Chapter 28
"I already hate this festival thing." Kaiya mumbled as she read over the ideas Class 1-A had come up with earlier that day. The class was gathered in the common area still spouting off ideas before Iida called for more order. "Iida, you do realize you are the one being loud?" She pointed out, gaining everyone's attention as Iida pouted.
"We need to finalize an idea by tomorrow or we'll be stuck with Mr. Aizawa's idea." Kirishima complained.
"I think we should cross out the food ideas. We need something that everyone can enjoy and...kinda relax at." Kaiya offered, scratching out the ideas on her notepad.
"Why can't we do a dance party?" Mina whined before Todoroki stood.
"I agree." He said, shocking the class into a stunned silence.
"You'd be into that?" Kaiya asked incredulously while Todoroki set up his laptop to show everyone his idea.
"I'm not sure what this is called but it looks like everyone is having fun. I agree with Kaiya and Iida about making sure everyone is having fun, not just us." He explained, turning on a video of a concert.
"Not what I expected from Todoroki." Mineta commented. An idea lit up in Kaiya as she scribbled down in her notebook. "Kaiya has an idea."
"Music...dance...Jirou!" She smiled, moving the attention onto her musical classmate. "You're perfect!"
"Wait...no...no!" Jirou stammered before Kaminari crowded her.
"You're super talented and you play so many instruments!" He said happily. "Your hobby will make everyone happy!"
"It's her choice, everyone...don't pressure her." Momo interrupted before Jirou stopped her.
"If I didn't do it, it wouldn't be rockin' at all." Kaiya smiled brightly at the progress they made before she saw Aizawa in the doorway. He motioned for her to come to him for which she obliged.
"Yes sir?" She asked, following him down the hallway.
"We haven't had a chance to properly talk since Eri's rescue." He started, making Kaiya nervous. "How are your injuries?"
"They're okay. My stomach is really the only cut that still stings. But I'm okay."She answered him.
"And this whole business with Todoroki? How did that come about?" He asked with a blush on his cheeks. Kaiya giggled at the awkwardness Aizawa felt as they continued to walk to the courtyard.
"Honestly sir? It just...happened. Neither one of us is skilled in the...relationship side of life. But it works. He makes me happy." She smiled, toying with her hair. Aizawa grunted in response before Kaiya spoke again. "Was I supposed to tell you?"
"It would have been nice to be informed of my students...dating. It seemed everyone else knew so I can't really blame you." He mumbled, sitting on the bench. Kaiya stood awkwardly as Aizawa took a deep breath. "It's not a secret that I obviously look out for you; more than I thought I would." Kaiya nodded her head in agreement with a small inkling of happiness bubbling within.
"I appreciate you looking out for me." She said, seeing Aizawa give a small smile.
"I know you do. But now...I'm looking out for Eri too." He said. "I'm going to need your help. You know better than anyone what it means to be used...and abused."
"Yes sir." She replied quietly, rubbing her burn mark subconsciously. Aizawa saw the movement and looked up to Kaiya.
"You've always been strong. I need you to help me show Eri that she is also strong." Kaiya felt a small tear escape her eye as Aizawa grasped her arm gently. "Please Kaiya?"
"Of course. I will do whatever I can do to help Eri."
Later that night, Kaiya nuzzled herself in her bed sheets when her phone buzzed. "Hey you." She smiled at the phone.
"I saw you with Aizawa, so I didn't want to interrupt." Todoroki's voice sounded over the phone.
"It's okay, he was just asking me to help him with Eri." She explained, stifling a yawn.
"I know it's late and we both have a lot going on, but I had a question." He said. "This weekend...do you want to go out with me? Like on an actual date." Kaiya almost stopped breathing. It was true, they hadn't actually gone out on a date since they got together. Life had gotten too busy. Kaiya didn't reply immediately and Todoroki almost began panicking. "Umm, Kaiya?"
"Right! Sorry Shoto...yes I'd love to!" She squealed, returning back to Earth. She could hear a relieved sigh escape the boy before she giggled. "I can't believe we've been together this long without actually going out."
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I'm not very good at this but I am learning."
"We both are. Get some rest babe. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Good night."
The next afternoon in the common room, Jirou was trying to convince someone to take up the drums for their performance.
"Hey, didn't you accidentally admit that your parents made you take music classes when you were a kid?" Kaminari asked Bakugou.
"Give it a shot Bakugou!" Sero called out, holding out the drum sticks.
"I am not doing that." Bakugou scoffed while Kaiya chuckled to herself.
"It's probably too hard for him, guys." She teased, knowing that was the way to get Bakugou to do anything. True to his nature, he swiped the drum sticks and played a small solo for everyone.
"Well?" He asked Kaiya directly.
"Yeah...I'm the one you needed to convince." She laughed, seeing Bakugou piece together her trick. "Just do it Bakugou. You're talented."
"Don't you understand what will happen when we do this? It'll be a slap in the face for the people you are trying to help. It's because of us that our classmates are stressed out."
"Did we think this through?" Iida asked Kaiya who was scowling at Bakugou.
"You didn't help us come up with an idea so you can't complain now." Todoroki pointed out.
"Doesn't this make you even a little mad? We didn't ask for these villains to show up and ruin everything. Stop trying to get on their good side, it won't happen. If we are going to put on a show...then we can't hold anything back!" The classmates cheered for him as Kaiya released a strangled breath.
"That's what his problem is. He's carrying the burden of being kidnapped and all that's happened since." Todoroki pieced together, seeing Kaiya nod in agreement. "You knew?"
"That's what we talked about after he and Deku fought a while ago. I can understand holding onto a burden like that." She answered him, smirking at the explosion boy surrounded by his friends. "He's going to be fine."
Misa called everyone together as Kirishima, Ochako, Deku and Tsu joined them. "So what will the rest of us be doing when the music is playing?"
"Well in that video I showed you earlier there was…" Todoroki started.
"We need special effects!" Mina interrupted.
"Exactly." Todoroki said.
"So...Ochako can make Todoroki and Kirishima float...and Kirishima will shave a block of Todoroki's ice to make it sparkle while Ayoyama...acts as a disco ball?" Kaiya tried, seeing the team agree. "Oh! And Misa!" She called her friend. "You can throw random fireballs during the performance for extra effect!"
"Who's the singer though? That's a pretty big job." Tsu asked when Jirou pondered the question as well.
"Kaiya." Todoroki stated before Kaiya smacked him on the arm. "What? You sing really well." He said, not understanding her nervousness.
"Here's a mic! Sing!" Misa encouraged her, despite Kaiya's death glare. She glared at Todoroki who shrugged his shoulders.
"Just sing like you did with me." He whispered as Kaiya took a deep breath and sang a few lines. The class froze as she sang, completely silencing everyone. "See?" He said as Kaiya stopped singing.
"Well that was a unanimous decision! Kaiya singing, Jirou on bass, Momo on keyboards, Bakugou on drums...and we need two guitars!" Iida said before Kaminari and Tokoyami strummed the guitars.
"Well there we go...decision made." Kaiya mumbled, smiling at Todoroki. "Thank you guys."
