Chapter Text
Tenya drank her orange juice, listening to Todoroki and Midoriya make up a theory about All Might. She didn't understand a lot of the logic behind what they were saying, but she enjoyed it regardless. Uraraka and Asui on the other hand, seemed like they couldn't keep up with whatever they were talking about.
"I definitely understand everything you say!" Uraraka gave a thumbs up and a smile.
Tenya continued listening to them talk about this... theory. Asui spoke up.
"Are you keeping up with all of this? I would ask but I think they're too engrossed in their conversation."
Tenya put her orange juice down. "I don't completely understand the logic behind their theory, but it was something about All Might liking dogs due to previous interactions."
"That's... interesting."
Tenya was about to start eating her lunch when suddenly her whole body started vibrating, which distracted Uraraka from Midoriya's and Todoroki's conversation.
"Holy— Iida?!" Uraraka shrieked.
Asui's expression turned into confusion as she continued vibrating.
"Ah, that's just my phone." Tenya took her phone out of her pocket and got up from her chair. "I'll be back, I'm going to take this call!"
Tenya left the cafeteria, leaving behind a relieved Uraraka.
"I forgot that happens." Uraraka said.
"How do you forget that happens?" Asui asked.
"I have no idea..."
Tenya found a quiet place and looked at who was calling; it was Tensei! Her eyes sparkled with excitement and a smile crept up on her face, she was actually planning on telling Tensei the news! She picked up the call and immediately exclaimed "Hello, Tensei!"
"Hey, Tenya! I'm assuming you're at lunch now, yeah?" Tensei said.
"You're correct! What did you want to talk to me about?"
She was sure that it was just a check up from him that he does often. He's been doing it since the Stain incident, just to make sure she was feeling okay. So after he checks on her, she can tell him the good news—
"Mom planned a dinner tonight, I know it's pretty last minute, but it's for our aunt." Tensei explained.
...
Wait what?
"I know you hate sudden things like this, but our aunt asked if mom could host a dinner for her upcoming anniversary. I don't know why mom have to do it but I just wanted to let you know before it got too late into the day." Tensei continued.
No, what? It can't be tonight, she hasn't even came out to her parents yet. She just transitioned— what was she supposed to do about all of this? She can't just get rid of all of her extensions and then...
"Tenya?" Tensei called out through the other side of the phone.
Tenya snapped out of her thoughts and replied, "yes?"
"Oh, I thought you left me for a sec! Sorry about the surprise dinner again, but I'll come pick you up at 7 PM if that's fine with you."
Tenya could feel her stomach twisting into all sorts of knots, she felt nauseous.
"Yeah. That's fine." She said, her voice softer than before.
"Hey, you okay? Is it because of the sudden dinner?" Tensei asked.
"Mhm, but I'll be able to adjust. Don't worry. I'll see you at 7 PM."
Tenya heard the click of the phone, she hung up before she even realized what she did.
Her hands were shaking, she was convinced she would've accidentally dropped her phone on the floor. Her stomach continued twisting more and more.
"God, I'm so nauseous." Tenya muttered to herself, holding her free hand to her mouth.
She forced herself back in the cafeteria and sat back at the table. The two seemed to finished their theory as they were talking to Uraraka and Asui. Well, until Tenya came back. Todoroki was the first person to realize.
"Iida, what's wrong?" Todoroki asked.
The attention turned to Tenya, who was still shaking.
"I—" Tenya clenched her fists tightly. "It's nothing."
Uraraka's eyebrows furrowed and her cheeks puffed out. "It's pretty obvious that you're upset, what happened?"
"It's something personal..." Tenya replied.
Uraraka's pouting face had turned into a more sympathetic face.
"Ah, sorry."
Asui patted Tenya's back. "I don't know what happened on that call but we'll help you through it when you're ready to talk."
"Thank you..."
It was almost the time when Tensei picked Tenya up. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to go back to looking like a guy again, but what if her parents didn't approve of this? Of her... being a girl?
She looked at the yellow dress Yaoyorozu bought her, she said it would look great on her for a formal occasion. She could go in that... but using a suit is a more safer option, right?
Tenya hesitantly picked up the dress and went in front of her mirror that was besides her bed. It's not what she would usually wear, it would draw quite a bit of attention.
But then again, her looking like this is bound to draw attention.
"Maybe I should just wear the suit and say that I decided to grow out my hair. They won't know that—"
There was a knock at the door.
"Tensei?" Tenya called out.
"No, Uraraka! Can I come in?"
Tenya furrowed her eyebrows, taking a second before answering.
"Yes— I need your assistance." Tenya said.
Uraraka opened the door and looked at Tenya, and then looked at the dress she was holding. Her eyes soarkled up.
"You're going to wear that? You so should, you'll look cute!" Uraraka beamed.
A small blush creeped up on Tenya and she smiled nervously.
"Well— maybe. I might just have to wear a suit though." Tenya said, avoiding eye contact.
Uraraka tilted her head, she is one of her best friends, so she was definitely going to find out that something was... wrong. Especially since she came out.
Uraraka studied her, and spoke up, "wait, why? I thought you wanted to wear dresses and stuff!"
Tenya glanced at herself in the mirror. She... does want to wear dresses! But what if...
"I do, but I'm going to dinner with my family and... I haven't exactly, came out."
Uraraka seemed to quickly understand and moved besides her.
"Well, maybe this can be your coming out thing. You did the same thing with us!" Uraraka suggested.
"Yes but— you guys are more understanding. I don't want to disappoint my family because of my feelings."
Tenya continued staring at herself in the mirror, her hands trembling a little. It's not that she doesn't trust her family, she trusts her family!
But what would they feel about this? About her?
About...
him?
The
son
they knew for their whole life, and suddenly changed just because of what?
His
selfish feelings?
Uraraka placed her hand on Tenya's back with her pinky up, making sure not to make her float. Then, she started rubbing her back in a slow motion.
"You won't disappoint your family, I promise. They would want you to be honest with them!" She said.
Uraraka went in front of her and smiled.
"I'll help you get ready, if you'd like. I know you're scared, but I won't let you make yourself uncomfortable for approval!"
Uraraka pointed at her, seemingly at her heart. It seemed like she was trying to make a point, and Tenya was definitely being won over. A small smile appeared on her face.
"Alright, I'll go in this. You really know what to say in situations like these." Tenya exclaimed.
"Well, people say I'm good at helping others with emotions! Emotional situations, I mean—"
Uraraka suddenly paused mid sentence and had stars in her eyes with a big grin. Tenya could feel a little bit of worry.
"Maybe Ashido, Hagakure, and Momo can help! Momo bought you the dress and Ashido and Hagakure can help with other stuff!"
Before Tenya could say anything, Uraraka already pulled out her phone and started texting the three. Tenya raised her arm and started doing her arm chops.
"Uraraka, you should wait for consent first!" She scolded.
"Sorry, I got too excited. I know they would love to help you!" Uraraka glanced up from her phone.
"They'll be here soon! You're going to look amazing!"
...
Tenya can definitely tell that she's been hanging out with Ashido and Hagakure a lot.
"We're almost done, Iida!" Hagakure applied some blush on Tenya's cheeks.
Ashido was putting her hair in half up half down hair style with a yellow bow tying the ponytail together. Oh, and don't forget the curls she added. They weren't her best work considering Tensei would be here soon, but it was good enough! Well, to an ordinary person's standards. She hated it because it didn't show her true work and creativity.
Hagakure stepped to the side and fixed the strap on her dress.
"Well, whatcha think?" Hagakure asked.
"Wait, wait! Tooru, I'm not finished with her hair!" Ashido huffed.
Yaoyorozu looked in the mirror, looking at how Hagakure did Tenya's makeup.
"Are you sure Iida wants makeup on?" She asked.
"It's only this once! If she doesn't like it, then that's fine! This is just a little tiny experiment!"
Ashido finished putting the last details in her hair and placed her hands on her hips.
"Now you can comment on your appearance!"
Tenya stared at herself for a while, the makeup wasn't noticeable at all, but she liked it like that. Even when her face was itching a little bit. And the bow really complimented her dress.
"I— love it. Thank you, you four." Tenya smiled softly. She could've sworn she was close to crying at this point. Because she was truly grateful for her friends.
"Anytime, Class Rep!" Ashido exclaimed.
"Your brother should be here, right?" Yaoyorozu looked at the time from her phone.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot about that completely!"
Tenya got up and put on her glasses, she was sure that Tensei wouldn't even recognize her without them.
"Thank you, again." Tenya was about to leave before Hagakure grabbed her hand and turned her around. Tenya would've probably thought she got whiplash or something similar.
"Wait, wait! Picture, we need to take your picture!"
Hagakure hurriedly took her phone out of her pocket and took a picture. Or probably five, or ten. Definitely more than ten.
"Okay, good luck, Iida!" Uraraka exclaimed.
"You got it, girlie!" Ashido gave a thumbs up.
Tenya waved at them with a smile and left her dorm room. She checked her phone to see some messages from Tensei, mostly to see where she was.
She didn't like that she was a few minutes behind her schedule, but it's fine.
She went to meet up with Tensei. She could feel some form of... emptiness in her stomach. She isn't sure what exactly it was, but she felt a little sick. What if Tensei didn't even accept her—
No, no! Don't think that way. He's your brother, he helped you through everything.
He should... accept you.
And then, she saw him. He looked really familiar, even if you never even saw him before. The Iida Family is pretty hard to miss, it was just like that throughout their generation.
She slowly walked up to him, more emptiness coming in. But even then, she waved her arm, although stiffly. Tensei looked at her, and Tenya gave a small smile.
"Tensei, I'm here." Tenya called out.