I got inspired by the Festival chapter. Enjoy!
(Izuki at age 16)
"Why did you all put me through this?" I asked out loud.
Here's my predicament, for some reason, I was convinced to participate in the Culture Festival's Beauty Contest. Not Ochako, not Tsuyu, not Yaomomo, but me! I don't even know how I could possibly be tricked by them to compete against some beautiful girls. Not only was I going to be embarrassed constantly during the day because Sato-kun's idea won most votes and us girls had to be dressed as maids; but I also was going to be wearing makeup and a dress. Sure, I wear dresses occasionally, but this dress, I swear.
"But Zu-chan, haven't you noticed all boys staring at you recently?" Ochako asked. "You are our best shot at getting that prize"
"I'm feeling used..."
"Nevermind her Izuki" Ashido said "we're doing this to built up your confidence" she said "though it would be great if you win and we all get to enjoy the prize"
"Ashido… you're not making it better..."
"Don't listen to them Izuki" Kyoka said "you're already in too deep, there's no way you'll get out of this, so just enjoy the moment"
I sighed, she was right. They were very clear when I signed up. Since the stakes were high, once signed up, a participant couldn't forfeit, unless something major happened. The prize was a really good one, the whole class could go on a paid vacation to the sea for three days. We would be staying at a local Onsen and we could relax for a few days before starting our exams. I would be celebrating my birthday during our stay, if I won.
"I wish I could get over it already, but the contest is the last event of the day" I was really unlucky.
"You'll get to promote yourself during the day, I think that's a good thing" Yaomomo said "Boys will be coming and fall in love with you all over again, that will get you votes!"
"Don't even mention them" I sighed "We're all in trouble right now because of them!"
"Yeah, I guess the only one that's safe right now is Tsu-chan" Ochako said "she was the first to volunteer in the kitchen to help Sato-kun"
"Don't blame the player, blame the game-kero"
Since we couldn't repeat our last year's performance, all boys got together and decided we would participate as maids and butlers in a café. Sato-kun only wanted to make crepes but Mineta convinced them it would be better if we all did cosplay. The silver lining here was that Eri-chan would come to the Festival just like last year and that I got to see Kacchan and Todoroki-kun dressed as butlers. I'm a girl after all.
"Well, at least the dresses aren't that embarrassing..." Ochako said grabbing her own outfit out of the bag.
"It definitely could be worse" Ashido agreed with her.
"Let's just get this over with" Kyoka was blushing full scale, maybe she was thinking about Kaminari and the way he would look at her with that outfit on.
"This is the Sports Festival cheerleading situation all over again" I sighed "I almost want to choke Mineta-kun for making us do this"
"Izuki-chan, just try to see the whole picture" Yamomo was struggling, I could tell she was saying it more to herself than to me "this will help our fellow General Studies classmates to relax"
"Try saying it without sounding so forced" I teased. Sue me, I'm angry at the situation.
We finally got ready and we met with the boys in our lounge before going to our classroom. As usual, I could feel Mineta's staring and I had to bite my tongue before I said something I would regret. Instead, I let my eyes wander to the boys, specifically Kacchan and Todoroki-kun. I couldn't help but blush at them. Maybe this wasn't a good idea, I'm turning into Mineta-kun.
"Listen, the event starts at nine, we have exactly one hour to prepare the batters and to set up the tables" as usual Iida-kun was being his strict self "I would prefer if we could finish at least ten minutes before we have to open..."
"Basically, take your time to make sure everything's ready by nine" Ashido cut him off. Iida was used to it so he didn't make a fuss.
We managed to open just in time. There was even a line waiting for us to open. Luckily, the first customers were Eri-chan and Togata-senpai. I greeted them and made sure they sat at the special table I had set up just for them. It wasn't every day that I got to see Eri-chan before becoming her mother.
"Mama, I want usagi ringo" she exclaimed. She's so cute.
"Anything you want Eri-chan" I smiled at her "Togata-senpai, what would you like?"
"All the types of crepes that you have" he answered "I might even try to make Eri try one" he said smiling "But I want you to be serving us my little kouhai, no one else"
I didn't understand why he would say that but I complied with his request.
The day was eventful, at some point, class B or more specifically, Monoma-san came in and as usual, started a fight with us. It wasn't really a fight but he just came in to mess with us. Fortunately, Itsuka came in not too late and it took him away. I was glad she did, Eri didn't need to feel stressed, her horn would grow and that would become a major problem. Not too long after that, we had some other troublemakers coming in, only this time they were General Studies students. Kacchan scared them away since I wasn't in the mood to deal with them. Somehow, I trusted Kacchan's behavior wouldn't stress Eri; she had become accustomed to his temper ever since she started visiting us in our dormitory more often.
"Zu-chan, it's time" Ochako called me.
We were cleaning up the tables and we were putting everything away. I sighed, I've been dreading this moment all day. I grabbed my things and met up with Ochako before we went to the event. All the other girls were already there, both my competition and my friends. I sat down on a chair and let Ashido do my makeup.
"You're the new competition here?" I saw one of the senpais coming my way. "I'd say you're rather plain, there's no competition to be worried about when it comes to you"
I really didn't want to let her comment influence me but all day long I've been feeling out of place and uncomfortable. Maybe this was a bad idea after all; such a shame I couldn't quit now.
"Izuki-chan" I heard Yaomomo calling me. "Don't listen to them, you're very pretty" she said "she's only saying that because she's too intimidated by you"
"What's so intimidating about me Yaomomo?" I asked "I'm plain, she's right; I've been hearing the same comment from Kacchan all my life, it's nothing new to me"
"Then they're both blind because everyone can see you're beautiful, intelligent and quite intimidating" she smiled at me "listen, you gave me confidence on my abilities when I needed it; if I'm being honest, I felt out of place seeing you all being so confident with your quirks"
"But Yaomomo, your quirk is so useful" I replied "I can't imagine a more useful quirk than yours, you can make almost anything!"
"See, I couldn't see that by myself, I needed someone to believe in me first" she answered with a smile. "That's why I'm telling you Izuki, I believe in you" she said "Even though your quirk keeps mutating you don't let it overcome you; you always take the bull by its horns and you succeed" she smiled again "that's something I really admire from you" she said "Izuki, other girls, even myself, feel intimidated by the sheer prowess you posses"
"I guess I've never seen it that way..."
"I believe in you, you need only to believe it yourself" she said "now, show that senpai what you're made of Izuki-chan"
"Thanks Yaomomo, I know I can count on you" I smiled at her. Thanks Yaomomo, I wish someday I can honor your trust.