The top fifty… Rank 39.
I did it.
Ecstasy erupted inside me like fireworks. I'd made it. All my training, every early morning and late night, had finally brought results. Somewhere, I knew All Might would be proud of me, too.
—
I've been genuinely happy lately. My alpha now texts me much more often, whispering "I love you" into the digital void at all hours of the day and night. Sometimes the messages are brief, a handful of loving words on a screen, but their frequency and sincerity fill me up in ways spoken words never have. In person, he rarely says it, but through the phone, I hear his devotion loud and clear.
Besides my blossoming relationship, I'm now ranked in the top 50 sailors. Incredible, isn't it?
Even my teachers have noticed how I seem to radiate happiness—the kind of glow that sets you apart. Lately, they've stopped pestering me about my work; perhaps they sense something has changed within me.
With anticipation, I made my way to the training room, quietly humming a tune that wouldn't leave my head. I was set to train with All Might.
"Good afternoon, All Might!" I smiled.
"Good afternoon." He replied with confusion.
We sparred, my body moving through the familiar motions. Afterward, he stood back and watched me closely, his eyes tracking every move while the clock ticked mercilessly toward eight in the evening. The training was tough, yet exhilarating—a necessary escape from the ache of missing my lover.
Suddenly, he asked, his voice hinting probing, "Young Midoriya, may I ask, um... why are you so happy?" He asked carefully.
"I found my soulmate."
At once, his posture turned rigid. I watched, unsettled, as he deliberately suppressed his pheromones, uncertainty flickering on his face.
"I am amazed you feel that way." He said he finished packing up.
His voice was sarcastic, mocking even. I was confused by the reaction. I didn't expect this.
Confused by his mocking tone, I stammered, "Get rid of them."
"Why would I?" I asked, my heart thudding in my chest.
"They will only serve as a distraction. I need you to be focused, not your head in the clouds daydreaming because of this supposed soulmate."
I frowned at his harshness, stung, "You're coming off too strong. I advise not referring to them like that. They encourage me to keep trying, so I don't see the issue."
But his presence became overwhelming, his pheromones flooded the room in heavy waves. I covered my nose in vain, unable to escape the stifling pressure. Fear pressed down on me, prickling my skin.
"You will obey and forget about this soulmate." He bellowed, his voice thunderous.
A shiver ran through me. I tried to hide my trembling. His anger was unmistakable, but beneath it, a troubling suspicion gnawed at me: was he jealous? Jealous that I had someone? But no, this was All Might, the number one hero. That couldn't be.
"Are you jealous?" I bit my tongue bit meaning to say that.
Faster than I could react, pain exploded across my cheek. He'd slapped me hard—I crashed to the floor, my cheek burning from the impact. I looked up to see him towering above me, alpha energy simmering, barely contained.
"Y-you hit me." I cupped my cheek.
"And I'd do it again. You will respect me when I give you advice. It is for your good. Get rid of this distraction, get back to training."
Anger flickered in my eyes. I glared at him, refusing to bend to his will.
"Now!" I flinched.
I flinched, my body sluggish as I tried to stand despite the dizzying onslaught of pheromones. My instincts screamed warnings, urging me to escape. I turned to leave, but he caught the collar of my shirt, yanking me back.
"Let me go!"
"You are so bold to go against your mentor," he smiled sinisterly.
Fear coiled in my gut. In that instant, my idol, my mentor, became a threat. He finally released me, and I staggered, gasping for air as if surfacing from underwater, only realizing then I'd held my breath the entire time.
All the courage I'd mustered was shattered. I couldn't face him. The moment I found an opening, I snatched up my things and bolted from the training room. Even through the halls, I could hear his furious shouts echoing behind me.
Panic rising, I didn't dare return home somehow, I knew he'd come after me if I did. My sanctuary was gone. Swallowing my tears, I ran straight to my alpha, desperate for safety, for comfort, for love.