W͜͡h͜͡e͜͡n͜͡ D͜͡e͜͡k͜͡u͜͡ S͜͡m͜͡i͜͡l͜͡e͜͡s͜͡

Ochako Uraraka

Following his list of chores, the clothes should be done washing by now. Izuku pulled them out of the washer and into a basket, carrying them outside. As he aired out the laundry on the balcony, a sudden commotion caught his attention from below.

"Thank you very much for using our service today!"

A pair of movers stood in front of a moving truck, conversing with a girl with short brown hair. She blushed as she bowed in front of them, expressing her thanks for their help. Izuku silently observed their friendly interactions.

Come to think of it, the landlord did say that there was someone moving in this week.

We should be careful, and not let them find out that we're magicians.

He turned away and went back inside.

"Well, the laundry is done," Izuku informed the remaining familiars, who hovered about in the air idly. Now seemed like a good time to begin his morning practice. He raised his arms, preparing to power up. "Everyone, will you join me in training—?"

Creaaak.

"I'm back~!" They turned to see the brunette from earlier standing in front of their doorway, humming cheerfully as she took off her shoes. "Is anyone home—?"

She raised her head and finally noticed Izuku's frozen appearance. Their eyes met and they awkwardly stared at each other for a few seconds before she finally came to her senses.

"S-sorry! I got the wrong rooooooom!" she wailed apologetically before slamming the door shut.

This isn't good. She might have seen the demons.

Izuku blinked a few times and ran towards the door. He yanked it open, calling out, "Wait. Stop right there—"

Deku made it outside just in time to watch her run into the door next to his place face-first. He awkwardly watched her slide to the ground, taken back by surprise. What was he supposed to do in this kind of situation...?

He walked over and checked her face. She was knocked out cold, the beginnings of a bruise blooming on her forehead. Izuku looked at her unconscious appearance for a while, before finally deciding to pick her up and carrying her back into his place.

Well, if I don't confirm whether she had seen the demons or not, bad things will happen . . . I think.

She finally came to as he was bandaging her face.

"Ah, I see that you have finally awakened," Izuku noted, sitting back.

She suddenly jumped up and hurriedly scooted backwards until she hit the wall, brown eyes wide open in fear, stammering, "W-w-w-what in the world is going on here? Where am I? Who are you?"

"Um," Deku blinked at her, "Please calm down. I can explain. My name is Izuku Midoriya..."

Once he had finished, she immediately bowed down in front of him, feeling mortified. "M-My sincerest apologies for disturbing you! You even went as far as taking care of me after I knocked myself out with the door earlier..."

She raised her head, beaming cheerfully, "I'm your new next-door neighbor, Ochako Uraraka!"

The brunette lowered her chocolate eyes, feeling embarrassed. "I'm really sorry, I'll come over again later to give you the Hikkoshi-soba."

"Um, rather than that," Izuku began carefully, watching her reaction attentively, "Earlier, did you see anything strange...?"

He trailed off as he watched his teacher's familiars float around her head. Ochako didn't seem to have noticed or seen them, but maybe it was only a matter of time before she ran out screaming again. They'd be digging his grave if they stayed here any longer.