Izuocha's Love Stories

57 - NIGHTCYCLING

By Alderch

She couldn't sleep.

What usually felt like the fluffiest, softest cloud of a mattress now felt hard and uncomfortable, like she was back on the ground. Ochako's muscles were tense and stiff. It made her feel as if she were a mannequin, no longer a being of flesh and bone. Fighting a losing battle against her endless supply of conflicting thoughts, she gave up, sitting herself up and stretching her arms.

Ochako glanced at the clock, eyes half open.

12 A.M. She sighed. The brown-haired girl got on her feet, putting on her slippers on a quest to quench her thirst. She trudged her way towards the dorm kitchen. Her legs were heavy, as if they were chained to weights. God she needed to sleep and recharge her battery. However, her mind still seemed to be at 100%, 110% even. Excited and very unwilling to give in to sleep.

Even now, Ochako's thoughts continued flowing infinitely. This was not unfamiliar; she never lost sleep over it— that was new— but every night for the past three years, her mind would somehow find its way to one particular... pers— stop! Ochako clapped her hands to her cheeks, an attempt to snap herself out of it. Alas, the damage had already been done, she felt her face heat up. Urgh. She had to focus on becoming a hero, for her parents, for the other heroes! There's no time for such a thing; she knew that. Even promised to put it away long ago, and yet even now she just could not get her mind away from—

"Deku-kun?"

"Eh? U- Uraraka-san? You couldn't sleep too?"

It was clear he was still wide awake. Those eyes, those beautiful emerald orbs gleaming with energy, they were her kryptonite. They were the best of friends now, and she had gotten used to this... feeling. Most of the time, it was kept under control with not much hassle. Today was not her day. The warm feeling started from her chest and radiated up to her cheeks. Why couldn't she stop? She had been doing this for the better of three years; what was so difficult about just one more day? Just one more day, and she would be well on her way to achieving her dreams. Just one more day, and she would be out of U.A, done with training, but that also meant—

"Uraraka-san?" Deku blinked, confused.

"Oh! Sorry," Ochako shook her head, bringing herself back from the bottomless pit of her mind. "Yeah, graduation tomorrow's got me... thinking." She sighed.

"Ah... yup! I— I'm really excited too!" He chuckled. "Still have a bunch of energy."

Ochako hummed in agreement. She sure had some fuel to burn, also a burning throat to deal with. Grabbing some water with a little help from Deku, they sat down at the counter, discussing their expectations for the next day. Being close friends, conversing was easy; Ochako was thankful for that. She liked talking to him, that voice was music to her ears with the occasional crescendo of laughter. After tomorrow, would she ever hear that as often again? She could have a chance if she... no. They were going to be busy; there's no time for that! What are the chances anyways? He's focused on becoming the greatest hero! W—

"Uraraka-san?"

Ochako jolted from her thoughts again.

"A- ah! Sorry, Deku-kun, my- my mind is kind of running wild tonight. Urgh, why can't I sleep?" She complained.

"Oh, it's alright; I was saying I read that there are going to be shooting stars tonight! I know you love them!" Izuku beamed.

"There are? I wish we could see them! We've got to sleep though..."

"Well, we're too excited to sleep, huh," Izuku giggled, scratching the back of his head. "When I can't sleep, I like to exercise, so I'll get tired. And I was thinking, after hearing about the stars, Um... do you wanna go there ?"