Chapter 34: Desk Neighbour

It's gotten to the end of the day and most of the class are loitering around the classroom however some have already gone home like Toru and Hitoshi

Hitomi is sat at her desk casually reading through a singed notebook that she got from the large yellow backpack on the desk next to her's, if anyone were to ask she'd say the backpack came open from a bump and the book slid out

'Midoriya's notes are amazingly detailed... He's much like me where he analyses the abilities, strengths and weaknesses of an individual but his view is flawed...' she flips through the pages 'He's too focused on Quirks... It seems he forgets supprort items are a thing in his Quirk based obsession...'

She flips to the page that features Midoriya's own suit design 'Lets see... "Protecting the head" of course that's an important part of any frontline fighter which is what Midoriya seemingly wants to be... "Flexible Costume -> Spandex or cloth?" As shown in his fight with Bakugo his suit didn't protect him at all... However flexible is good "Protectors which don't affect joint mobility" Yes! Good, body armour in optimal places! Aaaand finally... "Look cool like All Might"... Ugh... Dude...'

She takes out a sketchbook from her bag and a few pencils and begins to sketch Midoriya's costume she saw today, if anyone was looking they'd be able to say one thing for certain... Hitomi can DRAW! It looks perfect! Perfect proportions and shading with the result being a clear blueprint t-pose of Midoriya's costume

'And then time to add...' she first labels things that are already there 'The grin mask seemed to be simple mesh... Let's add in "Air filter/gas mask?"... Then there's suit material... "Suit Material: Graphene? Kevlar?" Let's face it Spandex or cloth won't keep you alive long... Next the protectors... "Use straps instead of slip on" and then skip over the All Might part'

She draws an arrow to the utility belt in the image an adds a list of possible support items 'Smoke bombs, smoke pellets, flashbangs, flares, reinforced rope, handcuffs, ballbearings, caltrops, grappling hook, pepper spray, retractable batons, tazer, stun gun, med kit'

'And now finally...' She starts sketching and labeling things like different styles of boots, gloves, belts, masks and goggles while still keeping to Midoriya's theme 'Done!' she smiles as she looks at her work proudly

"And one last thing" she writes a message on the back of the paper "Midoriya, you are currently in a position where you can't use your Quirk so you must rely on your body alone. I was, and still slightly am, in that same position. From one handicapped player to another I hope my outlook on your equipment can be of some use to you and if not feel free to throw this away. P.S. Your bag came open and your notebook fell out. - Sekizō"

"That's really amazing Hitomi" from next to her

"Bwah!? O-oh Tsu! I didn't hear you come over" she catches her breath, environmental awareness does nothing if you have tunnel vision

"My bad... I was just admiring your work, I didn't know you could draw" she scratches her cheek while admiring the sketch

"Well my Dad's an artist... If I couldn't do at least one kind of art I'm sure he'd be sad" she chuckles "Luckily he said he didn't care what kind of art as long as I liked it"

"Well you're really good, would you wanna draw something for me sometime? I like the whole costume design structure you've got going on there"

"Nah it's not mine, this is Midoriya's idea I just copied it" she taps the singed notebook with the end of her pencil

"Either way it's a good idea" she chuckles "And speaking of... I wonder when he'll turn up?" She glances at the door "Some of the people here are waiting just to talk to him"

"Even you?" She chuckles

Tsu scratches her cheek "Well I've introduced myself to everyone in class apart from Midoriya and Bakugo... Seems a shame to leave Midoriya out"

"Well I'm sure he'll turn up any second no-" the door slides open revealing a disheveled Midoriya with his arm in a sling "Speak of the devil"

Kirishima turns to the door and smiles wide "Hey, it's Midoriya! Good to see ya back, super!" He makes his way over

Midoriya gasps as a handful of classmates come to the entrance to greet him

"Ha! Man, I don't know what you were saying during that match" Kirishima clenches his fist "But you were all fired up, huh?"

Hitomi glances at Tsu "Wanna go over?"

"Yeah sure, Ribbit" Tsu steps to the side to avoid Hitomi's chair sliding back

Hitomi places Midoriya's notebook with her sketch underneath on his backpack then heads over to the group at the door just as they start introducing themselves

Kirishima points his thumb at himself "Hey, I'm Eijiro Kirishima, we've been goin' over training results while you were in recovery"

Aoyama with his head proped up on his desk tries to intolerance himself "And I am the amazing, Yuga Ao‐" only to be interrupted by-

Mina leans forward and waves her arms "I'm Mina Ashido!" She bends her arms in front of herself and excitedly pumps them up and down "And I just gotta say, your dodging was awesome!"

At that moment Tsu and Hitomi get to the group and Tsu leans out from behind Mina "Tsuyu Asui. But please, call me Tsu"

Sato gives him a thumbs up "Hey, Sato"

"And I'm Hitomi Sekizō, I'm your desk neighbour" she casually waves

A clearly flustered Midoriya looks between them all "Um! Hey, guys"

Mineta suddenly launches his small self into the air between them "And my name's Mineta!"

Kirishima chuckles and looks down at him "Where the heck did you pop out of?

Aoyama tries again to make himself known "UA's shiniest star here!"

"You might sparkle" Sato raises a finger "But you sucked it up intraining"

Tokoyami relaxes while sat on a desk resting his arm on his raised knee "So noisy..."

Ida comes charging towards the group of him, Jiro and Ojiro like a rouge robot and an intense look in his eyes "Tokoyami!" He stiffly flails his arms at the bird boy "Stop using that desk as a chair! Get off of it this instant!

Kyoka rests a hand on her hip "Dude, you need to chill."

"Uh!" That takes some of the wind from Ida's sails

Ojiro points to him "You're carrying a lot of tension"

Ida droops... "No one understands" he stands straight and repeatedly chops his arm at them "I cannot condone actions that disrespect these desks! Not when great men and women, our upperclassmen, once used them!"

Tokoyami sighs... "Also noisy..."

Hitomi comes over "Ida, Ida my friend... You're very passionate but please, instead of yelling at your classmates try gently reasoning or reaching a compromise"

"But the desk-!" Ida tries

"No buts! Yelling is fine for a crowd but not for a talk like this" she rests a hand on his shoulder "These desks may have been used by generations of past Heros but do you really think they treated them like they were precious? At the end of the day the condition of the desk relies on the occupant"

She tilts over a nearby desk and scratched underneath is "Nejire wuz here!"

"See?" She rights the desk again

Ida looks like his entire world has been shattered for a moment... "I... I see... Thank you for your wisdom Sekizō..."

"Ahhh call me Hitomi, we're friends at this point" she smiles

He perks right up "Very well! Then you may call me Tenya" he firmly shakes her hand

Tokoyami sighs "Still. Noisy."

To add to the noise they hear the door slam open suddenly and turning to look they see a confused Ochaco looking down the hall, Mina and Tsu go over and talk to her

Tenya frowns "Did Midoriya just run out? He's still injured he shoulding be doing anything strenuous!"

Tsu, Ochaco and Mina all head out the room together

"I'll go see what's going on" Hitomi pats his shoulder and heads after the trio "Hey girls! Wait up!"

They turn to her "What's up Hitomi? Ribbit"

"What's going on with Midoriya?" She reaches them

"I think he's gone after Bakugo... He ran straight off when I said he'd left" Ochaco holds her hands together... "I hope everythings ok..."

"And that's why we're gonna snoop! I know a great spot that oversees the front entrance, come with!" Mina points to a spot down the hall

The four of them head down the hall and get to Mina's spot, sure enough down below they can see Midoriya and Bakugo... Well... Three of them can see

"Can you guys describe what's going on? It's way too blurry for me to see anything but fuzzy blobs at this distance..." Hitomi cups a hand around a couple of snake's heads

"Man we really gotta get your snakes some glasses" Mina chuckles

Ochaco giggles and claps her hands together "Awwww! Little snake glasses would be so cute!"

"Guys focus! We'll miss something" Tsu presses her face to the glass

What follows is a few minutes of the three girls giving Hitomi an account of Midoriya and Bakugo's movements

Mina has her hands pressed against the glass "Huh... I wonder what that was all about?"

Ochaco clenches her fists in front of herself "The fated battle between rivals"

Tsu rests a finger to her lip thoughtfully "Whatever Midoriya was saying, it looked like Bakugo really wanted to punch him"

Ochaco leans closer and presses her forehead against the glass "Childhood friends turned enemies!"

Tsu looks at Hitomi "You've been quiet Hitomi, what do you think?"

"I think..." She thoughtfully taps her chin... "Midoriya clearly idolises Bakugo... Well it's either that or Midoriya might be in love with Bakugo"

Mina and Ochaco drop their jaws! Ochaco remaining in stunned science and Mina yelling "Whaaaaat!?!"

"Well why else would he put up with all the abuse and hatred!?" Hitomi laughs

Tsu tilts her head "Hmm... It could be possible... Though the idolisation is just as likely"

Mina pulls out her phone and starts typing in the girls group chat "Yeah but the love angle is way more juicy!"

'Huh...' Hitomi shrugs 'Sorry Midoriya'

And that is how the Midoriya X Bakugo rumors began!