Girls' Day Out & A Sudden Surprise
It had been a rough week—awkward shifts at the café, tense silences from Bakugou and Todoroki, and way too much overthinking. So when Tsuyu and Ochako invited me out for a girls' day at the mall, I didn't hesitate.
"We're long overdue for some retail therapy," Ochako said, linking her arm through mine.
Tsuyu nodded. "We're meeting the others at the gate. Come on—it'll be fun!"
And honestly? It already was.
By the time we met up with Momo, Mina, Jirou, and Hagakure, the energy was buzzing. Everyone was laughing, teasing, chatting about what they wanted to buy. Momo needed new glasses. Jirou was hunting for a new mic. Mina wanted glitter in every form. Hagakure had some invisible-ink prank plans that had us all a little nervous.
Walking with them, listening to their stories, laughing at their jokes—I felt lighter. Like myself again.
They shared stories from work—chaotic shifts, funny customers, and bizarre moments. Mina dropped an entire tray of cream pies and still got tipped. Jirou served a rock band who wouldn't leave unless she agreed to audition. The whole thing was a whirlwind of chaos and joy.
I even shared a few things, though I carefully avoided the subject of the café or the two boys I hadn't spoken to in days.
Still, just being here reminded me: I wasn't alone.
The Sale Storm
When we reached the mall, it was packed—shoulder-to-shoulder bodies, people buzzing with excitement.
"What's going on?" Mina asked, craning her neck.
"There!" Momo pointed to a huge banner hanging overhead. "Love of Clothes Flash Sale—Everything $10 or Less!"
We all exchanged a single look.
Then sprinted.
We charged through the entrance like heroes on a mission. Mina rolled under a cart. Jirou shoved past a group of shoppers with rockstar confidence. I ducked and dodged, laughing as I grabbed random items—makeup wipes, cute socks, even a new phone charm.
That's when I saw it.
A lacey blue and green bra and underwear set, accented with a bold purple bow.
Cute. Bold. Totally mine.
I rushed toward it, nearly crashing into a display rack—but just as my fingers brushed the hanger, another hand grabbed it too.
I froze.
My eyes traced up the arm—black hoodie sleeve, slender build, lazy grip—and landed on a familiar face.
Toga.
Only… the male version. Tousled blond hair, sharp golden eyes, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
"Well, well," he said, voice smooth and almost sing-song. "Sarah. Fancy seeing you here."
My stomach flipped. "What are you doing here?"
He cocked his head like he genuinely didn't understand the question. "Shopping, of course. Great taste, by the way. Blue and green suit you."
My grip on the hanger tightened, but so did his.
He leaned in slightly, voice low. "Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble—today's a no-chaos kind of day."
I didn't answer. My heart was racing, my mind spinning.
He suddenly let go of the hanger, stepping back with a crooked smile. "It's yours. I've got other things to watch."
"Watch?" I asked, voice sharper than I intended.
Toga just chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not the only one watching these days."
And just like that, he vanished into the crowd—melting away as easily as he appeared.
I stood there, holding the hanger, shaking slightly.
What had just happened?
And why did it feel like things were about to get more complicated?
What Just Happened?!
I stood there for a moment, still holding the hanger, heart pounding like I'd just been in a villain battle—because honestly? I sort of had. Just… with more lace.
Toga. Here. In the mall. Acting like this was totally normal.
I shook my head, trying to re-center. I grabbed a few more things and shoved them into my cart, making a beeline for the checkout. Once I'd paid, I spotted the others near the food court, already gathered around a table stacked with shopping bags.
"There you are!" Mina waved. "We thought you got trampled or something."
"I almost did," I said, setting my bag down. "But then I ran into someone."
"Someone?" Tsuyu blinked. "Like who?"
I hesitated, then took a deep breath.
"Toga."
Everyone went silent.
Mina choked on her smoothie. "Wait, wait—Toga? As in creepy, blood-obsessed Toga? The villain?!"
"Not exactly creepy today," I muttered. "Also… guy version. Blond. Hoodie. Same smirk, same eyes. He grabbed the same underwear set I did."
Jirou nearly dropped her bubble tea. "You fought over lingerie with a villain?!"
"I didn't know it was him until our hands touched!" I hissed, glancing around. "And it wasn't really a fight. More like a… moment."
"A moment?" Hagakure said, clearly scandalized—though I couldn't see her face, her tone said everything. "You had a moment with a wanted criminal over a purple-bowed bra?!"
I buried my face in my hands. "Please stop saying it like that."
Tsuyu put a hand on my shoulder. "What did he say?"
I frowned. "He said he wasn't here to start trouble. That it was a 'no-chaos' kind of day. Then he just… walked off."
Momo crossed her arms, deep in thought. "That's unsettling. If he's showing up in public like that, it could mean something bigger is happening."
"Or he's just a weirdo with a thing for discounted lace," Jirou muttered.
I laughed weakly. "I honestly don't know what to think. But it shook me. I thought today would just be a fun escape."
"And it still can be," Ochako said gently, squeezing my hand. "Don't let him take this from you. We're all together. You're safe."
Everyone nodded, and Mina tossed an arm around my shoulders. "You're lucky, honestly. If I had to run into a villain during a sale, I'd at least want it to be Dabi. That man's got tragic hot vibes."
That got us all laughing again—even me.
The tension melted just enough for us to keep going. We finished our shopping, hit a karaoke bar, and sang until our voices cracked. For a while, it felt like nothing could touch us.
But in the back of my mind… I knew this wasn't the end of it.
Toga hadn't just shown up for a sale.
He was watching something—or someone.
And I had a feeling I'd be seeing him again.