Ad Astra-28:
A Display of Charisma:
Tokoyami had learned of the other participators through All Might whom originally went to check up on Izuku but changed his mind. Not wanting to interfere with both Izuku and Ochaco mending their relationship, as it were. Tokoyami then reveals what he had also learned from All Might is that the Festival of Courage's Intermediate Level tournament will be 22 brackets. It shall take place after the Advancement Level tournament both begins and ends tomorrow, a day afterwards. However, a new rule has been included for the Courage Challenge on the advice of Aizawa. only the 3rd year students will be allowed to join the Pro Heroes taking part within the Advancement Level...a small flashback occurs involving Bakugo.
Upon his learning of this new rule...he went completely and utterly berserk, trying to get the teachers to change the rule but unfortunately no dice. Even Mirio, Amajiki and Kirishima had to hold the guy down before Bakugo could get any further enraged. As such, Bakugo himself decided to put the remainer of his training towards entering the Intermediate Level instead of letting his skills all go to waste after having practiced them at Gym Gamma. Kirishima left to go meet his family with the rest of Class 1-A meeting their own respective members at the entrance of U.A. Bakugo didn't bother to go, not really getting along with his parents, more so his mum then his dad...
Hearing again how the relatives of the class have arrived, Izuku tries to rush out of his bed in order to meet with his mother Inko. Unfortunately, the after-effects of having used the Blackwhip Quirk will not allow him to move his body entirely, only for Izuku being able to make small movements with it. Just then, Recovery Girl enters the office, telling Izuku to lie down or she will not permit him to leave the medical ward. Seeing Recovery Girl and hearing her orders, begrudgingly Izuku complies...as Ochaco becomes worried. She had only ever seen Izuku like this...when he used the Blackwhip during the Joint Training. Although he hasn't suffered nearly as much damage like before...knowing that he still used his uncontrollable Quirk scares Ochaco. Namely for Izuku's sake...she decides to speak up, as both Ochaco and Izuku had now promised to be honest with each other henceforth.
Ochaco asks if Izuku used the strange Quirk from the Joint Training...to which he struggles saying yes, at first. Eventually getting around towards giving Ochaco a straight answer...she sighs and becomes concerned. Ochaco doesn't want Izuku's Quirk to become a burden to him...but knowing that he won't listen to anyone does Ochaco then make a decision. She too will enter the Courage Challenge...and knock some sense into Izuku's mind. Although he will now take the hands of his friends during a critical crisis...Izuku still refuses to heed their advice on how he wants to best protect them. Only by sharing an exchange between their eyes does Ochaco know this fact about Izuku...appearing docile outside the exterior but actually being stubborn headed on the interior...
(Music Cue-Comical World from Bleach.)
Ochaco decides to face away from Izuku at that point, requesting that Recovery Girl help her to quickly heal up for the day after tomorrow. Recovery Girl sighs...instantly knowing that Ochaco was equally stubborn just like Izuku, absolutely refusing no for an answer. Izuku becomes comically puzzled, not understanding if things were better...or made worse with him and Ochaco. He feels that things are okay and in fact, better then they ever were beforehand...but at the same time things feel much, MUCH more dangerous. Tokoyami says to himself that Izuku was now in the domain of Eden and only he alone can navigate it's thorny path...seeming to be aware of what level and state both Izuku and Ochaco's friendship has now entered.
Izuku starts to speak his signature muttering, trying to figure out the feelings of women. Tokoyami stops him at the point before he could continue, saying that would be the one and only analysis that Izuku will never succeed at figuring out. Izuku somewhat agrees with a comical nervous tone...thinking that at certain times he couldn't understand even his own mother. Speaking of...elsewhere, watching the stalls of the festival starting to be set up. All of the male students gaze at the beauty of Mitsuki as she walks by, earning the annoyance of Mitsuki's husband Masaru. Having noticed Masaru's annoyance, Mitsuki faces up directly towards her husband. She tries to make him understand that he doesn't honestly believe that these brats as she calls them could ever hold a candle to her hubby. She was the one that fell in love with him and even pressured him into dating and marriage.
Reminded of the fact, Masaru praises his wife Mitsuki and in comical fashion calls her his goddess. Suddenly though, Mitsuki issues a complaint. Demanding to know where and when alcohol will be sold at the festival tomorrow, causing Masaru to then remind his beloved that this was still a high school charity event. Inko whom accepted the offer to travel with the Bakugo family is somewhat exasperated by their carefree attitude...but also amused. Thinking that Inko was mocking her, Mitsuki comically tries to pick a fight with Inko...frightening the poor woman to death and back. Mitsuki starts to laugh though and informs Inko that the former was only teasing...but she wasn't lying about the alchohol thing.
Mitsuki says that Inko should learn to smile a little bit more, as the parents of the Class 1-A students have a sneak preview at what will be expected tomorrow. Inko agrees with Mitsuki's words...but feels that she cannot calm down until she sees her son, Izuku. Even then if Izuku decides to compete in the Courage Challenge...Inko is scared that Izuku will only badly hurt himself again like she saw on TV during the Sports Festival in his match against Todoroki. Mitsuki senses Inko's concerns...before patting her head. Mitsuko promises to remain by Inko's side, no matter what happens. Mothers have to stick together after all...
(Music Cue-Reception for Grand Maester Mika from Final Fantasy X.)
Inko becomes overemotional from Mitsuki's gesture of friendship, crying a waterfall of tears that earns Mitsuki's slight annoyance. Suddenly, a microphone could be heard. Someone tapping on it back and forth before stating 1, 2, 3 and a following announcement. Speaking through the microphone being projected through loud speakers is Dakuma Shisukemaru, the man that Aizawa met earlier in principal Nezu's office. The man himself speaks up, introducing his name. He reveals that he will be the one in charge of holding the Festival of Courage for the next three days of Hero Appreciation Week. It might be very sudden, especially considering that Dakuma is a temporary teaching assistant that will be working here during the festival days only. However...he implores everyone that can hear him and watch him from a nearby stage that he will work the hardest, even more then the official teachers here at U.A. and refuses to betray the trust of all involved with the festival beginning tomorrow.
At first, the students and visiting Class 1-A parents are taken aback...before finding themselves clapping at they what considered an inspiring speech. Filled with charisma, despite how short it was...Dakuma appears to be the kind of man that keeps his promises and makes good on them. He seems to prefer not talking for long...and wants to spend his time achieving results in the meantime instead. Dakuma takes a polite bow towards everyone before making his exit from the stage he stands upon. Mic is impressed...but Aizawa seems cautious, thinking that there is something off with Dakuma. Having known Aizawa for a long time, Mic knows that his best friend's suspicions are usually on the mark. However, unlike Aizawa himself does Mic like to give others the benefit of the doubt.
Aizawa hates Mic phrasing those words in a manner that ill describes the former...but decides to maintain focus on Dakuma. Aizawa thinks...that Dakuma might be in league with the Seven Darks, the timing being too calculated and perfect to merely dismiss it. But...Aizawa also starts thinking that Mic might actually be right about Dakuma. Judging from his words...there were no hints of lies being said. Aizawa is known to be very accurate spotting a lie from a mile away...and no such lies appeared to be said from Dakuma's mouth. According to Aizawa...he has certain trouble somewhat reading Dakuma's Character and what type of person he might truly be...
All Might asks Nezu how did he find Dakuma, watching from the window of the principal's office at the speech that ended on the ground floor outside. Nezu reveals that Dakuma was in truth recommended by Tsukauchi without All Might's knowledge, not wanting to burden him with too much. Dakuma is not a member of Tsukauchi's police task force but is highly trusted by him, the two knowing each other from a while back. All Might finds it strange that Tsukauchi has never mentioned Dakuma in the detective's spare time...finding this matter to be rather curious. Returning to Izuku and Ochaco's side of things...
Izuku speaks up and reveals that he does not wish to take part in the Festival of Courage, shocking everyone present greatly. Instead...he wishes to remain with Ochaco until the festival passes by, causing Ochaco herself more greater shock then everyone else. What is on Izuku's mind...just what is he planning...and thinking?
To be Continued.