A/N: Before all the rewrites and edits this chapter was originally like, 3 separate ones? I put them all together when I started making all those changes because I wanted this fic to stick to 100 chapters. The art from 2020 still holds up pretty well though (several were just screenshot edits where I added a character in), I think there's only one that I decided to redo :)
Art -
[Complete Gallery] Add /21axlkt3bolc to the DeviantArt Stash URL.
[Ch. 79] Add /2pmto7pn64a to the DeviantArt Stash URL.
Hitomi was seated in the front row, watching as Gang Orca paced back and forth in front of the class. All Might, Present Mic, and Endeavor were all seated together in a different area of bleachers, and knowing she'd feel incredibly awkward sitting with them, she'd asked All Might to sit somewhere else. The thought of sitting right by Endeavor made her nervous as he was such an overwhelming and intimidating presence, and to her relief All Might agreed to her request without questioning why.
Hitomi sweatdropped as she listened to Gang Orca yell at the class, saying they were all "lower than fish poop."
What the heck? He's scary…
"Especially you!" he yelled at Bakugou, who Hitomi could see was forming a scowl on his face from her seat. "Do you even want to be a hero?!"
"First of all, I'm not poop-"
"Disciplinary action!"
He tossed him like a sack of flour, before turning to Todoroki.
"How can turds save the mighty humans?!"
"Indirectly, through fertilizer and-"
"Disciplinary action!"
Todoroki also got tossed, Inasa the next victim of Gang Orca's yelling.
"Can people be praised for just combat ability and mobility?!"
"Sir, yes sir-!" Inasa got interrupted as Gang Orca tossed him aside as well.
"Disciplinary action!
And you!" Gang Orca turned to Yoshiho, who glared back at him as if she was challenging him. "Is your attitude even one fit for heroes?! How can you expect to work properly with others?!"
"Not every hero is-"
"Disciplinary action!"
The four of them were all on the floor at Camie's feet as Gang Orca berated them, lecturing them on their faults that had been made apparent during the license exam and what they needed to work on.
"Will anyone take hold of the hand you put out?" Gang Orca said harshly. "No! Even if they bare their fangs at you, if there is a life there, you must save it! To save and be saved— The essence of that is an agreement and understanding between your hearts!" he exclaimed, the doors behind him opening. "Now, conquer! Through this life-or-death battle, show that you can come to an understanding with them!"
Hitomi leaned forward in her seat in anticipation, curious to see what their challenge would be today.
"That's the trial you face!"
Her jaw dropped as kids burst out of the doors, yelling and making a commotion as they ran towards the students. They gathered around Yoshiho and the others, making a grab for their equipment and pulling at their costumes. Hitomi sweatdropped at their volume, letting out a timid laugh.
Sounds like this'll be tough...
The scene was chaotic, the kids using their quirks to wreak havoc on the supplementary group. She saw some of them had even gotten hold of Bakugou's grenadier bracers, the blonde yelling after them and trying to chase them down.
As she watched them, Hitomi couldn't help a small smile from creeping up on her face. Sure, the children were really, really rowdy, but they reminded her of her little brother Toku, in a way. He'd been a huge troublemaker when he was younger and still kind of was to this day, but remembering those times couldn't help but make her feel a little nostalgic.
She watched as Gang Orca lectured Yoshiho, Todoroki, Bakugou, Inasa, and Camie, hearing him say they had to work together to "win the hearts and minds" of the elementary class.
"SO WE GOTTA BE BABYSITTERS?!" Bakugou screamed.
Hitomi unconsciously let out a loud snort, covering her mouth. Bakugou somehow heard her all the way down there, shooting her a glare.
"You think this shit is funny, Moon Face?!" he screamed, shaking his fist at her.
"H-Hey!" Hitomi protested, suddenly standing up in her seat. "Watch your language! Those are kids!"
"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! I CAN SAY WHATEVER THE FUCK I WANT!" Bakugou yelled back, emphasizing the "fuck" part.
Hitomi's face turned red from exasperation, feeling her cheeks puff out. She stepped towards the railing, gripping it as she leaned over it slightly. "Your teachers are right there, you idiot!" she shouted, pointing behind her at All Might and Present Mic. "Be more mindful of the people around you!"
"Don't tell me what to do!"
...
"They're like an old married couple," Camie observed, placing a finger on her chin as she watched Hitomi and Bakugou yell back and forth with each other.
Todoroki swiped one of his first aid containers from one of the children, placing it back on his belt as he followed her gaze. "You think so?"
...
Hitomi sank into her seat, leaning against the backrest with a sigh as Mic started yelling about how "his MC spirit was at its limit."
Their quarrel had been cut short when Bakugou realized one of the kids had gotten back one of his bracers, chasing after them and shaking his fists at them. Hitomi was quick to let go of her frustration, adjusting her posture as she watched him. She couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
She wondered what he'd act like with his own future kids.
Hitomi quickly blushed at the thought, slapping her cheeks. Bakugou's future isn't any of your business! she berated herself. Get a grip…!
She let out a heavy sigh, glancing around to try to distract herself from her hopeless romantic thoughts. As Present Mic began to commentate on the chaos, Hitomi's eyes trailed to Yoshiho, seeing she was surrounded by a small number of the children. Sympathy bubbled up in Hitomi's chest for her as she noted her friend's downright exhausted expression.
During the time they'd been spending getting to know each other, it was obvious Yoshiho wasn't exactly a people person. And surrounded by loud and rowdy kids like these, she probably wasn't enjoying herself very much. This "trial" was definitely something she was going to struggle with.
Hitomi took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She cupped her hands around her mouth, feeling anxiety bubble up.
"Y-Yoshiho!" she yelled, feeling her face turn red. She could feel people were staring at her and tried her best to squash down her embarrassment, seeing Yoshiho was staring at her in surprise. Hitomi timidly raised her fist in the air, trying to be encouraging. "Do your best…! You've got this…!"
"Oh, seems like our audience member Hitomi Kanetsukabe is trying to be a cheerleader!" Present Mic announced, dialing Hitomi's nerves right back up to eleven. "Cheering on someone from Shiketsu! They friends or something?!"
Hitomi squeaked as more people stared her, lowering her fist slowly. "G-Good luck, Yoshiho!" she spluttered, trying to sink herself into her seat.
Yoshiho gave her an unsure thumbs up in response, before she was distracted by one of the kids tugging her arm, his hands around one of her reinforcement gauntlets. As Yoshiho's attention returned to the children, Hitomi bent over in her seat, holding her face in her hands in mortification.
Dang you, Present Mic-sensei! Why'd you have to call more attention to me?!
She'd just wanted to try being encouraging. Even if Hitomi had to suffer through some embarrassment, hopefully Yoshiho would appreciate it.
As she tried calming herself, willing the blush away, Hitomi watched as the supplementary group tried (and failed) to get along with the kids, all of them trying to connect with them in their own way only to be met with rejection.
It wasn't until she saw Camie suggest something to the group, the five of them huddling together that it seemed like they were ready to move things along. Hitomi raised a brow, curious to what they were planning.
She flinched when the elementary class's teacher suddenly jumped up from her seat, hearing her yell, "Stop! It's dangerous!"
Her gaze turned back to the children, who seemed to have a different aura around them now.
"We're better than you guys!" one of the little boys laughed, some odd spheres appearing around his body. Hitomi's eyes widened as his classmates' quirks around him began to emerge, realizing what was about to happen.
"Come on, brats!" Bakugou yelled back, he, Todoroki, and Inasa, getting in their own fighting stances, their quirks activating. "I'll fight you!"
Hitomi watched in shock as the kids all unleashed their quirks at the supplementary group, one of their attacks zipping by Bakugou and destroying his mask.
These children are crazy!
They let out attack after attack, shrouding the older teenagers in dust and hiding them from view. The whole facility shook as Hitomi heard loud booms, leaning forward in her seat. After about 30 seconds, the kids' quirks seemed to calm down, the elementary class standing together triumphantly as the smoke from their ambush began to settle.
"Crazy…" Present Mic mumbled into the mic, reiterating what Hitomi had thought to herself only a few moments ago. "Kids these days are crazy strong!"
Hitomi stood up from her seat again and gripped the rails as the dust cleared, seeing the supplementary group was just fine. She didn't doubt them for a second, of course, but seeing how powerful kids' quirks were these days still astounded her to say the least.
She saw one of the little girls step forward, hearing her yell "Queen Beam!" as a pink laser shot from her eyes straight for Todoroki.
It hit him dead on and caused a cloud of smoke, making Hitomi's mouth drop open in concern.
"Hey, now."
Hitomi did a double take, recognizing Todoroki's voice as the smoke quickly got blown away. He sounded… more upbeat?
The smoke cleared, revealing Todoroki holding his hand out to the girl. He was surrounded by purple sparkles and blue roses, a wide, pretty smile on his face. "I want to see your cute face," she heard him say. "Don't spoil it with wrinkles."
"I WON'T!" the little girl squealed.
Hitomi's jaw dropped in utter disbelief that he would say such a thing, before he was suddenly blown away like mist. She blinked, only to realize Camie was standing in his place and holding her hand up to her mouth.
"Sorry~!" she heard Camie singsong, seeing the blonde wag her finger. "That was an illusion."
Hitomi took a moment to process what she'd just seen, before she burst into laughter. So it had been Camie's quirk! She'd made Todoroki look like one of those pretty boys you'd see in a high school host club. The thought of her stoic classmate charming girls by acting flirtatious caused more laughter to bubble up in Hitomi's chest.
Bakugou seemed to think the same thing, covering his mouth as he tried to hold in his own laughter. Hitomi saw him take a moment, before he suddenly held his hand up, mimicking the Todoroki illusion.
"'I want to see your cute face,'" he said, wearing his own pretty smile.
Hitomi's laughter trailed off as she paused, staring at him.
"I thought it was good!" Bakugou cackled, slapping his hand back over his mouth. His shoulders were absolutely shaking with laughter, unable to hide how funny he found Camie's illusion. "Glamouroki-kun!"
As he continued to laugh, Hitomi could feel a blush spreading through her cheeks, covering her mouth.
He had looked really handsome mimicking Camie's illusion. Seriously, if he wasn't constantly wearing a scowl all the time, other people would realize Bakugou was actually a really pretty guy…!
Hitomi shook her head rapidly, trying to get her mind off him.
She was supposed to be here to see Yoshiho, not thinking about Bakugou again.
Speaking of which, Yoshiho soon caught her gaze. She seemed to be staring at her knowingly, which only furthered the bluenette's embarrassment. Hitomi waved sheepishly at her as she heard Inasa say, "Enough of that! Let's try what we talked about earlier!"
Hitomi was curious as to what they had planned when she had seen them huddled together a few minutes ago. She suddenly felt a breeze tousle her hair, kids getting lifted up into the air as she realized Inasa was using his quirk. "You all really are amazing!" she heard him say, his cape flowing behind him. "But you know, just waving your power around means you've got a long way to go! Here I go!"
Hitomi watched as smoke blew out of Camie's mouth to create another illusion, while ice sprang from Todoroki's feet. Hitomi's eyes widened in awe as the illusion of the aurora borealis soon appeared, bright green and purple lights shrouding the ceiling windows and leaving the illusion as the only source of light. Hitomi heard the familiar pulse of Yoshiho's gravity quirk, she and Inasa working together to maneuver the kids around in the air. Todoroki's ice joined together with the debris and remnants of the children's quirks, taking shape in the form of a large slide.
Hitomi felt like her breath was taken away as she stared at the sight in awe, amazed.
Yoshiho and Inasa dropped some kids onto the slide as Todoroki lit the rings around it with his fire, causing the children to make sounds of joy as they slid down it with bright smiles on their faces.
"Woah…" Hitomi whispered. She leaned further over the railing as she watched her friends gather the other kids up, having them form a line to take turns on the slide.
"This is a good way to use quirks," she heard Present Mic hum into his microphone. "It's kind of a relief."
That looks like so much fun…
Hitomi's lips turned up in a small smile.
I wish I could try riding that.
Unbeknownst to her, Yoshiho noticed her expression, her mind already calculating. After a few moments of deliberation, she took a deep breath.
"Hitomi!" the auburn-haired girl called out, catching Hitomi's attention.
"Uh, yes?" Hitomi stuttered, Yoshiho just barely hearing her.
Yoshiho gestured towards the slide, looking at her friend knowingly. "Would you… like to ride it?"
"Huh?!" Hitomi felt herself blush, embarrassed she'd been read so easily. "W-What? Don't be silly, Yoshiho…!"
"Oh, you should!" Inasa cut in, running up to Yoshiho's side and gesturing for the bluenette to come over. "Come on!"
Hitomi's blush deepened, a sheepish smile on her face. "Well, if you say I should, then…"
Before she could turn to leave the bleachers and head down, she suddenly felt herself get lifted into the air, Inasa's wind carrying her from the stands to the top of the ice slide. "Woah…!"
She was plopped onto the top of Todoroki's ice, the slide's path right in front of her. As she scooted towards the edge, she could see Inasa wave at her, while Yoshiho gave her a thumbs up that it was safe. Some of the kids already at the top gathered around her, looking at her curiously. "Where'd you come from?" one of the girls asked. "Are you gonna ride?"
Hitomi laughed sheepishly, sitting back and patting her on the head. "The heroes brought me up here! They're super cool, aren't they?" The girl smiled timidly at her, giving her a shy nod. Hitomi held her hand out to the girl, tilting her head to the side. "Wanna slide down with me?"
The girl paused, looking between her other classmates. They pumped their fists in encouragement, chanting for her to go.
The girl eyed Hitomi's hand before grasping the bluenette's fingers, plopping down next to her at the slide's edge. "Okay!"
Hitomi helped her into her lap, keeping a firm grip on the girl as she prepared to go down. "Ready?"
The girl nodded excitedly, and with that Hitomi pushed them off the edge. They both laughed as the wind rushed through their hair, a wide smile on Hitomi's face as she admired the supplementary group's work.
The girl made sounds of awe in Hitomi's lap as they went further down the slide, holding her arms up in the air as she grinned. As they approached the end, slowing to the stop, Hitomi could tell she was grinning like an idiot.
"That was so fun!" the girl cheered as she jumped off Hitomi's lap, the bluenette stepping up from the end of the slide. She watched as the girl ran over to Inasa, tugging at his cape and chanting, "Again, again!"
As Hitomi dusted the ice flakes from her skirt, she smiled, glad they'd gotten through to the troublesome kids. She walked over to Bakugou, who was the closest, as Inasa and Yoshiho brought more kids up to the top.
"Looks like you won, huh?" she teased, prompting him to turn around.
Right as she saw him open his mouth to reply, her foot slipped on something, causing her to trip. Hitomi heard Bakugou yell out an "Oi!" as she yelped, closing her eyes to brace for a fall before she felt her cheek collide with something else.
Hitomi's eyes snapped open and she looked up, finding Bakugou staring down at her.
"Klutz," he snorted.
Hitomi squeaked, her heart in her throat as she realized he'd caught her. She was right up against his chest, feeling his hands were on her waist as she saw Bakugou look at something behind her.
"Todoroki, Baldy! Be more precise, there's ice chunks on the floor, idiots!"
Hitomi looked behind her as Inasa yelled another "I'm not bald!" and saw an ice chunk on the ground by her foot, likely being what had caused her to trip. It must've fallen off the slide and ended up there when Inasa used his wind to carry more kids up to the top.
Hitomi blinked when she heard an "ooooo~!", seeing a number of kids gathered around them and staring at her and Bakugou slyly. She blushed, realizing Bakugou's arms were still around her as the ash blonde glared at all of them.
"B-Bakugou!" she spluttered, hitting his chest lightly with her fist. "Let me go!"
Bakugou scowled, removing his hands from her waist. "I was getting to that!" he grumbled as Hitomi stumbled back sheepishly.
She bumped into one of the young boys, about to stutter out a "sorry" until she took note of his shit-eating grin.
"Hey, do you like him?" he singsonged. "I bet you have cooties!"
Hitomi could've died right there on the spot.
"W-What?!" She laughed nervously, shaking her hand rapidly in denial. It was an automatic response due to her embarrassment. "Bakugou's my friend!"
"You've got cooties! You've got cooties!" the boy chanted, jumping up and down.
Hitomi waved her hands around, trying to get him to stop. "N-No… I don't…"
"Don't be stupid, brat!" Bakugou cut in, crossing his arms. Hitomi froze, staring at him. "Moon Face doesn't have the time to deal with that kind of crap."
"Ehh? Boring!" The little boy huffed, kicking a stray ice chunk. The other kids laughed, and Hitomi breathed a sigh of relief.
She walked over to his side as the kids continued to joke around with each other, careful to watch her step so she wouldn't trip again. "Sorry you had to catch me," she said, scratching her cheek sheepishly.
Bakugou huffed, placing one of his hands on his hip. "Pay attention to where you walk, and maybe then you wouldn't be tripping over yourself all the time."
Hitomi hummed in response, clasping her hands together behind her back. "Right," she laughed. She turned away, gesturing to the door with her head. "Well, I'm gonna go to the bathroom. Don't wanna distract you from your training any longer."
Bakugou watched her as she left, an unreadable expression on his face. He looked down when he felt a tug on his pant leg, seeing the same boy grinning up at him.
"Maybe you're the one that likes her!" he laughed, pointing up at him with a cheeky grin. "You've got cooties!"
The kids let out another chorus of "ooooo's", making Bakugou grit his teeth in annoyance.
"SHUT YOUR DAMN TRAP!" he growled, small explosions emitting from his palms.
Hitomi stood waiting with her teachers as the supplementary group approached, making her way to Yoshiho as Camie ran over to Shishikura.
"You did great with the kids today!" the bluenette exclaimed, grasping Yoshiho's hand. "Your plan was amazing!"
Yoshiho's eyes widened at the gesture, staring down at their hands. Hitomi did a double take when she realized what she'd done, pulling back quickly. "Sorry…!" She held her hands up sheepishly, looking guilty. "I did it without thinking… I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable again."
Yoshiho took a moment before she readjusted her hat. "You don't have to apologize."
Hitomi nodded, clasping her hands together to keep herself from doing anything else. Kaminari had said once before she could be a bit handsy with her friends. "Well anyways, like I said, you did a great job at your lesson today! Your guys' plan worked perfectly."
Yoshiho nodded slightly, watching Todoroki as he and the others approached the group of her upperclassmen and the teachers Hitomi had been with just moments ago. "It was Todoroki's idea, though."
"Even so!" Hitomi held her fists up, wearing a proud smile. "You really made those kids happy. I know you don't like them very much, so I'm glad you were patient with them."
Yoshiho looked to the side, her eyebrows furrowing. "I almost lost my temper a few times though… but I'm working on it."
Hitomi let out a small laugh, before taking her backpack off and rummaging through it. "Hey, by the way…" She pulled out a small paper bag, holding it out to her friend. "I made you cookies. Well, I mean- technically, I had help… but I still contributed!"
Yoshiho stared at the pink and white stripes of the design, taking it from her quietly. "You didn't have to do that for me."
"I don't mind," Hitomi reassured her. "This is the first time I've seen you in person since the exam, so I figured I should bring a present… Though, it's mostly thanks to Sato that the cookies are really good…"
"…Shouto."
Hitomi fell silent, she and Yoshiho both looking over to see Endeavor had approached Todoroki. Though they were a small distance away, the Pro Hero's voice still carried enough that they were able to hear him.
"You've changed a lot," Endeavor said, raising his hand towards her classmate. Hitomi couldn't help the small twinge of concern in her chest at the action, but it quickly settled as Todoroki merely batted the man's hand away.
"…I don't want to hear it." His tone was just the slightest bit cross and Endeavor stared at his hand for a brief moment.
"Shouto," Endeavor began again, finally letting his hand fall to his side. "I'm proud of you, son. So I'll become… a hero you can be proud of, too."
Hitomi's eyes trailed to Endeavor's face, taking in the hero's expression.
"Proud that your father's the number one hero… the most powerful man."
Todoroki only looked away, rubbing the back of his neck with a small frown, yet Hitomi couldn't stop staring at Endeavor.
The look in his eyes seemed… different.
Not the same as the power-hungry, arrogant look she'd seen at the sports festival, or even the intimidating gaze he'd directed towards All Might just earlier that day…
His eyes seemed… softer. More humble.
In a way, it almost reminded her of…
Hitomi turned back to Yoshiho, silver eyes meeting dark blue.
Though their circumstances were nothing to be compared… Hitomi couldn't help but be reminded of her. She'd witnessed a similar change in the look in Yoshiho's eyes, too. One that previously held nothing but coldness and anger, that slowly shifted to sincerity. Openness. Maybe even a bit of warmth.
Upon realizing the way Yoshiho looked at her had changed compared to when they'd first locked eyes, thinking about the softness Yoshiho held in her gaze now, Hitomi couldn't help but smile.
If she was being truthful, she didn't want to say bye to Yoshiho just yet. Even though this was only the second time they'd really met… Hitomi already enjoyed seeing her in person rather than over the phone.
She scratched her cheek, glancing back at their teachers. "Do you think… you could come back to Musutafu with us, so we could hang out just a little bit longer? I could finally take you to Nari's workplace so you could meet her in person too…"
Yoshiho shook her head. "I don't think they'd allow that."
"Oh… yeah. You're right…" Hitomi's face unwillingly fell. "It was a silly thing to ask…"
Yoshiho noted the disappointed expression on Hitomi's face, looking away as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"...but I have a classmate with a Portal quirk, so if you give me the address, I could meet you up there."
"Really?" Hitomi's eyes lit up. "Would they be okay with that?"
Yoshiho nodded. "As long as she gets some treat or something in return, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
"You two!" Present Mic called, making Hitomi jump from his loud voice.
She turned around, seeing All Might and the Shiketsu teacher exchanging a bow, the others ready to leave.
"Time to get going, let's go!" Present Mic exclaimed, waving his fist around in a circle.
Hitomi and Yoshiho both made their way to the group, the bluenette readjusting her backpack.
"I'll text you the address later, okay?" Hitomi said, her hand over her mouth as she tried to be discreet. "I can't wait for you to finally meet Nari!"
Yoshiho nodded, wearing a small smile. "I'm looking forward to it."
A/N: Hitomi and Yoshiho's developing friendship takes a bit of a backseat to the romance because my pea brain can't help but hyperfixate on shipping, but I hope you guys like how things are going between them ^^ Even tho its been so long since I wrote all this stuff their relationship is very cute to me ahhhh ;-;