Hoo mama, this took me forever. I originally wanted this out by the end of June, but life happens. Regardless, I hope this is a good chapter and that you all like it. There are a lot of moving parts and I worry that I didn't get them all just right, but I still think this should be a good build for you all to read.
Once more, I play with the order of things. I was worried I had painted myself in a corner with how I organized things in practice versus how I had planned, but I like to think I did a decent job of getting around that. Also, like in Walk Don't Run, I am giving some important Deku moments to 1B students. I wanted to do some new and interesting things with the material and here, I get to have Reiko shine again. She is more of a supporting cast member in this story, but she gets her own thing going on in the story.
Setsuna and Izuku also have their own threads, as does Jirou. I also want to do more with Yui, but that will come later. Ultimately, I want a lot of focus to be on Itsuka and Momo and their feelings for each other, as well as the bond they share. I wish to focus on them as friends, as individuals, and as future romantic partners, as well as a friendly rivalry born of love for each other (similar to Mina and Izuku in Walk).
Speaking of that pair, I could have done another pair, like Izupony here, but I have a soft spot for these pink and green beans and thought it could be cute. I feel bad for throwing in a jealous Ochako there, but I also wanted to do something with her where she and Setsuna talk, and it leads to a brief talk between the two. That might just lead somewhere down the line. Anyway, the next chapter will be the Setsuna vs Bakugou fight, among some other things. I am looking to wrap this arc up in chapter 11, then take some time to work on other stuff for a bit. Then I will return to this story with the internship arc and oh boy. Do I have a lot planned for that? Once again, thanks to Rosa and Jess for beta reading this. You girls rule. See you all, next time. X's and O's.
Ciao
The moment had been soft and warm, giving both comfort to Setsuna, for having her friends accept her, and to Momo, for being trusted enough to be part of this. Istuka was happy to provide such comfort and support. It's how she was raised, and it was who she liked to be. However she did have a question. "So when are you going to tell Jirou?" Itsuka interrupted, causing her lizard friend's eyes to shoot open.
Setsuna stared blankly, feeling the record scratch in her head. "Why would I do that, President Slappy Hands?"
"You have been laying it on thick that you are interested in her and you gush about how cute she is… a lot. Slightly more than the other students you gush over."
"Shit...you're right. I mean it is mostly flirtations and extending a hand. We're not a thing...not yet, I think. I don't want to scare her off though."
"Wow, weird seeing you so shaken...I can see why...Just be honest with her when you are ready. If it weirds her out, there are other people out there. If not, then that's good right? She knows you as that rambunctious flirty girl from the other class, right? Why would that change."
"Itsuka is right. I might not have known Jirou as long as I have her, but I feel like she wouldn't be put off by it."
"Thanks. I will eventually tell my first crush and my current crush the whole thing then. Just not now. Anyway, thanks, both of you."
Reiko cleared her throat, catching everyone's attention. She might not have seemed very affectionate on the surface, whether it be her way of carrying herself or general demeanor, but the girl did enjoy bonding with her friends.. "You too, Yanagi. Bring it in, girls."
The small group of teenagers embraced in a group hug, enveloping Setsuna until she was basking in the radiant energy of friendship. The green-haired girl barely noticed the tear roll down her cheek. Reiko, however, caught it and manipulated it ever so slightly, drying her friend's eyes.
Momo did not know Setsuna that well, but to know that her fellow recommended student trusted her enough anyways to reveal her past was quite touching. She recognized the girl from the entrance exam for recommended students, alongside a girl with a doglike appearance and this one girl who could shapeshift based on what she wore. She seemed out of place but Momo wasn't one to judge.
Ultimately, the raven-haired girl made the cut alongside the lizard girl. Setsuna seemed kinda flirty and clever, but with an underlying layer of self doubt. Momo herself supposed she could only relate to two of those. Though at the moment, it was just the self doubt thing she felt.
In any case, it was touching that this girl had decided that she was dependable, though it also might have been that she too was friends with Itsuka. No matter, she was happy to be of support.
X
The next bracket commenced, with Reiko facing a truly intimidating opponent. Todoroki was a prodigy, the son of the number 2 hero, Endeavor. He was hard to read and kind of came off like a jerk. Nevertheless, Reiko felt it necessary to reach out to him. His demeanor was cold, but so was the grave. She liked spooky stuff, afterall, so she hoped she would enjoy this match. And yet it sent shivers up her spine. She wasn't used to being in front of so many people.
"I have to admit, Todoroki...You are spooky… and not in the fun way. Actually, not even spooky. You are are scary strong and you are only using half your power...but I will go all out, even if you refuse to. You may be spooky, but I am spookier. Let's see who can chill who first." Reiko braced herself and used her quirk, breaking off chunks of ice and hurling them at her opponent.
She tried pulling at his body, picking him up with her mind. And yet, she was still practicing levitating anything as dense as the human body, especially with so much resistance on his part.
The cold stung her skin, drawing out her breath as she pushed herself further. She felt a slight trickle of blood as she strained, only for it to freeze to her face. She continued, breaking a huge chunk of ice into smaller pieces and molding small frozen orbs to lob at her opponent, like a snowball fight for keeps.
Unfortunately, as hard as she tried, she was in his domain now. He had made sure of it. And yet the girl would not back down. If she could manipulate the gas of her own breath, maybe she could force it into his lungs. It wasn't much of a plan, but sometimes improvised distractions were the best kind. That was something she had learned from her sister Keiko, and again from Setsuna.
She wondered if it was even something she could actually do but there was only one way to find out. If it worked, she could probably control fire, but that was a thought for another day. Cool ass will 'o' wisps were not as important right now. She wasn't even sure why she even wanted to attempt such a thing. It made much more sense to her to get this fight over with and go for a ring out. Whatever daddy drama this pokeball-haired wall of bricks had, he could sort them out later.
Still, curiosity was part of Reiko since she was a newborn. To her, the desire to answer unanswerable questions was part of the charm to spooky things. She just had to reel that back and focus on winning.
Reiko froze the visible breath she had exhaled in place, swirling it around before sending it into Todoroki's mouth and nostrils. The boy gasped and coughed, giving the gray-haired girl the opening she needed to throw broken off pieces of ice at him. When he was off center, she pulled him off his feet and prepared to pin him underneath a larger chunk of ice. It might have been wishful thinking, but if she played her cards right, Reiko could turn the recommended boy's strength into a weakness. His decision to only use half his power would be his undoing.
"You seem to think that by only using half of what I am capable of, that it will give you an advantage. Unfortunately for you. I am stronger than most people here."
"We'll see, frosty boy. I've been called cold before so let's see who wins out. I won't fall prey to your ice like in the Cavalry battle, though."
Reiko fought on, the cold creeping up her skin. She closed her eyes and pushed through, even when it hurt, even when she wanted to pass out. If she could draw his fire out, she probably wouldn't fare much better, but she did have some things she wanted to try. She struggled through, deciding that maybe wanting to get rid of Todoroki before he could even use fire, which she doubted he would even attempt to do so.
Regardless, she continued her psychic assault, though her vision started to go blurry the colder she got. She could feel frost forming in her hair as she parried the prodigious progeny of endeavor with her mind. Eventually, however, she passed out. Todoroki stood over her, apologizing under his breath. He was still dismissive, and had not pushed himself to go all out. And yet, she still went all out against him on his terms and forced him to think more than he thought he would. He felt a bit of warmth in his cheeks, or rather, one cheek. Todoroki touched his face and examined his fingers while Reiko was brought to Recovery girl. Was that blood? When did she get him? Was it during that last barrage?
"You're pretty scary too, Reiko Yanagi…" the boy thought out loud, ignoring the crowd and the announcers as he walked back to the bleachers.
X
A brief rest period occurred, with some scavenger hunts and entertainment occurring to give those who lost earlier a chance to still participate and engage with each other. Itsuka and Setsuna had taken time before the former's match to check on Reiko, who was still recovering. Luckily, Todoroki had held back to avoid causing necrosis in his opponents, but the ghostly girl still needed to recover. Shoda had joined the two in visiting their friend but found that she was asleep, so they left a torn piece of paper from a nearby notepad with well wishes to their friend. On the way, they saw Hitoshi Shinsou, but he tried to play it off as cool and walk away in a disinterested manner, the slight blush in his cheeks barely escaping Setsuna's gaze, though it did go unnoticed by her friends.
Before long, the matches began anew and the crowd roared as Itsuka stepped out, eyeing her competition wearily. He had been antagonistic. He was apparently louder in the past, but was still a divisive figure whom Momo had apparently tried to reach out to, but to no avail. Nevertheless, Itsuka would do the best she could in this match. She offered a firm handshake, in the spirit of good sportsmanship. Unfortunately. He slapped her hand aside, eyes burning dismissively and eager to battle
"Let's get this over with, big hands. You're not going to beat me."
Itsuka sighed. She was hoping that, after watching the battle between him and Uraraka, that Bakugou would show some sort of acknowledgement of others. She was able to recognize something off about his body language after that, as someone whose family had dealt in martial arts. She supposed she was wrong "We'll see about that. It seems I need to teach you manners."
Bakugou smirked and got to work as soon as Midnight cracked her whip and gave the go ahead. Right away, he almost took Itsuka by surprise. However, she saw this as an opportunity. Fluidity in movement was important in being able to adapt to an opponent and put them at a disadvantage. With that, she clamped her hands around the bombastic blonde and slammed him into the arena floor. He gasped as his back made contact with the cement. However, he soon recovered and tried to go back on the offensive.
Itsuka stepped back and somersaulted away before responding in kind with a claw hold , enlarging her hand to serve as a combination cage and human press. Bakugou, however, did not take this lying down and barraged her with explosions.
Itsuka could feel her hands burn and blister. It was like trying to fight a wasp whose stings caused explosions. Bakugou moved on instinct, having a strong ego and fierce determination to win. Itsuka was just as determined to do her best too, however.
She switched up her approach and stood still, using her hands to brace for impact and try to capture him when he got close. However she was not agile enough to catch such a versatile and speedy opponent. He seemed a bit slower than the battle against Uraraka but not enough to take for granted. It just seemed to bolster him. Whether he was getting tired or not, the boy was still very much a violent and imposing figure who did not give her much time to respond. It was like he was pure instinct in human form, with power to match.
He wasn't the only one who could think and strike at the same time. She would break through. She didn't have much goal anymore besides doing her best. She wanted to face Momo, but that would be another day.
Kendous never quit. They simply find another way. That is what her father always taught her, and he in turn learned that from her mom.
Besides, facing strong opponents was to be expected of a hero and disciplining rowdy egotists was what she had done since before middle school. It made her perfect as class president and tailor made for this fight. She slapped her face with both hands and braced herself. Sidestepping Bakugou's attacks, Itsuka went on the offensive, trying to throw him out of the ring, trying to pin him, and trying to knock him out.
"My goodness, this fight is so heated and fast paced! I can barely keep up! The volatility and vitality of youth! Ooooo it gives me chills!" Midnight shouted to herself, holding herself in a bearhug and wiggling with glee. The commentary team of Aizawa and Present Mic seemed to agree, with Aizawa in particular taking note of both students' dedication to victory.
Bakugou rocketed towards her, claws bared and filled with explosions. Itsuka danced backwards to try and avoid his strikes, but she had trouble escaping. He spun like a wheel of fire, roaring towards Itsuka, knocking on her side, burning her and causing her ears to ring loudly as she braced herself with one hand and shielded herself with the other hand. Springing up, she punched the boy in the face, leading to a barrage of explosions again. The two clashed fists and aimed for supremacy and for a while, Itsuka appeared to be on a path to victory. She even nearly pushed the boy out of the , in almost an instant, Bakugou rocketed out of the corner of the ring and rushed into his opponent with explosive force, knocking her out of the ring and causing her to slam against a wall, falling unconscious. Everyone gasped as the strong contender from 1-B ragdolled out of the ring. After some contention, Bakugou was declared the winner, with few noticing the slight pant in his breathing rhythm. Izuku Midoriya, however, took great note, remaining silent and uncomfortable.
Itsuka was wheeled out on a stretcher by the robot nursing assistants, while Monoma cried foul and Momo cupped her hands around her mouth in shock. She could have sworn her friend would be victorious but then again, she knew deep down what a force Bakugou was and that, as foul mouthed and incendiary as he was, he was a natural in his movements and raw power. His grades were apparently not too shabby either. Nevertheless, she went to the nurse's office to view her friend and sit with her. She would certainly love to see the rest of the matches. However, Itsuka's well being was more important. On her way, she stopped to get some refreshments, should her friend want a coffee (she most likely did.)Hey
As Momo passed by, she felt a pair of eyes watching her , but brushed it off and went to Itsuka's aid. The whole time, Yui kept her eyes on the taller girl, still feeling unsure of what to do or say.
X
"There there, dear. You really took a spill. I know it's a competition, but that boy really could have held back a little. Even with my abilities, I would rather you children not give each other concussions or broken bones. Also, your friend is still sleeping off her injuries so do be respectful" Recovery girl spoke softly to her latest patient, gesturing to a nearby hospital bed while she did so. The bed housed a groggy but recovering Reiko, who was slowly warming up from her battle with Todoroki.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Oh, no need for formalities, dearie. It's my job after all. I know you just woke up, but this should put you to sleep a little longer, which might not be a bad idea. You really did have quite the rumble."
Itsuka had woken up, wincing in pain from her burns and bruises as she exhaled violently. The redhead winced as Recovery girl kissed her hands before falling asleep again.
"Yes *yawn* Ma'a…." and with that, Itsuka was out like a light, taking a nap for about 20-30 minutes. It wasn't long before she woke up to Momo by her side, a cup of coffee in her hand. There was a cup of tea on the bedside table too, presumably hers. There also seemed to be a few hastily written notes from other students, including an apology from Midoriya. He seemed like a sweet boy, but he clearly needed to not hold responsibility for his classmate's actions.
"Oh good. You're awake. I am sorry for how uncouth Baku-" Momo gushed, happy to see her friend awake but also quick to take responsibility for things that were beyond her control.
Itsuka put up one hand and used the other to slurp down her coffee. It was still hot, though it might have been freshly heated in a nearby microwave to make it warmer. Years of drinking coffee had given her that superpower she supposed. Also, drinking coffee since she was 10 was probably not the best thing her parents allowed her to do, but she was glad that they did.
"Hey, it's not your fault, Momo. Yeah, I lost, and that hurts...both spiritually and physically, but I did my best. Can't get too down on myself over that. It would have been nice to win but… to be honest, it's not worth it if I can't go up against you. THere's always next time, right, babe?" Itsuka gently punched her friend's arm before stretching her arms in order to more fully wake up.
Momo smiled and blushed, trying not to take the word 'babe' too deeply. It was just an affectionate term between friends, even if it wasn't one Itsuka used often. Momo had deduced (correctly too, unbeknownst to her) that if it wasn't just a playful term, that Itsuka would be freaking out internally. Either way, Momo felt strangely calm. Her quick loss against Tokoyami still stung, but Itsuka had filled that spot of importance in her mind at the moment.
"Fair...I suppose we both did our best...is it wrong for me to say I feel better?"
"Not at all, but I will still accept the coffee as payment," the orange-haired girl chuckled, gently brushing her hands against the other girl's it no longer hurt.
Momo let out a soft, genuine laugh at this, twirling her bang with her finger. The girls locked eyes, faces flushing red as the entire room stood still just for them, two old friends who'd been close for so long. Could they be closer though?
The moment was broken by Recovery girl entering in order to clear Itsuka. "Well, young lady, you certainly don't do things in half-measures." the old nurse sighed, offering Haribo gummi worms to both Itsuka and Momo.
"I kind of wish Recovery girl was around when we were kids. I broke my arm a few times back then. Luckily, I had you to make me casts."
"And to teach you to be more sensible. You really did grow to be more responsible. Not that you never were before, but you could be...reckless."
"I mellowed out, didn't I?"
"I know Harley saw you as a leader. So did I...Remember the dance routine you and he would do? Where you wore matching hats and would spin around to that one American song? "
"Oh my god. Momo. stop. I am getting flashbacks to how bad my fashion sense was back then."
"Well I thought it looked cute and really suited you. My favorite tomboy and her loyal sidekick."
"How many other tomboys did you hang with, Yaoyorozu? Or am I just your favorite by default." Itsuka winked.
"Hush, you. You know what I mean."
X
Setsuna took a step, her life until that point flashing before her eyes. The day she was bullied for being a girl in a boy's body, the day she found words for what she was, and the day her quirk manifested.
Another step, and she remembered the boy who protected her, and the heroes she idolized. She flashed back to her trip to get hrt overseas, her gyaru phase in middle school and her fateful encounter with the magician hero, Majestic. Oddly it was Strike Iguana who offered his recommendation, but the teen girl was 98% sure Majestic had offered his as well, impressed by her quirk and her quick thinking.
Stepping back to the present, Setsuna looked on to see Momo and Kendou chatting and warmed her heart but also made her miss her childhood friends. She wondered what Rezahane was up to, or Hoshime. Heck, she wondered what her middleschool ex was up to sometimes. Well, only sometimes.
Mostly, she was focused on the present and the future. She wanted to be a pro-hero, like the ones she saw as a like Triceratank, Strike Iguana, and Majestic. SHe had already proven herself to be a capable student and, as vice president, a leader. Still, there was one figure from her past she had hoped to reconnect with and, as outgoing as she was, even she could feel the jitters. That could wait until later. She was tempted to break up the love fest for a bit, but she decided she should let her two compatriots stew in their stubborn obliviousness. She didn't need to play matchmaker. They could do that themselves.
X
"You were really cool, Itsuka. Much cooler than me."
"Hey, I was just lucky. Not like I lasted that much longer. We'll both get our chance to square off. I promise."
Momo smiled and laughed, nervously forming a fist. "It's been ages since I did this but…" the rich girl attempted a fist bump.
"I guess I'm a luxury few can afford." Momo laughed, worrying secretly that she was coming off less playful and more arrogant."
"Darn right!"
The two just basked in each other's company, gently brushing hands and trying to avoid glancing at one another for too long. But hey, that was just a thing friends did right? Friends who were girls. Girl friends. Itsuka mentally chopped herself for thinking of that. She told herself not to ruin it.
Momo on the other hand, smiled pleasantly, a warmth emanating from her that classmates and friends alike could count on as dependable. She seemed so serene at that moment. On the inside, however, her brain was shuddering computational errors over how Itsuka's hands could be so work-callused yet so soft and warm. Even the healing scars from her battles against Kirishima and Bakugou felt so pleasant to the touch. What was wrong with her? Is this how friends thought of each other, especially after being injured? "How disdainful, Momo. Get yourself together." she chastised herself.
"How long do you think it will take those two to confess to one another?" Mina walked by, observing the scene at a glance, a sly smile on her lips.
"I say golden week. Summer loving and all that. Besides, they both seem too stubborn to confess right away. They are clearly in denial, gero." Tsuyu observed. "Or perhaps they think it is too soon to say." the frog girl pondered out loud while her pink compatriot walked nonchalantly past.
It was at that moment that they bumped into Midoriya, who was muttering plans to himself. Mina was a bit concerned at first, but Tsu vouched for him. Besides, they all had their quirks, in more ways than one, and she could be a bit of a ditz sometimes. She then remembered that Setsuna from 1B vouched for him too. She wondered if there was an unspoken bond between people with green-hair but she shook her head. That was too silly even for her. What next, getting powers from eating hair?
Either way, the girl snuck up on the green-haired boy and surprised him. She supposed she could ask Setsuna more about how she knew Midoriya, but he was right here and she wasn't, so caution to the wind.
"Hey, Midori. Penny for your thoughts? Though I guess that's more of an american saying I have heard in movies...Yenny for your thoughts?"
"Ack! A-Ashido! You startled me!"
"Sorry, dude. Just...hey...do you know Tokage or something?"
"That's….the thing I am thinking about, I mean, one of the things. Her fight with Kacchan is soon and I just finished my fight with Iida."
"I saw. Dang, boy, I didn't expect you to have such quick moves, especially since you brute force things a lot. You are just FWOOSH! BOOM! DODGE!"
The green-haired boy was still very nervous around girls and Mina could tell. On one hand she wanted to retreat. If he was truly uncomfortable, she didn't want to make things worse. And yet, it was in her nature to tease and if her opponent had any merit to her words, then this boy was cooler than she could have thought. Sure enough, he was a wild child, kind of scary actually. But given her taste in movies, kinda scary but badass was her vibe. Most horror movies freaked her out, mind you. Anything with alien creatures though? She ate it right up.
And perhaps her exuberant nature, while overwhelming, was kind of engaging.
"I mean...most people call me a fanboy. Not...really used to being fanboyed over, especially by girls."
"Well, count me in your fanclub. But seriously, Do you and Tokage know each other? Sorry if I am pushy. Just curious."
"That's...the thing. I don't remember her but she seems familiar...like someone I met a lifetime ago when we were different people I guess?"
:OOOOH, LIKE STARCROSSED LOVERS WHO ARE REINCARNATED ACROSS TIME!?" Mina felt herself get hyped up again. This girl certainly was...energetic to say the least.
"Not… exactly. Definitely not so literally."Izuku poked his fingers together before continuing. "There was one person I vaguely remember with green-hair and sharp teeth. She was being bullied so I helped...It can't be her though, can it?"
From a distance, Ochako watched, feeling a weird twinge in her belly as she watched her two friends get along swimmingly well. Beside her, a girl's lower jaw grinned.
"Scoping them out too, huh? Maybe we're being a bit creepy. I told her she and him might get along."
Ochako screamed, causing Izuku and Mina to look in her direction. The two looked towards their friend, concerned, wondering what had spooked her. They had not yet thought to ask why she was watching.
"It's fine. Just saw a bug. It caught me by surprise." Ochako lied through her teeth and turned to face Setsuna.
"How do you know Deku...and why are you spying on him?"
"Why are you spying and … why … did you call him that? Aren't you his friend?"
"I am...I remember him saying it was a word people used to bully him with...that it meant nothing, But it can also be read as...someone who does their best and that's the meaning I took from it. He gave me his blessing to use it."
"Well, a bit weird but the boy isn't exactly used to girls talking to him. As for how I know him...it's complicated and a long story, but hey, if you want, we can have some takoyaki after my match and we can talk about it. I gotta go kick blondie von boomboom's bombastic booty. I'll autograph each cheek for you and Kendou, k?"
Ochako chuckled, trying to hold it back, but then her eyes widened as she put two and two together. "Wait...Kendou isn't...related to Can-Do Kendou is she? Or the pro-hero King Yeti?"
"Both, actually. I think that's her mom and her bro respectively." Setsuna responded with a thumb to her chin, recalling what she had learned of her friend.
"No wonder she put up such great fights! Her family is so cool! Is it...um...too much for me to ask if I can get her mom's autograph? I have every match of hers taped." The brunette had almost instantly forgotten her twinge of jealousy, allowing herself a moment of excitement.
"A little eccentric but so am I. I will see what I can do. Anyway, wish me luck." Setsuna winked and ran off, leaving Ochako to blush by herself, trying to process what happened. Would she get that autograph? Would Setsuna wil where she herself and Kendou had lost? Did she have a thing for green-hair? Perhaps. All she knew is that she should probably return to her seat to watch the rest of the fight.
X
Recovery girl left the nurse's office to fetch some more candy. She always loved to keep a stock of sweets to reward her patients and there were bound to be several more. The Sports Festival would continue past the first year students and if that Toogata kid was anything like last year, he would probably send a few to her as well.
There was a knock at the door frame and a young man with fiery red hair and freckles, and blue-green eyes. He was wearing a shaggy white and grey suit with strategic fur placement. It didn't look very comfortable during summer. It took Momo a while to recognize who it was but Itsuka recognized instantly.
"Oh wow. Sorry. Forgot this was only for personnel but hey, I saw Endeavor walking around so why not me, though I can't believe this is my first time doing the big steppy through UA grounds."
"Sora? What are you doing here?" Itsuka called out, causing Momo to do a double take at the name.
"Wait, is your brother a sidekick?"
"Ouch, Mini Momo. That stings. I had fun back then, don't get me wrong. I even went to school with some sidekicks. Bubble girl and Sirius if you've heard of them. However, you are looking at a new up and coming pro: King Yeti."
"What're you doing here, bro?"
"Checking on my little sister after she went all out against that bomb kid. Sorry you lost, kid, but I am still impressed. I saw a few of Mom's moves mixed in… as well as...you know."
"Those were unintentional, bro. We don't talk about him. You know that."
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I visited him recently. I had to deliver a villain to the prison he is being held in, though I heard they are letting him out."
"He apparently has ties to a pro besides me, but she had nothing to do with it from what I heard. I think she kind of wants to kick his ass now, and not in the fun way."
"Don't be weird around Momo, Sora."
"Hey, I would never dream of it. That was a direct quote anyway. I'd say you can ask her yourself but she isn't at this. She decided to go fight villains instead. Saying that the next generation might surprise her but that beating up villains would be a better use of her time and great cardio."
Momo thought of how interesting it would be to be trained by a hero like Miruko. Sure, she wasn't the recommended student's first pick, and she doubted the Rabbit hero would even spare her a glance after her disappointing showing so far, but it would have been a confidence booster for sure.
"Good behavior and having worked with heroes before. He never killed one so they didn't stick him in Tartarus. I mean...there were one or two...so it is kinda fucked he isn't in there...but they were sidekicks at the time so I guess that was considered less egregious?"
"Definitely not inviting him over for dinner any time soon."
"You never talk about him...I do vaguely remember a large man showing up for your birthday one year, though. He was… a bit intimidating and your mom wasn't very happy."
"Yeah, he gave me a pair of brass knuckles, custom made for quirks like ours. It was able to expand to a point to fit my fists when they grew… but mom threw it away."
"And then you dug 'em out and washed 'em off to try 'em out. Mom was not happy."
"Yeah…"
"Oh! So that's why you were grounded when my family went to the beach house and you couldn't come."
"Yeah…"
"If it helps, it rained a lot, so we didn't get to swim much. My swimsuit at the time was...unflattering…" Momo sighed, remembering the small, floral pattern one-piece that made her look like a tacky chaise lounge. "I did find something cool but...it would have been boring to you…"
Itsuka's ears perked up. Some stuff was familiar to her but apparently there were bits of context both girls had yet to discover until later in life.
Sora coughed, gaining the attention of the two girls, who had been lost in conversation again."
"But yeah. I just decided to check in on you and also say… Well, after the sports festival, keep your ears open in class, you two. I probably don't have to tell little Momo because she was always the better listener of the two."
"You never had much worth listening to, Sora." the redhead rolled her eyes and punched her brother's arm playfully.
"Rude. I am both a pro and family. Careful, little sis." he teased back. Momo sometimes wondered what it would be like not to be an only child.
X
The girls realized they had spent a lot of time in each other's company and had probably missed most of the next fight. Who was even up? "Oh crap, Setsuna was up. We better hurry, I hope she isn't mad."
The girls ran towards the roar of applause and cheers, as the glare of the sun gave way to a figure standing alone in the center of the ring. She looked to be in tattered clothes and an exhausted state, but there she was, holding a raised fist, giving way to a thumbs up towards the crowd.
Outside the ring was Bakugou from Momo's class, still processing things and, from the looks of things, getting angrier as time went on. Setsuna looked at them from the ring and sent her head towards them with a tired yet teasing grin.
"Well, well. So busy reminiscing that you forgot little old me, huh? It's ok, ladies. I'll tell you all about my victory when I make it up those stairs."