Chapter 55: Party Planners Unite!

"So wait," said Sero, holding out his hands and shaking his head in confusion, "run this past me one more time?"

Mina sighed. She'd gathered everyone in Class A in the common room (with considerable effort), minus her own boyfriend, who was still out with the adults working on his Quirk, as far as she knew.

People like Sero and Kirishima were looking at her with confusion. Meanwhile, Toru and Tsu seemed excited. Momo and Iida were frowning. Everyone else seemed neutral or withdrawn.

"Nezu said that if we want this to happen, we have to get support from a majority of the school," Mina explained. "But we also have to make sure the festival would remain small enough to not catch the attention of the board, or of reporters. So it's a delicate balance to walk." She looked at Momo and Iida. "I don't want to do it without the approval of the entire class…I think it's gonna take all of us."

Momo responded first, with a brief nervous glance at Jiro. "What sort of activities did you have in mind?"

"Anything people want to do! Just like the official festival, each class would come up with something to contribute…food or some kind of show or game. Maybe not have elaborate booths or constructions like the real festival would have, but maybe more of a…low-budget feel."

"I don't see how we could pull this off without…without getting the attention of the board," Momo muttered. "My father is on the board, and…" She hugged her front with one arm shyly. "It just doesn't seem feasible."

"Would you tattle on us or something?" Sero asked dryly.

"NO! It's just…we wouldn't be able to use the grounds…"

"But listen! Here's what I was thinking," said Mina. "We don't use the outside at all. Each class has their own dorm building, right? And these common rooms are spacious. There's lots of vacant dorm rooms as well. Surely in each building there's enough space for each class to do what they want…"

"So each class would set up their activity in their own dorm building, and people would walk from building to building to experience each one?" asked Tsuyu, tapping her chin.

"That's right! People go back and forth between dorm buildings all the time, especially in the second and third years. It won't be seen as suspicious to anyone who might see…"

"I doubt there would be anyone on campus who could get us in trouble anyway, if Nezu and the teachers are in on it," said Midoriya.

Momo shook her head. "The board has access to the security system, if they so desire. They might be monitoring for just this very sort of thing. We'd have to be sneaky and careful." She turned back to Mina. "And this would all take place on one day?"

Mina frowned. "Well…that depends. Obviously since there will be no outside visitors like at a normal school festival, it's really just us students doing stuff for each other…and since each class will be working on their own thing, depending on the type of event, things would have to be scheduled. For example, it wouldn't be great to have two performance-type events at the same time, while something like a maid cafe could be open the whole time."

"Right. So we'd have to work out a schedule with the other classes, is what you're saying."

"This isn't gonna be easy," muttered Bakugo, to everyone's surprise.

All eyes went to him, and he sneered.

"All I'm saying is, morons, is that the rest of the school hates our damn guts. They think this is our fault in the first place."

"Which is why we've got to make it up to them!" said Toru with bravado.

"Easier said than done. The other first year classes, especially those damn general studies extras, probably don't want to talk to us at all. And good fuckin' luck with Class B."

"We've got to be careful about it," said Mina. "Send the right people to talk around. Maybe we could ask the teachers for help, as well. Just from what I saw, All Might and Cementoss seemed to approve. I bet that extends to most of the other staff, deep down!"

"We still have to run this by Aizawa," Sero groaned. "He's gonna have some difficult response to this, I just know it."

"But we have to try," Mina protested. "You guys agree that this is worth it to try, right? Nezu said we have to get the support of most of the student body, so that's what we've gotta do. The reasons you're citing for this being a bad idea - the other classes not liking us, the board being dickheads…those are the exact reasons why we've gotta do it! We've got to lift the mood somehow!"

Jiro and Uraraka, who had been near the back of the crowd and brooding, both lifted their heads at this declaration.

"These past few days, I've watched our class slowly fall apart," said Mina, her chest heaving, her eyes glaring into every one of her classmates. "We got through USJ, we got through the camp attack, we got through KAMINO, for fuck's sake! We're NOT going to let this get us down. We're going to banish Kaminari from our minds, do you hear me? We're going to remember why we came to this school in the first place."

"To be...heroes?" Midoriya squeaked, confused.

Mina pointed at him. "And what is a hero's job?"

"To…"

"To make people feel safe, and happy! To make people feel like it's worth it to get out of bed the next day! And that extends to every student here, including us. You can think that's cheesy or whatever…" She eyed Bakugo in particular. "...But in the past few months, I've grown to love you all too much to let this just collapse. To let it just deflate, like some sad balloon. YOU GET WHAT I'M SAYING, DAMMIT!" She stomped the floor, closing her fists and swinging them down to her hips.

There was silence for a moment.

Then, Kirishima put his thumb up, grinning with his sharp teeth. "I'm with you, Pinky! This sounds like a manly endeavor!"

Surprisingly, Todoroki spoke up next. "I also think this a good idea. I would like everyone to be happy, if possible."

"Me too!" Midoriya echoed.

"Well, you already know I'm with ya," said Toru. Tsuyu echoed with a ribbit.

"It won't be easy, but…" Ojiro scratched his neck. "I think you're right. I think it will be worth it."

Shoji, Tokoyami, and Koda all assented with nods or small grunts.

Sero sighed. "Right, okay. I guess I'm prepared for whatever."

Bakugo hissed. "If we're gonna do this, we're gonna go all the way, you hear? We'll blow these other classes the fuck away. They're gonna regret ever looking down on us."

"I'll help," Sato promised. "If only for the fact that I'll be able to bake for a wider audience."

Midoriya looked pointedly at Ochaco. "Ur…Uraraka-san? What do you say? I think Ashido wants everyone to vote, so…"

Ochaco blinked once. "I'll help if I can," she said shortly…and then forced her lips upward into a weary smile. "Sorry. I'll help. I can help. I don't want to be a downer."

"Aoyama…" Jiro muttered.

The French boy looked up. He'd been somewhat hiding in the corner.

"I'm…sorry for hitting you and yelling at you. It was super uncalled for…and not cool at all."

Aoyama nodded. "And I'm sorry for…invading your personal space, mademoiselle."

"It's okay," Jiro said. "I…I think it was worth it for you to try. Especially since Ashido came up with this as a result…" She clenched her fists.

"Jiro…" Momo said softly.

"Nah. I'm on board, but I need some alone time. I need to make this up to you guys somehow. I'm the one making everything all sucky."

"That's not true!" Midoriya protested. "It's okay for you to be upset about Kamina…"

"Not if I end up taking it out on other people. I'm going to my room to think. I'll come up with something to contribute." Jiro turned on her heel and headed toward the stairs.

Mina had a strange feeling that she knew exactly what Jiro might contribute, but she didn't want to say anything just yet. The girl would want to share it with the class on her own merit.

Lastly, everyone turned to the class reps. Momo and Iida.

"I suppose…" Momo swallowed. "If we really figure out a way to do it discreetly…"

Iida had said nothing the whole time. Now, he adjusted his glasses.

"I…" he took a deep breath. "WHOLEHEARTEDLY APPROVE OF THIS, ASHIDO-SAN!"

"Whoa!" Mina shrank back, chuckling. "What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS IS EXACTLY THE THING WE NEED TO RETURN TO NORMALCY! AND I WILL TAKE CHARGE OF ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ORGANIZED! SOMEONE NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE STAYS IN LINE IF WE ARE TO PULL THIS OFF WITHOUT A HITCH, AS THEY SAY!"

Uraraka laughed. "Iida-kun, you're chopping your arms again. I think I missed you doing that."

"WELL, GET USED TO IT!"

The whole class echoed Uraraka's laughter. It was light, weak, airy laughter, but it was music to Mina's ears all the same.

She smiled to herself. So we've got the foundation. Now, where is Doko? I don't want to start on anything without him here…

"So, how are we going to go about asking the other classes?" Sero asked.

I suppose I have no choice.

"Well," Mina grinned, staring at her always-hapless tape friend, "I think I have an idea about that."

…

Izuku Midoriya was terrified.

For the first time ever at UA, he was noticing people. People moving in groups, laughing and whispering. Teenagers. Most of them older and taller than him.

At his middle school, he'd been so utterly ignored by most (besides Kacchan) that his brain had often glazed over, taking no notice of his surroundings besides those pertinent to his academic standing.

But now, that he had a job to do involving social interaction…his brain was hyper-aware of everything going on.

Why does it have to be me?

Well, it wasn't ONLY him, to be fair. Kirishima was also in charge of potentially speaking to one of the Big Three, if he encountered them. But Izuku knew that with his luck, he'd encounter one of them first.

Mina's logic was that the Big Three would be the key to getting the entire third year on their sides, since they were the most well-known and popular third years. And since the work study students had fought alongside the Big Three, it would be up to them to make that connection…and that meant Izuku and Kirishima.

Izuku didn't know why Mina hadn't also recruited Uraraka and Asui for this task, as he walked through the hallway, heading down toward the schoolyard where he knew some of the third years took their lunch. She must have something else in mind for the girls. Who cares that they'd be far better at this sort of thing!

Actually, now that he thought about it…maybe Uraraka, in her current state, wouldn't be so great for this. He frowned.

Maybe I should ask All Might for assistance? No…what would he know of this.

He had to keep reminding himself: he'd beaten Overhaul on his own. He didn't need to ask All Might for help with everything, like he'd had to get into his work study. He had to learn to do things on his own strength, and that extended past fighting.

If only Katayama were here. Izuku wished that very much. He could imagine Katayama half-stumbling into a situation right in front of the third years, somehow fast-talking his way into saying something funny and quirky, and then effortlessly winning them to the cause…

Izuku wasn't like that.

He very much hoped he found Mirio first. Any of the Big Three would do, but Mirio would be the most effective…he was both popular and easy for Izuku to talk to. Amajiki, while also probably easy to talk to (since Izuku was aware of how nervous both of them could get), would not be of much help in socially spreading a message.

Then, there was Nejire. Probably the most effective of the three as far as spreading a message, but also the hardest to talk to…

As Izuku thought this, her face conjured itself in his brain, shiny and fluttering. Like some kind of daydream…

He shook his face hard, realizing that he'd let a goofy grin spread across his face. What had gotten into him?

He went out the glass doors and into the courtyard, where an assortment of wooden picnic tables lined the edge of the grass. Third years milled about, talking in groups. Izuku scanned the crowd, looking for a tuft of blonde hair…

...and his heart skipped a beat.

There she was, a floating bubble of periwinkle, chattering to a group of girls that surrounded her at a rapid pace.

Izuku approached slowly, trying not to make it look like he was heading straight for her. It's not too late. I can just go find Mirio, or make Kirishima do it…

No, that's not heroic.

He kept his head down, not looking in the direction of her group, as their chatter grew louder and louder. And then, cutting through the buzzing sound like a knife straight to his heart: "Izuku! Hi!"

He looked up, heat spreading over his face already. Dammit. Dammit. He was probably already red as Mars, wasn't he?

She was blinking those pretty blue eyes at him. All around her, her female friends were looking at him with mixed expressions of confusion and annoyance.

"H-Hello, Hado-senpai…" he coughed. This was the worst thing ever. He couldn't even meet her gaze. "I was w-wondering if, umm…" His ears were burning up. "If I could speak to you for a m-minute?"

All her friends giggled. It was the worst sound to grace his ears in a long, long time. It brought up bad memories, and worse predictions as to how this would go…

Nejire tilted her head. "Of course. What is it?"

"I m-mean, uhh…in private?"

They giggled even louder, exchanging knowing glances with each other. Nejire, however, didn't laugh at all, and continued to stare at him with an expression of blank curiosity.

Izuku clenched his fists, and set his jaw tightly. This was annoying. They were getting the wrong idea.

"It's about the raid!" he said loudly, cutting through their laughter.

The girls went silent. Some of them looked disappointed, others looked toward Nejire with…frightened? Expressions on their faces.

Nejire nodded softly. "Okay, Izuku."

They walked away from the crowd together, around the corner of the building and into the grass, right up against the wall. While they were people walking along the path in the distance, they had enough privacy here.

"I didn't want to embarrass you further in front of my friends, but I told you to call me Nejire, remember? Not Hado-senpai." She leaned forward and wagged her finger at his face.

"OH! Umm…s-sorry." And she'd been calling him Izuku as well…the novelty of it continued to hit him like a truck, making it even more difficult to think straight.

"So what's this about the raid, then?" she asked him brightly. "Oooh, maybe an update on Eri's condition? Is she awake? Or did they find the yakuza bullets?" She gasped. "Did someone escape prison?"

"Hold on, n-...NO! Nothing like that! It's not about the raid! I…that was a lie. I just needed to get you…away…from all of them…"

"Oh." Nejire pursed her lips, and then giggled. "Circumstances are on your side then, Izuku. Normally when guys ask me out, they can't even think of an excuse like that."

"H-h-huh?" Steam practically shot out of his ears. "You're…I'm…not…" SPEAK, DAMMIT! JUST FUCKING SPEAK!

"I'm not asking you out, Nejire. This is important! It's not the raid, but it is serious!"

Her eyes widened, and she stood up straight. She was almost the same height as him, Izuku noticed randomly…and focused on her eyes.

"Class A is planning an unofficial school festival of sorts. We don't know many of the details yet besides the fact that it will be only us students, and each class will set up their event in their respective dorm building, to make it as lowkey as possible. The staff is on our side as long as we get support from the majority of the student body."

Nejire gasped. "That sounds wonderful! It's a lovely idea, Izuku! But why are you telling me first, haha." She reached back over her shoulder and rubbed the back of her head. Her voluptuous hair bounced.

"Well, it's Ashido's idea…"

"Oooh, Katayama's girlfriend? With the horns?" She put her fingers on top of her head and curled them animatedly.

"Uh, yeah, that's her…anyway, she was of the opinion that the Big Three would be able to help us. Since we already know you guys through the work studies, and you wield a lot of influence around the school…"

"I see!" Nejire snapped. "So you want me to spread the word." She winked.

"That's…that's correct." Izuku averted his eyes. The heat in his face had gone down, but it still somewhat lingered.

"Well, you can count on me, Izuku! Great at keeping a secret if need be is Nejire, but I can spread 'em just as fast! Although, I don't know why you felt the need to lie about it in front of the others if you meant for them to find out eventually anyway."

"Well, it would have been a lot to explain right in that moment…"

"I suppose." Nejire grinned. "Still, you're a smart cookie, aren't you Izuku? Coming to me for something like this…obviously it makes the most sense, but I'd think you'd want to try Mirio first, right?"

"Well, Ashido told us to find any of the Big Three…and I happened to spot you before the other two…"

"Don't worry, I'll let him know. Between the two of us, we'll get this festival thing spread through third year like wildfire! And…I genuinely think you'll get the support you need, Izuku." Her smile grew a bit more caring and careful. "I know it probably seems like everyone hates Class A right now, but something like this…my class will definitely jump on it with gusto!"

"Really?" Izuku was surprised. "You mean it?"

"Of course! I always know what's going on around here. And if I don't, I always find out! That's where asking lots of questions gets you! The situation is definitely more complex than just plain resentment against your class, and this is the exact sort of thing to unravel a complex situation! I'm almost jealous that I didn't think of it first." She pouted cutely. "But anyway, you can count on me!"

She suddenly got up on her tiptoes, and rubbed his hair with her hand. "Even if this wasn't a good idea, I might still be convinced…just because I love doing favors for cute juniors!"

Izuku squeaked, a jolt going through his body like an electric shock from her touch and her words. She giggled, pulling away from him, and began walking back toward her friends. "See you later, Izuku! I'll get to work, don't you worry!"

"Thanks, Hado-se…Nejire. Thanks, Nejire." He managed to say that, and then waved awkwardly. She waved back, still smiling, and then turned the corner, leaving him there…

Izuku sighed. He'd accomplished what he'd set out to do for Ashido, with some difficulty…and he couldn't shake the feeling that he might have accidentally done something else, as well.

"Midoriya!"

"AAAAH!" he screamed, jumping what felt like ten feet in the air. Whoever had just come up behind him had scared him so badly that One For All accidentally activated, sending the faintest of green sparks up his arms…and pervading the air with a faint smell of ozone.

Izuku whirled. "You…Togata?"

"Hey!" the blonde waved, leaning down to get at eye level with him. "What are you doing, hiding in this corner? You know I usually have lunch around here right now! Want to join?"

"Umm, actually, I've got to get going…" Should I tell him now? Or should I just let Nejire do it?

"It's good that I've found you, though." Mirio's smile widened. "After school today, meet me at the gates! And bring Katayama! We're going to see Eri!"

"H-huh?" That took Izuku so aback that he went pale, all former embarrassment and confusion gone. "Eri? At the hospital? But…"

"We got permission and everything!" Mirio lifted up a piece of paper from out behind his lunchbox. "Aizawa is coming with us to make sure nothing gets out of hand. There won't be any danger."

"Well, alright. I'll tell Katayama."

"Great! See you then!"

…

Hanta Sero was annoyed.

Mina could have picked anyone. Wasn't Yaoyorozu close with Kendo, the class president of 1B? And wasn't Kirishima close with Tetsutetsu? But no, they were both busy doing something else to prepare, and so he'd been stuck with the job of 1B ambassador.

"I know what you're doing," he'd growled to the pink girl as she'd delegated his task with a glow in her golden eyes.

"Of course you do, but you'll still help, won't you?" Ashido had answered smugly.

And he would. Of course he would. He always got himself into this kind of nonsense. That fight with Todoroki at the sports festival…he and Kaminari's mess of a final exam…the list went on.

Even at Kamino, he'd barely been of any help, it felt like. After all this time, he still hadn't answered the challenge of Kamui Woods: find some way to stand out.

He was just the butt of a joke, wasn't he?

It's not like Ashido is setting me up to fail. Hanta didn't really think he'd have trouble with this particular interaction. It was just annoying how easily it had fallen into place for her, and annoying how he really didn't have an excuse…

He was pretty sure that Ibara Shiozaki hung out around here. He'd seen her from a distance a few times. Despite their occasional texting back and forth, they didn't see each other in person all that much. Mainly because Hanta felt weird just approaching her, especially when she was in this sort of...zone.

The garden was filled with all kinds of flowering plants and vegetables alike. Hanta recognized some and didn't recognize a lot more. Overhead, the sun was scattered through the leaves on the tree branches, giving the area a very dappled, shady feel.

Up ahead on the half-paved path, Shiozaki hummed quietly to herself, smiling tranquilly and bending down with her watering can, tending to a certain plant that Hanta couldn't get a good look at.

"Shiozaki?" he called, lifting up a lanky arm to wave.

She made a soft o noise, raising her eyebrows, and looked up from her work, noticing him. A gentle smile came onto her face. "Hello, Sero-kun," she greeted pleasantly. "Lovely day, isn't it?"

"I'd say so." Hands in pockets, he briefly looked up at the partially concealed sky. This area of campus on the edge of the forest was quite secluded, and he wasn't surprised that she enjoyed being out here so much.

"I have often seen another classmate of yours out here with his pet rabbit. Koda, I believe is his name? But never you. Finally decide to come visit me? Or have you taken an interest in plants?" Mirth danced across her eyes as she continued her work, not looking directly at him.

"As interesting as plants are, I've actually come to ask you something. I need your help. Or it's more accurate to say that our whole class needs your help."

"Well, certainly. It is part of our duty as heroes to help each other in fellowship, is it not? If this thing is within my power, Sero-kun, I shall do it."

"Great! So, you're close to Kendo, right? Your class president?"

Ibara's expression shifted, to one of confusion. "Well…yes. I'd say she is one of my closest friends, along with Reiko and Yui."

"That's Yanagi and Kodai, right?"

"Yes. What do you need our president for?" Something about her tone was testy, less hospitable. She was still going down the line of plants, watering them…not looking at him.

Hanta felt less comfortable than before. He laughed nervously, scratching his neck and looking up at the tree branches again. "Well…Class A…we're basically trying to put on an unofficial school festival. Since the real one was cancelled. And Principal Nezu basically said that if we want to do this, then we would need to get the support of the other classes. This wasn't my idea to start with, it was Ashido's. You know, pink skin, horns? Her idea was basically that we would all set up something in our dorm buildings, to avoid using the grounds which might be treading on the rules a bit too much…"

"I understand," Ibara said sharply. Her back was now directly to Hanta, and she stood up straight. He stared at the back of her head, wondering what her expression was. Why was his heart racing? Why did he feel so grim?

"Why didn't you consult the president directly? Not that I am not on board with the idea, but Itsuka very much would be as well."

"Well…" He couldn't tell her that Mina basically forced him to do this, right? "I figured you could spread the word just as well…you're one of the best students in your class. They respect and admire you a lot."

"I appreciate that," she said, still acting strangely curt. Hanta felt very, very wrong about this. What did I do to upset her?

"I shall spread the word, as you say, Sero. Do not worry." She began to move further down the line, toward the other plants. Shiozaki had not come out and said it, but it was left dangling all the same: you're dismissed.

Hanta realized. Mina hadn't forced him to come; what was he, an idiot?

"I wanted to ask you," he blurted, causing her to stop. "I wanted to ask you first, because you're one of my closest friends. Besides…" He stepped toward a box of white-purple flowers, leaning down. "...I've never been to this garden before. It's so cool. Are all these plants yours?"

When he looked up to the girl as he finished his question, she was staring at him with her mouth slightly open, and a faint dusting red across her cheeks.

"...Many of them are," she answered, in a quieter tone. "Some were left behind by older students. As far as I know, I am their only remaining cultivator."

"Well, someone's gotta be a hero for the greenery too," Hanta said with a grin. "As great as Kamui Woods is, he mainly works in the inner city. Are any of these veggies edible?"

Shiozaki smiled softly. "Vegetables generally are, as a rule."

He deadpanned. "You know what I meant."

"We may eat some of them in Class B. That would be a good idea. A fresh meal as a group."

"Maybe you could factor that into what you do for the festival, somehow," he suggested.

Shiozaki walked up to him, her eyes half-lidded. Her hand went up to stroke his face, and Hanta went quiet.

He felt his ears heat up, and his eyes darted to the side nervously as her fingers brushed down his cheek. "Erm…Shiozaki?"

"You seem stressed about something," she breathed. "There are bags under your eyes, and your face is covered in faint lines. Would you like some tea? I can travel back up to my dorm and get so…"

"That's okay!" he said quickly, backing away from her touch. "You…you don't need to do that."

"Would you like to talk about it?" she asked.

Hanta opened his mouth, closed it. What was he even stressed about? Other than anything and everything?

There was a bench nearby. He moved to sit down on it. She followed.

"I think…" he cut himself off, and started again. "I think I'm doomed."

"Doomed?" Her hand flew to the dangling cross that rested on her breastbone. "How do you mean?"

"Your crazy guy Monoma is on to something. There's a lot of…big personalities in Class A. That catch the eye, you know?" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Bakugo, Kirishima, Iida, Katayama…and especially Ashido, who's planning this crazy thing. I'm friends with a lot of them. Katayama's probably my best friend, if I'm being honest."

"There is something about him that…may inspire one's heart," Ibara said, clearly remembering his underdog victory against her in the Sports Festival.

"Compared to them, I'm just not much, am I?" Hanta said with a sad smile. "And I don't even like to complain about it or bring it up or even think about it, because it's not really fair. It's the way the world works now with Quirks. Some are just more impressive than others. And I definitely don't want to make excuses."

"I was aware of this insecurity of yours," said Shiozaki. "Even if I believe it is unfounded. You defeated me handily in our sparring at the internship. And you passed your provisional licensing exam when two of those flashy members of your class did not."

"I had a good deal of help at the exam," Hanta muttered, remembering how he'd stuck with Uraraka and Midoriya.

"But I thought you must have moved on from it. We spoke of it at our internship, and I thought you'd worked past it…"

"Getting over something like this isn't so simple as that," he told her. "It's a daily struggle, honestly. Kamui challenged me to stand out, and I still feel like I haven't really done that. So, now with all this new stuff going on, and this new possibility to help out the school…I really want to put my all into it, I guess?" He was realizing these things as he was saying them. No longer would he be a hapless passenger, getting dragged from situation to situation.

"Then I shall do the same," said Ibara, standing up from the bench. "I will tell my class of this, and I will make them listen, even the ones who despise your class the most. You have my word, Sero-kun."

He laughed weakly, although gooseflesh was crawling up his arms. "No need to be so serious about it."

"Right. This will be a fun day, for certain." She smiled. "I was happy to listen. If you ever need to talk about something, I'll be here." There was a pause, and she frowned for a second. "Not physically here, of course. Well, I might be. I am in this garden quite often."

Hanta laughed again. "I get the point."

He'd expected to end this conversation with thoughts along the lines of, well, that's a relief and there we go, we got Class B on our side, my work is done. But as he got up from the bench and bid goodbye to Ibara, all he could think about was…Ibara.

…

Mina frowned at him. "You're not happy about it."

"What?" Doko raised an eyebrow. "Of course I am."

Their afternoon training was over, and they were freshly changed out of their school clothes, heading back for the dorm. Doko had been very surprised to learn what had transpired yesterday evening while he'd been out…Jiro and Aoyama of all people had fought, Mina had impulsively visited Nezu, and now they were planning an entire new school festival under the nose of all the people criticizing UA.

He was still processing it. In fact, he told Mina as much.

"I guess I'm still processing it is all."

She pouted. "I need you on my side for this. You're the winner of the sports festival, remember? You might help get more of the student body on our side!"

"Heh, maybe so." It would take a bit more boldness on his end, but it was possible…who even in the student body would be against this? Those with an unabashed hatred of our class? Or maybe people who think it's too dangerous of an idea?

If there was anyone in the hero course at least that didn't want to take the risk, then they were probably going into the wrong profession.

"I'm proud of you," Doko said. "Is that appropriate to say? It takes guts to face Nezu. You and I know that better than anyone."

"Yes, but it's such a relief when he's your ally, don't you think?" she gushed. "Like…the little guy has got everything under control. That's why I'm not worried about the dangers."

"Mina," Doko said, somewhat recklessly. He figured now would be a good time to talk about it. "Yesterday, I went to Tartarus."

"Huh? The villain prison?" She went pale pink. "But…getting clearance there is…"

"Almost as hard as getting clearance to visit UA now. I was in the company of pros, anyway. You remember Gran Torino? The old, short guy that mentored Midoriya during the Hosu incident?"

She nodded. "Was this about visiting Kurogiri?"

"Yep. Saw him. And…" Doko swallowed. "I saw my mother, inside of him."

Mina gasped. "Your birth mother?!"

"I managed to agitate him with words, and his Quirk…sort of acted up. My mother's face appeared in his dark fog, and she addressed me directly." He didn't mention Shirakumo, as he thought Aizawa might not take kindly to that.

"Doko, you don't suppose-" Mina cut herself off.

He shook his head. "She's dead for sure. I'm not going to get my hopes up like that. Besides, it could be used against me." He already knew All For One was trying to use his maybe-still-alive father against him. "But, if some part of her consciousness lingers on in him…I know my mother must have been a good person. I know it intrinsically. If her consciousness can overcome the evil one currently in control, then…"

"Kurogiri could be turned," Mina finished softly. "And then he'd tell us where the League is hiding, and UA would stay open. Our future would be secure."

"Pretty much, yeah. And I might be the person who could secure it, if I trigger that agitated stage again."

"It'd require more visits to Tartarus. It must be an awful place, huh?"

He remembered the presence of All For One he'd felt, dark, beckoning. "...Yeah. It's not great. But worth it to keep this place open. Especially since I still have nowhere else to go."

"Katayama!"

Doko turned. Midoriya was running up to him, out of breath. They were on the last path to the dorms.

"What is it?"

"We're going to see Eri at the hospital now. Togata-senpai got us permission. I think Aizawa-sensei is driving us."

Doko's eyes widened. He looked back at Mina.

She smiled. "Eri's the little girl, right? Go." She squeezed his hand, and then they parted.

Doko followed Midoriya toward the front gates of the school. "I didn't expect this to happen so soon," he said.

Midoriya seemed distracted by something. "Erm…Katayama? Can I ask you a weird question?"

"I'll be the judge of whether it's weird or not. Ask away. I can take it." He tried to lighten the mood, but Midoriya still seemed troubled.

"You…and Ashido. I mean, umm…" Midoriya's face went red. "You guys, like…how did you realize that you wanted to…I mean…"

"Date?"

Blushing furiously, he nodded.

"Midoriya, you were watching the footage. We beat Nezu at the final exam, and then she kissed me out of the blue. You know what happened."

"I know, but…" He coughed. "How did…things…develop…to that p-point?"

Doko thought back. "Well, I mean…we just hung out a lot, and went through a lot together, I guess…I knew I liked her right after USJ. According to her, her feelings developed during the sports festival. It took us a while to act on them. And I guess I never really had to do anything." He frowned. "Mina's very forward. Sometimes I feel like I should have been the one to confess, but I guess I made it obvious enough to where she was confident to do…that. And in front of the principal, no less." He shuddered. "But why do you ask, Midoriya? You're not planning to steal my girlfriend, are you?"

"NO!" he blurted, way too loudly. "I would never!"

Doko laughed. It was such a Midoriya response. "Sorry, I know. But still…you must have your eye on someone, right?"

Midoriya nodded once, very slowly. His lips were pulled back in an almost sickly manner.

Doko very badly wanted to ask if it was Uraraka, but for some reason…he didn't think that was it. He didn't know WHY he was suddenly doubtful, especially since he and Mina had gossiped about the two of them before…but…it didn't feel right anymore. Uraraka wasn't the same as she'd been.

But who else could it be? "Is it Tsu?" he asked recklessly.

He thought Midoriya would jump up in surprise and either deny it furiously or weakly, but he simply shook his head. "It's not…anyone in our class…"

Oh. THAT was unexpected. Who even did Midoriya know outside of their class?

"There you guys are!" Mirio waved. "Oh, and I heard Sir is going to be there, too!" Just beyond the gate, Aizawa honked the horn. The car window was rolled down. "Hurry up, problem children," he groaned.

Doko looked pointedly at Mirio. "It's not him, is it?"

"Huh? N-no! I don't…I don't swing that way…"

"Right. Just making sure." Doko frowned. "You're gonna have to tell me who it is, Midoriya. Because I can't for the life of me figure it out." A pause. "Unless you don't want to, of course!"

"No, it's okay, I'll tell you later," Midoriya said, with a strange glance at Togata.

He doesn't want to say in front of Mirio. Probably a good idea, that guy definitely can't keep a secret.

They piled into Aizawa's car and headed for the hospital.

…

Eri sat up in her bed as the three of them walked into her room. She was still in her hospital gown, but it seemed to Doko that she might have gained a bit of weight. That was good.

And her horn had shortened to a stub. Also a good sign.

Aizawa and Nighteye lingered by the door, along with the doctors. "Stay alert," Nighteye muttered to the erasure hero. "I haven't foreseen anything going wrong, but just in case…"

"Of course," he mumbled back.

"Hello, Eri!" Mirio said, holding up his gift. "I brought you a fruit basket!"

"Sorry we couldn't come sooner," Midoriya said to her. Both of them had bright expressions.

"Hi," said Doko. He felt lame, weak. All he could manage was a weary smile without teeth. I probably have lines under my eyes as well. Both he and Midoriya had been taking supplementary courses to catch up after their time off, but Midoriya was handling them much better.

Eri looked back and forth between all of them curiously. She didn't appear upset about anything, but she didn't seem happy either. Her energy was just…low.

"What kind of fruit?" she muttered, staring at Mirio's basket.

"All sorts! What's your favorite? I've got peaches…you must like those since you're a peach, right?" Mirio sat down on the bed next to her.

"I like apples," she answered plainly.

"Apples it is then!" He pulled one out of the basket, procured a knife from nowhere, and began to peel it.

Doko and Midoriya followed up, sitting down on the bed as well.

Eri blinked. She seemed thoughtful. "The whole time I've been here…even during my fever…I was thinking about how you all rescued me," she said. "I know you're Lemillion…" She pointed at Mirio. "...And you're Everywhere…" She pointed at Doko, and then pointed at Midoriya. "But what's your name?"

"I'm Izuku Midoriya! Oh, but my hero name is Deku," Midoriya told her, smiling.

"Deku-san…" She seemed to test the name in her mouth. "What do you mean by hero name?"

"It's like a nickname," Mirio explained.

"Lemillion. Deku. Everywhere." She turned to all of them. "I'm…I'm sorry," she mumbled. Tears were pooling in her eyes, and Doko felt his heart skip a beat. "It's because of me that you got injured…Everywhere, you especially…I know I hit you with my…with my Quirk."

"It's okay!" Midoriya gasped. "We're all fine now!"

Doko did something slightly reckless. He reached forward…and rubbed Eri's head.

"Look at me," he said, doing his best to smile. "Does anything look particularly wrong with me to you?"

Her eyes shimmered at him. "I…guess not."

"Let me tell you a secret, Eri. Before going into the raid…there was something wrong with my body." He didn't know if talking about this in front of Midoriya or Mirio was a good idea, but he pressed on anyway. "Something that might have hurt me badly eventually. But when your Quirk hit me…it actually took that bad part out. So I don't have that thing wrong with me anymore. You actually healed me, Eri. You saved me. You're my hero!" He smiled as brightly as he could, giving her head one last rub, and then pulling away.

Eri's eyes glittered. She seemed…dazed. "I'm…I did…"

"That's right!" Midoriya said, pouncing on the opportunity. "And your Quirk helped me in our fight as well, don't forget! You didn't hurt us at all! It was almost like you were part of the team! So there's no need to feel guilty about anything."

"I…I see." Eri blinked. Her tears had dried up.

Doko tilted his head. They hadn't made her happy, but…she seemed to be genuinely thinking it over.

"Deku and Everywhere are right," said Mirio. "No one, not even the people who fought and might have gotten hurt worse than us, is thinking that it's your fault. All we're thinking is that we're glad you're okay! We fought to see your smile, Eri!"

She looked up at him…and then lifted her hands to her mouth, pulling up the corners of it with considerable effort, before dropping them again.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice quivering. "I don't think I remember how. To smile."

A shadow fell over Doko's face. For a moment, the three of them were completely silent.

Midoriya stood, and turned. "Aizawa-sensei!"

Eraser Head looked up. He'd been leaning against the door frame, disassociated. But now, he paid attention.

"Could Eri leave the hospital? Just for a day?"

"Well, it's not impossible, but…"

"Then, can Eri come, too? To our event?"

Doko gasped, getting ready to hiss at him, but Mirio only laughed. "Midoriya! That's a great idea!"

"Huh? You know about it?" Doko asked.

"Yeah, I heard from Nejire!"

Aizawa sighed. "I know about it as well, although I think it's a foolish idea. I thought one of the requirements of this unofficial school festival is that it would be just you students."

"I'm sure Nezu would be willing to make an exception for Eri!" Midoriya said steadfastly.

"But it's hard to let anyone into the school right now," Doko protested.

"Not impossible," Nighteye muttered.

They all turned to him.

"Currently, Eri is a ward of the state. She has no guardians. And since her citizenry was never registered…that could technically be a loophole in getting her onto campus. And as I am a pro hero, I can accompany her without issue. With that being said, I don't really know what's going on."

"We're having an unofficial secret school festival, Sir," Midoriya explained to him.

"A school…festival?" Eri asked in a low voice.

Mirio turned back to her. "It's an event we're holding on campus! Usually it's bigger, but now that it'll be smaller scale and quieter…that's actually perfect!"

Right, Doko thought, suddenly agreeing. With the more lowkey nature of the festival this year, it was less likely that Eri might feel overwhelmed.

"I would…come to your school?" the girl asked.

"Yeah! Each class is going to have an activity in their respective building. Games, food, maybe some shows and activities. That sort of thing," Mirio explained to her.

Doko looked at Aizawa again. "If Sir Nighteye accompanies her, and we get permission from the principal…"

Eraser Head sighed. "I'll talk to Nezu."

"Yessss!" Mirio exclaimed, pumping his fist.

"What about you, Eri? What do you think? It's your choice whether to come or not, in the end," Midoriya said to her.

Eri looked down at her hands…and then closed them into fists.

"Thinking about how all of you saved me…" she muttered. "I want to know more about everyone. I want to learn. This would be a good way to do that, right?"

Doko felt a more natural smile come onto his face. It's settled, then.

Now he felt like he was actually looking forward to what was coming.

…

AN: lots of shipping in this chapter hope no one minds

next time, High School Musical. kinda.