Chapter Text
“Kaminari.” His name is said so firmly for a moment he thinks a teacher has come to scold him, but when he turns his head away from sticking his tongue out at Bakugou’s sulking, he’s met with the doe-eyed girl he had fought only a little while ago. The rest of the class, too, has their attention drawn by her stoic presence, not yet having mingled enough with the other half of the hero course to not find it novel that one of them was on their side of the Sports Festival stands. For a moment, still smarting from the sharp thorns of their match, he almost thinks she’s here to kick his ass a second time-- but instead her head tilts to the side and eyelids droop.
“You said you wanted to get something to eat after our match, but did not give a time or place. I came to verify the details.”
Wait. What?
He’s stunned by the idea his flirtations-- the sort that he would easily brush off as jest if rejected, as per usual-- actually worked, and he can tell his classmates are too, because Jirou’s brow has raised with the sort of pitying confusion only a sarcastically-fluent person could master, and Bakugou’s eyes have widened to match his grimace.
Oh, screw those guys. He’s not passing the opportunity up.
“Oh, yeah, sure! When’s good for you?” One hand flicks open his phone to schedule the date (a date!).
“Anytime is fine, I just need to know in advance so I can inform my father I will not be able to assist on the boat that afternoon.” He files away that tidbit of information (who said he was a bad listener?), and looks through his calendar.
“Tomorrow afternoon? We can go right after school.” He’d bring an outfit to change into, and totally wow her with his style. She nods, and goes to turn; but he figures he might as well shoot his shot a second time. “Hey, just to be clear on details, can we exchange numbers?”
“Oh, of course.” She seems a little surprised, but reaches for her own phone, wrapped in a sturdy black case. They trade phones, and he types in his number and name; and he’s pleased to find she’s done the same. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” She gives him a bow of her head, and he waves, watching her walk back over to the Class 1-B section (and catching a glimpse of that loud blond guy peering huffily at them over the wall-- did he fucking crawl up there? Weirdo.)
For a moment, they all sit in the quiet left in her wake, and then Kirishima’s arm is tossed around his shoulder.
“What was that? You guys’ match only lasted like, three seconds!” Denki’s head rolls as he’s shaked by his friend’s enthusiasm, and he sputters.
“That doesn’t mean I couldn’t try asking her out! We can get to know each other at dinner! That’s the point, isn’t it?” Jirou’s huff comes from behind him, and in his periphery, he sees her jacks waving.
“I just don’t know if I should tell her she’s making a mistake or if you’ll do that on your own.” It’s followed by a laugh; and he laughs back.
“You’re just jealous I got a cute girl’s number before you did.”
“Right, sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Bakugou’s face still seems scrunched-- but he decides that it’s just Bakugou being Bakugou and shouldn’t be questioned. Unless…
“What’s with that face, Bakugou? Do you have a crush on her or something?” He couldn’t help himself. The idea that Bakugou ‘You’re all extras’ Katsuki of having a crush on the girl who interrupted Present Mic on international TV was too funny to pass up jabbing at.
“Not a chance in hell, dunce. I just didn’t think there was anyone in this course dumb enough to take you up on your shitty offers.” Denki laughs, because Bakugou’s prickliness is just too much to be real, and he settles back in his seat.
“Whatever, I plan on having a good time, no matter what you guys say. She seems super nice!” She was the one who took initiative to ask for details, after all. It was mutual! Man, it would be hard just to focus on the festival after this. Maybe he could get Ashido to help him with his outfit and hair. What sort of thing would Shiozaki even like?
Well, his taste was impeccable, so, whatever he picked, he’s sure it’d be fine.
“What was that?” Monoma’s voice tilts into a shrill whistle, and Shiozaki remembers, suddenly, why he was not as fond of that particular classmate. That, and the fact Monoma had openly admitted his desire and enjoyment in the deception of others. But he was also an annoying…
Well, that wasn’t a very Christly thought to finish. She glances at him, clear to lower her brows an appropriate amount to display irritation.
“He asked me if I wanted to get something to eat, but failed to provide details. So I was asking for clarification.”
“And you’re actually gonna take him up on it?”
“Of course. It’s impolite to turn down a gift.” And he liked food. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Before Monoma can say anything else, Kendou’s fist gently bonks him on the head-- a warning, not yet punishment. Yes, Kendou was the admirable sort like that. Reliable. And, if Ibara had to guess, likely one who leant towards honesty. Which is why she had voted for them in the Class President bid, and was pleased to find she had won.
“I’m just saying! Who knows what sort of ulterior motives he might have!”
“You drastically need to examine your own motives, Monoma.” Now it was her turn to scold; because he had never been one to hold his tongue when it came to correcting one’s own or another’s behavior. To stay quiet when something could be said was an act of omission. And omission was steps away from lying. He simply sticks out his tongue; an expected bout of petulance, and instead Ibara’s attention is drawn by another voice.
“Congrats on the date, Shiozaki!” Tetsutetsu’s arms are back up in the air with his enthusiasm, and his choice of words could likely be chalked up to typical Tetsutetsu overenthusiasm, but the need to correct it remains.
“It’s not a date. We hardly know each other.” While she had nothing against various sorts of casual courtship, there was no such intention here. An offer was made, and then accepted.
“Oh, yeah. That is true. But it’s kinda like a date!”
“No, it’s not. Not in the slightest.”
“Oh, okay! If you say so.” But Tetsutetsu’s comments have already drawn eyes, eyes she would rather not have on them at the moment. It’s not that he dislikes his classmates, of course...it’s just that, well. They haven’t gotten very close, seeing as how it’s still early in the school year.
“I like food.” She insists, feeling like the situation has been sufficiently clarified, but this only raises more eyebrows, much to his frustration. It was not courtship.
But the next match was beginning, and there was no need to cause a scene, so she simply returned to her seat and steels herself for whatever may come next.