And now for Chapter 10 and the wrap-up to this arc in Your Hand in Mine. Man, it took me too long and I can't tell if I rushed things or dragged my feet. Perhaps a little of both? Oh well. Story of my life. I just hope the "will they, Won't they/ Mutual pining" Doesn't overstay its welcome, since there is still some slow to this burn. However, since the Stain Arc isn't particularly relevant to this story, we will just have internships, the exams, and then...the moment you folks are waiting for. ANyway, as always, I am getting ahead of myself.
There are probably more pacing problems here too, so sorry, but I tried my best. THanks again to G-Viral and AnchoAshido for their help with this fic and others. They are queens and sisters. I love em.
Also, I have some plans for repercussions from this arc and surprisingly, the Internship arc, so prepare for that. I really wanted to build not just my ships here, but the general relationships between my cast. I briefly introduced the shitty ex of Setsuna and touched a little on her family. You might hear more about them later. However, I wanted to get more focus on Momo and Kendou and hopefully, I did that. I really have fun writing them, with Momo proving to be surprisingly fun as a big ol nerd. She absolutely references an old anime here, and if you get the reference, congrats on the gay.
I am going to take a brief break from this fic now to work on other things and will do the same with Walk, Don't Run when I finish the Sports Festival Arc there too. However, since that turns 4 this year, expect fun with that, as well as a return to some other abandoned projects of mine.
Anywho, without any further delay, enjoy the story. Feedback is always appreciated, so I look forward to it. Thanks, babes! 3 Ciao~
The fights had really passed them by. Momo felt somewhat guilty for not being there to cheer her classmates on, both as a friend and as a leader for her class. Perhaps she wasn't cut out for that either. Still, she had wanted to check on her dearest friend and gotten so lost in reminiscing that she had forgotten about the reason they were all there. To think that Tokage was capable of overcoming Bakugou had taken her by surprise, but then again, they were both recommended.
"Am I so disappointed in myself that I am underestimating my peers? I really am the worst." Momo sighed before a gentle poke brought her out of her self-deprecating stupor with a yelp. She expected to see Itsuka right there, trying to knock sense into her. Not that she wanted her friend to hit her, but she expected her to be the one to tell her to knock it off. Instead, it was Setsuna.
"Hey, be nicer to yourself. I would have bitten you but I don't wanna draw blood...or the envy of my class president." Setsuna winked, walking away slightly before positioning herself in the bleachers with 1A. SHe stretched her arms out with a fake yawn and proceeded to put an arm around Jirou before getting a light punch in the arm.
"Don't be weird, Tokage," the punk girl rolled her eyes with a blush. Kaminari from 1A watched in awe, deciding he should try to ask this girl out. She was pretty and he liked her energy after all. Setsuna noticed this and turned her head around,
"Easy, Sparky. I think I might be a bit too...extra for you. "Slightly startling the boy with both an impromptu rejection and a spot on analysis of what he was thinking before he could say it.
"What the...I...jeez, are you psychic?" Kaminari stated in surprise. "I thought your quirk was coming apart and stuff."
"You don't know me or my life, dude."
"I mean, I think I saw you at the mall once. Does that count?"
"Oh, you grew up in Saitama too, huh? Cool beans, sparks." the lizard girl grinned and aimed finger guns at the boy before returning her attention to her fellow girls.
Itsuka, who had been dealing with a particularly obnoxious Monoma, had come over to give a gentle punch to her friend's arm to thank her for a job well done.
"Setsuna is right. No need to look glum. This might have been a big opportunity for us, but it's not the end. Besides, you and I still have a score to settle, Ms. Many Things."
"It was...um...It was Madame…"Momo blushed, covering her face as she returned the favor.
"Ms...Many Things?" Jirou raised an eyebrow, as did several other classmates. They were astonished by the rather uncreative nickname chosen by someone who could create almost anything, as long as it wasn't living.
"We would play heroes and villains and when I was the villain, that's what I would go by. I thought it sounded devious at the time...At least it's not 'Battle Fist'."
"Pffft. Wow, you too really are bad at names, huh?" Setsuna burst out laughing, any restraint dissipating. She meant no ill will, but any dirt she had on her friends like this was welcome, as long as they didn't mind at least.
Itsuka sighed and waved a hand dismissively. She knew it was coming and could feel the embarrassment creeping up from her toes, but it was so long ago, even if it was admittedly silly. "What did you expect? We were kids, Tokage. We didn't exactly have the best name ideas back then."n
The green-haired girl held up her hands and contorted her face, feigning innocence. "I'm not judging, slappy. Don't mind me."
"I know you pretty well by now, Setsuna. I can read you like a book."
"Ooooo~! Very spicy, Red. However, it hasn't been that long since classes started. Just because I am your best non-Momo chum doesn't mean you know my life story."
Itsuka sighed and relented. "Sorry. I meant no-"
"Hey, relax. Just bustin 'you. But yeah. I feel you know me pretty well right now."
"Well, I appreciate it. You really are one of my best friends." Itsuka placed a hand on the other girl's shoulder.
"So where can I get a buttshelf like yours, Yaoyorozu?" Setsuna teased, getting jabbed gently with a jack from Jirou and a chop from Itsuka. Laughing, the girl relented.
"It's not a `butt shelf`, Tokage. It is a harness that uses magnets to store a complex encyclopedia and...oh my goodness, it is a buttshelf…" Momo sighed. Realizing the costume choices she had made.
"Cheer up. My costume is basically a skin-tight, scaly unitard. Besides, you said it. It serves a purpose." Setsuna patted Momo in the back. "Just teasing is all."
Momo calmed down and smiled, feeling relieved that her fellow recommended student was being so casual and friendly with her. It certainly felt genuine.
"Anyway. I need some water. You two can talk some more about how groovy I am and make sure to stay and cheer me on this time. I need some fans in case it falls flat when I dedicate the fight to Jirou." the girl flicked her tongue mischievously and turned her head to wink at the aforementioned punk girl before skipping off to grab refreshment.
Both girls rolled their eyes and looked at each other, laughing gently as they watched the final match. Momo was slightly put off by but nonetheless charmed by her new friend's personality and demeanor, while Itsuka noticed something else below the surface, something she was sure her studious friend would recognize and pick up on soon enough: nerves over reconnecting with an old friend.
X
"And here we are at the final match, fold! Feast your eyes on this vibrant display of youthful vigor. We have Class A's Izuku Midoriya vs the…" Present Mic heard a knock on the door to the skybox, pausing his commentary for a moment before seeing a disembodied hand holding a piece of paper. He took the paper, slightly weirded out, but rolling with it.
"The lizard of Odd? Weird nickname but I appreciate the flair! It's Setsuna Tokage! If the battle between her and Bakugou was any indication, there is some history here, folks! Leeeeet's GOOOO!"
"You heard the man, folks! Let's FIGHT!"
Midnight cracked her whip and the two green-haired competitors went on the offensive. Setsuna kept herself together, deciding to hold off on using her quirk just yet.
"Remember me yet, Zuki?" Setsuna asked, the teasing veneer of her words betrayed by her tone and body language.
"Not at first, Tokage. I can't believe it's you...You look...um...nice…" the boy tried to make small talk before their bout. "Looks like you don't need a wig anymore, huh?"
"Awww, trying to flirt? Save it for after the match, yeah, au natural. I'll let you feel it if you can lay a finger on me." She grinned, landing the first shot with a speedy slap. That was for almost getting captured or killed for his bully of all people.
Izuku started to stutter and sputter, not knowing how to react to that. Recovering swiftly, he slapped his face with both hands and braced himself for battle. No point in getting psyched out. "Are you ready?"
"After you, Midoriya," the girl smiled aggressively, getting into a battle stance. Like a spring loaded toy, she snapped her foot and lunged at her target, who followed her lead.
The two dashed at each other, with Izuku very clearly injured but keeping himself fighting the best he could. He guarded and rolled as his opponent split up into pieces and attacked from a distance. While sneak attacks were not an option, she could still swarm her old friend and overwhelm him. It was what was called death by one thousand cuts, except she couldn't split herself into that many pieces, nobody was dying, and she wasn't cutting anything.
The point still stood, however, as the battle waged on. Power could only go so far right now and both competitors were attacking cautiously and with strategy.
While the fight friends sat glued to their seats, except for Momo and Itsuka, who watched with awe. Momo in particular had thought of what her fight against her best friend could have been like had she just beaten Tokoyami. "Why am I so jealous? I should be happy for Tokage. This is a really tense match and she is reunited with her friend. I know what that is like, all too well."
She watched more closely, seeing how determined the two were but couldn't help but see their movements more thoroughly and critically. They were both formidable, though Midoriya could be too self destructive. Still, it was very much what she imagined a fight between her and Itsuka would have been like, albeit without the foundation they had been rebuilding over the short time they had been attending UA so far. If she could not fight any more today, she could use this to study and to learn.
She looked across at Itsuka, who had returned to her class's section upon a gentle reminder from Vlad King. They waved at each other and Momo couldn't help but feel her heartbeat pound out an orchestral percussion section. She could feel herself tense up and start to think things, things of the "more-than-friends" variety. "No. Not now. Not yet" she sighed and focused back on the fight, not noticing that Itsuka was thinking the same thing.
X
The fight continued, with both combatants scuffed up and sweaty, but still filled with vigor, neither one giving an inch. This was a reunion second and a chance at impressing pros first, and both wanted to do just that. They could touch base more after the other touched the outside of the ring.
"I heard you cheering me on earlier. Better not hold back, especially now that your quirk came in! Took a while, huh?"
Setsuna didn't register the small lip bite her opponent did, nor his slightly averted gaze as she snuck up behind him and pinned him. With a quirk like hers, giving opponents the slip wasn't too difficult and it played to her strengths of slipping out of danger and reversing the situation. Reacting quickly, Izuku used his knees to rocket himself into the air and into a somersault in order to shake the girl off, and possibly pin her with his weight.
Realizing what he was trying to do, the lizard girl broke herself up again and threw the boy towards the ring. Even with his blown out knees, however, the boy relented, gritting through the pain and the adrenaline to punch her torso. Finding the most torso-like chunk, Midoriya used it as a punching bag, knocking the wind out of Setsuna. However, she met that with a kick to the back of the neck.
Setsuna was tempted to quip and make small talk, again playing to her strengths (when she wasn't focused on stealth), and also trying to check in on Midoriya. However, her focus was instead on giving him and everyone else a worthwhile effort.
"You're quiet all of a sudden," Izuku panted, feeling the pain of his busted limbs as his power kicked back on him.
"Sorry, freckles. I know talking to pretty girls is still strange for you so I thought I would shut my trap. Gotta say, though. You are kind of a glass cannon, huh?"
"I guess.I got it later so I don't have a good hold on it just yet. I'll get there though...I hope." Izuku grinned with determination as he spat the last part out silently, under his breath. He felt his body burn and explode as he rushed towards Setsuna while she shuffled her body like a deck of cards and went on the offensive too. It was chaotic and hard to keep track of but they both did
Setsuna and Izuku fought hard and ended up ringing each other out. While a shared 1st spot was not unheard of, it was decided that there would be a lightning round of sorts, something to eliminate the draw. It might not have been as climactic as a decisive iner, but the crowd was still invested by what had occurred.
Momo and Itsuka watched in astonishment and even Monoma was excited. He felt incredibly vindicated to see someone from his class take the top spot., though it did warrant a tie breaker. The deciding event was a footrace and, unfortunately for Midoriya, he was not fully recovered enough from his knee injuries to outrun Setsuna. As disappointed in himself as the boy was, he thought a race would be more impartial than something like arm wrestling, so he was very much relieved.
As he made it to the finish line, Setsuna offered a congratulatory handshake from a distance. He hesitated, but took it, only to be pulled into a gug. He was stunned at first. A hug From a girl? Now? However, he couldn't help but return the favor, trying not to cry as he was reunited with one of the first friends he made, one with whom he had almost shared a childhood. The moment was short lived though as they were brought back to the reality of the situation and corralled to the victory boxes.
The winners for the Sports Festival were crowned, for the 1st years, at least. There were still the 2nd and 3rd years to watch, but Momo and Itsuka had already felt themselves start to check out. It wasn't that they didn't want to see what their upperclassmen could do or anything. However they were rather exhausted and thankfully, the first years were allowed to go home to recuperate if they wanted to. Only winners of their respective years would be required to stay throughout.
Setsuna, Midoriya, and Bakugou stayed behind for a little bit, having been the top 3 competitors of the first year students. Momo had called for her chauffeur to usher them back home halfway through the second year matches. As interesting as they were, Momo was feeling tired and wanted to take time to relax after the whole festival.
Itsuka and Momo sat on the train together, reminiscing and talking about how the day went.
They both wondered what Sora had meant, but decided to think about it after a good rest. "Do you really think many pros took notice of us? We didn't get that far...especially not me."
Itsuka gently touched Momo's hand and gave a giant thumbs up.
"Hey, he can be a weirdo, but I trust my big bro. Besides, our teachers told us this would be big, especially for you guys in 1A, who already had the spotlight on you...sorry. I must sound like Monoma."He's good deep down, just overly competitive I guess. A little overly dramatic, but he's still my classmate...but anyway, regardless of what happens, even if you think you did poorly, I am still with you 100% of the way."
X
A few days had passed since the sports festival. Itsuka felt like she was getting more looks on the train ride to UA. She had even been stopped a few times and told she reminded people of someone else, mainly her mom or brother. It was cool, in a way, but she wanted to be recognized for her own skills and abilities, not theirs.
"Alright, class. This is something you have all likely been anticipating. You will be picking out code names. In front of each of you is an erasable marker and portable white-board. With those, you will etch your names into history.
Keep in mind, you are welcome to change them later, but that doesn't mean you can be flippant about this. These names will follow you for the rest of your lives and in the real world, you won't always get do-overs or a chance to rebrand. Midnight is currently judging the names for 1-A so in her place, Present Mic will be evaluating your ideas. As the host of his own radio show and a well-known hero, he is uniquely qualified to judge your public personas. We will be going by seat order, so Awase, you're up first."
Itsuka looked at the white board in front of her. She was nervous. She remembered calling herself Battlefist as a kid. It seemed kind of childish, but it certainly held significance for her. She could also always call herself Kendekiru. She did use her fists a lot and it made sense to inherit the "can-do Kendou" moniker. But was that really her? Legacy suited others and she was proud of her family. She wasn't sure if she should go with that. Maybe something in Chinese. Her dad was original from there after all and her costume had that vibe. It would acknowledge her heritage and her quirk without piggybacking off of her mom's accomplishments. She tried to keep that mostly conspicuous.
Itsuka looked at her hands, thinking of what they could do, but also what they represented. Perhaps, she could have gone with Grasp. It was simple, perhaps even a bit boring. Still, there were a lot of things to reach for: her dreams of being a top hero, the hands of citizens in need, the evils that she refused to abide, and the hand of her best friend. She especially wanted to reach for that, but shook her head.
"Head in the game, Itsuka. This isn't that hard." the ginger-haired girl told herself, closing and opening her dominant hand to the beat of her heart. Grasp was a bit too similar to Snatch, the sand hero. She held no connection to him and his unfortunate title, so she decided to avoid the confusion. Perhaps Zhuā láo, which would be the same thing in Chinese, or like Xi quiang, which was something like "hope to grab". It was hopeful. She liked that. It definitely fit her costume and half her heritage, but it still felt incomplete.
"Kendou, you're up next," Vlad King stated firmly. His gruff voice sounded like that of a parent.
Itsuka took a deep breath. She hoped she would be happy with this one. If not, she could try changing it later, as was stated. However, it was best to go in with the expectation that this would be for keeps.
"Right. I went for a lot of ideas. There were too many I could have chosen. I decided on Kenpo. It's a bit generic, and similar to my family name, but I hope to embody the way of the fist, not just as a weapon but as a way to protect those who need it."
"Straight forward and pragmatic. I dig it, but it's lacking pizazz, little lady. We all kinda do that, even if it's not all straight out of a Bruce Lee flick. You can do better, Kendou."
Itsuka sighed, feeling dejected. She was the leader of her class and got her name rejected, so that probably wasn't very inspiring. Still, not every motor would run smoothly at first. That's what her dad taught her.
As Itsuka listened to everyone's hero names, some seemed really creative and inspired, while others didn't seem as good. Still, she believed her friends would elevate those names with their actions. She wondered silently if Momo was having as hard a time as she was.
"So...I came up with one. It's a lame name, I admit. WIth my quirk, I could be something cool, like Squamata or Dinogal, or Basilisk...but there is only one name that sticks in my head right now...it can't be anything else…" Setsuna took a deep breath and swallowed hard. Her childhood flashed before her eyes and she silently swore she would tell it to him. "The reptilian hero, Lizardy."
Some people were surprised that the normally creative sounding Setsuna would settle on something so plain, but Itsuka managed to piece it together, or at least make some assumptions. Was it based on something from her childhood with Midoriya? Kendou decided that she should similarly honor such memories. She would grasp hope and fight for justice, not just a trained weapon but a protector for all, especially those she loved.
"Vlad sensei, if it is alright, I think I am ready to try another name." The class president stood up confidently, feeling her heart race as she walked to the front of the room.
"I gave it more thought. This is a strong name, but I hope to prove I am strong enough to live up to it, for those I cherish… Martial Arts Hero, Ainoken!"
Everyone was stunned, love being such a strong word that not even parents used it. It was even too strong for some married couples. And yet Itsuka had basically declared herself a warrior of love. Pony was star-struck, comparing it to one of her favorite anime, while Kinoko felt it was like something reminiscent of an idol.
The one with the biggest smirk on her face, however, was Setsuna. "Love fist, huh? Sounds dirty. Trying to usurp Midnight, eh."
"Don't be gross, Setsuna." Itsuka whispered to her friend before focusing on the rest of the name reveals.
"I know, I know. Still...warrior of love...is there something that inspired that name? Or is it...someone?"
Itsuka sighed and ignored her friend, trying not to call attention to the enormous blush on her face at the moment.
X
Meanwhile, while this had been happening, Momo had sat in her chair, preparing herself to go before her classmates. She knew the name she wanted to use, even if she was unsure of herself. She was sure of this name and hoped she could earn it.
"I will do my best to live up to this name," she bowed.
"Creati, huh? How creative!" Midnight smiled enthusiastically.
"My grandfather went by Mr. Creati when he was a pro. He has since retired and passed away, but his journal has been very useful for me."
Momo could see Midoriya shaking in his seat, trying to hold back his questions out of respect, while also focusing on his own hero name.
X
"Wait! Are you for real? Mirko? The flipping rabbit hero? She's a total loner who doesn't do sidekicks. She doesn't even have a set jurisdiction. I have a friend who is older than me who managed to work for her, but that is rare and she just gets called a tag along."
"Yeah. She apparently liked my fight, but she knows my uncle and is a fan of my mom's. She and my bro have worked together a few times and made a competition of kicking villains. She is cool and all, but I kind of want to go a different route. This one looks interesting. Uwabami."
"The model? That's more of a Komori pick, but oh..kay...Oooooooh? I get it now." a realization hit the girl like a ton of bricks as a smug smile crept across her lips.
"Get what?" Itsuka narrowed her eyes, starting to shift uncomfortably. She really was bad at hiding her feelings, wasn't she? Of course not. She just needed to be sure is all. She didn't want to rush these things. It had barely been a month, at most. She wasn't going to make a rash choice that could cost her such an important friendship.
Reiko chimed in, absentmindedly playing with the ghost key-chain on her bag. "Momo is doing that internship, so Itsuka wants to do it too."
"Hah! Gay!" Setsuna snorted, unable to resist the urge to rib her friend and fellow student-council member.
"Cut it out, you two! Anyway, you're one to talk, Setsuna. I hear you want to do the same internship as Jirou." Itsuka. Sighed, stopping slightly and trying to play the big sister role, when really she was doing what she could to stay calm on the inside. Were people being too presumptuous or was she just too stubborn. Only time would tell, she supposed.
"So? At least I don't deny it. Besides, like you, I got an offer from someone I know too, but I don't want to be reliant on him, you know? He recommended me and I was able to get into UA partially through him vouching for me, but sometimes a girl wants to branch out, you know?"
Itsuka shrugged, then saw Monoma starting trouble with the kids of 1A. In particular, she saw someone with a mess of green hair being picked on. Getting up, she prepared to retrieve him, but noticed Setsuna getting up with her.
"What? He's harassing my friend. Can't just stand by, right? But I can handle it." Setsuna felt herself get tense. She didn't think ill of Monoma. He certainly wasn't on the same level as some others she had met, but he needed a chill pill for now.
"Ok. I'm still gonna sit there when you're done."
Setsuna pulled sat down and ingratiated herself, as promised, while Itsuka disposed of Monoma. However, the lizard girl was slightly disappointed to see that her friend was not there. Instead, it was Tsuyu Asui from his class.
"Midoriya is eating lunch with All-Might. A bit strange, but I am sure they have their reasons. Ribbit." The frog girl spoke up, dashing Setsuna's plans just a bit.
"Really? That is odd. Damn...I can still stay here. I guess. It would be rude to just duck after I got here...say, why is your hair so frizzy?"
"Kaminari thought it would be funny to use static electricity as a prank. Jirou and I knocked him out."
"Funny prank, gotta say, though I don't blame you." Setsuna smiled softly as she took a sip of juice. She pointed and winked at her class president as the two parted ways for the moment.
Itsuka dragged her blonde classmate aside, noticing as he started to come to his senses.
"They're really not bad, Monoma. This class rivalry isn't necessary. Besides, we were able to prove ourselves as worthy of the spotlight. Setsuna definitely got us there."
"I just find it concerning that you focus so much on-"
"Momo? Why does it matter? I still have the class's back. You're all my friends and I will do well by everyone, the best I can. But if we're to be rivals to 1-A, we should do so to push ourselves and each other to greater heights."
I guess. You are the big sis after all. Still, is it so wrong to do a victory lap?"
"It is when you're using Tokage's victory to cut down her friend."
"Ah...yes...fair point."
As Itsuka walked back to her table, Momo waved enthusiastically, then caught herself with a polite cough in order to appear more cordial and refined. She had an image to uphold, afterall.
Itsuka, however, saw through it and laughed. Some things never changed. The girl could be so excitable and infodumpy about topics that interested her, ever since they were kids. It was part of her charm. Itsuka sat down next to her friend, while Jirou side-eyed them both with a smile. Her chances with Momo were probably nonexistent at this point, and Itsuka wasn't bad to look at either. She had mostly moved on.
"So, what offers did you get for the internships, Itsuka?"
"I didn't get a ton but there were a few. Mostly from people I know through my family, like Mirko or my brother. I think Gunhead even offered to take me on."
"Hold the phone. Mirko? The rabbit hero who wanders all of Japan fighting villains and who shuns sidekicks and teams?"
"Yeah. She knows my uncle and is also a fan of my mom. It's definitely rare, but I might go with something else, unrelated to who my family is, you know? How about you, Momo?"
The raven-haired girl slumped in her chair and picked forlornly at her food. "I unfortunately didn't get very many offers. I was starting to feel better about my defeat at Tokoyami's hands, and yet it really did damage my credibility, didn't it."
"If it helps, I think we got one of the same offers. Uwabami. She is a popular female hero, though not as popular as Mirko perhaps, and with fewer achievements under her belt."
"You don't have to for my sake, Itsuka. It's fine. I do appreciate it though." The taller girl smiled and tried to look less upset about her situation than she was. Besides, would it help? She would rather not do it alone, but she also wondered if needing someone else just proved she was incapable on her own.
"I am grateful, Itsuka. I really am. You don't have to though."
"Of course I do. We're friends, right? Besides, I promised I would never let you go it alone."
"That was when we went to that haunted house though."
Jirou cocked her head in surprise. She did not expect her crush to be the haunted-house type.
"Wait, weren't you like 9 years old when you and Kendou last saw each other?"
"I wanted to see what architecture it had. It looked western style and I wanted to know if the ghosts were in Victorian outfits or Elizabethan," Momo hid her face in shame while Itsuka patted her back affectionately. "It was full of anachronisms...and also it was too scary. Sora got grounded for taking us."
"He was not happy with that but it was a fond memory, that's for sure...besides being spooked half to death...It was one of the last things we did together before you moved." Itsuka could still hear her mother's shouts as her older brother sulked up to his room to play video games, which were promptly taken away.
"Ok then. If you are willing to do this with me, I guess we are interning together. Who knows? Maybe I will learn something valuable. If this is where my life takes me, then we shall go forth living heroically and with style" The girl tried to hype herself up but was still unsure, hiding behind a quickly constructed shield of false confidence. "Fake it until you make it, I suppose."
Itsuka wanted to be supportive, but she felt like that was being too hopeful. She supposed Momo needed this, but she didn't want her friend to build up her expectations out of desperation. At the very least, she wouldn't have to go it alone.
"Let's temper our expectations a bit, yeah. It will be fun." Itsuka giggled.
FInishing up a whole plate with the utmost of manners and wiping her face clean with a napkin, Momo smiled across the table at her friend. "Agreed. Hopefully it's somewhat eventful. Either way, it will be more bearable with you."
Catching each other's gazes, the two friends blushed and looked away, deciding to chat away with the rest of the table. Little did either girl know just how crucial that externship would prove to both of them.