𝚏(𝚡) = 𝙺𝚊𝚝𝚜𝚞𝚔𝚒 + 𝙸𝚛𝚒𝚜

34

The girls all sat in the front of the bus, right behind Mr Aizawa, hoping he would hear the conversation and join in somehow, or at least be aware.

"What are you waiting for, girlie? Open the envelope!"

"Don't have to tell me twice~"

"Envelope? What envelope?" As they hoped, Eraser Head was in fact listening.

"The association handed me an envelope with my results and something else, but I haven't read it yet. Do you have an idea on what it is, Mr Aizawa?"

"I might. Open it." Inside was her license and a packet of 5 sheets of paper stapled together. The front page was a letter, so Iris read it out loud.

"Dear Ms Iris Morningstar,

You have achieved an excellent score of above 95 on the provisional license exam. We would like to thank you for your work and effort. Your score highly impressed all of that were there at the exam, but it wasn't the only reason you were sent this envelope.

Not only was your performance exceptional, the fact that you did everything alone left a mark on your reputation. At every exam, there is always some kind of student that excels in expectations. Those examinees are given the chance ro participate in special programs that most people wouldn't have access too. If you wish to take part, you will learn new fighting styles, techniques as well as get more experience in the field of your choice. A list has been attached as well as a started contract for you to sign.

We hope to see you greatly progress as a hero.

Sincerely,

The Hero Public Safety Commission."

"Iris, that's so cool."

"That's my girlie! I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks guys~, but sir, have you heard of this before?"

"I have a long time ago. This is pretty rare to hear about. Well done, Morningstar."

"Thank you, sir. I couldn't have done it without your training at UA."

"So, Iris, what are you waiting for? Look at the list! I wanna see what kind of programs you can join!" squealed Uraraka.

"Okay~" Iris flipped the page over and put it in the middle of the circle for everyone to see. It was only a page long, it was the contract that took the other 3.

"There are so many...how do I choose?"

"Go with your gut!"

"Okay then...oh?"

"Found something?"

"Yeah, Mr Aizawa, what is the Night-owl Project?"

"It's a group of people that train people to handle the night. There are not as many night heroes, and that's where they are needed the most. I haven't hear anything else.

"You're a night hero too, right sir? Were you trained by them?"

"No, I wasn't, but I believe you can, Morningstar."

"What makes you say that, sir?"

"Night heroes need to operate alone most of the time and do not get tired easily. I also hear you spend a lot of time gaming until 3am, which makes you compatible. It's not the healthiest option, though."

"I see. I'll got to the Night-Owl Project then~"

"Ehh? You're picking now? You barely looked at your other options!"

"I guess it just spoke straight to my heart~"

"Or, you just want to be able to stay up late, ribbit."

"Tsu, why you exposing me like that~"

"Not going to deny that..."

"Mr Aizawa, if you would let me, please~"

"If you're absolutely sure you can handle it, then I will permit it. It looks like this happens after the work studies, so I don't see the problem."

"Thank you so much, sir! But what are work studies?" The teacher turned around and dozed off without answering Iris' question.

"Yay! Now that that's over...let's play a game!"

"Sounds fun!"

"I'm in!"

~~~~~

Iris couldn't sleep. Something was bothering her. Something was wrong, and she knew it. It bothered her so much, that she began to cry. She couldn't help but feel that she could have prevented something. Reading a book didn't help her like it used to.

This went on for a good 30 minutes, before she felt the presence of a handful of people walking around. As two of them came closer, she recognized their auras. It was Izuku and Katsuki. The figures stopped moving around, which meant that they were back in their rooms.

I have to go see him. Fuck sleep.

Iris sneaked out of her room and hurriedly creeped over to Bakugou's room. She quietly knocked on the door, and it opened. She rushed inside, shutting the door behind her.

"Katsuki..." Even in the dark, Iris could see. He was all patched up with the saddest look on his face. "You two fought, didn't you?"

"Yeah, you gonna scold me?"

"It's not you I'm upset with."

"What's with that look on your face then?"

"Nothing..."

"So you wanna know why we fought? Is that what you want?"

"Yes."

"Why? It doesn't even involve you!"

"Doesn't involve me? I was up all night, crying until now for you, and you don't even want to tell me why you fought."

"There's no need to cry, it's not your fault."

"No! You don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"I feel so bad Katsuki! I could have done something to help you! I don't want you to feel this way. When you're sad, I am too! Why? Because I'm your girlfriend and you are the last person who is genuinely close to me! So, please...just don't...push me away...please..."

Tears streamed down Iris' face. "God I'm pathetic, I haven't known you for too long and I'm already crying."

Katsuki picked her up and sat on the edge of his bed. He pulled her into a tight hug and buried her head in the crook of his neck. He caressed Iris' back lightly with his thumb as he explained everything. Turns out, Katsuki was carrying a very heavy burden that couldn't help but blame himself for.

"Happy now?"

"Mhm, very~" Iris warpped her hand behind his head and ran her hands in his hair. They stayed like that for a few minutes, before Iris went back to bed.