All Might x Student!Reader (Boku no Hero Academia)

Special Chapter 27.3 - The Trip

Going forward, you couldn't stop the flood of thoughts overwhelming your mind. You had made friends with them—actual friends. It was something you knew was possible if only someone took the time to know the real you. Beneath all the shyness and secrecy, you were just a normal girl, like everyone else. You always wanted someone to hang out with at school, someone you could confide in about your problems. Well, maybe not all your problems. The thought made you feel guilty, the weight of a secret pressing down on you.

You were lying to them—your new friends.

It had been a while since you and your group entered the area marked with a red circle on the map, where one of the items hidden by All Might-sensei was supposed to be. You wondered if the clue really was about a Christmas tree, or if you'd completely misunderstood it. What if you were chasing something that didn't exist? You shook your head, forcing those doubts away. No. That had to be it. All Might wasn't a poet or a mastermind when it came to riddles. He was straightforward. If it said "blinking lights," it must mean a Christmas tree. You had to believe that.

"You know, I still can't believe we're looking for a Christmas tree in the middle of this forest." Tsuyu-chan muttered, glancing between you and Ochaco-chan with an incredulous expression.

You giggled at the thought. The mental image was ridiculous—three of you, trekking through a dense forest on a scorching day, trying to find a fully decorated Christmas tree.

"Me neither," Ochaco-chan agreed, pushing a lock of hair out of her sweaty face. "If we actually find it, I think I'll die laughing."

It was late afternoon, and though the sun was sinking lower, it still beat down relentlessly. Luckily, the forest canopy provided some shade, but it wasn't enough to fully block out the heat. You were grateful for the cooler air under the trees, but even then, your heavy backpack and long-sleeved shirt were suffocating. If it weren't for the shade, you might've given up and taken the dreaded training session with All Might instead.

Lost in your thoughts, you didn't notice that the three of you had emerged from the thick bushes into a small clearing. In the middle stood a fallen tree, its moss-covered trunk bathed in golden sunlight. The clearing felt peaceful, almost serene, but there was an eerie sense that you weren't alone. You scanned the surrounding trees, but there was no sign of movement other than the occasional rustling of birds or squirrels. You told yourself it was just your imagination.

"This is a nice spot," Ochaco-chan said, glancing at you and then at Tsuyu-chan. "How about we take a break? I'm starving."

You were about to agree, but Tsuyu-chan shook her head, her eyes scanning the area.

"We shouldn't, kero. If we stop, someone else might find the box before we do," she said firmly, taking a few steps forward.

You sighed. She had a point, but the gnawing hunger in your stomach was hard to ignore. The last thing you ate was a hurried breakfast that morning, and you'd barely managed to make it out the door on time.

"But we'll be better off if we take a short break and eat something. It's easier to keep moving when you're not starving," you reasoned, siding with Ochaco-chan, who let out a relieved breath when she heard your support.

Tsuyu-chan hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Actually, you're right," she admitted, a small smile tugging at her lips.

You all sat down and unpacked your sandwiches. They weren't great, but you were too hungry to care. As you ate, your mind wandered to the curry your sister made back home. It was the best thing in the world, and just thinking about it made your mouth water.