Here we go with the next chapter that I actually meant to publish on Sunday but didn't get a chance to do so, cuz of work and a few changes I wanted to make anyways. So here here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: My Hero Academia doesn't belong to me.


Chapter 6: Bare

At Momo's request Iida and Shōto had stayed for brunch, it was her way of thanking them for being there for her after what had happened that morning.

Ending off with a cup of tea and idle chatter on the balcony, it wasn't too long after that Iida had to excuse himself. It was just Momo and Shōto enjoyng the warm spring air.

Momo got up and began gathering the dishes to take inside but winced when she put too much pressure on her foot.

"Are you alright?" Shōto asked in concern.

"I might have used too much force when I kicked the door open when I was at the store. I was fine until we got back but now my ankle's hurting more. It's not that bad though, I'll be fine." she tried to reassure him but she couldn't hide the pain on her face.

"I think you should sit down, I'll take everything inside." Shōto took the plates from her hands and headed to the kitchen.

"I should be fine if I take it easy for the rest of the day." she commented as Shōto returned and sat back in his seat.

"Which is why I'll be staying here for a while longer."

"Shōto, I promise it's not that bad—

She was immediately cut off by a freezing cold sensation on her sore foot. And yet she'd never felt hotter because Shōto was resting her leg on his lap.

"W-When did you get an ice pack?" she stammered, trying to hide her blushing face.

"I didn't." It was then that Momo realised that Shōto was using his right hand to cool her ankle. And when had he moved closer?

"Are you sure this is okay? I do have regular ice packs in freezer." she was glad in that moment that his focus was on her ankle so he couldn't see how flustered she was.

"It's easier this way… unless you're uncomfortable?" his hand slowed and he looked up to meet her eyes. The last thing he wanted was to her make her feel awkward because of him.

"No, no I like this, you just caught me off guard is all." she watched as his hands moved gently over her ankle, only applying the necessary pressure. He was gentle yet firm. As they sat in comfortable silence and Momo watched him, a small smile broke out on her face. He was always ready to help without having to be asked and even though she hadn't thought of asking, it felt good to know that he wanted to take care of her.

"Just let me know if you're getting too cold."

"I've never had an ice pack be so considerate, or give me a foot massage." Momo joked

"You've clearly been using the wrong ones then. If you used the 'Shōto Package' more often, you wouldn't have this problem." he teased, with a smug smile on his face.

"Have to ask then, this 'Shōto Package', does it include all of you or just your hands?" she rested her elbow on the table and leaned in, a cheeky smile on her face. Their conversation was headed in a different direction but neither of them seemed to mind the very obvious flirting they were doing.

"Depends..." he stopped what he was doing and rested his hand on her leg.

"On…?" the way his hand rested so comfortably on her made her wish they'd gotten this close sooner.

"On how you want me to make you feel." His smirk got bigger as he felt the goosebumps on her skin.

Oh.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"I think holding my leg hostage has given you way too much power." she chuckled, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Power you let me have." he slowly resumed rubbing her ankle.

Before Momo could respond, both of their phones chimed at the same time. Whatever spell they were under, was broken and they were brought back to reality.

Momo checked her phone first and removed her leg from Shōto's lap while he went inside to wash her hands. While she had all her social media accounts muted, her email was still in tact.

She assumed it would be work related stuff or information from Manami, but that wasn't the case. Momo was surprised to see that it was from the Commission, and it was far from good news.

It was a summons, or specifically, the Commission Board was summoning her for a hearing regarding this whole Tasuke incident. But since everyone knew that Tasuke's father was the head of the Commission, Momo knew exactly what this was.

"Looks like Tasuke's responded to my message already." Momo sighed and put her phone down as Shōto came back and sat down. He opened his phone and checked the email he'd been cc'd in.

Subject: Official Hearing for Everything Hero: Creati

Good day, Creati,

In light of recent events regarding the online viral video that has left many members of the public outraged and taking measures into their own hands in retaliation, the Hero Public Safety Commission has no choice but to respond to the outcry of the public. The safety of the citizens as well as our heroes is paramount to the organisation.

As such a hearing to discuss a way forward as well potential consequences to your part to play in the matter will also be reviewed. This coming Saturday at 08:00 you are to report to the Hero Public Safety Commission Headquarters where the board will review your case. As is the mandate, the top three pro-heroes are also required to attend.

As per hearing procedures, you are allowed to bring two people of your choosing.

For further information or clarity, please do not hesitate to contact the support desk.

Kind regards,

Kotoha Saito

Hero Public Safety Commission HR Manager

There were a number of thoughts rushing through Shōto's mind, he could wonder what Momo was thinking right now. If the pressure of everything was getting to her, she hid it very well. Her face was serious yet calm, but a common fact of life was that everything and everyone had a limit. Even if she didn't reach it today, Momo would reach hers soon enough, and definitely before Tasuke's quirk could ware off.

"This is ridiculous, now he's got his father and The Commission involved."

"They couldn't stay out of it forever, not with the public going on the way it is. Even if his father wasn't the head, The Commission would've had to address this."

"But since his father is the head, this is nothing more than…

"A display of power. He wants to show that he's still in charge of this narrative. And since the Commission oversees all hero duties, I can't exactly decline. It's basically guaranteed that he'll be there."

"You think they'll use this morning's incident against you."

"Undoubtedly." she sighed, "Speaking of which, I never did give you the full story of what happened before you came to get me."

"You don't have to say if you don't want to."

"Thanks but, if you don't hear it from me now, you'll definitely hear it on Saturday. I wouldn't be surprised if the two offenders were questioned before being sent to the police." Momo sat up straight and cleared her throat, then told him the whole story from when she left her apartment in her disguise, right up until she called out Tasuke on air. Shōto was genuinely speechless at the end of her story but the unmistakable anger and contempt he felt for Tasuke was there as usual.

"And that's just the tip of the iceberg of horrendous crimes going on ever since Tasuke's video went out." she looked out towards the city, "I just want all of this to be over."

Xxx

Shōto had left later that afternoon which left Momo, once again, alone with her thoughts, and with all the opinions about her swirling around online, her head was far from clear. She was sitting on her bed, hair still damp from her shower, going through her gallery analysing every picture of herself, trying to spot her own imperfections so that she didn't have to listen to other people point them out to her.

Her attention was most focused on images of herself in her hero outfits, more specifically all the different versions of her summer and winter outfits. While she enjoyed seeing her hero costumes change over the years and the designs get more complex and comfortable, thanks in large part to Melissa and Hatsume, she couldn't help noticing how her body had changed as well. Momo knew she was just extra sensitive right now because of what was currently being said about her, but she couldn't help the nitpicking.

The first image she looked at had been taken the first time she tried on her new hero suit during her final year at U.A. She didn't like how her body looked in that picture and the more she scrolled, the more that thought stayed with her. Didn't she have any pictures where she looked good?

Although perfection was unattainable, she always tried to be as close to it as possible, even to her detriment. It was the only way she knew how to be, growing up with a father as demanding and strict as hers was… and still is.

Is this how I always look in my photos?

The curve of her hips, her chest, her thighs, Momo couldn't stop finding fault with all of them. And when she looked up from her phone and saw her reflection in the mirror, she couldn't help but try to cover herself before falling back against the pillows. She remembered some of harsh online comments: "Is she trying to be a hero or a sex icon?

"She should stick to magazine covers and fragrance ads, she'd make one hell of a pin-up girl."

Was that true?

Was she unintentionally sending the wrong message to girls and woman? Even though she'd long since abandoned the style of her original costume.

How did her friends see her?

How did Iida see her?

How did Shōto see her?

"No I can't think like that." she ran her hands through her hair and shut her eyes, wishing all these horrible thoughts would just disappear. But no matter how hard she tried to reassure herself, she could feel tears building up in her eyes.

She reached for her phone again and went to her contacts list, there was one person she needed to talk to, who was always there for her. Before she pressed dial however, Momo let out a deep sigh and remembered why she couldn't call all this time. Long term infiltration missions demanded radio silence.

Xxx

It was early evening when a knock at her front door brought her out of her thoughts. She got up and left her room. She wasn't expecting anyone so who could possibly…

"It's been a while, Momo." waiting in the hallway with the happiest smile was Momo's best friend.

"Kyōka!" Momo beamed and couldn't pull her into a hug fast enough.

"Woah, didn't realise you missed me so much." both girls laughed. "Three months isn't that long is it?"

"It's long enough, now hurry inside. I want to hear everything! Did the mission go well? I thought you were only coming back at the end of the month." she kept her arm around Kyōka as they headed inside.

"Yeah we wrapped up everything last night, flew back this morning. The news should be reporting about it soon enough." she plopped down on the couch and let out a heavy sigh, "Undercover missions are exhausting, I need a break." Kyōka complained.

"When there's another hero with absolutely accurate hearing from long distances for recording illegal deals with politicians and weapons dealers, amongst other talents, then you can retire. Until then you're our nations top recon hero."

"Sheesh, you make me sound so important." she playfully hit Momo with a pillow and chuckled.

"You are important."

"Okay enough about me, bring me up to speed. What's happened since I was gone?"

Momo didn't quite know where to start, but she knew where she'd finish. She told her best friend all the news and events she'd missed out on and updates on their friends' lives.

"No way! Melissa's engaged, that's incredible." Kyōka said excitedly, "Maybe I have been gone a while."

"There is one other thing..." Momo's expression turned serious. Kyōka sat up straighter when she saw her friend's demeanour change. "Saturday morning, I've got a hearing with The Commission."

"A hearing? Why?"

Momo told her the whole story about Tasuke, when it began that night and what it had spiralled into now.

"So this loser has everyone thinking you've been leading him on because of his quirk?" she looked up from her phone, Momo had shown her a repost of Tasuke's video.

"Not everyone exactly but a lot. Some are just opportunists who've been waiting for something like this to bring me down."

"Ugh, I saw some crap online about some people wanting all the women out of the top ten. I had no idea it was related this guys bs story."

"Now you're all caught up." Momo said with a sad smile.

"Can I burst his eardrums, he'd never see or hear me coming?" Kyōka joked, making Momo smile.

"I appreciate the offer but rather not. I would love it if you came with me on Saturday. I'm allowed to bring two friends."

"Of course, I'm always here for you."

Xxx

Kyōka had stayed over for dinner, the best friends had wonderful time catching up. Around 20:00 the two heroes said their goodbyes, Kyōka needed the rest after being away for such a long mission.

Momo was getting ready for bed, her mood immeasurably higher since Kyōka's visit and the little flirting that she and Shōto did. She'd done a good job of hiding her tears from her best friend, and now that she was back, Momo started to feel hopeful for the first time in a while. Sure Tasuke had his plans to bring her down but she had incredible friends on her side. I can do this, she thought to herself.

Just as she was about to get in the blankets, her phone started ringing.

Not again!

What was it with people always calling her at night?

But whatever irritation she felt was immediately replaced with anxiety when she saw the caller ID. It was her father calling, and she could only guess why he'd be calling now. It definitely had to do with Saturday's hearing. The immediate family was always made aware of the situation whenever a hearing was organised by The Commission.

Momo took a deep breath and answered the call.

"Father..."

"I hope you can explain yourself." Hiroshi's authoritative voice stung her on the other end of the line. "This is unbecoming of someone from our family. A hearing is disgraceful. Do you not understand how this will make the rest of us look?"

"So you believe everything that's being said about me?" she didn't want it to be true but she also wouldn't be surprised if he did. "When you haven't even heard my side of the story?"

"Don't put words in my mouth. I'm giving you a chance to make me understand." his words were sharp, "I'm free on Saturday afternoon, you will come home and explain all of this."

"But father—

"This isn't up for discussion, Momo. We need to do damage control and fix this before it can get any worse. I thought I could leave you to handle this on your own but after only a single week, you let a mess of this magnitude erupt?"

"What's the point of trying to explain anything when you've already decided this is all my fault? Can't you ever just trust me?" her voice trembled.

"I was wrong to think I could this time."

Before Momo could get another word in, her father hung up. She stared at her screen for a few seconds, her father's number staring right back at her. So much for holding her tears back. Momo silently cried herself to sleep that night, dreading Saturday's approach even more.

Whatever he was going to say to her this weekend was not going to be easy to her, especially since she'd been hearing how imperfect she was her whole life.


What a sad ending, right? And things will literally keep going south. Like it's great that Kyōka is here but then Momo's father is just being the worst. But stay tuned for more, and thanks to everyone who's been reading!

Well that's it from me-

Until the next chapter:

Ketsui Tasogare :-)