Lena exited the U.A. High School gates, feeling utterly drained from the day's events. The Sports Festival, though lasting only a few hours, had stretched her perception of time, making it feel like an entire week had passed. Time, she often mused, was a weird and unpredictable force, a fact she understood intimately, being able to manipulate its very fabric.
Kyoka had already departed with Recovery Girl, seeking to expedite the healing process of her sensitive ears and earphone Jacks. Momo had been whisked away by her family's retinue of servants to join her parents, undoubtedly for some opulent celebration. Toru, ever the social butterfly, lingered in the classroom, chatting animatedly with Kirishima, Ashido, Tsuyu, and Kaminari. The other students were already on their way to their respective homes, eager to reunite with their families and recount their experiences at the Festival. It felt strange, almost surreal, as if she had just emerged from a grand, epochal battle, yet the world outside remained entirely normal, unchanged. It was a peculiar sensation, a blend of lingering melancholy and profound peace that left a joyful, almost ethereal, aura in its wake.
One observation, however, undeniably captured Lena's attention: Katsuki Bakugo. The normally explosive and aggressively volatile blond, instead of looking enraged or screaming like an unruly child, appeared unusually reflective and strangely subdued. He seemed to be deep in thought, pondering many things with an uncharacteristic quietude. Lena simply shrugged, dismissing his peculiar demeanor as she walked past the U.A. walls. Engaging with Bakugo, she knew, would only invite more trouble, and besides, Midoriya would undoubtedly talk to him sooner or later; those two, in Lena's amused estimation, almost seemed like a tumultuous, bickering couple.
Yawning tiredly, Lena walked for a moment before noticing her father's car across the street. Through the passenger window, her father could be seen waving at her with a warm, welcoming smile. Lena's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly climbed into the car, where she noticed her father had company. In the passenger seat was her Uncle David, and seated beside Lena was a strikingly beautiful girl with golden hair, whose eyes were partially obscured by small, delicate glasses.
"Uncle?" Lena inquired, her voice tinged with confusion as she looked at her Uncle David, who was smiling at her with an amused glint in his eyes, and then at the mysterious woman who was observing her with an almost analytical intensity. "Uhm... pleasure to meet you?"
"Hi Lena, how are you?" David smiled, his cheerful demeanor radiating warmth, though Lena detected a faint, almost imperceptible strain in his voice. "This is one of our research partners; her name is Angela."
"Nice to meet you," the woman introduced herself in English with a thick, melodious accent. "As David has already said, my name is Angela, Angela Ziegler. Congratulations on third place!"
"Oh! Thank you very much! My name is Lena Oxton, I am the driver's daughter and a future Heroine," Lena blinked in surprise at the lady's polite and formal tone before smiling formally in return. "Hey, Dad, has David finally stopped having scientist friends over sixty years old?"
"HEY!" David exclaimed, feigning hurt by the sudden, playful jab at his age, pretending as if an invisible bullet had just struck him directly in the heart.
Winston chuckled, amused by his friend's antics, before glancing at his daughter in the rearview mirror. "Congratulations on winning third place, my dear, I'm very proud of you. I can tell you put in a great effort throughout the Festival; that Todoroki kid sure was strong, but that's to be expected knowing he's Endeavor's son. Still, I'm glad to see how far you've come."
Lena blinked, a wave of warm happiness filling every fiber of her being, making her smile widely. "Thank you! Todoroki's ice and fire are ridiculously strong! He can literally attack endlessly without tiring!"
The car was filled with laughter as Lena continued to recount her exhilarating experience at the Festival. Unaware that her father was simultaneously deep in thought, meticulously pondering her Quirk and its extraordinary demonstration during the Festival.
"HEEYYY!!!" Lena exclaimed, her hand raised in a buoyant greeting as she navigated the bustling corridors of a large shopping mall, where hundreds of people ambled about, oblivious to Lena's loud salutation.
"Hello..." Kyoka replied, offering a small, soft greeting as she allowed herself to be enveloped in Lena's tight hug. She then looked Lena up and down with a raised eyebrow, a hint of playful admiration in her gaze. "You look good."
Lena was dressed in a short black jacket with a subtle star print on its side. Beneath the jacket, she wore a vibrant yellow shirt with white stripes, complemented by light blue jean pants and white shoes.
"You look good too, Kyo!" Lena complimented, her voice brimming with genuine warmth, as she continued to hug the smaller girl tightly.
Kyoka was dressed in a white jacket worn over a black shirt. She wore dark grey jeans, slightly torn, white shoes, and carried a small, stylish bag. Although the Sports Festival's fame still lingered, reverberating even a week after the event, they were no longer constantly recognized every time they left the house, a small blessing.
"Maybe I should get some new pants, though; they've been getting a little tight lately..." Kyoka muttered to herself with a happy expression on her face but an annoyed tone in her voice, a subtle complaint about her growing physique. Lena just laughed at the comment, and they began to walk leisurely through the mall.
Today marked the final day of the break U.A. had generously granted them to recuperate before the highly anticipated internships, which were rumored to be distributed among the students soon. All the students were buzzing with excitement, while others, particularly those who hadn't garnered much attention at the Festival, felt a resigned sense of disappointment. There were even whispers on the internet that some students had caught the discerning eye of Japan's Top 10 Heroes! And even though they were just rumors, the students couldn't hide their bubbling excitement. This collective fervor was vividly represented in the more than 250 messages flooding their class chat, mostly concerning these enticing rumors and speculative theories. Even now, within the mall, a few stores were still actively selling Festival merchandise, which was a bit odd considering it had already been a week, but, Lena mused, one had to scrape up as much money as possible.
After strolling around for a few hours and browsing various stores, at some point, both girls instinctively held hands as they continued their walk, chatting about anything and everything that came to mind. After a few more hours, both girls began to feel the gnawing pangs of hunger and headed directly to the food court, searching for... well, food.
"What would you like to eat, Kyo?" Lena asked as they stepped into the giant food court, a vibrant hub bustling with stalls offering almost any cuisine imaginable and more.
"Actually, almost anything," Kyoka replied, looking around for a suitable place to sit.
"How about sushi?" Lena suggested, scanning the various options.
"Nah, I had that recently. My parents celebrated my second place by buying high-quality food. My mom and I really like sushi, so Dad bought a lot," Kyoka informed, as they continued to walk around the different restaurants.
"You said anything was fine," Lena said, rolling her eyes as she looked at her friend with amusement.
"Really? I don't remember," Kyoka replied, giving Lena a mischievous smile. "Maybe you just imagined it."
"Yeah, yeah, maybe your cute smile was what made me forget it," Lena retorted with a haughty look, which made the shorter girl stumble over her words for a moment.
After a few minutes of playful deliberation, they decided on pizza, primarily because it was Lena's favorite food. Even though they both adhered to strict workout routines, breaking the diet occasionally for personal enjoyment was a welcome indulgence. Both girls let out a sigh of contentment as they finally rested at one of the restaurant tables.
"Pizza never disappoints," Lena sighed, her eyes narrowed in blissful satisfaction. "I think I'll come back to this place later..."
"Mm," Kyoka hummed in agreement, listening intently to the classical music playing in the restaurant, which created a relaxing, almost ethereal, atmosphere.
"So, do you want to go somewhere else or...?" Lena asked Kyoka as she stretched her arms a bit before getting up from her seat. "It's not too late, is it?"
Checking the time on her phone, Kyoka replied, "It's still not that late. If you have somewhere in mind, sure."
"I might have somewhere..." Lena replied with a mysterious, knowing smile.
In a secluded, wooded area, two female figures could be seen walking slowly along a polished stone path. The night hovered over them like a cloak, enveloping them coldly yet comfortingly. The taller figure, with short brown hair, was dressed in light and bright colors, exuding a cheerful and vibrant aura as she happily admired the surroundings, her demeanor almost reminiscent of a very hyperactive child. The smaller figure wore a short, black, straight cut hairstyle and was dressed in black and white, which lent her a certain mysterious yet attractive air. Unlike the taller girl, this one observed her surroundings without much outward reaction, but her bright, starry eyes revealed the enthusiasm hidden deep within her being.
These two figures were Lena Oxton and Jiro Kyoka. They had just arrived at a park aptly named River Square. Its name originated from a central water fountain that sent small streams of water flowing around the square in the form of miniature rivers. These rivers meticulously lined the stone path, enhancing its beauty, as if it was more than just a simple walkway. From time to time, small, intricate decorations in the form of sculpted trees or miniature structures could be seen, giving visitors the whimsical feeling that they were giants exploring a fantastical landscape. There was also a solemn stone statue dedicated to a soldier of the Quirk War, recognized by the country for his immense service, as well as a stone with several names carved upon it, honoring soldiers who had bravely fallen in battle.
Finding a vacant bench, Lena and Kyo sat down, quietly observing the strange yet mystical beauty of the square. Sometimes, amidst all the ceaseless events of life, people tend to forget one of the most essential things in life itself: the simple, profound beauty of a moment.
"This... is very beautiful," Kyoka murmured, visible amazement coloring her voice at the park's ethereal beauty. She felt as if she was in a serene temple submerged beneath the sea. "How did I not notice this before?"
"Probably because you don't leave your house," Lena replied sarcastically, earning a gentle smack from Kyoka's Jacks. "Ouch."
The two simply lapsed into a comfortable silence after that. Slowly, Kyoka rested her head gently on Lena's elbow. Lena was momentarily surprised by the sudden action, but said nothing as she gently put her arm around Kyoka, and together they gazed at the small, winding rivers. After a few minutes, small, twinkling lights began to illuminate the pathways in different, intricate patterns, lending an even more whimsical and magical air to the already beautiful sight.
"It feels like I'm in another world..." Lena whispered, gazing warmly at the park's captivating beauty. "It's beautiful..."
"Mm," Kyoka gave a small nod of her head as she continued to gaze at the mini-landscape. "You know..."
Lena tilted her head slightly as she looked at Kyoka. "Is something wrong?"
"I... well... just..." Kyoka tried to speak, but the words became stuck in her throat, until she forced them out in her own way. "...Thank you so much for everything..."
Lena blinked twice, a confused look on her face, but still maintaining her smile. "You're welcome...?"
"I mean it, thank you so much for everything..." Kyoka thanked again as she looked out at the scenery, feeling her voice fade before forcing herself to be heard clearly. "It's been fun... everything is fun when I'm with all of you, like you're part of an old group of friends... it feels surreal... you even helped me with my Quirk, and I... I apologize if sometimes my character can annoy you. I know I'm not a very friendly person compared to all of you, but..."
"Why? Isn't that what friends do?" Lena asked with a raised eyebrow, a flash of worry appearing in her chest as she looked at Kyoka. "You know, have fun and help each other. It doesn't matter if you're not the life of the party; you're still our friend, my friend."
"I... you don't know how happy I am about that. I was never very good at socializing with other people... I was never good with girls because of my not-so-girly tastes and my love for music, so I was usually excluded..." Kyoka muttered as she looked away, her voice tinged with bitterness, as if she didn't want to remember those painful times. "It didn't bother me... at least not at first. Music felt like my only friend during that time, so I didn't feel alone or helpless..."
"And then high school came," Kyoka said as she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. Lena didn't know why, but she instinctively decided to gently stroke Kyoka's head to try and calm her down a bit, which apparently worked as Kyoka continued to speak, albeit shakily. "Originally, I didn't care much, just another student level... somehow during that time I got, a boyfriend. Yes, Jiro Kyoka, the girl who had barely developed as a woman, the girl who barely talked to anyone, the girl who was secretly the class tease, had somehow gotten a boyfriend."
Lena hugged Kyoka a little tighter as the latter seemed to be on the verge of tears.
"I didn't make a big deal out of it, and looking back on it, I realize how naive I was, but at the time it was an amazing thing for me," Kyoka mocked herself with a resentful snort. "I felt like I didn't need anyone else, that with him everything was done... and it wasn't."
"Kyo..."
"It turned out to be a joke," Kyoka laughed, a hollow, mirthless sound, as she clenched her hands tightly, her Jacks twitching restlessly. "A joke that lasted four damn months, four months that I considered magical. It was nothing but months of pranking to make fun of me for getting my hopes up... worst of all, the ones who set up the prank were the few people I considered my little group of friends!"
"I... I locked myself away. I locked myself in my musical world, where no one could hurt me," Kyoka continued, her voice trembling. "However, the teasing went on and on. I created a mask of indifference around me... but the truth was that every single word hurt..."
"During that time, I felt... helpless, or something like that," Kyoka said as she scratched her head, trying to think of the right word, but to no avail. "My mother noticed something was wrong with me. I had stopped eating and was much more subdued than usual. She tried to cheer me up... but I kept rejecting her, telling her that nothing was wrong... that I would eventually figure it out on my own..."
"But the truth is that even to this day, those words still echo in my head," Kyoka broke free from Lena's small embrace as she pressed her knees to her chest. "I know I was never a genetically blessed child... but it still hurt to have people rub it in your face... I was disgusted by myself, and I knew that wasn't right..."
"In the end, with my Mother's approval, I decided on Heroism. There is no clear reason why I decided on that, but I felt a hunch that it was the right choice. I promised myself to become strong, strong enough to forget what they said about me," Kyoka whispered in a firm tone as she gently closed her eyes. "It was during that time that I met you, on the roof of the school. I thought my place of peace was going to be interrupted, but in the end, it wasn't..."
"Kyoka..." Lena hugged her tightly, stroking her head. Her chest swelled with a myriad of emotions: concern for Kyoka's emotional state, anger towards the cruel idiots who dared to harm her, and profound admiration for her unwavering desire to move forward despite everything she had endured.
"Don't let what those people said affect you. You are one of the most wonderful people I know. You are not only incredibly intelligent but also charismatic in your own unique way. It's true that sometimes you can be a little edgy, but that's part of your charm. You don't need to have curves or a body like Momo's to feel good about yourself. What you need is approval from yourself. To hell with everyone else; just focus on you," Lena spoke in a soft, warm voice, her words a soothing balm. "And if that's not enough, you can always talk to me. I promise I will always support you in whatever you do, and I will also make you stop when you are about to make a mistake..."
Suddenly, Kyoka broke free from Lena's embrace and stared into her eyes before hugging her tightly once more. Whether Kyoka was crying while hugging Lena remained unknown, lost in the silent intimacy of the moment.