The Villainess's Journey To Heroism

Chapter 15: Unexpected Swimming

The insistent buzz of her phone jolted Hina awake. Groaning, she fumbled for it, her eyes barely open. "Mina?" she mumbled, squinting at the caller ID.

"HINA! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Mina's voice blasted through the speaker, making Hina jump. "Get your butt over to the pool! We're waiting!"

Hina scrambled out of bed, her heart already pounding with a mix of confusion and excitement. She quickly threw on some clothes and raced out the door, her mind racing with questions. What was going on? Why was Mina so frantic?

As she burst into the meeting area, she was greeted by a chorus of excited shouts and a wave of familiar faces. "Hina! You made it!" Mina exclaimed, pulling her into a hug.

"What's going on?" Hina asked, breathless. "Why are we at the pool?"

"Oh, it's a surprise!" Mina beamed, gesturing towards the pool. "Sir Aizawa gave us permission to use it for the day!"

Hina's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's amazing!"

"Yeah, right?" Momo chimed in, already halfway to the changing rooms. "Let's go get changed! I'm ready to swim!"

Hina followed them, her mind still buzzing with the unexpected turn of events. As she slipped into her one-piece swimsuit, she noticed the familiar fairy tail insignia tattooed on her arms, the same design as Erza's. It had been a spontaneous decision, a symbol of her own strength and determination.

Walking back out, she caught Mina's admiring gaze. "Wow, Hina! You look amazing!" Mina gushed, her eyes wide. "That tattoo really suits you!"

Hina blushed, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thanks, Mina!"

The girls spent the next few hours splashing around in the pool, laughing and sharing stories. They talked about their training, their quirks, and their dreams.

"So, Hina," Mina said, leaning closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What do you think of Kirishima?"

Hina laughed, shaking her head. "He's a great guy, but I just see him as a friend."

Mina's eyebrows shot up. "Really? No sparks at all?"

"None," Hina insisted, grinning. "But hey, what about Kyoka and Denki? You two seem pretty close."

Kyoka's cheeks flushed a bright red. "Oh, come on, Hina! Don't even go there!"

They teased each other for a while, the playful banter a familiar comfort between friends.

"Speaking of boys," Momo chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hina, do you think Uraraka likes Izuku?"

Hina's smile widened. "Oh, you're going down!" she declared, playfully splashing Uraraka, who was already sputtering and trying to catch her breath.

"Hina! No fair!" Uraraka shrieked, her face a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

"You asked for it!" Hina laughed, diving back into the pool.

The afternoon was filled with laughter, sunshine, and the shared joy of being friends. As the sun began to set, they reluctantly packed up, their bodies tired but their spirits soaring. Hina knew that this day, this unexpected adventure, would be one they would never forget.

Someday later.

Aizawa's voice, a low rumble that usually held a hint of weariness, was sharp with irritation. "Late again, Hina. You know the importance of punctuality, especially on a mission like this."

Hina, cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and anxiety, stammered out an apology. "I'm so sorry, Aizawa-sensei! I woke up late, and then-"

"Excuses don't get you anywhere, Hina," Aizawa interrupted, his gaze unwavering. "You need to be more responsible. This isn't a school trip, it's a real mission."

Hina hung her head, her shoulders slumping with defeat. She knew he was right, but the guilt gnawed at her. She glanced at the window, the passing scenery blurring into an abstract painting of green and grey.

Suddenly, a voice broke through her thoughts. "Hey, Hina," Kirishima said, his usual cheerful tone tinged with curiosity. "What was that about the other day? Bakugou called you after class, right?"

Hina jumped, startled by the sudden question. She hadn't realized Kirishima had been observing her. "Oh, it's nothing," she mumbled, trying to brush it off. "Just... a misunderstanding."

Kirishima, however, wasn't easily deterred. "Misunderstanding? You seemed a bit... softer towards him after that. What happened?"

Hina's cheeks burned as a wave of heat flooded her face. She couldn't meet Kirishima's gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. Before she could come up with an excuse, the bus screeched to a halt, its engine sputtering to a stop.