Shangri La Pt. 1

70: Greedy

The following morning arrived and everyone in the palace was bustling to get ready for the final preparations of what would be the final ceremony for the Moon Festival. It was also clear that all the servants and soldiers who worked in the palace were looking forward to this night, as it was a night most of them were free to go into the city and have fun of their own. 

And because word got out that most of the servants and soldiers in the palace would be having a fun night, the Todoroki Knights got word of this as well.

"What's with all of you getting hyper?" Gin questioned, noticing how some of the knights were already itching with excitement. 

"We haven't gone into the city in a while, and since there's a festival goin' on tonight, we can't miss it!" 

"Yeah, and who knows what we'll find in the city!" Kirishima and Kaminari explained happily. 

"Uh huh– Well you guys enjoy the festival since the next time we'll get to celebrate something special will be the Prince's wedding." Gin answered as he waved them off. 

"Huh? You're not going with us, Acri?" 

"Somebody has to stay behind to make sure nothing bad happens to the Prince, right?" Gin pointed out, leaving them in awe. 

"Eh~ You seriously ain't comin' with us? You're gonna miss out on all the fun?"

"As the Vice Captain, I should be responsible when you guys are off having fun. Who knows what could happen on such an eventful night." Gin added. 

"Man, now I feel bad that we asked." Kirishima noted. 

"Don't feel bad for me, it's not like there isn't anything I can't do when there's gonna be a ceremony inside the palace. I'll find my own way of fun inside the palace walls." Gin answered, trying not to make his fellow knights feel guilty. 

And just as they were about to ask the silver-haired Vice Captain once more, they noticed Katsuki approaching the situation as he yawned while rubbing his hair. 

"Oh Bakugo, you wanna join us and go into the city for the festival today?" Kaminari asked, pumping up the group again.

"Ha? The festival?" 

'Oh yeah, it's today, but...' Katsuki paused as he thought of what Melissa told him the night before. 

"Hah~ I was not anticipating something like this to happen on Izumi's last night working here, but not everything runs smoothly here." "Izumi will be serving someone much more important tomorrow night as the Jade Goddess." "The Royals of the palace." "I received an invitation specifically requested for Izumi to appear before the Emperor and Empress tomorrow night, and it seems she's committing to that role for one final night." '

That means if she's gonna be here, then I need to stay and keep an eye on her so something like last night doesn't happen again.' 

"Hard pass." Katsuki responded, shocking all his fellow knights and even Gin as well.

"Huh? You– YOU DON'T WANNA GO TO THE CITY?!?!?" 

"What's happened to Bakugo?!?!" 

"Are you sick, you feelin' okay?" 

"Arg– I'm fine! I've seen the city enough, I don't feel like going through it again with that many people." Katsuki groaned, instantly catching all of them off guard by a few certain words. 

"You– You've seen the city enough?" 

"Yeah– I've been goin' out and–" 

Just before he was about to reveal what he'd been doing the past two weeks, Katsuki caught himself and stopped his words.