Chapter Text
At the lecture on heroism that Uravity got asked to attend this morning, alongside her former classmates and dear friends, Creati and Red Riot, a particular fan stands out in the crowd.
Thick, blonde bangs. Affectionate eyes that scream passion and the kind of hope that can only be seen in those of young souls. A cute smile...
(Not the cutest in the whole world, but close enough.)
Consciously or not, these are the things that caught her attention. That is, at least at first.
The others’ own admirers thankfully distract them, and there stand crowds in several lines made for them. A bunch of children, teenagers, and even a few young adults with sheepish grins, boys and girls and all the above. She's not supposed to greet anyone yet, since she’s going to stay longer than her colleagues. So maybe she shouldn't sneak off stage to greet someone, just because the attention isn’t on her at the moment…
But no one would mind, would they? No harm in indulging a bit, is there…?
“You're so pretty, Uravity-san... I hope my future girlfriend is just like you! You’re my favorite since, like, forever~” the little girl makes sure to pour her heart into each statement. “Ever since you went pro!”
Uravity's laughter echoes through the space. She instinctively covers her mouth. Oops. “Weren't’cha a baby, though?"
The blondie pouts, a little ashamed. “... But it still counts, right?"
“Oh, it does! Don't you worry ‘bout that,” the brunette hastes to give her a quick pat on the head.
Quick, because she didn't mean to do it in the first place, backing off as soon as she realizes it happened. The kid, however, seems delighted. Quiet for a moment, she plays with her hair. Then, sounding strangely shy, the girl wonders: “What you said before, it's really true, right, Uravity-san? My mom says you're not as cool in real life, just on TV, but Mom can't be right. I mean… You really think everyone can be whatever they want! No matter what.” She looks up with a wobbly grin, still checking with a cautious glance. “… Don't you?”
Something about this child’s conviction in proving how the one crushing her hopes is mistaken, even when it is so easy to tell she doubts those herself—it keeps the woman silent for a second too long.
Ochako shakes her head, abruptly, crouching down to talk to the young dreamer eye to eye.
“Yeah. Not a TV thing—I swear it on my family." The words leave her mouth far too strong for a question a random kid made. She does not think about it. ‘‘You… Do you have any goals, kiddo? Dreams?’’
Her lips immediately part. Once again, the younger one's gaze carries shame within. “I always wanted to, um... be a doctor…? Mom says that's for people with healing quirks nowadays. Said they don't need me there."
“That's—that's not very nice to hear." Criticizing parents wouldn't help at all. She holds back the urge for a wider frown and phrase. ‘‘Well... I mean, I know a few doctors who don't have healing quirks. Even if I didn't, I'd still tell you to go for it—become the first one! That'd be awesome, now wouldn't that?" Ochako beams. The little girl's cheeks turn pink. “Oh! You're familiar with my friend Shōto, aren't you?"
“Mmm, you guys have interviews together. He's funny!"
She nods. “I know, right?! But the point is, one of his brothers' a doctor! No healing quirks involved. See? You can do it, too, I'm sure of it. Just keep doing your best and study real hard!”
The kid nods and smiles, and that's enough. Has to be. By accident, the hero's eyes fall on the dark red markings painting her body.
“Um…! I’m a bit curious, if you don't mind me being nosy. What's your quirk?"
The blonde scratches her arm, ashamed once again but willing to answer regardless, as if she has no actual choice in the matter when it comes to her dearest person.
“It's... it's a little creepy. My classmates joke and say it makes me act like, um, like a shark…?” Her little vampire teeth threaten to sink down her lip. “My senses improve a bit when I sniff blood. I can smell it, kinda…"
It takes Uravity a moment to put a smile back on. When did it get lost in the first place?
“That sounds great, sweetheart. I know someone who would get crazy invested in the stuff you might be able to do with it, you know! Cool quirk you’ve got there. Now, well, i-it’s been a while, huh. What do you say we go find your Mom? She might not bring you to my next event if she thinks I’m a kidnapper, right?!”
The little girl gives several bubbly giggles, small hand covering her fangs as she goes. “Yeah! Okay, Uravity-san.”
Ochako tastes—and swallows—metal.
That night, she wakes up in a heartbeat.
Head and eyes growing heavy, heart aching and beating painfully hard against her tight, compressed chest, attempting to escape it once and for all. There are hot tears and cold sweat running down her face and dripping off her chin. Huh.
That same nightmare, all over again.
Ochako glances down in a hurry at the green-haired man on her bed, just to check if he's still asleep before taking her eyes off of him to lazily wipe those ugly tears away.
… Right. She got overwhelmed throughout the entirety of the lecture earlier, tried to distract herself with her phone once she was done with it and ended up reading comments about her relationship (?) with Deku. How they look together, the way they’ve gotten closer these last few days, since they will be somewhat of work colleagues now that his hero suit got done.
Ochako thought nothing much of it at first. She was uncertain. That was, until a certain girl popped into her head and talked in an alarmingly velvety voice.
“Ochako-chan,” she called. Smiling. Bleeding. “You poor, sweet little thing. Won’t you embrace those feelings of yours already? Maybe allow yourself some love…?
Live a little!
For little old me.”
After everything that girl had to go through suppressing her own feelings, not getting to live as much as she deserved and was supposed to… Uravity—no, Ochako herself—, with all the freedom she has in this new life, at the very least, owes her that much.
So, she asked Deku out for dinner.
And that’s when things really started to go downhill.
Back to checking out the scene, Ochako’s breath steadies slightly upon the realization that she's still wearing her pink last night’s pajamas. She sighs.
Right.
Nothing happened.
The lack of light in the room tells her it might still be the middle of the night, and Ochako tries being responsible. She does tell herself she needs more sleep. But not really. Tomorrow is her day off, after all. What if she just... got off the bed and started doing something useful? Like reading or cleaning, or...
Or maybe something less useful. Like social media? Yes. Social media. That's exactly what she needs right now. Funny little harmless distractions from humanhood!
Ochako looks for her phone, then curses. Damned vicious cycle.
The screen hurts her puffy eyes, but at this point she's pretty established in going through with it. Ochako taps on the first app she finds and goes looking for news to try entertaining her messy mind, scrolling down with little interest. There are some remaining posts concerning Monoma Neito's birthday (which was crazy, if Ochako was to summarise it), All Might's upcoming one (isn't it too early for this, anyway?) and a bunch of fashion tips that her friends have been desperately trying to encourage her to enjoy more. She doesn't get it, though. Why are all the women in such tight dresses? Is that what womanhood is supposed to be about?
After more and more scrolling and shippers and fandoms and celebrity gossip, something finally manages to catch her attention. It's a post from a popular news account, telling some sort of insider leaked information about a villain being released from prison.
Just by opening the comment session, one can tell the people didn't enjoy the case much.
Comments
‘Has to be a f#cking joke'
...
‘What did she do to deserve this? She's a murderer!'
...
‘That b#tch should be dead already. Why the hell not give her the death penalty??'
...
Ochako exhales deeply, then reads the whole paragraph in the caption to see who is the person so horrible as to receive this type of messages. Unlikely, but oh well.
The words get a bit jumbled together.
‘It is speculated that the woman's imprisonment began the same month the war ended, and she remained in jail for eight (8) years, for Murder and Terrorism. Her sentence was reduced thanks to her being proven involved before reaching the age of majority with the long-gone criminal group, League of Villains
. It is also believed that she's a victim of the Quirk Singularity theory, not being physically able to contain herself. However...'
Every single part of the hero's body feels suddenly rigid, heart pounding fast.
Right there, in a huge, dark font, is her name.
Ochako reads it cautiously.
‘HOT NEWS! After 8 years, T0G∆ H1M1K0 is released & sent to X psychiatric hospital'
She gasps for air and forces her eyes to read it again.
One of the strongest villains of the world.
Toga Himiko.
Himiko-chan...
Ochako fights herself so she can take one last look. Right below the caption, attached to the post, is a photo of the cutest being in the whole world.
She puts the phone away. Her head goes straight to her hands, as if on instinct.
... What have I done?
Izuku wakes up with a racing heart.
Running to get his things and go to work, he soon realizes it's not a work day at all, and none of the things he planned to look for are around. By a matter of fact, nothing there is around is his.
Those pink sheets stare back at him. What was he doing in Uraraka-san's house, again?
The memories of earlier today come to him eventually:
Izuku finally had the suit ready. All gear tested and approved by whatever regulations were threw at them. Kacchan had spent the last few years planning things out with All Might in secret, until at last telling him. Every one of his friends had helped in some way, and excitement was nowhere near close to explaining his feelings, so of course, the young man needed to share those and thank his friends properly!
That's when he decides to go to a lecture event Uraraka was going to attend, planning to fill her in after. It has been months since their last proper conversation, and she totally deserves one.
What he didn't expect was, however, what happened afterwards—
Uraraka had asked him out!
Oh, and talking of the devil… seems like she left him a bunch of messages while he overslept.
Uravity! 🪐
Hey Deku-kun
I'm busy today, can't stay. Sorry!!!
There's stuff for breakfast in the fridge just in case [06:45 a.m.]
Love ya! [06:47 a.m.]
The man tilts his head to the side but gets up nonetheless to fix up the bed. He's incapable of finding something for breakfast other than what lays on the table’s fruit bowl, so that's what he prepares while thinking about her texts.
It's seven in the morning, after all — What would she be doing at this hour, on a weekend?
Once he has a full belly and is done cleaning the mess he made (a bowl and barely dirty cutlery), his phone buzzes inside from the inside of his pocket.
It's not who he was expecting to hear from, but Izuku can't stop a smile after glancing at the name the contact was saved with.
Shōto! ❄️🔥
Hey, Midoriya.
Are you busy right now? [07:15]
The message instantly picks his interest, that's for sure. It's been six years since they graduated from U.A. and, consequently, six years without them having any real exchange. Hanging out together is almost impossible considering how the whole gang spends all day doing hero work, and Izuku understands them; he's also been busy teaching. But...
You (Midoriya Izuku)
Hey, Shōto, it's been so long!
I' wouldn't say I’m busy, not at all 🙃
Why do you ask? [07:16]
Shōto! ❄️🔥
I took the day off and I dunno how to spend it. My siblings were busy and Mom told me to use the opportunity to see my friends [07:16]
Would you like to come by?
Actually, I can pick you up, if you don't mind. [07:17]
Izuku's smile widens. He thought of me!!
You (Deku)
That'd be nice! It's been ages since I last saw you
Do you know where Uraraka-san's place is? You can pick me up here if it's not too much effort!! [07:17]
Shōto! ❄️🔥
You're... in her house? [07:18]
You (Deku)
Um, yes!
We, uh
Nevermind haha.
Is it too far? I can still go home or straight to your place [07:18]
Shōto! ❄️🔥
No, don't worry about it [07:19]
Got it.
I'll be there in 15. [07:22]
You (Deku)
Oh okay see ya!! [07:22]
It's always easy to spot Shōto, for obvious reasons, but he wears soft tones and modest clothes anyway, usually blue or gray ones, as if he could ever afford to be missed in a crowd. One might say that's one of his trademarks, even.
This time is no exception, and the only thing against those pattern rules of Shōto’s is a pair of black jeans.
By the time Izuku opens the front door to greet him, the man is already standing there, a hand on his pocket and the other on his overpriced gray-cased phone — which has a little keychain attached to it. Unluckily, Shōto puts it away before Izuku gets the chance to see whose merch that trinket is.
“... Midoriya," he quietly greets, reminding Izuku to pay attention. His eyes lay softly on his from above. God, he's gotten huger. “Hey."
He quickly fixes his posture, attempting to mirror the other man's. “Shō—to-Todoroki-kun. Hi."
Although well aware of how awkward Shōto can get, he does take notice—and take notes—on this casual touch his behavior has to it right now. The man puts a few strands of hair to rest behind his ear and starts walking, silently inviting the other to follow. The action would've seemed a lot more rude if done by high school Todoroki—or ‘Earlyroki’, how Sero-kun likes to call it. Now… Well. That's almost kinda cute, the way his steps hit the ground so gently they make no sound, as if he'd be sad to hurt the local ants by accident or something. Izuku's lips curve into a little smile.
“I think that's the first time I see you with your hair down," he points out. Then he realizes what he just said… and then he cringes internally. That wasn't supposed to escape his thoughts at all.
“Ah. This?" The man holds a few locks between his fingers again, humming lowly. “Mhm, I can't say it was on purpose. It grows very quickly, and I didn't prioritize making an appointment to see a hairdresser. Maybe doing so would be smarter than going out randomly, but I didn't think of that before…”
The Todoroki’s eyebrows furrow, approaching each other as he picks at his cheek, embarrassed gaze losing targets.
Izuku chuckles. “Maybe. But oh well. You're just lucky, then! Long hair really does suit you, you see."
“You think so?"
“Uh-huh! With your face type this length fits very much, not to mention it goes well with your style as somewhat of a ‘tradicional japanese hero', if we consider the ancient roots, like the samurais, and... I-I mean. Um, I think so, yes."
He pauses, thinking about it for a few seconds before nodding. “I see... Thanks."
His cheeks go from a burning red to a reasonable pink. He does not stutter when he exhales, letting his shoulders take a break and fall. “Anytime."
Ochako hurries through the glass door straight to the reception counter the second the Hero Public Safety Commission sign catches her eye, immediately taking out her ID from one of the dozen pockets her new pants have. Partnerships are partnerships… It’s not like she gets to advertise for something she never wore, you know?! That's just wrong. Also, they're not half bad, either. She can get used to this tightness. She will.
“Please excuse me—hi. Can I have a word with Takami-san? I'm Uraraka Ochako, as in the Uravity hero, if that helps. It's kind of urgent!"
The receptionist looks up at her from the company's overpriced chair they're currently sat on… then at the wall right behind her, where a huge poster displays URAVITY, Woman of tomorrow! in bright pink. They blink twice before any sound leaves their gaping mouth.
“Uh. Yeah. I'm—I'm aware of who you are. But Takami-san is busy right now. In fact," the worker adds as they flip through a notebook. The thing is thick and crammed with sticky notes. “Boss will stay busy for the next 17.5 days or so.”
Ochako’s eyes pop, competing against her furrowing eyebrows. “Are you sure?! It's very, very important that I get to ask him some questions, ‘cuz we had an agreement and I think he forgot about it ‘cuz so much time passed since last time, y'know? A-and I need to—!"
She stops herself once realizing her fists have been on that desk. She runs her fingers through windblown strands of hair, biting her lips, taking half-assed breaths.
“I just… I need answers. And he has them.”
“My apologies," the attendant deadpans. “I’ll gladly let him know you came later and refer you to another member of the institution, but Takami-san didn't mention anything about having visitors, so I'm not going to interrupt him today."
Ochako rubs the back of her neck. “Oh, yeah, my calls weren't coming through earlier, which is kind of why I came here in person in the first place..."
“... Well. In that case, I'm really sorry, however—"
The device on their table rings. Quite loudly. The receptionist stammers before pushing the red button on it, causing its microphone to turn on. Keigo's voice comes out of the speaker with an apologetic tone to it.
“Yo, what's up you guys! You, uh, can let the lady in. There's actually something I wanna talk to her about. In my office, that is."
The attendant rolls their eyes, facepalms, and goes back to facing an awkward, far too stiff Ochako. At last, they sigh, pointing towards the closest elevator metal doors. “Go to the top floor. There will be a single, lonely door there, since Boss’ an oofy idiot."
Ochako holds back a chuckle that feels offbeat to her otherwise tense body. “T-thank you very much!"
She ponders the possibility of floating to the man's window from the outside all the way through that elevator ride to what feels like the thousandth floor. Arriving might as well have been a miracle, so of course she strides into the office.
Maybe she's being too much, but this girl’s not going to blame herself for having reasonable reactions. Not anymore.
“So…! Have you been keeping in touch with others?” Izuku attempts some small talk during the short walk the two have to the classic Japanese brand black car, perfectly clean and without a single scratch anywhere. “Honestly, I'm flattered. I thought you'd invite someone else… You're so popular now. Not that you weren't before,” he adds, smirking at the memories that come along.
Shōto scrunches his face into a frown. How can there be zero wrinkles?! Wait... is he mad at me? “What makes you say that?” His voice comes out deeper. “Midoriya, we’re friends.”
“Of course I know that,” he waves both hands in front of himself, shrinking a little, taking a step or two back. “I'm just wondering; why not see your other friends?”
“Um, I did. Kind of. You're the second classmate I've asked out since graduation, I think—Uraraka asked me out, though, so it doesn't count.”
He meant to say something along the lines of ‘oh?’. However, what comes out is more like… “Oh. I see. That's nice. Who’s the other lucky one?”
There is no hesitation to be spotted as the man answers, “Yaoyorozu.”
“… Oh.”
Izuku freezes and stares blankly into space. Then it hits.
“Oh. You guys are—”
“—Reconnecting, yes. My therapist thought it'd would be a good idea to spend time with my friends and coworkers, and Yaoyorozu lives close by. Um, Yaomomo. I've been trying to be more friendly to her since she's always been so nice to me, but the honorifics never made much sense in my head…”
Izuku blinks twice or thrice before his lips are folding again. “Pfft. Yeah, they just aren't your thing, huh? Though I'm sure she appreciates the effort you put into remembering her nickname.”
Shōto hums, shrugging. “Hope so. I don't want to offend her.”
“You won't, she probably likes you so much already! She would always compliment you in class, remember? And we're all friends,” Izuku states with a small, soft smile. “Right?”
“Yeah… Of course, you're right as usual, Midoriya.”
He giggles. “What? Since when am I your moral compass?”
“Since our first-year…?” Shōto tries to joke around, not without sparing his friend a glance or two meanwhile to make sure it won't go that bad. “You make a good compass, Midoriya, I would know.”
“Pfft… So you're wittier, too. ‘Wonder how your family's been adapting to that… Rhetorical question for teasing purposes,” he adds, holding back laughter, upon seeing the other man's lips parting to answer. Cute!!! “They’re doing okay?”
For that, the man smiles. A full-on smile Izuku's seen on TV a bunch of times now, but that is still too precious to just accept without extra appreciation. “Mmm. My siblings seem a lot happier these days, and Mom’s been spending most of her time cultivating her new garden…” He pauses. His lips tremble slightly, but he insists, and the light in his eyes proves this effort is worth it. “… Touya-nii’s skin looks healthy now, the scars have been fading more and more over the years. Recovery is going really well.”
Mirroring his spirits is only natural. “Those are amazing news, Todoroki-kun, I'm so happy for you! You look a lot happier yourself.”
The faintest of blushes reaches the man's face as he nods. Izuku decides to leave the poor guy alone, at least for a bit, so that's what he does. They go back to focusing on the sidewalks.
“Hey. By the way, did you have something in mind when you texted me? Or maybe you want me to choose for you?"
Shōto hums quietly. “I thought of a place, actually. If you agree to it, that is."
That answer certainly isn't expected. It brings a sense of nostalgia Izuku has no idea how to explain, seeing how his old friend isn't the same at all. He's reminded of the fact every time. Still, it's a little scary.
But then Shōto adds to it, tone impossibly light-hearted. “There’s this traditional restaurant nearby. I go there every other month with Touya-nii, since, um... They have really good soba. A-and I remember seeing katsudon on the menu, of course. I know you might like it better.”
With that Izuku is familiar. He leans in slightly, energy refreshed. “Still a fan, huh! Sounds great to me."
Shōto nods, almost to himself. A little smile creeps its way back to his perfectly blank face. It causes the other to feel nostalgic again, somehow, seeing the rare event that is no longer rare. Even though seeing him like this became much more common, thanks to their first high school year and several years of work, Izuku can't help feeling like this is still worth celebrating…
And that's exactly what they're going to do!
He beams at the realization, and his chest is pleasantly warm when he steps into the car through the door his dear friend held open to him.
He wonders how Uraraka is doing.
“I’m fine! I mean it! I'm totally, completely fine, why wouldn't I be fine right now?!”
Seated behind a full desk, glancing up from his paperwork, Keigo's default smirk falters at the intensity. He says nothing, giving her the chance to, to which she answers with an attempt to keep her tone firm and a long sigh as an failing attempt to further prepare herself.
"You see, I just found out she got released from the ward she was in. Which is great! But. I found out from a random article online, instead of you." She pauses to wince. "I really, really thought we had an agreement! Just what happened to that agreement, Keigo-san?!”
The man's voice has an edge of defensiveness to it, but is more tired than anything. He leans back in his chair.
"Without a permit for a visit, it didn't seem…urgent, to give you the news. Not yet.” He rummages through a bunch of paper from a bunch of piles to reinforce what he meant, and his expression tightens slightly. "You know how it is with the bureaucracy regarding villains. Red tape everywhere."
Ochako frowns deeper, not knowing where to look. "That's... that's manageable. But still." Her fists clench at her sides. "You could have said something, Keigo-san. Anything.”
“Making things happen isn’t as simple as just getting clearance, Uravity. I was gonna let you know initially, but… uh."
Her eyes narrow, quite dangerously. "Keigo-san...?"
"I-I'll keep you updated this time. Swear it."
"But that's not all there is to it! Don't you realize you can't fool me anymore?! Please. Don't tell me they'll take her away again—"
Hawks’ hands go forward, clapped together as his eyes indeed fail to show the indifference they used to upon meeting the vivid ones in front of them. He lets out another long sigh.
Her eye twitches.
“… You know, I find it so funny how—”
“—Okay, no, let's not go there. I'll stop you here and remind you they can't possibly ‘take away’ someone so hyped on media without people noticing, yeah? I'll get there! This is fine. We're fine. More importantly—she’ll be fine,” he emphasizes, perhaps more to himself than anything, before leaving his seat to walk towards the glass walls (or, in that case, wouldn't they be windows?) surrounding the room. “Look, kid, I know I messed up. But I can assure you, our deal is still up. I'll get you a pass to whatever institution she's being transferred into before you can even ask. Okay?”
It's Ochako’s turn to take deep breaths. “Right… okay. That's… that's good. This is good, right?”
“Sure thing. Things are good. Like, not for me and my wrists, if we think about the amount of zeros on the number of paperwork I'll be having to go through because of this, but otherwise I'd say things are fantastic, actually!” He pauses. “… As for the explaining part… I might have a confession to make.”
The retired hero takes another pause, a long one, bringing both hands back to his face. At last, he forces himself to make eye contact with Ochako.
"The reason I didn't give you any updates was because the girl was in a coma."