Tenya always knew he was likely to be set up in an arranged marriage. He was a gifted young man from a prestigious and well-known family in Japan, what else should he have expected?

However, he didn't expect it to be so soon. Maybe it was because his parents found the perfect spouse for him this early, or perhaps it had been prepared for them for a long time? The girl he was to be married to when he turned 18 was nice enough; Momo Yaoyorozu, he recalled. Tenya wasn't quite sure how to feel about the marriage, though. He and Momo had such differing personalities, he was sure they would not get along.

While Tenya was abrasive and often a stickler for regulations and rules, excluding the time he committed attempted murder, of course, Momo seemed more amiable and cheerful, like she was born to make friends out of people. He had seen the way she almost jumped at the opportunity to invite people over to study at her house (though it was more like a mansion, Tenya assumed by the way she spoke of it) and accommodate their needs and wants when she did. If only he had such an easy time talking to people, he almost let out a laugh at the thought.

The announcement system on the train snapped Tenya out of his thoughts before his mind could wander any further, indicating this was his stop.

A slight breath escaped him as he rose from his seat, pulling his bag onto his back and expertly and carefully making his way off the train and into the station that was filling up with people on their way to start their morning commute. Warm rays of early-morning sunshine bathed the linoleum tiles in an uplifting, golden light, filling Tenya with a slight sense of ease.

His dress shoes clacked against the tiles as he walked up the stairs to be greeted with the sights of the city, mingling with the sounds of the rest of the world waking up as well. Chatter amongst pedestrians, the muffled sounds of televisions, tuned to the news station that discussed the latest hero rescues, in shop windows, and the smell of the past evening's rain permeating the air all invaded Tenya's senses.

Some may have found all the sensations clashing overwhelming, but it was a small reminder of normalcy and daily life before Tenya's day, typically filled with chaos and tons of yelling, began. He smiled a bit to himself and began walking down the street, occasionally glancing at his watch to ensure he'd get to school on time, perhaps even early if he was lucky.

His walk to UA's campus was uneventful, thank god, but he wished he could have said the same for when he actually got there.

Taking a deep breath in and almost relishing the moment, Tenya shut his eyes and appreciated the crisp smell of the dew in the grass, the cool breeze brushing his face, and...

"I'M GONNA KILL THAT DAMN NERD TODAY!"

Tenya flinched at the incredibly distinct sound of what was definitely the sound of Bakugo yelling. Tenya made a slight deadpan expression towards the sky, as if cursing whatever god there was for not letting him have this one moment of peace and quiet. He bit his thumb curtly in disdain at the clouds, like said upper power would see him, and quickly walked over to where Bakugo was yelling about something.

"Damn Deku! How'd that coward do better on the final than i did?!" Bakugo shouted to an almost deafening degree, whilst Ashido and Kirishima attempted to calm him down.

"Never too early for you to start yelling, is it, Bakugo?" Tenya asked, sarcasm dripping from his tone as his arms crossed across his chest.

"Whoa, Iida, you're being sarcastic?" Ashido sounded taken aback as she asked this, never having heard the class rep take on a tone other than his loud and commanding tone.

"Sorry, we're trying to get him to stop yelling," Kirishima said, shooting a passive aggressive glance back at the yappy little atom bomb of a Pomeranian known as Bakugo. "Hey, don't tell me what to do, dumbass, 'fore i roast you too!" Bakugo shot back, tiny explosions crackling in his palm as if in warning.

"Well, keep it down, would you?" Tenya requested with a sigh, voice earning back its usual inflection; sterner and slightly authoritative. "I'd hate for Class 1-A to earn even worse of a reputation because of Bakugo," he chided with a slight smirk.

"THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN, YOU GOODY-TWO-SHOES??!!" Bakugo hollered, teeth gritting as Tenya turned to walk away. As he left, he could hear the incessant clamor of the two others trying to get him not to kill the class rep.

Tenya almost chuckled as he entered the school, a much quieter environment welcoming him. However, despite the calmness, a stark contrast from the previous yelling, a heavy feeling of anxiety settled into his chest. He would have to face Momo today, whether he wanted to or not and, having just learned of this arrangement made with her, he wasn't sure if he could. He had to, but he'd probably be unable to talk to her without fumbling over his words like an idiot.

Deciding that he had enough time to go and mull over his thoughts and sort himself out, Tenya started off towards the library, almost sure it would be empty this early in the morning.

However, that hope was crushed, if only partially, when his eyes landed on Deku and Ochaco, huddled together over the former's notebook as they discussed potential combat strategies they could use together.

"A study session? This early?" Tenya smiled softly at the two before sitting across from them.

"Oh, morning, Tenya!" Ochaco chirped.

"Yeah, good morning," Deku said with a smile, still a bit more tired than Ochaco. "We thought that studying in the morning would be more effective, just in case Aizawa-sensei spring a pop quiz on us," he explained with a smile playing at his lips.

"You're welcome to join us if you want!" Ochaco added.

"I would, but..." Tenya frowned. "I dont feel quite myself this morning. I'm unsure if I will be able to focus..." he looked down, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose with his ring and index finger. The two frowned back.

"Any reason why? We'd be happy to listen if there's something you need to get off your chest..." Ochaco offered.

Tenya paused and looked up. He could, but he was fairly certain that neither of them would be able to fully understand the concept of him being in an arranged marriage, let alone to another 1-A student. "... i-it's quite alright," Tenya finally said. "Just a bit of an off day." He rested his hands, intertwined together, on the table. Ochaco and Deku exchanged a look, almost like a silent determination that they would figure out what was up with Tenya before the day was over.

After a few more minutes of hushed murmurs and occasional laughter, it came time for the three to head to homeroom, a couple minutes before the bell rang.

While Deku and Ochaco walked ahead, Tenya stayed a pace behind, looking down at the floor as his mind rushes with thoughts. This would be the first period he had with Momo, and he was becoming less sure that he could even face her. Did she know of the marriage? If she didn't, what would Tenya even tell her if she asked what was wrong? There were so many things that could blow up right in his face, and he was just about expecting all of them to.

"Okay, Tenya, seriously, what's up?" Ochaco stopped suddenly in her tracks, turning to face him. "Uh," he choked on his words.

"My apologies, Ochaco. It really is nothing. I'm merely not feeling well, is all," he excused quickly.

"Then maybe you should go see Recovery Girl," Deku suggested with a shrug of his shoulders.

Tenya coughed slightly. "Y-Yes, but I'm not feeling too horrible. I will see her if my condition worsens," he lied, internally thanking Deku for his suggestion. Recovery Girl was an old and wise woman; perhaps someone he could rattle off his frustrations to.

The three continued walking to homeroom, settling in their assigned desks. Tenya didn't even look at Momo. He couldn't.

Today would be a great day, he told himself. Today would be fine.

— (1430 words) —

A/N 1: sigh if you got the thumb biting reference ily /p /j

A/N 2: I'm so sorry for any mischaracterization this is legit my first time writing for any MHA characters pls don't kill me 😔

A/N: pls let me know what you thought of this in the comments, it really helps me out!!