Operation "Rocket Horizontal Bungee to Make Kacchan and Peppermint Go Splat"—Failed.
I was utterly crushed by that reality, so I decided to go back to the waiting room and sulk. Ochaco was looking at me with concern, but I didn't have the words to respond. I was legit depressed. Failing even after trying your best really stings.
"Nico... I mean, yeah, they took the points, but we still passed in second place! Come on, cheer up. Ojiro and I aren't mad. Even Hatsume was happy, saying it was 'great publicity for her babies,' right?"
"I'm a sad little panda."
"…Nico, you aren't actually that depressed, are you?"
How rude. I was extremely depressed. I thought Ochaco, of all people, would understand my pain.
"Lunch break is going to end soon, you know? The stalls are going to be packed. If we're going to buy food, we have to go now—"
"Ochaco! Let's go buy yakisoba!!"
"Yep, there's the Nico I know."
As I was about to head out with Ochaco, Tsuyu called out to us. It turned out she was going to buy lunch too, so the three of us headed out to the festival stalls together.
"Still, you were amazing, Midoriya," Tsuyu said. "In that Cavalry Battle, didn't you have almost every headband except for Todoroki's and Bakugo's?"
"Mmm-pff-yea!"
"Midoriya, you don't have to force yourself to answer when your mouth is full," Tsuyu noted.
"Mmpff!"
"She's answering anyway... Good grief. Look, you've got a crumb right there! Honestly! You're a girl, you have to carry yourself better than this!" Ochaco scolded while wiping my face.
"Mmm-kay."
As the three of us walked along, chatting happily, we ran into a group from Class B. It was the "Copycat Jerk" I had pulverized earlier, along with his wacky team. Being the friendly person I am, I gave them a casual, "Yo," while still munching on my yakisoba.
For some reason, they looked absolutely terrified.
"It's Midoriya from Class A?! Why is she here?!"
"Does she really think she hasn't beaten us enough already?!"
"Monoma! You handle this!"
"Tsuburaba?! Wait! Don't push me—?!"
The Copycat Jerk, Monoma, was shoved to the front. He looked at my face, his cheek twitching. How incredibly rude. After taking a deep breath, he put on a condescending smirk and looked down his nose at me.
"Hmph. It's a disgrace that a savage who only understands the language of violence is enrolled in the Hero Course. I suppose I should be grateful we're in different classes. I can't imagine what UA was thinking when they admitted a student like you. It defies logic. —Oh, one more thing. We might have let you win this time, but don't think for a second that this is the extent of our—"
GACK—HACK?!
"MONOMA!!!" his teammates screamed.
He was insulting me, so I gave his throat a quick jab. Since he was the one picking a fight, I figured it was a fair response. That's usually how fights start, anyway.
Gulp.
I swallowed my yakisoba and scanned the others. None of them moved. Since the rest of the group didn't seem interested in a fight, and I had already defeated their "Boss," I declared myself the winner. I held out my palm, demanding my rightful spoils of war.
They just stared at me blankly.
"...Wha? Compensation fee. Pay up. Okay?"
"WE'RE LITERALLY BEING EXTORTED?!" they shrieked.
I asked for a fair reward and was rejected. I spent my precious time acting as their sparring partner; it's only natural they should pay. However, Ochaco and Tsuyu both patted me on the shoulder.
"That's a no-go, Nico," Ochaco said.
"Midoriya, you can't do that," Tsuyu added.
I guess I couldn't.
"—My god, they're actual angels...!" the Class B boys whispered, looking at my friends.
Excuse me? I'm right here. I'm sure they meant to include me in that "angel" category. Regardless, if my friends were stopping me, I had to behave. I decided to act like a normal high school girl and made a gentler suggestion.
"Fine. Just buy me lunch then."
"She's still determined to fleece us! Wake up, Monoma!"
"S-So scary! Girls are terrifying! Are the girls in our class like this too?!"
"Please, let me keep my delusions!!"
The Class B idiots were reacting like a group of slapstick comedians. Inspired by their theater, Monoma finally stood up. He was clutching his throat and muttering about how much it hurt. Wait, were his eyes watering? ...Nah, surely not. He looked fine. His eyes were a bit red, but whatever.
"————Ugh, I can't stand it. This is why I hate savages who don't use their words. A student of the prestigious Hero Course engaging in shakedowns? Unbelievable. Does the 'elite' Class A actually encourage this? I shudder to think what those two behind you are actually like under those 'cute' faces. Wait, actually... sorry, my mistake. Now that I look closer, you aren't even that special. One of you is just plain-looking and, well, a bit chubby all over. And the other is basically just a frog. Is she even a girl? She looks more like a female spec—"
"MONOMA?!" his team yelled, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
I felt a strange presence behind me and turned around. My two friends were standing there with smiles on their faces, giving me a thumbs-up.
"Nico... I think it's okay this time," Ochaco said.
"I was wrong to stop you, Midoriya," Tsuyu added.
The green light was given.
"Monoma, you idiot! You don't insult a girl's looks! And apologize to my Frog-chan! Apologize with everything you've got!!"
"You just tanked our own team! —Just die already!!"
"Pay her from your own wallet, you moron!!"
"Wait, why?! You guys were the ones who used me as a shield! You told me to say something! I did my best!!"
"YOU WENT TOO FAR!!"
"Then you say something! You try it!! That violent woman just attacks without warning! I'm scared too, okay?! I have to throw curveballs because if I throw a straight pitch, she'll punch me! Don't complain until you've felt that fear!!"
Good grief, these people are noisy. I didn't care about their drama; I just wanted them to hand over the goods. Hurry it up. Did they think fighting was free? It takes a lot of time and labor. Usually, you pay tuition or buy a treat as an apology. Kacchan does it every time.
Besides, getting to buy a treat for a cute girl should be the highlight of a high school boy's life. They should just accept the honor.
"Now, don't be shy. Buy me whatever you want—Hey! Don't run! You think you can escape my Quirk?! Get back here!!"
***
After some "back and forth," the three of us were walking back through the crowded stalls, carrying a mountain of food that the Class B group had "graciously" provided. We were currently munching on crepes that they had also "happily" bought for us.
Near the temporary cafeteria, we spotted Yaomomo and the rest of the Class A girls.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Ah, Midoriya! Perfect timing!"
According to the girls, the Mummy-teacher (Aizawa) had supposedly sent word that all the girls had to do a cheerleading performance in the afternoon.
...In cheerleader outfits.
I'll say it twice because it's important: In cheerleader outfits.
Seriously? They were currently discussing how to make the costumes.
"I think I'm gonna ditch..."
"You aren't going anywhere, Midoriya!" Yaomomo said, grabbing my right arm.
"No way we're the only ones doing this!" Jiro added, grabbing my left.
"Nico, you aren't escaping," Ochaco said, blocking my path while posing like a menacing bear.
"Let's do our best, Midoriya," Tsuyu said.
"Haha, well, let's just go with it," Ashido cheered.
"Let's do this!" Hagakure added, patting my shoulder.
"Ugh..."
Conclusion: I couldn't escape.
"Yo, Side-Pony."
"Ah, the Class A girl... Midoriya, right? What are you doing?"
While I was being measured, I saw a familiar side-pony (Kendo) walking by and called out to her. I was curious why she wasn't changing if we were all doing a cheer battle.
"Aren't you doing the cheerleading thing? The girls' battle? Is Class B not doing it?"
"...Wait, what? A cheer battle? In cheerleader outfits?! What?! I haven't heard anything about that! Really?!"
Well, I didn't actually know. I assumed it was true, but who knows? I wasn't the one who heard it directly.
"Momo, is it for real?"
"Yes, I was told it was a message from Aizawa-sensei. He does enjoy his 'rational deceptions,' but he isn't the type to tell pointless lies for an event like this..."
"See?" I told Kendo.
"Seriously? Man, that's a pain. I saw Vlad King-sensei a bit ago and he didn't say anything... maybe he forgot? Besides, we can't exactly get costumes ready now—calling everyone, getting them together, changing... there's no time."
As the Side-Pony girl agonized over it, Yaomomo spoke up.
"If time is the issue, I shall make them for you. I have the designs in my head, so if you give me your sizes, I can replicate them instantly."
"Are you sure? I mean, technically we're enemies today... and doesn't your Creation Quirk have a 'cost' to use?"
"Of course. But we are all fellow students aiming to be heroes in the same school. Isn't it only natural to help each other when in need?"
"I... yeah, you're right. Sorry, I was being a bit prickly. I'll go get everyone's sizes now. Can I count on you?"
"Certainly! Leave it to me!"
And so, Yaomomo took on the task of creating Class B's cheerleader outfits, churning them out with what was likely her record speed and highest quality. She even color-coded them—red for A, blue for B—and varied the designs. She was in top form. I could tell she was just happy to be relied on. Look at her face. She was so motivated. Good for you, Momo.
I definitely wasn't thinking, If only she hadn't been fast enough, I wouldn't have to wear this. Not even a little bit. Ufufu.
The Class B girls gathered, and everyone took turns heading into the changing rooms. When they emerged, the hallway was a sea of cheerleaders. A total cheerleader-fest.
How can they all wear this without feeling embarrassed? was my honest thought. Of course, I was wearing one too.
"Jeez, look how short this skirt is. You can basically see everything. This is a foul. I didn't even put on safety shorts today; what am I supposed to do?"
When I voiced my concern, Yaomomo handed me a pair of safety shorts she'd already made. This is one "kindness" I really could have done without.
...What? No, I'm wearing them. I'm wearing them, okay?
Sigh.
Now that I think about it, I haven't seen Kacchan. I wonder where he went. I was planning on making him buy me something. Well, I found a replacement, so I guess it's fine.
Hmph.
***
"Do you still think I'm wrong...?"
Todoroki had just finished explaining why he refused to use his left side. Bakugo let out a grunt, his brow furrowed in irritation. I could imagine what he was thinking: Why the hell are you telling me this?
"Listen, half-baked loser—"
"Sorry, Bakugo. I didn't say it because I wanted your opinion. I just... wanted someone to hear it. I don't need an answer. I just wanted you to know that I'm serious too..."
Todoroki had made up his mind a long time ago. He just needed to say it out loud. He needed someone to know.
"I know you won't like it, but I'm going to win using only my right side. Like I said, it's not because I'm looking down on you."
"THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT 'LOOKING DOWN ON ME' MEANS, DAMMIT!!"
"I'm not. This is all I have. It's the only way I can repay my mother, who wept because she thought this side of me was hideous. It's the only way I can reject everything that damn old man built. This is the only way. Even if it seems pointless to you... to me, it's everything."
Todoroki looked Bakugo in the eye.
"So, let me say this one thing. Someday, I'll surpass that old man and All Might using only my right, and I'll become the Number One Hero. I can't afford to stumble here."
"————I'm going to beat you too, Bakugo."
I can't be like you, Todoroki thought. I can't be like Midoriya. I can't become something that dazzling. I'm not allowed to. I don't have the right anymore...
So, at the very least, I'm going to win. No matter what it takes.
***
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