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Ochako had decided for her New Years Resolution that she had a two goals: exercise more and lose weight. Not exactly anything mind-blowing or unique, but she was determined to do it. Her hips and tummy were round and soft, and it wasn’t like Ochako felt bad about her weight – but she felt like she could be skinnier, and her body could look better. She had been stuck looking this way for a long time, and though she wasn't uncomfortable with how she looked, sometimes she did wish she had a little less fat on her. The rolls of fat on her stomach were not exactly cute, and she was getting a bit of a double chin. Being more diligent with her eating and daily exercise would surely bring her good results!
“So that’s why I wanna try and work harder and try to exercise more! Maybe try to cut back a bit on all the treats I have too. I think it’ll be really good for my body once I get used to it,” she told her boyfriend, Iida, the two of them walking side by side in Yoyogi Park. It was a windy day with clouds in the sky, but it was nice to be out in the fresh air.
“I think it is admirable if you wish to increase your exercise routine and alter your diet to improve your health,” Iida nodded, supportive as ever. He was so good to her, always treated her well and they had been together for nearly a year now.
“However, should you be feeling pressured by external forces to reduce your body mass, then I believe listening to them will only do you more harm than good,” he added, sending Ochako a meaningful look, which made her brown eyes widen. It was still amazing to her how he could read her so well sometimes, even without words.
Iida never commented negatively on her weight or figure, but not all people were as kind as her boyfriend. Some of the girls around campus would make little comments here and there. Just things like, ''That cookie isn't doing you any favours, Uraraka-chan. I'm jealous how you don't feel guilty at all!" at parties or group get-togethers when Ochako would fill her plate with food. Or "You should really cover up, Ochako. Nobody wants to see that," when Ochako wore a crop top one day to one of their study sessions. They were kind of toxic friends/not-friends - frenemies?
Anyway, the point is that their words, while they appeared like a joke, were actually kind of hurtful to hear. It made Ochako think that maybe she needed to change, and to work harder so that change would happen faster.
“Furthermore, you are within a healthy body mass index range and maintain an active lifestyle. I think you look like the picture of perfect health, just as you are. Although I am aware that my opinion is one of many to be considered, I hope you will still take it into account when you make your decision,” Iida stopped and faced Ochako with a soft look in his eyes, somehow looking both worried and affectionate for her at the same time.
“Iida-kun,” she murmured softly, and already, she felt more relieved. Ochako could forget sometimes, could get so wrapped up in what other people thought - but she should be paying attention only to the people who cared about her, and what they thought.
“I also just purchased milk bread at the bakery today. I have some here, freshly made this morning,” Iida lifted up the plastic bag he had been carrying since they'd met up about 15 minutes ago.
“Aww,” Ochako eyed the plastic bag, her face falling into a conflicted pout, “no fair! I really like milk bread!”
Iida nodded with a smile, holding the bag out towards her, “Yes, I know. That’s why I bought it for you.”
Her heart melted hearing that, and she made up her mind. There was no way she was going to refuse something Iida bought for her, especially something he bought thinking of her. Plus, they were already walking, so it took away some of her guilt for eating it. She had a ways to go before she had a healthier mindset towards her body, but she would keep trying her best.
“Thank you, Iida-kun! I’ll eat it right now! Would you like to share with me?” she asked, as she accepted the bag and pulled out the packets of milk bread inside, unwrapping them.
“Alright, but only a small portion, please. I did buy it for you to eat, after all,” Iida replied, considerate as ever.
She shook her head, breaking off a piece, “Don’t worry, I don’t mind! Here!”
“Oh, well, thank you,” Iida accepted a piece bashfully, to Ochako’s delight.
Her eyes closed with joy as she chewed the bread happily. It was so good! How could she have even considered turning this down?
"When I start exercising more, would you like to do some with me?" Ochako asked him, tilting her head to the side curiously.
Iida nodded straight away, already smiling at the thought of it, "I would love to have joint workout sessions with you. It's an excellent way for us to both spend time together and be active."
"Yay! Okay, we can work out a schedule later when we get back to campus," she grinned, pulling off another piece of milk bread to eat.
“Sounds like a plan to me. Also," Iida paused, then looked to her questioningly, "May I offer you a compliment, Uraraka-kun?”
Ochako giggled, nodding, “Of course! You don’t have to ask me every time, you know. You can say anything to me!”
“In that case, you look exceptionally radiant this morning! I haven’t seen you in this sweater before, so I assume it must be new. It looks lovely on you,” he gestured to her outfit, and she immediately gushed over the flattery. She was so hoping he would pick up on it!
“Aww, you noticed? Yeah, I got it on the weekend. Isn’t it pretty? I thought it looked so lovely on the mannequin, so I figured it would look at least a little nice on me too!” she beamed, doing a little spin to show off how it looked on her. It was a sweater Ochako was a little subconscious about, since it did show her figure a bit, but she had just loved the colour and design and that had outweighed her insecurities.
“Although I did not see the mannequin in the store for myself, I must protest. I think this sweater looks much nicer on you. For one, you are a real person, so it naturally looks better. Essentially, you are like a living mannequin!” Iida stated boldly, giving a definitive nod.
“Ahaha! You don’t have to flatter me, Iida-kun!” Ochako waved him off with a laugh, despite how her cheeks warmed and her heart thrummed happily in her chest, “Anyway, I’m happy you like it! Thank you for the compliment!”
“My pleasure,” he replied with a kind smile, just for her.
Maybe Iida-kun is right, Ochako thought as she chewed on the sweet milk bread. Even though she said she'd try to cut back on all her treat foods, dieting and restricting herself with food was something that Ochako had never been able to do properly, unlike some other young women around her age. She seriously didn’t get how they could cut out carbohydrates for a month or exercise every time they ate a cake or something sweet. Ochako respected their will power to be able to do all that, but she couldn’t do the same.
She remembered what her mother always told her, ‘You can eat any food you like, Ochako, as long as it’s in moderation.’
Right, moderation.
“Ahh, that was soo yummy! Thank you for buying it for me, Iida-kun! I enjoyed it a lot! Should I treat you to something too?” she dusted her hands off as she put the empty bag in the bin, having finished the milk bread. She turned to Iida questioningly, and Iida shook his head and held his hands up.
“You are welcome. Also, that is not necessary. Knowing that you enjoyed the milk bread is all the gratitude I need!”
“No way! There must be something I can do,” Ochako huffed, scrunching her face up as she tried to think. An idea came to her suddenly, and she turned to him in excitement as she asked, “I know! Iida-kun, can we hold hands?”
“I-If you wish to do so, I will not hold it against you,” Iida-kun readjusted his glasses, and his cheeks looked a little pinker than before. Ochako wondered if the wind had gotten chillier or if he might be embarrassed, either way, she thought it was adorable.
“Yay!” she cheered, eagerly reaching out and taking his closest hand in hers, “now I can help you keep warm! It’s something only I can do, right?”
“I suppose you must be right,” he muttered, his hand squeezing around hers firmly.
Ochako beamed. With Iida by her side, lifting her up with his care - he was like her own personal pillar of support that she could lean on at anytime. Another hope she had for the new year was that they would get to experience another wonderful year together, side by side.