23
I smirked at Momo for her comment and opened her dressing room door, then led her down several hallways to the right room. Momo stared at me the entire time, even after I brought her into the tea room and sat her at the table.
“I hoped Momo wouldn't tell you where to go.” Sandra the maid said and served us tea, then she added several biscuits and cookies onto a plate between us. “Holler when you're done.”
When the maid left, Momo finally found her voice. “How did you do that?”
“Several ways. The main one was following the sound of the maid's feet.” I said and she stared at me. “I did the same at the entrance exam. It let me know where the best robots for points were and the best ambushes.”
Momo shook her head slightly and sipped her tea. “I suppose we should start comparing notes about our schoolwork.”
“Of course, my lady.” I said and she huffed at me, which made me chuckle. “I've drawn up a review for my courses, the subjects, and the hero training we get every afternoon.”
Momo's eyes nearly bulged out of her head when I took out a folded bundle of papers from my inside suit coat pocket. “What's all that?”
“It's what I said it was.” I said and handed it to her. “An overview of what I've learned so far.”
“But... how... why...” Momo mumbled as she flipped through the first few pages. It was a staggering amount of information for only half a year of coursework.
“We've been taking advanced classes from some of our teachers and then helping the rest of the class to study and get their own marks up.” I said and took a sip of tea. “That's really good. What is it?”
“I never ask.” Momo said and kept flipping through the pages. Her face started to flush red as she read on and on about all of the work that I had done, which was much more than her own class had done. Even the hero training we had in the afternoons was actually better than the training she had.
“Momo? Is everything all right?” I asked, knowing full well why she seemed to be getting embarrassed.
“Yes, I... this is...” Momo stopped talking and slowly closed the binder. “You're getting a better education than I am at the premiere hero academy.”
I had to smile. “Only because Izuku and I asked for extra work. If we were just normal students, I think the only parts we could rival each other is the hero training parts.”
“Yes, I agree. This Red Fury seems to really know how to impart her knowledge.” Momo said.
“She really can. She's a great teacher and she takes everyone's quirks into consideration and tries to give everyone a fair chance at performing at their best.” I said. “She also kicks my ass in our supplementary lessons after school.”
Momo's lips twitched into a smile. “Really?”
“Yeah. Izuku and I were stupid enough... I mean smart enough... to ask for personal lessons on how to actually fight.”
Momo actually laughed at my slip-up. “This I have to hear.”
“Well, it all started out during our first hero class and she tried to make an example of Bosco. He retreated almost immediately, of course. Red Fury called on me and...” I explained how it was the very first real fight I had ever had and how I actually lasted a lot longer against a professional hero than I suspected I would.
Momo looked both surprised and afraid. “She broke your arm?”
“Yes, and she had the same look on her face when she realized what she had done.” I said. “Izuku and I completely went all fanboy and geeked out over having a real fight and me getting my ass handed to me.”
Momo shook her head. “What did she say?”
“She asked us if we were crazy! Ha ha!” I laughed. “After that, we practically begged for extra lessons and she's been putting us through the wringer practically every day after school.”
“You are enjoying it.” Momo said and I nodded. “Why?”
“I'm learning a ton of stuff and getting real experience from a fighter that doesn't bother trying to take it easy on me. She respects that I can take it and also that I don't wuss out and don't go all out against her, too.”
Momo took a sip of tea and it was cooling off, so she dumped it and refreshed her cup. She did the same to mine and then offered me a cookie.
“Thank you.” I said and only took a very small nibble from the corner of the cookie.
Momo clamped her mouth shut and tried to stop her laugh.
“Not believable, huh?” I asked and she shook her head. “You want to see how I really eat them?”
Momo nodded and then laughed when I shoved the whole thing into my mouth and chewed it up with my cheeks puffed out. She had to cover her mouth to try and keep her composure as I swallowed loudly.
“Your table manners are horrible!” Momo said with amusement on her face.
“Only in front of friends.” I said and she seemed pleased with that. I sat there and let her go over all of the things Izuku and I did in class, even the quirk analysis we did for the other students that wanted it.
It took a little bit of convincing for me to get her overview of her coursework and we had to return to near her rooms to her work room to get her papers. She handed them to me and blushed as she did so.
“You don't have to be embarrassed, Momo.” I said and flipped through the few pages, only to see how far behind she was. It wasn't her fault, though. They seem to be focusing on giving them a hero education and not a full high school education. “All right, I see what you mean.”
Momo turned her head away and looked out the window.
“It's all right. I'm sure that just like Miss Aiga, my homeroom teacher, that they have the coursework designed for the average student to succeed.”
Momo sighed and turned back to me. “Connor, you don't have to humor me. I know how far ahead you are.”
I walked over to her and put my arms around her. She seemed to slide perfectly against me and rested her head on my shoulder. “You know it's mostly independent study.”
“That doesn't make me any happier about my school curriculum.” Momo said.
“They are focusing on your hero classes and letting your normal high school subjects languish from inattention.” I said and she nodded. “That doesn't mean you have to languish as well.”
Momo sighed. “I'm working hard to stay with the rest, especially with the reports and summaries we do for our hero classes.”
It was my turn to sigh. “That's just make-work to keep the less advanced occupied.”
Momo lifted her head to look at my face. “You believe that?”
I nodded. “Red Fury doesn't bother with getting us to write reports. It's much better to gather around and discuss things, especially to find any problems the other students have and then to work through them. We all learn a lot during those talks and it stays in our minds better than trying to write reports about it.”
“What about writing the records for government submissions?” Momo asked.
“We do that in homeroom class at the end of the day, after the hero class.” I said and her eyes widened. “I should give you a rundown of the actual class schedule.”
“Please.” Momo said and kept hold of me as I described what the day layout was actually like and how the difference in having the homeroom after class in the mornings and also after the hero course in the afternoons.
“It lets the lessons we learned to settle as we talk about them and everyone has a much better understanding, especially because of Miss Aiga's quirk.” I said and she nodded.
“You've given me a lot to think about.” Momo said.
“That could be good or bad.” I said and she smiled. “Would it help if I said you could pull off the Shiketsu Academy uniform and look even sexier than you normally do?”
Momo blushed and then smiled. “I don't know if I could catch up if I transferred now.”
I smiled back. “Well then, wait until you finish the year and then transfer. We can get together over the summer and Izuku and I can get you up to the same level as the rest of the class.”
“Are you that sure I'll be in your class?” Momo asked.
“Yes, because there's only twelve of us and there's eight more spots. Even if some of the general course students decide to accept the higher workload for the hero course, there's still lots of room left for you.”
“I think I might just do that.” Momo said. “Thank you. Your enticement speech was very good.”
I chuckled. “I didn't actually come here to recruit you, you know.”
“You didn't?” Momo asked with a smile.
“I just wanted to talk to a pretty girl and then beg to have dinner with you.” I said.
“Really.” Momo said, her smile becoming a smirk. “Beg, then.”
I let her out of the embrace and then dropped to one knee with a hand over my heart. “Oh, great and powerful Momo, the Creation Hero! Can this lowly wretch have a place of mercy at your feet while you dine at the table of your family's bountiful feast?”
Momo burst out laughing and put her hands on my shoulders to keep her balance as she closed her eyes and shook slightly.
“That wasn't a bit too much, was it? I didn't think so.” I said and she kept laughing.
There was a knock on the door and Sandra the maid came in. “Supper is being served in the main dining hall.”
“Th-thank you, Sandra.” Momo said and took several deep breaths to compose herself. “It seems your sincere pleas have been heard, Mister Connor of Kent.”
“Thank heaven! My knee is getting sore.” I said and she laughed as she pulled me up to my feet.
The maid led us from her work room and down different hallways to the main dining room. It sat twenty people and we were directed to sit at the far end of the table and well away from the head of the table.
“Is it always like this?” I asked in a whisper and Momo nodded. “I knew I should have kidnapped you and went to that fast food place I passed three streets over.”
Momo bit her lip to stop from saying anything. Her eyes told me all I need to know, though.
“Next time.” I whispered and saw her nod. We stood up when her father and mother entered the room and nods were exchanged, then the quietest meal I had ever attended happened. Even the clinks of silverware were subdued and dull in the large room.
After a three course meal, the dishes were cleared away and her parents stood. We stood as well, more nods were exchanged, then her parents left without saying a single solitary word.
Sandra the maid came into the room and waved for us to follow her. We did so and she led us back to Momo's work room. “Please enjoy yourselves and I'll come back when you're done.”
I glanced at Momo with a questioning look and she blushed.
Sandra smiled at us and left as she shut the door.
“I knew your family was high class; but, I never imagined that they wouldn't lower themselves to at least say hello.” I said as I waved for her to sit.
Momo sighed and sat down. “I expect mother to visit here soon, which is what Sandra was implying.”
I thought about that for a moment. “What advice do you have for me?”
“Stay quiet unless she asks you a specific question.” Momo said. “She can't stand superfluous conversation.”
I held in my laugh at that. “That explains the engaging supper dialogue we shared.”
Momo reached for my hand. “I know this hasn't shown my family in a favorable light.”
I gave her hand a squeeze. “It's okay. I kind of knew what I was getting into before coming here. I even made a joke when your butler asked who I was.”
Momo smiled. “Did he tell you that your humor was lacking?”
I chuckled. “He did and then didn't even introduce himself. I expect he thinks I won't make a good impression on you.”
Momo let my hand go and sat back in her chair. “Are you going to strip out of that suit now?”
“Oh? Are you eager to see more of me?” I asked and she blushed. I stood up and gave her a slight bow. “As you wish.”
I unbuttoned the suit coat and slipped it off. I undid the tie next and laid both it and the coat on the back of the chair I vacated. I opened up the shirt cuffs and rolled my shirt up my forearms and stopped just below my elbows before I sat back down.
“There.” I said and let out a sigh and leaned back in the chair to relax a little. “That tie was like a noose.”
Momo smiled and her eyes roamed over me. “I'm tempted to ask you to show me some of your fighting moves.”
I raised my eyebrows at her and she laughed softly.
“I know a few things myself.” Momo admitted.
I sat back and crossed my arms to study her for several moments. “There's something bothering me about your hero costume.”
Momo made a 'continue speaking' gesture with her hand.
“You have an actual book on your back and a series of pouches around your waist.” I said and she nodded. “What are the pouches for?”
“Most are for things I make and want to keep. I also have a few food items stashed to keep my strength up and my quirk active.”
“I assume you need to change the food out whenever you put on the costume?” I asked.
“For the most part. I actually have some nutrition bars and things that last a long time. I usually go through them fast when in hero class, though.” Momo said.
I nodded. “You can only make inorganic things, right?”
“Nothing edible, if that's what you're thinking.” Momo said, catching onto my thoughts. “I can make rubber and things, as well as a oil and gunpowder.”
“Because you memorized the chemical composition.” I said and she nodded. “Have you thought of exchanging the book for a handheld computer or maybe a gauntlet with your phone embedded in it? It would cut down on the excess weight that thick book puts on your hips.”
Momo smiled. “You want to help me with my hero costume and you're at a rival school?”
I smiled back. “I'm sure if we get together with Izuku and Mei, she's in the UA support course, we can come up with something like a pre-programmed database of chemical formulas that you could easily access.”
Momo looked thoughtful. “Having access to a support student to give me ideas on what to make, sounds too good to be true.”
I had to chuckle at her wording. “Mei's a bit crazy about anything she makes and calls them her babies.”
“You want me to have one of Mei's babies?” Momo asked and her smile spread across her face.
I barked a laugh. “You're as bad as Izuku for the baby jokes!”
Momo laughed softly and looked happy. “I'm sure we can arrange a meeting to...”
There was a severe knock on the door to her work room and Momo caught her breath.
I instantly dressed and put my suit back in order, the tie and everything, and Momo looked at me with wide eyes. “Tell them to enter.” I whispered to her.
“Oh!” Momo gasped. “Enter!”
We both stood up as the butler and her mother entered the room.
“You have appeared here much later than I expected you to.” Momo's mother said. “Explain.”
“After getting kicked out of UA, I've been training hard to become a hero. I've only been on one and a half dates in my life and hope that this encounter can increase my count up to two and a half.” I said.
The older woman looked surprised for a moment before she looked at her daughter. “What do you think of his declaration?”
“I would like to class this as a date, too.” Momo said. “I've enjoyed our time talking and we did eat a meal together.”
Her mother looked back at me. “Why have you not dated more?”
“I've been too busy and didn't really consider dating until I was pretty much hit over the head about it.”
“What happened for you to have a half-date?” Her mother asked.
“It started out as a date and I completely ruined it by speaking.” I said and Momo had to cover her mouth to hide her soft laugh. “The girl I was trying to impress wasn't impressed, so we agreed before going to get something to eat that we should do it as friends instead. She was angry at first because I was wasting her time, then we both relaxed and had a good time. We didn't kiss at the end and only waved at each other.”
Momo's mother looked pensive for several moments, then she nodded. “You have my permission to go on another date with my daughter.”
“M-mother!” Momo said and blushed.
“I won't even require you to take Sandra along as a chaperone.” Momo's mother said.
Momo sucked in a breath and looked at me with surprise on her face.
I knew what that meant, so I gave her mother a deep bow. “Thank you for your consideration, Mrs. Yaoyorozu.”
The woman nodded at me. “Do not waste my daughter's time.”
I stood up straight and smiled. “I learned my lesson. Don't try too hard, stay friendly no matter what, and if I think I can speak freely, I'm making a mistake.”
Momo laughed and then coughed to cover it up while her mother actually smiled.
“You do have the right ideas.” Her mother said and nodded at Momo before turning around and walking out of the room. The butler gave me a look and then shut the door.
“Wh-what was that?” Momo asked, her face fighting to not show amusement.
“The truth.” I said with a shrug and then instantly stripped off the coat, tie, and rolled my sleeves back up.
“How did you do that?” Momo asked.
“Super-speed.” I said and took out my cell phone. “Do you mind if I send Izuku a text? We can see when we can go on your mother approved official date and meet up with him and Mei at the same time.”
Momo nodded and motioned to a couch by the wall. We sat down together and I sent the text as Momo leaned against me. My phone beeped immediately and I checked it.
“Well, it seems that we're going on a double date this weekend.” I said and showed her the text. “Mei's excited to have someone else to geek out with and make things with.”
“I believe I'm looking forward to it.” Momo said. “What are they planning?”
“I don't know if I want to know.” I said and she laughed softly as I sent the text to ask. “What do you think about karaoke?”
“I think I'll enjoy seeing you embarrass yourself.” Momo said and beamed a smile at me.