Might * you love me?(izuocha)

Burden

At the same time, Mina and Jirou made their way to visit Ochaco, excitement bubbling in the air. Mina, ever the energetic one, knocked on the door cheerfully. "Knock, knock, Ochaco!~"

Jirou stood beside her, arms folded, a smirk playing on her lips as she let out a soft chuckle. "I hope you're ready for some girl talk," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

The door swung open, revealing a surprised but smiling Ochaco. "Hey, you two! What's up?"

Mina bounced on her heels, her enthusiasm infectious. "We thought we'd drop by and see how you're doing! Plus, we've got some things to discuss."

Jirou leaned against the door frame, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, we heard a certain someone has been spending a lot of time with our favorite green-haired hero. Care to spill the tea?"

Ochaco felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, instantly realizing what they were getting at. "Oh, come on, guys! It's not like that!" she protested, even though she could feel her heart race at the thought of Izuku.

Mina jumped in, undeterred by Ochaco's denial. "Not like that? Really? Because it sure seemed like there was some *serious* chemistry during that speech! You were practically glowing when you talked about him!"

Jirou chuckled, nudging Ochaco playfully. "You can't hide it, you know. We see how you light up around him. You're not fooling anyone!"

Mina nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with excitement. "You've been so worried about him since he got back. It's obvious there's something more there!"

Ochaco bit her lip, glancing between her friends. "It's not that simple! I just want to support him. He's been through so much..."

Mina leaned closer, her tone softening. "But it's okay to feel more than just friendship! He's been there for you too, you know? You're not alone in this. If there's something you want to explore, explore it! We're still teenagers, girl!"

Ochaco sighed, falling onto her bed in defeat. "Hey, I know..." she groaned. Jirou came over and stroked her hair gently. "Ochaco, what's up? Why are you in such denial?" Mina nodded in agreement, concern etched on her face.

Ochaco sat up and gave a sad smile. "I've been friends with Izuku for a long time now. You guys have obviously noticed, but I've had a crush on him ever since the beginning of the year. But thinking about him so much, I realized that I'm not right for him. Not now, at least."

Mina pulled a dramatic, shocked face. "Yes, you are! Why would you ever say that?"

"Because I know his actual goals," Ochaco replied, her voice trembling slightly. "He lives for something greater than us. I don't want to distract him. I should let him live his dream of being a hero. I'll support him the best I can without getting in his way."

The weight of her words hung in the air, and Jirou's expression shifted to one of understanding. "Ochaco, you have to understand that he cares about you too. It's not just about supporting him; it's about both of you being there for each other."

Mina chimed in, her tone earnest. "Exactly! You can be his motivation, just as he is yours. Love doesn't have to be a distraction; it can be a source of strength. Don't underestimate the power of being together!"

Ochaco looked between her friends, her heart pounding. The thought of being with Izuku filled her with warmth, but the fear of complicating things loomed large. "I just... I don't want to hurt him. He's already carrying so much. What if my feelings add more weight?"

Jirou shook her head. "You're not a burden, Ochaco. You're someone who cares deeply, and that's something he would appreciate. Don't let your fears hold you back from something that could be amazing."

Mina nodded emphatically. "We're here to back you up! You'll never know unless you try, right? And if it doesn't work out, at least you won't have any regrets."

As her friends encouraged her, a flicker of hope ignited within Ochaco. Maybe it was time to stop overthinking and just be honest with herself—and with Izuku. After all, their connection was real, and perhaps it was worth exploring, even in the face of uncertainty.

"Okay," she said slowly, determination creeping into her voice. "I'll think about it. I owe it to myself—and to him—to see where this could lead."

Mina and Jirou exchanged excited glances, their smiles wide. "That's the spirit! We're here for you, no matter what happens!" Mina exclaimed, and the three friends embraced, ready to face whatever came next together.

Thank you for reading!