W͜͡h͜͡e͜͡n͜͡ D͜͡e͜͡k͜͡u͜͡ S͜͡m͜͡i͜͡l͜͡e͜͡s͜͡

Ochako Uraraka

"A-Actually—!" He jumped up hurriedly, "I don't mind going to your place to go get it. As in, right now!"

He helped the surprised brunette up and dragged her outside. The girl went along with his sudden enthusiasm, befuddled. "Ah, do you like soba that much—?"

"Please watch your step..."

She unlocked the door to her place and brought them to the kitchen, rummaging around a few boxes before she found it. She handed it over with an embarrassed smile. "Here's your soba."

The girl fretfully surveyed the room full of boxes and half-unpacked items thrown here and there. "Sorry about the mess, I haven't gotten the chance to clean yet."

"It's fine. You've just moved in after all." Izuku stated, looking around the place disinterestedly. It didn't look all that different from his place. At least she hadn't seen any of the demons...

"You know, from now on I'll be attending UA high school, and even though today isn't the entrance ceremony, I decided to wear my uniform to celebrate." She examined her clothes, swallowing hard. "I'll have to do my best from now on—"

Groooowl~

The brunette turned red and clutched her noisy stomach. "Ah, come to think of it, what should I do for lunch?"

She turned and began to rummage in one of the boxes. "I've got to go buy food—"

"I'll make it," Izuku offered.

"Eh?" Brown eyes looked at him incredulously. "Are you sure?"

"It's fine. I'll make soba and come back with it, so please wait here."

"Ah, okay..."

The girl watched him leave, uneasily wondering how it was going to turn out...

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"A-Amazing! Did you really make this?" she exclaimed in pleasant surprise. The brunette hadn't exactly known what to expect from her new neighbor, but it certainly wasn't this: soba noodles in a light warm broth, topped with shrimp tempura, kamaboko, and sliced scallions.

"Yes," answered Izuku honestly. "I only have confidence in my cooking skills."

While dealing with other people, it's important to be polite, he reminded himself.

"Thank you for the food!" She started digging in, feeling tears welling up at the sudden burst of flavor on her tongue. "I-It's delicious..."

Izuku looked up from his share and stared at the girl as tears rolled down her face. The brunette noticed, feeling abashed as she reached for a napkin.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Tears just came to my eyes..." She wiped her face.

"It's just that this is my first time living alone . . . and I'm worried about whether I'll be able to handle it well or not. To be honest, I thought that there would be no one I could ask for help from..."

The girl took a deep breath and began, "I know that I have to do everything by myself, and I thought that I wouldn't have anyone to help me..." She looked at the boy sitting across from her, and smiled at him. "But thankfully, it turns out that I have a kind neighbor."

The brunette extended her hand out to him. "You can call me Ochako."

Izuku looked at the hand for a few seconds before reaching out to clasp it with his own.

"Ah! That's right!" Ochako seemed to remember something and stood up. "Could you do me a favor and come with me?"

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