And now! The plot thickens~

Season One: Episode IV

Getting to Know the Class

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

Our third day of school was a little awkward. Something happened earlier in the day, reporters somehow got through the gates and had to be escorted out by police. So the teachers were all on edge, and rather than whatever the plan had been before, Aizawa had us reading through notes on proper hero etiquette. It was boring, but I guess with the security breech things were a little rattled. Besides, I'd take boring over yesterday's stress any time.

But we got out early, by a little over an hour, so I got home in time to catch my mom before she left for work.

"Adachi?" She seemed surprised, already dressed in her bartender uniform. Black pants, a white button up shirt with a thin black vest over it. "What are you doing back so soon? Something happen?"

I nodded, kicking off my shoes. "Class got cut short, because someone managed to get past the main gate." I explained, "So they are looking at security or something."

"What kind of maniacs would break into UA?" Shisui scoffed, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "Like, that's basically just asking to get arrested... Anyone get hurt?"

I shook my head, "No, I don't think it was some kind of villain attack, just a bunch of reporters trying to get an interview with All Might."

"Oh right, he's teaching there now isn't he?" Shisui quirked an eyebrow, "You met him yet?"

"No, not yet, but..." Shifting nervously, "I don't think he'd bother with students like us."

"Right... You're not, real students or whatever." She shook her head, "What a bunch of bullshit, they treating you alright so far?"

I nodded, smiling faintly. "Yeah, Mr. Aizawa is... A little jaded, but he does think we can make it, I think... So I'm gonna keep trying to do better."

And she did her best to look enthused about that, "Well, glad to hear it... So long as you're still happy, just be careful."

"Right, of course." I didn't want her to worry, but I knew nothing I said would stop her from doing so. "I'm gonna go do some studying, when do you get off work?"

"Late enough that you'd better not be up when I get home." She replied with a smirk, "I'll see you in the morning."

I laughed lightly at that, "Yeah, sure thing, have a nice night."

. . .

I didn't sleep very good that night, got a little too distracted by my studies. As a result, I slept through most of the train ride. And by the time we pulled in to my station, I was shaking off sleep and wandering my way towards UA. The last thing I expected to see however, was a number of emergency vehicles all over the campus. Something must have happened, but what would warrant so much law enforcement?

"I'll need to see some ID." An officer stopped me, before I could even get through the gate.

"Right, of course." I nodded, handing it over without protest. "What's going on? Did something happen?"

He quickly ran it through an on-hand scanner, nodding. "Villains infiltrated the school and attacked a class."

"What!?" Here? At UA? HOW!? "Is everyone alright? What happened to the Villains?"

"Relax," The officer held up his hands, "All Might took care of them, we're rounding up the rest... From my understanding there were some minor injuries, but nobody was in any life threatening danger aside from two of the teachers who fought the villains." That sounded bad, "We're currently conducting a thorough search of the campus grounds for any stragglers, you can go inside but you'll have to remain in your classroom until we're finished."

"Right, of course... Thank you officer." I nodded, making my way past him and through the gate. Head spinning with questions, I began heading for the room we used the day before for studying in. Hoping I'd be able to get some more answers, but also wondering if anyone else would even be here. It seemed like there weren't many students around, everyone was going home. Which made sense, a villain attack sounds like a pretty good reason to cancel school...

As I turned the corner into the hall that our room was located in, I was forced to stop as a number of other students came into view. They were all heading my way, likely leaving, but they were all garbed in hero costumes. I have to admit, I was somewhat stunned by the sight of them all. In these well made costumes, and bearing some minor scuffs and scrapes. But the most notable was the intensity in their eyes.

These must be the students that had been attacked.

I stayed out of the way as they passed by, reading their expressions. Not a single one of them appeared frightened, or traumatized by whatever had transpired during the attack. No, they looked driven, determined.

So these are the students that actually made it into the Hero Course? I can see the difference between us now, clear as day.

"Huh?" I was brought back to reality by her voice, my head turning to the girl in a green and black jumpsuit staring back at me. She was really... Froggy? Yeah, that's an adjective right? Froggy. She also appeared... Confused? Surprised? It was hard to tell.

"Something wrong Tsu?" Asked another girl, this one with pink skin and hair. "You know this guy?"

What? "Uh... I don't think so?" I answered, finally finding my voice. I think I'd remember meeting a cute frog girl... Don't give me that look, I am a six foot tall lizard boy.

But her expression turned to a neutral one, "No, you're right, you just seemed kinda familiar." She brushed it off, continuing onward. "Sorry to bother you, ribbit."

Ribbit? "Oh uh... Alright, no problem really..." I replied, scratching the back of my head as they continued on their way, catching up with the rest of their class. "Huh... That was weird."

"Yo lizard boi!" Came the voice of Suru from down the hall, the way those students had come from. I turned around, to see her standing outside the classroom I was heading for, along with the others. "See guys, I told you he was gonna be here."

I quirked an eyebrow, and made my way over. "What's going on? Where is Mr. Aizawa?"

Suru shrugged, "Not sure, he hasn't shown up and everyone just keeps saying we should head home so... No class today?"

"Perhaps," Sen chimed in, "But maybe we should take some initiative and do some training together?"

Not a bad idea, "Or," Mako said suddenly, "We could all go out and get dinner together instead."

Ryoko answered with a scoff, "And why the hell would I want to do that?"

"Because I'm paying," He added, much to everyone's surprise. "Come on, we can all sense the tension between us right? How about we all sit down, have some dinner and get to know one another better?"

Suru seemed relatively indifferent, shrugging. "Sure, why not?"

I could see what Mako was going for, some kind of olive branch. Sure, I could get behind that. "I'm down." I shrugged, "Beats another three hour train ride."

Sen released a small sigh, "Alright, I suppose team building could be considered training."

Ryoko rolled her eyes, "Fine, but I'm only going for the free food."

. . .

A short walk into the city later, we were making our way towards a buffet of sorts. According to Mako, it was a very nice and relatively well priced place. So I was looking forward to eating way too much. I rarely got to actually fill up, and for whatever reason I could put away a lot. Maybe it has something to do with turning into a hulking scaly monster?

For the most part there wasn't more than idle chatter along the way. Ryoko didn't say much of anything, mostly just ignoring anything Suru said. I didn't really know what to talk about, what we should say. I wasn't used to this, being around others and actively trying to make friends. It was a weird experience, hopefully things would be easier once we had some food in front of us.

"Table for five? Right this way." The woman at the door was kind enough to seat us, not seeming to mind the lizard or the boy with wings. We even got a special booth that accommodated Mako's extra appendages with added space.

Once we were seated, we were free to go and pick up whatever food we liked from the stations around the restaurant. The smell of various cooking meats hung in the air, and I had to resist the urge to use my tongue to taste it, trying to avoid looking like a total weirdo. Everyone started heading over to grab their plates and food, I began to make my way over as well before I noticed Ryoko still sitting at the table.

Taking a leap of faith, I offered- "You know its self serve here right? All you can eat."

"I know what it is dumbass!" She barked back at me, but based on the way the anger quickly left her expression, I had a feeling she didn't mean to snap like that. "I just... Give me a second, alright?"

Wow, that actually sounded like a request not a demand. "Okay, sure..." I knew there was more but... I think giving her a second would actually help so I left it alone and went to get my food.

After stacking two plates with all the cooked meats and noodles I could, the others not grabbing nearly as much before we were making our way back to the table. Ryoko passed us along the way, not saying anything as she went to get her own food.

"What's up with her?" Suru questioned, looking to me.

To be honest, I had no idea, but I could take a wild stab in the dark. "I think she's... Adjusting, or trying to at least." I shrugged, taking my seat and letting my tail rest on the cold floor. I was thankful for my seat on the end of our special booth, considering I was one of the larger members of the class. Of course, that also meant I'd be sitting directly across from-

"Find everything alright?" Sen questioned politely, as Ryoko joined us with her plate of food.

But she returned the look with a suspicious glare, "Of course I did, why wouldn't I?"

"Easy, killer," Suru chuckled, "I think Sen is the last person at this table that would take a jab at you."

"Of course," Mako added in, "I think that is exclusively your specialty, Suru."

Ryoko narrowed her eyes at the three of them, before taking her seat. "If you say so..."

We started to eat, and as we munched through the delicious foods before us, I couldn't help but wonder something. "So Mako, you offered to pay," I reminded, swallowing a mouthful. "Does that mean you're loaded?"

Earning a laugh from the blonde haired angel boy, "Five people at a buffet is not that expensive, Adachi," Wait, it wasn't? "But, since the point of this was to get to know each other better... Yes, my family is quite well off."

"Okay," Suru added before I could reply, "But how well off?"

"Its rude to pry about stuff like that." Sen noted, but did not openly oppose an answer.

"Its fine, really," Mako assured, waving them both off. "My father is a doctor and my mother teaches at a private medical school, so we've got plenty of money."

"So pretty boy is also rich boy," Ryoko rolled her eyes, food stuffed in her cheeks. "Should have figured as much, I could smell your hair products day one..." Why was I not surprised she had terrible table manners? "But why are you slumming it with us?" She added, swallowing a massive mouthful. "I can tell you are one of those wussies that doesn't like fighting, so why not go to a medical school or something?"

Offending comments aside, that wasn't a bad question. "Well... I want to get hero training, not because I want to fight," Mako explained, shaking his head. "But so I can protect someone if I need too, even if I don't want to do harm, the physical training alone at UA I think will be worth it."

"How noble," Sen answered, giving him an assuring nod. "I hope it all works out."

"Yes, as do I..." If he was bothered by Ryoko's remarks, he didn't show it. "But what about you Adachi?" Uh oh, "You asked me, now I'll ask you, what's your family like?"

Crap, "Well..." I shifted nervously in my seat, setting my eating utensils aside. "Its sort of complicated," Scratching the back of my neck. "We aren't very well off, my Dad ran off back to the States once he found out my mom was... Well, having me." I explained, "Without his paycheck coming in, we lost our home and moved into a crummy apartment in Kamino Ward."

"Kamino?" Ryoko quirked an eyebrow. "Huh, I'm only one Ward over." Oh, so we lived close to one another, relatively speaking I guess.

Mako looked like he regretted asking the question, "That is... Well, I'm sorry to hear that."

But I waved him off, "Its okay, not your fault... It's just been hard because my Mom was a former criminal, so getting a job is hard and holding it is even harder." I shrugged, "I want to become a hero so I can earn money to help her out, and well... So that hopefully one day I can find my dad and break his jaw for leaving."

"Careful Adachi," Suru chimed in with her sarcasm heavy voice. "You know what they say about revenge..."

"What, that it's cathartic?" Ryoko questioned, downing what was left of her drink.

"Alright smartass, how about you," I pointed an accusing finger at Suru. "What's your deal?"

"Who me?" She pointed to herself innocently, "Meh, not much to tell... Living out of a foster home because my parents couldn't handle their warping baby." Oh, that's... Not what I was expecting. "Took me a long time to get a handle on my Quirk, and they weren't very patient I guess."

"Ouch," Now it was my turn to feel guilty. "Sorry Suru, I-"

"Don't be, I'm not." She interrupted me quickly, "If my biological parents couldn't handle one teleporting baby they were probably pieces of crap anyways right?" She scoffed, "I'll be better than them, and when I'm a famous hero I'll have my real family to thank for that."

The silence that followed was... Uncomfortable, but it made me realize that just because Suru talked a lot of trash and wore a big smile, she had baggage just like everyone else. "Well then..." Mako said suddenly, clearing his throat. "Sen, would you like to go?"

We seemed to catch her during a bite a food, as she began coughing and trying desperate not to spit food all over the table. "M-Me? Well I-" Hesitation, did that mean another dark backstory? "I guess there really isn't much to tell," Dammit... Wait why was I enjoying this? "My mother divorced my father because he was a drunk, and soon after, my Quirk developed." She explained, "I guess my Quirk was similar to my Grandfathers, and skipped my Mother in the family line, so she sent me to live with him for training to use it properly."

"So you don't live with your Mom?" I asked curiously.

"No, but I see here at least once a month." She replied, giving a small nod. "I think its better that way, honestly... I think I just remind her of father, and the bad times in her life..."

"Seriously guys?" Suru scoffed suddenly, "Is there any one of you that isn't screwed up?"

"Everyone is screwed up in some way, shorty." Ryoko grunted in response. "Just how life works."

"I mean," Mako shrugged, "I'm in a pretty good place."

"Oh just wait," She shook her head, "It'll happen, your perfect life will go flying off the rails and you'll just have to live with it."

"Okay... And what about you?" I questioned, crossing my arms. "What's your deal? I can't possibly believe this anger is just... Natural."

But she scoffed right back at me, "My deal, is none of your damn business." Ryoko said, leaning back in her seat and bringing her arms up behind her head.. "I agreed to eat, not join in the sharing circle with you pansies."

"Come on," Suru disappeared from her seat and reappeared beside Ryoko. "We're all friends here, just trying to pass this crazy class at UA, so why not at least... Make an effort to-"

"I am making an effort!" She snapped at Suru, rising from her seat and glaring down at her. Drawing the eyes of others inside the restaurant, "Effort that's being wasted doing stupid crap like this!" Aaaand just like that, she was storming off.

Not that anyone tried to stop her, "Well, that went better than I expected... For the most part." Mako admitted, pulling out his wallet.

"You think so?" Suru questioned. "Because she seems like the same jerk as ever."

"Yes," Sen nodded, "Ryoko may not let anyone in... But she did stay to hear the rest of us."

To which I shrugged, "Progress," Before checking the time on a nearby wall clock. "I guess I'm gonna head home, thanks for dinner though, hopefully I can pay you back some time." I added with a chuckle, rising from my seat and stretching.

"Don't worry about it," Mako replied, "You guys have a nice night."

"You too."

"See you at class tomorrow, if they haven't closed down the entire school."

. . .

Shisui Adachi

. . .

"Come on Adachi... Dammit!" I cursed loudly, sighing and tucking my phone away after another failed call. Adachi wasn't answering his phone, and with all this news going around about an attack at UA I was worried.

But of course, for the sake of paying the bills I had to shut up, forget about it and go to work. I'd just reached the bar's entrance, the one connected through the back. This place was far from a reputable establishment, but it was one of the few places that didn't seem to care about my former line of work. We got a lot of scum here, and with only two bartenders, myself and that fancy formal guy, things got hectic sometimes.

"Hey," I said as I pushed open the door. "I know I'm late Kurogiri I slept right through my alarm and-" I paused in the doorframe, seeing the puddles of blood on the floor and a young man currently getting his wounds treated. "Is uh... This a bad time?" They looked like bullet wounds, and the kid baring them... I'd seen him around here, it was hard to mistake the shaggy pale blue hair, but what was up with the hand on his face?

"No, actually." Kurogiri answered, not bothering to look away from the wounded young man while bandaging him. "You've arrived right on time..."

I had a really bad feeling about this, but just as I took a step back I heard another voice. "Please, don't run." His voice was deep and powerful, coming from the tv on the far wall that simple said "No Signal". "You are Shisui Adachi, yes?"

I narrowed my eyes, holding my ground. "Yeah... So what if I am?"

"Your record is of interest to me," He answered, tone formal and polite. "It just so happens, I'm a bit short on... Capable hands, so perhaps we can work something out?"

Was he seriously offering what I think he was? "No way," I scoffed in response, "You seriously think I'd go back to crime? I've got a kid to take care of, you fucking lunatic."

"I can be quite reasonable, Shisui." He replied with an amused chuckle. "I think a bit of service, for good pay... And your son's life, is quite a nice deal," I felt my blood run cold. "Don't you agree?" As the screen lit up, displaying an aerial view of Adachi as he made his way towards the train station.

"You touch one scale on my son," I advanced on both Kurogiri and the injured young man. "I'll burn this whole fucking bar to the ground with you inside of it!"

His response was more chuckling, while Kurogiri stood back up and got between myself and the boy. "Yes, excellent, you haven't quite lost your spark have you?" He questioned. "And your Quirk responds effectively, good." What? Looking down at my hands, I realized I'd begun to form claws. No doubt some of my other features had changed as well. "I will pay ten times what you're earning now, and your son will remain unharmed, this is the only time I will make you an offer."

Ten times? With that kind of money I could- But, Adachi is trying to become a hero! If I get in trouble, he could get kicked out for good from UA... But I guess, that's better than him being murdered. "And what's to stop me from just agreeing and then going to the police?" I needed to know how much control this smug bastard really had.

"Oh, you won't do that." He replied casually, "Your weakness has been exposed, you wouldn't dare put your sons life in danger... But since you are so curious, I'll tell you." The sharpness his voice was taking sent a chill down my spin. "If you try to run, if you try to go to the police or heroes, I will find out, and I'll make you watch as your son is slowly, painfully, killed... Before leaving you a broken, crippled husk that will have to live with that for the rest of your days."

Son of a bitch, this guy wasn't messing around. I'd dealt with thugs and scum that try to intimidate others, but this wasn't just some bluff. I had a terrible feeling that he could make it happen, and I'd be powerless to stop him. "Alright, fine... Fuck." I lowered my head, letting my aggressive posture vanish. "What do I have to do?"

"For now? You will sharpen that dulled body of yours back into a formidable weapon," He explained, "And when the time comes... I will wield you."

"Whatever you say..."

I'm sorry, Kaiji... But I have to keep you safe.