Chapter 37 - Getting Ready

All of Class 1-A scattered through the dorm building the moment they stepped inside, everyone buzzing with anticipation. Doors swung open, suit bags rustled, and excited voices filled the halls. Tenya paused at the doors, lifting his hand in a sharp, authoritative motion as everyone passed by.

"Everyone, please remember to meet in the common room once you are fully prepared for the event!" he instructed firmly, his glasses flashing. "We must present ourselves punctually and properly! Do not dawdle!"

A chorus of "Yes, Iida!" echoed from multiple rooms before doors shut one by one.

The girls didn't even hesitate. Mina clapped her hands loudly and declared, "Okay! Everyone into my room! Emergency glam session! Let's go, let's go, let's go!" She herded them like a pink, excited sheepdog, practically shoving them through her door with a squeal.

Her room instantly transformed into a whirlwind of fabric and color. Dresses of every shade draped over her bed and hanging from the closet, multiple makeup palettes spread across the floor and desk, and curling irons and hairbrushes were passed around like precious artifacts. The air filled with laughter, perfume, and the soft hum of excitement. Jiro scrolled through music on her phone and connected to Mina's speaker, setting a playful, energetic vibe as everyone began getting ready.

Yuuki stood near the corner of the room, gently unzipping the garment bag with careful fingers. The soft, light pink fabric spilled out, delicate and airy, the flowy layers shimmering faintly under Mina's bright vanity lights. She lifted the dress with both hands, admiring the big bow tied neatly at the back. It felt elegant and gentle—like something out of a dream.

"Yuuki, put it on! I wanna see!" Mina urged, bouncing on her heels.

Yuuki nodded shyly and stepped into the bathroom. After a moment of quiet rustling and soft breaths, she walked back out, holding the layers of her dress to keep them from brushing the floor. Her cheeks were already warm, her heart fluttering nervously.

She glanced at the girls—who collectively froze.

Uraraka dropped her mascara wand. Asui croaked a quiet, stunned "Kero..." Jiro's jaw actually fell open. Yaoyorozu gasped softly, her hand lifting to her chest. Mina clapped both hands over her mouth, eyes sparkling dramatically.

"Yuuki..." she whispered.

Yuuki tugged gently at the skirt, her voice tiny. "D-Do I... look okay?"

The room erupted.

"Are you kidding?! You look AMAZING!" Mina squealed, immediately circling her. "Oh my gosh, the bow! The color! The way it flows! You look like a literal fairy princess!"

Uraraka grabbed Yuuki's hands, practically bouncing up and down. "You look beautiful! This dress is perfect for you! I knew it would be!"

Yaoyorozu stepped forward with a warm smile. "It suits you wonderfully, Yuuki. The color brings out such a gentle radiance in you."

Jiro, who rarely gave out dramatic compliments, nodded with pink cheeks. "Yeah... you look really, really good."

Tsuyu blinked and said in her calm, sincere tone, "You look adorable, ribbit."

Yuuki's face turned an even deeper shade of pink. "R-Really? I... I just didn't want to look weird or anything..."

Mina shook her shoulders dramatically. "Weird? WEIRD? Yuuki, you look like the soft protagonist of a romance movie! You are going to break hearts tonight!"

Yuuki laughed softly, shy but glowing, and sat in front of the mirror as the girls started on her hair—curling soft strands, adding a ribbon that matched her dress, brushing out her bangs until everything framed her face perfectly. They helped her with makeup too: gentle pinks, soft shimmer, a little gloss.

When she finally looked at herself fully done, she barely recognized the beautiful, glowing girl staring back.

•••

The boys gathered in the common room dressed in freshly pressed suits, each one looking surprisingly sharp and mature. Even Kaminari, who nearly put his tie on backward, somehow pulled himself together. Sero straightened his jacket, Kirishima adjusted his collar proudly, and Midoriya kept nervously fidgeting with his sleeves while mentally rehearsing polite greetings for the party. Todoroki stood quietly near the wall, effortlessly handsome in a crisp suit that made him look even more composed than usual.

But the two most frantic were Kaminari and Mineta.

Kaminari kept bouncing on his heels like an excited golden retriever. "Bro, I can't wait to see everyone in dresses. They're gonna look soooo good," he said, grinning with starry eyes.

Mineta practically vibrated as he rubbed his hands together. "Dresses...! Makeup...! Beautiful girls everywhere...!" His nose twitched like he was seconds away from a nosebleed.

Iida shot both of them a stern glare, chopping the air with his hands. "That is highly inappropriate behavior! You must both restrain yourselves! These are your classmates, and you must treat them with proper—"

He didn't even get to finish.

Because the hallway at the top of the stairs erupted in excited chatter.

Footsteps clicked softly. Fabric swished. Laughter echoed down.

And then the girls appeared.

They walked down the stairs one by one, each looking radiant in their dresses—Mina in bright, sparkly pink; Jiro in sleek black; Yaoyorozu elegant and regal; Tsuyu in a soft green; Uraraka glowing in pastel peach. For a moment, every guy in the room froze, jaws dropping slightly.

Kaminari let out a low whistle."Dude... we're dead. They all look amazing."

Even Iida paused, his scolding posture collapsing as awe briefly replaced his authority.

And then Mina and Uraraka stepped forward dramatically, blocking the view of the hall with both arms extended like stage curtains.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." Mina said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Presenting..." Uraraka added with a huge grin.

"KYOMI YUUKI!" they announced in unison, practically sparkling with excitement.

Yuuki stepped shyly from behind them.

And the room went silent.

Her light pink dress flowed softly around her, the big bow at her back tied neatly, her ribboned hair curled gently around her shoulders. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her, cheeks warming as everyone stared—absolutely speechless.

Midoriya's face turned bright red. "O-Oh... wow... Yuuki... you look... um... really pretty..."

Todoroki blinked, entirely thrown off, a faint pink dusting his cheeks. "You look... beautiful," he said simply, but sincerely.

Kirishima grinned in open admiration. "Yuuki, you look awesome!"

Even quiet Tokoyami cleared his throat, clearly impressed. "A serene elegance," he murmured.

But the biggest reaction—by far—came from Bakugo.

He had been leaning against the counter with his hands in his pockets, expression bored and annoyed at having to wait. But the moment he saw her, his posture changed instantly. His eyes widened just a fraction, his jaw tightening as a sharp breath caught in his throat. He straightened without even realizing it, staring at her like someone had punched the air out of him.

Yuuki caught his stare and immediately flushed deeper, fidgeting with her fingers. She looked like she wanted to hide behind someone.

And of course, Mineta broke the moment with his obnoxious squealing.

"OHHHHH YUUKI! You look sooo cute! So soft! So—"

A massive explosion popped in Bakugo's palm.

Mineta yelped and dove behind the sofa as Bakugo took a threatening step forward, sparks crackling violently.

"You're dead." he snarled.

Yuuki squeaked softly, overwhelmed—caught between embarrassment and something fluttering warmly in her chest as she glanced shyly up at Bakugo.