(Kata POV – Yaoyorozu Private Jet)
"You should stop pouting." I say, not bothering to turn around. "There was never a scenario where you ended up in this seat."
"That's so mean, Kata…" Himiko groans from directly behind me, slumping dramatically over the back of my seat so her chin rests near my shoulder. "You could at least pretend I had a chance."
"Wake up to reality." I muse. "Nothing ever goes as planned in this world."
She clicks her tongue, but doesn't seem upset at all. Her gaze drifts past me, landing on Eri.
"I never expected to beat Eri… but a girl can hope." She mutters, utterly defeated.
Eri, completely oblivious, is pressed up against the window beside me, her hands resting lightly against the glass as she stares out with wide, shining eyes.
The ocean stretches endlessly below us, reflecting the sunlight like a moving mirror.
She hasn't looked away in a while.
"…It's so big." She whispers.
There's genuine awe in her voice.
I once again realise how most things are still new to her.
'…We should go out more.' I decide and resolve for the future.
It's something I've overlooked since I've never been interested. That doesn't mean Eri shouldn't get to experience it.
"You of all people can't complain." Mina cuts in, leaning over from across the aisle with a pout of her own. "You get Kata all to yourself at home."
"That's different." Himiko huffs, straightening slightly. "That's domestic Kata. I want travel-date Kata."
"…There's a difference?" Jiro mutters from a few seats over, looking fatigued.
"Of course there is!" Himiko snaps. "Context matters!"
"I'll take your word for it." Jiro sighs, regretting ever having asked.
"Is there a way to modify a jet so all the seats are next to each other?" Momo hums thoughtfully, one hand resting against her chin. "It would make everyone happy…"
"That sounds like a great idea!" Toru says excitedly.
"…Wouldn't that be a bit much?" Uraraka asks hesitantly, glancing between them.
"Not at all." Momo replies, completely serious. "It'd bring everyone closer together."
"Well, if we're doing that…" Mina adds with a grin. "We could just make it one big couch so we can all sit next to Kata."
"Absolutely not." I reply immediately. "Does personal space not exist?"
"That's soooo boring." Himiko shoots back.
"I feel so out of place here…" Uraraka whispers to Jiro and Tsuyu, leaning in slightly.
"You're telling me." Jiro groans. "All this love in the air…"
"I think it's kinda nice." Tsuyu says, watching the chaos with a small smile. "Everyone's just… honest."
Uraraka flushes slightly at that.
"…Too honest." She mumbles.
'They could stand to be more subtle.' I think, agreeing with Uraraka as I glance at the open discussion regarding my freedom. 'What ever happened to modesty?'
"Look! Look!" Eri suddenly tugs on my sleeve, practically vibrating with excitement. "I see it!"
I follow her gaze out the window, and in the distance, I-Island's silhouette appears.
It's a massive structure sitting on the ocean. A technological marvel that invites awe.
Eri presses closer to the glass, eyes sparkling.
"…It's huge." She breathes.
"Yeah." A small smile pulls at my lips. "We'll be exploring it soon."
The landing goes smoothly, and by the time we're cleared and officially confirmed as invited guests, the sun has already started dipping lower in the sky, painting everything in warm gold.
It's late afternoon by the time we step onto I-Island proper, a day before early access to the expo opens.
"Having a guy around for luggage is amazing." Mina grins, nudging my shoulder.
"Being able to freely use my quirk helps." I reply dryly.
The luggage floats behind us as we walk, telekinetically pulled along.
"Let's head to the hotel first, before exploring." Uraraka says excitedly, her eyes shining.
And, as it turns out… by pure, completely coincidental chance, we're all booked into the same hotel, with rooms right next to each other.
'Definitely a coincidence.' I sigh internally, realising that things aren't likely to get better.
"Works out perfectly!" Momo says, clearly pleased. "It'll make things easier to coordinate."
"It's basically a sleepover!" Mina adds immediately.
"Sleep is optional." Himiko hums teasingly, making everyone else blush. And I wisely choose to ignore that.
Momo, Mina, and Toru take one, while Tsuyu, Uraraka, and Jiro take another. Each room has one huge bed, big enough for all three, which I believe was deliberate.
And, finally… Himiko, Eri, and I share the last room.
Eri gets her own bed, while Himiko and I share a double.
She'd have ended up in mine anyway, so I might as well get one with enough room.
Some things are just inevitable.
After a short time to settle in—
"Let's all go out for dinner!" Toru announces.
"Good idea!" Mina agrees immediately.
"We might not all be free tomorrow." Momo adds thoughtfully. "It would be best to spend time together while we can."
"Yeah!" Uraraka nods. "Let's go!"
Eri looks up at me, her eyes shining hopefully. "Are we going also?"
"We're all friends." I chuckle at her question. "There's no way we'd be left behind." I ruffle her hair affectionately. "Let's go."
Her smile widens instantly, and she hums in agreement, holding my hand as we head out as a group.
(Eri POV – I-Island Hotel)
I clutch the strap of my bag tightly as I knock on Momo's door.
It sounds louder than I expect, and I wonder if I should've knocked softer, or just waited.
And while I'm worrying, the door opens.
"Sorry to keep you waiting—" Momo steps out, already dressed in her hero costume, and when she sees me, she freezes.
Her eyes widen, then…
"Eri!" She smiles brightly. "You look so cute!"
Before I can react, she's already crouching down and pulling me into a gentle, but very tight, hug.
I blink in surprise, my hands hovering awkwardly for a second before slowly resting against her.
"But… you've already seen this dress." I mumble, a little confused. It's one of the ones we bought when we went shopping.
Momo pulls back slightly, looking at me more thoroughly, and nodding in satisfaction.
"That doesn't matter." She says softly. "You're absolutely adorable every time." She gently pats my head.
'It feels nice…' I think, enjoying the touch. And before I can respond—
"Wait, let me see!" Mina suddenly pops out from behind her, eyes lighting up immediately. "Oh my gosh, Eri, you're precious!"
She also doesn't wait for permission before pulling me into another hug.
"Me too!" Toru chirps, and suddenly there's an extra pair of arms wrapped around me.
"Ah—!" I let out a small squeak as I'm surrounded.
"Hold still, ribbit." Tsuyu says calmly, though there's a hint of amusement in her voice as she joins in, gently patting my head.
"Sorry… you're just too cute." Uraraka laughs apologetically, but she ends up hugging me too anyway.
Jiro hesitates for a moment longer than the others… then sighs and gives in, lightly ruffling my hair.
"…Yeah. You're dangerously adorable." She mutters.
I blink, completely surrounded, and hair a mess.
"…Why is everyone hugging me?" I ask, more confused than bothered.
"Do you dislike it?" Momo asks softly in concern.
"No." I shake my head. "It feels nice." I reply honestly, and everyone smiles.
"Then that's enough." Toru says. "Hugging you makes us happy, and you also enjoy it, so everyone wins."
I don't really understand it, but…
'It makes sense?'
Eventually, they let me go, and I take a small breath, smoothing my dress and fixing my hair.
Then something catches my attention.
"…Why are you wearing your hero costumes?" I ask, looking between Momo and Uraraka.
Momo glances down at herself, then smiles.
"Ah, right. During the expo, there are events we can participate in." She explains. "So it's better to be prepared."
"Yeah!" Uraraka nods. "It's also mainly focused on technological inventions and hero costumes. So it fits the vibe."
'That makes sense.' I nod slowly. 'Heroes should always be ready.'
"…Where's Kata?" Toru suddenly asks.
He had left quite early, and when I look at Himiko, everyone else turns to her too.
She just shrugs.
"Dunno. He left earlier." She says casually. "Some event thing because he was the Sports Festival winner."
"Oh…" I say sadly, fingers tighten slightly around my bag.
I was hoping we'd go together.
"…Will he come back soon?" I ask quietly.
Himiko smirks.
"He went early so he could finish fast." She says. "So he can spend the rest of the day with you."
I blink. "…Really?"
"Really."
"…Okay." A smile forms on my face as warmth blossoms in my chest.
"Which means…" Himiko stretches her arms lazily, grinning. "Until then, you're all ours."
"All yours?" Mina groans dramatically. "That's not fair. Some of us don't get early access."
"Skill issue." Himiko shoots back instantly, sticking her tongue out. "Should've won rock-paper-scissors."
"Don't worry!" Uraraka jumps in quickly, trying to cheer up the losers. "We'll show you everything tomorrow! Right?"
Momo nods. "Of course. We'll make sure you don't miss anything."
Everyone seems to relax after that. But I look down at my hands.
"…Was I supposed to play too?" I ask, quietly making the shapes. "Does that mean I lost too?"
My hand forms the symbols. It's only fair that I stay behind since I didn't play.
Momo seems to see through me instantly.
"Ah—no, Eri." She says gently, kneeling down again to meet my eyes. "You didn't need to."
I blink. "Why?"
"Because you're Kata's guest." She laughs softly. "You already have a spot. No one will compete for it."
"…Oh." I nod. "Okay."
"Ready to go?" Himiko asks, already turning toward the hallway.
I glance back once more at the others, waving goodbye, and they wave back with smiles.
"Have fun!" Mina calls.
"Take lots of pictures!" Toru adds.
"Stay safe, ribbit." Tsuyu says.
"And enjoy yourselves." Jiro mutters.
I nod, then turn back, walking between Momo and Himiko.
And together, we head out toward the I-Expo.
********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
I think the next chapter might be another slice of life before the action. Well, there'll be action in the next, as well as the new hero costume Kata and Mei made, and the plot will move after that, with quite a lot of action.
I've actually found a way to make this arc quite interesting action wise. Don't worry, it'll be a blast. Anyway, I don't have much to say. This was just an intro, as well as me setting the scene for the next chapters. I'm probably gonna skip Deku's section since it's covered in the movie, and there's be no influence from Kata at all, so I'd just be rehashing everything.
You can also read 10 and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
So yeah, that's all from me. Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night 🌃