As the final bell rang, Momo Yaoyorozu packed her neatly organized books into her bag, ready to head home. The classroom was abuzz with chatter, and Momo's attention was drawn to a group of her female classmates gathered around a desk, their giggles and animated voices piquing her curiosity. Intrigued, Momo approached quietly, her refined manners prompting her not to interrupt. She caught a glimpse of what had everyone so engrossed—several glossy, shattered photos of a young man in a cap, smiling confidently with a small, yellow Pokémon by his side.

Momo's eyes widened slightly in recognition, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks. She had recently watched Ash Ketchum's monumental battle against Leon during her spare time, a match that left a strong impression on her. It was rare for her to indulge in something so casual, but the strategic brilliance and sheer determination Ash displayed had captivated her.

As she stood there, the giggling girls noticed her presence. Mina Ashido grinned widely and waved Momo over. "Hey, Yaoyorozu! Come check this out. Isn't he just so cool? And kinda cute too?"

Momo tilted her head slightly, trying to maintain her composure despite the lingering blush on her face. "Oh, um… Ash Ketchum, isn't it? From the Pokémon battles?"

"Yup! That's him," Mina confirmed enthusiastically. "I mean, did you see that match against Leon? The way he fought was just… wow! Even Jirou was into it, and she usually rolls her eyes at this stuff."

Kyoka Jirou crossed her arms, trying to look indifferent but failing miserably as a light blush betrayed her. "It's not about the Pokémon battles or anything. It's just… his determination, okay? He's got that hero vibe. Kind of like Deku, but, you know, less awkward."

Mina elbowed Jirou playfully. "Admit it. You're crushing too."

"I am not!" Jirou shot back, her blush deepening as the others laughed.

Momo, meanwhile, was caught between amusement and mild embarrassment. She cleared her throat softly. "Well, I must admit, his strategic mind during that battle was impressive. He's certainly someone who embodies perseverance."

Ochaco Uraraka, who had been quietly admiring one of the photos, chimed in, "He really does! And he seems so kind too. I bet he'd be a great friend."

"But seriously, Momo," Mina said with a mischievous grin, "you've gotta admit, he's your type, right? All serious and smart but with that spark of passion."

Momo's cheeks turned crimson as she stammered, "I-I'm not sure what you mean by that! I was merely… admiring his tactical skills."

The group erupted into laughter, with Mina teasing, "Sure, tactical skills. That's what we're calling it now."

As Momo tried to regain her composure, she couldn't help but smile slightly. She wasn't sure how to feel about Ash suddenly becoming a hot topic among her classmates, but she had to admit—there was something inspiring about him that seemed to resonate with all of them. As the laughter from the girls' corner continued, the commotion inevitably drew the attention of some of their male classmates. Bakugo scoffed from his seat, clearly uninterested, but Kaminari and Kirishima sauntered over with their usual grins, curious about the noise.

"What's all the fuss about?" Kaminari asked, leaning over Mina's shoulder to get a look at the photos. "Oh, is that the guy who beat Leon? Ash Ketchum, right? Man, that match was insane. Even I watched it."

Kirishima nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! That guy's got serious guts. Totally manly energy. And he's, like, a strategist too, right? Reminds me of you, Yaoyorozu."

Momo, who had been quietly trying to fade into the background, immediately stiffened. "E-excuse me?" she managed, her voice an octave higher than usual.

"Yeah," Kaminari added, catching on with a sly grin. "You know, smart, classy, totally driven. He's like your male counterpart or something. You two would make a great team!"

"Or a great couple," Mina interjected, her voice dripping with teasing glee.

Momo's face turned a deep crimson as she stammered, "That's preposterous! I-I barely know anything about him beyond his battle strategies. Comparing us like that is completely unfounded!"

Her vehement denial only fueled the teasing. Mina and Jirou exchanged knowing looks while Ochaco giggled softly, clearly enjoying Momo's flustered reaction. Even Kirishima, who usually tried to stay neutral, chuckled nervously at Momo's rare display of uncharacteristic awkwardness.

"Oh, come on, Momo," Mina teased, leaning closer. "You're so red you look like you could give Todoroki's flames a run for their money!"

"I—!" Momo sputtered, at a loss for words as her classmates laughed.

Todoroki, who had been quietly observing from across the room, finally spoke up. "If he's anything like Momo, he must be very impressive. That doesn't seem like a bad comparison."

This only made things worse for Momo, who covered her face with both hands in a rare show of exasperation. "Please, can we change the subject?"

The teasing continued as Mina leaned toward Kaminari and whispered loud enough for Momo to hear, "Looks like we hit a nerve."

"I can hear you guys! I'm standing right here!"

To be continued...