The classroom was alive with chatter as the morning sun flooded through the windows of Class 1-A. Just a few days ago, these seats were filled with strangers sizing each other up. Now, the space hummed with the beginnings of camaraderie.
Izuku Midoriya sat at his desk, meticulously scribbling into a notebook, eyes flicking between classmates as they bantered and stretched before class began. He'd already filled a page and a half since arriving—tiny diagrams of quirks, reaction sketches, and improvement suggestions lined the margins.
"Morning, Midoriya," Tenya Iida greeted, straight-backed and formal as always.
"M-Morning, Iida!" Izuku replied, nearly dropping his pen in surprise.
"You're always early," Iida noted, peering curiously at the notebook. "And diligent. I respect that."
"Th-thank you. I just… like taking notes," Izuku said shyly. "Helps me think."
Tenya nodded solemnly. "That is admirable. May I ask—are those notes on our classmates?"
Before Izuku could panic, a calm voice interjected behind them.
"They're constructive," Momo Yaoyorozu said, glancing over Izuku's shoulder with a small smile. "Izuku's not criticizing—he's analyzing. He has a talent for observing strengths and potential."
"That's true," Uraraka chimed in as she slid into her seat nearby. "He told me I could work on my mid-air pivot timing and guess what? I did, and I landed smoother during warmups today!"
Izuku's cheeks flushed pink. "Ahh, I-I didn't mean to intrude…"
"Are you kidding? That's awesome!" Kaminari leaned over, giving him a friendly pat on the back. "You're like a walking strategy guide."
"I think it's really cool," Jirou added from her seat. "And kind of genius."
Kirishima grinned. "Totally manly of you to want everyone to improve."
As the casual praise rolled in, Izuku felt a strange warmth build in his chest—approval, not mockery. Not like middle school.
Momo gave him a gentle look that said she understood what he was feeling. He gave her a grateful smile in return.
Group Bonds Begin
After their morning exercises, a long break gave the class time to relax outside. They migrated to the campus lawn in clusters, forming groups and conversations. Izuku, still clutching his notebook, found himself nervously pulled into a circle that included Uraraka, Iida, Kirishima, and Mina.
"Okay, so, spill!" Mina said, tapping the screen of her phone. "Who here is NOT in the group chat yet?"
"Group chat?" Izuku echoed.
"Yeah! Class 1-A chat!" Mina beamed. "We're organizing snacks, study groups, and memes. What's your number?"
He hesitated, then passed his phone to her. "U-uh, here."
"Midoriya, what's your lock screen? It's just notes," she laughed.
"They're rune studies," Momo said calmly, stepping into the group with elegant confidence. "Private, but useful."
"Wait, you two study together?" Kaminari asked.
Momo gave a polite nod. "We do. It's been… a productive partnership."
"Ohhh," Mina wiggled her eyebrows. "Power couple vibes!"
Izuku went red. "I-it's not like that!"
The teasing was lighthearted, and Momo took it in stride with a faint smile, but she didn't correct them. She and Izuku had already decided—no one else would know about the magic. Not yet. It was their secret. Their mission.
Rivalries Still Burn
Not everyone warmed easily.
Bakugo glared from across the training field, arms crossed, watching Izuku with simmering disdain. He hadn't spoken more than a few clipped words to anyone all week.
"He's still pissed, huh?" Kirishima muttered, noticing Izuku's glance toward his childhood rival.
"Let him stew," Jirou said under her breath. "No one's forcing him to join."
Todoroki remained equally distant, quietly observing the group from a nearby bench. His gaze lingered once on Momo, then Izuku, before returning to the trees. He didn't join the chat, didn't laugh, didn't mingle.
Momo noticed, of course. She always noticed.
Unexpected Laughter
Later that afternoon, as the sun began to dip and class wrapped up, the students gathered again before heading home.
"Hey, Midoriya," Mina said, "What's the weirdest note you've taken so far?"
"I—I mean, I don't know if they're weird—" Izuku started, fumbling.
"He once diagrammed my sneeze trajectory," Momo deadpanned.
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Wait, WHAT?"
"Izuku," Momo added smoothly, "claimed the force could be weaponized if redirected properly."
"I—well—technically—" Izuku buried his face in his hands, flustered beyond words.
The laughter didn't stop. Not mockery. Not disdain. Just joy.
That Night: Private Reflection
Later that evening, after messages pinged nonstop in the new group chat, Momo stood with Izuku on the walkway just outside U.A.'s main gates. The city glittered in the distance.
"We're really… part of this now," Izuku murmured. "We have friends."
Momo nodded, arms folded. "We do. You earned their trust without a single spell."
Izuku looked up at the stars. "You think it'll last?"
She tilted her head, thoughtful. "That depends. But I think… for now, we have something worth protecting."
They exchanged a look—quiet, solemn, and full of understanding.
For now, they had each other. And now, they had a class to stand beside.
Tomorrow could bring chaos. But tonight was peace.