Chapter Text
Smoke rose from fires as firefighters and water-based heroes tried their best to put them out. The sounds of sirens roared to life as paramedics tended to the injured and the police gathered to take in/cuff the defeated criminals. A pink-skinned woman was amongst the carnage, sitting on the ground and huffing, out of breath from the fierce battle that had taken place just moments ago. Her cyan and purple bodysuit had damage across her entire body, showcasing various cuts and bruises she had sustained. She was exhausted but alive, which was a victory in her book!
“Pinky! Are you okay? Where are you injured?” One of two paramedics asked as they rushed over to her, their first aid bags zipped open the second they kneeled beside her.
“J-Just some scraps and bruises. I-I’m fine,” she weakly grinned, trying to reassure them that she was alright. “Focus on the civilians, I just n-need a minute.”
“What have I told you about being careful?” a new voice asked, followed by Pinky being lightly whacked on the head with a cane. She yelped in pain as the paramedics turned, relief etched on their faces. A woman with short white hair dressed in a pink and blue bodysuit towered over them all, and she did not look happy.
“H-Hey, Nova.” Pinky waved weakly, flinching as the other hero raised her cane again.
“Reckless! Pure recklessness, just like my mom always complained about,” Nova sighed, reaching a hand out and touching Pinky’s head. The hero glowed a soft white color, her injuries vanishing away nearly instantly. “She’ll be alright, you two see if anyone else needs help.”
“Yes ma’am!” the paramedics shouted in unison before dashing off, leaving Nova as she helped Pinky to her feet.
“I’m telling Mom what happened the next time I go visit her. Be ready for a very angry phone call,” Nova warned, causing Pinky to pale.
“H-hey! I did what was necessary! Please don’t tell Shuzenji,” Pinky whimpered, making Nova chuckle in delight.
Pinky, real name Mina Ashido, and number 28 on the hero ranking scale. Nova Guardian, real name Kata Shuzenji, and number 35 on the hero ranking scale. Old classmates of class 1A, arguably the most dysfunctional yet heroic class in UA history.
“Even after seven years, you’re still as hard-headed as ever.” Nova shook her head in disapproval before giving a small smile. “Acidman really came through; the big guy is being escorted to Tartarus as we speak. I managed to heal you but you’ll be exhausted soon, get home and get some rest. That’s an order, don’t make me call Momo and tell on you.”
“Ugh, you’re so booooring,” Pinky sighed exasperatedly before the two hugged. “Fiiiine I’ll goooo, but drinks are on you tomorrow!” Pinky snickered before using her acid to skate away, ignoring her friend’s cries of ‘not fair’ and ‘didn’t agree to that’ and ‘don't overextend yourself!’
Was Pinky going to listen to the advice of her friend? Of course not! Instead of skating her way toward the agency, Pinky continued her patrol as if she weren’t a ticking timebomb of tiredness.
She didn’t get far, unfortunately, perhaps three or four blocks before Nova’s quirk started to slowly kick in and made her feel drowsy. The pro shook her head, trying to keep awake as she skated towards a vending machine. It took just 15 seconds for her to get an energy drink and chug every last drop, a new personal best if she remembered correctly. Pinky threw the can away before getting another and started chugging that as well; another two or three would probably keep her awake long enough to finish patrol.
“Didn’t I tell you those things were bad for your health?”
The new albeit familiar voice caused Pinky to choke on her drink and enter a coughing fit, one which soon ended thanks to the person patting her back to help. She turned to the voice, eyes widening like saucers at the familiar messy green hair, diamond freckles on each cheek, and that damn warm smile.
“M-Mr. Midoriya?!”
(Flashback)
“Okay, come at me with everything you’ve got!”
“Uh, are you sure about this Mr. Midoriya? I don’t want to hurt you,” Rikido Sato asked hesitantly, causing his teacher to laugh. Class 1A was located inside Gym Gamma today, with the focus on today’s lesson being hand-to-hand combat, without using their quirks.
“Do you really want me to tell Aizawa you’re holding back?” Midoriya asked, making his student pale in horror. “C’mon! Come at me!”
Sato nodded at the command and charged, running at his teacher much like a bull did towards a bullfighter. Midoriya stood there smiling, waiting as Sato got closer and closer. One second Sato was throwing a punch at his teacher, and the next thing he knew, he was on his back with the air knocked out of him. Midoriya dusted his hands clean before turning back to the class.
“ That is why you never underestimate your opponent! It doesn’t matter if they have a ‘weak’ quirk or are quirkless, you never know what kind of training they have under their belt,” Midoriya said, causing many to nod in understanding before he helped Sato up. “Everyone take a few minutes to relax, after that I want everyone in pairs of two to train. I’ll let everyone know when it’s time to trade dance partners,” Midoriya said before patting Sato on the shoulder and motioning the student to follow.
“Damn, Mr. Midoriya is no joke! He’s super manly!” Kirishima said, pumped up with a fire in his eyes.
“Kinda hard to believe how strong he is. Dude looks like a stick figure,” Sero joked.
“Please refrain from mocking our teacher! Mr. Midoriya is using his years of experience to teach us the best lessons he possibly can!” Iida scolded with a few chops of his arms.
“Do you think he’ll pair up with me if I asked?” Mina suddenly asked, chin in her hand as she stared dreamily while their teacher taught Sato how to avoid a counterattack.
“Easy there tiger, we want to learn from the guy. Not make him appear on Japan’s sex offender registry,” Jiro said while poking her friend with her jack.
“Dude, this is the most down bad I’ve ever seen you. And we’ve been friends since middle school,” Kirishima sweatdropped, making Mina roll her eyes.
“Can you blame me?” she asked, once again watching as Sato failed to counter Midoriya and ended up flat on his back. “He’s smart, attractive, funny, treats us with respect, wants what’s best for us-”
“So how most teachers are,” Jiro cut in, causing others to chuckle as Mina huffed.
“This is different!”
“Alright class, everyone pair up and get to training! Don’t hold back, but also don’t horribly injure your partner either. Bakugo, I’m looking at you.” Midoriya smiled as the class laughed, making the blond in question grumble in annoyance. As the class started to gather together, Mina let her eyes linger a few seconds more, a small smile forming as she turned and paired up with Kata.
(Flashback end)
“Aww, you still remember me! I’m touched,” Midoriya chuckled, readjusting the several grocery bags in his hands.
“Seriously? How could I not remember my favorite teacher?” she asked with a wide grin, feeling her heart rate increase.
“Oho, favorite huh? Am I allowed to rub this in the other's faces? I'm sure Midnight will be crushed,” Midoriya half-joked. “I saw you take down all those villains on the news. I'm very impressed Ms. Ashido, you were absolutely flawless,” he praised, causing the pro to blush a dark purple.
“M-Me? Y-You flatter me, Mr. Midoriya,” Ashido stuttered, her calm and cool composure quickly melting. “Um, are you walking home? M-My patrol is finished, I-I could carry some bags. Only if you want, of course. If not I'd under-”
“A private escort by the Pinky herself? I'd be honored.” He smiled, causing Ashido to grin and nod happily. He passed her some bags before leading her towards his home. “It's been a while, how's life? I heard you have an agency of your own now.”
“Oh, you know, busy, busy, busy. Bleh, being an adult sucks,” she laughed, and Izuku followed suit in agreement. “But other than that, I've been good! Kicking villain butt, hanging out with the class whenever we have the time, stuff like that. How about you, Mr. Midoriya?”
“Ashido please, you're an adult and no longer my student. You can call me Izuku,” Izuku said warmly, causing Ashido to smile. “And the usual, teaching the next wave of pro heroes while trying to keep Aizawa from killing any of them. They have potential but are nowhere as amazing as your class was.”
“Well duh, I'm not in there,” she joked, causing Izuku to chuckle as he walked up some stairs to an apartment building.
“I will say I've missed the… energy you brought to class.” Izuku nodded as he led the way up to his apartment.
“Flattery will get you nowhere Mr- Izuku. Izuku,” she shook her head, feeling a warm and tingling feeling from using his first name. He probably thought nothing of it but the act felt so intimate to her.
“Is it really flattery if it's the truth?” He asked while unlocking his door. “I truly do miss you and your classmates. I haven't had that much fun teaching in years,” he admitted, the truth causing her to frown. She never thought to invite Izuku to any class gatherings; she felt dumb because of course he missed them!
“Oh! The class and I usually gather every once in a while. How about you come with us next time? I'm sure everyone would love to see you again,” she offered as she eyed his apartment.
It was simple, with a short hallway leading towards a spacious living room, littered with various cabinets full of knick-knacks, hero memorabilia, and framed pictures of him and various people. To the right was a kitchen, and further down the room was another hallway that seemed to branch off in two different directions. It was a nice apartment, one that only a UA teacher could afford.
“I appreciate the offer but I'd hate to be a bother,” Izuku said as he and Ashido placed the bags down.
“Pleeeeease? I know everyone will be so happy to see you again! Please please please?” She begged while giving him puppy dog eyes, causing Izuku to hesitate before sighing.
“Okay, okay, I'll come join the next time y'all hang out,” Izuku agreed, causing Ashido to grin wide and happily.
“Thank you Izuku! I just know everyone will… will…” she trailed off as the room suddenly started to spin.
“Ashido? Are you okay?” Izuku asked, concerned as she stopped talking. He turned, eyes widening in surprise as she started to fall. His instincts kicked in as he dove, catching her before she could fall. “Ashido!”