Izuku and his classmates stayed until around eight in the evening before heading home, leaving a messy living room behind.
"…Yeah, this is a disaster," Izuku muttered as he cleaned.
Still, it was fun. Everyone rarely gets time like this.
He paused for a moment.
After that truth-or-dare game… Kacchan and Todoroki were definitely acting strange.
He finished tidying up, took out the trash, and dropped onto the sofa, turning on the TV.
Half a month…
He pulled out his phone and opened a chat.
Midoriya Izuku: All Might, are you available?
All Might: Young Midoriya, what is it?
Midoriya Izuku: I wanted to ask about One For All.
There was a brief pause.
All Might: …That's something you're not ready to understand yet. There's an exam in tomorrow's Hero Basics class. If you place first, I'll tell you more.
Midoriya Izuku: Got it! I'll take first place!
All Might could almost feel the determination through the screen.
All Might: But why ask now?
Midoriya Izuku: My mom went on a trip with my dad. She'll be gone for half a month. She didn't even tell me beforehand… so I figured I'd talk to you.
…
All Might stared at the message.
Am I… being treated like emotional support?
All Might: …I see. Then do your best tomorrow.
Midoriya Izuku: See you tomorrow!
All Might lowered his phone.
I need to reestablish boundaries.
—
The next morning, after finishing his training, Izuku grabbed his bag and headed for the door—
Only to find Bakugo standing outside.
"Kacchan? What are you doing here?"
"Tch. Your mom talked to mine. I got stuck walking you to school. Hurry up."
"Okay!"
Izuku quickly put on his shoes and followed him.
The walk to the station was quiet.
Bakugo clicked his tongue. "Oi. What, you lose your voice or something?"
"I just don't feel like talking."
"…You're still useless."
They arrived at school around seven. Izuku went straight to his seat and began reviewing, while Bakugo dropped his bag and headed out to buy a drink.
—
At seven-thirty, Hagakure and Todoroki arrived one after the other.
Todoroki walked directly over to Izuku.
"Morning."
"Morning, Todoroki," Izuku replied with a small smile, speaking without moving his lips.
"How's your tongue?"
"It's healing," Izuku said. "Just… itchy."
Todoroki studied him for a moment.
"Let me see."
"It's fine—"
Before he could finish, Todoroki reached out and gently but firmly opened his mouth.
"Mmph—!"
Izuku struggled, caught off guard.
Todoroki's focus didn't waver.
"…It's healing."
—
In the corner, Hagakure held up her phone.
"This is wild," she whispered.
—
Just as Todoroki leaned in slightly—
The classroom door slammed open.
"Half-and-half! What the hell are you doing?!"
Bakugo stood in the doorway, irritation written all over his face.