- .My Hero Academia: 180 degrees. -
30. Where Deku and Uraraka skip school for a day
So… this is what skipping class felt like? Izuku thought as he walked alongside Uraraka through the busy streets downtown, feeling a little like a fugitive on the run, imagining someone might start looking for them at any moment. The nervousness made him tense. Maybe Uraraka had been right when they talked about parallel universes that one time. He definitely wasn't cut out to be a villain if doing something wrong felt this uncomfortable. He couldn't even imagine how those who dropped out of school felt.
Izuku shot a quick glance at Uraraka, who walked next to him with an expression that seemed completely calm and relaxed, perfectly at peace with their little mischief. Unlike him, she seemed to be enjoying the day off he had suggested. The contrast between them made him smile a little.
This isn't so bad, he told himself, trying to calm his mind as he remembered how carefully they'd planned everything to avoid any issues. With Hagakure's recent disappearance, the last thing he wanted was for people to think they'd been kidnapped, too.
It was pretty clear that neither his high school nor Uraraka's was particularly elite, so the chances of their parents getting a call over a single absence were practically zero. But to avoid any misunderstandings, Uraraka had informed Tsuyu and another friend from her school about her plan to take the day off. Izuku, on his end, had told Todoroki and Kacchan. The latter's response was predictable: —Like I care what you do with your mochi face! —Kacchan had grumbled, using that familiar tone of disdain and irritation. Todoroki, on the other hand, had just told him to be careful and keep his phone handy, just in case.
And now here they were, beneath the soft morning sun, with Uraraka walking lightly at his side.
—Is it this way? —she asked, pointing to a small street with a smile on her lips.
Izuku nodded.
—Yeah, just down there. Have you ever had these crepes before?
Uraraka shook her head.
—No, this would be my first time —she admitted with a sweet smile.
Hearing that made Midoriya feel a strange but pleasant warmth in his chest, thinking that if possible, he wanted to share many more "first times" with Uraraka from now on. He felt his cheeks heat up a bit but tried to smile naturally. Everything seemed perfect—until they reached the small stand.
—It's closed! —Izuku exclaimed, staring at the stand's lowered shutters.
—Or maybe they open a little later —Uraraka suggested optimistically— We could come back after walking around a bit.
—Yeah, maybe… —Izuku muttered, feeling a bit let down until a new idea popped into his head— I know something that might be even better than crepes!
For some reason Izuku didn't quite understand, Uraraka hid her hands behind her back and took a small step away, eyes wide and expectant.
—A-and what is it? —she asked, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
—You'll see! —Izuku grinned, feeling more confident now.
...
Without realizing how, the two of them found themselves inside a small, cozy café, where, for now, they were the only customers. The café was somewhat hidden among other, flashier businesses.
Uraraka closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the scent of freshly brewed coffee and pastries that filled the air.
—Smells amazing —she commented, while Izuku watched her. There was something about how she enjoyed the little things that made him feel... special.
—They have the best cinnamon rolls I've ever had! —Izuku said, his enthusiasm barely contained.
A burly young man with a kind expression and lips as thick as a doughnut approached their table, carrying two freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
—Thanks for saying that —the young man said, setting the plates on the table— Just for that, let me offer you the first rolls of the day, on the house.
—Wow, thank you, but… —Midoriya began to decline, only to be interrupted when Uraraka jumped to her feet, her eyes sparkling like stars.
—Really? On the house!? —she exclaimed, excited, seeking confirmation.
The young man nodded with an amused smile.
—Yes, of course. Just tell the cashier they're from Satou, and spread the word about this place to others.
—Thank you so much, Satou! I promise to recommend this place to all my friends for the rest of my life! —Uraraka replied with great enthusiasm.
Izuku and Satou exchanged glances for a moment before smiling.
The boy left them alone, and Uraraka sat back down, grabbing a small fork and taking a bite of her cinnamon roll. Her reaction was instant.
—This is delicious! —she said, eyes closed, holding her cheek with an expression of pure bliss— It's soft inside, fluffy, and the icing is perfect!
Izuku smiled, happy to see her enjoying it so much.
—Itadakimasu! —he told her before trying his own roll. As he took the first bite, his body relaxed from the warmth of the freshly baked pastry. A sense of comfort washed over him, and he couldn't help but close his eyes, savoring the moment.
Uraraka was watching him now, and a funny thought crossed her mind: "Cannibalism!" She giggled internally as she watched Izuku, so sweet and kind, devouring his cinnamon roll with evident satisfaction as he took a second and third bite.
He noticed her gaze and looked up, their eyes meeting. Ochako blushed slightly when she realized she had been caught staring, but soon returned his smile.
However, beyond the surface smiles, Izuku couldn't help but wonder if perhaps both of them were pretending to be this happy, avoiding the deeper worries they needed to talk about. Uraraka, for her part, pondered something similar behind her smile.
...
—How come I never knew about this place before? —Uraraka exclaimed, visibly delighted, as they walked out of the small café— And the best part is they didn't charge us for the cinnamon rolls! But... are you sure you don't want me to pay you back for the hot chocolate?
Izuku shook his head, offering a warm smile.
—I'm just glad you liked it —he said, a little modestly— But this was only our first stop of the day.
Uraraka looked at him with a mix of surprise and excitement.
—The first?!
Once again, without knowing exactly how, they found themselves at the entrance of a zoo. The sounds of animals and the lively chatter of people filled the air, creating a joyful and relaxed atmosphere. They wandered through the various sections of the zoo, laughing and goofing around in front of the animals and statues, posing for silly pictures, and enjoying the experience as if they were kids again.
—This place is really well-kept —Izuku commented, carefully observing the greenery and how everything was maintained.
Halfway through their visit, they came across a school field trip. A group of kindergarten children was walking in a line, led by their teacher, and both Izuku and Uraraka couldn't help but smile tenderly at the sight.
—You like kids too, Deku?! —Uraraka asked with her usual warm enthusiasm.
—Of course! —Izuku replied sincerely— Though... I'm not sure they like me as much.
Uraraka looked at him curiously.
—Why not?
Izuku briefly recalled his interaction with Kota, the little boy he had tried to help but ended up getting a low blow from instead.
—Maybe... I haven't quite figured out how to deal with them yet —he admitted with a nervous laugh.
Before Uraraka could respond, they both saw two heteromorphic kids in the distance, opening the gate to the small petting farm, where several animals roamed freely.
—Be free! —yelled one of the kids, who had a tiger-like face. As if the animals understood, they began running wildly, heading straight toward the kindergarten group.
—Watch out! —Izuku shouted, reacting instantly. He dashed toward the children, with Uraraka by his side, and both managed to scoop up two kids each, pulling them out of the path of the animals that could have trampled them.
—Sheepie! —one of the little girls said cheerfully, tugging at Izuku's hair, who imagined that this must be what a sheep felt like when getting sheared. However, that thought vanished when the other girl Uraraka was holding pointed ahead.
—Look at Kosei! He's so brave!
Uraraka and Deku turned at the same time to see a small boy standing in front of a goat that seemed ready to charge at him.
—Get out of the way! —Izuku shouted, trying to make his way through the animals still moving in every direction.
The goat started running toward the boy, but just as it seemed like it would ram into him, a long tape appeared out of nowhere, pulling him by the waist and dragging him out of danger.
—That was close —said a young man with dark hair, with tapes retracting toward his elbows, who seemed to have used his quirk to save the boy.
—I could've handled it! I've got my quirk now! —the little Kosei complained, frowning as he tried to lightly punch the tape guy in the face.
—Yeah, but... —the guy tried to explain, though he seemed a little awkward when dealing with kids.
Izuku couldn't help but smile at the scene. "Looks like I'm not the only one who struggles with kids," he thought, watching the tape guy sigh, clearly out of his comfort zone.
Meanwhile, another boy who appeared to be a zoo employee, with a quirk that seemed to allow him to communicate with animals, managed to round up the escaped animals and return them to their pens. The situation seemed to be under control, and the kids' teacher arrived, thanking everyone who had helped.
—Thank you so much for saving the children! —said the woman, looking sternly at the two little ones who had caused the chaos—. What were you thinking, opening that pen?
—I didn't do anything wrong! My dad told me animals shouldn't be locked up! —replied the tiger-faced boy, puffing out his chest as if he were defending a noble cause.
—I understand, but maybe you misunderstood what your dad meant —the teacher responded patiently. Then she turned to the rest of the kids with a softer smile—. Look closely at them, children! This afternoon, you'll draw them as a thank you for saving you. They were your heroes today.
The children's excitement was immediate, their voices filling the air.
—I want to draw the green lamb! —exclaimed the girl who had tugged on Izuku's hair, pointing at him excitedly—. And I'll give him red sneakers!
Izuku's eyes lit up, imagining how he'd be depicted, even if it were as an anthropomorphic version of himself.
—She looks like a happy kitten! —said another girl, looking at Uraraka, who couldn't help but laugh.
—And he looks like a little monkey! —shouted a boy, pointing at the guy with the tape.
Sero, now standing next to them, instinctively touched his ears upon hearing the comment, sighing in resignation.
...
Izuku waved goodbye to the children as they happily moved on to the next section of the zoo, their small voices filling the air with joy. As he watched them leave, he let out a soft laugh.
—This is the first time I've been called a lamb. Normally, people call me broccoli because of my hair —he commented with a mix of amusement and resignation.
Uraraka, walking beside him, couldn't help but giggle. The image of Izuku with a broccoli head popped into her mind, and she had to stifle her laughter.
—Of course! —she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she covered her mouth with one hand—. How did I not think of that before? Though, I guess the kids didn't think of it either since… almost no one likes that vegetable.
—Maybe —Izuku admitted, scratching his head as if trying to understand his own appearance through the eyes of a child—. But if I had to choose, I think I'd prefer to be a rabbit.
Uraraka looked at him in surprise, raising her eyebrows at the unexpected confession.
—Really? A rabbit? —she repeated, puzzled, but then an idea crossed her mind—. Oh! It's because you're Hatsume's guinea pig! You said so the other day!
Izuku quickly waved his hands in front of him, forming an X.
—I did say that, but that's not why, Uraraka! —he exclaimed, his face turning slightly red—. It's just… I've recently become a fan of the hero Mirko, mainly because of her fighting style, which focuses on using her legs, and also because of her smile. Actually, I have to admit…
Uraraka watched him, curious to hear what he was going to say next.
—I've practiced in front of the mirror, trying to imitate her smile. I think it strikes the perfect balance between reassuring the people she saves and being fierce enough to face villains.
—Mirko, huh? —Uraraka looked at him with curiosity, processing his confession with a mix of amusement and perhaps just a slight hint of jealousy for Mirko.
Though the mental image of Deku practicing Mirko's fierce smile in front of a mirror was, to say the least, adorable.
—Do you really like her smile? —she asked, still intrigued—. Actually, now that I think about it… it's a bit like Bakugo's when he fights!
Izuku froze for a moment, surprised by the comparison. He blinked several times, as if the idea were just now taking shape in his mind.
—Now that you mention it, it's true! —he admitted, laughing in disbelief—. I hadn't noticed.
—You know, I thought you were still mostly trying to emulate All Might —Uraraka said thoughtfully.
—Well... I used to, yeah. I was a huge fan. Actually, I think I can still do his impression— Izuku lowered his head, running a hand through his hair with a concentrated expression before looking up and doing his best All Might voice —I am here!
Immediately, Uraraka burst out laughing —That was spot on!
—Hahaha, thanks —Izuku chuckled, his expression returning to normal.
—You know, these past few months training with Mr. Yagi have made me realize something. Even though I've always taken notes on heroes I observed, whether on the streets or online, for a long time I became obsessed with the idea that if I ever developed my own fighting style, it had to be like All Might's. But now... I see that style wasn't the best fit for me —Izuku paused for a moment, glancing at Uraraka, who was listening intently—. It's not that I can't fight with my fists like he does, but using my legs just feels more natural now. Plus, I've injured myself less training that way. I'd like to think I'm no longer tied to that old obsession, and somehow, I've managed to adopt small things from other heroes to improve.
—That's excellent self-awareness, Deku! You always surprise me! —Uraraka praised him.
Izuku smiled a bit, somewhat embarrassed.
—Even though I still admire him a lot, I have to admit I have mixed feelings about All Might. I'll forever be grateful to him for saving my life.
—Saving... your life? —Uraraka repeated, confused.
—Ah...
Izuku immediately realized his slip-up. I haven't told her about that yet! A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. Should he tell her now? On one hand, if there was anyone in the world he'd want to talk to about what happened that day, it was Uraraka. But he didn't want to burden her with more worries, especially after everything with Hagakure and Himiko Toga. Besides, they had taken the day to cheer her up, not to make her worry about him.
Maybe sensing his internal conflict, Uraraka gently took his hand and smiled at him tenderly.
—You don't have to tell me anything you're not ready to share —she said, her voice calm and full of understanding.
Izuku felt a wave of relief wash over him instantly.
—Thank you, Uraraka —he responded, lightly squeezing her hand—. I do want to tell you, but it's... complicated.
—That's okay, whenever you're ready —she reassured him, giving a soft tug as they continued walking, still hand in hand.
As they kept walking, their steps fell into a comfortable, almost synchronized rhythm. The sun gently warmed their faces, and the air carried the fresh scent of cut grass mixed with the light splashing sound of water.
They arrived at the koi pond, and Uraraka giggled as the fish opened and closed their mouths as they approached. Izuku got some food to feed them, and they stood there in companionable silence, watching the fish until the food ran out.
Suddenly, they both broke the silence at the same time:
—Uraraka… / Deku…
They looked at each other, surprised by the coincidence, and a soft breeze stirred their hair, causing both of them to blush.
—You go first —Izuku said, smiling nervously.
Uraraka tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before speaking.
—First of all… I just want to thank you, Deku —she smiled, looking at her reflection in the pond now that the koi had scattered—. I know taking this day off was because you and Tsu are still worried about me, about everything that's happened recently. And while I want to tell you again that I'm okay, maybe I've been holding back some things I haven't shared with you guys yet.
—I know you've been trying to be strong as always, Uraraka —Izuku began—, but I also know this is affecting you more than you're letting on. And you don't have to pretend everything's fine. Not with me. I don't want to pressure you into telling me anything you don't want to, but I want you to know that I'm here. I really am.
Uraraka blinked, clearly moved. Her eyes softened, and for a few moments, she seemed to search for the right words. Finally, she leaned over the railing, exhaling slowly.
—About Hagakure… I can't stop thinking about how we left her behind —she said seriously—. What if Toga's doing all this because of me? What if it was my fault for not insisting Ojiro and I go back and look for her?
—It's not your fault —Izuku responded firmly, stepping closer—. No one could've predicted what would happen.
Izuku's words seemed to soothe her a little, but even so, Uraraka sighed, the weight still lingering.
—I think I know that, but it's hard not to feel somewhat responsible... —she murmured—. And it's not just that... there are other things that have been worrying me too.
—Other things? —Izuku asked, his interest piqued, noticing the weight behind her words.
—After Aoyama's party... I talked to my parents about something else —she said, hesitating.
Izuku remained focused, his green eyes reflecting genuine concern.
Uraraka paused, as if she needed to gather courage before continuing. Her lips curved into a sad smile. She looked ahead at the pond, watching the koi lazily swim under the sunlight while the wind kept playing with her hair. She began to recall her conversation from that night:
She had just closed the door behind her at home.
—Ochako, please sit down, there's something we need to talk about —her mother requested, and Ochako complied, though with a worried expression.
Her parents sat down as well, exchanging a look that only heightened Ochako's unease. Then, her father broke the silence.
—We noticed earlier that you ran into Kai Chisaki —her father said cautiously—. Did he say anything to you?
Ochako frowned, recalling the encounter.
—No —Ochako replied, shaking her head—. Actually, he told me that you would explain what the conversation was about.
Her parents exchanged another glance, and Ochako could see her mother nodding, giving her father permission to continue.
—There's something we've known for a while but didn't want to tell you, mainly to avoid worrying you, Ochako —her father began, his voice full of seriousness—. But now, I think it's important that you know. The man you saved with his car and daughter is the leader of an organization called Shie Hassaikai, which is currently under police investigation for distributing illegal drugs in Japan.
Ochako was speechless. She had seen that man as polite, even kind, when he showed her the gift for his daughter. Nothing at the time had made her think he was dangerous. But now, hearing this revelation, a chill ran down her spine. If he truly was a yakuza leader, and someone had tried to kill him, then it had all been a gang-related conflict. Had she put her family in danger by getting involved?
Her father seemed to sense her concern.
—We're not saying you were wrong to save Kai Chisaki and his car —her father quickly clarified—. We're very proud of you, Ochako.
—Thanks, Dad —Ochako responded, though unease lingered. A question formed in her mind—. So, why did he come here today?
Her father took a deep breath before answering.
—Well, it seems Chisaki found out about our family's financial situation and offered to loan us money to help with the business.
Ochako's stomach churned. Something about Chisaki's offer didn't feel right. Why would he want to help them? And at what cost? Her mother, noticing her discomfort, intervened to reassure her.
—Don't worry, Ochako. As much as your father loves architecture, after hearing Kai Chisaki's offer, he decided to decline —her mother explained, trying to ease the tension in the room.
—What a relief! —Ochako sighed, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders.
—Although... —her father continued, rubbing the back of his neck nervously—. He was quite insistent on wanting to repay us in some way. I guess that's just how yakuza operate, but honestly, it was a bit scary for a moment.
Ochako looked at her father with a mix of admiration and concern. She knew how much the business meant to him and how hard it must have been to turn down the offer of a new loan, especially since he had been struggling to secure one from the banks in recent months.
—Your father was very firm, though! —her mother tried to cheer her up, smiling at their daughter.
—That's admirable... and a little scary! —Ochako said, trying to keep the tone light, though the worry was still evident in her voice.
Mr. Uraraka sighed, feeling the weight of the decision he had made.
—I won't deny that it was difficult to decline. As your mother said, I love architecture, and I had many projects in mind. Kai Chisaki's offer was more than generous and would have helped us a lot with the company's current situation, but it's better to declare bankruptcy than to spend sleepless nights knowing we owe the yakuza, especially when their money comes from drugs.
—Declare... bankruptcy? —Ochako murmured, feeling a lump in her throat. For a while, she had believed the situation was improving, especially with her efforts to rebuild the bridge that had damaged the company's reputation.
Again, her father seemed to read her thoughts.
—Don't think for a second that what you and your friends did was in vain —her father tried to reassure her—. The situation improved thanks to your help, and we've received some project proposals, but... the company had already been carrying significant debts long before this happened.
Mr. Uraraka thought of the smiling faces of his workers, those who had remained loyal to the company despite the difficulties.
—Some of our employees kindly offered to keep working, even if we couldn't pay their salaries on time, but that would clearly jeopardize the financial stability of their families —Mr. Uraraka said, his voice breaking as the first tears began to fall down his face.
Ochako felt a knot in her chest at seeing her father like this. She couldn't hold back anymore and ran to embrace him.
—Dad! —Ochako cried, tears streaming down her face as she clung to him.
—Don't cry, sweetie —her father murmured, hugging her tightly—. We knew this could happen. At least we're still in time to pay off all our debts and move forward.
Ochako pulled back slightly, her eyes filled with tears but her voice full of determination.
—But... what if after I graduate, I work full-time for the company! —she suggested, her eyes brimming with tears.
Mr. Uraraka hugged her tenderly, stroking her hair.
—I would never ask you to give up your dream to fulfill mine, Ochako —he said softly, but with firmness—. You have to follow your own path.
The three members of the Uraraka family embraced each other, tears flowing, sharing a moment of vulnerability and strength.
...
After listening to her story, Midoriya felt a deep urgency in his chest. Without thinking too much, he took a step closer, and before he could stop himself, he took Uraraka's hand and wrapped her in a kind of awkward hug. It was a clumsy gesture, but filled with warmth and sincerity. At first, she tensed, surprised, but then she relaxed, burying her face in his shoulder as she softly sobbed.
—You're not alone in this —he whispered—. I'm here.
The silence that followed was comforting, with the gentle rustle of the wind through the leaves surrounding them. For a moment, it was as if part of the weight they carried had lifted. Uraraka took a deep breath, but continued sobbing and breathing against Izuku's neck, gripping his hand tightly, carefully retracting her thumb to avoid making him float.
—Thank you, Deku —she said softly—. I'm here for you, too.
Izuku nodded, trying to smile, though his expression wavered a bit. The knot in his stomach didn't fully disappear, but at least he knew he had managed to share some of Uraraka's pain. They both stayed silent for a while, watching as the koi fish returned, drawn to the leaves that were falling into the water.
...
The park they had arrived at after leaving the zoo surrounded them in a peaceful atmosphere, with the wind gently swaying the leaves of the trees, casting shadows that danced around them. Izuku and Uraraka walked side by side on the fresh grass. The sunlight filtering through the treetops gently brushed their skin, and both checked their phones, just to make sure everything was fine with the rest of the world.
Uraraka continued to share more about her family situation. She explained that her family had been in the construction business for generations, but after her paternal grandparents passed away, her parents had to mortgage the house several times to save the business. Her father kept going into debt to avoid laying off his employees, many of whom had worked for their family for generations as well. However, the situation had become unsustainable due to the constant stress her parents faced because of the mounting debts.
—Even so... it must be especially hard for your father —Izuku mused after a brief silence—. Giving up his dream for the sake of his family. I think he's an admirable father.
—He really is! —Uraraka responded, perking up a bit and offering him a bright smile, to which Izuku responded in kind.
Taking advantage of an ice cream cart that passed by, they bought a couple of lemon popsicles. The tart, refreshing flavor contrasted with the warm day, and little by little, any heaviness in their hearts seemed to fade. Soon, they found themselves laughing at small things, feeling lighter with each step they took.
The park led them to a clear lake, where the water reflected the clear sky and the treetops. In the distance, a few children were skipping stones, trying to make them bounce across the water's surface, but soon grew tired and left after a few attempts. Inspired by the scene, Izuku and Uraraka decided to try it too. They both bent down to pick up some flat stones from the lake's edge, ready to see who could make theirs skip the most times.
The result of their first attempt couldn't have been more opposite. While Uraraka had cheated by using her Quirk to make her stone float until it disappeared into the horizon, Izuku's stone went quite far but without skipping a single time on the water.
Uraraka couldn't help but burst out laughing again.
— I thought I would've improved at least a little since I was four! —Izuku complained.
— You won't improve if you don't practice, no matter how much time passes. The secret's in the wrist. Watch —she said, positioning herself behind him and grabbing his wrist to show him the proper hand movement, repeating it twice— Like this! Like this!
For some reason, one that Izuku couldn't pinpoint at first, he suddenly became acutely aware of how close they were. Maybe... it was partly because he could feel Uraraka's soft, warm chest pressing against his back. Of course, he didn't want to be rude while she was explaining how to skip stones—information that would've been invaluable when he was younger and could've helped him avoid Kacchan's teasing. But now, in the present, he couldn't help but turn around to look directly at her, completely losing focus. She seemed a little surprised at first, but when their eyes met, it was as if she knew his intention, even before he fully realized it himself. Izuku's hand, still held by her wrist, let go of the remaining stones as he leaned in, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks, until his face was very close to hers.
—Deku...—Uraraka murmured, almost breathless, but enough for Izuku to understand they shared the same desire. Gently, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer, their lips meeting in a slow, warm kiss that enveloped them completely.
Instinctively, Uraraka pressed her chest even closer to Deku, and the sensation made them both open their eyes slightly to look at each other, though they didn't pull away. They closed their eyes again, feeling the midday sun warming their bodies as they stayed still.
Uraraka's hands were now resting on Izuku's shoulders, but soon she felt the need to move them to his back, pulling him even closer.
A small sound escaped both of their mouths, causing them to open their eyes once more, and when their gazes met again, the intensity of the moment left them speechless. They simply let themselves be carried away by the warmth they were sharing.
The wind played with their hair as the lake reflected their forms along with the calm sky.
A large cloud suddenly appeared, covering the sun, but the warmth they shared didn't fade.
...
The rain poured heavily over Izuku's building as he opened the door to his home and looked into the darkness of the entryway.
—A-are you... sure this is okay, Deku? —Uraraka asked nervously, peeking in from the threshold before daring to step inside.
Izuku nodded, though his own insecurity hung in the air—. Y-yeah, Uraraka. After all... you've been here before, remember? —he tried to reassure her, though he felt the stiffness in his own steps as he moved further into the entryway—. You came to visit me... when we first met.
—It feels... like that was so long ago —Uraraka said, finally stepping inside and carefully closing the door behind her.
Izuku, unsure how to respond, quickly moved toward the nearest closet. He pulled out a couple of towels and offered one to Uraraka, who accepted it with a shy smile.
—Thank you —she said as she started drying her hair.
Izuku watched her, his eyes catching the gentle motion of her hands, and a warm, almost familiar feeling settled in his chest.
—Do you... want to take a shower?
The question slipped from his lips before he could think, and as soon as the words left his mouth, a deep blush spread across his cheeks.
—I mean... not both of us... not together, of course... Oh no, definitely not! I mean, I don't... —Izuku waved his hands, trying to correct himself, his words coming out awkward and rushed.
Uraraka laughed, a soft sound that filled the room and eased any tension that might have built up.
—It's okay, Deku —she said with a smile that lit up the dim room—, I know what you meant, but no. I'm fine.
Izuku thought that Uraraka was always there to help him, even in simple things like not making him feel embarrassed by his clumsy words.
Uraraka moved closer to him, taking one of the towels he had just started using to dry himself. Without saying anything, she began to gently dry his hair. Her fingers moved through his strands with a tenderness that made him shiver slightly. Through that small gesture, Izuku could feel the warmth and care she had always shown him, but now, in the midst of the storm, it felt wrapped in a deeper intimacy.
—Now your hair looks... like seaweed —Uraraka joked with a sweet smile, but her words trailed off when she noticed the expression on Izuku's face. His gaze, locked on hers, was more intense than she was used to, deeper.
Izuku stood still, captivated again by her closeness. He could feel the warmth of her hands, a touch that both unsettled and comforted him at the same time.
—But... you look... really cute like that... —Uraraka murmured, her voice trembling slightly.
At that exact moment, a flash of lightning illuminated the room, brief but intense, and it was as if that strike of light shattered the last barrier between them. Without thinking, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her close with unexpected resolve.
Izuku looked at her, his eyes searching for some sign in hers before closing the distance between them. Their lips met in a kiss that immediately deepened, exploring one another with a desire for closeness that had been held back for months.
—Uraraka... —Izuku whispered against her lips, his voice barely audible, as if saying her name made the moment even more real, filled with a mix of emotions that burned in his chest.
—Deku... —she responded, her voice a blend of sweetness and longing.
The intensity of that first kiss left them breathless, and when they pulled apart just enough to breathe, their gazes remained locked, as if they were afraid that if they let go, the moment would vanish.
But it didn't. They kissed again, this time with more urgency, as if each kiss was a confirmation of what they had both felt for so long. Uraraka took a small step back, her back meeting the wall as Izuku's hands tightened around her waist, as if he needed to make sure she wouldn't go anywhere.
...
Both school jackets now rested on the back of two dining room chairs, waiting to dry slowly. The atmosphere in the room was still thick with the dampness from the storm outside, and though the windows were closed, the echo of the rain continued to reverberate in their minds, accompanying the lingering sense of uncertainty that hung in the air.
—I'm s-sorry, Uraraka. I shouldn't have gotten that close. I-I don't know what came over me... —Izuku stammered, his ears burning bright red as he rummaged through his bedroom closet, looking for something to lend her after she mentioned feeling a bit cold due to the temperature drop.
Uraraka, though equally embarrassed behind the door, chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension—. Don't worry, Deku. Besides… we both kind of got swept up by the atmosphere of the storm, don't you think? —she said with a smile before gently pushing open Izuku's bedroom door—. Can I come in?
—Ah! No, no, no, no! —Izuku extended his hands in a desperate attempt to stop her, but it was already too late.
—This is... — Uraraka stepped inside and found something she didn't expect: a minimalist, refined Japanese-style room.
Izuku let out a resigned sigh before offering a sheepish smile—. Todoroki... He offered to remodel my room recently as a thank you for letting him stay at my house for a while. He said it would be done in a day, so I thought he'd only make a few small changes, but... well, it turned out like this —he smiled nervously—. My mom almost fainted when she saw it. I feel a bit embarrassed because... it kind of contrasts with the rest of the house.
—I get it— Uraraka said, still surprised and wide-eyed—. You can tell Todoroki has potential to be an excellent contractor. And also that he cares about you a lot, Deku.
Izuku, feeling a bit more at ease now, pulled out a light green hoodie with his name embroidered on the chest from the closet.
—Will this work? —he asked, offering it to her.
—Yes, thank you —she replied, accepting the hoodie with a genuine smile.
As she put on the hoodie, the soft fabric brushed against her skin, bringing immediate warmth. But as the atmosphere became comfortable again, the tension between them resurfaced. A thick, loaded silence formed between them, much like the one that had filled the living room moments earlier. They locked eyes for a moment that lasted just a bit too long, the connection hanging in the air, but now they were in the intimacy of Izuku's room, which only intensified the feeling.
Trying to break the moment, Uraraka attempted a small joke—. Look, now I'm like Deku! Plus Ultra! —she exclaimed, raising one arm dramatically.
But in that instant, a memory hit her like a wave. The image of Himiko Toga flashed in her mind, reminding her of a day at the shopping mall. They had been playing around in the men's clothing section, trying on all sorts of outfits. Toga's laughter still echoed in her ears, and she could vividly see her stepping out from behind a dressing room curtain in a navy suit, throwing a punch into the air and saying, "I'm Saito" with a playful smile. That scene, so innocent yet loaded with complex emotions, left her a bit stunned.
—Uraraka? Are you okay? —Izuku, noticing the sudden shift in her expression, stepped closer, worried.
She blinked, shaking her head quickly—. Yes, yes... I'm fine. I just… zoned out for a second. Don't worry.
But the memory lingered in her mind. Himiko, with all her conflicting emotions, remained an enigma to her, someone she had tried to understand but who always slipped through her grasp. However, now wasn't the time to think about that, not right now.
Izuku, seeing her slight unease, tried to cheer her up and not make her feel uncomfortable—. Uh, well... do you like fried eggs?
Uraraka couldn't help but laugh at the sudden and unexpected question. The laughter, though brief, broke the tension, bringing a new lightness to the room.
—Yes, Deku, I love fried eggs —she responded with a more relaxed smile, grateful that he, unknowingly, always knew how to bring her a bit of comfort.
—Great! Then... I'll make you some —Izuku said with determination, as if that simple act was his way of protecting her from whatever was bothering her, even though he didn't exactly know what it was.
As Izuku headed toward the kitchen, Uraraka watched him, feeling how his presence, his warmth, and his sincere awkwardness always wrapped her in a comforting sense of peace.
Once in the kitchen, Izuku hurried to put a kettle of water on for green tea.
—Aaaa! —Uraraka suddenly screamed, startling Izuku.
—W-what happened? Did you see a bug or something?! —he asked nervously, frantically looking around in all directions as he grabbed a can of insect spray, ready to take action.
—No, no, it's not that. Why would it be a bug? —she replied with a playful smile—. I just remembered we never went back for the crepes you wanted me to try.
Izuku, visibly relieved, slumped his shoulders and let out a sigh.
—Oh, that. Please, don't scare me like that, Uraraka —he said, putting the insect spray away and touching his chest as he tried to calm down—. I guess it'll have to wait until next time.
Uraraka thought about that, and though she spoke in an optimistic tone, there was a note of concern in her voice.
—Deku, have you... thought about whether we'll really have time to hang out once we start at UA? From what I've heard, the new principal, Aizawa, is pretty strict. I'm starting to think we'll barely have any free time. And it'll probably be like that for the next three years. Then, well, being professional heroes doesn't seem like it'll leave much room for anything else either.
Izuku paused for a moment, setting down the pan he was holding as he considered her words.
—Yeah —he said more seriously—, I've been thinking about that too. But I guess that's why it was a good idea to take this day for ourselves, while we still can.
He smiled warmly, and Uraraka couldn't help the heat rising to her cheeks. She turned slightly, hoping Izuku wouldn't notice her sudden blush.
—Do you think your mom will be back soon? —Uraraka asked with a hint of concern, glancing at the front door and then at the kitchen clock, which read 1:30 p.m.—. Maybe she'll be upset if she finds us here. This isn't exactly a normal time to say we left school and came all the way here.
Izuku, as he cracked a few eggs into the pan and covered them with a lid, responded:
—Don't worry. She's working late today.
—I didn't know your mom worked, Deku. Though I guess it's pretty normal —Uraraka commented.
—Actually, my mom inherited a property and some money from her family a few years ago, which has been a big help. Thanks to some safe investments, we've been doing okay. But sometimes, my mom takes part-time jobs to get a little extra income and also to stay active.
—I see —Uraraka nodded, understanding the situation—. It must be nice to have inherited money instead of debt, like my family did —she added with an awkward smile.
—Y-yeah —Izuku smiled, though he wasn't sure how to continue the conversation, so he distracted himself by opening the fridge to grab some mayonnaise and ketchup—. We also have some meat sandwiches Mr. Yagi gave me. He said they have the perfect calorie content for training —he offered, trying to be a good host.
—No, thank you. I'm trying to eat less meat —Uraraka politely declined.
Izuku nodded and continued setting the table.
—That's probably for the best. The other day, I found a hair in one of them... I think Mr. Yagi's losing his hair from stress. He even had an accident recently, but he didn't want to give me many details. Though I trust he's not involved in anything dangerous.
Uraraka, while choosing between the mayonnaise and ketchup, smiled warmly. —It's a bit mysterious, but if he's helped you that much, he must be a good person.
—Yeah. I really... feel so lucky for all the people who have helped me these past ten months —Izuku said as he stood beside her, holding Uraraka's hand. They both stayed still, their eyes meeting in a moment that seemed to stretch on, a sense of nervousness and something more filling the space between them. But before they could get any closer, the sharp whistle of the kettle broke the tension.
—Ah! The water! —Izuku exclaimed, almost jumping as he quickly got up to turn off the stove—. That reminds me... we also have frozen taiyakis! Do you want some?
—Y-yes, please —Uraraka responded, still feeling a bit nervous from their earlier closeness—. I love sweet things.
Izuku placed the taiyakis in the microwave, trying to calm himself as the soft hum of the appliance filled the kitchen. As he watched the taiyakis, he couldn't help but let his thoughts race in his mind.
"I have to stop trying to kiss her at every chance... Before she thinks something weird about me. Especially since we're alone at home."
The sound of the microwave pulled him back to reality. He turned around with the plate of taiyakis in hand, forcing a smile that he hoped looked relaxed and natural. —These were given to me by a friend of Mr. Yagi's. I think you'd find him pretty funny, Uraraka.
—If you say so. Let's eat them while they're hot —Uraraka picked up one of the taiyakis, but after the first bite, her expression quickly changed—. It's cold!
Izuku looked at her in surprise. —What? But that can't be. I used the defrost setting.
Uraraka glanced at the large plate in the microwave and, with an understanding smile, explained, —What happened is that you put a huge plate inside. Since it's so big, it doesn't spin and only heats on one side —she said, pointing to the microwave. With a soft laugh, she teased, —Looks like your mom does everything for you.
—No, no, don't think that! —Izuku hurried to defend himself, visibly embarrassed— My mom must've changed the microwave recently, and I didn't notice.
—Relax, I was just kidding —Uraraka laughed gently and helped him rearrange the taiyakis on a smaller plate—. This is how they should be placed. They say that food in the center of the plate doesn't heat up well.
—Thank you so much, Uraraka. This is the second time today you've taught me something new —Izuku chuckled a bit, feeling a little embarrassed, and he couldn't help but remember that halfway through her explanation about skipping stones, he'd gotten distracted thinking about kissing her. He covered his mouth to try to hide a fresh blush.
—But you also showed me that cute café and listened to my worries. I'm the one who should be more grateful, Deku —Uraraka replied as they both continued watching the taiyakis in the microwave.
...
After finishing their meal, they quietly helped each other wash the dishes. Without saying much, they stood side by side, Izuku drying while Uraraka washed, every movement syncing in an unintentional but perfect rhythm. At one point, their fingers brushed against each other, and that brief contact made Izuku blink, feeling a familiar warmth spread through his body.
'It's so... strange, but at the same time, so familiar,' Izuku thought, a shy smile curving his lips. 'It almost feels like we're a young married couple. And I don't mind it at all.' A soft blush tinted his cheeks at the thought.
Suddenly, Uraraka's voice snapped him out of his daydream.
—Deku... you know? —she said, without taking her eyes off the sink as she finished washing the last spoon. The light blush on her face made her look even more adorable under the soft glow of the kitchen lights— I'm still... a little cold.
...
Before Izuku could fully process what was happening, Uraraka reached out her hand toward him, and with more gentleness than he ever thought possible, they intertwined their fingers. Izuku followed her, almost hypnotized by the feeling that blossomed in his stomach and spread through his chest, down to his hands, which trembled slightly, but didn't let go of hers. As they walked down the hallway toward his room, the sound of his heartbeat seemed to echo louder in his ears.
When they entered the room, he noticed that the rain, which had been insistently tapping against the window earlier, had softened into a light, humid breeze, a distant echo that wrapped around the atmosphere. Uraraka, still holding his hand, lifted the blanket, slipped underneath it, and with a small, shy smile, invited him to lie down next to her. Izuku swallowed, wanting to say something, anything, but the words got stuck in his throat. He lay down, and the feeling of the blanket covering him, along with the warmth radiating from Uraraka beside him, was both comforting and terrifying.
Looking at her from the side, he saw her gazing at him with those bright eyes and a soft smile that completely disarmed him. Uraraka raised her hand, barely brushing his cheek. The touch was so gentle, it stole his breath away.
—T-this is better, isn't it? —she asked, her voice almost a whisper, with a faint blush visible under the dim light that filled the room.
Izuku, his heart racing wildly, nodded slowly, unable to take his eyes off her.
—Yeah... it's perfect like this —he murmured, barely finding his voice.
The nervousness was still there, but so was something else... something that made him want to be even closer, to experience more of these small moments of warmth. Without thinking, his trembling hand reached out, and he placed it on her cheek, gently caressing it.
And in that instant, the outside world faded from his mind. There was no more sound of rain, no wind, no cold. It was just the two of them, in the quiet intimacy of the room, with their hearts beating in sync. Every kiss, every brush of their hands, brought them closer, as if they were learning something new together.
...
Author's Notes. -
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