"All day? You spent all day just having fun, no training?" Yaoyurozu was shocked.

"That's so inconceivable?" Shine replied, brushing her hair so it parted on the side, her preferred look.

"No, I suppose not," Yaoyurozu shrugged, "Only, we train at least a couple hours every day."

"Perhaps I was training." Shine pinned her waves back and put on chapstick.

"This parents' day thing has me shook," Jiro complained, "I get why and all, but it could get really awkward."

"I'm sure mine will want to see everything," Yaoyurozu mused.

"I know mine will love everything about it," Uraraka said. Shine smiled at her.

PT DAY: MORNING

"Man, if I had known we were getting let off classes just to be put to work, I wouldn't have gotten so excited," Kaminari griped as he carried a box of dishes.

"Group projects are fun," Shine said. She was sorting napkins by color.

"You really don't have to help," Yaoyurozu said, smiling.

"What else was I going to do?" Shine waved it off.

Wally was speed setting chairs around tables and info cards at place mats. Jiro was setting up the sound booth. Uraraka, Tsu, and Sero were hanging balloons with their quirks. 

"I guess even party planning can be a training exercise." Yaoyurozu checked her clipboard.

"Yeah, well, heroes have to go to these events all the time, right?" Shine observed, smiling at Wally, "Only usually to cut the ribbon, huh, babe?"

Wally saluted.

"Right," Yaoyurozu nodded.

"Stupid d--- waste of time," Bakugo growled while hauling in another table with Midoriya and Iida's help--none of them seemed enthused at the partnership.

"I'm just nervous about my parents," Hagakure confessed, "I want them to see I'm doing well here, but I'm not sure how to make that happen."

"Well, not sure I can help with that," Shine said seriously, but Yaoyurozu saw her smiling to the side at Hagakure's word choice, "but I'm sure the board has plans to showcase everyone's progress."

"Probably," Kirishima agreed in passing.

"After the gas attack and all though." Hagakure fiddled with her fingers.

"The what now?" Shine paused.

"Oh, right...guess no one told you about camp," Hakagure said awkwardly.

"The attack? No, I did watch some news coverage of it," Shine recalled, "But not a lot of specifics. People really came down on UA after that, huh? It was disgusting."

They gave her a surprised glance.

"It was?" Yaoyurozu asked.

"Of course. Didn't you think so?" Shine forcefully opened another package. "I've seen it time and again in the U. S. Media comes down on the people doing their best to help in the middle of a crisis, just for the ratings. I hate that muck-raking attitude." She frowned in true disgust. "What? You disagree?"

"Oh no, I agree," Yaoyerozu hastened to say, "It's just your opinions about UA and hero work are a little hard to...to follow."

"Yeah, you keep switching sides," Hagakure said unceremoniously.

"No, I don't." Shine collected the trash briskly. "My dislike of media is pretty deeply rooted. Notwithstanding, I doubt it'd change whether I liked UA or not. I just haven't decided what I think yet. I don't know enough."

"Yeah, but why be critical?" Kirishima brought over a trash can for her. "Why not just enjoy it?"

"It wouldn't be wise to," Shine replied a little sadly, " I wish I could take everything at face value and approve it, but with no knowledge of this world, I just can't do that. There could be fundamental differences as yet uncovered.... Trust me, I don't like it either, but what else can I do?"

They all sighed. Most of them liked Shine just fine. She'd been a sunny, sassy, and sensitive addition to their class. Wally was even easier to like because he was so laid back, but somehow you could never shake the feeling Shine was silently measuring you a lot of the time, and what she said went both ways. 

What if these DJs ended up being fundamentally different from them? What would that end with? Not a fight, they hoped. It was hard to say who would win if that happened. Sure, even the students had them outmatched, let alone the teachers, but they felt felt like Shine and Wally had the same look All Might used to have, and Midoriya often had now, of pent-up power. Power you weren't sure how it would show. It might just explode one day, and what would the effects be?

Bakugo continued to provoke them too. Likely he wanted to find out firsthand-- that was his way. The others were wary of doing that.

They thought Shine rivaled even Yaoyurozu and Midoriya in her perception skills. That was what worried Aizawa especially. All Might found it intriguing.

Much later it was time to set out food and drinks. "Everyone's parents are coming, right?" Mina asked while setting out tea and coffee.

"Not mine," Tokoyami said quietly, "They had to be somewhere else." He did not sound sorry.

"Unfortunately, mine were hyped to come," Kaminari sighed, "I hope they won't try to embarrass me."

"If they're anything like you, they won't have to try," Jiro snickered.

He reddened. "Hey!"

Shine chuckled. "Oh, my dad always used to say he'd embarrass me once I hit my teens.... I guess he tried, but it never worked. I laughed it off. Cheer up, Kaminari. I'm sure everyone's nervous."

Since no one denied it, that was probably true--okay, one person.

"I'm not nervous," Bakugo scoffed, "It's going to be boring."

All Might gave him a kind of freaked out look when he said that. No one knew why.

"What'd you do if your parents were coming?" Kirishima asked Wally, "You know, to avoid anything awkward."

"I'd hide in a closet," Wally said.

Shine gave him a look. "Your mom is a very sweet lady."

"Oh sure, but parents always make it awkward. I'm, like 30, kids. It doesn't get better. You just develop a tolerance."

They all slumped.

"Don't listen to him." Shine straightened a platter. "I'd proudly introduce my mom. I brag on my family all the time. If you act confident, it won't matter if some little thing goes wrong."

Todoroki looked very much like he doubted this, but Uraraka and Izuku pumped their fists.

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" Uraraka cheered, "I'm planning to do exactly that."

"You'd all better get ready." All Might walked up. "It's just an hour till they arrive."

"What?! An hour to get ready!" Mina shrieked and beelined out of the room with all the girls but Tsu right on her heels. Tsu was too calm.

"Gee, were we supposed to dress up?" Wally asked the guys. They shrugged.

"We must show the proper respect!" Iida did his karate-chop hands. "Let's go!"

IN THE GIRLS DORMS.

"Where's my--oh, there it is!"

"Can someone fasten this for me?"

"Anyone have a pin?"

"Who did this?!" That was Shine. She was holding a dress. All the girls shrugged, but Yaoyurozu looked guilty.

"You shouldn't have," Shine said.

"Well, if you're gonna come, you should represent," Jiro shrugged, then frowned, "Not that I'm excited about wearing this."

"Actually, that suits you," Shine said nicely, "I've never seen any of you girls wear fancy clothes. You're all so pretty."

"Aww..." Uraraka blushed.

"Really?" Hagakure said.... 

Pause...

"Of course. Love your dress," was Shine's quick save.

Once she'd changed, they were all returning her compliments, and then a glance at the clock said it was time to go back.

The guys were waiting, looking uncomfortable, save for Iida who honestly looked the same. He always seemed formal. And Todoroki just looked like he didn't care. Mineta was practically drooling, but Aizawa made him take inventory to keep him distracted, and the parents were mostly punctual. Shine and Wally kept to their own table so no one could question them. It was more fun to watch anyway.

THE PARTY.

"This is pretty much as I expected," Wally said, "But Uraraka's having fun."

Uraraka was introducing her mom and dad to everyone. They seemed to be very nice people.

"Yeah, but Midoriya looks like he's drowning and trying to enjoy it," Shine said.

"What's with Bakugo's mom though?" Wally said, "I think she smacked him straight up, not even hiding it."

"I think Iida's parents are taking the inspection part of this to heart," Shine noted, "And...I think those are Yaoyurozu's.... Not sure I like the way they're looking at all this."

"Don't read into it. I'm sure they're really nice. After all, she's a sweet girl," Wally shrugged.

"Yeah, still, she wouldn't be the first nice girl I met who had mean parents, but you're right. I shouldn't assume." Shine sipped her tea calmly. "My favorite so far is the punk rock guy. Must be Jiro's dad. He's unique."

Mr. Jiro was being quite enthusiastic about greeting everyone, and he shook Aizawa's hand way too hard and almost made All Might spill his drink.

The other teachers kind of hovered, except Midnight and Nezu, who were eating up the attention. Kirishima's parents were hiding out by the refreshment table. Most everyone else's were mingling.

"I haven't seen Icyhot with anyone," Wally said.

"Yeah, weird." Shine looked around.

Todoroki was nowhere in plain sight. Then she saw him by the wall. He looked lost in thought, but he always did...

Momo had to get a break from her mom's questions about the size of everything and the school's new standards.
She managed to duck between some other people and slip behind the refreshment tables. She let out a long sigh.

"Too much?" Tokoyami made her jump.

"Oh...I just...need a minute to catch my breath. It feels like a lot is happening."

"Indeed," Tokoyami agreed, "And you, Todoroki?"

Todoroki had been so still she hadn't noticed him standing there.

"Your parents didn't attend?" Tokoyami had no idea what a sore subject that was, or he'd never have brought it up. He merely thought it gave them common ground.

"I didn't invite them," Todoroki replied flatly, "I'm sure my dad's busy on some mission..." Ouch.

"Well, I think it's going well," Yaoyurozu made an effort to change the subject. They weren't much help. They just nodded disaffectedly. Probably better to just move on--she saw her mom turning their way and ducked beneath the table.

"Is something wrong?" Tokoyami asked.

"I--uh--think I dropped something," she lied, then felt bad. Please don't come over here and ask more questions, Mom. Footsteps. Crap!

"Excuse me," that was her mom's voice, "I thought I saw my daughter over here: Momo Yaoyurozu?--Oh, I know you."

Uh oh.

"You're the student she lost to in the festival."

Oh, no, no, no!

"I hope you know, she was not trying her hardest--sniff--My daughter is very talented."

That was it. Could she just sink through the floor? Where was the class 1-B guy's quirk when you needed it?

"She is a worthy opponent," Tokoyami said gravely and graciously, "I'm sure the match could have gone either way."

Well, that was nice of him.

"You're Endeavor's son, right?" Her mom noticed Todoroki.

Any hope that this was going to get better just evaporated. Time to intervene.

"Yes," Todoroki said flatly.

"Well, I'm a little surprised he didn't come. I swear I don't even know who these people are--"

"Mother." Momo managed to slip out from underneath the table unnoticed, hitting her ankle in the process.

"There you are!" Her mother gave her a reproachful look. "You shouldn't wander off like that, Momo. There's still people here to meet, though as I was just saying--"

"You should meet my best friend's parents," Momo said quickly.

"Don't interrupt me, Mo--"

"Hey," Jiro interjected, walking up, "Yaomomo, this is your mom, right?"

Oh, thank goodness. Momo gave Jiro a "you're a lifesaver" look of gratitude, then shot the two boys an apologetic glance. They shrugged.

Yaoyurozu was daring to hope the worst of the evening was over. Class 1-B had joined them. Their parents had been invited, but it seemed less of them had shown for whatever reason. That class had been hanging in the hallway first and then showing their parents around.

Probably smart, come to think of it. They should've done that. Still, it was looking like people were settling in, Yaoyurozu thought. Maybe she should risk sitting down, even talk to Likstar and West, who had to be really bored.

That was when the door was shoved farther open and everyone turned to see--Endeavor?

Several people, namely Midoriya, All Might, and Aizawa, kind of swallowed hard. Of course, he'd been invited, but this was two hours late.

"Of course he'd make a dramatic entrance," All Might muttered.

"Who the heck is that?" Wally asked Shine, "His mustache is on fire."

"I think it is fire. Oh, shoot! I know I should remember-- he was in the news bytes." Shine slapped the table.

"Why do so many people look shook?" Wally wondered, "I mean, he is kind of scary looking.... Reminds me of someone..."

"The look on his face is kind of stern for a party," Shine muttered, "At least he can't be a villain. They'd attack him..."

Endeavor strode in. Everyone either froze or just fidgeted, trying to look calm. Todoroki-- with the look of someone facing their worst nightmare but one they anticipated-- came toward him.

"They haven't changed this room much since I was here," Endeavor noted.

Well, that wasn't a horrible opening statement, Midoriya thought.

Hopefully Endeavor would be on his best behavior and not offend anyone-- or too many people.

All Might decided to take the bull by the horns. "Endeavor," he walked up, "So glad you could make it." 

"Don't lie to me just to sound good, All Might." Endeavor honestly looked vaguely disturbed by All Might's weak form. From anyone else, his jab might have been good natured ragging, but he sounded dead serious.

"Uh...wow," Wally said.

"Yeah..." Shine glanced at Todoroki. "Oh, poor kid."

He still looked stoic, but Shine saw through it. 

Principal Nezu came to the rescue, and apparently, even for Endeavor, authority figures had to be respected. Nezu began directing his attention to the other teachers. Even Midnight seemed unexcited about this, but they had to save face.

"Phew..." Midoriya let out a sigh of relief.

Yaoyurozu felt sad. Guess her mom wasn't really so much to handle. In fact, her mom shook her head.

"Can you believe him? Talking to All Might like that? I don't care if he's powerful. That man does not deserve to be No#1 hero now. Listen, Momo, you don't take it easy on his son. If he's anything like his father--"

"Oh, no!" Yaoyurozu didn't realize Todoroki was hearing this or she'd have been quieter.

"They're not alike at all, Mother. You have the wrong idea."

"Sure," Jiro added, casually sipping her drink.

"All Might is so hardcore!" Her dad pumped his fist. "Who'd disrespect that? I don't care if he's a skeleton now."

"Dad!" Jiro reddened. "Not so loud!"

"What? I'm just saying I respect your teacher, is all."

"Please," her mom hissed.

"All right, all right." Mr. Jiro lowered his volume.

She's lucky, thought Yaoyurozu, Her parents are so positive about everyone. Of course Mother means well, and Father is just quiet, but.... Uh oh!

Endeavor was coming toward them all.

"Yo, fire dude!" Mr. Jiro began. His wife elbowed him.

"Endeavor, right? It's an honor to meet you. I'm Mrs. Jiro, Kyoka's mom." 

Jiro sighed.

"Whatever." Endeavor was looking at Mrs. Yaoyurozu like he was trying to place her.

Come to think of it, Momo thought hopelessly, I'm aware that my parents have gone to some of the same events as Endeavor, probably All Might too.

"I couldn't help overhearing what you said," Endeavor scowled.
Oh, no! No!
"What about it?" Mrs. Yaoyurozu straightened.

Mother! Not the time!

"Father," that was Todoroki. He'd intersected himself more in front of his dad.

"Quiet, son. I'll handle this," Endeavor said roughly.

"No," Todoroki still tried to stop it.

"I saw your daughter's fight," Endeavor went on, ignoring him, "She's not terrible, but if you think she could even begin to compete with my--"

"Excuse me?!" Mrs. Yaoyurozu interrupted, "Not terrible?"

Ground, please open up now. Momo closed her eyes, concluding this was beyond her ability to stop at this point.

"Hey, let's not compare our kids," Mr. Jiro tried to help, but no one was heeding him. Jiro shot Momo a freaked out look. "Could this get any worse?"

Suddenly a breeze whizzed past. "Hey, man." It was West, but what was he doing? He was in front of Endeavor. "I don't know who you are but you seem like a big deal. Allow me to introduce myself. The name's West."

Everyone froze. Endeavor turned his full attention on West.

"You don't know who I am? Are you some kind of fool? Or have you spent your life under a rock?"

"Well, it was between that and a hard place," West jibed.

The look on everyone's face was classic, but Endeavor topped them all-- he looked ready to erupt at the stupidity.

Shine suddenly was behind Momo. "Hey, Yaoyurozu, you haven't introduced me to your mom yet."

Mrs. Yaoyurozu turned, bewildered. "And who are you?"

"I'm Shine Likstar. I'm a foreign student. Your daughter's been helping me with my studies. She's easily one of the smartest people I've ever met." Shine kept on talking, not giving Mrs. Yaoyurozu time to say more than a sentence or two in response.

Endeavor meanwhile tired of West's babbling on with his odd sense of humor and shoved him aside, but since Shine had Mrs. Yaoyurozu's attention, he just stalked away. Shine's gaze followed him, an angry spark in her eyes.

"Well, nice meeting you." She bowed hastily (and not with the grace of long practice).

"What?" Mrs. Yaoyurozu frowned.

"Wally?" Shine helped him up. Todoroki did too.

"I'm sorry," he was saying in a very defeated voice.

"That was so punk rock!" Jiro's dad slapped West on the back. "Respect. I'm Mr. Jiro..."

"Thank you," Momo whispered to Shine, "I can't believe you did that."

"I hope you realize how stupid that was," Todoroki told Shine dryly.

"Geez, you're welcome." She rolled her eyes. "It's fine. You guys aren't the only ones with parents who can be a little much.... As proud as I am of my family, let's just say I had some flashbacks watching that escalate."

Her bluntness didn't seem to sit too well with Todoroki, but he said nothing.

Once West could get away from Mr. Jiro politely, Shine pulled him aside.

"That was genius! I'm so proud of you--also, that was dumb." She pretended to shove him.

"Ouch," Wally said, "but nice follow-up, honestly. I didn't think my strategy was going to work on the high class lady."

"Yeah, but I can't blame her for getting mad. I would have too." Shine glared. "I do not like that guy."

"Well, can't say I clicked with him either." Wally rubbed his arm. "I wonder what's eating him. Imagine acting that way in front of your kid and not even noticing."

"I can imagine," Shine said grimly.

Wally looked a bit sorry for saying it. Todoroki then approached.

"Apologies. I should have thanked you," he said, like it hurt.

"Don't sweat it, dude," Wally waved it off, "It's fine. No big."

Shine was detecting a pattern here. This kid seemed to like to correct his mistakes as soon as possible. A good quality to have.

"That's not true. I was simply too angry to acknowledge it," Todoroki said.

Shine felt sad.

"Well, we've got nothing to lose. Who cares if we get on someone's bad side?" She tried to lighten the mood...but maybe that was a poor choice of words. Todoroki clenched his left hand into a fist.

"I hoped the b------ wouldn't come," he muttered darkly.

Whoa, whoa, okay, some long history was clearly involved here.

"Why not join us? We have the quiet table," Wally offered, trying to help, "With folded napkins."

"I folded them," Shine smiled weakly. She'd been bored. "You should. It's kind of dull over here."

"I can't," Todoroki shook his head, "I'd better keep an eye on him."

He started to turn, with the posture of someone carrying a heavy burden and trying to stand up under it. Shine spoke quickly.

"Hey, Todoroki, for whatever it's worth, if you were my family, I'd respect how you handled that. It's not easy to know how...to act."

He kind of gave her a strange look before walking off.

"Suddenly he makes more sense to me," Wally said.

"You ever wonder about that scar?" Shine said in a low voice.

"Oh...wow..." Wally slumped, "that's heavy."

"I hope I'm wrong." Shine stood up, noticing the teachers eyeing them. "But come on, before someone gets on our case for drawing attention to ourselves."

Finally, the event was over. The students still had to help clean up.

"I'm sorry about what my father said," Todoroki told Yaoyurozu while they gathered up the dishes.

"I'm sorry about what my mom said," she winced, "She doesn't mean it to sound that way. My family has very high standards..."

"Hmrph," he looked away, "Tell me about it."

Still, she thought, my parents were nowhere near so uncivil. I wish I knew what to say, but I doubt I could say anything to help.

"And to you also, Tokoyami," she added.

"No need to apologize. I took no offense," Tokoyami shrugged, "Your mom is very confident in your abilities. You're lucky."

"I...suppose." Hard to see it that way.

"Your dad was so enthusiastic," Kaminari teased Jiro.

"Actually, I thought he toned it down," she shrugged, "And were your parents even here? I don't think I met them."

"Well, uh..." he faltered.

"Your parents were so nice," Midoriya told Uraraka.

"Yeah." She brushed her hair back. "They're great, and your mom was so sweet."

"I was just glad she liked everything," Midoriya said, visibly relieved.

"I'm exhausted, and I didn't do hardly anything," Shine commented to Wally.

"It's all the socializing," Wally suggested, "Unlike me, you're an introvert. The noise is tiring."

"That's the first thing you've said I could agree with wholeheartedly," Aizawa, who seemed in a worse mood than usual, commented.

"Dude, your mom is awesome," Kirishima told Bakugo, "Insane, but awesome."

"Shut up," Bakugo said, but even he seemed too tired to really hurl insults.

Finally everyone got to head back to the dorms. Class 1-B seemed to have had a more cheerful evening. The other classes had been hanging around also, in small groups. Some General Studies students were also loitering around. One of them, that 1-A recognized as Shinzo, eyed Shine and Wally thoughtfully.