THE PRIZE AND THE REWARDS

Hisashi was crying. Now, that wasn't a rare occurrence per se, but it was rarer than it was for his wife or son, both people he also couldn't match in amount of tears they could produce. But seeing his son victorious made him really want to try and reach their own records.

"He did it…" Inko cried, "He really did it. I'm so happy Hisashi…" She was crying in his sides – and on the couch, the floor and probably also flooding again the apartments below. Uh, if this became a common occurrence maybe Hisashi had to consider moving his family to a house that had better draining.

He chuckled, "He really did. Our son won the Sports Festival."

He looked down at his wife, and she looked up to him.

And then they kissed. 'Goddammit Volcano, I'm not giving you the satisfaction to tell you you were right.' He thought. He leaned further into the kiss, before looking up to where Kuraudo had been moments before. He spotted him walk out the door, bow, and shut it behind him, leaving them alone in the apartment. 'Best fucking bodyguard…' Hisashi thought, and then him and Inko went back to do what married couples do when their children get first place in a national event.

-x-

Izuku shivered.

"What is it Izuku?" Himiko asked, "Stage fright."

"I am feeling a lot of that right now." He admitted, standing on top of the podium for first place next to Himiko, "But I have to admit, a lot of this is a bit more… personal."

"Why?"

"Well…" He started to say, but was interrupted by All Might plunging down from the sky, landing in front of them.

"I am here!" All Might shouted, and the Arena roared in approval.

He walked up to the third place podium, a rather large one that hosted the four students that had lost the semi-finals. Shoji was the only one tall enough to make eye contact with the Number One Hero, and only because the Podium was pushing his height high enough to make up the difference. Izuku noticed All Might whisper something in the hears of both of his classmates, Shoji nodding and Tokoyami doing a wise nod that was thoroughly ruined by Dark Shadow emerging from his back and hugging All Might with all its strength, making the bird boy shiver.

Hana, probably the biggest upset in the Festival, was looking decidedly down to the ground, her face sweaty. She bowed when All Might tried to give her the medal, in the process almost hanging herself on it if All Might hadn't realized in time and let go, and then adamantly refused to look at anything but her shoes. He gave her some word of encouragement before moving on to Shinso.

Shinso himself was doing his best to not look nervous, which meant he was keeping his lips tightly shut and trying his best to not die of embarrassment. 'Mood.' Izuku thought, as All Might hugged the young man and whispered something. Shinso was the closest to Izuku's podium, so Izuku did catch the words 'Hero Course'. That also probably explained why Shinso started to tear up.

Izuku smiled.

All Might moved past him and Himiko to the second place. Uraraka looked as nervous as Izuku, but as she received her medal she managed to give a shaky thumb up in response to whatever All Might whispered. Todoroki, far colder, – 'Eh.' – managed to keep his cool – 'Eh- I need to stop, this is Masutaro's influence.' – and calmly accepted his reward.

And then All Might walked up to them. He first gave Himiko the medal. Being so close to him, Izuku caught the quick exchange.

"I hope you aren't disappointed about not getting to do more in the Tournament."

"I'm not." She replied.

"Good. I… Your grandmother would be proud of you." He whispered, and Izuku raised an eyebrow. Himiko also looked very confused, but All Might gave her a smile and moved up to Izuku.

They stared at each other for a long moment, and then All Might put the golden medal around his neck and promptly hugged him. For the crowd above, it would have looked as nothing more than the hug he had given to the other winners, but Izuku could feel this one was special.

Bone-crushing too, but special.

"Thank you, All Might." He whispered, "This is… it's all thanks to you."

"No, young Midoriya, this is all the result of your efforts. I gave you… an opportunity, but you were the one that took it." He smiled, letting him go, "I'm proud of you." He said, and Izuku could hear the implied 'as my successor'.

He felt tears surge to his eyes, and as All Might called for a cheer he shouted with the rest of the Arena.

"Plus Ultra!"

"Thanks for the hard work!" All Might shouted instead.

Everyone stared at him, the giant of a man coughing in his fist, and then the crowd, for once, started to cry out in faux outrage at All Might's impasse.

Izuku couldn't help but laugh and cry, his vision becoming blurry, and then he felt a touch on his cheek and froze.

He turned to Himiko, the girl blushing and looking away from the boy. "U-Uhm, Himiko, did you… t-touch my cheek or something?" He asked.

"I don't know what you are talking about." The girl replied, "You looked really cute right now though. I-In a friendly way of course." She quickly added.

"A-Ah, o-of course." He nodded. He touched his cheek.

Had she just poked him? Or…

He felt himself blush bright red. Looking around, no one was looking at him, the crowd's eyes and the camera both focused on the laughing All Might.

"S-So…" Izuku asked, "Uhm, do you want to… go out to… celebrate the… first place?" He half-whispered half-said, "I-If you feel like it."

"I'd like that." She replied, "Y-Yes, I think I'd like that."

"That's great." Izuku replied.

"Yep. Great."

"Great."

"So… see you later?"

"O-Of course." Izuku replied as the camera focused again on them, before they stepped down from the podium. He wondered how it was possible to not see his heart burst out of his chest when the beating sounded like a hammer in his ears.

-x-

Himiko dunked her face in the water and tried to cool down. She had rushed back to the waiting room her and Izuku had used earlier, found the sink, filled it with water, and now she was taking a really cold face washing.

'W-W-W-What did I just do?!' She wondered. No, she knew what she had done. What she was doing, 'Oh god, I'm- I'm f-f-f-f-alling for him?!' She grabbed her thermos and took a big swig off it, the red liquid entering her mouth and calming her a bit. 'No no no this is bad. If I fall for him I will want to… Want to…' She thought at him back during his fights. The concentration, the focus, the pain when he was hit and… the crimson flow of the blood as it left his wounds and… and it pooled so gently on his clothes, inviting her to taste, to take more of… 'No no no no, bad Himiko. Bad. You don't want Izuku's blood, you want, you want… You want…'

What did she want? She wanted Izuku to be her boyfriend, but… but what did that mean, for her. She… She didn't want to hurt Izuku, and she knew what would happen if she tried to do what she did when crushing on someone. She had wounded and killed people before for her love.

But somehow this felt different. When she had fallen for Saito, she had liked him from a distance. She saw him from afar, bleeding after standing up for someone else, and she wanted to be with him. To be him. And her following victims, they were the same.

With Izuku… What did she want from Izuku? She knew him, she knew a lot about him. Maybe… Maybe this was different? She felt the urge to… taste, but maybe this wouldn't be as bad? Maybe the fact they were close could help.

But what if it didn't? What if her love grew too much? Would she… hurt him?

Why was she worried about that now? Didn't she ask, first question about him to her father, if she could cut him up? What had changed?

She took a deep, shuddering breath. 'Calm down Himiko. Calm down. You can do this.'

-x-

Masutaro took a deep breath walking up to the boys' changing room. "Man, we did pretty well, uh?" He asked his two companions.

"Good enough." Kaminari said, "It was nice of Sero to let me team up with him."

"I wanted to be in the Tournament…" Mineta said, opening his locker.

"That's what you get for calling me Mom." Masutaro replied.

"I'm sorry Mother." Mineta replied, and Kaminari barked a laugh as they started to change. The short teen sighed, changing into his more comfortable clothes, "So, are we going out later?"

"Yeah, Sero, Kirishima and Shoji are coming too. I think Tokoyami also said 'yes', but I'm not sure that's what revel in the dark actually means." Kaminari replied, "You are coming too, right Sako?"

Masutaro, who had been putting on his pants, straightened all at once at the sudden question, going bright red even as the back of his head slammed against the locker, "Ow! Fuck!"

"Dude!" Kaminari shouted, "Are you ok?!"

"Y-Yeah. Sorry guys, but I don't think I can come with you."

"Why?" Mineta asked, "We have a weekend before lessons resume."

"I…" He coughed in his hand, "I mightbegoingoutwithHagakure…" He mumbled all at once.

Mineta and Kaminari stared at him, then looked at each other. "Say that again. Slowly."

"I…"

"Come on, we won't murder you…"

"I…" Masutaro sighed, "Hagakure asked me if we wanted to go eat something together!" He finally shouted.

Just as Kirishima opened the door, waving goodbye to Mina outside the door.

Masutaro's jaw dropped.

Kirishima's jaw followed suit.

Mina's eyes went wide as a thin, mischievous smile spread on her lips. "Bye Kirishima!" She shouted, before running off.

Kirishima looked at Masutaro, then his eyes moved to Kaminari and Mineta, both staring wide-eyed. He coughed in his fist. "Ahem. Very manly, Masutaro. Go for it. I just remembered I… left the gas in the oven. I'll go… check on that." And he quickly rushed back outside, slamming the door shut.

Robbed of his easiest target, Masutaro slowly turned toward the duo that was clearly considering rushing out of the door half-naked, if their copious sweating, throwing side-eyes at the door and the window and avoiding eye contact at all costs were any indication. "So, do you guys have anything to say?"

"…"

"…"

"Come on, I won't murder you…"

"I'm so sorry Mom."

"Yeah, sorry Mom."

"Ah, that's goo- I'm not your mother!"

-x-

"And then he-" Hagakure was saying, talking with Yaoyorozu and Uraraka, when someone all but kicked down the door, the object swinging wide open as a pink demon rushed through the door.

"Hagakure!" She shouted, pointing her finger at her. Tsuyu, who had been barely missed by the suddenly swinging door, took the opportunity to close it. "You are going on a date with Masutaro!"

Yaoyorozu gasped.

Uraraka turned red.

Pony's jaw dropped.

Jiro blinked, eyes wide.

Tsuyu rolled her eyes and went back to change. Thank goodness at least one of them didn't care. Not that that helped that much Hagakure as she tried to hide her blush. Well that was easy given she was still invisible, but she knew Mina knew she was blushing. "I-It's not like that! W-We are just going together to eat to celebrate our result in the Tournament."

"… You don't really believe that, do you?"

"Oh come on Mina, is not like it has to be a date, right?" Ochaco said, "I mean, me and Todoroki are going to eat together too, but-"

"Oh my gosh! You and Todoroki too?! It's the Tournament of Love!" She shouted, before turning to look at the others, "Who else?! Jiro?"

"I'm going to celebrate with Pony, Tsuyu, Kinoko and Shiozaki, sorry to disappoint."

"Booo. Party pooper." Mina sighed, "Where's Himiko?"

"She left earlier."

"Oooh? Did Izuku also leave earlier?" Mina grinned, "Oh, so much love, so much gossip, so beautiful." She theatrically leaned back, Yaoyorozu catching her before she fell, "I don't think I can survive three years of this."

"I'm fairly sure that's because someone will get too embarrassed and murder you…" Pony murmured.

"What was that Tsunotori?" Mina asked, turning around.

"Nothing!"

Mina chuckled, having figured out what she had said, or at least the context. Maybe. Yaoyorozu wasn't really sure. "But no, seriously, I'm happy for you all." She said, "I… I get really excited about love and love interests and all that, but you know I'm in your corner, right girls? If you ever need love advice, Doctor Ashido, expert in love, is here for you! I also do part-time job as wingwoman."

Tooru sighed. "I know. Just, do you think you could tone it down a bit? It's… scary sometimes. I mean, I don't have a problem with people knowing I'm going out with Masutaro – on a friendly outing!" She added at the smirk several of the girls sent her, "B-But maybe someone else would be… embarrassed."

"Oh jeez, sorry Tooru." Mina bowed, "I'm very… extrovert about my feelings, I always forget not everyone is like that."

"You are extrovert about your feelings?" Tsuyu asked, "I still don't know what you and Kirishima are."

"As Aoyama would put it," Mina said, blushing lightly but taking the jab while grabbing a purple towel she had brought to make a faux cape, "It's a secret."

Everyone laughed together at that, and then went back to changing, exchanging some last-minute talks. A few of the girls did ask if there was anything with Kirishima, but Mina just gave them a 'no comment'. She waved at her friends as one by one they left, until her and Yaoyorozu were the only ones left. Finally finished changing, and wondering what her and Kiri could get up to for the evening, she suddenly noticed Yaoyorozu seemingly ready to leave but just… not doing that. "Something wrong Yaomomo?" She asked, and noticed Yaoyorozu bit her lip, "Momo?"

"Mina…" She coughed in her fist, "Were you… were you serious earlier when you offered to help?"

The pink girl's eyes went wide. "Of course, Momo! If you need help, just ask!"

"I… I might have a bit of a crush. Or two. I… kinda can't tell." She said, and Mina nodded. Alright, this was serious talk time then, she realized. No jokes or gossiping, just serious love talk. She sat down on the bench in the middle of the changing room.

"Sit down." Mina offered, patting the bench on the space next to her, "Come on, tell Doctor Ashido everything."

Yaoyorozu nodded, doing so and taking a deep breath. "So, uhm… Oh gosh, this is all pretty new to me." She fanned herself lightly, "I… I've never had a crush before. I-I've read a lot of romantic stories, but I never…"

"Yaomomo. Breath." Mina patted her back as she did so. "Alright, now go from the start."

"There is this boy I know." She started, and Mina rolled her eyes. Oh alright, so they were doing the 'not someone you know' thing. It was adorable in a way. "And uhm, we first met watching a movie. He was sitting next to me, and we got into talking about the movie. It was… I mean, it was ok, but it cut a lot of content from the source material, and he seemed to notice, so I explained him all that. And uhm, I suggested he read that source material right?"

Mina nodded. Right, she remembered the first day, when Yaoyorozu had asked Bakugo if he had read the manga. She also remembered the answer, but she decided to let the girl think she was fooled for now. "And then?"

"Well, this was before UA- I mean, before we happened to meet again, so I didn't even consider he would do it. But- But then we met again, and it turns out he did listen to me! He even liked it! And I got so happy because that's like, one of my favorite romantic series, and he had shown interest in it. He even asked me if there was more of it."

The image of Bakugo watching a romantic series and asking for more was something Mina didn't know she needed until now, but she held back the chuckle. "And then?"

"Well, then Bak- him and I got involved in a certain big incident that…"

"Yaomomo, it's Bakugo, right?" Mina asked, and Momo yelped.

"I- I mean- It's a boy that might be in the same age group…"

Mina chuckled, "Alright. I'm just asking because if it's Bakugo or someone else in the class, you can just say the incident was the USJ, alright?"

"I…" She sighed, "Alright. So, I was sent away with Bakugo and Kirishima, right? And we fought off the Villains, and… I don't know, the way we fought together seemed to… just click, you know?"

Ok, now Mina knew Yaomomo was a bit lovestruck. She had seen Bakugo fight and 'cooperation' wasn't on the list. Then again, it wasn't like he had seen him put anyone in danger either, or get himself in the way, so it might have felt like cooperation. So she nodded, letting her continue.

"And… Now the Festival. We worked together, and I feel like I learned a lot about him. Not only the nicest stuff, but… Well I don't find anything I dislike viscerally, and there are attractive things, so that's good, right?"

"So, what's the problem?" Mina asked. Granted, not the strongest basis for a relationship, but it wasn't like flimsier ones hadn't existed, and both Yaomomo and Bakugo were intelligent people. She trusted both to realize if a relationship wasn't working. Therefore, helping wasn't out of the question.

"I-I just don't know how to approach this whole… thing. And, and I've also been… thinking of another person, is that bad?"

Ah, the mysterious other person. "What happened there?"

"I might have… kissed a person." She said. Mina's mouth fell open but she shushed her, "Wait, wait, it's not what you think, sh- they wanted to prove a kiss means nothing if it doesn't have emotions behind it, and… I think they meant it, but… You know, I still can't help but think about it."

Ah, a first kiss theft. Bold strategy, whoever this was. And it sounded like it was a girl too, which was juicy, juicy news, if it meant Yaoyorozu had double the amount of candidates for a relation.

Uh, which actually brought up the issue of Bakugo liking boys, which Mina had forgotten. Well, maybe he liked girls too. He certainly didn't seem to dislike the kiss Tsuyu had given him, at least.

"Uhm… Well, have you tried to spend time with them? To figure out which one seems more convincing."

"A bit, but it was only during the Tournament and with Bakugo, so…" Momo coughed, "Should I try more?"

"Absolutely girl! You need to find out if you are compatible, and spending actual free time with them is important. Try that, and see where that goes."

Momo sighed. "Alright, I guess… I guess I can ask Bakugo to… go… out?" She wasn't mentioning the girl, Mina noticed. Maybe she didn't want to bring up the idea yet? Or maybe she was giving precedence to Bakugo. Well, that was answer enough on which one Mina would focus her effort for now. There was always time to add a second set of planning.

"Uhm… If you want I can make it easier." Mina pulled out her phone, smiling at the questioning look, "Kirishima? Phase One of Operation BakuMomo is a go instantly."

"Operation what?" Yaoyorozu asked, but Mina raised a hand.

"Yes I know we were preparing to fire operation BakuTodo, but it seems Todochaco is on track instead. Yeah I know, that one was unexpected. Maybe Todoroki is not into boys? Either way, we are proceeding with the BakuMomo route for now. Guess we will have to cancel the order for the snow cannons."

"The what now?"

"Also keep an eye on TokoNagi, alright? I see those relationship stocks going up if Dark Shadow is a valid informant. Yeah, we will need to draft it again if they need help, now that Yanagi said that. Either way, think you can get Bakugo? Alright, we are going to go with the Dinner Plan. Good, I leave the rest to you." She hang up, "Kirishima is going to get Bakugo and then we are going out for dinner together, alright?" She asked with a smile.

"… Mina, do you have a plan to get together everyone in the class?"

"Pffft, of course not. Izuku is busy so unless he breaks up with Himiko there is no point in making plans there, and the same goes for Himiko. Also, me and Kirishima don't need one."

"I'm scared." Momo replied.

"I'm but a humble served of Cupid." She bowed, "If only Izuku or Himiko came around to ask me for help. I have so many ideas for dates they could go on…"

"Maybe Izuku doesn't need help?" Momo suggested, "They have been dating for months apparently."

"I guess…"

-x-

"I need help!" Izuku said, bursting into the house through the open front door, "Also, you need to really start locking the door Tsutsumi."

"Yo, if it isn't the abs king!" Nagant waved from the couch, "How are you doing boss?"

"How do you know the abs thing?"

"I can read lips, and you just confirmed it anyway." She replied with a shrug and wave of his hand, and Izuku slammed a hand on his face before sliding it down.

'Of course. I hope she is the only one that managed to…' He shook his head, "Not the time Tsutsumi, sorry! Do you know something about romantic relationships?"

Lady Nagant stared at the kid, non-plussed, "I've been in jail for the past five years."

"… Is that a no?"

"It's a 'sorta, but only from before I got sent to the slammer'. Boss, this is pretty sudden. What's up?" Lady Nagant said, rolling her eyes.

"Well, I have… I might have… I possibly have… What amounts to a date with Himiko. I mean, it might also be a friendly outing, but uhm… I can't really tell…"

"… Isn't she your girlfriend?"

"It's complicated. I… I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but I don't think you will reveal it to someone else, and" Izuku sighed, "We kind of are in a false relation that is supposed to evolve into a real relation, but until that happens she is just a friend, and I don't want to risk the real friendship I have for something else, right? But I can't ask anyone for advice, because the people from the Clan will all tell me to go for it or are in the dark, while the people from outside the Clan think we are already dating so…"

Nagant pinched the bridge of her nose, "Ok, got it. It's some reverse Romeo and Juliet. Teliuj and Oemor? No, maybe not 'reverse', that would be two people in an arranged marriage hating each other. Whatever. So, here is the thing. You don't need a plan, alright?"

"Y-You think?"

"One hundred percent. At this point she has known you for what, a year?"

"More or less."

"Then she has already made up her mind on what she thinks of you. Nothing will change that, bar something like a Villain attack. Go out there, be yourself, and if you feel like it's your big chance jump into it and turn the false love into love, alright?"

"H-How do I know?" Izuku asked.

Nagant rolled her eyes, "Kid, she is a teenager. If she is into you, you will be able to tell. You aren't some clueless romcom protagonist, relax."

Izuku took a deep breath. "Alright. Alright. A-And if I'm not… sure?"

Nagant shrugged, "I don't know. I'd say try to jump into it anyway, but I get that's scary. Ultimately, you make a choice, boss. If you prefer things as they are now, you can keep your mouth shut. Or maybe just wait. She is in your same class, your friend and your pretend girlfriend and future wife." She sighed, "Though I get the awkwardness there. If she says no, you can't even pretend the marriage is a purely political thing, it will be eternal torture of knowing one of the two is in love and the other isn't. Man, arranged marriages sucks."

Izuku groaned, "Thank you, Tsutsumi. I get it. I guess I just hoped there was an easy answer."

Kaina chuckled, "Good luck boss. Come tell me how tonight goes, alright? Especially if you score."

Izuku nodded shakily, took a deep breath, and walked out of the house. Nagant watched him go. "If she is into him, she is gonna eat him alive." She said, and leaned back on the couch.

-x-

Ochaco fidgeted with her keys a moment, looking left and right. Alright, it seemed no one was around to see what was going on.

"Is everything alright Uraraka?" Todoroki asked, and she almost dropped the keys.

She didn't know exactly why she was so nervous. Technically, she was the one that had invited Todoroki there, to spend the hour or so until they got to the restaurant. Which, by the way, had a dress code and was apparently booked full for a month, though Todoroki's family name had magically made a table for two appear.Seriously, who booked a dinner a month in advance?! And why did a restaurant need a dress code? Right now, Uraraka was incredibly grateful to Himiko and Momo. Had those two not convinced her to accept their gift, she would have had to make the awkward request to Todoroki of borrowing her the money to buy one.

Honestly, Uraraka had just thought she could invite Todoroki to her house, hang out together for an hour or so, while he got his father's personal assistant to deliver him his own dress, and then let Uraraka change. Nothing big. Just the first guy she invited to her apartment. An apartment where she lived alone.

'No, calm down Uraraka, this is just for a date- A night out! It's a night out, Mina can shut up!' She sighed, and finally opened the door.

"W-Well, welcome to house Ochaco." She said, turning sheepishly to him as the door swung open, trying to not point out how small 'house Ochaco' was. She had a futon in the living room, so it doubled as sleeping room. The 'kitchen' was essentially a single stove, a cupboard and sink, and right next to it was the bathroom, with a small shower that couldn't really fit two people – goddamit Mina! – and the rest. "I know it's small but…"

"I like it. I'm just surprised there are more people in here. It looks small for a family of three."

"Family of three?" She turned around, and stared at the corridor.

At her father and mother standing right there, eyes wide, looking from Todoroki to Ochaco back to Todoroki.

Ochaco went pale. Oh gosh, her mom and dad had just seen her take a boy home.

Maybe they would understand what this was about right?

"Ochaco." Her mother said, "Who is this?"

"Yeah Ochaco." Her dad said, and his tone was a lot less friendly, "Who is this?"

'Oh crap.'

For some reason, Ochaco had the feeling this was gonna be a very long evening, and not just for her.

(XX)

You thought it was Hero Names and Internship Arc time but it was me, Sudden Dates Arc!
Jokes aside, I think after the tournament is time to shift gear. The comedy in romcom takes a bit of a back seat (not vanish of course, you know I like my jokes) as we dive into the romances. Momo is doing her thing, Hagakure and Masutaro are in prime romance state, Izuku is trying to decide what to do with Himiko, Himiko is also trying to decide what to do with Himiko, and apparently, Todoroki is meeting Uraraka's parents. This man is just speedrunning a crush any%, good for him. Hisashi is also having his moment with Inko but we shan't go into what adults do in private. This is teen romance, darn it.

And Izuku won the sports festival and now got a good return from that already. I wonder if he appreciated more the prize from All Might or the reward from Himiko...

Also this chapter finally shows something I really wanted to: that Mina isn't just a love-obsessed demon with uncanny ability to sense romance, but she is a love-obsessed demon with the uncanny ability to sense romance that is legitimately willing and happy to help her friends in any way she can. She might be over the top, but she is darn good at being over the top. Just don't ask her what her and Kirishima are because there won't be an answer.

Or you know, you could go ask for suggestions from the human sniper rifle that was drunk the first time you met her and called you a furry, before trying to shoot you and vomiting in front of you. Then again, Izuku's choices aren't exactly extensive.