Chapter Text
The day had finally come.
The first day of the second week of class 3 A's second semester.
And along with it came the Marriage Practical Exam.
“Alright, now that you have settled into the new semester – the next couple of months leading up to graduation will be spent on this exam. It will be ‘business as usual’ with the exception that as of today, you will be moved out of the school dorms into an apartment with your new assigned ‘spouse’.
Unlike what you’ve been used to up until now, there is no shared common room with other students. Instead any and all household chores will be carried out between the two of you. Not to worry, the apartment has a full kitchen and all other amenities you will need for your regular day to day life.”
“And regular married couple activities. If you know what I mean~ ”
“Can it, Kaminari. You're still students, and I expect you to act as such. You're living in the same place, but not technically ‘living together’. Even if the exam mandates you work together as one, you’re not actually married. You will continue to go to class and your agency internships as per usual.”
The exam was a nationwide program and fairly new. Presented as the practical final of ‘Relationship and life management’, it was a mandatory class for third year students aged 18 and older.
Students were paired with a ‘compatible partner’ and graded on their joint performance throughout the second and third semester. At its initial introduction, the program had been met with a fair amount of backlash, where some argued it was nothing but a grand scheme aimed at the country’s declining birth rate and increase in single households. The notorious Japanese government had been known to have had crazier ideas before.
All the same, the school board framed this as a class and exam just as any other. But the young students subjected to this had a completely different take on the situation. To them, this was some sort of magical, high stake quest, shrouded in mystery and the tall tales of their senpais. Whispers of excitement and wonder, along with words of warning carried throughout the years.
A good match could make or break the whole exam.
And potentially have a substantial impact on your personal life as well. For better. Or for worse.
Uraraka Ochako clasped her hands tight on her lap, nervous perspiration crowding her brow as she listened to her homeroom teacher with bated breath.
For her, this day was long awaited, and although she kept her expectations low, her hopes remained high.
There was so much at stake here, yet little influence over who you were paired with. Even though students were free to send in a written request regarding the pairing, this seemed to be mostly for show as actual pre-existing couples were rarely taken into consideration. Some lucked out and were paired with the person they dated, but most unpaired couples generally broke up before the end of the semester. Cohabiting with another person of the opposite gender who was not your partner was a big strain on any relationship. Especially between young adults, where insecurities and jealousy tended to run high.
One would think the well rounded students at the prestigious U.A. would fare better than your average 18-19 years old, but there were more hormones than reasonable thought flying around the room when a reluctant Aizawa gave his class the program run down.
The longer the presentation went on, the more anxious Ochako grew. She just wanted the pairing to be over and done with.
Uravity may be a fearless hero, someone who had already faced countless battles, but as of right now, she was nothing more than a teenage girl, and whose nerves were being eaten away by the suspense of this ‘lottery of fates’.
Her heart fluttered in thrilled anticipation. Any moment now, the pairings would be revealed, and she would finally know who her assigned 'spouse' was.
There was nothing she could do to sway the outcome.
Knowing this pairing was all up to fate – or more accurately, the mysterious ways of the U.A. School Board and Hero Public Safety Commission – Ochako said a silent prayer.
All the same, she was no quitter. Just as with everything else in her life, she would be nothing but brave and put her best foot forward. Fully determined to ace this exam. No matter who she ended up paired with. Most anyone would do.
Still, a girl could dream .
Although Aizawa explained that the couples would consist of two ‘compatible’ people, he never delved any further into whatever that actually meant.
Compatible how?
For what?
Then again, Ochako got along with most of her peers and considered herself to be a likeable and overall good person.
Sure, she may not be part of their class’ ‘big three’ this year either, but she was more than capable. Her grades were not amazing, but above average, and so far she had gotten good reviews at all her internships and team up missions.
Surely whoever she ended up with ought to be up to whatever ‘standard’ she herself was?
Right?
Ideally, she wanted to be paired with someone she knew, but was well aware it may be any of her fellow third years. Just because she was in the hero course, did not mean it was a given that she would be matched with someone from the same class or department. She may even be paired with someone from the general education, support or management branch.
Again, the Practical Marriage Exam was labeled as nothing more than just that – an exam. Something the students had to do. Nothing of higher significance than any other math test or hero training trial.
But nevertheless there was a small, hopelessly romantic notion tucked away in the carefully guarded depths of her heart that had her hoping her ‘assigned spouse’ truly was someone ‘meant’ for her.
That this perhaps could end up becoming more . Because, yes, this exam had all the potential to become a life changing experience for her.
The hero Uravity was loved by the public. She was bold, fierce, and struck fear in the hearts of her enemies. Over the last few years she had already overcome so much. Grown as a person together with her classmates as they worked through any and all hardships.
Uravity could take on any challenge . There was no obstacle too daunting. No force of nature, violent destruction or raging villain too intimidating for her to face!
But at the same time, to say that the high school girl Ochako had become increasingly ... awkward around the opposite sex was a grave understatement.
It was not that she was not curious. Or had wanted to explore.
She had – in lack of better words – insufficient practice .
Her first two years of high school had been wasted pining after a green haired young man who was never interested in her romantically to begin with. Or anyone else of her gender for that matter.
Once Ochako had got up to speed with how Izuku felt about Shoto and decided to move on, everyone else had already done so ages ago, wasting no time raking up their experience. Mind blown, Ochako had hardly known where to start to catch up!
To make things more complicated, now that she wanted to, it was as if she was not even allowed to step foot in the race.
Uravity had worked so hard on her cheerful, bubbly persona and public image, but somewhere along the way, it had become her curse.
Her peers perceived her as too innocent.
Too pure.
No one wanted to ‘taint’ Japan’s Sweetheart.
At first, it had been endearing. But after a full semester of everyone dancing around her and her non-existent love life, treating her with silk mittens and being overly protective, Ochako felt as if she was only ever the butt of a running joke.
Ochako was a healthy young woman. She felt attraction and longing and lust. She had wishes and urges and needs just as much as any of her fellow classmates. But the very concept of her having any dirty thoughts in that head of hers was considered laughable.
None of her attempts at flirting were taken seriously. And boy, did she try.
Once the unrelenting pressure of the League of Villains rampage was off their backs, her classmates had settled and eventually grown rowdier. Ochako had been thrilled at the newly introduced drinking games and dares, but whenever she stepped up to the challenge, one of her classmates would swipe the drink from her hands as a ‘black knight’ to make sure she never got too drunk, or jump in to ‘save her honor’ during a truth or dare. It was all in good faith, but nevertheless a thorn in her side and a jab at her pride.
She was only ever perceived as ‘cute’ . She tried and failed during summer vacation with the neighbour boy back home, never getting much further than holding hands.
It felt infuriating. Belittling.
Frankly, right now, Ochako was excited – hopeful even – that this ‘practical exam’ may very well be her one – and only? – shot at a proper high school romance.
She just wanted to try it out – the highs and the lows, the joy and the hurt she had only heard about from movies and books and her friends.
With little to none experience, she had not much preference. So far, Izuku had been her first love and biggest crush. And for two whole years, she only ever had eyes for him. No one else could make it onto her radar.
Once Ochako could see past her infatuation with the green haired boy, she had been quick to note that U.A. was more or less a Smorgasbord of delicious young men.
Not that she could afford to be particularly picky. Or that her ‘likes’ would conveniently be considered in the first place for the exam.
If the promoted ‘rules’ of the pairing were believed to be true, she would be paired with someone according to her overall performance and quirk compatibility.
Ochako was not a top student, but she did alright considering the high academic level of her school. Any of her peers here would be considered ‘a catch’. The students had all worked hard to get into U.A., and surely the average person was to be considered ‘good’.
Which gave this ‘lottery’ pretty great odds. Confirming Ochako’s high hopes to be paired with someone compatible, and deserving, of her first – potential – romantic endeavour.
Although there was a short list of people Ochako did not want to be paired with.
Aizawa’s flat voice mulled in the background as her eyes wandered across the classroom to Mineta and Kaminari, who barely contained themselves in their seats by their overflowing excitement at the prospect of housing with a female human.
Correction – Ochako would not be picky, but she had standards.
Please, at least give me a decent person, she thought.
Her gaze continued around the room as she regarded the potential pairings of her classmates, concluding she would be comfortable with any of the other guys in her class. They were all kind, accomplished and generally good looking. She trusted her personal safety with any of them. Could she also trust her heart with one of them?
Lastly her eyes landed on a shaggy blonde, spiky undercut and pair of broad shoulders, hunched over his desk in blatant disinterest at the topic at hand.
No. That'd just be awkward.
Shaking off the uneasy feeling, Ochako shifted her focus back to her class homeroom teacher, only to find Mina's black eyes, sparkling with glee as she leaned back over her desk to share her excitement with her friend. "Eeek! I can’t wait!! The Marriage Practical Exam is awesome !! There's always a bunch of actual couples after the exam! Oh, and the drama is peak ! I heard last year, a girl even ended up pregnant ! Can you imagine – big scandal!! And then-”
“Ashido. If you would please face back to the presentation.” After a moment of silence ensuring he held the class’ attention, Aizawa continued, motioning towards the graphics on the large screen behind him at the front of the room. “You will share the exam and apartment with your assigned spouse. But, obviously you will each have your own bedroom. To ensure your privacy, it is locked with a fingerprint verification sensor to make sure that only-” He paused the presentation to throw Kaminari and Mineta a long look. “- only the room’s occupant may enter. No funny business.”
Aizawa unpaused the video presentation which continued to explain the set up with colorful graphics. “We will leave you to the privacy of your own personal rooms, but you will be wearing a wristband at all times. There is a sensor in the living room which connects to your wristbands. It not only monitors your well being but also assesses your practical points. At the end of each week, your current grade will be shared with your fellow classmates. The top ten couples at the end of each month will be granted bonuses. Totals will be reset at the end of the month, meaning each month will start at zero points.”
“Practical points?”
“Bonuses?”
This got the competitive students of 3 A's attention.
“How do we win!?”
Aizawa heaved a sigh. “There is a ranking but no ‘winning’ this thing. Your focus should be on acting together with your assigned ‘spouse’ to accumulate points and climb the ranking. To grow as a person and partner. Not compete against other couples.
Now, if you would please bring your attention back to the pamphlet..”
~ ~ ~
216
This was the fated number on the tag to the single key in Ochako’s hand. She drew out a breath in an attempt to steady her beating heart, unlocked the door and stepped into the apartment which would be her new home for the remainder of her time at U.A.
Over the course of the weekend, the third year students had packed up their dorm rooms, and over the duration of the school day, a company had collected and moved their belongings to their respective apartments.
Earlier that day, at the end of the presentation, the students had been given an envelope with a key and instruction pamphlet, but no other indication as to what to do or who they were paired with. They would find out upon arrival at their new home.
Most likely, how the students reacted to their assigned partner would be the first of many ‘tests’ to be assessed and scored.
“Hello?” She called, but there was no reply. Instead she found the apartment dark.
The air greeting her in the genkan was fresh. Clean. Impersonal. More than stepping into a place where someone lived, it reminded her of the lobby of a hotel or one of those posh boutiques downtown which sold purses at the price of what some earned in a year.
Ochako flipped on the lights and dropped her school bag on the floor by her shoes to explore her new space.
And she absolutely loved it!
From the entryway she walked into the main shared, open living space. On her left was a kitted out kitchen area. With all new top of the line appliances, and a wide island across from a dining table seating four.
Her face lit up with a smile. Her own dining table!? She would be able to invite her friends over for study sessions at any time she wanted and … and... maybe even entertain guests for ‘double dates’ together with one of the other couples?
Assessing the lounge area, and the largest flatscreen TV she had ever seen in her life, she pictured herself and her unknown ‘spouse’ sharing their meals here and watching movies together.
A happy squeal escaped her as she twirled around in the room, hands and legs stretched out as wide as she could reach yet far from touching the wall. Compared to her small dorm room, this space was huge! And if only for a couple of months, it was hers.
Other than spotless, with not a speck of dust, the apartment was modern, most likely newly renovated, and fully furnished. Light cream colored walls, a stylish muted beige couch and throw pillows. Beautiful light wood surfaces. Large paned windows and floor to ceiling heavy curtains before double glass doors leading out to their very own balcony.
Even in all its ‘simplicity’, from the perspective of a lower class kid from the countryside, this was nothing short of a luxury home.
Modern.
New.
Ochako could not recall a time when her parents had bought something not pre-owned for their home, mostly opting for thrifting or hand me downs from friends and neighbors.
Next she noted there were four doors. Two white. One pink. One blue.
She started with the first white door. A toilet and sink.
The second white door was a shower room with a laundry area with washer and dryer. Very typical. Nothing out of the ordinary, but without signs of age and wear. White vinyl walls and light blue floor. A plastic folding door led into a shower area and sky blue tub. An image of her in that snug tub together with her ‘husband’ flashed before her and her cheeks grew hot, mandating another excited squeal.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, girl! You’re no better than Mineta at this point!
The realization she may just as well be paired with the repulsive grape gremlin, or someone of his likes, calmed her down enough to shake off the worst of her expectations and continue her exploration.
The pink door had a different handle than the white ones. It was more clunky, metallic with a small red light. She turned the handle but found it locked. Odd, was this not supposed to be her room? Moving closer she noted a small bowl shaped indentation in the handle. Experimentally she held her thumb to it. The lock clicked and the light went blue.
Oh. That’s right. Fingerprint verification sensor!
Her bedroom was similar to the one she’d had in her dorm. A fairly good sized, rectangular room with a built in wardrobe, bed, desk and chair. Bare white walls with light colored wooden floors. There was a single draped window with an electronic opening and closing system she played with for a bit. Most likely in place to ensure the safety of the student sleeping inside.
In the center of the room were two cardboard boxes. Two boxes. That’s it. Containing a modest personal wardrobe, pink bedding, family photos, fairy lights and stuffed animals. Anything a girl could need. Unpacking would have to wait, there was still one room left.
Walking back across the living room space, she stood before the blue door. This would be her ‘husbands’ room.
After a brief moment of hesitation, she knocked on the door. “Hello? Is anyone there?” Her heart whirled with hopes and dreams and potential at who the person on the other side of the door may be.
Again, there was no reply.
Was he not home? Shoot, maybe Ochako should have played it cool and waited before rushing home. Instead, she had even dared to hope that her paired person would be just as eager to see her.
Guess she had been wrong.
No. It was too soon to doubt him or judge his character.
Sitting down on the couch she reasoned that he was most likely just busy with school work or extracurricular activities. Even if the hero students had no internships the first couple of weeks of this semester, he could just as well be studying at the library or visiting with his friends or working out at the gym or if he was a management student, maybe he had a part time job or maybe he did not want to see her or maybe she was not even paired with someone to begin with maybe she was not good enough -
Her rambling thoughts halted when her eyes landed on a digital sign next to the TV.
- - -
Couple 216
Current scoore : 0
- - -
Okay, so there was a couple living here. And she was one half of that couple.
Calm your tits, Ochako. All you have to do is wait.
~ ~ ~
And wait she did.
After unpacking her belongings, which took all of half an hour or so to do –including making her bed and installing the fairy lights over her bed and window – she studied at the dining table. With little focus, she kept an eye on the door at all times to make sure she did not miss the arrival of her ‘spouse’.
There were a couple of basic ingredients around the kitchen, and when her rumbling tummy got tired of waiting, she made herself a sandwich and cup of tea for dinner.
Eventually, the rest of her also got tired of waiting.
Ochako decided on a long bath to soothe her nerves. After this she dressed in her pajamas and went to her room to pick up her phone, but must have dozed off somewhere mid doom-scrolling because she was later stirred awake by the sound of running water.
The bathroom was wall to wall next to hers, and the realization that she was no longer alone in the apartment instantly swelled her heart with anticipation.
Now what?
Should she go out there?
No, standing in wait for him outside the shower room would brand her nothing but a pervert.
She could walk out to the living room and pretend to watch TV or make a snack?
No. Again, that felt too stressful and artificial. She wanted their first interaction to feel natural .
Arriving at the conclusion that he would have to come to her, she remained in her room. Waiting.
Surely, he must have seen her shoes in the genkan and would seek her out once he was done with whatever he was doing?
Showering.
He was showering.
There was a naked young man on the other side of that wall. Barely four meters away from her. Shit! Why did she even think that? Maybe she was a pervert after all!?
Before long, she was pacing in small circles to relieve some of the tension building up in her. Resisting the temptation to press her ear against the wall she instead listened intently to any sound as thoughts of her mysterious spouse consumed her mind.
Who is it? Who is it? Who is it? Who is it?
Giddy, she rushed over to the full length mirror a million times over the course of those few excruciating moments, ensuring her hair looked alright. Not going as far as reapplying her daily makeup. That felt like trying too hard.
This would be great.
He would be great!
They would be great – together!
She would face her destined ‘mock husband’ head on – with a smile on her face and hope in her heart!
The shower turned off. Next she heard rustling in the laundry room and the happy melody of the laundry machine kicking into gear.
Any time now, he would knock on her door and reveal himself to her.
Ochako felt flushed. Would he be able to tell? She rushed to the mirror again. Nope. It's alright. She looked good.
It’s cool it’s cool it’s cool it’s cool.
The sounds of doors and cabinets opening and closing as he moved about the shared living space.
Any time now.
Footsteps leaving the kitchen area walking up to her door –
Aaaaany time now!
– and passing her by.
Wait – was he – was he just going back into his room? Without seeing her?
Before thinking, the very thought of being brushed off by her ‘spouse’ on their first day urged Ochako into motion and she flew out the door.
Only to barrel face first straight into a broad, firm, naked chest.
Caught off guard, and beyond embarrassed, she stumbled, grabbing hold on the other’s upper arms as he instinctively moved to hold down onto the white towel wrapped around his lower body.
The couple ended up losing their footing and the young man fell backwards with Ochako soon to follow in a disarray of wrangling limbs, fighting to regain balance.
As if drawn on the pages of a shojo romance manga, Ochako succeeded in activating her quirk at the last moment, hoping to cushion her fall, but instead ended up planting her face on his. In the very first, very awkward kiss of her life, which was more clashing teeth than soft and tender lips.
“What the fuck!?” Red flames burned with ire as his eyes found hers.
“Oh, I’m so so sorry!” Ochako’s voice was more so a high squeal as she lifted away from his face. Her hands traced over panes of hard, tone muscles under scarred skin as she set back, only to realize she had planted her ass down on the young man’s pelvis. Barely covered with a bath towel. Mind stuck on this peculiar, intimate situation, her eyes shot back to his face only to see that -
Holy shit.
“It’s – you!?” She uttered in daunting disbelief.
Recognition lit up in his eyes as they stayed that way, staring at each other for a long moment.
Then he groaned, pushing up on his arms stretched behind him. “Fuck. Get off me.”
“Oh, yes, yes of course.” Decreasing her gravity, Ochako easily levitated off him and he rose, adjusting his towel. “I didn’t mean to walk into you. I take it you also got number 216? How exciting! I’m happy to see I’m paired with someone from our class!” she tried.
Considering their currently strained relationship, Bakugou Katsuki may not have been her first pick for a flat mate and mock husband. Hell, she doubted he would have been in her top ten. But they had known each other for two and half years, and worked well enough together in the field.
Shaking off her initial embarrassment, and trying her damn well hardest not to ogle at him, she held out her hand to him expectantly, plastering her signature Japan’s Sweetheart smile on her face. “Let’s do our best, partner! Plus ultra!”
Bakugou blinked down at her hand between them, his brows knitting in heavy thought as he scowled.
Then his red eyes snapped back to hers. “Hell no, this ain’t happening.” A cold shiver raced up her back with the heavy emotion cast in his eyes. She knew he did not care for her much, but the look on his face, and the way his whole being tensed in her presence wrapped around her shoulders like a dark heavy blanket of rejection. “Not with you . Anyone but you .”
Without another word he turned around and walked back into his room. Slamming the door shut behind him to further emphasise his point.
Oh, boy.
This would be beyond awkward.
- - -
Couple 216
Current scoore : - 2
- - -
