Ochako Uraraka was currently swallowing her cheerful sobs in hopes of keeping up any sort of reputation and influence in front of a icon, a legendary pro baller that she admired with all her heart. Maybe her prayers would save her so he wouldn't think she was a crybaby of some sort.

Her mother and father, both teary eyed and constantly snatching tissues, sat at the small rounded table in the less-than-normal tiny home they lived in.

"Sweetie, y-you deserve it," her mother gasped between breaths, matching the wide smile across the whole family. Her father nods in agreement.

"Trust me, it's perfectly okay to be happy," All Might lightheartedly chuckled. "But I myself, and the other coaches do believe that this choice we're making is extremely beneficial both to you and us."

Ochako rubbed her eyes, mentally forgetting that mascara was bound to smear under from blackened lashes. It was unrealistic, unbelievable-one of the most legendary pros in the game was handing over a free ride just to compete in the sport she loved and admired.

U.A was one of the top, high-notch and competitive universities to apply to. Heck, and if for not having this opportunity; forget school there, she wouldn't have been able to afford a class. Division one basketball, every game was live for nations to watch, even she watched about ninety percent of their games the past decade.

It was surreal to compete with the same women that she's watched for two straight years now; Ochako knew exactly each and everyone on the team, vaguely remembering their faces twist and eyebrows rose with how she said their names as if they've met before, but was warmly welcomed.

"All Might, I know it may be a dumb question to ask," Ochako began with her hands rubbing up and down her arms nervously. God, she couldn't help all seven million nerves racketing in her body, she quivered more like a freshman entering high school rather than a twenty year old baller.

All Might waved a hand. "No question is considered unintelligent, I can guarantee that."

Ochako bit down on her bottom lip, fingernails digging into the skin of her arms. "Why me? I know I went from division two to some small community college, and my high school experience halfway wasn't significantly outstanding."

Heavy silence swallowed her whole as the seconds passing felt like hours.

"I see incredible potential," All Might began, a comfortable and soft smile on his face. "You've got work ethic, and the talent you have as a player fits perfectly with the program. Yes, you may have been a little shaky at the visit, but we weren't looking for one player that could score forty points per game; it involves connection with every player so that someone can have a powerful affect on everyone to rise up. We want someone to lead, we haven't had that certain spark that connects a whole team. And you know what?"

Ochako presses her lips together and hummed in response.

"The three days you were scrimmaging with our women's team had more liveliness and dedication than we've seen in the past couple seasons, maybe even years. I received messages from the coaches that the girls would love for you to come back and play with them. You fit perfectly with our women's team, and I believe that we can finally turn our women's program around to match our men's."

The rest of the day went in a blur, registering everything to be set in motion, still feeling weightless with unbelief that this moment was actually happening. The realization sank in slowly like aging wine; the taste of reality sweeter as time seemed to flow.

Ochako was in.

She was doing this.

"Oh, and one thing to mention about apartments," All Might added, snapping his fingers to remember a thought. "A teammate said that she's looking for an apartment to share with someone, and she'd recommend that if you did decide to attend U.A, she would love to have you as a roommate."

Ochako's hands flattened some informational papers on the surface of the table and glanced with curious mahogany eyes. "Who would that be?"

"Mina Ashido, I'm sure arrangements can be met-"

Arms waved frantically in the air with excitement. "I'd love to!" She blurted.

All Might lightheartedly laughed, already slipping a notecard across the table with a note scribbled in pink. "You'll need this, it's from her."

Happiness fluttered inside of her stomach as Ochako read the note with the attached phone number, smiling wide enough to make her cheeks sore.

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*Two weeks prior*

No matter how far she stretched her limbs, how warmed-up her body felt, every fiber in her muscles were twitching with anxiety and maybe half a million thoughts of second-guessing herself if this basketball invite was her best decision to follow through in.

Gods, honestly, if she called herself a shooter at the moment, then LeBron James was so the most humble and kind Basketball player to exist.

Note the sarcasm; he's a damn baby.

Ochako exhaled a shaky breath and puffed her cheeks as she released a shot after wrapping the ball behind her back and stepping back, muttering a rare colorful word while the ball bounced off the right of the rim again.

Just get back on defense, don't even worry! It's not like you've missed like, ten shots in a row!

The next few runs up and down the court were a complete faze. At this point, Ochako was desperately trying to pull through and pray that the coaches or team wouldn't gossip too harshly on the trash performance she's holding up.

She starts to turn and run back on offense once another shot goes up, keeping an eye over the back of her shoulder just in case-

"Hey, Uraraka!"

Yeah, just in case of a pass that's flying directly towards her like a bullet.

Ochako's reflexes already reaches for the fast break pass from Mina, blazing up the right side of the court with Kendou on the left, creating the perfect two-on-one situation with Yaoyorozu in defense.

She jumps high, creating the perfect moment to catch Yaoyorozu up in the air anticipating that she's diving up for a layup, but wraps the ball behind her back to Kendou to score the easy bucket.

A few whoops and claps rumble from the team, none expecting that at all.

"Nice pass!" The orange haired teammate gives her a quick high five on the run back to play defense, and Ochako's maybe got a little bit of confidence stirring back in her veins.

As timid and scared half to death Ochako felt, the scrimmage flew by and ended with a positive note that she could settle on. Finally managed to drain a few long three's and much more needed assists for her squad to win, the exhausting day was finally as a close.

Ochako slipped off her basketball shoes and slung the bag around her shoulder, surrounded by the team as they lead her back to the on-campus dorms she was staying in.

"It's awesome that you're the same age as us. We can all go to parties together, get drunk and not worry about a freshman dipping early!" Mina praised with a more enthusiastic tone than apparently the team agreed with. Ochako couldn't help but notice that face to face, her skin did have a strong pink undertone, it was always hard to tell on the tv or computer screen. Her hair was short but voluminous, having a lighter pinky color.

Kendou dragged a hand across her face. "Wow, way to let everyone know some of us don't have a reputation to keep up with."

Ochako bursted out with laughter as the girls whined about Mina's unfiltered outburst about the realities of 'no, this team isn't perfect but we love each other.' "Are you kidding? What's the point of college if you don't go out? I'm turning twenty one this year so it's going to be wild." Her lips blurted before her brain could stop herself, catching everyone's attention.

Before all thoughts of regret could filter through her wild mind, Mina's voice shrieked in cheer. "Bitch, I can hook you up with some of the finest guys, no matter if it's here or at away games when we have hotel rooms to use, I got you."

Ochako laughed with Mina, both holding the sides of their stomachs, the rest of the team finally cracking up.

After a few minutes to cool off, Yaoyorozu began the conversation. "So you mentioned you do watch division one basketball, that includes us? Is that how you recognized all of us by face and name?"

Ochako had to crank her neck up to meet eyes with the taller player, but felt a sense of calmness wash to see the genuine interest glint in her blackened hues. "Yes, I've watched all of you, both U.A's women's and men's basketball teams. I mean, division one's the most popular on tv, everyone's raving about March Madness. I always watched with other friends or family."

"That's amazing, usually people don't nearly pay as much attention to women's teams in general. We get shadowed by our men's team, obviously," Tsuyu Asui implied, the green-haired maybe an in or two taller than herself.

Ochako hummed, kicking a random rock off to the side with her foot. It was understandable, it was just how society worked. Women's basketball is completely underrated, not to mention trying to rise up to the level of U.A's men's basketball; they were an unstoppable force, only losing seven games total their last season.

"Watching all of you and then having the chance to play with you guys is so surreal," Ochako acknowledged, catching the softened glances from the team in the corners of her eyes. "I've never been on a team that had good dynamics or chemistry, and you guys seem to just be a big family. I'm kind of tired dealing with team drama or whatever, I just want to have a place where I fit."

"I'm seriously going to cry if you don't play for us this year, can someone tell coach that she's on the team please? Anyone?" Setsuna Tokage clapped her hands, making random hand motions in the air.

"Will all of my heart, I do agree she will be a perfect fit," Shiozaki softly added, placing a hand over her heart, and as if on cue, a whisky breeze grazed through her lime green hair, and the sun seemed to shine just a little brighter for half a second.

Was that a thing with her calming aura?

Ochako felt her auburn eyes sting as the team screamed and shrieked their approval, not caring if they were making a scene walking on the sidewalk with pedestrians giving them a few second-glances. The warmth grew in the pit of her stomach, the sense of comfort and home winding its way in her emotions hoping that maybe an offer would swing her way.

"So, if you watch men's basketball too, does that mean you know all the guys on the team?" Yui Kodai quietly gasped, brushing her black locks away from her eyes.

"Um... yes?"

"Oh my god, oh my god!"

"I'm deceased."

Mina cut off all squeals with a frantic wave of her arms. "I just want to know who you think's hot."

This conversation was taking a tremendous leap as their screams now echoed in the air, but it's not like Ochako's never discussed this before, it's not new, she's watched highlights of the team too many times to count and definitely followed a few on social media.

Who wouldn't keep up with the best collegiate team?

"Midoriya's dating Todoroki, so they're off the market."

"Just to let you know, Kirishima's taken by Mina-"

"Well duh, he's my man," Mina rolled her eyes as if that wasn't anything to hide. "Remember, Awase has a thing with Momo and Kendou's been dating Tetsutetsu for two years now."

Another round of laughter rumbled from each one of them, Yaoyorozu's face quickly flaring to a scarlet color and hands flicking up to palm her cheeks while Kendou absentmindedly didn't seem to care.

"I promise I'm not trying to start anything, but your boyfriends are all attractive. I'm just giving a compliment, I won't come for any of your mans." Ochako spoke with a clear tone, a few light giggles coming up from the team.

"I hope you don't say Kaminari, he's a real pain in the fucking ass and won't ever shut up," The plum-haired one snarked from the side, known as Kyoka Jirou, a cocky grin smacked onto her confident face. "He's practically like watching over a toddler."

All fiery eyes finally on her, curiosity thickening the air as Ochako tapped a finger against her lip in a slumbering thought. The suspense was just waiting for the critical moment, humming lowly in her final decision making. There were some damn attractive young men on U.A's team, but with every opinion there's always a favorite, and damn right was there one that was a top choice.

"Katsuki Bakugou, the blonde one? As far as I know he acts like a jerk, but he's hot."

Ochako now truly believed her ears were bleeding from the inside and had an actual fear of going deaf from the whole women's basketball team breaking out in a uncivilized, shrieking frenzy, wondering if she should've just clamped her lips sealed from her damned thoughts.