The tea had long gone cold, its once soothing warmth now a distant memory. Amelia had fallen asleep, exhausted from the torrent of emotions and the tears she had shed. Izuku remained by her side, cradling her gently, his heart heavy with a mix of concern and affection.
He watched her sleep, her face peaceful despite the traces of tears that marked her cheeks. The vulnerability she had shown touched him deeply, reinforcing his resolve to be there for her, no matter what challenges lay ahead. He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, careful not to wake her.
Izuku's thoughts drifted as he sat there, his mind replaying the events of the past few days. The attack on U.A., the chaos at the U.S.J., and the realization that Amelia had put herself in harm's way to protect them all. His admiration for her grew, but so did his determination to become stronger. He knew that mastering One For All was crucial, not just for his own sake, but to ensure he could protect Amelia and their friends from future threats.
As the evening turned to night, the room grew quieter, the shadows lengthening on the walls. Izuku debated whether to wake Amelia or let her sleep, knowing she needed the rest. He decided to stay with her, offering silent support as she slept. Her breathing was steady, and she seemed more at ease than she had been in a while.
A soft knock on the door broke the silence, and Izuku turned to see Principal Nezu entering the room. The small creature approached quietly, his eyes softening at the sight of Amelia asleep in Izuku's arms.
"She's been through a lot," Nezu said softly, his voice tinged with sympathy. "It's good that she has someone like you to lean on."
Izuku nodded, his grip on Amelia gentle but protective. "I just want to make sure she's okay."
Nezu smiled warmly, climbing onto a nearby chair. "You're doing a fine job, young man. But it's late. You should head home and get some rest too."
Izuku hesitated, glancing down at Amelia's sleeping form. "I don't want to leave her alone."
"I'll stay with her for a while," Nezu reassured him. "She'll be alright. You need to take care of yourself as well, Midoriya."
Reluctantly, Izuku agreed. He carefully shifted, trying not to disturb Amelia as he laid her down on the couch. He stood up, his movements quiet and deliberate, and covered her with a blanket that had been draped over the back of the couch.
"Thank you," Izuku said softly to Nezu as he headed towards the door.
Nezu nodded, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Get some rest, Izuku. You're mom will be worried if your any later."
Izuku glanced back at Amelia one last time before leaving the room. He made his way through the quiet halls of the dorm building, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Amelia. As he stepped outside, the cool night air greeted him, a stark contrast to the warmth and intensity of the day's events.
He walked back towards the U.A. main gate, his steps slow and measured. The campus was eerily quiet, a stark reminder of the attack and the lingering tension it had left behind. Izuku's thoughts wandered to the upcoming Sports Festival. He knew it would be a chance to prove himself, to showcase the progress he had made with One For All. But more importantly, it would be a step towards ensuring that he could protect those he cared about, especially Amelia.
The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Amelia's dorm room, casting a gentle glow across her face. She stirred, blinking against the light, her mind slowly returning to wakefulness. The memories of the previous day and night came rushing back, and she sat up, rubbing her eyes.
Nezu was seated nearby, a book in his paws. He looked up and smiled warmly as Amelia awoke. "Good morning, Amelia. How are you feeling?"
Amelia stretched, feeling the slight stiffness in her muscles. "Better, I think. This is unsettling Sir, am I going to wake up and find you here always?"
Nezu chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Only if you keep needing someone to look out for you. But I think you'll manage just fine on your own soon enough."
Amelia gave a small smile, the tension easing from her shoulders. "I appreciate it. It's… comforting to have someone here."
Nezu nodded, closing his book. "You've been through a lot. It's important to have support, especially after what you've faced. Izuku was quite worried about you. He stayed by your side until late last night."
Amelia's cheeks flushed at the mention of Izuku. She remembered his comforting presence, the way he had held her as she cried. "I'm grateful for him," she murmured, a soft smile touching her lips.
Nezu nodded. "He's a good friend. You both have strong spirits. Now, how about some breakfast? You need to keep your strength up."
Nezu sat at the kitchen island again, having been assisted onto the seat by Amelia. She moved with a practiced grace, grabbing a box of cereal from the cupboard and pouring herself a bowl. She offered some to Nezu, but he politely declined.
As she munched on her breakfast, Nezu's expression turned serious. "Amelia, we need to talk about something important."
Amelia mumbled through a mouthful of cereal, "Okay, go on."
Nezu folded his small paws on the countertop, his gaze steady. "Firstly, Amelia, you won't be taking part in the Sports Festival."
The news hit Amelia like a splash of cold water. She froze, her spoon halfway to her mouth, milk dripping from the edge. "What? Why not?"
Nezu sighed softly, meeting her wide-eyed stare. "The strength you showcased during the USJ incident... well, you would decimate the competition. We fear it might break the spirits of the other students."
Amelia's shoulders slumped, her appetite suddenly diminished. "So, I'm just going to watch? That's boring."
Nezu nodded, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "It would be, yes. But I have something else in mind for you. You'll be excused from classes today because I need you to meet a friend of mine. Trust me, this will be far from boring."
Curiosity piqued, Amelia swallowed her cereal. "Who is it?"
Nezu's eyes twinkled with a secretive glint. "You'll have to meet her first. Get dressed in your U.A. sports uniform and throw on that white hoodie you got from Recovery Girl."
Amelia nodded, a mix of disappointment and intrigue swirling in her chest. She quickly changed into her U.A. sports uniform, layering it with her white hoodie for an added touch of comfort. Once ready, she rejoined Nezu, who made a small, impatient motion with his paws.
"Could you give me a lift again?" he asked, eyes bright with mischief.
With a bemused smile, Amelia picked up the small principal and carried him out of the dorm. Nezu directed her toward the training area where she had done the battle trials with All Might.
As they arrived, Amelia gently set Nezu down, her brow furrowing with confusion. "Why are we here?"
Before Nezu could respond, a voice interrupted, bold and commanding. "Is this the brat you told me about, Nezu?"
Amelia turned to see Rumi Usagiyama, also known as Rabbit Hero: Mirko, the current No. 5 Pro Hero. Amelia's heart skipped a beat. She was a huge fan, practically a fangirl, but she forced herself to remain calm.
"Yes," Nezu confirmed, his tone one of warm approval. "This is Amelia."
Mirko's eyes scanned Amelia appraisingly, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, let's get to work, Miss Hero."
Amelia's confusion deepened. "What now?"
Mirko's smirk widened into a grin that was both thrilling and intimidating. "You scared, girl?"
"No, just... confused," Amelia replied, steeling herself for whatever was to come.
Without another word, Mirko lunged forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. Her leg shot up, aimed straight at Amelia with a force that promised no mercy. Instinctively, Amelia braced herself, crossing her arms to block the kick. The impact resonated through her body, the ground cracking under her feet from the sheer force.
Amelia's heart pounded, her gaze locked with Mirko's. The hero's smile grew even more menacing, sending a chill down Amelia's spine. She realized this was no ordinary training session. Nezu had arranged for her to face one of the strongest heroes to test her limits.
"What did Nezu agree to?" Amelia wondered silently, her thoughts racing even as her body tensed for the next move.
Mirko didn't give her much time to ponder. She pressed the attack, her movements a blur of speed and power. Amelia parried and dodged, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and exhilaration. She had always admired Mirko's strength and determination, but facing it firsthand was a different experience entirely.
Nezu watched from the sidelines, his gaze thoughtful and assessing. This was more than just a test of strength; it was a chance for Amelia to push her boundaries, to discover new facets of her abilities under the guidance of a hero she admired.
Amelia's mind whirled, adrenaline surging as she fought to keep up with Mirko's relentless onslaught. The hero's moves were precise and brutal, each strike a lesson in power and control. Despite the intensity, a part of Amelia thrilled at the challenge. She could feel her own strength rising to meet Mirko's, her instincts sharpening with each passing second.
As they sparred, Mirko's eyes gleamed with a fierce approval. "Not bad, kid. You've got potential. Let's see if you can keep up."
Amelia gritted her teeth, determination blazing in her eyes. She wouldn't back down, not now. With each move, she matched Mirko's pace, feeling the exhilaration of pushing herself beyond her limits.
For the first time since the USJ incident, Amelia felt a surge of confidence. She wasn't just reacting to Mirko's attacks; she was anticipating them, countering with her own moves, finding a rhythm in the chaos. The weight of the previous day's fears and doubts began to lift, replaced by a burning resolve.
Nezu's voice cut through the clamour of their sparring. "Remember, Amelia, this is just the beginning. You have much to learn, but you're already on the right path."
Mirko grinned, her eyes bright with excitement. "Ready for the real fun, kid?"
Amelia met her gaze, her heart pounding with a newfound sense of purpose. "Bring it on."
As the training session continued, the world outside faded away. In that moment, surrounded by the echoes of their battle, Amelia found a clarity and focus she hadn't felt in days. She was a hero-in-training, and this was her proving ground.
Nezu observed the intense sparring session between Amelia and Mirko with a keen eye, his small paws clasped together on the table's edge. Despite the sheer power Amelia possessed, he knew she needed more than strength to be a true hero. With that in mind, he had given her a specific instruction: to spar for two minutes without knocking Mirko out. Once the time was up, she could either knock Mirko out or capture her.
As the fight continued, Mirko shouted, "You believe this kid could beat me, little mouse? How weak do you think I am? She's only a child!"
Amelia glanced towards Nezu, nodding in understanding. She didn't fully grasp the intricacies of the test, but she was determined to win. The concrete cracked and shattered beneath their feet from the force of their clashes. Amelia held back, knowing full well that her superhuman strength could end the fight in an instant. Mirko, on the other hand, fought with relentless ferocity, her every punch and kick aimed to test Amelia's limits.
The two-minute timer felt like an eternity. Mirko's strikes were powerful and precise, each one a testament to her experience and strength. But Amelia had learned from the best. Her spars with All Might had drilled into her the tactics of various heroes. She had discussed and practiced countless hero strategies with Izuku, allowing her to mimic the moves of her idols. Mirko's attacks became predictable, and Amelia adapted swiftly, using Mirko's own tactics against her.
Mirko's surprise turned to exhilaration. She hadn't expected to face such a formidable challenge. It had been too long since she had been able to let loose, to use every ounce of her strength without holding back. Amelia was proving to be an opponent worthy of her full effort. The thrill of the battle ignited a fierce joy within her; she saw a potential in Amelia that she hadn't seen in any young hero before.
The timer beeped, signaling the end of the sparring period. Without hesitation, Amelia launched a jaw-shattering punch toward Mirko's face. She held back just enough to ensure the punch only knocked Mirko out, not causing serious harm. Mirko dropped, out cold. Amelia stood over her, breathing heavily but triumphant.
Nezu clapped from behind, drawing Amelia's attention. A woman stood beside him, observing Amelia with thoughtful eyes.
"I knew you could do it, Amelia," Nezu praised, his eyes twinkling with pride. "You demonstrated that you can hold back. Sure, much of the training center is in shambles, but with practice, you'll be able to help others without causing such destruction. Although, a lot of the damage was caused by Mirko. Did you notice anything, Amelia?"
Amelia nodded, catching her breath. "Yes, sir. I did."
"Then go get them."
With that, Amelia flew to different sections of the training area that had remained undamaged during the fight. She returned carrying 23 cardboard cutouts of various people—civilians, workers, villains, and children. She placed them carefully in front of Nezu.
"So, did I pass?" Amelia asked, a mixture of hope and exhaustion in her voice.
The woman next to Nezu spoke before he could. "My name is Harumi Fuji. I work for the World Heroes Association, and yes, you passed. I'll be taking the footage of your fight and your effort to protect those cutouts. It's clear you have a bright future ahead of you."
Amelia blinked, the reality of the test and its implications sinking in. "Thank you, ma'am."
Harumi turned to Nezu. "Nezu, please be on the lookout for my email. Let's discuss Amelia's future later." With that, she walked away, leaving Amelia, Nezu, and the unconscious Mirko.
Amelia glanced at Nezu, then at Mirko, and sighed. "I should take Mirko to Recovery Girl."
Nezu nodded, hopping onto a stretcher he had programmed his small robots to bring. The robots carefully lifted Mirko onto it. Amelia followed closely behind, her mind buzzing with questions. As they made their way to Recovery Girl's office, she finally voiced her thoughts.
"Sir, you have a lot to explain."
Nezu chuckled, his small form bobbing slightly on the stretcher. "Indeed, Amelia. But first, let's get Mirko some help. Then we'll discuss everything."