Chapter Text
!!!This book is a PART 4!!!
I highly recommend reading the previous books in the series to understand what is going on.
Mkay enjoy!
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*The timeframe before spring in the manga chapter 257; Pass it Forward, to Whomever.*
*Late January.*
Uraraka
TWEEEEEET
Run, no quirk.
Ten minutes in and I was still going strong! I was so proud of my cardio improvement this past year! We still had 50 minutes of gym class and I knew I could make it to the end without walking the track. Cementoss created an advanced running course for us in the gym gamma at the beginning of the quarter that looked like a mix between a skate park and a parkour gym. Our route was filled with straight-aways, waves, turns, jumps, ducks, climbs, leaps, stairs, inclines, and crawls all made of concrete obstacles.
When we first ran the course, we nicknamed it the Death Course. Now we all find it pretty fun, still hard, but fun.
TWEET-TWEET-TWEET
Pushups.
I was on the straight away when I dropped down and started doing the workout. By this time everyone in class was scattered throughout the course depending on their skills and endurance. Mina is a better runner than me, so my goal is to stick with her during class.
TWEEEEEET
Run, no quirk.
I ran forward, reaching out to grab the corner of the upcoming wall ahead of me. We call it the Maze. It’s a sharp turn that quickly zig-zags side to side like a maze of high walls, but it’s not complicated. Works agility. I’ve ran it enough to know which corners to swing around and which ones to avoid grabbing. Mina was just a few steps ahead, so I quickly caught up we exited the Maze together.
As we started jumping over the Fences, Deku passed us out of nowhere!
“He’s gotten fast.” I said.
Mina nudged my arm with her elbow, “Has he gotten hot?”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head at her.
She loves to tease me about my old crush on Deku. I used to get so embarrassed about it but now I just find it funny. I used to think I liked him but as time went on, I realized I wasn’t crushing on Deku, I was just fan-girling over him.
We saved each other during the entrance exam so we became friends at the beginning of the year. I found myself admiring him for a how hard he trained and how powerful his quirk is, so I thought I had a crush. As time went on, I got to know him personally and the rest of the class. That’s when I realized the whole class works just as hard and has the same intentions to become a hero. Throughout the year, I’ve become a fan of everyone in 1-A. So why favor one person?
I’ve always been a fan of powerful quirks, but it’s not fair to favor Deku over everyone else because of that. Just look at Todoroki, or Bakugo! They can both destroy a whole building with one hand! Even Tokoyami could cause some serious damage!
If I were to call my admiration over Deku a crush, I would have to say I was crushing over every guy here! I think a crush should be deeper than that. To like someone—to love someone—requires even more. A personal connection. Even if I’ve never experienced anything like that, I understand what it’s supposed to feel like now.
The more and more I thought about my feelings and how they waver, I realized I was feeling something inside—rather, a nothing. When I think about my emotions and how I feel them literally, I can tell there’s an empty space deep in my chest for where love is supposed to be. It’s not a broken piece that was lost, or a hole with something missing, but a designated spot that was always meant to hold something special.
You know, that true love stuff.
From what I understand of love from watching my parents, is that true love is meant to be shared. It works both ways. Love you have for food or music, or for your family and friends are all different. True love is the real deal.
It’s nerve-racking.
Just a few months ago I felt like I wasn’t ready to date because I didn’t know anything about it. Thinking about that stuff made me so nervous and embarrassed! But then after New Years, we all had our hero licenses and our internships went so well, it was getting easier to think about other things besides hero work. We had more time and confidence to think about the future and who to spend it with.
Day after day an urge to fill that space had grown and is still growing.
I started realizing I was opening myself up to dating, but I haven’t told anyone yet. I still don’t know how to date, so I wasn’t going to start blabbing that I was ready. But I could explore my interests in what I wanted in a significant other. What kind of traits did I want to see in the boy I would choose?
TWEET-TWEET-TWEEEEEEEEEET
Crunches.
I blinked back to reality and found a space to lay on my back. Sero was next to me on the route—crap where’s Mina? Oh, she’s behind me. I must have passed her on the Waves.
“Is it—just me—or is—Mr. Aizawa’s—whistle—getting louder?” Sero gasped as we matched our pace in crunches.
I glanced over at our teachers who were standing on the tall, plateau tower in the middle of the gym. “I think—” I said, “it is.”
We continued our non-stop workout and my mind drifted back to my thoughts.
Traits. What did I like? What did I want?
My eyes did a quick glance over Sero. He was tall. I like tall. I think I would prefer a guy who was taller than me. For being one of the shorter people in class, that shouldn’t be an issue for the pickings.
What else did I like?
TWEEEEEET-TWEET
Run, with quirk.
Everyone jumped to their feet and our running footsteps instantly turned into echoes or our quirks being used. Sero flung ahead of me using his tape to pull him forward and I used my quirk on myself to make my lunges longer. I could eliminate certain obstacles by floating over them, or above them, all I had to do was make sure I was fast enough.
I passed two people and three more passed me.
As I ran the route, I glanced over all the other guys in class. They were all so athletic and strong, each one working as hard as they could. Some were skinny while others were broad, some having unique features, and all having different hair. There were so many physical attributes to think about. I don’t want to be too picky on looks, but I think I’m leaning more to a slimmer build for a guy. Thinking about being with someone the size of Sato is a little overwhelming. No offense to Sato! He’s a wonderful person, and a fantastic cook! I’m just not that big of a person myself so it would—wait, maybe I’m being too picky already… he’s a really good cook, and I like food.
Hmm… let’s focus on talents. A lot of the guys have talents. They can fight, some can cook, some can dance, most are smart, some play music, all of them are hardworking. I like hardworking. But when it comes to talented, Bakugo is the guy to come to mind. He’s good at everything! Except socializing.
“On your right!” Todoroki warned as he zoomed passed me on ice.
Great, he’s always leaving his stupid ice everywhere on the course. I slipped on it last time and bruised up my elbow.
Todoroki. Interesting guy, no doubt the cutest boy in class! He started the school year a cranky, stressed dude but since the sports festival he seemed fine. He’s quiet. I don’t know that much about him.
I know Deku and Ida really well. Deku is a fanboy over All Might and loves to study heroes and everything about them. I agree with Bakugo when he calls Deku a nerd. He is an awkward, sweet, mumbling nerd and he’s one of the best people to have as a friend. There’s Ida, who is professional, kind, loves to study the books, and cares a lot about his peers.
Hmm…
Kirishima and Kaminari are super fun to talk to! We all have the same humor so our jokes can get pretty great! Mina has claimed dibs over Kirishima, so best to leave that alone. None of the girls has claimed bids over Kaminari, but I’m pretty sure he likes Kyoka. Even though he asked me out once upon a time, he’s got eyes for her.
This is kind of hard, I get along with everyone in class so it’s not like I can cancel anyone out based on communication. Mineta is off the list just for being a perv. And he’s short.
Let’s say I meet a new guy and we decide to date, what do I do? What do I want to do? Usually dating means physical affection.
A memory of my fingers laced between Bakugo’s flashed in my mind. That night I got back to the dorms after Sir Nighteye passed away, Bakugo comforted me in my room. He was so warm and smelled good. It almost seemed unreal that a guy like him would be willing to help me feel better. He hugged me and held my hand until I fell asleep.
I was so glad I was currently running because it helped me keep my blush from showing!
But there was a time where I really thought Bakugo liked me, but he never said anything about it. So, I guessed it was just his way of making friends. I’m okay with it, we’re not on a bad note so I call it a win!
Other physical connections… I’ve started grappling with Ojiro but that’s just training. I train with everyone.
I remember the time I bearhugged Deku to try helping him with his black-whip when he lost control. It was by far not meant to be affectionate, but in a way, I can see that it was. I was really worried about him, and he looked scared. Even if he didn’t notice, I really did try to hold him still with my arms and legs. I was squeezing him hard.
Gosh, I’m blushing again! Run harder!
TWEET-TWEET-TWEET
Pushups.
And I’m on a freaking downhill. Whatever, more muscles for me… yay…
But that was one of the first times I was that close to him. We would always get so nervous with each other, we hadn’t even hugged. But I hugged Bakugo.
I’ve laid on Bakugo.
I’ve piggy-packed on Bakugo.
I shook my head and drops of sweat from my hair dripped on the ground below my face. I stared at them as more memories of Bakugo came rushing in my head. He was always amazing when it came to his quirk, and I even found myself fantasizing about having it over summer camp. Then he went through a kidnapping, and then we went through a villain’s branding... Bakugo sure did have an eventful year, I don’t blame him for being so closed into himself.
The time we were partnered in class made me think he was starting to open up a little, and I started to enjoy being around him. His genuine smile is honestly breathtaking, and I still wish I got a picture of it. Thinking back on it, Bakugo was the only boy to ever compliment me on my body. Deku has complimented me on my clothes and performance tons of times, but never my actual body.
TWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET
Done.
Done? Already? That was a fast hour.
The whole class gathered by the teacher’s tower as they used Cementoss’s quirk to lower them back to ground level. I couldn’t help but shift my eyes over to the hot-headed blonde who was occupying my thoughts. He was dripping in sweat, his jacket was draped over one shoulder, but he wasn’t breathing as hard as the rest of us. He was so in shape.
My body was burning everywhere, mostly my feet. The gym was cool too, the size of the building made it hard to heat the area properly. How was he sweating so much? Maybe it has something to do with his quirk and he’s been focusing on the amount of sweat to sweat? Could he do that?
His skin and hair were shiny with the sheet of moisture that coated him, it was almost confusing. With how gross we all looked after working out, how did this boy pull off looking… intriguing?
I wonder if—
A nudge to my arm snapped me back to reality. Tsu was giving me a wondered expression. I quickly looked at our teacher—who was talking the whole time—and listened to the last of the speech.
“Remember you have a test tomorrow so make sure to get plenty of rest. I won’t be on campus tonight so the class rep will make sure everyone is following curfew. Class dismissed. See you all tomorrow.” Mr. Aizawa waved a hand before turning and walking away with Cementoss.
As we all started walking back to the locker rooms, groans from my classmates began to float through the air.
“I think I rolled my ankle.”
“Me too.”
“I can’t wait to take a bath!”
“Make mine an ice bath…”
“Todoroki, I slipped on your ice again.”
“Sorry.”
I walked in the back of the group trying to rest my legs when Tsu whispered to me, “What were you looking at earlier, Ochako?”
“Nothing really,” I told her. “Just trying to figure out something.”
I glanced at the backs of the boys to see Kirishima lean over to Bakugo’s ear and whisper something to him. The red head leaned away with a grin and Bakugo suddenly glanced over his shoulder at me!
I quickly looked away, but I know he caught me staring! Great, now I look like a weirdo.
As we turned down the hall and entered the locker rooms, I thought to myself about my body. If Bakugo found me attractive at least once—not during the branding, but after that—did any other guys think the same? Or was the only reason he found me attractive was because of the branding.
To be honest, the branding was the entire reason I started looking at his body. Was it the same for him? It had to be, otherwise he…
No, he doesn’t like me. Not like that.
…
Right?
…
Was I attractive? Did any of the guys find me hot?
Did I find any of the guys attractive? Yeah, but…
Wait—why am I only thinking about our class? There’s a whole world out there!