that's just how it works [REWRITING]

Chapter Seven - Quirky Friends

. . .

   "Deku... What is the meaning of this... Hey!" Small explosions came from the blonde's hands as he suddenly rushed toward Midoriya. "Tell me what's going on, Deku, you bastard!" You gasp, freezing. 

   Aizawa-Sensei's scarfs surged forward, constraining Bakugou from getting closer to the green-haired boy. "Jeez... Stop making me use my quirk so much... I have dry eye." His cloths let Bakugou go, going back around his neck like a scarf. He turned away, "We're wasting time. Whoever is next, get ready." 

   You watched, wide eyed, as Midoriya scuttled around Bakugou, running back to where the class was standing. 

   The rest of the tests passed by fairly easily. You kept in good physical condition, so the sit-ups, seated toe-touch, and long distance run weren't too severe. The class gathered again in front of Aizawa-Sensei, who began to speak once more. "Okay. I'll quickly tell you the results. The total is simply the marks you got from each test. It's a waste of time to explain verbally, so I'll show you the results all at once."

   He pressed a button on a remote thing he held, and a screen appeared. You searched for your name as the silence pressed on all of you. You placed seventh. Your eyes wandered to the bottom of the list, hoping, praying, that whoever placed last wasn't...

   21. Midoriya Izuku

   You felt the color drain from your face. You looked behind you with wide eyes to see Midoriya looking down, his hand in a fist. 

   "By the way, I was lying about the expulsion. It was a rational deception to draw out the upper limits of your quirks."

   "What?!" Everyone seemed surprised to hear that. Well, all except a girl with black hair pulled up. "Of course that was a lie. It should of been obvious if you just thought it over."

   Everyone turned back to Aizawa-Sensei as he began to walk away, no doubt to crawl back into that sleeping bag from earlier. "That's it. There are handouts of the curriculum and such in the classroom, so when you get back, look over them." Your teacher walked over to Midoriya, calling out his name. "Have the old lady fix you in the nurse's office." He handed him a pass. "Tomorrow will be packed with even more rigorous tests. Prepare yourself."

   And Aizawa-Sensei left, leaving all of you to go back on your own. Everyone eventually ambled back to change into their uniforms. They all gathered in the class, and soon, it was time to go home. You grab your bag and make your way out of the classroom. You hear someone approach you with rapid footsteps. "Hey!" You turn and see Round Face, the one that had gotten an infinity on the ball throw.

   "Oh, hello." You murmur, wondering why she was talking to you. She grins brightly, walking by your side. "I'm Ochaco Uraraka! What's your name?" You decide to commune with her, "I'm (last name).  It's nice to meet you Uraraka-Chan."

   Uraraka beams. You sigh internally. 'Damn it... Her big smile and rosy cheeks are adorable... And with those eyes...' You blush softly, looking away. "Are you going to the station? If you are, we could walk together!" You nod, "Yeah, I'm heading for the station..."

   You and Uraraka walk out of the school building, her bubbling on about something, you listening quietly. She gasped, seeing two figures in the distance.

   "Hey! You two! Going to the station?" She starts running towards Midoriya and Iida, you quickly following her with a small "W-Wait, Uraraka-Chan!" "Wait for me!"

   The two of you reach the boys. Iida calmly looked at Uraraka. "You're the infinity girl." He turned to you, "(last name), right?"

   You nod, looking up at him with wide eyes. Uraraka smiles at them, "I'm Ochaco Uraraka. Um, you're Tenya Iida," She turned to Midoriya, "And you're Deku Midoriya, right?" You flinch from behind her, realizing what she just called Midoriya. 'Uraraka-Chan... Please...'

   Midoriya looked taken back, "Deku?!" Uraraka tilted her head, "Huh? But during the fitness test, the boy named Bakugou said--" Midoriya quickly cut her off, "Oh, uh... My real name is Izuku, but D-Deku is what Kacchan calls me to make fun of me..." "An insult?" "Oh, is that right? Sorry!"

   You watch the three interact silently, not even trying to engage in it. 

   Uraraka blinked, "But 'Deku' sounds like the Japanese word for "You can do it!' so I kinda like it."

   Midoriya blushed brightly, "D-Deku it is t-then!" You giggle softly, putting a hand over your mouth. Midoriya looks over at you, his blush deepening. Iida turned to Midoriya, "Midoriya-Kun! You're accepting it too easily! Wasn't that an insult?"

   The green-haired boy looked away, covering his face with his hands. You step up, "We should get going now, right Midoriya-Kun?" Said boy turned to looked at you and nodded. "Y-Yeah! (last name)-Chan is right!" 

   So the four of you set off to the station, all chatting idly. Iida and Uraraka both got off at different times, leaving you with Midoriya. As you waited for your stop, you turned to Midoriya. "Hey, Midoriya-Kun?"

   He looks at you, "Hmm? What is it (last name)-Chan?" You tilt your head, staring into his eyes. "Can I call you Izuku-kun?" He blushes brightly, "E-EH?!"

   You giggle, looking away. "It's just a thought! It's just, we've gotten so close and- Hey, this is my stop!" You wave to him and start walking away, but he calls your name. He rushes to your side. "It's my stop too!"

   "Oh. Cool!" You grin, linking arms with him as you continue walking with a cheery smile on your face. His face burns brightly and he looks down. Once you near the apartment complex you live in, you unlink your arm from his. "Well, here I am. S-See ya Izuku-Kun!" You run forward, getting out your key as you go up to your apartment. 

   He watches as you go, his thoughts just dwelling on the fact that you stuttered. You never stutter... Suddenly, his eyes come into focus as he watches you go inside your apartment. 'She's my neighbor?!' The blood rushes to his face as he stumbles slightly. He couldn't believe it. 

   Midoriya took a deep breath, walking to his own apartment. He can fanboy once he's safe in his room. He smiles to himself. It felt like he was one step closer-- to what? He didn't know. He'll figure it out though. Yeah, for sure. You were special to him.

   Of course he would figure it out.

. . .

To be continued