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❟❛❟ CHAPTER NINETEEN ❟❛❟
TODOROKI AND BAKUGOU WALKED ALONG WITH the crowd of their class, weaving through the throngs of excited students gathered around the stage. The beauty pageant was about to start, and everyone was buzzing with anticipation, especially since one of the contestants was from their own class.
"There are so many people here," Todoroki muttered, his mismatched eyes scanning the audience, which was several times larger than the crowd during their earlier performance.
"Of course! It's a beauty pageant, Todoroki!" Mineta exclaimed, a mix of frustration and excitement in his voice as he clambered onto Sato's shoulders to get a better view.
Todoroki didn't respond, his attention shifting to the stage. It was an eye-catching purple, shaped like a capital H tilted at a 45-degree angle. There was a horizontal section on the main stage, a vertical catwalk extending out, and another horizontal section at the very front.
Akame will walk here later...
"The girls aren't here yet?" Ojiro noted, scanning the area for the missing members of Class 1-A.
"They said they were helping Akame-kun get ready," Iida explained, his hand on his chin in his characteristic thoughtful pose. "It doesn't seem like they're finished yet."
"Hopefully, they aren't rushing," Kirishima added, a hint of concern in his voice. "I know it takes a while for girls to do their makeup. Mina once took over an hour when we were going out, and that was just for a date, not a contest."
"And Akame-san helped us perform earlier," Midoriya pointed out. "That probably cut into her prep time."
"Maybe they're watching from backstage?" Kaminari asked.
"Maybe."
Suddenly, the big screen on the stage flickered to life, displaying a short video before the lights highlighted Midnight stepping out. She was still in her hero outfit, holding a microphone with her usual flair.
"Hello ladies and gentlemen of U.A!!! Welcome to this year's Beauty Pageant!!"
A wave of cheers and whistles swept across the crowd. The excitement was palpable, but Todoroki felt detached as if he were in a bubble. The noise seemed distant, almost muffled, as his gaze remained fixed on the stage, waiting for Akame's appearance.
"Hi, guys!" The familiar voice of Uraraka made all the boys in Class 1-A turn their heads simultaneously.
"Girls!"
"How is it? Is everything ready?"
"There's no problem, right?"
"Why are you here? I thought you would be waiting backstage."
