Izuocha's Love Stories

56 - AFTERPARTY LIGHTS

By SevenRenny

Ochaco was never one for formal events. She had other things in mind, and no time to deal with such activities. All of her comrades were training and working their limbs off. She had to do the same. She had to keep up, get stronger. While most girls her age were out shopping and dating and going to the movies and partying, she was on her knees, heaving her guts out because her body just couldn't get used to going past the weight limit. Floating boulders heavier than what she usually worked with took her strength away. She briefly heard her teacher telling her 'you've had enough for today,' before someone came to help her.

"Uraraka!" Izuku rubbed her back gently.

While his presence was comforting, she shouldn't be distracting him from his own training. She wanted to assure him she was okay, but couldn't as she keeled over again to dry heave. He grabbed her shoulder so she wouldn't fall into her own mess.

"Is it okay if I take her back?" Izuku asked the teacher. After getting permission, he helped her to her feet and hung her arm over and around his neck to keep her supported. The walk back was a slow one, with her leaning on to him. She felt the heat of his body rub against her through her skin-tight suit. His hair was slightly drooping down because of the sweat.

"You worked really hard today, Uraraka," he tried to cheer her up. He knew she was upset for not lasting longer than she had wanted. "You gave it your all, you were amazing."

"Thanks, Deku," she whispered tiredly. Her stomach was still sore and her whole body felt heavy and ready to collapse.

"Do you need me to carry you?"

"No, it's okay. I can make it."

He got her to the changing rooms but was forced to wait outside for her as she entered the women's section. Exhausted, she plopped down on a bench and bent over to remove her marshmallow boots.

Her mind had been a jumbled mess since the announcement. It had been Aizawa who first brought it up, then an email from the school was sent to everyone, informing them what to expect. A dance at UA. It was a hero academy, so why hold such a party? She knew it had something to do with an opening anniversary, but the news was so sudden and the topic was so unfamiliar to her. She didn't know anything about dancing. She didn't even own a dress.

She sighed and peeled off her custom. Why was she making a big deal out of this? The school had sent them a list of available dance teachers, and the date of the event wasn't close, so she had time to prepare. She opened her locker and saw herself in the mirror. Without the costume, dressed in only a bra and panties, she looked nothing like a hero-in-training. She might as well be with a group of girl friends hanging out and flirting over cute boys and going to parties. She wanted to be a hero – needed to be a hero. She couldn't waste time with parties...

But she had a party coming up, and she was baffled her own school was arranging it. She wasn't prepared for this. It was just too sudden.

She stepped out and saw that Izuku had managed to quickly change out of his costume as well. He smiled brightly at her and offered to walk her to the dorms. He was a helpful guy; of course he'd go out of his way to make sure she was okay. Her knees burned and the curve of her back ached. Her stomach cramps bit down into her midsection and she was ready to sink to the ground from it.

"Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?" he asked in concern.

"I can make it, really," she insisted, but her legs gave out right then and she almost dropped to the ground. Strong hands caught her below her armpits and held her up.

"A – Are you alright?" he asked her, worry reflecting in his eyes.

She grabbed his shoulders to heave herself up again. "Sorry, sorry," she tried to laugh it off, but it came out way too fake.