"That kid..."
A rough, low pitch voice said from across a television residing inside a bar. On the screen showed a Mochizuki Aki shattering the glacier along with the loud commentary of Present Mic. The voice sounded full of surprise, doubts, even despises. The emotional tone of the mumbling made Shigaraki lifted up his face from the bright screen of the console in his hand. The Decay User took one second to study the hateful facial expression of the man in the corner, before he turned his bored gaze at the television screen. Seeing Aki immediately made Shigaraki wore the same expression at the mysterious man. His gaze turned into glare, blood veins slowly rising from the corner of his eyes as he furiously scratched his neck, gritting his neck as if it would somehow disperse the ugly feeling that he has. Shigaraki sudden change of emotion didn't go by unnoticed by the man as he asked.
"You know him?"
Shigaraki snapped his neck at the man, maintaining the same glare he has.
"That damn cheating NPC was the reason why we FUCKING lost the Nomu! He was supposed to be dead! He FUCKING REVIVED and slit the Nomu's throat! I'm going to kill him!"
"Revived, huh...?"
The voice now suddenly has a sense of interest in it. His frown turned into a murderous grin. Shigaraki saw the grin and asked.
"Why the sudden interest, Genichiro?"
"Nothing, just..."
The man, now identified as Genichiro, stepped out from the shadow. He wore a red samurai armor underneath a black kimono garb that is tied by a red string from the gigantic bow he hung on his back. The top of his head was covered by a samurai helmet with 3 golden horns attach at the front. He walked closer towards the screen to inspect what was happening more closely, as he absent-mindedly answered Shigaraki's question.
"Maybe I've found the solution to revive the Ashina Clan."
"Did you two really have to destroy the stadium!?"
Recovery Girl rubbed her forehead while letting out a tired sigh, looking at the teenagers who just arrived at her office, her assistance just giggled amusingly. At least one of them felt guilty enough to hang their head down in embarrassment, while the other one just looked at her with an unchanged expression. She pointed at an empty bed for Aki to put down Shoko, which much to the girl 's (silent) objection. After putting Shoko down, Aki walked to an empty chair and dropped himself on it. The nurses quickly noticed the boy's right hand shaking as he wore a painful expression. Shuzenji asked.
"Not looking too good there, young one. Do you need medical attention?"
"I'm fine. I guess this is just backlash from over-performing Dragon Flash."
Hearing that, Emma immediately rushed towards Aki's seat, gently lifted the boy's right arm up and inspected it. The sight made the woman widen her eyes in shock. Blue veins covering all of his right arm, appearing and fading as if they were breathing, waiting to explode. Emma quickly yelled out for Recovery Girl.
Wrapping his arm up after both Emma and Shuzenji has healed him with their Quirks while reprimanding him, Emma explained.
"This is definitely backlash from Dragon Flash. The move draws the owner's energy and vitality to create an empowered shockwave. Usually, it just left the arm tired, but you used it at its full strength on your first time. You were lucky that your right arm didn't explode. I recommend not using it for the time being, and don't overuse it in the future."
"... You seem to know a lot about this move, Emma-san."
"I just have the unfortunate of knowing the man who creates it. I figure he was the one who entrusted Principal Nezu to hand you the scroll as well."
"May I ask who?"
"Isshin Ashina-sama."
"Iss- The Isshin Ashina!? The legendary Sword Saint!?"
"The one and only."
"Oh wow! Wait, how did he know me and why did he give the scroll?"
"Let just say he knows your master. We both do. Now, you should get back to your classmates. I bet they are really worry about you, Mochizuki-kun."
Aki looked like he has much things to ask, but he decided to leave it for another time and headed back to his class. He nodded thanks to Recovery Girl and Emma before leaving the infirmary, not forgetting to tell Emma to pass his appreciation to Isshin.
"Ah Mochizuki-kun, you have returned." Yanagi nonchalantly greeted Aki with a wave, which the boy returned. The whole of 1-B snapped their necks at Aki's direction, which made him slightly flinched at the sudden attention. They quickly study Aki's feature, before swarming him like moths to flame.
"Yo, that match was sick!"
"The whole stadium would have been blown away by you guys if not for the barrier!"
"My Lord, your right hand is covered in bandages, Aki-kun! Does it hurt?"
Ibara pushed through her classmates, seeing Aki's hand and quickly, but gently, grabbed it with a panic expression. The gestures warmed Aki's heart, but it made his cheeks burnt! He uttered out some nonsense, incomprehensible noise before Monoma came to his rescue.
"Shiozaki, you're killing him. The rest of you as well."
Ibara turned to look at Monoma confusingly before she realized what she was doing as she let go of Aki's hand.
"My- My apologies, Aki-kun. I didn't mean to overwhelm you."
""Yeah"" ""Sorry man!"" were heard.
"I- It's fine! I appreciate them, just... anxious."
Itsuka then walked towards them.
"If only you were like this all the time, Monoma-kun, then I wouldn't have had to neck-chop you."
"Only when things don't involve any of those 1-A bastar-"
He shut up immediately as Kendou raised her right arm. She nodded in satisfaction, before turning towards Aki, playfully smirked.
"Glad you're all right, Mochizuki-kun. I would fist-bum and congrats you for getting 2nd place, but your hand doesn't look too well."
Her eyes trailed towards Aki's bandaged arm. The boy just gave her a sheepish smile as he raised his left hand into a fist, which Itsuka returned with a left fist-bum and a smile.
The heartwarming moment was soon interrupted though, as Yui jumped in between them, facing Aki. The girl didn't say anything, just casually studying Aki's face with her usual neutral expression. Finally decided to break the silence, Yui said.
"Congratulation, Mochizuki-kun."
"E- Eh, thanks, Kodai-san."
Yui continued to stare into Aki's eyes, same goes for him. Anyone has to agree that Kodai Yui is a beautiful. Her bright, blue eyes stared straight into his. Aki wanted to look away, but something about those eyes that represented the ocean made him unable to. The unaware staring competition only ended when Yui's gaze sharpened, as if she has finally steeled her resolve. Aki was about to ask her if everything was alright, but she cut him off by starting first.
"Mochizuki-kun."
"Yes?"
"Go out with me."
The whole world stopped moving, for class 1-B at least, sans for Reiko who was filming the scene with her phone. Everyone stayed in dead silence, until they snapped out of it and yelled simultaneously.
"Eh- EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"
Awase, Tsuburaba and Tetsutetsu were kneeling down, praising Aki as if he was their new god. The rest of the boys just stared at both of them with shock and a little curiosity in their eyes. The girls, on the other hand, were a whole other mood. Pony and Kinoko were squealing from the sudden juicy romance from their classmates. Reiko was having fun with her blackmail materials with Aki. Ibara, Setsuna and Itsuka's faces were red as tomato because of Yui's blunt confession. A sting of jealousy crept into their chest but was quickly dismissed it.
Yui, facial expression unchanged, except that her face slightly reddens, but people could hardly notice that. Her eyes never left Aki, still waiting for an answer from the guy she just confessed to.
While the guy that just got confessed to, has short-circuited.
What is going on? Did he, Mochizuki Aki, just get confessed to? By one of the most beautiful women he has ever met? What? Why? How? When? Where? Did he die in the fight against Todoroki? Is this heaven? Did he isekai-ed? Is this another world? What-
Snapped out of his own mega train of thought, Aki managed to sputter out a few words. "W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-Why m-m-m-me?"
"I don't know."
"...?"
Yui repeated. "I don't know. Must there be a reason to like someone?" She then leaned in closer towards Aki, almost pushing herself on him. "Maybe we'll find out this Saturday."
The whole class held their breath for Aki's answer while the man in question just stared into the eyes of the girl in front of him. Her shining, blue cerulean eyes that reminded him of the ocean looked straight into his dark brown. The two stayed in silence, seemingly lost in each other eyes, until Aki answered.
"Yes."
The chaos ensued after Aki's answer was immeasurable and while it was happening, no one noticed Reiko stood there, nodding with satisfaction and proudness. It only ended when Vlad King arrived and announced his presence.
"I see you lot are still very excited."
The whole class turned their heads towards their homeroom teacher. Seeing that he has gained their attention, he continued. "I'm just here to inform Mochizuki-kun about the awarding ceremony later. Report at the preparing room in 15 minutes."
"Right, about that. Is there any way I can... not attend it?" Aki asked.
"No. But why wouldn't you want to?"
"I hate being the center of attention. I'll gladly give my second place to anyone else if I can avoid this."
"No."
"Okay, then hypothetically, if I die-"
"No! Kendou-kun, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Drag him there if you have to."
"Copy, Kan-sensei!"
Needless to say, that to Aki, Itsuka was somehow scarier.
"Ne, ne, Kouhai-kun! Tell me! Tell me! How did you warp behind Bakugou? What was that move you used against Kirishima? Did you finally master Spiral Cloud Passage? Do you know I'm really proud of you? Oh, what about that thing you did when you jumped and took down Bakugou on air? Did you find a way to counter me? Should we spar now or later? Ne, ne, Kouhai-kun-"
In the preparing room, Nejire was bombarding Aki with question as she pushed him against a corner in a Kabedon, which normally, would make his face go all red and his speech go stuttered. But, the anxiety of standing in front of thousands of people in a few minutes overcome whatever embarrassment he was currently facing.
"I used a tool called Mist Raven against Bakugou. A move called Shadowrush against Kirishima, and yes, thanks to your help, I finally understand Floating Cloud Passage. I didn't know you were watching, thanks for your support... I guess? It's called Anti-air Deathblow and the spar against you gave me the idea so you could say I found a way to counter you. Another day for the spar, please." He answered in a depressed-but-still-polite manner, which Nejire replied by nodding her head with a proud smile on her face.
"When will the third-year Sport Fest starts?"
"2 days. Tomorrow is the second-year. Now, Kouhai-kun-" She was about to spill out a stream of question before a voice interrupted her.
"Bother him later, Hadou. Kid, you're up."
Eraserhead stepped in and saved Aki from Nejire's clutch. The third-year pouted but let her kouhai go before she waved him an encourage goodbye.
"Thank you, Snipe-sensei, for that fun activity. Now, let's move on to... The Awards Ceremony!"
Cheers and applauses follow as Midnight announced the Award Ceremony and pointed to the podium behind her with three students, each standing on one, except for Bakugou who was being... tied to a wooden pillar by cuffs, like a restrained dog trying to get out. On his right, were Aki and Shoko. The former covered his face with his hands, trying his best to not look around or being looked at while the latter just stared ahead with a blank face.
A student below muttered out. "This year winners are all weirdo..."
No one argued with him.
Midnight too, ignored the blunt comment and continued. "This year, we have two students who get second-place, so there was supposed to be Iida-kun from 1-A but he had to leave due to family circumstances. We hope you all would understand."
Aki just slight peeked a look at the empty third-place, wondering about what had happened, before Midnight continued.
"Now for the medals! Presenting them this year is... you know who!"
"I AM..."
"He's everyone's Hero, ALL MIGHT!"
"... HERE WITH THE MEDALS!"
All Might looked over at Midnight with a betraying look on his face while she just clasped her hand together and apologized with a guilty look on her face. All Might quickly recovered, took three medals from Midnight and walked over to Bakugou, uncuff his mouth.
"Young Bakugou! It's quite unfortunate that you didn't get first place like you wish, but-!"
"I don't need that goddamn medal! It doesn't mean shit if it's not first place! Fish Eyes wasn't serious! Get me outta these cuffs and I'll show him-"
"Well, in a world that's constantly graded on a curve, there aren't many who can continuously be on top. Accept this! As a wound! So you don't forget!"
"I told you I don't need that piece of garbage!"
Despite Bakugou's stubbornness at rejecting his medal, All Might hang it on his mouth, conveniently shut him up and let the ceremony proceed. He walked over to Aki, who reluctantly let his hand down from covering his face, but he still stared at the ground beneath him with great interest.
"Young Mochizuki! Even when your own tools were limit and your Quirk isn't suited for these types of competition, against all odds, you managed to get second place, almost first, I might add. Be proud of yourself, my boy!"
"T- Thank you, All Might-sensei..."
"We might need to work on your confidence, though." All Might said as he patted Aki on his shoulder after releasing the boy from the bear hug. He then walked over to Shoko.
"Young Todoroki, congratulations!"
Shoko just replied with a polite nod.
"Is there any reason for that solemn look on your face, my girl?"
"I... It's just... I've always wanted to be a hero, one like you, and I thought that I could do it with my moth- my ice, but-"
"Young Midoriya and young Mochizuki."
"Yes, they... they showed me that I have to get over myself. But it's not like I can forget and get over things. That's not enough. There's still something I have to settle first."
"... It seems that other than first place, you have found something better."
All Might smiled proudly as he hanged the medal over Shoko's neck and patted her head, before he turned around to the audience and the cameras.
"Well, these are your champions!" He gestured his right hand to the three. "But hold on, everyone!" He then pointed at the student's crowd that gathered on the field.
"Everyone here has the potential to be standing up here, as you all witnessed! Competition, Encouragement, pushing each other to climb higher and higher! The sprouts of today will grow into the heroes of tomorrow!"
He pointed towards the sky, "In that spirit, let's have one final cheer! Everyone, say it with me! One, Two, And..."
"Plus Ultra!"
"Thanks For The Hard Work!"
"Plus Ul- Huh!?"
With that, the First Year Sport Festival has come to an end.
"In light of the festival, the school has decided to give you all a two-day break starting tomorrow. If you include Saturday and Sunday, that's a four-day break."
Vlad announced to his students who were sitting in their respective seat. After the awards ceremony, the school had the students rode back to UA for debrief. Currently, they were in their classroom. Vlad continued with his announcement.
"The Pro Heroes will take this time to send your internship's offer based on your performance, so look forward to that during your break. Anyone with serious injuries, please use this time to rest." He glared at his class vice president who looked away, before he continued.
"Now, that was everything the school told me to tell you all. You all did good, even better than I expected. I'm very proud of you kids. Good work! I'll see you all next week. Dismissed!"
With a final compliment, Kan walked out of the classroom, leaving a class full of surprised students from his sudden compliments.
After a few minutes of recovering, everyone in 1-B now broke off into different groups to talk amongst one another. Aki quickly slid over to Reiko's seat as the girl was packing up.
"Reiko-sama, help!"
The girl just stared at him with unchanged expression and said, "What are you inquiring my help for, Aki-kun?"
"I need advice for my date on Saturday."
"... I don't suppose I could assist you in this endeavor, but I swear I will seek assistance to help you!"
"... You are surprisingly pumped up for this."
"It's fun. Meet me on our Discord server tonight. I shall not disappoint you, Aki-kun!"
"Thank you! I owe you one! Also... are we on first name basis now?"
"You call me by my given name first. I don't suppose why can't we. We are friends, after all."
A happy day, indeed.
"Wah, I'm so beat!"
Ochako stretched as she walked on the street with Aki next to her. After waving goodbye to Reiko at the station, Aki met Ochako on the train and the two travelled home together. After dropping by the convenience store to buy some snacks and drinks, the two are currently walking down the street that leads to their apartment.
"At least they're letting us have 4 days off. You planning to go back home?"
Ochako answered with a frown, "I planned to, but the ticket price is ridiculous. Besides, they have work to do and I don't wanna interrupt them."
"Wouldn't it get boring though, staying at home for 4 days?"
"Why would it? I got you." Ochako nonchalantly answered, completely ignorant of Aki's red face, "And Mei. Luna-chan as well!"
"Oh, right, Mei. On that topic, she said her parents want to celebrate with her tonight, so she has to pass the dinner party. What do you want to eat tonight, Uraraka-san?"
"..." Instead of answering, she pouted her cheeks and turned away, closing her eyes.
"Uraraka-san?"
"..."
"Uraraka-san, you're scaring me."
"..."
The silence treatment Ochako gave make him felt more anxious and worried. 'Did he do or say something wrong? Was it the party? What's wrong with the dinner party?' As the thoughts were spiraling inside his brain, something hit him.
'Then just cry your eyes out, Ochako-san.'
His conversation with Ochako during the Sport Festival.
Is she mad because he called her by her first name? Or is it the other way around?
"... Ochako-san?"
"Yes, you called, Aki-kun?" Ochako turned around with the brightest of smile he has ever seen from anyone.
Yup, she's mad because he didn't call her by her first name.
"... So, we on first name basis now?"
"I mean I called you and Mei by your first names." She pointed out, before she anxiously asked. "Do you... not like it?"
"N- no, I'm fine with it. Just didn't expect you would be fine with it."
"Why wouldn't I be fine with it! You're my friend!" Ochako exclaimed as she walked in front of Aki, blocking him.
"No, it's just- I don't think- Nevermind..." Aki sighed as he walked pass Ochako towards the stair. The girl quickly followed behind, obviously wanting to continue pushing for an answer, but quickly dismissed that after something caught her eyes.
"What the-!?"
"What?" Aki turned around as he opened the door to his apartment.
"My apartment, it's not locked." She whispered and pointed at her door.
"That's... weird. Did you forget to lock it?"
"No, I always double-checked before I leave, and I'm the only person who has the key."
"Stand behind me." Aki ordered Ochako, before he grabbed the door handle. Turning around, he saw Ochako nodded with sharpen eyes. He then swinged the door opened, and from the darken hallways, two dark figures with red eyes crawled out. The duo that stood at the door almost ran away, until the two dark figures screeched out a familiar name.
"OCHAKO!"
"MOM!? DAD!?" Ochako screamed back.
The two figures stood up, revealing two adults that seems to be in their late forties. Ochako's mother is exactly how Ochako would grow into. Ochako looks almost like her, except that her mother has longer hair that reaches until her shoulder, her face has crinkles near the edge of her eyes and her eyes looks like they were always closing. Their pink cheeks are also a very noticeable resemblance. Her father, a blonde man with a surprisingly buff build with the kindest smile he has ever seen from any man at that age. They both look tired from the lack of sleep, but none of that could measure to how happy they look as they caught Ochako in a bear hug.
"Wha- What are you guys doing here!? What about work by the bullet train!? Wha, I-"
"When we saw our daughter pushing so hard out there, we just had to come runnin'!" Her dad said, with a pride in his tone.
"We came to throw you a nice get-together for your effort, dear!" Her mom said as she caressed Ochako's cheek.
Hearing those words from her parents, Ochako's eyes became blurred by tear as she hugged her mom and mumbled, "At least you could've told me...!"
"Then how could we possibly witness the expression on your face right now." Ochako's mom gently hugged back before her father joined in the heartwarming scene as well. They continued hugging for 5 minutes, before Ochako remembered something. She released herself from her parents, wiped away the tear stain on her eyes and turned around to Aki, who was fidgeting outside of her apartment. The boy has been averted his eyes away from the family reunion, feeling like he was interrupting on something important. Ochako, seeing him like that, couldn't help but giggled slightly, before she spoke to him.
"Aki-kun, this is my parents. Mom, dad, this is Aki-kun. He's a friend from 1-B and a neighbour."
"Good afternoon, Uraraka-san. My name is Mochizuki Aki." Aki greeted both of the adults by their family name with a bow.
"No reason to be so former, dear. Just call me Miyako." Ochako's mom said.
"My name is Osamu, but you can call me anything that makes you feel comfortable, young man."
Aki lifted his head and saw the parents smiling kindly at him, he just nodded his head at their words. Miyako seeing how uncomfortable Aki was, tried to lift the mood with a few questions.
"So, I've heard from Ochako that you live here with your aunt, was it? What of your parents?"
"Oh, uh... I... don't have any..."
Which turns out to be a huge failure. Aki's answer made the whole family's eyes widen. Even Ochako.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, dear! I didn't know-"
"N- No, it's okay, Uraraka-san." He assured her. "It's not like I told anyone. Besides, I don't even know who my parents are, so it's really not a big deal."
"So, you've been living with your aunt ever since you were a child?" Osamu chimed in.
"Basically, yes. But she always travels, for work or what, I don't know, so I've mostly been alone. That's why I really enjoy Ochako-san's company."
"Glad I could help!" Everyone chuckled at Ochako's salutation, which brighten up the mood by a whole lot compared to a while ago. After talking for a while, Aki waved goodbye to the family as he closed the door on the way out.
After hearing the door to Aki's apartment closed, Ochako turned back to her parents, only to find them looking at her with devious grin on their faces.
"So, that's the boy you've been telling us about. He seems cute~" Ochako's mom teased.
"Normally, I would disagree with any boys dating my daughter, but I kind of like this one. You pick a good one, my little gravity girl~" Ochako's dad nodded with assurance and a grin on his face.
"MOM! DAD!"
After waving goodbye to Ochako's family, Aki went back inside his apartment, took a quick shower and sank into his bed. When he opened his eyes, it was already 7 p.m. Thankfully, just in time for dinner. Putting on his jacket, Aki closed the door to his apartment and walked outside. The city during nighttime is something Aki love. The cold breeze, the small, incomprehensible chatter in the street and the feeling of being a nobody among the sea of people is always something else as he headed towards the family restaurant that he usually came to celebrate something, alone.
Pushing the door inside, the restaurant was packed with people, families. It wasn't a surprise, though, considering it was a Friday. However, it was SO packed, that it took Aki almost 10 minutes to wander around the restaurant just to find an empty seat. 2nd floor was no doubt full of overenergetic children that, let's be honest, no one wants to deal with. Scouting the first floor out, most of the seats are occupied by at least 2 people, even the ones for one pax. Sighing in defeat, he headed towards the backdoor of the restaurant to leave, only to be stopped by a familiar voice.
"Mochizuki-san, what a surprise to see you here."
He turned his neck towards the source of the voice, and found class 1-A Vice President, Yaoyorozu Momo, sitting alone in one corner. She wore a white blouse with a skirt that was wrapped by a small belt on her hips. Along with the long pair of black stockings, she wore a pair of matching color boots that really showed off the beauty of her legs (basically just search Momo Shifuku and you'll know what I'm describing). She looked quite surprised seeing Aki in the family restaurant, which goes the same for the other party.
"Yaoyorozu-san? Wow, this a real surprise. I didn't expect to see anyone I know here."
"Neither did I." She admitted. "Did you just finish your dinner?"
"Actually, I was about to leave since there's no more seat."
"Oh my, how unfortunate!" She said, before looking around as if she was looking for someone, then sighed and smiled kindly at Aki. "If it doesn't bother you, you could join me. I just arrived. It would be nice to have some company."
"I really don't want to bother you..."
"I wouldn't have asked if I think that bothers me. Please, feel free to join."
Hesitantly, Aki slid to the seat in front of Momo, while the girl just smiles at him. The two just sat there and looked at each other in silence, both kept caught each other eyes and glanced away, looking at anything else. It only stopped when Momo decided to break the tension.
"W- Where are the waiters, anyway? We've been here for 15 minutes but no one has tended to our table yet."
Aki just narrowed his eyes, cringed his brows and looked at her as if she grew a second head. He said, "... Yaoyorozu-san, this is a self-service family restaurant."
"... So?"
"So? You are supposed to go to the counter, order your food, wait for them to call your order and bring it back here yourself!"
Momo just looked at Aki confusingly, before the boy pointed towards the counter. There, she saw people queuing, waiting, either to order their food or collect it. Her face turned bright red before she explained embarrassingly.
"I- I didn't know! This is my first time being in a self-service restaurant!"
"I- It's fine... Pfft!" He said, before he covered his mouth, face leaning down on the table to hold his laughter.
"H- Hey, quit it, Mochizuki-san!" Momo's blush became brighter.
"I'm sorry! It's just... didn't expect you to... not know about this...!"
Seeing her classmate continuous laugh at her lack of common knowledge, Momo only respond was closing her eyes, pouted while crossing her arms and looked away. Aki only stopped after a while later. He picked up his wallet on the table, stood up and slid out of the chair.
"Come on, let's go order some food. I'm starving." Momo nodded and followed him.
After a while of queuing and apologizing to Momo along with a food recommendation, the person in front of them has finished with their order. Stepping up, Aki pointed at the Special Ramen Bowl, his favorite.
"This set, please. With the set meal."
"Alright! What about you, ma'am?" The lady at the counter asked Momo.
"Oh, uh... I'll have the same as him, please."
"Alrighty..." She mumbled as she typed on the machine for a few seconds before she turned it towards the two. "It'll be 2,000 yen, please."
Before Aki could take out his wallet, Momo stopped him, and pulled out a black credit card and handed it to her, under the widen eyes of Aki and the employee. Seeing them staring at her the card with widen eyes, Momo asked.
"Is there any problem?"
"Yaoyorozu-san..."
"Ma'am, we don't accept... this type of credit card here..."
"Why not?"
Aki then leaned in and explained to Momo. She then turned bright red, again, took the card back from the lady and apologized profusely, while Aki paid the bills.
Standing from a corner, waiting from their food, Aki once again tried his best not to show any emotions while Momo just covered her face, trying to hide the blush on her face. After a short while, their order was called and they collected their food and went back to their seat.
Sitting down on their respective seats, Aki and Momo politely mumbled to each other 'Itadakimasu' before they started heading into their food. As they were eating their food, Momo asked.
"I almost forgot. Congratulations on getting second place, Mochizuki-san!"
"Ah, thank you. You also did quite good. To be honest, I kind of worried when I saw your name in my branch."
"... Really?"
"Yeah, I mean..." He gulped down the food in his mouth, "You're a recommendation student, aren't you? Besides, your Quirk is amazingly strong and versatile, so yeah, I was really worried when I saw your name."
"But, even with all that," Momo's expression became grimmer, "I lost right out of the first match..."
"Well, to be honest, it was kind of a bad match-up for you. Tokoyami is a strong, close quarter fighter."
"But!" She then curled up her fist and slightly slammed on the table, drawing a few curious eyes before they looked away, seeing Aki's glaring at them. "I should have at least put up a fight! Instead, I just... stood there like a duck and pushed out like it was nothing! I..."
"You tried your best, Yaoyorozu-san. You can't beat yourself up for it-"
"But I could have done better!" She yelled, cutting him off.
"... It's not my place to say, but I could tell there's something else troubling you, Yaoyorozu-san."
"I-…. I just feel that I'm not... good enough. Todoroki-san and I are both recommendation student, but everyone could see that she's strong while I- I'm just the 'vice-president of class 1-A'."
"I know it's really not my place to say it but..." Momo looked at him. "Who cares about what other people say?"
"...?"
"Remember the USJ? When we got stuck together?"
"I don't think I could ever forget that..."
"Yeah, well, it was an... eventful day. Remember when Kaminari-san got captured by that villain?"
"Yes...?"
"To be honest, before you came up with that plan, I was almost about to sneak in on that villain and... let's just say it wasn't going to be pretty..."
Knowing exactly what he meant, Momo just slowly nodded. "..."
"But you shouted at me to run away, and I did. Thanks to that, I didn't have to cross that line that day... and I'm really thankful that you came up with that plan.
So, Yaoyorozu-san, I didn't have the chance before, but thank you, for saving us that day. If you still have doubt about yourself, please, just remember that we were saved because of you. I was saved because of you. You are already a hero to me, Yaoyorozu-san."
Aki bowed slightly, thanking Momo. It was true. He really was about to... kill a villain to rescue Kaminari. He knew that one day, he has to. But thanks to Momo, he didn't have to cross that line that day.
Whilst, Momo still stared at Aki with tears in her eyes after he thanked her. Her plan saved them. Her. It saved them. It saved him. The tears in her eyes kept flowing out, despite her efforts to stop them.
"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm still crying" Momo stuttered out as she wiped the tears away. "I just- I couldn't stop-"
"It's fine, Yaoyorozu-san." He assured her with a smile, before pointing at the bowl of ramen. "It's getting cold, though."
A/N: I'm back!
Eh, initially, I wanted this chapter to be until the day before Yui's date, but meh, I guess. I'll leave that to the chapter after the next one :PP
Anyway, how you guys like Momo sudden appearance? Personally, as a normal human being, I worship her so... yeah, had to fill her into this story somehow XD. Also, I got many requests to add other girls. Not gonna lie, I'm intrigued. But there's already SO MANY to fit into this story already. More girls would be overwhelming. I'm still sitting on the fence about Toga.
Though, if I find enough motivation to write other fics, I'll consider the option. Just don't hold out any hopes though, this fic's releases is already taking too long and we aren't even ¼ into the story. Next chapter title: A Quiet Date.
Aight, now that that's outta the way, chat fic. Also, I need help with chat's nicknames. For everyone if possible.
Emily has invited CopyPasty into the server.
Emily has invited HarderThanSteel into the server.
Emily has invited LegoMaster into the server.
Emily has invited Pony into the server.
Emily has invited MushroomManiac into the server.
Everyone, please welcomes them.
Zombie: I'm going to make an educated guess
Zombie: Monoma, Tetsutetsu, Awase, Tsunotori and Komori
Emily: Impressive
CopyPasty: Remind us why are we here again?
CopyPasty: Also, that was one hell of a guess
HarderThanSteel: You guys have a group chat and now you invited us!?
Emily: To be fair, this server only has Zombie and myself
HarderThanSteel: Fair
Pony: Discord! Coolio! I don't know you guys used it here!
MushroomManiac: Yanagi-chan asked me to create one. Hi Pony-chan!
Pony: Hi!
LegoMaster: Why are we here, though?
Emily: I gathered you all here
Emily: To help me help Zombie on his date with Kodai-san
CopyPasty: Right
CopyPasty: So Zombie is Mochizuki-kun
HarderThanSteel: Manly!
LegoMaster: Show us your way, Sensei!
Zombie: No comment...
Zombie: I don't even know why she would ask me out
Emily: Why do you put she and me on italics?
Zombie: I mean
Zombie: Kodai-san is like... the most beautiful girl
Zombie: And I'm
Zombie: Well, me
Emily: …...
CopyPasty: …..
HarderThanSteel: …...
Pony: …...
LegoMaster: …...
MushroomManiac: …...
Zombie: What?
Emily: Aki
Emily: I love you
Emily: But if you talk about yourself like that again
Emily: You deal with me
Emily: Understand?
Zombie: Yes madam
Emily: Good
Emily: Now
Emily: Let's get back on helping you with Kodai-san
LegoMaster: REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
CopyPasty: When is your date again?
Zombie: This Saturday
CopyPasty: Not a lot of time to prepare
CopyPasty: What are you planning to do?
Zombie: I don't know
Zombie: This is my first time on a date
MushroomManiac: You? Really?
Zombie: Unimportant long story
Zombie: Any suggestions?
Emily: Horror movie?
LegoMaster: Amusement Park?
HarderThanSteel: Baseball range?
Pony: Zoo!
MushroomManiac: A date in the park?
CopyPasty: All of you are such amateurs
CopyPasty: Take her to a romantic dinner in a nice restaurant
CopyPasty: Choose a quiet one, with calm atmosphere and indie band music
MushoomManiac: Not gonna lie, that sounds nice
LegoMaster: Who knows you're such a romantic person, Monoma?
LegoMaster: Especially on how you act against 1-A
Pony: …...
CopyPasty: Heresy
CopyPasty: I have the guts to do what necessary
HarderThanSteel: Even though it's not necessary?
CopyPasty: Moving back
HarderThanSteel: Don't change the subject
CopyPasty: What do you plan to wear?
Zombie: Like a T-Shirt, a pair of long pants?
CopyPasty: Where is your house?
Zombie: [insert address]. Why?
CopyPasty: I'm coming over tomorrow to help you
CopyPasty: You are not wearing that on a date
Zombie: Why not?
CopyPasty: Cause it's your first date!
CopyPasty: You can't go out there with a middle-school student's style
Emily: Agree
Emily: Though, if you're really coming, I'm coming too
Emily: If it's comfortable with you, Aki
Zombie: I mean it's fine
Emily: Cool
HarderThanSteel: Damn, I'm busy tomorrow
LegoMaster: Ditto
Pony: Me too *pouty face*
MushroomManiac: I want to come. Can I come?
Zombie: Feel free, Komori-san
MushroomManiac: Yay!
Emily: Alright. It's settled. See you guys tomorrow
Emily: Meeting adjourned