They arrived at the school's hospital room, somehow avoiding the bustling students along the way. Recovery Girl, upon seeing the unconscious Mirko, glanced between Nezu and Amelia with a resigned sigh.
"I don't even want to know," she muttered. "Poor girl. How could she even be a match for the two of you?"
She gave Mirko a quick kiss to speed up her recovery. Then, she turned to Amelia with a gentle smile. "Any for you, dearie?"
Amelia shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "No, thank you. My healing has already kicked in."
Amelia made her way to a chair by the window, a swirl of thoughts clouding her mind. She sat down, looking expectantly at Nezu, who hopped onto the chair opposite her, placing his tiny paws on the table that separated them.
"Well, Amelia," Nezu began, his voice carrying a mix of seriousness and warmth, "I have decided to take your hero future into my hands, or well, paws."
Amelia's eyes widened in surprise, but she stayed silent, allowing him to continue.
"Somehow," Nezu continued, "the hero course has become too much of a walk in the park for you. You need to take the next step." He tapped the table thoughtfully. "I have spoken with your parents—" Amelia's heart ached at the mention of them. "—and it seems that from practical application to theory, you are now a full hero in training. I will be handling your education personally. You are now my only student."
Amelia's shock deepened, rendering her momentarily speechless.
"Don't worry," Nezu added, sensing her concern, "you will still see your friends, but now you have me and your internship."
"Wait, internship?" Amelia's voice betrayed her confusion. "What's actually happening?"
Nezu's eyes twinkled with a knowing look. "The woman you met earlier was the head of the World Heroes Association. I pulled a few strings to get you a test for your provisional hero license. The response you received is the fruit of your labor."
Amelia's emotions warred within her. Happiness mingled with apprehension. She didn't want to leave her friends behind, but this was an opportunity she couldn't ignore.
Nezu leaned in, his gaze piercing yet compassionate. "Amelia, if Izuku walked in here right now and told you he got his provisional license, would you judge him?"
Amelia shook her head, her answer immediate. "I would be happy for him."
"Then don't get soft on me now, kid," came a groggy voice from the stretcher. Mirko sat up, wincing slightly but sporting a wide grin. "You beat me, and now you're hesitating? Take the damn license. You'll be my student, no matter what."
Amelia chuckled at Mirko's bluntness but didn't respond right away. She needed time to think about it.
Just then, the door burst open, and there stood Izuku, his eyes scanning the room anxiously until they landed on Amelia. Relief washed over his face as he saw her unharmed.
"Izu?" Amelia said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Izuku greeted Mirko and Nezu with a nod before walking straight to Amelia. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and gently but firmly pulled her out of the room. Amelia, blushing from the sudden attention, managed a quick apology to the hero and principal as she was whisked away.
Izuku led her down the hall, past curious students and friends who grinned knowingly at the sight of their interlocked hands. The hallway grew quieter as he pulled her under a secluded stairwell, finally stopping.
They were alone.
Izuku pressed her back against the wall, looking intently at Amelia. His eyes roved over her face, searching for any sign of injury or distress. Seeing her well and unhurt, he sighed deeply, pulling her into a tight embrace. His heart, which had been racing with worry, calmed as he held her.
Amelia stood still, her mind racing. Slowly, she brought her arms around him, hugging him back. She felt his warmth and strength, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to matter. She closed her eyes, taking comfort in the embrace.
"Amelia," Izuku's voice was a whisper in her ear, "I didn't see you in class. I thought you were hurt when All Might said he saw you heading towards the hospital rooms. I was so worried."
Amelia pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "I'm okay, Izu. Really. Nezu had me... well, it's a long story."
Izuku cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing away a stray tear she hadn't realized had fallen. "I'm just glad you're okay."
Amelia nodded, her heart feeling lighter. "Thank you, Izu. For always being here."
Izuku smiled softly. "Always."
After a moment, Amelia gathered her courage. "Izu, can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Izuku replied, his green eyes warm and attentive.
"If I got my provisional hero license before you, how would you feel?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Izuku blinked in surprise but quickly recovered, a sincere smile spreading across his face. "I'd be happy for you. Really, I would. If you got yours before me, it'd just make me work harder. But I'd be so proud of you."
Amelia's heart swelled at his words. "Would you be sad if I surpassed you?"
Izuku shook his head, his grip on her hand tightening reassuringly. "I don't care about that. As long as we can be side by side, that's all that matters to me."
Amelia felt a warmth spreading through her chest, a sense of reassurance and joy she hadn't anticipated. Izuku's words gave her the strength she needed.
They left the secluded staircase, Izuku keeping his hand firmly in hers. As they walked, Amelia's grip tightened slightly, feeling the courage to finally share her news. "Izu, there's something else. I'm getting my provisional hero license."
Izuku stopped in his tracks, turning to face her fully. "So you're a semi full-fledged hero?"
Amelia nodded, a proud smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, seems I am."
"Wow, Amelia," Izuku said, his eyes wide with admiration. "Looking back, I think I knew you'd make waves in the hero industry, but being a hero before your whole class? Now that's a wave."
Amelia blushed under his praise, her heart fluttering. "I haven't chosen my hero name yet. Any ideas, Izu?"
Izuku pondered for a moment, his eyes lighting up. "I'll think about it and get back to you. I'll look through the Quirk analysis book I wrote on you; maybe I'll find some inspiration there."
Amelia smirked, teasing, "A notebook just for me?"
Izuku nodded, unfazed by her teasing. "Only for my girl," he said, flashing her a bright smirk.
Amelia's mind went blank, his words echoing in her head. Her face turned beet red. "I-I need to go. Nezu called me, I-I heard him! I'm not running away!"
Before Izuku could respond, she turned and bolted down the hallway.
Izuku chuckled softly, watching her retreating form. "Oh, Amelia, what am I going to do with you?"
As he watched her disappear around the corner, a warmth spread through him. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he knew they'd face them together, side by side.