Chapter 33: Preparation!
Izuku and Tsuyu continued to sit on the steps outside the dorms, watching the rain fall in rhythmic sheets. The steady patter against the ground was soothing, and for a moment, everything felt peaceful. Tsuyu glanced at Izuku, appreciating the quiet comfort of his presence beside her.
"It's nice," she murmured, her voice soft and thoughtful. "Just sitting here like this with you. I don't think I've felt this relaxed in a while."
Suddenly, Izuku winced, clutching his head as a sharp pain shot through his skull. His gaze snapped toward the dorms.
"Midoriya?" Tsuyu asked, her voice laced with concern. "Is something wrong?"
"I... I'm not sure—" Izuku began, but his words were drowned out by a familiar angry voice from inside.
"FUCK OFF!" Bakugou's voice bellowed from inside, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of an explosion.
Izuku and Tsuyu exchanged a worried glance before bolting toward the dorms, their earlier peace forgotten.
Inside, the common area was charged with tension. Sero stood in front of Bakugou, one hand gripping the blonde's arm in a futile attempt to hold him back.
"Seriously, dude!" Sero shouted, his usually easygoing demeanor replaced by frustration. "What the hell were you thinking?! What you did to Midoriya was fucked up!"
"The nerd fucking won! What's your goddamn problem?!" Bakugou snarled, yanking his arm free with enough force to send Sero stumbling.
"Oh, I don't know," Mina cut in, crossing her arms and glaring. "Maybe it's the part where you kept blowing up his back while ranting like a lunatic?"
"Mind your own damn business!" Bakugou barked, trying to push past them. But Kaminari stepped in, blocking the staircase with a determined—albeit slightly shaky—stance.
"Move, Dunceface, or I'll fucking make you," Bakugou growled, his palms sparking.
Kaminari swallowed hard but stood his ground. "No. We're just trying to figure out why Midoriya snapped like that. He's one of the nicest guys here. You must've done something to push him over the edge. Maybe you should just back off from him for a while."
Bakugou's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before narrowing into a scowl. "You think I need protection? From him?!" he sneered.
"Well..." Mineta hesitated, shrugging awkwardly. "He did kinda wipe the floor with you."
The room went still. Bakugou's expression darkened, his anger simmering dangerously close to boiling over.
"Piss. Off. Now," he said through gritted teeth, his voice icy.
Kaminari swallowed hard but didn't budge. Mina stepped up beside him, her arms still crossed.
"Not until you promise to leave Midoriya alone," Kaminari insisted.
"And tell us what the hell you did to him," Toru demanded, stepping forward.
Bakugou sneered at her. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Toru shot back, her tone unusually sharp. "Midoriya is not the type of guy to suddenly blow up at someone like that, let alone hate someone. And you're the biggest asshole. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out you obviously did something to him!"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP! JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO SUCK THE DAMN NERD'S DICK DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN STICK YOUR NOSE IN OUR BUSINESS! NOW MOVE!"
As he shouted, Bakugou's body shook violently, and a sudden cough racked his chest. Blood splattered against his bandaged hand, and he fell to his knees, gasping for breath.
Toru, still invisible, froze as she noticed Izuku standing in the doorway. She blushed even more, realizing how awkward this all was in front of him.
The sight stopped everyone cold, and Kirishima was the first to step forward, kneeling beside him.
"Hey, dude, you need to rest. Just tell us what happened with Midoriya, alright? You're pushing yourself too hard," Kirishima said gently, trying to help him up.
Bakugou shot him a glare, but his breath was ragged. "Fuck off," he muttered, barely able to stand.
"Midoriya's not like that. We're just trying to understand what went wrong. We're your friends, Bakugou. Maybe... maybe just leave Midoriya alone for a while?" Kirishima suggested, his voice quiet and sincere.
Bakugou's eyes flashed with anger, but he didn't respond. Instead, he shoved past everyone, his breath sharp as he staggered toward Recovery Girl's office.
Kirishima, Sero, and Kaminari hurried after him, but the dorm fell uncomfortably silent in his wake.
As Bakugou reached the doorway, his gaze locked onto Izuku. The moment he saw him, his face twisted with a hateful glare.
"Oh, Midoriya bro…" Kirishima said nervously, sensing the tension.
Izuku met Bakugou's glare with a hardened gaze, his expression devoid of fear or hesitation.
"You damn nerd," Bakugou snarled, his voice dripping with venom.
A flicker of verdant electricity crackled through the air, sending a chill through the room. Everyone immediately tensed, acutely aware of how powerful Midoriya was. If he snapped like he did during the Sports Festival, they all knew stopping him would be nearly impossible.
Kirishima quickly stepped between the two, raising his hands in an attempt to diffuse the brewing storm. "Whoa, hey, let's take it easy, guys! Look, I know you two have history—bad history—but maybe we can try to talk this out? You know, make things better?"
Izuku didn't respond to Kirishima immediately. His green eyes stayed locked on Bakugou, narrowed with restrained frustration.
"Midoriya, come on, man," Kirishima tried again, his tone earnest. "You're one of the most reasonable guys I know. How about we shake hands and start fresh? It doesn't have to be perfect—just…a step in the right direction?"
Izuku finally turned his gaze to Kirishima, but there was no warmth in his eyes. His voice, when he spoke, was low and sharp. "I'm sorry?"
The question carried more weight than Kirishima had expected, and it threw him off balance.
Izuku clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms hard enough to draw blood. The faint sting didn't compare to the storm raging inside him. Why is it always me? he thought, his breathing heavy as he tried to keep his emotions in check. Why do I always have to be the one to take the first step? Why am I always the one expected to be the bigger person?
Kirishima reached out, trying to place a reassuring hand on Izuku's shoulder. "Midoriya, listen, man, I know it's hard, but—"
Izuku slapped his hand away. The sound was sharp, and the room fell deathly silent.
"I've already apologized, and that's more than you deserve," Izuku snapped.
The class widened in shock.
"Midoriya–" Kirishima said.
"I'm done bending over backward for someone who can't go two minutes without tearing me down. I've had enough." Izuku stated.
His gaze hardened as he looked directly at Bakugou. "I'm not going to waste my breath having a conversation with someone who only knows how to scream and yell. He's not worth it."
The finality in his tone left no room for argument. Without sparing another glance at Bakugou, Izuku pushed past the small group. Bakugou and his group soon left as Bakugou glared at Izuku only to find the green haired boy completely ignoring him.
...
"Well, that escalated quickly," Mineta muttered.
Tsuyu turned to Mina, who had walked up to the couch and collapsed onto it. "What happened?" she asked quietly.
Mina walked over to the couch and slumped down, letting out a long sigh. "We tried to talk to Bakugou about what went down with you, but the guy just brushed us off. Kept saying we should... well..." Mina gestured vaguely, frustrated.
Izuku blinked, surprised. "You guys were trying to talk to Bakugou?" he asked, clearly not expecting that.
"Yeah," Mina nodded, her voice softening. "I know you wouldn't have snapped like that unless he did something to really push you. I wanted to ask you about it, but Kirishima thought we should try talking to Bakugou first, you know... get both sides of the story."
Toru, stepping in, added her own thoughts. "And... we wanted to tell him to stay away from you," she said, her voice firm but warm. "None of us want you to go through something like that again. If keeping Bakugou away from you is what it takes, we'll do everything we can."
Izuku gave a small, grateful smile in return. Though he still felt some irritation that Mina would have asked for Bakugou's side first.
"I'm gonna change," Izuku said to Tsuyu, who nodded. He walked upstairs.
Kinoko, who had been watching from the couch in Class B, glanced around nervously before slowly following him.
Izuku walked, activating the Omnitrix. "Probably should see how far AmpFibian's mental abilities can go..." Izuku muttered as he turned the dial. "And the new alien... maybe I should come up with a new one. Frog man? Tsu—" Izuku's face turned red as he stopped at the thought. No, that would be too embarrassing.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned quickly and saw Kinoko, standing a little ways behind him. She froze in place, her eyes darting around nervously before she quickly ducked behind a corner.
Izuku blinked, confused. 'Was that Kinoko from Class 1-B?' He wondered, still unsure of the situation.
He continued walking, shaking his head. 'I should probably avoid using AmpFibian for now... I don't want to risk reading anyone's thoughts by accident. That sounds like a massive a violation of privacy.'
As he continued down the hall, he heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind. He turned around, expecting to see someone, and sure enough, Kinoko was standing there.
She fidgeted nervously, rubbing her fingers together, her bangs hiding her eyes. "Uh… did you need something?" Izuku asked, unsure of what was going on.
Kinoko hesitated, her face turning red. "A-Are you busy right now?" she asked quietly.
Izuku raised an eyebrow. "No, not really. I was planning on changing and maybe heading to the training fields later. Why?"
"I-I was hoping to get your opinion on something, if you're not too busy..." Kinoko stammered, her voice soft but filled with nervous determination.
Izuku smiled reassuringly. "Sure, what's on your mind?"
Kinoko let out a quiet sigh of relief before clenching her fist in nervous resolve. "C-Come with me!" she said quickly, turning and walking ahead of him.
Izuku, still unsure but curious, followed after her.
...
Izuku and Kinoko sat behind a wall near the staircase, the girl trembling slightly as she peered over the edge, keeping a cautious eye on the hallway.
"Uh... Komori? Why are we hiding here?" Izuku asked, his voice low, yet curious. His question was soon answered when the voices of three familiar students from U.A. echoed down the hallway.
"Ugh, seriously? That detention felt like it went on forever!" a boy complained.
His friend yawned, stretching his arms. "Seriously... my wrist hurts from writing all that," he grumbled.
The third boy clenched his fist. "And we've got that bitch Kinoko-baka to deal with! When I see her, I'm going to make her pay!"
Izuku's eyes widened as he recognized them. "Hey, aren't those the guys who were picking on you?" he asked, his concern evident.
Kinoko flinched, her face flushing a deep red as she curled in on herself. "N-No, they weren't..." she muttered, embarrassed.
Izuku sat down beside her, offering what little comfort he could.
"This is so embarrassing..." Kinoko whispered, her voice filled with self-doubt. "I'm supposed to be a hero, yet here I am, a scaredy-cat, too clumsy to stand up for myself."
Izuku could feel her unease, and his heart ached with sympathy. He could relate to the weight of feeling inadequate, especially after all he'd been through with his own bullies.
"I-I wanted to show what I could do at the Sports Festival... but... I hesitated," Kinoko continued, her voice shaking. "I didn't do anything... I feel like I wasted my chance."
Izuku's eyes softened as he listened. He knew all too well what it was like to doubt yourself, to fear what others thought of you.
"My Quirk... It's creepy," she continued, her voice barely a whisper. "Back in middle school, everyone said it was weird, that it freaked them out. So... I started hiding it. I kept thinking people would think I was creepy or... strange, and I just... didn't want to show it." She lowered her gaze, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her skirt. "And now... I feel like I missed my chance to prove myself."
Izuku was silent for a moment, trying to find the right words. Kinoko hadn't spoken much to him before, and yet here she was, opening up about her fears.
"How come you're telling me all this?" Izuku asked, unsure of why she'd chosen him.
Kinoko hesitated, looking down at her knees. "Well... I... I saw you stand up to Bakugou, and... I thought maybe you could help me. I don't want my classmates to think I'm weak. I want to be stronger... stand up for myself. I... I just thought maybe you'd have some advice," she admitted shyly.
Izuku hesitated, his gaze softening as he understood. He could see the struggle in her eyes—the same uncertainty he'd once faced.
"Okay," Izuku said after a pause. "First, you need to stand up. Don't let them make fun of you anymore. Show them that you're not afraid."
Kinoko looked at Izuku, her wide eyes trembling with fear but holding a flicker of hope.
"You have to look them in the eye and stand up for yourself," Izuku said firmly, recalling the first time he stood up to Bakugou. "There's no secret or trick to it... sometimes, the best thing you can do is just stand your ground. Let them know you won't back down."
Kinoko stared at him, her lips quivering as she processed his words. Izuku could see how scared she was, her fingers fidgeting and knees trembling slightly.
"W-When you fought Bakugou and beat him... did it feel good?" Kinoko asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Izuku froze. A tense silence fell between them as he thought back to that day—how violent the fight had been, how raw and destructive it felt.
"No," Izuku said softly, his gaze lowering. "It didn't feel good."
Kinoko slumped, disappointment sinking into her shoulders. "Oh..."
"But," Izuku continued, offering her a small smile, "it felt good to stand up to him. To show him that he couldn't push me around anymore."
Kinoko's eyes widened slightly at his words. She nodded, a faint spark of determination flickering in her expression as she slowly stood up.
Izuku gave her a reassuring thumbs up, his smile widening just enough to encourage her. "You can do this."
Taking a deep breath, Kinoko turned toward the boys approaching from down the hallway. Her legs shook slightly, but she pushed forward, determination beginning to overtake her fear.
One of the boys noticed her and sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Oh, look who it is. If it isn't Kinoko-baka."
Another boy grinned wickedly. "Hey, Nameko-chan!"
Kinoko stopped in her tracks, her bangs casting a shadow over her eyes. Her hands balled into fists at her sides as her voice came out as a whisper. "D-Don't call me that."
"Huh?" the first boy mocked, leaning closer to her. "What was that, Kinoko-baka? I couldn't hear you!"
The group circled around her, their sneering faces closing in.
"I-I..." Kinoko's voice wavered. She inhaled deeply, her shoulders stiffening as she looked the tallest boy directly in the eye. "Don't. Call. Me. That!"
The boys paused for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"HAHAHA! What's this? Kinoko-baka grew a spine!"
"This is rich! Fungus Face thinks she can stand up to us—" One of the boys was cut off abruptly as a small mushroom sprouted on his nose.
"Huh?" the boy exclaimed, swiping at it only for more mushrooms to erupt on his arms and shoulders.
The other boys turned to Kinoko, their sneers faltering as her expression shifted. From beneath her bangs, a nervous yet unsettling grin spread across her face. Her voice was soft but carried a chilling edge.
"Do you know what happens when you insult a mycologist like me, shroom?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "I get... creative."
As the mushrooms began to spread across the boys' bodies, Kinoko raised a hand, her fingers twitching nervously but her grin widening. "You're lucky I'm using Flammulina velutipes. It's harmless, even edible. But if you keep going, I could try something more... exotic."
Her voice dropped to a whisper as her eyes glinted with sadistic glee. "Ever heard of Amanita phalloides? The Death Cap? One touch, and it's over for your liver in just a few hours. You'd be begging for a hospital visit, shroom."
The boys froze, their eyes widening in terror as the mushrooms continued to erupt on their clothes and skin.
"H-Hey! Knock it off!" one of them stammered, frantically swiping at the harmless fungi as they multiplied.
Kinoko leaned closer, her grin faltering slightly into an almost apologetic expression, though her voice remained unnervingly sweet. "Oh? You don't like my mushrooms? That's a shame. I was just starting to enjoy myself."
"O-Okay, okay! We're sorry!" the tallest boy stammered, his voice cracking as fear overtook him.
Kinoko tilted her head further, pretending to look confused. "Sorry? Sorry for what, shroom?" she asked, her voice laced with mock innocence.
The boys gulped, glancing at each other before bowing frantically. "WE'RE SORRY! REALLY, WE'RE SORRY!" they shouted before bolting down the hallway, leaving a trail of mushrooms behind.
From his vantage point, Izuku watched the scene unfold, his face growing pale as a newfound fear of Kinoko Komori began to take root within him."Okay... She's terrifying..."
Kinoko watched them go, the grin fading from her face as she collapsed to the ground, trembling. Her hands shook slightly as she looked down at her lap.
From behind the wall, Izuku watched the entire scene unfold, his jaw slightly agape. "That... was terrifying," he muttered, though he couldn't help but feel a hint of admiration for her courage.
Kinoko let out a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping as she turned to Izuku. "D-Did I do okay?"
Izuku smiled warmly and offered her a hand. "You were amazing, Komori! Terrifying! But amazing!" Izuku began to help the short girl up.
Kinoko hesitated before taking his hand, a shy but genuine smile creeping onto her face. "T-Thank you, Midoriya."
As Izuku helped Kinoko to her feet, her fringe shifted just enough to reveal her eyes. His breath hitched for a moment—her wide, cat-like eyes, with warm brown irises and cross-shaped pupils, caught him off guard. He thought they were stunning, rivaling even Mina's captivating gaze.
Izuku offered her a gentle smile. "You're welcome. Though, I don't think they'll be bothering you again anytime soon."
Kinoko managed a nervous smile, her body still trembling slightly. "T-Thanks… Um, would you mind helping me back to my dorm?"
"Uh, sure," Izuku replied, though he hesitated briefly. "But… what about Kuroiro?"
"He already went home, so it's fine," Kinoko said with a soft sigh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she avoided his gaze.
They walked together to Heights Alliance in a companionable silence. As they reached the entrance, Kinoko stopped and fidgeted with her sleeves, looking down. "C-Can we keep this just between us?" she asked hesitantly. "I… I don't want my friends to think I'm weak."
Izuku gave her an understanding nod, his smile reassuring. "Of course. I won't tell anyone."
Kinoko let out a relieved sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you, Midoriya… I mean it."
Izuku gave a small smile."No problem."
...
As they made their way back to the dorms, Itsuka Kendo approached them, her face tinged with a soft red hue. She folded her arms, doing her best to appear casual.
"Hey, Izuku…" she greeted, her voice steady before her gaze shifted to Kinoko. "What are you two up to?"
Kinoko smiled sheepishly, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "Oh, Midoriya was just helping me with something! I wanted to, uh, test an idea with one of his forms…shroom," she added with a giggle.
Itsuka raised a skeptical brow, her stance firm, though the corners of her mouth tugged into a knowing smile. "You didn't grow mushrooms on him, did you? You keep doing that to Shiozaki's hair. She's starting to get annoyed."
Kinoko flushed, stifling a laugh. "It's… just a little funny," she admitted, averting her eyes shyly.
Itsuka rolled her eyes, though her grin softened her expression. She turned back to Izuku, brushing a strand of her orange hair behind her ear. Her usual confident demeanor seemed slightly faltered.
"S-So, uh… what do you have planned today?" she asked, her arms tightening around herself as her eyes briefly glanced away.
Izuku blinked in confusion for a moment before tilting his head. "Uh, not much today. Recovery Girl wants me to rest, but I was kinda hoping to start training again. I've got a new idea for one of my forms," he said, reaching into his pocket.
From seemingly nowhere, his trusty notebook appeared, and he flipped through its pages with ease.
Both Itsuka and Kinoko froze, staring wide-eyed.
'Where the heck did that come from?!' they both thought in stunned unison.
"I was rewatching the Sports Festival," Izuku explained, his voice laced with excitement. "And I thought I could incorporate some of your classmates' moves into my forms. I've already jotted down a few ideas."
Itsuka's eyes lingered on the notebook before she rubbed the back of her neck, suppressing a small grin. "Huh, I guess that's why you're always muttering… Anyway, will you still have time for… you know, our date?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with a tinge of nervousness.
Izuku's body stiffened, his mind suddenly blanking.
'Oh no! I forgot!' His heart raced as he tried to stay calm. 'Relax, Izuku! You still have time to figure something out!'
"Oh! Uh, yeah! I can still go!" he blurted out, a nervous smile spreading across his face.
Kinoko's eyes lit up, a mischievous grin forming. "Aww, you two are going on a date? That's so cute!" she squealed. "You'll make such a great couple!"
Both Izuku and Itsuka's faces turned a deep crimson. Itsuka cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to compose herself.
"Y-Yeah, well… about that," she stammered, scratching her cheek. "I, uh, actually can't make it during the break. Would it be okay if we moved it? Maybe next week or something?"
Izuku tilted his head, surprised at her sudden shift in tone. "O-Oh, really? How come?"
Itsuka sighed, placing a hand on her hip. "Class rep duties, homework, and I need to head home to help my parents with a few things. It's… a lot," she admitted, her voice trailing off.
Izuku offered a reassuring smile. "Oh, that's fine! I understand," he said earnestly.
"Honestly," Itsuka teased, leaning slightly toward him with a mock pout, "I'm surprised you have so much free time. Don't you ever stop?"
Izuku chuckled, scratching his head. "Well, I do have super speed, so homework doesn't take too long…"
Itsuka groaned, though there was no malice in her voice. "That's so unfair!" she said, shaking her head with a smile.
Kinoko, still grinning, chimed in. "Ooh, that just means you'll have plenty of time to plan the perfect date!"
Itsuka's face turned red again as she waved her hands dismissively. "I-I guess it does…" she muttered, glancing away as her body betrayed her nervous excitement.
"So, what do you have planned?" Itsuka asked, tilting her head, her curiosity shining through her flustered demeanor.
Izuku panicked, waving his hands in front of him.
"I-It's a surprise!" he stammered, his sudden enthusiasm catching both girls off guard.
"R-Really?" Itsuka asked, her expression softening as a shy smile crept across her face. She coughed, trying to hide her embarrassment. "That's… nice. I was kinda surprised when you asked me out. Pretty bold of you, actually."
Not wanting to let herself blush even more, Itsuka began backing away slowly, her composure slipping. "B-But I'm sure whatever you plan will be great! Just, uh, one thing… please, no offense, Izuku, but… nothing All Might-themed, okay? I know you love him, but I don't want to see a blonde musclehead on our date."
Izuku's shoulders slumped slightly as he scratched the back of his head.
'Well that goes plan A.'
Itsuka raised an eyebrow, stifling a laugh. "Ahem! B-But if it's fun, I wouldn't mind, I guess," she added quickly, her blush deepening. "Just don't make me meet All Might or something. That'd be… weird."
With that, she gave a small wave and quickly retreated, her face flushed as she muttered something under her breath.
...
Izuku Midoriya sat at his desk, tapping his pen rapidly against a piece of paper. His eyes darted across the blank sheet, the words "Date ideas:" written at the top.
"Ah, man, how does everyone come up with this stuff?" he muttered, his pen tapping even faster.
His mind raced as he stared at the empty page. "I've never had to plan a date before! How am I supposed to do this?!"
Izuku sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Dad always said that if I ever got a girlfriend or had a date, he'd help me come up with the perfect plan. Guess that didn't quite work out," he chuckled, a few comedic tears forming in the corner of his eyes as he laughed at the memory. A small, nostalgic smile tugged at his lips as he wiped the tears away.
"Maybe I should ask All Might for advice!" he said, his voice filled with sudden excitement. But then, a sudden realization struck him. His smile faltered, and he groaned, rubbing his face with one hand."Wait..."
Flashback
A month before the Entrance Exam, Izuku Midoriya had just received an ass-kicking from Gran Torino. Still reeling from the intense training, he slowly stood up, wiping the sweat from his brow, and fumbled with his phone when it rang. It was a call from Ochako.
"Y'know, Young Midoriya, if you ever need dating advice..." All Might said with a dramatic gesture to himself, grinning wide.
Izuku's eyes lit up with excitement. "Woah! Dating advice from the number one hero?!" he said, practically glowing with starry-eyed enthusiasm.
Gran Torino, overhearing this, couldn't contain his laughter. "Hehe... Dating advice from Toshinori... HA! HAHAHAHAH! OH, GOD!" He doubled over with laughter, clutching his stomach as he rolled around on the ground. "Pfft... HAHAHAH! This is too much!"
Izuku looked at the scene in confusion as All Might stood there, looking deflated and sheepish.
Gran Torino kept laughing hysterically, practically crying. "Oh, Lord! HAHAHA!" He slapped his knee, still shaking with laughter. "Toshinori, dating advice?! You're the last person who should be giving advice on that!"
All Might sighed dramatically. "Hey, I can give good advice!" he protested weakly.
Gran Torino wiped away tears from his eyes, barely able to control his laughter. "No, you can't!" he shouted, his voice cracked from the laughter. "I was your homeroom teacher, and you haven't been on a date in your whole life! You've been too busy being the number one hero and the symbol of peace! You've got zero experience, kid!" He burst into another fit of cackling, practically rolling on the floor.
Izuku, still standing in the middle of this chaos, patted the deflated All Might's back sympathetically.
[Flashback over]
Izuku slumped back into his chair, exhaling deeply in frustration. "I guess I won't be asking him for advice." He crumpled the piece of paper with his "Date ideas" written on it and shoved it into his pocket, feeling more lost than ever.
Izuku walked downstairs, clearly frustrated, exhaustion written all over his face. "I can't think of anyone who can help me. Mom? Great idea, asking her for dating advice. If she doesn't drown me in tears first, that is..."
As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Kaminari immediately noticed the familiar look on Midoriya's face. He knew that expression—it was the look of a man struggling with something that seemed impossible. Izuku wore that same face every time he faced math homework or physics problems.
"Woah, Midoriya, got a math problem or something?" Kaminari asked with a grin, sensing Izuku's frustration.
"Yeah, you look like you're in the middle of solving some physics problem," Shoji added, his tone casual but with a touch of concern as he saw Izuku's clearly stressed expression.
"Y-Yeah, something like that," Izuku muttered, feeling flustered. I can't let them know I'm planning a date and have no idea what I'm doing. I'll be a laughing stock if they find out!
Momo, noticing the tension, approached with a gentle smile. "If you need help, I'd be glad to assist," she offered kindly, her usual calm tone laced with concern.
Izuku immediately panicked. "Oh, no, it's uh... something very... difficult," he stammered, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"I like a challenge," Momo said with a confident smile, stepping closer. "It's what I'm here for, right?"
Izuku scratched his head nervously, clearly uncomfortable. "Momo, thank you, but it's... not something that can be solved like a math problem," he explained awkwardly, hoping to avoid further questioning.
Mina, noticing Izuku's discomfort, felt an odd sense of frustration. She had always been the one to act like a blushing, stuttering mess around Izuku, but now he was the one getting flustered. Noticing the opportunity, she grinned mischievously.
Sneaking up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist in a playful hug. "Hey, Midoriya!"
"M-M-Mina?!" Izuku yelped in surprise, his face turning bright red. "W-W-What are you doing?!"
"I haven't seen you since this morning, and you were so busy with whatever problem you had... I didn't want to disturb you, but now that you're here..." Mina grinned and tightened her hug, her voice full of teasing mischief.
Izuku sighed internally, face flushed with embarrassment. If I had five yen every time a pink-haired girl hugged me without warning today... I'd have 10 yen. It's not a lot, but it's weird. It happened twice on the same day...
Mina finally let go of him, sensing his discomfort, but not before she noticed the piece of paper fall out of his pocket. As the paper fluttered to the ground, she bent down to pick it up, her curiosity piqued.
"Mina, you can't just hug Midoriya like that!" Momo scolded, stepping forward, her brow furrowed with concern. "You know how shy he is!"
Mina stuck out her tongue playfully in response. "You're just jealous that I'm bold," she teased.
Momo's eye twitched in irritation. "You're making him uncomfortable!" she snapped, not hiding her frustration.
"And... I-I can be bold too," Momo muttered under her breath, as if trying to convince herself.
"Ha!" Mina responded, clearly enjoying herself. "You think you can be as bold as me? That's cute."
Izuku, still flustered, walked over to the counter and grabbed a glass of water, trying to regain his composure. Meanwhile, the two girls continued their playful bickering.
But Mina, still holding the paper, slowly unfolded it. She read it aloud before she could stop herself. "Date... ideas?"
Izuku's eyes widened in pure horror. "No—!"
In a split second, he activated Full Cowl and leaped across the room, moving with inhuman speed to snatch the paper from Mina's hands.
The room fell silent, and the tension was palpable. Ochako, who had just returned from hanging out with her parents, walked in at the moment Izuku was practically diving to retrieve the paper. She blinked in confusion, then glanced at Izuku, putting the pieces together. That's his paper, isn't it?
Momo, who had been sipping tea, choked on it in surprise, her eyes wide. Kyouka, who had been chatting with Hagakure, immediately fell silent, watching the scene unfold.
Yui, who had been quiet as usual, glanced over at the commotion and slowly began to blush. Tsuyu, walking in with Uraraka, paused and slowly blushed as well, the sudden awkwardness thickening the air.
Izuku, now holding the paper tightly to his chest, could feel his face burning with embarrassment. The room was full of girls, all of whom were now blushing, some clearly trying to hide their amusement, while others seemed deeply flustered. Kaminari, Tokoyami, Shoji, and Kirishima were in the room too, but they didn't seem to fully understand what was going on.
Izuku's heart raced as he tried to regain his composure, but the damage was done. The awkward silence and blushes around him were enough to make him want to sink into the ground.
...,
Momo cleared her throat, trying to regain some composure after the awkward moment. "Ahem, I... I would enjoy a day out at a café where we could talk and enjoy each other's company," she said softly, her face turning scarlet as she took a sip of her tea, carefully avoiding Izuku's gaze.
Izuku blinked, surprised by her response. But then, he remembered that Kendo liked coffee, and her calm nature made a café a good choice for her.
"I-I wouldn't mind going to karaoke or... whatever," Kyouka added shyly, her face turning slightly pink as she quickly looked away, nervously twirling the ends of her ear jacks.
"An... a-arcade would be cool," Hagakure chimed in, her voice coming from nowhere as she turned invisible, no doubt hiding her own blush.
"S-Some ice cream on a hot day, or maybe something cheap... I-I wouldn't want anyone to spend too much on me," Ochako said, her voice soft and slightly awkward as she floated above them, trying to hide the blush creeping up her face. Objects around the room began to float along with her, including Tsuyu.
"O-Ochako, please stop... you're making me float," Tsuyu said, her voice calm, but her own cheeks turning pink from the situation.
"S-Sorry! Still working on control," Ochako apologized, gently lowering Tsuyu back to the ground, her own face flushed with embarrassment.
"Ribbit... I think I wouldn't mind anything really. Maybe... like going swimming together?" Tsuyu said, her face as neutral as ever, though there was a faint blush on her cheeks.
"I would like to go dancing, or something fun for both of us!" Mina said with a big grin, scratching the back of her head, her face entirely lilac from embarrassment.
By now, the atmosphere was tense with a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and jealousy.
Yui, sitting quietly with her hood pulled over her head to hide her face, spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "By the end of the night, I... I would want him to kiss me like there's no one else in the room."
Izuku's heart skipped a beat at her words, and the room fell into stunned silence. Yui rarely showed such vulnerability, so hearing her say something like that caught everyone off guard.
"I would like something maybe spooky, but not too public," Yanagi spoke up, her voice calm and steady, though a faint hint of shyness showed in her eyes. "A lot of people make me uncomfortable."
"Midoriya, are you taking notes?" Tokoyami asked, not looking up from his book.
"Uh, no," Izuku mumbled, his face turning redder.
"You should," Tokoyami replied.
Izuku blushed even harder, his embarrassment growing by the second. "S-So uhm... Midoriya, why uhm.. do you want to know?" Hagakure asked, her voice quieter than before. The girls couldn't help but notice the subtle hint of competition in the air, and each of them tried to hide it as best as they could.
Izuku sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "I-It's just... well..." He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone.
"Yeah, dude, are you planning on asking someone out?" Kirishima asked, nudging him with an elbow, his grin widening.
"Wait, didn't you have a girlfriend? Didn't you go on dates?" Kirishima added, glancing at Izuku with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, but it was like two dates, and she planned everything. It wasn't really much of a date, more like me paying for everything," Izuku admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
Ochako's face suddenly darkened with a murderous aura.
"Ochako, you can't go beating her up," Izuku said quickly, sensing the shift in her mood.
"But-" Ochako began, her eyes narrowing.
"No," Izuku said firmly, holding up his hand.
"I swear I only be–"
"Ochako," Izuku said, his voice more serious.
She pouted and slumped back into the couch, her arms crossed over her chest.
"A-Anyways... Dekiru, is it really a good idea to go on a date?" Ochako asked, her voice trembling slightly. A pang of jealousy made her chest tighten at the thought of Izuku going on a date with Itsuka. "I-I mean, we have a lot of work to do, and you're the class representative. Don't you have, like, a dozen things you need to finish up?" Her words came out quickly, almost stumbling over themselves.
Kaminari smirked teasingly. "Sounds like someone's jealous."
Ochako flinched, her hands waving in protest. "I-I am not!" she stuttered, her face bright red.
"Your face is super red, by the way," Kaminari said, grinning mischievously as Ochako's eye twitched. Before he could say more, his body began to float slightly.
"Stop it, Ochako. I'm trying to help you here!" Kaminari whined, flailing his arms as he hovered in the air.
Ochako huffed and released her Quirk, causing Kaminari to fall unceremoniously back onto the couch. "I-I just think going on a date right now isn't a good idea," Ochako continued, crossing her arms tightly. "I-I mean, what's so wrong about just staying friends? Hanging out occasionally? And you know we're heroes... Dating seems irresponsible."
Izuku scratched the back of his head, trying to process her reasoning as he took his seat. "I guess," he said nonchalantly, not giving too much thought to her suggestion.
"So... you're not going?" Toru asked, her invisible voice laced with faint hope.
"No, I am," Izuku replied, his tone confident.
"But..." Ochako said, leaning forward, her tone desperate now.
Izuku shrugged. "I think I can handle it. Plus, it'll be nice to go on an actual date for once."
The girls squirmed uncomfortably, exchanging subtle glances. Mina scratched her cheek, pretending to look distracted. Momo stirred her tea, the slight clink of the spoon revealing her internal struggle. Kyoka folded her arms, letting her earjacks twitch slightly.
Kaminari, oblivious to the tension, slung an arm over Izuku's shoulder with a wide grin. "Plus, everyone knows it's a hero's dream to get the girl—just like in those comic books from the old era."
Shoji tilted his head thoughtfully. "Like with Spider-Man? And Superman?"
"Exactly!" Kaminari said, snapping his fingers. "Save the day and get the girl! Catching babes is a key part of being a superhero." He folded his arms and nodded sagely, as if he were an expert on the subject.
Kyoka rolled her eyes, jabbing him lightly with one of her earjacks. "Why are boys so fixated on 'getting the girl'? It's so shallow."
Kirishima shrugged. "I mean, it's kind of cool, right? Saving someone and then, like, confessing your feelings after a big battle or something."
Mina perked up at that, though she masked it with a casual tone. "I guess it's romantic in a cheesy way," she said, but her eyes flicked toward Izuku for a split second.
Izuku cupped his chin thoughtfully. "I guess that sounds pretty cool. It'd be like being an actual superhero from the comic books."
"Oh! And dude, after the date, totally kiss her Spider-Man style!" Kaminari added with a wide grin, mimicking an upside-down pose.
Izuku blushed heavily at the thought of kissing Itsuka upside-down, his face turning as red as a tomato. The girls' eyes widened, their expressions shifting to varying degrees of disbelief and discomfort.
"Uh, well—" Izuku began, his voice faltering, but he was quickly interrupted by a loud voice.
"Hold up, someone is going on a date?!" Mineta shouted in surprise as he burst into the room, looking around for confirmation.
Izuku panicked, quickly grabbing a piece of paper from the table and clutching it tightly to his chest. "P-Please don't say anything!" he pleaded, his voice almost desperate.
Kirishima nodded reassuringly. "Relax, man, we're just talking about what makes a great date plan."
"If you want advice, you should be asking the lady killer himself!" Kaminari said, pointing to himself with exaggerated pride.
Sero walked in, snickering. "Oh, damn, Midoriya's giving out dating advice now?" he teased.
The blonde immediately deflated, slumping in dejection. "No, I meant me!" Kaminari whined, crossing his arms.
"Pfft! Honestly, I feel sorry for any girl that goes on a date with Midoriya," Mineta said, flopping onto the couch. His smug comment drew a round of groans and immediate backlash.
"Hey, as if anyone would want to go with a perv like you," Yui said bluntly, her expression unchanging as she glanced in Mineta's direction.
Mineta huffed, clearly offended. "Aren't you a pervert yourself?" Yanagi pointed out, tilting her head slightly as she spoke.
"I am, but I know how to control myself. Plus, I actually understand the meaning of consent," Yui replied flatly, earning surprised looks from a few of the others.
Izuku gave her a deadpan look, clearly unimpressed.
Yui noticed his expression and shrugged. "First of all, this morning doesn't count. And second..." Her eyes flicked toward him briefly. "...you liked it."
Izuku's face burned even redder, and though he wanted to argue, he begrudgingly admitted to himself that despite his protests, there was some truth to her words.
"I'd prefer a date with someone who wouldn't stare at my chest every two minutes," Mina said, crossing her arms and shooting Mineta an irritated look.
"That's fair," Toru said with a nod, though the group couldn't see her expression.
As the conversation continued, Izuku quietly stood up, hoping to sneak away unnoticed. Momo, however, caught sight of him leaving and quickly followed.
"Izuku, where are you heading off to at this hour?" Momo asked, her tone calm but curious as she walked beside him.
Izuku glanced at her, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm going to train. We're allowed to use the facilities, and I've been meaning to try something new with my forms," he explained, offering her a small smile before turning toward the door."I already cleared with Mr. Aizawa."
Momo's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded. "Be careful not to overdo it," she said, her voice soft as he walked away.
Izuku waved goodbye before taking out his notebook and grinning slightly as few notes were on his alien forms.
...
Izuku stood in the training grounds of Ground Beta, clad in his U.A. gym uniform, stretching as he prepared for another round of testing. The cool air brushed against his skin, but his mind was focused solely on his experiment. With a determined nod, he activated the Omnitrix, the faceplate popping up with a faint hum.
"Alright, first up—Fasttrack," Izuku muttered, turning the dial as various alien silhouettes appeared. He paused, locking onto the sleek, feline icon before slamming the device down. A flash of green light engulfed him, and when it faded, Fasttrack stood in his place.
Fasttrack rolled his shoulders, his body brimming with kinetic energy. "Okay," he said, his voice slightly altered by the transformation. "During my fight with Monoma, I managed to trap him inside his own flaming vortex. Now, I want to see if I can create and maintain a similar tornado for longer. If I can control and sustain a tornado at high speed, it could be a powerful tactic against long-range Quirks or multiple enemies."
"During my fight with Monoma, I managed to trap him in his own flaming vortex
He crouched low, his claws digging into the ground as he took a runner's stance. Then, with a burst of blue lightning crackling around him, he shot forward like a bullet. The air around him warped from his sheer velocity, and the world became a blur of motion.
Fasttrack leaned into a sharp turn, his feet pounding against the pavement at an impossible speed as he began to run in a tight circle. The wind responded almost immediately, whipping into a frenzied spiral that grew stronger with each passing second. Dust and debris were sucked into the vortex, and the crackling energy surrounding him illuminated the growing tornado.
"Keep it steady," he muttered, his voice almost lost in the roar of the wind. Faster and faster he ran, his legs a near-invisible blur as the tornado solidified, its edges sharpening with every rotation.
Then, just as he attempted to break away, the swirling winds destabilized. The tornado unraveled in an instant, sending a shockwave that blasted Fasttrack off his feet and hurtling him down the street.
He groaned, rolling onto his side as he pushed himself up, his body vibrating slightly from the residual energy. "Maybe I need to push my speed even further," he mused, brushing himself off.
Without hesitation, he bolted forward again, his claws scraping the ground as he took off like a bolt of lightning. This time, he poured every ounce of speed into his movement, the blue streak he left behind glowing brighter and more intense. The world around him was reduced to faint smudges of light as he entered a realm of pure velocity, spinning faster than before.
The tornado formed once more, its base grinding against the ground as it towered higher into the air. The winds screamed, bending nearby lampposts and sending loose objects flying. Fasttrack's ears flattened as he gritted his teeth, maintaining his breakneck pace.
As the same result happened, Fasttrack tumbled down the street, groaning as he came to a halt. "Ugh..." he muttered, pushing himself up.
A voice cut through the air, dry and teasing. "Wow, that was graceful. Crash-and-burn much?"
Fasttrack flinched, his ears perking up in alarm as he twisted around, his movements quick and feline. "J-Jirou?!"
Standing a few feet away, Kyoka Jirou was clad in her U.A. gym uniform, her hair slightly tousled by the winds he'd generated. She gave him a lopsided smirk, the teasing glint in her eyes unmistakable. "Hey, Broccoli Boy," she said casually, as if she hadn't just appeared out of nowhere.
Before Fasttrack could respond, her Earphone Jacks shot forward, coiling around his arm and tugging him closer. "Relax," she said, her tone half amused, half exasperated. "I'm not here to roast you too much. Actually, I was hoping you could help me with something."
Fasttrack blinked, shaking off the dust as he stood upright. "Uh, yeah, sure. What's up?"
Kyoka crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "Remember the Sports Festival? My fight with Todoroki?" Fasttrack recalled how she had suddenly released a sonic wave from her mouth.
Fasttrack's ears perked up, and he began speaking at incredible velocity, his words blurring together in a high-pitched whine.
"Ohyeahhowwereyouabletoreleasesonicswavefromyourmouthit'sgottabetherelationtoairpressureandvibrationfrequenciesifyoucangeneratesonicswaveitcouldcreatelocalizedshockwavepotentiallystunningordisorientingenemiesormaybemaybeitcouldevenbeusedtoshatterordisruptcertainmaterials!"
Kyoka widened her eyes in surprise before clasping her hands over his mouth. "Dude, I can't hear a word you're saying. Slow down," she said, rolling her eyes, trying to keep her tone light despite her mild irritation.
Fasttrack muffled a response. "Mmmmnnn." He quickly touched the Omnitrix module on his chest, and in a flash of green, he transformed back into Izuku.
"Sorry," Izuku's muffled voice came from behind her hands.
"Okay, I'm putting my hands down now—please don't go off again," Kyoka said, raising an eyebrow. Izuku nodded. She cautiously dropped her hands.
"So, how were you even able to do that?" Izuku asked, now genuinely curious.
Kyoka shrugged, her eyes briefly flicking to the side before meeting his gaze. "No idea. It just kinda happened. But hey, I thought maybe you could help me figure it out."
"Me?" Izuku blinked, surprised.
Kyoka nodded, a teasing smirk on her face. "Yeah, dude, you're like the expert in mastering new powers that come out of nowhere."
Izuku blushed and glanced at the Omnitrix. "Yeah, I guess..." he mumbled, feeling a little awkward.
Just then, a voice interrupted them. "Jirou!"
Kyoka's head snapped up as Mina and the rest of the girls from Class 1-A walked toward them, with Itsuka chatting animatedly with Momo.
"You totally left without us! What the heck?" Mina said, clearly annoyed but trying to hide her concern with a playful tone.
Kyoka's face flushed, and she instinctively hugged her arms around her chest. Her gaze shifted downward, avoiding the others as she fidgeted with her sleeve, clearly uncomfortable. "You guys were taking too long," she muttered, her voice lacking its usual confidence.
Izuku tilted his head in confusion as Ochako approached him with a cheerful smile. "I was hoping you could help me too, Izuku! Maybe we can train together?" she said, her tone bright and inviting.
Before he could respond, Toru chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "How are you even able to do that, anyway?"
Izuku blinked. "Do what?"
"You know, using all those different Quirks like it's no big deal. You make it look so easy," Toru said, her tone almost incredulous.
"Yeah," Mina added, crossing her arms. "You've got, like, what—19 Quirks? Doesn't it get confusing?"
"Twenty, if you count that new transformation," Tsuyu said matter-of-factly.
"And each one has its own unique abilities, sometimes even subsets of abilities," Momo said, her voice thoughtful. "How do you manage to keep track of all of them?"
Izuku scratched the back of his neck, his brow furrowed in thought. "Well, it's not just the Quirks I have to keep track of. My transformations also give me completely different body types. That makes it even more challenging because I'm essentially working with an entirely new body every time I transform," he explained, a hint of exhaustion creeping into his voice. "It's... a lot to process, but it's also kind of fun figuring out what they can and can't do."
Mina grimaced. "Geez, when you put it like that, it sounds insanely difficult."
Izuku gave a sheepish smile. "It is, but I have a little trick to help me keep things straight. I try to imagine myself as a different superhero when I transform," he admitted, his cheeks flushing slightly.
The girls exchanged curious glances before turning back to him. "Like who?" Mina asked, leaning in eagerly.
"Well..." Izuku hesitated, clearly embarrassed. "When I'm Heatblast, I picture myself as Endeavor or the Human Torch... or sometimes I think about the fire Jutsu from Naruto. Y'know, stuff from manga and anime," he said, his voice trailing off awkwardly.
Kyoka raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Dork," she said bluntly, though there was a faint smirk on her lips.
Izuku flinched at her jab but stood firm, folding his arms in mock defiance. "Hey, you try managing a bunch of alien powers and see how you do!" he shot back.
Momo placed a thoughtful finger on her chin. "He does have a point. It's an impressive method, considering the complexity of his abilities."
Just then, Izuku pulled out his notebook seemingly from thin air, causing all the girls to freeze and stare.
"Uh... where did that come from?" they all asked in unison.
Ignoring their bewildered question, Izuku flipped through the pages, his expression serious. "Visualizing myself as different heroes gives me a framework to work with. It's especially helpful for forms like Four Arms, since they require an entirely different fighting style. Even with that, adapting takes a lot of trial and error."
Momo nodded, processing his explanation. "So, you essentially use them as mental templates to streamline the process?" she inquired.
"Exactly!" Izuku said, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
"Leave it to you to nerd out about this stuff," Kyoka muttered, but her tone lacked any real bite.
Mina grinned, leaning slightly toward Izuku. "You're such a hero geek, but I guess with a Quirk like yours, it really comes in handy, huh?"
Izuku blushed, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "I-I guess..." He quickly cleared his throat, turning to Kyoka. "So, uh, I guess I could help a little. But don't you think asking Present Mic about this would be more useful? I mean, he has a sonic-based Quirk too."
Kyoka groaned, immediately covering her ears as if the mere thought of the loud hero was deafening. "Yeah, no thanks. He's way too loud and annoying," she muttered.
The group collectively sweat-dropped at her blunt response.
Izuku adjusted his stance and cracked his knuckles, trying to refocus. "Maybe you could try visualizing something that helps you release an explosive sonic wave? Like a move or a style that makes it more instinctive."
Mina's face lit up as she chimed in cheerfully. "Ooh! Like a dance routine!" She spun on her toes dramatically, throwing her arms in the air. "You gotta picture the move, give it some flare! Make it your signature move!"
Ochako giggled at Mina's theatrics. "You've definitely got the energy for it, Mina. But I guess it could work for Kyoka. It's like imagining the sound hitting a specific target, right?"
Tsuyu tilted her head thoughtfully. "Ribbit. Maybe instead of a dance, it's more like striking a chord? You know, finding that perfect frequency."
"That's not a bad idea," Momo said, tapping her chin in thought. "Kyoka, you could base the visualization on a musical concept. Something like a crescendo or a striking note to build up the sonic wave before releasing it."
Kyoka cupped her chin, her brows furrowing in thought. "That actually sounds pretty good—like trying to hit a high note in a song?" She tilted her head, already visualizing the idea and nodding slightly to herself.
Izuku approached, activating the Omnitrix with a quick press. The faceplate popped open, and he began scrolling through the device. Holographic silhouettes of aliens flickered by with each click. "And with Echo Echo, you can have a little visual demonstration," Izuku said, his tone helpful.
Kyoka flinched, taking a step back. "Is... that really a good idea?" she asked, her unease evident.
"It'll probably be for the best," Momo interjected, offering Kyoka a reassuring smile. "He can show you the ropes without needing to guess."
"Plus, you don't want to accidentally blow everyone's eardrums out," Izuku added with a nervous laugh.
Everyone flinched at the thought, and Momo quickly began creating noise-canceling headphones from her Quirk. She handed them out with practiced efficiency, earning murmurs of gratitude from the group.
"Better safe than sorry," Momo said with a small smile.
Izuku nodded and slammed his hand down on the Omnitrix. In a flash of green light, he transformed into a small white alien with a smooth, featureless face. "Alright, let's do this!" Echo Echo said, his voice high-pitched and slightly mechanical.
Kyoka gulped, already regretting agreeing to this. She stood next to Echo Echo, trying to hide her discomfort. It wasn't hard to see why she was nervous—being the girl with SUPER hearing next to one of Izuku's loudest forms was basically a recipe for a headache.
"Ready?" Echo Echo asked, turning toward her.
Kyoka hesitated but eventually gave a shy nod. "Rea—"
"Excuse moi!" A flamboyant voice interrupted, cutting through the moment. Everyone turned to see Yuga Aoyama approaching with his characteristic flair. He seemed hesitant at first, but his usual enthusiasm soon returned as he twirled toward the group.
"I have come to join you in your training! Hold your applause, please," Aoyama declared dramatically, striking a dazzling pose before winking at the group.
"Aoyama?" Mina asked, blinking in surprise.
Yuga tilted his head, his hand theatrically brushing through his hair. "Oui! After all, if we are perfecting techniques, it would be a crime not to include moi, the most dazzling of us all!"
Kyoka pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath. "Great, as if this wasn't going to be loud enough already."
Mina stifled a laugh."The more the merrier I guess."
Yuga nodded enthusiastically, gesturing to himself with both hands. "Exactement! My Navel Laser is practically a symphony of light and power! A performance of this caliber requires the touch of an artiste."
Tsuyu blinked, tilting her head. "Ribbit. You're not always so social Aoyama it's nice."
"Ah, you are welcome for my presence!" Yuga said with a flourish, tossing in a few French words to elevate his point. " I shall bring inspiration and panache to this training session!"
Echo Echo folded his tiny arms, looking up at Yuga. "Uh, sure. Just try not to get in the way, okay?"
Aoyama gasped in mock offense, clutching his chest dramatically. "Get in the way? Moi? Never! I shall enhance this training with my presence!"
Kyoka groaned quietly, leaning toward Izuku's alien form. "Why did you have to invite the human disco ball to this?"
Echo Echo shrugged. "I didn't. He just showed up."
Mina grinned, clearly entertained by the spectacle. "Hey, give him a chance. Though, you usually hang by yourself. What's with the sudden change?"
Aoyama dramatically hid his face with one arm, like a tragic villain in a grand theater production. "Ah, mon amie, I cannot reveal all my secrets. Mystique is part of my charm!"
The group collectively shrugged, clearly used to his antics by now. Leaning toward Momo, Itsuka whispered, "Is it just me, or are all the blondes at this school completely crazy, self-centered, and egotistical?"
Momo pressed a finger to her chin thoughtfully. Images of Bakugo and Monoma flashed through her mind before she nodded in quiet agreement. "It does seem to be a pattern…"
Echo Echo clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, Jirou, are you ready?"
Kyoka took a deep breath, giving a firm nod. "Ready as I'll ever be."
The group moved to the end of a street in Gamma City, an open space ideal for training. Echo Echo stepped forward, his small stature belying the power he was about to unleash. "Okay, first you'll need to inhale and picture the high note in your mind," he instructed, clenching his tiny fists. "We'll start small, just enough to get a feel for it."
Echo Echo inhaled deeply, his chest expanding as his body seemed to vibrate slightly. He paused for a moment, then exhaled—a piercing sonic blast erupted from his mouth, the sheer intensity reverberating through the air. The shockwave rippled outward, shattering distant windows into spiderweb cracks and sending loose debris skidding across the street.
The force was palpable, a low hum settling in the air after the initial blast dissipated. The group instinctively took a step back.
Mina blinked, wide-eyed. "Uh… that was 'starting small'?"
Kyoka winced, holding her headphones tighter over her ears.
Even Aoyama, usually unfazed, adjusted his pose, brushing a few stray shards of cracked glass from his shoulder. "Très magnifique… though perhaps you should warn us next time, non?"
Echo Echo looked at the small cracks in the nearby buildings and scratched his head sheepishly. "Okay, maybe really small next time."
Kyoka took another breath, steeling herself. "Alright, I think I get it. Let me try."
The group braced themselves as Kyoka prepared to unleash her own sonic attack, following Echo Echo's lead.
Kyoka stood still, taking a deep breath as she closed her eyes, trying to calm her nerves. She pictured herself playing her guitar alongside her parents, their melodies blending in perfect harmony. The rhythm of the music pulsed in her mind, her heartbeat syncing with the imagined beat. She exhaled and decided to give it a try.
"Aaaah!" Kyoka screamed, her voice strained and awkward. The sound fizzled out weakly, nowhere near the power she was hoping for. Her face turned crimson from embarrassment as she glared at the amused stares around her.
Aoyama cupped his chin, his usual flamboyant air intact. "Hmm, not quite as extravagant as I had envisioned," he said with a dramatic flourish.
Kyoka's glare darkened, and without a word, one of her earphone jacks snaked toward him. With a quick jab into his ear, she let out a sharp pulse.
"AAAAH!" Aoyama yelped, collapsing to the ground as he clutched his head. "Zut alors!" he cried dramatically before falling silent, foam bubbling at his lips.
Kyoka crossed her arms with a huff. "Serves you right," she muttered, her face still flushed.
"Last time you blew away Todoroki's strongest attack," Tsuyu said calmly, her tone analytical. "What was different about that?"
Kyoka scratched the back of her head sheepishly, looking away. "I don't know," she admitted. "I wasn't really thinking about it at the time. All I wanted was to not fail so miserably. I just... let it out."
Echo Echo, standing beside her, tugged lightly at her leg. "Maybe that's the trick?" he said, his voice echoing slightly as he spoke.
Kyoka raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Like... don't overthink it," Echo Echo replied, crossing his arms. "When you're performing on stage, you don't think about the crowd, right? You just focus on the music. Maybe it's the same with this—don't focus so much on what's around you. Just focus on the sound you want to make."
"I know you don't like singing in front of people, so maybe that's got something to do with it?"
Kyoka blinked at him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "T-That's not—Ugh, whatever!" she stammered before throwing her hands up in frustration. She marched a few steps away, turning her back to the group, her face red as a tomato. "Fine, I'll try it your way!"
Taking a deep breath, she let her earphone jacks twirl as she tried to settle into the rhythm she felt earlier. Her heart raced, and she closed her eyes again, imagining that same beat, the harmony she wanted to create. She focused, shutting out the world around her.
Inhaling deeply, she exhaled and screamed.
"AAAAAAHH!"
Kyoka's voice erupted with immense force, a sonic wave blasting forward like a thunderclap. The sound tore through the empty street ahead, shattering windows in its path. Shards of glass rained down, glinting like deadly stars in the daylight. Trash cans were sent tumbling and clanging down the street, and even the air seemed to ripple with the force of her scream.
The group covered their ears or clutched their headphones, wincing at the sheer intensity. The soundwave reverberated, leaving behind a deafening silence once it ended.
Kyoka stood frozen, her chest heaving as she processed what she'd just done. Her eyes widened with a mix of shock and pride.
"Well... that's one way to clear a street," Echo Echo quipped, a wide grin spreading across his small face.
Kyoka, still catching her breath, gave him a side-eye glare before breaking into a grin herself. "Oh, now you're quipping, huh?" she said, panting slightly.
Everyone around them was momentarily shell-shocked, staring at the destruction left in the wake of her scream.
"Kyoka, that was amazing!" Momo exclaimed, stepping forward with admiration in her voice.
"Whoo-hoo!" Ochako cheered, jumping up and pumping her fists into the air. "That was incredible!"
Ashido joined her with equal energy, bouncing on her heels. "You totally rocked it! That was so metal, Kyoka!"
Tsuyu tilted her head thoughtfully, her wide eyes blinking. "Ribbit. That sound wave was stronger than I expected," she said.
Aoyama adjusted his belt, his tone dramatic. "Ah, magnifique! Such an extravagant display of sound and fury, Jirou! A true performance worthy of the spotlight!"
Kyoka's face turned red at the barrage of compliments. She scratched the back of her head awkwardly, her earphone jacks wrapping around herself. "Ugh, you guys are embarrassing me! It's not that big a deal..."
As the cheers continued, Itsuka stood slightly apart, clenching and unclenching her fists. Her teal eyes were focused, her thoughts drifting back to the sheer strength she had summoned when she managed to hold her ground against Four Arms. The memory sent a shiver through her. If I could do it then, why can't I bring that same strength out on command?
Izuku and Ochako noticed her distant expression and approached. "Hey, you okay?" Izuku asked, concern evident in his voice.
Itsuka sighed, flexing her fingers before forming them into tight fists again. "I'm fine, just… thinking. I kinda want to draw on that strength when I face off against you someday, but I'm not sure how to make it happen when I need it."
Izuku cupped his chin thoughtfully, his green eyes analyzing her words. "Well, you're always training in martial arts, right? Don't you control how much strength you exert during your techniques?"
Itsuka blushed slightly, crossing her arms. "Yeah, but now, I'm worried if I go all out, I might, I don't know… accidentally decapitate Monoma or something." She gave a small laugh to mask her nerves.
Ochako grinned sympathetically. "I get it. I keep making random things float around me when I'm not careful. It's really annoying."
Izuku's face lit up with realization. "Oh! I think I know what's happening with you! I think you're creating your own orbit!"
Ochako froze, her face flushing a deep crimson. "M-My own what?!"
Itsuka blinked before bursting out laughing, clapping a hand to her forehead. "Izuku, you cannot say a girl is creating her own orbit!" she said, smacking his arm lightly.
"Ow!" Izuku yelped, rubbing the spot. "What? I meant it scientifically!"
Itsuka folded her arms."That's still rude."
Ochako hid behind her hands, her face flushed bright red from embarrassment. She felt her heart race a little too fast, her mind scrambling for a way to escape the situation.
"S-Sorry, Ochako," Izuku said, his voice soft and apologetic. He looked at her with concern, his brow furrowed.
Ochako peeked out from behind her hands, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's okay, Dekiru," she mumbled, still feeling the heat on her cheeks.
Izuku scratched the back of his head, trying to offer some help. "Do you remember what you were thinking about during your fight with Bakugou? Maybe that could help you figure out how to control your Quirk."
Ochako's mind wandered back to the fight with Bakugou. As the memory played out, her face flushed even more deeply.
Her hands turned pink again as the memory of his words and his presence at her side filled her mind.
She glanced at Izuku, her heart thudding in her chest. Without thinking, the objects around her started floating again, just like before. She gasped, her eyes wide.
"H-Huh?!" Izuku exclaimed, his eyes widening as the objects and even the people around him began to float off the ground.
"Eh?!" Itsuka blinked, startled, her feet leaving the ground.
"W-Whoa!" Mina shouted, her voice rising in surprise as she floated upwards.
Ochako's hands trembled slightly as she looked at Izuku, who was also floating. Her cheeks were burning, and the more she focused on him, the stronger her feelings seemed to grow. Without thinking, she flailed her arms in a panic.
"No, no, it's not what you think! I swear it's not like that at all!" Ochako yelped, trying desperately to stop herself from spinning everyone. But the more she panicked, the worse it got. Everyone began to float around her, spinning in chaotic circles.
In the back of her mind, a voice whispered, 'I... I love him.'
The realization hit her with the force of a freight train. She wasn't sure when it had happened or how it had gotten so strong, but there was no denying it anymore.
"AAA! URARAKA, STOP!"
"GETTING DIZZY!"
Izuku was spinning too, and his arms flailed as he tried to find some kind of balance. "Ochako, please, you need to stop!"
Ochako blinked and finally snapped to attention. "R-Release!" She quickly brought her fingers together, focusing hard.
The spinning stopped instantly. Everyone plummeted to the ground with soft thuds, groaning as they got back on their feet, dizzy from the sudden lack of gravity.
Ochako stood frozen, her face flushed with embarrassment. "S-Sorry, everyone," she muttered, her hands trembling at her sides. "I didn't mean to cause all that... I was just thinking and—" She caught herself, too embarrassed to finish her sentence.
Everyone groaned as they picked themselves up, their hair disheveled and their clothes a bit ruffled.
"It's okay..." Izuku said with a reassuring smile. "Do you have any idea what you were thinking about?"
Ochako's face turned bright red, and she shifted uncomfortably. "N-No..." she stammered, avoiding eye contact, her voice barely above a whisper.
Izuku stood up, brushing himself off. "That's fine! We can keep practicing until then!" he said, his voice full of enthusiasm and encouragement.
Ochako looked up at him, still flushed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. She nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest from Izuku's unwavering support.
"Yeah, I'll try my best!" she replied, her voice a little more confident as she blushed even harder, the feeling in her heart growing stronger.
...
After about 30 minutes, everyone began heading back to the dorms. Momo stood off to the side, watching Izuku chat animatedly with Itsuka. She felt a strange flutter in her chest as she observed them. When Itsuka waved goodbye and began heading toward the Class 1-B side of Heights Alliance, Momo took a quiet breath, her thoughts swirling.
"Izuku," Momo said, her voice steady but with a hint of nervousness.
"Oh... Momo," Izuku responded, noticing the change in her tone.
Momo shifted uncomfortably, her heart pounding in her chest. She seemed unsure of how to continue, but finally spoke, "In a few days, it will be my parents' gala... I know you're planning to go on your date with Kendo..." She paused, trying to gauge his reaction. "I just wanted to make sure our plans are still set?"
Izuku blinked, still uncertain of her tone. "I... I agreed to go with you first, so yeah, we're still good," he said, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "We're just going as friends, right?"
Momo looked away, biting her lip, and her voice became a little softer. "Well, not entirely..."
"Mh?" Izuku questioned.
Momo tugged a black strand of her hair behind her ear, clearly uncomfortable with the way this conversation was going.
"Right, but… it's not exactly the same thing as just a 'friend' attending with me. I'd like to be clear that… you're coming as my date." She said the words carefully, almost too seriously, her eyes avoiding his.
Izuku's face flushed crimson, and his mouth dropped open in shock.
Momo bit her lip harder, avoiding his gaze. "And I'd appreciate it if we didn't treat it like just a casual thing. Not as… friends."
she admitted, her words coming out more quietly now, as though she was unsure of how to express herself.
Izuku turned away slightly, his face flushed, and Momo caught herself staring at the ground, her gaze fixed on the pavement beneath her feet. She took a slow, steadying breath, her chest tightening with a mixture of nerves and resolve.
She never expected this conversation to be so difficult, but now that it was happening, she knew she had to push through.
"I'm not asking for anything complicated," she continued, her voice barely a whisper now. "But I don't want to attend as just friends. I want to go with you as... more than that." She felt her face heat up as she said the words, but she stood her ground, her usually composed demeanor cracking just slightly.
Izuku nodded, his face equally flushed, though he couldn't look her in the eye.
"Sure,"
Momo nodded in return, her heart still pounding, but a small, relieved smile tugged at her lips.
"Mh."
...
Katsuki Bakugou sat in his room, fists clenched around the bronze medal that Kirishima had pulled from the trash. His eyes burned into it, the metal reflecting the sharp edges of his growing frustration.
Third place.
Third place.
The words stabbed through his mind like daggers. He had come so close, and yet here he was, holding a medal that meant absolutely nothing.
He turned away from the desk, trying to shake off the weight of it. But then his thoughts turned to the entrance exam. He got second place. Second. Not first. It had always been the same. Second best.
"You're the best, Kacchan!"
The voice of young Izuku rang in his ears, filling his mind. His chest tightened. The praises. Always the praises.
"With a Quirk like that, you're going to be a great hero!"
"You're amazing, Bakugou!"
"Definitely a top pro hero!"
The words echoed in his mind, but instead of feeling pride, they only amplified the gnawing feeling inside him. Why hadn't he gotten first?
His breath started to quicken, and he gripped his head tighter, trying to hold it together. Every single person in his life—every single voice—had told him he was the best. But where was the proof? Where was his number one?
The Sports Festival had just been the latest blow. Third place again.
He clenched his teeth, but it didn't stop the memories from flooding in. Every test, every trial, he had fought to be the best, but he was always beaten.
The Quirk apprehension test. Bakugou had ripped through it with ease. He should have been first. But Izuku—the Quirkless loser—was number one.
The battle trial. He fought with everything he had. But who was left standing on top? Izuku. The same kid who couldn't control his power, the same one Bakugou had mocked, was the one who claimed victory.
And now, the Sports Festival. He was supposed to win. He was supposed to prove everyone right. But once again, Izuku had taken first place, leaving him in the dust with a damn bronze medal. Izuku, the one who had no right to be better than him, had crushed him in the one thing that should have been his.
Izuku was first.
Bakugou's chest tightened as the realization hit him like a freight train. The weakling he had spent years mocking. The one he had called useless. The one he had belittled. Izuku had surpassed him—and not just in the entrance exam, or in one trial, but over and over again.
Izuku. That damn Deku.
"He could never be a hero without a Quirk!"
The words slammed into him, and Bakugou squeezed his eyes shut, his chest tight with a suffocating sense of failure. He could still hear the mocking laughter, the jeering voices—people who had doubted Izuku, who had thought he wasn't worth anything.
And yet, that same Izuku had come out on top.
He was number one.
He has never lost.
A sudden thought cut through his mind, cold and sharp.
Deku. He's better than me.
The realization hit like a sledgehammer, and Bakugou's breath caught in his throat. That useless Deku—Deku—had surpassed him.
He couldn't breathe.
No. No. NO!
His heart pounded erratically in his chest, and the weight of it all crashed down on him. His eyes blurred as his vision spun, and his head throbbed violently. He could hear the voices louder now, all those damn expectations.
"You're the best!"
"You're amazing!"
"Definitely a top pro hero!"
They meant nothing. They never had. All the praise, all the words, it was all worthless if he wasn't number one. If he wasn't first, then it was all just noise. All of it was meaningless.
His breath grew shallow as his hands trembled. The walls of his room seemed to close in, and he couldn't escape the crushing realization.
He gripped his head again, trying to steady his breathing, but it was useless. He could feel his pulse in his throat, and his hands clenched into fists that shook violently.
'Why wasn't he number one?'
His whole life had been about being the best. But he wasn't. He had never been.
"Why am I not number one?!"
The thought screamed through his mind, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, his chest tightened, and his body trembled as the panic engulfed him. The weight of his own failure, the suffocating pressure of living up to everyone's expectations, became unbearable.
Deku had made it. Deku was number one now. And here he was, stuck with nothing but a stupid bronze medal.
"WHEN THE HELL DID YOU SURPASS ME?!"
...