Archive of Our Own

Ochako was happy for Izuku, he was her best friend after all. But after seeing Izuku get with his crush since forever, Katsuki, Ochako felt jealous. She wasn't jealous of Katsuki or Izuku, but of their relationship. She was admittedly envious of it even if she was genuinely happy for them. 

The thing is, Ochako has a crush too. No, that isn't right either. Ochako is in love. She doesn't make it well known but she knows Izuku figured it out on his own. He's perceptive like that. She and Izuku have that in common, they can read one another well. And similarly to how Izuku had a crush on his childhood friend turned boyfriend, Ochako had a crush on her own childhood friend. 

Himiko Toga, the co-captain of the cheerleaders. She was blonde and beautiful, and when Ochako fell for her, she fell hard. 

They had met at the playground when they were little, playing in the sandbox together. Toga had been crying because she had accidentally knocked down her sandcastle, and when Ochako saw her face, she had a strong urge to turn the other girl's frown into a smile and to put a stop to her tears. 

Even though she had an idea as to why she was crying, Ochako went over to Himiko to both confirm her thoughts and to try to hopefully succeed at cheering her up.

“Hey,” She said softly, hesitantly waving her yellow sweater clad hand at Toga to get her attention.  “What's got you all sad?”

Watery golden eyes lifted their gaze from the fallen castle and to the voice that had spoken. 

“My sandcastle…” Himiko sniffled. “I accidentally knocked it down. I was trying to make the edges more smooth, but instead I ruined it.” She lifted her small hands up and used her white school uniform’s sleeves to wipe a few stray tears from her eyes. “I don't know why I always end up destroying everything,” she admitted sadly.  

Ochako felt her heart ache for the girl before her. She looked so very sad, and apparently she had blamed herself deeply for something so small. Despite not knowing her, Ochako could tell the girl with golden eyes wasn't destructive. Afterall, why would she be crying over a mistake if she was?

Mind set, Ochako made her way over to Himiko in the sandbox and sat down beside her. 

Her chocolate brown eyes caught a glimpse of a red bucket hidden within the sand, and it gave her an idea. Brushing it off first, she then pulled the bucket out of its place.

Slowly reaching out to take one of Himiko's hands, Ochako loosened her finger's grip on the bucket that had been previously buried and offered it to Himiko. She placed it into Himiko's hand and closed her palm around it with her own hand guiding her, all with a friendly smile.  

“Here,” Ochako told her. “We can make a new one. Together. How about that?” Her smile wide, she tilted her head to the side in an inquisitive manner, waiting for a reply. 

Himiko stared at her, eyes wide and tears coming to an abrupt stop. 

“Really?” She questioned. “Do you mean it?”

“Of course!” Ochako confirmed. “We can make one together. That's what friends are for, right? They help one another.”

Tears tracks starting to dry on her cheeks, Himiko's face split into a wide grin, one that reached her eyes and revealed her teeth. 

“Friends…” She said, as if testing the word on her tongue for the first time. “I like the sound of that.”

And for her, it was the first time. Ochako was her first friend, she would later learn. 

“Me too,” Ochako giggled, her face warm and her cheeks flushing for a reason she couldn't understand at the time. 

Himiko giggled with her, practically vibrating with happiness. 

“OH!” Ochako shouted. “Silly me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ochako Uraraka!” 

Placing her hand out, Ochako waited for her hand to be shook. But instead of the handshake she had expected, she was pulled into a sudden hug. 

“I'm Toga,” Her new friend whispered against the hair by her ear as she nuzzled her. “Himiko Toga!”

“Well, Himiko, let's get building!” Ochako exclaimed as she hugged her back, her hold tight. “It's gonna be great!!”

“Yeah,” Himiko agreed, as she broke the hug.  Then, her face broke out into that huge grin yet again “I'd love to.”

The smile Ochako witnessed that day from 
Himiko was one she would never forget. It was something that had made her heart flutter back then and still does when she sees it now. She didn't know it back then, but she could recognize it now. Ochako had fallen in love with that smile the moment she saw it, and years later, she had deeply fallen in love with the person behind it too.  

And that brings her to her predicament, her feelings on Izuku and Katsuki. 

Ochako had been there to witness Izuku's neverending pining for his boyfriend before they got together, and she had always been by his side through it all. She was his shoulder to cry on and he was hers. They had a close bond; platonic soulmates, many had said. Izuku was her second true friend and she was his. 

 Y'know how they say growing up with someone and spending enough time with them can cause you to have similar interests later on? Well, that was true with Ochako and Izuku. Not only did they have similar qualities in personality, but it seemed like they had a similar taste in partners too. Actually, she found it pretty amusing that they both had a thing for crazy blonds. (Don't tell Izuku she called Katsuki crazy indirectly though,okay? She'd rather not hear a PowerPoint presentation about all of the reasons why Katsuki is amazing and misunderstood by their peers…again). 

The point is, even if their situation was similar with how Izuku and Katsuki were childhood friends turned lovers, Ochako knew that despite the fact that she and Himiko were childhood friends too, their relationship was different and that just because Izuku got together with Katsuki, that didn't mean she would get with Himiko too. But a girl can dream, right? Right. 

Izuku and Katsuki, no offense to them, made Ochako sometimes want to leave their vicinity during any time she saw them being affectionate, so she could silently cry into her pillow. Not because of them necessarily, but because of how they were living her dream and it was almost like the world was rubbing it in her face. When would it be Ochako's turn to experience what Izuku and Katsuki had? Would she even be able to experience it? 

Unlike how Izuku had a small idea that Katsuki could have the slightest possibility of liking him back, Ochako didn't have that comfort. Her and Himiko, well…they were close friends. Himiko is also a naturally touchy person though and is close to pretty much all of her friends. So Ochako knew she couldn't be more to her if she treated her the same as she did to all her other friends. She supposed it was better to just take what she could get. 

Currently, she and Izuku were at their side-by-side lockers, getting ready for the last class of the day. 

“Hey, Ochako? Can I ask you a random question?” Izuku asked. 

“Yes?” She distractedly replied back as she struggled with stuffing her books in her locker. 

Seriously, why did they have so many textbooks again? Calculus? Chemistry? Finance? What's the point of carrying textbooks when technology exists?

Huffing an amused laugh, Izuku gently nudged Ochako to the side as he miraculously placed her books in place on his first try. 

“Does life seem surreal right now to you too?” He continued after he had finished helping her. 

Closing her locker door, Ochako leaned against it and turned her head to face Izuku. “What do you mean?” She questioned. 

“Well,” Izuku started. “It's just that we're already seniors now and the time seems to be flying by so fast. Things are changing fast too.”

“Hm,” Ochako hummed. “I think I kinda get what you mean. It's crazy to think that soon enough we'll be set free into the world of responsibility.” 

“Right?” Izuku agreed. “And if that already wasn't enough to make this feel like an oddly paced dream, the way things have changed only adds to it. I mean, take Kacchan and I, for example. Who would've thought we'd end up together? Why now? Like, I'd always hoped we would, but now that we are it feels like a dream. Everything just seems to be piling up one after the other, both good and bad. My relationship with Kacchan worked out for the better, but what about everything else?” 

Looking towards her chipped, yellow painted nails, Ochako started to absentmindedly pick at them. She had thought about the topic of graduation before, and it put her on edge. Honestly, she didn't feel she was ready for it. Nor was she ready to face her own love life, as Izuku did. And even if Izuku was expressing his wonder at how he and Katsuki are together, Ochako couldn't help but to feel a bit down at the prospect when her own life seemed to not be going as well. 

Still, she provided her support for Izuku, as she always would.

“Maybe it's not such a bad thing. Change and risks can be good, and those were both factors that led you to where you are now.” 

When Izuku gave a nervous half smile, Ochako knew she should add on for she could tell that this conversation was Izuku's own way of confiding in Ochako about his worry for his future. 

So with that, she continued to do her best to reassure him, “You're going to be a doctor one day, just like you dreamed of being.  You've already taken that leap of faith and have earned scholarships to aid the process. You took that risk, just as you did with Katsuki. Not to mention, you'll have him there with you along the way. I'm sure you'll be alright in the end, so there's no use stressing. Okay?”

Thankfully, that seemed to ease Izuku's mind for the moment. “Thank you,” He said with a smile. 

“Of course! What are best friends for?” Ochako replied, playfully bumping her shoulder into Izuku's with a matching smile. 

“Hey!” A voice rang out above the crowded hallway of teenagers, startling both Ochako and Izuku in the process. “I thought that I was your best friend” 

Just as she had suspected, she found the owner of the voice was none other than Himiko who was making her way to where Ochako and Izuku were standing. 

The blonde had chosen to wear her hair down that day, which was different from her usual messy spider lily styled buns, but it was no less beautiful in Ochako's eyes. 

However, Himiko wore a pout on her face as she accused Ochako. Although she did find the pout to be cute, Ochako much preferred it when Himiko smiled. 

“You are!” She was quick to agree. 

Unconvinced, Himiko huffed. “You can't have two best friends! Plus, I've known you longer than him!” 

Izuku shifted nervously as Himiko's piercing stare was directed at him. He knew that Himiko was simply being playful, but he couldn't help but to anxiously fiddle with his orange bracelet Katsuki had gifted him, a match to the green one Katsuki wore. Ochako could tell he felt out of place. 

Here Himiko went again, competing with Izuku despite it being one-sided. It's funny how she went from having a slight crush on Izuku in their first year of high school to being completely over him by their final year enough to jokingly be rude. Oh, how the times have changed. 

“You're right, you have known me longer than Izuku.” Ochako said, playing along. Then, she dared herself to lean closer to Himiko who had moved to stand beside her. “Do you wanna know a secret?” She whispered.  

Pout gone and eyes practically sparkling, Himiko nodded vigorously. 

Giggling at the display of excitement, Ochako cupped her hand to Himiko's ear and whispered, “You're still my favorite, I promise.”

A satisfied smirk on her face, Himiko pulled back, happy with the answer. 

“Ha! Take that, Izuku, I'm her favorite!” she mocked, sticking her tongue out as she dropped her arm around Ochako's shoulders and pulled her closer. 

Confused but amused, Izuku decided to let it be. 

At that time, they were interrupted by Katsuki. 

“Hey,” he acknowledged Ochako and Himiko, while keeping his eyes on Izuku. 

“Hi,” Izuku replied, face in a dopey grin. 

“Ugh,” Himiko pretended to gag. “Get a room, you two.” 

“Oh fuck off, Vamp” Katsuki lightheartedly snarked back. Then, to Izuku, he said, “You wanna walk to class together?” 

Previously shaking his head in faux disappointment at Katsuki and Himiko's banter, Izuku switched to nod in agreement. “Yeah, that sounds nice.” 

“Great. Let's go then,” Katsuki urged, pulling on Izuku's hoodie sleeve. 

Understanding what the action meant, Izuku linked his hand with Katsuki's and turned to wave goodbye at the two girls as he let himself be pulled by Katsuki down the hall. 

“Bye!” Ochako shouted and waved back. 

A few seconds later, the bell rang for the last period of the day. 

“I guess that means we should get going too,” Ochako commented sadly. 

She didn't want to leave Himiko's side just yet, but she couldn't risk being late either. 

It seemed like Himiko shared the same sentiment. “Ughhhhhh,” she groaned as she removed her arm from Ochako's shoulders, where it had been resting for Izuku's and Katsuki's whole interaction. 

“This sucks… Well, see ya later, ‘Chako.” Himiko bid her farewell. 

Turning around to leave, Himiko slowly walked away backwards for a few seconds, staring at Ochako expectantly. 

Realizing she didn't want to leave Ochako just yet too and that she was prolonging their parting, Ochako felt her heart skip a beat and a smile formed on her face. 

As she shyly waved goodbye, Ochako watched Himiko get farther and farther away. 

When they were no longer in view of one another, Ochako made her way to class while she absentmindedly touched the place on her shoulder where she could feel the phantom heat of where Himiko had wrapped her arm around her. 

Once she was in her Astrology class, she ended up spending the whole time thinking of how Himiko had so badly wanted to be the one labeled as her best friend.

It was unlike her to not pay attention to Astrology, it was her favorite class. She loved space and she normally would be giving the lesson her all. Now though, she was in her own little world; her head in the clouds. 

If Himiko had taken offense at possibly not being Ochako's best friend, didn't that mean that that's what she thought of Ochako as? That had to be it, Himiko only thought of Ochako as her best friend. As happy as she was that she had such an important role in Himiko's life, Ochako still selfishly wished for more. More than she could truly have. Maybe she should accept that she'd only be “Himiko's best friend” and nothing more. Perhaps they just weren't meant to be.

Okay, so maybe that isn't always important, but it matters to Ochako! She can't help but to think of that factor whenever she tries to be close to Himiko at school and she's surrounded by her other friends. Ochako was a cheerleader too, and yet she sometimes felt as if the other girls didn't want her to be a part of the team. She often felt left out. But it was fine, she had Himiko there with her. No matter what, Himiko had always treated Ochako like she mattered. Himiko made her actually feel seen. 

It felt like forever ago now that she had met Himiko at that park. They had both grown since then, mentally and physically. Himiko had made some friends other than Ochako, and Ochako had made some other than Himiko, but neither of the girls would forget each other. 

These days, Ochako just wished that her platonic turned romantic feelings were returned. Although, she would never risk ruining their friendship. So maybe it was best she pushed the feelings deep down and forgot about them with the goal to get over Himiko. That's what she did with Izuku, afterall.

Wait, who is she kidding(surely not herself-), those are two totally different things. She knows now that she never had truly been in love with Izuku. His fierce determination and leadership were qualities she deeply admired about him, and, like the world would like her to believe, she had thought that admiration was love. Mina had put that idea in her head, even if it was with good intentions. And Ochako is somewhat embarrassed to admit she hadn't spent enough time questioning it. She loved Izuku, yes, but she has since then realized that it was just platonic love she felt for him and that she had been confused. With Himiko tho…well, they say when you know you know, and Ochako just knew. 

If she's being truly honest, her “crush” on Izuku is what helped her understand the difference between platonic and romantic love. And, like the ironic way that Izuku and Ochako seem to be similar, Izuku had gone through a similar phase where he had thought he had a crush on Ochako too. In reality though, both of them were already far too deep in love with their respective childhood friends to even fully entertain the idea of having a crush on someone else. So both of those crushes were short lived and both of them have since moved on. 

Izuku had gotten his dream, however. He had finally gotten with Katsuki. It was only a matter of time before those two would stop dancing around one another and would get together, and that happened after Homecoming. 

Now, it was late November and the crisp fall air had started to turn into a winter chill. Izuku and Katsuki had been together for two months, and each day that went by had Ochako's heart ache with envy. 

But Ochako knew she couldn't let her feelings get in the way of her friendship with Himiko. She wouldn't allow it and it wasn't worth the risk. Losing Himiko wasn't worth the risk.

Before she knew it, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Ochako was surprised that she had spent the whole class spaced out, but she supposed it made sense. It was only more proof that helped settle her resolve on her plan to get over Himiko. 

She could do it. No, she would do it!  

Gathering her things and pushing her chair back in its place, she left Astrology with a new determination to conceal her feelings. 

Distracted by her thoughts, Ochako didn't see what was coming towards her, so she was unprepared. 

“Boo!” Himiko shouted at Ochako as she poked her shoulder. 

“AH!” Ochako screamed, dropping her school supplies due to the scare. 

Himiko simply giggled at the reaction, and Ochako's heart raced yet again at the sound.

So much for her plan…

Ochako placed her palm over her heart as she tried to resteady her breathing. At least she had an excuse for her racing heart. Yeah, she would blame it on the scare. 

“Himiko!” She scolded, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment (e m b a r a s s m e n t. Not from anything else). “You nearly gave me a heart attack!” 

“Oh don't be so dramatic,” Himiko teased. “It was only a little scare. Plus, it makes your cheeks such a lovely red when you're embarrassed.”

Well shit, here we go again. How was Ochako supposed to get over Himiko when she acted like that?

“Yeah, Ochako. It was all in good fun,” another voice added. 

It was then that Ochako realized that she and Himiko weren't alone. Behind Himiko was Camie, the head captain of the cheerleaders and the bitch that had Izuku in tears on multiple occasions over Katsuki. 

She stood beside Himiko and she had her arm casually laying on her shoulder. Not around her like Himiko had done with Ochako earlier, but resting there as if she were leaning on her. Ochako felt a spark of jealousy run through her at the sight.

Granted, Camie had gotten a bit better now and she knew her place was not by Katsuki's side, but Ochako still held a grudge against her nonetheless. She could be civil with her, but that didn't mean she would forgive her. And she totally wasn't jealous of the contact she had with Himiko. Definitely not. Himiko did that with her friends and Ochako was her friend too. Her best friend. That alone made her special. 

Regardless, she was still irritated and not in the mood to deal with Camie or her own feelings of possessiveness over someone who wasn't hers.

“Who said that I was mad about it? I know how to take a joke.” She quipped back. 

“Jeez, chill. I was just joking with you,” Camie said, regret clear in her voice. 

She must've felt bad about the way Ochako had taken her words. 

That's another thing, Camie seemed to be nicer now that she wasn't so full of herself. 

Feeling the tiniest bit bad about snapping at Camie like that, Ochako apologized,”Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.”

“It's whatever,” Camie replied, unbothered. 

For some reason, Himiko gave Camie a look and elbowed her in the side. To make matters worse, she leaned into her space to whisper something into her ear that Ochako couldn't make out. The sight made her feel uneasy. 

“Ohhhh,” Camie commented, a smirk on her face. “I see how it is.”

She received a glare from Himiko at that. 

“What?” Camie questioned. “Didn't you want to ask-” 

“Ask? Ask what?” Himiko said nervously as she covered Camie’s mouth with her hand. 

“Ahh er to wa wit oo,” Were the sounds that came from Camie's mouth, but Ochako couldn't decipher them. 

“Noooope. No,” Himiko suspiciously chuckled. “Sorry, but I gotta go ‘Chako. This one here seems to be confused.” 

Then she hastily pulled Camie away from Ochako by her arm and waved goodbye without looking back. 

Ochako, now by herself, stood alone quietly whispering to herself, “What the fuck just happened?” 

“Damn, Cheeks. Since when did you swear?” A raspy voice questioned. 

Scratch that, she wasn't alone anymore. 

Walking with Izuku by his side was Katsuki. Although they weren't holding hands at the moment, their bodies were pressed closely together as if they were quite literally connected at the hip. 

“I can swear if I want to,” Ochako defended herself. 

“Sure, but you swearing is just like Izuku swearing, and that shit sounds wrong,” Katsuki commented dryly. 

“Oh, does it now?” Izuku asked, joining in. 

Looking back and forth between Ochako and Izuku, Katsuki sighed. “Duh. You two have the faces of angels or puppies, or something. So it's weird to hear you swear. It should be illegal for words like that to come out of you guys' months. But I know that you both are actually little brats.” 

“Hey!” Twin shouts came from Ochako and Izuku. 

“See what I mean? Y'all are weird as fuck. I wouldn't be surprised if you could communicate telepathically,” Katsuki added. 

“Says the one who swears like a sailor but has the face of an angel when he's not acting like a demon. Not to mention you're also a secret softie. Who's hiding this true identity behind an act now?” Ochako pointed out. 

“The fuck? I do not!” Katsuki argued. 

“Sorry Kacchan, but I have to side with Ochako on this one,” Izuku agreed shyly. 

“Tch,” Katsuki clicked his tongue in mock irritation. “Some boyfriend you are, not taking my side.” 

Ochako saw Katsuki's pout and muffled her laughter behind her hand. It reminded her of Himiko and how she had pouted too just earlier that day. 

“Can't help it if she's right and you're wrong,” Izuku shrugged. 

“Freckled brat,” Katsuki grumbled under his breath. 

Reaching up to ruffle Katsuki's hair, Izuku chuckled, “Sure Kacchan, whatever you say.”

As Ochako watched them borderline flirt, she felt herself grow sad. She was happy for them, truly. It was a wonderful thing her friends finally got their shit together and Ochako was happy she could witness it. It went without saying that she'd be Izuku's best gal at their wedding. Still though, it reminded her of what she didn't have. Couldn't. 

“Ochako?” Izuku spoke up, his tone worried. 

“What's up?” She responded. 

“How do I put this… Um, are you alright?” Izuku asked, hesitant with his words. 

Confused, Ochako nodded. “Yeah, I'm alright. Why do you ask?”

“It's just-” Izuku paused. 

“You're crying,” Katsuki finished for him. 

“What he said,” Izuku confirmed. 

“What? I am?” Ochako said, even more  confused now. The words were more so to herself than anyone else. 

She lifted her hand up to her eyes, and sure enough she felt the wetness of a singular tear. 

Quickly wiping it away as if it hadn't already been seen by the two before her, she smiled reassuringly. “That's nothing. My eye just felt a bit dry at the moment.”

Izuku and Katsuki looked at one another, basically having a conversation with their eyes alone. They could tell Ochako was lying through her teeth, she could tell. 

Whether they knew or not, they definitely knew not to comment on it if Ochako didn't give a proper answer. 

“If you're sure,” Izuku digressed. 

“Come on, dorks,” Katsuki interrupted. “Let's get going.”

It was his way of turning the topic around and in another direction, and Ochako was thankful for that. Katsuki was a good friend. As was Izuku. 

And so the three of them made their way out of the school and towards the parking lot. 

Once they were there at Katsuki's car, Ochako prepared herself to part ways with her friends. Katsuki always drove Izuku home after school now. It was a part of their unsaid routine. 

“See you tomorrow, guys!” Ochako said in farewell. 

As for Ochako? Well, she walked home by herself. 

“Bye!” Izuku waved the same time Katsuki grunted his own goodbye. 

Katsuki then put his car in reverse and carefully maneuvered his way out of the parking lot. 

For the second time that day, Ochako was left alone and was consumed with her own thoughts. 

Sighing tiredly, she started to make her way towards the train station where she would take her ride home. 

On her way to the station, she decided to listen to music. She figured it could help clear her mind and give her something else to focus on. As she clicked open her phone, she took a moment to admire her lockscreen. 

The photo she had it saved as was a picture her mother had taken of her and Himiko around the time they were eight. In the picture was Himiko in an orange T-shirt and a checkered blue skirt. She was smiling as she held a stick towards a black cat; she genuinely looked so happy. 

Thinking about it deeper, Himiko kind of resembled a cat. She was cute and had these sharp canines, and…Ochako is still pining over her. 

Anyways, behind Himiko in the photo was Ochako in a pink shirt and blue knee length shorts. She had spent the time before that making a flower crown. In the photo though, it was the moment that she had placed the crown on top of Himiko's head while she was distracted with the cat. Even now, she still remembers the way that the little white flowers with a yellow center had brought out the color in her best friend's eyes and how her eyes had lit up in excitement when she had realized what Ochako had made for her. 

Moments like that are what Ochako lives for. Each time she gets to see those golden eyes light up or the sharper than normal canines exposed in the cutest grin she has ever bared witness to, Ochako gets reminded how she is oh so very deeply in love with Himiko Toga all over again. 

Realizing she got distracted from her task yet again, Ochako unlocked her phone and put on some music like she had planned to. 

Onward she walked to the train station, humming the songs that played in her ears as she did. 

When she got there, she boarded the train and took her spot, her music still playing all the while. But maybe she had been more tired than she thought, because the sounds of her music and the movement of the train had gently rocked her to a dreamless sleep. 

It wasn't until she heard the calling of her stop's name that she was roused from her slumber. Not wanting to miss it, she quickly gathered herself and her things and exited the train. 

Damn, she was tired. What a day it had been. Pining over someone is evidently exhausting and emotionally draining. Ochako could tell just how off she was as she walked. 

Truthfully, she could track where she had gotten into this limbo of constantly thinking of her pining and having a stronger sense of longing than she had felt before, to when Izuku and Katsuki had gotten together. 

She'd like to think she was fine with her own situation before they had gotten together. Before she had been shown what she had been missing in her life and what could be possible for her, she had a better control over her feelings. There wasn't anything else in her own life that so closely resembled her status with Himiko like Izuku and Katsuki did. So when they got together, childhood friends turned lovers, it made Ochako think even deeper about her and Himiko. It made her want grow stronger. But it also caused her anxieties and insecurities to be more prominent. 

Continuing to walk while she thought, Ochako fiddled with the wires of her earbuds. 

Why wasn't she enough? Was Himiko too good for her? Ochako had grown up poor and that fact alone already set the differences between her and the rest of her peers. She was judged for that even if she was kind to others. It got better when she made more friends who didn't judge her by that, but was there something else too? She tried her hardest at everything she did, she was kind to people even when they weren't to her. Yet, try as she did with most things in her life, she wouldn't try to change her status with Himiko. Of the things she could lose in her life and the risks she could take, Himiko wouldn't be one of those. She wouldn't allow it. 

On her walk home, she caught sight of the sun glistening off of the chains of the swings at the park she and Himiko had met. 

The park was on her way home, so she passed it often. She didn't usually stop to stare though. This time, she did more than stare, she made her way into the park and let herself go down memory lane. 

As she stood in front of the swing set, she looked over at the sandbox, still there after all this time. It was almost as if she could see the image of her and Himiko playing in there. Kinda like a little clip of her memories, she imagined the scene and reminisced, feeling the nostalgia of the time. 

She knew it was getting later than she would normally be home by, but she didn't feel like going home right then. Yes, she was tired, but she wasn't in the mood for home. She knew that she would just end up going to her room to cry into her pillow if she was in the comfort of her house. Being in the park gave her the motive to not let herself cry due to the fact that someone could pass by and witness the display. She definitely didn't need that to happen. 

So she walked over to the swings scanned her eyes around the perimeter of the park to see if she was alone. It looked like the coast was clear, so she took a seat on a swing. 

Sitting on the swing, Ochako felt the chains. Even after all this time, they were still in tact and held true. The same could be said about her love for Himiko. It remained strong and held onto her heart in a grip that had wrapped around her the day she had met Himiko here. 

With a yawn, she leaned her head back and stared at the setting sun. 

It was beautiful. The array of pink and orange spread across the sky and caught her eye. It had been a while since she had taken the time to admire it's beauty. 

Wind blowing lightly, the remnants of fallen leaves blew across the grassy park. Her music still playing in her ears, she closed her eyes and slowly rocked back and forth on the swing to the beat. 

Absorbed in the music and her thoughts, she was startled when she felt one of her earbuds get pulled from her ear. 

Her first thought was that she had accidentally jerked it out by reflex, seeing as how she had been fiddling with the wires. That thought was immediately dismissed though when she felt a warm puff of air by the ear now free of the music and a whisper in its place. 

“Hey,” the voice murmured softly. 

Whipping her head around to see who interrupted her, she knocked heads with Himiko. 

“Himiko, whyyyyy” Ochako groaned with a pout on her face. “That's the third time today.” 

“Sorry,” Himiko apologized, as she rubbed her head and sat on the swing beside Ochako. She didn't sound very apologetic about startling her again though. “I couldn't help myself.”

Resuming her rocking on the swing, Ochako said, “It was a little unnecessary, don't you think?”

“Nah,” Himiko denied. “You know what they say, third time's a charm.”

Ochako turned to look at her and took the time to examine her. She had her breath stolen by the sight. Himiko had apparently decided to put her hair back up into her signature spider lily buns, and she had a pink scarf wrapped around her neck to go along with her peach coat. Ochako herself was wearing a light pink scarf with her brown coat and she wondered if Himiko was cold too, for both of them were wearing skirts, even if she had tights beneath hers and Himiko had thigh high socks. She knew that she was chilly, and she felt chills go up and down her spine. Because of the cold, obviously. 

“That saying only counts if you failed the first two times, and you didn't.” Ochako pointed out. 

“Meh, who cares about that anyways,” Himiko shrugged with a smirk. “I still got ya,” 

Hearing her say ‘I got ya’ made Ochako's heart flutter again, even if she knew it wasn't in the context her silly heart had sped up for. 

In defense for her actions, she switched the topic. 

“How long have you been here anyways?” She asked. 

“Same amount as you,” Himiko revealed. 

“Oh?” Ochako said. “That's a coincidence.”

“It's really not. I followed you here,” Himiko admitted nonchalantly as she shuffled her feet in the mulch. 

Mouth open in shock, Ochako was at a loss of words for a moment. How didn't she notice she was being followed? Why was Himiko being so calm about it?? 

“But- Why?” She asked, still stunned.

“Simple. I wanted to spend more time with you and I didn't want to part ways just yet,” came the reply. 

As much as Ochako was mildly concerned about how Himiko had followed her the whole way there without announcing herself, she found it kind of endearing too. She was happy to spend any amount of time with Himiko, so it wasn't so bad if she had followed her, right? 

Still, that still left one question. “If you wanted to spend more time with me, why didn't you show yourself or just tell me? Why did you hide until now?” 

“Oh,” Himiko stopped shuffling her feet in the mulch and Ochako watched as her cheeks started to flush pink. 

“Well?” Ochako urged. 

Sensing that Himiko was nervous for whatever reason, Ochako wanted to ease her mind and to make her comfortable. To do that, she playfully bumped her swing into Himiko's. 

Himiko smiled shyly and bumped Ochako back. Then, she laid her head on Ochako's shoulder. 

“You remember how Camie opened her mouth to say something and I stopped her?” she asked Ochako. 

“Uhhhh….yeah.” Ochako confirmed. 

She was in slight shock that Himiko had chosen to rest her head on her shoulder. With her that close, she could smell her floral scent. 

“Okay. So what I stopped her from saying was that I was going to ask you to walk home with me today. Instead I chickened out, panicked, and then ran away like a coward. Pretty lame of me, right?” Himiko gave a disappointed sigh, frustrated with herself. 

Ochako let out a sigh too at those words, one of relief. 

“You could have asked me, you know? Anyways,” Ochako continued, “Why were you so worried about asking me to walk with you? It wouldn't be the first time we have.” 

“It's nothing,” Himiko said, nuzzling her face into Ochako's shoulder. “No point now.”

“No point? What do you mean?” Creak. 

Both of them swung slowly, their swings moving together.

“Nothing important.” Creak. “Besides, it's too late now.”
 
The chains slightly creaked on the swings beside them as they moved in the wind, unoccupied. The flow of the wind also blew both girl's hair around. Yet Himiko's buns remained intact. 

“Who says it wasn't important? It's not like you to not say what's on your mind,” Ochako said, slightly concerned now. 

“This is different though,” Himiko answered. 

“How is it any different? It's just walking together, right? I wouldn't have rejected you,” Ochako confessed. “I would never reject you.”

“Ha,” Himiko laughed dejectedly. “If only you knew.”

“Gah,” Ochako lifted her head from its resting place on Himiko's head, slightly irritated with the lack of proper answers. “Why are you being so difficult right now?” 

“Who's being difficult?” Himiko said, offended. She lifted her head up and off of Ochako's shoulder too out of spite. “If you have a problem with me, then say it.”

“Says the one who isn't speaking her mind,” Ochako scoffed, looking away. 

And now they were arguing. How did it end up like this? They don't usually argue. 

Himiko looked away too, in return. Her eyes teared up as she stared at the sunset instead of Ochako. 

“You wouldn't get it,” she finally responded. 

“Stop speaking for me, would you?!” Ochako demanded. “You don't know how I feel. And I won't know what you feel or mean if you don't tell me either.” 

Still, Himiko's gaze remained looking away. 

“Just…talk to me,” Ochako begged when she didn't get a response. “Please, Himiko,” She said softly. 

Finally, Himiko listened and turned to face her. 

“I- I wanted to tell you something,” she said. 

“Alright,” Ochako said calmly. “What was it?”

“I'll tell you, but I want you to promise me something else first,” Himiko tried to negotiate. 

“That's fine. Whatever you wanna say, I promise you I'll hear you out,” Ochako agreed to her ultimatum and held out her pinky to further seal her word. 

Himiko looked at her, her eyes softening at the gesture. “Thanks,” she said as she linked her pinky with Ochako's. 

After the link, Himiko kept their pinkies locked and let their hands drop to the side. Their hands swung together, back and forth as they stayed still on the swings. 

“I wanted you to promise you wouldn't hate me after this. I've already been seen as a weirdo for most of my life, but you've always been the exception to that. I couldn't bear it if you were to turn on me too,” she confessed. 

“I wouldn't!” Ochako shouted. “I'll support you no matter what.”

That had Himiko eager to crack a joke, “Even if I killed someone?” She questioned. 

“Himiko, don't joke like that,” Ochako laughed. 

“Who said I was joking,” Himiko said, her face serious. “Would you?”

Ochako's face paled. “Did you? Is that what this is about?” 

“No!” came the immediate denial. “I didn't, that's not what this is about. I was just curious.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Ochako relaxed. 

“Thank goodness. You had me scared there for a second,” she giggled after that. 

“Well,” Himiko continued her tease, not letting the subject go. “Would you still support me if I killed someone?”

The question made Ochako think deeply. Would she support Himiko in that kind of scenario? She realized that yes, she would. 

“Yeah,” she voiced her thoughts. “I would support you. Not the action, I wouldn't approve of that, but I'd stay by your side regardless…I suppose,” she admitted. 

“Aww,” Himiko fawned. “I knew you loved me.”

Those words sent Ochako into a slight panic. Realistically, she knew Himiko meant loved her and not in love, but still, it set her on edge.

“You're right,” she still found herself agreeing. “I do love you.”

Oh how she meant it, but not in the way Himiko thought. 

“And I love you too!” Himiko exclaimed as she locked eyes with Ochako, still swinging their hands together. 

That look. The look she gave Ochako right then had her stomach in a whirl. This time, it wasn't in a good way. Sure, Himiko looked happy, but she was happy and content with loving Ochako in a way Ochako couldn't say the same for. She couldn't pretend that she was anything less than in love with Himiko. She had long since crossed that line.  

Unsurprisingly, Himiko saw the change in expression on her face. 

“What's wrong?” She asked. 

“Nothing.” Ochako rushed to say. 

“Hypocrite much?” Himiko accused with an arch of her brow. 

“I'm not- It's not-. UGH!” 

“Well damn, if I wasn't already worried for you, now I sure as hell am,” Himiko said, genuinely concerned. 

“You never finished what you were telling me, by the way,” Ochako changed the subject. 

Her save apparently had done the trick because Himiko's face went from concerned for Ochako to numb about whatever she never finished saying before. 

“Oh, that,” She chuckled humourlessly. “I was going to tell you how I think I like someone. Another girl…”

Shattered. Ochako felt her heart break at the admission. 

Of course it was something like that. They had talked about their crushes together many times before, even bonding over their shared crush on Izuku when they were in their first year of highschool. 

“Is that so?” She played along. 

She didn't want to know who it was this time, didn't want the confirmation that her love had her sights set on someone else. 

But she couldn't be rude about it, oh no. Himiko was her best friend, so she would support her in this too. She promised she would just minutes before. 

“Yes. And she's the kindest and most beautiful person I know,” Himiko told her dreamily. 

Seeing the practical hearts in her eyes only had Ochako's own heart break more. 

“That's…great,” She forced herself to say. “I'm happy for you.”

Himiko blushed at that. “Thank you.”

“Of course! You should've known I'd be fine with it. Two of my best friends are guys in a relationship together. Why wouldn't I accept you too?” Ochako said kindly. 

It wasn't worth the risk to act like she was upset over the situation, even if she was. Himiko could take that the wrong way. She wasn't upset that Himiko liked a girl, but because the girl wasn't her. 

The tension in the air got even thicker when Himiko started to get shifty and couldn't look Ochako in the eye. She didn't even try to argue her title of Ochako's best friend this time. 

“There's more,” was all Himiko said. 

“Okayyyyy, and that is?” Ochako urged her on. 

“The girl I like, I love her. I love her so much and I think about her all the time. My other friends say I'm obsessed,” Himiko said, her voice low and almost as if she was in disbelief in herself. Or maybe it was defeat?

“She's a lucky girl,” Ochako commented. And that was the truth. Whoever the girl is was so lucky to have Himiko's love. 

“I'm the lucky one,” Himiko corrected her. “She's like some kind of angel, I swear.  I feel kinda bad she has to deal with me all the time though.”

Ochako felt her possessiveness from earlier spark again at Himiko's words. But she also felt determined to make Himiko know she deserved to be valued. 

“You don't deserve to be just ‘dealt with’, you deserve to be treated well in return. If this girl you like doesn't treat you well and only tolerates you, I'll knock some sense into her myself,” she huffed. She felt even more protective over Himiko at that moment. 

Himiko grinned, her face smug. “That would be kinda hard for you to do, Ochako. I wouldn't recommend it.”

“Excuse you,” Ochako gasped in offense. “I could very much win against her in a fight.”

In truth, she was hurt that Himiko thought she couldn't win in a fight and that it would be hard for her. Ochako works out, thank you very much. 

Smirk only widening, Himiko said, “You'd end up hurt.”

Remind Ochako why she loved this girl again? Did she really think so little of her? Why was she smirking at the thought of Ochako's hurt? 

“That's not true!” Ochako claimed. “How do you even know how it would go?”

“Well,” Himiko relaxed her smirk to a half grin. “If you tried to fight her, you'd just be hurting yourself.” 

“How so?” Ochako demanded, still a bit salty over the fact that Himiko didn't believe in her power. 

“Because, Silly,” Himiko giggled. “You'd quite literally be fighting yourself.”

Okay, so that was a shock. 

Ochako's face must've said enough for her because Himiko tilted her head back in laughter at the sight. 

“As much as I'd love to see you all hot, mad, and feisty, I'd prefer if you didn't inflict injury upon yourself,” she said after she calmed down from her laughter. 

Still stunned, Ochako stared at her like a deer in the headlights. 

“Oh, don't give me that look,” Himiko said self consciously. “You'd look hot with a bit of red on your skin. Like a beautiful, spotted painting. Plus, didn't you say you wouldn't judge me?”

That snapped Ochako out of her trance. “I'm not judging you. I'm just surprised, that's all.”

Topic serious now, Himiko's teasing stopped, as did her grin. 

“So you're not mad? Or disgusted?” Himiko asked, still somewhat unconvinced. 

And now Ochako's heart felt as if it were stabbed for another reason. She didn't like that look on her love's face. 

“Of course I'm not mad or disgusted. I would never feel that way about you,” she admitted. 

“Even if I'm in love with you and you don't feel the same?” Himiko questioned. 

“Yes, even then,” Ochako agreed. 

“Oh…well that's good to know,” Himiko said with a sad tone. Her eyes showed her deep sadness. 

Wait, why was she sad? 

OH! 

‘OCHAKO, YOU AIRHEAD!!’ Ochako berated herself internally. 

“I’m in love you too!” Was what she blurted out to Himiko instead. 

This time, it was Himiko's turn to be startled. She flinched from the abrupt response, and almost fell off of her swing. 

“Shit,” she cursed as she reached for the swing’s chains. 

“Oh, crap. I'm sorry!” Ochako apologized as she steadied Himiko by her back out of reflex. “I didn't mean to startle you like that.”

Once she was properly balanced on the swing again, Himiko gave her an amused look.

“It's alright,” she comforted Ochako. “I guess I deserved that for scaring you three times today.”

Feeling less worried about the scare now, Ochako joked back, “You know what they say, Karma's a bitch.” 

She gave Himiko a smug look, mischief practically visible in her eyes. 

“Hmmmm, fair enough,” Himiko agreed. 

They continued to swing together as the breeze got colder. It didn't bother Ochako as much as it had earlier, however. In fact, she felt quite warm at the moment. 

“So, about that comment of me looking good with a bit of red on my skin. What did you mean by that?” Ochako brought up with a blush starting to bloom on her cheeks. 

“Wha-?” Himiko started, confused. Then, realization dawned on her. Her face broke out into a full-blown blush.

 “You don't need to worry about that!” She told her.  

“And if I want to know?” Ochako asked. 

“I’ll tell you another time then,” Himiko promised. 

Realizing it would be left at that, Ochako let it be. 

“Can I at least get a kiss for my troubles?” She requested. 

A second later and no response, Ochako was pulled into a kiss. 

It was her first kiss and it was with the person she loved most. It couldn't have been better. 

Pulling back, Himiko asked, “Satisfied now?”

Pretending to think about her reply, Ochako hummed. “I don't know. How about we try that again?” 

Happy with that reaction, Himiko smiled her biggest and, in Ochako's opinion, cutest smile of the day. 

“That, we can definitely do,” Himiko agreed. 

Then Ochako pulled Himiko into another kiss and they shared many more after. 

By the time Ochako got home, it was dark out. Himiko walked her to her house and bid her goodbye with a just as wonderful kiss. 

As she got in her bed, ready for sleep, she was consumed by a fit of giddiness. She faceplanted into her pillow and squealed while kicking her feet against the bed. 

It was official. She couldn't believe it, her and Himiko were a couple now!! 

Maybe she was meant to be with Himiko after all. Fate sure had its way of working things out, that's for sure. 

The next morning, Ochako and Izuku were at their lockers with Katsuki by Izuku's side. 

The whole morning Ochako couldn't stop thinking about the events of the night before. She had been feeling and acting like she was  on cloud 9. 

“What's got you all bubbly?” Katsuki asked, eying her suspiciously. 

“Kacchan!” Izuku hit Katsuki lightly. “Let her be. It's a good thing she's happy.”

“I guess you're right,” Katsuki agreed reluctantly. 

He then placed his chin over Izuku's shoulder as he waited for Izuku to finish up putting his things in his locker. 

“I'm just super happy right now,” Ochako said, not revealing much else. 

“It's good to see you like this,” Izuku told her. 

“Thanks,” Ochako smiled. 

The bell was soon to ring at any moment now and Ochako knew she had to focus. She would make it through the day and give it her all! Then she could spend all the time she wanted thinking about Himiko. 

“Well guys, I'll see you at lunch!” She said, getting ready to leave for class. 

Suddenly, there was the sound of running coming in their direction. 

All three of their heads snapped in the direction of the sound. 

Rushing down the hall with her buns moving wildly was Himiko. She stopped when she was in front of Ochako and gave her a quick hug. 

“Good morning,” she greeted. 

“Morning,” Ochako replied, staring at her with a slight blush when they broke apart. 

“Hi, Himiko,” Izuku said politely. 

“Izuku. Katsuki,” Himiko nodded in acknowledgement of the two. 

“So, what do you say to walking home with me after school again?” She asked Ochako. 

“I'd love to,” Ochako accepted. 

“Great!” Himiko smiled wide. 

Just then, they were interrupted by the first class’s warning bell. 

“I guess I have to go now,” Himiko pouted. 

“It's okay, I'll see you soon,” Ochako promised. 

She pulled her in for a quick kiss then smiled against her lips afterwards. 

“Bye,” she whispered. 

“Bye,” Himiko said back. Then she walked backwards like the day before as she slowly waved goodbye. 

Once she was gone from sight, Izuku shook Ochako by the shoulders. 

“Ochako!” He said excitedly. “When did you two get together?” 

“Last night,” She answered. “It's a long story.”

Izuku beamed at her, happy she had finally gotten with her crush since forever too. 

“I knew you could do it,” he said. 

“Thank fuck,” Katsuki remarked, not as nice as his boyfriend. “It's about damn time you saps got together.”