Momo huffed, her cheeks still flushed from the relentless teasing of her classmates. The room was alive with chatter, but her attention was drawn to Ochako Uraraka, who was quietly slipping out the door.

"Hmm… where's she sneaking off to?" Momo wondered aloud, brushing past her classmates. Excusing herself, she stepped into the hallway and followed Ochako from a distance, curiosity piqued.

Ochako reached her locker, glancing around nervously before opening it. Momo paused around the corner, peeking as Ochako pulled the door open to reveal a meticulously arranged display. Pictures of Ash Ketchum, his triumphant pose after the World Coronation Series win, and even a photo of him with Pikachu adorned the inside. A small Pikachu keychain dangled from a hook, and a sticky note with Ash's quote, "No matter how tough it gets, never give up!" was neatly placed in the center.

Momo's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait! You like Ash too?" she blurted out, stepping into view.

Ochako jumped with a startled squeak, slamming her locker shut so fast it rattled. Her face turned bright red as she spun around to face Momo. "M-Momo! What are you doing here?!"

Momo tilted her head, arms crossed, with a mixture of curiosity and faint disapproval on her face. "I was just curious why you left so suddenly. But… this," she gestured at the closed locker, "I didn't expect. You like Ash Ketchum?"

Ochako stammered, struggling to find her words. "I-I mean, I just admire him! That's all!" she said, waving her hands frantically.

Momo raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Because that locker looked more like a shrine to me." Her tone was teasing but not unkind.

Ochako sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumping. "Okay, fine. Yes, I like him. So what?"

Momo frowned slightly, her voice softening. "I thought you always liked Midoriya. Did something change?"

Ochako glanced at the floor, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her uniform. "I do like Deku," she admitted quietly. "But… it's like he's so focused on becoming the number one hero and catching up to All Might that he doesn't even notice how I feel. It's… frustrating sometimes."

Momo nodded in understanding, her gaze steady. "I can see how that would be hard. So, Ash?"

Ochako's face lit up as she spoke, her frustration giving way to admiration. "Ash is… different. He doesn't just battle to win; he battles to inspire. He makes everyone feel important, no matter who they are. He's so kind and selfless, and… he'd probably notice the little things about someone like me."

Momo listened, her expression softening further. "That does sound like Ash. He's a remarkable person."

Ochako blinked, her cheeks coloring again. "Wait… you think so too? Do you—" Her eyes widened as she gasped. "You like him too, don't you?"

Momo's face turned pink, and she looked away, clearing her throat. "That's not the point right now," she said quickly, attempting to change the subject. "The point is, there's nothing wrong with how you feel. Ash has inspired so many people, including us. It's okay to admire him."

Ochako smiled shyly. "Thanks, Momo. That really means a lot."

Before their moment of camaraderie could continue, the door to the hallway burst open, and Mina's voice rang out. "Hey, what are you two talking about out here? Wait—" Her eyes darted to Ochako's locker and widened. "Do I see pictures of Ash Ketchum?!"

Ochako groaned, covering her face in embarrassment. Momo sighed, rubbing her temples. "Here we go again…"

Momo acted quickly, stepping between Ochako and the approaching students, her composure returning as she attempted to deflect their curiosity. "No, it's, um… research!" she declared, her voice a little too loud and her expression overly confident.

The group of students halted, looking at her skeptically. "Research?" Mina repeated, crossing her arms with a raised brow. "Really, Momo? That's the best you've got?"

Momo's face flushed slightly, but she held her ground. "Yes, really! It's research for one of our assignments. To, uh… pick someone who would make a great Hero one day. And I was helping Ochako with that research. Isn't that right, Ochako?"

She turned to Ochako, who was still red-faced and flustered. Ochako blinked, catching on to the impromptu excuse, and nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah! That's right! Research! Momo was helping me analyze Ash's traits and achievements to see how they could translate into heroism."

Mina narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "Uh-huh. And what kind of hero research involves a shrine in your locker?"

Ochako winced, but Momo jumped in again. "It's not a shrine! It's a visual study board. You know, to gather inspiration. A lot of Ash's qualities—like his determination, courage, and how he values teamwork—are exactly what makes a great hero. We thought a visual aid would help."

Denki scratched his head, looking between them. "Okay, but why Ash Ketchum? I mean, the guy's a Pokémon Trainer, not a Pro Hero."

Momo crossed her arms, leaning into her role. "That's precisely why he's an interesting subject for this research. Even though he's not a traditional hero, his actions embody heroic values. He's helped countless people and Pokémon, faced overwhelming odds, and inspired those around him. Isn't that what being a hero is all about?"

The students murmured among themselves, some nodding in agreement while others still seemed unconvinced. Mina finally shrugged. "I guess that makes sense. Still, you could've just said that instead of acting all weird about it."

"Yeah, totally normal!" Denki added with a grin. "Not weird at all."

Momo exhaled in relief, while Ochako gave her a small, grateful smile. As the students began to disperse, Mina shot them one last teasing look. "Still, if I find out you're hiding some secret crush, I'll get it out of you eventually."

Ochako groaned softly, and Momo patted her shoulder. "Crisis averted. For now," Momo whispered with a small smile, earning a weak chuckle from Ochako.

As the crowd dispersed, Momo and Ochako walked down the hallway together, the tension finally easing between them. The two girls fell into an easy stride, though a lingering blush colored Ochako's cheeks.

"Thanks for covering for me back there," Ochako said softly, glancing sideways at Momo. "I'm not great at handling those kinds of situations."

Momo gave a reassuring smile. "It's no trouble. I just wish I'd come up with a better excuse. 'Research,' really?" She chuckled lightly.

Ochako giggled, her mood lifting. "Hey, it worked, didn't it? For now, at least."

They walked in companionable silence for a moment before Momo broke it. "So… Ash, huh?" Her tone was light, but her expression was curious.

Ochako flushed again, looking at her feet. "Yeah… He's just really inspiring, you know? The way he never gives up, how he's always so kind to everyone, and how he treats Pokémon like family… It's hard not to admire him."

Momo nodded, smiling thoughtfully. "I understand. I've been impressed by his determination and courage, too. Watching him take on Leon in the Master Eight tournament was… well, it was incredible."

Ochako glanced at her with a sly grin. "You sound like you're a fan yourself."

Momo's cheeks pinked slightly, but she raised an eyebrow in mock defiance. "I might be. But it sounds like you're a bigger fan if you've dedicated a whole shrine—sorry, 'visual study board'—to him."

Ochako pouted playfully. "Oh, come on, Momo. Don't start with me after saving me back there."

Momo laughed, her usually composed demeanor giving way to a rare moment of teasing. "Alright, alright. But let's settle one thing: If by some wild twist of fate, Ash ended up here, who do you think he'd pick? You or me?"

Ochako stopped in her tracks, blinking at the question. "Wait, what?"

Momo folded her arms with a mischievous smile. "You heard me. Hypothetically, if Ash were to choose between us, who do you think he'd prefer?"

Ochako puffed her cheeks indignantly. "Obviously me! I'm fun, energetic, and not as intimidating as you can be sometimes."

Momo gasped in mock offense. "Intimidating? I'll have you know that I am approachable and understanding. Besides, I'm sure Ash would appreciate someone who can keep him grounded and offer strategic insights."

They both stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter, their playful rivalry easing the awkwardness from earlier.

"Well, if nothing else," Ochako said with a grin, "we can agree that Ash is someone worth admiring."

Momo smiled warmly. "Absolutely."