Work Text:
Jirou didn’t know when it had started. When smiles for a friend turned to longing gazes; when playful touches and arm punches started to make her heart race a mile a minute; when being a shoulder to cry on and a comforting friend stopped being enough.
She didn’t know when it had started but here she was. In love with her best friend: Yaoyorozu. And unfortunately for Jirou, it wasn’t that she just fell in love. She tumbled, crashed and catapulted into it. She could barely stand to be in the same room as her ‘fluffy-haired angel’ without turning into mush anymore, let alone hold a conversation and certainly never engage in the dreaded ‘eye contact’. If she even tried to imagine physical contact, she would pass out - then and there.
All these feelings confused her. Just because of this, she could no longer do things she swore were so easy before, that she never thought about them. Because of these stupid feelings - that came out of nowhere, she couldn’t even hangout with her best friend anymore. That hurt like hell.
As if this bisexual panic wasn’t enough, it made all the others think Jirou was ignoring them as well. It’s not that she didn’t want to do Just Dance and karaoke anymore, it’s just that after the ‘Despacito’ incident, her brain refused to recover. So now she wasn’t just ignoring Momo, she was ignoring all of the girls. Somehow, that hurt even worse.
She groaned in frustration, setting her bass aside and running her palms over her face. Usually her jam sessions with Bakugou could distract her, but no dice. All the quavers looked like Momo’s ponytail and the lines were black like her super-soft hair and her incredible eyes that Jiro could just-
“Hey, Ears!”
The hoarse voice woke her from her daydream.
“I get that you’re busy with your dumb crush on Ponytail, but next time can you play a little less like an extra?”
“Hey, it’s not my fault these feelings are so damn distracting and-”
Wait…
What?
Jiro looked at the blonde incredulously. He’d known? This whole time, he just sat there, knowing that she was being tortured by a stupid crush? Oh God.
“How long have you known? Is it that obvious?” She stumbled over her words, forcing them all out at once.
“As a punch to the face,” Katsuki chuckled dryly. “I’m surprised she hasn’t noticed yet, maybe it’s because extras like her are so damn oblivious.” He broke out into a raucous cackle.
“So what you’re saying is, Kirishima is an extra too?” Jirou smirked. If she was going down, she'd take him with her.
Katskuki’s laugh stopped abruptly. “What?”
“It’s not like everyone hasn’t noticed the way you’ve been looking at ‘Hair for Brains’ like he’s a whole-”
“Alright! Alright!” His cheeks flushed as red as his eyes, as he struggled to yell over Jirou’s taunting. “I get it.”
He stood up from his seat behind the drums and walked over to the door, grabbing his bag along the way, as if he planned to leave just like that. He paused suddenly under the doorframe and turned 180⁰ before charging back in her direction, stopping just a breath away from her face.
He sneered down at her, nosed turned up in a way that reminded Jirou strongly of a different blond brat, but she didn’t comment on the comparison, knowing it would only anger him more.
“All I’m saying,” he started, his voice a degree softer than she expected, “is that I get what you’re feeling, all right? And sitting here and grumbling over it isn’t doing anything.”
Jirou opened her mouth to retort but was cut off again. “I know, I’m a hypocrite for tryna’ give you love advice or whatever but if either of us is gonna do it, it’s gonna be you.” His voice trailed off towards the end of the surprisingly sweet statement. He seemed shocked at the sentiment himself, as he fiddled with his thumbs in his pockets, digging the toe of his left sneaker into the linoleum flooring.
“Bakugo-”
“Whatever, just don’t mention it alright. I only said that so you stop playing like an amateur and clear your head,” he poked his finger at her forehead and laughed. Finally turning to leave the practice room and stopping again under the door frame without turning back to face Jirou.
“He isn’t an extra, I’m just subtle.”
“As a punch to the face,” Jirou grinned. Bakugo didn’t even have to turn back for her to know that all the blood had rushed to his face as he grunted and finally walked off.
Just then, the window that had been left open to keep them cool, slammed shut abruptly. There didn’t seem to be anyone there, so Jirou chalked it up to the wind and shrugged, packing up her bass and leaving the practice room empty - save for one pink hair clip on the windowsill.
~
Meanwhile, the rest of the 1A girls had called a secret friendship meeting to discuss the issue of Jirou. They had huddled around a table in an empty classroom and seemed to be debating fervently.
“I’m telling you, Jirou found out that I had been stealing her eyeliner! I mean it’s just so pretty and I can’t help but use it all the time!” Uraraka wailed, “I’m the reason she’s been ignoring us lately! So, I’ll just apologise!”
She stood up suddenly, meaning to rush over to the practice room, knowing this would be the time and day where she would have practice with Bakugou. However, she was promptly stopped by a pink-tinted hand grabbing her wrist and pulling her back down to her seat.
“Ochako, we don’t know if that’s even the real reason, or if she even knows about your sneaky thievery. Bringing it up or apologising for the wrong reason could just make her even more upset. We have to be careful and consider every option,” Mina spoke tersely as though she was a boss addressing her subordinates, fingertips pressed together in a net. They all nodded back just as gravely.
Someone watching from the window - as Midoriya and Aoyama were - would think they were plotting a government takeover.
“Mina’s right, kero,” Tsuyu added, “It could be that she noticed that I’ve been using her shampoo lately. It smells like pond water.” She finished with a somewhat dazed grin.
“That’s not bad enough for this reaction,” Mina shook her pink curls, “Do you think she knows that I’ve been raiding her wardrobe? I know, I get really defensive over my clothes, it’s just that she doesn’t seem like the type to mind and she has a great sense of fashion. Maybe she does mind and I was wrong?”
“That can’t be it either,” Uraraka disputed, “I’m telling you it must be my fault.”
The three continued to debate with each other, each trying to claim responsibilty for their fractured relationship with Jirou. Only Momo stayed silent, looking despondently at her palms, face up on the table.
“Momo, what do you think?” Mina finally turned up to face their silent member, noticing her lack of participation. She opened her mouth to fight her case but stopped when she noticed the dewy, far-away look in her eyes.
“Momo?” Mina asked again, a layer of concern now coating her voice, softening it. At this, Momo suddenly shoved her palms over her eyes and her shoulders began to shake.
She was crying.
“Look what you’ve done,” Uraraka turned accusatory to Mina before wrapping her arms around Momo’s quivering form, “I’m sorry we have such an abrasive friend,” she then mumbled into her ponytail, just loud enough for Mina to hear and react.
React, she did.
“How is it my fault?” Mina grumbled with her arms crossed. “Sorry, Momo,” she still added quietly.
“No,” Momo’s voice came wobbling and muffled. She wiped her tears with trembling hands and took three large breaths. “No, you’re right it isn’t your fault,” she breathed out the words as if they were fine china that could break if she spoke them any louder, “It’s not any of your faults. It’s mine.”
“What are you talking about?” Mina turned to her softly. All eyes turned to Momo’s still hunched posture, even the ones spying from the window - leaning in to hear her.
“I mean it’s all my fault!” Momo suddenly burst, tears streaming down her cheeks and collecting at her chin, “I’m the reason Jirou isn’t talking to any of us! Can’t you see?” She collapsed her head into her crossed arms on the desk and continued to sob.
Midoriya and Aoyama looked at each other sheepishly before mutually deciding that it was time for them to leave, respecting Momo’s privacy (for once).
“That can’t be true,” Mina consoled her, “You haven’t done anything to hurt her, right?”
Momo tilts her head to the side in avoidance.
“Momo?” Tsuyu leaned curiously.
“Well…” Momo avoided the question, “ Technically no…”
“What does technically mean?” Mina asked more fervently.
“I.. IthinksheighthavefoundoutIlikeher!” Momo forced out her words in a ramble.
“YOU WHAT?!” The other girls asked in unison, already professionals in translating mumbles after spending enough time with Izuku.
“I don’t know, I just didn't want to pressure her with my feelings but maybe I let it slip and that’s why she’s uncomfortable hanging out with us. Especially me.” Momo choked up, “I shouldn’t have been selfish and thought out how it would affect you guys too. I.. I should have valued our friendship more,” her voice broke on ‘friendship’.
“Oh Momo, you know that can’t be it, right?” Ochako leaned over to hug her friend even tighter.
“Yeah,” Mina and Tsuyu joined the hug while the pink alien kept reassuring her, “You know that Jirou’s way too oblivious for that, right?”
Momo sniffled and nodded slowly, consoled by her logic.
“So, there we go,” Uraraka added softly.
“But, wait a minute, kero,” Tsuyu butted in, “Momo might not be wrong, you know?”
Tsuyu continued, ignoring or not noticing the heated glares Mina and Uraraka were giving her. “ Like, Jirou still talks to the rest of us sometimes, but when Momo arrives she clams up and walks back to her desk.”
Momo sobbed louder.
“And when we bring Momo up, Jirou always leaves or changes the subject.”
Momo sobbed louder.
“And she’ll still eat lunch with us but never when Momo is there.”
And even when Mina didn’t think it was possible, Momo sobbed louder.
“You see?” she choked out between cries, “It’s obviously because she knows.”
This time, the girls had nothing to argue against this. As much as they wanted to console Momo, and they were frustrated with Tsuyu’s blunt honesty, they couldn’t help but accept that she was right - as usual. These things have been happening and Jirou was avoiding Momo more than the others, they just hadn’t noticed until it was pointed out.
Silence weighed on them as the three simultaneously decided to hold staring competitions with the various furniture around the room. So far, only Tsuyu has won.
Mina finally cleared her throat. “Well, like I said earlier, we cannot be sure that is the reason.” Tsuyu and Uraraka nodded vigorously at this, hoping that if they did it enough, they could inspire hope.
“Which is why,” Mina sat back into her original mafia boss position at the head of the table, “I came up with a plan.”
Just then, the door slammed open and the scuttling of frantic footsteps could be heard, despite no one seeing any feet.
“Mina! You won’t believe what I found out!” Hagakure called brightly, unaware of the slightly sombre atmosphere within the classroom. The girls heard the footsteps come closer and a sudden slam of what sounded like 2 hands on the table. “I know why Jirou is avoiding us!”
“Wait, this was your plan?” Uraraka butted in, incredulous and slightly annoyed, “You sent Hagakure to spy on Jirou?! Are you kidding?!” She scowled disapprovingly but was secretly just interested to know what Hagakure had found.
“Oh, don’t be so mad!” Mina smiled, “It’s just to help her out so we can be friends again. I just care about Jirou and want to know if we can help her feel better, because it’s no secret that she’s been miserable lately.”
“This isn’t the first time, is it, kero?” Tsuyu added calmly.
“Of course not!” Mina grinned, almost proud of herself, “You think we just miraculously found Todoroki’s TikTok?”
Hagakure laughed at that, “Or when we found Principal Nemu’s Tinder?” The memory brought the mischievous pair to double over and clutch their stomachs from the pain of such strong laughter.
Uraraka sighed softly, giving in. As wrong as spying is, she knew that Mina was coming from the best of intentions and she would never over-step boundaries. Besides, the pink alien’s heart was far too big to use the information for anything as bad as blackmail, for example.
“So, what is it?” Momo asked, perked up in anticipation but also hope, that there was some other logical reason for Jirou’s behaviour.
“Sorry, but my contract states that all information goes directly to the boss first,” Hagakure said light-heartedly.
“There’s a contract?” Uraraka pinched her nose bridge.
“How serious, kero.” Tsuyu smiled.
Although they couldn’t see it, they got the impression that Toru was whispering into Mina’s ear and the group studied her facial expressions eagerly, trying to understand just what was being said.
Mina opened her mouth in exaggerated shock, covering it with one hand before finally breaking out into a grin that could only be described as devilish.
“Oh ho ho, how the plot thickens,” she chuckles in the same way a novelty super villain would whilst stroking a cat in an oversized swivel chair.
“What? What is it?” Uraraka jumped up.
“I’m afraid, I can’t tell you that just yet,” they all groaned in disappointment, “But I can say that there is no need to worry.” Mina looked pointedly at Momo, “It isn’t anything any of us have done.”
“So, what do we do now?” Tsuyu tilted her head to the side.
“Yeah, how do we make Jirou our friend again?” Momo rubs the tears from her drying eyes.
“Oh, we’re going to do more than just that,” Mina winked. Now,” She leaned into the super villain role some more, “Now comes phase 2: Blackmail!”
“Oh my god,” Uraraka sighs dejectedly.
~
“A band?”
Jirou examined the poster that was being shoved in her face by Kaminari, cautiously eying Bakugou, who stood grumpily behind him.
“Yeah, Bakugou suggested it,” the electric blonde dropped it on her desk, “He even got us a gig already!”
“Before, I’ve even agreed to join? Isn’t that a bit premature?”
“Oh come on, you are the only one left. We have Bakugou on drums, Me on guitar, Iida on piano - because apparently all rich kids can play piano, and Mina and Hagakure will be our back-up vocals/dancers!” he switched from bubbling excitement to puppy eyes with great ease. “All we need is a lead vocalist and bassist.”
“How did you come up with this?” She leaned over to direct her question at the angry pomeranian that apparently was the founder of this idea.
“You think I can’t have nice ideas, huh?!” He stormed off mumbling to himself, something that sounded like ‘stupid Raccoon Eyes’ and ‘how did she know?’.
“So, are you in?” Denki smiled sweetly.
Jirou thought about all the stress she had been building up lately and how long it has been since she has performed - the last time being the Culture Festival - and how great it would be to be on stage again.
“Alright,” she grinned, “I’m in!”
Mina, who was watching them from the other side of the classroom sent a text to a group chat titled “Operation Get J Back”
Mina: Part B of Phase 2 complete!
Hagakure: Has anyone seen my hair clip? I think I lost it.
~
Just like that, Jirou found that she didn’t have time to fawn over Momo; between band practices and hero training, she was far too busy for crushing. Time was flying and, before she knew it, it was hours before the show.
She was practising alone when Mina came into her room suddenly, smiling in the same way a child would after stealing a cookie or getting away with a lie.
“Hey!” She smiled and plopped herself down beside Jirou on her bed. The bassist nodded back awkwardly, still unsure of how to act after ignoring her friends for over a month.
“I just wanted to say that you don’t have to worry, none of us are mad at you,” Jirou looked up at this. “We know what’s going on and we get it! We just wish you would have told us!” Mina looks over, taking Jirou’s hand and placing it in her own. “We were just worried we’d done something wrong.”
“No, that’s not-” Jirou rushed to try and explain herself but was stopped by Mina’s hand in her face.
“You don’t have to explain, okay? It’s already sorted!” Mina giggled and got up swiftly, despite Jirou's look of scepticism.
“All you have to do is sing and play your heart out and leave the rest to me!” Mina then left, without waiting for a response. Jirou shook her head at her friend’s familiar antics and got back to her final tune up before curtain call.
Soon enough, she was called to the stage, bass in hand, looking out at the waiting crowd. A bunch of UA students had come to see them and were eagerly waiting for the lights to go up. If she squinted, Jirou could even see Mr Aizawa and Present Mic sitting at a table in the back. But the one person she was looking for, the one who would make it 100 times better just by being there, was nowhere in sight.
Jirou sighed and felt a single tear carve its way down her cheek. Maybe we just aren't meant to be, she thought sadly to herself before shaking the notion from her head, remembering Mina’s words:
Just sing and play your heart out and leave the rest to me!
Whatever she meant by that, Jirou had no clue - but it was comforting nonetheless.
Then the lights turned up and she smiled, refusing to look at the missing face in the crowd and simply played her feelings away.
Her name is Noelle, I have a dream about her
Jirou thinks back to the time when she scraped her hand in combat training and Momo didn’t even hesitate to come and bandage her hand, twittering over it about infections and all the hidden dangers of simple scratches.
But she doesn’t know who I am and she doesn’t give a damn about me
Jirou wanted to laugh and kiss her then. To bring Momo into her arms and tell her everything, from her first memories to the embarrassing songs she wrote with her dad.
Cause I’m just a teenage dirtbag baby!
When something was funny, Jirou wanted to know if it would make Momo laugh too. When something made her sad, Jirou wanted to tell her all about it. She wanted those movie moments where the love interests kiss in the rain or chase after each other at an airport.
Listen to Iron Maiden baby, with me!
Even more than that, she wanted quiet moments like cuddling whilst watching a movie or brushing your teeth together and the simple thrills of holding hands and sharing thoughts and just knowing each other.
Man I feel like mould, It’s prom night and I am lonely
But now, seeing that her crush wasn’t even there, Jirou knew she had to give up these dreams, at least for the sake of their friendship. She had to toss these hopes away and accept the cruel reality that they would never come true.
Lo and behold
They would always be just friends.
Jirou looked out to the crowd, unshed tears blurring her vision until the crowd was just one writhing mass and she almost couldn't make her out.Almost.
But there in the crowd..
She’s walking over to me
That unmissable soft ponytail jutted out amongst the throng. The same one Jirou had spent weeks fantasising about running her fingers through.
This must be fake
It must have been. There was no way that those angel onyx eyes were looking at Jirou like that. Like they were…
My lip starts to shake
In love.
Jirou looked over to Mina and the others to confirm that they were all seeing the same thing. That it wasn’t just a dream. Then she saw their smiles - even Bakugou’s reluctant sneer-smile - and she knew.
How does she know who I am?
This was real. Realer than any of her wildest dreams because Momo was there. And she knew. Jirou could feel that she knew. All of her feelings were communicated on the stage, she didn’t even have to go through the stress of confessing.
Momo knew it all.
So this is what Mina meant by ‘the rest’, Jirou laughed to herself.
And why does she give a damn about me?
It was then that the crowd noticed their standout member with the microphone in her hands. Walking up to the stage with practised grace and, for once, full confidence in herself. She sang.
I’ve got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby
Come with me Friday, don’t say maybe
I’m just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you
The others must have continued to the end of the song but Jirou didn’t notice. All she saw through her still-welling tears was the bright smile of the girl right in front of her, cocking her head in silent question.
All she felt was the hand gently reaching around her waist and pulling her in and the soft locks between her fingers; the warmth that radiated from Momo’s body as she was pressed flush to her chest and then her pillow soft lips against her own.
All she saw and felt was that long-awaited bliss of love.
She only awoke from her trance when Momo pulled away. Then she realised that she was still on stage.
With everyone in the crowd.
Including her teachers.
And they were all silent.
Oh God.
She turned and saw Momo’s face was as red as hers.
“Well, it’s about damn time!” Present Mic yelled from the back of the venue which earned him a light-hearted slap from his husband.
Both the girls' faces flushed even hotter as they stared awkwardly at each other.
“Thank All Might!” Dark Shadow spoke up from a different corner, “if they took any longer I would have pushed them together myself!
“Dark Shadow!” Tokoyami chastised.
At this, the whole hall broke out in raucous laughter and applause, as did those on stage.
“Still, I can’t believe the two prettiest girls got together,” Denki whined to Mina, “Who am I supposed to flirt with now?”
“Have you tried Shinsou?” Mina raised her eyebrow and nudged him suggestively which caused Denki to flush bright red and turn away.
Jirou laughed, “Looks like we won’t be the last couple forming in our class.”
The two looked over their friends: at Uraraka’s longing stare at Tsuyu; at Midoriya’s frantic mumbling to Todoroki; at the way Bakugo refused to meet Kirishima’s gaze; and how Denki was still gushing over the thought of pursuing Shinsou.
“Looks like it,” Momo laughed and laid her head on Jirou’s shoulder.
There.
At that moment.
They were perfect.
Just perfect.