Ch 32 - Sounds Like A Statement

Despite all the flack she gave Bakugo on his volume control...Despite her sensitivity to sound...Neon was hating the quiet around her at school. Everything was too still. Her phone wasn't moving. No one called or messaged her with an update. She had been gone from the hospital and in the safe confines of UA for almost 24 hours now and she still had not gotten word about anyone. Was Midoriya awake? Was he okay?

What about Todoroki?

He didn't look like he wanted to talk at the hospital so she didn't pursue it but she knew he must be feeling some type of way with Bakugo being taken right in front of him.

Neon took a deep breath and then looked at her reflection in a mirror in the girl's locker room. She straightened up her uniform and waited. A drippy faucet in the sink next to her was the only thing making noise and the hollow sounds of water droplets hitting hard porcelain punctuated the otherwise stale air.

It was much too quiet.

Finally, her reprieve came when Midnight entered through the door. "Ready, Nagano-chan?" she asked.

Neon nodded but then waved a hand across her outfit and rasped out a simple, "Why?"

Midnight smiled and gestured to the still opened door. "Principal Nezu and Eraser Head will explain it all to you. Come on. Let's go back to the teacher's lounge."

Neon nodded again and grabbed her crutches. She quietly followed Midnight and Cementoss back to the teacher's lounge where they had all stayed when she arrived from the hospital. The armed policemen that came with her guarded the front gates of the school but it was mostly for formality. The campus had upped their security measures even more than usual but even without the principal's assurance, Neon already knew she was safe. After all, the League of Villains had always waited for the students to be outside of school grounds to make their move. There had to be a reason for that.

When they entered the lounge, the principal sat on one of the couches with the homeroom teachers of class 1-A and 1-B sitting on either side of him. All three wore black suits and Aizawa even had his hair mostly combed back. Only Principal Nezu smiled upon Neon entering the room while Eraser Head solemnly gestured for her to take a seat on the empty couch opposite them.

"Who died?" Neon croaked, half-joking but also partially worried that was indeed what their attire was for.

"No one...We are dressed this way and have asked you to do so because...unfortunately, we have to appear in front of the media...and issue a press conference" her homeroom teacher said. Neon grimaced and Eraser Head nodded, "Our feelings on the matter are mutual. However, there is no way around it. The public is demanding answers and-"

"Why can't we wait until we get Nois- I mean, Bakugo back?" Neon asked, "And why do I have to do this too?"

"Have you ever seen a duck swimming in the water, Neon-chan?" Principal Nezu asked back instead but did not wait for an answer, "On the surface, they seem to glide through the water like a hot knife on butter but underneath it all...their legs are paddling strongly and quickly to move them forward."

There was a long pause. Both homeroom teachers shared a look over the principal's head. Blood Hero: Vlad King turned to Neon and opened his mouth but then she raised a hand. "It's okay, Kan Sensei...I've had enough conversations with Principal Nezu to understand. This isn't just to address the public. We're doing this to help get Bakugo back in some way, isn't it? A distraction?"

"Indeed, Neon-chan. We have been asked by Detective Tsukauchi to do this in time for tonight's evening news," Prinicpal Nezu said, "It is so that the League of Villains will watch and be under the impression that we are taking action but not getting as close to them as we actually are."

Neon leapt to her good foot, not even bother to use her crutch for balance. "So you know where Bakugo is?"

"Sit down, Nagano," Eraser Head ordered, "Or do you plan on hobling all the way over there and do some sort of one-legged rescue mission?"

"I…" Neon said and then she sank back down to the couch, "I'm sorry. I acted before I could think."

"You want to get your classmate back. That is understandable," Vlad King huffed, "However, you should hear the rest of what Principal Nezu has to say before you jump into any more conclusions."

Neon tilted her head. "So you don't know where Bakugo is?"

"At this point in time, Detective Tsukauchi is briefing the team of pro-heroes and an elite police force, led by All Might, on a mission not just to retrieve Bakugo Katsuki but to also take down the League of Villains simultaneously. In order for him to do so, we will need to provide a distraction. As the League is watching the telecast, thinking that for now their whereabouts are still secure,Tsukauchi and All Might will strike," Prinicpal Nezu said.

"So you do know where Bakugo is?"

"Yes, we do…" Eraser Head said slowly, "But you don't...and I'm hesitant to disclose that information."

Neon blinked and then a thunderous look crossed her face. "You actually do think I would plan some sort of rescue mission to get Noisy Boy back! Do I seem that stupid and impulsive to you?!"

Eraser Head shook his head. "No. Not you."

"Then-" Neon gasped, "You think I'd tell Midoriya?!"

"Last night, I've already warned Iida, Todoroki, and Kirishima about the gravity of the current situation. The hospital has reported to us that Midoriya had woken up this afternoon and that the class had gone to visit him. I know at least the Class Rep would have at least conveyed my message to Midoriya as well. However, even with that, I am not entirely confident that everyone will act rationally."

Neon crossed her arms over her chest and she looked towards the wall. Her eyes started to sting. She was hurt that her homeroom teacher did not trust her enough with such an important piece of information but she was also hurt by having to find out about Midoriya's state this way. The class had seen him already? Then why didn't anyone tell her? Why has it been radio silence?

"It doesn't matter if I know or not," Neon said quietly, "Just...tell me what my part is in the press conference."

Eraser Head took a deep breath. "Facing the press is not easy, as I'm sure you're already aware, but let me remind you that they are looking for a headline so you must remain-"

Neon finally tore her eyes away from the wall and stared down her teacher. "As a former Nishiyama, I've had media training shoved down my throat since the moment I could read. Just tell me what statement I'm making and which camera to look at."

Eraser Head pulled out a stack of notecards and held it out to her. "This is what you have to read. I wrote this for you myself with Principal Nezu's approval. Study it, memorize it if you can, and be ready. Present Mic is waiting for you in the A/V room. We will broadcast your part to the press conference held outside the school grounds. Your safety after all is still a priority."

Neon did not leave the room until 45 minutes later. It took her only 1 minute to read out loud the statement, thus memorizing it, and another 1 minute to interpret what her role is in this whole charade. The rest of the time was her trying to reach her classmates...She was able to get in contact with some of the girls, who told her that Midoriya was up but nothing more. However, the messages she truly wished for did not come.

Me: Heard you're awake now. You okay?

Me: Oy! Iida-kun! Why the hell aren't you answering your phone? What kind of Class Rep are you? Not checking in on this member of the class?

Me: Why aren't you answering me? Is something wrong?

- Camino Ward, outside of a discount chain store -

Todoroki looked down at his phone and saw the notifications for 3 unread texts, 1 missed call, and 1 voicemail. All from the same source. The same one that was contacting everyone around him as well.

"It's Neon-san again…" Tenya gulped as he held up his phone. The fake pencil mustache he had glued onto his face started to slip from the sweat accumulating beneath it, "I should respond with something. Maybe tell her-"

"No," Todoroki said, "You won't be able to hide anything from her."

Kirishima nodded and adjusted the collar of his maroon, velvet tracksuit. "Ah. She knows you too well and can probably hear your lies even through a text."

"But she knows I'm up…" Midoriya said as he scratched the fake goatee on his chin. The cheap material was itching him terribly, "I should at least tell her I'm okay."

Kirishima shrugged. "I guess there's no harm in that."

Yaoyorozu adjusted the hem of her dress. "Do so but then everyone needs to turn their phones on to do not disturb. We cannot risk it going off or even lighting up while we're investigating. Who knows where the tracker will lead us."

Todoroki stared at his phone but just as he was about to hit the do not disturb button, he switched gears and opened his voicemail. His finger went to play the one at the very top. The only one unopened.

"Eh?! Isn't that UA?"

The whole group froze for a second but when they turned to see the source, their eyes went to the big plasma screen, beaming down over the shopping plaza.

"Here is a clip of UA High School's apology press conference that is happening right now," a newscaster announced as shots of Eraser Head, Vlad King, and Principal Nezu flashed on the screen.

"We deeply apologize for this incident that allowed harm to come to 28 first years of the hero course because of our unpreparedness," Eraser Head said as he stood at the center of the group, "We apologize for causing unease in society due to our negligence in properly defending ourselves in a place of learning." The three faculty members bowed in unison. "We are truly sorry." Eraser Head finished.

"Aizawa Sensei...hates being on tv…" Kirishima murmured.

"I'm from Yomiuri TV," a reporter called out as cameras flashed at the teachers on the screen. In the plaza, a crowd gathered to watch, "Since the beginning of the year, UA High School students have had four encounters with villains. This time, there were even students injured. How did you explain to their families, and what are some specific countermeasures you are taking?"

Principal Nezu took a breath. "'We will increase policing in the surrounding areas and review the security within the school, ensuring the students' safety with a strong position.' That is what we've informed the families."

"Huh? What are these guys saying?" a person near Todoroki sneered, "Those kids are not being protected at all."

Disbelieving and disappointed murmurs flowed around them. Midoriya and Tenya shared a worried look while Todoroki turned his back from the tv. "Come on. It doesn't matter what they say. All that matters is results. This will only be resolved when we get Bakugo back."

"...Ah…" the group conceded and they made their way through the crowd and into an empty alleyway. They were too far to hear the broadcast and they turned the corner, away from the light on the plasma screen just as Neon appeared before the cameras.

- 2 minute earlier back in the press room -

"When you say that it won't infringe upon the students' future, Principal Nezu, does that apply to Bakugo Katsuki?" asked a reporter, "He enrolled at UA High with excellent marks and won the sports festival. In addition, during the incident with the sludge villain in middle school, he resisted the powerful villain alone, so he has a history of showing how tough and heroic he can be. On the other hand, the violence he showed in the finals of the sports festival and his attitude at the awards ceremony show that he is not always very mentally stable. What if the villains kidnapped him because they had an eye on that? Kidnapping him with deceitful words and then luring him down the path of evil? And what of the other student, Nagano Neon, formerly of the Nishiyama conglomerate? Rumor has it that the villains were interested in her as well? Is it because she might still have ties to her former wealth or because of the rebellious attitude she showed as well at the sports festival? What evidence do you have for saying either of them have a future as a pro-hero?"

Aizawa's eyes narrowed and his jaws clenched as he slowly stood up from his chair. His fists clenched to his sides and he forced himself to bow. "As an educator, I take full responsibility for both Bakugo Katsuki's violent behavior and Nagano Neon's defiant attitude. However, there are logical explanations for both of them. Bakugo Katsuki's actions at the sports festival originates in what he considers an 'ideal strength'. He is trying harder than anyone in his pursuit in becoming the 'top hero'. If the villains saw that and thought they had an opening, then I believe they are short-sighted."

"That is not evidence, though," the reporter interjected, "This isn't about how you feel...And what about Nagano Neon? Is there any evidence or plan in place on her account or is it all based on feeling as well?"

Aizawa took a deep breath and he sat down in his chair. "For that, I will let her tell you herself. We have a satellite link with her. She has prepared a statement and she will be able to answer your question afterwards. Nagano? Are you there?"

There was a stunned gasp amongst the reporters and then suddenly, Neon's face was projected on the wall behind Principal Nezu.

"Yes, I'm here, Sensei," Neon replied calmly as she sat with her back straight in a computer chair in a room with a distinctive UA banner hanging on the wall behind her, "To be more specific, I am safely behind the school walls and being protected by the members of the faculty."

"Principal Nezu! Eraser Head! Aren't you putting your student in danger? Won't the villains attack now that they know her loc-"

"I'm still talking," Neon said, raising her voice, "And when I'm done, you can direct all your questions regarding me to me and not the Senseis. I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself."

She paused for a moment, making sure she had everyone's attention and then she nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Here is my prepared statement. As a student of UA, as a member of class 1-A, and as a direct target of the League of Villains, I, Nagano Neon, can confidently say that I stand with the faculty and staff of UA. I trust in their judgement and I have faith that once they get further into investigating, we will get Bakugo Katsuki back safely."

"Get further? Do you mean you are not close to locating Bakugo Katsuki?" one of the reporters shouted towards Principal Nezu, who lowered his head.

"Oy! Eyes on me. I'm still talking," Neon barked and then she pointed directly into the camera, "And this last statement...Sorry, Aizawa Sensei...but I'm going to speak freely for this part...This last statement is directly to the League of Villains, if they are watching."

"Wait. What are you-" Vlad King started to say but then Eraser Head put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

Neon smirked to the camera. "You guys are dumber than I thought if you think you could get me on your side. Just because I question the process of being a pro-hero doesn't mean I'm against the hero world entirely. Yeah, I might have my own style of doing things but I know what's right and what's wrong. What's good and what's evil. Noisy Boy knows it too and if you think you can get him to listen to you, when I can't even get him to shut up for even a second...Then...once again, you guys are dumber than I thought. I wish you luck because you're going to need it now that you have Noisy Boy in your presence and...man...he must be piiiiissed."

Neon leaned in a bit closer and her smirk grew. "Do not underestimate the students of UA. We are taught by the best...and that's not an exaggeration or a boast. That is a fact and you know it. Mark my words, you aren't just going to see Noisy Boy as a top hero one day. A lot of us will be up there. We will survive this. We will survive you...and we...will...win."

Neon sat back in her chair, crossed her arms over her chest and she shrugged, "And to answer your question, Machi Kaede of Fuji Broadcast - yes, I know who you are - if you want evidence, me being here without any qualms or worries is visual proof that I am here and committed to my path as pro-hero…And...if you want Principal Nezu or Aizawa Sensei to reveal any plans they have against the League of Villain on national TV, then it shows you care more about tv ratings than Noisy Boy's well-being."

"I…" the reporter blustered, "I merely want to know if there is a plan in place."

"Yes, of course," Principal Nezu said, "We are not just standing idly by. As Nagano Neon has touched upon in her earlier statement, we are currently investigating with the police. We will definitely get our student back."

The projection turned off and on her side, Neon slumped in her chair and she looked up at the ceiling. "Gah. I hate the press."

"Yowww! You did great!" Present Mic cheered as he started to pull the wires off of the camera.

"Eraser Head might not like you going off script like that," Midnight said with a smile, "But you didn't give anything away so I'm sure he'll overlook your little outburst."

"What are you talking about?" Neon said as she showed the last notecard her homeroom teacher had handed to her.

Scrawled across the card in big, black letters were the words:

Say whatever you need to say to the League of Villains. Show them what kind of hero you intend to be.

"He believed in me more than I thought he did," Neon said with a shrug.