After exploring a small part of I-Expo with Shoto, Arata concludes that it doesn't matter which direction she looks at. Wherever her gaze lands, endless rows of attractions, exhibitions, and stalls are flanking the pathway. They paint the area with splashes of colors and decorations. Around her, people come and go in droves, visiting ride by ride with a smile and joy on their faces.
Unlike the Shirayuki's desolate snowy hills, everything is very vibrant and full of life here. Look at that, even the machines can run and speak on their own! If I remember correctly, they're security robots that keep this island safe.
"To think that the entirety of I-Island is made by humans..." Arata murmurs as she takes in the view. "It's incredible. How come I had never seen it on TV?"
Standing in front of her is Shoto. He is tapping his foot on the metal stair, waiting for their line to move. "My guess? They don't broadcast whatever's going on here for security and confidentiality reasons. Well, they don't need an advertisement, anyway. Today it's only opened for the early access guests, and look at the number of visitors."
"Makes me wonder how packed it will be during the grand opening."
"Too packed. I'm glad we won't have to experience it for long. Our return flight is tomorrow at noon."
"I wanted to say that we should try out all the rides here, but it seems like an impossible task... There are so many things to do."
"It's better to get on the ones that catch our eyes first, then go for the rest later, if we still have time."
"Sure. Oh, look, Shoto-san. It's our turn!"
A few meters ahead, a set of roller coaster cars are pulling up to the rail track with rattling sounds, delivering the shaken occupants back to the station. As soon as they disperse, the ride attendant directs them to the cars. Arata climbs to the front car. Shoto follows suit beside her.
"Strap," he reminds the excited girl as his hand buckles his own belt, "or else you will get thrown out. Like what almost happened at the pendulum ride earlier. It's dangerous."
"It was like, three rides ago, Shoto-san!" she rolls her eyes. "I've learned my lesson, don't worry."
The brakes let loose with a loud clunk and the cars take off, heaving them up on a steep hill. The train creeps higher and higher, each of its shudders sends a rush of adrenaline through Arata's veins. Although she has got on the Ferris wheel with Shoto half an hour ago, the view of I-Island from above still takes her breath away.
My world used to stop half a meter above my head—blocked by the basement's ceiling. Now, it's just an endless, blue sky up there. Nothing holds me down anymore. Sky is the only limit!
There is a certain thrill about being on top of the world, even if it is just for a short moment. She knows that Shoto feels it too, considering his white-knuckled grip on the handle, anticipating the 100-meter drop that is coming very soon.
"Hey, Shoto-san."
"What?" Something tells him that he should be wary of the playful glint in her bright green eyes and her cheeky grin.
"Raise your hands!" she pries his grip off the handle and throws their hands upward, welcoming the plunge with a laugh. "Where's the fun if you hold on?"
"Ara! For the love of—"
He can barely finish that sentence, because the next thing he knows, the coaster plummets with a blinding speed. His heart almost dives out from his throat as the ground rushes towards him in a blur. Before he knows it, he joins Arata and other occupants in screaming.
Salty sea breeze blasts hard to their face, flying open Arata's hood. Just when Shoto thinks that they will ram straight into the track, the coaster throws them into a massive barrel turn. As if it isn't enough, the coaster begins to pick up speed from the latest fall. Snatching the small hand beside him, he braces for the curves and maneuvers that whirl his world upside down.
For the next couple of minutes, the coaster is hurtling left and right with the rail track as its only axis. Each turn elicits either a laugh or a yell from Arata's mouth—he has no idea which is which anymore.
After the coaster passes through the shallow hills and slows down, it finally stops right where they started. Arata crawls out from their car and extends a hand to him, which he accepts with an indignant snort. A smug smirk spreads across her face as she pulls him out, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
"You're trembling," Arata teases lightly, a playful edge smearing her tone, "and I've never heard you shout that loud. Are you afraid of a little heights?"
"Shut up." Shoto shoots her an accusing glare, his hand still clutching hers as he uses the other to help himself down the exit stairs. Who would have guessed she'd be an adrenaline junkie? "This one is on you. I was just caught off guard. Besides, that one is not 'a little heights'. It is one of the tallest and fastest jet coasters in the world."
"Want to sit for a while? To straighten your, um, shaking knees."
Sensing the smile in her voice, he frowns in exasperation. "I don't appreciate you laughing at me. You got used to these rides too fast it's not even funny."
"Sorry, sorry. Heights is way more fun than depths." Dipping her head in a giggle, Arata guides them to a bench and hides her head under the maroon hood. "But, it was exciting, wasn't it? Having our hands off only added to the thrill."
"Guess so. But, don't act like you weren't scared back then, Ara. You clutched my hand so firmly that I thought I wouldn't be able to emit ice from there ever again."
"At least, I wasn't the one who resorted to hand-holding first." Arata throws him a playful grin. She doesn't tell him that for a moment back then, his hand over hers was the number one reason that made her heart leap faster, not the roller coaster's crazy maneuvers.
Raising his eyebrows in confusion, Shoto remarks, "Was I not supposed to?"
"H— Huh?"
"I thought you said it's for comfort. During the flight, remember?"
"Oh..." Arata's cheeks flush with a hint of embarrassment. "I guess I did say that..."
"Was it a one-time offer? Should I refrain from doing so in the future?"
Is that... Is that even something you can ask so casually? Arata blinks, flustered. If you say it like that, it sounds like you're planning on holding my hand again...
Green clashes with grey-cyan, and she shyly averts her gaze, murmuring, "Um, no... I mean, you— you can hold my hand. Anytime you wish. I'm happy if it... helps."
"Thanks." Shoto's voice is quiet, his fingers slightly tightening around hers. "In return, you also can do the same, Ara. If you ever need comfort."
So you don't have to hug yourself anymore, Shoto resumes in his own head, recalling how she used to do it during her stay in the hospital. You don't have to solely rely on yourself for comfort again. Your days of being alone have passed.
It is just a simple offer. But, Arata thinks, perhaps it's what she needs: the realization that she does have somebody to turn to now. And, the way sincerity glimmers in his eyes... it leaves her breathless.
"... Okay, Shoto-san. I'll... I'll keep that in mind."
"Good."
"Um... Anyway, what's next on our list?"
"That one." Shoto points to a stadium not far from where they are, with rocks and stones surrounding its sides.
"The Villain Attack attraction?"
"Yes. It will be a waste if we leave I-Expo without trying at least one of their quirk-based games. Do you want to give it a try too?"
After spending a few moments to consider it, Arata shakes her head. "Nah, but I would like to watch you do it."
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It turns out that some of their classmates are invited to I-Expo's early access event too. Both Arata and Shoto meet them on Villain Attack, when Shoto successfully brings Bakugou down from the number one on the leaderboard.
Arata is facepalming on the stadium's bleachers, watching as Iida, Deku, and Kirishima struggle to haul the shouting Bakugou away from Shoto.
Am I supposed to feel better, knowing that Bakugou-kun is indeed hostile to all people equally, not only me? Arata sighs, standing next to the girls—Yaoyorozu, Ochaco, Jirou, and Melissa Shield—as she oversees the small ruckus down there. Inwardly, she feels relieved that Bakugou doesn't seem to realize that she is also here.
"Oh my goodness, I don't think I can show my face on the same screen as Bakugou-kun again," Ochaco groans, her fingers yanking on her own short brown hair. "He's leveled up from being U.A.'s douchebag to a national embarrassment..."
"I guess it's better to go our own way for the rest of the day," Jirou exhales. "I don't want to get in trouble like them."
"What about you, Arata-chan?" Yaoyorozu asks with a smile. "Wanna go around the expo together with us? We're going to visit the Ferris wheel and then the northern area. I came here with Kyoka-chan and Ochaco-chan, so there won't be any issue with my family. It won't be like the study group invitation last time. I would like the chance to make up for... having unintentionally 'ditched' you."
"Yao-momo, please don't feel bad about the study group. It's very understandable. Besides, I also had fun with Ochaco-chan and the others."
"Hell yeah!" Ochaco beams and sticks her thumb up, quick to agree with her.
"And about exploring I-Expo... Sorry, but I've kind of made a schedule with Shoto-san... and it seems we're going in the opposite direction, so..."
"Ah, I see," Yaoyorozu says. "Probably we can spend time together some other time."
"Right, it's cool," Jirou pipes up. "No pressure. We have plenty of time. Summer vacation has just begun."
"Oh, that reminds me!" Yaoyorozu's expression lightens, black eyes shining in excitement. "Mina-chan mentioned that 'There's no summer without a swimming pool!' during our study group. Maybe we can do that later? After we're all back in Japan."
"It's a great idea! I'm definitely looking forward to it!" Out of the blue, Arata's stomach decides to make itself heard, prompting the other girls to laugh. "Oops... Sorry..."
"If you and Todoroki haven't had lunch, try going to that direction from here." Jirou beckons with her earphone jacks.
Following the spot that Jirou points with her earlobes, Arata raises an eyebrow. "That one? Huh... It looks like a large cafe."
"Kaminari-kun and Mineta-kun are working part-time in that cafe," Yaoyorozu chimes in. "I don't know about their food, but the drinks are great."
"The waiters aren't, though," Jirou adds a snarky remark. "Well, you see, Mineta being Mineta and Kaminari being Kaminari... That being said, I gotta admit they've been working pretty hard."
"I see. Thanks for the suggestion," Arata replies, then notices that Shoto is gesturing for her to meet him at the exit door. "Oh, I think I should go. See you girls later!"
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An hour following their lunch, Arata and Shoto opt for various relaxing activities to avoid vomiting. Exploring the support equipment exhibition in the Pavilion. Looking for a way out in the giant garden maze. Crossing from the east to the west with a chairlift.
And, don't forget a merry-go-round with all kinds of pro heroes on it. It even features a flying All Might, which Shoto admires in silence. Arata has to admit, the details of its Young Age costume is very intricate and well-built. She herself is sitting on an Allmobile-shaped mount, the red vehicle developed by David Shield—All Might's ex-sidekick and Melissa's father.
It is then, when the sun has started to set and they are enjoying a water ride that encircles another exhibition, Shoto invites Arata to do one last action-packed activity. To which she replies with a short nod, because why not? Closing the evening with another adrenaline rush seems like a good idea.
Or, at least it seemed so, before they bump into Bakugou and Kirishima at the entrance of I-Speed. Featuring a much improved version of go-karts, I-Speed is a racing competition that allows the challengers to use their quirks to get the upper hand.
"Oi, Half-and-Half Bastard!" Bakugou yells, marching towards Shoto with violent steps. "You're bringing the useless extra with you, huh?"
Avoiding eye contact with the ash blond, Arata mutters, "Um, hello Bakugou-kun, Kirishima-kun..."
Sort of irked at Bakugou's attitude, Shoto replies with a cool tone, "Do you really have to insult someone every time you open your mouth?"
"Yo, Todoroki and Arata-chan!" Kirishima follows Bakugou, one hand scratching the back of his head with a friendly grin. "Bakubro was complaining that this game lacks competition, since we have won two rounds without breaking a sweat here."
"Get in this competition, and I'll show you who's best, Bastard!" A snarky smirk on his face, Bakugou puffs his chest and waves his fist in Shoto's face. "Drop that dead weight, she's just gonna hold you back. I won't drag Shitty Hair too if you do that."