here."

Izuku blinked, his curiosity piqued despite his unease. "You're sure?"

Yanagi's lips curved into the faintest of smiles, subtle but haunting. "Positive."

Izuku face-planted onto the desk with a groan. "Ah, man."

Yanagi tilted her head, her hands dangling at her sides before she pulled out her phone. "If you're looking for information, anything in books or hard copy will be... impractical. Especially here in Japan."

"Hm? What do you mean?" Izuku asked, sitting up slightly.

Yanagi cupped her chin thoughtfully. "Tell me, can you name a hero from 60 years ago, or back when Quirks first started emerging?"

Izuku furrowed his brows and cupped his chin. "N-No... not really."

Yanagi's gaze remained steady. "What about movies?"

"Uh... Star Wars?" he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. To his surprise, the corners of Yanagi's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly.

"Hm. Impressive. But that's not the point." Her tone returned to its usual flatness. "Most information from the early Quirk era is... absent. Suppressed. Our society prefers... selective memory. The data we're given is monitored, filtered, sanitized."

"Oh," Izuku said, eyes widening as he leaned back. "I guess I never thought of it like that."

Yanagi nodded slowly. "So no, you won't find anything on the Forever Knights in books. Not here."

Izuku slumped further into his chair, dejection written across his face. "Nothing at all?"

Yanagi shook her head, her movements slow and deliberate. "You'd have better luck getting Monoma to be nice to your class."

Izuku groaned and let his head fall onto the desk.

After a moment of silence, Yanagi spoke again, her tone as even as ever. "Though... I can help you. If you want."

Izuku shot up, his face lighting up with hope. "R-Really?!" he asked, leaning in far too close, making Yanagi blink in surprise.

"Please don't invade my personal space," she said, her pale cheeks dusted faintly with pink.

Realizing his mistake, Izuku scrambled back, his face burning. "S-Sorry!"

Yanagi waved off his apology, pulling up some articles on her phone. She turned the screen toward him, showing faded, grainy news clippings from decades ago.

"The Forever Knights," she began, her voice calm but eerie, "are shrouded in secrecy. But when the Quirk era began, their beliefs were... unsettling. They thought those with Quirks were tainted."

"Tainted?" Izuku echoed, leaning closer to the screen.

Yanagi's gaze remained fixed on the articles. "They believed Quirks came from... unnatural unions. That humans had either bred with aliens or been subjected to... experiments by them."

"They thought the emergence of Quirks was part of an alien agenda to create a race of hybrids and take over the world." Her voice took on a faint edge, like a whisper from a dark corner. "It was a convenient excuse. A justification for their crusade."

Izuku swallowed nervously. "What... what kind of crusade?"

Yanagi scrolled to another article. She paused before continuing, her tone never shifting from its eerie calm. "For five years, in America and England, they hunted anyone with Quirks. Entire families. Mothers who gave birth to Quirked children. Babies. No one was safe." She tilted her head slightly. "They believed their mission was righteous. The cost of innocence didn't matter."

Izuku's hands trembled as he stared at the horrifying text and images on her phone. "That's... horrible."

Yanagi finally looked up at him, her gaze steady but unsettling. "They weren't afraid of killing children," she added. "Or their mothers. It's... spooky, don't you think?"

Izuku gulped, his face pale as he nodded. "Y-Yeah... spooky."

"They eventually moved to Japan and found themselves at war with a so-called Demon Lord," Yanagi said, her tone as calm as ever.

Izuku's eyes widened in horror. Demon Lord...? All For One? he thought, his stomach twisting uneasily.

"You've heard of the Demon Lord, haven't you?" Yanagi asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Y-Yeah," Izuku stammered, nodding. "He was apparently a villain who brought Japan to its knees. Before All Might, it's said that he ruled from the shadows, controlling everything and everyone."

"No one could even stand up to him," Izuku said, his voice quiet as he traced a finger along the edge of the book in front of him. "Japan lived in fear for an entire decade. Though... our history books don't really go into much detail about it."

Yanagi tilted her head slightly. "Our history books aren't exactly the most reliable source of information," she said, her tone soft yet firm.

"Do you really think a country would immortalize its own downfall? The idea that one villain brought Japan to its knees for more than a decade is already hard enough for most to believe. Some even whisper it was closer to a hundred years... maybe longer."

Izuku's breath caught at her words, the weight of them settling heavily on his shoulders. He knew the stories weren't just rumors-he had seen the evidence firsthand. The Demon Lord wasn't a myth; he was real. And worse, Izuku knew it was his responsibility to fight him one day.

"Probably not," Izuku murmured, his voice laced with reluctant agreement. "I guess... people wouldn't want to remember something like that, let alone write it down."

Yanagi nodded in agreement, her hands folded neatly on the table. "The Forever Knights came to Japan intending to challenge him. They thought their crusade could topple even the Demon Lord. But..." She paused, her pale eyes narrowing slightly. "They underestimated him. Greatly."

Izuku leaned forward, feeling a chill run down his spine. "What happened?"

"He crushed them," Yanagi said simply, her voice taking on a faintly eerie quality. "Their weapons, their numbers... none of it mattered. The Demon Lord's power was overwhelming. He nearly wiped them out entirely. Only a handful of the Forever Knights survived, and those who did were forced to scatter. Very few remain in Japan now."

Izuku swallowed hard, his mind racing. At least All For One did something good for once... No, wait, he's still a supervillain! What am I thinking?!

Yanagi studied him for a moment, then continued, her tone still matter-of-fact. "And that's the broad strokes of their history. Some of their remnants went on to form factions like Humarise, but they're only a shadow of what they once were." She shrugged lightly. "Or at least, that's what people believe."

"Believe?" Izuku echoed.

Yanagi's shrugged."Who knows, most people think they just hiding from the Demon Lord."

Izuku exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair. "Thanks, Yanagi. I really needed that."

Yanagi blinked at him, her cheeks faintly pink. "No problem," she said, her voice quieter than before.

[Flashback over]

"Mh... He's kind of an enigma," Yanagi said thoughtfully, her gaze distant as she fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. "He's the most powerful person I've ever seen. His quirk... it's like nothing I've encountered. He fought a Nomu, a creature made to kill All Might, and he... he won. I don't know how he does it. His quirk is like no other." Her tone was calm but filled with quiet awe, though she kept her feelings hidden behind the simplicity of her words.

Setsuna nodded in agreement, a small grin tugging at her lips. "Yeah, but he acts like he's scared of everything. Don't know why though... It's not like anyone can really hurt him, right?"

Kendo chuckled softly, remembering her first encounter with him. "Should've seen him when I met him. Ready to fight four people, yet he was shaking like a leaf."

"Oh, let me guess, he kicked their ass and saved you, huh?" Ashido grinned, her voice full of mischief.

"Uh..." Kendo hesitated, recalling the embarrassing situation. "Not exactly..." She sighed, her voice lowering to a whisper as she remembered how she ended up having to save him instead. "I had to step in and help him out."

Ibara, who had been silently listening to the conversation, cupped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... I guess I just see him as... someone who works so hard, almost to the point of being too serious about it. But then he has this side to him... like he's unsure of himself. I guess that's why I think he's... kind of cute in a way?" she admitted, though she quickly tried to cover it up, pushing her hair behind her ear."

Momo, who had been quiet until now, crossed her arms and tilted her head as she thought about her feelings. "I admire him," she began, her voice thoughtful, "he's smart, kind, and incredibly thoughtful when it comes to everyone around him." Her face flushed pink as she continued, clearly trying to contain her feelings.

"When he isn't getting in his own way, he comes up with these incredible strategies. Logically, they'd be insane for anyone to pull off, but he does it... and he makes them work." She sighed softly, a hint of exasperation in her tone. "I can't help but be in awe of how he manages that."

She paused for a moment, then added, "He can be reckless, but... I don't know. I just admire how he's always willing to take risks. I don't think I could be that brave, honestly." Her voice softened as she spoke the last part, a mix of admiration and something else.

Jirou, who had been quietly listening, nodded thoughtfully. "I don't know what it is either," she admitted.

"But I just really like how he's always pushing everyone to do their best. Even though he has so much self-doubt, he never gives up. He just keeps pushing forward." There was a deep respect in her voice.

Toru, who had been unusually quiet, nodded slowly, her usual playful nature a little subdued. "Yeah... there's just something about him. I... I guess there's something about how he just never gives up, no matter how hard things get. It's... impressive," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"And he's always helping others," Pony added with a bright smile, her voice warm. "He's just the kind of person who always has your back, even when things seem impossible. And, not gonna lie, he's a massive nerd. I could totally see myself dating him, honestly."

Yanagi raised an eyebrow, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Though, isn't he like... a massive All Might fanboy?" she asked, half teasing, half curious.

Hagakure, who had been unusually quiet up until now, nodded with a knowing look. "Yeah... I honestly think he'd take his girlfriend to meet All Might on their first date," she said, her voice full of amusement.

This made Jirou burst into laughter. "If he tried that," she said, snickering,

"I'd never let him live it down." She tapped her chin thoughtfully, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"Actually, that sounds kind of perfect. I mean, he's our teacher, so it'd probably take all of ten minutes before I'm roasting him nonstop." Her eyes sparkled with playful malice. "By the time I'm done with him, he'll be too embarrassed to even think about meeting All Might for a date." She let out a laugh, clearly enjoying the idea, while the other girls couldn't help but join in.

...

"Though I don't think he's like that," Pony said, a light blush creeping up her neck as she thought about the time Izuku had helped her. "I mean, sure, he loves All Might, but when we were watching movies to help me learn Japanese, he asked me what my favorite anime were and made sure to get them for me."

Jirou looked down, a soft pink tint to her cheeks as she muttered, "He'd probably do something really dumb on a first date. Over the top, too." She paused and smiled, her voice softening. "But... I think that would be kind of cute, in its own way."

"Aw, come on, Jirou!" Ochako laughed, her teasing tone showing affection for her friend. "It's part of his charm, right?"

"Didn't you say he almost gave a million yen?" Yui said, her voice quiet but carrying a certain teasing edge. Ochako's face immediately turned a bright red.

"O-Okay, yeah, he did do that..." Ochako admitted, awkwardly shifting in her seat. "But it was kind of... a lot, don't you think?"

Kinoko rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But I still don't get him, shroom," she said, her tone still uncertain. "Like... he took down the Zero Pointer with one punch, completely obliterated it, yet he's always so anxious and scared. You'd think a guy that strong would have more confidence... but he's always so unsure. I don't know what to think of him as a boyfriend."

Kendo shifted in her seat, scratching the back of her head nervously. "Yeah, I've always thought the same." Her voice trailed off, unsure of how to put her thoughts into words.

Yui, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, her tone more pensive. "It's because we don't know him well enough," she said, her gaze distant as she crossed her arms. "Izuku... he's amazing. But there's so much we don't see. On the surface, he's this powerhouse—he can do things that most people couldn't even dream of. But... I think the reason he's always so scared is because he knows what it's like to be weak."

The room fell silent as the girls processed Yui's words. Her perspective had them all thinking, and the weight of what she said hung in the air.

Ochako raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think Dekiru knows what it's like to be weak?"

Yui's voice softened, her expression thoughtful yet distant. "I can tell. He never looks down on anyone, no matter how strong or weak they are. He relates to people, even when they're struggling, because he's been there before. He knows what it's like to feel helpless... and I think that's why he doesn't want anyone else to feel that way." She let out a quiet sigh, her words laced with understanding.

"He probably doesn't ask for help because he doesn't want to feel weak again. He's tired of always being the one that needs saving. Maybe he just doesn't want anyone to see that side of him."

Kendo and Ochako exchanged a glance, surprised by how deeply Yui had thought about it.

Yui's voice was quieter now, her usual cool demeanor slipping just a little. "I think that's why he has such a hard time talking about his past. I could tell you about his favorite foods or comics, but when it comes to his childhood or his friends from middle school, he always changes the subject."This made everyone widened in realization a few of the girls turned to Ochako and Itsuka who both drew a blank when it came to information on his past.

The girls looked at each other, their concern growing as they realized how little they knew about the person they admired so much.

"I don't know him well enough yet," Yui continued, her voice more sincere, "but I want to. I want him to open up to me, so I can help him too. He's always there for me when I need him, even though he's the one who's hurting. I just want to be there for him, too. Especially with what happened with Bakugou... I know he's carrying something heavy, and I just want to help him carry it."

...

Uraraka's cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke, her voice tinged with admiration. "Yeah, Dekiru's amazing. He works so hard toward his goal, like nothing else matters. He has no room for anything else. It's... inspiring, really."

The other girls perked up at that, sensing the sincerity in her voice.

"I know I have to give it my best, just like he does," Ochako continued, trying to maintain a steady tone, even though her heart ached slightly. "I guess that's one of the reasons I don't really think about... dating or romance. There's no time for that when we're at U.A. It's just... not practical."

Tsuyu nodded, her usual calm demeanor masking the complexity of her emotions. "Being at U.A. is very demanding," she said bluntly. "A relationship would just get in the way. And..." She paused, glancing briefly at Ochako before continuing, her voice quieter. "Even if we did start dating, we'd only start worrying about each other more. That could put us in danger when we're supposed to be focusing on saving people."

Mina hugged her knees to her chest, her usual energy absent as her thoughts weighed on her. She could picture Izuku, training relentlessly, always pushing himself to his limits. "Yeah... I guess I don't want the guy I like constantly worrying about dating," she muttered, her voice soft but filled with a tinge of regret. "I should just let him grow into the best hero he can be. I don't want to... get in the way of that."

The room grew heavier with each word, the weight of unspoken feelings settling over them like a fog.

Momo, sitting stiffly, clasped her hands in her lap as if to keep herself steady. "He's striving toward his goal," she said quietly, her voice carrying a mix of pride and sadness. "And I don't want to be a burden he has to worry about. He's an amazing person... but that's why I can't let myself distract him."

Toru, usually so bubbly, lay back on the floor, her tone unusually subdued. "I guess it's better if things just stay the same," she murmured, though the words felt hollow. "You know, admiring our crush from afar, focusing on being heroes... Who needs a boyfriend anyway?" She gave a weak laugh, but her next words betrayed her true feelings. "Even if he's the sweetest, most thoughtful doofus in the world."

Ibara closed her eyes briefly, offering a silent prayer. 'His resolve is unwavering, and mine must be the same. There is no room for weakness on the path of a hero, even if it means denying the desires of the heart.'

Mina buried her face in her arms, her voice barely audible as she whispered, "Maybe... maybe it's better this way. I can still cheer him on. I can still be by his side... even if I'm not the one he loves." The words stung, but she forced herself to accept them, for his sake.

The room fell into an uneasy silence, each girl grappling with her own feelings. They all cared deeply for Izuku, but the fear of holding him back loomed over them, forcing them to keep their emotions buried.

As everyone nodded in solemn agreement, a single word cut through the heavy air.

"No."

The room went silent, all eyes turning to Itsuka. Her face was flushed, but her expression was firm, her voice unwavering.

"Huh? What do you mean, 'no'?" Hagakure asked, her invisible head tilting in confusion.

"I mean no," Itsuka repeated, her gaze steady as her blush deepened. "No, I don't think being in a relationship is as bad as everyone's making it out to be. No, I don't want things to stay the same. And like hell, I'm going to bottle up my feelings just because there's a chance we might get in each other's way!"

The bold declaration made everyone blink in surprise. Setsuna's lips curled into a smirk, already sensing where this was going.

"I can't stop thinking about this guy who's just... amazing in every way," Itsuka continued, her voice trembling slightly as her emotions poured out. "He makes my heart race like crazy, and I'm done pretending those feelings don't exist. I don't want things to stay the same because, if they do, we'll just end up in another USJ situation—where he's the one protecting us, saving us, while he gets hurt."

Everyone stiffened at her words, memories of Izuku's battered and bruised form flashing in their minds.

Itsuka clenched her fists, her voice growing stronger. "Staying the same isn't realistic, and it's not what I want. Especially not between me and... him."

The room collectively widened their eyes, the realization hitting all at once: she was talking about Izuku.

"I don't want to be the girl who's always waiting for him to swoop in and save the day. I don't want to be a bystander, watching his back while he takes on Nomu after Nomu or whatever villain comes next. I want to stand beside him, fight alongside him, and grow stronger together."

Ochako flinched as the words sank in, her heart aching with an uncomfortable truth. Itsuka's conviction reflected something Ochako had tried so hard to deny.

"I... I want to be more than just friends with him," Itsuka admitted, her voice softening, but her determination unwavering. "I care about him too much to let things stay the way they are."

Her hands tightened into fists as she remembered the countless times Izuku had thrown himself into danger for others. "Tsuyu, you said you don't want to be a burden for him to worry about, right? Well, here's the thing: I already do worry about him. I worry every time he pushes himself too far or throws himself into the fire for someone else. And if I'm being honest... me being in a relationship with him won't change that. If you really love someone, you're always going to worry about them—no matter what."

"Ribbit..." Tsuyu croaked softly, her usual calm demeanor shaken as Itsuka's words echoed in her mind.

Mina stared at Itsuka, her mouth slightly open as she hugged her knees tighter. She felt a pang of guilt, knowing she had thought about stepping aside to let Izuku focus on his goals. But hearing Itsuka say it out loud made her realize how much she didn't want that.

Ibara lowered her head, her hands clasped tightly in prayer. Her mind wrestled with Itsuka's words, struggling to reconcile her desire to stay focused on her faith and hero work with the feelings she knew she couldn't ignore.

Ochako looked down at her hands, her chest tightening painfully. She's right, Ochako thought, clenching her fists. I've been so focused on denying my feelings... on trying to stay "just friends" so I wouldn't be a distraction. But... is that really what I want?

Itsuka clutched her chest as she recalled her training session with Izuku. Her face turned a tinge of red.

Flashback]

"Do you, uh, think I'm girly?" Kendo asked, her cheeks tinged with pink as she looked away.

Midoriya blinked, visibly puzzled. "Girly? What do you mean by that?"

Kendo sighed, hugging her knees. "You know... like Ashido or Toru. Even Uraraka. They're curvy, like girly stuff, do things like painting their nails, going on dates—just stuff that makes guys notice them. I guess someone who's not as... tomboyish as me. Someone guys fall for." Her shoulders slumped, her voice softening.

Midoriya tilted his head, thoughtfully tapping his chin. "If that's what you mean, then... no, I don't think you're girly."

Kendo winced, the words stinging more than she expected. "Oh."

"But that's what I like about you," Midoriya added quickly, his voice earnest.

Kendo's head snapped up, her wide green eyes locking onto his. "What?"

"I mean... yeah, maybe you're not into shopping or makeup, but that's not what matters. I admire your strong personality and how you never give up. The way you stay true to yourself is really inspiring." His gaze met hers, and her face grew redder the closer he leaned.

"And honestly," he continued, "what even defines being 'girly'? Jirou isn't what most people would call traditionally girly, but I think she's amazing. You wouldn't say she isn't a girl just because she doesn't fit some stereotype, right?"

"Of course not!" Kendo replied, the idea sounding ridiculous to her now.

"Exactly!" Midoriya smiled. "I think you're awesome just the way you are. You're into motorcycles and martial arts, and that's why I think you're really cool. You don't need to change to impress anyone." He paused, his cheeks dusting pink. "I-I like you for who you are."

Kendo's lips curved into a smile, and before Midoriya could react, she threw her arms around him in a warm hug. "Thanks, Midoriya."

Midoriya stiffened, his thoughts racing. "K-Kendo's hugging me again? Wait—is this going to be a regular thing?"

"You said that out loud," Kendo teased, pulling back slightly to smirk at him.

Midoriya flushed, stammering, "I-I did?! Oh no—"

Kendo chuckled, her smirk widening. "Oh, Midoriya, this isn't just a hug."

"Huh?" He blinked in confusion.

Before he could process her words, Kendo shifted her grip and locked him in a playful chokehold.

"Dammit! I let my guard down!" Midoriya groaned, but the laughter in his voice betrayed his enjoyment of the moment.

[Flashback over]

"That's... why, in the sports festival, I'm going to tell him how I feel," Itsuka said, her voice steady despite the nervousness in her eyes.

Setsuna wiped a mock tear from her eye. "Girls got it bad for Midoriya, huh?"

"S-Shut up!" Itsuka snapped, blushing.

"You know, if you're up for it, I'm totally open to a three-way," Setsuna teased, a sly smirk tugging at her lips.

Itsuka rolled her eyes, clearly trying to ignore Setsuna's antics. The rest of the girls stood in stunned silence, unsure of how to react. Hagakure glanced at Ochako, who was frozen, her eyes wide, unblinking.

"W-Wait..." Ochako's voice barely broke through the tension, her heart suddenly hammering in her chest. "The guy you have a crush on is Dekiru?"

Setsuna, still smirking, leaned in. "Uh-huh. She's been crushing on him forever! And from the way he talks about you, I'm pretty sure he's got a thing for you too."

"I-I haven't!" Itsuka stammered, her face flushed.

Most of the Class 1-A girls were now wide-eyed, taking in the revelation. Tsuyu managed to keep her usual poker face, but the memory of how Izuku had spoken so admiringly of Itsuka left a heavy, aching feeling in their chests.

Hagakure's thoughts ran wild, but she couldn't help but glance at Ochako, whose face had paled. The emotional weight was impossible to ignore.

"W-Wait..." Ochako's voice cracked, her heart racing. "You can't confess to Dekiru!" Her words spilled out in a panicked rush.

The Class B girls looked at Ochako in confusion, their brows furrowing.

"Huh? Why not?" Itsuka asked, clearly taken aback.

"D-Dekiru..." Ochako blushed deeply, trying to steady her breath. "He's so focused on being a hero. He doesn't have room for anything else... Don't you think you should be focused on the same thing?"

Itsuka looked at Ochako, her eyes softening for a moment before she gave a small, reassuring smile. "If he feels that way, then he'll tell me himself. But if he's worried about me getting in the way of his hero work, there's nothing he has to worry about."

She paused, her voice becoming more determined. "He makes me want to grow stronger. Being around him has made me better. I don't know if he feels the same, but I'll never know unless I ask."

Ochako's heart twisted painfully as she recalled the times Izuku had spoken so highly of her, how he said learning from her had made him a better hero. Her chest tightened, emotions flooding in. Why does it hurt so much to hear her say that?

"And being in a relationship isn't about getting in the way of each other," Itsuka continued. "It's about helping each other grow, striving for the same goal. We both want to be heroes. Why would a relationship get in the way of that?"

Ochako bit down hard on her lip, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. She's right... We're both aiming for the same thing. But still, I... She couldn't find the words to respond, the pain in her chest growing heavier.

"Weren't we both aiming for the same goal?" Itsuka asked gently. "Wouldn't it be better to help each other along the way?"

Jirou stood a little farther back, her hand unconsciously clutching her chest. She thought of Izuku, of how much pain he carried with him. He's such an amazing guy... but he won't open up to me. Maybe... maybe he'll open up to her, she thought, glancing at Itsuka. She's not just strong and smart; she's beautiful. I think she might be the one to get him to open up.

Jirou swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a small smile. "Go for it," she said, her voice quieter than usual. "He's always complimenting you, even when you're not around."

Itsuka's face flushed at the praise, but she smiled shyly, surprised.

"Maybe you're the one who can get him to open up," Jirou continued. "He really admires you."

...

Tsuyu tilted her head slightly, her usual calm demeanor tinged with concern as she observed Ochako's strained smile. It seemed genuine to everyone else, but Tsuyu could see the cracks beneath the surface. "Midoriya-chan also gets really flustered around girls," Tsuyu said. "So maybe he's not ready for a girlfriend yet, ribbit."

Toru perked up, nodding enthusiastically. "Yeah! He's such a massive dork when he gets flustered. Asking him out might make him... I don't know, uncomfortable or something." She turned to Mina for backup. "R-Right, Mina?"

Mina blinked, still processing what Itsuka had said. An unfamiliar pang of jealousy twisted in her chest. She had never liked a boy before—this feeling for Midoriya was entirely new. Hearing someone else express feelings for him, especially someone who seemed to have a better chance, left her feeling unsure. Is this what liking someone feels like?

"Mina?" Toru repeated, her voice breaking through Mina's thoughts.

"H-Huh? O-Oh!" Mina snapped back to attention, quickly plastering on a grin. "Right! Yeah, Midori gets so flustered around girls. That's how I usually get the drop on him in Hero Class," she said, trying to sound casual, though the ache in her chest lingered.

Itsuka chuckled softly, her confidence unwavering. "He also didn't think he was ready for the entrance exam," she said. "He doubted himself about getting into U.A., too, but he still took that leap. Even when he's unsure, he pushes forward. I want to take the same leap and remind him just how amazing he is."

Ochako's heart clenched painfully in her chest. She forced her smile to stay in place, but her thoughts swirled in turmoil. She's right… There's no reason why she shouldn't tell him how she feels. But why does it hurt so much to hear it? It hadn't even occurred to her until now that other girls might like him, too.

Mina's expression faltered for a moment before she forced her own smile. "Huh... I guess I never really thought about how great a relationship can be. Growing stronger, fighting alongside one another..." She trailed off, her voice softer than usual.

"Being his shoulder to cry on when he's sad or when I'm sad," Momo added quietly. Her voice carried a bittersweet note. "He's always looking out for others. It would be nice if someone looked out for him, too."

Tsuyu blinked, her gaze flicking between the girls. Her realization hit her like a ripple spreading across water. "Ribbit," she murmured, her usual poker face slipping ever so slightly.

"I... I hope you're both happy," Ochako said at last, her voice trembling just enough to betray the emotions she was trying to suppress.

Momo's expression softened, but she too forced a smile. She thought back to the short time she had known him, to how Izuku had cheered her up when she was at her lowest. The feeling in her chest was unfamiliar to her as she recalled a few weeks back. The week when he had returned to U.A. the Friday of that week.

...

[Flashback]

Izuku sat at his desk, fiddling with the sleek Omnitrix wrapped around his wrist. The device's black and green finish gleamed faintly, its signature hourglass symbol at the center catching the light.

"Alright," he muttered to himself, turning the dial and hearing the subtle clicks as it rotated. "Brainstorm for the brains to understand the material, and Fasttrack for the speed to finish it. Perfect plan."

"Midoriya, what are you doing?" Momo's voice cut through his concentration, and he jumped slightly, quickly lowering his arm.

"O-Oh, Yaoyorozu! Just, uh, planning my weekend study strategy," Izuku stammered, his voice hurried. "I've fallen behind a bit, so I need to catch up fast."

Momo stepped closer, her gaze falling on the Omnitrix. "And how does your support item factor into that plan?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well," Izuku began, lifting his wrist to show her the device. "If I transform into Brainstorm, I can process all the material in no time with his super intelligence. Then I switch to Fasttrack to physically breeze through the rest. Simple and efficient!" He yawned mid-sentence, rubbing his eyes.

As they walked toward the dorms together, Momo glanced at him with concern. "Heroics training was especially exhausting today," she pointed out. "And with all the training you've been doing on top of that... will you even be able to transform?"

Izuku waved off her concern with a tired smile. "I'm fine. Sure, I'm a little tired, but I'll manage. I have to catch up—there's no time to waste."

Momo hesitated, her cheeks tinged pink. "You know..." she began softly, "you could just ask me for help. I wouldn't mind."

"Huh?" Izuku blinked at her in surprise. "Oh, no need! I've got this." He held up the Omnitrix again, his confidence returning. "Once I go alien, I'll have it all done in no time!"

A vein throbbed on Izuku's forehead in irritation as he stared at the Omnitrix. The sleek green hourglass symbol, usually glowing vibrantly, now pulsed a stubborn red—a clear indication that the device was still in recharge mode.

"Ah, man."

Momo giggled softly. "It seems your support item knows better than you do—perhaps it's telling you to rest. Come on, Midoriya, I'll help you catch up. We can spend the evening studying together."

Izuku's face turned scarlet. "S-Studying... w-with a g-girl... a-all night?" His words came out in a stammer, his thoughts spiraling out of control as his face burned with embarrassment.

Momo, maintaining her composed demeanor, smiled gracefully. "Yes. I'll prepare all the study materials for the topics you've missed. Let's meet in my room in about an hour. Oh, I'll also brew some tea—perhaps herbal or green to aid concentration. And I'll bring some snacks as well—croissants, biscuits, or whatever else I can make quickly." She spoke with such a calm and collected tone that Izuku felt like this was just another day for her.

'She must really love helping people,' Izuku thought as he nervously scratched the back of his head. 'It's amazing how she's so excited about this... and she doesn't even seem to think anything strange about spending time with a boy all night. I guess, to her, we're just classmates working together.'

But as Momo continued to walk ahead, listing the plans for their study session, the reality of what she had just proposed slowly began to dawn on her. Studying. All night. In her room. With Izuku. The thought hit her like a freight train, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as she struggled to maintain her composure.

"Hm? Yaoyorozu, are you okay?" Izuku asked, noticing her suddenly stiff movements.

"I-I'm fine!" Momo blurted out, her voice higher than usual. She quickly cleared her throat and smiled nervously. "I'm just... excited! Yes, that's all. I'll see you in an hour or so!" With that, she quickened her pace, her movements becoming less graceful as she hurried away—eventually bolting off so fast it would have made Fasttrack envious.

Once out of sight, Momo leaned against the wall of the hallway, her face buried in her hands. "What was I thinking? Having him in my room... for hours... alone..." Her heart raced as she realized just how intimate the situation felt. Her usual poise was crumbling under the weight of her flustered thoughts, her face burning with embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Izuku wasn't faring any better. Sitting in his dorm room, he slapped his cheeks lightly in an effort to calm himself down. "Come on, Izuku, it's just studying... You've studied with Uraraka before—how is this any different?" he muttered to himself, pacing the room.

But as much as he tried to rationalize it, the idea of spending hours in Momo's room, with her calmly tutoring him, made his stomach twist with nerves. He glanced at the clock, nervously preparing himself for the evening.

'Look at her,' Izuku thought, trying to psych himself up. 'Yaoyorozu doesn't get flustered by this stuff. She's probably perfectly fine with the idea—cool and collected as always. I just need to keep it together.'

Little did he know, Momo was having the exact opposite reaction. As she prepared her notes and tidied her room, her Quirk activated subconsciously, creating random springs and screws on her desk as her thoughts spiraled. "Keep it together, Momo," she whispered to herself, fanning her flushed face. "He's just a friend... Just a friend..."

When the hour passed, Izuku arrived at her door, fidgeting nervously as he knocked. Momo opened the door with a radiant smile, her composed demeanor returning in full force. "Alright, Midoriya, please come in."

Izuku couldn't help but smile back, feeling slightly more at ease. He stepped inside, completely oblivious to the fact that Momo's heart was still racing as fast as his.

After a few hours of going through what Izuku had missed, Momo had proven to be a surprisingly excellent teacher. Her patient explanations and methodical approach made the material much easier to grasp for him.

"You know, you didn't have to do this for me, Yaoyorozu," Izuku said, stifling a yawn as he flipped through his freshly annotated notes.

"Don't be silly. We're classmates and friends. You should always feel free to ask me for help," Momo replied, taking a small sip of her tea.

She hesitated for a moment, then added with a slight blush, "Although... you're actually the first person I've really studied with like this. I hope I was helpful."

Izuku blinked through his tiredness. "Really? You didn't have friends in middle school to study with?" he asked before letting out another yawn. His fatigue was catching up with him. "If we went to the same middle school, I think I would've really enjoyed studying with you..." His voice trailed off as he rested his head on the table, laying his arms beneath it.

Momo's cheeks reddened as she tried to hide her flustered reaction. "N-No, not really. Most people back then would rather have me do their homework instead of putting in the effort themselves," she said with a soft sigh, her expression tinged with regret as she reflected on her naivety.

"What about you?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Didn't you have people to study with?"

"I-I guess I had Kevin. We studied together here and there, but... since we were both at the top of our classes, we didn't really need to study much," Izuku mumbled sleepily. He rubbed at his eyes as his voice softened, almost as if lost in memory. "Though... we kind of ditched class after a big exam once."

Momo perked up, leaning slightly forward, her arms resting on the table. "You? Ditching class? I can't imagine that," she said with an amused chuckle.

Izuku chuckled too, the memory warming him despite his fatigue. "Kevin called me a smartass for being so worried about grades. So... we skipped a few classes after exams. I was so nervous I wouldn't get into U.A., but looking back... those moments were some of the best times I had in middle school."

Momo smiled as she watched him talk. His tired, relaxed expression was different from the usual intensity he carried. It made him seem so genuine, so open. "It sounds like you two were close," she said softly.

"Yeah, we were," Izuku said with a sleepy laugh. "Middle school wasn't great for me either, but at least I had him. What about you? Was your middle school experience rough too?"

Momo's expression faltered slightly before she offered a small, self-deprecating laugh. "It was... lonely, to say the least. Most of the girls at my school hated me. They thought I'd... steal their boyfriends or something ridiculous like that."

Izuku blinked, now a little more alert. "What? That's awful."

Momo chuckled bitterly. "And the boys weren't much better. They didn't see me as a person—just some kind of trophy. Add to that the fact that I was always at the top of my class, and most people only wanted me to do their homework rather than actually getting to know me. Looking back... I don't think I had any real friends back then."

Izuku frowned, his heart aching at her words. After a moment, he smiled warmly. "Well... they don't know what they were missing. I'd much rather have you help me with my homework than use you for it."

Momo chuckled softly, feeling her cheeks heat up at his sincere words. "You wouldn't rather use Brainstorm instead?" she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Izuku let out a small, tired laugh, his eyelids drooping as sleep finally began to overtake him. "I could... but I like studying with you... It's fun..." His voice trailed off, and within moments, he was fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady.

Momo's heart fluttered as she watched him. The way his messy green hair framed his face, the peaceful expression he wore—it all made her chest tighten. She brushed a hand over her warm cheeks, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart.

"He's... really something," she murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper.

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze softening as she took in the sight of him. The vulnerability of the moment, the quiet intimacy of sharing this time with him—it made her feel both nervous and strangely at peace. Her own exhaustion soon crept in, and before she realized it, her eyes began to close.

With her head resting on her arms just across from Izuku, she allowed herself to drift off, the room filled with nothing but the gentle sound of their breaths.

[Flashback over]

Momo gave a small smile, though her voice wavered. "I... I may be happy for you both." Her words seemed genuine, but the ache in her chest said otherwise.

Before Itsuka could respond, her phone buzzed in her pocket. "Huh?" she said, confused. "Sorry, if you'll excuse me." With that, she stepped out, leaving the rest of the girls to process the fact that she was planning to confess to Izuku. The thought made their hearts ache.

As the door closed behind her, a familiar voice cut through the tense silence. "Ah, Izuku Midoriya, a vivacious prince with several roses in his bouquet." The girls turned to see Aoyama, leaning dramatically on the table, his ever-present smile glittering as brightly as his cape.

"Uh… how long has he been here?" Kodai asked, breaking the silence. Yanagi just shrugged, her ghostly hands mimicking the gesture.

"Moi? Oh, not long," Aoyama said with a wave of his hand. "But I couldn't help but notice the atmosphère in the room. You are all thinking about him, non?" He gestured flamboyantly toward the group of girls, each tilting their heads in confusion. "Izuku Midoriya."

"What?" Mina blinked. "Uh… what are you talking about, dude?"

Aoyama placed a hand over his heart, sighing dramatically. "I could feel it, mes amies! The unmistakable fragrance of romance!" He glanced at each of them, his gaze lingering on the faint blushes creeping across their faces. "And then, of course, lovely Kendo proclaims she will confess. Mon dieu! The way you all reacted… It tells moi everything. You're not too keen on them dating, are you?"

The girls stiffened, eyes widening. The room grew so quiet that a pin drop might have sounded like a cannon blast. Aoyama smirked knowingly. "Could it be… you all harbor feelings for le prince vert? Hmm?" He winked.

Setsuna broke the silence, bursting into laughter so loud it startled everyone. "Oh man, French boy, pfft! That's hilarious!" She clutched her sides as her laughter echoed through the room, her sharp grin making the situation somehow feel less tense.

Kinoko giggled softly. "Shroom, Aoyama, you're so weird."

Yanagi crossed her arms and leaned back. "Look, Midoriya's a great guy and all, but spooky doesn't equal my type." She waved a dismissive hand, trying to steer the conversation away. "Anyway, enough about boys. Let's talk about something else."

"Mh." Yui nodded in agreement, her expression unreadable. However, her heart twinged slightly at the thought of Izuku with someone else. Still, seeing him happy with Kendo was enough for her. She wasn't sure she could offer him the emotional support that Kendo could, but if anyone could help him open up, she trusted Kendo would. A faint, almost imperceptible smile crossed her lips at the thought.

Aoyama's knowing smile lingered as the girls tried to move on from the topic, though a hint of awkwardness remained in the air. "Ah, but l'amour is always a delightful conversation," he said with a shrug, twirling away dramatically. "Alas, moi, I will leave you to your secrets."

Despite their protests, the tension lingered. While most of the girls brushed off Aoyama's words, there was a small, undeniable pang of truth in his observation—a truth none of them were quite ready to admit, even to themselves.

...

The cool night air swept across the rooftop of I-Island, where Izuku sat hugging his knees, gazing at the glittering cityscape below. The vibrant lights felt distant, almost mocking the heaviness in his heart. Despite the wonders he'd seen that day, he couldn't shake the unease gnawing at him.

The soft sound of footsteps broke through his thoughts, followed by a familiar voice. "I... kinda may have peeked at your medical records."

Startled, Izuku turned to see Melissa standing behind him, rubbing the back of her neck with a sheepish smile.

"I saw your quirk registry had been updated," she continued, stepping closer. "You were quirkless before, weren't you?"

The question hit him like a jolt. Izuku flinched, his arms tightening around his legs. "Y-Yeah," he admitted softly, his gaze dropping to the rooftop.

Melissa tilted her head, studying him carefully but without judgment. "Oh... that makes sense. That's why you acted so weird when I told you I was quirkless. You probably haven't met anyone else like me in forever, huh?"

Izuku hesitated, then gave a slight nod. "Not really," he murmured.

Melissa moved to sit beside him, her legs dangling over the edge of the building. She leaned back on her hands, staring up at the stars. "You know, I don't think I've ever met another quirkless person either. My mom... she was always so overprotective. When she found out I didn't have a quirk, she practically kept me locked up on this island. I've only been off it a handful of times my whole life."

"R-Really?" Izuku asked, his curiosity breaking through his apprehension.

Melissa nodded, a bittersweet smile on her lips. "Yeah. At first, I thought she was just being overbearing. It was suffocating. But one day, after a huge fight with her, I stumbled across this news story. It was about a school covering up a student's suicide—a kid who'd been bullied relentlessly for being quirkless."

Izuku's breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening as memories of his own childhood resurfaced.

"I couldn't understand it at first," Melissa continued, her voice quieter now. "Why would someone be so cruel? I-Island is so peaceful. There's no crime here, and people are generally kind. It felt... unreal."

Her expression darkened slightly. "But my mom sat me down and explained. She told me the world isn't like I-Island. People can be cruel, and they'll latch onto any excuse to hurt someone who's different. Mutant discrimination, quirk-based superiority... even suicides... all because people can't accept what doesn't fit their idea of 'normal.'"

Melissa's words hung heavy in the air, her tone steady but somber. "Being quirkless? That's about as 'different' as it gets."

Izuku nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah... When 80% of the world has quirks, not having one is basically considered a disability."

Melissa winced playfully, clutching her chest. "Ouch. Way to make a girl feel special."

Izuku's eyes widened in panic. "N-No! That's not what I meant! I'm not saying quirkless people are disabled or—"

Melissa's soft laughter cut him off. "Relax, I'm kidding. You're the first person to actually say something like that to me, though."

"S-Sorry..." Izuku mumbled, his cheeks burning. "I didn't mean to offend you. It's just..."

His voice trailed off as he hugged his knees tighter. "I used to hate the quirkless version of myself. I couldn't be a hero. I couldn't even make friends. Without a quirk... I felt worthless."

Melissa regarded him for a moment before asking gently, "What's so different about the old you and the you sitting here now?"

Izuku froze, the question hanging in his mind. "I... I can help people now," he said hesitantly.

"You could've helped people before," Melissa countered. "Maybe not in the flashy way you do now, but helping doesn't need superpowers."

"I... I guess I'm more confident now," Izuku offered, though his voice wavered.

Melissa raised an eyebrow. "Confidence? You don't think you could've worked on that without a quirk? And, no offense, but you're not exactly brimming with self-assurance right now."

Izuku flushed, fumbling for another answer. "Well... I know martial arts now."

"Anyone can learn martial arts," she pointed out. "You could've started any time—you just didn't."

"I...I have friends," Izuku said, his voice soft but certain. Melissa raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "When I was quirkless... not many people wanted to hang out with me. It was like I didn't exist to them."

Her expression softened. "Didn't you have at least one friend back then?"

Izuku hesitated, his thoughts drifting to Kevin and Bakugou. Kevin was someone he could truly call a friend, someone who stood by him even when others didn't. Bakugou, on the other hand... he wasn't sure what they were anymore. There was a time he hoped they could go back to how things used to be, but now? He didn't know.

"I... I guess I had one real friend," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Melissa's lips curved into a small smile. "And what about your friends now? Do you think they'd still be your friends if they knew you were quirkless?"

Izuku froze, the question cutting deep. Deep down, he wanted to believe the answer was yes. But doubt lingered like a shadow in his mind. "I... I'm not sure," he admitted, hugging his knees tighter. "Without my quirk, I probably wouldn't have met any of them. Kacchan—Bakugou—he's made so many friends because of his quirk and his ambition. Even though he treats people... poorly, they still gravitate to him. It's like his quirk makes up for everything else."

Melissa snorted softly, shaking her head. "No offense, but if someone's only friends with you because of your quirk, they're not really your friend. Not deep down."

Izuku glanced at her, startled by the conviction in her voice.

"Having an awesome quirk is cool and all," Melissa continued, her tone steady and thoughtful, "but it's not everything. It's like having a lot of money—anyone can have it, but it doesn't make you a better person. And honestly, I wouldn't want to be friends with someone just because of something as superficial as a quirk."

Her words hung in the air, and Izuku found himself listening intently.

"A real friend," Melissa went on, "is someone who sees you for who you are, not what you have. They like being around you because of your personality, not your powers. They laugh with you, smile with you... and they don't need some flashy ability to enjoy your company."

Izuku thought about Kyouka and Kevin. Both of them teased him here and there, but it never felt mean-spirited. With Bakugou, it was different—his words cut deep, always meant to hurt, never playful.

"A friend can joke around with you," Melissa added, "but you know they don't mean any harm. Even if the joke sounds harsh, it's never malicious."

Izuku felt his chest tighten as he compared Kyouka's playful jabs to Bakugou's constant insults. When Kyouka called him a nerd, he smiled. When Bakugou did it, it stung.

"A real friend," Melissa continued, her tone turning serious, "is also someone who holds you accountable. Someone who tells you the hard truths, even when it's painful, because they care about you."

Kevin's voice echoed in Izuku's mind, urging him to stop idolizing Bakugou and calling him a friend when he clearly wasn't.

Melissa's gaze sharpened. "So, ask yourself this: if a friendship is built entirely on someone's quirk—on something they were just born with and had no control over—is it really a friendship? Or is it just admiration for what they can do?"

Izuku's mind raced. He thought about Bakugou—how he'd always justified the bullying because of how "awesome" Bakugou's quirk was. Kevin had always called him out on it, calling it stupid. Maybe Kevin had been right all along.

[Flashback]

Two years ago

"Why the heck do you even put up with that jerk, anyway?" Kevin asked, his voice dripping with irritation as he wiped blood from his knuckles. "I mean, seriously, I don't get why everyone's always dick riding that guy. What's so special about him, huh?"

Izuku trudged beside him, clutching his scorched notebook, his school uniform singed and torn.

"I-I mean... I kinda get it," Izuku murmured hesitantly.

Kevin's eyebrows shot up. "Get what?" he demanded, side-eyeing him.

"I mean... Kacchan—"

Kevin groaned loudly, throwing his head back as if Izuku had just insulted his very existence. "Please don't use that nickname around me—it's like nails on a chalkboard every time you say it." He dramatically placed both hands over his ears as if to block out the sound.

Izuku flinched, fumbling over his words. "B-Bakugou..." he managed, though it felt odd on his tongue. "He has an amazing quirk. He's strong, powerful, and the way he's always striving to win is incredible. I mean, the way he's pushing to become the number one hero—"

Kevin came to a dead stop, his face contorted in disbelief. "That's it? That's the big reason you put up with him?" He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he stared Izuku down.

Izuku blinked, flustered. "Huh? B-But—"

Kevin cut him off, his voice growing sharper. "Look, man, if the only thing you can admire about someone is their quirk and ambition, then that's just... sad. Like, really sad. If I were Spider-Man, I wouldn't go buddying up to Green Goblin just because he's some genius tech guy. You know why? 'Cause he's a dick, just like your 'Kacchan.'"

Izuku fidgeted nervously, his hands gripping his notebook tighter. "Kacchan isn't like that..."

Kevin snorted and shot him a skeptical look. "Not like that? Dude, he's exactly like that. He beats on people just to make himself feel big. The only thing separating him from a villain is the fact that he throws the word 'hero' around like it means something. And don't even get me started on his whole 'I'm gonna be the next number one hero' shtick. You think that makes him special? You think that makes him worth admiring?"

He jabbed a finger at Izuku's scorched uniform, his voice rising slightly. "Exhibit A: villains attack people weaker than them to feel powerful. Villains crush people just because they can. The only difference is villains know they're villains. Bakugou doesn't even have that self-awareness."

Izuku's stomach churned, but he couldn't find the courage to argue.

Kevin wasn't done. He pointed at himself, his tone softening but still firm. "Look, I'm not saying you can't admire someone for having ambition or a strong quirk. But is that all there is to him? 'Cause if it is, then you're admiring a shiny car without caring it's running people over."

Kevin leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. "And don't give me that 'but he wants to be a hero' crap. He doesn't want to be a hero—he wants to be the best. Those aren't the same thing, Izuku. Being the best means stepping on everyone to climb the ladder, and guess what? He's already stepping on you. How is that hero material?"

Izuku opened his mouth, but Kevin kept going, his voice laced with frustration but also concern.

"Anyone can have ambition, Izuku. Anyone can have an awesome quirk. But how you use it, how you treat people with it, and why you're fighting? That's what separates a hero from a villain. And right now, your 'Kacchan'? He's way closer to the villain category than the hero one."

[Flashback over]

...

"I... I'm not scared of Kacchan anymore," he said finally.

Melissa smiled faintly. "Fear can be conquered by anyone. I used to be terrified of heights, but I climbed to the top of the tallest building I could find and made myself face it. Everything you've done—everything that's changed—you could've done even without a quirk. Power doesn't change who you are, Izuku."

Her words struck him deeply, leaving him unable to respond.

Melissa turned to him, her gaze warm but unwavering. "You shouldn't define yourself by what you didn't have. Being quirkless isn't who you were—it's just a part of your story."

"But..." Izuku's voice cracked. "Without a quirk, I couldn't be a hero. I couldn't help anyone. I was useless."

Melissa placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Izuku... did you want to be a hero, or did you want to help people?"

The question made his breath hitch. "To help people," he whispered.

"Then being a hero was never your only option," Melissa said, her voice steady and sure. "Heroism isn't about quirks or flashy powers. It's about helping others, no matter how small the act may seem. It's the firefighter running into a burning building. It's the friend who listens when someone's at their lowest. It's standing up for someone when no one else will."

Her words cut through years of self-doubt. Izuku stared at her, unable to speak.

"You've already proven you're a hero," Melissa said softly. "Not the kind the world expects, maybe, but the kind it needs. Your quirk doesn't define you. You do."

Izuku's eyes stung as he swallowed hard, her words settling into his heart. For the first time in what felt like forever, a faint flicker of hope sparked within him.

"Just think about it, okay?" Melissa added, her smile as bright as the stars above.

Izuku nodded, feeling the weight on his shoulders ease, if only a little.

"But for now... your new training regimen is ready!" Melissa said with a bright grin.

"Really? What's it like?" Izuku asked, his curiosity piqued.

Melissa grabbed his hand excitedly. "Come on, I'll show you!"

A Few Minutes Later...

Izuku stood in the center of a massive training room, glancing around at the imposing lineup of robots. Scorpion-like machines skittered across the floor with unnerving speed, their claws snapping. Towering 13-foot brawlers with gorilla-like builds cracked their metallic knuckles, while others with heroically muscular forms, reminiscent of All Might, struck intimidating poses.

Izuku tilted his head, frowning slightly. "Uh... Melissa? This kind of looks like a standard robot battle. I didn't fly thousands of miles just for something I could do at U.A."

In the observation room, Melissa leaned forward, her enthusiasm unshaken as she pressed the intercom. "Trust me, Izuku! I reviewed all your notes and created a training program designed for each of your alien forms. Why don't you try Diamondhead first?"

Izuku sighed but couldn't help smiling at her excitement. "Alright, let's see what you've got," he said as he activated the Omnitrix. With a quick twist of the dial, he found the familiar silhouette and slammed it down.

A burst of green light filled the room, and when it faded, Diamondhead stood tall, his crystalline body gleaming under the arena lights. He flexed his arms, the sound of cracking stone echoing as he smirked.

"Okay, just say when."

Melissa turned to All Might and her father, still brimming with confidence. "He's ready. You're about to see something special!"

"Are you sure this will actually challenge him?" All Might asked, his arms crossed skeptically.

"Come on, Uncle Might," Melissa teased. "Are you seriously doubting my skills?"

"Not at all," All Might replied with a chuckle. "But it does look like just another robot battle. How is this going to push him further?"

Melissa's grin widened as she hovered her finger over the control panel. "Don't worry. He's in for a real workout."

Back in the arena, Diamondhead readied himself, his crystal fists transforming into sharp, blade-like appendages. "Let's get this started," he said confidently.

Melissa activated the countdown timer. "Alright, Izuku, this might hurt a little!"

Diamondhead raised an eyebrow at her teasing tone, but before he could respond, the timer hit zero.

The robots sprang to life in an instant. Scorpion-like machines darted and weaved, their tails glowing with energy as they struck from unpredictable angles. Wheeled bots zigzagged with breakneck speed, closing in like a coordinated swarm. Above it all, the towering brawlers pounded their fists together, the sound reverberating through the arena as they charged forward with earth-shaking strides.

Melissa leaned over the control panel, her finger poised on another button. She exhaled, a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through her. "Alright, Izuku... let's see what you've got!"

Diamondhead's smirk faltered as the training room disintegrated into chaos. A sonic tsunami ripped through the space, unleashing waves of catastrophic force that shattered the air.

The crystalline structure of his body trembled violently, cracks spider-webbing across his limbs as the high-frequency vibrations tore through his form. His usually unbreakable diamond frame flickered with instability, each fracture glowing faintly under the strain.

Before he could react, the scorpion robot lunged, its massive pincers snapping shut around his torso with crushing force. Diamondhead gritted his teeth, struggling against the relentless grip as his crystalline armor groaned under the pressure.

With a sudden burst of power, the robot flung him through the air like a shattered projectile. Diamondhead twisted mid-flight, trying to orient himself, but his focus was immediately interrupted by the gorilla robot.

The towering machine surged forward, its movements a blend of brute force and mechanical precision. Its massive fist swung with devastating speed, catching Diamondhead square in the chest. The blow hit like a freight train, launching him through the air with a metallic clang.

Diamondhead slammed into the wall with bone-jarring force, the impact cracking the reinforced surface. His crystalline body fractured further, glowing fissures spreading as he bounced off, plummeting to the floor below. The ground shook as he crashed, a dust cloud erupting around him.

The observers flinched at the sight.

"Isn't this a bit much?!" David exclaimed, his voice edged with panic.

Melissa, unfazed, adjusted the controls with steady hands. "Papa, relax," she replied calmly. "I calibrated the speakers to specifically weaken his structure. Yes, it's extreme, but I've ensured it won't cause permanent damage."

"How can you be so sure?" David pressed.

Melissa gestured toward the arena, her tone firm. "Izuku's forms are powerful, but their potential is limited if he never faces their weaknesses. This isn't just about testing his limits—it's about breaking through them. When Diamondhead regenerates, his body will come back stronger and more resilient, just like muscle fibers rebuilding after being torn."

All Might's brows furrowed as he watched the dust cloud. "So you're deliberately exposing him to extreme punishment to force his body to adapt?"

"Exactly," Melissa said, her voice filled with conviction. "Diamondhead's crystalline structure is designed to endure, but if we never push it to its breaking point, it'll stagnate. Every fracture he regenerates strengthens his molecular bonds, making him harder, tougher, and more resilient the next time."

As if on cue, the dust began to settle. Diamondhead's glowing form emerged, the cracks across his body sealing themselves. The fractures didn't just disappear—they hardened, the repaired surfaces gleaming brighter and denser than before.

With a roar, Diamondhead slammed his fist into the ground, sending a surge of crystalline spires erupting around him. The jagged crystals tore through the scorpion robot, its frame shattering into debris.

The gorilla bot, undeterred, pounded its fists into the ground, charging through the spires with brute force. Diamondhead met its advance head-on, deflecting a thunderous punch with his forearm. His body glinted as he countered, driving a diamond-encrusted elbow into the machine's chest, leaving a deep, glowing fissure in its armor.

The gorilla bot staggered but retaliated, swinging wildly with both arms. Diamondhead ducked under the assault, driving his crystalline spikes into its torso. The machine shuddered, sparks flying as it collapsed, its systems failing.

Melissa smiled proudly as she gestured to Diamondhead. "See? Each time his body regenerates, he becomes better equipped to handle these challenges."

Diamondhead launched forward, his crystalline form shimmering under the harsh light, every facet of his body refracting glints of green as he charged.

The relentless sonic barrage rippled through the air, each wave hammering against his hardened exterior. The vibrations sent faint cracks crawling along his jagged surface, his crystal armor groaning under the strain.

Ahead, a towering gorilla robot thundered toward him, its massive fists swinging downward with terrifying force. Diamondhead dug his crystalline feet into the fractured ground, bracing for impact as his arms rose in a sharp, jagged block.

The collision was explosive, a deafening BOOM followed by a shockwave that rattled the battlefield. The robot's fists slammed into his defenses, sending splinters of emerald crystal flying. Spiderweb fractures etched themselves across Diamondhead's arms, their glowing lines betraying the strain he was under.

Gritting his teeth, he forced himself upright, his body groaning like strained glass. Focusing through the pain, Diamondhead drove his energy into the earth beneath him. The ground trembled violently before a massive crystal shard erupted behind the robot, its jagged tip punching through the machine's spine. Sparks erupted in a shower of light, and the gorilla bot faltered, its movements stuttering.

Seizing the moment, Diamondhead morphed his right arm into a long, razor-sharp blade, its edges gleaming dangerously. With a swift, precise lunge, he drove the blade into the robot's head, piercing cleanly through its glowing optics. The machine spasmed as its circuits failed, collapsing with a final metallic groan.

Diamondhead pulled his blade free, fragments of steel and wire scattering across the ground as his jagged edges glinted faintly in the aftermath. But the battle wasn't over. From the corner of his vision, a squad of remaining robots surged forward, their sleek frames gliding with deadly precision.

With a snarl, Diamondhead morphed his arms into crystalline spikes, each one serrated and glimmering. He launched the first shard with a sharp twist, the projectile striking a scorpion-like robot dead center. The machine staggered, its metallic exoskeleton crumpling as sparks shot from its core. Another shard followed, slicing through a wheeled robot's head, its upper half disintegrating into scrap metal.

As the remaining machines charged, Diamondhead stomped the ground with a resounding CRACK, his crystalline foot driving deep into the dirt.

The earth erupted as jagged crystal formations shot outward, skewering the advancing robots with precision. Shards of metal and shattered parts rained across the battlefield, their lifeless forms collapsing around him.

The sonic barrage finally subsided, and Diamondhead staggered, his crystalline body glowing faintly as the fractures along his surface began to heal. But the strain was evident—the Omnitrix on his chest blinked an ominous red.

With a burst of crimson light, Diamondhead dissolved into Izuku's human form.

Izuku collapsed to his knees, his body trembling with exhaustion amidst the battlefield of wreckage. He groaned in pain, his muscles screaming as if he'd just endured two weeks of nonstop exercise. "M-My body hurts..." he muttered, barely able to keep himself upright.

All Might grinned, his usual booming energy unmistakable. "Talk about one hell of an exercise regime!"

David nodded, his tone slightly impressed. "Yeah, surprised the kid's still standing..." Just as he spoke, Izuku let out a groan and sprawled flat on the ground.

David hesitated. "Er... He's not dead, so that's a good thing."

Melissa, however, was practically glowing with excitement. "This is incredible! It'll give me a chance to test out my exercise gym. This should really push his forms to their limits."

"Breaking them like muscle fibers and letting them regrow... Melissa, this is brilliant!" All Might boomed, clearly proud.

David smirked, clearly pleased. "That's my daughter for you."

She blushed at the compliment, her gaze shifting to Izuku. "Though, I'm not sure Izuku feels the same way..." she muttered, glancing at the boy who was still groaning in pain.

Izuku groaned again, his voice dripping with exhaustion. "Why is it that every time I meet All Might's friends, they have some hellish training planned for me?"

All Might's booming laughter echoed through the observation room. "HA HA HA HA HA!"

"Hope you're ready, Young Midoriya!" All Might called, his voice full of mirth and energy.

Izuku slowly pushed himself up, determination lighting his eyes despite the obvious fatigue. "Yes. Bring it on." As he activated One For All, a surge of power coursed through him. His eyes widened slightly in realization. When did I get to 12%?

...

For the next three days, the students of Class A and B endured grueling training sessions, pushing their limits. Tenya could be seen sprinting through a simulated cityscape, his movements sharp and precise as he practiced his speed and reaction time.

Momo focused on researching the chemical compositions needed for her creations, her mind immersed in complex formulas and strategies.

Bakugou, finally reinstated in the U.A. training facility, unleashed his explosive abilities, taking full advantage of the equipment and facilities to perfect his quirk.

Todoroki stood in the middle of an icy wasteland, his body encased in layers of frostbite from his intense control over his ice powers. He let out a heavy, misty breath, the freezing air swirling around him.

Itsuka's training focused on honing her Big Fist Quirk. She expanded her hands to massive proportions, delivering powerful, controlled punches to reinforced targets. Each strike was designed to maximize strength while maintaining precision, with the ground shaking beneath her as she practiced stamina and control.

Meanwhile, Izuku faced the most relentless of simulations. As Heatblast, he battled through torrents of water, each blast threatening to douse his flames, while Upgrade's body was continuously bombarded by electricity and magnetic forces, forcing him to adapt and evolve on the spot.

...

...

Time-skip

Izuku waved goodbye to Melissa as he boarded the plane, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"I'll be cheering for you at the sports festival!" Melissa called out, her voice bright with excitement."And call me!"

Izuku's heart skipped a beat at her enthusiasm. "Thanks, Melissa! I'll do my best!" he called back, though he couldn't help but feel a little nervous knowing she'd be watching.

David, standing beside her, gave Izuku a thumbs up. "Toshi has faith in you! I'll do the same!"

"Thank you so much!" Izuku shouted back, the gratitude in his voice genuine. He appreciated their help more than words could express.

"See ya, Dave!" All Might added, turning his attention to David. "Stay out of trouble, okay?"

David laughed, shaking his head. "I should be telling you that!" he called, a playful glint in his eyes.

Izuku chuckled, feeling a warmth in his chest as he headed toward the plane. Melissa waved one last time, her eyes lingering on him a little longer than necessary.

As the plane took off, Izuku stared out the window, his thoughts drifting to the moments he'd spent with Melissa. There was something about her that made him feel... grounded. Her support, her passion for invention—it was all so different from what he was used to, but it was something he valued deeply. It was more than just admiration.

Back at the airport, David watched the plane disappear into the sky, his expression thoughtful. He wasn't sure if Izuku had what it took to be the next symbol of peace, but... All Might trusted him. And with that trust, David felt a flicker of hope.

He sighed and pulled out his phone, dialing a number. "Sam, call it off."

"WHAT?! B-But sir—"

"Look, I've had... a change of heart, okay?" David's voice softened. His thoughts turned back to Izuku, wondering what kind of impact he would have on the world.

On the other side of the line, Sam paused, silence hanging between them for a long moment.

"Okay," Sam finally said, his tone reluctantly resigned.

David let out a quiet sigh of relief, tapping the end call button.

Meanwhile, Sam clenched his fist around his phone, a dark smirk crossing his face as he tossed it aside. "I don't care if it still happens. I deserve what's coming to me."

His eyes landed on a news article flashing across the screen: Dr. Animo escapes.

A cold smile spread across his face. "Maybe we could use some... assistance."

...

AN:Any feedback would be appreciated, whether it's complimenting the story, pointing something wrong, or just giving out a suggestion.

Next chapter. Sports festival begins!

...

Okay the new chapter may be confusing but I felt like the chapter was dragging to long so I split them don't worry a real new chapter will hopefully come arrive till next time!