Chapter Text
Izuku Midoriya sat at his desk in Class 1-A, staring absentmindedly at his notebook while the voices of his classmates filled the air around him. Normally, he would be scribbling notes furiously, eager to analyze everything he could about his classmates' Quirks, hero strategies, and potential areas of improvement. But today, something was... off.
It wasn’t an overwhelming feeling - just a subtle shift in the way he processed his surroundings. It was like he'd woken up and his mind was more clear. The normal buzz of energy that seemed to constantly run through his skull was quieter. His usual excitable, nervous energy had been tempered, replaced with something calmer, something more... observant. His eyes flickered over the classroom, lingering on shadows and subtle movements more than usual. Even the way he sat was different, his posture relaxed but calculated, as if prepared to act at a moment’s notice.
Needless to say, he didn't quite feel like himself.
But, he wasn't sure that he minded it just yet.
“Yo, Midoriya, you good?” Kirishima leaned over his desk, giving him a concerned look. “You seem kinda… I dunno, different?”
“I’m fine,” Midoriya replied, his voice coming out softer, more reserved. “Just… thinking.”
Kirishima blinked. “Huh. You sound weirdly cool when you talk like that.”
Truth be told, Midoriya wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. So, he settled for shrugging and offering a reserved smile to the red-head, who returned the smile with his own radiant grin, his curiosity seemingly settled.
That left him some peace, allowing him to slid into his seat, resting his chin on his hand, unconsciously keeping himself within the shadows cast by the window blinds. He could feel it - a quiet detachment, a preference for observation over immediate action. It wasn’t like he couldn’t interact normally, but rather that he found no need to.
But then, someone disrupted his careful balance.
“Midoriyaaaa!”
Hagakure practically bounced over to his desk, her invisible form marked only by the fluttering of her uniform. She had a habit of being one of the most energetic people in the class, always inserting herself into conversations and interactions. Admittedly, Midoriya normally found her enthusiasm charming in an exhausting kind of way. Today, however, he merely glanced at her, registering her presence with quiet amusement.
“Hey, Hagakure.”
“Something’s up with you!” She leaned in, hands on his desk. “You’re acting super different! Like, all quiet and mysterious!”
Mysterious? He hadn’t thought of it that way.
“I’m still me,” he reassured her, though even he wasn’t sure how true that was. “Maybe just a little… introspective today.”
“Ooooh, that’s kinda cool,” she mused. “Like, ‘oh, I’m Midoriya, a broody lone wolf with a heart of gold’ kind of thing?”
He chuckled, the sound low and subdued. “Something like that.”
Hagakure giggled. “Okay, okay, I like this version of you. Very smooth.”
Smooth? That was new. Normally, he was anything but smooth.
The realization struck him as he looked at Hagakure - her casual closeness, her teasing words. Was she… reacting differently to him?
A small, unfamiliar thrill curled in his chest.
“But, for realsies, are you okay?” Hagakure’s voice suddenly pulled him out of his thoughts. The invisible girl leaned closer to his desk, her uniform floating slightly as she tilted her head.
Midoriya turned his head toward her, and for a brief moment, he hesitated. Something about her presence, or rather the lack of a visible presence, intrigued him more than usual. He found himself analyzing her movements - the way the empty space of her body shifted subtly, betraying where her weight rested. His eyes trailed her well-kept uniform and the way the light hit her clothes just so, and the way her voice carried an extra note of curiosity today.
Time was irrelevant toward how long he had stared at her; it could have been mere seconds, it could have been minutes, or even hours. Any other time, he might have worried himself endlessly about seeming creepy or even perverted - but right now... none of those concerns seemed to quite stir themselves up.
“I’m fine,” he answered smoothly, his voice quieter than usual. He barely even paid it any heed; it felt... somewhat normal. “Just… thinking.”
Hagakure blinked, or at least Midoriya imagined she did. His eyes fixated on approximately where he figured her head would be. “Thinking about what?” she asked playfully, resting her arms on his desk.
Midoriya tapped his fingers lightly against his notebook. “You.”
If Hagakure had been visible, he was sure she would’ve frozen in place. “M-Me?” she stammered, her voice going up an octave.
Midoriya nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Your Quirk - how you move, how people react to your presence. Or, more accurately, your absence. Most people don’t notice how much they rely on visual cues to interact with the world. But you - you're an anomaly in that sense. It’s fascinating. You're fascinating.”
There was a long pause before Hagakure let out a nervous laugh. There wasn't any discomfort in it - at least, none that he could appreciate. Rather, she seemed... strangely surprised by the sudden admission of thought. “Wow, uh, that’s... new. You don’t usually talk like that, Midoriya.”
Midoriya tilted his head slightly, considering her words. She was right, though - he didn’t usually express his thoughts so bluntly. But something about today made him less inclined to filter himself. The normal muzzle that seemed to exist on his personality felt more lax. He thought back to last night, trying to recall any differences or changes that had occurred... but nothing came to mind.
The only different was that he'd spoken with the vestiges during the night. Perhaps it was Kudo’s influence - the second-wielder of One For All had been surprisingly vocal last night. But there hadn't been anything that the second user had said to suggest that he was going to 'take over'. Then again... Midoriya frowned contemplatively. Can the vestiges even take over? I don't quite think they've ever abducted my body before... and I feel in control, so...
“You don’t have to sound so nervous,” Midoriya continued, his voice almost teasing. “I meant it as a compliment. You have a presence even without being seen. That’s rare.”
Hagakure made an odd sound, something between a giggle and a nervous hiccup. “O-Oh, well, uh, thanks?” she mumbled, clearly flustered.
Midoriya simply nodded, his eyes flickering to the classroom door as Aizawa entered. “Class is starting.”
Hesitantly, the invisible girl walked away - though, her gaze never seemed to leave Midoriya's figure. For the rest of the morning, Midoriya remained more withdrawn than usual, speaking only when necessary and watching everything with an intensity that made even Bakugo shoot him a wary glance.
But Toru, on the other hand, couldn’t focus at all.
Something about Midoriya today was different. The way he spoke, the way he carried himself - it was almost... cool? No, that wasn’t quite the word. It was something else. Something that made her heart skip in a way she didn’t expect. And worst of all, she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
The day progressed with minimal incidents, though Midoriya found himself slipping into further and further into his newlyfound clarity more and more. He didn’t respond to questions with his usual stammering, instead choosing measured words. He moved efficiently during training, his footwork silent, his attacks swift. He even seemed to rely on his drawn power of One For All in a different, measured sort of way - trying to reach for something that didn't quite seem to be there
“Dude, are you sneakier than usual?” Kaminari asked after their sparring session.
“Yeah,” Sero agreed. “I barely noticed you moving during the exercise. It’s like you were a ninja or something.”
Midoriya only shrugged, subtly exhaling through his nose - a gesture that felt like something he always did.
But none of that was nearly as interesting as Hagakure’s reaction.
She had always been friendly, but today, she seemed downright fascinated. Every time he moved past her, she would do a little double-take, as if trying to confirm that yes, this was still the same Midoriya she knew.
At lunch, she plopped into the seat across from him, her tray clattering down. “Okay, spill. You’re like, way too cool today. Is this some kind of phase? Are you gonna go full dark and brooding?”
Midoriya met her ‘gaze’ - or at least where he assumed her eyes were. “Do you not like it?”
“Wha—? No! I mean, I do, but - wait, are you flirting with me right now?”
She sounded scandalized, but there was a distinct flustered edge to her voice. A tone that hinted... she wasn't entirely against it.
Midoriya tilted his head slightly, the motion slow and deliberate. “Would it bother you if I was?”
Hagakure audibly gasped. “MIDORIYA.”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let the silence settle, watching as she squirmed slightly in her seat. Normally, he would be a blushing mess in situations like this. Normally, he wouldn’t even think to say things so smoothly.
But something in his mind urged him to press forward.
Hagakure stammered, clearly flustered, before dramatically slumping onto the table. “Okay, I take it back. This version of you is dangerous.”
Midoriya smirked, a rare expression on his face. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
The two fell into a silence; Midoriya beginning to slowly pick at his meal while Hagakure stared at him intently. Something was clearly off, she could tell that much. While she knew that all of her classmates had plenty more to their story than she'd seen so far... this was completely out of the blue for their resident green-haired nervous wreck. He never joked so boldly.
And yet today of his normal insecurities and stammering, he exuded a quiet confidence, an almost mysterious edge. His emerald eyes continued to sweep over her; though, they never felt... piercing, despite their intensity. It was a strange mixture, Hagakure thought to herself. She'd gone her entire life looking to be seen - and now, she was suddenly in the presence of someone who couldn't seem to look away. She had always thought it would feel awkward and uncomfortable when she finally felt that way.
But instead, she felt... warm inside.
“Midoriya,” she started, her voice softer now, “are you sure you’re okay?”
Midoriya took a slow bite of his food before answering. “I think I’m just… seeing things differently today.” He met her gaze, or where he assumed her gaze was. “You’re very expressive, you know.”
The poor girl nearly choked on her drink. “I-I am?”
Midoriya nodded. “People assume that because they can’t see your face, you don’t have ‘expressions,’ but... that’s not true, is it? You express yourself through movement, through your voice. It’s subtle, but it’s there.”
"Wh-wh-what do you mean?"
With a chopstick pressed to the corner of his mouth, he hummed softly, face scrunched in deliberation. "Well... for instance, you tend to bounce a lot in greeting; perhaps it's from your boundless energy; but, it's easy to notice that you like to hop from foot to foot. You also tend to clasp your hands behind your back and sway when listening to people; it's disarming, but it's also very... you. Genuine, perhaps."
She really tried not to read too much into his spiel - after all, this was Midoriya of all people. But, her food long forgotten, she simply sat there, quivering and quaking in place as her nerves seemed to get the best of her. She, Toru Hagakure, known for being a bit of a tease to people - was the one on the opposite foot.
"Then there's the way you softly hum to yourself; I hadn't truly noticed it before, but today... I can't really tell you. But I enjoy that tune, I think."
Hagakure swallowed hard, her hands gripping her chopsticks tightly as she tried to ignore the butterflies dancing around in her belly. “Midoriya, you... you’re really different today.”
“Does that bother you?” He asked, leaning forward slightly while lowering his voice.
Her invisible hands shot up in front of her, waving frantically. “N-No! It’s just… you’re usually so, you know, jumpy and sweet and—”
Midoriya gave her a small, knowing smile. “And I’m not sweet today?”
Hagakure felt her entire invisible body go warm. “That’s not what I meant! I-I just— You’re kind of—”
“Intense?” he supplied, amusement flickering in his eyes.
“Yes! I mean— No! Ugh!” She groaned, covering her face. “This is unfair! I can’t even tell if you’re messing with me or not!”
Midoriya chuckled softly. The sound was... yet again, odd. But it was warm; almost rich. She couldn't remember the last time that she'd heard him laugh so simply. Especially twice! In fact, she wasn't sure if she'd ever really heard him laugh before. “I’m not messing with you.”
Hagakure peeked between her fingers, as if her face was visible to the world. Although, knowing how Midoriya was... there was a chance that it was.
“Promise?”
Midoriya’s gaze softened. “Promise.”
For some reason, that made her heart race even more.
Following their lunch conversation, Midoriya expected the attention on him to fade, but that wasn’t the case.
If anything, it got worse.
Or, rather, more intense.
As they all returned to class, he noticed Hagakure hovering near his side more than usual. At first, he thought nothing of it, but then came the small things - the way she leaned in when they walked, the occasional giggles she let slip when he so much as responded to something casually. Their hands brushed once and while Midoriya couldn't tell what Hagakure thought persay, he could tell she had enjoyed the brief contact.
And, of course, the fact that she kept stealing glances at him, as if trying to solve a puzzle.
The breaking point came when they ran into Ashido, who, unfortunately, noticed everything.
“Ohoho?” Ashido's pink face lit up with mischief the moment she saw the two of them walking side by side. “What’s this? Hagakure, are you following Midoriya around now?”
“What? No!” Hagakure protested, waving her hands frantically. “I mean, not on purpose! I just - well - shut up!”
Ashido gasped theatrically. “Wait, is something going on?” She turned to Midoriya, narrowing her golden eyes. “And why do you look so cool today?”
“Do I?” Midoriya asked, tilting his head in mild curiosity.
Ashido grabbed his shoulders. “YES! You’re not all jittery! You’re like, smooth and chill and - oh my God, it’s actually working on Hagakure, isn’t it?!”
“It is not!” Hagakure squeaked.
“Pfft, yeah, okay,” Ashido snickered, then leaned in toward Midoriya. “Seriously though, what’s up? You’re giving off mysterious heartthrob energy today. Usually, you’re more of an adorkable mess.”
Midoriya sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t really know how to explain it… but I guess you could say I’m feeling more… observant today.”
“Observant?” Hagakure repeated, then gasped. “Wait, are you analyzing me right now?!”
Midoriya didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let a small smirk creep onto his lips before glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. “Maybe.”
“—?!?!”
Hagakure flailed her arms before dramatically grabbing Ashido for support. “HE’S DOING IT AGAIN!”
Ashido laughed. “Oh my God, I love this version of Midoriya. Can we keep him?”
Midoriya chuckled. “Not sure that’s how it works.”
“Ugh, fine,” Ashido pouted, then nudged Hagakure. “But girl, you are so crushing right now.”
“I AM NOT,” Hagakure practically shrieked, voice cracking.
“Then why are you flustered?”
“I’M NOT FLUSTERED, YOU’RE FLUSTERED—”
Midoriya, amused, decided to test something. Never in a million years would he have normally done this - but in this moment, in this place... it felt like something he could do. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Hagakure.”
She froze.
“…What?”
“Relax.” He smirked slightly. “You’re overthinking it.”
A strangled noise came from her throat. “Wha—I—you—”
Ashido, gasping in delight, covered her mouth as if witnessing something scandalous.
Hagakure stomped her foot. “THAT’S IT, YOU’RE TOO POWERFUL, MIDORIYA! GO BACK TO BEING AWKWARD RIGHT NOW!”
Despite the odd looks that came from nearby students from other classes that were hanging out in the hallway, Midoriya laughed softly. “I think that might happen sooner than you think.”
As the two girls continued to bicker, Midoriya sighed inwardly. He had survived the day so far, but now there was a new problem.
Hagakure was going to remember all of this.
And judging by the way she was staring at him even after the teasing had died down…
He wasn’t sure he’d be able to go back to normal without some serious consequences.
And, sure enough, by the time the day ended, Midoriya felt the subtle clarity he'd felt all day begin to ebb away. As he went through his evening routines and prepared himself for bed, his usual nervousness came creeping back in. Before he could realize it, he replayed his interactions with Hagakure in his head, leaving him completely shellshocked. His face burned when he realized how he had spoken to her all day - so smooth, so confident, so direct.
What the heck was that?!
Meanwhile, in another room, Hagakure lay awake in her dorm room, hugging her pillow tightly to her chest. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling of Midoriya’s voice in her head, the way he had looked at her - or rather, the way he had understood her in a way no one else had before. He'd looked her in the eyes - multiple times! He'd listened to her. He'd seen her. Even though there were times that she felt that she couldn't even see herself.
And much to her growing frustration, she couldn’t deny it.
She had never thought of Midoriya that way before.
But now?
Now she couldn’t stop.