Chapter Six

"You blew a hole in the battle trial?!" [Y/N] exclaimed with wide eyes. She met the Class 1A trio during lunch time in line for Lunch Rush. Uraraka was the one who introduced Midorya properly, and the said student was looking away while a hand was behind his head. "Did you guys win?"

"Well...sort of?" He replied sheepishly. "Even though me and Uraraka won, All Might and Yaoyorozu pointed out a lot of mistakes that we didn't notice."

"Yeah, if it was an individual battle Iida would be the winner." Added Uraraka with a light laugh.

Iida's voice came behind them, a tray already in his hands while his glasses reflected from the cafeteria lights. "I appreciate the recognition Uraraka. This is only the beginning, one victory in training isn't enough."

"What about you [Y/N]?" Midorya questioned. "How was Hero training?"

"Everything went well." She began, accepting the tray with her designated food that Lunch Rush provided. "Almost ran out of time but we managed to secure the bomb before the opposite team stops us."

Curiosity flicked in Midorya's eyes when he blinked. "Oh—so you had the same exercise too?"

"Pretty much," [Y/N] replied, walking with them towards an empty table. "Same goal, different pairs. It's tougher than it looks when everyone's Quirks are unpredictable when used."

"That sounds awesome," Uraraka said. "I wonder what kind of Quirks your class has."

"You'll find out soon enough." [Y/N] smiled at them. "Besides the Sports Festival there might be some chances our classes will spar throughout the years."

Iida nodded at the girl's idea. "Competition between classes encourages growth. We should welcome the challenge when the time comes."

[Y/N] continued her talk with the trio while glancing around the cafeteria and spotted her classmates from 1-B, their usual table. Her lips curved slightly. "I should get going before they think I'm switching sides."

The girl's comment made the trio exchange puzzled looks, but [Y/N] brushed it off with a grin and a wave as she made her way to the table. Maybe she should've gave them a note about a certain someone, seeing the aftermath of their trial battle...

"Hm, I thought you lost your way." [Y/N] sat beside Monoma, who already saved a seat for her. A few days after the first training, the excitement of watching their battle trial still buzzed across Class 1-B. It made them get to know more about each other, and [Y/N] finding a friendship forming with Kendo, along with their two exchange students: Pony and Rin.

"I was talking to some 1-A students," [Y/N] said casually, setting her tray down. "Had the same weapon capture and pairs versus pairs. Apparently, their trial ended with someone blowing a hole through the floors."

Intrigued by the information, four of them urged her to continue. Monoma paused mid-bite, lips curving into a familiar smirk. "Did they now? If it's a real case scenario it'll be a wreck for bystanders."

Kendo shot him a look. "You seriously gonna take Mr. Vlad's speech Monoma?"

"Why do I feel like this isn't going to end well. Just by the way you act." Rin joined in a mutter, glancing at Kendo and Monoma before resuming to eat.

The fork clink lightly against the plate as Monoma gave a dramatic sigh. "How rude of you. I'm merely stating the facts, if that class can't control the core fundamental of their Quirks, they shouldn't be here in the first place. Unlike us." He turned to Pony and switch languages. "Isn't that right, Pony?"

"Stop." [Y/N] chided while Pony nodded with no hesitance, even if her features portrayed cluelessness at what Monoma is rambling about [Y/N] hummed, poking at her food to see its tenderness. "Coming from someone who almost knocked down a pillar that holds the place."

"Almost, [Y/N]." Monoma stressed with a confident grin and a pointed utensil at her. "Almost. You're still holding that against me?"

"Maybe," she said, tilting her head with a faint grin. "But you did make it interesting."

For a moment, Monoma didn't reply. Then, with a softer tone than usual, he said— "You weren't bad yourself. Quick thinking suits you."

...

[Y/N] blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity that slipped through his usual bravado. "Was that a compliment?"

"Don't get used to it." He leaned back, his smirk returning but less sharp this time.

[Y/N] chuckled, shaking her head. The rising flutter of giddiness in her chest made her look away and eat her lunch while Monoma lingered a little more. There it was again, the extra color on the girl's cheeks. He'd been noticing it a lot more he hangs around—[Y/N] was someone who's transparent with her emotion. Most of the time she blushes whenever Monoma teased or in this rare occurrence, complimented her.

At the same time, she didn't shy away when challenged. Even if it's a playful one. On some days she'd talk back or roll her eyes and still ended up laughing. A genuine one.

It was entertaining, infuriating and...oddly comforting. Monoma twirled his fork in hand, a faint grin tugging at his lips, brushed off by the table as his default image.

He liked it. And he would never say it loud to anyone, especially to [Y/N].

A grunt of annoyance left on [Y/N] once she sat in her seat. In a split second she opened her bag and brought out a small, black mesh pouch that stored her makeup. She flipped her pocket mirror to check her appearance. Those reporters outside were blocking the only gate of the school for the past two days, it left no choice for her but to pass through the crowd.

She muttered under her breath, spotting a faint smudge of lipstick near the edge as she dabbed a tissue. Not exactly the best way to start the morning—cameras, microphones, and spewed questions about All Might teaching in U.A. thrown at every student they've seen.

"Rough morning?" Kaibara's voice came beside her. Light but teasing. He had sat just sat down, an easygoing smile despite facing the insisting swarm.

"I almost lost my I.D when one of them cornered me." She replied, tucking the mirror and brushing her hair back to its place.

Monoma came from behind and leaned slightly over [Y/N]'s desk, a hand supporting on top as he spoke. "Sounds like you had fun. I'm surprised you didn't use that charm of yours to get through faster."

"Next time I'll let them crowd you instead." Unimpressed laced in her tone, not battering an eye at him as she fixed her tie. Monoma grinned wider, maneuvering his posture to lean on his back and cross his arms.

"Very kind of you. I'm sure the press would love to hear about our underrated talents."

A light shove can be done from [Y/N], make him caught off guard and lose balance for a moment, but instead she shook her head. Unhidden smile simpered on her face. The two boys became a background noise for her as she packed her makeup, only to be stopped by Komori. [Y/N] barely spoke to her, observing she was more of a quiet person. Though now, one eye poked through her bangs and a curiosity of a cat when asked about the girl's cosmetics. Turned out that Komori wasn't what [Y/N] expected, besides noting that the brunette has a cute fashion taste based on her hero costume.

"An idol hero? Like Mt. Lady?" It intrigued [Y/N]. Popularity is a great advantage not only to be recognized once you go Pro, but also to be part of the Top Ten every two years. For Komori, she wanted to be the type of hero who also performs on stage for her fans besides saving people. It fitted her, and [Y/N] could already imagine the dancing and colorful light shining above Komori while she sings.

"You can be that kind of hero too [Y/N]!" Komori declared, making the other hum in question. "Just by the way you look a lot would be swooning over you! And your Quirk is like magic! Enough for your fans to love!"

"...huh." lips parting in mild surprise at Komori's boldness before [Y/N] chuckled softly, not noticing that Komori's enthusiasm made Monoma, Kaibara, and a few heads turn. "I never thought of that."

Komori nodded eagerly and leaned forward. "You're pretty and talented! People would stop and watch you!"

"It's true," Kaibara added, no lies behind his agreement. "You were dancing instead of fighting during the battle trial."

"Careful you two," Monoma interjected smoothly, a teasing drawl making its way back in his tone. "Keep praising her and she might grow a bigger head than she already has."

Wow. Coming from this guy. [Y/N] scoffed, eyes flickering toward him with a playful smirk. "What, jealous already Monoma?"

The blonde returned the smirk, this time sharper. "Hardly. But if you do plan to become an idol hero, I suppose I'll need to prepare your inescapable fan club stealing my spotlight."

That earned a laugh from her.

"Why do you want to be a hero?" She asked Monoma while the walked side by side in the halls after lunch, deciding to leave the cafeteria early while the others still ate. After the talk with Komori, she couldn't help but wonder what her classmates' personal reasons were wanting to become one. She got answers from Kaibara, Kendo, Rin, and Pony but never from Monoma. He avoided the question earlier, then during lunch. Maybe now, they're alone together, he'll say it. "And if you're going to tell me it's about 1-A I still won't stop."

"Persistent are you now," Monoma pauses, and being a cheeky brat, he redirected the question to her.

[Y/N] groaned. "If I tell you, will you say yours?"

"Perhaps...if I find your reason inspiring."

Oh, you're lucky I like you idiot. She remained silent for a moment to gather her thought. "For my dad."

"Continuing his legacy?" Monoma guessed.

"Something like that," The two slowed down their walk as [Y/N] continues. "He served in the military. Taught me what it means to save and protect people. To be someone who can depend on."

An honest answer, yet behind her calm tone there was something hidden beneath. An ache perhaps? Monoma couldn't quite place it. He could tell it was heavy though. Wordlessly he led [Y/N] by the windows of the hall, the vast expanse of U.A.'s facilities greeting them besides the main gates. Reporters still loitered and were facing two male teachers, Monoma was impassive by the commotion, occupied in studying his classmate's side profile. Quiet and little sullen, something unspoken that she prefers to keep. He didn't press further, only offered his usual grin.

But this time, gentle and careful. A subtle action that he understood.