Musutafu, Tuesday — 8 Days Until U.A. Admissions
After lunch at the café, it was finally time for us to part ways.
Ochaco seemed excited by the idea of us becoming heroes together, though she still needed time to fully process everything.
So, while the rain slowly began to clear, I walked her home.
She thanked me again for the clothes.
I told her not to worry about it, and eventually we said our goodbyes.
That was how my afternoon ended.
Followed by me returning home to a mother who was currently giving me the silent treatment after waking up.
Though honestly, what was I expecting?
I went out for a "jog," disappeared for several hours, came back smelling like another woman—
then immediately changed clothes and left again for my date with Ochaco.
I did leave a clone at home to cover for me.
Unfortunately, the damage had already been done.
At this point, all I could do was wait until Sayuri finally decided to confront me about where I'd gone that morning and why I suddenly changed outfits before heading back out.
—
Musutafu, Wednesday — 7 Days Until U.A. Admissions
The next morning started with Sayuri finally breaking the ice.
She crawled into my bed and asked me to give her a morning massage.
Naturally, I agreed.
The next hour was spent properly stretching her body out until she physically couldn't take anymore.
—
Musutafu, Thursday — 6 Days Until U.A. Admissions
I went jogging along the beach that morning and ended up running into Izumi.
The moment she saw me, her face lit up instantly.
She admitted she was nervous about whether she'd actually receive an acceptance letter from U.A. after only earning one point during the exam.
I assured her it would probably be fine.
As long as she'd managed to earn even a single point and proved herself when it mattered most, someone on the staff was bound to recognize her potential.
She hugged me after thanking me for believing in her.
I hugged her back.
Then kissed her.
A small shiver ran down her spine as she slowly rose onto her tiptoes, trying to better reach my lips.
—
Musutafu, Friday — 5 Days Until U.A. Admissions
I spent most of the day separately hanging out with Ochaco and Izumi.
Basically taking them both on unofficial dates.
I trained with Izumi near the beach for most of the afternoon.
Then later spent time with Ochaco at the mall before heading back to her apartment, where I took her measurements for the spider-themed costume.
—
Musutafu, Saturday — 4 Days Until U.A. Admissions
Sayuri stepped out of bed in her nightgown after hearing the doorbell ring downstairs.
When she opened the door, she found a delivery man holding a letter from U.A.
She signed for it before bringing it back inside.
—
Musutafu, Wednesday — U.A. Opening Day
"The pieces are finally in place."
Aoyama adjusted the collar of his gray blazer as he walked up the apartment stairs.
"Izumi! Did you pack tissues?"
"Yes, Mom!"
Izumi Midoriya answered while tying her shoelaces.
"And your handkerchief? You can't leave without your handkerchief, dear!"
Inko Midoriya was already searching through Izumi's school bag for what was probably the third time that morning.
"I already packed it."
Izumi sighed before glancing at the clock on the wall.
"...Ah!"
Her eyes widened.
"Look at the time! I need to hurry!"
She quickly stood up and fixed her skirt before gently taking her bag from her mother's hands.
"Izumi…"
Inko spoke softly.
"What is it, Mom?"
Her mother's eyes watered slightly.
"It's nothing…"
She smiled through it.
"I just wanted to tell you to do your best out there."
Izumi's expression softened instantly.
She rushed forward and hugged her mother tightly.
"I will."
It was brief.
But for a mother, that was enough.
Inko smiled warmly as she patted her daughter's back.
"Now go make me proud, Izumi."
Izumi nodded before hurrying toward the door.
The moment she stepped outside, she spotted a familiar boy walking toward the apartment building.
Green pants.
Gray blazer.
Hair neatly combed.
Tie perfectly straight.
More put together than usual.
"Aoyama?! You're here?!"
Izumi hurried toward him while gripping the straps of her backpack.
"Yeah."
He smiled lightly.
"I figured since it's our first day, we could walk together."
Her face brightened almost immediately.
—
On the other side of the city…
Ochaco adjusted the collar of her uniform nervously while standing near the front door of her apartment.
Her stomach had been in knots all morning.
U.A.
She was actually going to U.A.
The thought still didn't feel real.
Then—
ding dong.
Ochaco blinked.
"Huh?"
She hurried toward the door before opening it.
And froze.
Standing outside was Aoyama.
Same dark hair.
Same violet eyes.
Same relaxed smile.
But now he was in the same school uniform as her.
"O-Oh!"
Ochaco straightened instinctively.
"Aoyama-kun?!"
"Mornin', Ochaco-chan."
He lifted one hand casually.
"Thought I'd pick you up for school."
Her brain stopped for a second.
"W-Wait… really?"
"Mhm."
He shrugged lightly.
"First days are less annoying when you walk in with someone you know."
Ochaco stared at him for a moment before slowly smiling.
"...Yeah."
That sounded nice.
Really nice.
She quickly grabbed her bag before stepping outside and locking the apartment door behind her.
The morning air was cool from the previous night's rain.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke as they started walking together down the sidewalk.
Then Ochaco glanced sideways at him.
"...So."
"Hm?"
"You know… if people see us walking together like this, they might misunderstand our relationship."
Aoyama looked at her for a moment.
Without warning—
he reached over and gently took her hand.
Ochaco froze instantly.
Her breath caught as his fingers intertwined with hers naturally, like he'd done it a hundred times before.
"W-Wha—"
Aoyama glanced down at their joined hands before looking back at her.
"Would those rumors bother you?"
The question landed softly.
Almost casually.
But her heart still skipped hard enough to make her chest tighten.
Ochaco opened her mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because somehow—
despite all the panic, embarrassment, and teasing—
she couldn't actually say yes.
Instead, her fingers slowly tightened around his hand.
Ochaco's face burned bright red.
"S-Stop sounding cool all the time…"
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"No promises."
And just like that, the two of them continued walking side-by-side toward U.A. while holding hands beneath the cloudy morning sky.
Completely unaware of the absolute scandal unfolding several meters behind them.
—
"GASP."
Minette ducked dramatically behind a nearby lamppost while clutching her phone to her chest.
Her purple eyes widened in disbelief as she peeked around the corner.
"No way…"
She stared at Ochaco and Aoyama walking hand-in-hand down the sidewalk.
Then blinked rapidly.
"WAIT."
Her jaw dropped.
"Isn't that Aoyama? Who's the girl beside him... Is he cheating on Izumi-Chan?!"
The realization hit her instantly.
Minette slowly raised her phone with trembling hands.
"I need evidence."
Click.
The picture was taken.
A mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Ohhh, this is premium gossip material right here—"
Tap.
A finger suddenly poked her shoulder from behind.
Minette jolted so hard she nearly dropped her phone.
Slowly—
very slowly—
she turned around.
And froze.
Another Aoyama stood crouched casually behind her.
Smiling.
"...You know stalking people is technically a crime, right?"
Minette blinked.
Then looked at him.
Then at the Aoyama walking with Ochaco in the distance.
Then back again.
"...Oh."
Silence.
"...OH."
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"The clone Quirk."
Aoyama #3 gave her a small clap.
"Congratulations. You solved the mystery."
Minette stared at him suspiciously before placing both hands on her hips.
"So."
She leaned closer.
"What exactly are you planning to do now that I've uncovered your secret double life?"
Aoyama raised an eyebrow.
"My secret double life?"
"Obviously."
She pointed dramatically toward the clone walking with Ochaco.
"You've got one girl over there holding your hand—"
Then pointed directly at him.
"—while another version of you is sneaking around behind people like some shady romance drama protagonist."
Aoyama burst out laughing.
Not even trying to hide it.
Minette grinned wider.
"So what's next?"
She started counting on her fingers.
"Silence me?"
Another finger.
"Tie me up and leave me in an abandoned warehouse?"
Another.
"Brainwash me?"
Then her grin turned shamelessly mischievous.
"...Or are you gonna recruit me as your third secret mistress?"
Aoyama laughed even harder.
"You're funny."
"I know."
He straightened up before casually gesturing for her to come out from behind the lamppost.
"You can stop hiding, though."
Minette blinked.
"Hm?"
"I'm not actually doing anything wrong."
He shoved his hands into his pockets lazily.
"And before your imagination gets worse—"
He gestured toward the clone in the distance.
"That one's just walking Ochaco to school."
Minette narrowed her eyes immediately.
"Just walking her to school."
"Mhm."
"While holding hands."
"Correct."
"...Wow."
Aoyama smiled innocently.
Minette stared at him for another second before suddenly walking beside him with a grin.
"You know…"
She glanced toward Ochaco and the clone again.
"This isn't going to end well if they both find out your leading them on."