Chapter 4: The Match Ups
While the appearance of the girls had switched the mood of Class 1-A, three students were still unaware of their arrival. Midoriya, Iida, and Todoroki stood together amongst a cove of rocks that lay several yards away from where the rest of the class were gathered. Squatting down, Midoriya used a stick to draw a sketch in the sand, going over their observations.
"Okay, so it looks like the beach itself is around 1 kilometer long. Each end of the beach curves inward, helping to form a natural bay." He drew pointed rocks on the top part of the beach and then palm trees on the bottom. "Right now, we're standing at the northern border. Beyond this point, the shore makes way for boulders so I doubt any beach goers venture farther than here." Iida nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, especially high schoolers on a school trip. These boulders are invested with slippery moss and seaweed. An accident waiting to happen!"
"And to the south, we have tropical vegetation growing, stopping anyone from going much further. So that just leaves this area right here in the middle for us to worry about." Izuku drew house shapes to represent where the class was set up on the beach." Izuku sat back, studying his work carefully. "The thing is, there really isn't any place I can see where an enemy could take victims without being seen by someone."
Todoroki's gaze swept over the flat shoreline. "You can see the whole beachline from one end to the other. All sand, with only a few scattered palm trees. No major places for enemies to hide."
"Yes and with a large class, including teachers, it would be very easy to keep each other in sight." Iida added, also pondering the problem. "So how did those students get away without anyone seeing them?"
"It has to be a quirk of some kind." Izuku pondered, absently scratching out ideas in the sand, in place of his usual notebook.
"Maybe an invisibility quirk, similar to Hagakure-san?" Iida suggested.
"No… that wouldn't do." Izuku replied, still bent over his work. "Even if a villain can turn invisible, the victims would still cause some sort of commotion when being captured." He looked up with a serious expression. "I think there are really only two theories that could work." He pointed his stick at the ocean part of the beach, squiggling out little waves. "No matter how we look at it, there's hardly any way a villain could capture a student on land, without being seen by someone. So that only leaves the water as the only possible escape route. So one theory is that whatever villain we are dealing with, will have some sort of aquatic related quirk."
"But wouldn't the same problem apply to that theory as the invisible quirk suggestion?" Todoroki questioned. "A student being dragged underwater is still guaranteed to cause a commotion of some kind."
"Agreed and we also have to conclude that most highschoolers would be in the water in groups, rather than swimming individually." Iida added. "It's natural human instinct to gather in numbers when in an unfamiliar environment."
"You are all right." Izuku agreed, setting his stick down. "Which is why I don't think the students were captured unwillingly."
His two classmates' eyes widened. Iida stepped forward, looking perplexed. "I'm not sure I understand. Are you suggesting these students went to the villains on their own free will?"
"I know it's hard to believe, but I can't think of any other alternative." Izuku replied, gesturing to the map. "In such a small area, it would be impossible to abduct half a class without creating a single disturbance."
Todoroki's eyes narrowed. "If that's the case, the quirk we're dealing with is mostly…"
"Yeah…." Izuku nodded grimly. "A quirk that deals with the mind."
A somber silence fell between the three boys. Quirks that dealt with the mind were by far, one of the most difficult quirks to conquer. Izuku had first hand experience with this, during the sports festival of his first year. There he had to duel Hitoshi Shinso, a fellow first year student who's quirk was mind control. Izuku still could remember the chilling sensation of not having any control of his own actions. It was not a feeling he would wish on anyone.
"I really hope that isn't the case." Izuku thought, clenching his fists.
Iida was the first to speak up, adjusting his glasses and he laid out his own thoughts on the matter. "Well, though your theory does harbor good backing, I don't think we should jump to conclusions just yet. There is still a chance the students could have wandered off on their own due to some sort of bait."
"So you're saying they got distracted by something and led away from their peers." Todoroki summoned up.
"Exactly!"
"Oh I didn't think of that!" Izuku exclaimed, picking up his stick and drawing a little person in the water. "That could definitely be a possibility. If the victims were swimming, something could have lured them closer to the deeper waters."
"The distraction would have to be something pretty good to lead a group of guys away at once." Iida added.
"We don't know if they were taken as a group. It's also likely they were led away one by one." Izuku argued.
"But, what kind of distraction would make a guy willing to leave his friends and wander off alone in the water?" Iida pondered, scrunching his face as he thought deeply on the issue.
Izuku wore a similar look of pained concentration. "Think! What in the world could most likely lure those guys away?"
"Something that is truly appeasing?" Todoroki suggested.
"Hey guys!"
Iida and Todoroki looked from their thoughts to watch Uraraka running towards them, her swimsuit-clad body sparkling in the sunlight. Izuku remained squatting on the ground, mumbling to himself as he brain tried to unscramble the mystery. As Uraraka greeted the two, she glanced down at the detailed sketch of the beach, curious.
"Umm..what are you guys doing?"
"Just having a discussion about the mysteries of the abductions!"
"I'm trying to figure out how to have fun at the beach."
"Oookay." She squatted down across from Izuku, listening to his rambling mutters.
"It's too much of a consequence that all the victims are male. So whatever is luring them, must be only appealing to teenage boys. Food? Too unlikely. Maybe an item of some kind?" He glanced up, suddenly finding himself eye level with a pink bikini and the plump breast that hung from them..
"Hey Deku!" Uraraka greeted him cheerfully.
"AHHHH URARAKA!" Izuku yelled, rolling backwards in surprise and splashing right into a forthcoming wave. He lifted his head up, seaweed hanging from his hair.
"Geez Deku! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to surprise you!" Uraraka yelped, starting to make her way over to help, but Izuku quickly waved her away, blushing.
"No! No! The fault was mine! I shouldn't have been so distracted…." It was then he caught a full glimpse of Uraraka in her pink bikini. If possible, Izuku's face burned even redder as all things, including the mission, were instantly erased from his mind. All he could think about was whether Uraraka had always looked this cute.
Uraraka giggled, reaching over to pull the seaweed from his hair. "Here, let me help you with that."
"Th...thanks." Izuku mumbled, trying to divert his eyes away from her bare skin that was inches from him as she leaned over. He coughed, trying to stay calm. "Uh...your swim suit looks nice."
"Isn't it?!" Uraraka gushed, doing a happy twirl in the sand. "It was a gift from a friend! Isn't it cute?"
"It is." Izuku replied, thinking her reaction was even far cuter than the swim wear. He blinked, suddenly realizing something. "Hey, Uraraka! Isn't that bikini different from the one you had earlier?"
Uraraka paused, finger tapping her chin. "Oh! You mean the leopard print one? That wasn't actually my bikini. It's Mina's!" She shot him an embarrassed grin. "She accidentally dropped it on top of my head back on the bus."
"Oh...I see….So that wasn't Uraraka's bikini I touched." Izuku's fist suddenly clenched, as his inner thoughts screamed. "WHY AM I SO DISAPPOINTED!?"
He was saved from pondering his own inner thoughts as Iida and Todoroki joined their conversation. "If you're here, I suspect the other girls have also joined the rest of the class on the beach?"
"Yep!" Uraraka answered, turning to Iida. "That's actually why I came to find you guys. The girls want to play a game of beach volleyball and I thought it would be fun if we all play together!"
"Sure!" Izuku answered instantly. "That does sound fun! Right, guys?"
"Beach volleyball?" Todoroki repeated, sounding curious.
"Yeah, have you ever played?" As Uraraka explained the rules, Iida ushered Midoriya closer.
"Midoriya, should we really distract ourselves in a game of volleyball right now?" Iida whispered, leaning downwards. "Isn't it more important to stay on high alert?"
Izuku frowned, taking a moment to consider their options. "Realistically, there really isn't much we can do with the information we have right now. It's like Aizawa Sensei said, the best we can do is act the part of normal high schoolers." He glanced back at an enthusiastic Uraraka demonstrating the proper position to serve a ball to Todoroki. "More importantly, we did promise Uraraka we would make this trip enjoyable for her."
"Well said." Iida readily agreed. "A promise to a friend is just as important as our hero's work." He turned to her sharply, hand coming to a salute. "Uraraka! We would be honored to join you in an enjoyable game of beach volleyball!"
"That's great!" Uraraka answered brightly. "Todoroki also said he's interested."
"The rules seem simple enough." Todoroki stated. "And Uraraka advised me that volleyball is a must on a beach trip."
"Then let's go!" Uraraka exclaimed, leading the trio away. "You know it's kind of hard to believe that you've never been on a beach trip before." She said, glancing back at the white and red haired teen behind her.
"Is it really?" Todoroki replied, not quite understanding what's so hard to believe.
"Yeah!" Uraraka started walking backwards so she could face the boys. "You come from a pretty well off family right? I figured you would have done trips like this pretty often."
"My mother and siblings used to, but most of my spare time was spent training with my father." Todoroki explained, blue eyes grazing the long stretches of sand that loomed around them. "When I was brought to the beach, it was mostly for strengthening exercises and running laps."
"Oh….that sounds tough."
"It is." Todoroki answered without hesitation. "The sand makes it hard for your feet and legs to stabilize your movements so your whole body has to work twice as hard. But because sand is also a reliable cushion for falls, you're able to do exercises such as jump squats that would normally be rough on your joints. Overall, it's a great place to build your body for hero work."
"You know, the summer before our entrance exams I also did most of my training on the beach near my house." Izuku added, thinking fondly of those days of sweat and tears and training with his number one hero, All Might.
"Yes, I find jogging on the beach in the morning is quite a liberating experience!"
Uraraka slowly turned back around as the boys conversed about their agonizing workout routines. "Woah...boys really enjoy talking about working out…wonder if I should do more muscle training?" She wondered, quietly flexing her arms. She jumped, when Izuku suddenly addressed her.
"Hey Uraraka, earlier we were explaining to Todoroki about things we enjoy about the beach. What do you like most about the beach?" Secretly, Izuku was also hoping to get hints on how to make this trip fun for her.
"Oh, that's easy!" Uraraka said, smiling. "It's free!"
The guys paused, each one thinking the same thing.
"That's so Uraraka!"
"What?" Uraraka asked, noticing their stares.
"Oh nothing!" Izuku quickly replied with an amused grin. "Just thinking that's such a good reason!"
"Yes! Very economical!" Iida added, as Todoroki simply nodded.
By this time they had arrived at the volleyball net, where the girls were gathered. Mina, Toru, Momo and Kyouka smiled, giving them a friendly greeting.
"Yay! More players!" Toru cheered, jumping up and down excitedly.
"Nice going Ochako! These matches are going to be so killer!" Kyouka exclaimed, high fiving Uraraka.
"What perfect timing." Momo said, also greeting the newcomers. "Mina also just arrived with some players." They turned and to their surprise, saw Mina in conversation with Kirishima, while Bakugo and Kaminari lingered nearby. Kaminari was the first to notice them and cheerfully waved them over.
"Hey! What's up guys!" He called out. "Ready to get your game on?!"
"We're all for a little friendly competition!" Iida responded with equal gusto. "As long as we all stick to the regulated rules of the game!"
Izuku walked over to Bakugo, who leaned against the net pole, looking very disgruntled to be here. "Hey Kacchan, I didn't think you would be here." His eyes widened at the frazzled state he was in. "Eh? What happened to you?"
"Don't ask." Bakugo growled, shooting Kaminari a dirty look.
"Are you also interested in volleyball?" Todoroki asked, coming up from behind Izuku.
"The hell I am!" Bakugo answered, pointing an angry finger at his two companions. "The only damn reason I'm here is because these two morons want to get their fill of the female anatomy!"
"Shh!Shh!Shhh!" Kaminari rushed over and frantically tried to quiet the raging teen. Hey! Chill out! We don't want them to hear you!"
"Yeah dude! We just thought since we're at the beach, we should have a little fun." Kirishima adds, also attempting to sooth him. "Besides, Mina invited us. What kind man refuses the request of a lady?"
"I see no ladies present."
"Hey! I heard that!" Toru yelled from several feet away.
"Oh shut your trap!' Bakugo replied, earning a well deserved raspberry blown his way by the invisible girl. He turned to his companions, continuing to flume. " Now listen here you extras! We're heroes! We don't have time to play moronic kiddie games when we have a mission to conquer!"
"Yeah, a mission we were told about literally half an hour ago." Kirishima replied bluntly.
Kaminari wrapped an arm around both classmates, pulling them together into a tight bro huddle. "Come on guys! Let's just take a break and enjoy the views…." He teased, gaze falling on the bikini clad girls gathered before them. Bakugo once again, roughly pushed them away.
Izuku watched the interaction with an amused grin. "You know they are right." He stated, coming to stand next to his grumbled childhood friend. "If we're too cautious the villain may not even strike our class. Might as well enjoy ourselves."
"Who the hell asked you?" Bakugo snapped.
"Uraraka informed me the teams would be in pairs." Todoroki stated, joining the conversation. "Would you like to form a team?"
"I TOLD YOU I'M NOT PLAYING THIS STUPID GAME!"
"Hey! What's Bakugo complaining about over there?" Mina called out from her spot with the girls. All of them were glancing at the boys curiously.
"He just doesn't want to play." Kirishima replied.
"What's wrong, Bakugo?" Toru called out, spinning the volleyball on her finger as she teased the spiky hair blonde. "Scared you won't be able to beat us?"
The beach became several degrees hotter as flames started to consume Bakugo. His companions slowly backed away as he stomped up to the net that separated him from the invisible teen. Clutching the rope, he roared. "I AIN'T SCARED OF ANYTHING YOU SORRY EXCUSE FOR AIR!" He jabbed a finger at her through the net, sneering. "I'll play your little game and murder every single one of you!"
Much to his irritation, his threat was met with a chorus of "Yays" from both girls and boys.
Kyoka came up behind Toru, patting her back. "Nice work Toru! With Mr. Hot Head over there staying, we're at an even number of players. Let's go ahead and pair up!"
"No prob!" Toru replied cheerfully. She turned back to Bakugo, who still stood glaring at her from the net. She teasingly poked his nose. "See you on the court!". A feral growl was the only reply she got.
"Hey Deku, would you want to…" Ochako began, but paused as she spied Iida already speaking to him.
"Shall we go ahead and form a team?" Iida asked Midoriya.
"Yeah, sure." Izuku replied, not noticing Uraraka slinking away. Unknownst to her, her attempt to pair up with Deku was noticed by someone.
"Iida?" Both Iida and Midoriya turned around to find Asui-chan standing before them. "If you are not busy, would you be able to assist me for a few moments?"
"Why of course. As class rep, I'm always willing to assist my fellow classmates." Iida dutifully replied with a reassuring smile. He turned to Midoriya, "Sorry to ask, but would you find another partner for now?"
"Go ahead." Izuku replied, waving his friend off.
Ochako watched the exchange in puzzlement. "What could Tsuyu want with Iida? Especially right when we are about to play?" She caught her friend's eye, and found to her surprise, Tsuyu giving her an encouraging wink, her hands motioning toward Deku. Blood rushed to Ochako's face as she realized what her friend had in mind. "Tsuyu! You didn't have to do that! Now I feel bad you're missing the game!" But both Iida and Tsuyu had walked away, leaving Ochako feeling both embarrassed and guilty. "Now what should I do?" She mumbled, squatting to the ground.
"Hey Uraraka?" She perked up at the sound of her name. She glanced up and found Deku standing over her, looking slightly flustered as he asked. "Ummm if you haven't found a partner….I was wondering...if maybe you wouldn't mind teaming up with me?"
Uraraka quickly shot up. "Yeah! Of course!" But froze, hesitating. "But wouldn't you rather pair up with one of the guys? Like Todoroki?"
"Well not particularly." Izuku answered, scratching his nose and looking slightly embarrassed. "I much rather just team up with someone I would have fun with. And you know...I sort of do with you…" He muttered, voice steadily getting quieter. "BUT BESIDES THAT!" He added, speaking louder. "You were the one who asked to team up with me back at the sports festival. I finally get to return the favor now!" He smirked, holding a fist out to her.
"So he's just returning the favor, huh?" Uraraka felt her enthusiasm dip slightly but shook her head, willing the fire of competition to grow. "No Ochako! No time for doubts, not when Tsuyu made this sacrifice for you!"
She returned Izuku's gesture, pumping his fist with her's. "Let's win it out there!"
"Yeah!" They both cheered together.
Mina watched their little exchange with a sly smirk. She turned to Toru, whispering something in her ear that made the invisible girl giggle. With her best bud's approval Mina held up her hands, calling out, "HEY EVERYONE! I just had a fun idea!" Both guys and girls looked up from their stretching. "Instead of playing with the usual partners, how about we spice things up a bit? Let's do girl and boy pair ups!"
"HELL YES!" Kaminari cheered, fists pumping the air in a frenzy.
"Guess we're already set." Ochako said, glancing at Deku shyly. He nodded with an equal amount of bashfulness.
"Yeah guess so!"
"MOVE IT YOU FRICKIN LOVEBIRDS!" Bakugo growled, shoving himself between the blushing pair and marching to where the rest of the girls were gathered. "YOU! FEMALES!" He barked, jabbing a finger at them. "I DEMAND TO KNOW WHICH ONE OF YOU IS THE STRONGEST! I'LL TAKE NOTHING SHORT OF THE MOST BLOODTHIRSTY WARRIOR TO JOIN MY TEAM!" The girls glanced at each other, none too eager to be paired with him. Bakugo crossed his arms, tapping his foot in the sand impatiently. "WELL?"
"Dude...do you even know our names?" Kyoka asked, fiddling with her ear lobe.
"Of course I do!" Bakugo snarled, pointing at each of them as he replied. "PINKY! EAR GIRL! TALL ONE! AND NO FACE!"
The girls glared at him, unamused.
Bakugo growled, losing patience. "Fine, if you all won't volunteer, I'll just pick one...YOU!" He yelled, pointing at Mina. "PINKY! BE ON MY TEAM!"
"Yeeeeaaaahhh, about that...no." Mina replied, twirling her pink hair. "I'm already on a team."
"WITH FREAKIN WHO?"
"With Kirishima, of course!" Mina announced, winking playfully at the shocked redhead.
"You mean me?" He asked, pointing at himself dubiously. Kaminari, who he had been helping stretch, also pointed at Kirishima.
"Yeah! Him?"
"Yeah, got a problem with that?" She asked, dark eyes glittering mischievously at the pointed fanged teen.
"Uhhh...No...No way!" He replied instantly, a delighted blush creeping along his face. Kaminari hid his face, moaning as he realized he was now partnerless.
Kyoka leaned in next to Momo, whispering. "That was pretty smooth of Mina!"
"Agreed!" Momo whispered back, in awe of the girl's spunk of getting what she wants.
"Fine then." Bakugo grumbled, turning to spot his next victim. "Then I'll take…"
"Yaoyorozu." Todoroki interrupted, unintentionally cutting a livid Bakugo off. "Would you care to form a team with me?"
"WHAT THE HELL TODOROKI?"
Ignoring Bakugo's outburst, the tall beauty gasped at the unexpected request. "Why Todoroki, what a surprise! Are you quite certain you would want to form a team with me?"
Todoroki nodded, explaining, "Yes I do. I feel like we worked well together during our midterm practical exams. Our experience together should make for satisfactory results on the court. Though I warn you, I have never played volleyball before so I would most likely be in your care for most of the game." He held out his hand, stern blue eyes gazing up at her earnestly. "Knowing that, would you still want to play with me?"
"Soooo smooth!" All the girls screamed internally as dreamy hearts floated over Yaoyorozu's head. She gave a small cough, composing herself.
"Of course." Momo replied, happily taking his hand in hers. "It would be my pleasure to assist you, Todoroki. Please feel free to ask any questions during the game."
"Will do." He replied, bowing his head at her. "I look forward to working with you."
"So...formal!" Toru quietly commented to Kyoka, the only girl left with her.
"Yeah...almost like a job interview." Kyoka replied back.
"Or a marriage interview!" Their giggles were interrupted by a red eyed, looming shadow that towered over them. Bakugo's nerves were quickly being prodded as all the delicacies before him were getting consumed by other men.
"Okay you two, listen up! Which one of you broads are coming with me?"
Kyoka glanced from Bakugo to Kaminari, who was clutching the volleyball net in antsy anticipation of which female would be choosing him. She gave a heavy sigh, not really liking her options. "Guess if I had to choose between Kaminari's dumb face over your angry one, I'll have to go with the dumb one." She dusted herself off, walking past the fuming Bakugo, and up to the ecstatic Kaminari.
"I'll take that as a win!" He said, holding two fingers up in a victory pose. He flinched as he felt a quick but sharp jap from Kyoka's ear lobe.
"Don't flatter yourself." Kyoka warned, rolling her eyes at the eccentric teen.
That left only one girl left for Bakugo to team up with. He glared at the pink bikini that seemed to float in the air with absolute loathing. Fortunately for him, her feelings were mutual.
"So Bakugo...I guess we're teammates now."
"Don't speak to me No Face!"
"ITS HAGAKURE! TORU HAGAKURE! LEARN THE NAMES OF YOUR CLASSMATES YOU JERK FACE!'
Let the games begin.
Ember Sunblaze: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Had expected it to be longer but decided this would make a good stopping point. Once again, please leave me a review!