A week had passed since Eri visited the school. During class Kirishima and I went over to Ashido. We told her how we had come up with a plan to move Aoyama around the dance floor. We decided that the other students would get bored if he remained in one place. Ashido understood and knew the perfect person for the job.

"Midoriya, you're off the dance team," Ashido said when he entered the class.

"Huhh?!" Midoriya exclaimed, shocked from the sudden change.

"We need your help on the stage crew," I told him.

"But why me?" Midoriya asked. "I promised Eri I'd be dancing on stage."

"Aoyama is gonna be reaching all over the dance floor, but we don't have a rig to make that happen. So we need someone strong to do the job," I explained.

Aoyama gave a flourish of his hands. "My transformation from dancer to disco ball will occur at the start," he said. "My new laser buffet technique can be controlled over distances. It's a task tailored for moi!"

"Ideally Midoriya would then break away from the dancers to assist," Ashido added.

"Oh, so my time on the dance floor is just gonna be really short?" Midoriya rubbed his chin in thought.

"Sorry dude!" Kirishima put his hands together apologetically. "It sucks that all your practicing is going to be for nothing, but we could really use the help!"

"It'll make the whole production that much better," I said, nodding to Kirishima.

"Alright, as long as I get to dance a little," Midoriya agreed. "I can still keep my promise to Eri."

"Thank you so much!" Kirishima and I said at the same time.

Over the next few days I continued trying to help the stage crew with planning as well as getting ready for the beauty pageant. In the end I had to step down from the stage crew, since I was becoming overwhelmed. The others were understanding and told me to do my best in the beauty pageant.

After school I worked with some business course students Shota found to start getting my costume ready. The three students who were helping me were all very nice and understanding. Since my class was busy with preparing the concert none of them were free to help me.

"I think we could add small blue flowers to her hair," one of the students, Akihiko, said. She continued, "maybe roses?"

Hayami rubbed his chin in thought, "that might be a good idea. The roses would really stand out in her white hair."

"Shichi, how do you feel about being barefoot?" Ezume asked. She was looking through different types of sandals. "We can add bells to your ankles."

"That might give it a more magical feel," I nodded. "Also what do you guys think of this design for the kimono?" I held up a piece of white fabric adorned with blue flowers.

"It's simple but elegant," Akihiko looked at the fabric. "It'll match the feel we are going with."

"Shichi, were you planning on using anything other than fire?" Hayami asked.

"I'm not sure. I could probably use my air quirk to give a windblown vibe," I answered.

"That might not be a good idea," Ezume said. "I think using just the fire will be enough."

"Okay," I smiled at them, grateful to have their help.

One evening, after I had finished preparations, I was sitting in my room relaxing when I heard a knock on the door. I opened it and was pleasantly surprised to see Shoto standing holding two cups of tea. I let him inside and he handed me a cup.

"Yaoyorozu got this special tea and made some for everyone," Shoto said. "I wanted to come and enjoy it with you."

I took a sip of the tea, "oh wow this is good! What is it?"

"Apparently it's a rare tea called Golden Tips Imperial," Shoto answered. "It is good though."

"Thank you for bringing me some," I smiled brightly at him.

"You're welcome," Shoto smiled back. "How are things going with the beauty pageant?"

"Good. I've finally got my costume together," I said. "Now we are just practicing the routine."

"I see," Shoto took a sip of tea. "Well I can't wait to see."

"I'm kinda nervous," I said, gripping my cup tightly.

Shoto took the cup from my hand and set it down. "I'm sure you'll do great. After all you are the most beautiful woman I know."

"S-Shoto," I blushed deeply, at a loss for words.

He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight. "I love you, Kanna."

"I love you too," I smiled and rested my head against his shoulder.

"After the festival, would you like to come meet my mom?" Shoto asked, resting his head against mine.

"I'd love to," I looked up at him and kissed his cheek.

A small blush came over his face and he smiled back, "great. I'm glad."

We spent some time talking and drinking our tea. Just as I was going to say something Shoto kissed me deep and passionately. I wrapped my arms around his neck and responded to his kiss. My chest felt warm as he deepened the kiss further. He picked me up into his arms and carried me to the bed where we laid together, still in each other's embrace. Neither one of us wanted to let the other go. His hand became tangled in my hair and he shifted his position to be over me.

He broke away for a moment, out of breath. "Kanna I-"

"Shh," I put a finger over his lips, knowing what he wanted. I pulled him back down and kissed him, almost greedily. We shifted again and I was laying on top of him. I could feel my heart beating in my chest, or perhaps it was his heart. When I pulled away for air I heard him softly moan my name.

"I love you," Shoto said, looking into my eyes.

"I love you too," I smiled before kissing him again.

Over the next few weeks we continued preparing for the school festival. Finally the night before arrived. We were in the gym going over the rehearsal. This was my chance to see everyone in action, working together, since I would miss the actual performance. I was impressed with the hard work everyone had done to pull it together. I knew that the other students were going to have a bunch of fun. I also hoped that Eri would be able to smile and enjoy herself during the show.

After we were kicked out of the gym I went to check to make sure I had everything ready for the beauty pageant. They had a room specifically for me to prep in so all my costume attire was in there. Once I was done I headed back to the dorm. It was livelier than I expected since it was nearing midnight.

"You were awesome," I told Jiro as I sat down next to her.

"Thanks," Jiro smiled at me.

Before she could say more Kaminari exclaimed how he couldn't sleep. "Keep it down! People are trying to sleep!" Ashido scolded him.

"They seem to be in high spirits," I chuckled softly.

"Hmm, well it's best not to think about it for now. If we start feeling nervous it'll hurt the performance," Jiro said. "Once we are on stage we just gotta roll with it and have fun."

"I guess that's true," I messed with the hem of my shirt. To be honest I was feeling nervous about my own performance tomorrow.

"What Jiro is saying applies to a lot of situations," Midoriya said. He was looking over some equipment for the show.

"Oui," Aoyama nodded. He was helping Midoriya.

"People can do great things when it's for someone else's sake," Midoriya continued. "Ah shoot, the rope is frayed."

"It must be because we practiced so long and hard. It's proof of our strong friendship," Aoyama said with a wink.

"Sure, but it could be dangerous," Midoriya said. "Sorry I didn't notice until now."

"Can't Yaoyorozu make another?" Kaminari suggested.

"She already went to bed," Ashido replied. "Plus she isn't your personal factory."

"Oh but people use me as their charger," Kaminari grumbled, making me laugh.

"It's fine, I'll buy more first thing in the morning," Midoriya said. "I've got my personal training plus some other shopping to do anyway."

"Wait, we are on at 10am and don't most stores open at 9am?" Kaminari pointed out.

"There is a hardware store about fifteen minutes away from here," Midoriya told him. "I'm pretty sure they open at 8am."

"It's still pretty close..." Kaminari commented.

I began to feel drowsy so I stood up and headed to bed. I wished the others luck for the festival and they did the same for me. I felt my nerves dying down a little as I laid in bed. I thought about what Jiro and Midoriya said. I really did want to do my best so Eri could have fun and smile.

The next morning I got up and headed to my prep room. Ezume, Akihiko, and Hayami were all waiting for me. "Let's get your hair and make up done before we put on the kimono," Hayami said.

"Okay," I nodded and sat down so they could get to work. What seemed like hours later they finally finished with my hair.

"Okay, now for make up," Akihiko said, grabbing a bag.

"Can I have a little break?" I asked them. "I wanna go wish Hado and Kendo good luck."

"Yeah that's fine," Ezume nodded. She was straightening out the kimono while Hayami prepared the accessories.

"Thanks," I smiled at them and went to Class B's prep room. "Kendo, it's me," I called out.

"Oh, hey Shichi, come on in," Kendo replied. When I entered I saw her wearing a beautiful strapless dress.

"Wow you look pretty," I said, looking her up and down.

"Thanks, your hair is looking really good," Kendo said, admiring the flowers in my hair.

"Thank you," I smiled. "I just wanted to wish you luck."

"Oh, well good luck to you as well," Kendo beamed.

Suddenly Monoma, Tetsutetsu, and Awase came into the room. They were in their costumes for Class B's play. Monoma looked at Kendo and started laughing at her appearance. "What's with that get up?!" He asked between laughs.

"I'm not sure if that's supposed to be an insult or a compliment," Kendo said flatly.

"It's a compliment," Monoma assured her. "You're sure to win since that commercial made you so popular. You'll beat Class A and make Class B that much more Plus Ultra." He gave me an ominous look.

"Hang on now, are you sure she'll win?" Hado asked as she entered the room. "Why are you so confident?" She turned to Kendo and I, "I'm happy to be competing with you two!"

"Likewise," I smiled at her.

"Oh ho, don't count me out just yet if you're talking about winners," a girl wearing a floral kimono and massively long eyelashes entered the room.

"You're Bibimi Kenranzaki," Monoma noted.

I looked up at the time and realized I had been away for longer than I had expected. I wished the other girls luck and went back to my dressing room. Once they were done with my make up and the finishing touches on my hair, I started to get dressed in the elegant black and blue kimono. They put bells around my ankles and wrists as well as a kitsune mask on my head, covering one eye. By the time we finished it was time for the beauty pageant to start.

Kendo made a powerful entrance. She rushed in and broke a bunch of wooden boards, giving her the appearance of a warrior princess. Next was Kenranzaki. She was in a large car that had her image on it. After Hado was up. She used her quirk to float in like a fairy princess. I was amazed by how beautiful she was.

Next it was my turn. Just like we practiced, I sent a wave of blue flames before suddenly appearing on stage. The announcer spoke up at my entrance, "here we have Kanna Shichi of Class 1-A. Just look at those blue flames coming from a beautiful kitsune."

I wrapped myself in flames before throwing them out over the crowd. They awed as the flames floated around like wisps. I looked out into the crowd and saw Eri with Mirio. Her face was lit up brightly and I couldn't help but smile.

Once the pageant was done I slipped on some sandals and went out to greet Eri. Along with Mirio and Eri, my class had shown up. They went on about how cool and pretty I looked. I couldn't help but blush at their comments. When I asked Eri what she thought she gave me a big smile and said it was amazing.

After, Mirio, Midoriya, and I took Eri around the festival to look at the other attractions. Eri seemed to be having a fun time but I noticed at some point Midoriya had disappeared. Hado ended up winning the beauty pageant. That made me glad since she had put so much work into it.

Eventually we had to say goodbye to Eri since the festival was coming to an end. Midoriya came running up just before she left. "Here," he revealed a candy apple for her.

"Woah, someone was selling them?!" Mirio exclaimed. "We looked all over for them!"

"I didn't see any on the program so I went to the store and Sato lent me some food coloring so I could make it," Midoriya explained.

Eri looked at the candy apple before taking a bite. Her face lit up at the taste, "it's extra sweet."

"I can always make more so look forward to that," Midoriya patted her on the head.

We stood together and waved as Mirio and Shota took Eri back to the hospital. We were both relieved that Eri was finally able to have fun.