1

Study to reminisce

"E-Even if I am quirkless... D-Do you think, um, is it possible for someone like me to become a hero?!"

He rang the door, er, gate-bell? Buzz!

"S-So big..." Izuku marveled at the sight of the mansion as he waited patiently outside the gate. It was their last year at U.A. The league of villains wasn't as much as a threat as they were and so, the students returned to live in their proper residences.

The intercom turned on and out came a voice. "Oh, Midoriya is that you? I'll have the gates open right away! I'm so glad you were able to make it without any problems." After her voice shut off, Izuku heard a loud buzz.

The gates opened. Izuku began walking inside with a nervous sweatdrop behind his head. 'She really is a rich girl.' He reached the door about to knock.

"Midoriya, please come in!" She opened the door with an innocent, happy-to-host smile.

'W-Was she waiting for the exact moment I came to the door...' He ignored the probably truthful thought. "Ah, thank you, Yaoyorozu." He stepped inside. Momo closed the door and guided him around. Izuku couldn't help but take in the higher class presence of her home.

"I'm glad you were able to make it. I don't usually require help studying, but lately, I've been falling behind. I wasn't to keen on the idea of asking Mineta or Bakugo for a private study session. It's great that you're so reliable, Midoriya." She turned her face to him as they walked side by side. Her smile was a cheerful shade of optimism.

"Th-Thank you, Yaoyorozu... I completely understand your reasons. Mineta and Kacchan would be difficult." He had cringed eyes, feeling sorry for her. "I brought all my study material. I don't know what subject you want to take a crack at first. Is there any, in particular, you're struggling with?" Izuku was holding up his bookbag to show how stuffed it was.

Her smile was still there, but she grew a sweatdrop. "My, y-you really are good at prep, huh?" Her eyes naturally lingered to the right hand holding up the bag. Her eyes squinted back a sad gaze and she kept her composure.

Izuku nodded vigorously with huge eyes. "I have to be. Don't worry I also checked up on your suit, it's going great!" He realized how dorky he was acting. His cheeks heated up and he dropped his bag along with his eagerness. He coughed to clear his suddenly tight throat. "S-So, um, where are we going to be studying?" They had been walking for a while now.

"Oh Midoriya, I also wanted to talk about that?" A light giggle. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "No matter, we can talk about that while we study, suit designs aren't my strong point. As for where we will be studying, I believe my room would be best."

Izuku's eyes popped out his sockets. "I-Is that really a good idea? I mean...?"

Momo lifted her chin off her thinking index finger. "Why wouldn't it be? It's free from distractions, I also have a somewhat office corner for studying. If there were more of us then I would understand, but the most efficient method seems my room." She glanced at Midoriya after her explanation.

"Th-That does make sense... but what about your parents?"

"Oh, I don't think that will be a problem, work has kept them busy as of late. Although they are strict and I do adhere to their wishes, it's easier when they aren't here. Don't worry." And she had that smile.

It was a simple smile, really. Except, it was one she shared through the school too many times.

"Wh-Why did I expect something similar to my room..." Izuku dropped his book bag, he apologized, picked it back up, and gawked again at her room. 'It's bigger than my home!' He recognized her bed from there time at the U.A. dorms. It seemed more proportional here. The innocent rich girl vibe was present throughout.

"Is your room not the same?" Adorably confused. "Oh, I often forget how diverse students at U.A. can be, sorry if I sounded insensitive." As she walked up spiral stairs to a higher platform inside the room.

"Oh, not at all Yaoyo-" He was about to finish with a polite smile until he saw the stairs and platform she was walking up to. "What the?!"

"This is the study area, I talked about." She motioned with her hand for him to accompany her.

With wide eyes, Izuku nodded, taking shaky steps up the stairs. 'She outclasses me by so much... at school, it's a lot more mild, but now I get why she always had this kind of high social class vibe. The hard part is that she doesn't notice it herself!'

He reached the elevated area and took it in. 'It actually looks kinda like it's own room, secluded from the one down there.' A bookshelf next to the corner, a desk by its side, and a proper round study table in the center.

"Please sit." Momo waved at the chair beside her. "I prefer this part of my room the most. You get a much better view from the window up here... and the tranquil atmosphere helps me relax."

Izuku mindlessly dropped his bag on the table, pulling out a chair. He was focused on her expression, 'something about the way she said that... It's probably nothing.' But Izuku couldn't shake the image of her downcast eyes.

Momo continued the flow of conversation, taking her seat, by his right side. She couldn't help but stare at his right arm. It was bandaged. Always bandaged. She almost lifted her left hand, to touch the white tape over his skin. She almost did but stopped herself. 'He still keeps it like that... Oh, Midoriya.' She cleared her throat and her thoughts. 'Don't worry about that. That's not why I invited him! Positive thoughts!' She nodded her head and scooted closer to him.

Izuku gave a casual laugh. He reached for his bookbag with his right hand. His bandaged hand. "So where do you want to start? You said suit designs were a struggle for you right? How about we start there?" He was pulling out his notes until he noticed she was staring at his hand. He furrowed his eyebrows but let it go. Yaoyorozu was always the worrying type. "L-Like I said," Trying to snap her out of her gaze. "Your suit should be ready tomorrow."

Momo realized that she was staring and rose her eyes to meet his also realizing that he caught her staring. "Oh, M-Midoriya, I didn't mean to-, gosh I'm so sorry!" With her hand over her chest and shut eyes of guilt.

"D-Don't worry about it! C'mon l-let's focus where you should reinforce your suit, without dampening your mobility or quirk."

"Y-Yes, you're right!"

Somehow, they avoided the possible awkward moment. At least they did their best to avoid it for as long as they could. The lingering sentiment was still there.

Laughter. It filled the room. "Midoriya, you didn't even notice you were rambling!" Holding her sides. Izuku shared a smile. She couldn't help herself, placing her hand on his shoulder to support herself.

"Hey, you could have stopped me! I was so embarrassed that day!"

"I know, I know! But it's just so adorable when you go on like that!" Her giggle died down, not knowing how it sounded to Midoriya.

"A-Adorable..." Repeated with heated cheeks.

Momo's posture went rigid.

Their eyes met. Hers were wide with nervous concern. His reflected her like a mirror. A still breath between them.

"Um..." She tried to say.

"Yeah...?" Trying like her.

Her heart was pounding, so was his. Yet, their actions were calm. So calm. She placed her hand over his right hand. "Is it okay if..." With a tender grip. "If I worry..?"

Izuku's eyes stared at the hand over his then went back to her face. She was leaning close to him. Her bottom lip was quivering. And her eyes. Her eyes held a liquid twinkle.

He didn't like this. Momo wasn't this vulnerable since her self-esteem plummeted during their first year after the sport's festival. His eyes widened, recalling her earlier words. "Yaoyorozu, you said your grades were slipping... and your parents haven't been around lately... Is something wrong? I-I'm worried for you, too."

An honest gasp. She recollected herself, and her grip over his hand. "You're avoiding the subject. Midoriya, after what happened... you still don't talk about it and if you do, all you do is play it off with a smile."

Izuku's back tensed and his eyes grew for a moment before they settled. "S-So are you... Momo, you always have that smile-"

"That's exactly why!" It was harsh but out of concern. Her eyes were shadowed as she leaned closer. Izuku flinched. She continued with a whisper of worry. Her grip on his wrist was still holding on. "Midoriya... After everything, I just miss that shine in your eyes... I want that back. Please..?" Her other hand gripped his collar. She leaned her forehead on his chest. "I miss it... and if I can't have that, then let me worry. Let me in..."

Those seconds ticked away like minutes. Izuku let her stay buried in his chest. She was able to hear his heartbeat. He wrapped one hand around her, nestling his hand on her ponytail. His bandaged hand broke the grip she had, preferably switching to intertwine his fingers with hers. They held hands over his notebook.

The tense silence converted to comfortable quiet.

"Hey, Momo?"

She nodded her head against his chest.

"You don't have to be all alone in this big house... I'm here too, you know?"

It was a weak giggle muffled over his shirt. "Avoiding the subject."

"I'm not..."

"I know..." And she squeezed his hand a little tighter.

Momo and Izuku stayed like that for the rest of the study session. Holding each other together. Keeping each other from breaking apart.

If I can't be a hero, I wonder, will I be okay with that? I don't know, but I think, I think I can make the effort to be happy...