"You know you really shouldn't be up and moving yet," Recovery Girl chastises but without too much effort. She must know a lost cause when she sees one. "The boy is going to be just fine regardless of your presence and you'll only aggravate your injuries further. You're wearing yourself too thin, Toshinori, you need to start slowing down or even I won't be able to keep you together."
"I," Toshinori says as he struggles to button up his shirt with trembling fingers. It was up for debate if it was the pain, the exhaustion or the heart-splitting guilt that was causing it. "I appreciate the concern but Young Bakugou was injured because I was too weak to protect him." His thin arms fall to his side as he no longer had the strength to hold them up. God, he was so tired and yet there was still so much more he needed to do. "Besides, with all this going on, the world needs All Might to reassure them."
"Come down here, If you insist on leaving you might as well be presentable." The older woman sighs as she wheels herself over towards him. Toshinori's knees crack as he kneels down to her level where she maneuvers the buttons on his shirt with ease. "Any luck finding a successor?"
"You know I haven't," Toshinori says, turning his head to cough into his fist. "There's dozens of good candidates, even a couple of great ones, but none of them feel right to me. I know I'm being stubborn but this something I need to be certain about."
"It's a tough decision and no one expects you to make it overnight but it needs to happen soon," she says as she gently pats his face. "The perfect person doesn't exist, Toshinori, sometimes you have to make due with the people there at the right time."
"I know," he groans as he lifts himself back up, smoothing out his shirt. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to hand over One For All to just anyone." He grabs his jacket and throws it over one arm as he walks towards the door. "Anything you want me to get for Young Bakugou?"
"No, just let him be. His injuries weren't life-threatening but they were severe enough that healing them was probably draining for him. What he needs now is rest so don't bother him. He's had quite the day and you're not exactly the prettiest nurse." Toshinori snorts at her comment, "Oh, just as a warning. One of the boy's friends insisted on watching over him, couldn't get him to leave no matter what I did. He was there last I checked so be careful about what you say."
"Got it, see you later." Toshinori waves, shutting the door before the doctor could bully him into taking better care of himself. It's not like he wants to exhast himself like this, but as the Number One, he had no choice but to do his utmost to maintain the peace. He rubs his face, thinking of the earlier battle. His performance was slipping, even the villains could tell. But those recriminations could wait, for now, he needed to check on Young Bakugou.
The boy was placed in a private room down the hall so Recovery Girl could attend to his own injuries in private. Ever since he'd woken up, Toshinori had needed to confirm with his own eyes that the student who'd foolishly attacked that Noumu creature in his defense was all right. He quietly opens the door and is greeted by the sight of two peacefully sleeping boys.
Young Bakugou is lying in bed, still battered and bruised, but he looks better with the blood and dirt cleaned off. In fact, the boy looks more relaxed than Toshinori has ever seen him. He creeps forward to check over the boy's injuries.
The young man's right arm had been badly broken when the Noumu creature had grabbed him and it's now in a brace strapped to his chest. He'd also broken 4 out of 5 fingers on his right arm which were carefully splinted. Toshinori knows from experience that, due to the nature of the injury, it'll likely result in an unseemly scar. Young Bakugou had also gotten a nasty knock to the head which had bled outrageously at the time and knocked his brains around a bit. That seems to be the worst of his injuries, the rest appearing to be mostly cuts and bruises. Toshinori's bony hands grip the railing at the end of the boy's bed.
This shouldn't have happened; he was a hero, a teacher now, and it was his job to protect his students. For all his pride and anger, Young Bakugou was quite intelligent. The boy must have picked up on his teacher's slowed movements, his thin veneer of calm, and decided to intervene. The young man's actions were foolish but ultimately very brave and even though Toshinori admires his spirit, he would never wish for a child to suffer like this, much less for his own sake.
The notion that Toshinori very well might have died without Young Bakugou's assistance is a muted buzz in the back of his head, something he probably should be more concerned about but isn't. He really is getting to be quite a bother.
"Bakugou-ojisan," the green haired boy mutters from inside his arms where he's resting at the end of the bed. He sits up and blearly rubs at his eyes. "Have you-" Bright green eyes freeze when he becomes aware of the tall skeleton man hovering over his friend's bed. Toshinori holds up his hands in supplication.
"Apologies if I woke you young man," Toshinori says softly. "I work with Recovery Girl. I just came in to check on your friend here to see how he was faring. Have his parents arrived yet?"
The young man, still wary, nods slowly. "Yes, I called them here a while ago. They've been here with Kac- uh Bakugou for most of the afternoon but left to go get him some regular clothes for when he gets discharged later today." He takes a moment and glances at his phone. "Oh wow, I didn't realize how late it had gotten."
"Well your friend and his parents appreciate your diligence, I'm sure they would understand if you need to leave. I'd be happy to watch over Young Bakugou for you until they return."
"Thank you but I think I'll stay," the boy answers sternly. Toshinori supposes he understands, given that villains attacked the school today. "Here, why don't you take my chair, you uh don't look like you should be standing." The boy says awkwardly as he stands up and offers Toshinori the only chair in the room.
"Oh no, I couldn't."
"It's no trouble, I've been sitting too long anyway." And the boy lets loose his criminally large green eyes and, well, how do you say no to that? And besides, he was feeling a bit lightheaded anyway. Toshinori walks over and gently falls into the chair.
"Much appreciated, my boy, it's been quite the busy day for all of us here."
"Hmm," the young man nods, looking thoughtfully at Young Bakugou. "Is there any more information on who did this? Or if they think this attack is related to the reporters breaking in last Wednesday?" he asks quietly.
"I believe the League of Villains has claimed credit for today's attack but I'm not sure about Wednesday's break-in." Toshinori stops and thinks. "You know I'd never considered that but it's likely they used the incident with the reporters to gather information for today's attack." He gives the boy an appreciatory glance, "Clever thinking."
"O-oh, it's nothing. I could be wrong too, it's just speculation at this point," the young man stammers. Toshinori looks at him, unable to ignore the feeling that he knows the boy from somewhere. He's certain the young man isn't in any of the hero classes, but he feels familiar none the less. He must go to this school given his uniform and the fact that he knows Young Bakugou. Actually, now that Toshinori thinks about it, the two boys don't seem very well matched.
"How do you know Young Bakugou? I don't believe I've seen you in the hero course."
"Oh, no, I'm in General Education but uh I'm hoping to transfer to Heroics, maybe," the boy mutters in a way that's a bit endearing. "Kacchan and I have known each other since primary school. I uh wouldn't exactly call us friends but still," the boy's eyes soften as he glances at the Young Bakugou. "Kacchan was attacked last year, you might remember the sludge monster incident. He'd looked so scared then and seeing him today, I don't ever want to him or anyone else hurt like that. I couldn't help him today, or even back then, but I figured the least I could do was make sure he wasn't alone while he was injured."
Toshinori physically jerks as realization slams into him. The sludge monster incident, he'd remembered Young Bakugou of course but he'd almost forgotten about the nameless student who'd bravely run forward when no one else would.
The green haired boy smiles awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his neck. This boy is so quiet and unassuming, it's easy to see how he could be overlooked. But his instinctual protectiveness, his desire to save and comfort the boy he himself admitted wasn't much of a friend, it was humbling. For the first time since this whole mess started, Toshinori feels light.
"That's very kind of you, young man. I'm sure he appreciates it," Toshinori says quietly, unsure of what else to say. "Look at me, I've been quite rude. I never did give my name or ask for yours. I'm Yagi Toshinori, I work here part-time at the school when my other job isn't keeping me busy."
"Oh, I'm Midoriya Izuku, it's nice to meet you Yagi-san," Young Midoriya says with a bright smile. His phone buzzes in his pocket and he smiles in embarrassment as he checks it. "It looks like Kacchan's parents are back, they need some help getting through the school. Um if it's not too much trouble, would you mind-"
"Worry not, young man," Toshinori answers, "I've nowhere important to be. I'll watch over your friend while you're gone. I'm sure Recovery Girl will want to check on him herself soon to make sure he's alright to leave."
"Thank you so much! I'll be right back but then I really ought to get home. I don't think Kacchan would be happy to see me when he wakes up, he doesn't like me very much." Young Midoriya says sheepishly as he walks towards the door. "It was nice talking to you, Yagi-san."
"You said you were thinking of transferring to Heroics, you know the Sports Festival is your best bet in that regard," Toshinori advises. "Transfers don't happen all that often, so you'll need to give it everything you have, and then some, if you hope to make it." He continues, "But you've got a good heart there, I think you'd do well in the course. If I may ask, what's your quirk, young man?"
"Thank you," Young Midoriya says resolutely. "I've been training hard and after today, I'm more determined than ever. Um as for my quirk, well..." The boy looks at his phone again as it chirps. "I really do have to go, Obasan isn't the most patient person. See you around!" The boy says before running out of the room.
"Yes, my boy," Toshinori says thoughtfully, "I certainly hope to."
XxX
It's completely dark by the time Izuku turns into his neighborhood. Since seeing Kacchan lying on that stretcher, the day has gone by in a dizzying blur. Luckily, he'd already called ahead to his mother to let her know he was alright but that he'd be late coming home. Between coordinating with Kacchan's parents, arguing with Recovery Girl or anyone else who tried to drag him out and helping organize Kacchan's discharge; he feels exhausted.
Izuku bites his lip, Recovery Girl had said that Kacchan's arm had been practically pulverized and while he should regain full use of his arm, they may be some long term damage. He can only hope Kaachan will take his recovery seriously and not damage his arm further. The Bakugou's had come via car so they were likely already home. When he walks past their house, he sees the lights on in Kacchan's room.
Izuku makes a note to stop by tomorrow and see how Kacchan is doing since school will be cancelled. In the middle of the street, all by himself, Izuku shudders. In his panic over the attack and Kacchan, he's nearly forgotten just how close he came to expulsion today. Now that the immediate danger has passed, he's better able to appreciate how terrifying his homeroom teacher could be.
Izuku waved the Bakugou's off as they maneuvered Kacchan, still asleep, into the back of their car and drove home. He let out a loud sigh and started his own journey home when a hand missing three fingers landed on his shoulder.
"How is the young man doing, Midoriya?" Chiura-sensei asked not unkindly, seemingly ignoring that fact that he'd scared Izuku half out of his skin.
"K-Kacchan is still unconscious but they think it's from all the healing Recovery Girl had to do for him. They expect him to recover and be back to school by the end of the week at the latest," Izuku stammered.
"That's good, I'm glad to hear that." Sensei said slowly, seeming to draw out the calm in his voice to rack at Izuku's nerves. "I trust you understand why I was, and still am, upset with your behavior this afternoon."
"Y-y-yes sir, sorry sir, I was just so- I didn't think when-"
"That's exactly it, Midoriya," the hand on his shoulder tightened and Izuku could feel the blunted ends of the man's amputated fingers digging into him. "You didn't think. You have a good head on your shoulders, son, I want you to use it. Don't just run off next time, talk to me, think through the situation. Your heart was in the right place but your interference could have made things worse for your friend."
"Yes, sir, I understand," Izuku said with a bowed head. The hand on his shoulder released him.
"Good, now head on home son, I'm sure your family is worried. If you haven't heard, school is officially closed tomorrow but we'll resume classes on Wednesday." Izuku nodded and started to walk away.
"But Midoriya?" Izuku turned and looked at his teacher's almost approving expression. "As your teacher I shouldn't say this, but that unthinking need to help others is one of the main qualities of a hero. You have the makings of greatness, be sure to use it wisely." That said, Chiura-sensei turned on his heel and walked back into the school.
Izuku begins the trek up the several flights of stairs to his apartment, still thinking about all the crazy things that had happened today.
Villains attacked one of the most prestigious hero schools in the country, for the second time in a year Kacchan was almost killed and his teacher had chewed him out and congratulated him at the same time. It's a lot to process. He keeps circling back to his conversation with Chiura-sensei, of the hidden encouragement to keep pushing himself.
"I'm home," he calls out as he unlocks his door and his mother's arms have encircled him in a hug before the door is even closed.
"Oh Izuku! You don't know how stressful this day has been, watching the news, waiting to see if those villains would attack any other Yuuei sites." Mom pulls back, tears streaming down her face, and lovingly strokes his face. "You're okay, right? Nothing happened on the main campus did it?"
"No, I'm fine and Kacchan should be fine too; he's been treated and he's home now. I thought we could make some cookies and take it over for them tomorrow?"
"Good, that's good to hear. Poor Katsuki, I know you boys have had your troubles, but no child deserves to be hurt like that." She sighs and steps back. "You did a good thing today Izuku but I can't say this whole experience has made me anxious for you to transfer classes."
"Mom," Izuku says but she brings her hands up to cover her face.
"I know it's your dream honey but those villains are after Yuuei's hero students and, maybe I'm being selfish, but I don't want you caught up in that."
"I understand Mom but I have to do this, today made me realize that," he gently takes her wrists and pulls them down so he can look her in the eye. "You should have seen it there, people were scared and Kacchan was so hurt and Mom, I did something. I-it wasn't much, I called his parents, I sat with him so he wouldn't be alone." He makes sure to hold her gaze even though he sort of wants to cry himself.
"I've always wanted to be a hero, you know that, but today made me realize that I can't just sit by. I couldn't let Kacchan be taken away by himself, couldn't say it was someone else's problem. I know Heroics is dangerous, but I wouldn't be me if I just let bad things happen without trying to help."
"I know, sweetie, I know," Mom says as she pulls him close and holds him tight. "I'm so proud of you Izuku, I know you'll do great things as a hero. I just worry that the world doesn't deserve someone as good as you."
"Mom, that's-"
"Hush, go sit down, I've been holding dinner for a while so give me a few minutes to heat it back up. You've spent all day taking care of others, let me take care of you for now. Alright?"
Izuku sighs and lets her lead him over to the couch before she bustles back off the kitchen. Sitting down reminds him again how tired he is, even with that brief nap he had in Kacchan's room but sleeping is the last thing on his mind. He pulls out his phone and begins reading the news reports about the attack and about the League of Villains. He narrows his eyes, he's got a long night of research ahead of him.
XxX
"Korudo, keep your defenses up, a real opponent isn't going to go easy on you!" Midoriya shouts, diving forward onto Korudo with a fury of quick punches.
"You call this going easy?" Korudo demands, spending more time hiding behind his arms than actually fighting back. "I thought you were supposed to be the nice one." Korudo ducks under a punch and starts to make a run for it but Midoriya spins and swipes him off his feet sending Korudo sprawling. Shinsou winces a bit in sympathy while Akane exchanges a worried glance with Patrick. This wasn't like Midoriya at all.
"I'm looking to transfer into Japan's most competitive hero program without a quirk, I can't afford to be nice or go easy." Midoriya says, an unusual harshness to his voice as he reverts back to his neutral stance. "I thought you guys were interested in Heroics too but it doesn't seem like you're taking this very seriously."
"Come on," Akane says with a sigh, "it's only the second week of school. Besides, we have today off."
"We have the day off because villains attacked our school, because teachers and students were injured. This isn't a game, Taketsu, this is life," Midoriya responds sternly, his normally sweet face as hard as stone.
"Hey man, relax, you know that's not what she means," Patrick says in a calming voice. "You both have points, so lets just chill for a minute before we get back to destroying Korudo." He steps forward from the bench in the small dojo and sits on the mat. He pats the ground next to him, "Tell us about your friend from yesterday, is he okay?"
For a moment, it looks like Midoriya is going to protest but finally he sighs and sits down on the ground. The rest of them follow suit and come forward to sit in a circle on the mat.
The little academy was far out of the way but apparently it's where Midoriya trained with his martial arts master. He'd been given permission to use his normal training time to work with them but he'd been strangely intense since they'd got here.
"Yeah, Kacchan's doing better. Obasan texted me this morning about 3 am to let me know he'd woken up and was cranky but fine. He's going to have his right arm in a cast for at least another couple weeks to make sure it sets but they think he should all healed up for the Sports Festival."
"That's good news," Akane says before deciding to address the elephant in the room. "And what about you? You've been awfully..." she searches for the word.
"Intense?" Korudo supplies as he stretched out his shoulder.
"I was going to say passionate but, yeah. Talk to us, how are you doing? Seeing your friend so beat up must have been upsetting." The same 'friend' who threatened and cursed him out in the cafeteria less than a week ago; who'd apparently been harassing Midoriya for the better part of a decade. But who is she to judge?
"I'm fine, I'm just," Midoriya hunches over and runs his hands through his hair. "I'm sorry if I'm being a little too tough on you guys, but yesterday made me realize that if we want to make it into the hero program, we need to meet the challenge. I feel like I've been just been coasting through but with everything that's happened, I want to start moving forward. I'm going to do my best to meet my goal."
Midoriya looks up and his eyes are filled with that same chaotic energy. "I know some of you aren't sure if you want to transfer but I do. Hanging out with you guys, it's been honestly the happiest time of my life but I can't afford to slack off when the Sports Festival is so close. I need to give this everything I have."
"Hey man, we get it," Patrick says soothingly, wrapping an arm around Midoriya. "I can't speak for all of us but your drive is inspiring. But you gotta keep yourself in check and not overdo it, you'll make yourself nuts trying to be perfect. You'll just burn yourself out and not give your best performance." Midoriya hummed from Patrick's shoulder, slumping over as he got more comfortable. "Dude, I'm like all bones. How much sleep did you get last night?"
"Not much," Midoriya mutters. "I was up most of the night researching the attack and waiting for news on Kacchan. Then I stress baked with my mom all morning. I have cookies for you all when we leave."
"Should you be exercising if you're that tired?" Korudo asks with concern.
"Yeah, it's okay," Midoriya mumbles as he sits back up, taking a moment to crack his neck. "I'm pretty used to it by now," he says as if not sleeping is a totally normal thing. The more Akane hears about his life before Yuuei, the more she wants to cry. If that hero kid wasn't all banged up by villains, she'd go over and break his other arm. She still might before the day is done.
"Well you shouldn't push yourself too hard," Akane adds on softly. "Patrick is right, I know this is a stressful time but you can't let what happened to the hero kids psych you out. Just relax, you've got the brains and the training, you should spend your time strategizing and resting up to kick hero butt in the next couple of weeks."
"I've never been good at taking it easy or doing what I'm told for that matter," Midoriya mumbles with a small smile.
"I could tell," Korudo answers dryly. "I would never have the guts to look Chiura-sensei in the face and disobey a direct order. I'm pretty sure after that, you can take on just about anyone." They all chuckle a little bit at that and it was nice just sitting here talking, calm and comforting and not nearly as tiring as Midoriya's crazy routines.
Sometimes she forgot just how driven he was, how dangerous he could be.
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you but I'd like to learn some fighting techniques," Shinsou speaks up suddenly. "I'm still not sure what to make of you, Midoriya but you're a lot stronger than I initially gave you credit for." His eyes narrow, "We are acquaintances but don't forget that I plan on beating you at the Sports Festival. I hope you're up for a little competition."
"You bet, I'm-" Midoriya's eyes become glazed as Shinsou activated his quirk. He looks almost exasperated that Midoriya fell for the trick yet again. Akane is just about to tell their tentative new group member to cut it out when Midoriya snaps back into himself and shakes his head.
"That's the first and only warning you're going to get from me because I am serious about moving to Heroics and I can't let anything stand in my way." Shinsou says, standing up but he held out his hand to help Midoriya up. Midoriya looks like he was going say something at first but instead nods and accepts Shinsou's hand. Korudo and Patrick are complaining about Shinsou's quirk use but Midoriya didn't seem bothered by it as usual.
"So are we good now?" Akane asks with a frown between the two boys. "No more quirk usage? Or acting like a reckless jerk?"
"Yeah," Midoriya laughs, "we're good. Sorry everyone, I didn't mean to take it out on you. Now are we ready to get started again?"
"Ugh," Akane whines as she lets herself fall to the ground with a thump. Heroics couldn't be worth all this exercise.
"Oh come on assistant rep, up on your feet!" Patrick says enthusiastically, jumping up and grabbing ahold of her wrists to try and pull her up. "Jeez, no offense Taketsu but you probably need the exercise, you weight a ton- ouch!" He hisses and hops backwards as she wrenched a hand free and brought it down on his foot.
"I'm big boned you oaf," Akane says emphatically but without any real heat behind it. She knew she was big and she knew she could probably afford to lose some weight but that doesn't mean she's going to let an American beanpole tell her that. She grumbles and hauls herself to her feet. "Look, I'm up, is everybody happy now?"
"No," Korudo says with a grunt as he stands up too.
"You're never happy, you don't count," she says as she starts in on some of the easier stretches Midoriya taught her on the first day. That first class was only last week but it seems so long ago; so much has happened between now and then. It's a little frightening how fast things are moving, how fast they're changing. She never wants to stand in the way of Midoriya's dream, heaven knows he's earned it, but she would be sad to see him leave 1-C.
"Alright, the first rule of martial arts," Midoriya says sternly but with a teasing smirk on his face. Faster than her eyes can keep track; he grabs ahold of Shinsou's arm and wrenches it behind boy the other boy's back until Shinsou is half hunched over. Midoriya smiles and then shoves him into the mat. "Never let your guard down and always expect an attack."
"Oh you better pray you can keep your mouth shut you quirkless-," Shinsou says, pushing himself to his feet and rushing Midoriya. Midoriya grins and ducks under Shinsou's sloppy punch and instead barrels towards Patrick who is waving his hands in a panic.
"Wait! No! Time-out!" He gets out before Midoriya is in his personal space, lobbying a few fake punches right into Patrick's face. Patrick shuts his eyes and stumbles back allowing Midoriya the opportunity to grab Patrick by his bony wrist and pull him right into Shinsou's path who was making another run on Midoriya. Shinsou smacks into Patrick and the two of them collapse to the ground with a groan. Midoriya then turns his attention to Korudo.
"Oh no, not again," Korudo mutters, sprinting across the dojo only to be felled by a powerful blow between his shoulders that has Korudo hitting the ground with a dull thunk, like an old tree that had been knocked down by a powerful storm. And just like that, she's the only one left standing. Akane groans as she tries to mimic Midoriya's easy stance across the room. Why couldn't she have stayed home and studied with Motome and the others? At least math notes didn't threaten her with bodily harm.
"Oh don't give up Taketsu, you have the height and weight advantage here, use it." Midoriya says in a soft, gentle voice that most certainly did not her feel like she had any advantage over him. "Come on, show me what you've got. Prove to me I was right in voting you for class representative."
"I knew it! I can't believe you! Both of you betrayed me!" Korudo garbles, still face first on the floor.
"Man, you only got one vote. I hate to break it to you but no one voted for you but you," Patrick groans as Shinsou pushes the taller boy off of him. Midoriya, meanwhile, is calm and still and patiently waiting her out. Well, she might as well show him what she's made of, if she can get ahold of his skinny little arms, there's no way he could break out of her hold. With a yell, she charges forward.
When Midoriya's master checks in on them later, the five of them are sweaty and tired on the floor. They're all covered in bumps and bruises and she'll be aching like nothing else tomorrow. But she feels so powerful in that moment, surrounded by her friends, like they have a chance at weathering whatever the world has to throw at them.
But as much as she adores Midoriya, it had been so satisfying to drive that boy into the ground.
I think my favorite thing about Izuku is how he's so effortlessly, recklessly kind, even to a boy who's bullied him most of his life. You can make him bitter and you can give him impressive martial arts, but you'll never take away that essential kindness. It's why I love him as a character. Things are really speeding ahead now! Super excited to share, thanks for sticking around for all the set-up, I really think it pays off in the upcoming chapters. Watch out Sunday for the SF preparations!