Chapter 1: Life After UA

Izuku stumbled through the door of his small apartment. Barely able to stand after a long day of Hero work, he opted to collapse on the couch in front of him, instead of taking the long journey to his bed. Before him, the television remained on from the previous night and was currently tuned into one of Japan's biggest news channels. The topics being discussed were neither important nor interesting to the tired Hero and soon enough sleep was at the fore front of his mind, as he slowly started to succumb to the day's fatigue.

At least that was the case until an overly dramatic and loud voice cried out from the TV and broke Izuku from his attempted slumber. Three simple words "Hero Billboard Rankings", was all it took to force him awake and rejuvenate the exhausted Hero. It was as if he had a second win, as he eagerly sat up from his slumped form on the couch, with a new found sense of purpose and determination at seeing just how highly both he and his friends had ranked this time around. The event in question happened every two months, making it the third chance Izuku would have had at earning a top spot since becoming a full-fledged Pro Hero. While the announcers only ever discussed the top twenty ranked Heroes in detail, there was always a list at the end of the segment that would show the Heroes who ranked outside of the twenty, an extended list that Izuku himself expected to be in.

The first four were promptly talked about by the announcers, as they went in ascending order. Endeavor, Hawks, Edgeshot and Mirko all retained their places from the previous rankings. It was no surprise to him of course, they were the best of the best, true embodiments of what it meant to be a Pro Hero. However, when his very own Hero name Deku, appeared next to the number five slot he couldn't help the feeling of shock that coursed throughout his entire body, as his eyes widened at the revelation.

"What the hell…" Is all the young Hero could muster, as he listened in to what the casters had to say about him and his newly announced position.

"It may not come as a surprise to most, but the new up and coming Pro Hero Deku has made huge waves in the Hero world since his debut just six months ago at the age of only 18. Such a debut and rise in both popularity and heroism hasn't been seen since the likes of both All Might and Hawks. Could we perhaps have a contender for the next symbol of peace and justice? Only his actions going forward will be able to tell us that!" The announcer finished up the section on Izuku before they moved on to the rest of the top 10. The remainder Hero rankings went by as a blur though as the One for All user couldn't stop replaying the clip in his head of him being the number five ranked Hero in Japan, in only six months no less.

'Mum would be so proud…'

Multiple vibrations from one of his pockets broke Izuku out of his dazed state, as he realised his phone was going off. After a few deep breaths, he calmed his nerves and relaxed back into the cushioned couch once more. Izuku pulled his phone to check who the message notifications were from. What he saw was a multitude of new messages from his 'Class 1A Group Chat'. While it was true that the group of friends didn't see each other as much since their three years of attendance at UA, that didn't stop the tight knit group of classmates from staying in contact since graduation.

He opened up the chat and couldn't help but smile at some of the kind and encouraging messages he had already gotten from his friends in just the short amount of time since his rank was announced nationwide.

Ashido (Sent 6:37pm): HOLY SHIT MIDORI! Rank five already!? That's amazing dude! You too Todoroki, rank twelve is incredible as well!

Uraraka (Sent 6:37pm) Yeah great work guys! The three of you guys are incredible! Keep it up Deku!

Ashido (Sent 6:38pm) Oh yeah good work Bakugo, number ten isn't too shabby either.

Iida (Sent 6:40pm) I want to formally congratulate the three of you. I'm honoured to have such strong and dedicated people as friends. Especially you Midoriya, I Strive to reach your level one day!

Hagakure (Sent 6:40pm) WOOOOOOOO GO GUYS!

Kirishima (Sent 6:42pm) SO MANLY!

Bakugo (Sent 6:43pm) WHAT THE FUCK DEKU? HOW ARE YOU RANKED THAT HIGH ALREADY!? JUST YOU WAIT, I'LL SURPASS YOU SOON ENOUGH!

Iida (Sent 6:43pm) Language Bakugo!

Bakugo (Sent 6:44pm) SHUT IT FOUR EYES!

Todoroki (Sent 6:47pm) I KNEW IT! THEY COMPARED YOU TO ALL MIGHT, MIDORIYA! YOU CAN'T DENY THE ALLEGATIONS ANYMORE!

Asui (Sent 6:48pm) Oh no, don't start this again Todoroki. Ribbit.

The messages continued, as the majority of his class congratulated the three of them who made it into the top twenty, but of course Izuku received the most praise with his surprisingly high placement. After spending what seemed like hours replying to messages in the online group chat, Izuku received a new text from a certain creation quirk user he had gotten really close to over the last couple of years. A development that still managed to baffle him to this very day because of their extremely differing personalities and upbringings.

Momo (Sent 7:33pm) I'm so proud of you Izuku, I know your mum would be too! It's incredible at what you've achieved in such a short amount of time. Let me know whenever you want to meet up again or just get coffee together, it's felt like ages since we've both seen each other in person.

Izuku's face turned crimson after reading the message. The phone fell from his grasp as he instinctively tried to the hide the blush with his hands. He wasn't stupid, Izuku understood that the implication of getting coffee was only meant as friends from Momo, but a part of him couldn't help but entertain the thought of it being something more.

"Dammit Momo, why are you like this?" It wasn't a question filled with malice or ill will, Izuku just couldn't understand the black-haired beauty at times. She was kind and caring to all, a fact that everyone knew, but with him it felt different. It felt like she was just far more affectionate and caring when compared to her other friends and acquaintances. Whether it was a simple hug or their hands 'accidentally' grazing by one another when in contact. He noticed every little informal action that the prim and proper heiress showed to him and him alone and it drove him to the brink of insanity every single time.

When it came to Momo his brain always instantly shut down, leaving a muddled mess of thoughts and assumptions in his wake. It was probably nothing, that had to be the case, right? This was his best friend after all, it was only normal that they shared a closer bond then their peers after the years of learning together. It was honestly surreal; they really did get that close over the course of Hero school and it both shocked and scared him. To anyone else, at first glance you would compare the two as complete and utter opposites, but once they got to know each other. To really know each other, they both realised just how much they really had in common. From shared self-esteem issues, to the love of differing forms of literature and even quirk analyse to Izuku's own delight. He never in a million years could've imagined meeting someone with such similar interests and then Momo entered his life and kept surprising him time and time again.

Izuku smiled as he looked down at her contact name that simply read 'Momo.' Something she herself had added to his phone so long ago. He couldn't help but compare it to her social media account which was simply "Yaoyorozu" or even to his other friends which he still referred to by their last name, with the exception of Kacchan of course. Hell, it had taken Momo weeks to get him to start calling her by her first name, since she didn't want formalities between the two of them anymore. Even after that fact, the girl in question had to correct Izuku on a regular basis, up until it had become second nature to the green haired boy.

Sighing deeply, he ignored the confusion and feelings and tried his best to muster a reply. Despite his best efforts however, he couldn't help but feel nervous for some odd reason.

"Dammit Izuku! You can do this, she's your best friend for god sakes! You talk to each other all the damn time!" He shouted words of encouragement to himself, as he finally worked up the nerve to write a proper response.

Izuku (Sent 7:39pm) Thanks Momo, I appreciate it! I don't think I deserve it, but I'll try my best to live up to the expectations people now have of me! Also, yeah, I'd love to catch up again soon, I've been so busy with Hero work lately that I haven't had a chance to relax at all.

Momo (Sent 7:41pm) You do deserve it.

Momo (Sent 7:42pm) You want to know something funny? We text all the time, but I still can't help but read out your texts as if your stuttering when you talk!

Izuku (Sent 7:42pm) WHAT!? I BARELY STUTTER AT ALL ANYMORE UNLESS IM FLUSTERED OR OVERWHELMED!

Momo (Sent 7:44pm) Oh we both know how easily it is to make you flustered…

Momo (Sent 7:44pm) Izu…

With just those few words, Japan's new number five Hero turned into a blushing mess. The combined use of her teasing and his 'nickname' was just too much for Izuku to handle. A defeated groan escaped his lips as he sunk as deep as humanly possible into the couch, as he tried his hardest to disappear from existence. "Momo… Why!?" Was she trying to flirt with him or what? He honestly didn't have a clue at this point. Before his embarrassment could persist a new message from the woman in question popped up onto his phone.

Momo (Sent 7:46pm) Sorry about that Izuku. That wasn't appropriate in the slightest… I do have some exciting news though, that I've been wanting to share with you for a while now though.

Momo (Sent 7:47pm) You know how I've mentioned in the past, before graduation about being more independent and less reliant on my parents? Well my mother and father have finally agreed to allow me to move into a place that I can call my own!

Izuku (Sent 7:49pm) Wow Momo, that's great! I'm so happy for you! Where abouts are you moving to anyway?

Momo (Sent 7:50pm) Well that's the exciting thing! I'm moving to Musutafu.

Izuku (Sent 7:51pm) We will be able to see each other all the time now!

Momo (Sent 7:53pm) That's not all... I hope this won't upset you at all, but I'm moving closer than you think. The apartment complex you live in had a vacancy and I just couldn't pass up the offer…

Izuku (Sent 7:54pm) Why would I be mad at that?! That sounds perfect!

Momo (Send 7:54pm) I'm so glad you think so! Anyway, I know you must be exhausted and I must say that I'm not feeling much better, so I'll let you get some much need rest. Goodnight Izu.

A smile graced his lips as he read over the phone conversation in his head. A feeling of comfort and warmth started spreading throughout his entire body. The thought of having such a close friend living nearby who wasn't Kacchan made Izuku excited. Sure, the explosive quirk user was fine and all, but he wasn't really someone you could confide in without being yelled at in the face. The fact that the friend moving was Momo, just increased Izuku's excitement. He was popular, that wasn't something up for debate, everyone in Japan knew who Deku was, but that didn't stop the loneliness he often felt at times. Deku had always just been his persona, a way to hide the fear he felt, as he delivered justice with a reassuring smile on his face. However, Izuku was still just an ordinary young adult with issues like any other. Having someone like Momo that he could actually confide with in person and talk to about his burdens would be prove to be a relief like no other.

He looked down at his phone, not at all bothered to send a reply. Izuku knew full well that he would more than likely get spammed in the morning with message from her anyway.

"Goodnight Momo." He found the energy and stood up from the couch, as he took in the empty, lifeless apartment around him. A place that he used to be able to truly call home, but not since the absence of his mother. It just wasn't the same.

(X)

A few minutes seemed to past, as he got lost in his thoughts. Once more he looked down at his phone, swiping through the contacts list before he stopped on his mother's name. He dialled the desired number and waited for it to go to voicemail. "Hello this is Inko Midoriya speaking, I can't come to the phone at the moment. Please leave a message after the beep."

Izuku waited for the sound signifying that the message was being recorded, he elicited a drawn-out breath before he started talking in a shaky tone. "Hey mum… It-It's been a while since I've sent you one of these. There just hasn't really been much happening in my life lately to warrant it… I… Umm, well I found out today that I'm now placed number five in the Hero rankings. I just know you'd be so proud of me… I've worked so hard to get where I am and I'm still not sure if I deserve it, but everyone else seems to think I do… So yeah." His voice began to break, while tears formed the more he spoke. No matter how many times he had made this very type of call, it never got any easier.

"I… I really miss you mum. I feel so lost at times without you here… There's just so many things I wish I could tell and ask you. I wish you could see the Hero I've become…" He took a long pause, as he wiped away the stray tears with one hand, while he stood at the doorway to his mother's empty room.

"I think I like Momo as well. Hell… I think I've liked her for a while now, but I just don't know how to handle it. Like what if she doesn't like me back? Everything's just confusing lately you know?" He took another deep breath, as he tried to suppress the emotional whiplash that had ensued.

"I haven't made any progress trying to locate your killer lately either… I promise I'll get you the justice you deserve one day mum, no matter what it takes. Don't worry though… I haven't let it consume me. I love you so much... Anyway, I should probably go now and get some sleep, I've been patrolling a lot more lately, trying to keep myself occupied as much as possible. Rest well mum…"

He ended the voicemail and massaged the creases of stress that formed on his forehead. Dejectedly he made his way to his bed, not at all bothered to remove the Hero costume from his sweat and grime filled body.

The tradition Izuku had of calling his deceased mother's number may had seem odd to some, but Izuku liked to hope that wherever his mother was, she could listen in to the messages he left. Her death happened over a year ago at this point, at the hands of a new villain. A villain that he knew so little about. In many ways the voicemails were an escape for Izuku, a way that he could vent and still feel close to her. She was his diary, a way to always be remembered. One that brought with it a feeling of reassurance and safety at the cost of spent tears and longing. Paying the monthly bill to keep the number registered was but a small cost for Izuku, especially with the amount he now earned as a Hero.

Sleep eventually found the young Hero. It did not come easily as hours seemed to pass by, but the feeling of fatigue always won out in the end. He was still only human after all, despite how hard he seemingly pushed himself each and every day.

(X)

An alarm echoed throughout Izuku's room, waking him from his slumber. He fumbled about, before he managed to reach the phone on his bedside table and turn off the irritating sound. The time was 7:00am. Realisation soon sunk in, he had slept in longer than anticipated. The young Hero's day had only just begun, two hours later then he would've liked however.

Groggily, he got up and haphazardly made his way to the bathroom. Splashing water onto his face in hopes of fully waking up, Izuku finally took note of the Hero costume the still clung to his body through the reflection of the sink mirror. 'Shit… I really am getting sloppy lately. If only Gran Torino or Aizawa saw me like this. They would have a field day.' Not wasting any more time, he stripped free from the costume and took a minute to admire his sculpted form and more defined features in the mirror before he proceeded to have a quick cold shower.

Lost in his thoughts, the cold water ran down his body as the sound of the doorbell echoed throughout his small abode. Panic quickly set in, as the realisation that someone was at the door finally reached Izuku's tired brain.

"Shit! Who the hell could be here this early?" Izuku rushed frantically, as he finished his cold shower and sloppily dried himself down before running to the door with nothing but a damp towel to cover his lower body. Once he opened door, Izuku was met face to face with probably the worst possible person he would ever want to see his current state of undress. Before him stood Momo Yaoyorozu, his best friend.

Once more that day, all Izuku muttered under his breath was "Shit…"

A/N: Chapter updated on 10th July.

Well this will be my first ever attempt at trying to write a full fledged story on this site, or any site for that matter. I've written a few short stories here and there but nothing like what I want to do with this story. The overall goal is to hopefully improve my writing and story telling while delivering something that I hope at least a few people can find enjoyable.

My biggest inspiration for my love of reading fanfiction and wanting to attempt my own story goes to AkeenCarter and all of their fantastic MHA stories and of course MizuTori and their IzuMomo "Thank You" Story. If I can write something even 1/100th as good as them I will be satisfied.

Now I'll address a couple of decisions I've made while writing this first chapter/story.

The most obvious being the ship choice of Izuku and Momo. I absolutely adore the IzuMomo ship and don't think there are enough stories about it on the internet. Obviously based on reading this first chapter, these two already have a close bond, but I don't intend to rush them into a relationship just yet.

I chose the post UA setting as a chance to test my own creativity and writing ability. I want to see what I can develop in a world where these characters are all grown up and starting up their careers as full fledged heroes. I do intend to have flashbacks that will help address mostly the blossoming friendship between Izuku and Momo, as well as the unfortunate demise of Inko.