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Main Characters
The Reader — Aria
The Protagonist of the story and the Love Interest of Midoriya. Her hero name is Aria.
Her Quirk is called "Siren", which can activate when Aria is singing, dancing, or merely looking at others in the eyes. Siren allows Aria to entrance others.
- Action Girl: The reader doesn't get to see it all the time, but it's apparent that Aria is a fairly capable fighter.
- And I Must Scream: Suffers from this every time the stalker gets ahold of her. It's as horrible as it seems.
- Anger Born of Worry: Aria experiences this after hearing about Midoriya being caught up in a fight with Stain in Chapter 12, though she denies being worried.
- Anti-Hero: To a T, considering how antagonistic she is to all people everywhere.
- Attention Whore: Subverted. Many envious classmates believed Aria to be this, but she's anything but.
- Badass Adorable: Assumed to be this, considering how well she fights and how many people are crushing on her.
- Badass Bookworm: She ranked 6th in the midterms and is a fairly good fighter.
- Badass in Distress: Becomes this when the stranger kidnaps her through the help of his Quirk.
- Berserk Button: Most situations dealing with her mother definitely get Aria riled up.
- Betty and Veronica:
- Hiro played the Archie to Miki's Betty and Aria's Veronica.
- Aria plays the Archie to Midoriya's Betty and Todoroki's Veronica.
- Midoriya is the Archie to Uraraka's Betty and Aria's Veronica.
- Birds of a Feather: The reader and Todoroki share this trope. Both are cold, aloof, and hate their parents. It's what draws them together.
- Break the Cutie: Aria suffered through this before going to U.A., from both her neglectful mother and the bullying brought by her peers. Befriending Midoriya, Uraraka, Todoroki, and others helped Heal the Cutie before the stranger pays Aria a visit and breaks her all over again.
- Break-Up/Make-Up Scenario: A platonic version of this trope occurs between the reader and Todoroki. In Chapter 10 Todoroki becomes upset with the reader after her power falters during their fight in the sports festival. It takes Todoroki's attempts at reconciliation and Uraraka's meddling in order for them to be friends again in Chapter 12.
- Broken Pedestal: The relationship between her and her mother wasn't always strained. The two remained close until Parental Neglect pulled them apart.
- Dark and Troubled Past:
- Her mother has been shown to be neglectful of them, causing Aria to distrust them even in present day.
- Aria was bullied and betrayed by her friends in the past. As a result, she no longer trusts anyone.
- Defrosting Ice Queen: Slowly but surely, Class 1-A break down Aria's defenses and teach her how to trust again.
- Despair Event Horizon: Experiences this once she remembers being kidnapped and molested.
- Disappeared Dad: Aria's mother says the father is busy with work, and that's why he hasn't been around for her life for at least a decade. However, Aria notes this is a lie and he's either dead or doesn't care.
- Driven to Suicide: Unfortunately played straight in Chapter 14. Aria remembers being sexually assaulted and kidnapped and she attempts to kill herself at Dagobah Beach.
- Dude Magnet: Definitely one. So far, her kill count includes Midoriya, Kirishima, Kaminari, Mineta, and Kouta. There's also Hiro from her childhood, numerous other background characters, and worst of all, the stalker, a man who's definitely beyond Aria's age.
- Easy Amnesia: Near the end of Where the Light Hides, the stranger erases Aria's memory of U.A. and Midoriya. This trope is more justified than other examples as it was because of the stranger's Quirk.
- Emotion Suppression: Somewhat subverted. After falling out with her former friends, Aria maintains a frigid layer of apathy and indifference. It doesn't last very long.
- Et Tu, Brute?: In Chapter 1, Aria overhears her three friends gossiping about her behind her back. The betrayal coupled with what happened with Miki instills trust issues that Aria's future friends now deal with.
- Everyone Can See It: At least a good chunk of Class 1-A notices the growing romance between Todoroki and Aria.
- Eyes Always Averted: Thanks to internalized self-doubt as a result of her trauma, Aria initially loses some control of her Quirk, namely enthralling through eye contact. As the story progresses, she gradually gains more confidence and meets people's eyes head on.
- Friendless Background: At some point she had friends, but they're gone because of bullying and the ensuing cynicism that comes along with it.
- Hates Being Touched: At the very least, she definitely hates being touched by her mother and also dislikes interactions with others in general.
- Heal the Cutie: Aria undergoes a downplayed version because her new friends intervene on her bad behavior and life choices. However, she is broken again when she meets the stranger. It gets even worse with his second visit, which erases a small part of her memory.
- Hello, [Insert Name Here]: The reader's name is written as "(Surname) (Name)".
- He's Not My Boyfriend: Repeatedly, Aria must tell her classmates that she's not dating Todoroki. Nobody's convinced.
- Idle Rich: Somewhat subverted. While Aria works hard and deserves her place at UA, she struggles with household tasks like washing dishes because servants usually did this for her.
- Insecure Love Interest: To Midoriya.
- One notable example shows up in Chapter 10, following Todoroki's angry outburst towards Aria, as a result of her unintentionally holding back during their fight in the festival. Aria is left crying after being criticized by Todoroki and Midoriya finds her shortly afterwards and attempts to cheer her up.
Reader: Midoriya... I... I'm a coward...
Midoriya: No... no... you're not. You're one of the bravest people I know.
Reader: No, you can't just—I... you're wrong about me. I'm so damn weak and I—I lied to you... I lied to everyone... I thought I could be stronger, but I'm not and I just... I ran because I was scared. - Interrupted Suicide: See Driven to Suicide above.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Although Aria is a good person at heart, her severe emotional and trust issues incite unnecessary hostility from her.
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: A version of this comes into play when the stranger erases her memory of her time at U.A.
- Like Father, Like Son: Aria's mother wants Aria to be a idol type hero to the point of designing her initial hero costume and forces Aria to only practice vocals and dance to her own music from her idol past.
- Lonely Rich Kid: Aria's house is filled with vast halls of housemaids and yet their presence doesn't make up for all the bullying Aria received.
- Love Confession:
- On the receiving end of several. Once Miki, Ami, Risa, and Michiru all betray her, Aria grows cold to her confessors and bluntly rejects them, no longer trying to be nice.
Reader: I've heard this song and dance before. You're not the first dipshit to pull this stupid stunt and you won't be the last.- Chapter 12 has Aria receive a confession from Midoriya, who she rejects more gently than the others considering how he's genuinely nice. It's doubly unfortunate as Aria holds feelings for Midoriya, though she doesn't recognize them until Chapter 14 when her therapist points it out to her.
- Love Epiphany: Aria's therapist helps her realize she's crushing on Midoriya.
- Love Interest: To Midoriya.
- Love Triangle:
- Miki likes Hiro who likes the reader, who doesn't crush on anyone.
- Uraraka likes Midoriya, who has a crush on Aria, who doesn't realize she's in love with Midoriya.
- Misunderstood Loner with a Heart of Gold: Although she's terribly cold to others (often unnecessarily so), Aria has good morals and sometimes makes attempts at kindness.
- Never Be Hurt Again: Aria remains hostile to stranger and acquaintances so she can hurt others before anyone hurts her ever again.
- Oblivious to Love: Doesn't realize her own feelings towards Midoriya. That is, until her therapist intervenes and spells it out for her.
- Official Couple: As of Chapter 15, Aria and Midoriya start dating.
- The Protagonist: The author intends for this character to be the reader self-insert of the story.
- Red String of Fate: Played with. Aria's quirk creates a similar effect when entrancing opponents and even bystanders unintentionally.
- Relationship Reset Button: Near the end of Where the Light Hides, Aria's newfound memory loss resets her relationship with Midoriya.
- "Shut Up" Kiss: Aria receives this kiss in the end of Chapter 15, from Midoriya.
- Skewed Priorities: Aria gets hit with this in Chapter 13. The reader spends worrying over Midoriya's Love Confession, which is pointed out as odd considering she just got kidnapped and has no memory of the last four days.
- Sleep Cute: On the ride to USJ, Aria has a Sleep Cute moment with Todoroki, which other students tease them about.
- So Beautiful, It's a Curse: Her body matured earlier than others in middle school and leads to much jealousy from other students. So much that her friends before high school end up betraying her.
- Socially Awkward Hero: To her annoyance.
- There's a good example of this in the middle of Chapter 3. Aria struggles to avoid an awkward silence in a conversation with Todoroki, so she blurts out the first thing that comes to mind.
Reader: I, uh,... I like your hair.
Todoroki: My hair.
Reader: Y-yeah. It kinda looks like candy cane hair, y'know?
Todoroki: (mouthing) Candy cane... - Trauma Button: Mina brushes Aria's hair, which triggers memories of her kidnapping.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: In Chapter 1, after overhearing her friends gossip about how useful she is, the reader suspects her friends will dump her the moment they realize she isn't useful to them anymore.
Izuku Midoriya
Aria's main Love Interest.
- All-Loving Hero: Doesn't seem to have a bad bone in his body.
- Betty and Veronica:
- Aria plays the Archie to Midoriya's Betty and Todoroki's Veronica.
- Midoriya is the Archie to Uraraka's Betty and Aria's Veronica.
- Big Damn Heroes: Saves Aria in Chapter 14 from committing suicide.
- Big Damn Kiss: Between Aria and Midoriya in Chapter 15.
- Can't Tie His Tie: He's hopeless, but Aria doesn't seem to mind fixing it for him sometimes.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Whenever Todoroki or Shinsou are around Aria, Midoriya starts acting noticeably jealous.
- Insecure Love Interest: As noted above, Midoriya is the main Love Interest for Aria.
- Interrupted Suicide: Played straight in one particular chapter, that being Chapter 14. Midoriya saves the reader from falling to her death.
- Love Triangle: Uraraka likes Midoriya, who has a crush on Aria, who doesn't realize she's in love with Midoriya.
- Nice Guy: Endlessly compassionate and forgiving towards Aria and everyone else as well.
- Prone to Tears: Midoriya's lack of nerves is apparent to everyone around him.
- "Shut Up" Kiss: Midoriya gives one at the end of Chapter 15, to Aria.
- Socially Awkward Hero: Something he has in common with Aria.
- Unresolved Sexual Tension: Has plenty with Aria.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Delivers a succinct one to Aria when the latter is crying during Chapter 10, having been criticized by Todoroki for holding back in their fight.Reader: Midoriya... I... I'm a coward...
Midoriya: No... no... you're not. You're one of the bravest people I know.
Shouto Todoroki
One of Aria's first friends made at U.A.
- Berserk Button: As in canon, matters dealing with his father can really piss him off.
- Betty and Veronica: Aria plays the Archie to Midoriya's Betty and Todoroki's Veronica.
- Birds of a Feather: The reader and Todoroki share this trope. Both are cold, aloof, and hate their parents. It's what draws them together.
- Break-Up/Make-Up Scenario: This trope occurs between the reader and Todoroki. In Chapter 10 Todoroki becomes upset with the reader after her power falters during their fight in the sports festival. It takes Todoroki's attempts at reconciliation and Uraraka's meddling in order for them to be friends again in Chapter 12.
- Brutal Honesty: Can come across as this. It's part of his lack of social skills.
- The Comically Serious: Todoroki takes things too seriously, to the point where things sometimes look silly and foolish. It's part of his charm.
- Dark and Troubled Past: His father Endeavor uses him as a mere tool in a rivalry and his mother burned Todoroki with boiling water when he was young.
- Death Glare: In Chapter 5, Todoroki delivers one to Shinsou after the latter mentions Endeavor.
- Defrosting Ice King: Aria and Todoroki grow closer during their time at U.A. It's most notable after Aria is kidnapped and Todoroki becomes more protective of her, supporting Aria when she's having trouble. Normally Aria dislikes having excessive attention, but it actually helps.
- Everyone Can See It: At least a good chunk of Class 1-A notices the growing romance between Todoroki and Aria.
- Friendless Background: It's because of his abusive and controlling father, mostly. He even admits in Chapter 5 that he's "never had a friend before".
- Green-Eyed Monster: Becomes like this whenever Midoriya or Shinsou are around Aria.
- He's Not My Boyfriend: Repeatedly, Aria must tell her classmates that she's not dating Todoroki. Nobody's convinced.
- Hidden Heart of Gold: Not too hidden, but he does care about his friends a lot, especially once Aria gets kidnapped by her stalker. He generally tries to look out for her.
- Only Friend: Before Aria and Todoroki make more friends, they serve as this to one other.
- Socially Awkward Hero: Slightly more so than in canon.
- Sleep Cute: On the ride to USJ, Aria has a Sleep Cute moment with Todoroki, which other students tease them about.
- The Stoic: As in canon, Todoroki is almost unflappable.
Supporting Characters
Ochaco Uraraka
- All-Loving Hero: Just like in canon.
- Betty and Veronica: Midoriya is the Archie to Uraraka's Betty and Aria's Veronica.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Uraraka's crush on Midoriya is carried over from the canonical manga. Unfortunately for her, Midoriya is clearly enamored with the reader.
- Identical Stranger: Aria notes the similarities between Uraraka and Miki.
- Love Triangle: Uraraka likes Midoriya, who has a crush on Aria, who doesn't realize she's in love with Midoriya.
- Nice Girl: As in canon, Uraraka is friendly to almost everyone by default.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- In Chapter 11, Uraraka calls Aria out on always being antagonistic towards her. The chapter ends with the two finally becoming friends, once Uraraka finally pushes through Aria's defenses.
- In Chapter 12, Uraraka notices how Aria must miss Todoroki and spells it out for them. Additionally, Uraraka tells Aria to forgive Todoroki and that he won't act like her friends from the past, considering how he's not like them at all.
Hitoshi Shinsou
- Anime Hair: Shinsou's hair flows upwards and sticks out at odd ends.
- The Gadfly: Constantly enjoys teasing Aria and others.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Refuses to be pushed around whenever Aria is in a bad mood.
Miki Harada
Aria and Miki first met several years ago after the former left her school due to excessive bullying. Miki bears a stunning resemblance to Uraraka.- Betty and Veronica: Hiro played the Archie to Miki's Betty and Aria's Veronica.
- Beware the Nice Ones: Described as sweet and cheerful and this same girl betrayed the protagonist.
- Cheerful Child: Described as this years ago.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Especially so after her crush, Hiro, confesses to her best friend, the reader.
- Hidden Disdain Reveal: Miki implies she felt this towards Aria.
- Identical Stranger: Aria notes the similarities between Uraraka and Miki.
- Love Triangle: Miki likes Hiro who likes the reader, who doesn't crush on anyone.
- Nice Girl: First appears as this until envy towards the protagonist overcomes kindness.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Miki blows up at Aria, suddenly yelling after years of smiling.
- Rage Breaking Point: Aria is convinced Miki held in her true feelings for years on end.
- Single Girl Seeks Most Popular Guy: See Smitten Teenage Girl below.
- Smitten Teenage Girl: Fell for "Hiro-kun" in middle school and confessed her feelings for him, convinced he felt the same.
- Stepford Smiler: Downplayed example. Miki's jealousy of Aria is expressed in strained smiles until she hears about Hiro's confession.
Hiro
- Betty and Veronica: Hiro played the Archie to Miki's Betty and Aria's Veronica.
- Crush Blush: Has one when confessing his love.
- Innocently Insensitive: This trope is implied, at least. He probably couldn't have known that his confession to Aria would horribly fracture her friendship with Miki.
- Longing Look: Often stared at Aria, who sat next to Miki. As a result, Miki believed Hiro stared at her.
- Love Confession: Delivers one to the reader in middle school. She rejects him.
- Love Triangle: Miki likes Hiro who likes the reader, who doesn't crush on anyone.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Downplayed example. His confession to Aria breaks her friendship with Miki and sours future ones as well.
- You're Not My Type: Hiro explains how Miki isn't his.
Ami, Risa, and Michiru
Three girls who served as Aria's friends once Miki broke off their friendship.- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: All three of them.
- Upon seeing the love letters in Aria's locker, Risa throws them out before Aria can read them, considering the confessors "cowards" as they can't say their feelings to her face.
- Risa and Michiru suspect that Aria uses her Quirk on others, but Ami doesn't care so long as it isn't her. Nevermind the fact that Aria would never do such a thing...
- Turns out the three care more about using Aria than actually being friends with her.
- Boyish Short Hair: Averted. Ami has a "side-swept pixie cut" but seems feminine.
- False Friend: The three enjoy hanging out with Aria because she's rich and her mother is a celebrity.
- Girl Posse: They're fairly sociable and cruel.
- Girly Girl: Ami's introduction shows her complimenting Aria's hair and asking about her conditioner.
- Gossipy Hens: Aria notes that their conversations consist of mostly gossip.
- Karaoke Box: During their first outing together, the group invites Aria to karaoke.
- Sitting on the Roof: The girl's group also invites Aria out to sit on the roof. It's also the location where Aria overhears them gossiping about her.
The Reader's Mother — Astra
- Abusive Parents: The neglectful type to Aria.
- Buxom Beauty Standard: At some point, Astra wears a skimpy dress which shows off her chest, impressing a random guy friend she brought home.
- Drama Queen
- Innocently Insensitive:
- Chapter 5 shows Aria mentioning how she spent a few nights without sleep to make her hero costume, only for it to be replaced by something Astra made that is quite garish.
- Astra's untimely arrival at the Sports Festival costs Aria the match, causing her to falter in her battle against Todoroki.
- Chapter 15 shows Astra coming home cheerful, unaware that her daughter was recently kidnapped. Aria, Yukimura, and Saitou are all annoyed that Astra can't read the room. Apparently the school didn't alert Astra of what happened to her daughter.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Her replacement costume for Aria does makes sense, as standing out would definitely help Aria's game. Aria privately admits that Astra has a point.Astra: I only did it to help you. Your hero costume is supposed to enhance your Quirk, not hide it... Your Quirk isn't supposed to blend into the background, sweetie. The costume you designed made me think you didn't want anyone looking at you, but you know as well as I do that that's impossible. The very nature of your Quirk demands attention, so I worked with that angle instead.
* Jerk with a Heart of Gold: A different version from her daughter, at least. While Astra may seem insensitive and neglectful, she at least does care for her daughter. Not that it excuses her actions, of course. - Lady Drunk: Sorta. She definitely has the class and alcohol to go along with the trope.
- Parental Neglect: It's what broke her relationship with Aria.
- Stage Mom
Yukimura
- Awesome, but Impractical: In Chapter 15, Yukimura suggests adding big wings to the Aria's costume, but Aria and Saitou reject the idea.
Saitou
Ren
Aria's therapist, introduced in Chapter 14.- The Empath: Her Quirk allows her to sense emotions.
- Nice Girl: Required by her job.
SPOILER CHARACTER
The Stalker
His true name is Kazunari Kazuki.- And I Must Scream: When he captures hold of someone, this is what his victims must feel.
- Asshole Victim: Nobody was upset when the stalker turned up dead after All For One dealt with him. Note that he was only identifiable by his dental records.
- Bad Powers, Bad People: His Quirk involve taking control of a single person and then reading their mind and basically preventing them from getting away from him. He sets them in a temporary state of And I Must Scream.
- Hate Sink: He's completely evil with no redeeming qualities seen and is just here to cause conflict.
- Hopeless Suitor: Is clearly one for the protagonist, Aria, seeing as how he's too old for her.
- Self-Proclaimed Love Interest: Aria gets kidnapped by a stalker in the end of Chapter 12 and the stalker professes his love for her.
- Stalker with a Crush: Quite literally in Chapter 13. Aria is kidnapped and drugged for most of the chapter until she is rescued by Hawks.
- Walking Spoiler: It's hard to talk about the character because most of his scenes take place during Aria's kidnapping.
