Hug her

You hesitate before opening your arms. Almost immediately, Ochako drove into your arms and cried. You rub her back as she lets loose a few sobs while Iida stands there awkwardly, unsure how to react.

“Sorry,” Ochako said as she pulled away from your embrace a few minutes later. She was still rubbing the tears out of her puffy eyes. “I got your shirt wet.”

“What was so upsetting?” Asked Iida. “The purpose of the Scarlet Law is to allow people to find their place and find their special bonds; shouldn’t this be a good thing. The Scarlet Lady will only allow you to be bought by someone who can help you.”

“It's not that simple,” Ochako said as she continued to wipe her eyes. “I don’t think they will let me study at UA anymore or let me see my parents again.”

“Why not?” You ask her, reaching a hand out to try to continue to comfort her.

“My mom says my buyer lives in America,” Ochako explained with a sniffle. “You won’t be able to see me again.” This news shook you, Ochako was the first girl you were able to talk to, she helped you in the Entrance Exam (even asking if she could share points with you when you couldn’t get a single one), and she was your first real friend that hadn’t abandoned you at first sign of Bakugo.

Moving without thinking you grab Ochako by the shoulders, causing her to let out a squeak. “There must be something we can do to save you! I can’t…” Your action caught up to you mentally and you froze, shocked at your impulse.

“You can’t…?” Ochako said, with a hint of hope in her voice. She stared directly into your eyes and the two of you blushed and took a step away from each other. You cover your mouth and cough nervously.

“Sorry, I don’t know what came over me,” you apologized and looked away embarrassed.

“What were you going to say?” Ochako insisted. You looked back at her with a blush growing on your face before you looked at the ground and kicked at the dirt.

“I can’t lose you, you are my first real friend since I was five,” you say, refusing to look at her. “And I mighthaveacrushonyou.” You rushed out the end of the statement but it appears that Ochako understood as she gasped. She stepped forward and lifted your face up. She had a beautiful smile on her face which even the tear tracks that remained couldn’t mar.

“Deku, I might have a crush on you too,” she said, her rosy cheeks absolutely glowing. “Since you saved me from the Zero Pointer.” She looked away sadly. “But I guess, we can’t do anything about it now.”

“Can’t we try to buy your **** contract?” You suggest hurriedly. “Maybe if we ask around we could get enough…?” Ochako shook her head in the negative.

“Mom said that they paid a lot of money,” She explained and when she gave the number, you and Iida blanched. It was more than ten times her price in the student magazine, there was no way you or your classmates could get the money on such short notice.

“I’m sorry Deku, Iida but I don’t think there is anything we can do,” Ochako said tearfully again. She then surprised you by giving you a kiss on your cheek before she ran past you. “Goodbye!”

You look at her fleeing form before gaining a determined look while Iida walks away. You pull out your phone and select a number from your contacts. “Hello dad…”

POV Change

“Mistress, I am happy to report that the bait has been taken,” reported a subservient voice in a darkly lit room.

“Good, dismissed,” a powerful voice said before her servant left the room. “Soon ninth, you will show exactly what you can do.”