In a way, it was refreshing to come back to school after the incident at the USJ. The night before the news had provided coverage on it, and we had gotten a bit of screen time as well for a couple seconds. Some might have liked that sort of exposure, but not me so much.
Part of my dad being in jail meant I had a target on my back. After all, my Quirk had some aspects similar to his, and I was his son. I was just glad that no one had gone as far as to try and say I had a hand in the whole thing. I've said it many times, but the majority of people see the kids of Villains as no more than just a carbon copy of their parents when you got down to it.
Glady it had never gotten to that level of disdain where parents were involved, only the kids at my middle school seemed to milk it for everything it was worth. Walking through the door and over to my seat I reminded myself, this was simply one step on the grand latter that was my plan to show that I was me.
I stretched out my arms behind my hand and put them on my desk, resting my head on them for a cushion. There was a good bit of time before classes started.
Some sleep wouldn't hurt I guess I thought to myself as I closed my eyes after looking at the clock.
"You guys! Did you watch the news last night?" I heard the invisible girl say. She seemed rather excited about it. I decided to not pay attention to the conversation. After all, I was just trying to get a bit of sleep before the day started.
Despite trying my best I couldn't stop from hearing some of the conversations going on. Jiro throwing reality at Denki and Kirishima, Sero bringing up the "what ifs" if the Pros hadn't shown up, and Mineta's worrying and yelling from him even bringing up the incident.
One of the things I loved about being in this half-asleep state, was getting to hear everyone generally socialize with one another. I did feel the urge to talk with some of them, but I decided against it. Unless someone wanted to talk with me, I preferred to not go out of my way and force them into socializing. It was just one of those things that became a part of me after everyone cut ties with me in middle school.
I then felt the rush of feet against the floor and looked up with one eye to see Iida rushing in and to the front of the room. "Attention! Homeroom class is about to begin! Everyone please stop talking and take your seats!"
Irony must have had it out for him, as we were already in our seats, while he was standing up there all alone.
"Uh, we're already in our seats."
"Yeah, you're the only one standing."
Iida went over to his seat, seeming angry at how contradictory his statement was. As I said, irony must've had it out for him. Uraraka reassured him that it wasn't anything major in her usual laid back tone.
"So hey Tsu, soo... Ah!" I heard Ashido ask Tsuyu. I could see her lean back in her chair and almost fall. Tsuyu seemed to notice and help steady it out though. "Who do you think is gonna teach class today?"
"No idea. Mr. Aizawa is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Has anything changed Mason?"
As I looked up drowsily to answer the door slid open, and the person standing there shocked me so much I woke up. "Mr. Aizawa what are you doing here!?" Everyone pretty much asked. He still had the same amount of bandages on as the last time I met him.
"Mr. Aizawa, I'm glad you're okay!" Iida said cheerfully.
"You call that... Okay?" Uraraka said worriedly. I was as well, but then again he was a Pro, he probably had injuries like this before.
"My well being is irrelevant. What's more important is your fight that isn't over yet."
By this time I was as awake as a deer caught in headlights.
"Fight?" I asked. Everyone else seemed just as worried, or was like Mineta and assumed it had to do with Villains.
He then gave us all a serious look through the gap of bandaging that let his eyes pierce through. "The U.A. Sports Festival is about to start."
At this news the majority of us were excited. I was thrown off by the turn of events. From what he told the other day, it wasn't supposed to be for another month or so. Why did the school decide to all of a sudden move it closer? We just had that incident at the USJ.
"Let's go kick some ass!" Kirishima shouted. His enthusiasm was stopped by Denki who put his hand over his mouth.
"Wait a second." He said, ready to ask something before Jiro cut him off.
"Is it really such a good idea to hold the Sports Festival so soon after the Villains snuck inside?" She asked concerned.
"Yeah," Ojiro agreed. "They can attack us while we're all in the same place."
"Apparently, the administration thinks this is a good way to show... The threat has been handled and our school is safer than ever." Aizawa explained. "Plus they're beefing up security compared to past years. This event is a huge opportunity for all students at U.A. It's not something we can cancel because of a few Villains."
"Uh I'm sorry but why not? It's just the Sport's Festival." Mineta said. Izuku looked at him confused.
"Mineta, don't you know how important this competition is?" He asked him.
"Of course I do, I just don't wanna get murdered."
"Our Sport's Festival is one of the most watched events in the entire world." Aizawa continued. "In the past, people were obsessed with the Olympic Games, but then Quirks started appearing. Now the Olympics have been drastically reduced in terms of scale and viewership. For anyone who cares about competition, there's only one tournament that matters. The U.A. Sports Festival."
"That's right." Yaoyorozu agreed, making a fist with determination in her eyes. "And Top Heroes will be watching. This is where you get scouted."
"She's right! After graduating A lot of people join Agencies as a sidekick." Denki said with a thumbs up.
"Yeah, but that's as far as some people go. They miss their chance to Indi and stay eternal sidekicks." Jiro pointed out. "Actually that's where you're headed, you're kinda dumb."
I felt bad at this moment for Jiro's treatment of Denki. He was more than likely the end of any joke she had.
"It's true joining an agency can garner you greater experience and popularity, that's why the Festival matters. If you wanna go Pro one day, then this event can open a path for you. One chance a year, three chances in a lifetime, no aspiring hero can afford to miss this Festival. That means you better not slack off on your training." He then looked at me. "Especially you Mason for letting it slip I'm your Godfather. Be ready."
"It's true!?" Some of the class shouted.
"I doubted it at first but hearing it from Mr. Aizawa's himself still surprises me." Tsuyu said before looking at me. "Though I feel bad for the training you're gonna have to go through."
"It won't be that bad," I reassured. "If not for him I wouldn't have a good grasp on my Quirk like I do now. I say bring it, old man!"
If not for the bandaging I'm sure I would've seen his well-known smile form. "You heard him! You all better do your best hear me?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Very well then, Class is dismissed." He said.
After lunch, the whole class was filled with talk about the Festival. It was like someone decided to turn the levels of excitement and pumped up to eleven. Don't get me wrong, I was excited as I possibly could be. This was one of many chances I would have for being a Hero.
If being a Hero meant I could finally be my own person and prove everyone wrong, then I'd take this step. That and I'd finally get to see some of the other student's Quirks in action. From what I knew the activities weren't announced until the day of. This meant those who liked to plan ahead of time would have to be ready for whatever came their way.
I liked that kind of challenge with having to think on your feet.
"That Villains stuff sucks sure. And I know I've already said it... BUT I'M PUMPED FOR THESE GAMES!" Kirishima shouted once again loudly. He was pretty much the physical embodiment of how everyone felt right now.
I and Hana both got up, getting ready to head with Tsuyu and Ashido to the cafeteria for lunch. "How about you Hana, you excited for the Festival?" Ashido asked her.
"K-kinda. To be honest I'm a l-little nervous." She admitted with her usual shyness. No doubt that was going to be thrown away as soon as the day of the Festival arrived.
"You don't have to be! You're a tough girl like the rest of us, especially with that sword of yours! I remember the fight you and Mason had, and you guys weren't cutting any corners. No pun intended."
"Speaking of Mason what are your thoughts on the Festival? I'm sure you'll be in the sight of quite a few Pros." Tsuyu asked me.
"Well," I thought about it and shrugged. "I am excited, but I don't wanna be too excited. No doubt my mom is gonna pull out all the stops for my training along with Aizawa."
"You know this kinda just popped into my head, but you've never really mentioned your dad have you, Mason?" Ashido stated. I tensed up a little bit, as did Hana. "I mean we have met your mom before, but not your dad, right? I guess he's where you get your Japanese from?"
"Yeah, I do. My mom's Native American, and he's majorly Japanese. Though if he were to come I think he'd be a bit-"
"Wow Iida, those are some interesting moves, ribbit." Tsuyu said.
Curiosity got the best of me, making me look to see he was... Moving his hips a bit... I don't want to describe it but it wasn't subtle in the least. He and Izuku seemed to have been having their own conversation about the Festival as well.
"You have to be excited too, right Midoriya?" He asked moving his hands as he spoke.
"Well yeah of course I am. And a little bit nervous." Izuku said.
"See! I'm not the only one!" Hana exclaimed.
"Deku, Iida." I almost dropped my bag from how serious Uraraka looked as she looked at us. The aura she was giving off was all too familiar. Just like my dad whenever it came to sports or fishing. "Let's do our best in the Sports Festival." She was practically glaring at everyone.
"Uraraka what happened to your face?!" Izuku said.
"That's pretty much how my dad would get if he was able to come," I remarked.
"Seriously what's up? You're like the most laid back girl ever." Ashido said.
She then put her fist into her the air and continued her all too pumped attitude. "Everyone, I'm gonna do my best!" She shouted even more fiercely.
"Yeah!" We said agreeing with her. I was used to this kind of excitement from my dad, but it had been some time since I'd seen something similar.
She then turned over to Kirishima and the other students, continuing her chant of "I'm gonna do my best!"
They moved it up?!" My mom shouted over the phone.
"Yeah. According to Uncle Shota, the administration thinks it's a way to show the USJ incident didn't faze us in the bit. Seems thing are moving a lot faster than I thought." I answered while recovering from her shouting directly into my ear. I had gone to the bathroom to get some time alone so I could talk to my mom. Other than Aizawa, she was the only other person who could help me train at the moment when it personally came to my Quirk.
I had gone to the bathroom to get some time alone so I could talk to my mom. Other than Aizawa, she was the only other person who could help me train at the moment. With how things went, that meant my mom had to get some early shopping done as well.
"You still want me to get the weights you wanted? Should I switch to that diet thing as well you used when you got ready for the entrance exams?"
"That'd be great if you could mom, yes. If it's too much though don't worry. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time during school to do some training as well. I think more than a couple of my classmates could help me too."
"Like Hana and Ashido?" She said. I didn't need to see her face to know she had that knowing mom look on her face.
"They're... Kinda part of it, I won't lie. Mostly combat training. Thanks for being able to get that stuff for me though. Just wish dad were able to see me in action." I admitted, trying to not let the sadness in my voice show.
"I'm sure he'll be watching from whatever recreational room they have. Let's just hope he doesn't make on his promise though about 'if worst comes to worst, I'll just break out'. I swear you two can both be so stubborn sometimes. Well sorry but my break's over now. See you when I get home okay?"
"Sure thing mom," I said before hitting the end call button. Once I exited the bathroom Hana was waiting for me against the wall, blush apparent on her face. "You heard all of that didn't you Hana?"
She looked down. "I won't s-say I didn't..." She admitted.
Sighing, I smiled at her and ruffled her hair up a little bit, but not too much. At that gesture, she looked at me angrily. "What's that for?"
"Keeping the fact my dad is in jail a secret I guess? I could've said something else, but I don't like to flirt with people I've gotten to know." I said to her as I made my way back to the cafeteria.
"Sorry if I'm prying Mason, but is your dad mad that you're w-well... Trying to become a-a Hero?"
"No! Not one bit, it's the opposite actually. My dad knows what he did was wrong, and that he needs to pay the time for it. Our situation was a bit difficult with my mom being sick, and there was no other way for him to get money. He said for me to be my own person and that his mistakes weren't mine." I explained to her.
"Seems we both got dad troubles..." She muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing!" She said putting her hands up in defense. "Just... Please forget you heard that. But if you need help with training, I'm always willing to help. I just wanted to let you know..."
"Well then," I put my hand on her shoulder as we walked back down to the cafeteria. "Seems you've given me an offer I can't refuse!"
"When you say it like that it sounds dirty!" She whined embarrassedly.
A/N: Ah some nice little feels for the time being and some more info on Hana's own troubles as well. Both characters who are results of the sins of the fathers. Personally, I love how supportive Hana can be to Mason with how he's only ever had one other friend who accepted him as him. Her and Ashido are truly people Mason needed in his life. Now enough of the sappy stuff! Time for some of the reviews you guys did on the last chapter! Dang onion cutting ninjas...
Loser( the actual name that was put by the person): Let the shipping begin! So many ships to see! As for the ship name, and this to all of you, get creative. I'm curious what you guys will come up with. That and Hana's gonna need someone as well, but I feel the Sports Festival is also gonna bring some new competitors as well...
pokemonking0924: There are many things I have planned for the little outings that'll happen throughout. And speaking of the Sport's Festival, it's going to be quite fun for me to write, and the tournament even more so!
To the preview!
"I'm here to let you know that if you don't bring your very best I'll steal your spot right from under you."
"I'll think about it."
"I'm just having... A rocky start."
Mmmmm I love my puns.