The Emperor's Dragon

Hisashiburi

"Here!" Ochaco said, thrusting out both hands and bowing her head.

The bow was to hide the blush that she knew covered more than just her face. It felt like it went down to her stomach which was currently tying itself in knots.

She had a small, neatly wrapped package in either hand. One was tied off in green ribbon and the other in purple. Oh god, she was trying to give the right one to each of the boy's, wasn't she?

Ochaco risked a glance up to check but thankfully the green ribbon wrapped package was being presented to Izuku and the purple to Hitoshi.

And they both looked distinctly surprised. Ochaco blinked and paused in her bowed position with her head up. Izuku's eyes were moving between her outstretched hand to her face and then back. Hitoshi was just staring at her.

Their shock actually made her feel better, relaxing her slightly. "Friendship?" she managed to squeak.

It was almost comical to watch the two boys relax. With Hitoshi, it was kind of subtle. His eyes relaxed and his expression softened, losing the deer in headlights look it had borne. Izuku was far more expressive and he actually smiled. And then he moved forward, ignoring the gift as he gently placed one hand on her shoulder and pushed her up.

"You look silly like that," Little Dragon said softly.

Ochaco smiled. She still felt a bit nervous but the nausea, that had nothing to do with her quirk, was gone. She stood up straight and somehow managed to look both teens in the eye. "Friendship chocolates," Ochaco explained again.

Surely they hadn't been completely blind to the rest of the girls giving out chocolates?

"Well of course I'll be your friend," Little Dragon said.

That made Ochaco chuckle and from the way Hitoshi's eyes narrowed, he was laughing as well.

She shook her head slightly. "No, Little Dragon, do you know what day it is?"

Izuku shook his head firmly, his big green eyes not leaving hers.

Again Ochaco chuckled. "It's Valentine's Day," she explained hoping she didn't have to go further except in the moments after she'd spoken she didn't see a spark of recognition in Izuku's eyes.

Ochaco sighed. "You've noticed other girls giving out chocolates today?" she probed. How did he not know about Valentine's Day? Sure, she hadn't spoken about it but last week and earlier this week it had been an all consuming thing for most of the upper year levels.

She'd spent time agonising over it as well, until she'd finally realised that as much as she liked Izuku and Hitoshi, maybe even loved both of them, she didn't want a romantic relationship with either of them. Not yet. That's why she'd said friendship when holding out their chocolate. Friendship now, with the possibility of more later. Much later.

Her mum had indicated she'd know when she was ready and she wasn't ready now and certainly none of the other teens in her school interested her.

"That's why my getabako was full?"

At that, Hitoshi burst out laughing.

Ochaco managed to keep herself under control but she did grin. "Yes, Little Dragon, that was why your getabako was full," she explained while wondering who would have given Izuku chocolates. He didn't exactly talk to many other people at school so it was...

No... Mentally she shook her head. If she was objective about it, then it was no surprise other girls had given Izuku chocolate. He was good looking. The weekly change of hair colour spoke to a rebellious streak without going too far. He was strong, because while no one commented on his previous fights with Gatarui the entire school knew about them and knew Izuku had won. And... well, his father might be injured but was still a very successful businessman. She checked with her parents every now and then how JBQC were doing, and their share price was always good!