MHA: GAMER PATH

Chapter 138: UA School Festival Aftermath

~Third POV~

[Later, UA Highschool, Festival Grounds – Entrance, Japan]

After the School Festival came to an end, Aizawa, Togata, Nighteye, and Ren were at the entrance of the school. He managed to find them on time as Mirio looked at Eri kindly, saying softly, "Thanks for coming today. We had fun, right?!"

Eri looks down as she says softly in a dejected tone, "Yeah…"

The School Festival, with all its excitement, was over. The stalls, booths, and equipment still warm from use lay scattered throughout the school building and across the grounds outside, but cleanup could wait until the next day. After that, life would be back to normal at UA.

Seeing Eri's dejected expression, Ren kneeled down, took out the candied apple, and, surprising Eri from his [Sub-Space], handed it to her happily, "Eri, look… surprise!"

*Fwip*

Whipping out the candy apple, surprisingly Eri Mirio exclaimed in shock as Nighteye slyly smiled, knowing this with his Quirk, "Candy Apple! Someone was selling them?! I looked everywhere!!"

Eri smiled, recalling his promise as he explained happily, rubbing her head, "It didn't look like there'd be any, based on the program, so I got creative and improvised, creating this one, especially for you."

Getting the candied apple Aizawa explains calmly eyeing Eri, "You'll be able to see them again soon, I expect."

*Nip*

Taking a bite from the candied apple, Eri, with a light blush, smiles happily, "Heh… extra sweet!"

They began to take Eri as Ren waved at them saying to her in a kind tone, "I can always make more, so look forward to it!"

Ren saw the group leave as Mirio, Aizawa, and Nighteye took Eri back to the hospital to guard her. Once he'd delivered the candy apple to Eri, Ren started walking back across the silent grounds to the dorm.

He felt a slight tingling pain in his fingers and mild inflammation. It was like the pain in his heart; he found himself thinking, 'What had become of Gentle Criminal and La Brava after they visited the School Festival?'

*BEEP*

As if fate had responded to his call, he checked his phone from the duo. He read the contents with a sly smile on his face as he read in his head, '… We have time to think about your offer and promise… just give us some time to think it over…'

With his eyes closed Ren accepted their answer, waiting patiently for them to come over of their own free will. But he then muttered out loud as if pondering a question curiously, "I wonder… what does it mean to be a hero?"

While heroes got to bathe in the light of glory, standing in their shadows were countless men and women who'd reached for those lofty heights and failed. That's why heroes couldn't afford to lose. That's why heroes had to shoulder so much and always be ready to race toward someone in need.

With that determination driving him, Ren clenched his fist. Gazing at the sunset setting in, he opened his eyes with a grin, muttering proudly, "No matter what happens, I'll step up to the challenge. Time to game on."

/////

[Sunset, UA Highschool, Heights Alliance – First Floor, Japan]

*Thud*

Ren stepped into the dorm, and the group hanging out in the first-floor common area welcomed him in as he greeted them, "Hi guys."

Ochaco then asked who'd heard about the candy apple with a grin, happily said, "Well, Ren? Was Eri thrilled?"

Ren with a smile replied, "Mm-hmm!"

Ida congratulated Ren with a beaming smile, joined by Todoroki he said, "How wonderful, Yuki!"

That was when Izuku noticed a sweet scent wafting across the first floor as he asked, "Wait, what's that smell?"

It was when everyone heard Ren's clone voice, "They're ready, everyone!"

A clone of Ren was carrying out a platter of candied apples, strawberries, mikan, grapes, and other fruit. The cute, colorful assortment of bite-size treats practically popped off the plate, like something out of a fairy tale.

Izuku eyes widened as he asked shocked, "Wow, what prompted this?"

*Poof*

With the clone vanishing, Ren began to explain, obtaining the memories, happily shaking in excitement, "We were gifted all this fruit as thanks for helping at the takoyaki stall. And since I made that candy apple earlier, I thought, why not do the same with all this for everyone? After all the hard work you guys did today, you deserve a nice surprise just for today."

Being genuinely touched, Mina and Toru yelled out loud, hopping into the air with Hagakure at her side, "It's a candied fruit wrap party!"

Seeing the chance, almost everyone leaped at the chance to choose a fruit. Yet Bakugo alone remained seated on the sofa, observing the scene and listening to his classmate's excitement.

"Ooh, which one do I want?"

"I'm going for a strawberry!"

"Gotta be an apple for me."

While most of the class leaped up to choose a fruit, Bakugo alone remained seated on the sofa as Kirishima asked, "Don't want any, dude?"

Hearing Kirishima's question, he replied with venom in his voice, "Sweets? Not my thing."

But Ren walked over and offered him a long, slim, red treat. Handing him the treat, Ren, with a wink and thumbs up, said cheerfully, "Thought you'd say that, so I whipped up a candied chili pepper!"

Everyone knew that Bakugo loved spicy food. But this enraged Bakugo, detonating a small explosion in the palm of his hand, yelling at him, "Quit going outta your way for me! And what's the point of mixing spicy and sweet?"

Sero came along, grabbed the pepper, and forced it on Bakugo, saying cheerfully with a grin on his face, "C'mon, the big guy made it just for you. He made treats that everyone loved, even Kinoko-chan's mushroom treat."

From a few paces away, Midoriya watched the scene play out with a nervous smile. Bakugo, holding his slim treat, was approaching his classmate, asking a question, "Hey. Deku, you dweeb… Did you give that obstacle course a shot?"

Hearing that, Izuku blinked, asking in a confused tone, "Huh? Which obstacle course?"

Kendo chipped in as she explained to Izuku, causing him to be stunned by the news, "Apparently, All Might set a record that nobody's ever beaten."

Hearing Kendo's words, the color drained from Izuku's face as he said in a stunned tone matching his expression, "Eh? I never heard about that! You're saying All Might himself once ran this course?"

His stunned expression was that of a fan who'd missed the opportunity of a lifetime. Meanwhile, Bakugo's satisfied smirk only twisted the knife deeper. But Kirishima spoke up looking disappointed, "Bakugo challenged it over and over and over all day, but he still couldn't beat All Might's record."

That was when Bakugo exploded, shoving Kirishima before turning to point the pepper at Izuku in an explosive tone, "Nobody asked for the exposition! Listen—you're gonna give it a try at next year's festival, so then I can beat All Might's record and yours."

Izuku then replied stepping up to Bakugo's challenge with clenched fists in a determined tone, "Great! But I won't go down without a fight!"

Beside them, Ida leaped up and clapped his hands together decisively as he said excitedly, "You both mean to challenge All Might's record? Spectacular! Why don't we all attempt it? That will serve to engender a competitive spirit that motivates us and creates a greater sense of "unity within the class! This obstacle course could further our education as future heroes!"

Kirishima added in a happy tone, "Great idea, Ida!"

Sero added to the conversation in a motivated tone, " There is no better motivation than a record to beat."

Tokoyami, holding his plate of apple pie, said curiously, "I might… be interested in such a challenge…"

Ochaco pondered hearing their conversation as she suggested curiously, "Athletic Grounds Gamma would be perfect for obstacle course training."

Toru joins the conversation, holding her candy treats as she suggests cheerfully, "Sounds like it'll do wonders for my waistline!"

That was when Momo spoke up, getting everyone's attention, making a plan for the future in an excited tone, "Everyone… Planning for next year is all well and good, but why don't we officially bring this year's festival to a close first?"

Tsuyu was staring intently at her chosen treat as she bluntly said, "Fair enough. I'm ready to eat this fruit, Ribbit."

With fruit in hand, class A formed a circle; Kirishima even yanked a reluctant Bakugo over, Ren began with a small speech in an excited tone, lifting his fruit his candied fruit, "Ahem, in preparation for today's festival, we all sacrificed days' worth of time, energy, and sleep. But at the end of the day guys… Amazing work, everyone! Cheers!"

The group echoed, treats held high, "Cheers!"

They finished the pseudo toast by chowing down and enjoying the blend of sweet sugar and slightly sour fruit as it melted in their mouths. Their eyes shot wide open as a new sensation entered their minds.

Everyone clenched their legs tightly as they began to fantasize about being devoured by the food, each expressing a very perverted expression. They began to clench down, some moaning or some thinking of themselves naked, covered in food.

Each began to pant heavily as Bakugo grabbed Ren by the shoulder, yelling angrily, "Oi! Shitty thief what the hell did you spike our food?!!"

However, he paused, seeing Ren's flushed expression as he let go to explain himself calmly, clearing his throat, "No, I didn't… pant… I guess this is what happens when I reach my [Cooking] skill at the maximum level. So, this is the fabled [Foodgasm] at max level."

Recovering from their fantasies, Izuku managed to catch his breath and asked, confusion in his voice, staring directly at Ren, "Wait, is that what happens when you max your cooking level skill?"

Ren nodded his head, clearing his blush as he explained to his classmates, calmly regaining his composure, "Y-Yeah. Seems like whatever I make now will achieve that same sensation of goodness. Not only that they also bring some benefits…"

Some were raising an eyebrow at his words. Then Momo exclaimed in a shocked tone, noticing how smooth her skin was, "Ah! My skin feels… really soft and smooth. I don't recall my skin being this nice."

The girls blinked as they inspected their skin, seeing the clearness as Ren explained with a grin, "That's the perks kicking in for my cooking. You see when I reached the maximum level of my skill, it allowed me to cook food so well that it actually brought positive health effects. Say for the girl's smooth skin and the boy's smoother hair."

They blinked as Shinso noticed the hair on his head feeling it. He blinked, genuinely surprised, as he muttered in a surprised tone, "The hell…? I know for a fact that my hair isn't that soft. And… I do feel a bit healthier actually…"

All eyes were on Ren as he grinned lightly, taking another bite of his candied apple and enjoying the taste greatly as he explained, "Seems like in addition to my maxed skill it seems like any food I cook also grants a benefit to cue ailments through the ingestion of specific dishes provided I have the right ingredients involved. I've even sent something for the teachers… these taste so good!!"

Ignoring the indignant stares, everyone looked at their food, contemplating whether to continue or not. Silence filled the room till Mina said with a sigh as she yelled, "Sigh… oh fuck it. If it tastes good, why not!"

*Chomp*

Devouring her food the rest of the class followed. Their expressions turned pleasant and blissful as they all thought ignoring their perversions, 'Ahh~ This is so good…!!!'

Truly, Class A had dined good food tonight. A delicious blend befitting this season of their youth.

/////

[Nighttime, UA Highschool, Heights Alliance (Teacher's) – First Floor, Japan]

Present Mic took it upon himself to lead the toast, prompting the other teachers of the Hero Course to raise their cans of beer cheerfully said, "A festival without any major problems? That's something to toast to… Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

They sat in the dorm designated for U.A. educators, a structure no different from the student dorms, which meant it also had a spacious common area on the first floor. This was a handy spot for meeting up with students outside of the classroom, but the teachers often used the space to kick back and unwind.

Tonight, it was the site of a casual wrap party for this group of ten, though Power Loader was off celebrating the successful tech exhibition with his Support Course students. If class 1-A's youthful toast was marked by sweet and sour notes, the adults' toast had a bitter edge to it.

In light of the heightened security that year, the exhausted teachers were filled less with a sense of accomplishment (as the kids were) and more with feelings of relief that the event was over.

Present Mic then directed his attention to Hound Dog as he thanked his colleague in a thankful tone, "Cheers especially to you, Hound Dog! Great work today!"

Hound Dog raised his cup as he grunted, "Uh-huh."

He alone had overseen patrolling the perimeter of the campus all day and, now released from guard dog duty, was all too happy to let the beer work its magic. Vlad King, at Hound Dog's side, spoke up, taking a drink of his beer, and jokingly said, "Dog tired, huh? I bet you'll sleep well tonight!"

Shota Aizawa stood up to leave as soon as the toast was finished and tiredly said, "On that note, my bed is calling me."

However, Present Mic tugging Aizawa back raised his cup asked cheerfully, "Our little par-tay has only just begun, though!"

Aizawa, with a scowl, asked in an annoyed tone by Mic's persistence, "What happened to a quick toast, and that's it'?"

Midnight, who had drained her first can of beer and was already reaching for her second, she said playfully, "A wrap party's all about giving thanks and reflecting, aided by a boozy haze."

Beside Midnight, Thirteen held a nonalcoholic beer as she asked, genuinely curious, "Oh? Is that so?"

Ectoplasm with a profound nod replied, "In a certain sense, perhaps."

Directly across from them, All Might sat in the center of a sofa, sipping his nonalcoholic beer as Midnight added, "Besides, tomorrow's a day off."

But Aizawa grumbled stoically being tired as Mic dragged him to be around, "Except that we have to supervise the cleanup effort…"

But he was interrupted and drowned out by Present Mic's words, "No sticks-in-the-mud allowed!"

Utterly defeated, he sat back down and redirected his attention to the beer. That was when Aizawa first noticed how quiet All Might was as Midnight let out a long, spellbound sigh, explaining, "Ahhh… Is there anything greater than the School Festival? The preparation, the big day… It's what youth is all about. Racing emotions, tested friendships, naive passion… And it all comes together for that one stall, performance, or whatever… If only the festival were every day."

Listening to Midnight's rants Thirteen asked again in earnest sipping her drink, "Every day a festival? When on earth would the children find time to learn anything?"

Aizawa replied, adding as he nodded and taking sips of his drink, "Once a year is the perfect frequency."

The students could go all out precisely because it was only an annual event a singular, valuable experience that allowed them to devote themselves to having fun, if only for a spell. Vlad King agreed with a hearty nod and said, "The kids really outdid themselves this year."

The teachers would get to experience the School Festival every year for as long as they worked at U.A. High, but as far as the students were concerned, it was only three times. It was a heart-pounding spectacle for the first years, a chance for the second years to reflect on what they'd learned, and one last emotional hurrah for the third years.

As the student body changed, so did the event; every festival was unique. What never changed year to year was the students' dedication to having a blast.

This group of educators came to that realization all at once and felt their faces curve into smiles as she said making herself blush, "Nothing in this world greater than youth."

It was when All Might suddenly recalled something as he brought out a large plate that was covered with the teachers present as he said calmly, "Oh right! I almost forgot. My protégé clones sent us food he made for the hard work we did."

All eyes were on the big plate being covered, which caught the teacher's interest. When opened by All Might, their eyes widened, seeing rainbow-like jelly cups as Lady Nagant said happily, taking hers, "Oh? Homemade jelly huh? They have that neat rainbow color effect… I wonder how it tastes."

Present Mic, seeing this, smirked, taking his cup as did the rest of the teachers with him, vouching for Ren's cooking, "Oh! Your protégé is too kind, All Might! I tasted his sorbet it was to die for! If it's any good as his sorbet, then it will surely blow your minds, everyone!! Come on and try to dig it!!"

Aizawa, on the other hand, flinched, recalling the main ingredient that Sorbet was made from: a demonic ghost. But shook his head off, taking his rainbow jelly, giving him the benefit of the doubt, recalling what he did for Eri, calmly thought, 'Sigh… no, perhaps I'm over exaggerating here. Besides he behaved well today what's the worst that can happen just eating jelly?'

Everyone, one of the teachers, took a bite as their taste palates exploded. Eyes widened as Midnight orgasmed from the taste as she said in an erotic tone, "Ahhh~ This is heaven feeling something in my legs..?!! I'm… I'm cumming…!!"

*Splash*

Few of the female staff came from eating the food, and the male teachers were lost in what just happened… except for one. And that one teacher showed a conflicted expression for what he ate and felt.

Aizawa-Sensei, as his eyes turned bloodshot red, kindness previously in them vanished in an instant as he thought angrily, 'Forget what I said before… that fucking problem child has some explaining to do?!!! If only I could expel him…?!!'

Having a taste of heaven, it was a night that the teachers wouldn't surely forget. For one reason or another.