Monster King: Thanks!
Bearticguy7: I know I've said this before, but you should really consider a library for all of these great ideas!
DeathlyJazzHands55: There will definitely be a direct confrontation, and Hamon will be coming into play!
Euphoria: Quirks and Hamon are both tied to biology, so I decided that they would definitely effect each other. Kyoka's Quirk is evolving as a response to Hamon, and it may start showing soon...
Who said Izuku was the only person that had to go through changes?
Kyeo307: The Stranger first appeared in Chapter 132, and he's going to be influential in a future arc...although I wouldn't call him devoted, his intentions are still unknown.
Jpx0999: I think copying OFA doesn't work for a reason, not only is it sentient, but it's a power accumulation Quirk. Monoma would need to have it for a while in order to use it.
As for Setsuna...catharsis is imminent.
FinchFlyingAce: There may indeed be a confrontation after the fight, although what the result of it would be is still up in the air. Either way, Setsuna has some embarrassment coming her way.
Memelord16: You better believe it.
Death Omen Star: The fight is going to be spicy.
Syrian Ken: I wouldn't call Setsuna a clown. She's a very skilled opponent, Kyoka will have a hard time fighting her...
But it will definitely go both ways.
Gyro came up from behind Momo and rubbed her shoulders, earning a sigh of contentment from the ravenette. "Thanks Gyro...I really needed that."
"You seemed tense, and since I have an extensive knowledge on human anatomy, I figured I'd make a great masseuse. Kendo kind of declared war on you back there...are you gonna be okay?"
"Yes, I will be. I fully intend to give her the fight of her life. I have a solid plan too...this is the first time I'll be using the Doctor's inventions in combat. I guess I'm just...coming to terms with the fact that they are mine to use now."
Gyro stopped rubbing her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on her shoulder. "I know you'll use them well, you're you. You're brains, beauty...and you have the heart of a warrior. Win or lose, you're amazing."
Momo smiled, and turned her head to face her boyfriend. "What would I do without you?"
"You'd probably be pretty bored."
"True, you do keep me on my toes. Without your antics I would probably sink into the dense void of mundanity and perpetual dissatisfaction."
Gyro chuckled. "Well, considering how 'prim and proper' you are, I thought you could use a bit of spontaneity in your life."
"Opposites do attract, who'd have thought? You help me relax, if I'm being honest. I've dealt with pressure my whole life...always trying to live up to expectations. With you...I have learned that it is okay to simply be myself. Kendo won't be fighting a prodigy, or the recommended student, just me. I'm not going in there to prove anything, I'm simply going to give it my best shot."
"You know that's all I could ever ask of you." Gyro sat down next to her, lounging with his arm behind the bench they were currently sitting on.
It was true. Gyro was key for getting her to relax, he calmed her nerves and brought out her playful side. The weird little game they played was a result of that, and even now they were still competing with each other.
The newest game was to see who could seriously surprise the other. Gyro had insisted that he could do things that could 'wow' her, and Momo accepted the challenge with one of her own. Whoever impressed the other first, and got them to verbally admit it, wins.
So far...with Momo's growth as a result of Ulric's mentorship, she was winning. She wouldn't let Gyro cheat this time. Perhaps she could use her impending fight with Kendo and her team to gain an edge in the competition.
"So...Kendo, she's pretty smart too."
"Oh, I know. It's unfair that people keep comparing us, and that she feels like she's in my shadow...she deserves to be at my side as a fellow hero. I won't be underestimating her and her team, that's for sure...but I also won't be holding back. Kendo deserves an honest win, so I will try my hardest for both of our sakes."
"I figured that was the case. You know I'll be rooting for you." Gyro said with his trademark grin, tightening the embrace.
"Don't worry, I'll give you a jaw-dropping performance." Momo replied.
"No, it wouldn't go that far, if anything I'm going to wow you."
"I don't know...I think you'll be quite impressed at the trick I have up my sleeve."
"Nyo Ho! Just watch when Johnny and I start fighting!"
"You'll have JoJo at your side, that makes it a dual effort, so if I end up being impressed I could just attribute the credit to the both of you. I need to be impressed by you, individually."
"Well, perhaps you will be."
"You and JoJo literally can't resist working together. He'll be contributing no matter what you do."
Gyro fell silent for a moment, pondering how to counter Momo's argument. The ravenette smiled just a little bit wider the longer the Italian stewed away in silence. It was obvious that Johnny and Gyro could never work separately from one another when they were on the same team, their bond was too strong.
"Well...maybe I'll get like...this really big moment where I do something really cool, so cool that you would have no choice but to swoon."
"Really? You're going to make me swoon?" Momo playfully challenged.
"Yep, you're gonna go: 'Oh my God, Gyro is so cool and handsome! He was so amazing, I can't resist his Zeppeli charm! Oh, I think I'm going to faint!'" Gyro put a hand to his forehead and mimed fainting, much to Momo's amusement.
"You do realize you'd have to do something incredible in order to elicit that extreme of a reaction from me, right?"
"I'm not losing, I'm going to impress you."
"Okay, okay! Just be warned...I have something up my sleeve this time around. You won't be able to cheat your way to victory this time." Momo said with a smile, reaching up and booping Gyro on the nose. "Oh...and by the way, your cape is on backwards."
"...I see, that's not very impressive, is it?"
"Well, it is funny."
"Yeah, well you're..." Gyro grimaced once he got a good look at her. "You're...pretty prepared, dammit."
"I think that in terms of organization, I have the advantage, Mr. Spontaneous." Momo replied, reaching up to unlatch the Italian's cape, throwing her arms around the back of his neck as she did so. They were nose-to-nose as she flipped his cape around, and she closed the distance to give him a brief kiss. "I'm sure you'll find some way to even the odds though, it's you we're talking about."
With that, Momo latched his cape and gave him a pat on the cheek, and went off to go plan with her teammates.
Gyro was left standing there with a smirk on his face. "I won't be falling for your vixen tricks, Momo Yaoyorozu. I'm gonna make you so impressed that your ancestors will feel it."
"Hey, it's my favorite student!" Josuke exclaimed, ruffling Kyoka's hair.
"Okay." Johnny muttered from behind his girlfriend.
"Hey Josuke. How are things back at the agency?" Kyoka asked, using a jack to remove her mentor's hand from her head. "Any new Morioh serial killers?"
"If there were, I would've called you in." Josuke responded with a grin. "No, Morioh is pretty peaceful at the moment, so I thought I'd come down to see you guys train with 1-B."
"Well good, you get to see Kyoka whoop some lizard ass." Johnny commented, his eyes travelling down to where his girlfriend's rival was stretching. Setsuna caught his eye, and gave him a wave.
Johnny simply raised a nonchalant hand in response.
Josuke noticed the brief interaction and furrowed his eyebrows, his lips coming together in a frown. "That's the girl you said had a crush on Johnny, is she giving you a hard time or something? Because I'll kick her ass if she is."
"She has a grudge against her, but she's being very passive aggressive about it." Johnny explained. "She seems to think that Kyoka is a no-good delinquent, so she's subtly been trying to steal me away from her."
"...I see."
Josuke took out a comb and ran it through his pompadour, something he often did when either nervous or deep in thought. "Well, considering that we trained your jacks to the point where they can cut to the bone, she better not mess with you."
*A/N: A full-powered strike from a Hamon-infused jack can rip through muscle, however it also hurts Kyoka, as the tips of her jacks aren't as strong as the cords. She usually doesn't go all out during beatdowns.*
"Like it or not, she's a hero student too. I wouldn't go that far." Kyoka replied with a sigh. "Still, I just want her to leave us alone. Josuke, how the hell can I tell someone to stay away from my man without sounding possessive?"
"I don't know...it's not something I've had to deal with before." Josuke admitted, scratching the back of his head. "Is she being mean to you?"
"Not directly. She tried to report me for underaged drinking during the Romeo incident...but it wasn't my fault! I think she's jealous that I'm close to him, so she's convinced herself that I'm Satan so she feels justified about it." Kyoka explained, glancing at the 1-B student with contempt.
Josuke was silent for a few seconds, pondering the situation. "Kill her with kindness, make her like you. She hasn't actually talked to you about it, right?"
"Well...she did while I was drunk...but I don't remember most of it."
"Be nice to her. Make her doubt her impression of you. I know it's hard since she's gunning for Johnny, but at the very least she wouldn't be as hostile. Just start talking to her, get to know her, and it'll confuse the fuck out of her until she realizes that you're actually a sweetheart. That's what I did with Rohan, and now he only pretends to hate me."
"What if she pulls something before I get the chance? I'm fighting her today after all." Kyoka asked, concerned. "Tokage is going into the fight thinking that I'm a piece of shit, what if she crosses a line?"
"Then beat the fucking shit out of her, and bring her over to me so I can heal her and beat her up myself." Josuke replied, Crazy Diamond cracking it's knuckles. "The moment she pulls something, let me know."
"I don't think it would look too good if a pro-hero started beating up a teenager, Uncle Josuke." Johnny said. "A fellow student on the other hand..."
"Look, I appreciate that you're both willing to commit assault on my behalf...this is something I'd rather settle without violence. I'll...try being nice to her, but I just don't trust her. It's not like I can just tell her that Johnny has been my boyfriend since the Yakuza Raid...can you imagine what she'd do with that information?"
"I don't want to." Johnny muttered.
"I don't care. I have seen you do amazing things Kyoka Jiro, the fact that I have contributed to your growth is one of my greatest sources of pride. I'm proud, because you are by far the most dedicated and remarkable young woman I have ever met." Josuke said, putting his hands on Kyoka's shoulders to look his apprentice in the eye. "Show her why she shouldn't disrespect you."
Kyoka took in the words of encouragement, and then used her jacks to pull Josuke into a hug. "You always have just the right thing to say...thank you Josuke, I won't let you down."
"You never do."
Second Match: Team Yaoyorozu vs. Team Kendo.
Momo reached into her belt and pulled out a small container filled with spaghetti, and smiled as she created a fork to take a bite.
"Eating on the battlefield?" Tokoyami questioned. "No offense Yaoyorozu, since I know that's how you fuel your Quirk, but...don't you think the enemy could view it as you being nonchalant?"
"I can assure you, that's the idea." Momo replied, taking another bite. "Plus...it's Gyro's cooking, therefore I felt obligated to eat it. Now...does everybody have the eye pieces I created for them?"
"Yeah...but what do they do?" Hagakure asked, confusion in her voice.
"They'll allow us to tap into a computer system I recently acquired, very advanced. It will allow us to communicate even if we are separated." Momo explained.
Exodus' advanced computer system, Moses, has a very far signal. It's how Dr. Stewart was able to spy into multiple places at once. Moses should not only be able to reach us here, but it could also provide me with the advantage.
Momo put on her goggles, and the left side began to glow as it patched into Moses. A drone painted with her colors had implanted cameras all across the battlefield, allowing her to see where the enemy was coming from.
She had created the drone long before the battle, and had hidden the drone behind her cape. It was a support item after all. Even if her camera system was discovered, she could easily create a new one and have the drone fly it out again.
Momo had eyes everywhere, and now her teammates did too. She created another camera, handing it to Hagakure. "Don't let your guard down just because we can see them coming, we still have no idea what their plan is. We can't afford to underestimate Kendo's tactical prowess."
Tokoyami hummed as he adjusted the eye piece, taking note of his classmate's sudden change of demeanour. She seemed much more relaxed in her speech and body posture, and yet it didn't feel like she was slacking...
If anything, it made it her seem like she was in control. Like she held all the aces.
"She's in control of the battlefield, Kendo is in the palm of her hand." Izuku stated with a grin. "YaoMomo really went all in, don't you think Gyro?"
"No too shabby."
"He's proud of her." Ochako said with a smile.
"No I'm not." Gyro said with his arms crossed, pulling his hat down to hide his face.
Johnny chuckled, knowing full well that his partner was gushing underneath his futile attempt to remain aloof. It was only a matter of time before Gyro would be showering his girlfriend with compliments.
Kyoka hummed in appreciation as she watched her best friend slowly take over the battlefield. Before their battle with Ulric, Momo wouldn't have been so aggressive in her approach. She would have likely waited for her opponent to make the first move, but now she was taking the initiative, skillfully taking their opponent's advantages away from them.
She was following her mentor's example, but making it her own.
"Well, if Gyro won't admit it, I will. I'm pretty damn proud of her...I honestly don't see how Kendo can gain the advantage in this situation." Kyoka commented. "Momo is in complete control, it'll be an uphill battle for 1-B, that's for sure."
"You never know, Kendo is pretty clever too. Momo may hold all the cards, but she's also painted a target on her back. She's made herself the primary target...although that may be her goal now that I'm thinking about it..." Johnny said, scratching his chin. "To draw attention away from her teammates..."
"Playing the martyr card does sound like something she would do...although that's more of Izuku's thing." Kyoka responded with a smirk, elbowing the muttering OFA user.
"Hey! Self-sacrifice is a staple of being a hero!" Izuku retorted.
"Yeah, except you do it even when you don't have to. Seriously, the other day he tried to rescue me from a potato." Kyoka continued, grinning as she continued to poke and prod at her friend.
"A...potato?" Ochako asked, confused.
"Yeah...I was practicing outdoor cooking so I could learn some survival stuff like the dynamic duo over there, and I was trying to cook a potato over a campfire, but I didn't know I was supposed to poke holes in it, so it was about to explode. Then this guy comes in and just takes chunks of potato to the face for no reason...like, I was barely in the splash zone."
"I was worried you were going to get burned!" Izuku protested.
"So you risked getting a minor burn yourself?"
"...well...look, I was more focused on saving you!"
"From a potato Izuku, a potato."
Izuku frowned, and turned to his page on Kyoka inside of his journal, and Kyoka snickered as he wrote: 'Don't save from potatoes, ungrateful.'
Tokoyami grunted as he was slammed into a wall thanks to Shihai Kuroiro's Quirk, which had proven itself capable of manipulating Dark Shadow.
"You know, a lot of people could mistake you for a Stand User." Kuroiro taunted from Dark Shadow. "But I couldn't manipulate a Stand like this. Still, from one darkness-appreciater to another, if it weren't for the fact that I am your weakness, you would be wrecking us right now. You're pretty cool."
"If you think this is enough, I hate to disappoint." Tokoyami responded, his red eyes narrowing in frustration. "But we already knew about your Quirk."
"Huh?" Kuroiro gasped as Momo's drone suddenly swooped in and dumped white paint all over Tokoyami, forcefully ejecting the 1-B student out. Dark Shadow, now covered in white, punched Kuroiro away, freeing Tokoyami.
"Messy...but effective." The bird-like hero student commented before noticing that Aoyama had been snatched away by his rival. "Damn...I wasn't the real target!"
"Don't worry Tokoyami, Aoyama will be fine as long as you follow these coordinates." Momo said through a speaker on the eye piece. "He's heading towards the jail, but you should be able to cut him off if you fly over him."
Tokoyami nodded in agreement as the eye piece projected a map using data provided by Momo's cameras. "Right, thanks for being on top of that Yaoyorozu. It's time to use Black Fallen Angel..."
Momo gave him a thumbs up from the ground, and watched as her teammate flew off in pursuit, before taking another bite out of her spaghetti. She had brought plenty of food into the fight, and was replenishing her lipids with every creation. Momo wasn't pulling out any stops, not with her opponent.
Itsuka Kendo was in Momo's opinion, her equal, so she had to prepare in any way she could, or her rival would overwhelm her.
"Alright...you have Aoyama, good job. Aoyama, use your laser to brighten up the area, that should remove his hiding spots, then Hagakure, you go in for the capture." Momo instructed as she watched her classmates through her goggles. "You're all doing great! I'll provide the nets for you! Wait...be careful, it looks like Komori is nearby, we don't know the full extent of what her Quirk can do."
Momo grimaced as she saw a mushroom pop up on her arm.
Damn...that's a problem...
"Mushroom is more of a threat than I thought." Katsuki commented as Momo and co. began struggling with the rapid spread of fungi.
"She looks like she's about to tell you that the princess is in another castle." Kyoka quipped back with a smirk. "Looks can be deceiving though...she definitely threw a wrench in Momo's plans."
"Maybe they can stomp her like a goomba." Gyro said, and Johnny elbowed his partner. "Hey!"
"Don't be rude."
Monoma laughed as he pointed at Class 1-A. "Ha! I have to admit, Yaoyorozu's strategy actually scared me for a bit, but Kendo used Komori as her trump card! This proves that she's the superior tactician! All Yaoyorozu did was put a bunch of useless cameras around!"
"Nothing she does is useless." Gyro responded, catching everyone's attention as he stared at the screen. "Everything Momo does, she does with a purpose. Even though Komori poses a threat, Momo hasn't lost her edge."
"Sounds like you're impressed." Kyoka said with a knowing grin.
"...no, I'm just stating the obvious."
"Sure Gyro, sure."
"Why do you always take her side?"
"I took your side last time."
"Yeah...after I graciously showed you that I had the better chance of victory!" Gyro retorted. "You haven't even seen how she'll react to my fight yet!"
"She's much better at being subtle than you are, Mr. Spontaneous." Kyoka teased, using one of Momo's pet names to get under Gyro's skin. "You can't resist an opportunity to flirt or compliment her if you tried."
"I can flirt and compliment, but she'll never impress me." Gyro responded with an annoyed smirk, his eyebrow twitching.
"It's Momo."
"She won't impress me until I impress her." Gyro corrected himself, jabbing Kyoka in the shoulder with a finger. "I'm gonna make you eat those words, you purple jackass. Ain't that right Johnny?"
"I'm staying out of this." His best friend replied.
"Of course you are." Both Gyro and Kyoka said.
Katsuki was observing Setsuna Tokage, taking note of the rival student's glances towards Kyoka. Setsuna seemed to be in conflict, not entirely sure of what to think. Clearly, there was still some room for doubt in her mind.
That didn't leave room for any sympathy though.
It's funny...I began the year thinking that everyone around me was an extra...but now...I just observed someone, carefully. I could tell what they were feeling...
It's new...slowing down, actually taking in my surroundings. I guess Ears really did have a good influence on me after all...
Lizard Lips is confused, she thinks Ears is a raging bitch, but she's seeing evidence proving her wrong. She doesn't know what to think...but I do.
Ears...Kyoka...is my friend. She made an effort to understand me, and if it weren't for her JoJo and Deku wouldn't have given me a second chance. If it weren't for Kyoka and her advice, her encouragement...I wouldn't be making an effort to change. That lizard bitch won't be antagonizing her anymore, I'll stop her.
Katsuki's eyes shifted over to his friend, Kyoka had taken to standing beside Johnny so that their shoulders were touching, and their pinkies locked. They both looked happy, and for some reason Katsuki couldn't stand the thought of seeing them the opposite.
I'll...I'll protect her. I won't let Tokage hurt her...we'll crush that bitch together Kyoka, and that's a promise.
Momo stared at the wall that was currently blocking her from joining her teammates. She could only hope that her drone could deliver the cans of ethanol to them without being shot down.
"Finally."
Momo whirled around and extended a Piston Fist, catching Itsuka Kendo by surprise. The mechanical boxing glove and Kendo's enlarged fist met in the middle, and both girls slid back, stunned.
"When did you have time to make that?!" Kendo asked, shocked.
"I didn't make it at all...a friend did." Momo responded, retracting the device. "I brought it in on the off chance I ended up fighting you. Plus, it has more than just one use...I wonder how long it would take me to break through that wall your teammate put up? A minute? Maybe less?"
"Wait...what?"
"The Piston Gloves and the drone were made long before the battle took place, I bring them with me wherever I go." Momo explained. "It's better to prepare ahead than create on the fly."
"You were ready for me all this time." Kendo said, a grin forming on her face. "I had a feeling earlier, but not I'm sure...you've changed Yaoyorozu. From the cameras, to the drone, to these mechanical fists that you brought in to fight me...you've been ten steps ahead of me this whole time!"
"On the contrary, your planning was excellent. Komori and Fukadashi's Quirks and the way you and your team utilized them honestly had me worried. If anything, we have both caught each other off guard." Momo said with a smile as she put her goggles back over her eyes.
"Then why does it feel as though I've fallen for your trap, despite the fact that I caught you in mine?" Kendo asked.
Momo only gave her a calm smile, and Kendo raised her fists in response, returning the smile.
Then they both charged.
Metal clashed with flesh as the two women boxed, trying to find each other's weak spots. Momo grunted as her Piston Gloves met Kendo's fists in the middle, searching for the opportunity to break through her opponent's guard.
In terms of martial arts, Kendo is superior. She's a master, and her Quirk makes her skill all the more terrifying. These gloves may be able to keep up with her, but they are machines, rigid. Kendo's fists are part of a human body, and are therefore much more flexible when striking.
Momo dodged a strike and aimed a Piston Fist upwards, punching Kendo's own fist out of the way and leaving her chest open. Kendo, recognizing the threat, backed off.
Exactly what Momo wanted.
The ravenette reached behind her cape and pulled out the Amputator, and proceeded to slice through a few pipes, bringing part of the ceiling down. Kendo lept to the side to avoid the debris...
Straight into Momo's line of fire.
A Piston Fist shot away from Momo, it's palm open to grab her opponent, and Kendo enlarged her fist to counter. She managed to destroy the fingers, but was hit hard by the impact, sending her sliding across the battlefield.
Momo reeled in the damaged fist with a frown. "Dr. Stewart must have used this more than I thought...I probably should have created a newer model..."
Kendo sat up, coughing. "Have to admit...those things pack a punch. Your friend is...pretty good at their job. I had hoped to overwhelm you, but I can see you were prepared for that. Still, I wonder how your team is doing?"
"They're doing quite well, with the ethanol spray countering Komori's mushrooms." Momo replied. "Hagakure is attacking Fukadashi, Tokoyami is pursuing Komori, and Aoyama is destroying any chance of Kuroiro hiding again. You had me on the ropes, but my team has turned the tables."
"You're watching them." Kendo realized, and then grinned. "It wouldn't have anything to do with those goggles, would it?"
Momo frowned. "Darn...I goofed."
" She goofed?"
"She goofed."
Jotaro shook his head upon hearing his colleagues. "Yare yare daze...so what? She let the stuff about her goggles slip. The main point is that she prepared carefully and effectively, a villain would have been screwed by now."
"True, her team had held the advantage. It helps that she's directing them from a long distance with that drone of hers, but if that thing gets taken out, her team is on it's own." Midnight said, humming.
"With the tools she has already provided them, and considering their individual skills, they can operate without her. That was Yaoyorozu's goal from the start." Everyone turned to see Joseph Joestar leaning over the rail, scratching his beard. Despite having been de-aged, the second JoJo had grown it back.
"Really? Explain." Aizawa said with a smirk.
"She knew she was a target due to her intelligence, she knew she would be on Kendo's radar from the very beginning. She's put herself in the mastermind position, pretending to be in control, when in reality she's empowering her teammates." Joseph said. "They are relying on their own intuition, she's just nudging them along. It's like baby birds learning how to fly."
"So she's in control...by pretending to be control...and giving control to her teammates?" Midnight asked. "Yet...she's in control because she's spying on the enemy team...I...I...I need to sit down for a second."
"Kendo may have outsmarted her...but she has outsmarted Kendo's outsmarting." Joseph confirmed with a smirk, earning an eye roll from his grandson.
"It's almost like a poker game...with bluffs and strategies tucked away up their sleeves. Kendo is very determined to beat Yaoyorozu...and it shows. Those two are going to be at it for a while, so it really comes down to their teammates." Jotaro said, narrowing his eyes. "Right now they're neck and neck...1-A or 1-B could win this at any moment."
"A stroke of luck is all it takes to turn the tide." His grandfather agreed.
"Makes you wonder how the other fights are going to turn out." Aizawa said, resting his chin in his hand as he observed his students duke it out. His good eye was watching the fight with diligence. More so, he was observing a certain group.
After being blinded, and finding out about OFA and the group surrounding it, Shota Aizawa realized that he had something unique on his hands. This wasn't some ordinary hero class that he could simply expel once they got out of line...this was a group of kids that could seriously change the world for the better.
Just looking at Momo now, and when she fought him during Finals, the difference was astounding.
Of course...I suppose I have the Doctor to thank for that, but she was already growing before she met him, thanks to her friends. Zeppeli has been instrumental to her growth too...
To think, I used to think a relationship would only be an obstacle...but those two genuinely improve each other every day. Same goes for Kujo and Jiro, even if they're still keeping it under wraps.
Kyoka went from a B-tier support hero to someone who could beat the shit out of some pretty deadly Stand Users. This group, this class, kept evolving along with their bonds...and that was truly something special.
This class is different, I can feel it deep within myself. The Musketeers are heroes that I can truly put my faith in.
Kyoka glanced behind her to make sure the coast was clear, and relaxed once her jacks didn't detect anything.
Finally...I can get in some Hamon breathing.
Joseph had recommended meditation, which was kind of surreal coming from the most energetic member of the Joestar family, but he knew Hamon even better than Gyro did, so Kyoka felt obligated to follow his advice.
The purplette sat down in the corner, crosslegged, and began to regulate her breathing to find the rhythm she needed. It always helped to visualize Johnny's heartbeat in particular, probably due to their bond.
Pulling out her phone, she plugged an earphone jack into it in order to privately listen to her playlist. A soft smile grew on her face as Tusk by Fleetwood Mac began playing.
Dork.
Truthfully, she was a bit apprehensive about not watching the rest of Momo's fight, but she knew that her best friend would have her head if she didn't practice for her own. Kyoka sighed, letting the comforting heat of Hamon swell within her body as she meditated.
Man, I wish I didn't have to keep Hamon under wraps, but revealing that I can use it would cost me an advantage...especially with an opponent as crafty as Tokage.
There it was, her name again.
Her rival was once again invading her thoughts, leaving Kyoka in conflict once more. On one hand, Setsuna was making moves on Johnny and assuming worst in her, on the other...it was clear that she wasn't a malicious person at heart. Setsuna genuinely believed her to be a threat.
The question is: kick her ass, or try and settle this peacefully? If I just kick her ass, this situation would just escalate further...if I try to negotiate, would she even listen to me?
I don't know her, and she clearly doesn't know me.
It didn't actually matter, now that Kyoka thought about it. Meditation was excellent for de-cluttering the mind after all, so she could actually ponder on the situation a bit more.
What Johnny and I do is our business, that's that. This fight coming up? It would be foolish to make it about her. My goal is to get me and my teammates to victory, I don't care what she feels. She makes it personal? She's digging her own grave.
I'll follow Josuke's advice, as always. I'll be nice, I'll ignore any negativity she throws my way. I refuse to let her get in my head!
Sparks flew from Kyoka's fingers, and she sighed. "Yare yare...she pisses me off."
Suddenly, her jacks picked up a rustle, and she quickly deactivated her Hamon. Annoyed, Kyoka opened one eye to see Setsuna Tokage come around the corner.
Of fucking course.
"Whoa...er...Jiro...what are you doing back here?" Her rival asked. Clearly, Setsuna wasn't expecting to see her here.
"Listening to music, you?"
"I was going back here to shadow box...hey, isn't Yaoyorozu still fighting? She's your best friend...why aren't you watching her?"
"I like to listen to music before fights, it helps clear my head. Momo would understand, in fact, she'd probably encourage me. Besides...I have faith that even if she doesn't win, she'll blow the crowd away." Kyoka responded, frowning as Tusk concluded.
"I...see."
Setsuna crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "So...Kendo tells me that you and JoJo have been close since the USJ attack, I'm curious, how did you two end up becoming friends?"
"He saved my life, I was almost gunned down by a madman...and I was determined to repay him for that. Our friendship only grew from there, and it's still growing. He and I just kind of...understand each other, you know?" Kyoka responded, shifting her weight. "I can't imagine where we'd be without each other."
Setsuna winced.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing...just something in my eye." The greenette responded, although Kyoka knew the truth. Her rival didn't really expect Kyoka to convey that she and Johnny had a genuine connection.
Of course, Kyoka was actually being honest...partially.
"I heard a rumor that you and JoJo kissed."
Kyoka fought back a smirk, knowing full well that the rumor was caused intentionally. "Did you now? Do you want to know if it's true?"
"...possibly."
"I will neither confirm or deny it."
"Why can't you just be honest for once?"
"I didn't lie, I just don't want to cause any drama." Kyoka responded, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean by, 'for once?' Do you think I'm an impulsive liar or something?"
"No. I think...you're lying to me about something." Setsuna said, and shot Kyoka a glare. Her opponent had the look of a predator cornering it's prey. If the purplette hadn't faced much more intimidating adversaries, she might've legitimately been frightened.
"Maybe I am, but is it really your business?" Kyoka asked.
"It is if it's going to hurt people." Setsuna responded, leaning forwards. "I really don't want to be the bad guy here Jiro...which is why I'd prefer it if you're honest with me, just this once."
Kyoka blinked, and put a finger to her chin. "Fine, you want honest? JoJo and I are inseparable, our bond can't be shattered no matter what you do."
Spoken in arrogance...or confidence? Setsunaasked herself, analyzing the girl in front of her. Kyoka seemed annoyed, but she was keeping her cool, even coming across as friendly. Either she really believes that she has someone as smart as JoJo wrapped around her finger...
Or...he...actually has that much faith in her.
"Is that so? Cause I have seen a few things that have proven otherwise."
"Has it ever occurred to you that you might've seen them out of context?" Kyoka asked, tilting her head to the side. "It isn't nice to jump to conclusions."
"...I know, that's why I haven't confronted you about them yet...I want to make sure. I will say, however, if I'm right...I don't think you and JoJo would be so 'inseparable' for too much longer."
Kyoka gave her a smile, disarming her further. "Well, it's a good thing that you're completely wrong then. Even if you have some sort of 'proof', I have faith in JoJo."
He couldn't really be that devoted to her, right? To just take her at her word in the face of evidence? JoJo doesn't seem like the type of person you can manipulate, so there's no way he'd trust her that blindly, especially with his history.
Unless she's...not who I think she is...but Kaminari...
"Very well, I'll hold my tongue. I'm sorry for bothering you." Setsuna said, and was about to walk away, when she stopped. "Can I ask you to be honest with me again?"
"Fine."
"Is your relationship with JoJo really platonic?"
Kyoka hesitated. She had decided to be honest in an attempt to cool things down with her rival, but this was a question that she couldn't really answer. After all, Setsuna wasn't exactly someone she could trust.
"We're practically family."
Setsuna narrowed her eyes. "Family can mean many things."
"It could."
The two girls stared at each other for a long while, and Setsuna huffed. "I'll admit, you're pretty good with words."
"I'm well known for my sass."
They were now nose-to-nose.
"I wonder what else you're known for." Setsuna said quietly.
"Are you implying something, Tokage?"
"Maybe I am."
Kyoka dropped the friendly facade, and Setsuna took a step back. The purplette's eyes suddenly burned with an intensity that honestly kind of scared her. "Like what?"
"Like that." Setsuna responded, keeping her cool. Without another word, she walked away, her mind made up once more.
She was threatening me.
I...actually felt unsafe back there. Jiro is honestly scarier than I took her for...although I suppose I should have expected as much from a punk like her. She was telling me to back off...as if to say that telling JoJo about her activities would be hazardous to my health.
She's 100% a punk, but a really clever one. I bet she shakes people down for lunch money, all the while playing 'Sweetheart' whenever JoJo is around. Then again...she did seem grateful for the USJ...maybe she really does have feelings for him, but she's too set in her ways. Either way...Jiro is a fucking problem.
Easy Setsuna...she'll get her comeuppance eventually. JoJo is smart after all, maybe he's already suspicious.
Kyoka watched her rival depart, having similar thoughts in her head.
She's totally going to come after me in our match.
God...I wish I could just tell her to stay away...and I can't play nice with her, sorry Josuke. I'm someone who wears their emotions on their sleeve...I can keep my cool when it counts...
But...this girl is really, REALLY pissing me off.
Momo and Kendo stood together, both panting, as they continued to trade blows. The blows were now just using normal fists...and they weren't very forceful.
The two beat the living shit out of each other, and were now just running on fumes.
"Give...up..." Kendo grunted out, tapping Momo's cheek.
"Not...happening..." The ravenette responded.
"Broke...your goggles...you're...blind now..."
"Never...intended...to keep them..."
Kendo stopped, panting. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I...simply...empowered my teammates...I made myself...a target...on purpose." Momo explained with a smile. "I...isolated...you."
The redhead stared at Momo for a full minute, before throwing another punch. "You...you're too smart for me."
"I intended for there to be an escape route...but...you were too...persistent..." Momo responded.
"I had to...beat you!"
"Anyone who compares us...is an idiot...Kendo...you're amazing!" The ravenette grunted out, throwing another punch, and Kendo grabbed her fist, pulling her opponent in for a hit...
Except she stumbled, and they ended up leaning on each other, just to prevent each other from falling over.
"You...mean it?" Kendo asked, her eyelids drooping from exhaustion.
"I do...I admire you Kendo, both as a friend and as a hero. I...truly believe...that you're not in my shadow...but rather you're beside me..." Momo responded, her legs quaking from the amount of stress she put on them.
"Thank you...the way you...took control of the battlefield...was pretty cool..." Kendo said with a smile.
"Your martial arts skills are...unparalleled..." The ravenette said, patting Kendo's back.
The two women separated with some difficulty, gave each other a nod, and both collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The battle between the two rivals/friends was a draw.
When Momo came to, she found Gyro Zeppeli inches away from her face.
"Hello."
"Hello Gyro...what are you doing?" Momo asked, glancing around. She was in Recovery Girl's office, the school nurse must have used her Quirk on her to help her recover from the beating she took from Kendo.
"Waiting for you to wake up."
"That is...really sweet."
"Impressed by my romantic one-liners?" Gyro said with a grin.
"Charmed...but not impressed." Momo replied, sitting up. "What happened while I was out?"
"I'm afraid 1-B won this round, but you took out their leader. Unfortunately, your teammates were unable to find each other...the 1-B team separated them. Still...you definitely gave them an uphill battle, I don't think they expected you to go all chess master on them."
"I don't think you expected it either."
"No, I totally expected it. I was expecting you to do the unexpected, so you see? I expected your unexpecting, therefore it was not unexpected in the slightest."
"...Gyro...do I have to ring for Recovery Girl?"
"Nononono...I was just...uh..."
"You are trying very hard right now, aren't you?" Momo asked, coyly.
"I thought you were...adequate." Gyro said, his cheeks turning pink.
"Did I just make the Great Gyro Zeppeli blush?"
"Shut up."
Momo giggled and pulled him in, kissing him on the lips. "I did, that's a point for me."
"We have a points system? Since when?" The Italian asked, confused.
"Since now."
Gyro grinned. "Nyo ho! Looks like I'm not the only one who can be spontaneous."
Momo sat up, grunting. She and Kendo had fought until they couldn't anymore, and now she was really feeling the aftereffects. "It's a shame...that we ended up losing, but we gave it our best attempt. Every failure is another lesson, after all."
"Really?"
"Yes...that was the biggest lesson that Dr. Stewart taught me. He had experienced many failures in his long life, but he learned from them. He was by all accounts a mastermind, but he wouldn't have been if he hadn't failed. So I shall do the same, and I'll grow from each defeat."
Gyro began making a strange noise, and Momo realized that he was physically holding himself back from saying how proud he was of her.
"It's okay Gyro, I'll grant you a pass just this once."
"I'M SO FUCKING PROUD OF YOU, HOLY SHIT!"
"The rumors were true...the Stranger does exist!" The teenaged ghost hunter said as he filmed the figure covered in rags. It was both terrifying...and strangely beautiful...
Glowing red eyes surveyed the area, peeking from the porcelain mask as it almost glided across the rooftops. The ghost hunter, someone who investigated urban legends by trade, couldn't resist such a story.
SNAP!
The ghost hunter froze as the Stranger snapped his neck 90 degrees, too fast to be human, to look straight at him. "It appears...I have a shadow."
"I...I uh...Mr. Stranger, may I get a picture of you?"
"..."
"I just want to prove that you're real! Everyone is telling me these stories, and to see you in person, it's a rare opportunity to-"
SCLURCH!
Suddenly, the Stranger was beside him, and the ghost hunter caught a glimpse of a bright blue light emanating from his arm. The light faded, and the Stranger began walking away.
What was that? What was that noise? I-
The ghost hunter screamed once he saw his severed hands on the ground, cut off so fast he didn't even register the pain until he saw them. All he could do was scream, and he kept screaming until he saw the light once again...
The Stranger huffed as the cubed pieces of the poor ghost hunter fell into a sewer grate. "Fool...don't you know that curiosity killed the cat? Bad things happen to those who pry, you really should've minded your own business...not that your life mattered much."
The Stranger took the ghost hunter's video camera and crushed it in his palm, and lept back towards the buildings, sneering behind his mask.
"Pitiful."