Chapter 46: The Announcement

"Shinsou-kun, Midoriya-kun," Uraraka called out to them as she ran up to the two. "Thank goodness you guys are both okay! We were so worried!"

"Yeah," Kaminari said as he twisted in his seat. "I can't believe you took on that monster alone, Midori!"

"Didn't really have much choice," Izuku said with a shrug. "If I didn't, everyone would have been in danger."

A grim look spread across his classmate's faces. They were lucky that Izuku was able to fight like he had. They didn't want to think of what would have happened otherwise. They all felt a collective need to get stronger.

Mina shook her head to get rid of her morose feelings.

"Who do you think is going to take over the class today," the pink haired girl asked. "I mean, Aizawa-sensei should still be in the hospital, right?"

All the students around them started muttering and making theories on their possible substitute.

Actually," Hitoshi said, and all eyes turned to him. "Zuku and I saw Aizawa-sensei a couple days ago. He was accompanying Detective Naomasa when he asked us about what happened at the USJ."

Izuku nodded in agreement with Hitoshi.

"Yeah," the green and purple haired teen said with a head tilt. "He was really bandaged up, but he was up and about."

"Whoa really," the pink skinned girl gasped in disbelief. "Should he really be out of the hospital?!"

"What a mad banquet of darkness," Tokoyami whispered.

"Everyone quiet down," the familiar tired drawl of their sensei drifted through the room and the class immediately silenced. "Your fight's not over yet."

Panicked mummers floated around the classroom as Aizawa walked in. Like the time he helped interview them a couple days ago, he looked like a mummy.

"Aizawa-sensei," Uraraka asked. "Are you sure you should be out of the hospital?"

"While I appreciate your concern," the underground hero said with a bored tone—hiding his deeply hidden fondness for his students and his gratefulness at their obvious concern for him. "I'll be fine. Broken arms won't stop me from doing my job."

"Such dedication," Kirishima whispered in awe. "So manly!"

Aizawa hid a smirk in his scarf.

"Anyways, back to the subject at hand," the raven haired pro drawled and all the students sat at attention. "The Sports Festival is coming up."

Excited whispering broke out among the students as they all got reared up.

"Quiet," Aizawa started calmly, and all chatter stopped.

"Sensei," Momo nervously asked. "Is it a good idea to have the Sports Festival so soon after the villains attacked?"

Aizawa sighed. While he didn't agree with the decision either, he understood why it was being done.

"It was decided to go through with the Festival to show that UA is till strong," Aizawa explained to the confused class. "However, we have beefed up security."

Momo nodded her head in understanding.

"Now," the underground hero said seriously. "In preparation for the Festival, your core classes will now all be held in the mornings so you will have all afternoon to train. You will also have access to UA's facilities to train this week. Don't be shy in asking your sensei's for advice during this time. Remember, this is one of the three opportunities you will get in your years at UA to impress the pros. Good luck."

With that little speech, Aizawa went to the comer and zipped himself up into his sleeping bag. He was absolutely exhausted, and his body was aching. However, he refused to stay on bed rest. His students would need him here. He wouldn't fail them again. He wouldn't make one of his students risk his life to defend him...

While Aizawa was getting his much needed rest. Class 1A was grouping together in excitement.

"This is so exciting," Uraraka exclaimed bouncing in her seat.

"Yeah," Mina said pumping her fist. "I've always watched it on TV, but I can't believe that this year I'll be a part of it!"

"It's a great honor," Iida said with a small smile.

"I'm actually really nervous," Kaminari admitted with a nervous grin, small sparks dancing around his fingers unconsciously.

"It is a big deal, kero," Tsu said. "The UA Sports Festival has replaced the Olympics as Japan's most watched events."

Uraraka then looked at her two dual haired friends, biting her lips. Something seemed off about them.

"What do you two think," she asked them. "You've been quiet since the Festival's been announced."

Izuku sighed as he leaned about in his chair.

"I don't think it's a good idea to go through with the Festival," Izuku said plainly.

"Why not," Iida asked confused. "As UA students we should be showing our strength and proving that the villains can't stop us!"

"What Zuku means is that's exactly why we shouldn't go through with the Festival," Hitoshi said.

"Huh," Kirishima said not understanding what they meant as he and—surprisingly—Katsuki joined the conversation.

"What are you scared, nerd," Katsuki asked.

"Think about it," Izuku said seriously—catching everyone's attention—as he looked at each of them in turn. "I mean really think about it. The Festival's live. It's broadcasted all over Japan! Over the world! They'll get to analyze us! Our strengths, our weaknesses, everything!"

The people around him shifted nervously, and the more nervous among them winced in fear. None of them ever thought of that.

"So what," Katsuki said arrogantly. "If they come after us again, we'll blow them to bits!"

"Yeah," Kirishima cheered, mood once again lifted. "We did it before!"

"Don't be arrogant," Izuku said harshly. "Some of us nearly died!"

The red headed teen winced as his good mood was burst.

"Sorry man," he apologized.

"It's okay," the green eyed boy said with a tired sigh.

"So, what do we do," Momo, who was listening asked.

"Sadly, this is also one of our only chances for the pros to see what we're capable of," Hitoshi groaned.

"Yep," Izuku said bitterly. "The Festival's one big advertisement for the pros to decide to invest in you for the future. This is where you get picked for internships. It also starts our popularity with the public and allows us to show that we can keep them safe."

Izuku sighed.

"Basically, we're stuck between a rock and a hard place," Hitoshi said.

Their classmates looked at each other in worry and in indecision. However, Katsuki snorted.

"Well, I'm gonna do my best," with that, he walked out of the classroom—presumably to go start training for the Festival.

"What about you, Midori," Kaminari asked.

Izuku groaned once again and said, "I believe we need to do well enough to get the pros attention at least. Good internships will be important for the future. However, I do believe we need to keep some hidden tricks up our sleeves. The villains will be watching."

Everyone gulped. This was intense.

"Everyone also needs to train as hard as they can," Izuku said with a smirk. "Remember, this is a competition."

With that, the tension was released somewhat. But, no one would forget what they said.

0000000

"Midoriya-kun," Uraraka asked nervously.

"You know, you can call us by our first names," Izuku said with a teasing smirk and Uraraka blushed in embarrassment.

"Izuku," she said and the freckled faced teen hummed in response. "Do you really think that the League will watch the Sports Festival?"

"Yeah," Izuku said, shoulders slumping. "They'd be idiots not to. And, even though their leader, Shigaraki, is a man child; he's not a fool. He planned that attack."

Uraraka bit her lip, shaking with nerves.

"Uraraka," Hitoshi said gently, and she looked at him—fear in her eyes. "Ochaco. It'll be alright. You saw how hard Aizawa-sensei fought for us. Do you really think he'd let us go if he wasn't sure we'll be safe?"

Ochaco gave a weak smile.

"He's right," Izuku said with a gentle smirk. "He gives William a run for his money with his protectiveness. We'll be fine. I'm sorry to make you so worried. I shouldn't have said anything..."

"No," Ochaco said firmly, surprising the two dual haired teens. "I'm glad I know. Now we can make sure this isn't used against us!"

"That's right," Kaminari said with a double thumbs up. "You probably saved us again, Midori!"

"I agree," Iida said with a head bow. "We need to make sure we're prepared."

Izuku hummed in agreement, deep in thought for a moment.

"You know...," he said slowly. "If you want, maybe we should all train together."

"Really," Ochaco said, overflowing with excitement, and Hitoshi's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yeah," Izuku said awkwardly. "We're...friends, right?"

"Mhm," Ochaco said bubbly.

"Are you sure," Iida asked. "This won't inconvenience you both, will it?"

"No," Hitoshi said slowly as he shook off his shock. "We'd be happy to help."

However, Hitoshi sent Izuku a look to ask what he was doing.

"This is going to be awesome," Kaminari exclaimed. "I can't wait! Here give me your numbers so we can work out the times!"

While they were all exchanging numbers, Hitoshi pulled Izuku to the side.

"What the hell, Zuku," he hissed. "Why'd you do that?!"

"Toshi, the villains targeted our class," Izuku said. "They'll probably do it again. They need to be ready. And, right now, they're not. We're extremely lucky everyone survived the USJ attack. Next time, someone might not."

Hitoshi sighed as he ran a hand through his fluffy hair.

"Okay," he said with a nod.

He really couldn't argue. Izuku was right.