Joe's Note: This was another Carol/Yu-centric chapter in the first draft that I adapted to feature Carol and both of her younger friends in the rewrite. And guest starring everyone's favorite woobie because I'm obligated to let him appear every so often, I suppose. Mostly he gets an appearance because there was a lingering question in the original that needed to be addressed and I figure that it's still useful information to convey to the reader in this iteration. After this, we'll start moving closer to the U.A. Entrance Exam and the school year, so we can get into the meat of the series. Mostly because... well, I could sit and invent villains for Carol to beat down all day. But the entire premise of the story centers around Carol's school adventures. For that, we need Carol to get back to school, don't we?
Dedications & Thanks: To Nicholas, Howard, Jade, Alexander, Tibor, Alonsis2, Daniel, Clark, Adrien, erlking, ridillin, Haematite, Charles, Jacky, Edward, Andrew, Roofcrawler, Wil, PbookR, Samuel, Mikey, Beverly, Daniel, Charles, Crygon20, Subtle, Christopher, Stephen, Fablesrogue, Morgan, Joseph, Jason, RileyWestfall, bloodylord, Marc, Ziryo, Chris, George, Koby, William, Devin, JJbelle, David, Gavin, TheTenthAncestor, Lookshy, Mauday, John, Roman, Warren, and Jess for sponsoring me on P-treon, and making it easier for me to spend more of my time writing.

"So apart from the fact that everyone is off from school today, what's the actual point of National Foundation Day? Like, the National Foundation for What? Cancer research? Credit counseling? On the arts and humanities? I'm very confused."

Rolling her eyes, Himiko bumped her cheek against Carol's shoulder before snuggling back in against the taller blonde. "Not the National Foundation for Something. The day that the nation was founded. Supposedly back in 660 BCE, it was the day that Emperor Jimmu ascended to the throne. Not there's any proof that Jimmu actually existed, mind you. And it's not even the right day even if he did exist; they basically picked a day and plunked the holiday on it when they moved from the lunisolar calendar to the Gregorian one."

Carol let out a soft noise of understanding even though she really didn't. After a few moments of contemplation, she decided that continuing the current conversation was as good an idea as any; it wasn't like they had anything better to do at the moment. "So it's a holiday... for no good reason?"

"Eh. The constitution of the Empire of Japan was first proclaimed on February 11, 1889. And then after the Greater East Asia War... whoops, I mean the Pacific War. After the war, the new constitution was ratified on February 11. So it still has some meaning. Even if the meaning is hundreds of years removed." Grinning up at Carol, Himiko batted her eyes playfully. "It means we get to spend the day together and you get the day off from patrolling, so are you really complaining?"

Before Carol could reply - in the negative; as much as she loved being a hero, patrol was boring as hell - Mina pumped a fist in the air from her spot on Carol's other side. "Any day without school is a good day! And I don't even have any extra homework, like when we're on vacation! Woo!" Slowly lowering her fist, she looked out over the beach that they were standing at the edge of. "I thought we'd be having more fun than this, though. Why did we have to come to the trash beach and watch some kid clean it?"

Carol turned to look over at where Izuku was hauling another chunk of trash across the cold sand toward the awaiting truck. Was that... a dishwasher? She was seriously starting to question how some of the trash ended up at the beach. Didn't one usually get a dishwasher removed by the people delivering a new one? How did they - and washing machines and ovens and other large appliances - end up here at Dagobah Beach? "All Might is training Midoriya to be his successor and since he can't be here all the time, I have to check in on him once a day or so. This is just a stop over; we're definitely heading somewhere more fun from here."

Tugging lightly at her sleeve, Himiko drew her attention back to herself. "I thought you were going to be All Might's successor? That's why he took you under his wing and made you his second-ever sidekick, right? So why does he need this kid? What's the point? Does he think you're not good enough to do the job on your own?"

"It's not that he doesn't think I'm good enough so much as..." Carol trailed off, wondering how to respond to the question without giving up any secrets that really weren't hers to share. Especially given that she loved spending time with Mina, but the girl couldn't keep a secret to save her life. "Well, All Might's going to be leaving some awfully big shoes to fill. He's got his fingers in a lot of pies. And so he's grooming the two of us separately to take over two completely different parts of his legacy when he retires."

Her two companions considered that for a few seconds before Mina decided to venture a guess. "So what, you're the heroic side and Midoriya is his community service and outreach side?"

Carol shook her head before raising her right arm and flexing. "Not quite. I'm being groomed to step into his role as the next Symbol of Peace, the fearless hero who always saves people with a smile. And I think we can all agree that I'm good at it, yeah? Take down the villain, reassure the helpless civilians, play to the crowds and reporters... it wasn't what I thought I'd be doing when I came here, but I'm a natural at it." She gestured to where Izuku had returned to the beach and was currently fighting with a washing machine, rolling it end over end across the sand. "Midoriya... nobody really talks about it, but All Might has a rogues gallery second to none and less than a two-thirds capture rate. More than once, he's beaten the shit out of a villain but saving innocents had to take priority over making the capture. So he's got plenty of unfinished business with very dangerous people who will all want to exploit the vacuum created when All Might eventually retires. Cleaning up that is where Midoriya comes in."

Evidently reaching full charge when it came to positive attention - at least for a few minutes - Himiko pulled away and did a backflip that ended with her stumbling backward and landing on her ass in the sand. "Bleh. Definitely a one for the landing. And what, All Might doesn't think Midoriya can punch his villains out with a smile or something?"

"I forgot, you two haven't properly met Midoriya yet. He's quite possibly every hero's biggest fan and definitely enthusiastic... but he's also the most singularly awkward person that I've ever met." To demonstrate, Carol whistled to get the boy's attention and gave him a big wave that Mina and Himiko copied. Blushing, the boy promptly tripped over the washing machine in front of him and faceplanted into the sand. "He definitely does not have what it takes to instill a sense of peace, security, and confidence in the average person. Which is fine. Endeavor doesn't either and he's made it all the way to number two on the charts. And don't even get me started on Denim Man."

Mina eyed Izuku speculatively as he climbed back to his feet, reaching up to rub her chin thoughtfully. "I mean, he's kinda cute. What's his quirk? I don't think I've seen him use it yet. Unless it's like, minor strength enhancement but then how would he be able to fight the same villains as All Might?"

Aww shit. What was the party line answer to that question again? Carol wracked her brain for a few seconds before snapping her fingers as she remember. "It's a stockpiler and enhancer. I think he calls it Super Power? Basically there's more power in that small green boy than in All Might, he just can't utilize it without blowing his arms off. Yet. So All Might is training him up to become stronger so that he can unlock his power and use it."

"So he's cute in an awkward sort of way and he's potentially more powerful than All Might once he actually figures out how to properly use his quirk?" Mina took a step to the side away from Carol before slowly inching forward. "Is he seeing anyone? Because I mean, I'm going to be a famous hero in my own right but being in a hero duo with someone like that could only help my career..."

Carol facepalmed. "He tripped over himself and fell because you waved to him. What do you think, Mina?"

"I think... dibs!"

"I'm sorry, miss, but all of our rooms are either occupied at the moment or have preexisting reservations that are starting soon."

Carol blinked owlishly at the karaoke center's receptionist before turning to Himiko with a look of consternation on her face. Thank God she'd sent Mina home before heading out for an evening with just Himiko; the pink girl would have never let her live something like this down. "Evidently the fame train has come to a crashing halt when faced with the juggernaut that is peak hours at Karaokekan. And Shidax and Big Echo. Who would have thunk it?"

That earned her an amused look from her companion for the evening. "I don't want to say I told you so, but I did in fact tell you so. But you were so certain that I figured maybe you'd done this before. That maybe popular venues set aside a hero room or something so that when you showed up, they could 'just so happen' to have room for you so that you could patronize their establishment. Or... something."

"Evidently not." Carol turned back to the receptionist and affected the best polite bow that she could, a mannerism that she was still trying to master to fit in better with Japan's more formal culture. "Our apologies for bothering you this even-"

There was a soft croaking noise and then green edged into Carol's field of vision, a large hand rising into sight as someone waved to get her attention. The blonde followed the hand back along a more normal sized arm to a short but surprisingly cute girl with a slight hunch, large black eyes, and a wide mouth that dipped down slightly in the middle. She almost reminded Carol of... a frog? "None of the girls that I invited from school have shown up, and singing by myself sounds really boring. Would you two like to join me?"

Their evening was saved! Carol exchanged a high five with Himiko before turning back to their savior and nodding eagerly. "I haven't had a proper night out in weeks, and Himiko and I were hoping to take advantage of the holiday to have some fun for one night. This was the third karaoke center we tried; everywhere is full at this time of night on a Friday. If you really don't mind sharing with us, we'd love to share a room with you. Miss..?"

"Asui Tsuyu. Call me Tsu. Kero." Slipping in front of Carol, Tsuyu stretched upward and rested her hands on the counter. "Asui, party of... three, it appears. We'll be staying for all three hours that I reserved, or at least I will. And since at least I'm underage... I'll start the evening with a Coke."

Chuckling, Carol rested one hand on Tsuyu's surprisingly firm shoulder as she leaned forward. If their generous benefactor was ordering now, presumably this was one of those karaoke establishments that had at least a one drink minimum for guests. "I'm not old enough to drink either, so it'll be Coke for me too. And Himiko will have..."

"A Bloody Mary. Which is blatant false advertising, if you ask me." Himiko did her best to look innocent as Carol eyed her balefully, before finally crossing her arms over her chest defensively and letting out a huff. "Fine, a virgin Bloody Mary. Since you're going to ruin my fun."

Carol snorted and rolled her eyes; what the girl did on her own time - presumably when transformed into older people - was none of her business but she wasn't about to get busted for underage drinking. Or attempt thereof. So far she'd managed to keep her name largely out of the tabloids and she intended to keep it that way. "I'm grimacing inside because tomato juice is an abomination of nature but I'll allow it. Coke, coke, and a virgin Bloody Mary. Delivered to room..?"

After consulting the computer in front of her for a moment, the receptionist smiled and handed Carol a rather hefty binder. "Room 27. Please enjoy your time with us, Miss Asui... and guests."

"Kero." Pulling away from the counter, Tsuyu dropped to all fours and hopped forward like a frog, leading the way toward their assigned room. Exchanging bemused looks, Carol and Himiko followed behind obediently as the green-haired girl expertly navigated the halls to karaoke box 27, opening the door for them before cocking her head to one side as she realized they were both looking at her rather than at the room. "Kero?"

Carol chuckled softly before reaching out to pat Tsuyu on the top of her head, hoping it wasn't too forward of her. When it came to people her own age, she never knew: the younger generations tended to be less formal but it was still Japan. "You're cute. It's probably stating the obvious, but... frog quirk?" Opening her mouth, Tsuyu flicked her tongue out several inches retracting it, and Carol nodded decisively. "Frog quirk. Cool. I haven't met many mutant-type quirks yet... at least that I haven't had to punch and then detain until the cops showed up." Letting out a soft noise of understanding, Tsuyu hopped forward and into the room, leaving Carol free to lean over and whisper to Himiko. "If she catches you staring at her ass like that, I'm not responsible for what she does to you."

Letting out a soft whine, Himiko blushed brightly and buried her face in Carol's shoulder. "Can you blame me? She's all bent over and those pants are screaming for mercy. I'm a useless lesbian, Carol. I can't stop myself."

"Hope you can look away fast enough, then. Or that she doesn't mind you looking. Because you're about as subtle as a Detroit Smash." As Himiko whined more and tried to merge her face with Carol's shoulder, the taller blonde pulled away and stepped into the karaoke room, looking around curiously. It was a bit cramped for her tastes, given that her previous karaoke experience consisted entirely of her going to bars with Maria... but it would do. "Just out of curiosity, Tsu, the 'kero' thing... is that a conscious expression or more of a tic?"

Turning to face them, Tsuyu plopped down on one of the couches before bringing her finger up to worry at the corner of her mouth as she stared up at Carol. "A little bit of both? I do it without thinking sometimes because of my quirk, but because of that I consciously introduced it into my behavior as a way of expressing myself. Why?"

Carol opened the binder that she'd been handed by the receptionist, flipping through it until she found the English section and then scrolling down one page after another in search of a particular song.

"Because if they have one of the songs that I really like, I think it'd be hilarious to watch you sing it. Repeat after me, just with kero... hello."

"Kero."

"Hello!"

"Kero!"

"Hellllo!"

"Kerrrro!"

Finally finding the song that she was looking for, Carol let out a triumphant cry before darting forward, punching the five digit code into the karaoke machine. "This is literally one of the greatest American rock songs of all time. It's so amazing that it even made its way to my home planet; it's been covered by like, six of my favorite Kree bands too."

As Carol turned and dragged the still blushing Himiko into the room, Tsuyu reached forward and hesitantly pushed the 'select' button on the touch screen. Within seconds, the room was filled with the wailing of an electric guitar and the pounding of drums. "Nirvana. Smells Like Teen Spirit." A bit unsurely at first, Tsuyu began bobbing her head to the beat of the song, her wide mouth slowly curling up in a smile. "I'm usually not a fan of English songs, but this is pretty cool. I like this."

Picking up one of the mics, Carol turned and tossed it to Tsuyu, who snatched it deftly out of the air. "Then let's hear what you've got, Frogger."