(Kata POV – Kata's House, Next Morning)
I open my eyes slowly, already well aware of the soft weight resting on my chest.
'So it wasn't just a one-time thing.' I think dryly, glancing down at Himiko, curled up against me in satisfaction as she sleeps, arms wrapped tightly around my torso.
Unlike last time—when fatigue had blindsided me—I was conscious the whole time. From the moment I heard the soft creak of my bedroom door, to the sound of her crawling under the sheets. She didn't say a word, and just stealthily settled in beside me and latched on.
'I became her pillow again.' I sigh, but I don't really care too much. 'It could be worse.'
I simply make my body intangible and slip out of her hold, sliding a pillow into my place, and she instinctively cuddles into it with a content sigh.
'I should probably be more concerned about how normal this is starting to feel.'
With another sigh, I make my way to the shower. Internships are over, and today we start with regular lessons again.
After getting dressed, I head to Eri's bedroom.
"Wake up, Eri." I say gently as I sit beside her and give her shoulder a light shake.
She stirs with a little groan, rubbing her eyes with balled fists. "Mmm…? What's happening, Kata?" Her voice is still thick with sleep.
"School starts today. Time to get ready."
Her eyes widen instantly, sleep vanishing like mist in sunlight. "School?!" She gasps, lighting up as she throws off the covers and scrambles upright.
Before I can say a word, she grabs my hand and drags me down the hallway.
She bounces on her toes in front of the bathroom, peeking over the tub's edge expectantly. "I want bubbles!" She declares.
I smirk. "Bubbles, huh? Consider it done."
It's hard not to feel happier when Eri's this excited. Her happiness is infectious. While she hums happily, I fill the bath with warm water and so many bubbles they begin overflowing, and Eri laughs happily at this.
The morning flows smoothly. I help her bathe, comb her hair, and get dressed in her signature red overall dress, paired with a white long-sleeve shirt.
"You look great." I say with a thumbs up once she's ready. "You're very cute."
She twirls happily, presenting her outfit proudly. "Do I look like a schoolgirl now?"
"Yep. The cutest schoolgirl I've ever seen." I reply in amusement. "But schoolgirl or not, breakfast comes first."
"Okay!" She giggles excitedly as she runs to the kitchen.
I make her a veggie-cheese omelette—soft, fluffy, just how she likes it—paired with toast and a tall glass of fresh apple juice. She devours it eagerly, feet swinging beneath the chair.
"This is so good!" She says between bites, cheeks puffed adorably. "Your cooking is the best, Kata."
I pat her head in thanks, always happy with her compliments.
I pack her bento with care—colorful, balanced, and filled with small things she likes. Apple slices, bite-sized meatballs, some veggies, and a little rice bear with nori eyes. I seal the box and place it gently in her bag.
"Alright. That's everything." I double-check my mental list again. Clothes, breakfast, bento, hair neat, shoes tied, stationery, and unicorn watch.
"Ready to go?" I ask, holding out my hand.
She nods eagerly, gripping my hand with one of hers. "Let's go!"
"Okay. Close your eyes, and count to ten." I say with a small smile. "When you open them, we'll be there."
She scrunches her eyes shut tight. "One… two…" She begins counting softly.
I concentrate and teleport us.
We reappear just outside her new school, near the gate. It's a well-maintained campus, the exterior clean and bright, with well-kept greenery and colorful painted markings on the playground area. Other parents are guiding their kids through the gate, none of them noticing our arrival.
I phase us back into sight slowly—just enough that anyone not looking directly at us won't notice. There's no need to cause a scene.
Eri opens her eyes around the count of nine and gasps, her breath catching in wander.
"Is this… is this my school?!" She asks, practically bouncing in place.
I nod. "Yeah. Looks good, doesn't it?"
"It's huge!" She beams, her eyes sparkling as she takes in everything—the other kids in colourful clothing, the teachers by the entrance, the rows of colorful backpacks.
"Come on." I say, letting her pull me forward, her hand gripping mine tightly. "You'll be late if you don't check in soon."
We walk through the gate, blending in with the crowd as I guide her toward the teacher's lounge.
She glances up at me with a big smile. "Thank you, Kata."
"Anytime." I say, returning it. "Have fun today."
"I will!" She promises, then adds with a whisper, "Will you be okay alone?"
I chuckle. "I'll manage."
She nods with mock seriousness, then lets go of my hand to rush toward her homeroom teacher waiting near the door.
I watch her go, a warm quiet settling over me.
'I'm glad… she's happy.'
Once Eri disappears through the school entrance, I turn around and walk off calmly, slipping into a quiet alley, and after checking for any wondering eyes, ears, and cameras, I bend space and vanish, teleporting back home.
I reappear back in the living room.
Himiko is on the couch, still in her pajamas, arms wrapped around the same pillow I substituted myself with. She's curled into it, sulking unhappily.
I raise an eyebrow.
"What's with the moping?" I ask flatly.
She gives the pillow a dramatic squeeze. "You replaced yourself with this." She says, jabbing her finger into it. "Do you know how cold it is waking up to a pillow instead of you?"
"…You were asleep." I point out. "I even left it for you to cuddle with. I thought I was being quite considerate?"
"That one doesn't have a heartbeat or warmth." She glares at me unhappily.
'Both of those can be arranged.' I think idly, before she continues.
"I wanted you." She huffs.
"You also don't like waking up." I remind her, picking up a juice from the fridge.
Her expression becomes one of betrayed disbelief. "If that's what it takes to wake up next to you, I'll do it! Alarm me. Shake me. Throw water. I'm committed."
"…I'll wake you next time." I say, more out of reflex than intent.
Her eyes sparkle mischievously. "So there's a next time? We'll be sleeping together from now on?!" She echoes, grinning, and before I can correct her, she throws in an even more ridiculous suggestion. "Or… next every time we can just sleep in. Why get out of bed when you have me?" She asks cutely.
I deadpan instantly. "Keep your fantasies realistic."
She shrugs, not even remotely disappointed. "It was worth a try."
I grab my bag again. "Have a good day. Don't do anything crazy."
She waves lazily. "But crazy is fun."
I sigh, and leave through the door.
(Kata POV – Class 1-A)
The second I open the door, every head in the room snaps toward me.
"Oh! Class Pres!" Kaminari perks up, grinning. "We were just talking about you."
That never bodes well.
I arch a brow, stepping into the room. "Then continue. I'll pretend I can't hear."
Kaminari stutters like he wasn't expecting that answer. "Wha—hey! That's cold, man…"
Sero leans back in his chair, waving it off. "Don't mind him. We were just talking about internships. You, Todoroki, and Midoriya basically had a season finale-level episode."
"Yeah!" Kirishima slams a fist into his palm. "You guys fought the Hero Killer, man! That's insane."
Mina bounces in her seat, eyes sparkling. "There's even a video going around!" She says. "You looked so cool facing off against Stain!" She gives me a thumbs up while grinning.
Kaminari nods vigorously. "Seriously, even the Pros looked spooked when Stain started talking—but you didn't even flinch."
"And then that line!" Toru chimes in, clapping having made herself invisible. "'What defines a hero is that they save people.'" She squeals. "Ugh! I got chills!"
I blink at them. "…I just said the truth."
"That is what makes it cool." Todoroki mutters, finally speaking from his seat, a heavy weight seemingly bogging him down. "You stood tall even while the rest of us were scared."
Izuku is silent beside him, jaw clenched, guilt and frustration radiating off of him.
I sigh. "You don't have to blame yourselves. Even Pro Heroes froze up when he started his rant. Just consider it a valuable learning experience."
They pause and the air slowly settles, tension draining from their expressions. My words seemed to help.
Kaminari holds up his phone, showing a frame from the video. "Still… the internet's calling you the anti-Stain. It's like you're the antithesis against everything he stood for."
"Yes!" Momo nods. "You've basically become a symbol for the opposite of his ideology."
I stare at the image for a moment—me, standing calmly across from Stain.
'To heroes and the general public, maybe.'
But to villains?
'It just makes me a bigger target.'
If they buy into Stain's delusions, then I'm a hurdle that needs to be removed for Stain's ideology to truly take root.
'Tch. What a pain.'
They can believe whatever they want so long as it doesn't affect me…
'Otherwise they'll realise I can be much worse than Stain.' I think when the door opens with a slow creak and a familiar tired voice begins to speak.
"Class is starting." Aizawa says, looking about as exhausted as a man can while still standing. "Everyone sit down."
Discussion ends instantly. Everyone scrambles to their seats obediently.
Although… only one desk remains empty. But everyone chooses to ignore it.
(Kata POV – Field Gamma)
"I AM HERE!!" All Might bellows, suddenly appearing in front of two large, sealed metal doors, but without a dramatic pose this time. "And the reason for that is… your basic hero training!"
He's more vibrant than usual—more colour in his skin, and more energy in his voice.
"As a follow-up to your internships," All Might continues, his booming voice filled with anticipation, "Today's activity will be…"
He pauses dramatically, building anticipation for the big reveal.
"RESCUE TRAINING!"
Confused murmurs ripple through the class.
"Shouldn't rescue training be done at the USJ, ribbit?" Tsuyu tilts her head while raising her hand as she asks.
"An excellent question, Asui!" All Might grins. "The USJ is designed for disaster rescue scenarios specifically. Today's training is different."
He turns. And looks straight at me.
…That's suspicious.
'No… That's very suspicious.'
"Today," he announces too cheerfully, "Young Okada will play the villain!"
A collective moment of stunned silence spreads through the class before—
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Mina asks, her eyes wide with both curiosity and concern.
"You'll all be working together to rescue a hostage." All Might explains, gesturing toward the doors behind him. "Okada's job is to stop you. By any means necessary."
Momo narrows her eyes. "By all of us… do you mean at the same time?"
All Might's grin only gets wider. "Exactly! It'll be one-versus-everyone. Kata protecting the hostage, and you all trying to save them."
'…Do I get a say in this?'
'Am I being voluntold again?'
"Isn't that, like… wildly unfair?" Kirishima frowns.
"Yeah!" Kaminari chimes in. "How's he supposed to guard someone against all of us?!"
All Might clears his throat—clearly expecting this. "The other option was trying to rescue the hostage from me."
Silence.
The class stares at him. Then at me.
Then back at him.
"…I actually think that might be easier." Ojiro says quietly.
"Same," Kaminari mutters, shivering. "Still not over what happened during the Sports Festival…"
"At least we could use group tactics against All Might," Tsuyu adds logically. "They'd work."
Everyone nods solemnly.
'…Are they saying I'm harder to deal with than All Might?'
I blink slowly.
Even if it's true, you can't just say it in front of him.
All Might's smile twitches, and for a second, I almost feel bad. Almost.
"Well!" He recovers quickly. "Another reason is that, considering Okada's outstanding performance during the Hosu incident, this will be an excellent learning opportunity for all of you!"
A few people narrow their eyes. They're not buying it.
Kaminari raises a hand. "Okay but—who's gonna be the hostage?"
Suddenly, the massive steel doors behind All Might slide open with a clunk.
A cloud of theatrical smoke wafts out.
"I will." A sultry voice purrs.
Midnight steps out of the smoke dramatically, hand on her hip as they away with each step, and she cracks her whip once for effect. Her lips curl into a mischievous smirk as she saunters forward in her usual skin-tight outfit.
"Looking forward to it, Kata." she smirks, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Do take good care of me, won't you?" She concludes, licking her lips.
I stare.
So does everyone else.
Especially Mina, Momo, and Toru, whose faces simultaneously pale.
'What sin did I commit to deserve this?'
*************
A/N: Hello Everyone, how are you all today? If you enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones. It really helps the book out.
Firstly, see? The chapter title and image weren't anything to be scared by. It's a misunderstanding. Secondly, yes, All Might might've been scared that he'd get beaten by Kata and lose his respectable image (but that's not canon🤣).
Some other things of note, are that Jiro won't be in the harem (you guys decided that, not me), and will be a friend. And I'm also thinking about whether I should do a side chapter about Eri's first day in school. Ngl, I want to, but don't think I should, simply because I don't think I can do it well. So I'm thinking of just recounting her day to Kata during family time.
And what do you guys think about the Kata-versus-everyone scenario? I decided to change the game, since a race would've kinda been boring when he can teleport and move at insane speeds. Plus, this develops Midnight some more, and puts pressure on the girls to step up🤣.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
But anyway, that's all from me. Hope you have a wonderful remainder of your day😁.