Chapter 4 of MHA Light Novel "Celebrations"

Title: Childhood Friends' New Year

- One day during the internship at Endeavor agency, Endeavor took Shoto away and Deku is left with Kacchan.
- Deku asked where they want to have lunch but Kacchan just left and went to get his first.

- Deku went to the convenience store by himself, and after that walked through a shrine.

- He remembered that he hasn't done hatsumoude (first shrine visit after new years, a Japanese tradition) so he decided to take a look.

- Turns out Kacchan was also there, holding a convenience store bag, telling Deku to stop stalking him, although it was all just a coincidence that they had the same plans.

- Suddenly, there's a commotion. Deku and Kacchan saw 2 elementary boys quarreling.

- The quarrel looked funny to other people but to the kids themselves, it's serious.

- One is Takkun, who is more aggressive, and the other is Maachan, more of a crybaby (parallels? )

- Deku tries to stop them, but got insulted as "green head" by Takkun instead.

- Laughing at Deku's shock expression, Takkun bumped into Kacchan who's showing anger (I imagine this like how Mahoro first saw Kacchan lol)

- Maachan exclaimed "Takkun!" and then started crying out loud.

- Seeing this, Deku went and sit on a bench to wait for Maachan to stop crying.

- Kacchan finally sits too on the bench beside and eats his lunch with an annoyed face.

(I'm gonna have dinner now so I'll continue again in a bit! Pls be patient ><

So far, what I see is bkdk looking at their own childhood parallels here aah Looking forward to where this is going!)

- When Maachan stopped crying, Deku offered his drink but got rejected because he was taught not to receive things from strangers.

- Deku introduced himself and Kacchan that they are hero students undergoing internship at Endeavor's agency.

- Maachan accepted and Deku proceeded to ask why they were fighting.

- Maachan explained that he is going to be transferred school now (thus explains why Takkun previously insult Maachan as a "traitor")

- They have been really close childhood friends, and that is why when he confessed today, Takkun got very angry.

- Moreover, turns out that Maachan is supposed to participate at a Hero Karuta Competition with Takkun tomorrow.

- Deku had a flashback of playing Hero Karuta at home with his mother when he was small.

- Night came and they went back. Deku, Kacchan, and Todoroki ate dinner together at Endeavor's agency.

- They talked a bit about the Paranormal Liberation Front, and asked each other if they've read the Meta Liberation War book Hawks gave to Endeavor.

- Todoroki and Deku both didn't finish as they fell asleep in the middle (lol)

- They changed topic into talking about how there's soba set for all the menu, and the sidekicks explained that Endeavor ordered those menu to be added as soon as Shoto decided to intern there.

- Shoto frowned.

- Next, they were talking about how amazing Endeavor is as a pro hero, and Deku mumbles a lot as usual.

- Kacchan told him to shut up because he's eating dinner: a super spicy curry katsu.

- Deku said sorry but proceeded to talk again, saying that Kacchan has always been quiet when eating spicy food. Except for that one time in elementary school, where he got scolded by the teacher because he was complaining about the sweet taste curry.

- Kacchan was even more pissed and told Deku to shut up, or he will shove a piece of katsu into his mouth to make him stop talking.

- Deku said "wait, no, don't do it Kacchan!"
And he replied, "it's your own fault!!"

- Looking at both of them standing up, Shoto strangely thought and pointed, "even though you guys are childhood friends, why are you such in a bad terms?"

- He continued "You've been together from long ago, right? If that's the case then shouldn't you be good friends?"

- While Deku was still thinking what to answer, Kacchan's face twitched and he said "what's with your 'good friends' judgement criteria. You can't judge friendship just based on how long people have been together."

- After putting some thought, Shoto replied, "You're right. Since Midoriya and I are friends already"

- "Todoroki-kun..." Hearing that, Deku seemed happy as he had only made actual friends since high school. Before, he was always alone.

- Seeing that, Kacchan growled, "Go play with your disgusting make-believe friend as you please! Just don't get me involved!"

- After dinner, they went to the public bath onsen while reflecting on their activity today.

- Then, they went back to their individual rooms to get rest before tomorrow's patrol starts.

- Deku usually passes out quickly, but strangely this time, he couldn't close his eyes. "Those kids, I wonder if they'll be alright.."

- Deku was hopeful that Takkun&Maachan can reconcile, but he noticed he couldn't give them advise bc he hasn't experienced (reconciling) himself

- Suddenly he also remembered Todoroki's words about him and Kacchan. He reminisced how they used to play together, but suddenly Kacchan changed without Deku being able to pinpoint what the reason is.

- He thought that their relation has been getting better recently, but still, the only words that Deku can use to describe Kacchan is "childhood friends". Not "good friends", or even "friends" now.

- Thinking about the two kids again, Deku thought to himself, "it'd be nice if they could reconcile somehow..."

- He started to play simulations of reconciliation in his head. Getting worked up with that, he went out to the drink corner to cool himself down.

- "Kacchan..."

- Standing before Deku was Kacchan, who got there first, drinking carbonated drink. "Tch, are you stalking me again?"

- Deku laughed it off, got himself a mineral water, and decided to start a conversation. He's worried about the two kids.

- Kacchan acted like he didn't care. But then he made a remark, "that crybaby kid, reminds me of a certain someone."

- Deku replied, "the other kid is also sort of like you, Kacchan."

- Deku said it's how they both said bad words, but Kacchan denied.

- As Kacchan walked past him, Deku mumbled, "it'd be nice if they can reconcile though."

- Kacchan stopped. "You with your arrogance of seeing people from above, cut it out."

- "Eh..."

- "That part of you, meddling and worrying about others too much, it disgusts me since long ago."

- Deep in Deku's heart, he purely wanted for him and Kacchan to reconcile. But to Kacchan, he's just being hypocritical.

- Deku couldn't say anything back, and both of them returned to their rooms to rest.

- The next day, Deku couldn't focus on the patrol at all. He got scolded by Endeavor several times

- Suddenly, Endeavor got an emergency assistance request from Miruko and had to leave them. The students were sent back and ended having free time.

- Deku remembered that he could make it to the Hero Karuta Competition at the shrine now, to check if the kids end up showing up or not. He wanted to invite Kacchan but he was gone already.

- Deku went to the place himself but... AGAIN, turns out that Kacchan was already there.

- "Kacchan?! Did you come here because you're also worried about them?"
"Tch, I was just checking if the food stalls are still here like yesterday"

- Suddenly, they heard the kids' voices. Maachan was persuading Takkun to participate in the competition, but he kept on refusing.

- Maachan asked that if Takkun didn't want to participate, why did he come here. Takkun replied, "I-it's bc I want to see you cry for being unable to participate!!"

- Maachan showed a very hurt expression, that even Takkun realized he said too much.But words cannot be taken back

- Deku knew for sure that Takkun didn't mean it. He decided to approach those two. "Both of you want to participate, right? Now calm down and talk to-"

- Maachan ran to hug Deku, and said "I'll just participate with him then!"

- Deku: "EH?!"
Takkun: "WHA-?!"

- Takkun finally accepted it, and challenged them by teaming up with Kacchan, whose arms were already held by Takkun.

- "WHY MEEEE??!!"
"Kacchan, we're heroes now, we have to help people in need!"

- Seeing Kacchan's unwillingness, Takkun said, "don't tell me... You've never played Hero Karuta before?

- Kacchan answered that ofc he has never, since it's a stupid childish game.

- Takkun replied back with disappointment, "I chose you bc you look strong so I thought you will be good at Hero Karuta! Ah but this is no good, you're just a beginner"

- As usual, being criticized like that only made Kacchan even more fired up. He accepted the challenge.

- For the better or worse, Deku-Maachan pair would go against Kacchan-Takkun pair in the first round.

- Takkun explained how the usual Karuta works, but as soon as they were about to start, Kacchan realized something was off.

- Deku finally explained that Hero Karuta isn't like normal Karuta. The cards do not have writings, only pictures of heroes. They were supposed memorize which hero said what before the game!

- Kacchan got into an argument with Takkun because he wasn't told about this. From the other side, Maachan still seemed worried about Takkun.

- Deku just wanted to help Maachan and Takkun reconcile, but look what they've gotten into now. Deku decided that he won't do much, and leave the spotlight to Maachan.

- It finally started. "The-"
/Whoosh/ Deku's hand was on a card already.

- "...The hero everyone loves, the symbol of peace..."
"I did it!! ... Oops"

- Maachan looked at him with amazement.

- Takkun and Kacchan could only look at them in shock, "that damn nerd."

- This went on for a while, Deku being able to take the cards just from hearing the first two syllables

- Looking at Takkun clenching his fist out of frustration Kacchan's asked, "brat don't you want to win?"

- "Of course I do!" Takkun answered. "Then stop clenching your fist, damn it! You can't take those cards quickly if you clench them!"

- Takkun became more motivated. During the next one, he was able to take the card faster than Deku.

- Kacchan told him that he should've done it from the start, and Takkun replied with pride that Kacchan can now rest since he'll handle the rest.

- Kacchan didn't want to lose. Unexpectedly, he was able to take the card faster than anyone this time. It was Best Jeanist's quote

- The match went back and forth between Deku-Maachan team and Kacchan-Takkun team as the lead.

- Everything seemed fun for a while, until Deku and Kacchan noticed something. Maachan was slowly slacking off.

- Realizing this near the end, Takkun was enraged. Although not standing up for Takkun, Kacchan knows well the irritating feeling of an opponent holding back.

- He remembered the infuriating feeling when Deku was worried about him. He just couldn't understand why anyone would move to help others truthfully without hiding anything*

*) it's hard to explain, the expression used here is like when one doesn't expect anything in return, or+

+without having other thoughts (e.g. looking down, etc)

- Wanting to separate but cannot separate, that's the childhood friends relationship. With the said person himself nearby, Kacchan thought his fate had gone crazy.

- But before Kacchan was able to confront Maachan, Deku confronted him first. He said it's not good to hold back

- Maachan listened to him and told Takkun he won't hold back anymore. Takkun accepted and both of them were able to play while laughing together again.

- Kacchan fixed his gaze to Deku who looked relieved. "He..."

- Somehow, Kacchan remembered the fight they had after All Might's retirement. It was the first time they were able to let out their conflicts sincerely. Although his fear towards Deku had decreased since then,+

+there was still a feeling of disgust about Deku being a hero who save others residing in Kacchan.

- He couldn't understand it. But he knew, there will always a being whom he cannot understand.

- But just by being aware of it, his impatience had faded away.

- Kacchan let out a sigh, and proceeded to slap Takkun on the back saying, "This competition is just like a fight. We'll win!"

- Both teams fought until the end with all their might. Quite naturally, Deku-Maachan team was the winner. It was a close call.

- They proceeded to the second round, but immediately got defeated by the opposing team.

- Takkun got frustrated even though it was Maachan's team who lost, and Maachan was just laughing. When asked why, he explained that he just felt refreshed for being able to go against Takkun's team at his best.

- Maachan thanked Deku, and Deku replied with a smile. He also went to Takkun to tell him how strong he was, and Takkun said the same back to Maachan.

- Maachan promised to Takkun, that even after he gets transferred, he would still continue to play Hero Karuta so that they can play together once again.

- Takkun replied, "It couldn't be helped then!" And they did a pinky promise.

- Seeing this, Deku smiled and Kacchan just let out a "tch". Finally, it was time for them to say goodbye.

- They suddenly realized that their break time was almost over, but before Deku ran to get lunch, he looked back at the shrine.

- He said he still hasn't done hatsumoude so Kacchan can go first, but Kacchan refused and wouldn't let Deku do hatsumoude before him.

- Kacchan tried to take a head start, but in the end, they ended up visiting and praying together.

- After finishing their prayers, Deku looked at Kacchan, "What did you wish for?"
"Shut up."

- Even with Kacchan's sulking expression seen from the side, Deku felt that they had wished for the same thing.

- With those serious eyes, Deku knew they were aiming for the same thing. Win to save, save to win. To be the best heroes.

- Deku knew well that he and Kacchan are polar opposites. But even so, Deku couldn't imagine a world in which Kacchan doesn't exist.

- Suddenly, they heard a voice from the back, "Midoriya, Bakugo, you guys are here." It was Shoto, who just finished checking articles (a task he had to do during the break) and decided to visit the shrine.

- Seeing the two praying side by side, he commented, "so you've become good friends now, huh."

- Both of them immediately opposed, and Kacchan threatened to explode Shoto's mouth for saying such a disgusting thing.

- Just when Kacchan and Shoto were about to quarrel, Deku received a phone call.

- They were told by Endeavor's sidekick to go back since break time is over.

- Leaving the shrine behind, the three of them dashed back to the agency, the path of heroes. Soon, winter will be over.

THE END

Thank you everyone for reading the summary I apologize if there are any typo or grammatical mistakes. Just to clarify, I'm not a professional translator and my words cannot be taken 100%, but I've tried my best to use expressions that stay true to the story!