The weekend was, as expected, gruelling for the girls.
Other than the obstacle course appointed for the first years, Nedzu made them go through a few of the other early trials the second and third years faced during their portions of the Sports Festival, including a substitution of the cavalry battle with a fight on shoulders to make teams, easier now that they were an even number and could have three pairs.
Nedzu didn't spare them the worst of it, including Chibiusa in the training as if she had been there from the beginning, emphasizing on the point other examinees wouldn't care about her being slightly behind due to age or else.
But, if anything, Chibiusa was tenacious and at the end of the day, albeit with a bit of help from the others, she managed to more or less keep up with the group.
«I can't advice against her taking the exam,» Nedzu said before they separated on Saturday «But I wouldn't advise her to take it either, not so soon. She needs more time and, while with your teamwork you can make-up for her lack of experience, should she go one vs one against another examinee, she'd likely not pass»
It was said with a gentle tone, not condescending, which was probably the reason Chibiusa didn't get angry, only determined: «I want to fight with the rest of them. My mama expects me to become a full-fledged Sailor Senshi before I go back home and I will» she said, accepting no oppositions.
The second day it was Chibiusa who woke up the rest of them, laser-focused on getting all the training she could and prove Nedzu wrong.
«Children...» Nedzu chuckled to All Might later on Sunday, while the two were supervising the girls' trials for the day from afar «They have two advantages over teens and adults: malleable minds and more stamina»
«Is that so?»
«Children's bodies may lack the ability to gain muscle mass, but they compensate with more potential energy. Chibi-Moon-chan can train longer than the others and this durability may factor in her results, along with the simple fact children learn naturally faster»
«So you don't think she'll fail» Luna observed.
«This depends on her and on the kind of exam the Hero Public Safety Commission prepared for this session. I can't know for sure»
«I don't feel at ease with this. She's too young» Toshinori admitted. He missed Luna's enigmatic smirk at this.
«So was Hawks when his training started» Nedzu replied «And he holds the record of the youngest pro Hero who ever reached the top 3; it's not only natural ability that made him so: starting his training as a child enhanced the development of his quirk along with the other abilities he mastered»
«About that...» Toshinori hesitated. He wanted to know if the principal knew the family situation of one of his students in more detail, but wasn't sure if it was fine for him to speak openly about it in front of third parties.
Luna looked up. She didn't know what the matter was but got it was better to remove herself from the situation with the excuse of going personally to give the girls pointers, leaving the two pros alone.
«Usagi-shojo is very perceptive about emotional matters» Toshinori threaded carefully.
Nedzu nodded, his attention piqued by the unusual start.
«She said, after Midoriya and Todoroki-shonen's fight, that Todoroki-shonen seemed upset and she had the feeling he has some... issues with his father. Midoriya-shonen too felt Todoroki-shonen needed help, hence the result of their fight, and during the awards' ceremony, the boy himself mentioned something to me. I wondered what you knew about this»
«Endeavor is an overbearing parent,» Nedzu said after a little pause, beady eyes stuck on the monitors «That is quite evident on itself. The circumstances of his family are kept private, almost as much as yours, given he is the Number Two Hero, I hope you know that»
«Of course» was the immediate reply. It was foolish to think the Hero Public Safety Commission would let loose any info about its top Heroes' families, both because of the constant spotlight and the danger it'd poise otherwise. That's how Usagi-shojo managed to have the most normal life possible, at least until last year.
«But if one of the students, a child needs help, it's not a matter of privacy any longer» the man added, a little more decisive.
The presid made a sound that was suspiciously like a sigh «I already looked into the situation at the moment of the boy's admission. The HPSC... strongly recommended not to, to use their less than nice words, "stick my mousy nose in it". Endeavour is currently too important to raise a scandal over him, between your injury and your soon-to-be retirement they are worried of losing the first two Heroes in the Chart in a short time may cause more harm than good to the public»
«They're ignoring a kid's wellbeing for the sake of politics?» saying he was outraged would be the understatement of the year. Sure, the Hero Commission was never the cleanest in more than a few matters, but as long as it involved adults, they could handle it. But kids? Where was the line for them?
«They're confident Todoroki Shoto will become a brilliant Hero thanks to the sheer power of his quirk, his father's influence and teachings, and Yuuei as the institution that will educate him. Besides, at the time of his recommendation, Endeavor had his son evaluated by a psychologist who ascertained the boy only has a minor trauma due to the circumstances that led him to get his scar, nothing that could influence his career, according to the expert. On paper, there's nothing more» Nedzu precised.
Toshinori frowned «And in practice?»
«Only Todoroki-kun knows. Unless he, or his siblings, open up about the situation, it's not possible to intervene. On a legal ground and at the current moment» he added after a small pause.
He got the hint: Nedzu had something in mind, a bigger scheme that only a mind like his could conceive, sophisticated enough to make everyone happy, or at least agreeable, with the outcome. Of course he did; there was no way such a thing could have escaped him, with only 40 new Hero students a year. Even counting those from Gen Ed, it made only a hundred Hero-hopeful kids to inform himself about, definitely within his possibilities.
The headmaster refused to say more on the topic, switching the conversation with practiced ease.
Only a last thing was said about it: «Exposure to friendship and new bonds is generally excellent help to those with family troubles. Midoriya-kun has his heart set the right way, albeit with questionable methods»
Toshinori didn't know whether to beam at the half-compliment to his pupil, or be ashamed at the reprimand on his behalf.
He contented himself going back to overview the Senshi's training with his heart eased a bit at the knowledge there was a plan to help Todoroki-shonen.
The Monday after the Sports Festival, Yuuei was closed. It was to give the time to pro Heroes to re-watch the footage of all three years and choose the offers to make for the Draft, but also to make sure the students could recover from the strain and eventual injuries caused by the event.
At home, Izuku knew he'd struggle too much to stay still. Besides, he tutored Usagi on Mondays - Hero History, mostly, and they did bits of Quirk Analysis even if that wasn't a topic for the entrance exams - so he took the train after lunch - which was blissfully half-empty - and arrived in front of All Might's house in the early afternoon before Usagi came back from school. He texted his mentor to be sure to find him home by then, and All Might replied he was welcome to come at any time.
«How does your arm feel, my boy?» was the first question Toshinori made.
«It hurts a bit, but it's bearable. It's more annoying having to eat with my non-dominant hand»
The man hummed «Ever considered becoming ambidextrous? Incidents like this, albeit needed to be avoided, can still happen in the future»
«I can write a bit with my left hand» Izuku mentioned «I, uh, started practising a while ago, around when I started middle school»
The man frowned, but didn't ask to elaborate, electing to change the topic and deal with that part later on. There was a research he made recently, far after it was due, to be honest, that he needed to speak about with his pupil in a different way.
In the meantime: «Is there something you wanted to tell me, my boy?»
Izuku nodded «I wanted to speak about that vision, actually. The one I got at the first stage of the tournament»
«It's related to One for All, I believe so too» Toshinori confirmed.
«So you acted surprised in the infirmary?»
«Oh, no, I was! One for All manifested itself to me that way only once. I think the spirits of those who wielded the quirk before me showed up as sort of acceptance of you as a new vessel, a sign you are starting to make the quirk yours»
Izuku nodded, then added: «I think... you were there too. It was unclear, I couldn't really tell, but I think one of the shadows matched. The eyes and the hair were yours, I think»
The man pursed his lips. It could mean everything and nothing. It was hard to be certain of anything when a quirk as unique as One for All was involved.
But...
If he was among the shadows of the deceased... could it mean his time was up? His time as a wielder? Or as a living being altogether? Could it have another meaning?
«Usagi-san said...» Izuku's new reasoning took Toshinori out his grim thoughts «She said Rei-san could help me since she's a miko and has spiritual abilities. Do you think I could ask her or...?»
Toshinori understood the hesitation. The young priestess could help him figure out a piece of the puzzle, but it'd put the secret at risk.
At the same time...
«Midoriya-shonen, this is your quirk too now. It's your responsibility to choose who to confide in about it. The only thing I ask you is to think well about that choice. The mistake with Bakugou-shonen, the way you incautiously revealed a vital bit of info, was such for two reasons» he put up a finger «One: because you did it on an impulse» a second finger «Two: because you can't be certain Bakugou-shonen is someone you should put your full trust in»
«Uh? Kacchan wouldn't... I mean he...»
The man shook his head. Seemed like he had to address that matter now, after all.
«My boy. Some time ago, Luna-san commented on a certain matter. She asked me whether or not I had looked into your past, the times before we met. I didn't put much thought into it at the beginning, because I acknowledged your heroic spirit, which had not changed» he precised, seeing how the boy had tensed at the mention of his past.
It was understandable, given what he found out was a delicate topic to begin with.
All Might had to become a better teacher, and it had to start from knowing his students better, especially his successor, so he made research.
Midoriya Izuku's school folder was littered with mentions of "disruptive behaviour in class" and of him being an "attention seeker" to "compensate his lack of quirk", as far as being labelled "unfriendly" and "uncooperative". It didn't take a genius, knowing the timid nature of the kid when they met and his current records in class, not to mention how quickly he made friends left and right now, to understand such reports were the result of discrimination against the formerly quirkless boy.
And, after he thought about it, Toshinori recalled having seen star-shaped scars on the boy's back and upper arms, older and newer, during the ten months of training before Yuuei. Scars that would match with a certain explosion quirk and the antagonistic attitude of its wielder.
No mentions of bullying were on Bakugou Katsuki's folders. His reputation, despite his rough nature, was immaculate. Too much for a boy with his temper.
Toshinori put two and two together with unsettling ease.
«I have the impression Bakugou-shonen wasn't a good friend to you growing up. Is that right?»
Izuku was looking down, refusing to raise his head.
«It makes your will to save him, that day, even more heroic» Toshinori mentioned, knowing the boy needed to hear what to him was obvious «And still, I don't understand why didn't you tell me»
Izuku muttered something unintelligible, head down.
«What is it, my boy?»
«I didn't want you to think I was too weak and useless. A Deku, like Kacchan said»
Toshinori blinked «I assumed it was a childish reading of your name, the way you call Bakugou-shonen "Kacchan"» then recalled: «Uraraka-shojo calls you that as well»
«It's... different for her. She didn't think of it as an insult. She... gave it a different meaning» there was a spark of a smile at that mention, a bit of the new Izuku perking up. It didn't last long, much to Toshinori's dismay.
«And, back then, I wanted to be better» the boy was beginning to break into tears, hands clenched on his knees «I knew I could be better now that you were by my side and I didn't want you to change your mind about me, and about making me your successor, and I thoughtyouwouldifyouknew...»
«I didn't» Toshinori put a hand on Izuku's head, who finally rose his tears-filled eyes «Midoriya-shonen, I didn't change my mind about you, my boy, and I never will. What made me choose you was the light I saw coming from you that day, the spark of a true Hero that lied inside of you all along and keeps pouring outside ever since, every day you show you can become the best Hero there ever was. I have complete faith in you, never forget that. After all, those who struggled the most are the ones who truly understand pain and can help others through that»
«B-but...»
«You had to withstand a lot. I get it. It wasn't that bad when I was your age, but I told you how I was quirkless myself, right? I understand. That's why I'm going to ask you a question now, and I need you to be honest in your answer»
Izuku nodded, unsure of what to expect.
«Do you think you need professional help?»
«Uh?»
«I mean a psychologist, Midoriya-shonen. I know it's not common here in Japan, but in America was quite normal getting professional help with mental health» he explained calmly.
«I'm fine! All Might, really, I don't need that. I'm getting better, I swear! I couldn't possibly do that, between training and school and what would I explainOneforAll?canIeven?Idon'tthinkIshould...»
«Okay, okay, breathe now»
Midoriya stopped abruptly, face red.
«It's not a step I want to force on you. I never went to therapy myself, although some American friends suggested it at some point. Just keep in mind it's an option, okay? And if you need to speak about something, anything, you can tell me. I'm here to help you and rest assured there is nothing you can say that will make me change my mind about you, my boy»
It was the most fatherly speech Midoriya Izuku ever received in his life. For such things to be said to him, by his childhood Hero, his mentor...
He nodded, beaming a thankful smile underneath the happy tears «I can make it. As long as you're by my side, All Might, I feel I can do anything»
Toshinori was quick to hide the mild panic that threatened to overcome him at the last statement. For the second time, he was on the verge of telling the boy that no, he couldn't be there every step of the way, that he was foretold, long before, his time was limited and the clock was about to stop.
The fact he was present, to some level, in One for All's vision, among the spirits residing in the quirk, had to be enough reassurance the boy was going to keep a piece of him even after his demise. There was no need to shatter his sense of security.
«I'm certain you'll do it. I was from the start. Even if we talked about the waterworks, my boy» he lightly reprimanded.
Drying his tears with an arm in a sling and the other bandaged was no small feat, but Izuku managed to compose himself in time for Chibiusa and Usagi's arrival from school.
«We're home» the girls chorused. There was a rustle of keys dropped, shoes removed and bags hanged before the two girls crossed the door of the living room.
«You sound cheerful. Something good happened?» Toshinori asked, getting up to greet them.
«Baka Usagi didn't get detention today» Chibiusa replied from the corridor.
«Which means I managed to go to pick her up from school. Admit it, Chibiusa, you're happy I did» Usagi poked as they entered.
Chibiusa had her arms crossed and nose stuck up «As if! I'm not a little kid, I can get back home on my own»
«Such a liar» Usagi shook her head, a fond smile on her face, which enlarged when she saw who else was in the room «Izukun! You're here!»
The boy nodded, smiling back.
«We wanted to come to visit you at home, but we had training the whole weekend. It was terrible!» Usagi let herself fall on the couch in a dramatic fashion, to which Chibiusa rolled her eyes.
«Ah, thank you, but there was no need. I'll be okay soon» Izuku assured.
The girls looked at him, slight worry at the sight of his bandages still in place and the blonde started to cry a bit.
Toshinori seemed conflicted: «Princess, Recovery Girl said you shouldn't...»
«I don't care what she says» Usagi affirmed, taking her tears from her cheeks to let them fall on Izuku «You will find a way to control it and not hurt yourself, but I'll keep helping you because that's right. Just... promise me you'll work better on it, okay? It's bad to see you hurt»
«I will. Thank you, Usagi-san» Izuku promised, once again overwhelmed by gratitude, along with the relief from the pain in his arms and even his leg.
Toshinori frowned but didn't object further. He had the feeling it'd be useless: if Usagi-shojo had decided to help, there was no force in the world that would stop her. Besides, he was worried about the long-lasting consequences for his successor and her quirk could only do him good.
He left the kids to their study session, wondering if and who would select Midoriya-shonen for the internship and what Hero could help the boy.
Maybe he could make a call. Even if... maybe not. He had already informed of his choice of successor the only two people who could be of help, and while Gran Torino had given no reply yet, Sir Nighteye had been adamant in his disapproval.
He was sure both men had watched the Sports Festival and, to be honest, he feared both their reactions. He knew Mirai would dissect every mistake and use it to prompt his argument Midoriya wasn't the right choice, while Gran would point out Toshinori wasn't being a good enough teacher, as if he wasn't painfully aware of that himself.
Better to avoid that, for the moment. He was confident, even if the boy got few or none requests, he'd manage to get a fruitful internship.
Tuesday there were no practical Hero classes for the first years. Instead, the Hero Course kids had to face two important occurrences: the results of the Draft and picking Hero names.
Granted, the requests were still ongoing, but seeing how many of them got none at all stung, even more so in comparison to Todoroki and Bakugou's four digits numbers, so it was more exciting finding out the chosen Hero names of each other.
Not an easy choice for some of them, an obvious one for others, in Bakugou's and Iida's case a temporary void.
Midoriya had been pondering on his for a moment before he realized he always had one. Even if it didn't start like a Hero name, there was a person who made it so.
He was going to turn the Deku moniker into the great meaning Uraraka believed it to have. Made it to have.
Even if, at the bottom of his mind, another name, one he didn't even know the meaning of, called for his consideration.
Elpis
Where did he ever hear that? Was it even a name?
He waited until after lunch to pick up his phone and look for it, once back in class. He had barely had the time to see the first results appear on the browser that a pink tornado entered the classroom clapping her hands.
«Okay, listen here, I have some juicy news» Ashido proclaimed, grabbing the attention of the whole class «There will be a new nurse!»
«You mean Recovery Girl is leaving?» Uraraka panicked, followed suit by some more classmates, Midoriya first, to the point he almost let the phone fall from his hands.
Ashido shrugged her finger «Nope! I mean an extra nurse»
Mineta had his fingers crossed and eyes closed «Be some hottie with big boo...»
«And he's gorgeous. A literal prince, believe me» Mina added with mirth «And I heard he's only seventeen, so a second or third-year student»
«This is certainly a surprise. How come?» Yaoyorozu asked.
«Apparently, he got an apprenticeship with Recovery Girl. So when we'll be back from ours, he'll be here for us» Ashido winked.
«School is no place for gossip! You should focus on your own internships» Iida reprimanded, but with less decision than usual, without even getting up from his seat. This prompted Izuku to think back at his friend's situation, the injury Ingenium, Tenya's beloved older brother, sustained at the hand of the Hero Killer, the sorrow - and possibly anger - such a traumatic event could have elicited. Iida had said he was fine when they met that morning, but Izuku knew that kind of mask when he saw it and couldn't help but worry for his friend.
Unaware, Ashido shrugged «We just got the applications, Aizawa-sensei gave us two days for that. Also, besides our performances at the Sports Festival, it's the talk of the school»
«That's right. Recovery Girl seldom accepted apprentices ever since she started working for Yuuei, he must be something» Asui noted.
«He's not in the Hero course?» Kirishima wondered.
Ashido shook her finger «He's not even from Yuuei. Well, they say he'll transfer here, Gen Ed they told me, because of the apprenticeship, but you get the drill»
There was a collective shriek «Eeeeh?»
«Could he be from Shiketsu?» Yaoyorozu guessed, assuming he had to come from the second most important Hero school of Japan.
«Nope. He's from some private school in Tokyo: Moroza... no, Motota... I'll remember it, I swear! Mozo...»
«Motoazabu High?» Midoriya suggested, hit by a sudden thought.
«That one!» the newly-named Pinky exclaimed, finger-guns pointing at the boy «I heard it's super-elite, so it's no surprise he's allowed to move to Gen Ed here»
Uraraka turned at him «How did you know, Deku-kun?»
«Must be Chiba-senpai» the boy explained, raising his arms «He helped Recovery Girl with my surgery during the Sports Festival. He's good at it, Recovery Girl said I would have had even more scars without him, not to mention he was able to fix most of the nerves' damages with his quirk»
Ashido flung herself at his desk, big excited eyes staring right at him, to his utmost embarrassment.
«Do you know if he's single?»
«Mina-san!» Yaoyorozu reprimanded her.
Truth to be told, the girl climbed down the desk «You haven't seen him, Yaomomo, or you'd ask too. He's, like, three times prettier than Todoroki-kun. No offence» she added at said boy, who barely frowned.
«Oooh, now I want to see him too» Hakagure exclaimed.
«But he couldn't see you» Kaminari joked, earning a quick slap by Jirou's earlobes.
«Aah, what a delusion!» Mineta interjected, «Why couldn't we have another girl nurse?»
«Shut up, Mineta-kun!» Ashido pointed at the short boy «You still have to pay the stunt you did at the Sports Festival, don't think we forgot you tricked us into wearing the cheerleader uniforms! We girls deserve pretty things to look at too. Now, Midori-kun, what were you saying about Chiba-senpai?»
Izuku laughed in embarrassment. Before he could answer, Uraraka perked up.
«You mean that Chiba-senpai? Usagi-chan's boyfriend?»
The green-haired boy nodded, much to Mina's dismay «Aah, that's unfair!» she collapsed on the nearest chair in over-exaggerated despair.
Uraraka shook her head «Usagi-chan is really pretty too and she and Chiba-senpai are so cute together! Now that I think about it, they both have healing quirks, no? It's rare!»
Midoriya could feel Todoroki's stare burning a metaphorical hole in his skull after Uraraka's words. He could swear his classmate was putting together another theory, one that involved Chiba-senpai as well.
«Ah, C-chiba-senpai's quirk is a bit complicated to explain» Midoriya reached for his notebook «There are several things that factor in it. He could use it for a vast array of things, but he chose to focus on healing, which is really admirable of him...»
«You have an entry on him too?!» Jirou took a peek at the notebook.
«Well, y-yes, since Usagi-san introduced him to me, it was, uh, at the beginning of the month, I think...»
«Okay, wait a minute, I lost a piece. Who is this Usagi-chan?» Hakagure asked.
«Midoriya's half-sister» Todoroki's sudden and unexpected intromission made more than a few of them gape.
«S-she's not!» Midoriya sputtered «I told you that we aren't siblings»
«You did. That doesn't mean I have to believe it» was the nonplussed reply.
«But they don't look like each other at all, man!» Kirishima opposed. At that, Kaminari shrieked he wanted a description.
Tsuyu noted: «Siblings don't always look similar. Half-siblings even less since they only have one parent in common»
Before the discussion could spiral in chaos, the bell that signalled the start of the afternoon lessons rang and they had to scramble in the respective seats before the teacher arrived.
Everybody was too busy with lessons and their choice for the internships afterwards, so the topic was forgotten, of which Izuku was grateful because he wasn't ready for such a conversation to happen.
The following morning, Midoriya had his papers ready. He had accepted Gran Torino's offer, even if All Might had seemed terrified of the old pro when they spoke about it, and was ready to turn the application in before the beginning of class.
He was mildly surprised then, when upon entering the teacher's room, Aizawa handled him an updated draft sheet instead of taking his.
«You have another request, in case you want to consider it. You still have until this afternoon to confirm»
«Really?!» Izuku asked, elated. He was one of the very few ones who got late requests. It wasn't unheard of, but given his performance in the last phase scared many viewers, it was a surprise he even got one, let alone a second.
Aizawa nodded «Chronia. She's an underground and she's been in and out of Japan for a few years now, I assume she came back only recently. It's a surprise she even asked, but I've been told so it is with the other Hero who chose you»
Izuku knew why his teacher had mentioned that: undergrounds didn't take part in the Draft for the internships as they seldom had sidekicks or media exposure the students could exploit. It wasn't unheard of in Yuuei's history but struck as an oddity to an outside eye.
Moreover, undergrounds didn't have any popularity if not among minor fan groups. It was hard to find out about them, their techniques and quirks.
Despite his usual extensive knowledge, Izuku knew little about Chronia: that she worked on several operations as support for more popular Heroes, that she was often involved in cases where children or women were at risk, and that her quirk had to do with time. The last one was mostly a theory, based on her Hero name, there was no footage of her in action around the net.
«Anyway, it's your pick. I am supposed to remind you you're not obliged to accept any offer and can still choose one the willing agencies, instead» Aizawa shrugged.
«Thank you, sensei. I'll consider it all»
The man nodded and Midoriya was sure he was about to be dismissed. The teacher didn't, though, his eyes scrutinizing the boy for a moment longer.
«Is s-something wrong, Aizawa-sensei?»
Aizawa seemed to pause, pondering on something as he seized his student, then scoffed: «Don't be late for class»
«Yes, sir!» Izuku replied, running away before the teacher could add more, a smile painted on his face at the thought of his second request.
Notes:
Guess what? More BnHA politics! Starring the HPSC, aka the second main Villain (the first is AFO, obviously) Horikoshi created. Seriously, politicians are the worst.
The discussion about Izuku's bullied past slipped from my hands. I planned to have it at a later time with another character, but it fits better here with Toshi. Maybe it'll still happen later on, there is a certain matter *cough*swan dive*cough* that wasn't addressed yet. I mean... do I love Bakugou and his character development? Yes. Am I still waiting for a proper apology to Izuku? Hell yes. Do I think he should have known about OfA? Abso-fucking-lutely NO. That's the hill I'll die on. No, I didn't have a chance to watch the second BnHA movie yet, but I don't think I'll change my mind on that. Plot-wise it was pointless and I can tell you it won't happen here.