Chapter Text
The doctor explained the details in a calm, kind way, but the report was still pretty dire.
“Recovery Girl healed the breaks with no issue, but the problem is the nerve damage. My recommendation is rehabilitation. If you’re serious about continuing on at U.A. then you need to make a lot of concessions.”
Ochako took it all in, Mom and Dad right by her side. She was far from the first to get crippled like this and keep on, Ectoplasm’s prosthetics hardly slowed him down.
Aizawa came to visit. Ochako had never been so simultaneously comforted and terrified in her entire life. At least some of his stubble had grown back, though his hair was pulled back into a bun and he wore the same suit he had during the press conference.
Her teacher bowed to her parents, holding it as he apologised for his negligence. Ochako squirmed with guilt as Aizawa explained that U.A. wanted to implement a dormitory system for the students’ safety.
Dad looked Mom gravely in the eye and both of them confirmed their decision.
“Sure! I’ll be glad to know our Ochako won’t be all alone anymore,” Dad’s cheerful admission had Aizawa raising his eyebrows a fraction.
But nothing fazed Aizawa for very long. “Are you sure you agree to this? Uraraka won’t have an easy time of it, with her leg in that state.”
Ochako cringed, but accepted his judgement. He’d scold her a million times more harshly later, when her parents weren’t there to protect her, but it wasn’t like she didn’t deserve it.
“Well, Ochako’s father and I never really understood all this hero business, but construction can be just as hazardous,” Mom sighed, rubbing Ochako’s arm fondly.
“Too true. Just last year, one of my men lost his memory when the scaffolding broke and a brick hit him in the forehead,” Dad nodded thoughtfully.
“I…see,” Aizawa said slowly. “Then I’ll assure you that we will take measures to ensure our students’ safety. Our top priority is raising them to be great heroes who can overcome even the toughest challenges.”
He paused, looking at her parents’ patient smiles. “You’re sure you have no problem? Uraraka intends to go into rescue full time. Some people mistake it for being safer than fighting villains, but the casualty rate is almost the same.”
“Ochako’s always been like this. Even when she was too short to reach the sink she’d say, ‘I can do the dishes! I can help!’,” Mom chuckled.
Puffs of hot air blew off of Ochako’s red face. Leave it to Mom to brag about her in front of Aizawa, the least easily impressed man on earth.
“Plus, we’ve been big fans of yours ever since you saved Ochan’s life from that robber! Can we get your autograph, Mr. Eraser?” Dad somehow topped Mom with sheer enthusiasm. Giving up entirely, Ochako started giggling helplessly.
Aizawa blinked. A dawning realisation in his dark eyes. As if he was wondering if they’d all been hit in the head with bricks. He was evidently disturbed by her parents’ carefree attitude, but kept his opinions to himself.
“Ochako, we’re gonna miss you, honey. Make sure you listen to your teachers from now on, okay?” Mom hugged her middle, the only bit of her that wasn’t coated in needles and wires.
“I will. Love you guys,” Ochako mumbled.
Then it was just Aizawa and the terrible judgement in his gaze. Ochako tried to look on the bright side. She was alive, that was a good start.
Now that U.A. was offering free dorms, she didn’t need to worry about rent or squatting at Aizawa’s empty apartment.
“I don’t need to know your reasons for doing what you’ve done. The fact remains that you put yourself in unnecessary danger and betrayed my trust,” Aizawa didn’t waste any time.
“I’m sorry, Sensei. I know what I did was wrong, and I’m willing to accept any punishment,” Ochako couldn’t bow her head, but she at least maintained eye contact, no matter how hard it was.
Aizawa eyed her like he was imagining her crushed under a pile of homework, but then just sighed harshly. His disappointment was even worse than Bakugou’s anger.
The room blurred before her eyes as the full weight of what she’d done became clear. Ochako sniffled, then nearly choked on her own saliva when Aizawa came near and lightly punched her in the gut.
“As your teacher, I can’t approve of your reckless behaviour. But as a pro hero, I can at least say you’ve saved lives. Keep up that spirit but don’t act on it until you’ve got the skills to back it up. Understood?” He was still stern and scary, but Ochako heard the worry underneath the gruffness.
“Thank you, Sensei. I won’t let you down,” Ochako smiled sheepishly. “Um, I’ll work hard to regain your trust.”
After Aizawa left, Ochako settled down. It was quiet. Peaceful. No villains, no screaming people trapped under collapsing buildings.
Boring. Itchy. She couldn’t move more than an inch. Ochako sighed.
Plenty of time to start strategising. Now that she couldn’t use one of her legs, she’d need to stretch her creativity even further.
A trip to the Support Department was definitely in order. The doctor proscribed a brace and a pair of crutches, but Ochako wanted something a little less unwieldy and more useful for battle.
“Maybe Hatsume’s jetpack baby thingie?” She mused out loud.
Hospitals were pretty unappealing when she was the one recovering.
—
The doctor came to check up on her, but the report was exactly the same. The breaks were nearly healed but there wasn’t much anyone could do about damaged nerves.
Ochako was thrilled to receive her crutches at least. Mom and Dad had left her with some pocket change and she wanted to grab snacks from the vending machine.
Neither Ochako nor the doctor noticed the black string sliding under the door and slithering up to where they were sitting and talking.
“This brace is designed to limit movement of the knee while it’s healing. You should wear it during the day and take it off—“
“AHH!” Ochako screamed and the doctor yelped, whirling around and nearly falling out of his chair.
Edgeshot stood silently, arms folded across his chest. The parts of his face that were visible looked terrible, eyes bloodshot and ringed by deep shadows. His pale skin whitened further at the sight of Ochako’s irreparably damaged leg.
Ochako was too busy stuffing her heart back down her throat to even say a word, but the doctor stood abruptly and flustered, “Edgeshot, it’s-it’s an honour. Please, have a seat.”
Apparently the doctor was a huge fan, eyes shining as he bowed out of the room to give them privacy. Ochako was utterly blown away.
Maybe I should aim for the top ten? It was a pipe dream even before she’d gotten injured, but the perks were certainly nice.
“How are you feeling?” Edgeshot’s gentle voice was slightly hoarse, presumably from lack of sleep.
Ochako floundered for a moment. She’d expected a mighty scolding, but Edgeshot’s eyes were filled with compassion and sadness.
“I’m…super ready to leave the hospital,” Ochako said honestly. Edgeshot didn’t laugh, but some of the tension drained from his shoulders.
“And you, sir? It must’ve been hard, fighting all those battles back to back,” Ochako said cautiously.
Edgeshot was quiet for a moment, but he knew she was thinking about Stain. He dropped lightly onto the empty chair, still so elegant even in his exhausted state.
“I didn’t kill him. If I had, I’d never be able to face you, or anyone else who considers me a hero,” he said softly.
Ochako gulped. “I’m-I’m glad. Uh, that you’re ok, and Stain’s not on the loose…but the other League members got away?”
His slate grey eyes darkened, he nodded. Ochako was startled to see how obvious his guilt was; even Edgeshot couldn’t be perfectly impassive when he was on the brink of collapsing.
“But at least All for One has been taken care of. Such a man shouldn’t be allowed to roam free and do as he pleases,” he said, mild even in his anger.
Best Jeanist was still in a coma. Ragdoll would never be able to work as an active hero again. And All Might was officially over.
“Thank you for everything, Edgeshot,” Ochako bowed her head, choked up with gratitude.
After experiencing the true fear of death that All for One injected straight into her heart, she gained an inkling of what heroes like Edgeshot had to deal with all the time.
A familiar flick against her shoulder made her look up in surprise. Edgeshot actually took off his mask, sending Ochako into a strangled, gasping coughing fit.
He shook his head at his hopeless charge. “I’ve been thinking about what you said about Shoji. And I decided to try to reconnect with my family.”
“That’s—,” she heaved and hacked, “great, sir! I’m really happy for you. But, can-can I ask why?”
Edgeshot’s sharp eyes were filled with resolve. “Stain took away my surrogate family. I’ve stayed away from my father and half-siblings for so long out of fear. But someone taught me that holding back out of fear wasn’t what a true hero would do.”
Ochako’s breath caught in her throat. Me?
“All Might gave his all at Kamino, knowing that it might be the last thing he ever did,” Edgeshot’s voice was filled with respect for the number one.
Duh! What was I thinking! Tears of gratitude filled Ochako’s eyes. If she’d said that out loud, she would literally die from embarrassment. Of course Edgeshot was talking about All Might!
Ochako was appalled at her own idiocy.
“And you’re right, Shoji and the twins deserve to make their own choices about me,” Edgeshot’s voice was as soothing and even as ever, but there was a certain gleam of amusement in his eyes that made her face light up like a beacon.
“Well, I hope it all goes well, sir. Oh yeah, Shoji won’t be living with his family soon. U.A.’s moving all of us into dorms,” Ochako clarified.
It was a lot easier to read Edgeshot’s expressions without his mask covering his face. He frowned slightly, pondering the implications of U.A.’s response to the latest disaster.
“Then I suppose I should visit before then,” Edgeshot’s shoulders slumped the tiniest bit.
He looked so small, just a quiet man wanting to reconnect with his estranged family. Ochako felt a spark of anger toward’s Shoji’s dad.
How could anyone think that someone as kind as Edgeshot would be a bad influence? But it wasn’t her business in any way, so she just stuffed it all down.
“Did you eat lunch yet, sir?” Ochako asked curiously. “If you haven’t, then can I treat you?”
Edgeshot’s smile was just as staggering as ever, his quiet laugh nearly knocked her right out. Ochako struggled not to let her jaw drop.
Something about seeing the forbidden made Ochako feel jumpy and guilty. Edgeshot would have even more fans now, after his spectacular work saving Bakugou, fighting All for One and rounding up all the escaped villains.
But his workaholic tendencies were catching up to him, his eyelids drooping over his silver eyes.
“I wouldn’t be much of a teacher if I let my only student treat me,” he said serenely. “Unfortunately, I’ve got to go.”
Upon seeing her downcast expression, he patted her gently on the head. “Don’t worry about me. I take very good care of myself, and my sidekicks are just as capable.”
She sort of believed him. But his complete avoidance of her game-changing injury made her wonder if he was just pretending not to be angry.
“Um, Edgeshot. How come you didn’t say anything about me getting hurt? Do you think it’s a bad idea for me to keep attending U.A.?” she asked, too desperate for his approval to play it off cool. Not that she was ever cool.
Edgeshot calmly stood and retied his mask in one swift motion. His reply left her sitting frozen, jaw hanging slack for an embarrassingly long time.
“I don’t need to say anything. I know that you’ll overcome this just as well as you overcame all your other challenges. Sasamaru misses you, by the way.”
With one final tranquil smile, he disappeared.
Ochako tried her best not to hyperventilate. Edgeshot believed in her! He didn’t think she was the world’s biggest idiot for heading into the danger zone despite only being a student.
Don’t cry. She was so ridiculously happy she felt like she’d grown wings and could soar above the heavens.
Reality gently reminded her that her body had been broken very recently and she had to learn how to take her first step using crutches.
One step at a time.
Ochako went slowly, shuffling forward little by little. If she fell, she could always use her quirk to soften her landing.
She could do this. Uraraka Ochako was determined to become a hero.
Sorry, Thirteen, All Might. Edgeshot was now and forever her number one hero. He was just too good a mentor and person, Ochako was indebted to him beyond words.
She’d never forget what he’d said, not as long as she lived.
Ochako made it to the vending machine and back with no trouble, sweating a little with the effort and the pain. Her mind raced through different ways she could make up for her new weakness as she munched on senbei and sipped cold mugicha.
“I’m here! To visit my stud—eck!“ All Might’s booming voice cut off as he coughed up blood.
“All-gh!” Ochako choked on a cracker crumb that had gone down her airway, nearly spilling tea everywhere. Tears filled her eyes as she coughed and spluttered, All Might gave one last mighty cough, wiping his mouth on his bandaged arm.
His other arm was in a sling, and he was just as tall, gaunt, and skinny as the last time she saw him. Ochako took deep breaths, cheeks burning.
“All Might!” She cried out, unable to articulate any more than that.
If there was anyone in the world who knew how to deal with awestruck, distraught fans, it was the Symbol of Peace. His smile was kind, his shadowed eyes gentle and understanding.
“You gave me quite a scare, Young Uraraka. I’m glad to see you’re up and about already,” All Might settled into the chair beside her bed, gazing in concern at her pale cheeks.
“Th-thank you All Might. You were really…I mean, wow,” Ochako clamped her mouth shut before she could say anything too stupid.
Your muscles are really gone, huh?
“My only regret is that I wasn’t able to prevent this,” All Might sighed, patting her crutches with a long, bony hand. Even sitting down, he was so tall she had to look up to meet his gaze.
“It was my fault, I should’ve…” Ochako felt like a zygote next to All Might’s wisdom and experience.
All Might shook his head, letting her know that it was no one’s fault. “I won’t tell you to quit. I’d be quite the hypocrite if I did. After I received the injury that forced me to seek a successor, my former sidekick begged me to retire. But I made my choice, and I don’t regret it.”
He was, without exaggeration, the greatest living hero of all time, and Ochako felt honoured just to be in his presence. His encouragement warmed her heart.
“Young Midoriya told me you’ve discovered the truth about his quirk,” All Might said simply, no censure in his deep voice.
Ochako still flushed. “Oh, uh, yeah. It really wasn’t Deku’s fault, I just kept bugging him and he asked Shigaraki about All for One…”
She trailed off uncertainly as the light in his bright blue eyes dimmed. His mouth was a grim line across his skeletal face. Even in his skinny form, All Might was eyecatchingly different from all the rest.
“He said Shigaraki’s the grandson of Shimura Nana,” Ochako started hesitantly.
When was the last time she’d seen All Might without a smile? Even when he fumbled over his lesson plans, he kept his bright grin on.
Now he seemed old and tired, but he still had that unshakeable strength that defined him. “I’d hoped that you hadn’t heard that particular bit of information. Now I must ask you to exercise great discretion.”
Ochako’s eyes widened. “Is Shimura Nana one of the wielders of One for All?”
It was the only explanation that made sense to her. Ochako wasn’t as big a hero buff as Deku (no one was), but she knew a fair few.
Shimura Nana’s name held zero significance to her, but the woman was obviously incredibly important to both All Might and All for One.
And Shigaraki was her descendant. Just a pawn in the battle between the greatest evil and the greatest hero.
“She was my master. All for One murdered her, as well as her husband. She gave up her son to keep him safe, but in the end, All for One found him as well.”
Her heart arrested with horror. “How could anyone be so evil?” The words slipped out before she could think.
All Might smiled sadly. “A great man once said, ‘To ignore evil is to become an accomplice to it.’ My master’s last request was for me to leave her family alone. I truly regret that I had.”
“All Might…” Ochako was stricken. “It wasn’t your fault at all! There was no way for you to know how things would turn out. Even you can’t predict the future, right?”
He blinked at her. Ochako wondered if she’d said something wrong, an impression that only increased when he started chuckling.
“Young Uraraka, I’m well aware of your honest nature. But it is of the gravest importance that you tell no one the truth about Shigaraki Tomura,” All Might was solemn.
“Not even Deku?” Ochako’s eyes popped wide open when All Might nodded. “But-but he’s your apprentice, isn’t he?”
How on earth could she keep such a monumentally huge secret from Deku?
Yet, Ochako trusted All Might implicitly. If he asked something of her, she wanted to do it, to repay even a little of the debt she owed him.
He’d kept everyone safe for so long, all by himself. Ochako had only read in history books what the world was like before the advent of superheroes, All for One had given her a taste of how truly devastating such a world would be.
“Think about how the news would affect him. Young Midoriya will have to face Shigaraki in the future,” All Might said heavily.
Was that true? Was the upcoming clash between heroes and villains inevitable? Dabi, Toga, Twice, Shigaraki and the rest were all determined to bring down hero society.
Ochako shivered, but hardened her determination to protect her friends. “What do you think Shigaraki is going to do?”
All Might didn’t want to answer, sliding his gaze away, staring off into the distance. “Whatever he’s planning, the heroes will stop him and bring him to justice.”
Poor All Might. To go from the most powerful hero ever to quirkless and infirm in one day…Ochako scrunched up her loose hospital pants, feeling the dead numbness of her ruined leg.
“And then you’ll tell him the truth?” Ochako asked, eyes widening in anticipation.
All Might chuckled, shaking his head, “Very perceptive of you, Young Uraraka. I do wish to save Young Shigaraki if I can, but life is not often so kind. He’s been poisoned with hatred all his life and it’s unrealistic to expect that to ever change.”
The hurt went far deeper than Ochako had thought. All Might must’ve really loved his mentor. Already he couldn’t see Shigaraki as a villain but rather an innocent victim.
“I won’t tell anyone, All Might. I promise. And there’s definitely hope for Shigaraki! I mean, anything’s possible! Plus Ultra, right? If anyone can save him, it’s you,” Ochako babbled.
All Might studied her for a long moment. “My master always said that a true hero saved people’s hearts, not just their lives. She believed that those who smile are the strongest in the world.”
Despite her idealism and youth, All Might didn’t look down on her. Instead he thanked her with a smile, and promised to help her become a great hero.
“Young Uraraka, the spirit of self-sacrifice is the essence of true heroism. But you mustn’t forget to take care of yourself as well. Whatever path you choose, Sensei will stand by you.”
Ochako didn’t say that All Might should take his own advice. He wasn’t an active hero anymore, but he was still her teacher. No one in the world deserved more respect.
To think that All for One went that far, just to hurt All Might? Ochako shivered at the remembrance of Deku’s encounter with Shigaraki.
The villain was so bony, he looked and sounded ill. Ochako never thought she’d feel so sorry for the guy who’d nearly killed her friends and kidnapped Bakugou.
One thing All Might was definitely right about, if Deku knew the truth about Shigaraki he’d do whatever he could to save him. Ochako refused to let Deku endanger himself like that.
She sighed. “Even more weird secrets.”
At least Aizawa wasn’t going to expel her. Probably. Hopefully.
—
As promised, the next day the entire class visited, bearing gifts. Ochako squealed so loudly that Shoji winced and covered his extra ears.
“I told you she’d like mochi better than fruit,” Mina bragged, nudging Kirishima in the chest.
Tsuyu’s face paled at the sight of Ochako’s leg brace. “So it’s true? You really can’t walk from now on?”
A hush fell over the class. Chewing her mouthful of mochi, Ochako noted Bakugou’s painfully conspicuous absence, and Iida’s disapproving glare.
“No way! I can totally walk,” Ochako shook her head and held out her hands for Tsuyu to see. “I got a bunch of ideas for how to get around with my quirk. As soon as I get outta here, I’m headed straight for the Support Department.”
“It’s a pity you can’t manoeuvre through the air with your quirk. All you need is some form of propulsion and you’re set,” Tokoyami remarked, Dark Shadow tapping his claws on his spiky head, silent for once.
“Or maybe like a grappling hook?” Sero asked, grinning and holding up his elbow.
Ochako smiled, heart warming at everyone’s support and acceptance. The bright chatter in the room slowly faded as Iida made his way to her side, face unreadable.
Iida punching Deku flashed through her mind and Ochako cringed, head bowed with remorse. Exactly the thing Iida feared had come to pass, and Ochako felt doubly guilty that she still had a chance while his brother’s mobility was gone forever.
Tsuyu and Mina glanced at each other nervously, Shoji held out a hand to Iida’s hunched shoulders.
It was quiet.
Then Iida reached over and grabbed Ochako into a hug. Her eyes widened and prickled.
“I’m so glad you’re ok,” Iida said, broad shoulders shaking a little, but strong and dependable as ever.
As if that wasn’t enough, Yaomomo and Kirishima came up and patted her on the back.
“You gave us such a fright!” Momo exclaimed, but to Ochako’s relief there was no scolding in her shimmering dark eyes.
“Yeah. You’re really not gonna let this get you down, huh? So manly,” Kirishima approved, teeth glinting sharkily.
“Thanks guys. And sorry everyone!”
Iida, and the rest of the rescue team also apologised, bowing with different levels of fervour. Except for one, conspicuously silent blue and grey eyed member, standing to the back of the crowd, half-hidden behind Shoji’s heroic build.
Ochako chatted with the rest of the class until visiting time was up, mostly about the crazy changes that All Might’s retirement brought up and how much it sucked that the villains’ attack had cut summer training camp short.
“I really dropped a lot of cash on my swimsuit and all the other gear,” Kaminari remarked soullessly. “If I ever meet those League jerks again I’m gonna demand a refund!”
“Right, that’s exactly how it’s gonna play out,” Sero drawled sarcastically.
Ochako giggled and accepted hugs, but all the while she was horribly conscious that Todoroki was not saying anything.
What should she do? Should she text him? In the first place, was he even upset?
She got her answer the very next minute, as Kaminari led the others to go visit Toru and Kyouka. “Man, what does Jiro even like to eat?”
Tsuyu was the last to leave, squeezing Ochako’s hand supportively. “Bakugou’s here, too. Probably waiting until everyone else leaves to talk to you, ribbit.”
“So that’s why everyone kept looking at the door. Thanks for warning me, Tsuyu-chan,” Ochako wasn’t sure how to feel about Bakugou’s outrageous behaviour.
Todoroki’s silence was a more pressing issue. He stood with his hands in his pockets, eyes on the floor rather than looking at her.
“I’m sorry, Todoroki. Are you mad?” Ochako got right to it. He didn’t reply or lift his gaze.
All in good time. Ochako could be patient. She had to be, now that even going to the bathroom was a hassle and a half.
“Your injury will be a liability in future battles. Continuing on at U.A. will put you and others at risk,” Todoroki said emotionlessly.
Trust Todoroki to deliver the most unpleasant truths with that same implacable calm. But Ochako saw the tightness in his posture, the worry in his blue and grey eyes.
He hid his feelings so expertly, until they just exploded out. Not healthy, and not something Ochako would let one of her friends do to himself.
“There’s always a risk. I just gotta train even harder to overcome that,” Ochako acknowledged.
Anger in the line of his shoulders, the angle of his mouth. But he still refused to face it, coldly dissecting her reasoning. “Are you really planning on becoming a hero when you’re like this? What if you get hurt even worse?”
“Todoroki, I’m not going to give up. I may not be as motivated as you or Deku, but I still wanna become a hero. All these hospital bills…I gotta pay them back,” Ochako said under her breath.
Somehow, that was the last straw for him. All his emotions broke through at once, for the first time ever, Todoroki shouted at her.
“Is money really the issue here? You’ve been permanently crippled, you could’ve died!”
Shaking with the force of his emotions buffeting her, Ochako tried her best to compose herself. “I know that. I was scared out of my mind. But I had the power to do something. You would’ve done the same, so would everyone else in our class.”
“After we got Best Jeanist to an ambulance, we tried to go back for you. But they wouldn’t let us,” Todoroki said, bitterness twisting his handsome face.
“You guys probably saved his life. Don’t take this the wrong way, but isn’t it cool, helping people like that?” Ochako smiled weakly.
She’d much prefer that All for One hadn’t endangered so many people, but being able to help people was still gratifying. Anything was better than just watching senseless death while being powerless to prevent it.
Todoroki looked like he was restraining himself from shaking her to her senses. Ochako squinted, wondering if she was imagining the heat haze surrounding his left side.
“I wanted to help. We didn’t know if you were even alive until Tiger sent the message to Aizawa. We waited for hours for confirmation that your surgery had gone through successfully,” Todoroki struggled to keep his cool facade up.
It looked painful, but it was almost like he couldn’t help himself. As if hiding his feelings was all he knew what to do with them.
Ochako gingerly slipped off the bed and hobbled toward the distraught boy. In an instant, Todoroki snapped out of his funk to go push her back down.
“What are you doing?” He demanded, ready to use force to make her stop overexerting herself.
“Can I have a hug?” She asked plaintively, holding her arms out, balanced on her good leg. She tried not to sigh at his overbearing concern.
Todoroki just had the curse of being leagues and miles stronger and better than everyone around him. Somehow that translated into a need to take all the burden of responsibility on himself.
He’d make a great leader someday, but for now she’d much prefer that he just chill. Todoroki was her kohai, after all. By a few weeks.
Apparently, he had no idea what to do when faced with an injured person requesting comfort. But if there was any guy in the world who wouldn’t step down from helping people, it was Todoroki.
Slowly, stiffly, he lifted his arms and put them around her. That actually hurt her heart, the thought that he was so unpracticed at giving hugs.
Ochako leaned in and squeezed gently, resting her cheek on his heart. It was definitely awkward with how tense he was, but she relaxed into his warmth anyway.
“You should be resting.” Poor Todoroki. He was so unused to any kind of physical affection, so unlike Ochako, who thought of personal space as a friendly bubble. Bubbles were meant to be popped, right?
There, there. She refrained from patting him on his broad back, even though he could really use the comfort.
“Hugs are good for healing. It’s a scientific fact, y’know,” she did feel better, feeling his strong heartbeat thud against her cheek. He was so tall that he’d have to lean down to rest his chin on her head.
Not that he would. They weren’t quite there yet.
“I’m sorry,” he finally dropped his tension, all the worry and guilt. Ochako tightened her arms around his waist.
“Me too. You’re a good pal, Todoroki.” When she felt forgiven enough, Ochako released him and sat back down.
Shooting pains seized her leg, but Ochako figured that pain resistance was also a skill that she could hone. All Might hadn’t even flinched when All for One blasted him with enough force to shred solid concrete.
More than the physical pain, Ochako was dreading facing Bakugou, the living embodiment of no chill. Not only because he was probably still mad at her, but also because she was embarrassed.
Showing weakness in front of the guy she was supposed to beat wasn’t exactly easy. Todoroki was right about that at least, Ochako was proud and independent.
“If you need anything, tell me,” Todoroki said shortly, but she was relieved to see he wasn’t angry anymore. Who would’ve guessed that the scariest member of the class was such a softy?
“I will. See you tomorrow,” she waved him off, keeping her grin on with the ease of long practice.
Todoroki paused before closing the door, shaking his head. Ochako listened carefully, but no explosions, no yelling, so Bakugou was behaving, for now.
Well, she didn’t want to keep him waiting. Ochako canceled half her gravity and gripped her clutches tightly. At least she got a great arm workout every time she moved around.
Still, after all that running after Sasamaru—she shook off her gloom and marched forward, step by step. One day she’d be able to catch up to the silvery cat again.
“Hi, Bakugou. Can you pull me up to the roof?” Ochako really didn’t want to disturb all those hardworking doctors and nurses. Let alone all the injured people recovering from the Kamino Incident.
Bakugou pushed himself off the wall and grabbed one end of her crutch without complaint. He said nothing as he pulled her weightless body along, which was more than fine with her.
Actually, she was beyond nervous, and her leg really, really hurt. Morphine was an amazing drug, but if she relied on it, she’d most definitely get addicted. Ochako couldn’t afford to feed such an expensive habit.
The roof was blessedly empty. Bakugou closed the door behind them and practically tossed her away from him.
Ochako wobbled, turning midair to face him. “Release.” It was awkward, handling crutches while bringing her hands together and balancing on one leg. Still, she at least managed not to fall flat on her face.
Bakugou never hesitated.
“Did Deku get his power from All Might?”