Thanks to our resident Peppermint—Todoroki—releasing that massive glacier, the entire stadium had turned freezing cold. Everyone who had dressed light for the sunny weather was currently making a mad dash for the concession stands in search of something warm.
I wanted to do the same, but I couldn't.
For someone like me, who had been leisurely sipping a bone-chillingly cold drink, that sudden wave of frost was a direct hit to the vitals. My stomach wasn't just "upset"—it had gone into a full-scale vertical dive into the abyss.
I am definitely punching that Peppermint kid later.
Clutching my growling stomach and fueled by my growing hatred for Todoroki, I hurried off to "pick some flowers" (use the restroom).
***
"Phew... what a successful harvest."
Feeling much lighter in every sense of the word, I stepped out of the restroom, only to be met by a flaming, muscle-bound giant emerging from the men's room next door.
I knew it. This guy was a total creep.
"━━━Hm?"
The flaming giant noticed me. He gave me a suspicious, judgmental look. It was a disgusting gaze.
I decided to take the most logical course of action when encountering a pervert. In situations like this, the procedure is clear. I quickly whipped out my phone, pulled up my contacts, and clicked the name at the top.
"━━━Ah, Mummy-teacher?"
『...Sigh. What is it, Midoriya? Is it more trouble?』
I looked the flaming giant up and down, from the top of his head to the tips of his boots, and reported my findings to Aizawa as accurately as possible.
"I've never seen a person this weird in my life, so it's hard to explain, but..."
『I don't follow, but if it's dangerous, leave the area immediately.』
"He's a muscle-bound creep in a black bodysuit who's literally on fire. I think he's an arsonist."
『...Stop calling me and run, you idiot. Where are you? I'll send a hero to your location right now.』
"Hey, girl. Stop that dangerous conversation this instant. I am a hero."
The giant actually claimed to be a hero. Oh, come on. Are you kidding me? You're a guy in a black bodysuit who's actively on fire. If you aren't a pervert, what else could you possibly be?
While I was trying to figure out the creep's next move, he caught me off guard and snatched my phone. Even though I was in the middle of a call! The nerve! This guy has zero manners!!
"To whoever is on the other end. I don't know who you are, but you should recognize my voice. It's Endeavor. Stop this foolishness."
『Endeavor? The Flame Hero? I'm sorry, but we aren't stupid enough to just take your word for it. Can you provide some proof?』
"Hmph. Then send someone to the VIP restroom area, A-2. You can see for yourself. Or better yet, just check the security footage."
As he spoke, the flaming giant looked directly at a security camera in the hallway. Seeing that, I had a thought. The fact that he knows exactly where the cameras are means he was definitely planning something shady. I'm just being honest here.
『Confirmation received. It seems my student has caused you some trouble. Can you put her back on?』
"Hmph."
He tossed the phone back to me, and I pressed it to my ear.
『Learn the faces of the top heroes already, you total moron. Granted, Endeavor's face looks more like a vill—... well, he's a bit rugged...』
"Hey, you on the phone! I can hear you—!"
『...Regardless, he's a legitimate hero. Not a pervert. Got it?』
Wait, even the Mummy-teacher thinks he looks suspicious. I knew it.
『...Well, I'll give you credit for calling me. At least you didn't call the police this time. You've grown, Midoriya.』
"Ehehe, really?"
Getting a rare compliment from Aizawa actually made me a little happy, even if it was low-key. He gave me a final warning not to do anything stupid and hung up. I shoved my phone back into my pocket and turned to head back to the stands.
However, the flaming giant—the "Homer"—blocked my path.
"What now? Are you hitting on me? Are you a lolicon?"
"I'd appreciate it if you weren't so hostile. I simply wish to speak with you. Not as a hero, but as the guardian of Shoto Todoroki."
Shoto Todoroki. At first, I was confused, but then it clicked. I realized who the man in front of me was.
"So, I am—"
"Oh! You're Peppermint's adoptive father! I get it now!"
"—How did you jump to 'adoptive' instead of biological?!"
What a sharp retort. It was surprisingly satisfying—a different kind of rhythm than Kacchan's.
"I mean, you look nothing alike?"
"We look very similar... especially the eyes..."
"No, not at all. Not a bit, not a shred, not in the slightest."
"...Nngh...!"
My total denial left the flaming giant speechless. I guess he didn't expect to be shut down that hard. But hey, I only speak the truth. I have no intention of apologizing.
"...Fine. That is a trivial matter."
Well, if the man himself says so, who am I to argue?
"You have no problem throwing around disrespectful glares, do you?"
"Why, thank you for the compliment."
"It wasn't a compliment."
Endeavor let out a long sigh and looked me in the eye. To be honest, I hated his gaze. It wasn't the "creepy" look from before; it was the look of someone appraising an object, judging its value.
As I tensed up, the corners of his mouth curled into a smirk.
"You aren't half bad. I've been watching your performance. A truly ferocious display—a far cry from my Shoto."
Even though he was technically praising me, it rubbed me the wrong way. What a nasty way to give a compliment. Even the Mummy-teacher's sarcasm is better than this.
"You possess two Quirks as well, don't you? They may differ from Shoto's, but the essence is the same. Your combat style is excellent—well-thought-out. You should fix your habit of getting carried away, but regardless, it was magnificent. You've mastered the use of two Quirks..."
He grinned. It was a predatory look.
"I would very much like Shoto to learn from your example."
I understood then. I knew exactly what this man was trying to do.
"And? Your point is?"
"You will be an excellent stimulus for him. Seeing someone who also possesses two Quirks and uses them so effectively... I have high expectations. I expect you to be the one to help Shoto break out of his shell."
Having said his piece, the flaming giant turned his back to walk away.
Soi!
"━━━Gah?!"
I delivered a flying drop-kick right to the back of his wide-open head.
Despite the surprise attack, he managed to catch his balance and immediately spun around, dropping into a combat stance. His eyes were now filled with something close to bloodlust—a look he hadn't shown until now.
"You brat... what do you think you're doing?!"
"That's my line, you baldy!"
"B-Baldy?! I am not balding!!"
The giant—now officially dubbed "Baldy"—roared, and the flames decorating his costume flared up. The heat brushed against my cheeks like a physical threat. I could have just kept teasing him, but he'd genuinely pissed me off, so I decided to tell him exactly what was on my mind.
"Whether you're balding or not isn't the point, you wig-wearing fraud!"
"Wig?! Where are you looking—?!"
"I'm looking at that empty space between your ears! What's in there? Crab brains? Is your head full of crab paste? Should I boil you?!"
I didn't give him a chance to respond.
"I don't know how Peppermint feels. He hasn't told me anything. But I can tell he's suffering. I can see that much."
I knew that even if we talked, I probably wouldn't fully understand. I could sympathize with the idea of it, but that was it. It wouldn't mean anything.
"...I have plenty I want to say to you, but saying it all would just tire me out. Besides, I don't think someone like you could ever understand, so I won't bother."
"You...!"
"But I will say this one thing."
"━━━I'm the one who's going to knock some sense into Shoto Todoroki."
I meant it. With every ounce of my being. And with all the spite I was carrying from my upset stomach.
"---So, that's how it is. It's in poor taste for adults to interfere in the business of children. Don't you agree, Endeavor?"
I heard a familiar voice and turned around to see another muscle-bound giant. Great. Now I'm sandwiched between two of them. My eyes actually started to tear up. This was a cursed day. First the stomach ache, then the rainbow-barf earlier...
All Might stepped between me and Baldy.
"All Might...!"
"I can't say I approve. What exactly were you planning to do to my student?"
"...Tsk."
Overwhelmed by All Might's sheer presence, Baldy turned away. He was slinking off. Sucks to be you!
As he walked away, All Might called out to his back.
"Endeavor. This is the girl I personally scouted. I intend to raise her as my successor."
"Wait, what?! What are you saying, Gachimuchi?!"
A cold sweat broke out on my forehead at All Might's sudden revelation. I told him I wasn't doing it!
"You... a successor?" Endeavor paused.
"I'm only human, after all. I can't stay on the front lines forever. Naturally, I've given it thought. But... I've decided to change my approach."
"━━━Huh?"
Baldy's expression twisted. He clearly didn't understand. To be honest, neither did I.
"My belief that she is fit to be a hero hasn't changed. But I've realized that she has her own path to walk."
All Might looked at me. His eyes were different than they had been yesterday.
"It's a difficult thing, raising someone."
"What is your point?!" Endeavor snapped.
"It's nothing grand. Just a fellow educator venting his frustrations. That is all."
"Hmph! Pointless!! I'm leaving!!"
I watched as Baldy stomped off down the hallway, then I glanced at All Might. He noticed my gaze and gave a small nod.
"What I said was true. I'm reconsidering the successor talk."
"The fact that you didn't say you 'stopped' is a bit concerning," I noted.
"Well, you can let a man have a little hope, can't you? I still believe you are the most suited for it. But I won't bring it up again. You have your own way of doing things."
"I mean... I guess?"
He reached out and patted my head.
"I'm rooting for you, Young Midoriya."
"Sure, sure. Also, this is sexual harassment."
"Hahaha! You're as tough as ever."
***
In the end, I made All Might buy me some Obanyaki (filled pancakes) as compensation for the "harassment." When I demanded enough for everyone, he actually looked like he was going to cry.
I made him buy them anyway, though.
***
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