IzuMina Week 2020

Day 5-Second Chances/Color

Izuku had never felt dumber in his entire life. He walked along the streets of Musutafu, head low as he mentally beat himself up over what had transpired earlier in the day. His confidence had been building, sure, but, when it came down to it, he was still a...coward.

As he walked, he couldn't help but be drawn to a very specific color. It gained his focus whenever he saw it out of the corner of his eyes. And he always paid close attention to whatever it had been, and the details. Mainly because, he secretly hoped that when he saw the color, it might give him the courage to try again.

And that color? Pink.

Flashback

They had just finished training for the day. It had been pretty intense, and everyone was clearly worn out from Aizawa's training. But, they had been getting better, and it definitely took more to get them worn out than when this all started for them.

"Phew!" Mina said as she wiped some sweat from her forehead. "Who else is totally beat after that?" Even though she was clearly exhausted, she had kept her chipper behavior. Everyone smiled or laughed at her statement, but couldn't argue with her, sounds of agreement echoing throughout the class. Izuku especially drawn to her infectious mood.

"So, Midoriya," Kirishima said as they were in the locker rooms getting changed. "Are you gonna ask Ashido out today?" Izuku froze up at the words of his classmate, as the other boys in the locker room now looked over to the boy, some of them in shock at the revelation.

"I want to, Kirishima," he said, trying to act as if this conversation was still between the two of them. "I just don't know how to tell her. I'm afraid I'm going to mess up by mumbling, or going off into a tangent, or just, you know, being me."

"And what's wrong with being you?" Kirishima asked back. "You're one of the manliest guys I know! You'll be fine, dude!" A few of the guys had since thrown in their own words of encouragement to Izuku. He breathed in before nodding, a look of resolve in his eyes.

"Alright!" he said. "I can do this!"

"That's the spirit, Midoriya."

Meanwhile, in the girls locker room next door, Jiro had her jack connected to the wall, while a certain pink-skinned girl looked on in anticipation.

"So, did Midori mention me?" she asked, unusually skittish. Jiro smiled at her in return.

"I probably shouldn't tell you what they're talking about...." she let on, causing Mina to give her a faux pout, before smirking. "Yea. Sounds like he's going to ask you out." Mina couldn't contain her giddiness, as she let out an excited squeal, that Toru joined her in on.

After a few minutes, the class had exited the locker room in their normal clothes. Classes were over for the day, so everyone was idly chatting about what their plans were for the rest of the day. Izuku looked around and saw Mina talking to the other girls. He swallowed as he approached them.

"H-Hey, A-Ashido?" he said, getting the girl's attention.

"Hey, Midori! What's up?" she asked cheerfully and, though missed on Izuku, also with a hint of anticipation.

"I...uh," Izuku stammered. He tried to get the words out, but to no avail. Finally, dejectedly, he spoke again. "I wanted to say great job on training!" And with that, he ran off, leaving the school, and Mina, behind.

Flashback End

"Stupid Deku!" he said to himself, kicking a can on the ground. It had been a while since he had referred to himself as such, but he just couldn't help it. He finally stopped walking long enough to get a bearing of where he was.

In his absent-minded walking, he had somehow ended up in a nearby park. He found the nearest bench and sat down, placing his head in his hands. He was frustrated to say the least. And he had only himself to blame.

He sat there for a few minutes to himself, not even noticing the other person who had walked up to the bench until they spoke.

"Is this seat taken?" the angelic voice spoke, causing Izuku to look up. He saw Mina standing there, smiling at him. He couldn't even think straight, and merely shook his head in response to her question. Satisfied with his response, the pink girl took a seat beside him, much closer than he expected.

"It's a nice day out," she said, almost absently as she took in the scene before her. She was right. The sky was clear. There was a slight crisp to the wind, as the fall was finally coming in full. Izuku silently nodded his head.

Now's your chance! he was practically screaming to himself. Though, he still battled. You already made a fool out of yourself. Just cut your losses. He was so wrapped up in his internal debate, he didn't realize that Mina had scooted even closer to him.

"I should probably wait for you to ask, but I think you know that's not entirely my style," she grinned widely at the boy. "How would you like to do something fun today? Just the two of us?"

Izuku was baffled. He was getting his chance. He sighed.

"I would love to, Ashido," he said. "I just feel bad that I couldn't work up the courage to ask you. You must think I'm a coward." Now, it was Mina's turn to sigh.

"I do not think, nor have I ever thought, you are or were a coward," she said. "I've seen how you are in class when you're not in total Hero mode. I've heard the backstory of living most of your life thinking you were Quirkless. I know what that's like, to be ridiculed. Not to the degree I'm sure you were, but I get it. It affected your confidence. The fact that you even tried to make the effort earlier, even if you couldn't get it out, makes you extremely brave."

Mina took Izuku's hand in hers.

"So, what do you say?" Izuku smiled and nodded, and the two stood up to head to a new adventure, to see where this path would lead them.