Destined To Be: Izuku x Ochako: Quirkless AU

Chapter 38: Coming Out Swinging

Sunday afternoon had just rolled around, and the usual Sunday blues came with it. Catching up on chores and studying, cramming in the last bits of social time, or even just watching the light rainfall from the window. 

Whatever activity it was, one thing was certain. No one felt like going back to school, university, or work. Not yet. 

One girl, in particular, was wrapped up in her old orange hoodie, watching singular droplets of rain trickle down the window pane, trying to guess which of her chosen drops would make it there first, but eventually, her focus shifted away from the little competition she made for herself, and instead to her competition for Izuku. 

The competition she'd lost. 

She couldn't help but feel a wide swath of emotions, as countless thoughts bounced and ricocheted around in her hyperactive mind, as she couldn't help but fixate on that look in his eyes. That look of affection, admiration... the fact that it wasn't directed at her annoyed her, but what truly broke her was that she wasn't the reason he felt those things in the first place.

Stepping inside, Nejire rolled her eyes at Ochako's lovelorn expression, able to tell how zoned out she was, closing the door behind her, and causing Ochako to jump up from her seat.

"N-Nejire?! How did you get in?" She asked, shocked and a little concerned.

"I've been here for an hour Ochako, I just went to the bathroom for two minutes, did you forget?" She asked teasingly, sitting down on her bed, as Ochako spun around in her office chair to face her.

"Sorry, I got a little lost in my head, it's been a really slow day" Ochako replied, playing it off.

"Is that what you call getting obsessed over Izuku's date?" Nejire asked, watching Ochako's flustered expression, chuckling before responding, "You know, other than to Izuku, you're not exactly good at hiding how jealous you are." 

"If it's that obvious then why hasn't he noticed?" Ochako asked, sounding almost defeated.

"Well, the shortest answer is that he's a guy. Mirio, Tamaki, and even Katsuki wouldn't realise either. Izuku's no different. If you want to know why him in particular, even though we can all tell, it's because he's not looking in from an outside perspective. He could tell if you had a crush on me, or Mirio, because he could see both sides of it. Had you been more obvious, like a certain someone, he'd have noticed." She explained, watching Ochako's face turn from an annoyed look to a more accepting expression.

"Well... I guess I lost this one then." She said dryly.

"Who said you lost anything? No one can tell if things will last, and anything can happen down the line. And whilst I don't condone stealing someone else's boyfriend, you can make him notice you if you want." She replied, trying to cheer her up, standing up and getting a bit closer to Ochako, kneeling opposite her, as she was still in her chair.

"Even if you can't have him, it doesn't mean he's the only one out there for you. Sometimes you might find that what you really want from love is something you never expected." She added, sounding almost... melancholic, as she spoke, "You'll have time and your chance. Just depends on whether you want to take it or not." 

Ochako knew she was right, it wasn't like she hadn't already realised that. But she couldn't help wanting to complain and let her feelings out.

"What do you mean, what you want from love is something you'd never expect? He wants her, I think that's clear..." Ochako asked solemnly.

"What I mean is that just because you fall for someone, or you think you want a certain type of person, you're wrong. I'm not gonna root against Izuku, I just want him to be happy, but I also know that sometimes, people like the idea of something more than they actually like that thing." She said, sounding like she was talking from experience.