Let It Flow! School Festival!
"Hey, Yagi, you were late on that chord." Kyoka informed you.
You apologized to her for the delayed note and continued practicing with the gang. For the musical performance you and your classmates are going to do for the cultural festival, you decided to play the guitar in the band. The other members include Kyoka Jiro on bass, Momo Yaoyorozu on the keyboard, Fumikage Tokoyami and Denki Kaminari also on the guitars, and Katsuki Bakugou on the drums. While you were in the middle of rehearsal, Ochaco came up to you with great news.
"Himawari, Togata and Eri are here!" She beamed.
You were surprised yet very happy to hear that Eri came to visit. You thought Eri was going to come to UA on the day of the festival, but getting to see her before that is even better! You gaze at your band mates with a pleading look, asking permission to take a break from practice to spend time with Eri.
"You really don't have to give us those cute puppy dog eyes." Kaminari said.
"Ashido said we can take a break, so you can go ahead."
That was all you needed to hear from your pink cheeked friend. You put your electric guitar down for now and kissed your boyfriend goodbye. As you went to greet Eri, you heard Katsuki yelling at "Dunce face" for calling his girlfriend cute and you chuckled.
🎈
"Today's a day off, but because of the new boarding school system, lots of people are continuing with their preparations." Togata said as he, you, Izuku and Eri walked through the school hallway together.
There was various supplies and equipment out in the corridor. There are also other students carrying things and speaking to their classmates about their preparations.
"Where's Horikoshi?" You asked your upperclassan. "I thought she was gonna join us."
"She's busy helping her class with their program." Togata gives you a thumbs up. "But don't worry! She said she'll join us later!"
As the four of you were walking, you ran into a couple business course third years. One of them is holding a box and has a long horn on his forehead and the other is holding a stack of papers and has salmon colored short hair.
"Hey, Togata!" The salmon haired guy greeted. Togata greeted back at him.
"Is that a kid!?" The guy with the horn gaspedbin shock. Eri hid behind Togata. "Where did she come from!? Wait...!" He turned his head towards you. "Don't tell me you... did you knock up this hot first year!?"
"Of course he didn't, you idiot!" You shouted. You and Izuku's faces turned into the same color as your hair. "Togata! Don't just stand there and smile! Say something!!"
"So it is true!?"
"NO IT'S NOT! SHUT UP!?"
After you finished talking to the business course third years, you continued showing Eri around UA with Izuku and Togata. Even though the cultural festival is a month away, it's so busy all over campus. Inside and out, everyone is bringing a Plus Ultra attitude to their tasks even more so than last year, before you and your friends became students here. Yuko Horikoshi and Class 1-B are doing a fantasy play called "Romeo, Juliet, and The Prisoner of Azkaban: The Return of The Kings", Kendo from Class 1-B and Nejire Hado are running for Miss Con*, and all the students of the Support Course are going to hold a technology exhibition together.
*(Miss Contest, or Miss Con, is a popular Japanese annual school event similar to a Beauty Pageant.)
At the end of Eri's tour of UA, Horikoshi joined the four of you and you all stopped at the cafeteria.
"I'm sorry that I didn't join you at the start." Horikoshi said as she gives Eri a cup of apple juice with a straw.
"It's okay." You replied. "You want to help your friends as much as you can with the play you're doing." You looked at Eri as she sipped her juice. "So, Eri, what did you think? Will you be okay with all this?"
Eri stopped sipping her juice.
"... I... don't really know...." She replied shyly.
You aren't surprised by Eri's answer. This is her first time coming to a place like UA High, and because of a certain asshole, she never experienced any positive human interaction before she was saved.
"But... so many different people are trying their hardest... so I want to know how it will turn out..."
You, Horikoshi and the two boys smiled at one another. You're glad to hear that Eri wants to see everyone's results at the cultural festival.
"We call that feeling "excitement"." Spoke a familiar voice. "Seems like it was worthwhile, don't you think?"
You all turned your attention towards the table next to you and saw Principal Nezu and Miss Midnight sitting there. The principal is also eating a large amount of cheese.
"I'm also excited for the cultural festival!" Principal Nezu wipes his mouth with a napkin after he finished his cheese. "In order to throw the best festival they can, many of the students bring encouragement, excitement... and try to create a good time for everyone!"
"Especially since we've gotten into various issues with the police..." Midnight added.
"Watch it, Kayama!" Principal Nezu literally hops off his seat and walks away. "Well! I'll be going now. You all! Enjoy the cultural festival to your hearts content."
"... I can't say for sure... but the Principal seems to have worked pretty hard..." Midnight got up with her tray in hand. "Getting this result after butting heads with a higher up. We've fortified security even more. Then... in the off chance that the alarm sounds ---even if it's a false alarm--- We'll immediately suspend activities and evacuate. That was the condition for holding the event."
"That sounds rough..." Horikoshi said while frowning.
"Of course, I prepared very hard on my end so that doesn't happen! I even dispatched Hound Dog to watch over school premises. Oh, yes! Talk of Class 1-A's program has even made it to the staff room! Work hard, young ones!"
You and Izuku smiled upon hearing Midnight's support.
"We will!" You both replied in unison.
"What are you two doing?" Eri asked innocently.
"We're gonna do a live music performance with dancing and awesome special effects!" You answered with enthusiasm.
"I'll be dancing!" Izuku told Eri.
"And I'll be rockin' it on the guitar!"
"We're doing our best so that you can have a fun time, too, Eri. We hope you'll come see us!"
When you looked into Eri's eyes and saw a hint of excitement in them. That excitement in her eyes reminded you of her reaction when Togata told her about candy apples. She's not the only one excited... every student is looking forward to the cultural festival. There's no way that the faculty members will allow that to happen. You knew that you have faith that they'll will make sure the event will not be postponed.
🎈
And then, since the beginning of practice, approximately one week had passed.
You and the rest of your bandmates are taking a short break after practice. However, you decided to play your acoustic guitar for a bit of nostalgia. Luckily your mom had it and you were able to tune it. You were alone in your room and decided to play it. You took a deep breath and sung "Monsters" by Katie Sky.
I see your monsters
I see your pain
Tell me your problems
I'll chase them away
I'll be your lighthouse
I'll make it okay
When I see your monsters
I'll stand there so brave
And chase them all away
In the dark we, we
We stand apart we, we
Never see that the things we need
Are staring right at us
You just want to hide, hide, hide
Never show your smile, smile
Stand alone when you need someone
It's the hardest thing of all
That you see are the bad, bad, bad memories
Take your time and you'll find me
I see your monsters
I see your pain
Tell me your problems
I'll chase them away
I'll be your lighthouse
I'll make it okay
When I see your monsters
I'll stand there so brave
And chase them all away--Aah!
You immediately stopped singing and nearly dropped your guitar when you noticed Katsuki standing at your doorframe.
"K-Katsuki!?" You became flustered as you gently placed your acoustic guitar next to you on your bed. "How long were you standing there?!"
"Heh. Long enough." He fully enters your room and sits next to you on your bed. "You're a really good singer, Babe."
"I-I'm not! I prefer singing alone by myself!"
"I know what I heard! You have an amazing voice. If don't want anyone to hear you sing, next time, make sure your door is locked!"
You blushed harder since it's your own fault that you didn't check to make sure your door was secure. You glanced at Katsuki shyly.
"Did you... really like my singing?"
"You know I don't lie, Teddy Bear. I could listen to you all day." Katsuki tucks a strand of your red hair behind your ear. "And I like that song you were singing."
You smiled and looked up at your boyfriend.
"Glad to hear. It's my No.1 favorite song. Whenever I listen to it, I think about you and everything you and I have been through..." It's true. This song reminds you of how you and Katsuki were before you two became a couple, it makes you think about how you want him to open up to and vice versa, how you each want to support the other in anyway you can and trust in each other. Trust, support, love, respect. This song... reminds you of your relationship with your boyfriend. You turned your head away from your boyfriend, regretting the words that came out of your mouth. "Haha... sorry for being sappy. It's just that this song is heartwarming! And despite how rough around the edges you are, you--"
"Hikari." You stopped talking when Katsuki takes your hand with his own and caresses your face with his other hand. He gazes into your eyes. "I--"
"Hey, Sunflower!" Kaminari pops his head out your doorframe and interrupts the two of you. "Jiro said you have a acoustic guitar! Can I see it!?"
"Haven't you heard of knocking!?" Katsuki shouts at the electric blonde in frustration. "Get the hell out, Dunce face!"
While Katsuki yelled at Kaminari for ruining the moment, you covered your face with your hands in embarrassment.
🎈
Izuku got his stage time shaved off so that he can help the special effects team. At the same time, your mom helped you with understanding the healing factor of your Quirk. You can only heal a person using your water by using your own stamina and, depending on how serious the wound is, it could leave a scar after healing. Your father is mostly training Izuku Midoriya, but he made sure to help you with your training as well. Then, after a week of training and practicing, the day of the cultural festival has finally arrived.
"Where the hell is Izuku!?" You exclaimed in exasperation.
You had one hand on your hip and the other held your phone. You were pacing back and forth while scowling at the phone screen. Your friend is late and he completely forgot the decency to text or call any one to let them know that he's going to be late. You and the rest Class 1-A are waiting backstage until showtime. Unfortunately, Izuku left UA to get rope and a few other things, but he hasn't returned nor replied to any of your text messages.
"Which store did you say Izuku went to again?" You questioned Kaminari.
"Uh...He went to that hardware store that's only about 15 minutes away." Kaminari replied.
Your anger was nearing it's boiling point.
"Seriously!? He should've been back an hour ago! Is he doing errands for every random person he meets on the way? It's 9:36!"
"Calm down, Yagi." Yaoyorozu places her hands on your shoulders to stop your pacing. "I'm sure there is a logical explanation for Midoriya's tardiness."
"Yeah, Himawari!" Ochaco agreed. "Deku knows how important this is. He probably---"
"I'm here!" Deku ran towards you and your friends with Aoyama following close behind him. "I'm sorry it took so long! I --"
"Izuku Midoriya." You stood in front of your friend with a smile that's masking how mad you are at him for being late. Izuku and everyone around you sensed your enraged aura and became scared (except Katsuki Bakugou). "You've got some nerve ignoring MY messages and not letting any one of us know that you were going to be late. I don't want to hear your reason for taking your sweet time getting rope and whatever you needed to get. YET." You shoved Izuku's stage outfit into his hands. "Give the rope to the effects team, put your stuff in a safe place where you can find it, put this damn outfit on, and get your ass. On. That. Stage. NOW."
"Y-yes ma'am!" Izuku quickly ran again to do as you say.
"Remind me never to piss her off." Kaminari whisper to Ojiro in fear. "Like. EVER!"
Katsuki heard what Kaminari said and smirked. After Izuku came back with his stage outfit on, you grabbed your guitar and took your place on stage with your band and the dance team. The stage buzzer blared and the curtain opens as you stood on stage with your friends. The lights turned off. You then took a deep breath and smiled.
"Alright! Let's start!" You shouted enthusiastically.
"Get ready UA." Katsuki said. "Our sound is gonna kill you!"
With that said, Katsuki initiates an explosion and the music concert of Class 1-A began. The dance team started their dance routine, the special effects team got to work, and you played the guitar along with the band with everything you've got.
"Thanks for comin' out today!" Kyoka says to the crowd before singing.
("Hero too" by Chrissy Costanza)
What am I to be?
What is my calling?
I gave up giving up, I'm ready to go
The future's left unseen
It all depends on me
Put it on the line to follow Mt dream
Yeah
Tried all my life, I've tried to find
Something that makes me hold on and never let go
Oh
Hero to, I am a hero too
My heart is set (my heart is set) and I won't back down
Hero too, strength doesn't make a hero
True heroes (true heroes) stand up for what they believe
So wait and see
What do they think of me?
Who do they think I'll be?
I could not care less, I don't wanna know
Am I doing right?
Am I satisfied?
I wanna live my life like it's meant to be
Yeah
Tried all my life, I've tried to find
Something that makes me hold on and never let go
Oh
Hero too, I am a hero too
My heart is set (my heart is set) and I won't back down
Hero too, strength doesn't make a hero
True heroes (true heroes) stand up for what they believe
So wait and see
People will judge for no reason at all
Yeah they might try
To say your dream's dumb, don't listen
They may look down on me and count me out
I'm going my own way
They may look down on me and count me out
I'm a hero, I've got music
Hero too, I am a hero too
My heart is set and I won't back down
Hero too, strength doesn't make a hero
True heroes stand up for what they believe
Yeah I'll be
Hero too, I am a hero too
My heart is set and I won't back down
Hero too, strength doesn't make a hero
True heroes stand up for what they believe
So wait and see
The entire audience cheered and danced to the music. Kyoka's passionate, enthusiastic performance reverberates with you, your classmates, and the audience. Among the crowd, you saw Eri's smiling face. Overhaul's grip on Eri's psyche is finally broken and she's feeling the excitement of the performance. Tears of joy welled up in your eyes as you saw Eri's warm, joyous smile.
I have met so many heroes in my life
Gave me the strength and courage to survive
Gave me the power to smile everyday
Now it's my turn to be the one to make you smile
As the show finally ends, the audience cheers in a thunderous ovation. The curtain closes and you wiped away the happy tears that threaten to fall.
"Hey, Yagi, you okay?" Kyoka asked after she noticed you wipe your tears.
"Yeah! Never been better!" You answered her cheerfully with a big smile on your face.
🎵
"Again. I'm really sorry for taking so long." Izuku apologized to you while you both helped your classmates get rid of the ice used for the special effects. "...And I'm sorry for not answering your texts and calls..."
"Just make sure it doesn't happen again." You said as you set another bucket of ice onto a cart.
"Haha... I promise it won't..."
The last thing Izuku wants to do is piss you off again. He's seen you mad before, but Izuku really made you explode when he almost ruined the show because he was late.
"So, why did it take you so long to get back? The hardware store you went to is only 15 minutes away. You also got some other items from a convenience store that's close by. Did you run into some trouble?"
"Well, yeah..."
Just when Izuku was about to explain himself for why he was late, Togata approached the two of you with Eri.
"Midoriya! Himawari! Nice job back there." Togata complimented.
"Thanks!" You replied.
"That music show was amazing!" Eri still has that joyous smile you saw during the performance. "At first, I was scared because it was so loud, but then everyone started dancing! And then the lights went "flash" and then Deku went away for a little bit... but then everything got cold and ice suddenly appeared, like "fwooosh"! And then the lights were spinning around, and that lady's voice was like "waaaah" and I... I said "waaaah" too! And Himawari looked really cool when she played the guitar! Her playing was like..."
Eri stopped when Izuku wiped away the tears of joy that were about to fall. You expected this reaction. When you saw Eri smile for the very first time, you couldn't help but feel the tears of happiness form from your eyes as you played on stage. You're sure that Togata cried tears of joy too when he saw Eri's smile.
"I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself, Eri!" Izuku smiled at the young girl and she smiled back at him.
"Hey! You should be working!" Mineta barked at Izuku. "Being late, and now you're slacking off! Stop chitchatting and help carry this ice!"
"Aah! Right!" Izuku took the bin of ice from Mineta. "I'll carry some ice!"
"Mine too, please!⭐️" Aoyama called out.
You rolled the cart full of ice outside to melt it. As you were doing so with Katsuki, a few students praised you and your classmates for the awesome performance you pulled off. Two students even apologized because they came to see you and your class mess up and ridicule you guys.
"Are those the stressed out students Mr. Aizawa told us about?" You asked your classmates as you watched the students who apologized run in the opposite direction.
"If so, then I guess this means we got through to them, huh?" Eijiro said hopefully.
"Indeed!" Iida agreed. He clenched his hand into a fist. "However! Regardless of their reasons, the fact that there were people watching also means that there were people who were not! And they may still be bottling those feelings inside of them even after today..."
"Dude, take a breather." Said a male student. You noticed the group of students in front of you and your classmates. "We heard about what you were trying to do when you started planning this."
"You totally pulled it off." Praised another student.
"We'll tell the others all about it."
"Yeah, seriously, it was insane."
"We'll make sure everyone knows how much you put into this, don't worry!"
In other words, that means you and the rest of Class 1-A will get to spend the rest of the day having fun and enjoying the other programs in the cultural festival!
"That's great!" Ojiro said.
"I bet you're happy, huh?" Mina grinned at Kyoka.
"My humblest thanks for your kindness!" Iida bows to the group of students.
"I'm still not satisfied..." Katsuki spoke in his usual annoyed tone. "Drag out the assholes who didn't come watch and bring 'em here!"
"Katsuki, calm down." You held back your boyfriend from coming any closer to the other students. "They're saying we did a great job and that they're going to give us a chance to enjoy the other programs!"
"Quit screwing around and help finish cleaning up the ice!" Mineta scurried pass you with a large basin filled with ice.
"What's up with Mineta?" Eijiro queried. "He's been on edge."
"It probably has something to do with the Beauty Pageant." You've known Minoru Mineta long enough to know his true motives. Which are mostly for his own perverted pleasure.
"Gotta get good seats! I will not miss the Beauty Pageant!!!"
"Yep. Just as I suspected. No surprise there." You switched your attention to your boyfriend and smiled. "Come on! Let's enjoy the cultural festival together." You took his hand. "Even heroes are allowed to take breaks and have fun once in a while, right?"
Katsuki stared at you for a second. He then grinned and squeezed your hand.
"Fine."
Now that you and your friends were able to brighten everyones mood, you all enjoyed the cultural festival for yourselves. You weren't able to watch Class 1-B's play since it started at the same time your concert started, but you did have fun with the other programs. You watched Nejire Hado win the Beauty Pageant, went into Class C's haunted house, competed against Katsuki and Eijiro in an obstacle course, ate crepes, shared takoyaki with Katsuki, played games, and took lots of pictures. You introduced Katsuki to Eri and she immediately took a liking to hum. Then, Izuku told you the reason why he was late. The villian and internet celebrity known as Gentle Criminal and his partner, La Brava, were trying to sneak into UA. He fought him so that he doesn't ruin the cultural festival. In the end, Gentle Criminal turned himself in to Hound Dog and Ectoplasm. When Izuku told you about this villian's motives for attempting this scheme, you almost didn't believe it. The villains you've encountered through most of your life had evil and selfish motives for doing the things they did, but... Gentle Criminal is different... and the craziest thing is that Izuku could've become just like Gentle. You felt bad for getting so pissed off at your green-haired friend for being late without hearing his story. Izuku doesn't blame you for getting mad at him for his tardiness. You and All Might have called and messaged him multiple times, asking him about his whereabouts. He didn't give either of you a response, so he believes you had every right to be upset with him. When the Cultural festival came to an end, you saw Eri off at the school gate with Izuku, Katsuki, Horikoshi and Togata.
"Thanks a lot for coming today!" Izuku told Eri.
"Yeah. We had so much fun!" You added.
Eri hummed and nodded sadly. She's clearly disappointed that she has to leave now.
"Hey, Eri." Izuku suddenly kneels down to her level and shows her a candy apple from behind his back. "Surprise!"
Eri's eyes widened and she gaped at the candy apple in awe.
"A candy apple!" You, Togata and Horikoshi gasped at the same time.
"Where were they selling those!?" Horikoshi asked in astonishment.
"We looked everywhere, but nobody was selling them!" Togata spoke.
"After I looked at the program, I thought they might not have any, so when I was out shopping I bought all the ingredients."
"Oh! So that's what all that extra stuff was." You recall seeing the other items Izuku bought.
"Yeah, but the hardest part was actually making them!" Izuku stood back up. "The only thing the convenience store didn't have was the food coloring, so I borrowed some from Sato."
"Well, don't worry." Mr. Aizawa said. "You'll meet again soon enough."
You watched Eri take a bite of her candy apple.
"So? How is it?" You waited for Eri's answer in anticipation.
"It's the best thing ever!" She answered in delight.
You, Izuku, Togata and Horikoshi smiled at Eri's reaction.
"I'll make more for you, so you can have something to look forward to!"
Horikoshi went with your homeroom teacher and Togata to escort Eri back to the hospital. As you watched the four of them disappear into the distance, you thought about all the fun you had. From prepping for the cultural festival, to enjoying the cultural festival yourself with your friends. With everything that's happened, you felt trapped and you felt like you weren't good enough. The sludge villian incident, the attack on the USJ, Shoto Todoroki's declaration of war, your encounter with Endeavor, final exams, Shigaraki's sudden appearance at the mall, the villian attack at the training camp, everything that's happened in Kamino, your father's retirement, Meat Freak's "opinion" about you, finding out the secret between Izuku and your parents, letting go of Eri then finding out about her horrid situation, learning about Sir Nighteye's prediction, Sir Nighteye's death, these memories reminded you of the flaws and weaknesses you hate about yourself. However, being with Katsuki and everyone else who mean so much to you makes you feel glad that you makes you hope for more great things in the future. Not just for yourself, but also for Your friends, your parents and Katsuki.
"Hey, babe. Are you okay?" Katsuki asked. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing bad." You shook your head and smile at the two boys. "I'm just glad that we were able to have the cultural festival."
"I know what you mean." Izuku agreed with a smile.
"Now, C'mon! Let's head back to the dorms. I don't want us to be scolded for returning late. Unlike a certain someone."
You glanced at Izuku with a raised eyebrow and the boy replies with an embarrassed smile. The three of you made your way back to Heights Alliance and you hope for more fond memories at UA with Class 1-A, your parents, Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugou.
To Be Continued....