Deku x OC My hero, My heroine

Chapter 1. Awakening

Haguruma Ayako's task was quite simple, yet her heart drummed against her chest and her legs felt like they were made out of rubber. She held a printed sheet of paper in her hand as she made her way down the corridor, taking care not to stain it with the sweat on her hands, until she reached a white sliding door. Above it was a sign, 1-A.

Ayako stood in front of the door, waiting until she calmed down. There would be a joint exercise between class A-1 and Ayako's support class, and professor Aizawa had to sign the form. But she hadn't taken this task to please Aizawa, what she wanted was to see Midoriya Izuku.

When she'd first laid eyes on Midoriya at the start of the year, she'd dismissed him as another powerful, elitist boy. She assumed he was similar to Bakugou, who always seemed to be ready to attack someone. When Bakugou bumped into her during lunchtime, making her fall over, a scowl livened his face.

"Get out of the way, you idiot!"

And left without another glance back.

Ayako sat on the floor, dumbfounded at his rudeness. Just as she was getting up, she saw a smallish, green haired boy approach her. Afraid at being scolded again, she got up and tried to get away, but was surprised when he planted himself in front of her bowed down in apology.

"Sorry about him. I hope you're alright!"

"Oh, I'm fine thanks."

"Kacchan is always looking for a fight. Don't worry about him." He extended his hand with such eagerness Ayako took it without a second thought.

"I'm De--Midoriya Izuku, by the way." He faltered for a second. You're from the support class, right?"

"Yes, Haguruma Ayako, pleasure to meet you."

Soon after she was introduced to Iida and Uraraka, both of whom were very warm and asked her a lot of questions. Ayako was blown away by their kindness. She spent the rest of the lunch break with them, chatting and exchanging phone numbers at the end. Midoriya saw her off with a wave and big smile. Ayako was so happy she almost skipped to class.

When UA's school festival soon came along, Midoriya distinguished himself for his speed and power. Ayako rooted for him the entire time, as she watched him through a small, portable TV, while she worked with Hastume Mei on some gadget improvements. The small workshop was racked with shouts of encouragement and the whole afternoon, right until Midoriya lost to Todoroki in one of the most spectacular fights Ayako ever saw.

When she finally finished cleaning the workshop, her head was filled with the so many questions she wanted to ask Midoriya. If only she could spend some time with him, and get to know him better! But she would have little chance of doing so. One thing was abundantly clear, Midoriya's grit and determination was not something Ayako possessed, as was his talent. Her quirk allowed her to immediately understand machines and complex systems, making her useful in a workshop, but not on a battlefield. As such, she was cast into the support class, with no chance to ever get into the two hero courses.

But Midoriya's show of enormous strength and determination had given her something to strive for. From then on, she would work to get into the hero courses, no matter what. She would show Midoriya, no, Izuku, that she was a girl worth falling for.

And now Ayako stood in front of class 1-A. She took a deep breath, before forcing herself to adopt a neutral expression. She couldn't show herself all flustered and let all the best see her weaknesses. She opened the door.

"Hello, I'm Haguruma, from the support class."

Professor Aizawa looked at her as she opened the door, his hand raised at the board, his tired eyes betraying no discernible emotion. He simply nodded once, and she entered the class.

"Professor, if you could sign the paper. It's for a joint exercise tomorrow."

Aizawa took the sheet from her hands, and scanned the printed lines without uttering another word.

Ayako quickly scanned the room. The heroes of class 1-A! They were all here in front of her, and all of them were looking at her, admittedly, some more than others, like a smallish boy with purple hair, who seemed unable to take his eyes off her. But what she wanted most was at the back. There! A tuft of green hair, a freckled face, Midoriya Izuku!

He noticed her and waved with a smile. She smiled back.

Aizawa handed her the sheet of paper with his signature.

"Very well, go on then."

Ayako muttered a thank you, and headed to the door.

But just when she was about to close the sliding door, she lifted her gaze to Midoriya once again, and something behind him caught her eye. It was Uraraka, she was looking at Midoriya, but her expression was far from neutral, and so subtle Ayako almost missed it. It was longing. Longing mixed with admiration. Ayako closed the door, but that image was forever burned into her mind.