Chapter 53:

The ingredients for Apple Pie, of course, are Apples. Those are the main thing. After that, there's the usual butter and flour for the pie itself, a couple of sugar, cornstarch, spices of your choice, cinnamon, and pie crusts. For the pie. This usually take 30 minutes to prepare and about 1 hour or a little more to cook, which is why Chifu prepares the entire thing 4 hours before the festival and then keep em baking during it so that it'll be ready once someone orders it.

That being said:

1. You gotta peel those apples and take out the core, too. After that, slice them into thin pieces.

2. Start preheating the oven so that the pie can come in all nice and good

3. Get the butter on the sauce pan and then add flour. Mix it until it's paste and smells pretty good. Add sugar and cornstarch and then wait til it boils. Let it simmer and finally take it off the heat. Note: If you want, you can add a few more spices to the mix to add some more flavour.

4. Spread and flatten that pastry nice and good. After doing so, spread it on a pan of your choice with an overhang of an inch or half an inch. Any remaining pastry gets cut into strips for later.

5. Start placing the apple slices into the pie. Make sure to place them until it forms a mound. Gotta have the pie nice and filled. Start placing the pastry strips once you're done with the apples. Note: You can add the syrup mix on the apples before placing the strip to make less of a mess.

6. After placing those pastry strips on the pie, the magic begins by pouring a sugar and butter mix on the apple pie. Make sure it seeps through the entire thing. Don't leave one bit uncovered. Brush a few on the strips even and make sure none of it overflows and make a mess.

7. Remember the preheated oven? Bake the pie with it. Lessen the temperature to about 175 celsius or so. Let it bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the apple is soft. Ten minutes before the pie is done, brush it with a little bit of milk on the crust. Then sprinkle some more sugar and cinnamon on it.

8. Do not serve it yet. Let it rest. Keep it cool for a bit then keep it under heat with the oven before serving.

Idk shit about baking so take this with a grain of salt

"Huh?"

"Cookies." Chifu presented the tray of cookies harder on Ibara. "Okay, maybe you want to sit down and, uh, let these motherfuckers tell you exactly what's happening while you're gone."

Ibara was not liking the vibe of the room. Kendo breathed deeply and gestured to her to sit down. "The play is canceled."

"Hell yeah."

"Shut up, Awase. Not helping." Kendo sighed, but Ibara couldn't tell if she was relieved or disappointed that it was canceled. Ibara would admit that she herself was relieved. Her role as the one-sided romance character pining for Monoma's character was torturous, to say the least. "We have no choice but to take Awase's alternative."

"Apple pie stand! I'm getting rich." Awase high-fived Chifu for the golden opportunity.

"We're getting rich. You're not taking the money all for yourself." Setsuna smacked Awase. "Besides, you can borrow some from your girlfriend."

"FOR THE LAST TIME! MOMO IS NOT…" Awase stopped himself and slapped both his cheeks. "I said she'd be my wallet strictly for Starducks and nothing else."

"Dude, there was Mexico." Mineta added.

"That was your idea." Awase brushed it off. "How's Cruz, by the way?"

"He's doing fine. He learned Japanese quickly and everybody likes him at his school."

"Before we go off topic, how come our play is not continued? Was Monoma's role as the main character that vital? Not that I would complain. I dislike it myself." Ibara asked Kendo, which Awase answered.

"Oh, we just don't like that stupid ass play and script. Seriously, it was stupid. Using the stories I'VE read and ripping them off is a convoluted slurry of shit? I'd drop it when I got a chance. So yeah, thanks for giving us the chance."

"I'm… sorry for what… happened. An hour ago." Ibara sighed to herself, not comfortable about her class seeing her like that. "I have no excuse."

"My good bitch, you really don't need to be sorry. Well, maybe to Monoma, but I consider that shit optional." Chifu patted her shoulderin reassurance. "Besides, your friends were all worried about you."

"Yeah. Monoma just has that effect on people." Setsuna brushed off Ibara's apology. There wasn't much need for it, and everyone mostly forgave it based on Monoma being a dick.

"Although, if you're gonna hit me again, can you make sure I'm ready for it first? Sheesh. I keep forgetting you're one of the first year's strongest." Mineta rubbed his chest. There weren't any wounds or bruises, but he was definitely going to feel it until next week. The tanuki in the cage was presumably snickering at his misfortune. "Oh, shut up you. By the way, Pres, meet our mascot. Botany Club's stupid tanuki."

"Ah," Ibara walked closer and stuck her hand out. The tanuki hissed at her and backed away. "Well, it does see me as a threat. Fairly enough, I did not make a good first impression."

"Ya know, I never got to ask. What do you see in him?" Setsuna's eyes narrowed as she got a little too close to Ibara.

"What do I see in whom?" Ibara was fully aware of who Setsuna was talking about. She merely wanted to feign ignorance.

"Setsuna…" Kendo tried to stop her, but now Komori was in on it as well. Most of the class was instantly in on it, now that Setsuna mentioned it.

"Seriously, girl. Spill! Are bad boys your type?"

"Katsuki is not…" Ibara sighed. She was relieved that nobody saw her any differently, but this was a chore. "It's hard to describe. That feeling. When I see him, I just feel happier and more relaxed. Perhaps because of our similar past? I can't say for certain. He worked hard to change who he was. Not for me, not for anyone. He changed for his own sake. I admire that."

"Motherfuck. You had me tearin' up right here." Chifu wiped a bit of tears coming out of her eyes. "But he's still an asshole."

"I can't disagree with that statement." Ibara begrudgingly nodded her head. It wasn't exactly a lie for Chifu to say such a thing. He is remarkably nicer now. He went from screaming death threats to screaming slurs. Those are massive improvements.

"Who knew our Shiozaki over here would be into bad boys, am I right or am I right?" Setsuna slung her arm over Ibara's shoulders, casually poking her sides. It was mildly annoying, but she's used to it. "How far have you-"

"For the last time, we are not dating." Ibara sighed in exasperation. For whatever reason, Setsuna and Komori are extremely interested in her relationship.

"Yet."

"Yet."

"Whatever the case, the play is canceled. We're having an Apple Pie stand with Chifu as our guest baker." Kendo was mildly relieved despite the massive blow to their budget the play and props were. Thankfully, Awase took the initiative of converting the stuff into a makeshift food stand. His quirk really came in handy with it. Vlad King had agreed to make the change and they luckily have sold no tickets yet. "Nothing could g-"

"Don't jinx it." Mineta butted in at the last second. He's not part of the class, and he was sure the girls here, aside from Ibara, still hate him, but Awase and Ibara had vouched for him many times already. "Be sure to check the gas first. Trust me, that was the last time we let Kaminari cook anything back in our dorms."

1 hour before the UA Cultural Festival…

"I heard Chifu is a guest baker at 1B's apple pie stand." Camie brought it up as most of the class were on their way to UA. Technically, this was supposed to be a date between her and Izuku as a sort of test run, but there was also Trish and Himiko. Not to mention Murry bringing Eri along so that she can have a bit of fun outside of all that quirk training. "I mean, what could go wro-"

"And these right here, dear viewers, is where I shall start my UA invasion."

"Did you have to jinx us?" Izuku rested his face on his palm as he turned to face the villain in question. Oddly enough, it was some weird guy with a short girl taking a video of him. "Okay, buddy. Let's just make this-"

"Nah nah nah nah man. I owe you for saving my sister. I'll take this guy on." Murry handed Eri off to his friends while patting her head. "I'll catch up, Eri. There's just a bad guy that your brother has to take care off."

"Will you slice off their toes one by one like what you did to the-"

"Oops, let's not go there. Haha." Murry covered Eri's mouth while laughing nervously. He could feel the bewildered stares of his friends. "Kids, am I right? She's got an imagination."

"Yeah. Sure." Camie held Eri's hand. The friends bid their good luck to Murry as he turned his attention back to the apparent villain while unsheathing his katana. "Look, man, I don't want any trouble. My sister has been… through a lot. My dad isn't a good man and I really want to cheer her up. Can you just invade UA another day?"

The villain paused, weighing his options and decisions. While he did that, Murry was already calling for help from his boss. After he finished pondering, the villain spoke. "While I may sympathize with wanting someone you care about to be happy, this is something I promised my dear viewers that I would do."

"Come on, man…"

"Though, if you wish, I may entertain your sister, for I am a gentleman of many talents. I could assure you that my performances would indeed make her laugh."

"Take the deal! Gentle is awesome." The girl recording the two of them butted in. Gentle nodded along.

"Tempting, I can say that. You're still kind of a criminal that's about to invade and compromise the safety of a school. Not to mention the number of civilians visiting." Murry pointed his sword at Gentle. "That, I can't let you do."

"Shall we?" Before Murry could answer Gentle's question, the villain was already in front of him, touching his sword. He swung at Gentle, but his katana harmlessly bounced off the man in question.

"What?"

"Do not worry. It will return to normal eventual-" Gentle stopped talking when Murry pointed his mini-uzi up his chin. This was not something he'd expect from a hero student. Regardless, he sighed and leaned back as Murry fired the gun. He noticed none of the bullets were lethal rounds.

"Gentle! Are you okay?!"

"Yes, La Brava. Just stay safe over there and don't come near." That was enough of a distraction for Murry to get a kick in. His foot connected with Gentle's face, but the gentleman criminal did not stay down. He elasticized the ground to bounce back up and punched Murry. "That won't be enough to defeat me, young man."

Murry sheathed his sword, now having to rely on his mini-uzi to do the job. Gentle quickly grabbed La Brava and bounced off the elastic floor. Murry observed him using his quirk to solidify the air and bounce off it as well. He took out a pack of cigarettes and started smoking, not letting Gentle off his eyesight. Once he was done, he turned into smoke and gave chase.

"That guy was a pushover, am I right, Gentle?"

"Perhaps so, but something about him…" Gentle didn't have time to finish his sentence when he noticed some sort of smoke was going after him and La Brava. He quickly grabbed his partner again and braced himself. The smoke turned back into Murry, dropkicking the criminal out of the sky. Gentle reacted quickly and elasticized the ground before they hit it. He looked around and noticed that they landed on a construction site. "We underestimated him, did we not?"

"Okay, this seems like a suitable spot." Murry landed easily in front of them. "Where the hell is he? Is he taking his time to get here or something?"

He unsheathed his katana, this time a little more wary of Gentle's quirk. The criminal tried to make a grab for it, but Murry turned into smoke alongside his sword. He got behind Gentle and hit him with a roundhouse kick to the back. Gentle elasticized the air in front of him, bouncing back and hitting Murry with a flying haymaker.

"Dear viewers, I've been presented with a challenging obstacle. Have no fear." Gentle touched the steel beam of the construction site. "This is, as you said, a suitable spot."

The criminal bounced off the steel beam, but Murry ducked under the punch. Gentle then elasticized another steel beam and bounced off it. It went on until the construction site became an improvised bouncing castle.

"Ah shit. This is getting a little more difficult." Murry took another hit to the abdomen, but he refused to be downed. He turned on the vibration module of his katana and stabbed it into the ground. The vibration shook the elasticized steel beams, throwing Gentle off balance. "Don't think I can't figure out a way outta this mess."

Murry kneed Gentle in the stomach on the criminal's way down. He took his katana off the ground and sheathed it again. La Brava got near them. "Whoa. Didn't your partner here tell you to stay safe? I'm not trying to kill him, miss."

La Brava ignored what he said and clasped her hands. "Gentle, I love you!"

And now some sort of visible aura is now surrounding Gentle. He looks more powerful than usual. Murry had a feeling this won't end well for him. It definitely did not end well when the punch that he didn't see coming hit him in the face and knocked him down. He groaned in pain as he saw Gentle grab La Brava and used one of the elasticized steel beams to catapult themselves towards UA. Not that it mattered. He's here.

"Excellent work, La Brava. Of course, we might need to turn off your quirk for now to save it for later."

"Anything for you."

"Invading UA will be a taxing activity. Prepare yourself."

"How about no?" The two looked in shock as feathers hit them mid-air. The two were separated mid-air with La Brava falling off higher than Gentle. He was already prepared to elasticize the air to save her, but it seems the same feathers prevented her from hitting the ground. Hawks appeared in front of him. "Hey man!"

"Oh. Greetings, number two hero. Unfortunately-"

"Want a job, man?"

"I… beg your pardon?"

1 hour after the UA Cultural Festival Started…

Trish and Himiko had long separated themselves from Camie, Eri, and Izuku to have some so-called alone time among themselves. In fact, Himiko found it appropriate that Trish is to be as far away from a child as possible because of her attitude towards anything, regardless of age, gender, or race. Murry eventually caught up, having said that he took care of it and went away to find Eri.

"Hey, slag. The hell are these wankers gathering near a tent for?" The two of them noticed a bunch of students gathering near a tent. Unbeknownst to the two of them, it was one of the more intense negotiation deals happening there. The two ignored it, preferring some dessert from 1B's booth.

"And here's some motherfuckin' pie for you. Honk." Chifu honked happily as she gave them the pie. Since they were friends, she gave them a discount for it. "Good luck on your date, my good bitches!"

Himiko and Trish found themselves a bench to sit on, far away from most of the people. They ate their pie in silence. It was awkward. Trish hates it. "Okay, why the fuck do you have a crush on me?"

"Whoa. That's out of nowhere." Himiko took out a bottle filled with pig's blood in it and drank it as if it was alcohol. She would take another sip, but Trish was staring at her and waiting for an answer. She wasn't ready for this sudden question. It took her off guard to be asked this question. In fact, she didn't even-

"Seriously."

"Okay okay. Look, this isn't gonna make sense, but it's just that… feeling? I… It's something hard to describe, okay?" Himiko glanced away, instead focusing on the swaying leaves of a nearby tree. "Dangit. I can't even describe how I feel."

Himiko took another sip from her bottle and looked at Trish, who was still waiting for an answer. "It's hard to say other than just that I like you. Everything about you. It makes me feel anxious. In a good way. The way you look, the way you smile. All of it. I don't know why. I want to be like you? More confident about myself, I guess? Izu-kun did his best, but… I hurt him."

"Ya know wankstain doesn't blame you, right?" Trish reassured Himiko. "But who the fuck cares? This is about us. Not him. You broke up. Officially. I'm not gonna tell you to get over it, but I don't want to be your consolation prize either."

"H-Hey! You're not-"

"I mean it." She cut off Himiko before she could say anything. Trish touched her under the chin and got a little bit closer. "I don't have a crush on you. Not really. But I'm willing to be won over. I still think yer makin' a mistake. Goin' for someone like me. I'm no whore like my mother, but I'm not someone worth kissin' over, either."

Trish moved back to her position and looked down. "Not worth kissin' over. You'll get hurt, even if I don't wanna."

"Don't say things like that!" Himiko grabbed Trish's face and made the redhead face her. "I like you. That has to be worth something to you. That someone likes you."

"Okay, ye know what? Ya get plus points for that." Trish sighed, not wanting to show that she's touched by Himiko's words. It lightened her mood for a bit. Her mother has been around too much these days. Probably lurking in Japan somewhere.

"Don't let your mother's words get to you." Himiko patted her head. "She may be your mother, but she's not your mom."

"Yeah yeah. I'm up for more of those pies from Chifu. Want some more?" Trish held Himiko's hand to get her up from the chair. Her mood brightened a bit after a talk with Himiko. She didn't even notice that she was still holding Himiko's hand.

With Murry and Eri after 1A's show…

"It was so awesome! They were like whoosh! And then the scary guy went booooooom! There was even sparkles everywhere!" Eri excitedly recounted to Murry what they just watched. The type of music wasn't really his thing, but he's glad that Eri enjoyed it. He was relieved to see her smile after a long time.

"I heard Chifu is around here helping out in an apple pie booth. You want in?"

"Big sis Chifu's apple pie?" He could tell from her drooling that she definitely wants in. The pie was absolutely delicious. Once they reached the booth, he saw a familiar face.

"Oh hey, Yui!" He waved to her as a greeting. Eri shyly waved to her as well.

"Mm." She responded. She was wearing an apron over her PE uniform. Chifu was nowhere to be found.

"Is Chifu on break?"

"Hm…"

"Ah. Yeah, she kinda needs the break. Big stuff going on around with her internship, from what I heard. You guys got a good booth."

"Is that Eri?" Yui asked while pointing at the kid. Eri cautiously hid behind Murry's leg. He chuckled and gave her a reassuring pat on the head.

"She's a friend, Eri." He lifted her up and carried her in his arms. "By the way, yeah. This is Eri. The most important person to me."

"Hello." Yui greeted Eri.

"...Hello." Eri hesitated a bit, but replied to Yui's greeting. Yui looked at her and Murry in silence for a full five seconds. Then she smiled.

"She's a good kid, Murry." And just like that, she was already handing him a few slices of apple pie that were more well-wrapped than the others. "About what I said… and what you said…"

Murry's smile didn't drop, but it definitely lessened. He accepted the apple pie and got closer to her. "I know what you said. I get it. But I'm a freakin' ex-Yakuza. That's not gonna look good on your-"

"I don't care."

"Oh."

"Do you… like her, too?" Eri asked him. He was surprised she caught on to this. It's not like he could give a direct answer right now.

"Well, that's a complicated question, Eri. The thing is, maybe I do, but I'm a little preoccupied with bigger concerns and-"

"Hmm."

"Right. Sorry, Yui. I don't think I'm ready for a relationship."

"Hm?"

"You know. With how these recent events have gone, this honestly felt like the first time I don't feel like I have a chain around my neck." That was technically true. He was hired by the hero commission, but he at least had an actual choice in that matter. No more Overhaul to deal with. His gramp's condition is getting better. Eri is safe.

"Good."

"Good?"

"Something heavy was taken off your shoulders." Yui said. She was right. He knew she was. Murry simply didn't have the words for it before. Maybe for the first time in his life, he felt actual relief.

"Yeah. Yeah, that's the . For the word."

"Hmm." Yui went out of the apple pie stand and patted Eri on the head. His little sister accepted it after knowing that her older brother likes the person. She patted his head next and smiled. "I understand. I'll still be waiting."

"Haha… let's not get too hasty with the waiting stuff." Murry scratched the back of his head. He stared at a nearby tree. "For the record, I also like you. But not now."

"Hmm."

The Negotiation Tent…

The students had gathered just outside of the tent. No thanks to Mina's talent for gossip. The very event happening within did not have any reason to exist, nor should it pique anyone's interest. The matter at hand was not dire, although the adults present were very insistent that it happened. Awase honestly wanted no part of it, nor did Momo. In fact, he regretted being well-liked by her parents. They've done nothing but stare at each other intensely, both pretending to take this seriously for the sake of appearances, though Awase would rather not if it weren't for Momo's sake.

He sighed deeply, not really caring if her parents heard him or not. He's not one for politeness, but he was one for professional courtesy. This wasn't really a professional setting of any kind and he's already embarrassed by the number of people coming to watch them. "I don't like this."

"The feeling is mutual, fortunately." Momo said in return. She was understandably more exasperated by her parents' antics than Awase was. Something like this could have been done behind closed doors, and even then, she knew that something like this wasn't needed in the first place. Both of them were glancing every other second towards her parents. The cause of this particular situation. The two adults were keen to see Momo's apparent suitor. Neither of the two told them it was Momo who developed such a crush first, against all odds. Awase wasn't that interested at first, only growing to like her once she opened up a bit more.

Neither of the parents knew that what Mina would call their "date" would just be Momo fulfilling her end of the deal with Awase. Being his wallet for Starducks. It only took one conversation between Awase and Momo's mother over the phone for it to spiral downwards into this, again, embarrassing event.

"Very well. Begin your negotiations, dear." Mr. Yaoyorozu finally said. Awase sighed again.

"Is this seriously necessary, old man?" He asked, much to Momo's attempt at shushing him down. Awase raised an eyebrow at this attempt. Mr. Yaoyorozu himself didn't react to what he said. He sighed once more. "Okay, admittedly, I do like you."

"I find you charming as well, Yosetsu." Momo replied while trying her best to ignore her mother and the other students outside. It would be a lie if she called it a simple task. "You're single. I'm single. How does a relationship sound?"

"Good to know you're finally taking a direct approach." Awase quipped. The two of them chuckled at his remark.

"Well, I am raised to be a businesswoman. As you know, I was not fond of that career path."

"Alright, wise girl. What's your offer?" Awase dropped his smile and gave out a more serious tone this time around. He raised an eyebrow, expecting Momo to be surprised by it. Unfortunately, Momo was now used to his ways of dealing with such things.

"Single rich girl seeking a boyfriend. I never did before until I met you."

"I'm surprised that I'm your type. I thought you'd be more into Todoroki or something." Awase was being honest here. He was well aware of people not being okay with his unsorry blunt attitude.

"He's merely a friend. Even then, he's not much for conversations."

"Well, we all know you live in a mansion. Would you be fine with a simpler residence if we decide to live together? You might not be used to your room not being the size of a normal house."

"My, Yosetsu." Momo giggled at his jab. "Do not underestimate me."

"In my defense, I only did so once."

"My turn. Times we'd spend together?"

"9 hours, five days a week." Awase answered.

"10 hours and 11 on weekends." Momo countered.

"60 hours, aggregate specifics to be determined if we started dating." Awase countered her counterplay.

"I can agree with that. Children?" Momo asked. As expected, nobody in that area expected that. Not her parents, not Awase. Definitely not the audience, but she swore she heard Mina screaming with joy somewhere in the background.

"10." Her father was the first to answer, much to her and Awase's chagrin.

"Foolish man. I want 15 grandchildren." Her mother countered her father.

"1." Awase countered her parents.

"5." Momo countered Awase.

"3." Awase countered her.

"Done." She has to admit that proposal backfired quickly the moment her dad spoke up. She was still blushing from the entire thing. Awase himself was flustered, although he was more embarrassed than anything. "Definitely, at least one of them has to be a girl."

"It's not like I can magically make them a girl. Neither can you. Jegus."

"Vacation?"

"Universal Studios Japan."

"Hawaii."

"I can live with that." Awase nodded. "But I'm paying."

"Debatable."

"Ouch." That's what Awase said, but he was laughing at her comeback.

"That about wraps up our negotiations. I find our contract satisfactory if you do as well." Momo said in a hurry. She was more than eager to make this end as fast as possible.

"Yes. It's fine." Awase answered. He and Momo had a mutual feeling regarding this massive waste of time. "Seriously, can we go now?" He turned to ask her parents. They nodded without hesitation. "Okay. We're dating. Woo-hoo. Yeah."

"At least put a little more enthusiasm, Yosetsu." Momo pouted in annoyance. Awase smiled and held out his hand for her to take.

"How's this for enthusiasm? Besides, aren't you tired from your concert? We both got a whole week. I know a good apple pie stand here that we can buy from."

"Is it your class's apple pie stand?" Momo raised her eyebrow while asking him. He smiled sheepishly as she took her hand. "It would be a lie if I said I did not like Chifu's apple pie. Let's?"

"Let's."

"WHAT?!" They both heard the yells of Mina and Setsuna. "THAT'S IT?! SERIOUSLY?!"

"The hell are you girls complaining about? You got what you wanted, right?" Awase was tired of these two bozos. They have been on his and Momo's case for a while now. Even Shiozaki and Bakugou's case.

"Yes! You two. Together. But where's the drama? Where's the confession?" Mina complained, expecting more than just some negotiation.

"Where's your rizz?"

"Do not say that word again, Setsuna." Awase facepalmed again. He should not have introduced Setsuna to the slang of the century-old 2020s. "If I confess to her properly right now, would you two shut up about it for the rest of the week?"

"Promise!" Mina and Setsuna both said while doing a praying hand gesture. They were both eager to see him say lovey-dovey things to Momo. His girlfriend. He still could not believe that part.

"Fine. You promise." Awase faced Momo as the crowd gathered. She struck first by kissing him in public. Right in front of many people. Including her parents. He did not expect that. He isn't complaining either. In fact, Awase was trying his best to keep his rational thinking.

The kiss may have lasted a mere three seconds, but it felt more like an eternity for the two. Mina and Setsuna stared at them and were speechless at what had happened. The crowd cheered, seeing the usual romance happening during the cultural festival. Momo's parents were a mixture of grief and joy at losing their daughter to someone like Awase. Awase's mind went haywire, and it took all his willpower not to pass out. Momo, for the first time in ages, felt dumb about what she did. She always thought those romantic kisses from the novels she've read about flowers and bliss were mere fiction. She was wrong. This was more enjoyable than it looks.

"That was stupid of me." Momo avoided his gaze as Awase slowly snapped back to reality. "Y-You were probably not ready for that."

"I wasn't."

"I'm sorry."

"Easily forgiven. Since I… liked it."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Just. Just warn me next time. Okay?"

"Okay."

"And not out in public."

"I'm adding that to our contract."

"Let's get out of here before the two regain critical thinking." Awase and Momo did not waste any time, leaving Mina and Setsuna in the dust.

The Two Morons…

"Shoot it! SHOOT IT!" Camie exclaimed while shaking Izuku's shoulders, much to his annoyance. "AIM BETTER!"

"How the hell am I supposed to aim better with you shaking my entire body?" Izuku complained while trying to aim the toy rifle at the target. Camie wanted the Fatgum plushie. He's trying to be a good date.

"I don't know? Cheating? Use your quirk."

"Oi! You better not use your quirk!" The one handling the stand warned them.

"Don't worry about it. She's just talking bullshit." Izuku aimed at the target and fired. He missed. The Fatgum plushie was now out of their reach. "Damn."

"Ha! I was just messin' with ya, Izubro." Camie snapped her fingers, showing that he didn't miss the target. She snapped her fingers again to show that he missed the target, but on a worse level. He sighed, knowing he could never handle a gun.

"I am tired of your bullshit."

"Bitch please, you never ever tire of me." Camie playfully stuck her tongue out. Izuku had the courtesy to grab said tongue and feel it.

"Okay, you bozos are weird. Next!" The guy handling the stand was being way too right about them right now. Neither felt embarrassed about it. Doing weird things in public for so long had made them nearly immune to public shaming. Nearly.

"I heard Chifu had an apple pie stand around here with Class 1B. Wanna get some?" Izuku pointed in the direction of the apple pie stand. Instead of responding normally, Camie wiggled her eyebrows and gave him the look. Some sort of stare.

"Oh, I'll definitely get some later. Hehehe." So she claims. He sighed, knowing what she meant.

"And therefore you're getting no bitches, Camie."

"I already have a bitch. I'm looking at him right now. Bitch."

"Oh. Ouch. My fragile feelings. I am harmed. Offended. Horrified, even. How could you do this to me?" Izuku held his chest dramatically and made a scene in public. Camie laughed at his antics. It was all good until Tatsumaki floated down and was currently behind her younger brother. "Oh hey, sis."

"You're embarrassing yourself in public."

"Am I?"

"...Okay, just don't be weird, okay? I feel everything you feel because of our link."

"Yeesh. Your empathy link crap is kinda detrimental, Izubro."

"Ya think? It's a way for us to look out for each other but…" Izuku trailed off, not really sure how to say it. "I also feel her emotions. It worsened once dad told me why."

"Huh? The hell are you even saying?"

"I'm with your sister, Izubro. We both got no idea what you're implying."

"Big sis, why do I specifically begin feeling overwhelmingly horny during Tuesdays, Thursdays and practically all day during the weekends?"

The moment Izuku said that, everyone within a ten meter proximity stopped whatever they were doing and stared at the three. Even Camie was rendered speechless by the question. So much so that she accidentally created an illusion to make herself less visible for what is next to come. Tatsumaki was clueless on why he asked such a thing. Until it slowly dawned on her. Tatsumaki had to say something. To calm everyone down. To make her younger brother shut up. Anything.

"E-Excuse me?" That was the only thing she could say.

"I mean. Hawks brags to our dad before they both realise who Dad's daughter is and Hawks' girlfriend is. After they found out, Dad had me shoulder the burden of knowledge with him. I realised it started explaining…" Izuku has now forcefully shut himself up. He used his quirk to keep his mouth shut. Izuku and Camie were only nearly immune to shame. Not entirely immune. In fact, he wants to die right now. He over shared again. He mumbled again. Tatsumaki wasn't doing any better. He could feel eyes staring at both him and his sister. Camie was now disguised as a cat. She used her illusion quirk to get away from this situation. Lucky her.

Tatsumaki took a deep breath. And released. Now Izuku is feeling her killing intent. He feared a few things, and this was one of them. Good thing she had better self-control now. She was only going to throw him all the way to Chiba instead of all the way to Okinawa like the last time he pissed her off. It was about to happen as he felt her psychic grasp on him.

"The hell did I tell you about keeping your mouth shut?" Camie came in for the save by slapping the shit out of him. She was not about to have her date get thrown out of Musutafu by his own sister. "Okay, but seriously, what position were they in?" Her curiosity got the better of her.

"Dad mentioned Hawks mentioned Sixty-Nine, Doggy, The Springboard, The Gift Basket, The Missionary, The Wallop, The Bench Press, The Sideways, The-" It was about time that both Camie and Izuku has been thrown out of UA by Tatsumaki's psychic might. They were still in the air and probably won't reach Chiba for another thirty minutes. "Okay, well, that happened."

"We're soaring through th-" Camie looked down and turned green. She resisted the urge to vomit and looked back at Izuku. "I can't do this!"

He held her close to him. "Don't worry, if she doesn't catch us, I will."

Camie smacked his face again. "Nah. Fuck you. This is some everyday shit for you, but even I don't deal with this, Izubro."

"Sorry."

"You better be!" Camie then rested her head close to his chest. Although, neither of them knew if it counted considering they're going through the air right now. "So. What a date, huh?"

"Yep. I think it's great." Izuku paused for a moment. "I think you're great. I- I'm not good with this."

"Not just you, Izubro. I still got the hots for you. But I will beat the shit out of you if you keep risking your ass."

"Part of the occup-"

"I don't care. That self-sacrificing bullshit attitude has gotten a lot more people killed." Camie snapped at him. "My first ever reason to become a hero before I met you was to not be put into the whole fashion designer crap I knew my parents were gonna put me up to. Then I met you and you told me you want in on the hero crap. Yeah, your ass's safety became my third reason."

"Third?" Izuku wasn't really offended by it. He was just curious about the second reason.

"Oh, come on. We both know the second reason. I need some action in my life. Hero work is a hard job. Plus, I get to contribute to society so mom wouldn't tell me I'm doing nothing." Then she glared at him. "And then you. Your bullshit. And that stupid One For All crap. And then you constantly put yourself in fight or die situations. Bitch, what would your mom think when you died? Have you ever thought about how your lil sister will miss you? You ever thought about how I'd feel about your stupid mindset? I'll always have your back and you'll always have mine, Izubro. You just need to chill the fuck out once in a while."

"But-"

"Chill the fuck out."

"I mean-"

"Chill the fuck out."

"Camie-"

"Shoosh."

"C-"

"SHOOOOSH!"

"..."

"You got friends! You got me! You got other heroes! Let us handle some of the heavy lifting, for fuck's sake. Unless you want to turn into some skeletal shithead like All Might, you better start letting us in on all that weight."

"I- okay. Okay." Izuku held Camie closer as they saw the ground. There are a couple of buildings and Tatsumaki is nowhere to be found. It looks like his sister bit off more than she could chew. It didn't bother Izuku. Using his quirk, he activated the nanomachines as the little devices got outside of his body and started forming a web that stuck between two buildings. Izuku held Camie even closer as they both got caught in the nanomachine webbing, allowing them to take a slow and gentle descent into an alleyway.

"Also, fam, for the love of all things, stop pissing off your sister."

"That, I can definitely promise y-" Izuku was interrupted by the fact that Camie was kissing him again. This time was significantly longer than the first time it had happened. He wasn't complaining, though. This time, he wasn't that confused. She released him after about ten seconds or more. Good thing nobody saw them.

"This is just one date. You take your goddamn me time, and then some hero work, and then take me out on another date."

"So…" Izuku still had one question. "Are we… a thing now?"

Camie paused.

"I… One date didn't make us a thing, but… do you want us to be a thing? I want us to be a thing."

"I also… want us to be a thing." Izuku was avoiding her gaze.

"Look at me and say it again, Izubr- Izuku." It was Camie's turn to use his words against him. She's hoping for all things that he likes her that way as well. She figured what she felt out after some time of thinking. Himiko was also there to help her figure it out. Now, she's only waiting for Izuku's answer. Doesn't matter what it is, she just needed to know the answer.

Izuku blinked at her and sighed. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Maybe she was right about him. How he started trying to do things alone when he got One For All and how it changed him. How the burden of the world made him blind to his own friends willing to help. He let her down more times after that. His sister almost died because of him.

He looked at Camie. Maybe one time he saw her as just family, and admittedly, her kissing him the first time caught him off guard. Not to mention the timing of her confession. He didn't think they were ready then, but now… maybe. Whatever happens, happens.

Instead of actually saying anything, this time, he was the one who started the kiss between them. She eventually reciprocated the action after the surprise. They held each other close as the kiss felt like it lasted longer than their previous ones. After some time, they let go of each other to take a breath. He finally spoke then.

"Yeah. I like you. I really. Really. Like you. Camie."

"I like you a lot, too." Camie smiled at him. He smiled back. The entire tender moment was then ruined by Camie's stomach growling. "I also like Chifu's Apple Pie."

Four Days Later…

Final Day of the UA Cultural Festival…

"The flames have been lit." Mina said she watched the fire blazing brightly at night. Setsuna was beside her, also having a blank face. "I don't see Bakugou or Shiozaki anywhere."

"Has Mineta told you anything after you tied him to a chair?" Setsuna asked her friend. Awase was with Momo and was far more willing to hit women than Mineta was. In self defence, of course. Although he assumed anything he does to Setsuna and Mina at this point will always be self defence. Have they traumatised him that much? The question remains. "Where could they be?!"

"Seriously?"

Mina and Setsuna turned around at the source of the voice. It was Shoji, and he looked very exasperated at their antics. "Mina, as your Vice President, I need to politely ask you to not bother Bakugou that much. That includes his relationships."

"Oh, come on, Vice Pres! It's the most interesting thing I see. A real bad boy and good girl! A saint and a sinner!"

"Beauty and the Beast!" Setsuna added.

"Good cop and bad cop."

"Dumb and dumber." Awase added, catching the attention of all three before disappearing into the crowd once more. Presumably to hang out with his girlfriend.

"Okay, that's enough from you two. Let him and Shiozaki have their moment." Shoji said his piece and made sure the two of them heard it.

"Well, that and my bet on who confesses first being Bakugou." Uraraka somehow snuck between the three of them. Tsuyu was with her.

"She needs the money, kero."

"Yes, I need the money." Uraraka confirmed Tsuyu's statement to everyone.

UA Rooftops…

Shiozaki watched from above the fire lit by the school. He told her to meet him up here. That their bet is supposed to be finished here. Whoever shall confess first loses. It started months ago, but neither was willing to lose. Thinking back, she had more pride than she thought. Both of them were already sure of how they felt about the other. They both knew it was already an open secret. Everyone, was just waiting for it to finally be finished. And yet, she could not bear the thought of losing the bet. Shiozaki was sure Katsuki felt the same way about it.

"Kept you waiting, huh?" She turned around to see Katsuki with a bag of karaage chicken. He handed it to her. "I bought this. So… uh… we can share it. After… this."

He could not look at her. Not that she blamed him. It was hard for them to finally do what needs to be done on this roof. "I guess the karaage must be good, seeing as how it delayed your arrival."

"Oh, that didn't delay my arrival. I asked Awase and Yaoyorozu for a favour." He pointed at the sky. The timing was just right. The sky lit up behind her as she heard fireworks happening in the background. She turned around to see beautiful colours and explosions happening in the sky.

"You really went all out, haven't you, Katsuki?" She smiled as she stood beside him and watched the fireworks. His class's concert was good, but she preferred this. He preferred this. Being in each other's company. She was resting her head on his shoulder. No one else was around. They were watching the sky together. She was ready to let go. The bet no longer mattered. What she felt mattered more.

"I love you/I love you." They both said at the same time. They turned to gawk at each in stunned silence. It was broken by their own laughter. Although it was drowned out by the noise of the fireworks, they both felt each other's glee as they sat down because of the sheer ridiculousness of the entire thing.

"We were stupid." Katsuki finally said.

"You more than me." Ibara quipped back.

"Yeah yeah, Ibara. Laugh it up. Heh." They stood up and sat at a nearby bench. The fireworks were over. The only lights left was that of the bonfire below the building they were on. "I mean it though. I… love you."

"So do I. I love me too."

"Really, Ibara?" He raised an eyebrow, mildly amused.

"I love you, too, Katsuki." She said as she kissed his cheek. After another moment, they both dug in on the karaage chicken he bought. "You know what would be a good dessert after this chicken?"

"No, what?"

"Chifu's Apple Pie."

{- To Be Continued...

Shiketsu's Cultural Festival will be done in the side story The Botany Club Commits Tax Fraud

Happy Valentine's Day motherfuckers.