After school.
"Hey—wait for us!"Uraraka Ochaco's voice called out from behind as Igarashi Masata and Yaoyorozu Momo were about to head home.
"Oh! It's Infinity Girl!" Masata turned around cheerfully. Ever since Ochaco had revealed her gravity-defying Quirk, Masata had unofficially labeled her as a "battle-type girl," which instantly put her in his good graces.
"It's Uraraka Ochaco," she corrected, pretending to be annoyed. "Do you guys have training tonight?"
"Not tonight," Yaoyorozu Momo explained calmly. "It's the first day of school. We usually train on weekends. When the time comes, we'll let you know."
"Ah… okay!" Ochaco nodded, then suddenly brightened. "Then let's exchange contact info first!"
She pulled out her phone, tilting her head cutely as she smiled.
"By the way… do Igarashi and Yaoyorozu live nearby?"
Cute.Masata kept a perfectly straight face while thinking so internally.
"Yes," he replied patiently. "My house is fairly close to the school. Momo lives a bit farther away—someone from her family usually picks her up."
After exchanging numbers, Ochaco waved energetically and skipped toward the school gate.
…Really cute.
Watching Ochaco's slender legs wrapped in black stockings bounce away, Masata thought solemnly.Are high school girls these days this powerful?
He subconsciously glanced sideways at Yaoyorozu Momo's chest, then compared it to Ochaco's in his mind—
Too deep. Way too deep.
"I'm talking about you, Masata," Yaoyorozu Momo said coldly, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes. "Are you thinking something weird again?"
"W-What? Of course not!" Masata replied quickly. "I was just thinking about what delicious food we have at home today. Yes. Definitely food."
He was still congratulating himself on that flawless excuse when—
Pinch.
"Ow—!"
Yaoyorozu Momo grabbed his ear and pulled him closer, whispering ominously,"Masata, don't tell me you think Uraraka is so cute that you couldn't stop staring at her."
"H-Hey! That line totally breaks your gentle, elegant character setting!" Masata protested. "And how did you even know I was looking at her?!"
Another sharp twist to the ear.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you," Momo said sweetly, smiling in a way that sent chills down his spine, "that for a muscle-brained idiot like you, everything you think shows clearly on your face?"
With her IQ of 180, Yaoyorozu Momo delivered that verdict effortlessly.
After parting ways with Momo at the school gate, Masata didn't head home immediately. Instead, he wandered around the neighborhood streets. After all, Momo lived in a manor outside the city, while his own home was in a residential complex not far from school.
"What a cursed day…" Masata muttered. "Is it really that easy to read my thoughts? I swear I was hiding it well!"
"But still… Uraraka really is cute. That round face suits her way too much."
Lost in thought, Masata reached his door and knocked.
"Welcome back! Hm? Why are you here?"
"That's my line!" Masata froze in place. "Why are you in my house, Uraraka?!"
Before Ochaco could answer, Mrs. Igarashi poked her head out from the kitchen with a warm smile.
"Masata-chan, you're back~ Come in, come in. Mom made your favorite tempura today~"
"This is not the time to talk about food!" Masata cried. "Mom, shouldn't you explain why Uraraka is here first?!"
Still baffled, Masata changed into slippers and sat down at the dining table with Ochaco.
"I didn't expect the Igarashi home my parents mentioned to be your house, Masata!" Ochaco said with her hands clasped at her chest, eyes sparkling.
Angel.Masata almost saw holy light shining behind her.
"Uh… yeah, this is the Igarashi household. But you said your parents mentioned it? Do our families know each other?"
"That's right," Mrs. Igarashi said, bringing dishes out from the kitchen. "Ochaco's parents and your father were high school classmates. They've stayed in touch all these years. Her mother called me recently and realized you two attend the same school."
She smiled mischievously.
"So Ochaco will be staying with us for the next three years~"
"…Huh?!"
Masata's jaw dropped.
"Well… if you don't like it, I can rent a place instead…" Ochaco said softly, lips pouting, looking genuinely upset.
"No! Of course not!" Masata waved his hands frantically. "Why would we refuse someone as cute as you? I was just surprised—that's all! We literally met this morning!"
Ochaco's expression instantly brightened, eyes curving into happy crescents.
"It looks like you'll get along just fine~" Mrs. Igarashi said cheerfully. "Ochaco, your room is the guest room at the end of the hallway on the left. It's all ready. The only thing is, you'll need to use the shared bathroom—or Masata's room, if you want~"
Mrs. Igarashi's fondness for teasing young girls was as unstoppable as ever.
With Mrs. Igarashi returning to the kitchen and Mr. Igarashi still at work, only Masata and Ochaco remained at the table.
The silence grew awkward.
This is bad, Masata thought. My social anxiety is kicking in. Isn't it the guy's job to start a conversation now?!
After a moment, he hesitated, then said,"Um… can I call you Ochaco?"
"…Okay," she replied softly. "Then I'll call you Masata."
"Why do you want to become a Hero?"
Ochaco fidgeted with the ends of her hair, then answered shyly,"It might sound a bit embarrassing… but I want to become a Hero to make money. I want my parents to live an easier life."
She blinked at him.
"What about you, Masata? Someone as strong as you must have a really ambitious reason, right?"
"How is that embarrassing?!" Masata suddenly grew animated. "That's an amazing reason! Wanting to support your parents is way better than just fighting villains!"
He grew louder as he spoke.
"To be honest, making money is also part of my reason! You can't survive in this society without money!"
An image of Yaoyorozu Momo's mansion flashed through his mind, nearly bringing tears to his eyes.
"But the main reason?" Masata grinned."I just want to be a Hero."
Ochaco tilted her head, confused."Just… want to be a Hero?"
"Exactly!" Masata stood up, slapping the table enthusiastically. "Ignore other people's opinions, follow your own sense of justice—doesn't that sound insanely cool?! I want to be that kind of Hero!"
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.