Chapter 60: At the Girl's Lunch Table
~Third POV~
[UA High School, Lunch Rush, Japan]
Walking his way there Toru in her visible form bounced to her feet waving her visible hand as she shouted to them, "Over here Toga-chan! Ren-kun!"
Ignoring the many gazes of the boys from his class shifted to him, Ren made his way over to the girl's table, noticing it seemed to be full, trying to take an out, "It looks like you guys have a full table. I'll just go sit with the – "
However, Toga was already behind, leaving a chance to escape with a mischievous grin on her face. Taking that Mina and Toga grinned wider at the chance. Mina took the cue as she spoke in an upbeat tone, "What kind of nonsense are you speaking? We saved a spot between you, Ochaco-san, and Tsuyu-chan. Don't tell me you're shy in front of a few girls, Class Rep? Chicken?"
That got his attention. Ren was many things, but a coward wasn't one of them. He noticed that there was, in fact, a space available between Ochaco and Tsuyu as he thought using [High Spec] in a stunned tone, 'What – Oh! Oh…. Clever girls…'
Ren merely shook his head, resulting in him being sandwiched between the two girls, their thighs touching his. He didn't mind as he asked with a deadpan expression, "Happy Mina and Toga?"
Undaunted by Ren's deadpan expression, both smiled to their limits as Toga pointed out in a cheeky tone, "I know at least two very happy people. Just look, you have Tsuyu and Ochaco blushing up!"
*Swooosh*
"Toga-san…!"
Dodging a tongue slap, taking her seat away from them, and laughing lightly with her, Toga and Mina high-fiving each other. Both girls glare at the duo laughing lightly with Ren bluntly speaking with a deadpan expression, "You know I can just leave right? If you're gonna use my presence as an excuse to tease others?"
Refusing to give them the reaction they were looking for, Mina raised her hands with a mock, helpless expression as she responded, "Then I don't have a choice, do I? After all, if I were to cause you to leave, I think everyone except Kendo, Yui, and Jiro would be upset with me."
The girls mentioned furrowed their brows with Jiro saying in a neutral tone, "Don't drag us into this…"
Having ignored her words, Toga leaned forward, staring intently at Ren as she added to Mina's words, "Speaking of which, I'm curious to ask why haven't you tried flirting with Jiro like the rest of us? I swore I saw you sneaking a peek at her, or was it my imagination?"
At this moment, Momo inserted herself into the conversation and spoke in a neutral tone, "I don't believe it would be wise to ask such a question, Himiko-san. It places an undue burden on both Ren-kun and Jiro-san."
However, everyone was soon surprised by Jiro's words except for the duo Mina and Toga, who asked in a neutral tone, "No. I'm curious to hear the reason. I've seen how he talked to the other girls, and it might be as good a time as any to clear things up."
Kendo smiled awkwardly at Jiro's response replying in an awkward tone, "I see… that's a very blunt way of looking at this Jiro-san…"
Ignoring Kendo's response, Jiro directed her gaze at Ren as she absentmindedly fiddled with the cord-like lobe of her right ear and asked, "Well, let's hear it. It's because you think I'm ugly, isn't it? Not everyone can have a figure like a supermodel, you know…"
Ren thought to himself when he heard that as he mentally laughed in his head, 'Hahaha… true. But then again, not everyone here was a beauty where I was from.'
With everyone looking to him for his answer, Ren expressed an embarrassed expression as he spoke in a neutral tone, "If you want to know why, Jiro-san, the only reason I haven't tried flirting with you is because I didn't want to bother you. You seem like the kind of girl who gets annoyed if I approach you out of nowhere and would be annoyed by my presence. I'm more than aware of my reputation in class you would find me annoying to deal with."
Jiro, hearing that, slumped to her seat in a stunned tone, "Oh…"
What Ren said was true because Shoto saw him as a playboy or womanizer. This view was shared with some of the Class 1-A judges based on their views and actions.
Finding no flaws in his reasoning as to why he hadn't done so, Jiro felt satisfied with his actions and, embarrassed, started pressing the tips of her earphone jacks against each other. Mina, on the other hand, smirked as she pointed out in a cheeky tone, "See? I told you there was nothing to worry about, Jiro-san. You might not have a bodacious body, but you're definitely cute. The way you press the tips of your earphone jacks against each other when you're embarrassed is especially adorable!"
Hearing Mina's remark, Jiro looked down to find that she was currently doing precisely what Mina accused her of. Jiro's face became red out of embarrassment at being called out.
Without giving Jiro a chance to recover, Toga asked yet another question that placed Ren in a difficult situation in a cheeky tone, "So, Ren-kun, have you put any thought into which of us you'd like to date? You had to have that thought cross your mind. Ten cute girls for you to pick, eh?"
Having been put into this position using [High Spec], Ren spoke in an honest tone with a light smile on his face, "I would be lying if I said I hadn't given it some thought. However, after the internship and advice from a friend, I wouldn't mind if we dated once. After all, in our line of work, training to be heroes could be our last chance to enjoy life to the fullest, and I don't want to have any regrets."
The girls seemed surprised by his answer as he continued speaking, pointing out another fact in a sheepish tone, "At least in the future, I hope. But currently, we're still in the first year of high school and working hard to become heroes at that. Adding a serious relationship on top of it might be a little overwhelming for most people."
Ochaco silently nodded to the side as the memories of Nejire-chan taking a quick kiss flashed over her mind, causing her to pout lightly. Mina spoke in a surprised tone, "You are certainly one honest guy, you know that class rep? A bold move, wanting to date each of us?"
Shaking his head, Ren answered, taking a bite of his lunch in a neutral tone, "Everyone has their secrets. But if you're asking for my opinion, I'll usually speak my thoughts. And I'm serious about what I say."
Hearing this, Mina grins again, starting to tease the other girls with Ren's opinions in a lighthearted tone, and asked, "In that case, if I were to ask you who you thought was the cutest girl in class here and now, how would you respond?"
Without hesitation, he responded, causing Toru and Momo to react to his blunt words with no shame, "Toru-san, without a doubt. Followed by Momo since we can all agree that she's the most conventionally attractive."
The girls looked at him with wry expressions at his comments, causing Ochaco and Tsuyu to look a bit disappointed, but they didn't show it. Toru blushed at his blunt words, cupping her face and hiding her embarrassed expression.
Momo, on the other hand, pointed at herself in a confused tone, asking, "You think I'm attractive…?"
Momo, as if she was completely unaware her appearance was attractive, asked in a dumb way by the idea. Ren said in an honest tone with a reassuring smile on his face, "You're beautiful, Momo. Gotta have more confidence in yourself."
Momo tensed in her seat as the rest of the girls nodded their heads. She felt a gratified but embarrassed smile on her face as she sat straight as an arrow. She had received similar compliments countless times, but those were from family.
Hearing it from her classmates and a boy made her feel a feeling of fluffiness in her chest as Kendo, being the neutral ground and metaphorically big sister of Class 1-A, in an upbeat tone, said, "Ahem! Let's discuss another topic that doesn't involve romance, shall we, girls? How was training with Ryukyu, for example? I heard you and Ochaco were interning at least one of your clones what was that like."
Ren gave Kendo a thankful curt nod as he responded, causing Ochaco to blush to recall the internship in a neutral tone, "It was great, all things considered. Even got to meet up with a friend of mine before entering UA she's certainly… blunt but cheerful."
Mina's eyes twinkled, as did Toga, as they both thought in a mischievous tone, 'Oh! Another girl in his love life!'
The girls looked at their reaction, with Ochaco stating awkwardly in a nervous tone, edging a bit closer to Ren, "Y-Yeah. Working under Ryukyu was intense but also fun. Even had Ren show me how to perform some of [Gunhead Martial Arts] and a few tricks. And after sparing or rescue practices, he… he offers a nice relaxing massage…"
Her face blushed red, mentioning it as the girl eyed Ren casually drinking his milk. They stared at Ochaco, with Toru breaking the ice in a bubbly tone, "Yeah! I get what you mean, Ochaco! You just melt under his hands, which makes you all feel fluffy or tingly inside, right? Kinoko and I experienced it!!"
Kinoko merely looked to the side as she commented on it in an embarrassed tone, rubbing her fingers together shyly, "Uh yeah… when he does it, I swear it's like I'm under a blissful state. Like I felt relaxed in his hands if that made sense shroom-m…."
Toga even chimed in, having an innocent, cute, blissful expression on her face along with a goofy smile, "I know, right… he'd been practicing his techniques on me. And trust me when I say he got the touch. If he didn't become a hero, then becoming the world's number 1 masseur. Don't forget his cooking, too."
Ochaco's eyes beamed up, recalling the experience of her taste pallets exploding, agreeing with Toga in a happy tone, "Oh yeah! I can say his cooking is on par with Lunch Rush. Even Ryukyu liked his cooking, requesting he cook for the past week. Ryukyu tested your message and asked if you would like to recruit you with the ability to restore muscle fatigue as one of her sidekicks in the future."
Now, genuine curiosity peaked the remaining girls in Class 1-A, with only Toru, Kinoko, Toga, and Ochaco having first-hand experience. Mina, squinting her eyes at him, asked cheekily about the subject, asking her fellow girls, "Seems like someone got a bit handsy. But level with us, ladies, is he that good?"
Their expressions shifted with evident blush on their faces. That was all that needed to be said, gaining curiosity as Mina continued asking with a cheeky grin, "Oh? I smell something happening...! But moving on, though... Ahem! Who's the other lady friend that you knew, Ren-kun, working at the Ryukyu agency? Another damsel you charmed?"
Hearing that question, he pondered a bit before finally explaining in a chill tone, finishing up his lunch, "I suppose you could say that. She's in her third year at UA. We've met in the past when I worked at Hopper's Café. We just clicked, having about a year or less in contact with each other."
The girls eyed Ochaco, showing an envious expression before the girls all thought in a curious tone, 'Something is going on…'
Mina saw the chance to gossip about their Class Rep's personal life and couldn't help but ask in a teasing tone, "Oh~ Judging from Ochaco's expression, something is going on behind the scenes, you sly dog? Now come on, Class Rep, what – "
*Beep*
Before Mina could continue, the phones of Momo and Ren rang. Both looked over their text message sent from All Might as it was their responsibility as Class Rep and Vice Rep to inform their classmates.
Momo broke the ice, informing her group in a professional tone of the oncoming Heroic Training exercise, "Sorry, Mina, it seems like we'll be expected to meet up with All Might at the Field Gamma shortly after lunch. Seems like I wasn't the only one informed of this Ren-kun?"
Curtly nodding his head, he sent a group message to their chat room, informing the boys as he spoke in a calm tone, "Yup. All Might sent it ahead, informing the class to be ready and expecting us to be there – "
*Beep*
Soon, another text appeared in Ren's phone as he raised an eyebrow. This caught the girl's attention, but he quickly turned it off with an amused grin as he spoke in a neutral tone, eyeing Mina specifically, "Well. It seems like All Might asked something important that came up that he had to discuss with the Class Rep. Sorry if I had to cut this short, but I can guarantee the next exercise is going to be a blast."
Mina raised an eyebrow at his words, with Momo nearly standing up, asking in a confused tone, "Is there an issue? Do you want me to come along, Ren-san?"
Hearing that, he shook his head with a pleased smile on his face as he replied in a happy tone, "No worries, it's not something you have to be concerned about, Momo. But I'll see you guys on Field Gamma, so no worries. It was fun hanging around with you all, and if you need help studying for finals, don't be afraid to ask. Oh, and one more thing… Mina?"
Seeing the 'innocent' smile aimed at her, she felt chills crawl her skin as he calmly said to her as innocently as possible, "While I appreciate the time discussing with you about my personal life fun, I hope we both have 'lots' of fun during the heroic exercise. I can guarantee you have my 'full' attention now. Meet you all at Field Gamma."
*Shiver*
Standing, he soon left as Mina asked bluntly, rubbing her neck nervously, feeling a shiver run down her spine at his phrasing, "Uh… why does something tell me he was targeting me specifically? Think I overdid it with the questions?"
Toga bluntly responds, taking a sip of her drink as she states the obvious, "Yup! And as for targeting you? Because it probably was. It seems like he found the perfect excuse to do something to you. But I wonder what it is?"
Yui merely answers bluntly at the two in a neutral tone, "Vengeance perhaps…?"
Toga nodded, with Mina dismissing the Class Rep's attention in a nonchalant tone with a nervous bead of sweat trickling down her face, "What? No way! Come on, Toga, you gotta know that Ren-kun is just messing with me, right?"
*Clap*
Toga merely clasped her hands together as she nonchalantly responded in an honest tone, making Mina pale at her reaction, "It was a pleasure knowing you, Mina Ashido. I pray to whatever God is listening to that you survive his encounter, for I know I'm not his target. Amen."
Mina soon began to shake her best friend in a frantic tone in an overly comical manner at the girl's table, "That's not the response I was looking for!! And why only me aren't you in the same boat as me!!!"
The girls just shrugged as they enjoyed their peace, with Momo informing her group of the incoming heroic exercise ahead as the two did their act. Although Mina sweated a bit, feeling targeted and bitterly betrayed by how Toga threw her under the bus.
But all in all, it is just a regular drama of a high school teenage hero in training. Just a regular Hero Academia Day.