Mina felt her lungs were capsizing, filled with water. She felt heavy. She was lost for words. The pinkette stood motionless as she edged over to the abandoned pavilion. She was a few feet away, hidden beneath the vines. She crouched, thinking that he was going to be alone and not have another classmate of hers there. Mina Ashido couldn't believe her very eyes. To think that the very boy that she wanted to meet alone. The very boy that she had desired from afar. The same boy that she was going to present her feelings to by way of a letter was receiving oral pleasure from the vice-president, Momo Yaoyorozu.

She tried wiping the tears from her face, forced to watch Momo giving Izuku oral pleasure. What warranted this? Why would Momo do such a thing? Why would her best friend betray her so?

It was just the other day when she and Momo were over at Momo's apartment. The best friends were lying on her bed reading teen magazines and eating pizza. They talked about the typical melodrama of their high school adolescence and the boredom and tedium of their private school upbringing.

Then, Mina hit her with it.

'I think I have feelings for Midoriya.' Momo blinked her eyes as she heard the very words escaped from Mina's lips. 'Did you hear me, Momo-chan? I think I like Midoriya.'

Momo went silently. Judging from her position as she put her knees to her chest, she was thinking. Mina knew she only did that when she went deep into thought. Mina noticed how strange and aberrant her best friend has been over the last few days. Normally, Momo was opened, always telling her things. Phone calls, texts, Facebook, any way of outreaching to the pinkette. However, these last few days were quiet. No notices, no updates. Mina had to force Momo to speak with her after class today. Momo apologized for her despondency. She had hoped eating pizza would be a proper way of reconnecting.

'If you think I shouldn't be with Midoriya, then say something,' replied Mina gingerly. There were rules between the girls, especially if one liked the same guy. It is better to express openness before making a decision on which one suited worthy of him. This being the appropriate time.

'No, do what you want.' She said as she muffled under her sweatshirt. 'I couldn't care if you did. Besides, it isn't like you need my permission. You are free to pick and choose.' Her eyes weren't at Mina. Her eyes weren't anywhere in this room. She watched as Momo gripped the covers tightly. Her cheeks were swelling, blushing like a cherry-red tomato. Mina pressed her way to her direction. She gave her enough room as she sat against the bedpost with the silent vice-president.

'Yo, Moes. I am worried about you.' She nestled her chin against Momo's shoulder. 'You know as friends, you can tell me everything. Whatever is said in this room stays in this room.' She pecked her on the forehead. 'Okay?'

'Sure, Mina. I am okay.' She shrugged her shoulders. Mina knew that Momo was feeling tense. She shuffled for her blanket, grabbing her stuffed teddy bear in the process. 'You know when dear old Tom pays a visit. So, don't take it personally. Alright?'

Mina looked blankly at Momo. Momo still wasn't looking at Mina in her eye. 'I think I should head for bed.' She reached for the lamp to turn off the light. 'Feel free to sleep with me or stay over if you want. I just want to have a little shut-eye is all.'

Momo turned over. She nudged the comforter tighter as she let it be known that she has retired for the night. Mina didn't say anything further about her feelings. Momo was too whimsical, too happy-go-lucky, and quite overconfident. This must be the downside of the overload of stress and frustration of an older teen, Mina thought. Mina pulled off her short and climbed into bed with Momo. Momo lied motionless, the light snores indicating that she was asleep. Mina knew that there wasn't going to be any more discussion about her question for Izuku.

She had planned to discuss it the following day. For the love letter, she had written to Izuku, had already been written. She tried to convince herself that this wasn't a betrayal. More like the early bird catches the worm. The atypical behavior and the miscommunication of both teens and their actions situated their fate the following day.

Mina muffled her mouth to further escape the tears and the anguish of her best friend and her crush performing such an act in front of her. Once Izuku and Momo were finished, Mina waited a few more minutes before they left the pavilion.

Mina didn't return to school that day. She even left the letter she had written at the pavilion. She had hoped that the force of nature would damage the letter. Rain, snow, bugs, the acts of God, she didn't care. All she wanted to do was cry herself to sleep and not think of the actions that she had witnessed that afternoon.

Inko carefully brewed the green tea at an appropriate temperature as she poured it into the cup. She had made two cups. She left a spare cup as she had planned to drink it alone. She wanted her guest to be as comfortable as possible before she engages herself in her act with her son.

The emergency appointment only occurred about a few minutes prior to her son's arrival. Kayama-sensei texted Inko on her personal phone. Itself was aberrant as Midnight never makes business calls with personal. She knew better. So, when Kayama-sensei contacted Inko, she knew there was discernment. When hearing what Kayama-sensei told Inko, she knew to contact Mina immediately.

Inko kept her composure. She needed not a fret of worry under her skin. Her operation was a business. And business should never be personal. She placed the tea and the crackers on the tray as she made her way to the living room.

"Evening, my respectful guest. Welcome." Inko's mannerisms were firm, clear, and concise. She placed the tray of crackers and tea onto the table. "I hope these are to your liking, my dear." As you wait on Izuku, do you want to look at our selection of choices."

Mina had the look of this wasn't a usual social call. Her eyes were making the thousand-yard stare. She cautiously took her tea. She placed her nose over the cup. Inko fixed her lips, making a slight click of the tongue. "Don't fret, child. This tea isn't poisonous. There is no reason why you should fret dear. This tea comes from the holy grounds of India. Calm your nerves and drink your tea."

Mina was quiet. She took the cup and ingested the green beverage. Holding both hands, she ingested the drink until there was nothing left. She slammed it on the tray loudly, sighing loudly as if it was the most refreshing thing she had drunk. However, the sound of her sigh showed something more. Inko was aware of Midnight's call. However, she had a business to run. Inko had to show some kind of gist, a reminder to let this pinkette know that no matter how you are feeling about her son, separate yourself from your personal feelings.

"May I have another?" Mina's voice was heavy. Her tongue was slurring. Quite heavy to Inko as the teen was carrying a burden. Inko didn't deny her request as she poured another cup into her teacup. As before, she ingested it quickly as it was poured.

The sound of the door opened. Footsteps followed and in came the man of the hour. Izuku stood in between the hallway and the living room. As requested, he had kept his uniform on. Inko sensed that Izuku slightly freshened up. The smell of his toothpaste, the scent of his cologne, and the straightening of his hair with dry shampoo. She knew her son and she had taught her son to always look presentable. Her motto on looks: look your best for every day is an interview.

Izuku bowed humbly to Mina. "Evening, Ashido!" His voice was faint, formal. His stance remained professional. How he kept his distance as he took a seat was professional and presentable. Inko knew about his relationship with his classmates. He knew which ones he cared for, valued, okay, or lack of a relationship. A few of his classmates are on their payroll. However, Inko always told Izuku to be mindful of those who become too comfy or their phrase, 'too close to comfort.'

"Evening!" Mina remained still and firm. She sat upright. It looked as if she was attending a tea ceremony and not a personal rendezvous with an escort, for lack of a better word about her son. "Thank you for making time for me on this short notice."

Izuku produced a smile. He didn't want to make this any awkward. Her body language could already depict that she wasn't the usual client. He knew her song. Friendly, courageous, diligent, adventurous. This wasn't the scene that he should see her. Honestly, he wanted to tell his mother to call this off. If anything, he wanted to take Mina out to a diner or go for walk.

As much as he wanted to part his mouth, his mother grunted, informing him to stay on cue and stay on task.

Izuku took the cup of his now lukewarm tea. He presented himself in a friendly manner to Mina. He requested if she needed more crackers, more tea, anything to make her comfortable. Mina responded in a not-so-stern manner, but he couldn't say it was friendly either. Mina looked at Inko. "How long do I have with him?"

"Two hours," answered Inko frankly. "Izuku, is the kotatsu ready?"

"Yes, mother."

"Ok, then!" She shifted her eyes to Mina as she gave her a grave look in return. Inko returned the glare, letting her know that whatever feelings she had, cast it.

Mina softened her face. She stood as Izuku already began to stand. Inko gripped Izuku's shoulder. "Don't drink too much. Be sure to keep her somewhat sober, okay?"

"Yes, mother."

"I will explain everything when you guys are through."

"Yes, mother."

"All right." Inko kissed Izuku on his cheek. She watched as Mina followed suit into his bedroom. Inko stayed at the hallway before watching Izuku and Mina entering his room, closing it shut.

Upon closing the door, she immediately phoned Nemuri. She pressed her fingers on the wall as she waited for Midnight to answer. She did on the sixth ring.

"Inko, hi. Sorry to put this on you," said Nemuri.

"Do you know how risky this is? Especially when we have squares," replied Inko frustratingly. "Did you know how much I have to fake my voice to my son about this? Do you think we should do this?"

"Inko, I am sorry." Inko can hear her sincerity. However, that wasn't what Inko was in the mood for. "She was being hysterical. She was crying and sobbing about this when I have found her at the roof. I had to tell her the truth."

"By letting her know that her heart will be further broken about this?" Inko sighed loudly, trying to distract the duo in the adjacent room. "Nemuri. I know how much I appreciate you. But what I have told you about bringing squares to the table?"

"Squares are the girls that fall in love easily."

"Exactly. I know her type. Mina is a lover girl. She will crumble into pieces."

"Look, I am sorry. I don't know what to say."

"Don't do this again. We are already taking a risk. What if she tells?"

"Trust me, Inko. She won't."

"For your sake, you better pray she doesn't. Or else it's your head on the chopping block." Inko cursed under her breath. She knew that she didn't need this. Girls like Mina Ashido were bad for business. Girls who developed crushes on their escort, or a square, can create trouble. If girls like Mina were to like Izuku and become heartbroken, the fear of retaliation was possible and plausible.

"Keep an eye on Mina Ashido, Nemuri," replied Inko. "Give her a strong explanation about this."

"I will, Inko. This won't happen again."

"Please, Nemuri. We can't let this happen. Speak to you soon." Inko hung up her line. She returned to the counter and reached for her notebook in the drawer. She made a personal note to create a new phone line with another burn phone to alert the regular clients. With the burn phone, she had in her hand, she removed the SIM card and cracked it. She then stomped on the burn phone until it was no more.

She returned to the kettle where she poured herself a cup of tea. She took steady breaths. This business, this operation, she needs this. Without this, there wouldn't be any funds. She wasn't going to go into welfare. Her alimony checks weren't sustainable. Speaking of which, she needed to remind herself to call her recently ex-husband on the next deposit.

She believed that she would have to be alert in case if something were to occur.

Didn't expect this to turn into a romance-drama on this saga. Stay tuned in the next chapter.

To be continued….