Izuocha's Love Stories

9 - GROWING FEELINGS

By Sashun08

Note: I loved the story of "Admiration" oneshot so i decided to make my own version.

It's Friday morning. Izuku sat next to Ochako in the Lunch Rush Cafeteria as Tenya was seated across from the two. "Our hero chef made another Japanese Cuisine today", Tenya said while waving his left arm like a robot. "Yeah, you're favorite Nikujaga (Japanese Beef Stew)", Ochako laughed. "He has exquisite taste when it comes to food, Uraraka-kun", Tenya said. His two friends (Izuku and Ochako) were both laughed at his weird expression. Other students were at the table with them, but the three were so absorbed in their own conversation that the rest of the cafeteria went unnoticed.

"How do you think you did on the test today, Midoriya-kun?" Tenya asked as he took a bite of his lunch. Izuku shrugged, brushing a hand through his green curly locks. "Eto..... I'm not really sure, Iida-kun. I'm hoping I did well, but I was so worried about the physical exam that I didn't study as much as I would have liked". Ochako nudged him with her shoulder. "I'm sure you did just fine, Deku-kun. You're one of the top three in our class. You're so smart". Izuku flustered and said "I-I'm not that smart, Uraraka-san".

"And humble" Ochako added. Izuku gave a nervous laugh as Tenya spoke up. "I agree. You most likely did very well on the test." "Arigatou...I appreciate your confidence in me". "Of course, Deku-kun!" Ochako chimed. "What are friends for, right Iida?" "Right!" Tenya responded.

Having a friend was something still new to Izuku, so constantly being reassured by these two was always a pick-me-up. It was his first time to experience talking and eating lunch with his friends at the Cafeteria than eating alone in the school garden or on the rooftop during Middle school.

Tenya and Ochako were his first and best friends in UA High. He met these two during the entrance exam. Tenya is a serious and strict class representative while Ochako is a friendly, smart and kind female classmate. Of all the classmates he met, Ochako is the closest. Izuku knew that sometimes he could doubt himself, but there other times when he felt very confident in his abilities. His assurance in himself was making progress.

"Sumimasen (excuse me), Uraraka...can I speak to you for a moment?" A male voice asked. Izuku looked up and saw a good-looking student from a different class approached his female friend. He was shaken from his thoughts when a guy from a different class made a gesture to speak with her privately. Ochako was a really pretty, cute girl, so it was common for boys to approach her and speak to her. It was Ochako's fifth time being approached and courted by a guy from a different class.

Ochako was a sweet, open-minded girl who befriended everyone including Bakugo, Izuku's childhood friend/rival. Everyone on the class 1-A and class 1-B likes her. There are times Izuku really felt annoyed when someone put love letters inside Ochako's Getabako (shoe closet). Sometimes, they also put secret messages in School Bulletin Boards. But whenever boys from a different class including Denki Kaminari asked her out, she let herself excuse to talk personally with Izuku.

Looking to her friends, Ochako hesitantly nodded. "I guess...It's just a moment". As she walked off with a good-looking guy, Izuku couldn't help his eyes following them. A twinge of jealously panged his heart, but he kept silent. His lips in a tight line as he watched the boy obviously flirt with his best friend. 'Another guy asking her out, huh. She better not accept his offer', Izuku thought.

The sound of Tenya clearing his throat brought his attention elsewhere. Izuku turned back to his friend, an embarrassed expression taking over his features after being caught staring. "H-Hai!"

"You know, Midoriya-kun. if she doesn't like him she's going to say no." Tenya said as he took a bite of his food.

"Oh...O-oh! Yeah! I-I know that...it's just...eto (well)...." Izuku fumbled his words, unsure of exactly what to say. Tenya pushed his glasses up slightly and smiled. "Midoriya-kun, you consider the two of us to be friends, right?" "Of course!" Izuku replied with a frantic nod.