A/N: this is kind of a filler chapter, but I swear it'll have its purpose later (╥‸╥)

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The class of 1-A was abuzz with questions after Aizawa's morning announcements. Everyone was overworked from midterms, the words of their textbooks burned into their brain from studying, but even with that level of exhaustion they still had enough energy to get rowdy. That was, until Aizawa got everyone to quiet down.

"Teach, are you sure we should be joining in this year's school festival?" Kaminari questioned from his seat, concern etched on his face.

Emi slouched low in her chair, knowing that everyone's concern was centered around her. Even though it had been a couple of weeks since the last incident, her friends and the campus still seemed to be on high alert as reports continued to flood in regarding more Pro Hero's experiencing odd blood loss. She knew what it meant, more than anyone did, leaving her to continuously worry.

"Campus security is at its highest around these events, you as students will have nothing to worry about." Aizawa told the class, his eyes passing slowly over Emi specifically.

"How can we help ensure Emi's safety?" Momo asked, Ida nodding thoughtfully as well. Leave it to the two class representatives to take action.

Aizawa responded with a reassuring, if somewhat hidden, smile beneath his scarf. "All you need to do is enjoy the festival and relax. You're still kids, after all."

As if Aizawa had cut the cord on the sanity of his students, everyone roared to life, shouting out ideas and suggestions for what they should do this year. Emi stayed quiet, silently wishing for a hole to open below and swallow her up. She couldn't – no, she wouldn't – allow her friends to worry over her during the festival if it meant they didn't have fun.

Shoto, sitting next to her, seemed to sense her distress. He leaned in and whispered, "Don't worry about it." Emi glanced at him from the corner of her eye, noticing his concerned expression. "I don't usually enjoy these events much, so I'm fine staying by your side."

Emi shook her head vigorously, her voice firm with determination. "No, Shoto. You should enjoy the festival without worrying about me. School has been stressful enough; I don't want to add to it."

Shoto's response was resolute, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't." Emi sighed inwardly, recognizing the futility of arguing with Shoto, especially when he was so determined.

Kirishima shot out of his seat and headed straight for Emi with a determined stride, as though guided by some innate sense of her anxiety—his personal "Emi-Sense," as he liked to call it. As he approached her desk, he couldn't miss the frown tugging at her lips and the cloud of worry hovering over her.

"Hey, cheer up!" Kirishima's voice rang out with infectious enthusiasm. "We're going to have a blast! It's your first U.A. school festival!" He flashed a wide, encouraging grin, hoping to lift her spirits and draw her attention towards him.

Emi looked up at him, her curiosity piqued. "What was your first festival like?" she asked, tilting her head as she envisioned him as a wide-eyed first-year, brimming with anticipation.

Kirishima's eyes lit up with nostalgia, and he pumped his fist in the air, unable to contain his excitement. "Oh man, it was incredible!" he exclaimed. "We all put on a concert for the whole school. Even Bakugo joined in, if you can believe it! And guess what? Everyone loved it!"

Emi's face softened into a smile as she pictured her friends performing on stage, the image of Bakugo begrudgingly participating adding a touch of humor to the scene. Most vividly, she saw a younger Kirishima grinning from ear to ear, radiating joy. She couldn't help but wish she had been there to experience it firsthand.

"Alright," Emi said, her smile widening. "If the festival is as amazing as you're making it sound, then I'm definitely looking forward to it."

Kirishima's heart swelled with satisfaction at her response. He felt a rush of relief and accomplishment, knowing he had managed to ease her worries, even if just a little.

The rest of the class period, even the rest of the school day, the class continued discussing ideas of what they could do for the festival. Even though Emi didn't have anything to offer, she sure as hell knew some of the ideas were a little outlandish. Thankfully Ida and Momo shot most of the crazy ones down – specifically Bakugo's ideas to put on an all-out brawl for a trophy.

That evening in the dorms, the common area buzzed with activity as the students gathered to finalize their plans for the upcoming school festival. Emi found herself seated between Kirishima and Kaminari, her attention shifting between the animated discussions and the occasional argument breaking out among the group.

The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and urgency as they honed in on the last details. Amidst the chatter, Momo suddenly turned her gaze toward Emi, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "Emi, you haven't contributed any ideas yet," she said, her voice carrying a note of encouragement.

Feeling the collective eyes of her classmates on her, Emi shifted uncomfortably. She shrugged, a bit self-conscious. "I've never been to a school festival before, so I'm not sure where to start," she admitted, though she was only partially being honest. She had some ideas but wasn't confident in their quality.

"Come on, Emi, share them with us," urged Ida, his tone thoughtful. "Even if they seem out of the box, they might be just what we need. Imagine something that would make the whole school have fun."

Kirishima gave her a gentle nudge, an unspoken encouragement to share her thoughts. Emi took a moment to mentally sift through the few ideas she had come up with. Although she was apprehensive about their originality, she decided to present one she thought might be at least somewhat entertaining.

"Alright, but don't laugh if it sounds silly," Emi said, her voice tentative as she looked at the expectant faces around her. "What about a scavenger hunt maze? We could use haybales to create the maze, and then some of us from the class could act as checkpoints. We could even have a prize for the winners."

There was a brief, tense silence as everyone processed her suggestion. Emi's face began to heat up, and she braced herself for a round of laughter. However, her apprehension was short-lived. Momo's face lit up with enthusiasm as she clapped her hands together.

"That's a fantastic idea!" Momo exclaimed, her excitement evident. Emi's cheeks flushed with a mix of relief and pleasure. Kirishima, sensing her nervousness, gave her a supportive pat on the back.

"Yeah! We could make it really cool, like that movie Labyrinth!" Kirishima added with an infectious grin.

Hagakure's voice chimed in with her own creative twist. "What if the prize was a 'get out of training' pass? That would definitely get everyone excited!"

Midoriya, catching the momentum, suggested with a bright smile, "Or how about a lunch with All Might? That would be an incredible prize!"

The room erupted into enthusiastic chatter, each person building on Emi's initial idea. The energy shifted from hesitant to vibrant, and Emi couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. She had managed to contribute something that sparked genuine excitement and creativity among her classmates.

The room was abuzz with newfound excitement as the students of 1-A dove into planning their scavenger hunt maze. The initial awkwardness had dissolved, replaced by a flurry of ideas and animated discussions. Emi felt a warm sense of belonging as she listened to her classmates brainstorm ways to bring her idea to life.

Kirishima took charge of the conversation, his enthusiasm palpable. "Alright, let's break it down. We need to figure out how to set up the maze with the haybales. Maybe we could do it in the gym or on the sports field? We'll need a lot of space."

Momo nodded thoughtfully. "The gym might be a better option, as we can easily control the environment and set up checkpoints inside. We'll need to get permission and coordinate with the staff."

Ida, ever the organizer, pulled out his notebook and began jotting down ideas. "We should create a layout for the maze and decide on the placement of the checkpoints. Each checkpoint could have a different challenge or puzzle to solve. This will keep the participants engaged and make the event more interactive."

"Good point," Kaminari added, leaning forward with a grin. "And we could use our quirks to make the challenges more interesting. Maybe something like a mini-obstacle course or a riddle."

"Definitely," agreed Hagakure, her voice full of excitement. "And we could use the checkpoints to hand out hints to the next part of the maze. That way, people won't get too frustrated if they get stuck."

Midoriya, his mind racing with possibilities, suggested, "We should also think about how to keep track of the participants' progress. Perhaps we could have a team at each checkpoint to stamp a card or something similar."

Emi, feeling more confident now that her idea was taking shape, chimed in. "And for the prize, maybe we could have a small ceremony at the end of the maze where the winners get their reward. It could be a special announcement or presentation."

Kirishima's eyes lit up. "I love that! And if we're going with the 'get out of training' pass or lunch with All Might, we should make sure the prize is something that everyone will be excited about. It could be a great way to motivate people to participate."

The class began to divide tasks among themselves, with Ida hanging up a sheet of paper outlining everyone's tasks.

Yaoyorozu, Ida: coordinate with staff and handle logistics of location

Midorya, Kaminari, Ojiro: design the maze layout

Kirishima, Shoji, Sato, Emi: set up the maze

Tokoyami, Hagakure, Uraraka: manage the prize and final ceremony

Ashido, Asui, Jiro: brainstorm costume ideas

Todoroki, Bakugo, Sero, Koda: create props for the maze

Everything had fallen into place as everyone got with their groups and immediately got to work. Emi couldn't lie and say she wasn't happy about setting up the maze, only because it meant spending that extra time with Kirishima. If only it wasn't physical labor.

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As the sun began to set on the eve of the festival, the excitement in the air was almost tangible. The training gym had been transformed into a vibrant maze of decorations and lights, and the students of Class 1-A were buzzing with anticipation. Emi stood amidst the bustling activity, her heart pounding with joy as she watched the final preparations come together. The maze was fully set up, and everything was starting to feel incredibly real.

Emi couldn't help but reflect on the days leading up to this moment. She remembered the countless hours spent arranging haybales, her hands covered in straw, her face flushed with effort. Shoji and Sato had caught her and Kirishima in the midst of a break more than once, and she wasn't the least bit embarrassed. The sight of Kirishima, his face red from a kiss, his hair tousled with hay, had become a source of both amusement and affection for her.

Kirishima, however, had felt his fair share of embarrassment, though he hid it well. Watching Emi use her strength and quirk to lift and stack the haybales had left him momentarily entranced, his gaze lingering on her with an intensity that he struggled to control. Shoji and Sato had to repeatedly snap him out of his daze, reminding him of the task at hand. Lately, Kirishima had been acutely aware of how his body reacted to Emi, his feelings becoming harder to ignore.

Now, as the festival approached, Kirishima found himself captivated once again. Emi stood among her classmates, dressed in a fairy costume that Mina had selected for her. The outfit was ethereal: a delicate flower crown nestled in her red hair, translucent wings fluttering gently on her back, and a flowing white dress with a corset that highlighted her figure. Kirishima struggled to keep his gaze from lingering on how the corset accentuated her curves, his breath catching in his throat.

"Do I look okay?" Emi asked, her voice sweet and soft. The innocence in her tone made it even more difficult for Kirishima to tear his eyes away. Her laughter, light and playful, only intensified his blush as he struggled to find his words.

"Y-You look more than okay," Kirishima managed to stammer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You look... beautiful." The words felt inadequate compared to the impact of her appearance. His entire body felt flushed with heat, his heart racing as he tried to process how stunning she looked.

Emi's smirk widened as she placed a hand gently on Kirishima's chest. He was dressed in a princely costume, complete with a crown perched precariously atop his usually spiky hair. Emi had convinced him to let his hair hang loose, and she couldn't deny that she found him much more appealing this way. She liked the relaxed, yet regal, look of his hair flowing freely.

"You're just saying that," Emi teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Kirishima felt a rush of warmth at her touch, his pulse quickening as he struggled to steady his breathing.

"No, I mean it," he replied, his voice earnest. "You look absolutely breathtaking."

Emi's excitement was palpable as she stood in front of Kirishima, her smile barely contained. "Well, I just wanted to make sure everything fits perfectly before the festival tomorrow," she said, twirling gracefully in her fairy costume. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and she let out a soft laugh, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Honestly, I'm so excited that I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight."

Kirishima, unable to tear his gaze away from her, felt a surge of warmth and affection. He couldn't help but smile, his heart swelling with the sight of her enthusiasm. "In that case," he said, his voice tender and filled with genuine concern, "do you want some company tonight? Maybe I can help you relax a bit before the big day."

He leaned in and gently pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, right above the flower crown that adorned her hair. The gesture was filled with affection and warmth, and he lingered for a moment, savoring the closeness between them. Taking her hand in his, he gave it a reassuring squeeze, his touch firm yet gentle.

"If you're feeling too wired to sleep," Kirishima continued, his tone soothing, "I'd be more than happy to stay with you. We can chat, or maybe I can even help you unwind a little. Whatever you need."

Emi's smile widened at his offer, her heart fluttering at the thought of spending the evening with him. She squeezed his hand back, feeling a sense of comfort and contentment. "That sounds wonderful," she replied softly. "I'd really like that."

After a whirlwind of activity and excitement, Emi and Kirishima quickly changed out of their elaborate costumes and into more comfortable, casual clothing. Emi opted for a soft, oversized sweater and cozy leggings, while Kirishima slipped into a relaxed pair of sweatpants and a well-worn t-shirt.

They made their way to her room, where Emi and Kirishima settled onto her bed. As Emi nestled into Kirishima's embrace, she let out a contented hum, the stress of the day melting away. Her body relaxed against his, and she couldn't suppress a soft yawn as she allowed herself to unwind completely.

Kirishima, enjoying the closeness, gently ran his fingers through Emi's hair, his touch tender and soothing. He looked down at her with a teasing smile. "I thought you said you were too excited to sleep," he said softly, his voice warm and playful.

Emi's cheeks flushed slightly, a hint of pink spreading across her face. She nestled closer, the comforting weight of Kirishima beside her making her feel incredibly at ease. "I don't know," she murmured, her voice drowsy yet filled with affection. "Cuddling with you makes me feel... really content."

It had become a comforting routine for them—Kirishima frequently finding his way to Emi's door before bedtime, always with the offer of companionship. Whether it was his presence or the unspoken promise of safety and care, Emi found herself sleeping more soundly with him by her side.

Kirishima gently tilted her chin with his fingertips, lifting her face so he could gaze into her eyes. Even though her eyes were heavy with sleep, he found her beauty striking. "So, I don't need to do anything to help you relax?" he asked, a mischievous smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

Emi's eyes twinkled with a playful glint as a smile spread across her face. "Mm, maybe," she murmured, her voice a soft purr.

With that, Kirishima leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in a tender kiss. The contact was brief, a fleeting touch, but it ignited a spark within him. He pulled back slightly, his gaze locked with hers, his breath mingling with hers in the intimate space between them. "Feeling relaxed now?" he asked, his voice hushed and affectionate.

Emi's heart raced, a flutter of excitement coursing through her. She let out a soft laugh, her pulse quickening. "Maybe try again," she teased, her voice light but filled with genuine affection.

He responded by taking her lips in his again, this time more fiercely, hands cupping her cheeks now as he melted into it. That heat returned to him again and washed over his whole body. Emi reacted to the contact, her leg curling around his hip and pulling him closer.

She was desperate for contact, to feel as though she was fusing her body with his. Emi could practically hear her heartbeat in her ears like it was threatening to burst from her chest – she wanted, no needed, more. It wasn't enough.

Kirishima's eyes went wide as Emi rolled over, taking him with her and planting him on top of her nestled between her knees. He bit back a groan at the increased pressure building up in his gut. The number of times he's imagined this... and now here he was.

It wasn't like he hadn't been in a heated make-out session with her before. He couldn't help himself, not when her lips were this soft, this enticing. But now, he felt a deeper desire taking root inside of him.

"Kiri," Emi murmured softly as she reluctantly pulled away from their kiss, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of concern and curiosity. She couldn't help but notice the deep crimson flush spreading across his cheeks and the way his eyes seemed to be wide with an almost palpable intensity. "Are you okay?"

Kirishima, breathless and slightly disoriented, struggled to maintain his composure. His voice came out in a strained whisper, each word seemingly fought for with effort. "I'm – hm – yeah, I'm okay," he managed to say, the physical restraint he was exerting over himself almost palpable. It was as if he had to will his body to remain calm.

"You look like you're in pain," Emi teased gently, her smile softening the playful jab.

"No, no," Kirishima protested with a chuckle, shaking his head as he attempted to steady his racing heart. He urged himself to keep it together, to be manly right now.

"What's wrong then?" Emi inquired, her hand gently resting on his cheek, her thumb tenderly caressing his flushed skin.

"I just..." Kirishima began, his voice faltering slightly. "We've never talked about it before." His eyes were earnest, searching hers for understanding.

Emi's eyebrows knitted together in confusion for a moment before a deep blush crept up her face as realization dawned. The intimacy of their current position and the flushed look on Kirishima's face made it clear what he was hinting at. It was true—they hadn't discussed their feelings or boundaries in depth, but she had assumed that such conversations would come naturally in time. Embarrassment washed over her like a tidal wave.

"Oh, I didn't mean to... I mean..." Emi stammered, struggling to articulate her thoughts. "I wasn't intending to push you into anything." Her voice trailed off, her discomfort evident as she fumbled for the right words.

Kirishima's expression softened slightly, his demeanor growing more serious as he looked down at her. "You weren't pushing me into anything," he said earnestly. "I just didn't know if you had thought about it." His tone was sincere, revealing his underlying vulnerability.

"I think about it," Emi confessed, her admission causing Kirishima's face to flush an even deeper shade of red. The sight of his reaction made her smirk, and she continued with a playful glint in her eye, "I think about it a lot."

Kirishima's eyes widened in astonishment, his heart racing at her words. "A lot?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the intensity of his emotions evident.

Emi nodded, her expression a mix of shyness and sincerity. "But, when the time is right, right?" she added gently, her gaze searching his.

"Yeah, when the time is right," Kirishima agreed, his voice filled with determination and understanding.

Emi reached out and ran her fingers softly through his disheveled hair, a gesture meant to comfort and reassure. "Want to get yourself... settled? And we can go to sleep?" she suggested, her tone soothing and considerate.

Kirishima nodded, grateful for the gentle shift in focus. He carefully removed himself from between her legs and settled down beside her, lying on his back as he tried to regain his composure.

He wanted their moment to be special, to be filled with the right timing and mutual understanding. Although he didn't know when that would be, he was determined to make it meaningful when it happened. For now, as Emi nestled against him, Kirishima hoped that the right moment would come soon.

Otherwise, he might combust the next time he found himself in that particular position. 

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