Hot-Headed (Now also a podfic on spotify!)

Chapter 1

Uraraka Ochako was in love with Midoriya Izuku. She had known this since her first year at UA.

When had been the first time she'd realized? When Aoyama had confronted her about it during their test to fight against a pro hero? Maybe. But maybe she'd also kinda felt it even earlier. Maybe some when Deku had worked with her in class, training as heroes versus Bakugo and Iida's villains. Maybe even a little when he'd saved her from being crushed by a huge robot during their entrance exams.

It wasn't exactly clear when Ochako had come to know it to be true, but she knew it had been in first year and she knew her feelings had never changed since then. She had changed, of course— physically and mentally.

It was the beginning of third year and she had filled out a bit more but also packed on a lot more muscle. Her body had once been soft and petite and, while she was still a petite girl, she had trained hard to become a hero, which had granted her a washboard stomach, nearly a six-pack peeking through. Her arms and legs were far more toned. Her face was not quite as round. She had grown a couple inches and now stood at a solid 5'4". Still not tall, but tall-er. Her golden-brown hair had once always been in a short bob which she finally realized lent to her face seeming so round. So sometime in second year, she decided to grow it out and it now came to around her armpits when she had it down. But most days, she kept it up in a ponytail, letting a few locks still fall around her face. She'd cut her bangs a few months ago, but was now also growing them out again and they were more side-swept.

Ochako walked onto the UA campus with a suitcase stuffed to the max with clothes and a few personal belongings she'd received from her family over the short spring break. She didn't know why her mom insisted she bring all of these clothes when most days she wore her school uniform or hero suit. 

"You should still wear something cute when you get the chance," her mother's voice sounded in her head. She'd even insisted Ochako wear the floral printed sundress she sported today. She rolled her eyes but smiled, thinking of her doting parents.

Today was Sunday, the day before the first day of school, and move-in day for their dorms. Sure, it had only been a couple weeks since they had gone on break, but this was also the beginning of their third, and final, year as heroes-in-training at UA. This year would be all about prepping them to go out into the real world and be the heroes they'd always dreamed of. It was crunch time. And her very last chance to possibly tell Midoriya how she felt about him.

Other students were also arriving on campus; some from her class, others second years and even a handful of wide-eyed first years. She waved and exchanged greetings with Momo, who still looked much the same with her tall frame and messy bun she wore her hair in, then with Kyoka, who had also grown her hair out over the past couple years but had shaved one side for a pretty extreme but still totally Jiro Kyoka look. In most normal schools, hair like that wouldn't be acceptable. But this was UA. It was a good thing to stand out and, most importantly, to be yourself.

She expressly ignored Mineta as she walked past him, despite his friendly wave. Every girl did. He had actually managed to grow by leaps and bounds since first year, but was still a few inches shorter than even Ochako. And even if he had sprouted up to 6 foot and somehow filled out with a handsome face (which he hadn't on either count) he still would be a nasty pervert of such a sad and desperate nature that the girls all over school would feel uncomfortable around.

Ochako trekked across campus toward her new third year (she still couldn't believe it, third year!) dormitories. There were cherry trees in bloom along most walkways. It was almost like living in a fairy tale, she thought. Something magical was in the air when cherry blossoms bloomed.