The next day dawned with a quiet stillness in Izuku's room, a marked contrast to the training sessions he'd grown accustomed to. Though eager to continue his rigorous preparation, he was under strict orders from All Might and Recovery Girl to rest. The strains of overusing One For All were severe, and even a hero in training needed time to recover.
Meanwhile, the halls of Aldera Junior High felt emptier than usual for Amelia. She sat alone at her desk, the void left by Izuku's absence a tangible presence beside her. Classes dragged on, each ticking minute seeming slower than the last. Even the usual chatter of her classmates did little to fill the silence she felt.
As the final bell rang, signalling the end of the school day, Amelia gathered her things and headed for the door. Before she could leave, Bakugo stepped into her path, his usual scowl firmly in place.
"Where's Deku?" Bakugo demanded, his tone harsh but his eyes betraying a flicker of concern.
Amelia sighed, well aware of Bakugo's complicated relationship with Izuku. Despite his aggressive demeanour, she knew there was a part of him that cared, even if he'd never admit it. "Izuku's down with the flu," she lied smoothly, sticking to the cover story they'd agreed upon. "He should be back soon. It's nice of you to check on him."
Bakugo's face twisted in a sneer, the flicker of concern disappearing behind his usual bravado. "Like I care. Just want to make sure he's around when I need someone to blow off steam on," he retorted before stalking off, leaving Amelia to shake her head in exasperation. That boy really knows how to hide his true feelings.
Amelia made her way to the Midoriya household, a sense of determination replacing the day's earlier melancholy. She was determined to see Izuku and offer whatever support she could. The warmth of the Midoriya home enveloped her as Inko greeted her at the door, her face lighting up with a smile.
"Amelia! It's so good to see you. Izuku will be thrilled to have some company," Inko said, her voice filled with genuine affection.
"Thank you, Mrs. Midoriya," Amelia replied, returning the smile. "I brought Izuku's homework for the day."
Inko's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "You're such a good friend. Please, come in. Would you like some tea?"
Amelia hesitated, remembering her polite refusals from previous visits. But today felt different, more intimate. "That sounds lovely, thank you."
Inko led Amelia to the kitchen, bustling about to prepare tea and snacks. Amelia couldn't help but notice the care Inko put into everything she did, her love for Izuku evident in every detail.
Carrying a tray laden with tea and snacks, Amelia made her way to Izuku's room. She knocked softly before entering, the sight that greeted her bringing a smile to her face. The walls were adorned with All Might posters, action figures, and memorabilia, creating a shrine to the Symbol of Peace.
Izuku lay on his bed, propped up by pillows, his face lighting up when he saw her. "Amelia! You didn't have to come all the way here."
"I wanted to," Amelia said, setting the tray down on his desk. "And besides, I brought your homework. How are you feeling?"
Izuku blushed, clearly shy about having Amelia in his room, surrounded by his All Might collection. "I'm feeling much better, thanks. I'm ready to get back to training tomorrow."
Amelia frowned slightly, her concern evident. "Are you sure? Maybe you should rest a bit more."
Izuku shook his head, his determination shining through despite his physical state. "I don't want to fall behind. I need to be ready."
Seeing the resolve in his eyes, Amelia nodded, though the worry didn't leave her. "Just promise me you won't overdo it again, okay?"
"I promise," Izuku said earnestly, his gaze unwavering.
They talked for a while, the conversation flowing easily between them. Amelia updated Izuku on the day's lessons and recounted her brief encounter with Bakugo, eliciting a chuckle from Izuku at her description of their classmate's predictable reaction.
As they talked, Inko appeared at the door, carrying another tray with fresh tea and more snacks. She replaced the one on Izuku's desk and gave them both a warm smile. "I don't want to interrupt your alone time," she said teasingly before disappearing as quickly as she had come.
Izuku's face turned a deep shade of red, while Amelia blinked in confusion. "Alone time?" she echoed, glancing at Izuku.
Izuku stammered, flustered by his mother's implication. "S-she just means… you know, talking and stuff. Nothing… um…"
Amelia's confusion melted into a soft smile. "It's okay, Izuku. We're friends. Nothing wrong with spending time together."
Izuku nodded, though his blush didn't fade. "Yeah, friends," he echoed, feeling a strange ache in his chest. As they settled back into conversation, he felt a renewed sense of gratitude for having Amelia by his side even if she only came as a friend.