Food for small heroes

Last filler chapters before the fun stuff starts...

— Hey, guys! — Ashido called out cheerfully, throwing up her hand and bouncing on the spot. — Let’s grab a bite first! I’m starving, and looking at discounts on an empty stomach is just ****.

She laughed, her enthusiasm practically sparkling around her, while her soft pink hair bounced with every sharp movement. Rising slightly on the heels of her sandals, she stretched on her slender pink legs and leaned toward the others, looking at them with hopeful, alien-wide eyes.

— I’m in, — Kirishima-kun replied, looking at Mina with a light, slightly sheepish smile. — Was gonna suggest the same. "Takoyaki-Sen" just started a new batch — the smell from there is insane!

— And "Marukame" has udon of the day, I think — curry and tempura, — Kyoka chimed in, her smile almost dreamy. A second later, her lips twisted slightly, giving her face a fleeting hint of annoyance. — But the queue there is... brutal.

— I’d check out "Chicken King", — Chris interjected, brushing a few strands back into place. — They’ve got seasonal discounts, and something like a "special menu" for U.A. students. But I’m fine with whatever. What do you guys think?

— Good idea! — Mina exclaimed, latching onto Chris’s arm and giving it a little squeeze. — But I still want ramen. And then something sweet and ridiculously unhealthy!

— I think you were thinking of sweets first, — Jiro chuckled softly but clearly. — Alright. You get your ramen, I’ll get my curry. Just one thing — let’s not do that "everyone splits everything equally" thing, okay? I know how you people operate. First it’s all "let’s split it all evenly, chip in, blah-blah-blah", and then nobody has any money and I end up paying for everyone! So this time, everyone pays for themselves, got it? At least I’m only paying for myself. — Kyoka rattled off the last part with the air of someone recalling a past disaster.

— Oh no, how did you figure out my evil plan?! Ugh, there goes my free food! — Mina threw her hands up in mock despair, then immediately carried on as if nothing had happened. — Alright, then. Lady and gentlemen, we now split into Team Takoyaki and Team Udon and march for food! They say it for a reason: "A hungry hero is a bad hero." We’ll meet... over there? — She pointed her manicure-polished, bright-pink nail toward an empty table.

— Sounds good. I’m with Kyoka, then, — Chris nodded casually. — Curry sounds solid.

Kirishima gave a slight shrug and headed off with Mina toward the stand with the cartoon octopus sign. Chris and Jiro walked in the direction of Marukame. Kyoka’s stride was calm, almost graceful. In the crowd, her petite, slender figure stood out — especially thanks to the dark jacket whose collar was half-hidden beneath violet strands.

A couple dozen minutes later, four trays stacked with steaming noodles, crispy shrimp, and aromatic sweet-and-sour sauces sat on the table, and the classmates — now almost friends — gathered around. People passed by at a lazy pace, some familiar faces from their class occasionally flickering through the crowd.

— Mmmh...! — Mina reached for another bite of her dish, waving a skewer with takoyaki. Her movements were a bit careless, yet radiated a natural, carefree grace. — Now I’m ready for anything. _Villains or cosmetic shops_, bring it on!

— Let me guess, — Jiro sipped from a cup of iced tea. — You’re gonna drag us all along and then vanish among thousands of makeup shelves, leaving us alone with lipsticks?

— Oh, like you don’t wanna get lost there too! — Mina giggled and waved a hand dismissively. Her breasts lifted slightly as she straightened and settled more comfortably. — And Chris, by the way, promised to help me pick out some accessories. Isn’t that right? — she batted her lashes sweetly.

Chris raised an eyebrow, trying to remember whether he’d actually said that. Coming up blank, he decided not to argue:

— I didn’t promise, but if you want my help — I’ll help. Just tell me ahead of time what you’re looking for. I don’t have a minds reading quirk, — he leaned forward a little, resting his chin on the hand still holding a spoon fresh from the fragrant broth.

— Alright. I want something bright. Pink would be perfect. Something that highlights my style~, — she ran her fingers through her shiny locks. — Think I could pull off a "fatal beauty" kind of look?

— More like "bimbo-schoolgirl", — Jiro snorted with a faint smirk. — But honestly, you’d rock both.

— Then, to avoid any confusion, you three are now my stylists. Kyoka-chan, you’re my right hand now! — Mina theatrically pointed a finger in Kyoka’s face.

Their conversation flowed easily, just like the hot soup in their bowls. As the food cooled and disappeared from the trays, the group exchanged impressions — what they’d seen, which stores they liked, what they hoped to find.

— I think we should split up later, — Mina suggested, finishing her last takoyaki. — Go wherever you like, okay? Let’s meet by the fountain in a couple hours.

— Weren’t you just about to drag us all shopping with you? — Chris raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting at least some kind of logic.

— I changed my mind, — the pink bombshell replied breezily.

— I’m going with you, — Kirishima-kun said casually. — Otherwise, you’ll definitely get lost again.

— Ooooh~! You’re so sweet, Eiji-kun~, — Mina sighed theatrically, clapping her hands anime-style in front of her chest. Then she instantly clung to his arm, wrapping both hands around his torso and pressing his muscular arm into her soft, firm, medium-sized boobs.

Caught off guard by the sudden, borderline-seductive flirting, EiJiro turned bright red, blending into his crimson hair and becoming a frozen scarlet statue. Jiro and Chris exchanged a quick chuckle — yet another sign of their timid "young love."

— I’ll take a solo walk then, — Chris stood up gently, casting a glance at Jiro. — I’ll find _you _later if anything. Doubt Kirishima.exe will reboot in under three hours, heh. And Mina won’t be letting go of him anyway.

Kyoka didn’t reply, but smiled at the joke and nodded, holding her gaze on his face just a second longer than usual.

And just like that, the group split up. Some chasing bargains, others following their cravings. A simple, almost mundane start to an evening beneath the soft glow of fluorescent lights.

"And remember! The Empire cares about you!"