- . My Hero Academia 180 degrees. -
13. Where Deku talks with Uraraka at night about his fight with Kacchan, he opens up about his past and tells her she's cute.
(Segments marked with * due to suggestive IzuxOcha themes)
Lying in bed, Deku held his phone close to his cheek, the faint light from the screen barely illuminating the contours of his face as he stared up at the darkened ceiling of his room. The silence around him contrasted with Uraraka's soft voice coming through the speaker on the other end.
—And did your mom scold you? —she asked, her tone concerned but warm.
—No, and she didn't punish me either —he replied, placing an ice pack over his eye— The first thing I told her was that the fight was with Kacchan, and she immediately assumed it was just self-defense.
—Well, that's true.
—Even though Kacchan was the one who started it... if I'm being completely honest, I've wanted to face him for a while. Don't get me wrong, Uraraka. Despite everything that happened before, I don't hold any grudges against Kacchan for bullying me in school. It's just that now that I've gotten a little stronger, a part of me wanted to see if the gap between us was still as wide, or if it had closed even just a bit.
—I see... So how do you feel now?
Deku thought about it for a moment. Lying there in the quiet of his room, everything seemed a bit clearer.
—I think better. During the fight, I was able to tell him I intended to catch up to him, and I was also able to understand Kacchan a little more. He told me he doesn't want to be treated like someone weak and that it bothered him when I offered him help.
—But all of this started when you were only four years old —Uraraka responded, her voice filled with slight incredulity—. Shouldn't Bakugo have gotten over it by now?
—It sounds pretty immature, doesn't it? —he admitted— But after hearing him out and thinking it over, I realized that I've felt a little like that too, about something my mom said when I was that age.
Deku replayed the scene in his mind.
—When I was four, and the doctor told me to give up on becoming a hero, I asked my mom if I could still be like All Might. She started crying and said she was sorry. —Deku's eyes narrowed as the weight of that memory pressed down on him. He could still feel the echo of that childhood despair, the sensation that his dream was crumbling—. Those were the words I least wanted to hear at that moment. It felt like she was asking me to give up, and at the same time, like she was pitying me. That's why I can't really dismiss what bothered Kacchan so much.
—But you didn't do it consciously, right? —Uraraka tried to lighten the mood—. I mean, you genuinely cared about him when you offered to help.
—That's exactly what I explained to my mom when we talked. I didn't want her to feel bad after all these years. —Deku slowly rolled over onto his bed, the mattress creaking beneath him as he placed the ice pack back over his eye—. Then I told her I wanted to try the U.A. entrance exam, and she promised to support me from now on.
—I'm really happy for you, Deku! So, I was right!
Deku smiled, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest at Uraraka's words, though he suddenly reacted.
—Ah! Sorry. I think I've been talking about myself for a long time. I must be boring you.
—Not at all! These rivalry stories between boys are just as interesting as if I were reading them straight out of a manga. You two would definitely be the protagonists!
Deku couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh at the mental image.
—Hahaha, you're really cute, Uraraka.
—Ah…
—Ah..?
In an instant, the awkwardness between them was palpable, even though they weren't physically together, and Midoriya cursed himself once again for thinking and feeling something far too compromising between them.
'It's like we're lying in bed together,' he thought, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks.
When had he ended up lying down while talking to Uraraka? Had he been too distracted to notice? And the bigger question, "Was he somehow enjoying this awkwardness now?"
He shook his head forcefully, sitting up in bed.
—You're... very sweet too, Deku —Uraraka responded softly, and then Midoriya felt a sharp jolt in his chest.
'Now she is really saying it to me!'
His hands started trembling, and without meaning to, he dropped the phone. When he tried to pick it up, his fingers slipped awkwardly over the screen, and to his horror, he accidentally ended the call. He froze, his face going pale, mimicking the famous pose from The Scream painting.
Nooooo!
'I need to call her back!' he thought as he tried to recover from the shock. But just as he was about to, his phone vibrated in his hand, showing a message from Uraraka on the screen.
You must be tired. Let's talk tomorrow. Goodnight.
Deku let out a sigh of relief, though the warmth in his cheeks lingered.
Goodnight, and sorry he replied immediately, making sure not to make another mistake.
Finally calming down, he placed the phone next to his pillow and lay on his side. But no matter how hard he tried to relax, his mind kept replaying the events. The echo of Uraraka's words resounded in his head, making his heart race every time he remembered them.
'How am I supposed to sleep when I feel this anxious?'
...
Completely flushed and in her pajamas, Uraraka clutched her phone to her chest.
—Deku...
...
*.
The glow of dawn was already starting to tint the horizon with gold as the waves gently crashed onto the beach. A light salty breeze drifted through the air, bringing with it a sense of serenity that sharply contrasted with the tension slowly building between Izuku and Uraraka. Their feet, firmly planted in the sand, seemed to represent the physical manifestation of their determination as they both prepared for the upcoming fight.
—I'm glad you agreed to come earlier, Deku —Uraraka said with a smile that lit up her face, but her eyes carried a seriousness that couldn't be ignored—. Today, we'll see the results of our training. Your mixed fighting style against my martial arts. And I don't want you to go easy on me, understood? Not because we're friends, and definitely not because I'm a girl.
Izuku nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her words. The breeze played with his green hair, but his gaze was locked on her, focused, as if he knew this day would be crucial for both of them.
—Understood, Uraraka. No holding back —he responded firmly, assuming a defensive stance as if his mind was already calculating potential moves and strategies.
The sun, still low, began to rise over the horizon, bathing them in a warm light that enveloped the scene. It was as though the world itself was calm, quietly observing what was about to happen.
Without warning, Uraraka was the first to move, launching herself at him with a speed that would surprise anyone who underestimated her strength. A precise punch was followed by a flying kick. Izuku, though impressed, blocked both attacks with agility, his mind fully focused as he analyzed every movement.
The sound of sand shifting beneath their feet marked the rhythm of their steps. Uraraka only stepped back slightly, a spark of surprise flickering in her eyes. However, before she could fully recover, Izuku gave her a gentle push with both hands against her chest, causing her to stumble back on the sand.
A faint blush appeared on Uraraka's cheeks, but she masked it as best she could, keeping her eyes fixed on him. She wasn't going to let a simple shove distract her.
However, as she moved forward again, she noticed something. While Izuku was blocking her attacks and calculating her moves, he wasn't actually striking back. He was only deflecting her blows, pushing her aside with gentle motions. Frustration began to rise inside her, and after a final exchange of blows, Uraraka stopped, breathing slightly heavier.
—Deku... —she said, her voice filled with determination and a hint of irritation—. You're not really attacking me. I told you not to hold back. Fight me like you're facing Bakugo!
Izuku, surprised by the intensity in her words, remained silent for a moment. But something clicked inside him. He couldn't underestimate her, not when she was asking him to give his all. He clenched his fists and nodded seriously.
Without a word, Izuku moved forward. This time, his movements were faster, more precise. Uraraka barely had time to react when he unleashed a series of calculated attacks. Each strike carried real intent, controlled but powerful. She stepped back, feeling the sand shift beneath her feet as she struggled to maintain her balance.
Izuku didn't stop. In the blink of an eye, he used the same maneuver he had practiced with Bakugo, catching Uraraka in a swift, effective hold and gently but firmly bringing her down to the sand.
Both were breathing heavily, their bodies exhausted from the effort. Uraraka, lying on the sand, stared up at the blue sky for a moment, trying to process how Izuku had managed to overpower her so quickly. Surprised, she let out a sigh and, finally, gave him a thumbs-up, admitting her defeat with a smile.
—Alright, Deku... —she said, her voice breathless but full of admiration—. You win. You're incredibly fast.
Izuku, also breathing heavily, leaned over her, placing his hands on either side of her body, creating a barrier between them. His green eyes, still bright with the thrill of the fight, gazed at her with an intensity Uraraka had never seen before.
—Uraraka... —he began, his voice a little shaky—. You said no holding back, right? —he paused, gathering his courage—. Then... I have to confess something. I don't just see you as a friend.
Uraraka felt her heart pound in her chest. His words took her completely by surprise, and the blush on her cheeks deepened. Despite her confusion, she couldn't help but smile, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
—That was kind of a weird way to say it, Deku... —she murmured, her eyes meeting his, which shone with a mix of nervousness and sincerity—. But... I get it. I don't just see you as a friend either.
The moment became even more intimate as Izuku leaned in a little closer, and Uraraka, feeling that something special was about to happen, closed her eyes, her heart racing with anticipation.
However, several seconds passed, and she didn't feel what she expected. Confused, she opened her eyes only to find Izuku looking at her with an incredibly concentrated expression.
—No holding back... —he muttered, and before Uraraka could process what was happening, Izuku began to take off his shirt.
—De-Deku, what are you doing?! —Uraraka exclaimed, her mind in chaos.
—No holding back... —he repeated, approaching dangerously, his hands lowering until they touched one of her breasts.
—Uraraka... —he said with an intensity that left her breathless.
—Nooo! —Once again, before she could process things calmly, and driven by a reflex stronger than any other emotion, she punched him so hard that Izuku's face became cartoonishly flattened in the center.
In reality, Uraraka woke up with a start, realizing she had punched her own face while sleeping. The darkness of her room was the only thing surrounding her, but her heart was still racing from the intensity of the dream.
"No, no!" she thought, shaking her head and placing her hands on her cheeks, still blushing. —Deku is the sweetest and most innocent of all! He'd never do something like that! —She gave herself a few light taps on the head, trying to erase the images from her dream. —That was not cute! Not cute at all!
*.
Midoriya felt something strange. He knew he was still lying in bed and sensed that it was still nighttime, but he couldn't move or open his eyes. It was probably one of those sleep paralysis episodes he had experienced before. Somehow, he was aware that it was just a matter of time before he could move again, so he waited.
Time passed slowly in near-total silence. Then, without warning, he felt the weight of a presence on top of him. Unlike the typical terrifying sensation often described in stories about sleep paralysis, this presence felt oddly warm, like it belonged to someone familiar, someone close. The figure moved beneath his blankets with unsettling familiarity, slowly sliding from his stomach to his chest.
—Deku... —the voice was soft, sweet, filled with affection.
He couldn't see who it was, but he didn't need to open his eyes to know. It was Uraraka, her presence unmistakable, and somehow his heart began to race at the realization. He could feel her warmth pressing against his chest, and as she moved higher, his breathing became erratic, his heart rate spiking.
—Deku... —she repeated, closer this time, her warm breath brushing against his skin.
His face and body began to heat up, and though he tried to calm down, he couldn't stop his body from reacting. The pressure on his chest, the warmth of Uraraka's body so close to his... It was all so confusing. He tried to move, to do something to escape the situation, but he remained motionless.
Then, suddenly, he felt Uraraka's embrace, pulling his head against her chest with a tenderness that left him breathless. The soft beat of her heart thudded against his face, each pulse syncing with his own racing heartbeat.
—...you're so sweet, —she whispered.
Her words struck him like a jolt of electricity. 'Oh no! What is this? A fantasy in the middle of sleep paralysis?' he thought, trying to make sense of it all. Everything felt so real, so warm, but... it couldn't be true. He had to do something! This wasn't right!
He struggled internally, trying not to get lost in the moment, convincing himself he had to break free from the confusion. But the more he tried, the more difficult it became. The weight of Uraraka on him, the warmth of her body, the softness of her skin against his... It was overwhelming.
Several minutes passed where all he could feel was Uraraka's body adjusting next to his, as if she was searching for the perfect position. His right arm was pinned beneath her, and though he tried to move, all he could manage was a slight twitch of his fingers.
Finally, with tremendous effort, he managed to roll his body to the right, his breath ragged from the strain. But instead of waking up completely, the fantasy persisted. Now, Uraraka's body was curled against his, her hip pressing gently against his abdomen, her neck resting just beneath his nose.
'She smelled really good.' 'It was like they were lying together.'
He knew these thoughts had been in his mind for a while, so he wasn't going to pretend that this fantasy had appeared out of nowhere. He had been thinking about Uraraka recently, about what he felt for her, how much he admired her. And now, this mix of dream and paralysis only amplified all those feelings.
With a sense of acceptance, allowing himself to indulge in the fantasy just a little longer, he imagined wrapping his arm around Uraraka's waist, holding her gently, and burying his nose in the crook of her neck, where he imagined her warmth and scent would envelop him. And soon, he drifted back to sleep.
Author's Notes.-
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