Chapter 12: Girls Day Out
Momo, Ochako, Kyoka, Mina, Tsuyu, and Toru were sitting at a outdoor table of a cafe together. Since school was supposed to start the next day, Mina thought it would be a great idea for them to spend a day together as friends. For once, they were just friends at a table, not students who had fought for their lives.
Momo was initially skeptical, but in the end, like the others, she thought it would be a great idea to leave the stress of the USJ behind.
Mina sipped happily on a neon-pink soda float, bubbles fizzing as bright as her smile. Tsuyu cradled a simple green iced tea, occasionally dipping her straw in with a calm rhythm. Ochako had a sweet caramel frappuccino, topped with whipped cream, which made her cheeks flush with delight at each sip. Kyoka went with a black coffee, straight, no sugar, claiming it kept her focused. Toru, who giggled as the waiter set it down, had a strawberry smoothie, though no one could see her lifting it. And Momo, as poised as always, stirred her black tea with a quiet grace.
Their laughter and small talk carried easily until Toru suddenly leaned forward, voice brimming with excitement. "You know what I wanna know?" she asked, her smoothie straw bouncing in the air as though it spoke with her. "Why does everyone here wanna be a hero? I mean, we all have different reasons, right?"
The others glanced at her curiously. Mina raised a brow. "Huh. That's actually a good question."
"Okay then!" Toru said, clapping her invisible hands. "I'll go first. Honestly? I just wanna shine. You know, make people notice me for more than just being… well, see-through. I don't wanna disappear into the background all my life. Being a hero means I'll be seen for who I am."
Mina grinned and tapped her straw against Toru's glass. "That's so you, girl. For me… I just wanna keep smiling and make sure everyone else does too. Heroes bring joy, right? I want people to feel safe and happy when they see me coming. Like, 'don't worry, Pinky's got this!'"
Tsuyu tilted her head, sipping her ice tea before speaking. "I don't care about smiling or being seen. I just… want to do what's right, ribbit. If someone's in trouble, it's natural to help. That's all there is to it for me."
Ochako clasped her hands together, her frappuccino already half-empty. "For me, it's about my family. I want to support them, make sure my parents don't have to work themselves to exhaustion anymore. If being a hero can help me give them a better life, then that's what I'll do. And… it feels right to save people too."
Kyoka tapped her black coffee, her gaze sharp but thoughtful. "Guess it's my turn. Honestly? At first, I didn't even think being a hero was for me. I just wanted to make music. But… when I saw what villains could do, and how helpless people can be… it pissed me off. So yeah, I wanna fight back. I wanna make some noise that actually matters." She smirked, then turned to Momo. "And you, Yaomomo? What about you? Why do you wanna be a hero?"
All eyes turned to Momo. She set her teacup down carefully, drawing in a slow breath. She opened her mouth to answer…
"Is that… Momo?!"
The sudden cry cut through the air. Momo froze, her brow furrowing instantly. She knew those voices.
Three girls approached their table, dressed in expensive-looking summer outfits that practically screamed wealth. The lead girl had long, flowing blonde hair tied back with a silk ribbon, her confident stride carrying her forward. Beside her, two identical twins followed, though their differences were clear, one with short black hair in a stylish bob, the other with long black hair cascading like ink down her back.
The blonde girl spoke first, her tone cheerful but edged with superiority. "Momo, long time no see. What are the odds of running into you here?"
Momo's lips pressed into a thin line. "…Yes. It's been a while."
Mina leaned over, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Wait, Yaomomo, you know them?"
Momo sighed softly, shoulders dipping ever so slightly before she replied. "They're former classmates of mine from my old school. The blonde one is Clarissa von Stein. The twins are Emilia and Elvira Kurobane."
Ochako, Kyoka, Mina, Tsuyu, and Toru all exchanged quick glances. None of them could quite explain why, but the moment these three arrived, they felt Momo's mood sour. Her polite smile was there, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Clarissa von Stein wasted no time. She stepped closer, slipping her arms around Momo in a sudden embrace. Momo's back stiffened instantly.
"Classmates sounds so impersonal," Clarissa said sweetly, her voice dripping with the kind of charm that didn't feel genuine. "Call us friends instead, Momo."
Momo's eyes narrowed as she carefully peeled Clarissa's arms off her. Her tone was steady, but cold enough to frost glass. "That would be possible, if we had ever actually been friends."
For a second, the air at the table grew tense. But Clarissa either didn't notice or didn't care. With a dismissive flick of her blonde hair, she looked past Momo toward the others at the table.
"And who are these girls?" she asked with a smile that wasn't quite friendly.
"They're my friends," Momo replied firmly. "And my classmates from UA."
At that, Clarissa clapped her hands together in delight. "I knew it! I always knew you'd end up at UA. Back in school, everyone thought it was inevitable. Of course you'd be accepted there, you were destined to become a great hero!"
For reasons they couldn't quite explain, Ochako, Kyoka, Mina, Tsuyu, and Toru all felt the same thing at once, Momo was not happy hearing that from Clarissa.
Clarissa leaned in with a smug little smile. "We three were accepted at Seiai Academy, by the way."
"That is… impressive," Momo said, her voice polite but lacking warmth. She lifted her teacup again, as if to signal the conversation should end. "But if you don't mind, we were hoping to enjoy our day together."
Clarissa either didn't hear her, or simply chose not to. She brightened as if Momo had encouraged her. "Isn't it impressive, though? You'll see, we'll become the most famous, respected heroes this world has ever known."
At the table, Toru leaned closer to the others, whispering behind her straw. "That Clarissa seems to ignore everything Momo says. She only listens to herself."
Kyoka scowled, her cheeks warming with an irritation she didn't want to admit. Her voice was low, edged with jealousy. "I think she's trying to get close to Yaomomo on purpose. Like she's… after something."
Tsuyu spoke plainly, her whisper calm but cutting. "I think she wants Momo's attention for herself. Ribbit."
Kyoka's face went redder at that. Her grip tightened on her coffee cup.
Ochako frowned softly. "Maybe we should do something, try to pull those three away from Momo."
Mina's eyes gleamed mischievously as she leaned back in her chair. "Oh, I've got just the idea."
Before Ochako, Kyoka, Tsuyu, or Toru could say anything, Mina suddenly shot her right hand into the air, releasing a handful of tiny acid droplets. They were so small they were nearly invisible, but Momo caught sight of them immediately as they arced down toward Clarissa. The droplets hissed faintly on contact, eating through the delicate straps of Clarissa's expensive summer dress.
There was a sharp snap of fabric giving way.
Clarissa's eyes widened as her dress slid down, the straps completely gone. A gasp tore from her lips as she instinctively clutched the front of her dress with both arms, covering herself. On either side of her, the Kurobane twins reacted instantly, Emilia darted to the left, Elvira to the right, both grabbing at the sides of the gown to keep it from falling entirely to the ground.
The three of them flushed a deep scarlet, their elegant composure shattered. Clarissa's face burned with humiliation as she tried desperately to maintain her dignity, holding the fabric tight across her chest.
At the table, Mina bit her lip hard, shoulders shaking as she tried not to burst into laughter. Ochako, Kyoka, Tsuyu, and Toru sat frozen, their expressions torn between shock, secondhand embarrassment, and a guilty flicker of amusement.
Momo exhaled heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose before speaking in a calm, even tone "I think the dress must have been poorly made."
Without hesitation, she extended her forearm. In a shimmer of light, fabric began forming a nearly identical dress to Clarissa's appeared in her hands. She held it out with cool composure. "Here. It may not be much, but at least you won't have to hold it up the entire time."
Clarissa froze, her embarrassment now tangled with something else entirely. For the first time, she truly looked at Momo, not as the aloof heiress from their old school, not as the girl whose talent made her untouchable, but as someone who had just saved her from total humiliation. Her blush deepened, her heart giving a strange, unfamiliar flutter.
"T-thank you…" she murmured, her voice suddenly small and shy. She accepted the dress with both hands, bowing her head as if unable to meet Momo's eyes.
Emilia and Elvira quickly flanked her, ushering her toward the café entrance, likely aiming to reach the ladies restroom so Clarissa could change. The three disappeared inside, their hurried footsteps fading away.
The moment they were out of earshot, Tsuyu tilted her head, her voice as blunt as ever "I thought you hated using your quirk to create clothes, ribbit."
Momo sighed, her gaze sliding to Mina. "I had no choice, after someone decided to play a prank."
Mina laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head. "So you noticed, huh?"
Momo deadpanned, then gave a single, slow nod.
Ochako quickly leaned forward, eager to defend her friend. "Mina didn't mean it in a bad way!" she said, fumbling for words. "She just… she thought maybe it'd help-"
Tsuyu cut in with her usual bluntness. "We thought you needed help getting rid of those three. Ribbit."
Momo's sharp glare swept over the group, and for a heartbeat the air turned heavy. The five girls shrank back under her gaze, guilt prickling at their skin. Then, to their relief, Momo's expression softened. She sighed once more and gave them a small, gentle smile.
"I understand the intention. And I am grateful. But there are other ways to solve a problem than leaving someone half-naked in public."
The five of them blushed furiously at her words, their embarrassment nearly as intense as Clarissa's had been.
Desperate to break the awkward tension, Toru clapped her invisible hands together. "Sooo… let's do something fun to forget about this!"
"I'm in," Tsuyu said immediately.
Ochako looked thoughtful. "But where should we go next?"
Mina, her grin already returning, sprang to her feet and spread her arms wide. "I know exactly where! Follow me, ladies!"
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A short while later, the six girls stood before a brightly lit arcade, neon lights flashing and the sound of clattering buttons, electronic jingles, and prize machines spilling out onto the street.
Kyoka raised a brow. "An arcade? Really?"
Mina spread her arms wider, practically glowing with enthusiasm. "There's no place better for fun than this!"
Her sheer energy was infectious. One by one, the others exchanged looks, and then followed her inside.
The neon lights washed over them as the six girls fanned out into the arcade. The sounds of electronic jingles, clattering buttons, and triumphant cheers surrounded them. For once, there were no villains, no pressure, no weight of expectation, just laughter and the promise of fun.
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Their first stop, Guitar Hero.
Kyoka slid the plastic guitar strap over her shoulder with an easy confidence, plugging in the song on the hardest difficulty. Her friends leaned in curiously, expecting her to be good, but none of them were prepared for this. Her fingers blurred over the frets, every note struck with absolute precision. Her head moved slightly with the rhythm, her earphone jacks bouncing against her cheeks as if the arcade itself were her stage.
The screen exploded in flashing colors "New High Score!"
The others stood frozen, mouths hanging open. Mina's jaw dropped so low it looked like it might hit the sticky arcade carpet. Ochako actually clapped her hands over her mouth in shock. Toru's invisible face left only her floating sleeves to convey her astonishment, and Tsuyu blinked twice, whispering her trademark, "Ribbit…"
Kyoka smirked, unplugging the guitar and casually handing it off as if nothing had happened. "What? You thought I wasn't going to crush it?"
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Next was the Dance Battle machine.
Mina bounced onto the glowing platform like it was her natural habitat. The music kicked in, and she moved as though born to the rhythm, hips swaying, feet hitting every step perfectly, spins and slides that looked far too smooth for an arcade game. She was fire and energy rolled into one, and the score counter skyrocketed with each flawless combo.
Beside her, Tsuyu hopped onto the partner pad, determined to keep up. But midway through a spin, her tongue shot out instinctively to help balance, and somehow tangled around her own leg.
She pitched sideways in a knot of limbs and tongue. "Ribbi-mmph!"
"Tsuyu!" Ochako and Toru rushed forward at once, trying to unravel her. Mina nearly fell off the platform from laughing so hard, pounding her fist against the rail as the score screen popped up declaring her the winner.
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Next came the climbing wall challenge.
Tsuyu leapt like a frog, sticking to the holds with ease, while Ochako tapped her fingertips against the wall and launched herself upward in graceful, weightless bounds. The crowd of arcade-goers gasped as the two shot skyward, practically racing each other to the top.
Momo followed with efficient, precise movements, scaling steadily with elegance, while Kyoka gritted her teeth and forced her way up, determined not to be left behind. Mina scrambled wildly after them, laughing breathlessly. At the very bottom, Toru's sleeves waved helplessly as she clung to a hold. "Uh, guys? My invisibility doesn't help me climb!"
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Then came the shooting gallery row.
Momo picked up the first toy gun, her posture almost military-like. Without hesitation, she cleared every target in seconds. The words High Score! flashed across the screen.
Her friends clapped, until she calmly set that gun down, walked to the next booth, and repeated the exact same feat.
High Score.
Then another. And another. And another.
By the fifth machine, the arcade staff had gathered behind her, murmuring in disbelief. Her friends stood frozen, eyes wide and mouths open yet again. Kyoka in particular felt her cheeks blaze red, her heart hammering.
"She looks… way too cool right now." Kyoka says under her breath.
Momo finally turned back, a polite smile gracing her lips. "That was rather enjoyable."
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Their next stop was the basketball hoop machine.
"Let me try this one!" Toru announced, sleeves rolling up like a professional athlete, though her body remained invisible. She grabbed the first ball, sank it cleanly, then another, and another. Her rhythm grew faster, hands a blur, the machine rattling from the sheer speed of shots.
The screen lit up "New High Score!"
Her friends gawked. Ochako gasped, "Wait, how can you aim while throwing so fast?!"
"You just gotta trust in the vibe!" Toru sang, spinning on her heel dramatically.
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Finally, they approached a claw machine stuffed with plushies.
Momo studied the mechanism carefully, her eyes narrowing with strategist focus. One try, clink, out came a plush bunny. Second try, whirr, a teddy bear dropped. Third, fourth, fifth… plushies piled at her feet.
By the tenth prize, a small crowd had gathered. Children pressed against the glass, their eyes sparkling as Momo calmly retrieved toy after toy. The operator of the arcade stood nearby, clutching his head in despair as the once-stuffed machine grew emptier and emptier.
Eventually, the claw machine looked almost barren. The staff begged them to stop.
Momo simply picked up the mountain of plushies, distributing them among her friends. Mina squealed with delight at a pink cat, Kyoka blushed furiously when Momo handed her a little fox plush, and Ochako nearly cried when she saw the joy on a younger sibling's face as she passed them a stuffed bear. Tsuyu gave one to a tiny boy who hugged it like treasure, and Toru placed one in the arms of a toddler who squealed with delight.
Children left the arcade clutching gifts, grinning ear to ear.
And though the staff sighed with relief as the group finally exited, none could deny that the sight had warmed their hearts.
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Outside, the girls walked laughter still echoing.
Momo turned to Mina, her usual poise softened into genuine warmth. "You were right, Mina. There truly is no better place for fun than the arcade."
Mina smirked, lifting her chin and closing her eyes dramatically. "Told you so."
She strutted forward triumphantly, only to slam directly into Ochako, who had stopped dead in her tracks. Mina stumbled back, rubbing her forehead. "Owww, what gives, Ochako? Why'd you stop like that?"
Ochako didn't speak, her eyes simply fixed on a particular spot in the distance. Her friends followed her gaze and saw a tombola stand in front of a small supermarket. A long line of people stretched out, everyone eagerly waiting their turn.
They peered at the prize list. The second and third prizes, a camera and a laptop, were already claimed. Only the first prize, 10 million yen, remained.
Momo tilted her head, her expression calculating. "Interested in giving it a try?"
Ochako let out a small sigh, her voice low. "I'll just lose anyway… so what's the point?"
Kyoka raised an eyebrow. "And how do you figure that?"
"I've tried before, on other tombola stands," Ochako admitted softly, "but every single time, I lost."
Momo's gaze flickered briefly to the prize list, then back to Ochako. "You want the money for your parents, don't you?"
Ochako nodded slowly. "Yes… If I had this money, they wouldn't have to worry about finances for a while. But… I'll probably just lose."
Her friends stared at her, concern etched across their faces.
Momo considered for a moment before speaking. "Then line up. I have an idea."
Before anyone could protest, Momo dashed behind a nearby advertising pillar. She checked carefully, ensuring no one was watching. Satisfied, she used her Lucky Charm quirk. From her body, a red object with black dots materialized. Momo studied it for a moment, then understood its meaning. She tucked it away and sprinted back to her friends.
By the time she returned, the group was almost at the front of the line, only three people ahead of them.
"Where were you?" Toru asked, sleeves waving impatiently.
Momo offered a small, secretive smile. "I'll explain later. First…" She leaned down and whispered something into Ochako's ear. Ochako's eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you sure?" she asked, doubt still flickering across her features.
Momo nodded firmly. Ochako swallowed hard, pressed her hands to her face, and then, brimming with newfound determination, said, "Alright… let's do this."
It wasn't long before they reached the tombola stand. The operator, a shady-looking man with a constant, fake smile, greeted them with practiced cheer "Welcome! Try your luck at our grand prize!"
He began explaining the rules, his voice smooth and deliberate. "It's simple. Reach into the box and try your luck. Draw the red slip, and you win the grand prize of 10 million yen. Draw a white slip, and you get a consolation prize, a pack of tissues."
Ochako took a deep breath and slid her hand into the box. Momo noticed the man's arrogance from the corner of her eye, he clearly believed she wouldn't find the slip. A small, knowing smile crept across Momo's lips 'He's about to learn a lesson.'
Ochako rummaged slightly inside the box, then slowly withdrew her hand. She held it high, revealing the red slip, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.
The operator's face drained of color, his lips twitching as he stammered, "Th-the red slip?!"
Her friends erupted into cheers, rushing forward to congratulate her. The crowd, initially stunned, soon joined in, shouting things like, "That girl's incredibly lucky!" and "I wish I had drawn that slip!"
The operator, flustered and seething, fumbled for words. He even opened the box to check for tampering, but the red slip was gone. The evidence was clear, the girl in front of him had drawn it fairly.
Ochako beamed, eyes sparkling. "So… do I get my prize now?"
Though he wanted nothing more than to accuse her of cheating, the line of witnesses left him no choice. With a forced smile and restrained anger, he handed her an envelope. "Here… your prize."
Ochako accepted it, her face glowing with joy as she clutched the envelope tightly.
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A little later.
The girls walked down the street, their bags full of plushies bouncing with every step. Ochako clutched the envelope against her chest, her face glowing with excitement. She suddenly lifted it into the air, unable to contain herself any longer.
"I still can't believe it! I actually won the grand prize!"
Her voice rang with pure joy.
Momo smiled softly, her usual composure carrying a gentleness that only her closest friends saw. "Believe it, Ochako. You earned it."
Ochako turned her head toward her. "By the way… how did you know the slip was glued to the lid?"
"Yeah!" Mina chimed in, leaning forward eagerly. "That's what I wanna know too!"
"Me too," Toru added, her floating sleeves waving with curiosity.
Momo's eyes flickered left and right, checking their surroundings. Once she was sure no one else was close, she nodded. "You already know I possess more than one quirk."
The five girls nodded in unison.
"Then I'll explain." Momo reached into her jacket and pulled out the small red object with black dots she had created earlier, the lid of a box "This is the manifestation of one of my additional quirks. I call it Lucky Charm quirk. When I'm faced with a difficult situation and don't see a solution, this ability provides me with… guidance. An object that shows me a path forward."
Toru tilted her head. "So… how does it work?"
"It's similar to my Creation quirk," Momo explained, turning the object in her hand. "Except I have no control over what appears. And the result is always red with black spots. Interpreting it is the challenge. Sometimes the meaning is obvious, other times it requires thought."
Tsuyu leaned in, her wide eyes studying the lid. "So you knew the slip was attached to the lid because of this."
Momo nodded. "Exactly. The hint doesn't always make itself clear immediately. I must think carefully about how the object connects to the situation. It doesn't always tell me directly."
Kyoka's eyes widened as a memory struck her. "Wait a second… didn't you use something like that during our mock battle? Against me and Denki?"
A small, knowing smile touched Momo's lips. "Yes. The quirk manifested as a mirror. That mirror ultimately led me to victory."
Toru gasped, her sleeves rising with excitement. "That's incredible! Does that mean you always come out on top when you use it?"
Momo hesitated. For once, her confidence faltered. She tapped the lid lightly with her finger. "Technically… yes. But nothing in this world is guaranteed. One day, this quirk may not provide the right answer, or I might not be able to interpret its meaning quickly enough before the situation overtakes me."
Mina's eyes glittered with excitement. "Still, that's amazing! It's like you've got a one-hundred percent chance of success!"
Before Momo could respond, Toru spun toward Ochako and grabbed her shoulders, bouncing with enthusiasm. "Isn't that wonderful, Ochako? You won because of it!"
But Ochako's face dimmed. She glanced down at the envelope in her hands, then back at Momo. Her smile faded into guilt. "It doesn't feel right… keeping this money. You should take it, Momo. You're the one who made it possible."
The others froze, concern etched into their features.
Momo, however, shook her head with calm certainty. "I truly have no use for the money. And even if I had wanted it for myself, I wouldn't have used this ability for you. Don't you agree?"
Ochako studied her for a long moment, skepticism flickering in her eyes. Then, slowly, she smiled, her shoulders relaxing. "Thank you, Momo… really."
"There's no need to thank me," Momo replied warmly.
Before either could say more, Mina suddenly threw her arms around both of them, crushing them in a gleeful hug. "Today was so much fun!"
"Totally!" Toru cheered, wrapping her invisible arms around the group. "We've gotta do this again!"
"I'd be in," Tsuyu said simply.
"Same here," Kyoka added, her voice cool but her smile betraying her affection.
Mina clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling with determination. "Then it's decided! These hangouts are going to be a regular thing from now on!"
She thrust her fist into the air, and Toru, Tsuyu, and Kyoka followed suit, cheering loudly.
Ochako and Momo exchanged a look, one of shared amusement and quiet warmth. Then, almost in unison, they lifted their fists too, joining the cheer.