章 74: Chapter Seventy Five
Entering the festival was akin to stepping into a vibrant world of celebration and joy. The air buzzed with excitement, as if every laugh, cheer, and playful shout wove together a tapestry of happiness. The atmosphere was alive with an infectious energy, and it was impossible not to get caught up in the spirit of the event.
"Wow-!" Mina spun her agape. "-this is amazing!"
"You're telling me!" Kirishima laughed, as the aroma of delectable food wafted through the air, teasing his senses and stirring his appetite. The scent of freshly popped popcorn mingled with the rich aroma of grilled meats, and the sweet fragrance of cotton candy intertwined with the savory allure of street food delicacies. The symphony of smells was a feast in itself, leaving him eager to taste every culinary delight the festival had to offer.
"I didn't know it was going to be this extravagate." Mitsuki was in awe, the colors of the festival dazzled her scarlet eyes, creating a kaleidoscope of hues that painted the scene. Vibrant banners fluttered in the breeze, and colorful decorations adorned every corner, transforming the surroundings into a whimsical wonderland. Children ran around with face paint and balloon animals, adding their laughter to the jubilant chorus.
"Look over there-!" Momo points, "-there's a stage, I didn't know they would have a live band here!"
Strains of lively music filled the air, emanating from various stages and booths scattered throughout the festival. The rhythmic beats and melodious tunes beckoned people to dance and sway, creating a sense of unity and togetherness.
"Yeah-" Mina turned, "-it's a pretty popular one, I'm surprised they were able to book them for this-"
"Come on!" Momo grabs Mina's arm.
"Wh-What!?" Mina gets dragged away by Momo. "But-!" Mina's head snaps around, wide eyes taking in your bored expression as she was dragged into the crowd.
"Hey-" Kirishima walked up; a smile plastered across his face. "-you know what would be fun, we should go grab a coffee before trying to find Gray and everyone else." Kirishima offered, spotting the displeased expression on your face from the growing crowd of people.
You nod, stepping into a lazed walk following the bright redhead towards a nearby bean juice stand. Eri—who had remained glued to your leg, followed.
Mitsuki frowned, glancing at her son who bickered with Midoriya behind her about who could win the most festival games. She narrowed her motherly eyes, observing how Kirishima shyly rubbed the back of his neck when he spoke to you, how his hand seemed to keep trying to touch your lower back as you three stood in line.
"Hm." Mitsuki hummed, uncrossing her arms, turning on her heel she walked over, slapping both Shiro and Bakugo in the back of their heads.
"Ow!" Bakugo glared turning around. "What the hell!?"
"Where is (y.n) right now?" Mitsuki calmly questioned, Bakugo's eyes instantly widened, his gaze dashed around his surroundings as Shiro simply rolled his orbs, pointing over his shoulder.
"Box dye has her." Shiro answered, "He bribed her with coffee."
"What!?" Bakugo spun around, spotting you standing beside Kirishima ordering for you.
"Aren't you supposed to be guarding her?" Mitsuki crossed her arms, glaring up at Shiro.
"I am."
"How?" Mitsuki shot back, "She is way over there, what if something was to happen how could you react in time!?"
"Why are you yelling at only me and not Sparky here?" Shiro nodded to Bakugo who shot him a glare, Mitsuki stared Shiro down who let out a deep breath.
"Fine." Shiro threw his arms up, "I'll go ruin box dye's one shot."
"Good." Mitsuki nods, Shiro leaned over.
"Can you give me another smack for the road?" He wiggles his brows.
"I'll give you more than just a concussion if you don't do your job!" Mitsuki points, "Go!"
"Tease." Shiro mumbles, trotting over in your direction.
"Unbelievable." Mitsuki sighed, turning her head to Aizawa. "Were you going to do anything?"
"We can't keep (y.n) and Shiro on such tight leashes." Aizawa replied, "I told them if they wanted to walk off and enjoy the festival, they don't need me in their shadow to do so."
"But-"
"(y.n) is safe-" Aizawa reinsured, "-she has Shiro beside her, and Gray will be here any minute."
"But all three of them are-"
"They can hold their own." Aizawa held a faint smile. "We don't give their group enough credit."
"Is that why you let Eri walk away with them?" Mitsuki wondered, Aizawa nodded.
"Hey-!" A cheerful voice turned the parents' head, All Might and Inko were walking up holding a bundle of food in each hand. "-there you guys are!"
"All Might?" Mitsuki blinked.
"Where you've been?" Aizawa questioned.
"We just took a quick look around!" All Might chuckled, "Where's (y.n), I forgot to thank her for the invite!"
"Where do you think?" Bakugo rolled his eyes, thumbing over to the coffee stand.
"Should have guessed it." All Might chuckled. "Where is young Gray-?" The retired hero peaked around, "-I am excited to meet his soon-to-be wife and child!"
"They're around here somewhere." Aizawa hummed, glancing around the crowd of cheerful people, wondering the same question.
"Hey-!" Inko cheerfully put her hands together spotting you walking over—Eri still clinging to you. "-(y.n)-!" Inko's heart fluttered, staring at your neutral face as you sipped the chilled liquid through the colorful straw, free hand resting in your jacket pocket. "-It-It's so good to see you again!" Inko fought back the tears filling her eyes, for years she dreamed of what could have been.
Inko always wanted a daughter of her own, and when she married All Might, she had to watch him mourn the death of his beloved daughter which always left her wondering what could have been...
"How-How are you doing?" Inko's voice wavered as she cleared her throat, struggling to maintain her emotions.
Aizawa lightly shoved you with his elbow. "Fine." You quickly replied.
The awkward silence hung heavy in the air, as Inko searched for words to bridge the gap she felt between the two of you. The years of separation had woven an intricate web of unfamiliarity, leaving her feeling more of a stranger than a stepmother.
"It's about time-!" Gray's voice turned your head. "-is that-!?" Gray gasped pointing, standing in the middle of three. "-coffee!? You guys stopped and got stuff without us!?
"You took too long." Shiro replied as Gray stomped the rest of the way to the group. Inko sighed, thanking her lucky stars the attention was pulled off her failed attempt in speaking to you since your return.
"That's rude!" Gray pouted, causing the woman standing beside him to giggle.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic Gray-" Her tone felt warm and inviting, like the first rays of sunlight. She stood beside Gray like an enigmatic silhouette, her black hair cascading like a waterfall of midnight silk down her shoulders. "-it's a warm day out, it's ok if they got a little thirsty waiting for us."
"Don't take their side Renata!" Gray turned to her, she simply chuckled at Gray's childish behavior. You stared; her eyes were like twin obsidian orbs.
"You must be (y.n)-" Renata flashed a baked smile, reaching a handout—her black dress seemed to blend seamlessly with her hair and eyes, she exuded an air of sophistication and grace. "-it's so good to finally meet you!"
"Uh..." You were taken back as Renata pulled you into a tight hug.
"Nice man." Shiro muttered to Gray who triumphantly puffed his chest out.
"I have waited so long to meet you!" Renata rocked side to side with you still trapped in her grip of steel. A maelstrom of emotions swept through your body, but the underlying discomfort gnawed at you.
"Alright-" Gray stepped in. "-she is still pretty sore, so-"
"I am so sorry!" Renata snapped her arms away, "I completely forgot you were hurt; I-I am so sorry-I!"
"I-It's fine." You stop her ranting. "I'm just sore, really."
"Oh-" Renata breathed, "-ok then, I guess that answers my next question of how you are doing!" Renata laughs at her own joke; her voice is a melodic symphony to Gray who held a goofy grin watching her giggle to herself.
"And this is Kana-!" Gray points to his daughter by his leg, she appeared to be the spinning image of her mother—no older than how Eri appeared to be. She wore a dress with a little pink jacket over it.
"Kana this is-!"
"Aunt (y.n)-!" The child—just like her mother instantly glued herself to your waist.
"Uh..." You blinked, uncomfortable with how much you were being touched.
Kana bounced in front of you, her eyes wide with excitement. "I saw your picture in those fancy magazines, and you're always on the noisy box—even though momma don't let me have the sound on, you're super cool! You're my most favorite aunt in the whole world!"
"Only aunt but whatever." Gray muttered, Shiro held his hands out.
"What about me?"
Kana glanced over to him, instantly frowning, she hid her face in your stomach.
"Wha-!?" Shiro gasped, "-But-I-I'm your uncle, your favorite uncle!"
"Uncle Haru is my favorite uncle." Hana pouted.
"Who the hell is Haru!?" Shiro fires himself up.
"That would be my brother." Renata smiles.
"He's only your favorite because you're only just meeting me now!" Shiro laughs, "Just you wait, I am going to be your favorite uncle by the end of the day."
"Not likely." Hana sticks her little nose in the air.
"Your kid is broken-" Shiro turns to Gray.
"Don't worry-" A hand wraps around Shiro's shoulders. "-you'll always be my favorite little brother."
"Kai!" Shiro spins, seeing his older brother behind him. "You're here!"
"I said I would be." Kai chuckled, accepting the rib crunching hug.
"Where's Yuki?" Shiro peeked over Kai's shoulder, in search of his sister-in-law.
"She had to work." Kai explained, "Which is why I am a little late."
"At least you're here!" Shiro sheepishly grinned, rubbing the side of his neck.
"You-" Kai turned, "-must be the famous (y.n)."
You glanced over—Kana still hugging you, Eri hanging onto Aizawa's pants looking unpleased—you groaned, not another person.
"I am." You nod. Kai grinned, looking down at the little one, he offered his hand out.
"It's good to finally meet you (y.n), I have heard a lot about you."
"I have-" You skeptically glanced to Shiro, "-heard nothing about you so-"
"(y.n)-!" Shiro went to lecture.
"Do you feel out of place too?" Kirishima whispered to his friends.
"A little bit." Midoriya admits, Kaminari shrugs, more interested in the symphony of smells driving him mad.
"No." Bakugo replied, eyes never leaving you. "This is their first family reunion, be happy you get to be a part of it, shut up and don't ruin it."
"R-Right." Kirishima and Midoriya quickly nods.
"So-" Kai grins, looking around the festival. "-what should we do first?"
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット