Solstice and Eclipse: Part III

Chapter III: A Very Pleasant Dream

"Now that you've finished up your first semester at UA High, it's time for summer vacation to officially begin." Aizawa addressed his students lazily. "However, don't think these will be months of rest for you heroes in the making. At this camp we'll push you to go beyond your limits. You're aiming to become 'Plus Ultra'."

"Yes sir!"

Four buses were parked on the street behind Eraser Head, one for Class A and one for Class B. The other two buses were to deliver luggage. To be honest, (L/N) didn't understand why additional transport was necessary. Everything he was bringing fit into his tattered rucksack. That and the silver briefcase that housed his hero costume. Both items would fit comfortably in his lap. He understood that due to his station in life he didn't have much, but even if his classmates packed two or even three bags, he was sure it would fit under the seats of the bus. They couldn't have packed that much, right?

A tap on the shoulder caused him to jump in surprise. "Oh, sorry." Yaoyorozu apologized. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's alright." He dismissed. "What did you need?"

"Well, I was just wondering if you'd like to sit next to me on the bus." She said shyly. "I thought we could listen to some music together during the ride. We can share my headphones."

(L/N) awkwardly adjusted the straps of his rucksack. "That's very nice of you to offer." He said. "But Mr. Aizawa said I could ride with the luggage."

"Oh." She said, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. "I-I see."

"It's not because I don't want to." (L/N) said quickly. "It's just, i-it'll be quieter."

She put on a smile. "It's alright. I understand."

"Yaomomo!" Jiro called from the steps of the bus. "We're about to leave, hurry up!"

"I'll be there in just a second!" She called back. "Um, I guess I'll see you when we get there."

(L/N) nodded. "See you when we get there." He echoed.

Dropping his bag on the seat next to him, (L/N) took his place in the only bench not taken by luggage. As the bus started, he found himself biting irritably on his lip, the corners of his mouth downturned in a displeased smile. 'Yaomomo', Jiro had called her. She said he could call her 'Yaomomo', too. That it was what her friends called her. She was too close.

Maybe it was the smell of her perfume or the sound of her voice, he didn't know. Whatever it was though, something about her had drawn him in. He hadn't noticed it until a few days ago, which was all the more concerning. How had she slipped past his defenses? How had she managed to gain his trust without him even knowing? Was it her quirk, or was it something else entirely? He needed to know. He needed to identify it and in doing so remove any hold she had over him. Because as kind as she was, she was only human. Just another person, no matter how different she might seem. People weren't different. She wasn't different. She wasn't kind, she wasn't trustworthy, and above all, she wasn't his friend. She was Yaoyorozu, not Yaomomo, no matter how much he wished she could be. What they had, whatever it was, was a fantasy. It was fleeting and now it was over, just like a dream. A very... pleasant dream.

"And during your time here, I want you to ask yourself something. What is it you want? And why do you want it?"

(L/N) had given up on dreams a long time ago. There was nothing to be gained from them. No truth or knowledge to be found. The only thing dreams served to do was sharpen the cut of reality. That wasn't to say he had given up on the idea of dreams. The idea of dreaming could be pleasant, he supposed. After all, anything could happen in a dream. But never confuse a dream for reality.