[MHCISQD] Chapter 272: Popular with Girls

Renault, who had just come to his senses, also noticed that the others were missing. Only the three of them remained in the training ground.

Looking at Mikoto, who had already moved away from him, Renault thought for a moment before asking, "What were you all doing just now?"

Mikoto replied directly, "Well, here's the thing. Yuriko came to the school earlier to make sure you were safe, Senpai. I felt relieved after that. But apart from me, the others weren't so convinced. For example, Yaoyorozu-senpai was a bit worried. But I understand. After all, not everyone knows and understands your strength. So, I thought it would be a good idea to find something to do, to shift our attention. Plus, I wanted to have some fun too."

"So, that's why you two..." Renault said.

Yaoyorozu nodded with a hint of helplessness and said, "Actually, I didn't want to engage in training battles at first. After all, today is the cultural festival. But I couldn't resist Mikoto's desire to experience the practical combat training of the hero department students. And there were too many people interested in participating in the activities, so I had to step in myself. Besides, considering Mikoto's Quirk, none of the other girls could have matched her offensive abilities."

At this point, Yaoyorozu paused for a moment and looked at Mikoto. "But I underestimated Mikoto. She's well-prepared and even capable enough to take the provisional hero license exam. I think she'll do just fine."

"Huh? Really? Hahaha, it's not that exaggerated," Mikoto replied, scratching her head with a hint of embarrassment. But Renault could still tell that she was definitely floating with pride.

Renault forced a wry smile and shook his head. Deep down, he felt relieved. It seemed that Mikoto was still unaware of the situation between himself and Yaoyorozu. Otherwise, knowing her personality, things wouldn't be this calm.

Deciding not to dwell on that matter, Renault left the training facility with the two of them and found a group of girls nearby. They took the opportunity to enjoy the festival for the remaining time.

"Hmm? Beauty Pageant?" Renault said, his mouth full of takoyaki. "So, that's what Togata-senpai was talking about this morning. I didn't expect Hado-senpai to participate and win the championship. Well, with Senpai's figure, appearance, and the use of her Quirk, winning the crown shouldn't be difficult."

"Senpai indeed mesmerized the audience, but she wasn't the only strong competitor," Yaoyorozu said, taking out her phone and showing Renault a photo. "Among the participants, there was someone who won a beauty pageant last year."

Glancing at the photo on the phone, Renault almost choked on his cola. "Hmm... *Cough!* *Cough!* ...You're telling me this was the last year's champion?"

Setting aside her appearance, which couldn't even be compared to Hado, in his eyes, it was like night and day.

And what's with those eyelashes? They're so long! Does her Quirk make her eyelashes grow?

Unable to hold back any longer, Renault couldn't help but comment, "She really won last year's championship? How blind were the voters? Were they bribed? Blackmailed?"

Mikoto nodded beside him and said, "Indeed, I find it quite unbelievable too. But this senpai has a decent personality, although a bit... eccentric? She has this strange confidence in her eyelashes."

Tsuyu nodded and said, "The world is never short of all sorts of weirdos."

Uraraka joined them with a smile and said, "Renault-kun, after the competition ended, Hado-senpai came to us and asked why you weren't there. We didn't reveal anything and just said that you had something else to attend to. Hado-senpai looked quite disappointed."

"Ohh..." Renault replied.

The other girls teased him with strange tones and turned their attention toward Renault.

Even Mikoto looked at him with a peculiar smile. "Senpai, you're quite popular, even among third-graders."

"No, it's just that we've had more opportunities to collaborate during previous missions and have become more familiar with each other, nothing more..." Renault replied nonchalantly and remained expressionless, without a trace of nervousness. If it were someone else, he might have been anxious, and when it came to Hado Nejire...

Apologies, but apart from her looks and abilities, Renault just couldn't bring himself to like Hado's personality. It was just too wild.

Suddenly, a large hand landed on Renault's shoulder. It was Togata with Midoriya and Eri in tow.

"Renault, you know, Nejire will be sad if you say that."

"Senpai, can't you stop butting in? You know what Senpai's personality is like." Togata rolled his eyes at Renault, who crouched down and gave Eri a headpat. With a smile, Renault asked, "Did you have fun at today's festival?"

"Um!" Eri nodded vigorously and said, "I had a lot of fun! There were many games to play! And lots of delicious food! Sweet ones and spicy ones! It's just..."

"Just what?"

That's when Renault noticed a hint of disappointment on Eri's face. "Today, Renault-nii didn't come to play with us."

"..." Renault didn't expect Eri to suddenly say that.

"I'm sorry, Eri-chan. Something came up, so I couldn't accompany you..."

Eri silently shook her head and tugged at Renault's sleeve. "Renault-nii, was what you said about going to the zoo together true?"

"Of course! Now that Eri-chan has moved to U.A., whenever we have free time, we can go! We'll prepare lots of delicious food, and after seeing the animals, we can have a picnic."

"Come on, you two, don't get ahead of yourselves. The festival hasn't even ended yet you know." Togata interrupted their discussion about the zoo trip and smiled. "We still have a while before the festival is over. We haven't finished exploring everything yet. Here's a mission for you, Renault. Take Eri-chan and have a good time."

"Huh? Me?"

"Yes." Togata nodded seriously and said, "Didn't you hear what Eri-chan said earlier? It's not good that you were absent today."

After thinking for a moment and seeing that everyone else agreed, with Eri looking expectantly, Renault smiled.

After lifting Eri up, Renault said, "Alright, then I'll take Eri-chan to play next. How about that?"

"Yay!"

Eri was quite light. After pondering for a bit, Renault turned to Mikoto and said, "From now on, it's just Eri-chan and me. You stay with everyone and we'll meet up later."

"Eh?" Mikoto, who had planned to follow them, was stunned. She watched Renault walk away with Eri in his arms, then slowly turned her head and looked at the girls beside her. "What to do?"

"What to do? He's just accompanying Eri-chan to play. You've seen how Eri-chan keeps mentioning Renault." Ashido walked up and grabbed Mikoto's arm. "Come on, there's a third-grade class that opened a tea shop. Let's rest and have some tea. There are handsome guys to look at, too!"

"But they're not as good as Senpai."

Listening to what sounded like boasting, Ashido sighed in envy and dragged Mikoto away.

"Just come!"