Chapter Five: Infiltration
"I still can't believe the principal is letting you skip morning classes. All the power too you, but he always came across stringent to me." Minami flipped through the small stack of paper she was reviewing for the third time.
"Apparently, he's suddenly a lot more lenient when you're the top of your year and have recognized awards." Kaede placed a cup of tea where Minami sat then sat down snacking on strawberry and clementine mochi.
Minami knew even Kaede wasn't granted permission she would have still skipped. Honestly… she didn't know if Kaede's luck was full or positive or negative luck. They both always seem in high abundance.
"We have leftovers in the fridge. Don't you want something heartier if you're going to be speaking in front of council."
"This is stress food."
Kaede didn't look stressed at all, but of course, just because someone appeared one way didn't mean that's how they felt.
"Just promise you'll buy some food before you go back to school for the second half of the day." Minami used the table to straighten the pages back into a neat pile. "The revisions look great. I know you'll do well." Whether the government was receptive was an entirely different matter.
Kaede never seemed to wait for anyone and made her own path in life. It was something she was envious of. Minami was trying to of course, but Kaede seemed fully invested wherever preventative or harm reduction matters were involved. Meanwhile, Minami dipped her toes in a lot of things but never really settled into any of them. It was why when she talked to some people she came across as knowledgeable, but she could only view that knowledge as shallow. She shouldn't really compare herself to professionals or people who have been immersed long-term, but it was an easy habit to slip into.
…..
Reporters from news outlets and gossip blogs all learnt of All Might's appointment as a teacher of U.A. She could understand why they were here. They tended to follow All Might around regardless of his actions. Still, Minami found it unfortunate as she tried to squeeze her way onto school grounds. Was this her luck for helping her sister and leaving later?
At first, she decided to wait on the side, but regardless of various student answers they made no indication that they would leave anytime soon. She watched as other students pushed their way through before sighing. There really was no avoiding this. She followed in their lead.
"He's totally manly!"
Minami had zero doubt that was Kirishima's response.
"What kind of lessons does All Might teach?"
"Eh?! Ah… I'm sorry, but I have to go to the nurse's office…" Midoriya frantically replied as he found his way through the gate.
"Lend us some of your thoughts on what it was like having the Symbol of Peace standing before you at the podium of education!" The reporter made All Might sound like some kind of religious figure.
"My thoughts?!" Uraraka rubbed her head trying to think of a response. "Uh… he was really muscly!" Minami though that was the kind of answer the reporters deserved.
"What do you think of All Might's turn as a teacher?"
"It redoubles my awareness of the fact that I'm enrolled where I can reap the rewards of the pinnacle of hero training. It goes without saying that his authority and mien are awe-aspiring, but so too are qualities such as his sense of humor. Now that we students will be constantly exposed to such an impressive role model, we will be able to study what one needs to possess in order to match the definition of a 'top hero' and furthermore—"
"Aren't you the kid from the sludge guy incident?"
"Drop it!"
Minami didn't know what the sludge guy incident was but it seemed to be a sore spot for Bakugo if he's ending the conversation and not bragging. Plus, based on Iida's reply, the paparazzi just wanted gossip about the 'number one hero' or something that would cause drama for the school.
She almost made it to the gate when someone grabbed her arm just above her elbow and she froze.
"Is All Might a teacher of yours? Can you tell us about him?"
Let go. Let go. Let go!
"A reminder Musutafu City Council is having their Quarterly General Meeting, the Cabinet will be voting on whether to repeal Bill R-114 from the Education Act, and there is an on-going protest outside the Minister of Labour's office," answered Minami. She had no doubts that there were enough reporters to cover anything, but if they were going to actively hinder them getting to class on time and touch people without permission then she was going to say and promote what she wanted rather than answer any of their questions. "Also, please be wary touching strangers. Not only is it inappropriate but you never know if someone's quirk could activate by touch. We wouldn't want any accidents would we?"
"If you could let our students through so they aren't late to class… The man is off duty now. You're interfering with our lessons, so kindly vacate the premises." Aizawa shooed them away. They didn't listen to him, but Minami's approval of the man increased a little more.
She rushed in brushing her hand against her arm where she was touched before slapping it a few times.
She turns her head to look back as she hears the familiar slamming sound of the metal gates closing. She knew they are just doing their job, but she can't help but feel satisfied.
…..
"Hope you're rested from yesterday's battle trial. I took the liberty of looking at your marks and evaluation." Aizawa wasted no time giving his criticisms of yesterday's exercise during homeroom. Minami didn't like hearing criticism, but the man at least seems to care about their overall education if he watched the recording of their training on his own time.
…that or he was still looking for a reason to expel them. Was the threat of expulsion still applicable? She should investigate the upper years to find out the truth once and for all.
"Bakugo. Stop acting like a 7-year-old. You're wasting your own talent."
"…I know."
Did he?
"And you. Are you always planning on destroying your arm, Midoriya? If you keep going 'I can't adjust my quirk so I have no choice' you'll never get terribly far. I've said it before. Don't make me say it a third time. Once you've cleared that hurdle, you'll be much more flexible, so I need to see some sweat out of you, Midoriya."
"Hanajima." Minami sat straighter at the sound of her name. "Work on your quirk usage. Your application of it needs a lot of work."
That was the point of the holographic wristband as part of her costume. "Will do."
Aizawa continued to roast each of her classmates.
He told Todoroki that if it was a real scenario, and they didn't check for civilians first, that he could have unintentionally injured them.
Told Hagakure that while invisibility was good for sneaking past the villains that she needed a better way to coordinate with her team.
Told Yaoyorozu that plans could fall apart and she needed to be more adaptable in the moment.
Warned Ashido that she almost collapsed the structural integrity of the building which could have crushed her and everyone else.
Told Shoji that he took too long to realize that he was blind sighted by the villains rather than focusing on the goal at hand.
Told Asui that climbing the outside of the building was smart, but if the bomb was real than using her tongue to grab it was reckless.
Aizawa gave comments on each and every student. The need of improvement made quite clear.
Well, that was the point of school. To build upon concepts and gradually learn and get better. Still, the brash comments seemed to make their impact on some of her peers.
"Now onto homeroom notices. I'm sorry to have to spring this on you all, but… we need to pick a class president."
Being class president wouldn't be so bad. She had done it before.
Minami didn't expect most of the class eagerly raising their hands to volunteer. If only it had been this easy-to-get people involved in previous years.
"Oh! Oh! I wanna be class president! Pick me!" Jiro raised her hand.
"My manifesto as president: all girls must expose 30cm of thigh!" How about no? Was he trying to get some type of 'R' rating hero description like Midnight?
"Oh, you mean the position that exists for me," said Aoyama. Or Minami thought it was Aoyama. She couldn't see the front row from the number of people standing.
"That's like a leader position! I'll do it! Me! Me!" Ashido jumped and yelled.
Even timid Midoriya raised his hand.
"Be quiet!"
Minami looked to Iida who sat diagonally from her. "This is a task laden with responsibility where you must carry and pull everyone else's weight. Just because you'd like to do it doesn't mean you can!"
Yeah, and just because you spoke louder than everyone else didn't mean you're right – much like charisma doesn't make you the most knowledgeable. It was just a class president role. The role was manageable to anyone as long as the person was willing to be involved.
"It is a holy office that requires the great esteem and trust of those around you." He realized this was class president and not some official legislative role, right? "The only truly worthy leader will emerge from a democratic choice reflecting the will of the people. Which is why this must be settled by a vote!"
As expected, people discussed whether a vote will even work. Aizawa allowed the class to decide however we wanted to. Minami couldn't blame him. This was too chaotic. Definitely, not worth the effort.
Minami looked down at blank piece of paper where she was supposed to write down her nomination. Voting for herself seemed counterproductive. She didn't think she would win anyway. She hadn't exactly talked to many of her classmates. Not to mention, regardless who won, there would probably be a lot of tension towards that person.
Minami looked to her right at the brunette who folded her paper in half in preparation of submission. There were worse people she could vote for. Uraraka seemed happy to talk to everyone, tried to be 'fair' by giving some of her points to someone from her practical exam, and had no hesitation voicing her opinions to figures of authority as was demonstrated on their first day. Minami may not agree with everything the girl said, but she was engaged with many others in the class and hadn't said anything overly problematic like some of her other classmates.
Minami wrote 'Uraraka' on the sheet before handing it in.
The votes got counted with the results of: Midoriya 3 votes, Yaoyorozu 2 votes, most of the class got 1 vote, and Iida, Hanajima, and Hagakure received 0 votes.
Uraraka didn't vote for herself? Did she vote for Midoriya or Yaoyorazu? Or she voted for someone else who also voted for someone else.
"I got three votes?!" Midoriya exclaimed.
Maybe there was a problem. If he was always this stressed and she had to listen to him constantly stressed then the anxiety she learnt to manage was going to resurface.
"I got a vote?" She heard Uraraka mumble.
"You're gotta be shitting me! Who voted for Deku?" Bakugo yelled. Uraraka looks towards the wall and started to quietly whistle. That answered one question.
But credit to where credit is due. Iida – despite how negatively she thought his speech was – voted for someone who wasn't himself despite the fact he clearly wanted the role. He should have expected the outcome, though, if he was voting for someone else. The class made it clear that most people wanted to take on the role. Logically it didn't make sense that he was disappointed, but she supposed emotions didn't have to be logical.
Midoriya and Yaoyorozu stood before the class. Midoriya looked ready to faint and Yaoyorozu stood with upright posture seeming unhappy despite being one of the two chosen.
…..
"I was made class president so suddenly, I'm really not sure I'm up to the task…" Midoriya really wanted the position, to have that recognition, but he didn't think others would vote for him.
"Sure you are!" Uraraka encouraged him after she cheerily took a bite of food.
"You'll be all right." Iida said more diplomatically. "You've got the guts and judgement when it counts, Midoriya. I vote for you because I knew you have it in you to carry us through."
"But didn't you want to be class president yourself, Iida? You've got the look down with the glasses too," questioned Uraraka. She was happy to give her vote to Deku but Iida really seemed to want the role so she didn't quite understand even if she was happy with the end results.
"Like I said, mere volition has nothing to do with one's actual suitability. I did nothing more than follow my own judgement on the matter."
"You're so proper, Iida!" Midoriya went starry eyed.
Midoriya and Uraraka then learnt about Iida's family history of heroes.
"Hmmm, well that's one answer for who voted for me."
"Oh?" Uraraka's cheeks blushed more than usual. "That was me." She took another bite of her rice dish.
"Eh?!" Midoriya's face brightened into a scarlet colour. "You too? Wait. Then who voted for you."
"Ahahaha." Uraraka rubbed the back of her head. "I'm not actually sure."
Midoriya thinks. "Iida, Hanajima, and Hagakure each had zero votes, so maybe Hanajima or Hagakure?"
Uraraka was flattered of course. It was a nice feeling that someone thought her capable.
…..
"Grading giving you trouble already?" Shota looked over to Hizashi who looked like he was aging exponentially.
"It was just a short in-class assignment to see what areas needed additional focus, but it's so bad Shota!" The Department of Heroics prioritize their practical exam. The written portion was only to ensure students were able to pass the bare minimum to keep up in classes. A standardized way that wasn't reliant on individual schools. "It was even assigned as a short opinion piece. An opinion piece! They could write about anything."
Hizashi throws a paper in Shota's face as if he was actually going to read it. "Ashido is still doesn't know to put the verb before the object; Kaminari just struggles with vocabulary in general; and Sero's penmanship is so bad that even when one of his sentences makes sense it almost doesn't matter."
Okay, maybe this would become Shota's issue in a roundabout way. Kids needed growth and that included intellectual growth. It would be a nightmare to have a hoard of stupid people be fully responsible for public safety. They didn't need to be geniuses but there was a big gap between geniuses and basic competency.
"This one doesn't look bad," Shota said as his eyes grazed over the sheet.
Hizashi took the paper back and faced it towards him to remind himself which paper he was on.
"There are a few word choices that could be better made, but that's not the problem here! I asked for an opinion piece not an abstract."
Shota didn't understand the complaint. "Isn't that good?"
"Yamada – er – Present Mic."
Hanajima walked into the teacher's office. Shota looked between the two. Did they know each other personally?
Hizashi turned to Hanajima. His emotions still built up from his rant. "I asked for an opinion piece, not an abstract for a research paper."
Hanajima stared for a moment before she said, "What's the difference?"
Which led the blond teacher to give a lecture about the differences between an opinion piece and a research paper.
"I still don't see why it matters. Why can't my opinion be based on facts?" mumbled Hanajima.
Shota stepped in before he had to listen to Hizashi give another lecture – each time seemingly louder. "What do you need, Hanajima?"
Minami remembered why she came in the first place. She came for Yamada for advice and help due to familiarity, but this really was more of a matter that should be addressed with their homeroom teacher.
"What should someone do if they need help with their quirk?"
Shota looked at Hanajima. He remembered telling her this morning to work on her quirk. She was becoming too much of a one trick pony when her quirk offered a lot of versatility.
"I should rephrase that. I'm aware of U.A. offerings outside of classes, and that there are people who can help support diversifying quirk usage. What I meant to ask is where do you refer someone to if they never received introductory quirk counselling as a kid? Some of the students have been talking, and if Midoriya and Bakugo's claims are true then the reason Midoriya doesn't have control of his quirk and keeps injuring himself is because he hasn't had it long. My estimates from what was shared could even put Midoriya receiving his quirk as late as this year." Minami didn't want to make U.A. sound like their resources weren't enough but beginner and advance quirk counseling were two very different things. It's only been a few days but Midoriya had injured himself multiple times, so if there was a resource she didn't know of that could be recommended to him then she thought he had the right to know.
"This year…?"
She didn't know what Aizawa was thinking but Yamada's thoughts were apparent as he shared them. "But the exam was in early February."
Minami shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
In theory it sounded preposterous, but Shota thought it made sense. The problem child didn't get a single villain point during the entrance exam, and the one time he used his quirk he destroyed his body. Midoriya was reckless, yes. He still fully believed that, but Midoriya was also acting like a child who never learnt to control his quirk or learnt boundaries. He felt a headache coming on.
Then there was the issue of All Might. He clearly knew the boy. What was he doing?
"Let me take care of it." Hanajima's eyes widened looking almost startled. His eyes slightly narrowed at the action.
"I see…great! Thank you." Minami was unused to such immediate assurance. Should she check in with Midoriya after a while to make sure Aizawa actually followed-up?
"And Hanajima…" Her head snapped back to Aizawa. "Next time just come to me directly." He hadn't forgotten that she had some to speak with Hizashi and not himself.
"Right! Will do—"
A siren blared through the building. Everyone was immediately put on edge as they acted.
"Security Level 3 has been breached. Students please promptly evacuate."
"The front gate has been destroyed!" Another employee yells.
Aizawa and Hizashi ran out of the room.
The front gate? Something was weird. Why the front gate? The campus was large and there were plenty of places to break in. The evacuation alarm probably would have gone off either way, but using the front entrance felt like some kind of statement. It was broad daylight. It was during lunch where anyone could be about anywhere rather than scheduled within classrooms. It probably had additional security to monitor people coming and leaving. It just didn't make sense from a strategic point-of-view.
Minami didn't realize her thoughts distracted her as she followed her two teachers to the front gate. Aizawa and Hisashi preoccupied with holding the press back - who had apparently stood there all day – that they didn't realize their student had followed them.
"Go bring All Might out here! He's got to be in there!"
"I told you, he's off duty!"
"Just a single word from him and we'll go away!"
"You'll just want another statement from him after you wring the first one out and so on."
"This is already crossing from illegal trespassing into villainy! Is it okay to blow them away now?" said Hizashi. She thought the same until he made the comment about attacking them. She could understand the sentiment though. Okay, maybe she did fully agree with him.
"Don't bother, Mic. It'll be the same mixture of fact and fiction that gets written regardless. Let's just wait for the police."
A metal fence as tall as the outer wall appeared and surrounded the reporters. No way in and without the ability to run off before the police arrived. The joy of having internet accessible at your fingertips, and it being of simplistic and symmetrical design.
"You were supposed to evacuate, not follow." Aizawa's words were sharp. Understandable too though she didn't like being on the receiving end of it.
What was Minami supposed to say? Her feet moved on their own? That would be a childish answer even if it was the truth. She wasn't used to timely action and competency was always a gamble that it became an ingrained habit. A habit that has served her well in the past but could lead to her death one day, especially now she was enrolled at a Hero's School.
"What the hell? Ouch!" The fence gave a light zap when a reported reached her arm through the gap.
"How long can you hold it?"
"Long enough, but I have to stay nearby. Anything I can do is just temporary and has to be in my range… so, something will need to be done about that."
The remnants of the door displayed to Minami just how thick it had been. Debris of the broken gate piled on the ground directly beneath it as if it somehow collapsed on itself rather than forcibly broken. Even then…there didn't seem to be enough volume to fill in the gap. It's like some of it had vanished out of thin air.
"Oh my."
Nezu arrived to the front entrance momentarily before the police arrived. Minami deactivated her quirk removing the gate to let the police do their work. None of the reporters were able to avoid the law.
"Hanajima. Class."
Minami looked to see Aizawa was already entering the building. She ran to catch up.
…..
"Uh, let us initiate the ceremony for the new class president! But before that I need to say something. I don't think I'm best suited for the job!" Midoriya spewed nervously in front of the class. He felt like he was letting Iida and Uraraka down – those who voted for him to lead, but he feels like there's still growth for him and there are others in the class better suited. "In the end, I think that Iida would be the better man for the job after all! You proved yourself able to unify people so coolly. It's my judgement that Iida becoming class president is the right choice."
Several others in the class spoke up in support of this changed. Minami remained confused. What exactly happened? From what little she knew of Iida she didn't approve, but it wasn't her decision to make. Iida, and Midoriya, she thought they both had some growing to do in terms of leadership. However, as she said earlier anyone willing to be president has the ability to fulfill the role. In that regard she said nothing against the change in the position.
"If it's the wish of the class president, then I can't refuse," said Iida who eagerly stood before the class.
Minami's thoughts drifted back to the incident. She was missing something and it didn't feel good.
Kaede: Rough day too?
Minami: Too? Did something go wrong for you?
Kaede: They didn't like my accusations and forced security to kick me out part way through against my rights. Police let me go but security wouldn't let me back in.
Minami: Ah. Someone destroyed the front gate. I also heard that there's a lot of students who think running in an emergency evacuation is the appropriate reaction.
Kaede: Hopefully no one got trampled.
Minami: Statistically, someone probably was. I got to cage up these reporters insistent on talking to All Might until the police came though.
Kaede: I went to the convenience store to make copies of my concerns and mailed them out to a few related organizational bodies.
Minami: The Hanajima luck strikes again. Wanna eat out tonight?
