A/N: Yes, I know the legal drinking age in Japan is 20, but for this fic, I'm changing that to 18. It's not the first time someone from 1-A drank alcohol here, despite not being fully human. 😅

Toru POV

Konichiwassup, everyone! I'm your favorite invisible girl of Class 1-A, Hagakure Toru! Right now, my friends and I are in a bar where ̶m̶y̶ ̶c̶r̶u̶s̶h̶ one of our classmates, Midoriya Izuku, works at.

Initially, his towering stature and that heated exchange with Iida during the entrance exam had me pegging him as a bit of a brute. But when he'd swooped in and rescued me with those chiseled arms and commanding presence, I was utterly smitten. The way he exuded authority while marshaling the rescue efforts, his crisp citrus scent that made me want to bury my face in his chest - my poor heart couldn't help but go "doki doki."

Speaking of the ambiance of the bar, the air was thick with the comforting aroma of freshly roasted coffee mingling with the oaky notes of premium whiskey from the well-stocked bar. A harmonious chorus of clinking glasses, soft laughter, and the occasional crack of a cue ball against felt-lined rails filled the space.

Exposed brick radiated a warm, inviting glow complemented by vintage filament bulbs suspended from the ceiling. Smooth jazz crooned from the speakers, blending with the murmurs of conversation and sporadic cheers from sports fans glued to the TVs. Overstuffed leather booths beckoned weary patrons to sink into their plush embrace, while polished wooden tables provided a stable foundation for drinks and appetizers. The scarlet felt of the pool table was a siren's call to challengers, its sleek cue sticks gliding effortlessly through skilled hands.

Each lovingly curated detail. From the artwork adorning the walls to memorabilia celebrating local sports legends, imbued the neighborhood haunt with a quintessential charm and intimate togetherness.

Unfortunately, I have not had the chance to say my arigathanks to him since that day, as he always seemed preoccupied whenever our paths crossed. Not helping matters was Ochaco-chii's inadvertent territory marking whenever he was around, though the girl herself seemed oblivious to her actions when questioned.

"Isn't this bordering on stalker behavior?" Kyou-chii muttered, ever the skeptic regarding our motivations.

"Don't be ridiculous, Kyouka-chan!" Mina-chii chided, eyes hungrily tracing every ripple of Izuku's physique from across the room, her flushed cheeks nearly matching her hair. "We're just three gal pals enjoying a harmless girls' night at the bar closest to campus. It's hardly our fault the Grade-A hunk from our class happens to work here."

I couldn't fault her logic - or her reaction, for that matter. Even from this distance, Izuku's presence exuded an unshakable sense of security and trustworthiness. Like nothing unsavory could ever transpire under his watchful gaze. Weird, but also...reassuring?

Mina-chii had been in an incredibly foul mood for days, but thankfully she'd bounced back and suggested this girls' night out.

The three of us - Mina-chii, Kyou-chii, and myself - had made our way to the bustling bar. We'd invited Ochaco-chii, but she had classes. Momo-chii was MIA from the dorms, while Tsu-chii had returned home to help with her siblings during the break.

"She's right, Kyou-chii! Besides," I chimed in, gesturing toward a group of burly, green-skinned patrons guzzling what appeared to be cheap mead. "I bet plenty of guys are here hoping to catch a glimpse of Midnight-sensei serving drinks."

Still, this was certainly an eclectic establishment. The clientele alone were...unconventional, to say the least. One table hosted a group of diminutive folk with beaked mouths and dish-shaped indentations filled with water atop their heads. Another housed what seemed to be a green-skinned couple with protruding ears; one bald, the other with crimson hair braided over her shoulder...dining alongside a talking donkey. Quirky quirks, indeed.

"Meanwhile, you two are just here to ogle Midoriya," Kyou-chii accused with a roll of her eyes.

"Oh, mou yametekudastop, Kyou-chii," I teased. "You act like you didn't have a nosebleed alongside Mineta-kun when we saw him shirtless during the Battle Trial."

Thankfully for her, she'd managed to discreetly wipe away any evidence before anyone else noticed. But my keen eyes had caught every tantalized drop.

"Eh! I-a-Wh-!?" She sputtered, cheeks flushing scarlet as Mina-chii landed the final blow.

"And let's not forget how you kept pressing your jacks to his room door at night, touching yourself."

Mina-chii's hushed giggles only compounded Kyou-chii's mortification as she frantically tried to salvage her dignity. "I-I wasn't! I've told you, I was just crouching awkwardly and you saw me from a weird angle! I thought I heard something suspicious, so I listened in. I'm not a pair of perverts like you two!"

"Sure you weren't," Mina-chii and I chorused, our tones dripping with sarcastic disbelief at her feeble excuse.

"Hey there, girls! What's a guy gotta do to get your attention around here?" A man with dark-brown hair in his twenties sauntered over, clad in a studded black leather biker jacket, faded jeans, and boots.

We exchanged knowing glances, utterly disinterested in whatever pickup line was about to be deployed. Ignoring his attempt at conversation seemed the wisest course. He wasn't being outright rude, but engaging felt like a hassle none of us wanted.

Eventually, Kyou-chii spoke up with a deadpan delivery. "Sorry, but the three of us are already taken. We only have eyes for our boyfriend." For the briefest flicker, her gaze shifted towards a certain emerald-haired man before snapping back.

'Oh-hoohhh' I mused, struggling to stifle a giggle. Now, did she do that because he's a bouncer we may have to call in case there's trouble, or is it...Ufufufu.

The rejected suitor seemed to deflate, all bravado dissipating. "Ah. Alright then. Good evening to you ladies." He stood, dejected, and ambled off into the crowd. The man seemed dejected at the blatant rejection, I kinda felt sorry for him.

We girls continued our conversation for a while and eventually, we ran out of our drinks. I went to get us new drinks and Midnight-sensei said to me,

"If you want my bouncer at your table, you just have to give an extra 5000 Yen."

The bartender's, our own teacher's, bold proposition hung heavy in the air, both tantalizingly taboo and deliciously tempting. My sensible side urged an immediate rebuff, but a darker curiosity took root. The prospect of his undivided attention, unfettered by professional obligations, proved irresistible. And the idea of compensating for his mere presence, to entertain us at our whim, ignited an illicit thrill low in my belly.

"Is that...okay?" I heard myself ask, voice hushed with hesitation as propriety warred with prurient desires. Soliciting his companionship while on the clock seemed questionable at best.

She was unruffled, shrugging indifferently. "It's not exactly a madhouse tonight. A little holler would get his attention if need be."

The words tumbled from my lips before I could reconsider. "Um, okay." I passed her the requested sum, my pulse thundering with a heady blend of exhilaration and discomfited guilt. Was I really doing this?

"Alright then." She pocketed the cash smoothly. "Izuku! Why don't you go entertain our clients for a bit?" She angled her chin towards our table. "I'll have your drinks sent over shortly."

I slunk back to my seat, butterflies swarming as I tracked his purposeful strides in our direction. The crowd seemed to part instinctively, as if compelled by an unseen force to clear a path for this being.

His approach was like witnessing a cosmic phenomenon. At once inexorable, awe-inspiring, and vaguely overwhelming. The charged tension was palpable, radiating from my friends in waves as they too drank in the vision rapidly closing the distance between us.

He's wearing a black shirt with bold, white graphics emblazoned upon it. At the top, the word "BOUNCER" stands out in an authoritative font, immediately catching the eye and leaving no ambiguity as to the subject matter.

Beneath this declarative text lies the stylized visage of a bouncer or security guard, a pair of rectangular sunglasses giving an air of cool detachment, while a thick, exaggerated mustache suggests a no-nonsense demeanor. This minimalist representation, rendered in stark white against the inky backdrop, manages to capture the essence of the profession with a wry, almost comedic flair.

"They say good things come in threes, but tonight, it seems the trifecta of beauty has graced this humble bar," he purred with a wink, serving our drinks with practiced ease; a frozen strawberry daiquiri for me, a spicy margarita for the fiery Mina-chii, and a crisp gin and tonic with a lemon twist for the shy but curious Kyou-chii.

"Three radiant ladies, three distinctive drinks, one enthralling vibe. Here's to a night brimming with endless possibilities." His silky voice caressed the words, laden with unspoken promises.

Possibilities indeed, I mused, stifling a girlish giggle. Thankfully, the seats in front of me were occupied, allowing him to slide in beside my invisible form. Mina-chii and Kyou-chii's pouts only fueled my smug satisfaction. I must be sporting the smuggest grin in the world right now. Thankfully, I'm invisible. Hehe ~

Oh, shoot! I'd nearly forgotten my manners. "By the way, I haven't properly thanked you for rescuing me at the entrance exam," I cooed, snaking an arm around his bicep and drinking in his intoxicating scent. "As thanks, I'd love to spend some...quality time with you, if you catch my drift." Unlike my gorgeous friends, I couldn't entice with looks alone, but a girl had other means of arousing interest.

Had his muscles grown even more impressive? And that cologne. Utterly divine.

"Hey, hands off! Don't monopolize the gratitude!" Mina chided with a playful swat of her hand. "Take us along for the ride too!"

"Wh-Why am I being lumped in with you shameless hussies?" Kyou-chii sputtered, her cheeks flushing adorably.

"You don't have to come if you really don't want to," Mina-chii replied, lips curling into a salacious grin. "But are you absolutely sure?" She turned her hungry gaze back to our bouncer Adonis. "Alright, I guess it's just Toru-chan and me then..."

"I never said I didn't want to!" Kyouka blurted, flustered.

Yare~ Yare~ Tsundere-chii can't be sunahonest with her feelings.

"I'll let you lovely ladies know when I've got some free time," he promised, his large hand finding purchase on my waist and giving an affectionate squeeze.

Did he really just...? Oh my, was it suddenly quite hot in here?

"Wait, you're making us wait?" Mina whined, more affronted by the implication than the delay itself.

"Good girls can and will wait patiently," he chided in that rich, commanding tone that made my knees weak. "And you are a good girl, aren't you?"

Mina-chii could only nod meekly, cowed by his dominant presence.

It's not unpleasant by any stretch of the imagination. In fact...my heart went "doki doki" again on that part. Seems like he's the do-S type. If anyone else tried that on us, they'd be going home permanently sterile, but for some reason, rather than resentment, his authoritative words kindled an unfamiliar ache within me, a yearning to submit, to relinquish control. Like he would never overstep our boundaries, only push them tantalizingly farther. I found myself pressing closer, head resting against the solid comfort of his shoulder.

What if I wanted to be a bad girl, though? The wanton thought came unbidden, and my eyes were instantly drawn to his powerful hands, a blazing heat coiling low in my belly. Get a grip, Toru. I didn't want him to think I was some sort of deviant.

At least, not yet.

After that charged exchange, our conversation meandered through various topics. I learned so much about the complex man, his fervent admiration for heroism, his drive to save lives, and his forward-thinking aspiration to start his own business post-hero career. Quite the multifaceted too soon, the dorm curfew loomed, and we reluctantly prepared to depart while he intended to work late into the night. The exact location of where he'll stay remained a mystery.

"Seeyanara!" I called with a cheerful wave as we ambled back to the dorms, our rapport more comfortable than ever before.

"Toru," Kyou-chii began once we were out of earshot. "I've been wondering...were you compensating him for, you know, services rendered?"

She was referring to the generous tip I'd left before our exit. "No, of course not! Just leaving an appropriate gratuity for his stellar hospitality. Didn't the evening just fly by thanks to him?"

Mina-chii chimed in with a sly grin. "You say that, but we all saw you slip some cash to come dote on our table. Are you sure you're not just living out some sugar mommy fantasy?"

"Or is she just a hopeless simp?" Kyou-chii snickered.

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words died on my lips. No point in denying it now. "Okay, fine, you got me. The dynamic is...intriguing, and I have some disposable income. But I don't plan on making it a regular thing," I admitted with a nonchalant shrug, desperately hoping to change the subject.

Unfortunately, my friends weren't so easily dissuaded, pressing the matter relentlessly until we reached the dorms.

Doushite is this happening to me?

Eijirou POV

"What's up, my dudes? Your boy Kirishima Eijirou is in the house!" I hollered, joining my buddies Ojiro, Sato, and Shoji at the gym for an epic MANLY MUSCLE BUILDING session! This was gonna be 100% plus ultra!" 📢📢📢

Right now, we're at the gym inside UA training our MANLY MUSCLES! Its walls lined with photos of past graduates, heroes who've gone on to do incredible things. It's like a shrine to greatness, reminding us of the legacy we're striving to uphold.

The walls were lined with photos of past pro heroes; UA's legacy etched into every inch. It was like a freaking shrine to greatness, reminding us of the legends we aspired to follow in the footsteps of.

The air was electric, filled with the clangs of weights and the roars of sheer willpower from my bros. Every corner pulsed with the energy of students pushing past their limits. This place was a straight-up battlefield, but instead of villains, we were waging war against our own weaknesses.

And the equipment? Bro, it was like something ripped straight from a superhero flick! Weights that'd make pro bodybuilders drool, treadmills that could give the Speedster a run for his money, and punching bags rugged enough to withstand even Bakugou's explosions.

Then there was the arena: the gym's pulsing heart. This sacred ground is where we put our blood, sweat, and tears to the ultimate test, clashing in full-contact bouts that forged us into absolute units. But more than that, it's where unbreakable bonds were made, bro-mances that would transcend our school days.

"You feeling okay there, Kirishima?" Ojiro asked, giving me a puzzled look. "You seem even more amped than usual."

"I've got to agree," Shoji chimed in, his mouth-hands contorting. "You're rivaling Sato after downing a family-sized bag of sugar."

Sato just nodded sagely nearby, already prepping for his workout.

"Are you kidding me, bros?" I bellowed, eyes blazing with determination. "We've got insanely talented classmates leading the charge! We can't let them leave us eating their dust. We've gotta level up and stand beside them as true equals!"

Memories of the USJ attack flickered through my mind. If only I'd been stronger, I could have contributed more instead of watching helplessly as my friends battled for their lives. Nothing disastrous happened, thank god, but what if Midori-bro hadn't been there to save our asses next time?

Midori-bro and our teachers getting injured during that chaos had really shaken me. It forced me to confront the harsh reality that when the chips were down, I'd been utterly useless, just like that helpless, scrawny kid I thought I'd left behind long ago. That villainous onslaught had made my resolve waver.

Never again. I was going to become the embodiment of Red Riot - a true hero.

"You can't keep up with him," Bakugou's gruff voice cut through my reverie as he entered, already donning his workout gear. "Any progress you make, he'll match it twice over with half the effort. The best we can hope for is not getting caught in the damn crossfire like those third-rate punks last week."

His blunt words sliced deep, but they rang with an undeniable truth. From the moment I first laid eyes on Midoriya, I knew he was operating on another level entirely. The dude was bigger than freaking ALL MIGHT himself, after all.

"Even so..." I muttered, eyes blazing with rekindled fervor, "I'll keep striving to shine alongside my friends. Even if it seems hopeless, I'll be damned if I don't try."

My bros shared concerned looks but said nothing.

"UUOOOHHHH! LET'S GET HYPED AND BLESSED BY THE IRON GODS!" I roared, desperately rallying us. Moping never got anyone anywhere. It was time to walk the walk.

Bakugou POV

"'Keep up,' my ass," I muttered under my breath, donning my workout attire and special quirk-resistant gloves. I approached the punching bag, starting with a measured pace before progressively increasing the intensity of my strikes, punctuating each blow with a controlled explosion. No need for introductions - any self-respecting individual knows the name Bakugou Katsuki. You extras can refer to me as Bakugou-sama for the remainder of your insignificant lives.

What's that? My current activity? I'm training, obviously! That damn Izuku, showing off during the USJ incident. It pisses me off! BAM BAM BOOM Even more infuriating were that blue-haired bastard and the misty freak. Next time I cross paths with them, I'll blast their asses into oblivion!

"Oh-ho~ Class 1-A hitting the gym, huh? The USJ attack must have really shaken you," a familiar, grating voice sneered.

The others tensed at the blond idiot's words, Thick Lips looking ready to put him in his place. "The hell do you want, Monoma?" I growled, my patience already waning. Apart from the time I gave him a well-deserved black eye, I'd had minimal interaction with the moron - though for some asinine reason, the nerd had befriended him afterward.

Best to deal with this nuisance swiftly; a fight risked teacher intervention, disrupting my training session.

"Oya? It seems that Bakugou-kun's graced us with his presence!" He said with an exaggerated flair before continuing, "Tell me, when those dastardly villains descended upon USJ, did your boots quake in fear? A mere waste of oxygen while I'd wager Midoriya was the sole combatant? Tsk tsk. Such ineptitude would never befall the illustrious Class 1-B. Proof positive of our superiority over you extras of 1-A!"

Before he could continue his idiotic diatribe, Izuku's harem member swept in, chopping the back of Monoma's neck with impeccable timing, my rapidly dwindling patience appreciated the intervention.

"Sorry about that, everyone!" she apologized, her presence visibly flustering both Thick Lips and Plain Face. Pathetic - as if they'd never laid eyes on a woman before.

"No worries!" Shitty hair assured her from the treadmill, ever affable. Speak for yourself, shitty hair.

"Just get that extra out of here, and we're square," I told her, eager to resume my training regimen. A stray thought crossed my mind. "You're not cheating on Izuku with that loser, are you?"

Her expression morphed into one of pure, unbridled fury - as if I'd tortured her entire family before her eyes. "The fuck you mean, Bakugou? Want me to rip your tongue out right here?"

I recoiled slightly, a thin sheen of sweat betraying my composure. "I will never betray Izuku in any way. You disgust me for even entertaining such a vile notion."

"Tch, all you had to say was no. No need to blow a fuckin' gasket," I scoffed, deliberately avoiding her piercing glare as I returned to my workout. That unhinged look had me questioning whether I'd end up an extra among extras at this rate.

Tenya POV

Good evening! I'm Iida Tenya from Class 1-A. Before UA, I studied in the prestigious school called Somei Academy. We, as of this moment, strolled back towards the dormitories, our small group having just returned from an excursion to the nearby mall.

"DAMMIT! Why is Midoriya the only one getting all the chicks?!" Mineta-kun suddenly erupted, his voice carrying towards the heavens. Our gazes followed his line of sight to spot Ashido-kun, Jiro-kun, and Hagakure-kun waving coyly at Midoriya-kun from a bar's entrance. Moments later, a girl with vibrant orange hair styled into a side ponytail appeared, snaking her arm around his in a conspicuously intimate manner before ushering him inside.

Ordinarily, I would have been the first to admonish such frivolous dalliances, but seeing as we were off campus and he of legal age, I found myself unable to voice any objections.

"And he's got another one! Dammit, why is life so unfair?!" Kaminari-kun's lament joined Mineta-kun's chorus of dismay.

"He's strong, heroic, and charismatic," Todoroki-kun interjected, his gaze inexplicably fixed upon his left hand. "Rather than wallowing in despair over the attention he receives from the opposite sex, why not learn from his example instead?"

"An insightful observation, Todoroki-kun." I nodded in agreement. "However, such overt promiscuity does not befit one aspiring to become a hero. I shall have to discuss this matter with Midoriya-kun at a later juncture." While I held no official title, I still felt compelled to guide my esteemed classmates toward the path of righteousness; Midoriya-kun, our vice president, being among those most in need of such guidance.

Neito POV

"Why in the world did you stop me there, Kendo?" I asked our Class President why she would do such a thing. Has she no pride in our illustrious class 1-B? For those unaware, allow me to introduce myself - I am Monoma Neito, the resident Phantom Thief, a side character destined to outshine even the protagonists! We currently found ourselves in the Class 1-B dormitory's communal area, where I sought to dissect the earlier incident.

"I stopped you because your antics were about to instigate a needless clash between classes!" Kendo retorted, her brow furrowed.

"A clash we would undoubtedly emerge victorious from!" I proclaimed confidently.

"Are you truly that dense?" She scoffed. "Izuku alone could have overpowered most of our class single-handedly."

"Perhaps, but not you. Surely you possess a fighting chance against him," I countered.

Kendo adopted a defensive stance. "You underestimate him. In most scenarios, I would be soundly defeated. And that's assuming I'd even entertain the notion of raising a hand against him."

"Ah, yes, I nearly forgot you're his b-Bgweh," I remarked, my words cut off as she effortlessly executed a chokehold, lifting me from the ground like a wrestling legend of old.

"Be careful, Monoma. One day, you might simply vanish," she warned, her sickeningly sweet smile a stark contrast to the ominous words. Her expression hardened, the sweet facade crumbling. "And only Izuku has the privilege of calling me that. Understood?"

I could only numbly nod in acquiescence, my sense of self-preservation outweighing any desire to protest.

A rosy blush bloomed on her cheeks as she added, "Speaking of Izuku, I plan to spend some time in his company, so don't go causing trouble that will jeopardize our time together. Or else." Her thinly veiled threat hung in the air as she retreated to her room, emerging moments later, primped for her rendezvous with her paramour. Urgh.

It was mere minutes after her departure that the adorable Kinoko descended the stairs, surveying our common area. "Has anyone seen Itsuka, shroom?"

Sensing an opportunity, I replied, "She went to meet her darling Izuku." Kinoko's surprised expression spurred me onward. "Such an awful friend, not only abandoning you but running off to spend time with your high school crush. Why don't we take a stroll to get your mind off it?" I suggested with feigned concern.

Kinoko's repulsed grimace and succinct "Ew, shroom" deflated my hopes as she promptly exited, following in Kendo's footsteps.

I stood there, petrified by her unambiguous rejection. What was with the saying that the worst she could say is 'no'.

Finally got this out! 😅 Hope you guys enjoyed a chapter with our non-magical friends. Honestly, I was gonna add the next part of Ibara's journey, but then again, the chapter's title is Normie POV and she technically wouldn't qualify considering she's...you know...so...

Also, holy crap! We're getting closer to that part where we'll meet a certain character. IYKYK. It's somewhat related to Elsewhere so I'm combining that part when we get there in just a few chapters from now. I'm excited to get there myself considering the implications to the story.

After that chapter, I'll hopefully be able to accelerate some story beats because we're at what? Day 13 out of 288 for LOM? 😂 I'll just need to make sure it doesn't get rushed. Granted, there were quite a bit of setup chapters for both the settings to make sense with each other, especially at the beginning.

Different gym from Nana's gym, BTW.

As always, let me know if you have questions or feedback on the story.

Next up: Ceremonial Magic 2 and Homework (Study Date) 2.