Chapter Text
Uraraka jolted awake, chest tight, the leftover echoes of her nightmare still strangling her breath. She lay there for a moment, staring at the dim ceiling of her dorm room, trying to convince her heartbeat to slow. But every time she closed her eyes, the dream clawed its way back.
So at 4 a.m., she slipped quietly out of bed, grabbing her hoodie and tip-toeing into the hallway. The entire dorm was silent—the kind of silence that felt thick, like the world was holding its breath.
Her socks whispered against the floor as she entered the common area. It was dark except for the soft glow of a lamp someone forgot to turn off the night before. She headed toward the kitchen nook, grabbed a cup, and filled it with water, letting the cold run over her fingers longer than necessary. Anything to ground herself.
She lifted the cup to her lips—
Tap.
A hand touched her shoulder.
Uraraka didn’t think—her body moved on instinct. She gasped, slapped her palm backward, and instantly activated her quirk.
“AAAAH—!”
The figure behind her floated up like a startled balloon, flailing softly.
“Uh… Ochako…?”
Her breath caught. She knew that voice.
She turned her head slowly.
“MELISSA!?” she screeched, her entire face lighting up. “MELISSA YOU’RE HERE!?”
Melissa Shield spun awkwardly in mid-air, hair floating like she was underwater.
“Yes—I’m here! Can you—uh—let me down!?”
“Oh!” Uraraka deactivated her quirk in a panic.
Melissa dropped.
Uraraka dove forward, catching her halfway. They nearly both fell over but steadied themselves just in time. Melissa burst into a giggle, breathless.
“I missed you too, Ochako~” she said, hugging her tightly.
Uraraka hugged back even tighter—like she was afraid letting go would make Melissa disappear again. “I’m so happy you’re here. When did you get here? How did—why—what—”
“Ochako.” Melissa put a gentle hand over her mouth. “Breathe. Sit with me?”
“Right. Yes. Okay.” Uraraka grabbed her water and followed her to the couch.
They sat close—shoulders pressed, comfortable and warm in the quiet of the early morning.
Melissa smoothed her hair and inhaled. “…So, I asked my dad if I could transfer. I missed you all so much. And I… I wanted to be here. So he made some calls.”
“That’s amazing!” Uraraka beamed, gripping her hand. “But wait—our class is full—”
“Oh, right.” Melissa grinned mischievously. “Better news: I’m taking Mineta’s spot.”
There was a whole two seconds of stunned silence.
Then—
Uraraka launched herself onto Melissa. “THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!”
Melissa fell back into the couch, laughing hard. “He’s moving to 1-B, taking Shinsou’s spot. So technically he’s still around but—”
“Ughhhh,” Uraraka groaned dramatically, falling back against the cushions. “I was hoping he’d get shipped to, like, an Antarctic hero course far away.”
“At least he won’t be in your dorm anymore.”
“True.” Uraraka perked back up… before slowly turning toward Melissa with a smirk. “Sooo… how are you and Deku~?”
Melissa went beet red instantly.
But the blush slowly melted into a complicated, frustrated sigh.
“What’s wrong?” Uraraka asked quietly.
Melissa stared down at her hands. “It’s just… Deku can be really, really dense.”
Uraraka blinked. “Oh. Yeah. I understand.”
“No, Ochako—dense like—like titanium-level dense! I flirted, I asked him out, I even told him I loved him. Like. Loved. And do you know what he said?”
“That he loved you too…?” Uraraka tried, hopefully.
“Oh he said he loved me ALRIGHT,” Melissa said, chuckling bitterly. “He loved having me as a friend.”
Uraraka whistled under her breath. “…ouch.”
“EXACTLY!” Melissa threw her hands up. “He didn’t even realize I meant it romantically! He just smiled that stupid cute smile and—UGH—I didn’t know whether to kiss him or strangle him!”
Uraraka put a steady hand on her shoulder. “Okay, relax. We can figure something out.”
They brainstormed.
And brainstormed.
And rejected dozens of ideas.
Until Melissa suddenly lifted her head.
“…What if I fake-date someone?”
Uraraka stared at her like she’d grown a second head. “You want to fake-date someone just to make Deku realize he likes you?”
“YES,” Melissa said dramatically. “I’m desperate. Nothing else worked. Do you have a better idea?”
“…No,” Uraraka conceded.
Melissa leaned closer, hopeful. “Do you know any guy outside our class?”
Uraraka scratched her cheek. “…I know a guy in 1-B. But he’s… arrogant.”
“Can you ask him?”
“What!? Why me!?”
“Because you’re cute and nice and everyone likes you, Chako!”
“That is one hundred percent not true. Especially not about him.”
Melissa grabbed both of Uraraka’s hands, wide blue eyes pleading. “Please. I have tried everything else.”
Uraraka sighed deeply, shoulders slumping. But then she smiled.
“Alright. I’ll ask him. Only for you.”
Melissa squealed so loudly Uraraka flinched.
She flung her arms around her. “THANK YOU OCHAKO! You’re the best! I love you so much!”
Suddenly—
“Meeeelissaaaa?”
Both girls froze.
They turned around.
Behind them… half the class was standing in various states of pajamas and bed hair.
Mina rubbed her eyes. “Bro… it’s literally four in the morning… what’s going on… and why is Melissa here?”
“Melissa!?” Deku yelped, instantly wide awake and sparkly. “You’re here!?”
Within seconds, everyone swarmed Melissa.
Questions, cheers, hugs, excitement—it overwhelmed the quiet common room.
Melissa laughed, flustered but happy, explaining her transfer all over again.
“Thank god Mineta’s gone from this class,” Jiro muttered.
“Alright,” Uraraka said, rubbing her neck. “I’m gonna go change and head out.”
She leaned down, hugged Melissa tightly again, and whispered:
“I’ll talk to him before class starts.”Melissa squeezed her back. “…Thank you, Ochako.”
Uraraka gave her a soft smile, then slipped away down the hallway as everyone continued celebrating around Melissa—her heart already preparing for the awkward conversation she knew she’d be having soon.
Uraraka tightened the last button of her uniform jacket and took one steadying breath in front of the mirror. Her reflection stared back—tired eyes from waking up early, but determined.
Okay. I can do this. It’s for Melissa.
She slipped out of her room and headed downstairs, adjusting her backpack along her shoulder.
But the moment she stepped into the main entrance hall—
“Oi. Cheeks.”
Her whole body stiffened.
She turned.
Bakugou stood leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, eyebrow raised in curiosity and suspicion. Kirishima was beside him, stretching his arms with a sleepy grin. Todoroki was drinking tea like it was already noon. And Deku… Deku looked concerned.
“Where are you going so early?” Bakugou asked, narrowing his eyes. “You don’t do mornings. At all.”
Uraraka forced a calm smile. “I’m heading to class early today.”
Deku squinted. “You never do that… ever.”
“Just… changing things up,” she said with the most innocent smile she could manage.
Kirishima perked up. “Ooh, new morning routine?”
Bakugou grunted. “Bullshit. You’re hiding something.”
Uraraka sweat-dropped but waved them off with a nervous laugh. “Really, I’m fine! I’ll see you later, okay?”
Before they could corner her with more questions, she darted toward the exit.
As soon as the doors closed behind her, she exhaled shakily.
“Phew… okay. Step one: escape achieved.”
The sun was barely up, the courtyard still hazy with morning air. Birds were chirping, but not even they seemed fully awake yet. Uraraka walked quickly, her steps echoing faintly in the quiet school building.
She waited in the hallway near Class 1-B’s area, leaning against the cool wall, occasionally glancing around corners to make sure no one else was nearby.
Minutes passed.
Students from other courses drifted by in twos and threes, chatting sleepily. A few first years trotted past yawning. Teachers’ voices echoed from distant hallways. But no sign of him.
Until—
She heard a familiar arrogant hum.
Monoma appeared around the corner, walking with his hands behind his back like he was some kind of noble prince surveying his kingdom. His hair was perfectly styled, uniform immaculately pressed, and expression smug as always.
This was it.
Uraraka straightened and walked toward him.
“Monoma, can I talk to you?”
He blinked, startled by being approached so early. His expression quickly morphed into exaggerated disgust.
“Oh. It’s you. Class A.” He placed a hand dramatically on his chest. “Why would I ever want to talk to you?”
Uraraka bit the inside of her cheek. She needed to be patient. For Melissa. “Just for a minute,” she pleaded softly. “Please.”
His dramatic pose faltered. He wasn’t used to her being this serious. “…Fine.” He flicked his wrist. “Speak.”
Uraraka took a breath. “I need your help.”
Monoma’s eyebrow raised nearly to his hairline. “…You… need my help?”“Yes.”
“With… what, exactly?”
Uraraka began rambling, her words picking up speed as her nerves kicked in. “Basically someone needs to fake date someone so the guy she actually likes will get jealous and realize his feelings, and we just need someone willing to pretend and—”
“I’ll do it.”
Uraraka stopped mid-sentence.
“…W-what?”“I’ll do it,” Monoma repeated casually, unfazed. “A fake relationship? Easy. But it needs planning. We’ll meet at lunch. Bring the girl.”
He flicked his hair dramatically and walked off like she hadn’t just begged him for a massive favor.
Uraraka stared after him, stunned.
“That… was way too easy,” she whispered.
She barely had time to process before—
Tap.
A hand on her shoulder.
Her heart dropped.
“Ochako.”
She didn’t need to turn. She knew the voice.
Deku.
She turned anyway.
He stood behind her, arms crossed in a way that reminded her eerily of Bakugou. His expression was serious—too serious for someone who’d normally listen to her with big green puppy eyes.
“Hey, Deku…” she said, offering a guilty smile.
“Why were you talking to Monoma?” His tone wasn’t angry. It was worried. Suspicious. Protective.
“No reason,” she replied quickly.
“I can tell when you’re lying,” Deku said gently but firmly.
Uraraka winced. Of course he could. They had history. He could read her better than most people.
“I’m not lying…” she tried anyway.
“Ochako.” Deku stepped in her path, blocking her from leaving. “We’ve been friends for a long time. We even dated once. Don’t shut me out. What’s going on?”
She swallowed.
Damn it. He wasn’t going to drop this.
So she blurted the first deflection she could think of.
“Melissa was… interested in Monoma.”
Deku froze. His pupils shrank.
“…what.”“You know,” Uraraka continued casually, “since she’s single, I decided to help her.”
Deku’s face shifted through a dozen emotions—shock, dread, denial.
“No.” He shook his head. “No way. She can’t be interested in him. No.”
Uraraka raised a brow. “Are you… jealous?”
Deku didn’t even blink. “I am,” he said simply.
Uraraka’s eyebrows shot up.
Wow. She didn’t expect him to admit that so fast.
“Well,” she said, hands on her hips, “then go tell her you like her.”
“But you just said she was—”
“I lied.” She waved him off. “We were talking about something dumb. Just go tell Melissa how you feel.”
Deku looked torn, almost nervous. “But what if—”
“Deku.” Uraraka stepped closer and looked him in the eye. “You got jealous in seconds. Now imagine if she actually were interested in someone else. Do you really want to wait until it’s too late?”
Deku sucked in a breath.
His hands clenched.
Then—
“You’re right.”
His head whipped around—he saw Melissa walking down the hallway, holding some files and looking half-asleep.
And he SPRINTED.
Uraraka watched, hands clasped under her chin.
Deku ran fast—too fast—and nearly crashed into her before stopping abruptly.
Melissa blinked in surprise. Deku said something quickly, nervously, talking with his hands, cheeks pink.
Melissa’s eyes widened.
Her face flushed.
And then she flung her arms around him, hugging him tight.
Deku froze. Then slowly melted into the hug, smiling shyly against her shoulder.
Uraraka practically squealed into her palms.
“They’re so cute~” she whispered, heart glowing with warmth.
All that panic, all that scheming…
And it worked better than she expected.
Now all she had to do was survive lunch with Monoma.
Before class started, Uraraka slipped into her seat, smoothing her skirt and setting her bag down. She barely had time to take out her notebook when—
“OCHAKO!!”
Melissa practically flew across the room and wrapped her in a tight, breath-stealing hug.
“What—what’s this for?” Uraraka laughed, surprised.
“I don’t know what you told him, but it worked! I love you, Ochako~” Melissa squealed, hugging her once more before bouncing back a step, her face glowing.
Uraraka blinked, smiling softly. “Of course, I’ll always help you out~ but slow down! What exactly happened?”
Melissa inhaled dramatically and pointed at her as if scolding her for not being ready.“Okay, Ochako… listen. Right after Deku talked to you—literally right after—he came straight to me.”
Uraraka leaned in, curious. “Really? That fast?”
Melissa nodded rapidly. “He didn’t hesitate at all. He walked into the support lab with this super determined look, like he had just won a mental battle.”
Uraraka held back a proud smile. She knew exactly the moment he’d made up his mind.
Melissa continued, eyes wide with excitement. “He walked right up to me and said, ‘Melissa… can we talk?’ And before I could even say yes, he just— he confessed. Just like that!”
Uraraka’s eyebrows shot up. “He actually dove straight in?”
“Yes! He said—” She pressed her hand to her heart as she repeated his words:
‘I like you. I’ve liked you for a while, and I didn’t want to keep pretending I don’t. I want to tell you properly… because you deserve that.’”Uraraka’s smile grew impossibly warmer. “He said that…?”
Melissa nodded, cheeks pinking. “And then—he told me he got a little push from you. He said you reminded him that waiting forever could mean losing his chance.”
Uraraka laughed softly. “I just told him the truth.”
Melissa continued, her voice softening with affection. “And after he said all that… he asked if he could take me on a real date. A proper one. Not a study session, not a lab project—a date.”
“Oh my gosh.” Uraraka clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. “Melissa, that’s adorable.”
“I KNOW!” Melissa whispered loudly. “And of course I said yes! And then he got so red he almost tripped on his way out.”
Uraraka giggled. “That sounds exactly like him.”
Melissa leaned in and hugged her again—this one soft and grateful. “Thank you, Ochako. For helping him. For helping me.”
Uraraka returned the hug, warmth glowing in her chest. “Anytime. I’ll always help you out~”
It was finally lunchtime, and Uraraka had practically floated to the cafeteria—not from her Quirk, but from sheer excitement. Her stomach had been making whale noises all morning, and nothing could’ve stopped her from reaching her usual table.
She sat, opened her bento, and immediately started shoveling food into her mouth like she had been starved for days.
That was when a voice cut through the noise:
“Uraraka. I need to talk to you.”
The dumpling in her chopsticks slipped, bounced off her tray, and landed in her lap.
Monoma stood at her table.
Monoma.
The cafeteria fell silent as if someone had pressed pause. Mina’s jaw dropped. Sero leaned over the table for a better view. Bakugou stopped mid-bite and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Even Todoroki looked mildly intrigued, which was basically his equivalent of screaming.
Uraraka blinked.
Oh no.
She had forgotten.
She mouthed to herself, “I forgot…” before forcing a sweet smile.
“Sure! Let’s… uh… go somewhere more private.”
Monoma nodded curtly and followed her out of the cafeteria. As they exited,
Mina whispered loudly, “Is this a crossover episode?”
Kaminari began taking bets on what Monoma wanted.
Iida loudly told him that wagering on classmates was inappropriate.
No one listened.
Outside in the hallway, Monoma crossed his arms tightly.
“Where is the other girl?”
Uraraka flinched. “Yeah… about that.” She rubbed her neck awkwardly. “I don’t think we need fake dating anymore.”
His eyebrow twitched. “Why not?”
“The situation kind of worked itself out on its own. Melissa doesn’t need it anymore. But thank you for trying to help!” She began to walk away—only to freeze when Monoma grabbed her arm.
“Wait.”
Uraraka blinked at him. “Is… there anything else?”
Monoma let go and looked away, annoyed at something—probably the fact that he needed to say this out loud.
“I only agreed to do it because I need this to happen.”
Uraraka tilted her head. “What? What are you talking about?”
Monoma inhaled sharply, as if preparing for a great personal sacrifice.
“I need a fake girlfriend.”Uraraka’s soul left her body.
“…What!?”“I need a fake girlfriend,” he repeated flatly, as if this was normal, like asking for a pencil.
“But—why!?” Uraraka demanded. “Do you like someone and you’re trying to make them jealous?”
“No,” he scoffed immediately. “I hate everybody.”
“That’s—well—fair,” Uraraka admitted. “But then why—”
“I need a way into your dormitory.”
She stared at him.
“…You hate my entire class, Monoma.”“Correct.” He nodded as if she’d praised him.
“So why would you want to come to our dorm?”
Monoma sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose .“Because out of everyone in this school, there is one person I can tolerate, and he was moved to your class.”
Uraraka’s eyes widened. “Shinsou?”
“Yes,” Monoma said miserably. “He was my best friend—is my best friend—and now I barely see him.”
Uraraka gasped. “Awwww! Do you miss him? Do you love him? Wait—do you have fee—”
“EW.” He stepped back like she was diseased. “No. No no no. He is simply the only tolerable person in a school full of walking disappointments.”
“That’s basically affection coming from you,” Uraraka teased.
“Don’t say that.”
“But it’s cute,” she grinned.
“It’s not.” He glared. “It’s necessary. And I can’t just ask Shinsou if I can come into your dorm.”
“Why not? He’d say yes.”
“That makes me look desperate.”
“Monoma… getting a fake girlfriend is desperate,” Uraraka deadpanned.
“Yes,” Monoma admitted. “But it’s less desperate than begging Shinsou to let me into a building full of people I openly despise.”
“…You know what? Fair.”
He continued. “And let’s be honest—your class hates me, too. For reasons that are completely irrational, by the way.”
“Because you provoke them constantly?”
“As I should.”
She groaned.
“Anyway,” Monoma continued dramatically, “Shinsou only hasn’t invited me because he knows I can’t stand your classmates, and your classmates can’t stand me.”
“Also fair.”
“But,” he said eagerly, “if I have a girlfriend from your class, everyone would have to tolerate me.”
Uraraka’s eyes widened as everything clicked into place.
“Ohhhh.” She pointed at him accusingly. “You want to be allowed in the dorm without anyone questioning it.”
“Exactly. And now that I think about it, you’re the perfect person to ask.”
“Why? Because I help people? Because I’m a ‘people pleaser’?” she said with an irritated sigh.
“That too,” Monoma shrugged. “But everyone likes you.”
“You don’t.”
“I hate everyone,” he corrected. “But you’re the most tolerable.”
Uraraka gasped with fake offense. “Did you just give me a compliment!?”
Monoma stared at her like she was broken. “If you think that was a compliment, I am deeply concerned about your self-esteem.”
“Shut up,” she muttered, poking his shoulder. “It’s just weird coming from you.”
He exhaled sharply. “So… will you help me?” He actually looked—embarrassed? Nervous? It was hard to tell.
“Please. I’m begging you. I just want to see my best friend without looking pathetic.”
Uraraka softened instantly.
He missed Shinsou.
He really missed his friend.
And as much as Monoma complained, bragged, or insulted people… this was genuine.
“Fine,” she said warmly. “I’ll help you.”
She handed him her phone.Monoma blinked at it as if it were a foreign object. “What’s this for?”
“So we can figure out a plan. Fake dating needs rules, right?”
“Right.” He took it carefully, almost awkwardly.“…Thank you. For… helping.”
It was the sincerest thing she’d ever heard him say.
After finishing her conversation with Monoma, Uraraka let out a long breath and headed back to the cafeteria. Maybe no one noticed she was gone.
She sat down and picked up her chopsticks, ready to reclaim the rest of her lunch—
But every pair of eyes at the table was already on her.
“Why was Monoma talking to you?” Kirishima asked from the next table over, leaning so far he was practically sitting with them.
Uraraka blinked. “Huh?”
Mina slapped both hands on the table. “Yeah! Since when does Monoma talk to any of us without roasting us first?”
“It was nothing important…” Uraraka mumbled, stuffing rice into her mouth.
The table collectively squinted at her.
Then Todoroki—deadpan as a corpse—said:
“Maybe he likes you.”
Uraraka choked. Violently.
“WHAT!? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?” she wheezed, grabbing her water.Todoroki blinked calmly. “It is a logical explanation. He walked right up to you. He never does that.”
Momo nodded thoughtfully. “It is unusual. Perhaps he has been harboring feelings?”
“Guys, you’re being ridiculous…” Uraraka waved them off, cheeks pink.
“Why is that ridiculous, Chako?” Tsuyu asked with her usual solemn tone.
Uraraka’s shoulders slumped.“Because… why would anyone be attracted to me? Especially Monoma from 1-B?” she muttered, poking at her food.
The table went quiet.
Deku’s voice came softly—but with surprising firmness:
“I know a lot of people who’d be attracted to you.”
Uraraka looked up, startled. “R-Really?”
“Trust us,” Melissa chimed in, wiggling her eyebrows. “We know~”
She and Deku both glanced around the cafeteria—specifically at some boys in Class 1-A.
Every single one of them stared at Uraraka.
Every. Single. One.
The moment Deku and Melissa caught them, the boys jolted and snapped their gazes away in panic—some looked at the ceiling, others at their food, a few at absolutely nothing.
Uraraka blinked, confused. “W-What was that…?”
Before she could process it, she stood up, grabbing her tray. “Alright, I’m not hungry anymore—”
A firm hand landed on her shoulder, pushing her gently back into the seat.
“Cheeks.”
Bakugou.
“You need to eat,” he ordered, sitting her down like she weighed nothing. “Finish your damn food.”
“But Bakugou—”
“Eat.”
“Eat.”
The rest of Class 1-A echoed in unison, some gentle, some demanding, some clearly panicking she was skipping a meal.Uraraka shrunk back. “O-Okay, geez guys…”
Kaminari grinned brightly. “We just care about your health~”
Sero nodded. “Yeah, Ochako, you can’t just skip meals.”
Kirishima added with a supportive fist pump, “It’s manly to take care of yourself!”
Todoroki stared at her again like she was an endangered animal. “You need proper nutrition.”
Shinsou—who had been sitting with them more often thanks to joining 1-A—looked away, pretending not to care. But he muttered just loud enough, “Eat. Please.”
Uraraka blinked, overwhelmed. “I—I didn’t realize everyone was so worried…”
She didn’t notice the subtle tension around the table.
But the six who secretly liked her were all reacting in their own ways:
Bakugou
Scowled at her plate like it personally offended him. How does she not see she’s amazing? Idiot.
Kirishima
Smiled big, supportive—until Uraraka looked away. Then his face softened with obvious affection. She really doesn’t think people like her…?
Sero
Pretended to casually drink his juice but nearly missed his mouth. I would walk across hot glue traps for her, what is she talking about!?
Kaminari
Kicked his feet under the table nervously. How is she THAT clueless AND that cute at the same time!?
Todoroki
Stared directly at her with the most intense, unblinking admiration. She is objectively beautiful. Why would she doubt this?
Shinsou
Looked the calmest—but his clenched jaw gave him away. Uraraka… seriously? You have no idea.
The rest of the class kept sneaking glances at her too, but the six boys?They were silently losing their minds.
And Uraraka… just kept eating, confused but obedient.