Ochako's cousin was sweet enough to allow to borrow her bedroom while they head to a relative's funeral. The bereaved she was quite unsure. Maybe a great aunt, a cousin, or something. Be as it may, the brunette had to concoct a story on her reason on not attending the funeral. It didn't take much. After quick thinking, she knew her outgoing cousin kept a bottle of whiskey under the bed. A sip and a facemask was all she needed to alert her parents that she wasn't feeling too well.

They have given her a bowl of chicken soup and a cup of honey lemon tea to lessen the sickness. She did a great job selling her ailment to the already concerned parents. She told them to not let her stop them from attending. The relative will be in her prayers.

They informed her that they will check on her throughout the day before returning the following evening. Upon hearing them enter the family car and headed to the funeral, she jumped out of bed and prepared for Operation Green Giant.

"Your Supreme jeans are still kind of dingy." That was the last thing Ochako needed to hear as she stood at the mirror for the past twenty minutes. These were the jeans that she was supposed to wear to the outing but her mother forgot to do laundry. She took it with her in case her relatives had a washing machine. Alas, they were an economical-handwashing-kind-of-family. She sighed heavily as she turned to the source of that comment.

"Thanks for the emotional support, Yaoyorozu." Ochako couldn't do this alone. It was the encouragement of Momo in the first place for her to make the text to Izuku. If she would have spoken, the sounds of wheezing and panting would have replaced any words. Even as she texted, she fumbled with her fingers. Thank goodness of autocorrect, she thought to herself as she returned to the suitcase to find another outfit.

"If you want, there is a shopping center close by. We can get new clothes. My treat." It wasn't surprising about the kindhearted, helpful vice-president she delightfully called friend. Momo would give up her last to help a fellow person in need. Quite atypical for a girl that comes from wealth. Still, she was grateful that her parents allowed Momo to come and stay with her for a few days while her mother was out of the country on business. Prior to this plan of going out with Izuku, the girls spend time in between classes formulating a plan to make this work.

'Do you think Izuku would say yes?'

'Of course, girlfriend. No way he would say no to you.'

'How do you think Shouto might go?'

'Like this. Izuku is adorably shy. No way he will do this alone. If he goes, he will bring Shouto.'

'Positive?'

'Not certain until you make the call.'

'Why do I have to make the call.'

'Because this is your date. Look at me as a consultant.'

'Another way of saying, I am too shy of my own feelings so let me do it for you and you hope that nature takes its course.'

'Yeah, so?'

'You're unbelievable, Yaoyorozu. You know that?'

'Love you, too, Uraraka. So commence the plan.'

"This should be a simple date, I mean hangout," said Ochako as she searched into the bottomless pit she called a suitcase. She swore that she saw clothes she wore back when she was in elementary school. "Plus, the weatherman said that it will be humid all day."

Momo was flipping through the Rolling Stone magazine that belonged to Ochako's cousin. She was fathomed of the fact that the Seattle grunge of the 90's spread continued its trek into today's Japan. "Let's keep it simple then since this is a hangout." She stared blankly at Ochako. "This is a hangout, right?"

"What do you want it to be," questioned Ochako as she decided to try on a jean skort. "What is the intention to do with the boys?"

Honestly, Momo didn't think that far. Of course, she can calculate the budget of an upcoming exam or create a team for a school festival. It was a front, a wall if one may to play it cool as she honestly didn't know what to do with Shouto. They have exchanged words, ate lunch together, and spend time together with friends. Although what they were about to do was a group thing, but what would happen if they were alone? She covered her mouth to keep herself from yelping. "Hey, some leggings and a those cute sneakers you got should look great on you." A subject change. Brilliant!

"Wow! You think so?"

"Well, I am no fashionista like Ashido but it's simple." She crossed her legs, giving Ochako a seal of approval. "It isn't like we are trying to give the boys a show or something, right?" She stared at Ochako nervously. "Right?"

"Right," she replied quickly. "I have yet gone first base with anyone before."

"Me either," she replied. "And besides, why should we rush the process anyway. We are still kids."

"Glad we can agree on that, girlfriend," said Ochako.

"Thankfully," replied Momo as she took Ochako's Supreme jeans. "Let me borrow those."

"I thought you said that they looked dingy," interjected Ochako.

Momo gave Ochako a friendly smile as she gave herself room to the mirror. "Let's say that your cousin inspired me to go grunge for a little bit." She picked up the phone. "Gonna give Kyoka a call. I wanna see if she can give me tips on trying this look. This might be suitable for Shouto."

Meanwhile….

It was a quarter after one in the afternoon when Izuku heard a knock at his door. Uncertain if it was Ochako he ran into the bathroom to double check his teeth. He had spent fifteen minutes alone on his mouth, flossing until he saw red in the lining, brushing and rinsing followed by double brushing. As he reached for his father's mouthwash and poured it into his mouth. Upon contact, his mouth and nose gave him a fiery, tingling feeling. He shouted loudly as he spat out the blue liquid. "Ouch! It's worst than his aftershave." He glared at the Aqua Velva. "And you call yourself soothing. The nerve." The knock on the door grew louder. "Coming," he shouted. He made a final check in the mirror. He gave himself a thumbs up before running to the door.

He opened it, expecting to see Ochako and her guest at the door. He blurted, "Welcome to my humble abode, ladies." He extended his hand and bowed. At least he thought he would have heard girlish laughter or a response. Instead, he heard a slow clap.

"Bravo, Deku, bravo!" The white-redheaded friend slowly clapped his hands in delight as he stood at the door. "Boy, if Eijiro or Katsuki were here to see this." He shook his head in laughter. "Thank God you have me as your boy."

The nervous Izuku furrowed his eyebrows. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Step inside, your highness." Shouto took off his shoes upon entering, smelling a hint of fresh pinecones and cinnamon sticks. He whisted. "You weren't lying when you said you went out. Make me want to see the trash can now." He stopped when seeing Izuku's clothing.

"Can I ask a serious question? Man to man," asked Shouto seriously as he closed the door to Izuku's home. He sighed gently, thinking how to lay this without insulting his friend. He is a hour and a half away from certain shock with Ochako and he plans to see her wearing something he saw Hiro Hamada wearing in Big Hero 6? "I admire you laid back style, Izuku but Hiro wasn't searching for any girls in the movie."

"What's wrong with my attire," questioned Izuku defensively.

"Izuku, you know you are my friend, my amigo, my homie." He tried to smile. "Unless you want to get laughed at, I suggest you change the shirt. You're sixteen. We are not Sheldon or Leonard. They get paid for sporting gear like that."

"C'mon, dude. I've just iron this," moaned Izuku.

"Remember. This is Ochako! Ochako remember?"

Izuku sighed. "Right, right. This is a date, I mean hangout." He turned to Shouto. "This is a hangout, right?"

"We can be go plan to see Jesus but clothes make the man," said Shouto. "And if want to get some charm and maybe a kiss, then change the attire." He patted Izuku's back. "Let's see what you got in your bedroom."

Fifteen minutes later….

Shouto's older brother has taught him a thing or two about dressing stylish when it comes to impressing women. From time to time, his older brother and Shouto used to hang at the arcade where he gave him a trick or a trade on how to gather women.

'If a wears a jacket and you are at a restaurant, take it from her,' said Natsuo as they were sitting at a booth. 'Always keep eye contact. Show trust.'

'What if you are shy,' asked Shouto.

'Then look at her nose. It helps,' replied Natsuo.

'Your style of dress shouldn't be childish but not too grown either. You don't want to scare her.'

'How should it work?'

'Khaki pants, polo shirt. If blue jeans, tuck your shirt in,' said Natsuo. He snapped his fingers. 'Hold the doors for them and find one thing to compliment.'

'Anything else?'

'Oh, just be yourself. If that fails, act stupid. You do a good job at that.'

'Whatever, doofus!'

Izuku observed himself in the mirror as he checked out his new attire. He was sporting khaki slacks and a white polo shirt. Shouto allowed him to wear his Chuck Taylors. Shouto was sporting the same look but was wearing a blue polo shirt with boots. Shouto nodded approvingly. "Now, this is how a player supposed to dress," he said with his blaccent.

"This feels off. Like it isn't me," replied Izuku nervously.

"Trust me. By the end of the night and when you get that kiss, you will thanking me later," said Shouto as he was checking himself in the mirror. "Shouto Todoroki knows the tricks and trades of looking good." Honestly, within Shouto was nervous but he wasn't going to alert Izuku. Only God knows what kind of girl Ochako was bringing. He felt guilty, especially if he was still figuring out his feelings with Momo.

The phone rang as Izuku went to the desk and saw that it was Ochako. He picked it up. Shouto watched his friend begin to turn into a poor, mumbling fool. Grateful, Shouto gave him hand gestures to keep him on track.

"Yeah, I am ready. You are not that far? Good?"

"Yeah, I am not alone. Yeah, I got a friend. It's Shouto. Who's yours?"

"Really? No, I won't say anything until y'all get here."

"I got a few ideas on where we should go. I think we need to eat first."

"Okay. Yeah, you too."

Izuku strained his collar as he was sweating bullets. "God, is it hot in here or what?" Shouto gave him a look.

"Relax! I am here. I got your back. Look at me as the wingman," replied Shouto as he tried to keep his cool.

"I am cool. Great. Terrific!" Izuku said as he was straining his voice. "Listen, I think I should go and…." Shouto knew that he was going to make a break for it. He immediately reached out his arm to grab Izuku.

"No, I can't do this," said Izuku as he struggled to get Shouto off of him.

"Yes, you can," said Shouto as he was straining. "I didn't make this trip and missing my mom for nothing. We are going."

"No, we're not."

"Yes, we are."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes!" Shouto's frustration caused him to release his quirk. A block of ice hit Izuku's eye. "Ouch," cried Izuku as he was dropped to the floor. Izuku covered his eye as he was fighting the pain. "Dude, I am so, so sorry," replied Shouto worriedly.

"What the hell, you baka," cried Izuku.

"Let me see. Let me see," said Shouto. He hoped to use his power gently in hopes of easing the swelling. "I don't think it's that bad. Just a little irritation."

Izuku's eye was turning purple.

"Oh, crap," exclaimed Shouto.

An hour later….

"Dude, I am so sorry about your shiner," said Shouto.

"Of all days Shouto with your reflexes," shouted Izuku.

"I said I was sorry," replied Shouto. "Thank God your mother wears make-up."

"Do you think they will notice," asked Izuku.

"I doubt it. I watched my mom and Fuyumi do it. It shouldn't be that bad."

"You better hope for your sake that they don't," said Izuku.

They both heard a knock at the door.

"Izuku, it's us," said the voice.

To be continued….