Chapter Text
The neon signs of the Mustafu shopping district were finally dimming as the clock neared midnight. A sea of heroes in training and laughter occupied the sidewalk—specifically, the combined female population of the newly minted Classes 2-A and 2-B.
"I’m telling you, Midnight-sensei is the best teacher for this," Mina Ashido chirped, swinging a shopping bag from the movie theater. She took a massive, messy bite of a triple-scoop mint chocolate chip cone. "A movie outing and ice cream? I could get used to 2nd-year life pampering."
"It was a generous reward for our combined grade average," Momo Yaoyorozu noted, her smile elegant despite the way she was delicately dabbing at a stray drop of vanilla on her chin. "Though I suspect she also just wanted an excuse to see that new rom-com. Can't complain" Last two words revealing her own weakness to this type of media.
"Whatever the reason, it was a care free zone and I needed it," Itsuka Kendo chimed in, stretching her arms behind her head. The Class 2-B representative looked over at her classmates. "No Monoma making a scene, no Bakugo yelling... just nice."
"Kero. It’s strange, isn't it?" Tsuyu Asui tilted her head. "Aizawa-sensei said the boys were all being treated to a special training-retreat —but he was so vague about it."
"Aizawa-sensei being vague? Remove that thought," Jiro snorted, adjusting her earphone jacks. "They’re probably all stuck in some cabin in the woods eating canned beans while we’re out here living the dream."
The group laughed, the bond between the two classes having solidified significantly over their first year. As they approached the towering gates of UA, the air was cool and the campus was eerily quiet.
"Hey!" Mina suddenly stopped, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous pink glint. "If the boys aren't back yet... and we’re already all together... why stop the fun?"
"Ashido-san, it is nearly one in the morning," Iida’s voice seemed to haunt the air, though he wasn't there. Momo chuckled. "What are you suggesting?"
"A sleepover!" Mina threw her hands up. "The second year dorms are huge. You guys can grab all the extra pillows and blankets from 2-B, drag them over to our common room, and just... Sleep in there. No boys to ruin the vibe, no Iida to tell us to go to bed. Just us."
Setsuna Tokage grinned, her sharp teeth glinting. "Now that is a plan I can get behind. We can finally trade the real gossip without any of them overhearing."
"Oh!!" Ibara Shiozaki added softly. "A late-night communion of friendship."
"That would be great!" Ochako Uraraka cheered, though she looked a bit tired. "Kendo, 2B. We’ll head to our common room and clear the floor. Meet back in twenty?"
The group split with high-fives and excited whispers. The 2-B girls—Kendo, Setsuna, Reiko, Kinoko, Pony, Yui, Ibara, and Setsuna—jogged toward their own building.
Inside the 2-B dorms, the air was still. They moved and grabbing sleeping bags and stashing snacks into Reiko’s telekinetically floating baskets.
"I wonder where the guys actually went," Pony muttered in English, then corrected herself. "Do you think they’re okay?"
"They’re probably fine, Pony-chan," Kinoko said, adjusting her mushroom-patterned pajamas. "Knowing Vlad sensei, he’s probably making them do push-ups in the dark."
"They will cause trouble again. I'm sure of it." Setsuna said to her colleagues.
"Let's go," Kendo said, hoisting a massive bundle of blankets. "We shouldn't keep 2-A waiting."
On to Setsuna Tokage as the 2-B girls approached the 2-A Heights Alliance building. They expected to see the 1-A girls frantically moving couches. Instead, they saw through the large glass windows that everyone was standing frozen in the common area.
"Uh, did they see a ghost?" Setsuna whispered, pushing the door open.
The silence inside was heavy, broken only by a familiar, exhausted sigh.
Standing in the center of the room was Aizawa sensei. He looked worse than usual—which was saying something. His hair was a mess, his goggles were crooked, and his capture scarf was tangled. But it wasn't his appearance that stopped the 2-B girls in their tracks.
It was the small, curly-haired toddler currently clinging to Aizawa’s leg.
The boy looked no older than four. He wore an oversized "All Might" t-shirt that hung down to his tiny ankles like a gown. His eyes were enormous, emerald green, and brimming with tears.
"Sensei?" Kendo gasped, dropping her pile of blankets. "Is that...?"
"Midoriya," Aizawa groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "There was an 'incident' at the boys' retreat. A local villain with a unknown quirk got jumped by Bakugo and Kaminari before we could secure the perimeter. Problem Child, being Problem Child, threw himself in the way of the quirk fire to keep the others from being hit."
"Oh my goodness," Ibara whispered, clutching her hands to her chest. "He’s a child!"
"The rest of the boys are currently detained at the local precinct and medical center for statements and check-ups. They won't be back until morning," Aizawa explained, his voice trailing off as he looked down at the child. "Mrs. Midoriya is currently in States. I was going to take him to the faculty dorms, but..."
Before Aizawa could finish, the "Mini-Izuku" let out a small, trembling sniffle. He looked around at the crowd of tall, intimidating girls and buried his face deeper into Aizawa’s trousers.
"He’s scared!" Ochako squealed, her heart visibly melting. She lunged forward, but stopped herself, remembering her training. She knelt down, softening her voice. "Deku-kun? Do you remember me?"
The little boy peeked out with one eye. He blinked, his long lashes wet with tears. "Uhmm-mm. mommy?" he whispered in a tiny, high-pitched voice.
The collective "AWW" from twenty teenage girls was loud enough to shake the windows.
"I’m leaving," Aizawa said flatly.
"Wait! Sensei, you can't just leave a young child. He seems barely 2!" Momo exclaimed, though she was already reaching into her sleeves to create a plush teddy bear.
"I have to go fill out the incident reports and deal with the fallout of Bakugo nearly blowing up a police station because he 'refused to be interrogated,'" Aizawa said, already walking toward the door. "He’s fed. He’s bathed. He just needs sleep. You wanted a sleepover? Here’s a guest of honor. Good luck."
The door slammed shut.
For three seconds, there was silence. Then, the chaos erupted.
"I want to hold him!" Mina screamed.
"Move, I’m have experience with kids!" Kendo countered, dropping her "cool big sister" act immediately.
Mini-Izuku's lip began to wobble at the loud noises. He looked like he was about to burst into a full-blown sob.
"Everyone, SHH!" Ochako hissed, her gravity-defying instincts kicking in. She slowly crawled forward on the carpet. "It’s okay, Dek—Izu-kun. We’re friends. We’re heroes!"
The little boy looked at her, his big eyes searching hers. "Heroes?"
"Yeah," Ochako smiled, her heart thumping. "See?" She touched her fingertips together and made a small pillow float in the air.
Izuku’s eyes went wide. The tears vanished, replaced by pure, unadulterated awe. "Pretty..."
He let go of the spot where Aizawa had been standing and reached out with a chubby hand. Ochako gently scooped him up, and the way he tucked his head into the crook of her neck made half the girls in the room clutch their chests in phantom pain.
"Okay," Setsuna said, a predatory (but playful) grin spreading across her face. "The sleepover just got ten times better. Girls, get the snacks—we have a future Symbol of Hope to pamper."