Chapter Text
Thump Thump Thump
"You only have yourself to blame you know~"
"Oh, shut it, Dancer! At least my grade is higher than yours!"
"Yeah, by 1!" Maiko giggled, grinning at Shigeru who continued to slam his head against his table. "Come on, at least we passed! Even if we are on the bottom 5."
Maiko Marite - 18/20
Shigeru Fumio - 17/20
Senji gave a deep sigh, shaking his head at his two classmates. Though inwardly, he did have to admit he was proud of the two. Despite the painful studying session with the two that often ended with Shigeru and Maiko either arguing for the duration of the study session or ending with the two playing competitive games, they did score a lot higher than he had expected when he heard their dying sounds during the beginning and middle of the test. Aya shook her head, trying to look disapproving but couldn't stop the small smile rising.
Senji Tera - 9/20
Aya Yutaka - 14/20
"The mid-terms were a lot tougher than I thought, but I'm glad it's finally over." Ayumi smiled at Harumi, who nodded with a smile in reply. "What did you think about it, Harumi?"
"It was as we studied. Of course, there were a few loops there that did stump me, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle." Harumi shrugged.
Ayumi Tashiro - 11/20
Harumi Tanigawa - 5/20
In his own corner, Eiji sighed silently to himself. Average score. It wasn't too good, it wasn't too bad. He would sleep well knowing that he passed, but it would also bother him knowing that his best was average at most. Though, as he glanced over to Katsumi scolding a pouting Aki, and then to Shigeru who was still slamming his head into the table, he should count his lucky stars that he had guessed well enough that he hadn't failed too terribly.
Eiji Ken - 10/20
Katsumi Miyahara - 4/20
Aki - 16/20
"I really can't believe you didn't even try!" Hiro scolded Joseph, who was scooping a large spoonful of chocolate into his mouth right out from the jar. It made Hiro cringe at the amount of sweetness that had to be in that scoop, but then he braced himself and placed a hand on his hips. "We've studied these questions for a whole two weeks! And don't blame your work for not having enough time to study! You were in every study session with us, and you were the one who taught us how to do number 6 on the math portion, which you failed?"
Joseph just shrugged, looking unbothered. "My family has been raising their hopes again. Needed to remind them that I'm not interested in standing out in anyway at all."
"Still," Nayumi sighed, placing a hand on her cheek as she stared at her sweet-toothed classmate with a look. "You couldn't at least try to get the easier problems correct?"
"No."
Joseph Waters - 19/20
Hiro Tokande - 2/20
Nayumi Akomichi - 1/20
Joseph shook his head. "Why are you ganging up on me? At least I tried passing with a bit of a higher grade, someone didn't even try and barely passed the failing grade."
He then gave a pointed look at Hirota, who rolled his eyes at him and continued defiantly putting his feet on his desk and leaning back until he was resting against the table behind him. He also did his best to ignore Nao who squinted at him with exasperation. Izuku was playing mediator between the two of them, laughing awkwardly as he tried reassuring Nao that he shouldn't worry about Hirota's purposeful failing and trying to encourage Hirota that he should do better next time.
Hirota Yamaoka - 20/20
Nao Ichirou - 7/20
Izuku Midoriya 3/20
"Why do I even need to try? As long as I pass, I pass." Hirota shrugged.
"Well... I just thought that you'd try your best..." Izuku mumbled, twiddling his fingers and also giving the tall boy a concerned look. "You usually like to aim for the top of things. Was it your..." Izuku trailed off there and flailed his hands, but Hirota understood and shook his head.
"Surprisingly, not this time. I was just... Busy." Hirota sighed heavily. "There was a reason why I couldn't come by the study sessions more often than I want. I had to deal with some stuff first. It was a hassle since it wasn't in the job description, but can't exactly so no to the guy..."
"Job? You have a job Hirota?" Nao asked in surprised.
At this, Hirota stiffened up, realizing his slip up. "It's not exactly a job, you know?" He amended, brushing away his feathery bangs that ended up falling back onto his forehead. "It just felt like one since I had to sign a bunch of stuff and make sure everything was in place. It wasn't anything important. Just forget about it."
Nao squinted at Hirota, but eventually he nodded alongside Izuku who just smiled and nodded at the other. Both of them knew that Hirota was hiding something. He wasn't exactly persuasive on that part, but they wouldn't push.
"Hey, now that mid-terms is finally over... It's time for Summer Camp!" Maiko cheered, turning to the rest of her classmates with a large grin. "A nice getaway to a cabin in the forest where no one, and hopefully no serial killers or villains, will bother us while we have the time of our lives there!"
"W-Why do you have to say it like that?" Jun paled, looking at Maiko with wide eyes.
Jun Ishimoto - 13/20
"Because that's what it is." Maiko grinned.
"She technically isn't wrong..." Iwai sweatdropped, turning towards Maiko with a squint. "But the way you phrased it... It feels like we're totally going to be attacked by villains or a serial killer... And I don't know which is exactly worst."
"Aren't they the same thing...?" Kotone questioned.
"They kind of are, but the word villain is a much broader term than specifically calling someone a serial killer-"
"Nothing like that isn't going to happen!" Katsumi groaned, cutting off Kin who just huffed silently to himself at the interruption. Again. "Our luck can't be that bad. What would a villain be doing in the middle of nowhere. Same as a serial killer!"
Iwai Kenchi - 8/20
Kotone Uno - 12/20
Kin Toda - 6/20
"Villains could have a secret base in the middle of the forest. There could be a serial killer hiding out in the forest to escape the police and heroes. Or maybe the serial killer is hiding all his victims out in that forest-"
Jun was cut short when Hiro laughed and patted the smaller boy's back in reassurance. "Don't worry Jun. My people are already making sure everything is going to be safe by the time we get there and settle down. There won't be strangers, no unauthorize campers, no tourist groups, there will be no one in the vicinity there but just all 20 of us. 21 to 22 if my bodyguards decide to tag along with us and watch from the background. Other than that, it will be entirely safe!"
"The fact that you have bodyguards reminds me that you're not a commoner like the rest of us peons..."
"So, what exactly are we going to do once we get there?" Katsumi cut in, eyeing Hiro who grinned widely and pulled out what looked like to be a list of activities he had planned. It was as tall as him, and with his tiny and neat handwriting there had to be over a hundred of activities he had planned for them. "If it's everything on that list, you're going to have to give us more than a week to get through it all."
"As fun as it would be to get through all of them, they're just plans with backup plans just in case we can't do the prior ones for whatever reason. Our first day is just settling in, so first we pick our rooms in the house. Or if you prefer, we can pitch up tents outside so we can have a more authentic camping experience-"
"Rooms. I rather sleep in rooms than sleeping on the ground." Ayumi said stubbornly, with a few others agreeing quickly.
Hiro nodded and crossed a few things off the list. "Alright... Then after picking rooms, we can just spend the day familiarizing ourselves with the house and our surroundings. The forest is a big place, but if you know the main trail you shouldn't be too terrible lost. And the trails should be well-maintained, so there shouldn't be any other reason to go beyond that as well. Hopefully we won't have to worry about someone getting lost."
Hiro muttered some stuff under his breath, writing some notes to himself on the long list.
"Well, it looks like Hiro has everything planned for activities." Nayumi smiled, peering over Hiro's shoulders to take a peek at the mishmash of activities, reminders, and potential plans. "He's also made plans for our meals, so we don't have to worry about food. Now, we just need to prepare what we should bring to the camp. Since we'll be outside, we'll need some bug spray, sunscreen... Oh, we'll need clothes for both hiking and swimming."
"Ooh! Does that mean, shopping?!" Aki exclaimed, her brown eyes bright with excitement as she turned to Katsumi who also looked excited at the prospect of shopping. "It's been a long time since we last went to the mall, right Kat? Ooh! How about we make this an entire class outing! We all can go shopping together!"
"I'm down for that!" Maiko cheered. "It's been a long time since I went to the mall with some friends, I can't wait!"
"I-I think I'm good..." Jun mumbled, scratching the back of his head. He gulped when Maiko and Aki gave him puppy-dog eyes. Jun blushed and stammered. "I-I already have everything I need back at home for camping. There wouldn't be a reason for me to come..."
Jun squeaked when Iwai wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Iwai grinned at the shorter boy. "Come on! Even if you got nothing to buy, it'd be fun just hanging out, right? If you go... I'll buy you a smoothie."
"W-Well... I guess I could come if you don't mind me following around."
Maiko and Aki cheered, high fiving each other. Iwai turned to the only person who hadn't said a thing since the results of their test came out.
"You're coming too, right Atsuki?"
"...Zzzz...."
Atsuki Nain - 15/20
"I'll take that as a yes!" Iwai winked at the sleeping boy. "And I'll swing by your place to make sure you're actually coming!"
Once again Class 1-C was high on energy as they began planning for their shopping. Izuku found himself being pulled into his friend's conversation as they started planning on what they should buy for their camping trip. With everyone in high spirits, their families giving them the reluctant okay with Hiro's persuasive help, Summer was looking to be a peaceful and fun vacation for the excited kids.
At this rate, it felt like nothing could get in the way of their Summer fun.
"This mall is GIGANTIC!" Aki squealed, starry eyes looking all around her. Spinning on her heel, she tripped and bumped into Katsumi, who caught her with a scowl and a sharp scolding. Aki laughed and pointed towards a small shop with a cute octopus on the window. "Look! Look Kat! It's a takoyaki shop!"
"Yeah, I can smell it."
"Let's go there!"
"Oi! We have a budget, damn it! Mom and Dad gave us only so much to spend! We're only here to get the stuff we need, and whatever else we have left we can get some food-"
"Those are such cute stuffies!"
"OI! GET BACK HERE YOU SHITTY SONIC!"
"And there they go!" Maiko laughed, waving goodbye to the two girls as Katsumi chased after Aki who nearly used her quirk to get to the small stand nearly bursting with a huge inventory of stuff animals. "Well, I need to get some new shoes if we are going hiking. My old one is about to burst from the seams! I'm eyeing for the ones without the lace, less chance of tripping over!"
And with that, Maiko shot off, nimbly passing through many people as she headed off to the direction of the nearest shoe store.
Senji sighed and shook his head. "I'll keep an eye on her."
"U-Um- I-I'll come too! T-Thanks for the smoothie, Iwai!"
And with that, Senji and Jun chased after Maiko.
Hiro pouted, pulling out his phone. "Geez, we didn't even plan a place yet! I'll tell them to meet up at the food court after they're done. Now then, where should we head off first- Uh..." Amongst the familiar faces, he could not find one particular one and frowned. "Hey, where's Izuku?"
"Ah... I can't believe I lost the others already..." Izuku mumbled to himself, holding tightly to the straps of his backpack as he swiveled his head back and forth, scanning all the faces amongst the crowd. Izuku sighed when not even the familiar noise of his friends reached his ears. "Well... This is the Kiyashi-Ward Shopping Mall... It's not only the largest mall with the most shops here in the prefecture, but they provide a whole variety of items for different kinds of quirks and bodies that you can almost find anything here...! It's no wonder why this place is always packed and how it's always boasted as the best place to buy whatever apparel you need that can be worn without being hindered by one's quirk! And with so many shops also offering personalization-"
"Papa, that weird guy is talking to himself a lot."
"Pay no mind to him sweetie, it's probably a weirdo."
Izuku clamped his mouth shut and blushed, realizing that he had gone off on a rant again. Scurrying off, Izuku scolded himself as he tried scrubbing the embarrassment off his face. How humiliating... It wasn't the first time someone has commented on his mumbling rant, and it wouldn't be the last... It didn't make it any less mortifying when someone called him out on it.
Busy trying to walk off his embarrassment, he didn't notice how fast he was walking into someone's back until he bumped into them.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" Izuku wailed.
"H-Hey, it's fine! It was just an accident- Oh! It's you! Izuku, right?"
"Huh?" Looking up, Izuku's eyes widened when he was met with Ochako Uraraka's smiling face. "Oh! U-Uraraka-"
"Call me Ochako!" The bubbly girl beamed, "It's only fair! I'm calling you by your first name, so please call me by my first name!"
"U-Um... O...Ochako?"
"That's me!" Ochako giggled, then tilted her head as she looked at Izuku curiously. "So, what brings you all the way here to this mall Izuku?"
"Ah... Well, my class decided to go camping for our Summer Break. So, we're just here to buy things we'll need for camping. And you?"
"That's such a coincidence! Our class is going camping too! Well... More or less." Ochako laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. "It's actually a boot camp for the hero students. So, Class 1-A and 1-B are going to train our quirks and... Well, hero student stuff, right? So, that's why we're here, buying stuff for our camp and all that..." Ochako trailed off midway in her excitement with a light blush, realizing that she was sounding rather boastful. It felt as if she was rubbing it over Izuku's face, and a bit of shame filled her.
But then Izuku's eyes shone. He smiled brightly at Ochako. "What an amazing opportunity Ochako! Good luck on your training and tell Shinsou that too!"
Ochako stared at Izuku with wide eyes and smiled in return with an excited nod. "I'll do my very best, I promise! And I'll tell Shinsou what you said!" And idea came to Ochako. She had been here with her classmates, but they all separated searching for their own things, and never being here before Ochako had quickly gotten lost. It would be nice to have a familiar face around. "Hey, you want to go shopping with me? I'm looking for bug spray and... I'm kind of lost. This is my first time being in this mall, and it's a lot bigger than what I've heard."
"Haha! Me too! But I think the camping shop is this way."
And with that, the two walked towards their destination. Halfway through, just as Ochako and Izuku exchanged contacts, something caught the corner of Izuku's eyes. A familiar shade of ash blond, one that had Izuku turn his head instantly like a homing beacon.
It was him! Izuku didn't think that he would be here, even if the entire class was here. He nudged Ochako.
"Ka- Ba-Bakugou is here...."
"Really?" Ochako said in surprised, before huffing. She turned her head towards the direction Izuku was looking. "And here I thought he didn't want to come with the class to shop. Guess he did need something after all... Hey, who's that?"
Izuku frowned as he eyed the tall, lanky man sitting rather close to Bakugou, much closer than Bakugou would ever allow. He didn't know why, but there was something about this entire scenario that made anxiety pile up in his gut to the point that it was hard for Izuku to swallow. Kacchan didn't look so good. Izuku itched to walk up to them and call out to Kacchan, but refrained himself as he reminded himself that they were not friends.
"He's not your classmate?" Izuku asked, hoping that he was imagining the danger.
"No, I've never seen him before... Something's wrong."
At Ochako's anxious admission, Izuku couldn't stop himself and practically leapt forward to reach Kacchan.
"Kacchan!" Izuku called before he could stop himself and observe. But as he got closer to the two, that was when he noticed the man's hand wrapped around Kacchan's neck. Four fingers pressing forcefully into the front of Kacchan's neck with one pinky delicate lifted high, as if avoiding touching with all five fingers. And that was when he saw how pale Kacchan looked, sweating profusely with a look Izuku had never seen in his eyes before.
Kacchan choked. "D-Deku-"
"Oh! So, he did have friends after all!" The man rasped, laughing as he let go of Kacchan's neck and raised his hands into the air. He wore a smile, but Izuku could see the unhinged look in the man's eyes, as if one wrong push would send him down a path of some horrifying spiral. "He said he was all by himself, so I was just keeping him company! I'll leave him to you now. Excuse me!"
As the man walked up to make his leave, Izuku ran to Kacchan's side as he coughed and hacked, breathing heavily. But between his sputtering, he roughly pushed Izuku away from himself all the while glaring furiously at the man's back.
"Hold it, you bastard Shigiraki!" That name meant nothing to Izuku, but it did for Ochako when she gave a terrified gasp. "What the hell are you planning!"
"That's for me to know only. What you should be worrying about is my offer." The man, Shigaraki, raised a hand and waved without a look back. But Izuku could see the horrible smile on his cracked lips. "See you until then, Katsuki Bakugou."
Kacchan continued breathing heavily, sitting on the bench while angrily staring at Shigaraki who disappeared amongst the crowd. Ochako was on her phone calling the police about a villain. And all Izuku could do was sit there and watch Kacchan with a helpless look. Tons of questions at the tip of his tongue, but unwilling to voice them out loud as he forced himself to not reach out for Kacchan.
He didn't know why, but Izuku felt that his Summer was going to be anything but peaceful now.
Omake
Iwai stared intently at the lines of sunscreen product, trying to ascertain which would be the best for him. He wasn't looking for the best of the best of sunscreens, but he wasn't also looking for the cheapest one that would feel too sticky on his skin. Even if his indecision left him alone in this aisle as his friends moved on to the next store to buy their next thing, Iwai wasn't going to half-ass this and buy some product that would irritate him all week and after!
"But why is there a whole wall for sunscreens..." Iwai grumbled as he put away another stick of sunscreen. "I wish they made this easier on us and have someone here who knows their thing about sunscreen..."
Busy grumbling to himself, Iwai was startled when the sound of a can hit the ground and hit his food. Looking down, he saw it was a can of sunscreen. He picked it up, just as someone else reached for it. He looked up and saw the familiar face of one Momo Yaoyorozu, hero student of Class 1-A. She had been standing right next to him as he was busy scouring the shelves.
"I'm sorry!" Momo apologized at Iwai quickly picked up the can and held it to her. "And thank you, sorry to bother you."
Iwai waved it off with a lopsided grin. "Nah, no problem." Turning back to his task at hand, he asked offhandedly. "Are you going somewhere sunny too?"
"Yes, me and my class are going to be outside for a whole week, and I just want to make sure I have everything prepared for outside."
"I didn't think anyone else's class would be going camping together!" Iwai exclaimed as he scanned another sunscreen product before putting it back. "You and your classmates must be close!"
"We certainly have been through a lot together." Momo smiled brightly, using her sharp eye to scrutinize the ingredients of another sunscreen before putting it back. She sighed tiredly. "This is tedious, I wish there was a faster way to find what I need."
Iwai nodded vigorously, glad to find someone who understood his plight very well.