We were given the news that we were required to go to work studies this semester, rather than it being voluntary as before. I decided at once to phone Manual and got the go-ahead from him, so that was settled easily. In the meantime, we were ready to enjoy ourselves, given that it was the Christmas season! I dressed as Santa Claus to lead the class in the celebration, decorating the common area and getting a large feast from UA.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" We were all shouting.
"Work studies? Again? We've gotta be the busiest first years in UA history."
"You two going to Ryukyu's place again?" Jirou asked Uraraka.
"Yep. How about you, Jiro?"
"You don't have a seat, Momo?" Asui was asking Yaoyorozu. "Join us!"
"No, no, I'm fine."
"What are your plans, Midoriya?" I asked him. "Are you going back to Nighteye's agency?"
"Didn't Centipeder take over the operation? You haven't seen him in a while, right?" Kirishima added.
"I was thinking the same thing, but they said they were too swamped," he sighed. "Gran Torino can't take me either so I'm kind of in limbo."
"That sucks!" Said Kirishima.
"Last time was voluntary, but since it's mandatory this time, I guess the school will find somewhere for me to go."
"Oh, that's true!"
"Are you heading back to Jeanist, Bakugou?" Kirishima asked.
"Don't know," he replied; he had refused to join us, but AShido and Kaminari were doing their best to rope him in.
"But hey, you got scouted by a whole heap of places!" Kirishima was saying. "Thanks to the Sports Festival. You've got the pick of the litter, dude."
"All those losers? They can't teach me anything," he snapped.
"Hey!" Shouted Mineta. "This is s'posed to be a holy night! Why're we talking about all this school stuff!"
"C'mon guys, Mineta has a point," said Sato, entering with a roast. "Especially since it's time to feast!"
"We're. Little late," came a voice from the door. "Hope they didn't start already."
It was Sensei with the little girl Midoriya and the others had run into during their old work study, also dressed in a Santa suit. "Tricky treat?" She asked.
"Not quite. Wrong holiday."
"It's Eri Claus!" Shouted some of the others.
"C-Cutie pie!" Shouted Uraraka, running over to her, followed by Midoriya, Kirishima, Tokoyami, and most of the class.
"You look great!" Said Midoriya, smiling at her.
"Demons begone!" Said the girl, tossing rice.
"Where's Togata!?" Asked Kirishima.
"I told him we'd be here tonight," explained Sensei. "Right now, he's with his class."
"Her horn, it's getting bigger," said Midoriya, while the girl held up a bunch of painted eggs for Uraraka to look at.
"The eggs are painted all pretty."
"No no no, that's for Easter!"
"She seems more positive these days," said Sensei. "What you said to her really hit home."
The true feast and party began; Jirou and Kaminari sang carols, everyone enjoyed the spread, and we performed a gift exchange. Bakugou ended up with my substitue glasses, and I ended up with what appeared to be gold bars?
Finally it was clean-up time and we were finishing, putting away the trays. Jirou asked Midoriya "You can really handle all that?" She looked impressed that he was carrying a whole table.
"MIdoriya, Bakugou," said Todoroki. "If neither of you have a work study yet, why don't you both come with me to the current number one?"
I leaned in, a little curious, and bumped accidentally into Uraraka.
"Apologies!" I bowed my head.
"No worries!" She was carrying quite a heavy load herself, perhaps held up with zero gravity?
"Where are you going, Iida? Back to Manual's?"
"Yes, indeed. Good luck at Ryukyu's! It must really be something working with a top 10 pro!" I glanced back towards Midoriya, Bakugou and Todoroki.
"Well, I guess, but honestly, it doesn't seem that different from what I've heard about hte other agencies. And maybe it doesn't matter as much how high your rank is...sometimes the really important thing is what you learn."
I glanced at her and smiled. "Of course, you're right! Thanks, Uraraka!" She shrugged and moved on. She's really grown rather wise since we first met... I mused, watching her go.