'Late bloomer.'

The phrase used by Ashido to describe Camie's current situation. As if she doesn't even know the definition of love.

Well, she doesn't, actually.

So what if everyone around her is suddenly being all kissy with each other? So what if she feels left out when her friends make plans with their boyfriends? So what if she feels slightly angry at the sight of Tsukuyomi and Froppy sharing a sweet victory embrace after beating some villains?

Coming from personal experiences.

She could deal with it.

She thought she could deal with it.

Yet when it came to Bakugou, there is just something about him that gets her going in a way she can't explain. The same way Ashido put it — it just sort of, kind of, happened, sort of.

Sort of, kind of, sort of.

For ten long years she kept it hidden, hoping for it to die out someday. Woe is her, because the fire still burns strong. Now that she's pleaded guilty, which may have been a huge mistake on her part, she has yet to receive more insight from Ashido. A dreadful feeling blooms from it.

Uncool.

Camie honestly wanted an easy day at work today, too. She sips from the cup containing her water while Shishikura boasts some crap about his day. He beat villains, or something, Camie isn't paying attention.

Oh well.

Whatever Ashido's up to, it ought to be interesting. Might as well see what she's got in store to finally help her with Bakugou.

At the Acid Hero: Pinky agency, several pro heroes have been gathered at a large, oval table. At the front of the table sits a pink-haired girl in a tuxedo and sunglasses, the latter hiding her amber pupils.

Someone swallows.

A reunion?

All former members of Class A from U.A. High have seated themselves among the table. All, except one. The Electric Hero, Chargebolt, shoots Cellophane an odd look. Earphone Jack and Creati shrug to each other. No one dares say a word.

That is until Kaminari decides to speak. "S—"

"Quiet."

Not even a syllable!

Ashido clears her throat before smoothly shedding the sunglasses and giving a stern look between the adults. "Ladies," she looks to the girls. They nod in unison. "Gents," she looks to the boys. They nod in unison.

Satisfied, she nods to Kaminari. "Kaminari has the floor."

The hero gives her the strangest of looks. "Ashido, what is this? Why are we here?"

"I'm glad you asked." Ashido rises from her seat and begins pacing around the table. She spins her sunglasses absentmindedly. "As you are all aware, most of us have experience when it comes to relationships. An example is Eijirou and I. We are dating, so therefore, we know a thing or two."

Kirishima proudly raises his fist.

"Another example is, well, the newly engaged Midoriya Izuku and soon-to-be Midoriya Ochako. Congratulations, by the way."

Uraraka and Midoriya blush and instinctively avert their gazes, the habit somehow sticking like glue. The proposal was the most awkward thing any of them had seen, Midoriya making robot movements and Uraraka speaking like one. Both of their faces looked red enough to burn.

Jirou chimes, "Okay, and? Where is this going? I had to leave the agency for this, so this better be important."

A wily smirk is delivered. Ashido rebounds from the table back to her chair, removing it from its position. Smacking her hands on the table, that same grin reflects in everyone's eyes.

"I've got some news for you guys. You may notice that Bakugou isn't here with us. This is an important piece — so this never leaves this room. What I am about to say may sound outright crazy, it may even make me seem like some sort of lunatic, but I can assure you, what I am about to tell you is 100% true. I've received this information from its source."

There is a muted hush. Anxiety spreads within the room at the anticipation of Ashido's word.

She breathes deep.

…

And exhales slow.

"Bakugou, our Bakugou, our loud and vicious Ground Zero—has an admirer."

…

…

"Eh?"

It starts with one voice.

"Y-you're joking…"

Then another.

"Kacchan… having…"

Until the room is filled with several questions bombarding Ashido like bullets. She stands tall and takes them like a man. Kaminari and Sero look the most unconvinced out of the bunch, while Midoriya appears to be the most astonished. The girls immediately begin conversing and establishing theories.

The question remains — who?

Who is this mysterious person in love?

It all scrambles into chaos, yet until, until! Kirishima claims the floor: "Hold on, hold on! What kind of admirer are we talking about?! This is Bakugou, so this could be false information!"

Good point.

While it is, Ashido had said she'd heard it right from the original source. She points dramatically to Kirishima, uttering out, "Excellent point! However! This info is completely true! She's not some horny teenage fan of his! The girl's name is Utsushimi Camie, aka Maboromicamie, graduate of Shiketsu. I had talked with her earlier and she told me she pretty much can't sleep at night without thinking of him."

That last part is a lie, but who cares.

Uraraka is in pure shock. Meanwhile, Hagakure gasps as if she'd realized something, and Shouji and Tokoyami's eyes widen like saucers. Asui stuck to pondering the issue herself. Yaoyorozu looks as if she's trying to mentally solve a math equation. Iida looks like he might malfunction.

"How long has… Utsushimi-san been like this?"

Oh!

Midoriya claims the floor!

"Another great question!" the pink hero points to him like in Ace Attorney. "But, uh, I don't know."

"Oh."

"Anyway! Now that we've discussed the issue, here is why I have gathered you all here." Plopping herself back in her chair, Ashido swings her feet up on the table, propping her sunglasses back on her face. "We are going to solve the issue."

…

Solve? Like, an if-and-then kind of thing? Bakugou has someone's eyes set on him, and that's good. Being the last one in their entire class to even experience love sort of upset him, since Midoriya is already on his way to marriage, but he always nagged that love was out of the question.

Oh, how he must have suffered saying that!

"You see, Shiketsu had a strict policy of no relationships, right? And this poor soul of hers has had no experience dating during her precious high school years. She is almost thirty, basically drifting through life like a leaf in a river. Does it not bring a tear to your eye?"

It brings a tear to Kirishima's eye, that's for sure. He wipes away his manly tears for Camie. How dare they strip her of her golden years!

"Therefore, I have decided."

Once more Ashido rises, shedding her sunglasses and this time, outright tossing them aside. "We are going to get those two together. Bakugou hasn't even had a relationship of his own, the poor sap, so if we do this favor for the both of them, it's a win-win. And I have a plan."

"A plan, kero?" inquires Asui.

"Yes. A plan. The Summer Festival. In just four weeks, the Summer Festival will be upon us. Aka, one of the greatest events to spend with your significant other. If we can get Bakugou and Utsushimi to kiss at that festival, our job is done."

Get Bakugou and Utsushimi to kiss… has she gone mad?

Kaminari tilts his head. "And just how do we do that?"

"Organize. Plan. Prepare. The greatest tactics in war contain a strategy. Do whatever we can to get those two together enough to make Bakugou realize just how much she likes him. We are going to help this poor soul, just like the heroes we are."

The girl's ridiculous speech inspires the alumni. Kirishima may as well be sobbing. Doing such a good deed, all for their bro…!

"This time we do something about this hopeless romantic! Who's with me?!"

"YEAH!"

All nineteen fists shoot to the sky, Ashido leading the pack as they cheer with glee. They don't call her the love guru for nothing! She may have been retired for a few recent years, but the notorious love guru is back in business, baby!

"All right! It's settled! We're going to make this girl's life the best shoujo romance the universe has ever seen!"

Camie sneezes.