AN: This is an interlude chapter. These chapters take place outside of the main narrative following Todoroki and Yaoyorozu.
Basically, this is an exposition dump so that I don't have to explain too much during the action scenes that take place in the next chapter. Also, I'm super uncreative when it comes to naming characters.
Interlude: Momo Yaoyorozu - "Vice-Prez"
"Moura, let me help you carry those papers." Momo offered politely.
"Thanks." Moura nodded gratefully while handing her the top half of the stack. "It's going to be a long day again, isn't it?"
Momo shrugged. "I guess. I heard we were going to cover some more advanced tactics today. Judging by these print-outs, they aren't as advanced as I thought."
Moura chuckled at that. "That's only because you are so intelligent, Yaoyorozu. Not all of us were blessed with brain power like yours."
"That may be true, but brain power isn't everything here. It's about how you make use of everything you are provided with to the fullest extent." Momo readjusted the papers so that she could turn the one on top around with her free hand. "Hmm… I'm sure I read about this one in a book some time ago…"
"You're already starting to sound like a teacher." Moura said as he mirrored her actions and looked at the other side of the worksheets. "In fact, I think you probably know more about this than our teachers do."
"Even so," Momo pointed out. "I only know the theory. Putting it in to practice is an entirely different story, especially when so many people are involved in such a large-scale area. Unforeseen circumstances happen especially in situations like these."
"That's what we'll be practising during summer camp, but I'm sure you can do it, leader."
"I'm not even sure why I was appointed leader. I'm only vice-president, after all." Momo sighed. "Shouldn't that title have gone to you, Moura?"
"What do you mean? I believe that as class president and vice-president, we are on equal footing, with each our own strengths and weaknesses. Out of the two of us, you are the one more suitable for this role." Moura explained matter-of-factly.
"I'm flattered, thank you." She smiled. "In that case, I will do my best."
"Yaoyorozu, have you prepared the list already?" Mr. Tanaka asked her during the short break between lessons.
She glanced up at him and set her pencil down. "Yes, Mr. Tanaka. If you wish to look over it, I have it with me today."
"Ah, as efficient as ever, I see. Since you already have it with you, I will take a look at it."
She nodded and pulled and the folder out of her bag, handing her teacher the two sheets at the top. "I decided on four-man teams that should cover all ranges and roles. With a bit of practice and coordination, I think these should work out just fine."
He glanced over them, raising his brows. "I'm a bit surprised you decided to put Utsushimi on a different team than yourself."
Momo tilted her head, confused. "Why would that surprise you? Her quirk is better on the field than in my group, which focuses on command."
"Well, she's your friend, isn't she? People usually choose people they trust in situations like this." Her teacher answered hesitantly.
"Yes, I do trust Camie. That's why I put her on a scouting team, I have a lot of faith in her. She can create diversions when necessary and she's very agile. Combined with the others' quirks, I believe the team to be very balanced.' Momo argued.
"Ah, of course, my apologies." Mr. Tanaka squirmed a bit, before clearing his throat. "So, you put yourself and Moura on the same team to act as a command centre? Why Kasoku and Kagami, though?"
"Kasoku is a great ranged support, giving us an offensive edge. Kagami is very quick-witted, and his quirk is good for melee combat, especially after all the training he's been doing. As such we'll be able to function as a field team without a hitch if necessary."
Mr. Tanaka put on a strained smile. "I see. It seems all your decisions were made with a lot of a thought. I'll leave presenting the line-up to you, then."
He handed back the sheets and left without another word.
"Man, you might've been a bit harsh on him." Camie leaned over. "He looked like he was about to faint."
"Was I really that harsh?" Momo questioned dejectedly. "I was only bringing up the facts…"
"It's okay though, it's just Tanaka." Camie propped her head on her palm and read over the list. "You're putting me on a team with Shishikura? I high key wasn't expecting that."
"His quirk works well for crowd control." Momo explained. "And you should really show more respect towards our teacher."
"Hmm, I guess." She hummed is response. "So, this is basically what we'll be doing during summer camp, right?"
"Yes, alongside quirk training. Being able to cooperate and function as a team is as vital, if not more than boasting individual strength as a hero. Rescue and damage control missions rely heavily on using your environment and everybody's abilities to the best extent. It doesn't matter if you can beat up ten villains if you can't save a single life."
Camie rested her chin on the table's surface. "Y'know, every time you start that speech, I tell myself to stop you, but I just… can't? I end up listening to it fully anyway." She sighed.
Momo nodded approvingly. "Good, it is a lesson that is not to simply be dismissed."
"Yes, yes vice-prez."
Momo raised a brow. "It's not funny just because it rhymes. And why does everyone insist on calling me that? Somebody might mistake it for my hero name at some point…"
"Hmmm, pro-hero 'Vice-Prez'. Doesn't sound all that shabby." Camie stuck out her tongue.
Momo just gave her arm a light-hearted slap.
"Hey, vice-prez."
Momo looked up from her worksheet. "Yes, Daichi?"
Daichi rubbed the back of his neck. "I heard from Camie, about the teams you made? She mentioned that I was on the same team as Maya, and well, we… aren't on the best terms, so I wondered whether you could make some changes?"
Momo set her eraser aside and gave her classmate her full attention. "Daichi, I want you to consider something. You are a pro-hero, assigned to a site where a disaster just took place. There are people that need to be rescued, but even with your super-human strength you cannot reach them. What do you do?"
"Is this supposed to be some kind of trick question?"
"No, no it's not. Just answer the question."
"Well, …" he shifted his weight onto his other foot. " …I'd ask somebody else whose quirk is more suitable for help."
"Correct. Now, what if this person happens to be somebody you are not on good terms with? Will you abandon the victims because of a small disagreement?" She put all her seriousness into every word. This was something all of them needed to understand.
Daichi grimaced. "Well, no, of course not, but isn't this different?"
"How so?" She looked him straight in the eye. "How is training to become a hero different from performing hero duties?"
He seemed at a loss for words, pulling his lips into a thin line instead.
"Daichi, I'm not asking you to be her best friend. I'm asking you to be able to do your duties as a hero alongside her. That is something you have in common, after all. You are both heroes, and this isn't one-sided either. She will have to put her personal feelings aside as well when the situation calls for it."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I guess you're right. Sorry, vice-prez."
"If you understand, then it's alright." She offered a small smile.
"Can't say I didn't see that coming." Kasoku drawled from her other side, erasing an answer she had just written down. "Those two are always at each other's throats."
Momo glanced at the brunette girl. "I know, but there's no point in me interfering between them, it's something they need to resolve on their own."
"I heard they've been this way since middle school. They seem to make a competition out of everything, even cleaning the hallway." Kasoku shrugged.
"Well, I guess in a way they motivate each other, then." Momo paraphrased their relationship. "I can't really complain about that."
"It's up to them in the end. I'm just glad you chose me to be on your team." Kasoku grinned. "It's gonna be hella sweet."
Momo chuckled at her pertness. It was definitely infectious. "I'm glad to hear that. I was a bit worried you would mind not being out on the field. And how do all of you know about the team assignments? I haven't even presented them to you yet…"
"Ah, Camie mentioned it during lunch while you and Moura were busy with class rep stuff."
"Of course she did."
Kasoku laughed. "But that aside, I really don't mind. I'm guessing we'll be the commando team that takes the high ground, right? That means I'll probably be in charge of sniping, right?" She imitated the gesture of taking aim with a confident smirk.
"Yes, it's as you say." Momo nodded. "You'll be our primary source of offense."
"Nice, I get to play with support items and be on the same team as the vice-prez. I really couldn't ask for more." She leaned back into her chair, crossing her arms behind her head. "I'll make sure not to let you down."
Momo smiled. "I appreciate it, thank you."
"As some of you might have heard, the principal is planning to put more focus on training hero teams from now on. We, as class 1-1, have been given the honour of being the test run of this project, introducing a new curriculum for the summer camp and the next semester." Mr. Tanaka announced. "As such, I'll leave the presentation of the teams to Yaoyorozu."
Momo stood up and walked to the front of the classroom. "As Mr. Tanaka has already said, we'll be divided into teams from now on. Please remember that this still means that you will be working on your individual strengths. The goal of this project is to increase your communication skills and cooperativeness. Please do your best."
She turned to the blackboard. "I have chosen to divide us into five teams of four members each, taking your quirks and the way you utilize them into account. By basic balance principle, these are the teams…" She began drawing a roster, writing her classmates' names into their designated spaces. Once she was done, she put the chalk down and turned back to face the class.
"I'm aware that some of you might be surprised by or disagree with your teammates, but remember that once you are a pro, you will have to work alongside others, even strangers, regardless of whether you like them or not." She paused.
"If there are no further questions, we will begin training in these teams during summer camp." Momo finished her speech.
"Vice-prez."
Momo was about to leave the school building, the voice catching her off-guard. "Kagami? Is something the matter?"
Kagami was slouched against a pillar by the entrance, looking at her with uncertain eyes. "Why did you pick me for your team?"
Momo watched him, his self-doubt evident. "I hope it's not too much of a burden on you, Kagami, but I would appreciate your analytical skills on my team. Two brains work better than one, after all, and since we are the commando centre, we'll need all the brainpower we can get. Moura and Kasoku have defence and offense covered, but your combat abilities are nothing to sneeze at either."
He remained silent, eyes trained to the ground. "Are you sure I won't hold you back?"
Momo shook her head. "Of course you won't. That's the whole point of being in a team, to cover each other's weaknesses and maximise your strengths. Look forward, okay, Kagami?"
He didn't answer, so she turned to head home.
"Hey, vice-prez," He spoke up suddenly.
She looked at him over her shoulder.
His grip tightened around the strap of his bag. "…thanks."
She waved it off and smiled. "No problem. Just do your best, okay?"
His head snapped upwards, green eyes swirling with emotions. "I-I will!"
AN: Somebody once hc'd that Shiketsu would be a bit military-oriented.
I'll leave you in the dark about their quirks for now, since there's still one I have to tweak a bit around…
I know it's a short chapter, but the next one is currently at 6k+ words and I'm sticking to the decision not to split it up. I'm also really excited to get it out so I'll probably be uploading it pretty soon :)
Show this interlude some love and leave a review!
~Emi
