Chapter Seven

Things just keep getting worse. First a moment silence between them and the halls, then a sudden wave of students came rushing in with panic. [Y/N] would too, hearing an alarm screeching out of nowhere followed by an automated voice announcing a level three breach. Monoma tried to control his rising agitation; with furrowed eyes and immediate instinct he grabbed [Y/N]'s hand.

"Don't let go." She didn't need to be told, returning the grip when Monoma started to run. No idea where, but they need leave before the halls flood with bodies. Clamoring shouts and pained complaints rang among them, pushing each other to make it to the exit faster. The noise was deafening as it gained up behind, eventually bringing the two into the mess. Someone yelled about intruders near the main gate, then a different voice asking where the teachers were. Through it all Monoma doubled his efforts to guide both of them, but a slip up happened. The grip of [Y/N]'s loosen slightly, and before he could grasp someone lost balance. They weren't trampled but it broke the hold of the two.

[Y/N]'s shriek blended into the noise. Monoma's pulse quickened and twisted his back instantly with a call of her name, shoving past shoulders and elbows. The crowd swallowed her voice, but Monoma caught a glimpse of her. The girl's earrings always shine underneath at any light; among the horde its glimmers helped him get to her.

"Move—" Sharpness cracked in the blond's voice to whoever he barged past, ignoring the protests. [Y/N], seeing him close, reached her hand out for him to take. She resisted from the harsh force around, determined to get hold of Monoma again; and he did when he was near enough. Their hands found each other once more with more grip than ever. At this situation no one would be out of the building in time, Monoma disregarded his initial plan, instead he trudged through with [Y/N] close to him to the nearest corridor, ignoring the sign above.

It was the only thing to escape this mess.

The door swung open and shut behind them with a loud thud, noise from outside now muffled. They could breathe again in the quietness. [Y/N] braced herself against the sink, chest rising, while Monoma remained by the door, back turned against it as if he's barricading it with his form. [Y/N] slowly brought her head up, her reflection meeting her. Through the mirror she scanned the room—pink tiles, half of the walls were in the same color and the rest white. Toiletries and feminine products stocked in a shelf at the corner, lines of cibicle doors in the same pink hue.

A beat passed before she realized where they were. Her eyes flicked to Monoma. "You know this is the girls'—"

"I know." He cut in quickly, his disheveled hair more unkempt than before after he ran it with his hand. He sighed, but not looking particularly apologetic. He glanced at her. "You'd rather be mangled out there?"

Monoma stood there, sleeves crumples and tie a bit loose, a few strands of his hair fell out of place over the usual style. Unlikely of him, but the imperfect looks suited him too well. It made him real. [Y/N] caught herself staring, the rise and fall of his heaving, sweat forming on his forehead, jaw tensed like he still needed to bolt.

She didn't answer, her heartbeat still pounding in her ears, but not from running anymore. She tore her gaze away and back to the mirror; uniform and hair all wrinkled like Monoma's, using it as a distraction to soothe her growing feelings. Monoma, ever perceptive, noticed her flushed state that made him tilt his head at her reflection. "Embarrassed I dragged you here?"

A jest in his statement, maybe to lighten their current situation a bit, make things worse, or perhaps his own way to mask his unease. Whatever it was, [Y/N] was relieved Monoma took her demeanor in a different assumption. "Something like that," She murmured, brushing stray stands away from her face.

Seeming satisfied Monoma smirked at her way. He properly stood now, seeing none of the commotion at the other side of the door have no plan to barge in as he straightened his tie. "Not every day you're trapped with someone handsome."

...

"Sit for a moment." Monoma instructed after letting the silence pass, no smug tone. Just concern. He never left the door unguarded. It only made her cheeks burn more. "You look winded."

"I'm fine," [Y/N] managed, a conflicted smile forming as she took a quick glance then back at mirror. "Do you know what's happening?"

"Likely the press." Monoma shared. He checked the door once more before going to stand in another mirror to assess his condition. A split twitch of a brow and a click of a tongue before tidying himself.

Ugh, of course. They triggered the alarm, must have forgotten about the extensive protocols that all hero schools had. Understandable if a villain dared to attack the main source of rising heroes. The reckless thought helped [Y/N] steady herself despite the thrum of her pulse, and the ringing in her ears slowly dissipate. The noises weren't gone yet, but for now both of them are safe.

"Infiltrated the place." She commented, turning her head at Monoma after a polished perfection was back in her appearance. Monoma had also composed himself too, though there was a faint redness on his cheeks.

Finally realizing if someone caught us. The girl's eyes wandered around the restroom while she thinks. But thanks to his quick thinking, it's better to be stuck here than in the halls.

Monoma never let go of [Y/N]'s hand after the false alarm and checking outside if the coast was clear. Not for a moment the heat left her cheeks. She didn't protest, rather cherishing the moment.

His hand was like porcelain, but in certain grazes there were calluses either at the tips or sides. A reminder and evidence he worked his efforts behind his sleek and cocky demeanor. They walked in silence in the empty corridors, as if the frenzy didn't happen while the sun filtered through the windows that caught the colors of Monoma's hair. Faintly [Y/N] could hear a few teachers assuring their students inside their classrooms, followed by relief sighs. She glanced down at their linked hands again, realizing how natural it felt despite what happened.

The Class 1-B sign and door came into their sights, and soon as Monoma slid it open Kendo came rushing to them in distraught.

"There you are! We were worried about you two." Her shoulders relaxed when she saw no scratch but was quickly replaced with a stern expression, hands on hips as she half-scolded them. "Shoda caught the false alarm immediately. He said it was the reporters outside, not a villain attack."

Just like Monoma assumed. All of their classmates were present; postures all relaxed on their seats. The class chose Kendo as the class representative for a reason—reliable, organized, and direct. She must've addressed the situation earlier to Mr. Vlad immediately while she ordered Shoda to bring other back to their classroom.

Monoma had a casual tone as he stepped inside. "Lucky none of you were out there. People running around like the school was about to collapse." He shrugged. "And as expected from Class 1-B's finest. But in our defense, I was too busy making sure we survive."

Kendo stared at the two a little longer before glancing at their locked hands. Curiosity and chaff instantly shun its way to her eyes, earning stifle grin. She only nodded in response, and the low chatter grew louder when the class realized the two had arrived.

Pony was the first to approach. "You guys okay?"

"Fine," [Y/N] assured with a small laugh. "A lot of running—"

"But we managed." Monoma chipped in. "I wasn't about to let a crowd pulp us, much less her."

The statement earned him a few raised brows. Tsuburaba let out a low whistle, and Tokage smirked at her seat. "Her huh?"

"What can I say, Hero instincts." A smug in his reply.

"Sure..." Honenuki drawled, his skeletal teeth tilting upwards. "And it includes holding hands the whole time."

That sent a ripple of laughter from the boys and coo from the girls, immediately [Y/N] broke her hand from the boy, face almost the same color as her tie. Monoma on the other hand remain composed in a loose smirk. And before he catches himself the words came out of his lips. "Bonds are forged. You wouldn't understand."

Bold and loud. Sounding clever. Monoma relished the curious, teasing interests. He didn't need to glance at [Y/N], the sputter from her affirmed her loss of words. She passed by in a hurry, making a beeline to her seat and dropping with a thud. She didn't bat at anyone, focused on pulling her phone out from her bag. Monoma can't help but find her little huff adorable—like a ruffled cat.

Let them think whatever they wanted. A slap on his arm instead of the usual chop from Kendo was received, more on exasperated than anger but Monoma took it as proof she had given up in restraining him. For now, at least. He chuckled under his breath while Kendo sighed. "But seriously, I'm glad you two are okay."

"Where were you guys when the alarm happened?" [Y/N] went rigid in her chair then snuck a glance at the two. The whole class was listening, itching to know more details in hopes to find something more to tease them. It was tense—well for her—it'll be humiliating if they learn. They might mistake Monoma in a bad light, or worse, think she dragged him into it.

Oh fuck! Attractive but hides bad intentions? What if this rumor will forever affect once we're Pros? Oh god I don't want that! [Y/N] should jump in, she might stammer but their images are in the line. But she stopped, Monoma's stance was...unfazed. His pause was intentional, to egg everyone's curiosity. He tilted his head with that all-too-familiar grin.

"Somewhere safe," he said in a casual tone. "In one of the corridors. We figured it'd be smarter to stir away than joining with the crowd."

The tension in [Y/N]'s shoulders eased slightly, though the warmth in her cheeks didn't fade as Monoma caught her glance. A tiny, silent gratitude was sent from the girl which he offered a faint nod.

It became a routine for the two to walk home together after seeing each other board at the same bullet train. Usual banter or random topics were always their conversation, noticing how Monoma always have the energy to strike a chat. For now, maybe a mixed of comfortable and awkward silence. Or moreover the awkward part is what [Y/N] assumed, Monoma was collected as ever. Hands in pockets, confident stride, and eyes on the path.

"Here." His call made them stop as he pulls something out from his pocket. [Y/N] wasn't fast enough to see when Monoma stepped closer, she shot a question only to be ignored by him as his hands lifted near her. She stood like a statue, watching him. Monoma wasn't looking at [Y/N], mind focus on somewhere else. His fingers brushed beneath her ear, featherlight. [Y/N] stared in confusion and then he held something between that sparked a familiar shine.

"You dropped it earlier." Monoma said tone unusually soft. He clasped it gently back in its place, careful to not hurt her.

"...You found it?" [Y/N] could only stare, words tangled in her throat. She hadn't even noticed it was gone.

Monoma gave a short hum, lowering his hand. But he paused, only to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You look incomplete without it."