Hey, guys. BD is back with another installment of 'A Homestay To Remember.' In this chapter, Denki and MInoru discuss plans on obtaining the holy grail — Mirko's leotard. Meanwhile, Izuku gets cheered up by his friend about his battle with Izuku. Later, Yang and the girls are on the move to get Izuku. Misadventures, mishaps, and hijinks continue. Enjoy! Feel free to comment and/or follow and subscribe!

A/N: The following events occurred earlier that day prior to Izuku meeting Yang at camp. As a reminder, I am building up to create a plot. You'll understand why in the following chapters.

Warning: the following chapter has suggestive dialogue that some readers will find uneasy. Be advised that the author doesn't encourage nor support the comments made in this story. Just be mindful that it is fiction.

The dining hall at Camp Yaoyorozu was lively as class 1-A, 1-B, and the Support Department gathered after a strenuous first day. Students from the General Studies course aided Lunch Rush with tonight's entree — a fresh aroma of grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and freshly baked rolls filled the air. Although unusual, after a long day of what they have endured, they could eat raw ramen for all it was worth.

Thanks to the pleads of the camp's namesake, music was provided to accommodate the lively mood. Present Mic set the boombox on the stage that played the radio's top 40 hits. It wasn't explicit and it wasn't really exactly in their era unless they were fans of mood rings, dry shampoo, pants that mopped the floor, and fanny packs. Nevertheless, no one was going to complain. From an outsider's perspective, one would think that this was just a normal day at camp and not undergoing punishment for their previous debacle.

Denki situated himself at the back of the dining hall. The last to enter and the first to leave were his thoughts as he opened one of the bento boxes that his mother prepared for him. Rubbing his hands and eyeing that strawberry soda, he felt satisfied for the time being.

*BAM!*

Minoru slapped the table with a set of blueprints. The electric blond appeared unamused, unsurprised by the pervert's tenacity of obtaining a goal — even if exposing some of that said goal for others to hear.

"Dude, I thought we're gonna wait until we head back to our cabin," said Denki.

"How can you not be this excited for what we're planning to do," retorted the grapehead dwarf. He scooted closer to Kaminari, even scooting his food out of his sight. Apparently he was assuming that dinner was the least of his concern where there was a plump, feisty rabbit to feast upon. "Behold is the treasure that is literally gonna put the booty on our laps."

"So we're gonna act like I wasn't hungry."

"Tch! Who needs noodles and cornmeal when we're this close to some hot and moist lasagna." Minoru greedily licked his lips. Just the thought of possessing Mirko's leotard was making him hot. So much so that he wore two pairs of underwear in case he began to soak.

Denki folded his arms. He even gauged the room in case of a prying ear. Thankfully, everyone was situated closer to the front so they could listen to the music. Either that or the strong, fermented rubberband scent of Minoru was permeating the area. The fellow pervert-in-arms have since become nose blind to Minoru's body odor. "Alright, buddy, you've got my attention. Show me whatcha got."

Minoru turned and pulled more rolls of blueprints from his satchel. "In our hands is the Holy Grail. Check this out!" He unrolled the blueprints and presented each sheet to the electric blond. "Everything and anything about this camp, you name it, there it is."

Denki stuck out his tongue to examine the schematics of the campsite. He whistled in surprise how accurate the plans were. Despite the site having been used by previous tenants, it shows the designs of the updated amenities that were implemented by the Yaoyorozu family.

Minoru could see the astonishment on his partner's face. "You like that, huh? Closets, cabinets, showers, even areas that were left unmarked and out of bounds for us." He feverishly rubbed his hands. "Do you know what this can do for us?"

Denki cleared his throat. "Let's not get too hasty, friend." He took another look at the blueprints. "Wow!" He whistled once more. He had to give it to Minoru — when he had a goal, whether it failed or not, he went after it. An admirable trait, despite being used for lecherous reasons.

"Kaminari, by the end of this summer, we can be gods." Minoru slapped the table. "You hear me? Gods! It doesn't have to be just Mirko's leotard." He rubbed his hands again, displaying a bedeviling smirk. "Yaoyorozu, Ashido, Hatsume, hell Shiozaki…" He bumped Denki's shoulder. "How about obtaining Jirou's panties? Free of charge."

Denki crossed his arms. "Time out on the clock. You don't actually think…."

"Dude, give me a few days to know routines, shifts and we can be in the money. We're not the only boys that think like this," said Minoru as he arched an eyebrow. "We can score some cash. Toothbrushes, teddy bears, keychains, panties, hell tampons. We can make at least a few hundred easy. Perverts would pay for hope."

"You're still getting ahead of yourself," responded Denki. "Do you recall who our camp directors are? What makes you think they are not eyeing us like hawks?"

"You say that now." Minoru displayed a cheeky grin. "If…no, when we take Mirko's leotard, we're gonna be true gods, harem lords! People will be bowing down to us."

"So, you're saying if we object ourselves in taking Mirko's leotard, then scoring other artifacts should be a breeze. Right?"

"Wrong! Got to baste the turkey before sticking it in the oven. Baby steps."

"You don't mean…."

"Hmm-mmm." Minoru turned his head where he saw the 1-A girls congregating. "Like every battle game that we play, there are levels. And at every level, there are bosses. When we beat the bosses, we win the game." He swiveled his head to the other table — 1-B girls Tsunotori, Tokage and Komori were eating their dinners, joking and laughing together.

Denki couldn't help but notice how hard Minoru was eyeing Pony. Then, it finally hit him. His mouth was agape.

"No way, dude." Denki crossed his arms once again.

"Tsunotori is an easy lick," said Minoru, smiling. "This girl is too shy for own good. Too shy to even function." He took hold of the blueprints, specifically finding the whereabouts where the girls of 1-B were residing.

"Bingo!" He planted his thumb at the site where Tsunotori stayed. "Talk about baby steps."

"You're crazy."

"No, I'm a genius. This is one of those good-kind-of-problems."

"On night one? You're insane."

"Being a god takes risks." The dwarf raised his finger. "Walk by faith, not by sight. Or in this case, smell~!"

"Gross," said Denki.

Minoru looked at his wristwatch. It was a quarter after seven. "Aizawa-sensei is giving us a little leeway tonight since he and the other camp staff are having a meeting. I've overheard Yanagi and some of the 1-B and 1-A girls are going to watch a movie at their dorm. With them being distracted, you and I can go to Pony's dorm and take a set or two."

"Excuse me? We?" Denki became alarmed. This was certainly unexpected news. Unexpectedly because the electric blond knew that Minoru wasn't invited to hang out with the others in the woods. He was hoping with Minoru having his own evening plans, then there wouldn't be anything conflicting. Yet again, fate knows how to make its presence known. And just when today there has been one stroke of luck after another. Sadly it had to run out at some point.

"Yes! We!" Minoru retorted. "This isn't a one-man project. Even Jesus had his disciples." He took Denki's strawberry soda and swallowed a few gulps. When passing it back to him, Denki declined, especially since he drank it and God knew where those lips had been.

"Tsunotori's camp is on the opposite end of the dining hall. Plus, Yanagi's camp door faces the opposite direction from sensei's cabin, toward the lake." Minoru confirmed as he pointed to Denki the location of their respective cabins. "Tsunotori's cabin is the only cabin that faces away from the other cabins. There aren't any windows toward the back, so we're in the clear. To keep it simple, all you have to do is keep watch."

"Simple is a complexity for you and I. Nothing is never easy."

"The point is, guy, is that we are embarking on our maiden voyage," said Minoru. "Getting Tsunotori's panties is a piece of kelp. And besides, I already got a buyer." Minoru tilted his head, pointing at Monoma.

"Monoma has the biggest hots for her." He reached into his pocket and pulled out some bills. "$50 as a deposit and $50 when we bring back a pair. He'll even throw us a bonus if we can score another pair."

"Monoma is bold." "Guess he still hasn't learned his lesson."

"Money talks. A neko says jump. A rabbit asks how high." He slipped a couple bills down and slid it to Denki. "50-50, we share and share alike."

Denki was conflicted, and at the same time, feeling hypocritical. What was a hundred dollars for a few minutes work? At the same time, there was Jirou. She even said when they get alone, he could cup a feel. He was practically living out his fantasy of possibly getting laid at camp, in the woods out of all places.

He could have easily told him that tonight wasn't the night for tomfoolery but he didn't want to hurt his feelings. Although risky, the smell of green was entrancing him. Just knowing that there was money involved was making his hands itch with anticipation. "Get paid versus getting potentially laid. Earning some green or getting in between some titties." The electric blond clenched his teeth in frustration as he made up his mind.

"Is this plan of yours foolproof?" Denki said to Minoru, forcing a smile.

"Great!" The perverted grapehead said happily. "Yanagi and the others should be heading to their dorm after dinner. We'll wait it out for a spell until we see them leave their dorms."

"Who's residing with Tsunotori?"

"It's a four-man room, so it is her, Komori, Tokage, and Shiozaki."

"Nani?!" Denki responded, shocked when hearing that Ave Maria was going out with them to Yanagi's dorm. "How did they convince Shiozaki to join them? You would think she would take that time to purify and rebuke any demons residing there."

"Book of Eli, my friend." Minoru said while nodding his head.

"I'm guessing that is one of those good-kind-of-problems."

"Hmm-hmm," replied Minoru melodically. "Welp, better get ready now, we're leaving in a few minutes." He added.

"Already?" Denki blinked in surprise.

"Yeah. We gotta treat this like a covert mission," responded Minoru as he gulped down Denki's soda. "The same 'friend' who gave me the blueprints is the same 'friend' who provided us with some tactical gear. Nothing too revealing or ridiculous."

"Who is this 'friend?'"

"Classified."

"Of course. Dude, this isn't Mission Impossible or Spy x Family. We're just two perverts who are sneaking to steal panties. No different than a prank."

"Shh!" Minoru covered Denki's mouth with his hands. Denki was alarmed as his nose detected familiar odors whenever he wanted alone time in his bedroom. "Do you want us to get in trouble?"

Denki shook his head in disagreement.

Minoru removed his hand from Denki's mouth. "We're not...perverts," he said in a lower tone. "Just individuals who are loyally and passionately dedicated to the sexuality of the fairer sex." He snapped his fingers gingerly. "Yeah, that's it! We're passionate."

"That's exactly what a pervert would say."

"What's the point of God giving us this gift if we couldn't have fun with it. God made sex for me and you." He wagged his finger at Denki. "Take advantage, man. Take advantage. By now you must be getting tired of creaming your sheets and tissues."

"And what makes a leotard any different?"

"Closer to pussy than you've ever been."

"..."

"Hey, look at this — we're outside our element. Just because I say it's a piece of kelp doesn't mean things can backfire," said Minoru. "We can't rely on just instinct alone. We must prepare for opposition and must rely on the true element: the power of surprise." He finished the soda. "Let's go and get set up."

Denki guessed he would have to make his dinner to go. Grabbing his bento, he followed Minoru and headed out of the dining hall.

"Trust me, it's gonna be worth it," said Minoru with a cheerful step in his walk. "Before the end of this camp, Mirko's leotard would be as good as ours."

"Good things come to those who wait, I guess." Denki said, rolling his eyes.

"That's the spirit. Who knows how much 'coming' I am going to do after getting a hold of that chocolate rabbit's sweet, sweet delicates!"

"Imagine the wasted time invested in getting panties instead of just being forward toward the girls." Denki didn't have room to talk because he too had jolsted himself into joining him. He texted Jirou about the change of plans and would reschedule their rendezvous another time. "Bros before hoes, I guess… I really need to expand my circle of friends..."

Minoru led the way back to their cabin. If only Denki would understand the circumstances in his mind. "Sorry, man. I just couldn't get the thought of you having a great time and I can't. I am already envious of you with Kyouka and the thought that you can be with her at any time irks me. It is difficult being me, I know this. However, I can't stand the thought of being alone. Obtaining Mirko's leotard isn't just the Holy Grail for me, it shows that I am capable of doing something that proves how valid I am. You may not like it now, you'll thank me later. You're my best friend. You're all I've got."

Meanwhile….

He wasn't hungry. Food was the last thing on his mind.

Izuku shut his eyes. For a minute, he had pictured himself back home in his bedroom. Back in the place where peace and solitude reign, where he could read his mentor's memoir, eat honey buns and drink ice tea, and cloaked in the love that came from his mother. Instead he was picking off the dirt and nitroglycerin residue that was courtesy of his so-called childhood friend, Kacchan.

Today's remedial training was a severe bust for the cinnamon roll. Shortly after dropping off his gear at the auditorium, they were sent to the gymnasium. The Yaoyorozu family spared no expense to turn the gymnasium into a battle training ground — even similar to theirs back at UA. It was a replica of Ground Beta. Aizawa-sensei decided to play the game of heroes and villains. It wasn't long when the eyes were peering over Izuku. It was no secret who was playing what and Katsuki made sure that Izuku experienced every single nook and cranny of hell.

He was suspecting that Aizawa-sensei had it out for him. A labeled troublemaker, Aizawa-sensei made an example out of him by choosing him and Katsuki first to spar with each other in battle. Before his teacher counted down to zero, Katsuki aimed for him without a second to flinch.

A couple of hours earlier….

As the battle began, the two clashed with incredible speed and skill. Katsuki's explosive attacks kept Izuku on his toes, but Izuku's strategic thinking and adaptability made him a formidable opponent. The two exchanged blows, each pushing themselves to their limits. Aizawa-sensei watched closely as the two battled — focusing more on Izuku, which already made the teen nervous. In his normal bouts with Kacchan, the likelihood of winning a battle was normally ninety out of a hundred.

But seeing the distasteful and smugly grin on Kacchan's face — an expression that showcased the disdain and hate toward anyone who he despised, Izuku lowered it to 50-50.

The battle continued for some time, with Katsuki and Izuku exchanging powerful attacks and defending against each other's onslaughts.

Katsuki, fueled by his competitive nature, decided to go for a sneak attack during the battle with Izuku. As Izuku was catching his breath and momentarily off-guard, Katsuki took advantage of the opportunity and launched a surprise attack, catching Izuku off balance.

Izuku was taken by surprise as Katsuki's explosive quirk propelled him forward. Before he could react, Katsuki landed a solid hit on Izuku's side, knocking him to the ground.

'Kacchan, what was that for?' Izuku asked as he grunted in surprise and in pain.

'Your old man was probably thinking the same thing about marrying a whale that is your mama,' responded Katsuki as he smirked.

'Sneak attacks are a part of a hero's tactics, Midoriya. You need to be prepared for anything.' Aizawa-sensei told Izuku, showing little concern of the debacle between rivals.

'Yeah, Deku. Expect the unexpected.' Katsuki waved his hands back to him. 'If you move quicker like your mama does for pizza, then maybe you have a chance. Gotta keep you on your toes, something your mother seems to have a hard time doing.'

Izuku got back on his feet, determination etched on his face. He knew he needed to stay alert and focused, despite the insults Kacchan was aiming toward him.

'You're right, sensei,' responded Izuku. 'I shouldn't let my guard down.'

The spiky-haired blond resumed a fighting stance. 'Let's go, Deku. Ain't none of your girlfriends here that can stop me from kicking your sweet ass.'

They resumed their battle, this time with Izuku more vigilant and cautious against Katsuki's unpredictable tactics. Despite the sneak attack, Izuku managed to put up a better fight, showing resilience and adaptability.

'Challenge me, baka,' responded Katsuki. 'I gotta span wider than your mama's waist size.'

'That's enough with that, Kacchan,' shouted Izuku. 'Please stop!'

'That is what the people at the buffet say when they see your mama,' retorted Katsuki. 'Or when she steps into an elevator.'

'Bakugo, stop. Midoriya, concentrate,' said Aizawa, disrupting their usual quarrels.

Then, Katsuki unleashed a series of explosive blasts, propelling himself around the battlefield with incredible speed and agility. Izuku struggled to keep up with Katsuki's rapid movements, trying to anticipate his next attack.

'This is tough... I need to find an opening!' Izuku said to himself, gritting his teeth.

'Come on, Deku! You're not giving me much of a challenge here! Whatever happened to being hot and ready?'

Katsuki's explosions created an intense and dynamic fight, but Izuku refused to back down. Drawing on the experience from their previous battles and his own analytical mind, Izuku strategized and started predicting Katsuki's movements.

'Kacchan is trying to get in your head. This isn't his first rodeo.' Izuku thought to himself.

'I'm not trying to get into your head. I'm trying to get in that ass.'

…!

Katsuki approached him from behind, charging in for another attack. Izuku dodges to the side, narrowly avoiding the explosive blast. However, Katsuki sped up and managed to grab hold of his arm, using it as leverage to flip him over and bring him crashing to the ground.

'And time!' Aizawa-sensei blew the whistle, ending the match. He pointed the flag at Katsuki. 'Winner, Bakugo!'

Izuku lay on the ground, breathing heavily when realizing that the battle was over and he lost. He wasn't particularly upset about losing the battle but how and why he lost.

Katsuki was met with applause from those who congratulated him for a job well done. A girl, presumably his cousin and Eijiro, assisted him by providing him with a towel and a drink of water. Fortunately, he was met with support from Tenya and Fumikage to help him up.

'Hah! You sure are weak, Deku! Can't believe you lost to me again.' Katsuki pointed out to Izuku. 'You know what, treat this as a good thing. What you lose in battle, your mother gains in eating.'

Growing agitated by his quip, he tried to stand and rush him. However, Tenya and Fumikage kept him from lunging toward Kacchan.

'It ain't worth it, man,' responded Tenya.

'You know how he is. Keep sharp eyes, man. You're better than that,' said Fumikage.

'C'mon, Deku. Wanna fight? Wanna fucking feel strong, loser?! Huh, huh?!' Katsuki responded, sneering which was much to Izuku's chagrin.

'You talk now, Kacchan. You-you-you….'

'Y-y-y-you k-k-keep d-dreaming, shitty nerd.' Katsuki answered before turning and walking away.

Aizawa blew the whistle for him and the others to get off the battlefield. Izuku walked the opposite direction, fueled by the emotions that Katsuki said about his mother. Still in shock and disbelief about the incident still reeling in Kacchan's mind last week. Why should Izuku be at fault for something that Kacchan started?

Back to the present….

"I am telling you, dude. Didi and Betty were in a lesbian relationship."

Tenya, Shouto, and Fumikage were in line getting their dinner when an interesting topic of discussion came up.

"No way, dude." The engine teen protested. "I am sorry, Tokoyami-kun, but you are definitely reaching."

"Am I, my nerdy friend?" The bird teen arched an eyebrow as he received his fish dogs. "Reaching as those two were burying themselves in that muff porridge." Fumikage chuckled. "They were next door neighbors, always hung out, and 'a cup of hot java' was a code word for sex."

"Impossible," exclaimed Tenya.

"Impossible is kissing a girl without nipping her," retorted Fumikage as he grabbed his plate. "Didi and Betty? Quite probable!"

Shouto put his finger to his lip as he received his dinner. He, too, was wondering about their dynamic. "I dunno, man. Quite plausible if you ask me."

"You too, Todoroki-kun?"

"Stu was always in the basement, Howard was a househusband. And with the kids in the playpen or outside, it would give them ample amount of time to enjoy their 'java.'" That emitted a smile from the icy hot teen and the dark bird teen tried not to chuckle, but it was very hard to do.

"Didi and Betty were just best friends and coffee enthusiasts!" Tenya said as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I'm not saying that there is nothing wrong with it but I just don't think…."

"Betty was a feminist, Didi taught Home Economics and was the daughter of parents from a conservative religious household out of Eastern Europe," said Fumikage. "If anything, Stu was neglectful and Howard was maybe a beard. A free, vibrant feminist teaching the repressed, deprived wife the ways of love over hot java."

The latter of the statement was met with Fumikage and Shouto laughing, much to the chagrin of the engine teen.

"Whatever! Speculation is speculation," said Tenya.

"Why? Projecting?" Fumikage patted Tenya's back. "I'm sure Kendou doesn't mind sharing some of Kodai's muff cabbage."

"Screw you, Tokoyami-kun."

Shouto shook his head as he led the way to find a space. As they walked down the long tabled aisles, that was when they spotted Izuku….eating alone.

"Let's sit with Deku." Shouto nudged his friends as they went in his direction.

"Are you sure? Think he needs company?" Fumikage asked concerningly.

"After that burn, literally may I add, that Bakugou-kun did…" The engine teen hissed loudly. "It made what Stain did to Tensei look like love taps."

The trio shuddered at the thought of the near-death Tenya's older brother faced when challenging the villain Stain.

"I'm going for it." Shouto said. "Follow if you dare."

The bird teen and the engine teen looked at each other before following Shouto's lead to Izuku.

"Hey, Midoriya!" Shouto called out to Izuku. He lifted his head, showcasing a slight smile of seeing familiar friends.

"It looks like you need some company. Let's join you." Tenya said, setting his tray down.

Izuku, for a moment, forgot that he was sitting alone. Part of the reason was due to Katsuki's gloating. Katsuki spared no mercy or expense with his playing the role of villain, knowing that was the only moment he could use his quirk judgment-free proved evident on the battle floor.

To Katsuki, Izuku was nothing more than a casualty. As if he was the bristle of the mop, Katsuki was the handle and wiped the floor with him. Izuku, admittedly, wasn't focused. He was distracted, too much on his mind.

He was definitely not on his A-game today.

"Thanks." Izuku pulled back his dish as Tenya placed his tray there. The bird teen sat beside Izuku whereas Shouto took a seat beside Tenya, adjacent to Izuku.

"Dude, what happened?" Fumikage asked as he began eating his grilled chicken. "Granted you two are usually toe-to-toe in battle but today, it looked like you weren't even a factor in his equation."

Tenya cleared his throat. "Guys, I don't think Midoriya-kun here wants to talk about earlier."

Izuku shook his head in disagreement. In a shaky voice, he responded, "No, it's okay. I'm okay, you guys." The trio could look in his eyes — he was obviously lying.

The icy hot teen nodded in agreement. "I won't sit here and lie and say that this time off made me lazy. Even so, Dad wouldn't let it happen anyway." He tried to walk the line, trying his best not to step on toes. "You weren't…you."

"Agreed," replied Fumikage. "You're normally toe-to-toe with Bakugo."

"In his defense, we were allowed to take a break. Quirkless at that," said Shouto.

Tenya flipped his arm. "At the end of the day, battles aren't about winning or losing. They're opportunities to learn and improve."

Fumikage nodded as he grabbed his fork to eat. "Bakugo was showboating. We wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for him anyway."

"And how? From the get-go, he has been quite the ass," said Tenya.

"The cheese just can't stand alone. At some point, a few rats are gonna nibble." Shouto said. "It was bound to happen. We're heroes. It's our MO to expect the unexpected." He then extended his hand and patted Izuku's arm. "It was a rookie mistake, man. Happens to the best of us. As Iida says, use this as an opportunity to learn and improve."

What could he say? Did he make rookie mistakes? Was he lacking strategies? Did intimidation reign supreme in his mind once again? There were plenty of variables that many can speculate. Be that as it may, Izuku made errors — errors that made him lose the match, errors if in real life could have cost him his life.

The vice president chewed his potatoes before washing it down with barley tea. "Don't sweat it, Deku. Even the greatest of Pro Heroes have dealt with similar events such as yours." He reached over and tapped Izuku's arm. "I wouldn't beat myself over it."

Izuku nodded in agreement. They were right — use it as a learning opportunity to improve and strive for better. He had done it to himself, allowing Kacchan to get into his head. As Hitoshi said, he was obviously jealous about the position he was in. It wasn't everyday that four beautiful damsels were residing with him. He was living a harem tale and no one couldn't be more blessed than him. He tried not to focus too much on them. Only the Lord knows their current ordeal since Professor Goodwitch has them on their heels.

"Hey, you know what can cheer Deku up," said Shouto as he turned to his direction. "A few of us are gonna hang out in the woods tonight. You may not have your many girlfriends but you can hang out with some cool kids."

The engine teen rolled his eyes. "As if responsibility has taken a holiday as well." He blew a raspberry. "Have we learned nothing?"

"Can someone find Tenya Iida's balls and bring them back to him?" responded Shouto. "Dude, we're kids. We've the right to get into trouble. It's called having fun and taking the edge off. Ten years from now, we'll either be in the spotlight as Heroes or becoming paper pushers and cleaning up the hero's messes. At some point, you should be tired of tasting Tuscany leather."

"You act like I enjoy tariffing." The engine teen folded his arms. He turned around and stared into the back of Kodai. Her wavering, shiny hair flowed into the summer air that it was giving him chill bumps. "My plan was to confess my love for that silent beauty. That ishi no hana! Instead, I am spending the summer at camp that we should have never gone to due to the antics of Bakugo and Tweedle-dee and Twiddle-dumb." He narrowed his eyes at Bakugo — the blond was eating with his cousin and Eijiro.

"The more we abide by the rules, the sooner we're out of here," said Tenya. "So if it means I got to be an ass until we can convince Aizawa-sensei to take us back home, then so be it."

Shouto wiped his face with his napkin. He then passed it to Tenya. "Might as well give you a head start."

The engine teen pushed the napkin back at Shouto. "Whatever, guys. God!"

The witty bantering was exchanged for a few more minutes. It wasn't long until Present Mic blew the whistle to the talkative teens.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen — dinner will be concluding in five minutes. Please head to your dorms to get yourselves settled for the night. We expect you to be up around 0700 for breakfast. Aizawa-sensei will meet you in the dining hall as well as your fellow camp counselors and directors that would be aiding you for this remediation camp." He clapped his hands. "That is all."

Shouto stood up first. He felt it was best to head back to his camp early so he could gather his gear for the private nightcap.

"Wait up, Todoroki." Fumikage said as he followed behind him.

"I can't believe you guys are going to do this." Tenya said as he followed the two.

"Look…if you're going rat, rat on Bakugo or the dweebs from 1-B," said Shouto. "I don't know about you but I want to go fooly-cooly on Yaoyorozu. Play your cards and I can convince Kodai to join."

Iida arched his eyebrow. "As if Kodai-kun would participate in illegal extracurricular activities."

The icy hot teen smirked. "Yeah…I'll tell Kendou that you aren't interested after all."

Iida stood there, hands on the tray and filled with thought. "Wait…wait! Are you serious? Swear that you're not lying." He then rushed after Shouto. "Todoroki-kun…Todoroki-kun! Wait! Come back here."

Izuku was alone once again. Actually, he would prefer that way. He waited long enough for Kacchan to leave with the girl that presumably was his cousin and Kaminari.

When he saw Bakugo leave the dining hall, he felt comfortable enough to leave. Unsure if Kacchan would play the waiting game, he decided to take the opposite direction where the masses departed.

*BAM*

….!

With an unexpected turn of events, Izuku's path converged with another person, causing their trays to collide with a soft clatter. Startled by the sudden impact, both of them instinctively pulled back, preventing any major spillage. The cafeteria noise momentarily subsided, and curious glances from the remaining stragglers turned in their direction.

Izuku quickly apologized, his earnest eyes reflecting his sincerity. "I'm really sorry about that! Are you okay?" Izuku's face turned slightly pink with embarrassment as he corrected himself.

The girl sat on the floor. The food tray lying beside her.

"No worries at all. I'm fine, thank you." Her voice was warm and reassuring, putting Izuku at ease. "I tend to be a klutz. Are you okay?"

Izuku smiled, relieved that no harm was done. "Again, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you."

Izuku looked onto the warm, brown eyes that held a gentle and welcoming gaze, reflecting her kind and approachable nature. Her skin was a soft, rich shade, giving her an air of elegance. A small smattering of freckles graced her cheeks, adding a touch of charm to her features. Her hair was a luxurious, deep brown that fell in soft waves around her shoulders.

What surprised him about her features was this — a set of cute rabbit ears sit atop her head.

Overall, her features were both striking and down-to-earth, making her someone who was easy to approach and connect with.

As the brief interruption passed, a sound of footprints were coming from behind her.

"Guess you're just too captivating, Velvet!"

Izuku's soft emerald eyes landed on the individual in question. His mouth was agape on what was bestowed in front of him.

"Uncle Keigo." The brown-haired rabbit girl said with a nervous chuckle. "I'm not that much of a charmer."

The well-recognizable, internationally known Pro Hero beat his chest, showing his dissent opinion on what she had said. "Nonsense. What would Auntie Rumi think of you saying things like that?" He winked at the girl. "After all, she expects you to follow in her footsteps."

A teardrop appeared on her face. "And where is that, Uncle? Head first on the guillotine or feet first as I am hanging." She arched her eyebrow. "I may be a rabbit Faunus but it doesn't mean I have to hop and hump everything in sight. Get the picture?!"

The pro hero chuckled nervously, as he, too, was familiar with his childhood friend's antics — particularly with younger men. His eyes then linger onto the emerald-haired teen. "Oh, pardon my manners." He extended out his hands. "I think we have met before." He snapped his fingers. "Izuku Midoriya?"

Izuku gazed at the #2 Pro Hero. He…was actually talking to him? To him? Not only was he captivated by the Pro Hero's striking appearance but also by the air of mystery and power that seemed to emanate from him. It was a moment that solidified Hawks's reputation as a remarkable figure in the world of heroes, leaving a lasting impression on Izuku's mind.

Izuku cleared his throat. "Umm…yes, sir." He cleared his throat, returning Hawks's handshake. "I'm Izuku Midoriya — Aizawa-sensei's student from class 1-A."

Hawks gripped Izuku's hand firmly. "Got a firm grip. A gentleman's handshake. Can tell that you had a few run-ins with some villains…and damsels." He winked at the girl beside her. "Hey, Izuku…." He had a friendly smile as he extended his hand on the girl's shoulder. "Velvet, I don't think you two have met. Izuku, this is Velvet Scarlatina. I look to her as my niece. She is actually Rumi…I mean Mirko's niece and she will be spending time at camp with us."

Izuku, though momentarily taken aback by the sudden introduction, quickly recovered his composure and offered a friendly smile of his own. "Nice to meet you, Velvet," he said, extending his hand in a gesture of greeting.

Velvet's eyes lit up with warmth as she took Izuku's hand in a gentle handshake. "Likewise, Izuku," she replied, her voice carrying a friendly tone. "Auntie has mentioned your name before. It's great to finally put a face to the name."

The emerald-haired teen blushed. "Me? Mirko? The Mirko?" It was already a shock that he was standing inches away from the #2 Pro Hero. A blessing to be friends with the son of the #1 Pro Hero. It was another thing to be acknowledged by the #5 Pro Hero as well. It must be true that hard work, practice, and dedication pays off.

"Hmm-hmm!" Velvet smiled as she bowed. "She tells me that you're quite the interesting person." She raised an eyebrow playfully. "I'm curious to hear if you live up to the stories."

Hawks chuckled, watching the exchange with amusement. "It seems that Midoriya here got quite the reputation, you know." He slapped the rabbit teen on her back. "And Velvet here is no slouch either when it comes to skills." He gave her another playful nudge, causing her to playfully roll her eyes in response.

The conservation was interrupted when Hawks received a notification from his Applewatch. Raising his eyebrow, Izuku could tell that it was something urgent. "Sorry to break this little introduction up but we have to go, Velvet." He bowed at the emerald teen. "It was nice making your acquaintance once again, Midoriya. Looking forward to seeing you on the field."

Velvet nodded as well, smiling at the teen. "Well, it was nice talking to you, Izuku. Maybe we'll see each other around again."

Izuku blushed, keeping his head up. "Yeah, definitely. It was great meeting you, Velvet."

"C'mon, Velvet. Got to take you back to the cabin and get you settled. Don't need your auntie to say I wasn't taking care of my guardian duties," said Hawks.

"Right," said Velvet. "Goodbye, Izuku." She gave a friendly wave as she departed with Hawks.

Izuku waved back to him, trying his best to contain his blushing. "Goodbye, Velvet. Have a great night!"

As Velvet and Hawks walked away, he watched them for a moment before turning his back to his own thoughts. "If I heard correctly, she said that she was a Faunus…just like Blake." He knew that it was normal for people here to have animalistic quirks. People like Tsuyu and Fumikage were no exception. However, the term Faunus was somewhat new to him. He knew it was a species of demi-humans but never did he go to the extent of asking Blake. Even if he did, most of their moments together were engaged in love-making.

A scent of lily lingered on his hand. She carried such a soft scent. His heart began to race from the unexpected encounter with the newly acquired stranger. A beautiful stranger by the name of Velvet Scarlatina.

"Oi…Midoriya!"

The screeching sound of Present Mic blaring an air horn behind his ear obliterated any thoughts about the new girl.

"I'm not sure how things are done at your home but here we clean up." The voice hero glared at the dropped food trays on the ground.

Sweatdrops appeared on the teen's head. "I'll pick it up, sir."

"Good!" The voice hero blared with the megaphone. "Curfew is in a few. Get a good night's rest. You're definitely gonna need it for what Aizawa has in stock for you kids tomorrow." Out of the blue, a wagon appeared and the hero jumped inside of it. "Nighty-night!"

Izuku blew a raspberry. After all, today has been a long day. He was blessed to learn that his cabin assignment did not include a roommate. At least he can sleep in peace without worrying about Kacchan and his shenanigans. He picked up the food trays and disposed of them in their proper receptacle. He grabbed his things and headed to the cabin.

"Tomorrow is going to be a better day. Don't let Kacchan or anyone else bring you down. The best is yet to come. This is your winning season." Determination was key to make it through this camp. He was going to give it his all to strive and prosper. He could play his cards right and he could be back home before the end of summer. Hopefully there will be time that he can talk with the girls.

There was unfinished business and loose ends to be tied — a lot of unresolved feelings.

Meanwhile….

Driving down the highway in the Akira Belldandy was an exhilarating experience that set the heart racing and the senses alight. The low-slung, sleek design of the car hugged the road, making her feel one with the machine. As she slid into the driver's seat, the sporty contours cradled her body, immersing her in a world of speed and precision.

With the engine roaring to life, Yang felt a surge of power at her fingertips. The sound of the revving engine fills the cabin, hinting at the potential that lies beneath the hood. As she hit the accelerator, the BMW E30 M3 responded with an immediate burst of energy, propelling her forward with an effortless grace.

The highway opened up before her like a ribbon of endless possibilities. With each twist and turn of the steering wheel, the car reacted with agility and precision, hugging the corners as if it's gliding on rails. The feeling of control is intoxicating, as if the car is an extension of herself, responding to her slightest commands.

She was starting to feel guilty as if she was cheating on her motorcycle, the Bumblebee.

"Wow, this is incredible! I've never felt anything like it!" Yang said excitedly as she hit the accelerator, feeling the powerful surge of the car.

Ruby let out a powerful whoop. "Holy Esdeath! It's like you're made for this car." The redhead witch felt like she was a kid again. The windows were down, the music was blaring loudly. Smoke filled the air as Yang tapped the cigarette into the console. A habit she unfortunately picked up during the times of perusing from bar to bar. That was the consequence of picking up vice as the flirty party girl.

"When Pyrrha died, we put sliding first

Made our semblances twerk

Flip the whole Remnant until

We made these villains feel all of our hurt

When she died that night, we cried that night

They gon' see how we feel

So when we slide tonight, that sounds like go confirm our kill."

It was a chant made by Jaune to honor their fallen comrade, the woman that made him whole. The song itself was a declaration that they are willing to fight and die for vengeance of their fallen friend, Pyrrha.

The wind rushed through the open windows, adding to the exhilaration as she continued to accelerate down the highway. The passenger gripped the edge of their seat, still awestruck by the speed and agility of the car.

"I can't believe how fast we're going! It's like we're flying," said Ruby.

"It's like poetry in motion," Yang said with a sense of pride. "This is a rescue mission. Our precious Izuku needs us and there is no way in hell I am going to spend another minute without him."

"No way in hell we're going to spend another minute without him. Not even a second," retorted Ruby.

"Hell yeah, Rubes. We aren't that far away from that adorable cinnamon roll," said Yang as she shifted gears. "Looking forward to burying him with lots and lots and lots of love."

"Like yeah!" Ruby said as she turned the knob of the volume higher. She couldn't continue her giddiness. Her excitement was palpable. "Vamos, go! Go, go, go, big sis!"

As Yang put the pedal to the metal, Ruby looked at the map on her phone. Thanks to her newly acquired friend/onee-chan, Hitoshi, gave them the coordinates to where she and Izuku were located. However, she advised the group to a location further down the road so that they wouldn't get caught. Although security was laxed, apparently thanks to the truce set between UA and the League of Villains (similar to the goons of Cinder, Neo, and members of White Fang), she told them that she didn't want to take any chances in case of potential kinks or the powers that be.

"Forgive me if I am going to sound like a killjoy again," responded Weiss as she was playing with her hair. "Do you guys have an exit strategy on what we're going to do?"

"Simple!" Ruby answered excitedly. "Hitoshi onee-chan is going to meet us at a checkpoint. She said that we'll be able to meet with Izuku." She folded her arms.

"But does she know that we're not exactly visiting and more so taking him," rebutted Weiss.

"Hey! It's not a snatch-and-grab," retorted Yang. "If anything…a gentle nudge. Yeah, that's it."

Weiss raised both her hands. It was a funeral that she didn't ask for but was participating if the crap hits the fan.

"Izuku doesn't belong there. It wasn't his fault that Bakugo started the entire charade," said Yang. "Hell, that pomeranian is the cause of this entire charade."

"You two didn't exactly help," said Weiss, rolling her eyes. "In fact, did the news say that there was a destruction of property?"

"Oum, Weissy," said Yang. "If you are not with us, then why come? You could have easily stayed at home."

"I am here, am I?"

"But I don't sense your heart is in it."

The ice queen blew a raspberry. "We're not playing this same word game again. All I am saying is, are you prepared for the heat because when the heat comes…" She whistled. "That is not only your ass, but all of our asses in a sling. All because of some boy you all think is an awesome wonder."

"Because that boy is an awesome wonder," retorted Yang as she gripped the steering wheel. "Greater than any boy…hell any girl I have dealt with in this universe. He's true blue and doesn't deserve the things that have happened." She turned her head to see Weiss. "I can't explain how and why he makes me feel this way. Maybe it's a natural attraction. The point is, we're doing due diligence by getting him. I can't leave Japan on how we left him. We were cold to him, treated him lower than a Grimm, hell a Nomu. Zwei had it better than Izuku on his best days." She turned her head to Blake. "Right, Blake?"

Blake wasn't particularly listening to their conversation. Her thoughts were on him. She wondered if he had received the text she sent him earlier. It took a lot to make herself send that message but those were her thoughts. She missed him. She really did. How they left didn't make her feel good and felt that she needed to provide him a proper explanation. The last thing she ever wanted him to think was that she was a two-faced girl. That wasn't in her nature.

Ruby noticed the Faunus's distant look. "Hey, Blake, you've been quiet. Is everything okay?"

Blake sighed softly. "Yeah, I'm just... thinking."

"Thinking about what?" Ruby asked.

"It's... Izuku, duh." Yang blurted out as she changed lanes. "Our quiet ninja is thinking about her boy toy." The blonde whistled. "The cat and the rabbit sitting in a tree~! F-U-C-K…."

"Fuck off, Yang," replied Blake as she kicked the console with foot. "It's not like that! We're friends, and... maybe there's something more, but it's complicated."

Yang couldn't hold her grin. "One…two…three…four…does that sound familiar to the things that go bump in the night, Blakey?"

"What do you mean, Yang," asked Ruby.

"C'mon, guys. It's not a secret that Blake sealed the deal with Izuku on day one," said Yang as she continued to grin. "C'mon, Blakey. Gotta tell me. Was his Small Might powerful?"

"Stop, Yang." Ruby protested. "If Blake doesn't wanna talk…"

"If she doesn't wanna talk," retorted Yang. "C'mon, sis. On day one, while we were perusing the town, this sneaky kitty cat decided to play with some great yarn in our absence. I am starting to think she did it on purpose. Granted, I had my eyes on him the moment I saw him but Blakey here aimed for the kill." Yang decided to have fun with her. It was no secret — she was there when she got off to the sounds of their lovemaking. She just wanted Blake to confess.

"Yang, we spoke about this and this thing called boundaries," said Ruby. "Learn to respect it."

"What a gyp," said Yang. "Ok. I won't barge further. Just so you know, Blakey, you aren't the only girl that wants to partake in the broccoli. It's no fun when Yang can't have any. I don't mind sharing, hell I don't mind doing the nasty with you." She winked at her. "I swing in any direction as long as it's cute and I feel good."

"Focus on the road and try not to swing off course," said Ruby.

"Fine!" Yang scoffed under her breath and kept her eyes on the road.

Ruby turned her head to Blake. "Blakey, whatever feelings you have for him, I respect it and accept it. He's an awesome wonder and needs gals like us to give him lots and lots and lots of love."

Blake nodded silently, keeping it in mind. She was still pondering on what to do or what to say as the gap was narrowing closer and closer to where Izuku was residing for the time being.

Leaving the highway behind, the girls ventured onto a rugged path that winds through the dense woods. The canopy of trees casted dappled moonlight on the road ahead, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. The natural sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves surrounded them, making the journey feel almost magical.

"Onee-chan said it's not too far from here. Just keep following this path!" Ruby instructed Yang as they drove into the woods.

"Man, it's so quiet out here. Kinda nice for a change," said Yang.

"Agreed. It's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city," said Ruby.

As they drove along the winding path, their excitement grew. The anticipation of seeing Izuku again, along with the sense of adventure from navigating through the woods, added to the thrill of the moment. As they navigated deeper into the woods, the path became narrower and less traveled. Yet, their determination to find Izuku's secluded spot kept them moving forward. The anticipation continued to build as they ventured further away from the familiar surroundings of the city.

The girls parked the car and stepped out, their excitement palpable as they took in the surroundings. The rustling leaves, the distant call of birds, and the gentle sway of the trees created an atmosphere of tranquility. However, as they began to explore the area, a sudden noise breaks the silence, causing them to jump and tense up.

"Did you guys hear that?" Ruby said, showing concern.

"Yeah, it sounded like a twig snapping or something," said Yang.

"Maybe it's just a small animal. We're in the woods, after all," said Blake.

"Or maybe it's just our imagination," said Weiss.

Despite their attempts to reassure each other, a sense of unease lingered in the air. The unknown could be both exciting and unsettling, especially when one was in an unfamiliar environment.

"Let's just keep moving. We're almost there," said Ruby. If she could remember correctly, the coordinates that Hitoshi told her weren't that far.

"Yeah, I'm sure it's nothing," said Yang.

"I agree. No need to get spooked over every little sound," said Blake.

"Just stay together and stay cautious," said Ruby.

With determined nods, the girls continued their trek through the woods, their curiosity and excitement helping to quell their initial fear. As they walked, the anticipation of reuniting with Izuku kept them focused, and the mysterious noise gradually faded into the background.

…!

The sound of a flashlight beam cutting through the darkness caught their attention, and the girls instinctively scattered, their hearts pounding in their chests. Their earlier fear returned, and they froze, watching the source of the light with bated breath. As the figure approached, their tension started to ease as a familiar face came into view.

"Wait... Is that...?" Ruby said. " "Hitoshi?"

The relief was palpable as the girls realized that their friend, Hitoshi, was the one holding the flashlight. As she came closer, they relaxed, though they couldn't help but tease her a little.

"You scared us!" Ruby said to her.

"Yeah, we thought you were some sort of forest ghost or something," said Blake.

"Sorry about that. I didn't think you'd be this jumpy," said Hitoshi as she chuckled.

"Well, it is a bit spooky out here," said Blake.

"What are you doing here, anyway," asked Weiss.

"I am the point of contact, duh," said Hitoshi. "You should be grateful it was me and not the border patrol. If they have mistaken you as an illegal, then bam, you'll be shot, amiga!"

"Very funny," replied Weiss.

With Hitoshi's arrival, the tension dissipated completely, and the girls were filled with a renewed sense of excitement. They exchanged smiles and prepared to continue their journey to find Izuku. The woods, once intimidating, now felt like an adventure waiting to unfold.

However, there was something missing in the equation.

Where was Yang?

To be continued….