Monoma Time Loop (MHA)

[iamawesome300]

"Congratulations on your victory, Young Awase, Shishida."

All Mights speaks to the returning victors before giving the same discussion he has always done.

"Which of the competitors did you think was the MVP?"

I answer without hesitation. "Shishida."

All Might seems a bit disheveled but recovers quickly. "Yes, that's correct."

I'm sure if Kendo was here she would say Awase was the MVP.

I continue. "Awase helped Shishida get his head together, but ultimately Shishida's demerits were less than Awase's."

Awase looks annoyed while Shishida's adrenaline hasn't worn off, making him look vacant.

All Might tells Tsuburuba and Kodai to improve the strength of their quirk's. Which is obvious, but the Battle Trial is meant to be a wake-up call, so I can't criticize him that much.

"Hey, Monoma. Why did you help Tsuburuba?"

I turn to Setsuna. She's returning my look with a difficult to read smile, her favorite expression. It makes me uneasy.

"Like I said, I want to help our classmates?"

Setsuna looks up at me, her eyes begging me to explain.

No, that's not right. It's more like she's trying to tear answers out of me just by looking.

She "hmms" softly before turning her gaze back to All Might.

Finally, some mercy.

Ugh. If I weren't in public, I would be burying my face in my hands. I'm not even Tsuburuba at this point, I'm Kuroiro.

All Might has pulled out the names. "Honenuki and Kaibara as heroes with Kuroiro and Komori as villains."

I speak to Honenuki before he leaves. "Don't destroy the bomb. Be careful with your quirk's strength."

He looks down on me. "I don't need your help."

I back off. Can't help those who don't want it.

Honenuki returns hunched over, having failed exactly as he had twice before.

I glance at him from the side. He averts my gaze, a look of anger on his face.

I don't need to say anything to him. He already got the message. Besides, Kaibara probably said everything I needed to and more.

His failure can be just as useful to me as a success.

Setsuna stands to my side. She speaks after Honenuki passes by. "Hmm. Seems the recommended student isn't so perfect after all." She turns to look up at me, arms on her hips.

"Really?" I laugh at her forgetfulness. "Does that apply to you too? Aren't you the other recommended student?"

Setsuna gets a manic grin.

I don't like that look on her face.

Setsuna adjusts her body so that she's standing directly in front of me. She crosses her arms. "What are you implying, Monoma? Are you saying I'm not perfect?"

A voice in the back of my head starts screaming. She was baiting me. She wanted me to call her out. There is no good answer here.

"Shiozaki and Rin as heroes with Kamakiri and Fukidashi as villains."

Shit, I forgot to give criticism. I hope All Might did well enough.

I'm just glad he interrupted.

Kamakiri comes up to speak to me. "Do you have any advice?"

He isn't asking me because he respects me. He's asking me because he wants to win. It's a start, but not enough.

"Are you capable of blunting your blades?"

Kamakiri winces. "No."

"Then you will have to use your hands once you get up close."
He raises his voice. "I already know that! Your advice isn't useful!"

I raise my hand to assuage him. "Good. That means that you know what you're doing."

He walks away angry but smiling.

Rin doesn't hesitate. "And me?"

"I'm sure you're already aware of your limits. This battle will be between you and Kamakiri."

I turn to Fukidashi, whose face never gets easier to look at. I could suggest plenty of attacks to him, because he used so many on me.

"Use this for practice. This is designed to be a low stress scenario with enough pressure to prepare you for a real fight. Try things you've never done."

"Ok."

And now Shiozaki. Her face is down, already aware of what I'm going to say.

"Shiozaki, I understand you don't like attacking people, but understand this is not just you, this is also Rin."

Her face turns to misery. "I know! I just-"

"You think the violence will change you?"

She pauses, surprised. She nods.

"It won't. You're still a good person deep down."

All Might fetches a new bomb and the Battle Trial starts.

"Wow. Surprised you were able to help Shiozaki so well."

I stand as straight as I can. Setsuna is making my anxiety spike.

"Oh, really?" I say in a calm voice. Which is even more impressive than anything else I've done today.

"Yes, you really seemed to see her for who she is, not just the surface level."

"Uh, huh?"

I don't know what Setsuna is thinking, which is scary.

She knows I don't know what she's thinking, which is horrifying.

She closes her eyes and grins. "Oh, that's all. I didn't have anything else to say."

Setsuna isn't just attractive, she's the kind of beautiful that's intimidating.

I desperately turn my attention to the viewing screen.

The Battle Trial goes better than previously. Kamakiri and Rin are just as good, but Fukidashi is more creative and Shiozaki is more aggressive.

Shiozaki and Rin lost the same as previously, unable to surpass their exhaustion from climbing the stairs.

No matter. Yet another problem that can be solved with training.

After All Might announces the final teams, Pony doesn't hesitate.

"Got edvides fuh mee, Monmuh?

I smile. "Make sure to keep track of your partner. You'll need to stick together."

Bondo takes a massive step in front of me. He holds his hands in front of face in anticipation. It looks uncanny on his large body. He reminds me of Twice.

I shake my head. No, this is not Twice. This is Bondo, my friend. My actual friend.

I stand up as straight as I can to look directly at Bondo. "As long as you follow Yanagi, you will do no wrong. You are a big, strong man and you will win with teamwork."

Proud, Bondo leaves with Yanagi. Shoda passes by me without speaking.

I glance at Setsuna. She seems to just be watching the viewing screen.

I take a deep breath.

See? I'm not in love with Setsuna, I just think she's the most attractive woman I've ever met, I care more about her opinion than anyone else's, I constantly get terrified of how I act around her, I dream about having her confidence, I get excited whenever she listens to me, I am perpetually distracted when I'm near her, I feel like her eyes burn a hole right through me, I can hear my heart beat like a drum in her presence and I desperately try to come up with reasons why I'm not in love with her.

…

Oh, for fuck's sake.

The result remains the same. Bondo and Yanagi win as they always have. Shoda and Pony stuck together this time, but it wasn't enough to protect them from the combined might of Cemedine and Poltergeist.

All Battle Trials ended in the same result as originally. The only change at all, was that Bondo became the MVP in All Might's eyes instead of Shoda.

The teamwork between Shoda and Pony is more important than Shoda's personal skill. Even so, it's unfair to Shoda to see his work as lesser because of it.

Judging only by what can be measured is foolish anyway. Things that can't be measured: respect, confidence, trust. These things are what will lead Class B to victory, what will lead me to victory.

 

[iamawesome300]

The other classes are uneventful. I do however start a conversation at the end of the day.

"Tsuburuba, Bondo, how would you both feel about staying after school on some days to train your quirks?"

Talk to the people you already know will agree.

Bondo gives a joyous smile. Tsuburuba is surprised but he speaks. "Uh, yeah, I guess."

Pony enters the conversation without warning. "Ooh! End mee!"

That's right, Pony. You want to be included.

"What are you talking about?"

That's Rin.

"We want to stay after school sometimes to train our quirks."

He nods. "I'd be willing to do that."

Kamakiri enters. "Sure, no problem."

Those two want to be stronger.

I turn to Shishida. "Would you like to join?"

Shishida seems confused that I asked him, but I know he always feels a bit distant from the rest of Class B. "Erm, alright, Monoma sir."

Let's get two with one question. "And you, Komori?"

"Eep!"

She doesn't handle attention well at this point.

Pony pulls on her shoulder. "Please, Gomori! Don't leh mee be the own lee gur!"

Komori can't find it in her to say no.

I turn to Kuroiro who has made his way to me.

"I'm in."

Of course.

Kaibara makes his way into the crowd. Pony and Komori are begging Kodai. Kamakiri and Rin are trying to drag in a surprisingly downbeat Tetsu. He would usually jump at this sort of thing.

He turns to look at Kendo before he answers. She has a disapproving look on her face. "I'm not sure about this, guys."

Ah. She must have a deeper hold on him this time.

Tsuburuba and Kuroiro have wrangled Fukidashi. The three girls are talking up Yanagi right now.

That's too many people now, they can't say no.

"We shouldn't start right away, this was just our first day as a class, after all. After we get it together, right?"

Agreeable murmurs and nods meet my senses.

I wave off my friends as I leave, wishing for the millionth time that I still had the dorms.

However, I am not going to my apartment right away.

"Where's Nighteye?"

Bubble Girl is clearly not happy to see me. I don't know why she's so annoyed.

"He's in his office. Just be quick."

I open the door to see Nighteye at his desk, as she described. When he sees me, he gets a look of worry on his face.

"Monoma please tell me you aren't here to tell me about another villain you forgot about."

"What? No. This is more important."

I take a deep breath. Telling Nighteye is difficult too.

"I want to ask one of my classmates to be my girlfriend. Can you see the future and tell me if she says yes?"

"What."

He says it immediately, without thought, without emotion.

Nighteye doubles over in laughter, pounding the table with his fist.

"Stop laughing! This is serious!"

Nighteye laughs even harder, now sinking deep into his chair.

It's clear I'm getting nothing out of him while he's like this. Best to wait until he's done.

Nighteye eventually recovers, wiping tears out of his eyes and leaning back in his chair with a gentle smile.

"Oh, Monoma. I'm glad that you're hilarious."

"I wasn't trying to be funny."

"I know. That's why it's funny."

I'm pissed off. "Look, will you tell me or not?"

Nighteye waves his hand in a failed attempt at pacification. "Monoma you have died three times and you are scared about asking a girl on a date."

"Um, actually I've died four times. It's just that the first one wasn't in a time loop."

"And you find dying four times easier than confessing to your crush?"

"I'm pretty sure most people would agree with that statement."

Nighteye runs his hand through his hair. "And I thought Mirio was difficult. Having you as an intern will drive me off the deep end."

Nighteye sighs. "I'm glad you're still human."

I remain silent. I won't suffer the indignity of asking again.

He pushes up his glasses. "Monoma, if I view your future and it turns out she rejects you, are you going to kill yourself?"

"What? No. I just won't ask her in that case."

Nighteye sighs again. "This is such a waste of my abilities." He grabs my head and looks into my eyes.

"How is this a waste? Isn't a hero supposed to make people happy?"

Nighteye pulls his head back. "Yes, she loves you. Happy now?"

"Yes!"

I jump out of the seat and run straight out the door, running right into Bubble Girl, knocking us both over.

Okay, let's be slightly less excited.

For Bubble Girl's part, she doesn't seem to be that mad, she seems more incredulous that I ran her over.

She pulls herself up and speaks. "You made him laugh. What did you do to make him laugh?"

Oh. There's also that.

It takes a while to fall asleep.

I arrive in class the happiest I've been in a while.

Tsuburuba is the first to speak to me. "Thanks for the help yesterday, Monoma. I wish my quirk was strong enough to stop Shishida, though."

"Don't worry Tsuburuba, with practice your quirk will become unbreakable."

Wait, have I already told him that? Ugh, this is all blurring together.

Pony jumps in too. "End mee! Sanks fur yur help Monuhmuh!"

"Of course, Pony."

Setsuna sits down behind Tetsu. Just calm down Monoma, don't do anything to ruin it at the last minute.

Ugh, why does she have to sit behind me? Now I'll keep thinking that she's looking at me.

Mr. Vlad enters the classroom, sparing me from my thoughts. He talks about the training, asks about the injuries, just a bunch I've heard before.

"Today you will vote for your class representative."

This is my last chance. I can't fail now.

"Each candidate will have a chance to give a speech, detailing what they would be like as class representative. Monoma, you go first."

I take a deep breath and walk up to the podium. I've never been awful at public speaking, but that's just because I'm good at pretending to be confident, not because I actually am.

I look at my classmates and see how their faces haven't changed. They're still the same people I remember. I'm the only one that's different.

Let's hope that's a good thing.

"This is the greatest class in U. A. I can tell that everyone in this class is strong, intelligent and compassionate. I promise to be more than just a class representative, I promise to be your friend. If you vote for me, I know that we can do anything working together."

Class B doesn't really understand how to react. If any other person delivered that speech it would come off as melodramatic. But I believe wholeheartedly.

They seem to recollect themselves to applaud as I leave the podium. I sit down smiling.

Mr. Vlad tallies the votes and I win, beating Kendo, the other front-runner. I offer my thanks to my classmates who are congratulating me. Kendo won't fail Class B again.

"And now we will vote for class vice representative."

Oh shit, I forgot.

I lie to myself and think that Shoda will win, but that's a false hope, Kendo wins in a completely one-sided election.

The both of us take our places standing at the front of the class. I do what I can to look happy even though I'm annoyed that I have to work with Kendo. From the look on her face, she's doing the same thing.

I return to my seat and reflect on my victory. I realize that my speech sounded a lot like something Kendo would say. I feel a little disgusted that I had to imitate her behavior to become class representative, but whatever it takes for victory. Kendo might not be good at convincing people to do what she wants, but she's good at getting people to like her.

No matter, Kendo's a problem to be solved later. Right now, I have something far more important on my mind.

The rest of the day is exhausting. It's bad enough that I have this weighing on my mind.

The day ends and some students pour out of the halls, while others languish. Thankfully, Setsuna is someone who never felt the need to leave as fast as she could.

Ugh, how can I be so panicked, even when Nighteye already told me she reciprocates? This isn't logical behavior at all.

Setsuna is busy talking with some of the other girls. I feel paranoid right now. What if she thinks I'm stalking her?

I struggle to pay attention while also looking like I'm not paying attention.

After a few excruciating minutes, they leave and Setsuna grabs her stuff to go home. I follow her to the exit.

"Hey Setsuna, Can I talk to you for a moment?"

She turns around to look at me. Now that I think about it, this is the same place she asked if I was okay in a previous loop.

I didn't pick this place intentionally, it's just the way we usually go. But now that I'm here, I'm glad this is the place I chose. The fact school is over gives it a calm feeling.

It doesn't fit with how my heart's racing.

I decide being direct is best.

"Setsuna. I love you."

Setsuna fluffs her hair, brushing some of it off her shoulders.

"Well, obviously."

…

Huh?

 

[iamawesome300]

"Hey Setsuna, Can I talk to you for a moment?"

I whip my head to see Monoma talking. He looks like he's about to have a mental breakdown.

He takes a deep breath before speaking. "Setsuna. I love you."

Oh. You're weirdly scared.

I close my eyes and brush the hair off my shoulders. "Well, obviously."

He's silent for a moment. "Wha- What do you mean, 'well, obviously?'"

He seems surprised.

"I just assume everyone is in love with me."

Wait, that makes me look bad.

I let my arms down and open my eyes. Monoma's anxiety is gone, but he's still shocked.

"I know that sounds bitchy, but I'm usually right."

He's clearly still stunned. He stumbles on his words. "Um, okay, so…"

So desperate for an answer, aren't you?

I smile. "Yeah, yeah, I'm your girlfriend. I'm sorry, " I apologize, sarcastically, "I know you're speechless because of the uncontrollable passions swirling inside you. As you can tell, I am deeply overcome with emotion." I say in a monotone emotionless voice.

Once again, he is stunned.

I'm confused. Monoma seemed well put together. I don't understand why he's so overwhelmed by this specifically.

He blinks a few times before he hastily pulls out his phone.

"Uh… phone numbers." He cringes at himself.

You weren't prepared for this at all.

I pull out my phone as well. "Well, Monoma, I guess I'll be talking to you later."

"Uh… Yeah…" He says bewildered.

I wave him off.

When I get home Suraisa has already started cooking. I poke my head into the kitchen, before heading upstairs.

"Hey, are Mom and Dad-"

"Yes, they're still coming." She interrupts, annoyed. "How was school?"

"Another boy poured his heart out to me. So, you know, it's a Tuesday."

She murmurs something of acknowledgement before returning to her cooking.

I drop my stuff from school in a neat little mess in the corner and flop into bed.

I scroll through my phone for a while. When I look through my contacts list, I reach Monoma and remember that I never discussed keeping our relationship secret.

Shit, I need to message him about that.

"I just realized we didn't talk about how you were going to tell the class that you're dating me now."

Perfect. Hit send.

He responds reasonably fast.

"I don't think we should make such a show about it. It should come out naturally. We don't want to come off as bragging."

That's surprising. I thought you would want to tell literally everyone.

"Really? You don't think I'm someone worth bragging about?"

"I don't need to brag about you. It's obvious just from looking at you."

That reads like it's really what he thinks, although it's hard to tell from text.

I wonder why you waited to the end of the day to ask me out?

I'm a bit surprised, but I don't understand why he was surprised. Did he think I had time to do something tonight?

I guess you wouldn't have known that, but I'm still annoyed by the lack of time.

"Sorry for leaving so quickly, but it's your fault. If you wanted to do something together you should have asked earlier."

"I didn't want to ask you around other people. I wanted it to just be us."

Huh? Why? Weren't you the guy that begged to fight Kendo and Tetsu on his own? I thought you were desperate for attention.

"Really? I thought for sure you would love to make some big dramatic moment."

"Not for something like this. Not for something so personal."

I don't understand. Why are you so different from what you normally are?

"I wouldn't have expected that from you."

"Other people's opinions shouldn't matter. We should be the most important part of our relationship."

Does- does he think this is serious?

Oh this poor boy, I am going to make him suffer.

I wake up easily. I don't really care enough to waste time getting to school. But that makes sense. I was able to have dinner with Mom and Dad. They've been busy lately, so it's been difficult.

I get it, though. I mean, hey, that's why I'm becoming a hero, right?

I wander into class only barely paying attention to my surroundings. Kendo is the only one here and gently greets me.

"Good morning, Tokage."

"Hey, Kendo."

"So, what do you think of U. A. so far? Are you feeling good about it?"

"I'm fine, Kendo. You don't have to worry."

She shakes her head. "I'm not worrying, I just have to fulfill my duty as class vice representative."

"I'm a recommended student, I know what I'm doing."

I don't want to look like I'm bragging, but Kendo's "I care, but I'm going to pretend I don't care" persona is annoying.

"I am here for you if you ever need anything."

Pony and Komori enter the classroom next. Pony is babbling about anime to Komori's clear disinterest.

Kendo motions for them to join us, as she begins asking them how they're feeling.

Other classmates begin dragging themselves in, ranging the gauntlet of emotions from Tetsu to Kodai.

Monoma enters the room and looks over the students before finding me and smiling.

His body language says he's happy, but he's wearing a smaller smile than normal for him. Weird.

He takes a seat and turns to look me.

"It's good to see you."

He says that as though he hasn't seen me in years.

"Miss me so much and it hasn't even been a day."

During morning classes, Monoma does everything perfectly, offering assistance to other classmates that need help.

Why are you good at this? Why do you switch between genius and idiot depending on what you're doing?

Lunch begins and I turn to Monoma, finding that he's not in the room.

He must have already gone to lunch.

I grab a tray and search for Monoma in the cafeteria. Failing to find him, I sit with Kendo.

"Tokage, are you alright? You seem grumpy."

"I'm not grumpy."

"You huffed when you sat down."

She's lying.

"Kendo, have you seen Monoma? I wanted to speak with him."

The smile drains from Kendo's face. "Oh, Tokage, not you too."

"What do you mean?"

Kendo crosses her arms. "Almost everyone in class wants Monoma to help them with their quirk or assignment or whatever."

She sighs. "I don't understand how everyone is so taken in with his act."

"Act?"

Kendo nods. "Can't they tell that it's not real? It's so obviously fake. Monoma is supposed to be some perfect student? That's just a character he's playing. He's clearly repressing."

Repressing? I think back to yesterday when Monoma was very uncomfortable asking me out. That would fit with his other behavior with me.

"You think Monoma is repressing his sexuality?"

Kendo is dumbfounded. "Monoma is repressing his everything. How am I the only one who sees through this?"

Monoma is repressing. That explains why he's so different so much of the time. How much of it is real, though? Nobody can keep up an act like this forever, so the only question is: How long will it take?

"Tokage, I don't like the look of that smile you're wearing."

I zoned out for a second there. "It's fine, Kendo. You said Monoma was playing a character? Well, I can make him break."

Kendo was dismayed.

I get up and leave the cafeteria to go search for Monoma. I don't really know U. A. all that well, yet, so I'm not sure where he could be.

Seriously, where is he? I pull out my phone and send a text. A few minutes later and nothing. I'm getting annoyed by the lack of response.

Does he think he can just ignore me? He must think I'm not going to do anything to him. I can easily break up with him, because this isn't serious yet.

Right. This isn't serious. That's why you're so mad at him for not eating lunch with you. Because this isn't serious.

Shut up, voice in the back of my head. I've never listened to you before, and I'm not listening to you now.

I wait outside the classroom until lunch is over.

Eventually, Monoma returns from wherever he disappeared to.

"Where were you during lunch? I looked everywhere for you. I sent you a message."

Monoma glances at his phone.

You didn't even look at your fucking phone?

"I'm sorry, Setsuna. Nighteye was here during lunch and I decided to follow him as his intern student."

What the fuck? Intern student?

"You have a hero internship?"

"Yes." He says, as if that's something normal.

"You have an internship on day three of hero school."

"Well, if you want to be technical, I've been his intern since two weeks before school."

You're missing the fucking point.

I run my fingers through my hair. "Do you not understand how insane that is?"

"Well, Nighteye is a respected hero, so they let him get away with things that others can't."

I stop for a minute as Monoma's obliviousness begins to set in.

"Okay, but why are you his intern?"

Realization dawns on Monoma as he finally understands my point.

"Well, I'm just special."

He's just special. That's why he's an intern student before he even enters a hero school.

Because he's just "special."

This fucking piece of shit.

I know that I am far too angry, but he needs to learn to open his fucking mouth.

I manage to respond without shouting at him. "Monoma, I get the feeling you don't understand just how special that makes you."

He shakes his head. "Well, that makes sense. You didn't think it was that important that you were a recommended student."

"Monoma, there are tons of recommended students. I have never in my life heard of someone that had an internship before entering hero school."

My parents are pro heroes and I'm not even an intern student.

"I don't think it's that important."

He clearly doesn't want to talk about this.

I sigh and stare at the ceiling. "Okay, now where did you go? I couldn't find you."

"I just went to eat with Nighteye somewhere on campus."

I smile, finally getting a response from him. "Well, if it's someplace special, maybe you should take me there next time?"

He gets uncomfortable again. More embarrassed than worried. "It wasn't that big of a deal, Setsuna."

Hmm. I want to know your secret spot, but I guess that can wait.

"Well, if you say so."

We move to enter class, but Tsuburuba barrels through Monoma before he gets the chance.

I grab a bickering Monoma, pulling him back up. He takes his seat, annoyed.

"You all right?"

He smiles. "Yeah, I'm just mad."

"Good. Wouldn't want you injured for rescue training."

The smile drains from his face. "Oh no."

"What's wrong?"

"I've never done rescue training before."

"So? You've never done anything else before, and you had no problem being Mr. Perfect."

Monoma looks off into the distance. "Somehow I think it's different this time."

You are insecure about the strangest things.

Rescue training ends and it's clear I was completely wrong, as Monoma manages to fail rescue training to the point I wonder if it was intentional.

Until I remember that it's Monoma.

"I'm sorry I built you up so much. I should have listened when you said you were awful."

A pathetic looking Monoma looks in my eyes to answer. "Well, it's just one more thing to learn, right?"

Why are you so different? Why is this something you're so bad at? Why do you keep switching between perfect understanding and helpless stupidity?

Is it really just a character, or is it all you?

Why do you feel the need to be so dishonest?

I want to find who the real Monoma is, deep down.

…

…Wait, that sounds like a lot of work.

…

…On the other hand, I can just wait until he feels comfortable enough to tell me.

Eh, whatever, I'll figure it out later.

 

[Dr. Bob Doom]

Well, I just binged this over the course of an evening and it was a delight. Monoma is so fucked up, but I'm very invested in seeing how this goes... For better or worse.

 

[iamawesome300]

I'm angry, but that's nothing new.

It wasn't enough to forget about rescue training, was it? No, I also had to forget to meet Setsuna during lunch and now she's mad at me and is demanding an explanation for where I was.

That's going to be a difficult conversation to have, because under no circumstances am I telling Setsuna about Eri, because that will lead to worse conversations.

I try to get a grip but it's clear I'm losing it; this is just way too much to keep track of.

Breathe, Monoma. Remember you promised to help train your friends' quirks today.

I smile. Yes, something that's easy. Something with a clear and obvious answer.

Afternoon classes have nothing I pay attention to or care about.

After classes end, I tell everyone in Class B to meet outside the school. We choose an area that is mostly covered in grass as seems necessary.

I turn to address the class as Kendo moves to stand beside me.

Apparently, she's aware of when I'm going to deliver speeches.

Setsuna stands on the other side of me as I begin. "The Sports Festival will be coming up soon. For the most part, it exists to help measure our progress as hero students."

I grumble to myself as I wonder why the fuck one of the most important opportunities to show off a student's abilities is the first thing done in a year.

"But it also is used by hero agencies as a way to see potential hires. We will split into groups to train together as U. A. has not done much to help learn teamwork despite it being a massive part of what the Sports Festival demands of its participants. Now, I've already planned out what teams will be-"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

I turn my head to Kamakiri as he interrupts me.

"What do you mean-"

"I mean that you promised to help us train our quirks. Why the fuck do we need to 'learn teamwork' or-"

"Were you not listening?" I ask Kamakiri as he gets angry at me for interrupting him. "The Sports Festival demands teamwo-"

"Yeah, I heard what you fucking said! I just don't understand what the fuck that has to do with me? I don't care how much teamwork the Sports Festival demands; I can just push through it on my strength alone. I don't need to learn teamwork, I need-"

"Well, clearly you do, if you're acting like this."

Another flash of rage washes over Kamakiri. "You promised to help us train our quirks. I wanted to fight the man who won the Battle Trial by himself. I'm not going to sit down in a circle and talk about my fucking feelings. If you're-"

"Very well." I motion for everyone to step back. "If you feel that this is unnecessary, then we can skip to training for right now."

Kamakiri blinks before smiling and entering a fighting stance.

"Let me make one thing clear," I announce, "I am not going to use my quirk for this and neither will you."

"Why would we be fighting without quirks? I thought you said you wanted to help us train them."

I smile. "Well, isn't it obvious? If we're not using quirks, I can beat you effortlessly."

Kamakiri grits his teeth. "There is no chance that you-"

"No, you are far too dependent on your quirk to ever beat me. It would be an embarrassing defeat."

Kamakiri screams. "I have far more training than you could possibly have!"

"It doesn't matter how much you've trained, I'm just better than you." I smile again.

Kamakiri's voice turns cold as he loses his anger. "I'm going to beat the shit out of you."

Both of us move away from each other as I turn my head to the crowd. Some are worried, some are excited.

"Would someone be willing to stand between us and announce the start of the match?"

Kendo sighs and stands at the midpoint between Kamakiri and me. "Start!"

Kamakiri rushes ahead. I don't move at all, instead watching his arms to see which one he will hit me with. He swings at me, as I turn to the side and push his arm away.

I know it's pointless to try to block or counter Kamakiri's attacks.

Kamakiri immediately recovers and turns to kick me in the face. I dodge and continue moving backwards to stay out of Kamakiri's range.

Kamakiri grins. "What, you're not going to try and attack me?"

"I'm waiting for you to exhaust yourself like the dumbass you are."

He screams and rushes at me. I dodge to his side before he even comes near me. He responds by turning mid-charge to attack with his opposite side. I push his attack to the side again. He lost far too much momentum by changing direction.

"Fucking fight me!"

"What, can't handle a little waiting? I'm very good at it."

His next charge has him change tactics. He decides to jump at me so I can't push him away again. My only possible response is to fall on my back. I'm injuring myself by doing this, but he stumbles on the ground having expected resistance.

"It must have been so easy for you. Being born with such a powerful quirk."

Kamakiri stands up, brushing himself off. "You don't know shit about me."

I smile. "I know that you're a little bitch who's mad he can't use his quirk because it's the only thing that makes him special."

Kamakiri moves forward as he speaks, probably hoping to distract me. "Don't act like you know anything about how-"

"I know everything about you because it's the same story I've heard a thousand fucking times. 'Wah! Kids bullied me!' That doesn't mean you get to walk all over everyone else. You're just mad some kids were mean to you."

I stare Kamakiri directly in his eyes, making sure he has no choice but to listen to me. "You don't have any actual problems."

Kamakiri launches himself at me. He adjusts his arm, pulling one higher above the other.

Finally.

I do the same thing I did last time, fall on my back. The only difference is that Kamakiri is prepared for this and follows through, planning to land on me. He activates his quirk as a blade appears coming from his arm. I roll out from under him as he lands on the ground, impaling his blade deep within the dirt. I stand up and move right in front of Kamakiri. He is on his hands and knees, stuck in the grass. He looks up at me as I pull back my foot, swinging it beneath his chin, kicking him with all of my strength. He might have landed on his back if it wasn't for the blade that was stuck. The whiplash hits his arm as he is pulled to the ground, collapsing, one of his arms forced upright due to the blade.

Of course, I had no chance against Kamakiri if we fought without our quirks. That's why I spouted all that nonsense to trick him into using his.

I turn to our audience, who are staring at me in disbelief.

"Now, who wants to learn what team they're on?"

Nobody responds.

The important thing is that no one will question me.

 

[iamawesome300]

For the next hour or so, everyone is split into groups. I tell everyone what skills will be necessary to train for the Sports Festival and if there's any disagreement, I haven't seen it.

Shoda is the first to leave. He gives a parting and mentions his exhaustion.

It makes sense, he doesn't have to represent the class in the way Kendo does.

Kodai leaves immediately after, saying nothing.

One by one, people wander off somewhere. Kuroiro lingers near Komori before finally leaving. Tsuburuba leaves with a frown, having enjoyed what was a mostly friendly meeting.

Kamakiri deems this a sufficient number of people to leave while protecting his reputation. He said very little after waking up but given that he was paying attention to my instructions, he will return to more normal levels after a few days.

Kendo gives a speech thanking everyone for showing up. She seemed much happier after I had mentioned how important teamwork was going to be to winning the Sports Festival.

I doubt she will remain that way.

In any case, she leaves while gently nudging others to hurry up and do the same.

Most follow after that. I had told them that we would be doing this tomorrow, obviously.

"Neito."

I immediately flinch after hearing that. A deep panic fills me as I turn my head.

"It's all right. Everyone else left already."

Setsuna smiles at me.

Of course. I call her Setsuna, so it would make perfect sense if she was to call me Neito. That would be completely normal.

"If you don't want me to-"

"No, no, that's fine. I'm glad. I'm just… not used to it."

Setsuna narrows her eyes. I really wish I knew what she was thinking.

"Well… If that's all right, I thought I would ask you about something."

"Oh… really?"

Stop panicking, Monoma. She's your girlfriend, she just wants to talk to you.

"Would you like to come over to my house tonight? My parents aren't home."

Okay, now you can panic.

I stand in front of a house. It is compact, jutting out. Far more long than wide, as you would expect a house to be. I assume that is merely location, given how busy the area is, it would be expensive to build here.

It surprises me how normal it is.

Not that I'm implying that Setsuna's house would be weird. Setsuna is obviously…

Um…

Is it too stereotypical of me to describe the woman I love as being perfect?

In any case, the building has nothing that sticks out in my mind as being "Setsuna-like."

"Doors not locked."

Hmm?

Oh she wants me to enter.

I release my hand from hers and grab the doorknob.

…

What?

I had my hand in hers? I didn't notice that? Was I so absorbed in my own thoughts that I had somehow missed what would be a milestone in a first relationship that normal people have?

I've never been good at emotions.

Well, I've never been good at my emotions. I've been amazing at other people's emotions.

Except for Setsuna, who is impossible to read.

I turn the knob and open the door, holding out my hand for Setsuna to enter, more to give myself time to think than any desire to be gentlemanly.

A pile of shoes lies beneath me. I make an effort to take my shoes off and place them next to the few lined up.

Setsuna kicks her shoes off into the pile.

I step onto the genkan and glance into the wider area. The family room has couches crowding around a television tuned to a baseball game.

"Hey."

I whip my head to the man sitting on one of the couches. He is wearing a thin jacket and pants, having gone unnoticed due to the similarities in color to the couch he has sunk into.

"This is my brother, Dotsu."

I turn to Setsuna, who is smiling as though she said something that should be questioned. I refuse to give her the reaction she wants.

Her brother returns his gaze to the television. He seems like a normal person. Nothing stands out as strange.

Aside from the fact that he's purple.

I wonder if the purple hero suit Setsuna chose was based on her brother, they do seem to be the same shade of purple.

Well, I will have to speak to Setsuna's brother sooner or later, so I may as well do it now.

"Erm… Hello, Dotsu."

He turns back from the television to me, and then to Setsuna, who grabs onto my arm, her smile almost manic.

He sighs. "Listen, I'm not going to hurt you, I don't care."

Uh…

He holds his arms out. "Look."

Immediately his skin turns to some rock shape, remaining purple. He holds that pose for a few seconds before returning to normal.

"Listen, Conduction makes me indestructible, but I'm immobile while using it. Not exactly a pro hero quirk."

Setsuna drags me away from Dotsu.

Well, that could have gone worse. I wonder why he acted so strangely around me? Why was he trying to get me to drop my guard? Is he trying to get me to trust him? Why is he so casual with Setsuna?

I hear a door open, and I am torn out of my thoughts. A woman exits a door before me. She looks like an older Setsuna.

"Hi."

Setsuna grabs my head and tilts it directly at the woman. "And this is my sister, Suraisa."

I instinctively avert my gaze from her. Which is difficult thanks to Setsuna's hold on me.

"Would you like some tea?"

"He would love some tea." Setsuna interrupts before giving me a chance to answer.

We sit down as Suraisa prepares to make the tea. I do everything in my power to avoid looking at Suraisa as I am terrified. I look at Setsuna, noticing that she has a bored look on her face.

Suraisa takes out the tea leaves and begins to move them into the pot. As she drops them, they disintegrate in the air.

I sit up at this. Setsuna gently grabs my shoulder to pull me back.

"That's Suraisa's quirk. She can cut anything that's organic, the opposite of Dad."

Anything organic? Is she threatening me? Certainly, it wouldn't be difficult to use tea-making as an opportunity to send a message. "Don't hurt my sister." Although, she could just be making tea. The ambiguity is what makes it scarier. And she said her quirk was the opposite of her father's? That would imply he can cut anything inorganic.

"Neito."

"Hmm?" To my credit, I don't jump out of my seat when Setsuna calls me Neito.

"The tea is done."

I accept the tea that is offered. Notably, Suraisa's quirk makes the tea far smoother than any tea powder would normally be. I don't compliment her on this however, as for some reason I get the feeling it would be patronizing.

She turns to speak outside the room. "Dotsu, there's tea if you want it."

Some shuffling, as well as a groan is heard.

I haven't said anything yet, have I? Crap, I need to make conversation, or I risk coming off as impolite.

"Ah, Setsuna, thank you for introducing me to your siblings."

"This isn't all of them. There's four that don't live here."

I pause a moment. "Your parents had seven children?"

"Yeah, they used to fuck."

Every muscle in my body tenses up immediately. I turn to Suraisa who apparently has no response to this. I return to drinking the tea to prevent myself from speaking.

Setsuna calmly sips her tea as though she's said nothing of interest. "I guess I was difficult to handle or something. It's like once they had me, they decided, 'Okay that's enough, no more kids.' So, I'm the youngest."

"I see." I don't know how to respond to that.

Dotsu enters the kitchen, sitting down, allowing Suraisa to pour his tea.

Suraisa sighs and speaks. "Don't you get bored doing it all day?"

He picks up his tea before answering. "What?"

"Sitting on your ass. You do it professionally, why do it at home?"

I am completely confused. "Huh?"

Setsuna grabs onto me gently and answers my barely legible question. "Dotsu is a security guard."

Oh I see. Yes, his invincibility matched with his inability to move would make him a perfect fit for a security guard. Wait, didn't he say something about not being a pro hero? Hmm, it's true the lack of movement would make it difficult to be a pro hero, but would it make it impossible? I don't want to say anything, as he has obviously put more thought into his own life than I have.

Dotsu tuts. "You're starting to sound like Dad."

Suraisa glares. "Don't you fucking- Ugh."

Suraisa looks me in the eye before giving a closed smile. She returns to Dotsu. "Well, you wouldn't have to listen to me if you were to go somewhere else every now and then."

Suraisa returns to smiling at me. "Isn't that right?"

Is she threatening me?

Dotsu sighs and finishes his tea. "Well at least you're having fun, I have a baseball game to watch."

After Dotsu leaves, Suraisa turns to Setsuna, before looking to me and back again.

I've been told that twins have the ability to read each other's thoughts. Setsuna and Suraisa aren't twins, but even so…

"Why are you still here?" Suraisa finally speaks.

I flinch at her question. Was I not allowed to be here? Did Setsuna not tell her family beforehand? I really hope this doesn't start an argument.

I take a deep breath. "Um, Setsuna invited me here."

Suraisa closes her eyes and rubs her forehead. "I meant," She pauses, "in the kitchen."

Oh.

"So," Setsuna says with finality, "let me show you my room."

"Uh, sure." I'm far more comfortable with Setsuna than her siblings.

I follow Setsuna up the stairs.

"That's my parent's room. I'd show you inside but it's dusty."

"Uh…"

"Anyway, this is my room."

Setsuna opens the door to her room. Immediately, I notice her messed up bed. Clothes are strewn about on the floor. A faded dinosaur poster hangs on the wall, desperately clinging to the one corner still attached. A desk and chair sit in the corner. Paper, books and writing implements lying on top and around them.

"I cleaned my room before inviting you here." She says, expecting me to say something.

"Of course."

We enter the room, and I walk to the bed and chair.

Setsuna points to her bed. "You can sit there."

I do, sitting across from the chair.

Setsuna ignores it entirely, sitting next to me on the bed.

I take a moment to look around Setsuna's room, noticing what I couldn't see from the entrance.

A closet has nothing much inside it, only a plastic drawer and some clothes on hangers. A wooden drawer has a laptop on top of it. It's currently plugged in, charging. Some books lie on the ground next to an empty bookshelf. Most of those books seem old, having pro heroes or dinosaurs on the cover.

I turn back to Setsuna, who has clearly been following my gaze around the room. When I look her in the eye she smiles.

"So, how are you?"

A difficult question to answer.

"I don't know. I feel okay? Maybe I'll feel better once I calm down a bit."

"You seemed fine training the rest of the class."

I wince. "Can we not talk about that when we're together? If I think about school even more, my head will explode."

She moves her arms behind her, leaning back as she holds herself up. Her smile lessens, but her eyes are gentle as she looks at me.

"Well, what do you do outside of school?"

A question that's expected, even if unwanted.

"Not a whole lot, unfortunately. I read bandes dessinées, sometimes."

"Of course, more European stuff." She pauses. "Why are you so obsessed with Europe, anyway?"

I hold my arm. This conversation is quickly approaching a topic I don't like talking about.

"Well, I've always been told I just have that type of attitude."

"Yeah, but that seems kind of… I don't know. Surface level?"

"Ha. Well, you'd be surprised how few people try to look deeper."

"Oh." She says quietly.

"Ah, sorry. I made things heavy for no reason. It just slipped out. In any case, I'm happy with all you've done for me, even if it seems like it isn't anything."

I look her in the eyes, hoping she can understand. "You don't need to understand someone to care about them."

"Doesn't mean it doesn't help. What about me? Anything you're curious about?"

"Hmm… I don't know. Why dinosaurs? Is it just because of your quirk?"

"I suppose you could say that, but I've never really questioned it. It just seemed natural."

Of course, It makes sense that Setsuna wouldn't need to look at herself like I have.

She continues. "What about hero school? You clearly- You've clearly proven you belong here."

I know the answer deep inside me. I can just tell a part of it.

"I always wanted to be a hero. It was never a question. Not since I was a toddler."

"Huh. Are your parents pro heroes?"

I flinch at the mention of my parents. "Uh, no. My parents didn't really have a lot to do with me being a pro hero. Why? Are your parents pro heroes?"

Setsuna looks down. "Yeah, they are. You know who Reptilia is?"

"No I don't. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It's not your fault." She narrows her eyes. Her pointed teeth are showing anger for the first time I've known her.

"That's my mom. Her quirk is like a heteromorphic version of Ryukyu's."

"I see, so-"

"She's not very popular. Everyone just says: 'Well, we already have one reptile lady, why would we need another?' That's why my dad leads their agency."

"And your father-"

"Do you know who The Cutter is?"

I shake my head. "I assume he's a rescue hero?"

"Yeah he is. Don't get the wrong idea. My mom is definitely in charge. It's just that dad's name is on the sign for…"

Setsuna gets a disgusted look on her face. "…marketing." She finishes.

She releases her hands that have been digging into her skirt. "Well, unfortunately people don't really care about rescue heroes that much."

She returns to looking at me. "Anyway, they're busy a lot of the time. We try to meet for dinner as much as we can but-"

"I understand."

I said it without thinking. It's instinctual.

"Your parents are busy with work?"

"...Yeah."

She sits up. "Hey, next time they're available, you should come over and eat with my parents."

"Uh, sure." Great, another promise I didn't want to make.

I continue. "Uh, do they want to meet me?"

"Probably not, but I want them to meet you."

"Oh… okay…"

Setsuna smiles again. "What about your parents?"

"Oh, they're out of the country, right now."

"They'll be back soon?"

"Yeah."

I'm getting better at lying.

Setsuna pulls out her phone. "It's getting late, I wouldn't want you to have trouble getting home."

Ha. Home.

I stand up, as does Setsuna.

"Bye."

"Bye."

I turn to her door, preparing to exit. I get a feeling that this isn't the correct thing to do.

I return to Setsuna and hug her. I attempt to wrap my arms around her waist, what would be the traditional way to hug, but I undershoot and hold her back. She similarly misses my neck and grabs onto my shoulders, leaning her head against my chest.

"Goodbye Setsuna."

"Goodbye Neito."

I exit, closing her door gently. My trip out the door has Dotsu in my path, and I offer an awkward apology before continuing my exit.

I take a deep breath before walking to my apartment.

Setsuna's siblings treated me strangely, but I'm not really sure how to analyze their behavior.

Maybe with more time around them, I'll figure out what they expect from me.

 

[iamawesome300]

I'm not even pretending to pay attention anymore. Classes have gone far beyond the amount of boring I can tolerate.

I'm probably in the middle of some schoolwork-induced hallucination when a loud voice that can only be Tetsutetsu shakes me out of it.

"Hey guys, I'm going to Class A to see how strong they are before the Sports Festival! Anybody want to come with me?"

Ah, so that's what day it is.

"You've got a great idea Tetsu. In fact, why don't we go and greet them as a class?"

I pull myself out of my seat and motion for everyone to follow. Tetsu has a look of pure joy on his face. Kendo has a look of pure confusion. The others either share one of those looks or are grumbling about having to move.

We manage to stand in front of the door to the classroom, pushing past the other classes' students as we do, Kendo and Setsuna standing beside me.

We are Class A's "sister" class, so we have the most authority to do so.

The door opens revealing a shocked Uraraka. I push down the dark feelings I get seeing Uraraka again.

Bakugo steps forward, bickering with the grape boy. "They're scoping out the enemy."

I look directly into Bakugo's eyes. He stops when he realizes I won't allow him to step through me effortlessly.

"Out of the way, extras."

I respond before anyone else can. "My, aren't you impolite?"

"I don't give a shit about politeness."

"I'm sure you don't. Which is why it's clear that you're not a threat to win the Sports Festival."

Rage fills Bakugo's eyes, before he breathes out, pushing it down again.

"It seems as though you don't know who we are. Either that or you don't care. In any case, your leadership will do nothing but lead your class to ruin."

"Bakugo is not this class's leader!" jumps up and shouts Iida.

I flinch. Shit, I made Iida die and now I'm forced to look at him.

"Really? Then why does he speak for you?"

Iida prepares to answer the question, but I move on, uninterested.

"Allow me to introduce my friends. We are Class B, your 'sister' class." I say spitefully. "We came here to meet our opponents for the Sports Festival." I turn my face into a frown, mocking them. "Although, it seems this was a waste of time given the competition available."

Bakugo balls his fists. "Move out the fucking way. You don't want to piss me off."

I make an obnoxious smile. "Oh, really? Do you have a powerful quirk of some kind?"

Bakugo smiles. "You won't be able to bait me like that."

I laugh. "Oh, that won't be necessary. I already know your quirk."

Everyone now has a look of confusion on their faces.

"Yes, now that I think about it, it's clear who you are. I know that Endeavor's son is a member of Class A. You must be Endeavor's son. That explains your terrible attitude."

Bakugo has now gotten even more confused. Todoroki flinches within the classroom. He's hoping no one notices.

But I was waiting for it.

"Oh?" I say, turning to look at the man who wishes he had the invisible girl's quirk right now. "It seems I was wrong. You must be the egotistical child who believes that he will effortlessly stand over all other challengers."

I look back at Bakugo. "My, this truly is an awful class. Completely filled with arrogance, between you and Prince Char-ring."

Every single person in my vicinity steps back, even Bakugo has a look of shock on his face.

"What the fuck?" Kirishima softly whispers.

I turn to my newest opponent. "Oh, I'm sorry, were you expecting me to show him nothing but compassion? As though that scar on his face is a free pass to be a douchebag?"

I return to Todoroki, who is staring blankly. "Please excuse me for treating him like anyone else."

Todoroki might have been abused by his father, but that doesn't mean I have to be nice to him. In fact, because I am the one who stopped Endeavor from abusing him, I am also the one who has the most right to be an asshole to him.

I raise my arms in a dramatic flourish, holding them in an insincere questioning pose. "I am Neito Monoma, representative of Class B. Who is the representative of this class?"

Iida calms himself down from his prior indignance and coughs, raising his hand in response. "I am the representative of Class A, Tenya Iida, and I am proud of my service to my classmates and U. A."

"Uh huh, and why have you done nothing to remedy your classmates' awful behavior? The duty of a class representative is to lead their fellow students."

I drop my smile and narrow my eyes at Iida. "Your leadership is clearly lacking."

Iida begins sputtering. "How can you- It is not my fault-"

"Not your fault? Your classmates refuse to follow your instruction. They do not listen to you, as they do not respect you. It is no one's fault but yours for your class's terrible personalities."

Momo jumps into the conversation. "You have no right to talk to my classmate like this!"

Of course. Both of them didn't become class representatives to help their classmates, they were just seeking attention.

"And who are you?"

"I am the vice representative of Class A. You may call me 'Momo'"

"Ah yes, the rich girl. It's not as if you are competent, either. Your job is to assist Iida in his duties as class representative, and you have clearly failed to do that."

Momo freezes, clearly struggling to defend herself against my accusations.

…And probably angry at my passive-aggressiveness.

I take a quick glance at the rest of Class A and find no one else entertaining enough to criticize.

…Yet.

I turn to my right and find a blank-faced Shinso.

Oh, I spoiled his moment.

I reach out my hands to grab his. "Ah, Shinso! You must also be here for the Sports Festival! Let us hope you make it far! The hero class clearly needs a man with such heroic spirit!"

Shinso is confused. He doesn't understand why a man like me is holding onto his hands or knows so much about him.

Whatever, it's not the first friendship I've had that started one-sidedly.

I turn to an equally confused Class B. "It seems best for us to leave now. There is little to be gained from our competitors, unfortunately."

The crowds disperse to give us an opening to return to homeroom.

Kendo grabs onto me before I enter the classroom. She pulls me away from the door.

Kendo glares into my eyes. Her muscles are tightened on her face. At her sides, she is clenching her fists.

She seems mad.

"Okay, what the hell are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb. I mean that argument with Class A."

"Well, Class A started-"

"But you knew, and you made it worse. You planned for that. I wouldn't be surprised if you knew every single thing they would say. So, I'll ask the same question again. What the hell are you doing?"

Hmm. Apparently, Kendo's patience has finally run dry.

"I am merely showing everyone exactly who they are."

"Why are you so hostile-"

I interrupt Kendo. This conversation has been a long time coming. "Because I understand. Which is more than what you have done."

Kendo rolls her eyes and tosses her hands to the side. "Understand what, Monoma? That the world is against us?"

"Not the world, just the school. Only Class B or Class A can succeed. Our class needs to be the ones that do."

"So that's why you have to be a dick to everyone?"

"Thinking that your enemies are people is how you lose."

"And now everyone is angry and they hate each other. Are you proud of what you've done?"

"No."

She pauses, confused by my answer.

"I will be proud when we win."

And with that said, I open the classroom door to leave Kendo to herself.

 

[iamawesome300]

"Hey, Neito?"

I look up from the assignment that I have had to complete four times now. It's the day before the Sports Festival. Every step of tomorrow has been planned.

"Do you remember when you promised to have dinner with my family the next time they had the time?"

My eye twitches. "Of course, why do you ask?"

Setsuna smiles. "Because they have time to come over tonight. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Yes." I lie to the woman who knows damn well that I don't want this.

I need to stop making promises I don't want to keep.

I stand before Setsuna's house once more. Setsuna and I held hands on the way here. She wanted to help me calm down from the anxiety of the situation.

You know, the one that she caused.

I open the door as Setsuna pushes me aside to kick her shoes off. I follow after her and do the same.

I blank for a second before picking up my shoes to place them. Oh great, I'm already imitating her behavior.

The kitchen has sounds of cooking coming from inside. Dotsu is on the couch, again watching a baseball game. This time he has his security guard uniform on.

"Do you have work tonight?" Setsuna asks.

"No, just might need an excuse."

Setsuna frowns before sitting on the couch. I sit down next to Setsuna.

The crowd on the television makes noise and I look to see the score is now 2-0.

Dotsu sighs.

"Is that not your team?"

"No."

"Has the game been fun until now?"

Dotsu looks at me annoyed. "It's the eighth inning and that was the first home run. What do you think?"

"Uh, I guess 'no?'"

I don't really know a whole lot about baseball.

The front door is opened.

I look down and hold my breath, trying my hardest to not panic.

A man is heard taking his shoes off. Afterwards, he walks inside, taking off his jacket as he does so. Walking upstairs, his appearance reminds me of an older, non-purple Dotsu.

I take a deep breath.

Suraisa exits the kitchen with a towel in her hands, wiping them. She looks at all three of our faces and decides to remain standing.

Setsuna's father walks down the stairs, having removed his outer suit layer.

He is a pro hero, right? His name is "The Cutter?" I wonder if he had to give an interview.

Suraisa greets him while her brother grunts from the couch. Setsuna gives a casual "Hey."

He sits down next to Dotsu. He's across the corner from me.

"Where's mom?" Setsuna asks.

"Her work is always more difficult than mine."

He finally notices, or first decides to pay attention to, me.

"What is your name?"

"I am Neito Monoma."

"I see." He offers his hand to me.

A panic forms deep inside me. How strong will his handshake me? Is he testing me or is this a greeting?

I grab his hand to shake it. I give slightly less force than he does. I would say his handshake has an average amount of force behind it, at least in comparison to other adults.

Look at that, now I'm acting like I'm not an adult, again.

"My name is Katto Tokage."

After giving his name, he turns to watch the game.

Wait, that's it?

I thought that he would… I don't know, I just thought there would be more… anything that he would want to say to me.

What is this feeling I get from Setsuna's family, why is it so strange?

I wonder if I should ask him something about what it's like to be a pro hero, but he probably doesn't want to talk about work immediately after coming to his home.

I'm getting arrogant. I need to stop before I make a damning mistake.

Mr. Katto turns to Dotsu. "How has work been?"

"It's been fine." He answers in the tone that I recognize using myself, one where I don't want to talk to someone.

"Can we not do this now?" Suraisa wipes her face with the towel.

"Thank you for your hypocritical help, Suraisa."

Setsuna grabs my hand and begins to pull me. I follow her, unwilling to involve myself in… whatever her family is talking about.

She takes me upstairs. "It's okay. He'll just say that Dotsu should move out. Dotsu will say 'Well, someone should live here if you don't.' and they'll get bored of arguing and move on eventually."

"Is Suraisa the one making the dinner? Would she want help?"

Setsuna snickers. "She might kill you first. She's in culinary school. She wants to be a chef."

"I see, so an offer for assistance would be taken as an insult?"

"More like, she'll get pissed off because you suck. So, how are you feeling about the Sports Festival?"

She picked the best time to get me to talk about school. Setsuna is very intelligent.

"I'll go over it all tomorrow with you and Class B. I'll explain my plan."

Setsuna smiles. "Oh? Am I not considered part of Class B now?"

"You are. I only separate you because…" I begin rubbing the back of my head.

"Well, I love you."

"I'm glad you're becoming more comfortable with admitting it."

"You say that like it's a crime."

"No, I say that like you're scared of what will happen."

Setsuna, you don't have to say every single thought that pops into your head, like this for example.

"Setsuna, whatever you want, I'll give it to you."

"Well yeah, I already knew that."

If you are so good at reading right through me, why do you try so hard to figure out the few things you can't?

Dotsu's voice is heard from downstairs. "Setsuna? Mom's here."

Father went …okay, the mother will probably be easier.

I descend the stairs before gaining visibility of the new arrival.

I freeze in place.

All of a sudden, I realize that I made an extreme error by not looking up what Setsuna's mother looked like.

Setsuna's description was "a heteromorphic version of Ryukyu."

I wonder if she was underselling it or if I've forgotten what Ryukyu looks like.

In any case, this… creature is not human. I recognize the discomfort in that statement, but unfortunately, none of the other heteromorphs I've met are comparable to Setsuna's mother.

I reach back into my head, trying to make sense of it, but I can't. This can't actually be Setsuna's mother, right?

I study its appearance trying to notice details. Setsuna must have said "like Ryukyu" purely based on the claws. Wings are missing and the tail is vestigial. The skin is the same shade of purple as Dotsu or Setsuna's hero suit. It's wearing a custom-made dress, one clearly designed to be fashionable, but prioritizing comfort, looking somewhat blanket-like. No shoes are worn, clearly not bothering with another expensive design. The face is the only part of the body not covered by scales or clothes.

All together, more reptile than human.

This is Setsuna's mother? That can't be, right? The fluffy hair sitting beautifully over the non-human skull is the only thing even remotely hinting at parentage. This thing is not Setsuna's mother.

She smiles at me.

I was wrong, this is absolutely Setsuna's mom.

I make the final steps to the ground floor speechless, aware that I should say something but not sure what it should be.

She stands forward to rest her claw on my shoulder. "I assume you are Neito?"

"Yes."

She gently brushes me as she removes her claw. "I am Reptilia. You may call me Rui." She turns away from me to speak to her family. "We should start dinner. It would be rude to Suraisa to allow her hard work to go cold."

I grab Setsuna's hand as she takes me to the dining room. She sits down in a middle chair, willing to spare me from that anxiety at least. I take note of the chair perpendicular to me, specifically how its design is clearly made for someone with a non-standard body, something I should have noticed before, but I didn't because I wasn't paying attention and can't fucking think about-

Suraisa slams a dish on the table.

Shaken out of my head, I notice that she has made a traditional Japanese meal.

Nothing too complex, although she is a culinary student so now I wonder if I should offer praise to her afterwards or if she would find it insulting the same way Setsuna described how she would feel about an offer for help.

Suraisa places down the rest of her cooking and sits on the other side of Setsuna. Dotsu sits across from her.

Their parents sit down on opposite edges as Suraisa begins.

My brain goes on autopilot through the meal. They seemed to prefer finishing a meal to talking during, which is helpful for me to try to drag myself together.

Suraisa is thanked by her father and I follow immediately after, not wanting to be first or last.

Dotsu stands from the table.

"Sorry, I have to go, I have work tonight."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Dotsu."

"It's all right, Dad. You're not the one that decides my schedule."

Dotsu makes his way around the table to the exit. He turns back around.

"Oh right, Monoma, I forgot to tell you something."

"What?"

"Bye."

Following that, he turns around and leaves.

…That's what he wanted to tell me?

Setsuna's father stands up. He said his name was Katto, right?

"I'm tired. I'm going upstairs. It was nice meeting you, Monoma."

We said barely three words to each other. What is with this family?

Suraisa begins cleaning up the table. She leaves for the kitchen, wordlessly.

That leaves only three people at the table.

"Neito."

I can tell by the voice that it's Setsuna's mother now. I turn slowly to her hoping my expression is neutral.

She's holding her claws together in what I think is supposed to show contentedness. She gives me a second to breathe before speaking.

"Thank you for coming to eat with my family. I understand that Setsuna feels the same way. It's been difficult for us to find time together, but we do what we can."

I sit at the table, looking at her, waiting for her to continue.

"That's all I had to say."

All of a sudden it hits me. Why I've felt so weird around Setsuna's family, why everything felt so off.

It's because they aren't treating me as something noteworthy. Why aren't they asking questions? Why aren't they interrogating me? Even if they don't feel the need to worry about if I'm dangerous like I assume the worst-case scenario is, why don't they feel the opposite where they are glad to have met me, teasing me over Setsuna?

This… flat out nothingness is hard to deal with. What emotions am I supposed to be feeling right now?

Is… something wrong with me? Is this how normal people act? Have my imitations of what a normal person acts like been so off the mark, that I look even worse than usual?

"You might want to leave before it gets too late."

I look back up at the woman I was speaking to, before turning to Setsuna.

"Come on now, stand up Neito, it's time to get your 'now go away' hug."

Setsuna grabs onto me and begins walking me to the door herself.

"I know that was rough for you, but you'll get used to them."

"I'm a little concerned by your desire to put me through this. Do you want me to have a nervous breakdown?"

She wraps her arms around me and whispers. "We're going to have to meet your parents eventually, you know that right?"

"I know."

I hug her much less awkwardly than I did the last time.

"You don't have to worry about me Setsuna. I'm capable of anything."

"I'm your girlfriend. I'm allowed to worry."

"An infallible argument."

"You don't have to be scared when I'm with you."

"Maybe being with you is what makes me scared."

"You can talk to me, you know. You don't have to keep everything inside."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Setsuna."

She breaks off the hug and then holds my face still so she can look into my eyes. "You can trust me, Neito."

"I trust you."

I'm just not sure if I should.

I put on my shoes and open the door. I give a final wave before I exit the house. I take a deep breath.

Well, back to my home, as unfitting as the word is.

I manage a few steps down the street before I hear the door open again. Turning, I see Setsuna's mother step out.

She offers that smile again, and again I stop as she crosses the distance.

"Got called away for some more hero work."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize how difficult it is."

"Well, you are just a student. But you'll understand one day. You must have already accepted that if you decided to become a pro hero."

I grimace. "Well, the rewards are worth it, isn't it? Not the money, I mean but saving people."

It seems she doubts my abilities as a pro hero. Not that I don't understand why. I mean, she is a mother, after all.

She drops the smile as she angles her neck to look at me.

"Yes, when I was a student, I also thought the money was a secondary goal. Even now you can see that it certainly isn't the reason I'm a hero. Although maybe that line of thinking isn't so true. After all, saving people is itself a form of advertisement, isn't it?"

I remember Setsuna said that her father was in charge only for marketing…

"Is it difficult? Promotion, I mean."

Showing empathy will improve her opinion of me.

She extends her claws. "Rescue heroes have their purpose, even if they have to face… some troubles that others do not."

She's been talking to me a bit more than casual conversation would be like…

I'm glad that someone in the family finally decided to have the necessary conversation with me about Setsuna.

Even if I am still frightened.

"Why did you decide to be a rescue hero?"

"I didn't. You don't get to choose what you're born with."

I've decided to satisfy my curiosity. Although, I do wish she would just get to the point.

"Your quirk made you become a rescue hero?"

She pauses, taking a step around the sidewalk before answering. "I wanted people to understand the type of person I was. But you understand that, don't you?"

Oh shit, she doesn't mean "rescue hero."

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Not when I was a kid, and not for you."

"Because I'm a kid?"

You think I'm immature for wanting people to care about me?

"You know, I used to dream that the day I became a pro hero would be the greatest day of my life."

You're going to call me childish when you just dodge my question like that?

"That implies it wasn't?"

"Obviously."

"Then what was? Your wedding, the birth of your first child?"

This pointless small talk is exhausting. Does she think I am weak and need a full hour of preparation before I have an important discussion?

"It was the day I realized that constantly trying to prove my life has worth wouldn't change the fact that some people think I'm unworthy."

I'm losing my patience.

"Hating a person for trying is something only a nihilist would do."

"Fighting villainy is easy. Fighting pettiness is not."

I sigh. "Look, can we stop dancing around the issue? Can't you just say, 'If you break my daughter's heart, I'll hurt you,' so we can move on?"

"I won't need to hurt you. If you break my daughter's heart, then she will be the first thought in your mind when you lie awake at night thinking of every mistake you've ever made."

After a long moment of both of us staying silent, she continues. "I spent a large part of my life trying to rise through the hero rankings. I was angry at how little respect people gave me; how many people refused to think of me as a person. Imagine how surprised I felt when I met a man who saw a human and not a monster."

"I don't care about the hero rankings."

"No, but I can tell that you're facing something similar."

I laugh at that. "What, do you have a mind-reading quirk?"

You think you know everything about me? Is that why you don't respect me?

"Setsuna loves you, and I can see why that is."

I take a step back at that. "Um, can you tell me why that is? Because I don't see it, myself."

She snickers. It sounds familiar, but I push it away.

"I'm afraid that's the one thing I can't tell you."

"Whatever, Reptilia. Goodbye."

I turn to leave before pausing. Wait, didn't she tell me to call her Rui? Why did I call her by her hero name?

She speaks to me as I begin to walk away. "Be careful that the goals you chase after are ones that will make you happy, and that when you chase these goals, you don't push away everyone that cares about you."

What ridiculous final words. My goals will also make everyone who cares about me happy.