"Never trade respect for attention." ─ Mel Robbins
Chapter 08: Right to Be
Ruby finds herself in that place again. That snowy, ethereal forest clearing with the stone pillars, which seems to have increased in numbers since her previous visit. She doesn't give time to count how many pillars there are because standing before the pillar in the middle was her mother, or at least a vestige of her, still shrouded by her cloak. Summer was towards her daughter as she faced the pillar.
Letting the dream playout, Ruby walks over to her mother. "Hey, mom. Had a pretty crazy day yesterday. I guess you can tell from my face…oh?" Her bandages and burns are gone. "I guess they didn't get carried over to my dreams. Well, don't worry, Mom. I'm a lot tougher than I look! Like you!"
Ruby wasn't expecting Summer to say anything. It was just nice to talk to her, even if she wasn't looking at Ruby. That is, until Summer started to turn around.
"Mom?"
Ruby was snoring with a dribble of drool when Prism called out, "Time to get up, kids!" Her voice wakes Ruby from her dream with a snort.
Groggily, Ruby crawls out of her hammock, falling to the floor. "…Ow."
After having breakfast, Ruby helps Prism with the dishes. Even though that Prism had insisted that Ruby didn't need to as she is a guest, Ruby felt that it was only right because she somewhat inconvenienced the family unexpectedly last night. As Ruby rinsed the dishes and put them on the dish drain, Sky Arc, a paramedic, comes over.
"Hey, Ruby, once you're done, I wanna check your burn," the bespectacled Arc said.
"'Kay!" Ruby replied. Once she is done, she goes see Sky in the living room.
"It looks like its healing nicely," Sky said as she checked the small burn. "You've been taking care of it well. From what you told me about the person you fought against, he used his Quirk at close range. Even if he used a small percentage of his power, I'm surprised that your burn came out superficial."
"I guess it's thanks to being related to Dad and Yang," said Ruby. "They're Quirks, while not directly fire based, are kinda heat based. Out of that, I got a natural tolerance to burns and the like."
"That sounds very useful. From the look of things, it'll be fully healed by tomorrow, but I'd still keep it covered."
"Will do!" Ruby chirped.
Ruby and Jaune prepare to leave. As they went, Ruby took a small glance at her house before going on her way. They meet up with Ren and Nora and headed over to the bus stop. There, Ruby sees Izuku coming, now without his thick cast. Ruby smiled brightly, happy that her friend has healed from yesterday.
Once arriving at the school, the group were surprised by the media that had been loitering around the main gate. Several students are being questioned about All Might, some of which try their best to avoid the reporters. Eventually, the reporters started to target only the hero course students.
One reporter spots Weiss walking with Momo. "As the Schnee heiress, what are your thoughts on All Might being a teacher?"
"His reputation proceeds him," Weiss answered. "I am quite honored to have him as a teacher. I will make no further comment."
Ruby stood off to the side as she watches her classmates getting interrogated. One reporter was unlucky enough to ask Tenya, who starts to give an overly long speech. The students use this moment to get away.
"I'm starting to see why Uncle Qrow doesn't like the media," Ruby mused. She goes to make her leave but sees that there were more reporters. She felt anxious at the sight but remembers a time Qrow told her how to handle the media.
"All you need to say is 'no comment.' It doesn't disclose anything. Just keep your chin up and move briskly."
She takes a deep breath and proceed, doing exactly what she was told. Chin up, shoulder's squared, eyes forward, and don't make eye contact.
"Hey, are you in the hero course, too? Can you tell us All Might's reasoning for why he decided to teach at UA?"
"No comment!"
"How would you rate his teaching ability?"
"No comment!"
"Did you receive that injury during hero class by any chance?"
"No comment!"
"Since you are not willing to divulge anything about All Might, can you tell us about the missing UA student and daughter of the CEOs of Kuo Kuana Enterprise, Blake Belladonna?"
That made Ruby stop. The question repeated itself in her mind, echoing out and drowning any other thought. She shouldn't be turning around. She shouldn't give the press the attention they have no business having, but…
"How did…?" That tiny question was all it took for the reporters to bombard her with question after question.
"Do you know the reasoning behind her disappearance?"
"Are you in anyway associated with the Belladonnas?"
"Do you know anything about a group called the White Fang?"
"What about the attack that left UA student Yang Xiao Long crippled?"
The questions became numerous as they overlapped eachother and Ruby started to feel anxious.
"There you are!" Much to Ruby's relief, Mirio appeared with Aizawa beside him, looking less than pleased. "Whatchya doin' standing around? You'll be late for class, you know!"
"Uh…R-Right!" They quickly move far away from the reporters, Aizawa stayed behind to get them to leave.
"Phew…They're persistent," Mirio said.
"Thanks, Mirio," Ruby thanked.
"No sweat. Dealing with reporters are a bit of a hassle. It's a good thing that you plan to go underground, so you won't have to worry about them as much," Mirio said. As they walked, Ruby thinks about what happened between him and Yang.
"Hey, Mirio?"
"Hm?"
"What happened? Between you and Yang," Ruby asked.
"It happened just as the hero class started," Mirio began, his cheerful smile turned into a serious frown. "South Magia wanted her to be on standby for a while, but she was having none of it. I tried to calm her down, but it didn't help. In fact, it made things worse. She even tried to punch me." A smile perked back on his face. "Good thing I have a better grip with Permeation. Otherwise, I'd probably be on the other side of Ground Lambda!"
Ruby was shocked to hear this. She wasn't sure of the scale of what happened between Yang and Mirio. She could only guess from the words that were thrown around. "And you're…okay?"
"I've dealt worse from her once or twice before," Mirio said. Ruby can find the truth in that. Even before the Taurus Incident, Yang was always temperamental. Her level of aggression usually depended on her mood. "Besides, she's going through a lot, right?"
"…Yeah."
"Still, it's gonna be lonely without Yang or Blake around. In that case, if you're having any issues, you can come to big bro Mirio! Sound good?" Mirio smiled radiantly.
This moment has Ruby remembers when she first met Mirio. It was while Ruby was a second-year middle schooler, on that same year, Yang started going to UA. On the second day of school, Yang had brought Mirio over and he took an instant shine to Ruby. Ruby, due to what happened with Cardin, was wary of him, but was soon charmed by his charisma. He was among the first to say that she wanted to be a hero, then she can.
"Okay!" Ruby smiled. Some shouts had her look back at the press, seeing a woman yelling at Aizawa, who was unbothered and walked away. "Wow, those reporters don't give up, do they? Should we be worried about them getting on campus."
Mirio shook his head. "No, we shouldn't be. Look."
The female reporter, clearly agitated with not getting a story, tries to walk through the gate before it closes on her.
"See? UA security is pretty topnotch. The only way you could get in is if you're a student, part of the faculty, or an approved visitor."
"What will happen if someone manages to get in?"
"Just like what would happen when any security is breached. An alarm goes off."
Ruby and Mirio part ways before Ruby headed for Class 1-A. As Ruby neared the classroom, Ochako opens the door. She looks around until she saw Ruby coming closer.
"Ruby!"
"Hi, Ocha-KO!" Ruby shouted as Ochako pulled her into the classroom and closed the door.
"I'm sorry, Ruby!" the brunette apologized…for some reason.
"Um…what?"
"I didn't say anything! I swear!"
"Me too! I kept my mouth shut!" Nora exclaimed.
Kirishima joined in. "Me three!"
The voices of the more emotive students started to overlap with their apologies, apologies for what Ruby didn't know.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute! What are you guys talking about?" asked Ruby.
"Those reporter guys somehow finding out about that incident back in February!" Mina said.
"…Oh…that."
The invisible hands of Hagakure takes Ruby's hands. "I didn't blab. Believe me!" Her declaration had restarted the students proclaiming their innocence.
"G-Guys, it's fine!" Ruby tried to assure, but it seems to have fallen of deaf ears as they continued, not wanting her to think that anyone had betrayed her trust.
Thankfully, Tenya Ida comes in clutch. "Everyone, quiet down! Rose is trying to speak!" His interjection was successful in calming everyone down.
"Uh…Thanks, Ida. I'm not sure how those people got that information, but what I do know is that none of you had anything to do with it," Ruby said smiling. That seems to put the others at ease. Weiss, however, gave a huff.
"That's a lot of faith in people you barely know," Weiss said smugly. "There's a good chance that any one of you blabbed. It could have been lightning dolt here."
"Hey!" Kaminari shouted.
"Or Multi-mouths, the explosive loudmouth or maybe even Mr. Mutters over there."
"Huh?" a confused Izuku said.
"It could have been anyone."
Jiro flashes a glare at her. "Some assumptions you've made for people you barely know."
"That pegs the question how they got the info," Shoji said, choosing to ignore the 'Multi-mouth' comment. Jiro narrowed her eyes at Weiss.
"I think I know how."
Weiss scoffs. "You don't really think I have something to do with it, do you?"
"You seem to like to hear yourself talk." Ruby worries that another fight was about to happen.
"You don't even know me," Weiss said, turning her nose up.
Something seems to have clicked in Todoroki. "You're moralizing yourself," he said cooly. Everyone looks at him. "Just a moment ago, you spoke how foolish it was to put faith in people you only knew in a couple of days. Here you are, making assumptions on people you've known for that same couple of days, and you've tried to defend your own innocence. It's hypocritical."
Weiss goes quiet from Todoroki's words. The silence in the room continued until Pyrrha arrived.
"Good morning, everyone!" she greeted. "I hope you are all prepared for what today is going to bring us!" It didn't take long for her to notice the air in the room. "Um…am I interrupting something?"
"Whatever that something is, that is not our main focus," Aizawa said as he came in. "Everyone, go take your seats. First things first, I saw the video feeds of the exercise yesterday and went over the results. Decent work, though with some improvements to be made. Bakugo," The young man raised his head to an even level. He still has a bandage on his lip. "you've got talent and the drive, so don't sulk like a brat over a loss."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Midoriya," Aizawa continued. Said young man looks up. "The only reason you were able to win the round was to break your arm again. The excuse that you can't control it is getting old. Once you get a better handle on it, it will be beneficial for your training."
Izuku's eyes seems to brighten up from those words. "Yes sir!"
"He really is just looking out for us," he thought.
"And lastly, Rose." Ruby perks up. "You've let your emotions get to you. If you plan on becoming an underground hero, then you need to have a better handle at them."
Ruby nodded. "I will." She blinks. "Wait. How did he know that I wanted to go underground?"
"With that out of the way, let's get on to our next task. It will decide your future," Aizawa said grimly. Whatever it was, every student in the room dreads what it could be. "You will decide who will be your class representative."
"Oh, good. Normal school stuff." Nearly everyone jumped to the chance to wanting to be chosen for class rep as it means for a better chance to get into agencies thanks to leadership skills.
"Everyone!" Tenya exclaimed. "We mustn't forget the duty of the class rep! The class rep is a leader and that requires you to have the utmost trust of others! Therefore, let's go about this democratically with an election!" Ruby bit back a chortle at the sight of him raising his hand too.
Pyrrha clapped her hands together. "That's a wonderful idea, Ida! Let's do that!"
"But some of us had only known each other for three days," Jaune pointed out. "I don't think that's enough time to gain trust."
Jiro returns her glare towards Weiss. "And some of us had already made their point." Weiss glared back.
"Besides, some of us would just give ourselves a vote," Sero replied.
"You may be correct, Sero. But there is a likely chance that someone may receive the most votes," Pyrrha said. "That may mean that they are perfect for the job! Does that sound good, Mr. Aizawa?"
"I don't care," Aizawa said, zipped in his sleeping bag. "Do whatever you want while I take my nap." He lies down and is out in seconds.
Pyrrha continues with homeroom like nothing happened. "There we have it, everyone! Please remember to think carefully of your decision. Let's get voting!"
"She's so perky! So cute!" Mineta thought with a grin.
Once given a slip of paper for his vote, Izuku ponders if he should vote for himself. It wasn't that he thinks he'll make a great leader, but it would be a good confidence boost for him. Besides, he doubts he'd get enough votes anyways. Ruby wanted to vote for herself at first, but she figured that such a position might not mean much in the world of underground heroes. That's okay, she knew exactly who she's gonna vote for.
After a few minutes, Pyrrha gathers up the votes and counted them.
"All right~!" she sang. "I've tallied up the votes and here are the results!" She moves to the blackboard.
Izuku – 5
Momo – 4
Ruby – 3
Ren – 3
Weiss – 2
Bakugo – 1
Mineta – 1
Sero – 1
Mina – 1
Sato – 1
Kaminari – 1
Kirishima – 1
Yuga – 1
"F-F-F-F-FIVE!?" Izuku exclaimed, eyes as big as dinner plates. "I only voted myself for confidence! How did this happen!?" He and Ruby jumped when Bakugo exploded out of his chair.
"Who the hell gave him five?!" he raged.
"What? Did you think anyone was gonna vote for you?" Sero smirked.
"What was that?!"
"Please, calm down, Bakugo!" Pyrrha appealed.
Weiss was equally fuming. "Two?! Why do I only have two?"
"Like was said to Bakugo, you really think anyone would vote for you?" Kaminari grinned. Weiss shoots a cold glare at him.
"I'm surprised she even has another vote," Hagakure said. Jiro chuckled.
Satou leans over to tap Koda's shoulder. "Did you give her that vote?" Koda nodded, looking shameful. "Was it because you felt sorry for her?" Koda nodded again.
"You are too kind," Oijiro said. Koda blushed and fidgeted in his desk.
"How did I get three?" Ruby wondered.
"Didn't you give yourself a vote?" asked Sero.
"No, I didn't. I gave my vote to someone else. Although, I think I may know who gave me one of them." She turns to the direction of one Jaune Arc, who acted nonchalant, whistling to himself. He gives her a grin before it dropped when he saw something else.
Ruby looks forward to seeing Bakugo glaring down at her. "Did you vote for Deku, Petals?"
Ruby quirked a brow. So, he's going back to calling her Petals? What's his deal? "Whether I did or didn't, it doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't vote for you."
Sero starts laughing. "Damn, looks like your gonna need some aloe vera for that burn, Bakugo."
"Shut up!" Bakugo demanded.
"Rose so voted for Midoriya," Kaminari and Kirishima said.
"Zero…" Ruby looks in the back of the class to see a disheartened Tenya. "I had…zero votes." Really? Ruby looks at the board and see that, sure enough, Tenya was not on the list.
"Dude, didn't you want to be class rep? Why did you give away your own vote?" asked Kirishima.
"Yeah, and it was your idea. What were you trying to prove, man?" Kaminari wondered.
"Well, it looks like we have our class representative for 1-A and it's Izuku Midoriya and his vice rep is Momo Yaoyorozu!" Pyrrha announced. Mostly everyone agrees with this, for the most part. Ruby gives Izuku two thumbs up.
"…Great."
Sometime Later: Teacher's Office
Snipe gave a frustrated sigh as he pinched the middle of his mask. "How did the news of the Taurus Incident got leaked?"
"I've already called the Doc about it. He's looking into it," Glynda informed.
"I've received a call from the Belladonnas," Ectoplasm said. "Even they have reporters loitering outside of their company building."
"So is the Lucky Phoenix," Qrow sighed. "Thank whatever god that exists out there that they don't know where we live."
"That would be the last thing Ms. Xiao Long would want to deal with."
"Those reporters are persistent," Thirteen said.
"Correction, they are vultures," Hizashi said with a rare sneer.
"Agreed. And I believe I know why," said Aizawa.
"Let me guess: Is it All Might?"
"Where is he? I haven't seen him all morning," Thirteen wondered.
"Check the news. He's been saving people left and right," Aizawa said.
Thirteen narrowed her eyes behind her helmet. "As much as I appreciate his efforts, he needs to slow down. He'll burn out his strength for today. He won't be able to assist us for the rescue training later."
Hizashi leans face first against the window glass. He could still see the press still loitering around the closed main gate. "That is if those buzzards don't flippin' leave!" he glowered, unintentionally releasing a bit of his Quirk, making the glass reverberate from the sound.
"Yamada, be careful with the windows," Ozpin said with tone as he is a parent scolding a child.
"Sorry."
"We'll just have to wait and see and hope that he'll think rationally," Aizawa said. He rises from his work spot and heads to leave. "Although, I highly doubt it." And he is gone.
Everyone in the UA faculty knows about Aizawa's disdain for All Might, or rather his publicity and its effect on the general public.
"I'll make my leave too," Thirteen said. "I've got preparations to make at the USJ for the training."
"I'm not gonna lie, it is kinda annoying. The whole publicity thing, I mean," Qrow said. "You have no idea how many times I find some nosy journalist loitering around unauthorized areas."
"I keep forgetting that underground heroes have it rough still," Hizashi said, leaning near the window with his arms crossed.
"There is nothing more we can do about it," Glynda said. "All we can do is do damage control."
Ozpin receives a text. He takes a glance and smiles. He goes to leave, but not before nodding at Glynda, who sighs.
"Despite the disturbance, the press may have given us a clue for the whereabouts of either Blake Belladonna or Adam Taurus, perhaps both," Nezu spoke.
The teachers left in the office all put their eyes on their superior.
"The White Fang."
Lunch Time: Lunchroom
Even hours after being declared class representative, Izuku was still a nervous wreck. So much so the items on the tray in his hands rattled from his shaking.
"I-I don't think I can do this," he stammered.
"Sure, you can!" Ochako chirped. "You were amazing during the exercise yesterday!"
"Yeah, you really took charge back there!" Ruby said.
"Mmm…" Izuku groaned.
Ruby notices that Tenya was still down about not being class rep. "I will be honest though, that I'm surprised that Ida didn't get any points."
"Why's that?" Ochako asked.
Ruby shrugged. "Because he has the enthusiasm for it?" And he did. Tenya seems to be the kind of person who'd do everything in his power to keep the decorum in place.
From the corner of her eye, Ruby sees Mirio, Nejire, and Amajiki at their usual table. It was…odd to not see Yang seating with them.
Yang…
"Um…Is it okay if I sit with somebody else today?" Ruby asked her friends.
"I don't see why not," Tenya said nicely.
"Just for today!"
"Ruby, it's fine!" Ochako smiled.
"It would be a little odd without you, but don't let that stop you from meeting other people," Izuku said.
Ruby could feel her heart feel warm from their responses "…Okay. I'll see you guys back in class. Midoriya, you'd make amazing class rep! I mean it!" Tenya, Izuku, and Ochako watched Ruby as she headed to Mirio's table.
"I wonder who she's sitting with," Ochako said curiously when they resume their walk to their usual table.
"They don't look like first years. And that blonde guy looks familiar, but I don't remember where I saw him…" Izuku trailed off, lost in his thoughts.
"They could be friends of Rose's sister," Tenya surmised. "She may be checking on them."
"That's right," Ochako said sympathetically. "They're missing two of their friends right now."
Izuku looks at her curiously. "Two? I get Xiao Long, but who's the other?"
"Rose hadn't told you?" Tenya asked.
"I was kind of groggy when we spoke last night, but I think she told me a little bit of what's going with her sister currently, but nothing more. What did she say?" Izuku asked as they sat at their table. Ochako and Tenya proceeds to tell Izuku what Ruby revealed yesterday. "I see…So, that's what happened." He then remembered how panicked Toshinori looked when he got the call from the hospital. "That would explain why All Might was so frantic that night."
"Yeah," Ochako said, looking down at her rice bowl. "Ruby was having a hard time coping with what happened. That was probably why she was rough with Bakugo."
"Yeah. And couple that with how she feels about bullies in general…" Izuku said, remembering what Ruby told him about Cardin.
"It caused her to lash out," Tenya finished.
"Ruby really loves her sister," Ochako said.
"So, it seems. I'm not sure what I would do if that were to happen to my older brother."
"Older brother?"
Nejire was the first to notice Ruby coming over. "No way! Is little Rose joining us?"
"Yeah. You don't mind?" Ruby asked.
"I'm sure you have more interesting people to sit with though…" Tamaki muttered, his head low.
"Nah! You're interesting enough, Tamaki! Right, Rose?" Nejire asked.
Ruby nodded. "Of course!"
"Then take a seat here, Ruby!" Mirio said, motioning to the empty chair next to him, which Ruby takes. "I've never really got to ask how was your first day in hero class went, but I think I already got the answer." He points at Ruby's face. She chuckles.
"Ha…yeah. I…uh…had a lot of built-up tension." Which was an understatement in Ruby's opinion.
"I believe it."
"What? How is Rose buddy-buddy with upperclassmen?" Weiss questioned. She just saw Ruby seating with a group of older students a few tables away.
"They're probably classmates of Golden Hearth and Belle Noire," Momo said.
"They look like know her too," Weiss said. "How? How can someone like Rose have these connections?"
"I don't think its any of our business," Momo said. "Why are you so fixated on this?"
"Look at us, Momo. Look at our families! We have a legacy to uphold. To show these people what being a hero is really about," Weiss said. "So far, none of our classmates are taking this seriously. That includes Rose."
"I don't think that's true. Ida seems very dedicated, and Midoriya seems to be too, despite his decision in the exercise. Rose as well. She – where are you going?" Momo asked when Weiss stood up.
"To get to the bottom of this," Weiss replied.
"I don't think there is any need to and…" Momo hesitated to continue. "…you aren't exactly on a lot of people's good side right now. Maybe you should just let this go." For a moment, Weiss wavered. Her light blues shifted to the ground as she pondered. And Momo felt a sense of ease.
Only for Weiss to shake her head and return to being coldly stern. "Don't worry, I'm just going to ask some questions," Weiss said before walking away.
"Weiss!" Momo said, but Weiss kept going. Momo sits back down in defeat.
Let's become heroes to help people, Momo!
Momo's grip on her fork tightens.
"So, did Aizawa got you guys picking for a class rep, yet?" Nejire asked.
"He's done it to you guys?" Ruby asked.
"Yep. And, if you're wondering, Pyrrha got chosen for class representative! And guess who was vice rep!" Nejire turns an ear to Ruby's direction, cupping her hand near it.
The corner of Ruby's lip quirked up. "You?"
Nejire gasped. "How did you know?"
"You're not exactly discreet," Tamaki said.
"Oh, really?" Nejire asked, cocking her head to the side.
"I guess."
"Anyways, so, when Pyrrha graduated, I got bumped up to class rep and Tamaki became vice rep!" Nejire said.
"I still don't know why you put me in such a position."
"So, who's your class rep? Are they cool? Are they cute? I wanna know about your classmates. Did one of them did that to your face? Did you do the same to them? Is that Arc guy in your class too? Is he doing okay?"
"At ease, Hadou! Let Ruby talk," Mirio smiled.
"He's a plain looking guy when you first notice him," Ruby said, describing Izuku. "But there's a lot more to him than meets the eye."
"Was he that kid with the curly hair and freckles?" Nejire wondered. "I've seen you walk with him."
"Yeah, him. That's Izuku Midoriya."
"Oh, yeah. I remember Yang mentioning him," Mirio said.
"If he's so plain looking, then why did you guys pick him as your class rep?" Nejire asked.
"It was actually unanimous," Ruby said.
"You mean you guys voted?"
"Yeah. And Midoriya got the most votes."
"How many did you get, Ruby?" Mirio asked.
"Three. Somehow."
"Are you vice rep?" Nejire asked excitedly.
Ruby waved her hands. "No, no. There was someone ahead of me with one vote."
"I bet you could make a totally awesome leader," Nejire said.
"I don't know about that," Ruby said dismissively. She chuckled to herself. "I'm starting to sound like Midoriya."
"Excuse me." Much to Ruby's surprise, Weiss had appeared next to the table she is at.
"Schnee?" Ruby wondered.
"Uh, duh."
"Schnee? As in Schnee Support Company Schnee?" Nejire asked curiously.
"You are correct. Rose, may I speak with you. Alone."
"Um…okay?" Ruby said.
Ruby followed Weiss outside of the lunchroom and into the hall. Ruby absently wonders if they are even allowed to do this.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" asked Ruby to Weiss.
"Why are you here?" Weiss asked.
"Because you asked me to come with you."
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Not that. I meant why are you at this school?"
"I'm here to be a hero, like everyone else," Ruby said simply.
"Not everyone is suited to be a hero, you know," Weiss said with the cross of her arms.
Ruby suddenly felt confronted. "Are you saying I'm not?"
"You have the potential, I guess," Weiss admitted. "But why go underground?"
"What's wrong with going underground?"
"Do you realize how shady and sneaky they are?"
The remark made Ruby feel offended in the stead of her mother and Qrow. "They kinda have to be. You do realize that Mr. Aizawa is an underground hero too, right?"
"Well, whatever. There are better role models out there for even people like you." Weiss then snorted. "Maybe Ingenium since you hang out with his brother."
"What? Ingenium has a brother?" Ruby asked.
"Uh, Tensei Ida? The Ida family?" Weiss said. Ruby looks at her blankly. "Tenya Ida, our classmate?" Ruby seems to be slowly putting the pieces together, but it was too slow for Weiss' liking. "Tensei Ida is Ingenium and Ingenium is Tenya Ida's older brother!"
"Ida is related to Ingenium?!" It finally clicks. "Ooooh! Doi, his hero costume!" Ruby chuckled at her own naivety.
"How could you not know that?!" Weiss exclaimed. "I'm starting to think you are as cracked as your hand me down goggles."
"These aren't hand me downs. I made them myself," Ruby proudly proclaimed. And quite proud of it, if she does say so herself. Weiss, however, wasn't impressed.
"That would explain why it looks like you dug them out of a junkyard." First, she is not wrong. Second, ouch. And third, they weren't always cracked. That was because of Bakugo. Speaking of…
"Look. I already have one egotistic knucklehead to deal with. I don't need another."
"Good to hear, because I am not egotistical," Weiss boasted.
"…So, you're saying you're not-not a knucklehead?" Ruby asked in confusion. Weiss was equally perplexed.
"What?" Suddenly, an alarm goes off. "What's going on?"
/ Warning. Level Three security breach \
"Level three? What does that mean?" Ruby wondered. She suddenly remembered what Mirio said earlier. Ruby runs down the hall.
"Where are you going?" Weiss asked before following.
/ All students please evacuate the building in an orderly fashion \
Ruby heads for the window in the hall that stretches a similar length to the hall. She looks outside to see that the main gate, the barrier, was gone.
"There! Look, the barrier's gone!" she exclaimed just as Weiss caught up with her.
"What?" She looks out the window to see. "How did that happen? What kind of villain is bold enough to attack here?"
Ruby spots the cause. "Look!" She points at reporters gathered at the closed doors of the school.
"The reporters from earlier?" Weiss voiced.
"There's no villains attacking the school. Just the nosy press." Ruby sighs in relief. "That's good."
They start to hear rumbling coming their way.
"We still have a problem, you dunce!" Weiss exclaimed.
They turn to see a stampede of rattled students heading their way.
"Wait, guys!" Ruby protested. "We're fine! It's just a bunch of report—" Her words go unheard as the students rushed through, pushing Ruby and Weiss aside. Ruby lands on the ground and tries to protect herself from being trampled, covering her head and curling up into a ball. Her goggles wind up getting stepped on and larger cracks formed.
Weiss somehow managed to keep herself on her feet against the rushing students. "Rose?" She looks around before spotting Ruby on the ground. Weiss squeezes through the crowd to get to her and pick her up. "Just because I saved you doesn't mean we're friends!" Before Ruby could respond, they get pushed again. This time bumping into Kaminari and Kirishima.
"Whoa! Rose, you okay?" asked Kirishima.
"I've been better," Ruby replied.
"And you, Snow Angel?" Kaminari smiled.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Ugh." They get pushed around again. "This is so unprofessional!"
"And crazy!" Kirishima added.
"We need to get their attention and tell them that we're not in any danger!" Ruby said.
"And how do you propose we do that?" Weiss asked.
Ruby didn't know. She didn't how to get everyone's attention at once.
Then, she saw Tenya among the crowd.
Much like Ruby and her group, Izuku, Ochako, and Tenya struggle against the current of students.
"Why is this happening? What's going on?!" Ochako asked frantically.
"This is pandemonium!" Tenya exclaimed.
"Mass hysteria!" Izuku declared. "Everyone is panicking despite not knowing what the threat is! I've read about an incident like this once and – Ah-Whoa!" Izuku gets shoved away.
"Midoriya/Deku!" Tenya and Ochako shouted. With a yelp, Ochako also gets whisked away.
"Uraraka!"
"Ida!"
"This isn't good. We'll get trampled at this rate!" Tenya thought.
"Ida… Ida!" Tenya sees Ruby pushing her way through the bodies. "Ida!"
"Rose?"
"Ida! The press outside! They're the ones who broke in!"
"What?" Tenya gets roughly shoved into the window and sees the press. "The press? Rose is right! There are no villains. We're not any in danger! Everyone, settle down!" But, no one seems to be listening. "They're not listening! How can I get their attention?" He sees his classmates getting pushed around: Izuku, Ruby, Ochako, Weiss, Kaminari, and Kirishima. He could also barely see Jaune, Momo, and Tsuyu struggling against the hysteric students. Tenya could only imagine what the rest of his classmates are going through. "What should I do? What can I do? What would Midoriya do? What would Rose do? What would my brother do?"
His brother…Ingenium…Tensei Ida…a proud hero born from a pro hero family that spans generations.
Just a moment ago, Izuku and Ochako learned of his heroic heritage and his famous family. Much to his relief, neither Izuku nor Ochako had treated him any differently. And it made him happy. Tenya was happy to tell his newfound friends of his admiration towards his brother.
He briefly remembered how the two stared at him as he spoke fondly of Tensei, Ochako noting his smile as he spoke. Of course, he would smile when he talked about his brother.
As a young child, Tenya had always looked up to Tensei and wanted to be like him, someone who fought for justice. The youngest Ida took every word from his brother near to his heart. Every advice and lesson from Tensei were deeply engraved into Tenya's mind so he could always remember them, word for word.
And one such advice came to mind.
When speaking to a crowd, you first need to present yourself to them. Standout. Then, be sure to speak in a way that gets their attention. Be concise, clear, and confident.
And that was how Tenya would try to speak to his classmates. Whenever the teacher needed the class's attention, Tenya would be the first to address to the students to pay attention. He was seen as teacher's pet for that, but he didn't care.
Day by day, every possible moment…Tenya will do everything to uphold his brother's ideals.
And this moment, will be no different.
But first, Tenya needs to figure out where to be. He needs to be visible for his fellow schoolmates to see. He looks up and sees the exit sign just above the doors. It was big compared to other exit signs he seen, and it protruded from the wall slightly. Not a perfect spot, but it stood out nonetheless! Now, he needs to figure out how to get up there. He hears Ochako yelp and sees that she has yet to be lost among the hysteria.
"I got it!" Tenya pushes through to get close to Ochako and reached out his hand. "Uraraka!"
"Huh?" She sees Tenya reaching out to her.
"Make me float!"
"What…?"
"I have no time to explain! You need to trust me!"
What is he planning? "O-Okay!" Ochako reaches for Tenya's hand, all five digits stretched out.
"This needs to work," Tenya thought. "This has to work!"
"This is getting ridiculous!" Weiss exclaimed.
"Guys! Chill out!" Kaminari said.
"No one's listening!" Kirishima declared.
Ruby wonders on what to do. She told Tenya what she had found out, but nothing had happened since then. Did he not hear her? Was he unable to come up with a solution?
Someone steps on Weiss' foot. "Ow! Hey! Quit pushing!" Without thinking, Ruby takes a hold of Weiss' wrist. "What are you doing?"
"We need to stick together!" Ruby said. Weiss stared as Ruby takes hold of Kaminari's arm. For a reason even Weiss can't think of, she takes Kirishima's arm. Following their female classmates, the boys grab each other's arms. They stood close together, trying to stand tall against the current.
"So, what's the plan?" Kaminari asked, getting worried. Suddenly, they notice something in the air. They look up to see Tenya floating.
"Ida?" Ruby said. Tenya lifts his pant legs before activating his Engine and starts whirling over them, likely due to the fact that he wasn't on solid ground. He loses his glasses in the process.
"What in the world is he doing?!" Weiss questioned.
Tenya crashes into the wall above the door and exit sign.
Be clear, concise, and confident!
He grabs a pipe above him to keep himself steady on top of the sign. "Listen up, everything is okay!" Tenya announced. The students below started to calm down. "It's just the media outside. There's absolutely nothing to worry about. Everything's fine! We're UA students. We need to remain calm and prove that we're the best of the best."
Ruby smiled. "Way to go, Ida!" Kirishima and Kaminari share a sigh of relief.
"Look! The police are here!"
Weiss looked on as Tenya was lowered back to the ground. She shifts her gaze downwards to find a discarded pair of glasses. She picks them up. They were unfortunately stepped on in all the scuffling. And they were prescription too, from the way it looks.
She pondered if she should deliver them to Tenya. They're useless now, so what's the point? Then again, it's better if he'd knew.
Weiss silently makes her way to Tenya, who is accompanied by Izuku and Ochako. "Ida."
"Schnee, are you alright? What about Rose, Kirishima, Kaminari, and—" Tenya stops when Weiss hands over his broken glasses.
"I found them on the ground. It looks like they stepped on," Weiss said.
"Oh, thank you," Tenya thanked, taking his glasses.
"Will you be alright without them?" the heiress asked. Izuku looks at Weiss curiously.
"It was a necessary sacrifice for the wellbeing of others. Fortunately, I've foreseen such an outcome and I always bring an extra pair on the chance of me losing my glasses," Tenya said.
"Where are they?" Ochako asked.
"They should be back in class," Tenya said. "I'll just going to have to deal with my poor vision until then."
Weiss said nothing more after that.
Aizawa, Hizashi, and Qrow stood at the entrance way as they watched the police guide the press away.
"Finally. Geez. They don't give up," Hizashi complained.
Pyrrha watched from inside. She was prevented from coming out because it might cause a bigger uproar due to being the youngest pro hero and being All Might's sidekick.
She notices students behind her, watching anxiously.
"There is nothing to fear, everyone," Pyrrha assured. "I apologize for the inconvenience. You may all return to your previous activity." Taking her word, the students walk off. One lags behind, still unnerved by the ordeal. She was a general course student with black hair in long pigtails. Pyrrha walks up to her and puts her hand on her shoulder. Her green eyes look up at Pyrrha, frightened. Pyrrha gives her a gentle smile. "It will be all right. I promise." The girl then smiles and nod before leaving.
Pyrrha looks over at the teachers, who are now heading out to the gate. Qrow looks down at what remained of the barrier. The remains were in small, fine pieces. Who ever was responsible didn't use blunt force to break the barrier, it was something more complex.
"Who could have done this?"
After lunch, Class 1-A returns to their homeroom.
"It's time, class rep. Let's begin," Momo said. While she was a little apprehensive before, she grew to accept the position given to her.
Izuku, however, has yet to overcome his nervousness. "Um…Yeah. Okay, so we need to figure out who the other class officers will be." He takes a moment to think. "Let's see. There's the secretary, treasurer, and historian. It would be practical to choose the ones with more votes too. So, there's Rose, Ren, and Schnee…" He notices Tenya, listening attentively with a patient expression. "But first, there's something that I wanna say. I've thought a lot about this. And I think that Tenya Ida should be our class rep!" Tenya gasped, as did Weiss. "He was able to capture everyone's attention and get us in line. So, I believe that he should be the one leading our class from now on!" Joy started to build from each word coming from Izuku as a smile grew on Tenya's face.
"Yeah, you know what? If Midoriya vouches for him, I'm good. Plus, he was a big help. He totally manned up and took charge, right?" Kirishima said.
"Yup! Oh! Did you notice he looked like the dude on the emergency exit signs when he was on the wall earlier?" Kaminari grinned.
"Yeah! Ida, Ida…" Ruby joins Nora's chanting.
"Ida, Ida, Ida!"
"This is a waste of time," Aizawa voiced, making Izuku yelp in surprise. "I don't care whose class rep, just hurry up."
Tenya stood up. "If Midoriya is nominating me for this job...then I humbly accept. I pledge to carry out the duties of class rep to the best of my abilities!"
Kirishima gives him a thumbs up. "Sounds good, Emergency Exit!"
"Emergency Exit Ida! Don't let us down, man!"
Momo looked upset at the sudden promotion. Which is understandable, as she had more votes than Tenya. Same can be said for Weiss.
"This class is crazy…"
Sequestered in the trees outside of the UA gates, Tomura and Roman are hidden from view. Tomura was dressed in a dark hoodie without his hands, a rare sight for him, and Roman wore less eye catching clothing as a disguise.
Tomura growled as he scratched at his neck in annoyance. "This is stupid. I did what you told me and disintegrated that annoying barrier. Why can't we just attack now? Just one call to Kurogiri and we can swarm the damn place."
"Patience, kid," Roman insisted. "It would be stupid to attack a place filled to the brim with powerful pros plus its students. Take this as a lesson: If you want a specific target, you need to be strategic of the target's movements and follow accordingly until we could find an excellent place to corner them, preferably with very little heroes. Maybe even green first years. Which means, we need to wait." Tomura growled again and Roman wonders how he got roped with such a manchild. To curb his nerves, Roman puts a cigar in his mouth was about to light it until he received a message on his phone.
I'm in.
Roman grinned around his cigar. "And…we wait."
If anyone is curious, the first time she had this dream was near the end of chapter 9 in 'the Wolf and the Rabbit Arc'.
For the voting scene, I had to sit down and think because of there being 5 more students. Obviously, Izuku still had to have the most votes and Momo second. I also wanted Ruby to have more votes than Weiss to cause some more tension. Then, there are those who voted for themselves, and I picked out the ones who I thought wouldn't really want to lead, like look at Koda. I tend to compare him to Fluttershy from MLP and he didn't seem the type to vote for himself at this point in the story.
Then, there are those who I would think there are others who make better leaders than them (like Tenya did to Izuku or Todoroki towards Momo) or don't want to lead and gave their votes to others (perhaps Jiro and Tokoyami).
I've read somewhere that Izuku voting for himself would make sense as a confidence boost.
I'll let you guys' brainstorm who voted for who. If you guys really want to know, I'll have it posted on Tumblr.
As of writing this chapter, I realized that the class officers haven't been utilized at all! We don't even get supplement material to know who was chosen! I tried to see what positions are in class officers and what I see was that class officers are somewhat the same as the student council. The main difference is that the class officers are in charge of a single class while the student council is the student body as a whole.
Canon non-crossover MHA-wise, I could see Izuku still being a class officer since he had the most votes to be class rep. I could also add Kirishima being a class officer because of his friendly demeanor plus Tsuyu.
As for this story, well…
Who do you guys think will get what positions? Clearly, class representative and vice representative are taken. I've already made my decisions, but I'd like to see what you guys think.