Along the way to the teachers' room, the students around Hitoshi and Izuku recognized the pair as the top two winners of the first year Sports Festival. Just like on the train, the reactions were mixed towards Izuku. Some positive praise. Others still positive but somewhat spoiled with the added 'despite being Quirkless' comments. Then the negative looks and whispered remarks.
Hitoshi wasn't fairing much better. There was a similar mix of positive responses with many praising him especially on his fight against Bakugou. But others who had a guess as to what his Quirk was tacked on comments that implied it was 'good he wanted to be a Hero with a Quirk so fit for a Villain'. While others who had possibly lost points to his brainwashing eyed him suspiciously.
The two friends shared a look full of understanding and silently decided to acknowledge the supportive ones while ignoring the rest as they went along their way. They knew they had the right to be there and that the teachers had their backs. There was nothing the naysayers could do to stop them.
Once they made it to the teachers' room, Izuku was the one to knock. Mostly out of habit as he did so every morning ever since his notebooks had been brought to UA for safe keeping. He knocked before opening the door as he stated their names, years, and business receiving an invitation to enter. As soon as they walked through the door, Izuku suddenly found himself in a well-endowed embrace.
"Congrats on making the Hero Course, Green Bean~," Midnight cooed as she hugged him tightly.
"Again with the G-green Bean?!" Izuku squeaked as he flailed in an attempt to escape. First Yamada-sensei then Hitoshi-kun and now Kayama-sensei? What gives? "W-why?!"
"Because you are a Green Bean, Izuku," Hitoshi snickered, doing nothing to help his friend.
"N-no!" the greenette protested, cheeks turning pink.
"Yes, you are~," Kayama teased, nuzzling her cheek into his unruly green hair. "A small lil' Green Bean."
Izuku continued to struggle trying to break free while his traitorous friend just laughed. The jerk. But two could play at that game.
"Then what does that make you, you…Purple Panda?!" Izuku spat out at Hitoshi.
The purple haired teen stopped laughing considering the nickname before shrugging as he said, "Eh, works for me."
Crap, it backfired.
"I think it's perfect," the R-rated Hero cooed, still clinging to the flailing teen. "A Purple Panda to go with the Green Bean. And this lil' Green Bean has a crush~!"
Damn, I shouldn't have confirmed it for her, Izuku thought as he blushed harder while struggling to get free.
...
Shouta, now bandage free, sighed at the sight of the green one of the problem children flailing while being in a bone crushing hug on the verge of being smothered by Nemuri's 'full figure'. While the woman who enjoyed 'vibrant youth', whatever that was, yammered about a crush the kid had on someone. Which he would guess was the Todoroki kid based on the hand holding and that hand placed on the element wielding problem child's face during their match.
Great. Flirting teenagers, the tired man thought with a sigh. Yet another annoying part of the job as a high school teacher.
But he couldn't hold it against the green one too much. After all, his feelings for Hizashi had started in high school. He had found the cockatoo of a person loud and annoying upon entering the Hero Course his second year. But as their high school career progressed, so did his feelings for the other. His spirit and energy were a compliment to Shouta's own lack of either. The sun to his moon and all that sappy poetic crap Hizashi loved so much.
Midoriya's bright personality certainly is a balance for Todoroki's own stoic one. He may even be helping the other break out of his shell.
When the teacher had first met the red-and-white one, the teen came off as closed off and cold. Sometimes literally cold what with the first version of the kid's Hero costume. Covering half of yourself in ice? Seriously? At least during the USJ attack he hadn't covered his head with that weird red eye thing that made him look like a walking talking Terminator popsicle. At the time Shouta hadn't thought much of it except for it being an odd costume choice, but now with the concerns brought up by Inko he started to wonder if there was more to the story behind that decision.
The kid had acted level headed during the USJ incident with his quick analysis of the situation though he went a bit overboard taking down the Villains in the Landslide Zone. But he did have the mind to not leave them frozen to succumb to frostbite. However, he acted reckless same as Bakugou and Kirishima who all three had ran in to aid All Might. With good intentions of course but as inexperienced students they were ultimately in the way even if they did help acting as distractions. Helpful but still putting themselves in unnecessary danger. They weren't Pro Heroes yet.
Thankfully, none of them had been hurt. Partially due to Midoriya's efforts of informing them of the Villains' Quirks same as he had to the Heroes. As well as All Might pushing past his limits and stalling long enough for the other Heroes to come. It was following the USJ attack that the red-and-white one had started to interact more with his peers. Which Shouta could guess that the change in Todoroki was possibly due to the green one's influence in some way. How exactly he didn't know but he was thankful for it anyway.
He certainly has opened up more in class since the beginning of the year.
Todoroki was still quiet in class but not as standoffish post USJ. Before he had only associated himself with Yaoyorozu and even those moments had been fleeting. But after, he interacted with his classmates more, namely Uraraka, Iida, and Asui. And his interactions with Yaoyorozu grew in length and frequency than they were before. As if he was more comfortable around his peers.
Must be Midoriya's doing. Somehow.
It would be interesting to see how the student dynamics changed once the two new problem children were officially added into his mess of a class. He had noticed the two knew some of his new classmates already. That is if the group of that had surround the green one after finishing the Obstacle Course stood as proof. Out of the nine students, six of them had been from 1-A while the other three had been the purple and green problem children with their excitable pink friend.
So, Uraraka, Iida, Asui, Todoroki, Yaoyorozu, and Kouda are already familiar with the two newbies.
There was also Tokoyami who had teamed up with Midoriya during the Cavalry Battle and lost against Shinsou. As well as apparently, they had met Jirou during the lunch break. The green one had then gone up against Kaminari and Ashido. Obviously, he had known Bakugou since before UA though the teacher would try to keep them away from each other as much as possible.
He wondered who else of the problem class the purple and green ones already knew. They had practically already befriended half the class before even being a part of 1-A. He also wondered who knew about the Hiro situation and that it was actually Midoriya under the disguise. It had been crude but clearly filled its purpose as Bakugou hadn't realized who was under that beanie, goggles, and soot until he was told who it was.
Not bad for an amateur.
Deciding to take pity on one of his newly acquired problem children, Shouta stood up to prevent the kid's early demise via the R-Rated Hero's smothering. Hizashi, who had been watching the scene with amusement at his desk beside the him, also got up to join the group.
"That's enough, Nemuri," Shouta called out as he approached. "Stop sexually harassing the student."
With a huff that her fun was done, she reluctantly let go of the flustered boy who immediately moved to hide behind his taller friend. Said friend who merely cackled thoroughly amused by the whole situation. Which earned him a shove from the green one in hopes of the purple one suffering from one of Nemuri's well-endowed embraces. But the taller teen managed to dodge and move a safe distance away. The Heroine playfully gasped in disappointment but made no move to try again and merely wiggled her eyebrows at the pair of students.
Shouta let out an exasperated sigh. They hadn't even officially started the school day and he was already tired. He couldn't wait to escape into his sleeping bag later and could almost hear it calling for him. But first he had some things to take care of.
"We've still got some time before homeroom starts," Shouta said, turning his attention to the problem children. "Now, do you two have the paperwork we asked you to fill out?"
Both of the students gave an affirmative before reaching into their respective bags for the Hero costume allowance forms which they handed to their new homeroom teacher. The Erasure Hero looked over their designs and was pleased to see they sided more on practicality than useless frivolity. He also noticed that the various Support Items proposed had notes that the green one wanted to make those himself. Or for the purple one, that either Midoriya or his excitable friend would tackle the suggested voice altering mask.
We'll see what they can come up with in a week.
Because of the incident with Bakugou, Midoriya would have a lot to make up and recreate. Thankfully not all of his Support Items had met an explosive end but a fair number did. Though, the teacher did take notice that the costume design did not feature all of the gadgets he had used during the Sports Festival.
Huh, looks like he's willing to learn and adapt. Good.
Since the Support Items would be made by the students themselves, an express order for the suits would be no issue within a week. Satisfied with the designs, Shouta gave an approving hum as he filed the forms into his capture weapon to send in later. Green eyes watched in fascination as he did so but the tired man said nothing. Secrets such as the storing power of his scarf added to the enigma that was Eraserhead.
"I also need you to look over this proposed seating chart," Shouta continued, pulling out a different sheet of paper from his scarf. "It's not ideal to have you two in the same class as Bakugou giving what happened Saturday. But the situation stands that there were two spots open in 1-A and out of all the teachers I'm most likely the best suited to deal with Bakugou should he act up."
The two students looked over the seating chart, seeing that it mostly kept the class in place with only minor changes to provide space between the teens. To them, with a class half full of friends and a teacher at their back, both Midoriya and Shinsou thought it was a good enough arrangement. Which they then told their new homeroom teacher who nodded as he took the paper back placing it in his capture weapon again.
"Alright, with that settled, I have another matter to settle with you two," the Erasure Hero said before leveling a glare at the pair. Hizashi and Nemuri looked between them curiously. "Which one of you was it?"
"For what?" the green one asked innocently, green eyes showing honest ignorance.
For now.
"Which one of you two problem children gave this one the idea to use puns?" the tired man growled, pointing a thumb at his husband. "I know it has to be one or both of you."
"Aw, you didn't enjoy it?" Hizashi pouted as he slung an arm over the other man's shoulders. "Come on, Shouta! It was all in good fun!"
"It was unnecessary and over the top," he replied, shoving the other off of him. "Much like your hair."
"Hey!" the loud one squawked. "My hair is on point!"
"It makes you look like a cockatoo," the tired man deadpanned.
"That or he has a banana on his head," the green one quipped with a still innocent looking smile. Though there was an underlying mischievousness about it.
Shouta stared at the problem child with a mix of subtle approval as well as growing suspicion of who was the culprit. Nemuri and Shinsou watched the scene in amusement. While Hizashi looked at the green one with a face of betrayal.
"Et tu, little listener?" the banana haired cockatoo man lilted at his favorite student's treachery.
"Nice one, kid," Shouta said, ruffling said kid's unruly hair who then swatted his hand away.
"Shouta!" Hizashi reprimanded with a smack to the shoulder. "Don't encourage that!"
"Seriously, Shouta," Nemuri added, leaning on the elbow she placed on his other shoulder. "You'll taint this innocent Green Bean."
"He's not as innocent as his cinnamon roll exterior would portray," the purple one interjected with a smirk.
"What? No way," Nemuri exclaimed as Shouta shoved her arm off of him. "I bet he couldn't even curse."
"I'm pretty sure he can and does," Shinsou asserted with a side glance shared with his friend.
"Nope! I don't believe it. Not possible," Nemuri denied, taking the green one's face into her hands and turning this way and that to examine his still seemingly innocent expression. "There's no way a Green Bean cinnamon roll like you could, should, or would ever say a curse word."
Shouta and Hizashi shared a look knowing that the kid could indeed curse and had done so multiple times during training. While still in the R-Rated Hero's clutches, the green one exchanged a look with the purple one who gave a smirked nod. Green eyes turned back to look into sky blue ones before he spoke a single word.
"Fuck."
Nemuri gasped, letting go of the green one's face as she playfully pretended to faint against Shouta. He shoved her away as he rolled his eyes at her antics. Beside him Hizashi and Shinsou were laughing while Midoriya stood there smirking.
"You'll find that I'm full of surprises, Kayama-sensei," the green one said with a cheeky tilt of his head.
"Such as you being the one to cause the onslaught of puns?" Shouta pressed, eyes glowing red with Erasure and hair floating about even though it would have no effect on the Quirkless teen.
"You caught me," Midoriya said with a shrug, ignoring his attempt to intimidate. "Guess I just have a pun-chant for pun-derful wordplay and my suggestion to keep most details of everyone's Quirks had pun-expected consequences."
Huh.
Shouta was surprised that there had been an underlying reason other than to torture him. Which was still a possible reason as Hizashi knows how he feels about bad jokes. Probably even told the green one as much. The fink. But the suggestion was made with good intentions in mind. That was at least something.
So, he did it with the mind of keeping most of the details of the students' Quirks a secret. Which is…logical, but the puns were still annoying.
The tired man was about to retort when the bell chimed for the ten-minute warning before class started. Sighing internally, Shouta chose to drop the subject. For now. But he was seriously considered the possibility of venting his annoyance with the teen for being the cause of his almost loss of sanity in a later training session. Which there would be ample opportunity as the two new 1-A students had some catching up to do. The tired man let out one of his signature Totoro-like smiles at the thought.
Yes, plenty of time for payback indeed.
The two problem children stared at him in worry of what that smile could mean but the teacher said nothing. Instead, he prodded the green one to get whatever analysis work he needed to retrieve before beckoning them to follow him to 1-A.
As they left the teachers' room, Shouta spotted Yagi coming back from the copy room in his small form with a skinny arm full of papers. The tired man offered the other an acknowledging nod as he passed. For the students, the purple one gave a casual greeting showing no recognition of the man while the green one seemed more affectionate as he gave a bright smile and a wave. Reminding Shouta that the Quirkless boy knew who the skinny man was.
How do you know of this other form, problem child?
A question he hoped to get an answer to later. But not right now since the purple one was there too. Students weren't supposed to know. Even the teachers shouldn't really know as that kind of information could be dangerous, but had to since the man was working alongside them. But the fact that Midoriya knew and had since before the USJ as evident with his unintentional muttering made the Erasure Hero curious as to how and for how long.
Perhaps it was when All Might had saved him from the Sludge Villain before coming to UA. That could answer the question of when but not how he had found out. What exactly had happened during that meeting? Other than All Might saving the kid, failing to properly report the incident or render aid to the victim, and crushing the boy's dreams by saying he couldn't be a Hero after going through a traumatic event. All of which, expect for the first part about saving the kid, irritated the hell out of the Erasure Hero.
How could you be such an idiot, All Might?
Another question Shouta would like an answer to eventually. Later though. For now, homeroom. His curiosities could wait until he had the newest of his problem children situated into 1-A. Then he could think about how to get the answers he sought.
...
Toshinori was heading back to the teachers' room in his small form with fresh copies in hand. Papers still warm from the machine. That was when he saw the group of three leaving the room. Aizawa with the two newest recruits for the Hero Course.
It had surprised the blonde when it was announced during the press conference held over the weekend that the top two winners had been offered to transfer. Partially because he hadn't heard of such a thing until Aizawa had commented that that was how he had entered the Hero Course during the festival. By fighting his way through the Sports Festival, he had shown that he had what it took to be a Hero despite having not passed the practical. The younger Hero didn't have a physically strong Quirk after all.
The Number One Hero could agree that not all Quirks worked for every given situation. There were times when All Might's strength would be more of a hinderance than anything else. And certainly not mental types like Aizawa or the young Shinsou. Erasure and Brainwashing would definitely be useful for Hero work in the right circumstances. But when it came to brute strength they were lacking.
Shinsou being offered a transfer wasn't what surprised Toshinori, but in fact that Midoriya was as well. Not that he didn't fight his hardest during the Sports Festival or that he didn't have a Hero's heart. Because the boy did in spades. He had clearly put his best efforts into the festival and ending on top. But a high school Sports Festival was one thing, the life of a Hero was another. Far more dangerous and less regulated than a school sanctioned tournament.
Watching Midoriya throughout the festival had been a mix of horror and delight. Horror at how someone defenseless with no Quirk to protect himself was among the Quirked masses of students. Delight to watch the boy succeed with inventions and gadgets of his own making. Ones he used to clear every obstacle and even helped people along the way. Showing his Hero's heart.
The final match of the Sports Festival did show that the boy was strong in an essentially Quirkless fight. Whatever Midoriya had hidden in his pocket the entire fight was enough to break out of the hold Shinsou had on him. But if he hadn't had whatever Support Item it was, he would have lost immediately. That possible outcome was proof enough for Toshinori to continue thinking that the boy's chances to be a Hero without a Quirk were still slim to none.
But that's not how it has to be.
Truly it didn't, because he had decided. Toshinori had thought about it long and hard all weekend. Going through the pros and cons. Evaluating all he knew about the other. His words, his actions. His tendency to act in a Heroic way making All Might believe perhaps the boy had never given up on his Hero aspirations despite what Toshinori had said to him that day. A tad foolish but commendable. Serving as added incentive to follow through his offer. Then there was the crowd's reaction to his Quirk status reveal that mirrored his thoughts that a Quirkless Hero wasn't possible. The boy had the heart but lacked the power.
So, he had decided.
Yagi Toshinori, aka All Might the Number One Hero and Symbol of Peace, would offer his Quirk, One For All, to one Midoriya Izuku. A Quirkless boy with so much conviction and dedication to be a Hero. Who had the required build, the smarts, and the drive to be one. All he lacked was the power to be truly accepted as the kind of Hero he had asked All Might if it was possible all those months ago.
"E-even if I don't have a Quirk, d-do you think I can be a Hero like you?!"
"Without a Quirk, can one become a Hero like me? It pains me to say this, but I must say no, I don't think it's possible."
The blonde still stood by his words to the boy that day, having not known the youth as he did now. Blue eyes had only seen a child with no power wanting to be the Hero he longed to be. To be a Hero like All Might. That kind of Hero takes strength. Power. A Quirk. A strong one at that. Toshinori felt that if he had met the boy again and had been able to see all of his hidden skills, he would have changed his mind about the boy. Would have seen the Hero within him and realized all he needed to truly be a Hero like the man was a Quirk to match his ambitions. Being the Number One Hero and Symbol of Peace was no easy task after all.
It seemed almost like fate to Toshinori. Deep in his mangled gut he felt as if this boy was destined to inherit One For All. To become his successor and carry on the grand legacy of the passed-on Quirk. So, he had decided come Tuesday morning that Toshinori would call upon Midoriya at some point to make his offer. To tell the boy of his Quirk and how it would unlock the doors barring him from his dream. Heck, with One For All Midoriya could smash the doors down instead. Ridding him of any obstacles in his path.
Toshinori knew his former sidekick Sir Nighteye, or rather Sasaki Mirai, would not approve of this choice. Knew that he had his own candidate for receiving One For All. Toshinori had looked into young Mirio Tougata and would admit that the young man did have potential. The elder blonde had even entertained the idea of approaching the third year with the offer though he was still on the fence about it. Seeing the potential in young Mirio but still wanting to explore his options when it came to his successor. Having a gut feeling that the fit just wasn't quite right though why exactly he wasn't sure. Staying his hand from making a firm choice.
That is until the first year Sports Festival.
The clear drive to help people was strong in the Quirkless teen. Showing that he certainly had the spirit to be a great one and reminded the man of himself at his age. But Support Items could only take one so far. Toshinori had tried them for a time but they always ended up breaking and he had to rely on the strength given to him by One For All. If that were to ever happen to the boy in the field, what would he have left to defend himself with having no Quirk to fall back on. That was what started to solidify the idea in his head of offering the boy One For All. That and the crowd's reaction to the reveal of his Quirk status.
It's the same as back before I received One For All. To be a Hero one needs a Quirk strong enough to back up their desires and dreams.
It was like history repeating itself. A Quirkless child with the desire to help people and be a Hero. Only to be genetically denied what they needed to fulfill those desires. But Toshinori was given a second chance. Was gifted a Quirk by his mentor to become the Hero he wanted to be. A Symbol of Peace that brought hope with his smile.
His reign as Number One Hero has been long. Enough to bring peace to this society as the single solid pillar holding everyone up. But ever since his fight with All For One, a fight he had almost lost, his time as a Hero had been progressively dwindling. With the loss of his stomach and the irreparable damage to his respiratory system, he had grown weaker over time and had developed this smaller, weaker form as a result.
Toshinori's time remaining as the Symbol of Peace was growing steadily shorter marked by the diminishing time limit in his strong form. The time to pass the mantle was fast approaching before One For All died within him. The Quirk would still exist but with the dwindling hours he had in his stronger form, he felt there would be a time he could no longer access the powerful well that was One For All. Possessing the Quirk but cut off from its immense strength due to his own failing health. And so, just as his mentor did to him, he too would offer this powerful Quirk to a successor. Seeing a perfect candidate in the young Midoriya who he was sure would be thrilled by the offer.
Today. After school. That is when I will talk to him about the offer.
The skeletal man took out his phone from his pocket and quickly typed a message requesting a meeting with the boy though he didn't say for what reason. Wanting the offer to be a pleasant surprise. He could still see the group of three a fair way down the hall and watched until his future successor took out his own phone. The greenette turned around to look behind him and upon seeing the blonde still out in the hall gave the man an affirming nod with another smile and wave before walking off.
And so, the matter of their meeting was settled. Toshinori smiled to himself as he continued to his destination. Pleased with his decision and confident that his offer would be accepted. After all, young Midoriya wanted to be a Hero like him. What better way than by inheriting his Quirk? Yes, it was decided. The boy would make a fine successor and become the next Symbol of Peace. He could feel it in his twisted gut. Midoriya Izuku would be a perfect fit.
...
Shouta side-eyed the green one next to him who had turned around to wave at someone after checking his phone. The Erasure Hero shifted his head far enough to catch a glimpse of the skeletal form of Yagi disappearing into the teachers' room. Assuming that was who Midoriya had waved to as there was no one else in the hallway the kid would know. Or at least as far as he knew.
Wonder what that was about?
Yet another question for another time. As of now, Shouta found himself distracted by the whisperings from the stragglers around him. The two students trailing behind him were garnering attention as they walked through the halls. Not surprising since they had been the top two winners of the first year Sports Festival who were both not originally from the Hero Course. Not to mention the green one's face being plastered everywhere being the first Quirkless winner and Hero Course student.
The whispers were quiet. Most likely due to the 1-A homeroom teacher's presence with his reputation for handing out punishment, namely expulsions, like candy. But they were still there, easily picked up by the Underground Hero's well-trained ears. Many were positive though some with the added caveats of mentioning one's Quirkless state and the other's 'Villainous' Quirk. Both of which pissed the tired man off.
Their Quirk or lack thereof does not define them. Idiots.
If that were true, many of those who were Heroes today would not be. Those with 'weak' nonphysical Quirks like Midnight, Sir Nighteye, Mandalay, and Eraserhead himself among many others. Or those with seemingly 'Villainous' Quirks whether by power or appearance like Vlad King, Ectoplasm, and Gang Orca. The latter who sat at Number Ten in the Hero rankings while also ranking third among Heroes who looked like Villains. And yet all of them were Pro Heroes charged with the safety of others.
These two problem children are no different from their classmates. They have potential to be great Heroes in their own way.
If the semi-positive comments pissed the tired man off, the outright negative ones made him livid. Some sounded to be out of jealousy as the matter of their transfer had already spread because of the press conference. That a 'Quirkless' and a 'Villain' in essences had 'stolen' those spots out from under others' noses. While others did a poor job of hiding their judgmental prejudice of the boys' Quirk or lack thereof.
Don't they realize that Quirk discrimination is not tolerated here?
Shouta let out a sigh. Seems that they were going to need to remind the students of that. Either by homeroom lecture or a full-blown assembly remained to be seen. But this would need to be addressed before the situation got out of hand. For now, whenever he would hear any kind of negative comment, the Erasure Hero would shoot those students a glare causing them to scurry off in fright. If he may have found their reactions cruelly satisfying, who's to say.
With the expulsion-reputed teacher at the lead, it didn't take them too long to get to the 1-A classroom. The remaining students in the halls either separated to let them pass or left to get to their classes. Once the group of three did arrive at 1-A, Shouta paused at the door and turned to the newest additions to his class.
"Alright, problem children, here's how it's going to go," the tired man said, barring their way into the classroom. "I'm going to go in and address the class for roll call and such. Then I'll call you two in. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," the two students answered with paired determined nods, the green one with a smile and the purple one with a small smirk.
"And if anyone says or does anything related to bullying or discrimination, I want you to tell me or another teacher," the Erasure Hero added with a serious tone. "As you saw in your meeting with Nezu, UA has a zero-tolerance policy for either of those. This goes for in and outside of class. Don't let anything slide. Got it, problem children?"
The green one and the purple one shared a look before turning back to their teacher and nodding. Looking solemn but thankful. Satisfied, the 1-A homeroom teacher made to enter the classroom but was stopped by Midoriya.
"Wait, Aizawa-sensei," the green one called out. The tired man gave a hum as he turned his attention to the boy who was reaching into his backpack for something. Finding it, Midoriya held out that something to the teacher. "Here."
The offered object turned out to be a thermos that was still warm. Thankfully it was not an obnoxious All Might themed one but a simple black one.
"What's this for?" Shouta asked as he gave the green one a quirked brow in question.
"Bribery," Shinsou answered, earning a smack from his friend. To which purple one merely snickered in response to the other's offended pout before the green one turned his attention back to their teacher to answer.
"It's a 'thank you'," Midoriya explained with a slight blush as he resituated his back pack. "For speaking up for Ochako-chan during her fight with Bakugou. I would have done it myself but Mei-chan didn't have her PA hack on her."
Shouta hummed again as he opened up the thermos to find blessed coffee inside. He took a whiff and asked, "Black?"
"Yeah," the green one said while nervously rubbing the back of his head. "I didn't know how you liked your coffee so I figured you could customize it yourself."
The tired man nodded in thanks as he reached into his utility belt to take out a small packet of cinnamon. It may seem a strange thing to keep in a Hero costume but having it on hand made stake outs easier when it came to coffee orders. He could see those ever-curious green eyes take in his preference and most likely filing it away for later.
After adding the cinnamon and closing the thermos to give it a quick shake to mix the spice in, he took a swig of the life nectar. Shouta gave a satisfied hum and nod in appreciation to the teen at his gift with a quick ruffle of his curly green hair. The man then spun around and entered the classroom dramatic as ever with thermos in hand before shutting the door behind him. Leaving the pair of students in the hallway to wait for his signal.
...
Izuku took a big breath as he looked at the door of 1-A while Hitoshi and he waited. The word that came to his mind to describe it was 'huge'. Not just in size which he figured was to compensate for those with Quirks that gave them larger than average figures. He himself barely stood at a fourth of its height. But he had seen the same size doors around the school since the term had begun.
No, this door was huge for a different reason. In what it represented. Green eyes took in the design marked on the surface of the wood of '1-A' depicted vertically in red. As in the Hero Course 1-A. Walking through that door would mark for Izuku him officially entering the Hero Course. Him and Hitoshi. Yes, Nezu had declared and officiated their transfer but walking through that door would make it feel more real than just words. There are times like these that actions, not words, spoke louder and had more meaning.
From inside the classroom, they could hear the class officers running through the morning meeting. Both Hitoshi and he quietly chuckled as Iida took the lead and started doing impressions of the choppy movements they were sure his arms were doing. It was just so Iida. At some point one of them accidentally elbowed the other which led to a shoving match.
The two friends got so caught up that they weren't paying attention to what was being said inside the classroom. So much so that apparently, they missed their cue leading to the door being slid open harshly and the pair being wrapped up in their new homeroom teacher's captured weapon before being dragged into the room. Meaning that their first impression as new students to Class 1-A was Izuku trapped in an arm hold while Hitoshi was giving him a noogie into his unruly green curls while they were both bound together with the carbon nanofiber and steel wire alloy infused cloth.
"Why did I think it was a good idea to leave you two alone out there?" Aizawa sighed with a muttering of 'problem children' to himself before releasing them. "Whatever. Let's get on with it and introduce yourselves."
Once they were free of the capture weapon, they both scrambled to right themselves earning some chuckles from the class. Izuku stepped up first to introduce himself and said, "H-hello! I'm Midoriya Izuku. I'm a transfer student from the Support Course. Nice to meet you!"
Green eyes scanned the classroom at his new classmates. He smiled upon seeing so many of his friends and possible new ones in one place. Scanning the room from left to right, he saw Tsuyu, Iida, and Ochako. Then Kirishima and Kouda. Then Jirou, Tokoyami, and Shouto. And to his special friend's left, Yaoyorozu. Even Dark Shadow peeked out from Tokoyami's gut who the greenette gave a little wave to and received one back before the spirit retreated back into the bird boy. It was a nice feeling and comfort that he wasn't starting in a class where he knew practically no one other than Hitoshi.
His purple haired friend was next to introduce himself and spoke, "Sup. Name's Shinsou Hitoshi. Transfer from General Studies. Pleasure."
At the brainwasher's introduction, Izuku noticed a guilty look on Ojiro's face from the front row. The black eyes of the tail wielder glanced at green who gave him an encouraging nod. Knowing that now wasn't the time for any sort of apology but it was nice to know that the other boy was still feeling bad for what he had done during the third part of the Sports Festival. Hoping that the blonde would find a good time to apologize to Hitoshi.
"As I said, these are your new classmates," Aizawa said, sipping from the thermos as he pulled out his horrendously yellow sleeping bag. "If you have any questions, I'll give you the rest of homeroom to ask them before we move on to the next class. Something that you should really do on your own time but I know you won't be able to pay attention if I don't."
With that, he retreated inside his sleeping bag and slumped to the floor for a quick nap. As apparently was normal since the tired man did nothing to stop them, Hitoshi and Izuku were then bombarded with questions. The pair shared a glance feeling as overwhelmed as the other. Thankfully, Iida taking his Class Rep duties seriously took charge of the cacophony to establish some order. There were questions of their favorite things such as color, food, subject, etc. Also, inquiries of their hobbies and interests. All topics that the pair were fine with answering. Then the topic of Quirks came up.
"Is it true that you're Quirkless?" Kaminari asked.
Izuku studied the blonde he had won against in the first round of one-on-one battles. From his friendly expression, the greenette assumed it wasn't out of malice or judgment but of curiosity.
"Yes, I am," Izuku confirmed with a nod, hiding his internal worry of how they would react behind a practiced smile.
"Dang, that's impressive," Sero said with a smirk.
Here it comes, Izuku thought, mentally preparing himself for the expected tacked on 'despite being Quirkless'. But that wasn't what he got. Instead…
"Guess you don't need a Quirk to kickass," the tape wielder remarked further with an approving nod.
…huh.
"He certainly kicked mine!" Ashido chimed in with a grin
The pinkette sent a wink toward Izuku who blushed while a smirking Hitoshi supportively nudged him with his elbow.
"Mine too," Kaminari added with a smile and a shrug.
"Actually, I think you kind of did that yourself, Kaminari," Jirou snarked earning an offended gasp from the electric blonde.
Well, she's not wrong, Izuku thought, reminding himself to talk to Kaminari about his short-circuiting problem later.
"How'd you do it?" Hagakure asked redirecting the focus back to the transfer students.
"Training and determination," Hitoshi answered for him while also for himself.
"Paired with my Quirk Replicating Support Items," Izuku added on.
"Quirk Replicating Support Items?" Yaoyorozu asked, her expression full of curiosity.
Izuku smiled at her interest and replied, "Yes, that's one of my goals while here in UA. To make Support Items that can replicate Quirks. Many Quirks, though not all, have an effect that could actually be recreated through technology. Take Sero-kun's Quirk for example."
The tape user perked up at his name while other students looked from the black-haired teen to the greenette.
"Tape allows him to shoot tape-like strips from his elbows that are great for mobility and capture among other things," Izuku explained as he went into analysis mode. "We could see that during his fight against Shouto-kun in the beginning when he shot out his Quirk to restrain and attempt to throw Shouto-kun out of the ring."
Sero grimaced slightly at the reminder of his lost fight earning a comforting shoulder pat from Kirishima. The former being silently thankful he didn't get a 'nice try' as he had been all morning during the tape wielder's commute to school. While Shouto remained blank face in the back not taking his eyes off his friend.
"Also, during the Cavalry Battle, he used his Quirk to act as a capture and tether for when Bakugou blasted away from his team. Allowing them to catch and retrieve their team mate."
There were some nods from his audience as they remembered that happening.
"Plus, during the Obstacle Course, he used his Tape to scale the robots that were blocking the way," the greenette explained. "A move I also used to make my way past that obstacle in combination with my other Support Items."
"Wait…," Sero pondered before he had a look of epiphany. "You were the one with the other Tape Quirk?!"
"Y-yes, that was me," Izuku answered with a shy smile.
"Other Tape Quirk?" Kaminari inquired with a quirked brow. "What do you mean?"
"I saw someone use tape similar to mine when the Obstacle Course first started," Sero explained. "You know, when we were all stuck in the tunnel?"
"Oh yeah, some dude was flying over our heads and bouncing from wall to wall," Kirishima commented. "That was you, Midoriya?"
"Yeah, it was," Izuku answered with a shy smile.
"The first-place winner replicated my Quirk?" Sero commented with a surprised but otherwise blank look. Izuku feared that he may take offense until… "Dude, that's awesome! I'm so honored."
The black-haired boy was grinning from ear to ear.
Feeling encouraged, Izuku continued, "And if we look back to the beginning of the year, Sero-kun used his Tape to create traps to capture Tsu-chan and then immobilize Tokoyami-kun to secure a win for the Villain team. Oh, and he used it to help hold that Warp Villain back so Iida-kun could get out during the USJ attack."
"Wait…" Sero said with a confused look that was shared with others of the class. "…how do you know all that?"
"Oh, um…because…" Izuku mumbled.
"Because he was there," the low voice of the homeroom teacher interjected suddenly.
...
All eyes shot to Shouta where he sat propped up against the wall in his sleeping bag. While he in turn scanned over his students, secretly pleased with them though he wouldn't tell them that. The reason why though was because there had been no negativity or backhanded compliments coming from them in regards to the transfer students' Quirk statuses.
Good. One less class to worry about. But the Quirk discrimination I witnessed earlier needs to be addressed.
He would have to bring it up with Nezu next time he saw the chimera. Who he was sure would insist on a full blown assembly as this did involve his personal student. Nezu certainly had a soft spot for the boy, that was for sure. Hell, if Midoriya didn't have his mother Shouta was sure the principal would adopt him on the spot. That is if he could manage to beat Hizashi to it. His husband obviously had favoritism for the kid who he had given a nickname to and possibly something else.
I bet he went and gave the green one Hero merch or something. Probably of me knowing the annoying cockatoo's obsession of getting any and all merch of me. I'm an Underground Hero damn it. Underground Heroes shouldn't have merch.
But Shouta knew there was nothing he could do to curb his husband's irritating hobby. He knows because he's tried. But Hizashi always found a way to get more having essentially a shrine of Eraserhead merch in their apartment. It was embarrassing but he didn't have the heart to take it down because it made Hizashi so happy. Plus, deep deep down Shouta may or may not be the tiniest bit happy that his husband was his number one fan. As he was his. Banana cockatoo hair and all.
Anyway, Shouta knew that neither Nezu nor Hizashi would stand for any bullying or discrimination to happen on their watch. One, because it involved their shared favorite student but also two, because of their own experience with discrimination. Same went for Shouta as well though he refused to play favorites. They had all experienced some form of prejudice due to their Quirks or, in addition to Nezu's case, not being human on top of that. So, no, any form of Quirk discrimination would not stand.
The tired man's homeroom class seemed fine with his new charges. At least the ones that were here. Bakugou of course had his own certain opinions when it came to the Quirkless which he had shown during the Sports Festival as well as their meeting. But his Quirk discrimination was already being dealt with. The explosive blonde was already starting his punishments serving the first day of his in-school suspension elsewhere in the school. The Erasure Hero wasn't worried about him all that much.
However, Shouta worried about the other Hero class. Kan ruled his homeroom with a blood manipulating iron fist but he didn't necessarily have control over their thoughts on Quirks or lack thereof. The Blood Hero had his own excitable blonde among his students same as Shouta. Monoma was 1-B's judgmental hothead with some sort of vendetta against 1-A. Using any opportunity to challenge and trash talk his problem class.
It made him somewhat worried about any future interactions considering Midoriya's track record when it came to his excitable blonde peers. Shouta didn't want to have another incident like with Bakugou. Once was already too much for the green one to go through. The Erasure Hero refused to let it happen again with Monoma.
But that wasn't something he had to worry about now. If anything, the first time they would interact since the transfer would be the upcoming training camp being planned for the summer break. Plenty of time to mentally prepare himself to deal with the Quirk copier and his eccentric ways. They had the coming internships as well as the midterm exams to get through before he had to worry about that.
For now, Shouta would focus on his problem class who were still staring at him silently demanding for more information that just 'because he was there'. Well…silently for like a millisecond before the class erupted into a curious cacophony. The tired man said nothing and simply gave the green one a look telling him it was up to him to deal with that. The problem child gave him a nod before turning back to the boisterous class as Shouta settled back into his nap.
"Wait, wait," Kaminari said as Iida finally was able to wrangle the rest of the class to asking questions one at a time. "You were there? How?"
"Yeah, how?" Sero added with a quirked brow. "The only other one there was…"
If a group of people could personify the whole ellipses mood in anime, it was Class 1-A for a hot second before there was a roaring communal realization.
"EEEEEHHH?!" half of the class blared out while the other half simply nodded in acceptance.
"You, sir, are Monsier Hiro?" Aoyama asked from the front row.
"Y-yeah, I am," Midoriya answered with a timid rub to the back of his head.
"Wait, why aren't all of us surprised by this?" Satou questioned from the back.
Those who didn't know looked around at those who hadn't reacted surprised to the reveal. From where he sat slumped against the wall, Shouta eyed them as well. He too was curious as to who did not find this as new information.
"Raise your hand if you knew Midoriya was Hiro," the homeroom teacher instructed from his sleeping bag.
Most he wasn't all that surprised by such as the green one's friends. The tired man had sort of expected it from Asui, Iida, Uraraka, and Todoroki. There was also Kouda, Jirou, Tokoyami, and Yaoyorozu who had known as well which was semi-surprising, but then again, they had interacted during the Sports Festival. Kirishima was more of a surprise though he and the green one had talked on the bus to the USJ as if they had spoken before so it was possible. The remaining student with one of their six hands raised was the most surprising. And not just to the tired man it seemed.
"Y-you knew, Shouji-kun?" Midoriya asked, unknowingly sating Shouta's own curiosity. Revealing he too was surprised by him knowing.
"Yeah, I did," Shouji replied as he lowered his hand. "With my Dupli-arms Quirk I can make different body parts including ears." As he spoke the boy transformed his hand into an ear as proof. "It gives me a better sense of hearing than a normal person. So, I couldn't help but overhear enough to figure it out. I also knew that you were Quirkless."
"That's how I figured it out as well," Jirou commented lowering her own hand. "Though after I did, it seemed pretty obvious that it was you."
"Again, you are terrible at keeping secrets, Izuku," Shinsou snarked earning a punch to the arm from the green one. "Seriously, you are. Sure, Uraraka and Kirishima were there when we came up with the idea. But the rest of them you told yourself."
"To be fair," Todoroki interjected from the back. "Izuku mainly wanted to hide from Bakugou until the Sports Festival."
"Thanks for having my back, Shouto-kun!" Midoriya chirped with a bright smile.
"Wait, why did you want to hide from Bakugou?" Sero asked.
"Oh, well, um…" the green one started only to be interrupted.
"Where is he anyway?" Kirishima questioned causing the rest to look over at the explosive blonde's very much empty desk.
The Erasure Hero took this as his cue to reveal Bakugou's…predicament the teen had found himself in. Shouta extracted himself from his sleeping bag as he stood up and slumped against the front podium. The tired man took a sip from the gifted thermos letting the liquid sit in his mouth for a moment to enjoy the flavor before swallowing.
He looked at his problem class with a bored expression as he took another sip before stating flatly, "Bakgou has been suspended for two weeks."
"WHAT?!" most of the class shouted in response in various volume degrees and inflections depending on the student.
The only ones who didn't were Midoriya, Shinsou, and Todoroki. Well and Kouda but he didn't really talk all that much though he did have a surprised expression on his face. Shouta sent a Quirked glare at the rest to shut them up.
"Bakugou was caught attacking another student in one of the prep rooms before the final match," the homeroom teacher informed them as he turned off his Quirk.
There were various questioning cries of why and who and how. Most notedly those who were part of the class dubbed Bakusquad consisting of Ashido, Kaminari, Kirishima, and Sero. But another Quirked glare shut them up once again.
"Quiet. As to who or why is privileged information and the parties involved are to choose to inform you of it or not," Shouta explained further, shooting a subtle glance at Midoriya and Shinsou as Quirk erasing eyes scanned his problem students. "But Bakugou was caught on video and is suspended for two weeks along with other punishments for his actions. He is serving his in-school suspension alone under supervision and will be back in class after the two weeks."
Most of the Bakusquad grumbled at their desks unsatisfied with the limited information. Except for one redhead who cast a concerned but also knowing look toward Midoriya. Confirming to Shouta that they were more acquainted than they appeared to be. But what did Kirishima know about Midoriya's and Bakugou's relationship that would make him assume the blonde teen's punishment was connected with the green one?
Kirishima wasn't the only one who looked concerned. Asui, Iida, and Uraraka did as well. Todoroki too but his expression was mostly blank as usual. Only the slightest wrinkle between his heterochromatic brows revealed his unease. As for the rest of the students, there were some mutterings still wondering who Bakugou had attacked and why he had done it. But there were also comments on that they weren't entirely surprised based off his treatment of others.
Bakugou's explosive personality had been made clear, both figuratively and literally, since day one when he had yelled 'die' as he launched the ball with an explosion-fueled throw during the Quirk Apprehension Test. His continued aggression in class and training cemented that fact along with the brash yet skilled way the teen used his Explosion Quirk. His thoughts of his peers were also clear labeling the majority as 'extras' and only a fair few had been deemed worthy for his diminutive nicknames as he seemed to refuse to learn any of his classmates' actual names. Seeing himself as above the others which Shouta now knew was due to his previous schools' lack of care.
Those schools are so going down for what they did. Or didn't do in Midoriya's case.
Quirk discrimination cuts both ways. Negatively of course with the 'weak', 'Villainous' or the Quirkless. But also positively toward the 'strong' and 'Heroic'. It was clear that Bakugou was a result of his environment. Placed on a pedestal from an early age inflating his ego to the colossal size it was today. But now, with the punishments as well as the therapy, they could hopefully deflate that balloon and reduce it to a normal size. Gods know that Bakugou needed this wake-up call to his bad attitude.
"Again, it is up to those involved to share what happened or not," Shouta stressed. "So don't go pestering about it. Also, I want to say that any and all discrimination or bullying will not be tolerated. Including Quirk discrimination. If you witness any, whether towards yourself or someone else, report it to me or another teacher. And if I find out any of you discriminate or bully anyone…"
The Erasure Hero once again scanned the problem students with a Quirked glare.
"…I will expel you."
The class gave a collective nervous gulp at that declaration as the two other empty desks stood as proof that he meant it. Which Shouta sort of did but also not. If anything, he would probably give detention or suspension depending on the degree of the offense. Like with Bakugou, expelling would be a last result. But the students didn't need to know that and the threat should be enough to prevent any discrimination from happening within his class. Perks of being a hard-ass homeroom teacher.
"Now then, before we start today's lesson," Aizawa drawled from the podium while taking out a sheet of paper from his scarf. "Due to certain circumstances, I have some seat changes to makes. First off, Hagakure…"
The invisible girl shifted her clothes towards the teacher to show she was listening.
"Move back one desk. Transfer any of Bakugou's things to your old desk and vice versa."
Hagakure most likely gave a nod as she stood up to do just that while the tired man continued.
"Satou…"
The tall brunette boy sitting behind Kouda in the back perked up at his name.
"…move over to the empty seat behind Hagakure."
The sugar user nodded as he gathered his belongings to move though his brows were slightly furrowed in confusion as to why. But his teacher offered no explanation and instead continued.
"Yaoyorozu…"
The creation girl straightened up at her name.
"…move one seat up to sit behind Satou."
The ponytailed girl also nodded and dutifully worked to move her things. As those three students worked on changing seats, Aizawa addressed the two new students.
"For you two, Shinsou, you'll be seated behind Yaoyorozu," the tired man said, gesturing with his head and Hitoshi walked over to his new seat. "And Midoriya, you'll be in the back between Uraraka and Todoroki."
...
The greenette nodded and started to make his way to his own seat which also happened to be behind Kouda. Oh my gosh, we could be sign language buddies! The quiet student seemed to feel the same and signed a greeting to him which Izuku returned in kind with a smile. It was going to be nice to have someone to practice JSL with though English class was going to be interest with another person who signs. Especially with Kouda sitting directly in front of him. But it should all work out just fine. Maybe Kouda could help him practice JSL and Izuku could help him with English in return.
On his way to his new seat, he was greeted left and right. Aoyama sent him a wink while Ojiro a friendly nod. Ashido and Kaminari both offered him fist bumps which he happily returned. Tsuyu gave him a smile and head tilt. Kirishima sent him a toothy grin and his own fist bump which Izuku returned eagerly after not having had a chance to interact with the red head for a while. Iida gave him a nod and smile, though Izuku could see the underlying worry for his brother. The greenette gave him a pat on the shoulder in silent support.
He gave another smile to Kouda as he passed who sent him a shy one in return. Ochako shot him a bright smile as he sat down next to her which he gave in kind. Then Izuku turned to the other side of the classroom. Yaoyorozu and Tokoyami both sent him a nod in greeting while Jirou further forward gave him a two fingered salute with a smirk.
Finally, the greenette moved his gaze to his stoic friend, Shouto, who wore one of his subtle warm smiles now that they sat next to each other which he returned with a bright one of his own. Izuku pointedly ignored the teasing eyebrow wiggles from his insomniac friend behind the bi-color teen. Instead, he turned his attention to the front, ready to officially start his first day in Class 1-A.
...
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