The train rattled and shook as I sat next to the Peppermint Boy (Todoroki), staring intensely at the "barcode" comb-over of the middle-aged man sitting across from us. The poor guy was nervously trying to fix the stray strands, but I didn't care. It was right in front of me, so I watched. Don't fix it. Just let it be.
Me, sitting next to a "pretty boy." To some people, this might feel like the sweet atmosphere of a romantic drama or a shojo manga, but there was none of that here. Instead, the air was thick with the explosive tension of a detective show right as they find the culprit.
And the cause was 100% me.
There were... reasons for this. Leaving the slightly bewildered Peppermint Boy to himself, I focused on keeping my magma-like emotions from erupting as I replayed the face of that jerk Kacchan from this morning.
"Next time I see him, I'm gonna blast him..."
"Nico, your words and emotions are leaking out of you at an unhideable level," Todoroki noted.
Even a "natural monument" like the Peppermint Boy could read the room, apparently. He quietly held out a piece of candy he'd bought at the station kiosk.
Sweets are good when you're angry. Very soothing.
Good job, Peppermint. That's the kind of consideration I expect from the elite. I tossed it into my mouth and, instead of licking it, I crunched it into dust immediately. With pure hatred.
But a piece of candy doesn't fill the stomach, and it certainly didn't fix my irritation. I could probably eat a whole bag and still be fuming. Still, I was grateful for the sugar.
"Thanks," I muttered.
"...Yeah, don't mention it. Do you feel any better?"
"Next time I see him, I'm gonna pummel him into the ground."
"So, zero improvement."
***
I replayed this morning in my head as the train sped toward the Endeavor Agency. "Annoying" didn't even cover it.
A few days had passed since we turned in our internship forms to the Mummy-teacher. Today was finally the day the internships started.
"You all have your costumes. Remember, you are strictly forbidden from wearing them in public. Don't lose them."
"Yessir!"
"Aye-aye, sir!"
"Don't stretch out your responses. It's a simple 'Yes,' Ashido. Midoriya, I appreciate the energy, but try to give a normal answer for once."
The entirety of Class 1-A stood in the station as Aizawa-sensei gave us his final lecture. Since we were all heading to different agencies, this was his last chance to nag us for the week. He seemed especially motivated.
I felt a lot of eyes on me, but I ignored them. Mummy-teacher, please stop staring.
As we listened to the lecture, passers-by waved at us, recognizing the UA students. I figured people would be happier to see the Sports Festival winner, so I grabbed Kacchan's wrist and forced his hand to wave back at the crowd. The waving doubled in intensity.
Kacchan, you're surprisingly popular.
"Let go," he snapped, slapping my hand away.
Usually, he'd glare or throw a few insults, but today... nothing. He just pulled away and that was it. Kacchan had been like this for a while now. He was distant, cold—lacking the usual heated aggression that made him him.
"Are you mad?" I asked.
"Why the hell would I be mad, you moron?"
He said he wasn't mad, but he kept acting like this. It started right after the internship locations were decided. He'd been like this since the weekend ended, and no matter how much I tried to cheer him up, it didn't work. I knew something was up, but since he wouldn't say a word, I was starting to think, What is wrong with this guy?
Hmph. I don't like it.
As I was stewing in my own irritation, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Tsuyu looking a bit panicked, pointing behind me. I turned and found the Mummy-teacher standing there, his hair practically floating with annoyance.
"Are you listening, Midoriya?"
"Y-Yes! Listening intently, sir!"
"Most of what I was just saying was aimed specifically at you... Since you were listening, I assume you understood everything perfectly?"
I felt like if I said "Yes," I'd go to hell. But I'd probably go to hell if I said "No," too. I decided to give him a vague "I basically get the gist?" look.
Aizawa let out a long sigh. "Todoroki... you're in charge of her this week."
Excuse me?! Pissed-Off Nico does not approve of this "babysitter" dynamic!
"I will do what I can," Todoroki replied.
Don't you agree with him, Peppermint! You jerks!
"Sigh. Fine. Whatever. Just make sure none of you are disrespectful to your hosts. Now, get going."
Satisfied with his nagging, Aizawa gave the signal to move out. Everyone started heading for their respective platforms. Amidst the chaos, Ochaco was still looking at Four-Eyes (Iida) with concern, so I decided to join her.
"Four-Eyes!" I called out.
Iida stopped in his tracks. Ochaco spoke up to his back.
"Iida-kun! I know you might not want to hear this right now, but please remember! If anything happens, tell us! I might only be able to listen, and I might not be able to do much, but sometimes just talking makes things easier..."
As Ochaco trailed off, Iida turned and gave her a weak, hollow smile. "Yeah."
It wasn't the usual Iida. He looked frail, uncertain. Ochaco's face contorted with worry. Seeing that she didn't have any more words to give him, she just looked down and grabbed my hand...
So, I reached into my pocket, pulled out the Calorie Mate I'd bought this morning, and threw it at the back of Iida's head with all my might.
Clonk! It made a very satisfying sound.
Ochaco gasped in shock, and Iida turned around, clutching his head as his glasses slid down his nose.
"NICO?!"
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
"Shut it! Ochaco is pouring her heart out, so at least say 'I understand, I will reach out if I need to.' Why are you trying to act all cool and tragic? You aren't even that handsome."
Iida straightened his glasses. "I... I wasn't trying to act 'cool'..."
"You were. Look at Ochaco—you've got her making a 'serious drama face,' and it doesn't suit her at all."
"Nico! That's mean!" Ochaco huffed, puffing out her cheeks.
There we go. That's much better. As I calmed the pouting Ochaco, I turned back to Iida. The stiffness in his face had relaxed just a tiny bit.
"Look, if something happens, say something. Me and Ochaco will listen."
"That's..."
"I know you don't want to talk about it. But at least listen to our selfish feelings. We're worried. Especially... Ochaco."
"Wait, just me?!"
I mean, I'm sure others have noticed, but nobody is as worried as Ochaco is. To everyone else, you're just the "Sturdy Class Rep."
I patted the flustered Ochaco's head and finished up. "Whatever you're thinking or planning is your business, but don't forget that people worry when you make that face. Or do you think our feelings don't matter?"
"That's... not true. But I..."
Without another word, Iida turned and hurried away. I hope at least a fraction of Ochaco's concern reached him.
"Nico... thank you."
"I didn't really do anything."
"Fufu. Maybe not. But thank you."
***
After parting ways with Ochaco and the others, I joined back up with the Peppermint Boy. He still had that blank, "staring into space" expression. I apologized for making him wait, but he just said he'd used the time to buy something at the convenience store, so it was fine.
I really don't know what goes on in this kid's head.
As we walked toward our platform, I spotted Kacchan. He was just passing through the ticket gate. I called out to him with everything I had.
"Shut up, stupid woman!" he barked back with his usual energy.
Lately, he'd just been letting my teasing slide, so getting a real reaction actually made me a little happy. Kacchan needs to be loud.
"Where are you going all by your lonesome? Want me to tag along?" I offered, feeling generous since he'd finally yelled at me.
He turned back and glared at me. It was a terrifying look—one that actually caught me off guard.
"━━━Don't you dare follow me!"
He spat the words with pure rejection, then disappeared into the crowd without looking back a single time.
He didn't say another word.
***
Todoroki watched as Bakugo's figure vanished into the terminal. He looked at Nico, who was standing perfectly still, silent for once. He began to feel a surge of concern.
"Nico... are you okay?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Even without an answer, the expression on her face told him exactly how "not okay" she was.
Nico's cheeks were puffed out—not in a cute, childish way, but with a terrifying intensity, as if they were stuffed with pure rage. Her brow was furrowed, her eyes were sharp, and the aura around her was becoming visibly dangerous.
She was beyond furious.
Shoto couldn't quite grasp the reason. Was it the rejection from her long-time childhood friend? Or was it the stress of being ignored for days finally reaching its breaking point? Or perhaps both? Or something else entirely?
Regardless, Nico Midoriya was a ticking time bomb.
"WHAT WAS THAT?! AGH! HE'S SO ANNOYING!!!!"
Thinking about the fact that he'd have to spend the next week alone with this version of Nico, Shoto felt a slight headache coming on.
You owe me for this, Bakugo.
***
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