Ochako couldn't believe what she was hearing...Her fists clenched at her side while her parents looked to her somberly.
The young girl's deep brown eyes scanned the scene carefully... Looking to the piles of bills on the table, stamped with red marks. Her lips trembled as she struggled out "So that's it then...?"
"We're sorry, honey..." Her mother stated, the older woman reaching to her husband's shoulder, the man holding his head within his hands, staring down at the damning documents, "But we really think this is for the best...I know Musutafu is a bit far...But we can get you a better phone so you can still talk to your frien-"
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT!" The girl yelled, shocking herself more than her parents...She wasn't one to raise her voice too often, tears beginning to break free as she started sobbing.
"I'm mad because you're giving up!" Her voice fell quiet as she cast her face downward, still trying to keep her tears in. "You wouldn't let me help, and now Uraraka Construction is gone! I could have helped save it!"
"Ochako..." Her mother began, standing up to approach her, but the girl ran, the door slamming behind her.
"Let her go..." Her father said, his voice cracking slightly, not looking up from the table, drawing his wife's attention his way. "She's got a lot of emotions to let out...If she doesn't call us in an hour, then, we'll start worrying..."
"Oh Daisuke..." She shook her head, not quite agreeing with her husband's sentiment...But knew they both needed some help...She complied, sitting back down and holding him close.
---------------------------------------
Ochako didn't know WHERE she was going...She just knew she needed to get out of the house...The neighborhood really...
She barely registered as she ran down the streets, no one really paying a girl her age any mind even as she rushed past them.
Her legs were in full control as she subconsciously ended up running to one of her favorite spots...A quaint little park called Endō.
Stepping in the gate, she found it relatively empty compared to what one would normally expect. A few families out and and about, some elderly enjoying the nice Spring weather here, a few kids playing there...
It was exactly the environment she needed.
Going to a secluded bench, she sat down...Before finally letting the dam burst.
Tears began to stream down her face while she held her palms to her face, choking sobs out...
'Those idiots...Why couldn't they let me help!?', she internally screamed, the thought reeling through her for the umpteenth time today, recalling all the times she had requested to let her help them...Her Quirk was perfect for it! She could have saved it!
She was broken out of those thoughts when she realized she wasn't alone...
Someone was standing near her bench...Slowly, she looked up, bracing herself for the worst...
A boy around her age was standing in front of her, his emerald eyes full of concern.
She was prepared to run or brush him off if she needed to, but it didn't look like he had any ill intentions. In fact, he honestly looked like he was seconds from running away himself if his wobbling knees and nervous expression were anything to go by.
"Are...Are you OK?" He asked, hands clasped to the straps of his backpack, concern lacing his voice.
She studied him a moment, a sniffle escaping as she tried to stop the torrent of tears to regain her composure, "Yeah I'm fine. Why do you ask?" She responded simply, trying to put on a bubbly air, hoping to send him away or let him know she wasn't interested if that's what he was after.
"O-Oh. A-Alright then!" He stammered out, somehow shaking even more as he began to turn away. "S-Sorry for disturbing you! I was just worried something might be wrong!" He called, beginning to dash away.
More guilt came over her...
She knew there was a chance he might still actually be up to no good...But...She decided to take the risk. After all...If she found someone crying alone on a bench in the park, she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't do the same thing.
"Hey wait!" She called out, causing him to stop in his tracks, and slowly turn back her way.
Patting the seat next to her, she cast her eyes downward wondering just WHAT the heck she was doing...
"Actually...I could use someone to talk to if you want..."
The boy seemed to be understandably just as confused, standing there blinking while the wind softly blew his similarly hued fluffy green hair.
"O-Oh. S-Sure! If you really don't mind sitting with a total stranger..." He mumbled, struggling to speak, as he took the offered seat, slowly removing his pack as if the idea itself were foreign, eliciting a small laugh from her.
"I know...It's weird, but you approached me, so now you have to deal with it." She joked, sticking out her tongue causing him to chuckle a little bit himself, his nerves settling a little bit.
"S-Sorry for coming up like that..." He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "I know I must have looked like a creep...I just saw you like that and didn't feel like I could just stand by..."
Her expression softened a bit, surprising herself at how easy she was finding it to talk to this guy. She always found it relatively easy to meet new people, but this was a bit different...She'd be lying if she said this wasn't helping though.
"I guess it's kinda hard not to, coming up to a stranger in the park..." She stated simply, before shrugging, her smile returning, "But honestly I think it's pretty sweet you did...Not enough people out there care to do something like that, y'know?"
He nodded his agreement, a bit of confidence coming over him, his body no longer shaking. "Totally agree! I think most people see it as a job for the Pros anymore, but I think anyone can be a hero if they at least try!"
His voice faltered a bit at that last part, embarrassment apparently settling in as his hand found its way to the back of his neck again.
She didn't understand why...What he said made perfect sense.
"Heh, well I guess that's the kind of mindset I would expect from an All Might fan!" She teased, pointing to his shirt... Causing his embarrassment to come back in full force as he looked down to what he had chosen to wear for the day.
It was a simple blue T-Shirt depicting the grinning visage of Japan's Symbol of Peace, standing proud, flashing a thumb's up while the kanji for 'I AM HERE!' scrolled beneath him.
He was squirming again, face a light crimson, his hand now furiously rubbing the back of his neck.
"I-I j-just think All Might is really cool...H-He's my f-favorite Hero..."
"Hey relax!" She waved her hands in front of her face, trying to calm him... Despite her first impression of him being rather plain looking, he was proving to be quite the adorable goober.
"I like All Might too! That was a compliment!"
It seemed to work, a soft smile coming over him, while he looked downward.
"I really look up to All Might...He always saves everyone with a smile on his face...I want to be a Hero like him..."
His smile proved infectious as she found herself matching it, despite the state he found her in...Her curiosity also piqued at that,
"Oh are you planning on becoming a Pro?"
For some reason that made him nervous again...And a deeper sadness seemed to lie behind his words.
"W-Well...I really want to, b-but e-everyone tells me I can't, and-"
She cut him off, her expression hardening slightly as she decided it was her turn to lift the strange boy's spirits up.
"Don't listen to them."
He suddenly stopped at that, staring at her as if she had just slapped him across the face.
"If people are telling you that, then they obviously don't know you the way I feel I already do in our five minutes of talking..." She elaborated, looking to the sky, a wistful expression on her face.
"When I was little, I didn't understand Heroes or villains...But I remember watching a Hero defend a busy street my parents and I were on...And everyone was so happy...Cheering him on even though he was really hurt...And it seemed to lift him away from his wounds..."
A breeze picked up, blowing both of their locks slightly while she turned her attention back to him.
"You just did that for me, All Might Boy...I think you're already on your way..."
It seemed to do the trick as his face scrunched up a little, tears beginning to bubble a bit out his eyes as it suddenly became his turn to cry, the drops beginning to frame his freckles...
"Thanks...I..." He choked out a laugh, shaking his head as he tried to regain his composure. "Man, I really am pathetic, aren't I? I came over here to make sure you were alright, and then I ended up being the one crying over my own problems...Maybe Kaachan is right..."
"Stop saying stuff like that!" She interjected again, not really sure why she was feeling so protective of this strange boy...But she knew that someone so nice didn't deserve to be so depressed like this.
"It's obvious we have our own issues we're going through...And I accidentally brought up yours. I'm sorry..." She found herself scooting forward...Her hand instinctively shooting to his shoulder, though she still made sure to leave her pinky off from her years of conditioning.
"I think you'll make an amazing Hero...And honestly, I'm a bit jealous of your mindset..." She trailed off, casting her eyes downward again, and suddenly becoming aware she had casually draped her hand over a stranger's shoulder, shooting it back to her side, the faces of both burning red in embarrassment.
Once he wiped the tears from his eyes, and they both regained their composure from the body contact, he looked to her curiously... Silently urging her to continue.
She mulled it over a moment...Was she really going to tell this strange boy about her issues?
Once again, a gut feeling told her it was OK...
Taking a deep sigh, she began,
"I honestly want to get into the Hero Track myself...But I don't think my intentions are as good as yours...I mainly want to do it for the financial stability that can come with it..."
She bit her lip, refusing to look at him as she continued.
"The reason I was out here the way you found me...My parents own a Construction Company...Or...I guess...Owned... They've struggled so hard for work and it ended up being for nothing...They just decided to sell it, and...I feel like I could have done more to help, y'know? But...I feel so selfish after what you said..."
"I don't think that's selfish at all."
She jerked her head up, meeting his gaze as he looked to her with a small frown of his own, his composure finally back.
"I think that's perfectly reasonable...I might not think money alone is the best reason to want to be a hero..." He admitted, averting his eyes for a moment, before returning alongside his soft smile. "But it IS a necessary part of it, and there's nothing wrong with wanting that to help support loved ones...", his frown returned slightly, "Especially if it's as bad as you say...I'm so sorry it came to that..."
She felt a tightness in her chest at those words...
In one fell swoop he had pieced together feelings she had been struggling with for a while...
"...Thanks...I...I needed to hear that..." She said quietly, shuffling a little in her seat as she looked into the horizon, now no longer caring she was laying her heart bare for a total stranger.
"I love my parents more than anything...And seeing them struggle the way they have... I'm not even mad that we have to move... Honestly with Uraraka Construction merged and them on an actual payroll, our situation is probably more likely to look up...But I'm upset they didn't let me help...That they let it die instead of defending their dream more, y'know?"
The boy didn't say anything for a moment, studying her for a moment, before he simply said, "I think I understand that frustration...It has to hurt watching them suffer and not being able to do anything about it..."
He seemed to be speaking from personal experience...She was tempted to ask about that...But decided it wasn't her place.
He then continued with, "I think you're going to make an awesome Hero. Not many would look at this situation and think more on how they must be feeling. I'm going to be keeping my eye out for your debut." The brightness of his smile returned, causing her to blush a little again, playfully giving his arm a light punch.
"Right back at you, All Might Boy. I'm going to be cheering you on to show all those haters!"
They both shared a laugh at that, amazed they were this at ease without even knowing each others' names.
She decided to rectify that.
"Say, I don't think I caught your name, All Might Boy. I think after this talk, we at least owe each other that much...And I don't think I want to keep calling you that." She joked, causing him to blush again as he realized she was right.
"O-Oh! I'm Izuku Midoriya! S-Sorry!" He apologized, giving a light bow, causing her to laugh again...Funny how he seemed to do that so easily...
She stuck her hand out for a shake, an offer he eyed like she had just offered him a limited edition signed All Might Trading Card, seemingly intimidated to take it, yet clearly wanting to.
"Ochako Uraraka." She grinned, as he finally took it, the two giving each other a firm handshake...Well...Mostly her even with her thumb not making contact, but just the same he went through the motion before they separated again, her arms finding their way behind her head...She was feeling far more at ease now.
"Gotta say...I'm glad I met you today, Midoriya...You really helped..." She closed her eyes now actually enjoying the Spring breeze, before turning her head over towards him. "Do you live out here? I haven't seen you out this way before..."
He too had taken to just enjoying the environment for a moment when her question came, making him jump slightly, before shaking his head.
"N-No, actually. I live out in Musutafu. I'm just here for the weekend."
She snapped her attention up at that, her palms slamming into the bench, as she gaped at him.
"NO WAY!!!" Her outburst caused him to jump again, higher this time, as she pointed to herself. "Musutafu is where we're supposed to be moving to!"
"HOLY WHOA!!!"
Now it was his turn to outburst, his arms jumping reflexively, one in front of his chest, the other outstretched above his head. "That's unbelievable! When you get out there, we should totally hang! Do you know where in the city you're going to? I can show you around!"
She shrunk down a little at that, her elation quickly turning back into embarrassment, as she averted her eyes to the ground.
"Um...No...I...Kinda ran out before they could tell me that...I'm honestly not even sure if they've gotten that far yet..." She admitted a bit ashamed, before catching her determination again, playfully pointing at him. "But I'm gonna hold you to that, Midoriya! As soon as I get out there, you're showing me all the best spots!"
He laughed again at that, a determined grin coming over him, as he now raised his own hand up to take in a more playful shake. "You got it! I'll show you all the best views, and the best places for Hero Merch, and-"
He was cut off as she took the offered hand, firmly holding it, her face scrunched into an overjoyed grin, causing both to just hold that for a moment, before finally releasing.
A small silence fell over them again, before Ochako finally decided to ask something, brushing her brown locks out of her face again from yet another sudden increase in wind.
"So you said you were here for a weekend trip...What brought you all the way out to Ferikkusu? That's like a four hour trip by train alone! Just here to sightsee?"
He chuckled a little at that, shaking his head.
"No...Well...Kinda, I guess...My mom wanted to go see a friend, and take advantage of some sales happening out here. We live alone together, so I came out to help her. I was just killing time while she caught up when I saw you. I wanted to give them some time to talk without being in the way, y'know?" He said sheepishly, while she offered a cheery smile.
"Well I'm glad you did...You turned a really crappy day into a really good one."
He was quiet a moment...She was worried she might have somehow offended him for a moment before he finally spoke up.
"I'm really glad I could help. I was honestly afraid you were going to think I was a creep, or call the police on me, but...As awkward as it was, I'm glad I did what my gut told me..."
She smirked slightly at that, shaking her head. "Heh, weeeell, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it...That WAS first instinct...But I'm glad I didn't either...You turned out to be a really cool guy, Midoriya. I can't wait to hang with you more once I get to Musutafu."
She looked downward... Struggling to think of what to say next when suddenly a loud noise intruded.
"A PHONE CALL IS HERE! A PHONE CALL IS HERE!"
He scrambled, reaching for his phone, it slipping through his fingers a couple times before he got it and answered.
She struggled to hold back a laugh.
'Even his ringtone is All Might!?'
Man he was such a dork...It was adorable...
"Ah! Sorry mom! I'm here!" He said nervously, once again rubbing the back of his neck, letting her speak on the other end.
"O-Oh is it time already? I guess I lost track...Sorry..." He shook his head again. "Oh no, I'm still nearby. I'm at Endō Park. I got a little sidetracked and...Um..." He gave a small look to her...As if he were asking permission for something...
She caught on, and gave a firm nod, and a thumbs up.
A grin overtook him at that, as he finished with,
"I made a friend."
He jerked the phone back as the woman's voice on the other end wailed so loud she could hear her clear as day.
"WHAAAAAAAA!?!?!? IZUKU, MY BABY, THAT'S WONDERFUL!!!!"
She couldn't help but snicker at that. She sounded just as sweet as her son.
Evidently he was bombarded with questions after that bombshell, as he cringed looking at the phone, quickly interjecting "Mom! Mom! Calm down! It's OK! I'll tell you everything when I meet up with you!"
She was doing everything she could to resist laughing overhearing the conversation...She couldn't hear what she was saying, but she knew she already adored this woman.
Seeing it reminded her of her own situation, however, as she pulled out her own phone...And her eyes widened seeing the time. She had spent about an hour out here talking to Midoriya, not counting the time it took her to get here! Her parents were going to be worried sick!
Hanging up the phone, he quickly stood up, frantically putting his pack back on, dancing slightly in anticipation. "Um...That was my mom...I...Uh...Lost track of time and forgot I was supposed to meet her so we could get ready to go home?"
"Uh...Yeah...I kinda did too...I need to get back to my own folks...And...Make up with them..." She responded a bit nervously, standing up as well, anxiously playing with her phone to be ready to give a call as soon as they broke off.
It was at that moment the two came to a funny realization...
That despite their awkward circumstance of meeting, and never having seen one another before now...They didn't exactly want to say goodbye...
But unfortunately that inevitability had come to pass far too soon.
"So...Um...You think you're going to be OK?" He asked, surprising himself in being the first to work up the courage to begin the process.
"Yeah. I think so..." She said slowly, looking to her phone again, before exhaling, and asserting, "I think you helped me work it out a lot...Plus, knowing I'm not COMPLETELY starting over on friends helps a bit..."
They shared a brief laugh at that again, before Izuku silently held his fist up, hanging it in the air as he looked to her hopefully...
An offer she didn't hesitate to take, quickly returning the bump, sealing the bond they had formed in this brief time...Before they finally began to hurry out of the park, picking up the pace so as to not worry their respective guardians any longer than they could help, before they reached the entrance, and realizing they needed to immediately head different directions.
"Well...Be seeing you, Midoriya!" She hesitated, realizing just how much she wanted to keep hanging out with the boy who had singlehandedly raised her spirits, before adding "I'm still holding you to showing me around Musutafu!"
He laughed again, a determined smile replacing his own nervous hesitance. "Wouldn't dream of missing it! You'd better look forward to the best tour you're ever going to get! I'm gonna pack it with everything I can!"
And with that...The two held up their hands and gave their proper goodbyes as they held up their hands to wave, turning to take their leave of one another...
Taking a deep sigh, Ochako couldn't help but muse at how weird a day this had been...Starting out as one of her most miserable days before weirdly morphing into one of her happiest...
She took one glance behind her, but found that the mess of green hair she was looking for had already disappeared...
Shaking her head, she decided now wasn't the time to focus on that as she opened her phone, quick-dialing a number she really needed to...
"Hey mom...Yeah, I'm fine...I'm doing better...I'm coming home now."