Ice, Fire, Love, Explosion: Season 2 | My Hero Academia

Chapter 25: After the Hubbub

3rd Person POV

A sudden pop, and Iida's eyes snapped open.

It was his own bursting snot bubble that had done it, but Iida was still emerging from dreamland and was barely aware. Surrounded by complete darkness, he had to blink a few times to confirm he was actually awake. A nearby snore sealed the deal, reminding Iida where he was and why.

He wasn't one to suffer a sloppy sleep cycle—he took pride in his regulated lifestyle, choosing specific bedtimes and deciding precisely when to awaken. After all, that sort of discipline was the first step toward a mature, independent adulthood. In the dark, Iida grimaced at this particular failing, as lack of proper sleep would mean less stamina the following day, and this training camp demanded stamina above all else.

I ought to get right back to sleep, then.

But that certain someone kept snoring, and the sound had penetrated Iida's consciousness. He couldn't not hear it anymore. Still, the snorer wasn't acting intentionally, so Iida couldn't hold it against him. Whoever he was, he must be just as tired as Iida was.

We did endure quite a day, today.

Though it had technically been yesterday, it was close enough in memory that Iida still thought of it as today. Starting at 5:30 a.m., the students of Classes A and B had trained to strengthen their Quirks. Then they'd made curry for dinner, which wasn't as good as the sort served in restaurants but was still a welcome relief for their empty bellies. Most had taken seconds. After dinner, they had a squabble with Class B over nikujaga meat and, finally, a good scolding from Aizawa.

If only I had been a better leader!

In the dark silence, Iida blamed himself for failing in his capacity as referee. Even if there was nothing he could ever hope to do to cease those rowdy boys and the troubled girl who was thrusted into the middle of it, he still blamed himself 🥺

Aizawa had also laid into Mineta for his peeping attempt, so the combined lecture had gone on until bedtime, just about. Wary that during the night, Mineta might either try creeping into the girls rooms or creeping onto the girl who would sleep soundly in Todoroki's embrace, the boys had wrapped their smallest classmate in his own futon, like a sushi roll. He'd begged them to use ropes instead—it was anyone's guess why— but nobody was in the mood to honor the request.

The snoring stopped, almost too suddenly. Iida softly gasped, eyes widening in pure panic.

What if this individual suffers from sleep apnea...?!

Fearing for his classmate's life, Iida leaped up and, on instinct, reached for his glasses next to his pillow. His hand struck empty, though—his glasses case simply wasn't there.

The world was a bit fuzzy— he had nearsightedness (myopia)—but his intense worry for his classmate overshadowed his ability to see perfectly. After all, he would still perfectly be able to see anyone he stood/crouched in front of. And so, he kept calm and pressed on without his glasses, as the snorer's well-being came first. Based on the direction and intensity, it had to have been Sato.

Iida got down on his knees in front of the snoring boy, the tone of his whisper flooded with concern. "Hey. Sato..."

"Zzz... Zzz... Too much. So full..."

... Iida sighed in relief. He was thankful to know that Sato's irregular breathing had been a temporary anomaly.

Thank heavens... Goodness, though— He's been tossing and turning.

Sato had kicked his bedding off, leaving him exposed to the still air of the room, so Iida gently replaced the blanket atop his classmate. Summer or not, the chill of night could still do a lot of harm.