Izuku walked to class with Mina and Ochako. Eijirou was already ahead of them with Tsuyu and, naturally, so was Iida.

Izuku paused,lagging behind the two girls he was with. Mina in particular looked confused but decided to wait and see what was up

"Hey, Uraraka? I wanted to apologize for being harsh. I just...don't have fond memories of that nickname." Izuku gingerly kicked at the floor, feeling his chest tighten before he unloaded his baggage. He just hoped it didn't scare off his new friend or complicate the unspoken arrangement he had with Bakugou.

"Oh. You mentioned you wanted to talk about that. That Bakugou guy was friends with you right?" The brunette smiled gently, sensing the tone shift and the tension in Izuku's voice.

"He used to bully me. I...got my quirk later than expected and everyone thought I was quirkless…Deku...it means worthless...less than nothing… I was called that regularly for a long time. I even started to believe it until I met Mina...a while after, even. Sorry for dumping this on you. You deserve to know though, Uraraka.

Ochako was stunned, eyes widening in surprise and sympathy. She struggled for words but eventually managed to grasp them. "Why don't you go to the principal about that? That's awful!"

"I thought about it. Mina asked me that several times. I guess I just wanted to give him a chance to grow. And...I guess I was tired of being seen as powerless and a victim. I probably still give him too many chances."

Ochako paused, taking in everything her friend just told her. It was a lot to drink in. She looked from Izuku to Mina, who stood by, frowning.

Mina wanted to chime in but thought it might be best to let her boyfriend speak for himself. She held his hand for support.

"I always thought it could mean "someone who can do anything" but I won't call you that again if it hurts. Sorry, Midoriya!" Ochako apologized. "If it helps though, you seem to have much better friends than you did before. I am happy to be one of them. Sorry for calling you Deku"

"It's ok, Uraraka. You didn't know. And yeah, I feel blessed. Anyway, we should get going before the bell rings. We don't want to be late," Izuku laughed sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah. Iida might get all about with us and chop the air."

Mina put a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder and kissed his cheek. "You know you probably should just go to the principal about this at this point...but I am proud of you, babe."

Izuku bristled, feeling his heart rate skyrocket. Words failed him as his tongue tied itself in knots. Finally he choked out

"T-Thanks, babe. Shall we?" He offered an arm to his girlfriend, the first real friend he had made in so long. It was shaky at first, but version calmed down, having had time to acclimate to Mina's personality and her affections

Mina gladly took her boyfriend's arm, giggling before she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Awwww, you called me babe! My little green bean is coming out of his shell" she teased. Izuku sputtered and blushed from the combination of PDA and flirtatious compliments.

"Beans don't have shells, Mina. C-come on. Let's get to class!"

"You know what I mean, Midorkia. Alrighty! Let's get going!" The pink girl cheered, heading into the 1-A homeroom. "I wonder what we're doing in class today," Izuku pondered out loud before heading in after her.

X

"Elections?" The class asked in unison. Aizawa had dropped the news right out of the gate

Everyone seemed excited for such a standard high school activity.

Izuku thought to himself about who he would choose. There were a few friends he could think of as a good class president. Eijirou wasn't the most organized but was reliable and friendly.

And then there were Iida and Ochako. He trusted his new friends already and the former definitely seemed quite fit for leadership. And as for Ochako, she had helped him at least 3 times in the time they knew each other. In the end, however, there was only one choice in his mind.

"Man, I hope this isn't biased," the boy thought to himself. Above Iida, or Ochako or Tsuyu, there was one person he saw as a friendly face worthy of leading the class.

Aizawa deadpanned his way through. "Ok. Now that that's over with, let's count the votes...looks like with a majority of the votes, Midoriya is class president and Yaoyorozu is Vice President."

"I should step down. Iida seems to want the role and he would be better at it than me." Izuku exhaled, frowning into infinity as he turned to his bespectacled friend.

Iida slammed his hands on the table dramatically, startling his friends "Do not do that, Midoriya! I appreciate the gesture, very much so! However you know my obsession with UA and upholding its legacy. Had I thought you were Ill equipped for the position, I would not have voted for you."

"Yeah. Domf fe fo harb om yourfelf," Mina spokebup, mouth full of food. She swallowed her lunch and smiled at her boyfriend. "You're a good leader, babe."

"I don't know. I lost that match. And I haven't exactly led very many-" Izuku picked at his meal as he blushed to himself.

"Are you still on about that, Izu?We talked about that though," the pink girl pouted as she gently poked Izuku with her chopsticks.

"Bro, you're too hard on yourself. You're great," Eijirou chimed in, pumping a fist in the air. He supposed he needed to follow his own advice.

"I must agree, Midoriya. You are too hard on yourself. I might not have known you as long as the others, but you seem to be quite exemplary and I still can't apologize enough for my previous rudeness when we first met. Feel proud of your victory," Iida doubled down on his assertions.

"I mean...I voted for Mina…"Izuku squeaked out while poking his fingers together and blushing.

"Awwww, babe~. I don't think I could accept but thanks anyway."

Izuku was grateful. He still felt unworthy on some level. Despite Mina's peptalk, there were still lingering regrets. And even with a support system now, most of his life had been torment and adversity. Low self worth had taken root and it would require longer than a couple years to deal with it. For now, however, he couldn't help but smile.

"So who is everyone's favorite pro?"

"I mean, it is kind of obvious, isn't it?" Ochako blushed. "I am a big 13 fan."

Mina cheered. "Heck yeah! They are a fave for sure. Also, Miruko! She is a queen! "

Suddenly, the air was pierced by a wailing siren and an announcement by staff to head single file to a safe area. The entire student body of UA were in a panic, running through the hallway in a frenzied human traffic jam.

Izuku struggled to get back together with his friends. The group was split into two, with Izuku, Ochako, and Tenya separated from Mina, Tsuyu, and Eijirou. He thought he saw Bakugou in the crowd with Setsuna and an orange-haired girl.

"I need a plan. Iida, can you-" Izuku muttered loud enough for his friends to hear. He was ready to take the lead. He supposed that if he was Class president, he would have to get better at taking charge

Iida seemed to understand what Izuku's plan was but they were both cut off by a loud voice.

"Attention everyone! It is only the media. They are sneaking onto the premises, possibly to look for an interview with All Might."

"Yaoyorozu?" Izuku was thinking of getting either himself or Iida to act as the walking man on an exit sign. However, his vice-president elect had already assessed the situation and come up with a prudent application of her quirk.

Mina hugged her boyfriend from behind, happy that the chaos had ended.

"Kind of bummed they didn't get in. It would be fun to be on TV."

"I do not see how trespassers on school grounds causing a panic would be fun, Ashido!"

"Man, don't be such a turbo buzzkill, Iida-kuuuun!" Mina whined.

"I mean he does have a point."

Mina frowned to herself, arms akimbo. "Of course you would say that. You were on TV."

"I wasn't trying to be. I was just trying to help," Izuku rolled his eyes gently, prompting his girlfriend to pounce upon him and give him a noogie.

"Are you being sassy, Izuku? Man, you really have come out of your shell."

"Not intentionally. I guess it's a side effect of hanging with you. C-cut it out, Mina!" Izuku giggled and struggled against his girlfriend while Iida chastised them over their PDA.

"So cute!" Ochako gushed as she stood to the side.

Out of the corner of his eye, Izuku saw Momo shuffling back to class. He perked up and held his hand up.

"Y-Yaoyorozu! Could you… um, hold up please? I want to discuss something with you."

The pony-tailed girl pointed to herself in confusion and walked towards her newly elected president.

"Yes, Midoriya? What is it? We should be returning to class."

Izuku bowed bashfully and tried to speak clearly and on point to avoid eating up time. "I had a thought that might work out for both of us "

X

Izuku stood before his classmates, inviting Momo up to the front of the class with him.

"I've come to make an announcement. I really appreciate the votes. In the face of my defeat in our first training exercise, I don't think I am fit to lead the class. I wanted to nominate a friend who I felt would be a better fit. However, I was recently told to have more faith in myself by some people I trust,"Izuku turned to Momo and offered a hand.

"Still, I don't think being class president is a good fit for me. During lunch, I found someone who already takes charge better than I do. Yaoyorozu...D-Do you want to swap with me? I can be VP and you can be president."

The recommended student was shocked. She was hoping to get it, as selfish as it was. It would look good on paper though. Still, she was hesitant. It felt almost impolite.

"I see. Very well. I look forward to working with you." The ponytailed girl smiled politely. It felt almost unearned but she couldn't help but feel excitement bubbling up.

"Um, Yaoyorozu?" Izuku looked up at his slightly taller classmate. The lingering awkwardness of the situation was eased ever so slightly by the realization that she was not so different. Granted, she was a girl, and a wealthy, gorgeous one at that. And yet they were both there to be heroes. What's more, he could tell she was resourceful, like he tried to be.

"Yes, Midoriya?" the ravenette looked at her vice-president with a slight look of confusion on her face.

"I...I know you are a recommended student, but it's ok to be excited over something you were hoping for." He offered a shaky, yet sincere smile.

"I...will take that under advisement...oh, why not? Everyone, I can't wait to do my best as your class president alongside Midoriya. I also hope that Iida-kun is willing to work on the Student council with us!"

The class cheered, happy either way. Some had hoped they had won but we're willing to give their class reps a chance.

Aizawa sighed and gazed at his students with tired eyes. "Fine. Whatever you think is best. As long as you pick the rest of your student council and get on with it."

The two student officials looked at each other and nodded. They had a lot of work to do but had already picked one cabinet member. For the time being, however, they had a good council going and Izuku couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of contentment.

And yet, in the back of his mind, he had to still ask: had he earned it?

X

Class had ended and everyone had parted ways, heading towards their destinations. Mina and Izuku headed to their train when their teacher intercepted them.

"I AM HERE… to walk you to your stop." the number One hero announced triumphantly to his two pupils.

"Are you sure, All Might? Won't people ask why you're walking with us?"

The Symbol of Peace coughed up blood violently as he deflated into his true form.

"No worries. I brought a disguise. I used to use one back in the day to hide from The press. Even a hero needs some privacy now and then " the tall man said, donning a yellowish baseball cap. "It clashes with my suit, but between that and my true form, I should be able to duck the press for a bit. The media really wants their scoop.

Izuku perked up immediately at this new development. The disguise seemed oddly familiar and he couldn't place it, but his mind was swimming.

"You have a secret identity? How did I not know this? Was this from your days with Professor David Shield and Nighteye? Or was it from the time you teamed up with the hero known as Caped Baldy? Have you used other disguises or-"

Mina gently shook her boyfriend out of his mutter storm. "Breathe, babe. You're getting a bit too excited."

All Might, still in his skeletal form, wiped blood from his mouth and sighed. "No offense, young Midoriya, but perhaps you should work on talking about topics that aren't related to me."

"Oh...um...did you know your bones are always wet?" Izuku rubbed the back of his head.

"Oooo! Or that skin is the largest organ so if you hold hands, that's two organs touching."

"Maybe we'll stick to heroes for now." All Might sighed. He really was watching after some weird kids. He supposed this was the life of a teacher. Yet he couldn't help but smile. They had potential. All his students did. And yet this young couple made quite an impact on the old-pro.

"Would it be unprofessional of me to have a movie night for the kids?" He thought. Perhaps later. For now, All Might took off his cap and assumed his beefy hero form with a puff of smoke and a boisterous laugh

"Anyway, it looks like you two are at your stop now. I must go. A hero's work is never done. I will see you tomorrow, though I might be late. See you tomorrow"

In an instant, All-Might was airborne, leaving his two students to watch in awe.

X

The next day, everyone in 1-A was abuzz with excitement. It was their first class trip and every student had the option to bring their hero costumes, though some still needed repairs. Izuku's costume was being mended, so he opted for his gym clothes.

While tempted to board with his friends, the One-for-All holder stayed behind with Momo to make sure everyone boarded.

"We're good to go. Get on unless you want to be left behind." Aizawa spoke in A monotone voice before boarding the bus. Momo and Izuku followed soon after and were seated.

The green-haired boy leaned back intently in his bus seat, staring at a trading card he kept in his wallet. It was a holographic All Might card, one he had owned since he was at least 4 years old. The memories attached were bittersweet but it was too good and meaningful a collectable to discard.

"Hey, Midoriya?" A voice broke Izuku out of his trance. He looked over to see Tsuyu, poking her finger on her chin.

"Oh, yeah, Asu...er...I mean Tsu. Sorry."

"I couldn't help but notice your quirk is a lot like All Might's."

"Oh...um...i guess I get it from my dad's side."

"Didn't you say his quirk was breathing fire?"

Izuku panicked, unsure of how to counter. He should have known Tsu would have questions. Of his friends, she was one of the smartest in the group. Luckily, Mina chimed in.

"Maybe he has like...some kind of telephonetics like his mom, but he has to touch objects to activate it?"

"You mean telekinesis? Also, how would that break his bones?"

Mina shrugged her shoulders and sighed, giving a wink to Izuku.

"Either way, dude, it's a pretty flashy quirk. Not like mine."

"Hey, that's not true. I think your quirk is really cool."

"You say that about every quirk, gero." Tsuyu spoke up. Eijirou nodded, adding "She's not wrong.

"I mean...maybe, but that doesn't make it any less true," Izuku poked his fingers together awkwardly before straightening up. "You've got a built-in suit of armor and can increase the strength of your punches and-"

Eijirou cut his friend off, waving a hand in order to stop the stream of compliments. "Whoah, dude. No need to butter me up. Man, you're going to turn me as red as my hair...Thanks, Midoriya," The boy blushed and grinned

Tsuyu wasn't entirely satisfied by the answer Izuku gave her but it was the best she was going to get for now. If her friend was holding back, She was sure he would open up eventually. He wasn't the best at it. Izuku was an odd boy, crying openly some moments and dodging things at others. The frog girl could certainly see why.

"So Midoriya, what's the deal with you and that Bakugou guy? He seems really intense." Kaminari butted in, wanting to know more about this group of friends he was in class with. The fact that there was an awkward nerdy guy with a cute girlfriend had him curious.

Unfortunately, he picked a touchy subject. The air grew tense as Mina, Ochako, Eijirou and Tsuyu held their breaths. Izuku hesitated and thought for a moment before squeaking out an answer.

"Um...we...used to be friends. Sorry. I can't say more than that."

"What, is he your ex?" the blonde boy teased, but saw that it didn't get the best reaction.

Jirou shot a jack out and jabbed her friend in the head.

"Sorry that captain Doofus is bothering you," the punk girl sighed in an aloof way. "Do you know where we are going? Some off campus site, right?"

"I heard it's like Universal Studios Japan, but for rescue practice. It will be pretty great to focus on other aspects of heroics outside combat. I am looking forward to it, honestly," Tenya responded, a wide smile on his face. "It will give us the opportunity to live up to UA's prestigious legacy."

Tsuyu looked out the window and smiled. "I am actually looking forward to this. I want to be a rescue hero, focusing on helping people during natural disasters, gero! This is rabbit ribbit ribbit" even the seemingly emotionless Tsuyu couldn't help herself. Her croaks became more frequent and her large hands fidgeted wildly As she hopped in her seat. As Izuku, Mina, and Eijirou observed their friend, they couldn't help but smile as well.

The bus pulled up to a giant dome-like building, not dissimilar to a sports stadium.

Eijirou was actually certain he had seen a baseball game with his family at one just like It.

Aizawa led the students off the bus and into the large, Arena-esque structure. The entire class gasped in awe at the scenery before them. Rolling landscapes based on different types of disasters lay before the students. Tsuyu's already large eyes widened as she stood next to Mina and Izuku.

Izuku poked Mina and Ochako on the shoulders in an excited fashion as a short, stout astronaut stepped into view, waving a gloved hand.

Mina and Ochako were fangirling in place as Aizawa introduced the figure.

"Alright, class. This is the Unforeseen Simulation Joint. USJ for short. I'll let Thirteen take over from here."

Sure enough, Thirteen spoke in a cheery, androgynous voice. "Hello, Class! I can't wait to get to know all of you. As Eraser said, this is USJ. I put a lot of work into this place with the rest of UA in order to help train students in the art of rescue. Heroics is about more than fighting villains and oftentimes, we will have to help citizens in the face of Natural disasters."

The air rippled ever so slightly, as if something was trying to breach the surface of a still pond. Suddenly, a black void opened up before the students.

"Something tells me this isn't in the curriculum." Tenya said wearily, taken aback by the sudden anomaly.

Soon after, the void stared back with two piercing yellow eyes as it took on a more humanoid form.

Stepping out from similar portals was an entire army of villains. At the helm was a lanky looking man with disembodied hands all over his body.

"So this is the next generation of heroes, huh?" The gangly man scratched nervously at his neck. His eyes focused in, blood red and filled with killing intent. "Can your teacher come out to play? Where is All Might?"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Damn, this took too long and is still the shortest chapter of this fic so far. I could have fleshed it out more I think. Maybe make it a better chapter. But still, it is mostly a build-up chapter. Next couple will have more stakes and interactions, as well as the Izumina moments we need. This chapter sadly lacked good Izumina I feel.

Like I said, though, set up. I also cut out a bit about Bakugou but I can save it for later. For now, I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you and see you around.