Reviews with Alumni and Loki:
Hofund ~ Maybe a little less depressing *laughs* or not...real life Christmas was pretty awesome! Thanks for thinking of us!
Supreme Kai of Booty ~ Sounds like a crazy Christmas! Happy New Year to you as well!
gold crown dragon ~ Not so very romantic this one, butttt...we will be getting a bit more so these next two chapters.
61394 ~ Happy Holidays and New Year!
LifeisBeautiful17 ~ Thanks! Aww...It's good to be back!
Chester A Bum ~ Glad you liked it! Once you were a cute little boi, then you grew into your role of Chester A Bum! Update! Happy New Year!
2020 ~ HAPPY NEW YEARS! ~ 2020
"How did it feel walking out to find chaos outside from the attack?" Doctor Mura asked. "Knowing your classmates were in trouble and Villains were on school property."
Yukiko Ikeda shifted stiffly in her chair. She didn't know what she felt really. That night had been so confusing. Hard to believe it had been just three weeks. A big gap in the school year.
"Just weird. We weren't near any of the danger. So...I don't have many feelings on the matter. It just seemed strange."
"Is that all, Miss Ikeda?" Doctor Mura watched her.
"Yeah," Yukiko said.
Strange. Just like having to attend mandatory appointments with the school psychiatrist. Then again, nothing that night had felt right. So perhaps it was strange. They had gotten most of their information from the television. Police had found them outside and strongly encouraged them to return to the dorms. They hadn't disobeyed. Her mind wandered briefly to Anamiya before returning to her session. Only fifteen minutes left.
"You were there that night. Is it correct that you can't remember anything from the attack apart from the initial screaming?"
"That's right," Genjiro Katou nodded. "We heard some screaming then went outside to see what was going on. That's when I guess whatever insanity hit us."
He fidgeted, legs bouncing nervously. Was it a bad thing he didn't remember anything about the attack? They were heroes in training and couldn't provide any useful information. He felt a bit dumb.
"How does not remembering anything affect you?" Doctor Mura asked.
"It makes me feel...kinda useless," Genjiro admitted. "I heard there were a few students that weren't affected and actually fought off the villains. I feel like I could have done more, but then...there were high ranking Pro Heroes out there that got knocked out just as bad as I did. I wish there was a solution. But I don't know if getting stronger is the right one."
"An insightful observation." Doctor Mura nodded. "Why isn't getting stronger better?"
"Well, not stronger as in better but as in strengthening my quirk. Sure that's good but I need to be smarter too. I don't know how but surely there were ways to prevent what happened that night."
"Can you remember anything striking? Something you might not be able to forget for a long time?
"Probably just the fact I can't remember anything," Kaede Kōmori sighed.
Her dad had coached her on therapist sessions. There wasn't anything to be afraid or nervous about. Just tell the doctor the first thing that came to mind. Tell the doctor things you might not tell other people. Even those closest to you. Kaede had nothing to hide though.
"How does this affect you, returning to classes?" Doctor Mura looked up.
"It probably makes me more determined to improve." Kaede replied after a moment's thought. "I was completely helpless and even though she got taken out the Sidekick Earphone Jack was able to take out the speakers that connected the sound system to the entire school. I want to make sure I am prepared, to be able to do something when a Villain attacks."
Yes, she didn't want to be helpless the next time villains decided to attack. Be it now or when she was a Pro hero rescuing people the world's evils. Next time she would be more prepared.
"What was it like, waking up?"
"Wet," Akio Saito muttered after a moment. He wasn't comfortable doing this and would prefer not to. Talking wasn't going to help, at least for him. It never did.
"Wet?" Doctor Mura asked. "Could you elaborate?"
Akio stared at him for a moment. "My Quirk is water based. It was out of control." When he had woken, everything that was even somewhat close had been soaked.
"Ah, wet describing physical feeling," Doctor Mura nodded. "What about emotional feelings? What was it like being taken to the hospital? What did it feel like being a victim of a Villain attack?"
Akio resisted the urge to check the time. He was ready to be done. "I'm the son of two Pro Heros, and the brother of many. I know that things happen, sometimes out of your control, when you're a Hero. I, among many others, were taken out by something we weren't expecting. It is what it is. There's no going back." It was time to move on.
"I see."
"Do you feel any responsibility for what happened that night? Such as do you ask yourself 'what if' questions?"
Eizen Saito stared out the window. He wasn't sure how to answer any of that. He felt responsibility for a lot of things, but not this. Maybe if he had any idea, if there was even a inkling...but he did ask himself those kinds of questions, especially when he had found out Keoko had gotten hurt. That wasn't a thought he wanted to linger on. "Sort of," he murmured. It was the easiest explanation.
"Could you share one of them with me?" Doctor Mura asked.
A moment passed, then two before Eizen remembered how to exhale. "If I had Keoko's back, she wouldn't have gotten injured," he said softly. He should have been there.
"There's no way of knowing that," Doctor Mura said softly. "Her injury was minor and resulted from a fall. Something like that can happen every day. None of what happened was your fault. Does that make sense?"
"Yeah," Eizen said, voice still soft, after several long moments. "But it doesn't make any of this easier." How could it, when Keoko had been in tears from the pain?
"No, it doesn't, but blaming yourself won't help. What you can do is be there for your friend. You couldn't prevent it, but you can support her when she needs it most."
"You fought two of the villains if I remember correctly, is that right?"
"Yes," Rokuro Saito slouched in his chair, annoyance clearly visible.
He had already talked with the doctors at the hospital and with Pro Heroes and Police officers. He was starting to get tired of repeating the same story over and over again. Nothing about that night made sense, to himself or the rest of the world. The police had failed to stomp out the media coverage and the attack had been broadcasted on every station, covered in every blog, and printed on every tabloid. There wasn't a single secret about the attack besides the Villan's motives.
Though he was pretty sure those two girls were in it just for fun. It still bothered him how easily the clearly younger girls were able to take him down so quickly.
"How does this affect your outlook on returning to school?" Doctor Mura asked.
"I'm gonna train like hell to get stronger," Rokuro made a fist. "A bunch of heroes got their assess handed to them by a bunch of measly villains. Next time I want it to be the other way around."
"You recovered quickly because of another student's quirk," Doctor Mura noted. "But what were you feeling during the fight? Are you holding any grudges towards the villains you fought?"
"How has your injury affected your return to school?"
"It really hasn't! I'm actually excited. We have a lot of catch up book work and I have a doctors note for anything physical. Plus now that we are back everyone can sign my cast."
Keoko Shimizu swung her legs back and forth as she looked at the doctor. Her arm was wrapped in a rather hot pink cast, already signed with neat handwriting 'Akio' and 'Eizen' with 'Akari' sprawled over one side with big letters.
Doctor Mura smiled. "Do you remember getting the injury?"
"No, I don't," Keoko sobered. "All I remember is waking up and my arm hurting a lot. I know a bunch of my friends were going to the hospital too and I was really worried for them. Plus the awful attack on U.A. I heard a lot of the Pro Heroes had injuries. It's really sad and I don't like those jerky Villains for causing so much trouble. It was a charity fundraiser!"
"What are your feelings about the villains?"
"I think they are meanies," Keoko made a face. "There wasn't any money to steal. All they wanted to do was pick on my friends and all those nice people. I hope the heroes catch them all and make them realize what they've done."
"I see."
"What affected you most that night?"
Kaori Tsukinose raised an eyebrow, staring at him for a long moment in silence "I wasn't affected," she said flatly. He was acting if she was about to break.
"No thoughts when the attack began or when you woke up?" Doctor Mura asked, tapping his chin thoughtfully with his pen. She was going to be one of the difficult ones.
"I believe my thoughts were "Oh, it seems I was right" and "I broke the heel of my shoe" respectivally," Kaori said evenly, looking around his office. He was organized, perhaps more than she had ever seen someone actually be.
"So you anticipated the attack?" Doctor Mura asked curiously.
"Anyone with half a brain would have," Kaori said with a shrug. Though that might be generous.
"You must admit that the percentage of an attack wasn't very high," Doctor Mura noted. "Were you feelings on the matter the same after seeing the scale of the attack and the aftermath?"
Kaori leaned back in her chair. "Yes. Now are we done? I have an appointment with my mother and I hate to waste time for either one of us."
"Surprising sentiment, Miss Tsukinose," Doctor Mura smiled, knowing exactly what she was doing. "I think we can let out five minutes early this time. Thank you for your time."
Kaori stood, and the smile she gave didn't reach her eyes. It didn't come close. "Of course."
"How did you feel battling the two villains? What were your motives at that moment?"
"That I wanted to help Rokuro Saito," Akari Seishin said with a sigh. She had her knees drawn up to her chest in the chair she was sitting in, her arms wrapped tightly around them. "It was scary, I realize that now that the adrenaline has faded, but I would do it again."
"Spoken like a true hero," Doctor Mura smiled. "I read that you were actually hurt pretty badly, until one of your classmates healed you."
"Oh, yes." Akari smiled a little at that. "Without him, I doubt I would be here." That was a thought that scared her, how close she came to dying, but at the same time, that hadn't changed her desire to be a Hero. If anything, it just made it all the more strong.
"What was going through you mind when you were hurt, before he showed up?" Doctor Mura asked gently.
Akari thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't really remember something exact, other than I was really worried about Rokuro. He was hurt too and I knew if I fell, our odds would be next to none, since I didn't think anyone was around to show up."
"How does that affect you moving forward?"
"What were your thoughts when you found out about the attack happening on the very school grounds you were on?"
Haruto Hanko sighed, trying to sort through his memories. He wasn't really good at sharing feelings things. He remembered being disappointed he hadn't been there to fight the villains maybe being angry about them attacking? Or was that excitement?
"I guess I wanted to fight them," he answered, sinking into the very soft chair.
"Were you upset they had attacked?"
"Yes," Haruto decided.
"If you were in the city and saw one of the villains broadcasted in the news what would you do?"
"I'd fight them," Haruto said assuredly.
"Well, I'm afraid it isn't as simple as that," Doctor Mura smiled. "See you don't have a Hero License yet. Attacking off school grounds and in public means you could get into worse trouble than the Villain. Let me explain it to you…"
"What would you have done different? If you could."
"Actually protected someone instead of being knocked out the entire time," Fuyuki Moto sighed. She knew how therapy sessions worked. "But I can't go back. All I can do is move forward."
Just as she was now, forging herself a path forward now that didn't have to look back at the past anymore. She didn't have to drag around her mother's dead weight and guilt anymore. She was being a hero because she wanted to be one. Not to prove a point or to be a better hero. No, she was going to be the best hero she could be.
"A good outlook," Doctor Mura nodded. "What bothered you most about the aftermath?"
"Just how everything was a wreck," Fuyuki admitted. "No one thinks that a few Villains could take down a room full of heroes."
"Does that mean you've lost trust in heroes?"
"No, it means I'm that much more wary of the Villains." Fuyuki clenched her hands into fists. "Heroes aren't the only smart ones. This isn't some cartoon where the Villains are all stupid. They are smart people, with real dangerous plans and we have to work hard to outsmart them."
"True," Doctor Mura smiled. "I'm sure your teachers would be very happy with your responses. Let's move on…"
"You never got to see what happened except on the news, is that correct? Though you and another student headed out to see what had happened, you were met by the police, yes?"
His leg bouncing, Anamiya Yun nodded, fiddling with his armrest. That summed everything up.
"What were your thoughts that night watching the news report on what went down?" Doctor Mura asked, noting his patient's obvious movements.
"I...well...I was worried for my friends," Anamiya murmured, wondering how he could possibly just shrink up and disappear forever. Maybe the chair would take him. That would be nice. He really didn't like being the center of attention like this.
"Now that your friends are safe, what are your feelings on a Villain attack, literally in your school?" Doctor Mura asked, pushing the boy's cup of tea closer to him.
"Um." Anamiya stared at the cup for a moment, then took it. It gave him something to do with his hands, to focus on. "It's terrifying but what can we expect? We're Heroes..or almost...well, not really, we still have a ways to go...but yeah, we're a school for Heroes and they're villains. These things happen, I guess."
"Not your ordinary school occurrence though," Doctor Mura noted. "But I'm glad you are taking this as a learning moment."
"Yeah." Anamiya's mind drifted to Yukiko, just briefly. "A learning moment." He quickly took a sip of his tea. That was it exactly.
"And the aftermath? How did you feel after waking up and learning what had happened?"
Hikari Raiji thought for a moment. "Logically, while there were many victims, it could have been a lot worse so relieved."
"Do you feel as if you could have helped in any way had you avoided being knocked out?" Doctor Mura tilted his head.
"I was knocked out." Hikari frowned, just slightly. "So it would be pointless to consider other possibilities." She wasn't really sure why he was taking this approach but she thought it was lacking major logic.
"I see," Doctor Mura nodded. "How does the attack affect you now that you are back in school? Are there changes or goals you have made for yourself?"
"I believe while it would be beneficial for me to strengthen my Quirk, so I can be as ready as I can be if something like this happens again," which had a surprisingly low percentage if Hikari calculated the odds right, which she did, "I don't think it's the most important. Kaori Tsukinose believes we could have prevented this from happening and I think she's right. We need to do better."
"Something wise to consider," Doctor Mura nodded. "But don't blame what happened on yourselves. If it was to be prevented, the duty landed on the shoulders of the Pro Heroes, not the students."
"How will you move on from this point? This attack is a turning point in your life, how will it affect you?"
"I guess I'll try to be stronger," Hinata Rakugaki shrugged. "Sounds like the best plan."
"True, but what are your plans on getting stronger?" Doctor Mura inquired.
"I guess going to classes, same as always and making sure I stay up to date with my combat classes," Hinata said.
"Is there anything motivating you to push harder?"
"Yeah, my friends' lives were in danger," Hinata said. "I want to make sure that doesn't happen again but that's kinda stupid cause they want to be heroes too. We are always going to be in danger, that's one of the fun parts of the job."
"So what did you take away from this?"
"Always be prepared?" Hinata shrugged again. "Expect the unexpected? Stuff like that. Besides that just keep working on becoming a hero because that's how you really hurt the Villains, right? Just keep moving on, like nothing happened, don't let them interfere with who we are?"
"Good thoughts, Miss Rakugaki," Doctor Mura smiled.
"What are you going to do now, resuming classes with the knowledge you have now?"
"Well," Sutoi Daitenshi began, then stopped, thinking over the question. "I guess I'll always keep in mind that villains are capable of doing anything, of attacking anywhere, and I need to be prepared as best as I can be." How real everything was now.
"Knowing this, how are you going to prepare yourself?" Doctor Mura queried, writing down a few notes.
Sutoi noticed this and tried not to fidget. What was he writing about? "Pay more attention in class. Learn from my friends, especially the ones who fought. I feel like they probably have some insight."
"Do you feel as if they have an advantage over you and others who didn't fight with the villains?"
"In a way, yeah, I mean they fought real villains." Sutoi shrugged. "But I wouldn't want to trade places with them. We're still learning and they're full fledged villains. That could have gotten so bad, you know?"
"Yes," Doctor Mura nodded. "Thank you for coming in today, Mr. Daitenshi, I believe that is all the time we have for now and I don't want to make you late for class. I'll see you at our next session?"
Sutoi nodded, giving him a quick grin as he stood. "Thanks Doc. I'll see you then." These sessions weren't that bad.
Doctor Mura smiled. He had a feeling these students were going to be great Heroes someday. He turned on his television, flipping to the news. New updates on the Hero Rankings completed for the month.
"This is your host Aimi Watanabe and my co-host Reo Tanaka bringing you the latest news. Recently do to public outcry a new poll has been officially submitted. Scores have changed drastically changed from the poll just last month!"
"Yes, Watanabe, many speculate that the recent Charity Attack played a large role in the voting."
"And we are here, bringing you the first look at the new top ten."
Mura blinked in surprise. That was a drastic change since the last poll. Almost a completely new set of names.
1. Bishamonten
2. Deku
3. Mt. Lady
4. Edgeshot
5. Centipeder
6. Kamui Woods
7. Ryukyu
8. Bubble Girl
9. Dynamite
10. Shouto
"Busy?" Shota Aizawa stepped inside, hands in his pockets.
"Not at all," Doctor Mura looked up, putting his phone down. "I'm glad to see your back at school. Are you here for an appointment?"
Shota glared at him underneath strands of black hair. "No," he said flatly. "But we do have things to discuss."
"I can always hope," Doctor Mura smiled. "Well then. What do you need?"
Shota purposefully ignored that. "I was going to let you know for your records that Hanami Kinoshita, Reine Marseille and Yajima Rushaindo are all going to private doctors. Kinoshita has already been cleared as well."
"Ah, that makes sense," Mura nodded. "What about Liam Crook? I noticed he missed his appointment."
Of course he did. Shota wasn't surprised. "Crook is highly paranoid and doesn't trust easy. I would be surprised if he had come."
"Perhaps all the more reason to come, but I can't make anyone." Mura shrugged. "How are you doing since that night?"
"Fine," Shota said, turning. He wasn't about to get involved in that kind of conversation.
"Have you seen the new hero ratings?" Mura changed the subject quickly.
At that, Shota turned back. "They're interesting, aren't they?"
"Yes," Mura nodded. "The young hero Deku used to be a student of yours? From Seventh to Second. That's quite a jump."
Shota nodded after a moment. "It is, however, he's earned it." He frowned slightly. "Bishamonten is definitely the people's hero."
"He also wasn't involved that night," Doctor Mura noted.
"Shota was silent for a moment, staring at the muted television. "I have a feeling," he said finally. "That we'll be having repercussions from that night for a very long time to come." He shook his head, looking back at Mura. "It was certainly a mess."
"It is the very nature of villains to clash against the heroes. Something like this was bound to happen," Mura noted. "It's just how things are in this world. But in the end we'll prevail," he said with an encouraging nod towards Aizawa.
Shota studied him for a moment, then nodded back. "I suppose so." With those words, he turned again. "I'll see you around."
"Hopefully for your appointment," Mura called helpfully.
Shota rolled his eyes. "Take care of our students!" he called back, closing the door behind him. He shook his head, then went down the hall. He had a long day ahead.
"It's time for you to choose Hero names."
Akari was a bundle of nerves, though she wasn't sure why. She had already picked out her name, had a while ago, but it was all so official now. She took a deep breath, then released it. Finally, something good to focus on; the charity dinner would be best if forgotten entirely.
"Here are boards and chalk," Midnight said, passing around the black boards with pieces of white chalk. "Take some time and we'll look over your first tries when everyone finishes."
"Where's Rin?" Anamiya murmured, turning to Genjiro. He had been expecting their other friend, but it was now five after the class period and so far, Rin hadn't arrived. Surely he was coming.
"I don't know," Genjiro looked around. "Have you seen him in the dorms?"
Anamiya played with his thumbnail for a moment, worried as he stared down at his chalkboard." No," he said softly. "I think he's avoiding us."
"He is," Kaori agreed from where she was sitting on top of the desk beside Genjiro's. They weren't in their usual seatings as some classmates were seeking opinions of others. She had decided to move when Seishin and Shimizu started having a lively conversation about possibilities for the latter.
"You were the one who said he was arrested," Genjiro pointed out. "He could still be…"
Kaori rolled her eyes, tucking her feet beneath her. "The police had no actual evidence to hold him on," she countered. "But he gave them some information anyway. He's freed. He's just being an idiot because he feels bad." Like that made any sense.
"Maybe he'll come back tonight," Genjiro said hopefully. "What do you guys think of Parasite as my name?"
"That's stupid. You sound like you're some sort of villian," Kaori said with a frown. It was a painful choice.
"I like it," Anamiya said quickly and loyally, looking at Genjiro. At least he had a name. He still didn't know.
Genjiro sighed, "That's what everyone keeps saying, but I absorb energy so it was the best I could come up with. This is harder than it looks."
"You should have been thinking about it months ago," Kaori pointed out, glancing briefly at the door before looking back at the two boys.
Anamiya squirmed. She was right. Why hadn't he thought of something already?
"I mean, I've thought about it a lot over the years, but I didn't realize I needed to be so serious about it so soon…" Genjiro made a face.
Kaori rolled her eyes again, reaching up and pulling her hair back into a ponytail. "What are your other choices?"
That was Anamiya's problem. But there was also the fact he never really thought he would make it this far. He sighed, looking at his chalkboard. He didn't know what to put.
"Well there's this name I came up with a few years ago...but its kinda dumb…" Genjiro fidgeted.
"What is it?" Kaori narrowed her eyes. Likely it couldn't be as dumb as the first one which would instantly make it the better choice.
"Well...Red Detonation…" Genjiro looked sheepish. "Cause...of Red Riot."
Kaori stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "Better. Dumb but not as dumb. I don't think you can find something better so use it."
"You think so?" Genjiro asked.
Kaori nodded again, frowning at the door again"I do. Do you know he took that name in honor of someone else?"
"He did!" Genjiro looked up. "I remember that now from one of those interviews!"
Kaori nodded, stretching slightly. "The Crimson Riot. So he understands, I assume, the idea of doing things in honor of your hero." Sentiment, but she supposed it worked for them.
"What is your hero name?" Genjiro asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Hildr," Kaori said, staring at him evenly.
"Huh?" Genjiro looked at her. "What does that mean?"
"Isn't it a Valkyrie?" Anamiya squirmed under her sudden gaze. "The one who revived the dead...on the battlefield?"
"That's not creepy at all," Genjiro noted.
Kaori reached out, hitting him in the arm. "Valkyries make the decision between life and death," she said, not even sure why she was bothering to explain this. "Hildr, while problematic, was the bridge between two opposing forces. Without her, many would be dead, forever, in that conflict."
"Oh, that makes sense," Genjiro said after a moment.
Of course it did. Kaori wouldn't have chosen the name if it wasn't the right fit. She glanced at Anamiya, eyebrow raised. "You haven't figured out yours."
Anamiya instantly squirmed again. He didn't like being the center of attention. "No," he admitted, verbally tripping over the word.
"Do you look up to anyone?" Genjiro asked.
"Deku," Anamiya admitted. He slouched deeper into his seat. Kaori kept staring at him.
"Oh he's number two now, did you hear?" Genjiro said excitedly.
Anamiya nodded quickly. "He deserves it," he said, quite sure of that.
"Hamask," Kaori said, pointing at Anamiya suddenly with as finger. "That's what you should be."
"I don't think he wants to be a bean dip," Genjiro shook his head.
"A bean dip?" Anamiya widened his eyes at that, straightening slightly.
Kaori hit Genjiro again. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." It was, and she had heard plenty of stupid things. "Hamask means to go berserk."
"Oh," Genjiro said. "Well that does describe his quirk."
"Hamask," Anamiya repeated to himself then looked over at Genjiro. "What do you think?"
"I like it, do you?" Genjiro asked.
"I think so," Anamiya decided, writing it down. "What do you think Rin will pick?"
"No clue," Genjiro said. "Maybe something like Doctor…"
"That would also be stupid," Kaori said with a sigh as she looked at her phone.
"Why?" Genjiro sighed.
"Because it would be," Kaori said firmly, not in the mood to explain her reasoning.
"But he heals people," Genjiro pointed out.
As Kaoroi opened her mouth to argue, Anamiya was certain of that, he held up a hand. "Why don't we...you know...have Rin decide?" Where was Rin?
"Good idea," Genjiro replied.
"If he comes," Anamiya murmured. He was very worried. Why wouldn't he be here?
"Alright everyone. Why don't you come to the front of class and share you chosen names with each other?" Midnight called.
Hanami stood, deciding to make the first move since no one else seemed all that interested, or at least they didn't in the five seconds that Hamani took to make her decision after Midnight had finished speaking. She strode to the front, then turned to face her classmates. "I decided on Magnetic." She flexed her gloved fingers in case they didn't understand why she picked the name she did.
"Good choice," Midnight praised her. "Who's next?"
Rokuro stood up, spinning his board so it could be seen. "Effret," he said. The decision had been made a long time ago. "The Righteous Berserker."
Eizen gave his twin a small smile. It was very fitting and always had been; they had picked their names out together when they were younger, before things got...bad...between them.
"Rolls off the tongue," Midnight nodded.
"Mystera," Akari said brightly. She loved her name and was very proud of it.
"Great touch!" Midnight praised.
"Shady," Laim muttered from where he set, dark hair and dark clothes making him exactly that. He was watching his other classmates closely, though he was somewhat more relaxed than he usually was. It was because of Midnight, a Pro; the only ones you could really trust.
"A unique choice," Midnight leaned against her desk with a nod of approval. "Who's next?"
"I...I...er picked Hamask," Anamiya said quietly, shifting in his chair.
"Easy to say, people will love it." Midnight nodded.
Anamiya wasn't sure about that but he didn't like his classmates staring so he sunk deeper into his chair.
"Tundra," Yukiko stated, holding up her board from where she sat. She didn't want to go stand up there and thought she would do this while the teacher was allowing it.
"Perfect," Midnight nodded. "Everyone come up to the front of the room so the rest of the class can see."
Yukiko hid her face behind her board. Perfect timing.
Anamiya was watching her before he caught herself. He flushed, looking away.
Akio's expression was less than impressed. That wasn't appealing to him and judging from Eizen's face, he felt the same way.
Genjiro hopped up, grabbing his board at the last second and taking a moment trying not to drop it. Flushing slightly, he went to the head of the class, showing his board. "Red Detonation," he said proudly.
"Excellent," Midnight nodded. "It has a nice ring to it!"
Nodding her approval at the name, as it really did fit him, Hikari showed off her board as well. "Eleckta."
"The Lightning Hero," Genjiro said, backing into his desk chair. "Good name."
"The…?" Hikari blinked, considering this for a moment as she looked down at her board. It did make a sort of sense, considering both the name she had chosen and her Quirk. "Yes," she said, nodding after a moment as she went back to her desk. "The Lightning Hero indeed. Thank you."
"Yeah," Genjiro grinned at her. "Next time you'll totally kick my butt."
Hikari's lips twitched, but she didn't reply. Perhaps she would.
Sutoi went up as soon as she left, showing his board off to his classmates. He was very pleased with what he had picked. "Archangel." He loved flying so much, now that he could do it, he couldn't help but incorporate that ability into his hero name.
"Suits you," Midnight nodded. "Anyone else?" she glanced at the students still staring blankly at their empty boards.
"Hildr," Kaori said, glancing up from where she had been staring at the door for the last ten minutes. This process was holding no interest for her.
"Interesting," Midnight replied.
Akio slid his board to Keoko. She would have no problem standing in front of everyone, but he would so this worked fine.
Keoko nodded, taking her board and Akio's board. Sometimes he was silly about things. The whole class was their friends.
"Akio is going to be Current and I'm going to be the Manipulator," Keoko waved her arms around.
"Mm, maybe not the best name," Midnight said after a moment.
"Akio's name is perfect!" Keoko protested.
"I mean yours. It's a bit, dark," Midnight noted.
"Really?" Keoko's eyes widened, glancing at Akio.
Akio shrugged. He had tried to convince her but as she could out stubborn near everyone, he had quickly given up.
"Marionettist might be what you're looking for," Eizen said softly. It was close and didn't have the tone of her other pick.
"Marionettist?' Keoko walked over to his desk.
Eizen nodded, looking at her beneath the black strands of his hair.
"Does that work?" Keoko asked, turning towards Midnight.
"Unique and matches you quirk well," Midnight nodded.
Eizen set back in his chair, watching Keoko. Did she like it?
"I like it," Keoko smiled. "Sounds like I'm out of a fairy tale."
Ducking his head, Eizen gave her a brief smile. He had hoped she would be partial to it.
"Psst, Eizen, what is your hero name?' Keoko asked, sitting down.
In response, Eizen showed her his board. Across it, in his looping scrawl was "Fujin, the Silent Swordsman."
"Fujin," Keoko grinned. "That's great."
"Thanks," Eizen said softly, sinking into his seat more.
"Sea King," Haruto rumbled as he stood up.
"Bold, and it suits you as a fish hero," Midnight nodded. "Who's left?" She was surprised they had such good names. Usually there were a few rejects or ones that spent half the day deciding. She liked this class.
"Blindshot," Yajima spoke, with a flip of his hair. "The Eyeless Hero."
"Fitting," Midnight agreed.
"Wait, why the eyeless hero?" Keoko whispered as she kicked at Akio's chair.
"He's…" Akio suddenly remembered their misadventure. Shit. He never wanted to remember that. "He's just dramatic," he murmured back. It was easier that way.
"Oh," Keoko muttered. It made sense.
Hinata jumped up, spinning her chalkboard which had been decorated with elaborate lettering for one piece of white chalk. "Loki, the trickster hero!" she grinned.
"Interesting choice," Midnight noted. She could see it, with the popping out of nowhere so to speak.
"Blue Bat," Kaede finally walked up, having had trouble on what she would like to be called. She had decided on a mix of her favorite comic book hero and real life hero.
"Perfect," Midnight said.
"You first," Reine whispered to Fuyuki. Since she hadn't made a grand entrance, she would make a great exit!
Fuyuki nodded, though she took her time getting out of her seat and making her way up to the front of the class.
"Smokescreen," she flipped her board around, glancing at the teacher.
"I like it," Midnight nodded. She was starting to run out of compliments, a hazard for this class. At least they were one from finishing.
Reine stood up primly, walking to the front of the class. "I have spent a lot of time on my Hero name. It started when I was just four years old and decided on the name Arrow Queen. Well obviously that has changed, and many times since that moment. I tried copying some of my favorite heroes but they never really fit me."
She paused momentarily for a breath.
"But as my quirk developed I learned so much about myself! As some of you may know my quirk depends a lot on luck! So after some thought I came up with my hero name! Not only that but I want to share my luck with everyone...so I will be…"
"Lucky, the Messenger Hero! I'll deliver smiles to the whole world! Lucky at your service!"
Shota looked at his watch, then made a decision. There was still ten minutes left of class, but he had been out all night and filling in for Kito, who called in at the last minute, was not something he had planned for. All in all, he was too tired for Kito's shit. "Let's call it a day, class."
"That was a lot," Genjiro took a deep breath. "Did I fall out of shape in two weeks?"
Kaori raised an eyebrow, opening her mouth.
Anamiya's eyes widened. "You don't have to answer every question Kaori," he said quickly, falling into step behind Akio. They were going back to the classroom, promised treats from Reine.
"It's probably the bowls of pork ramen," Genjiro grinned at her. "That was the answer, right?"
Kaori narrowed her eyes, just slightly. "It's always the ramen."
"I'll keep a strict diet," Genjiro promised.
"You've said that three times already," Kaori pointed out, wondering if he had forgotten that. "You take far too much joy out of it."
"I'll say it again!" Genjiro nodded.
"Until you do it?" Kaori's eyebrow was back to being arched.
"Yes," Genjiro poked at her.
Kaori slapped at his hand. "Why did you do that for?"
"Because," Genjiro shrugged.
Anamiya shook his head. One of these days, he was sure she would actually hit Genjiro and he wasn't sure if he would feel sorry for him or not. "Come on guys. Let's see what she brought," he said, stepping into the classroom. Maybe that would distract Genjiro.
"Cookies!" Keoko squealed ahead of them. "Reine you are the best!"
Not interested, Kaori slunk around the crowd gathering at the table where the cookies were. She settled on the edge of her desk, annoyed. Half of her classmates were bearable, but after several classes with just them, they grew boring. Rin, at least when he was here, was entertaining.
Shota rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Take your seats after you get your cookies," he said, wondering how they didn't reach that conclusion themselves. It was better than crowding the door.
Genjiro looked up as he sat down with his cookie. Funny, that screen hadn't been there before. Were they going to show something?
Feeling something vibrate against his leg, Shota looked at his phone, frowning as he read the message. Not what he had been expecting. Shaking his head, he reached for the remote, turning the screen on.
"Hello, fellow classmates and students of U.A. High." Rin appeared on the screen after a second. "I wanted to apologize for my recent involvement in the attack on our school."
Kaori stiffened instantly. What the hell was he doing? She studied him carefully, eyes scanning every inch of him as she filled in the details. Of course. Of course.
"I wasn't truthful when I enrolled here, using my mother's maiden name," Rin spoke looking into the camera. "My father's surname is Tatsugami and I am the third son of Masa Tatsugami, known crime lord and leader of the Tatsugami clan. I reject his way of thinking and strive everyday to be a hero. However I am ashamed of my bloodline's role in the attack on our school."
Genjiro's eyes widened as he watched. Wait...what was happening? He didn't really understand…
"I want to apologize to everyone here," Rin bowed deeply. "I am sorry for what happened and that my family hurt you and this school that I love. I am sorry for lying about who I am."
Anamiya was staring at the screen, just as wide-eyed as Genjiro beside him. Was Rin really doing this? But why? Did he really feel so guilty?
Kaori suddenly stood, her eyes narrowed. He was an idiot. He was such an idiot! Why was he letting unwarranted guilt open his mouth? A fool and an idiot.
"Principal's office," Genjiro stood up. "Come on."
Anamiya quickly scrambled to his feet, Kaori already out the door as he quickly fell into step beside Genjiro. His head was spinning. What could they do?
"I know I can't expect forgiveness considering some of you were hurt. But I'll strive to become a hero to wipe away my family's stain," Rin spoke into the microphone.
He was an idiot. He was the biggest idiot in the world. Her lips set into a furious frown, Kaori marched down the hall, not entirely sure what she was going to say to him, at least not yet.
"I hope someday that you will be able to…" Rin jumped as the door was suddenly flung open.
Without a word, Kaori went over, turning off the microphone. He was finished.
"Uh...Kaori?" Rin squeaked as Genjiro shut down the camera. "Genjiro? Anamiya?"
Anamiya swallowed hard, suddenly not sure what to do. "Er...hi."
"Hi," Rin shifted, looking between the three.
"You're an ass," Kaori said, crossing her arms. She wasn't bothered by any of this...but perhaps she was. If anything, it was because he was showing signs of stupidity.
"I'm the ass?" Rin's eyes widened. "I'm trying to apologize!"
Kaori poked him in the chest. "For no reason."
"Lots of reasons," Rin said. "It was my family that attacked. My sisters hurt Seishin and Saito."
Anamiya was shaking his head in deniel but Kaori beat him to a vocal answer. "Did you not just say you're not with them? How are their actions have anything to do with you? They're not. You're not them and will never be them."
"You don't think so?" Rin asked, voice shaking.
"We know so," Genjiro said, putting a hand on Rin's shoulder.
Anamkya nodded quickly. He really hoped Rin would believe them.
"Of course we don't," Kaori said, rolling her eyes. "I don't understand how you got this in your head but you don't either, deep down."
"I've spent the last week in the police station," Rin stammered. "I gave away everything I knew about them...I even told them my little sister's school. I...really cared about some of them...I want to be a hero but...I just gave away my family."
Kaori shook her head. "They would have done the same thing, in a heartbeat, without remorse. They're not your family. Your family is with First Aid...us." That seemed the right thing to say. "We're what a real family looks like."
Anamiya nodded again, reaching out to put a hand on Rin's other side. "Yeah. Rin, we're your family. You're just like a brother to us."
"Yeah," Genjiro nodded.
Rin swallowed hard. They didn't really get it. He'd nearly grown up with his siblings. Sure he and Haruko had it rough but the others...what had they done? "Thanks guys," he tried to smile.
Kaori narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. "You don't believe us," she said flatly. "You can't. You think we don't understand."
"I believe we are family," Rin said hastily. "You guys are the best friends anyone could hope for."
Kaori stared at him, eyebrow raised. He was lying, or he wasn't nearly as convinced as he should be at least.
"You've done a lot for me," Rin smiled.
Kaori shook her head. Why was he being so stubborn? "You're still such an ass."
"Again?" Rin's smile faltered.
"Kaori," Anamiya said with a sigh, glancing at Genjiro. She still scared him too much for him to try anything.
"Yes," Kaori said, nodding. He was getting it. "But you're our ass and if we have to tell you a hundred times for you to get it, I guess we will."
"Something like that," Genjiro shrugged helplessly. "We're on your side, Rin."
"Thanks guys," Rin pulled his smile back.
Kaori poked him in the chest again. "Don't forget," she warned.
"I won't," Rin promised.
"We're always here if you need us," Anamiya said softly. He hoped Rin would never forget that either.
"We have to stick together," Genjiro smiled.
Kaori pulled back, then reached into her pocket. Without a word, she offered him the cookie she had swapped.
"Oh," Rin took the cookie. "Thanks," he smiled at her.
Kaori gave him a small smile in return. She thought the cookie might make more sense than anything else for him.
"Well if you four are done," Principal Nezu cleared his throat. "Then class is over for today. It would be best to return to your dorms. Especially you Nakamaru, since you have to catch up."
Anamiya went bright red, having forgotten they weren't alone. Then he cleared his throat, turning to Rin. "Come on. We'll go with you, help where we can." He was certain Kaori had taken notes.
"Thanks," Rin nodded.
As soon as he passed her, Kaori narrowed her eyes. She was going to be watching him carefully over the next few days.
How had he never noticed how beautiful Yukiko was until now? They had been classmates for a while so he should have known this earlier but he hadn't and now he was certain he had never seen a girl as captivating as she was. His lunch all but forgotten, Anamiya stared at her across the cafeteria, watching her hair swish this way and that as she nodded to whatever Hanami had said.
"Anamiyaaaaaaaaaa," Rin dragged the words out, waving a hand in front of Anamiya's face.
Anamiya jumped backwards, knocking his elbow into his class. Without a word, Kaori grabbed it
before it could spill. He blushed instantly. "What?"
"Whatcha doing?" Rin grinned.
Anamiya felt his face grow even more red. "Nothing," he said quickly, looking down at his food.
"I'm...eating?..Yeah, eating."
"No...you are staring at Ikeda," Rin replied.
"I am not," Anamiya protested instantly, his face growing steadily warmer. Crap, had he been
that obvious? He quickly took a bite, staring intently at his tray.
"Yeah, or Kinoshita," Rin said after a moment.
"Kinoshita scares me," Anamiya muttered, seeing this as a possible distraction. He definitely
had been obvious; why did he have to be so open about...everything really?
"So is it Ikeda?" Rin asked.
"No!" Anamiya's voice came out a bit higher and his voice cracked.
"You were!" Rin grinned ever wider.
Groaning, Anamiya buried his face in his hands. This was so embarrassing.
"You like her?" Rin asked.
"No," Anamiya murmured, the word muffled by his hands. This conversation couldn't be
happening. He didn't like her...well, he did, but not like that...she was just beautiful and smart
and he really liked it when she gave one of her rare smiles but he definitely didn't like like
her...right?
"Uh huh," Rin grinned.
Anamiya wanted to disappear right where he was sitting. "Rin," he groaned.
"What?" Rin asked innocently.
Anamiya's face continued to burn. "You know what," he muttered. This was so embarrassing.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Rin asked, eyes twinkling.
"Nothing," Anamiya said, face paling as he quickly looked up.
"Really?" Rin looked at him.
"Er...yes?" Anamiya guessed, trying not to sound strangled.
"You aren't gonna talk to her or something?" Rin asked.
"Why would I...why would I?" Anamiya's voice cracked this time and he rubbed the back of his
neck.
"Because you like her," Rin replied.
"I...no." Anamiya, flushing again, stared intently at his food. This was a nightmare in the making.
He couldn't imagine talking to her like that. He felt vaguely ill at the thought.
"You don't?" Rin asked, looking confused.
"No?" Anamiya swallowed a groan. Why was Rin his best friend again?
"So you do like her," Rin said.
"I didn't say that," Anamiya muttered, though the protest sounded weak to even his own ears.
"You did," Rin spread his hands.
"I...I..." Anamiya faltered. Had he?
"Yeah?" Rin leaned closer.
Anamiya inched away, his face redder than before. Why did he have to be so obvious?
"So you wanna go on a date?" Rin asked.
"A date?" Anamiya repeated, head spinning at the very thought. A date...an actual date with her?
"Yeah, two people go out to see if they have mutual feelings," Rin said.
"But what if she doesn't like like me?" Anamiya asked, eyes widening with panic at the thought.
"Well, um," Rin glanced at Kaori.
Kaori stared back, an eyebrow arched. "Why are you asking me?"
"You're a girl?" Rin said.
Kaori kept staring. "I fail to see how that's relevant to the matters at hand," she said finally.
"What do you do?" Rin asked.
Kaori shrugged a shoulder. "Love is something I have yet to fully grasp the concept of," she
Admitted. She was curious about it, and was very invested in understanding it better.
"Oh right, well I have no clue," Rin shrugged.
Anamiya shook his head quickly. "I can't do it," he said, chest tight. She would reject him, he
was sure of it. He was fine with just watching from a distance, fine with being a friend, nothing
more.
"Yes you can," Rin said encouragingly.
"She won't be interested," Anamiya muttered, resting his face in his hands. His food was
forgotten, as he was now too distressed to be hungry.
"Maybe she will," Rin said.
"She won't," Anamiya muttered, because she was far too out of his league.
"Maybe," Rin said.
Anamiya squirmed, wondering if he could drown himself in his glass of water.
"She could," Rin tried again.
Anamiya desperately wished the floor would open and swallow him up, seeing the water wasn't
actually doing anything. "But...she might not," he muttered.
"But she might," Rin countered.
Anamiya muttered something, not entirely sure about this.
"You never know until you try," Rin shrugged.
"Or I just don't try," Anamiya murmured, because that would be much safer.
"Why?" Rin asked.
Anamiya sighed, finally looking up. "What would she even see in me?" He had nothing that
would warrant being taking a chance on.
"Well you are a nice guy," Rin said.
"She could definitely do worse," Kaori offered, because she thought if Rin gave her one more
look, she would elbow him and hard.
"That wasn't encouraging at all, Kaori," Rin rolled his eyes.
Kaori shrugged, completely uncaring that it apparently wasn't. "Didn't you say you wanted my
advice?"
"Not advice like that," Rin said.
Kaori shrugged. "I tried," she said unapologetically.
"Points for trying," Rin shrugged.
Anamiya groaned. "This isn't helping," he muttered.
"What isn't helping?" Genjiro asked, bouncing up with his tray.
"For some reason, Anamiya doesn't like our advice," Kaori said, shrugging indifferently. She
didn't understand that.
"Advice on what?" Genjiro asked.
"It's nothing," Anamiya said quickly, because this had quickly gotten out of control.
"Nothing?" Genjiro looked interested.
"Nothing," Anamiya murmured, feeling his face start to flush again.
"Well," Rin shot a sideways glance at Anamiya.
Kaori glanced pointedly from Anamiya to Ikeda, knowing that would be answer enough for
Genjiro.
"Ohhhhhhh nothingggg," Genjiro sat down eagerly.
"It's nothing," Anamiya muttered, staring intently at his lunch now.
"Are we going to talk about Nothing?" Genjiro asked.
"No!" Anamiya said, voice cracking with the end syllable. He glared down at Kaori, who
shrugged again.
"Alright," Genjiro modded.
Kaori was more interested than she wanted to admit to. She had always been curious about
love and now she was getting a firsthand view of it.
"I'll just ignore it," Anamiya decided, because that would be easier.
"We are ignoring Nothing?" Rin asked.
"Yes." Anamiya frowned as soon as he said it. He knew his friends, knew how they would take
this. "Er...no?"
"Anyone want to fill me in on Nothing?" Genjiro asked.
Anamiya stuffed his mouth full of food in an attempt to stall.
"Well Nothing is happening between Anamiya and Ikeda," Tom said.
"Nothing is definitely happening," Kaori agreed, still trying to puzzle it out. What made Anamiya
even shy when it came to his feelings for Ikeda? Did everyone act like this when they were
interested romantically in someone? How irrational.
"Ohhh...did she say nothing was Happening?" Genjiro asked
"I haven't talked to her about it," Anamiya whispered, voice hushed. Why would he?
"Oh, so Nothing hasn't been discussed," Genjiro modded.
Anamiya ate another bite of food, his face growing warm again. This was so embarrassing.
"You should talk about Nothing to her, I bet she likes you too," Genjiro said.
Anamiya's eyes instantly went wide. "W-why?"
"Well because you are a good guy?" Genjiro said. "And your looks aren't bad...I don't know what girls really look for though," he glanced briefly at Kaori.
"Why do you and Rin keep looking at me for girl opinions?" Kaori rolled her eyes. They were
ridiculous.
"Um...cause...you...are a girl?" Genjiro grinned innocently.
Kaori reached over and grabbed Rin's spoon, launching it directly at Genjiro's face.
"Aah!" Genjiro yelled as the spoon smacked between his eyes. Using his quirk he bounced it
back at her.
Kaori caught it with a quick hand. "You deserved that and you know it."
"Why, cause I called you a girl?" Genjiro widened his eyes.
"Because you assumed, based on my gender, that I would have particular knowledge on
something that I have made perfectly clear that baffles me," Kaori said, rolling her eyes. "That's
extremely idiotic."
"Aw man, that's rough," Genjiro pouted.
"You know I'm not wrong," Kaori pointed out, turning her attention back to lunch. "So don't
complain."
"Yes ma'am," Genjiro said.
Anamiya shook his head, sinking as low as he could get. Maybe they had gotten distracted.
"So we do nothing about Nothing?" Rin asked.
Anamiya froze. Of course Rin hadn't forgotten. "Right?"
"No fun," Rin sighed.
Kaori suddenly stood, pulling her hair back into a ponytail as she did it. "I'll handle it."
"What?" Genjiro looked up at her.
"No," Anamiya gasped as soon as he realized what she had in mind. She wouldn't...would she?
Kaori glanced over at the table where Nothing was sitting at. "I'm not going to stand for you
doing this for the next week, or month, or whatever. It's a waste of productivity."
"Whoa," Genjiro said.
"Rin, do something," Anamiya said desperately. Nothing seemed to ever stop Kaori when she
set her mind to it.
"Whoa, Kaori..." Rin glanced up at her. "That's not how being a wingman works."
"Is that what we are?" Kaori frowner, her brows knitting together.
"Totally," Genjiro nodded.
Anamiya stared at Rin at those words. "What?"
"Well we help you out on getting the girl," Rin said.
"You are?" Surprised, Anamiya kept staring as Kaori sighed and set back down.
"Uh huh," Rin nodded. "But...covertly."
Anamiya began to flush again. "I...see."
"All secret agent ninja like," Genjiro added.
Kaori sighed again. "This is ridiculous," she muttered.
"It's ridiculously cool," Genjiro said.
Anamiya swallowed hard, looking at all three. "Right?"
"Yes," Rin nodded.
Anamiya rubbed a hand against his flushed cheek. "Um..." He really wasn't sure what to think.
He wanted this, but it definitely wouldn't happen, he was certain of it.
"Anamiya!" Genjiro exclaimed. "I know the perfect thing for you," he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. "My uncle sent me this brochere."
Anamiya almost fell off his chair at the sudden exclamation. "What is it?" he asked, carefully taking the crumpled paper. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know because with his best friend, it could well be anything.
"A carnival," Kaori said, frowning as she read from his other side. "Coming in two days." That was interesting.
"My uncle's running a booth and told me to tell my friends about it and to eat at his place," Genjiro grinned.
"We're going," Kaori said, settling back. This might be a good opportunity, one she couldn't pass off.
Rin opened his mouth, then closed it. "Well...if Animiya's bringing a date...shouldn't we all?" he glanced sideways at the others.
"It's not a date," Anamiya said quickly, face growing red again.
"That would be impossible," Kaori said, eyes narrowed slightly as she looked around, studying their classmates. "As all three of us are unattached, however, Genjiro, I believe I know who you should invite.'
"Are you setting me up?" Genjiro looked slightly offended.
Kaori ignored him. "I know that Raiji has been incredibly stressed with her general student responsibilities and Class Rep ones."
"A working date?" Genjiro looked suspicious at her.
"I didn't say it was a date," Kaori said, raising an eyebrow. "But I think it would be a nice thing for you to do."
"Rin said dates," Genjiro glanced at his blond friend.
Kaori glanced at Rin as well, eyebrow raised, then turned back to Genjiro. "Call it what you will. Ask her."
"Right, come on Animiya, Ikeda and Raiji are at the same tables, let's go ask," Genjiro stood up.
Anamiya stared at his plate, shaking his head. "I can't," he said faintly.
"I'll be with you," Genjiro grinned. "Besides it's a really cool first date."
'What if she says no?" Anamiya stared up at him, eyes panicked. If she said no, he could never look her in the eyes again; well, he actually never made eye contact with her to begin with but that was beside the point.
"Who doesn't like the Carnival?" Genjiro said. "Plus she could say yes."
Anamiya touched the collar of his shirt. "I...how…" His throat was feeling a bit tight.
"Just ask her to go with you," Genjiro smiled. "It'll be easy."
"I.."
Rolling her eyes, Kaori grabbed his arm. "Look, Anamiya,she could be the best thing to ever happen to you, but you won't know until you try. You're brave, more than you think you are, and this is perhaps the most scary thing you will ever experience in your life. So if you can survive this, you can survive anything. So, get up, go ask her and don't forget to breathe."
Anamiya stared at her, eyes wide, then looked at Genjiro.
"It's worth a try," Rin said.
Swallowing hard, Anamiya forced himself to stand. "Alright,' he murmured. He couldn't believe he was really doing this.
"You go guys," Rin grinned.
Anamiya gave him a faint smile, then turned. At least he wasn't doing this alone and Genjiro was with him.
"Let's go," Genjiro clutched the flyer.
More or less attaching himself to Genjiro, very aware that if he didn't, he might make a break for it, Anamiya forced himself to move to where the girls were sitting. This was going to be horrible.
"Yeah I could improve my form," Yukiko looked at her hand as she grabbed her water bottle with the other.
Hikari pointed at her phone. "Only there," she said, referencing the video they were looking there. "The other parts look - oh, hi," she said, suddenly aware of Genjiro and Yun.
"So, there's a Carnival in town in two days," Genjiro straightened out the wrinkled paper.
Hikari blinked, looking at the paper and reading it quickly. "That's interesting." She hadn't heard about that.
"Would you like to go?" Genjiro stood on his toes, rocking back and forth.
Hikari looked back at the paper. "Well...I do have lots of homework that I need to complete."
"You have two days," Genjiro shrugged. "It'll be fun and a nice break."
Hikari bit her lip, taking a moment to carefully consider her options. "Alright," she decided. It might be good to get out.
"Great," Genjiro grinned. "When do you want to meet up?"
Hikari looked at her phone, making sure she had no conflicting appointments. Her schedule was clear. "How about...six?"
"That works," Genjiro nodded. "Let's meet in the main room then."
Hikari gave him a small smile. "I look forward to it." She had never been to one before, so it would be a different kind of experience.
"Me too," Genjiro glanced sideways at Anamiya.
"Do you want to go there too?" Anamiya blurted, his face bright red.
Yukiko glanced at Hanami, but realized she was still eating. Wait, was Yun asking her? She really hadn't had a chance to talk with him after that night. Very awkward…
"Me?" she looking up confused, after glancing around again wondering if he was talking to someone else.
"Yes," Anamiya murmured. This was going so bad already.
"Go with you to the...thing?" Yukiko swallowed hard.
Anamiya nodded, staring at the ground. "The...the thing...yeah."
"Sure," Yukiko found herself staring at her lunch. "That sounds...good."
Anamiya jerked his gaze up so suddenly, he got dizzy. "Really?"
"Yeah," Yukiko nodded.
"I…" Anamiya stared at Genjiro, unable to believe this was really happening. "Six then?"
"Six," Yukiko said.
Nodding absently, Anamiya found himself smiling. "I'll see you then."
"Yeah," Yukiko replied.
Nodding absently, Anamiya turned away, barely able to breathe. She had agreed. She had actually agreed.
"You two know you just agreed to dates right?" Hanami leaned closer, eyes sparkling. She hadn't been expecting any of this, but it all made sense.
"What?" Yukiko turned towards her.
Hanami nodded knowingly. "Yun's had a massive crush on you for a while now Yukiko," she said, learning back. It had been so painfully obvious. "And K-"
"Genjiro and I are just friends," Hikari said, eyebrows knitted together.
"It's not like that," Yukiko argued.
Hanami rolled her eyes, looking at her painted fingernails. "I promise that it is for both of you," she said, wondering how they could both be so smart, but so dumb.
"It's not," Yukiko said flatly.
"Fine." Hanami shrugged, rolling her eyes again at Hikari's frantic shaking of her head. "If you want to believe that but would it be so bad if it was? They're sweet boys."
"We are just first years," Yukiko played with her rice.
"You're all fifteen," Hanami pointed out, frowning when she realized her polish had a chip on it. "And they're not assholes. You're not committing yourselves to them, like for the rest of your lives, or something. Besides, you have to admit that Katou has a cute butt."
Hikari nearly choked on her drink, her cheeks turning pink. "I don't think so," she said, clearing her throat. "He's just...he's…" Suddenly forgetting where she was going with this, she cleared her throat again. She never became flustered, yet here she was. Perhaps because Hanami always had that tendency; everytime she opened her mouth, it was to catch someone off guard.
"Just friends," Yukiko said. She honestly didn't know what to do with more than that.
"Sure," Hanami agreed, taking a bit of her own lunch. "But for your friends, I'm still going to make sure you both look cute."
Hikari, uneasy, looked at Yukiko. What did that mean? Besides, it was just an outing with friends, so they should be fine with whatever they wore. Genjiro wouldn't care.
"I already look cute," Yukiko tried.
"You do," Hanami agreed, inspecting her closely. "More cute."
Yukiko looked at her suspiciously.
"Don't worry about it," Hanami said, waving a hand as Hikari opened her mouth to protest. "Let's finish our meal."
Rin glanced at where the others were talking with the girls. He turned towards Kaori, hoping she wasn't making plans for the both of them. "Kaori," he started.
"What?" Kaori looked up from where she was scraping the last bit of rice into her spoon. She hadn't continued watching the boys; they would be told yes, that was painfully obvious, so she decided to work on eating.
"Would you like to go out with me?" Rin asked. "To the Carnival."
"I was already going to," Kaori said, looking at him before turning her attention to his bowl. She was still hungry. "I haven't ever been before either and I want to practice my target aiming."
"Oh good," Rin nodded. "We can make it a date."
Kaori frowned a little. "Aren't we going with Genjiro, Anamiya and the other girls?" She reached over, taking his bowl. He had been finished with it anyway.
"Well we'll be at the same Carnival," Rin said. "But we could go a little earlier."
Kaori shrugged after a moment. "I'll meet you at 5 I guess."
"Great," Rin grinned. "And uh...Kaori, before they get back. Did you look that up on the internet?"
Kaori glanced up from his bowl then smirked. "The world wide web is very handy," she said, then turned back to eating.
"You read them a motivational 'go get a girl' speech off your phone," Rin said, wondering how she had thought of this.
"I know a lot of things, but that's not one of them. So, yes, I looked for other sources," Kaori said; she thought it was all very clever on her part. "It worked didn't it?"
"Yeah," Rin nodded. "Sounds a bit like cheating."
"By admitting weakness and finding solutions to make up for them?" Kaori asked with a shrug.
"Being able to find inspiring speeches on your phone," Rin said.
Kaori rolled her eyes, then lapsed into silence for a moment. "You never picked your Hero name."
"Oh yeah, I guess I missed that class," Rin glanced around.
"You did," Kaori said flatly. She still wasn't happy.
"Right…" Rin trailed off.
"So?" Kaori prompted when he made no move to answer.
"So?" Rin looked at her.
"What is it?" Kaori pressed. He was such an idiot.
"What's what?" Rin glanced around. Were the others done asking the girls out?
"Your Hero name," Kaori said, looking at him long and hard.
"Oh," Rin said. "Well...to be honest, I haven't thought much on it."
"Medic," Kaori said, having been waiting for this.
"Medic?" Rin glanced at her.
"Genjiro suggested Doctor, but I think Medic makes much sense," Kaori decided, pulling out her small black notebook.
"I mean, it makes sense with my costume and all," Rin nodded.
Kaori nodded, getting a pen. "Exactly."
"What are you doing?" Rin asked.
"Just checking something off," Kaori said dismissively. She didn't deem it important enough to share, at least not yet.
"Was it convincing me my name should be Medic?" Rin looked suspicious.
Kaori shrugged. "Perhaps."
"I see," Rin nodded. "Alright, I'll give you this one."
Smiling, Kaori went ahead and marked on her paper. "Thank you."
"She said yes," Anamiya murmured, sitting down suddenly in his chair. His eyes were still very wide.
"Good job," Rin grinned.
"Raiji too," Genjiro nodded, when Rin looked at him.
"I'm not surprised," Kaori said, putting her notebook back. "I wouldn't have suggested what i did unless I was more than 9.8 percent certain."
"On a scale of ten or a hundred?" Rin glanced at Kaori.
"Ten of course," Kaori said, rolling her eyes. There shouldn't be any question about it.
"Well then you guys were great," Rin smirked.
Anamiya, turning a bright red, quickly buried his face in his hands.
Got to cover some great things this chapter...doctor visits, hero names (funny story I (alumni) forgot about not everyone getting their name right 100% until the end and well I just kept going so that's why everyone's names there...haha) some fluff...and the new Top Ten Heroes!
So what do you guys think of Deku's sudden rise to number 2? Also the traitor is still out there...who could it be?
Join us next time for a chapter of Carnival fluffiness and ships galore then down to gritty business...
Internships!