It was another ordinary Saturday morning for Deku as he sat in his dorms, looking through his notes on hero analysis. While he'd pretty much memorized the contents of those Kokuyo Campus notebooks, he figured that doing a read-through every now and then couldn't hurt. Perhaps his favorite part of reading through these was reading about the Quirks of his fellow Class 1-A students, excitedly wondering what other super moves they'd develop by training with their Quirks. Out of all of them, he was having trouble deciding who had the bet Quirk, but if he had to choose, he thought that Kacchan, Todoroki, Iida, Uraraka, Kirishima, Tokoyami, Ashido and Hagakure were top contenders. Then, while mulling over his friends' Quirks, he heard knocking on his door.
"Coming!"
Deku put down the notebook he was reading and went to the door. Sure enough, Todoroki was there.
"Hey Shoko!"
"Hey Deku!"
Deku and Todoroki gave each other a big hug and kiss.
"So, what brings you over here?"
"I'm hosting a foreign film festival in my dorm. Are you interested in joining me?"
Deku gave a thumbs up. "Definitely! Just one question…"
"Yes?"
"Do I have to bring popcorn or any other treats?"
"I have already bought an ample supply of popcorn, and I have a mini refrigerator with plenty of drinks. You are, however, welcome to bring another item of food or drink if you so desire.
Deku nodded. "OK then. Who else is showing up?"
"Only Uraraka and Asui have shown any desire to participate."
Deku shrugged. "Still, it sounds like fun! Let's go!"
Deku and Todoroki headed to the latter's dorm, where Uraraka and Tsu were waiting for them, along with somebody whom Todoroki hadn't expected, but was glad to see, nevertheless…
"Hey girlfriend!"
Todoroki gasped. "YAOYOROZU! Glad you could join us!"
Once again, Todoroki gave Yaoyorozu a big hug in addition to "la bise". Uraraka and Tsu smiled when they saw this.
"Wow Todoroki, you've grown so enthusiastic since you came out!" said Uraraka.
"Yeah, I only wish Uraraka and I had what you two have, ribbit," said Tsu.
Uraraka giggled and ruffled Tsu's hair. "Hey, you'll always be my best friend, Tsu!"
Tsu let out another "ribbit."
"Pardon me, is the guest list completely occupied or do you have space for one more?"
Everyone turned to see who'd addressed them: Fumikage Tokoyami.
"Ah, hello Tokoyami!" Todoroki waved at Tokoyami. "Yes, there should be enough space in my dorm for you, though it may be slightly cramped."
"That makes little difference to me. As a connoisseur of cinema, I couldn't pass up this opportunity."
Deku smiled. "I'm looking forward to it, too!"
"Then let's go!"
Todoroki led her guests into her dorm, where there were seating mats and chairs set up, plus a few large bags of movie theater-grade butter popcorn and a pile of DVDs/Blu-rays next to her TV. Tokoyami, Uraraka and Tsu ended up sitting in the front row, while Deku, Todoroki and Yaoyorozu sat in back.
"So, does anyone have any preferences for what we watch first?" asked Todoroki.
"Not really," said Deku.
"I will be content with whatever you choose," said Tokoyami.
"Same here," said Uraraka. "I haven't watched a lot of foreign films, so I'm excited to see what you've got, Todoroki."
"Very well, then."
For the first movie, Todoroki popped in The Fugitive. Everybody seemed to be engrossed as they watched Harrison Ford's Richard Kimble desperately prove his innocence while being pursued by Tommy Lee Jones' Sam Gerard. When it came to the language selection, Todoroki insisted on watching the movies in their original language with Japanese subtitles…not that anybody couldn't understand English. By the time the movie was over, everybody was clapping.
"That was very well-done," said Tokoyami."
"I agree," said Uraraka. "I'd like to watch something a little less violent for a change, though."
"I can do that."
Next, Todoroki put in Encanto. This one proved to be a hit too as everybody not only got wrapped up in Mirabel's quest to save her family's magic, but also discovered exactly why nobody talked about Bruno. Overall, the films that Todoroki picked ranged from the popular to the obscure, the classics to the modern, the family-friendly to the brutal, including Mary Poppins, First Blood and The Laughing Policeman. Occasionally, they would take breaks to eat food other than popcorn. By the time Power Play wrapped up, it was clear how everybody felt about the fun:
"Todoroki, this was fun!" said Yaoyorozu. "Why were you laughing at some of these movies, though?"
Todoroki rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah…I have a habit of whenever the bad guys get killed in violent movies. Sorry!"
"Honestly, you're weird sometimes, Shoko," said Deku.
"But you still love me, right?"
"Of course!"
"Well, I liked this, but I gotta go." Uraraka yawned.
Tsu yawned as well. "Ribbit…"
"I am in accord with everyone else," said Tokoyami. "As much as I enjoy foreign cinema, I must also get rest. Have a good night, Shoko Todoroki."
Todoroki smiled. "You too, Fumikage Tokoyami! Have a good night, everyone!"
Everyone got up and left…that is, except someone…
"Tokoyami, what are you still doing here?" asked Todoroki.
"Todoroki, I wanted to give you my thanks for having the courage to reveal that you were really a girl. That act was far more daring than any heroic deed than I have read about or witnessed, and it gives me hope that one day, people can exist in a society where people love one another regardless of immutable sex characteristics."
"Awww…you're welcome! That's so sweet of you!"
Tokoyami blushed. "Right. See you tomorrow, Midoriya and Todoroki."
"Bye!" said Deku and Todoroki.
Tokoyami headed back to their dorm.
"You know, the more my classmates tell me about how courageous I am, the more I like not only them, but myself as well."
Deku put a hand on Todoroki's shoulder. "You should! I feel like everyone's better off now that you've gotten a more positive outlook on life!"
"You really think so?"
Deku nodded. "Really!"
Todoroki smiled. "Deku…"
Todoroki gave Deku another hug and kiss. As always, he was greatly looking forward to other opportunities to hang out with her, and he relished the fact that she was more open to hanging out with everyone else.
Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.
