Chapter Text
She wasn't looking forward to anything at this moment. Every house and tree they passed kept repeating as she watched through the car window. Her palm resting on her chin, and her headphones tucked into her ears, replaying the same song.
She rarely knew this area, but then again, she was moving, meaning that she obviously wouldn't be used to living in a different city, Musutafu. It was located in Japan and who knew the most famous hero school, U.A, would be here.
She took out her phone from her pocket, turned it on, and was scrolling through her playlist trying to find a different song since she got tired of repeating the other.
And then her phone died.
Just great…she thought and let out an irritated sigh.
It caught her father's attention so he looked at the rearview mirror, taking a glance at her before returning his eyes to the road. "Hey, princess?...you okay there?" He asked with concern as she took out her headphones from her ears and put them inside her pocket.
"Hm? Oh, yeah." She gave a nod with a small smile that soon faded once she faced the window.
Even though he didn't see it, he didn't buy it, mainly because of the way she sounded. "You know,...it's not good to bottle up things to yourself. If anything is bothering you, I and your mother are here to help and listen."
This caught her attention as she widen her eyes a bit, knowing that she didn't cover how she was feeling well enough. But, either way, she didn't want to make him worry.
That was a rule she set for herself. To not make them worry. It was only created because they were already stressed enough from work and if they've figured out that she was going through something that wasn't good, it would only make them feel more worried and stressed.
And she doesn't want that. Which is why she made that rule for herself.
It was simply just a part of her.
"Oh- Well, I'm okay. It's just that I'm not...you know, with this leaving old home and friends to a new house, new city, and new school thing." She nervously laughed, putting her hand behind her neck, and hoping that her father wouldn't notice.
Her dad immediately caught on though.
"I know it's hard leaving everything you loved behind, I get it too. Not everyone will be happy moving somewhere different, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it here too. Yes, you will have some trouble getting used to living here, but I believe you'll like it more than me. You can meet new people, friends, and neighbors. You'll get along with everyone with that bright personality of yours." He gave a small chuckle. "And, We can still visit our old town, and hey, didn't you want to go to U.A too?"
Oh…
"Yeah, I still am happy that I got accepted to try for the entrance exams, believe that. I'd never thought I'd be able to go but thanks to the encouragement from you, mom, and my friends, I believed and I'm going to put in the effort." She said with a determined face but it soon turned to a sad smile. "But then, I guess the thought of leaving made me realize how much I'm going to miss everything behind."
He took another small glance through the rearview mirror and saw how her facial expression changed. He looked back at the road and then spoke. "Hm, how about after we finish unpacking, we all go fetch some mochi?"
That word alone was enough to make her somewhat feel better. After all, they are her favorite dessert. However, she was wondering what made him say that out of the blue but then, it was probably to make her feel better. She didn't mind and gave a smile, remembering how grateful she is to have her dad by her side.
"Yeah."
—
The car parked in front of a 2 story medium-sized building.
They finally arrived at an apartment complex. It looked pretty decent on the outside, especially with its nice fresh-cut grass with small spider lilies that were growing on the piles of dirt next to the entrance door. The brick walls were okay, a bit dirty but overall nice and the patios on each apartment seemed organized.
"You can go in already. I'll finish putting the boxes inside and wait for your mother to come from work. Go ahead and get some rest, princess." He gave her an assuring smile and gave her the apartment keys. She hesitated at first but then took it. "Our door number is A2. If you can't find it, just come back out." He said while opening his side of the car door, getting ready to leave until Ochako spoke.
"Is it okay if I can still help?..." Ochako asked feeling uncertain.
Usually, she never wants to leave out anyone who needs help or left out, especially her parents. That is the main reason why she decided to become a hero in the first place. If she could become a hero, she could get enough money to help her parents and they wouldn't feel stressed compared to now.
"I just want to help you and mom out more, if that's okay with you..." She then looked down at her feet, feeling sad from remembering the memories of always watching her parents get home and feeling tired after hours of work.
Her dad didn't say anything for a couple of seconds before giving a warm sympathetic smile. "Don't worry. We'll be okay. I know you want to help us more and there's nothing wrong with that, but for now, I and your mother want you to find yourself first." He then reached his hand closer to her and patted her head before getting out of the car.
Ochako sighed, rubbing her face. Not that she couldn't help her father but felt disappointed in herself. Disappointed of feeling like she isn't doing enough to help her parents.
She then opened her side of the car door and stepped out, looking at the building. The light wind brushed the side of her hair and it felt chilly as she began to have goosebumps on her arms, but she didn't care. Because the only people in her mind right now, were the people she holds in her heart the most.
You guys won’t have to feel stressed anymore,…
…I promise.
—
She stood in front of the main apartment door. It was a panel red bluff door with a carved letter and number in the top center. Along with an old golden door knob with a keyhole in the middle.
‘A2.’ She recalled in her head remembering what her dad said and once she checked to see if it was the right door, she gave herself small praise for getting the correct apartment.
She then took out the keys from her pocket and inserted them inside the keyhole and turned. Once it made a click sound, it unlocked, and she opened the door, peeping her head inside.
It was small, but she also couldn't expect much. It had a plain living room connected to a small kitchen, you could say that it would only fit 2 people in there. Between the living room and the kitchen, there was a 6ft long but narrow hallway with a room in end, another on the right side, and a bathroom on the left.
Not bad.
She walked towards the hallway to the right room where her room was supposed to be. She opened the door and realized that it was much bigger than her old one. It was a square-shaped size room covered in all-white wallpaper with a tall-medium-sized window that faces the front parking lot of the building.
She looked around and smiled, knowing that she has more space to enjoy her own company. Her last room was the size of a bathroom and she never had enough space to fit the things she wanted. Just by seeing this room, she could already imagine all the things she could do.
And so, she began thinking!
I can put some nice star string lights on the walls or hang them on the ceiling- Oh! And maybe put some of my posters of 13 on the wall and put my bed close to the window, that way, I could see the stars at night. I should also add some-“
"Ochako! You in here?" A voice called out from the living room, interrupting her thoughts.
Oh, dad is here. Ahh, Mom’s probably back too!
"I'm in here, dad!" She shouted back, and rushed to the window, searching for the familiar red small car that belonged to her mom.
But, she couldn't find it. She then formed a frown knowing that she probably had to stay for a few more hours and wouldn't be able to see her until nighttime. Heck, maybe until tomorrow.
A knock on the door startled her and she quickly changed her facial expression. "Is my little princess in here?" Her dad entered, carrying some boxes that had the name, Ochako, written in sharpie.
"Dad, I'm not a little girl anymore." She gave a small chuckle before walking toward him. "Here, let me help you. You and mom are the ones that need more rest than me." She went on and grabbed the boxes from her dad, then set them on the floor.
"Thanks, princess. Honestly, it feels like I'm breaking my back." He chuckled and looked around the room.
"So, you like your new room? I'm the one who decided to live here and your mother didn't mind as long as we had a roof to sleep in." He gave a small smile but then noticed how quiet she was and with her back facing him, he thought he got his answer.
He closed his eyes and began to rub his head. "I know, it's small and I'm sorry if this one didn't catch your interest. I tried looking for a better one with more space but it's just all we can afford for now-"
He then felt a pair of arms wrap around him. He opened his eyes and saw Ochako giving him a small hug with her eyes closed out of sympathy. "It's okay, dad. I love it."
He watched and returned the hug. Out of all things he wished they had, it would never compare to the love for his family. He gave a peck on her head.
"I have to pick up your mother in a couple of minutes, her car broke down and she needs my help. I'm sorry we don't have time for all of us to spend time with each other again. I brought leftovers and placed them on the counter in the kitchen so that you can eat them. We'll be back in a of couple hours, but in the meantime, be careful. I trust that you can take care of yourself but still." They both let go and he patted her head again. A simple way of saying ‘I love you.’
And like that, they both said their goodbyes and he eventually left the building but of course, without leaving a mattress in her room to sleep in. Although they didn't have time to finish setting her bed up, it was better than sleeping on the plain floor.
After he left, Ochako walked back into her new room and dropped herself onto the mattress. Soft. She thought and turned her body to the side that faces the wall.
It was quiet. A little cold but she was lazy to get up and change the temperature. Luckily, she had her blanket beside her so she grabbed it and covered herself. Once she felt warm and cozy, she began thinking about what she needed to prepare for in almost a year.
February 26.
The exact date of this year is March 26.
Only 11 months until the entrance exam.
Don’t fail. She told herself.
She never knew why life had to be like this. The thought of never getting to see her parents relax made her afraid. Afraid of letting them down with disappointment. Afraid of what could happen if she failed to become a hero. Or, if she failed at becoming anything that has to do with helping her parents.
She felt guilty for thinking that moving here was a mistake, but she knew she shouldn't judge that quickly. For all she knows, she's just okay being here because of U.A and her parent's new job because they seem to pay more than their old ones.
She sighed to herself. What am I thinking? I’m making it seem like it’s the end of the world, how embarrassing…it’s going to be okay…
I hope…
—
Time went on and after 5 minutes of overthinking, she began dozing off as her eyes began to slowly blink, getting ready to fully close. It was still early, 8:45 p.m to be exact but even so, the girl was bored and tired. And with her phone charging on the other side of the room, she didn't feel like getting it.
She eventually fell asleep, reminding herself that everything will be okay.
And hopefully, living here wouldn't be bad.
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