Chapter 73: The Play
[Kaede POV]
Today's the day the school festival begins! We all have been practising for so long, and now that it's finally here, I can't wait. We all changed into our respective costumes, and all we had to do now was be patient for the show to start. However, things won't proceed as we expected.
"Where's Deku-Kun?" Ochako asked with concern.
We all frowned. Midoryia's late, and if he doesn't arrive soon, he will miss the play! I then recalled that this would be the time when he met Gentle Criminal. I immediately created multiple shadow clones and sent them out to locate Midoriya.
It was never really stated where they fought, but it's in a forest area within UA, and that's already a big enough hint. I only hope my clones can get there and bring him back in time.
[3rd POV]
'I'm running out of time!' Izuku thought while dodging a fist from the now stronger Gentle Criminal. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place, Izuku needs to get to his class in time, but he can't let Gentle Criminal and his sidekick La Brava cause chaos in UA.
Gentle Criminal clasps Izuku's fists, trying to defeat him with pure brute strength. Izuku was slowly getting pushed back, but he was saved and a volley of lightning arrows was fired at the villain. Gentle Criminal dodged as the arrows embedded themselves into a tree.
Their eyes widened as a figure landed on a tree branch, looking down at them.
"Uchiha-chan!" Izuku exclaimed with relief.
Kaede's clone finally found Izuku, and she observed the two villains. She knows these two weren't truly evil, and she sympathises with them as Gentle Criminal, and La Brava has an unfortunate past.
"Stop; you don't have to do this." She warned
Gentle Criminal glared at Kaede; his instinct told him he was not strong enough to fight her. However, Gentle Criminal thought it was too late to stop now and he pounced. But as soon as he blinked, Kaede was gone, and he felt pain in the back of his body. Kaede dodged and pressed her knee on his back, pinning the villain onto the floor.
"It's over," Kaede told Gentle Criminal.
"Get off of him!" La Brava shouted and sprinted at Kaede.
The two pro heroes arrived at this moment, Hound dog and Ectoplasm grabbing La Brava. Seeing no way out, Gentle Criminal surrendered, and Kaede explained to the two heroes what happened. The villains were taken away, and Kaede used Kamui to bring Izuku back.
Izuku thanked her but was surprised to know that the Kaede that saved her was just a clone. He sighed before quickly going to change into his costume.
[Kaede POV]
It seems like my clone brought Izuku back in time; the show starts in ten minutes! I secretly peeked through the curtains and saw hundreds of people waiting for the show to begin.
There were some familiar people, such as Mina and Ochako's parents, and I even noticed Shoto's household getting into their seats. I smiled when I spotted my family; Eri bounced up and down on her seats while mom, dad and Itachi-onii-chan were smiling excitedly.
[3rd POV]
Ten minutes later...
The light suddenly went out, and the crowd became silent. A bright beam of light shined onto the stage and the curtains unfold.
"Once upon a time..... " Mina's narration sounded through the assembly hall, signalling the start of the play.
Class 1-A students appeared on the stage and first act began. The audience was stunned by how well the play was with the music and effects and the stage was turned into a grand throne room.
"I want you to lead an army to slay a calamity that will harm the growth of our kingdom," The King (Katsuki) commanded the Prince (Shoto).
Everyone remembered Katsuki from the sports festival, they recognised that Katsuki was an unfriendly and intimidating person, and the audience was surprised to see him even playing one of the roles.
This was possible all thanks to Momo; after all, since Katsuki always wanted to be the best in the class, what's better than giving him the role of a king?
Few Scenes later.....
Narrator (Mina): "After a gruelling journey, the Prince has finally arrived at his destination. However, he was injured in the attack of the trolls and was separated from his soldiers."
"Tell me who you are!" The injured Prince (Shoto) shouted and pointed his sword toward the approaching figure in the dark woods.
The audience was in awe of Shoto's acting as they could sense the Prince's pain, agitation and exhaustion. They held their breath, afraid of what the main character would face next. However, instead of a monster, a beautiful girl appeared wearing a long black dress and a large pointy hat.
"Onee-chan is so pretty!" Eri muttered while the rest of her family agreed.
"I am the witch of this enchanting forest; now, may I know who I have the pleasure of talking to?" Kaede's soft and gentle voice entranced the viewers.
Shoto was also stunned, his heart thumped loudly, but he managed to calm down thanks to the countless rehearsal and delivered his next set of lines.
As the story progresses, Fugaku and Itachi's smiles gradually diminish and they slowly realise the genre of the play. They could barely control themselves to not jump on the stage to cancel it.
'It's just a show. It's just a show. It's just a show.' The two Uchiha repeatedly said in their heads.
When it finally reached the scene where Kaede and Shoto would dance, Momo and the rest of the class were slightly worried that Shoto would accidentally mess up.
Shoto himself was also highly anxious; however, when he held Kaede's hand, he saw her smiling and mouthing the words: "You got this!" He grinned confidently and nodded as Momo started playing the piano, and their dance began.
The audience's eyes sparkled like stars, the best way to describe the scene was simply majestic. Itachi and Fugaku gritted their teeth in anger; if looks could kill right now, Shoto would have died hundreds of times.
While on the other side of the auditorium, the Todoroki family watched with pride. Rei excitedly recorded the whole thing while Enji glanced at his wife with a complicated expression. He was happy for his son but wasn't sure if Shoto would live anytime soon with the Uchiha coming after him.
An hour later...
The play reached its resolution; the Kingdom was saved as the Prince became the new king and married the Witch. Kaede and Shoto held each other's hands while looking at each other affectionately.
The play was supposed then and there, but Mina, the Narrator, wanted to spice things up a bit...
'For the ship!'.
"With the Kingdom saved, the Witch and Prince lived happily ever after, and it all started with a kiss!"
Fugaku and Itachi's hearts sank...
Kaede and Shoto's eyes widened in fear: 'This wasn't in the script!' They both yelled in their minds.
The curtains hadn't closed yet, and the audience watched with anticipation. Shoto was terrified; what was he going to do? He can't just kiss her!
Kaede and Shoto blushed as they glanced at each other. Seeing that the play would be ruined if they didn't do something, Kaede took the initiative as she lightly grabbed Shoto's collar and leaned in.
Before Shoto could fully register what was happening, Kaede's lips met with his, and he almost collapsed out of shock as the curtains finally closed. The audience gave a standing ovation at the wonderful performance. Well, everyone except Itachi and Fugaku, whose souls have left their bodies.
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I hope you enjoy it!