"This happens once a year… So, you've got three chances to stand out. If you're hoping to become a hero, this is an event you can't miss." Aizawa's face was as unflappable as ever, his declaration washing over the aspiring heroes in a wave of stoic expectation. Some looked excited, others nervous, a few determined, and fewer unmoved. "Do well. Joke won't let me hear the end of it if my class disappoints." With that, the Class 1-A teacher zipped himself back up within his garish yellow sleeping bag and all but disappeared beneath his desk to return to his midday nap.
Everyone quickly leaped from their desks, chatting excitably amongst themselves about the festivities ahead, Eijirou and Ochaco leading the fanfare.
"Despite what we went through, I can't help but feel so fricking pumped! I mean, think of all the crazy cool heroes who could watch and want me 'round their offices? It's like Sensei said, it's our shot to make the first big step to being a pro!" Many people nodded at the red-heads logic, bemused with Ochaco's equally true yet out of character response.
"I'm gonna' crush everyone!" Izuku especially was red-face as the gravity user began pumping her fist in front of his face, the class president going on about the opportunity in a strange, clenched fashion. Everyone started as Mina opened the door to see a crowd of various other students chattering outside, many going quiet as they began to peer into the classroom, delicately making sure to not cross the threshold with the infamous Eraserhead slumbering in the corner.
Mina backed up a few paces. "Uh, guys, a little input? What's going on here?" To some surprise, it was Katsuki who supplied the response, though not without his aggressive tone.
"Scouting out the competition Slime-for-Brains." Mina pouted at that, flipping him off from behind his back as he presented himself to the crowd. "We're the big guns who survived the villain attack at USJ, not to mention we're the better of the two 1st year hero courses. 'Course they would scout us out before the festival started." He then lowered his gaze, glowering at the assembled crowd. "Not that it really matters. Move aside extras, I'll kill ya' soon, don't worry."
This caused a wave of anger to flow through the crowd, a couple curses sent the class's way as the heroes in training were aghast at their fellows' action. Tenya in particular was displeased, waving his arm as an outlet for his unease. Eijirou went to go talk Katsuki down, when a voice cut through the crowd. A shock of unkempt purple hair matched the equally tired expression of the speaker, walking to the front of the onlookers.
"You got at least one thing right: we came to get a nice look at your stock. But you sure are modest, aren't you?" Striding right in front of Katsuki, he arched his head to the side. "Gotta' say, I'm growing disillusioned by the second if this really is U.A.'s 'golden eggs.'" Looking back at the crowd gathered behind him, the kid kept going. "The lot of us who didn't make the hero course got lumped together in Gen Ed, and damn they're a lot of us." A slight smirk washed over his face. "If we happen to stand out, we can be considered for your spots, and the reverse is true as well." Rubbing the back of his neck, he couldn't help but get a glint in his eye. "This is the chance we've been waiting for, to knock you lot down a peg, and free up those shiny pedestals. Consider this a declaration of war, from us, who got stuck in the crowd."
Hanta laughed nervously as a bead of sweat ran down his neck. "Quite the monologue, don't you think their buddy?"
Before anyone could continue, another student crashed through the crowd from the classroom beside theirs, a student with stunningly silver hair. He stared directly at Katsuki, his glare intensified with his shark like teeth. "I'm from next door, and don't think I didn't hear your comment Bakugo-baka! 'Better of the two 1st year hero courses' my ass! Heard y'all fought villains, but all I'm seeing is a bunch of arrogant Nancy's! You better not mess up during the games, or I'll crush you to dust!"
Finished shouting, everyone glanced at Katsuki, waiting for his response. He stared right back at them, before attempting to ignore them and leave, though his classmates wouldn't have it, Kaminari shouting at his back. "Yo Bakugo, not cool man, we've got a whole mob of haters now, fix this!"
Katsuki didn't even bother looking back, pushing his way through the mob. "I don't give a fuck. I'm heading straight to the top. If they've got a problem with that, I'll kill them. So why should I care?" With that he marched out, and Eijirou didn't even bother trying to hide how quickly he was swayed by the sentiment.
"So Manly…"
Others were not impressed, those in the halls eventually backing off to make their own ways home from school. Class 1-A stayed inside for another few moments, before one-by-one making their own ways out of the classroom. As Izuku grabbed his things and waved goodbye to Ochaco and Tenya, he noticed two people standing by a window down the hall. One of them was the purple haired speaker from before, leaning against the glass as he stared outside absentmindedly. The other was a someone Izuku hadn't seen before, a tall boy with dirty blonde hair and an energetic look to him, a somewhat humorous contrast. Not wanting to bother anyone, he quickly turned away, running to catch up with his friends.
Hitoshi sighed heavily as he waited for his classmate to speak, not necessarily bored but somewhat uncomfortable as he waited for the taller boy to talk. Ever since he had been transferred to replace the drop out, he had always been seeking Hitoshi out. At first, the violet haired student had thought the new kid just wanted to use his quirk to ease his attempts to catch up, but after it was clear that wasn't the case Hitoshi didn't know how to describe it. The two weren't exactly friends, they never spoke outside of school, but there was a kind of comfort in having someone to eat lunch with.
But despite the comradery, there was something strange with this transfer student. 'Kenji Madarame,' who was transferred into Gen Ed from outside of U.A.'s wait-list if the public records were true. Apparently, a parent found out and got lippy about the situation. He had this air about him that was just uneasy, as if he was leaking uncomfortable intent. He was nice enough, if not a bit too much for Hitoshi's subdued personality.
Eventually at the end of his patience, he sent a stern look at Kenji. "What do you want Madarame? I should get home." Kenji grinned at that, to be fair he grinned at everything, and glanced out the window. Hitoshi followed his gaze to see the USJ in the distance.
"Must've been pretty wild, don't you think?" Hitoshi raised an eyebrow. "Seeing the baddies close-up like that. Like, real close. Striking distance close." His cocked eyebrows remained in place, and Kenji's grin tapered out a bit. "You made a pretty bold declaration back then. From what I can gather, you just had a dick-measuring contest with one of the best of that class." He met Hitoshi's glance with a mischievous waggle of his brows. "Maybe Togeike-chan's rumor of you being bi has more weight than I though Shin-shin." Hitoshi growled at that, his features creasing into a glare.
"I told you to stop calling me that Madarame." Kenji just laughed.
"So, you don't refute the rumor?"
"I'm leaving." As Hitoshi picked up his bag, he stopped as Kenji grabbed his arm, his features set.
"I happen to have the same goal as you, Shinso." Hitoshi paused at that; this was new. Far as he was aware, Kenji had no higher aspirations.
"Since when?"
"Since when do you care?" Hitoshi acquiesced at that. "But you made a point earlier. Those 1-A kids are pretty full of themselves, aren't they?" He looked back in the direction of the USJ. "I don't trust brats to get the job done. They subdued a bunch of two-bit crooks, so what? Leave that crap to Isamu students. U.A. heroes are better, have to be better. That Nomu thing? All Might dealt with that. The actual threats, that warp guy, and Shigaraki Tomura got away. Disgraceful."
Hitoshi looked on a little shocked, confused at the level of vitriol that was coming from Kenji. Maybe I know less about him then I thought I did…
He continued, clenching his left hand that was hidden beneath a black glove. "Your quirk is boundlessly useful, but its public knowledge. None of those hero course guys are going to bother asking around about quirks, but others in 1-C know about it. However, I've kept mine a secret from everyone but you." Turning to look Hitoshi dead in the eye, the tired student was surprised by the intensity. "So, I have a deal to make. Class 1-B haven't been quiet about their plans, and while it's dumb for them, it's good for us. They're already in the hero course, so as long as they make it to the second round they'll be fine. However, if we make it to the second round, our talents can remain hidden if we stick to the back of the pack. If we plan this well, only we will make to the second round from the non-hero class competitors."
Hitoshi held up a hand, halting the blonde in his tracks. "Your soliloquy is nice, but I really don't have all day. Get to the point." Kenji barked out a laugh at that, the intensity somewhat leaving his features.
"Haha, oops. Okay, here's the plan. I use my quirk to get us in at the back of the pack during the first part. Since the camera's will be focused on the front-runners, both our quirks will remain anonymous. Second round, you use your quirk to get us to the third round. We'll be all that's left from 1-C, so no one will have a counter for it. And from there… Well," Kenji got a confident smirk plaguing his face. "To the victor go the spoils, right?"
Hitoshi paused as he thought about it. There was certainly a benefit having Kenji as an accomplice for the early rounds, but there was an elephant that had to be addressed. "As fun as this buddy cop plan is, you still haven't explained how your planning on being an effective contestant without that." Kenji's confidence didn't waver, despite Hitoshi glancing at his arm.
"I could beat these wannabe's blindfolded; a little handicap won't stop me." It was a gamble to be sure. If the plan worked out, he had the potential of a very difficult opponent. Furthermore, it wasn't assured that Kenji's quirk would even be useful in whatever the first round could be. But…
"Screw it. Heroes work together every once in a while, right? I'll do it this once." Hitoshi reached out an arm, Kenji accepting it with a grin.
"Then to the third round we go, Shin-shin!" Kenji laughed as he ran away from Hitoshi, who began chasing him through the halls with a rage in his eyes.
"Respond to me, I dare you!" Kenji turned his face just to stick out his tongue at the other student. As the two flew past the teacher's office, a couple of the faculty members paused to share bemused smiles at the sounds of their 'game.' Midnight took this moment to take a break from marking history papers to seek out one of her associates, finding him at the water cooler talking to school counsellor Hound Dog. Sauntering over, she tapped the Hound Hero on the shoulder, batting her eyelashes as she pursed her lips slightly.
"Mind if I steal Snipe from you for a few moments Inui-kun?" Hound Dog growled, letting loose a few barks before nodding his head and making his way back to his office around the corner. Snaking an arm to wrap around Snipe's own, she led them to the staff lounge, ignoring the look the other teacher was sending her through his mask.
As they sat down, Snipe reached up to his mask and unclasped it from the back, releasing a sigh as he let face breath. Midnight's features tightened slightly as she glanced at his skin, a strange envious look pervading her face. A furtive glance responded, and the R-Rated Hero sighed as she relaxed into her couch.
"You keep that damn mask on nigh 24/7; how do you keep your skin so clear?" Snipe scoffed at that, taking another sup from the paper water cup he had been enjoying earlier.
"I'm an adult." Midnight glared at that. "I'm hygienic." Her gaze didn't falter. Pausing, Snipe looked both ways, before leaning forwards. "I moisturize twice a day." Pleased with her discovery, Midnight glanced at the steaming kettle at the back of the room. Pouring herself some Earl Grey (a flavour she learned about after a particularly rough morning after,) she returned with a playful look on her face.
"He seems to be doing well, from the outside perspective at least." Snipe didn't bother asking for her to elaborate, not much to misinterpret.
"He's been adamant since the notion was introduced. He's got quite the drive, all things considered. Though it would be better if Nezu took my counsel to heart and proceeded with the reform I recommended." Midnight took a long sip as she listened, nodding slightly as he finished.
"I won't lecture you, as you said you're an adult. But you do understand his position, besides; it wouldn't exactly be a popular move."
"Just because they're not in the hero course, doesn't mean the general education students shouldn't be taught by qualified heroes. All of the courses are encouraged to attempt to aspire to the heroics program, yet they aren't even given ground to stand on. And if they don't make it in their first try, then they're a whole year behind, not a month."
"I understand the stress, you're the Gen Ed Liaison after all. But you've let yourself get caught up. Talk to Nezu about giving you the Sports Festival off. We've already boosted the security, and no one in their right mind would attack with both All Might and Endeavor present. It'll give you a chance to cool your pistols. You might even get to watch your little project pay off." Snipe looked at Midnight curiously, a light smile painting his face.
"I didn't know you respected my well-being so much. I recall the last time we chatted you said I had a 'fake job?'" Midnight giggled.
"And you do, but seeing as you are such a lowly individual, even a cretin's job has you all tuckered out. I'd tell you to take a nap, but if you were to pass out all cute like that I don't know if I could resist bringing out the whip." They stared each other down for a moment, before they both broke into light laughter. Midnight took a final sip of tea, before letting loose a very unladylike belch. "Mama better get back to work, that little snot Mineta wrote an art essay about Uwabami's latest centrefold and I'm legitimately struggling to find ways to dock marks."
Snipe whistled at that, reaching for his mask as he began to play with the straps. "I'm sure you'll find something." Placing the equipment piece back on his face, he headed back to his own office down the hall, a perk of being a liaison.
Relaxing into a well-worn leather chair, he cracked his knuckles, preparing to dig into some administrative work before hearing a knock at the door. Beckoning they come in, he nodded politely as the emaciated true from of Toshinori Yagi bade himself to a chair. Snipe focused on his face; the exact level of comfort All Might had with others peering at his sickly physique was not exactly a realm any of the teachers had yet tried to tread, with the possible exception of Recovery Girl.
"Would you like anything to drink, Yagi-sensei?" The symbol of peace merely waved a hand at that, and it was always refreshing seeing the curt yet courteous reception one would receive when Toshinori wasn't required to keep up his airs.
"I am quite fine, Snipe-sensei, though I must say these office chairs are certainly more comfortable than those of the desk spaces in the main workspace." Snipe chuckled good naturedly, purposefully ignoring the cautious glance Toshinori sent his way. If he let the Foundational Hero Studies teacher take the furniture it would never be seen again.
"Benefit of the job, what can I say?" Placing his elbows on the desk between them, he gently laced his fingers together. "So, how can I assist you today? I do believe this is the first time you've sought me out personally, at least in an educational sense."
All Might nodded at the assessment, glad that the fellow pro hero was getting straight to the point. "Well, with the sports festival coming close, I was curious to get some outside input on a few matters." Toshinori looked to the wall behind Snipe, where a large framed faculty roster rested on the mantle. "One of my teachers from back in the day taught here for a spell, and maybe I'm just being reminiscent, but I guess I was interested in what others had to say about my conduct."
Snipe leaned back at this, a contemplative posture to match the hidden features of his face. It was so in character for the #1 to constantly seek to better himself, it was almost annoying. "Well, I can say with confidence you are performing admirably for someone who flung himself at the position with no prior training." Toshinori perked slightly at this, before pausing.
"I sense a but coming." Snipe nodded.
"But, you are currently bouncing off of Aizawa-sensei. While he is stern for the majority of the time, you are solely jubilant with your teaching. While that is your style as a hero, it doesn't translate as well as an educator. Everyone needs a slap on the wrist sometimes, but when that time arrives, you allow Eraserhead to doll it out. Your students like you better for it, but they don't respect you for it. If they were to hear Aizawa-sensei's words from the symbol of peace, it may impact them harder."
All Might listened attentively, parsing the suggestion carefully. "I see… Thank you very much. That was very informative."
"The least I could do. Anything else I can help you with?" Snipe was surprised to see All Might looking timid at this.
"Actually yes, but… I'd prefer this remain between us, if it would suit you." Snipe shrugged, not exactly the gossiping type to begin within.
"Don't tell Midnight, and it'll stay a secret between us." Toshinori snickered at that. "So, what's the trouble?"
All Might paused for a moment. "It had to do with young Midoriya. As you all know, he is my protogé, and I want to help him as much as possible. Developing One For All is incredibly important, especially if he's going to be using it at the festival. But, I also don't want to seem like I'm giving him preferential treatment, even if in all honesty I am."
Snipe nodded along knowingly at this, a flicker of a smile passing his features. "The age old problem of favoritism. It a difficult aspect of our career to leverage. You'll run into certain students who either are far more willing to engage or are in more need of your assistance, but with a responsibility to give equal care to each student. It certainly is a quandary, but I'm going to level with you. It's inevitable. Even without the baggage you have with young Midoriya, students will come and go who you will end up treating differently. The biggest step in freeing yourself from the stress that comes with this is accepting the fact that it is going to happen."
Reaching down into one of his drawers, he retrieved a thin folder labelled Obstacle Course and opened it to a few pages in. Pulling out a single page, he passed it to Toshinori who recognized it from programming meetings a few months back. It was a copy of a list of possible trials that would make up the course, various options circled in different colours. Looking at Snipe, the liaison continued.
"You know about my involvement with your old sidekick?" All Might grimaced at that, no doubt more than a few awkward memories dredged up with that.
"To a point - why is that important?"
"Because like you I have… let's say a vested interest in a student attending this school." Toshinori raised an eyebrow at that. This was certainly news to him. "I was required to speak with a student from class 1-C today in this very office. I won't bother you with the reason why, but moments before he came to speak with me, I was in the midst of clearing out my desk." All Might began to smile, a mischievous edge twinkling at the corners. "He arrived somewhat early you see, and well, I wasn't going to have him wait as I did some… autumn, cleaning." Taking back the piece of paper from All Might, he put it back where it belonged in the folder, though left it open as to where it was clearly visible from Toshinori's peripheral vision. "If said student may have spied the information on the sheet while I was brewing tea, and used said information to make a few plans, why, how could I stop them?"
All Might shook his head with amusement. "You surely are a tricky man, Snipe."
"Have a good day, Yagi-sensei."