"Night is Faint", BY EVE
-\ XX /-
Izuku leaned forward on his stool, propping his feet up on the bar and elbows on his knees. He was before the plasma cutter which had become a reoccurring thing. The jumpsuit, apron, mask, and glove combo kept him safe from the machine while trapping heat, causing discomfort. His fist rested against his palm while one of his legs bounced on the ball of his foot. The light of the cutter flashed and the metal sizzled and hissed. When the itch ripped It would stop and it would move and it would light again. The sudden flash made him flinch, and each time it did, the sound of the metal caving to the heat grew louder and louder. A ringing that wasn't there rumbled in his eardrums. Splotches that were healed suddenly burned again.
"You're below the rejects! You're Quirkless!", cried Bakugo.
"Midoriya, in the Hero Course, what a joke…!", a voice laughed.
A younger voice asked, "How worthless can you be, Deku?"
"Ah, no!" cried Uemura. Izuku shot up, turning to look at the source. She had dropped onto the floor, peeking underneath a workbench. He stood up and walked over. "My phone~… No…"
"I'll get it!" cried a thirteen year-old Izuku, rushing to the lockers in the back of the classroom. He dropped to the ground and strained his arm, trying to swipe at the device.
Someone else walked up as his fingers grew and extended, "Jeez, get out of the way man." Izuku did so, awkwardly scooting away.
He easily dipped his fingers below the lockers, picking the phone out like tweezers.
He dropped it into the girl's hands, "Ah, thanks, Ito!"
Ito smiled, "No problem." He turned and leered at Izuku, "Can't even manage that, huh, Deku?"
Okuma barely spared a glass from his workstation, "Shouldn't have had it on your bench then."
"Shut it, Okuma!" she shouted.
"Scoot," said Izuku; muffled by his welding mask.
She looked up at him, blinking, "H-Huh? Oh…"
Izuku stood at the corner, gripping either side of the bench's leg. He tested its weight for a moment before leaving it for a moment. "I'll lift it; you get it, okay?"
"Y-Yeah, got it," said Uemura.
Izuku took a breath, "One… Two… Three…!" He gritted his teeth and lifted the bench, hearing it creak and the items atop it topple.
"Got it!" said Uemura after she swung underneath the table, swiping her phone from the wall.
Izuku asked, "I didn't make too much of a mess, did I?" as he set the bench back down.
Uemura shrugged, "Nothing I can't fix." She punched his shoulder, "Thanks, Midoriya."
"Anytime," he shrugged as he went back to the cutter.
"Mr. Midoriya!" shouted a voice from the workshop's entrance.
"Dr. Yaritezawa?" said Izuku, looking at the source.
She held a smile while her hands never left her pockets, "Heya, kiddo."
Izuku could easily note that the smile didn't reach her eyes, "Are you… okay?"
"Oh, little ol' me?" she hummed as she walked up to him. "Ha…" She pointed up at his face, "Nice mask, can I see it?"
He handed it over, "U-Uh, sure…"
She looked at it before setting it down on the nearby table, "Hm…" She turned back to him, smiling, and her teeth were tightly pressed together, "You missed your physical." Her head tilted, "And what's this about the Field Support Study?"
He blinked, "Ah…" He then cried, "AH!" as she pinched his ear.
Dr. Yaritezawa dragged him towards the exit, "Abraham, I'm borrowing this one! He'll be back before class's end!"
"Okay!" replied the traitor from his desk – the man didn't even get up.
"Ow, ow!" cried Izuku. "Don't you have an oath to do no harm!?"
"Its the Hypocritical Oath, today!" she replied as she pulled him down the hall. The further they went; the looser her grip and the softer she pulled. Eventually, she let go entirely with a sigh. "You're a real piece of work, you know that?"
Izuku sighed, "I'm sorry… My friend dragged me out of here after school."
"And what we so important that you just had to miss your physical?" Dr. Yaritezawa asked.
"My fashion sense… apparently."
"Ah…" She looked him up and down, "I can understand that."
"Not you too," he groaned.
Dr. Yaritezawa opened the door to her office, "Now, what's this about the Field Support study?" She shut the door behind them, "You're your own person, but after everything, I have my doubts that this is your best choice here."
"Dr. Yaritezawa… I…" Izuku hesitated as he unzipped his jumpsuit's top and tied it around his wait, "What if she calls it stupid…? What if… she gets in the way…?"
The physical was routine at this point. Height and weight were taken before she had him sit so she could measure his temperature. All was done in silence before she sighed, "Let me guess…" She moved on and began to measure his pulse rate, "You wanna be a Hero, huh? Even though you're Quirkless…"
Izuku bit his tongue, "…"
Dr. Yaritezawa chuckled, "Your heart practically leapt a few beats there…" Her smile slowly fell into a frown, "It's dangerous, you know?" Her eyes didn't meet his as she grabbed a sphygmomanometer, "And your last outing didn't fare so well."
"I didn't prepare for it – let alone expect it." He affirmed, "It's different this time."
"You thinking of picking a fight?"
Izuku looked down, "I want to work with Heroes – it's a maybe…" His mind wondered, "Can't tell anyone about Stain…" He shrugged, "Hell, I might not even wind up in one."
Dr. Yaritezawa latched the cuff into place, "That… does make it easier to accept…" Her look intensified, "Your mom know?"
Self-admittedly, Izuku was a bad lair, but after Kaminari's doubts and Ingenium's signature, he knew he couldn't just expect people to accept his choice. So… he practiced saying one, "Yes, she does." He avoided all the tell-tale signs of a lie. He kept eye-contact, he spoke without hesitation, and he didn't overshare – kept it simple. "She doesn't want me going too far out – a safe Hero. Might go with someone in my hometown – close to her."
She measured his blood pressure, slowly letting out a breath as he did. "That's… good…" She jotted down the number before releasing the cuff, "I just don't want you getting hurt like that again, you know…"
Izuku nodded, "I know…"
"Are you trained to fight?" she asked, picking up a stethoscope.
"No…?"
"You should get some then. For self-defense." She pressed the device against his back, "Breath in." After a few seconds, "Out."
"I'll figure out a way," he said at the same time.
Dr. Yaritezawa nodded, "I'll take it…" She huffed, "I know, at this point, it's almost stupid to hold you kids back. Less of a leash and more like a rubber band." She picked up a pair of gloves, "Time for a blood sample."
"Has Recovery Girl said anything about them yet?" he asked.
"Nothing of note," she said. "In spite of my hesitation, there's nothing giving me reason to deny your Field study." She readied the insertion point, sanitizing it, "All I ask is that, you be careful. I…" She readied the syringe before pausing, "I don't want to hear another story about a student winding up in the hospital…"
"You won't."
"I guess, we'll have to see."
"Dr—Hm," he grunted as the needle plunged.
She placed a band-aid over the point before preparing the sample, "I know. I just worry… about all you reckless kids…" She sighed, "But… no offense, I suppose you would be the one to understand you're not invincible."
Izuku pulled his jumpsuit back on, "It would be nice if I was – no more needles."
Dr. Yaritezawa offered a small smile, "Hm…" She locked the sample in a refrigerated container before picking up the filled-out paperwork, "I gotta scan these now. Off you go."
"Yes, ma'am," he said, getting up.
"I thought I told you not to call me that," Dr. Yaritezawa frowned.
"Yes, sir," Izuku replied, quickly exiting. He heard something clang against the door as he made a quick jaunt down the hall.
The return to the workshop was swift and barely worth a sentence. Though, Izuku couldn't simply return to his work as Mr. Abraham approached him. "Jirou's Hero costume has been rejected…" he said, offering a printed out a sheet of paper. "Denim is not an acceptable material and the top has been deemed too loose."
Izuku took it, "Eh…?" His face flushed, "T-Too e-erotic?!"
"Hm," even Mr. Abraham seemed discomforted by the notion.
Sadly, Izuku read on, "Salmon is not an acceptable color? Only acceptable as a tertiary color?"
"Shiketsu has by far the strictest Hero Costume specifications, I've seen…", the teacher murmured.
"Loose top is too erotic… But a catsuit is fine…" muttered Izuku. "Wait… could I circumvent this by adding a tank-top underneath the actual top to the design?" he asked.
Mr. Abraham considered it before saying, "You can draft an addendum."
"Is there a particular form?"
"On the class share-point."
He made his way over to his station, "Understood…" As he sat, he eyed Jirou's Hero Costume, "I'll give contesting it a shot before telling Jirou… Judging by this, though…" His gaze shifted to the mannequin that held his bodysuit and Maneuver Belt, "I'll probably have to ditch the green… Maybe just the body armor…?"
Izuku tapped away at his laptop, opening the share-point, "I still gotta wait for them to approve the Warhammer and The Axe…" He frowned as he accessed the addendum form, "The Axe… I still need a better name." He opened a separate tab, performing a random search of famous musicians. He blinked at the screen, rubbing his chin, "Huh… That could work."
-XXX-
Hitoshi Shinso sat in the bleachers of the Danger-Zone. His eyes were narrowed at the flying Yoarashi as he picked up several Spar-Bots with whirling winds. Each one smacked into each other as the winds grew more violent, sending scrap outward. The energy shield between arena and bleacher sparked and crackled as it blocked the shrapnel. Hitoshi looked away from the practice and down at himself. No one was in their Hero Costume, but their gym uniforms. He twirled Fujimori's Escrima sticks, letting the ends crackle with electricity.
He sighed into his mask, "Good against the bots…" He looked back up, "Can't really go up against that though…" He looked over his classmates, "Ever since my Quirk's function became clear, all student-to-student spars have become a joke… Tight-lipped and dead silent…" He looked once more at Yoarashi, "I need to figure out how to close the gap…"
"Watcha thinking about?" intruded a floating, lower-half of someone's face.
Hitoshi jumped, "Ah!" He growled, "Tokage!"
The body part twirled away, "Ha, ha, ha…" It drifted back to her body, slotting into place while mouthing, "Why so serious, floof-man~?"
"Tokage," stated Yaoyorozu as she stood amongst her classmates, pacing the aisle.
The girl flashed a sharp-toothed grin, "Just kidding around, Pres…"
Said Pres then made her way over to him, "Shinso?"
"Yeah, Yaoyorozu?"
"Your friend… Midoriya, was it?"
"Hm."
Her features softened, "Is he okay?"
"Jeez… how long has that question been in the chamber…?" Hitoshi flashed a thumbs-up, "Yeah, all good."
Yaoyorozu breathed a sigh of relief, "Good."
"Oh, are you guys talking about that Support Course dude?" chimed in Tsuburaba Kosei, picking at the bandage on his face, "He really fight Stain?"
"Fought off, yeah," he concurred.
Tsuburaba cooed, "Ooh… Can I meet him?"
"He's not a celebrity," said Hitoshi.
A buzzer from the observation deck interrupted Tsuburaba's next sentence. Yoarashi slowly descended to the ground with a bright smile on his face. "Record performance, Mr. Yoarashi," said Mr. Haimawari through the speakers. "Third one, too. We'll be moving you to the third tier next time."
"Thank you, sir!" shouted Yoarashi. The student left the floor and panels of the arena shifted. They moved like ripples, slipping the scrap and debris below. It did this for a minute or two before settling back down.
Mr. Haimawari then stated, "Ms. Kodai, you are up. Perform your necessary preparations." The dark-haired girl stood, meddling with a utility belt that didn't quite fit with her gym uniform.
"You got this, Yui!" said Ashido, pumping her fist.
"Good luck," said Yanagi Reiko flatly.
Tsuburaba looked away from Hitoshi, "You know that Green guy too, right, Kaminari?"
He turned, "Hm? Green guy… Midoriya?", causing Sero Hanta to peer over as well.
"Yeah, you guys sit with him at lunch sometimes."
Sero nodded, "Right, that guy." He nudged Kaminari, "He doing okay?"
"Y-Yeah… He's fine," said Kaminari.
"That's good. You were super moody when he was gone." Sero smirked, "You dating or something?"
The blond punched the brunet's shoulder, "Shut up," causing the punched to chuckle.
Their attention slowly shifted back over to the arena as Kodai took a small cylinder from her belt. She sprinted around the bots, ducking and weaving between their attacks. From above, it was easy to tell what she was doing. The bots were basically being herded into a horde. Once the group was rounded up, she turned and ran to put distance between all of them. She then reared her arm back and tossed the cylinder before pressing her fingertips together. A pink aura surrounded the object before it spring and expanded. That cylinder was barrel and it was now the width of the arena. It barely bounced when it hit the ground, steamrolling over the machinery with crunches and crackles of broken electronics.
Kodai let out a breath before pressing her fingers together once more, shrinking the barrel.
Mr. Haimawari spoke, "Another clean sweep, Kodai." He chuckled, "That's three – you'll be moving to second tier next time you enter." Kodai nodded from her place in the arena before making her leave. Before the next person could be called in, the school bell rang, and with a quick word from their teacher, the students began to leave as the arena cleared.
Hitoshi waited; he intended to do some extra training, like usual, but the entrance opened before anyone made it to the door. In walked Mr. Abraham with Midoriya in tow. Though, it was only because he knew Midoriya's welding mask had that spiky smile. A gloved hand tucked into one of the pockets of the protective apron while the other held a toolbox. The apron seemed almost out of place, however, as the top of his jumpsuit was tied around waist.
A muffled voice came through, "Jirou!"
"Yo, Midori," she waved, parting from Yaoyorozu and Tokage
Midoriya shook his head, "Denim wasn't approved by Shiketsu."
"What? Why?" asked Jirou.
"Not appropriate apparently." The eye-rolling could be heard, "Trying finagle around the whole top really. Too loose."
"What? That's stupid," she said.
A shrug, "Yeah, trying to make it work. I think I found a loophole already. We'll see if it works."
"Hey, hey… Midori?" intruded Tokage, offering her hand.
He slowly shook it, replying at the same speed, "Midoriya… Izuku… we've-we've met."
She tilted her head, giggling, "I think I would've remembered meeting a beefcake like you."
"Beef… cake?" he echoed.
Yaoyorozu stepped forward, explaining, "I think she means meatloaf." She smiled, "It's an American delicacy."
Tokage's jaw literally fell to the floor.
Midoriya peeled off his welding mask, tucking it under his arm, "Hey, uh… Yaoyorozu, right?"
"Yes, a pleasure to see you again. I'm glad to see you well," she said as they shook hands.
Tokage's jaw slotted back into place, "Ah, I remember now, I'm so sorry. You used to have longer hair. You got it cut?"
"Something like that," he chuckled.
Tsuburaba jogged up to the group, "Yo, you really fought the Hero Killer!?"
"Fought off," he said.
"Shinso said the same what's the difference," said Tsuburaba.
"He didn't win by beating him?" offered Kaibara Sen.
Midoriya smiled with a shrug and nod.
"Mr. Midoriya," called Mr. Abraham.
Midoriya nodded, "Yes, sir, on the way." He spoke to Jirou, "I'll keep you updated on the costume." He turned to chase after Mr. Abraham, "Axe is almost done too – got a new name; I'll tell you later."
"That tank-top better not say anything dumb!" shouted Ashido.
Midoriya pointed at her, "And let that little unknown keep you up at night!" His gaze seemed to trail for a moment and Kaminari seemed to react to it. However, Midoriya's gaze snapped back to his teacher as they went to enter the arena.
"Guess he hates me now," muttered Kaminari.
Hitoshi sighed, slapping his shoulder, "He knows why you said what you said – understands it too. But good intentions don't mean anything to consequences." He put a hand on his hip, "I can't speak for him – not really. But I can guess, ya hurt him." He scratched his cheek, "You gotta talk to him, but only when he can hear you."
"When would that be?" asked Kaminari.
Hitoshi shrugged, "When he stops avoiding you, probably."
"Great…" sighed Kaminari.
As everyone else continued on their way out, Hitoshi walked to the railing, overlooking the arena. The panels of the floor shifted and hissed before opening and bringing a rising platform to the surface. Atop it, there was an assort of bits and pieces of the Spar-bots. It was almost disturbing to see as it was basically a pile of arms, legs, heads, and torsos strung about. Mr. Abraham and Midoriya walked up to the pile as teacher lectured student about what they were doing, no doubt.
"Earlier than last time… Better though, means I won't have to drop halfway through training…" thought Hitoshi.
Hitoshi refocused on them when something moved in the pile, causing an avalanche of scrap to slide towards them. Mr. Abraham took a step back as he directed Midoriya to do the same, "Mr. Haimawari, a machine may still be active – clear the combat program!"
"Hold on…" replied Mr. Haimawari.
A crunch came from the pile before a one-armed, one-legged bot lunged from the pile. Midoriya quickly shoved Abraham out of the way as the mechanical hand dug into his face. The weight of the machine took them both to the ground. The toolbox clattered to the ground alongside his welding mask. Midoriya's hand snatched the bot's throat, pushing it back, while his other hand tried to fend off the metal arm.
Hitoshi cursed before leaping over the railing. He could hear others quickly following after him. However, they soon saw that they had no need. Midoriya's hand had left the offending arm, reaching out and finding his welding mask. He brought both his arms to the mask before swinging it down on the metal arm's joint. The bot's already damaged body caved, crippling its position. Keeping a hold on the mask, he shoved the bot over with his other arm before mounting its waist. In both hands once more, he brought the edge of the mask down on the humanoid's neck. The mask cut deep, and found just the right wire – turning the machine lifeless.
Midoriya coughed and panted before his head snapped over to Mr. Abraham, "You okay?"
"Me?" replied Mr. Abraham.
Midoriya got up, pulling his teacher onto his feet, "Shoved you – didn't get hurt, right?"
He shook his head, "I'm fine!" He looked over his student, "Your hands."
Midoriya took a glove off, revealing the forming bruise and red irritation, "Gloves! All digits; no blood." He then let out a chuckle, "Heh, that was exciting."
"No kidding," said Mr. Abraham.
Mr. Haimawari descended from the deck, running over to them, "I am so sorry, you two." He wiped his brow, "I didn't expect one of these machine's to play dead…"
"Have you cleared the A.I.'s cache?" asked Mr. Abraham.
"Hm?"
He sighed, "These machines learn, Haimawari. We have to clear their data to stop them from learning too much." He almost made a move to show Haimawari before pausing and turning to Midoriya, "Are you sure you are okay?"
Midoriya smiled, "I'm fine." He chuckled, "You should probably make sure this doesn't happen twice."
"I'll be right back," he then pointed at the pile, "Keep your distance."
"Yes, sir," said Midoriya, letting out a breath.
"Midoriya, are you okay?" asked Hitoshi.
"A bit riled up if anything," he laughed. "I think I might've fucked up my mask," he said, lifting up the now dented and bent welding mask.
Hitoshi chuckled, "A bit, yeah."
"Midoriya!" Kaminari ran up, putting his hands on the Quirkless' shoulders. "Let's get you backed up, yeah?" He guided his friend away from the machines, putting himself in-between.
"Y-Yeah…" replied Midoriya, stumbling. His gaze lingered on blond whose look was fixed on the pile.
Tsuburaba scratched the back of his head, "That was kinda cool."
"Scary, too…" murmured Ashido.
Sero scratched his cheek, "It's just a bot – it wouldn't done much else than rough him up."
Jirou swiftly punched his shoulder in response.
Midoriya rolled his shoulder, "W-Well, sorry to hold you guys up." He coughed, sparing a glance to his noble defender, "You should get going." He tucked his hands into his pockets, "This is my detention, after all."
"For what?" asked Yaoyorozu.
"Uh…" he struggled before bringing a finger to his lips.
"Oh, that's pretty cheeky," commented Tokage.
"Pres, he's right," said an approaching Yoarashi. "If this is his detention, we shouldn't be distracting him during his time reflecting."
"Yes, we should depart everyone," she called, fending off the replying detractors.
Hitoshi looked, spotting a hesitate blond. "Hey," he said in a whisper, "You get going with everyone else. I'm staying behind for training anyway – I'll keep an eye out for him."
Kaminari looked between one and another before settling, "Fine…" and making his leave.
Hitoshi turned as the crowd dispersed, spotting Midoriya recovering his spilled toolbox. He moved to assist, "Nice work, by the way."
"Thanks," said Midoriya.
"Really decapitated the thing too…" said Hitoshi.
"Hm…"
Another clang of a tool into the box, "It's disturbing Midoriya."
"Yeah, I don't like looking at my handiwork in this case," another clang.
Hitoshi's gaze narrowed, "Too easy too…" He smirked, "You done this before?"
Midoriya laughed before doing his best to pull a serious face, "Don't ask questions you don't want to answer to." They let out another laugh as they finished and as the teachers made their way back down.
-XXX-
OMAKE: OK GOOGLE
Izuku made it home no worse for wear. He changed out of his uniform and into something casual, plopping himself down in a chair. He kicked up his legs before pulling out his phone. Hero forums and fun videos were a momentary past time before his mind wandered… "Beefcake…" He changed apps and typed the word out for the world to answer.
He read the screen, "Oh…" He stumbled on his face as his face began to flush, "Oh." His heart-rate picked up as his hands began to shake, "Was she… f-flirting with me…?" He shook his head, "N-No… No way…" He fought the heat on his face, "She must've meant meatloaf…" He looked to his phone again, "What's meatloaf…" His face contorted, "Looks kinda gross…" He blinked, "Gross?" He laughed, shaking his head, "Ah! It was an insult!" His flush began to die down as his heart steadied, "That-that makes much more sense."
-\XXX/-
AN: Howdy, howdy. Another day in the life Midoriya Izuku. Reawaken trauma manifests as intrusive thoughts depicting memories of those little moments of embarrassment and cringe. Dr. Yaritezawa returns! Retcon uniform b/c Shiketsu has a uniform thing going on with their Hero Course. After introducing Danger-Zone, we see it use and more importantly we go into the First Hero Class.
The Official List: Momo Yaoyorozu – Class President, Inasa Yaoarashi – Class Vice-President, Yosetsu Awase, Sen Kaibara, Yui Kodai, Kyoka Jirou, Ibara Shiozaki, Nirengeki Shoda, Minoru Mineta - Formerly, Hitoshi Shinso, Jurota Shishida, Rikido Sato, Kosei Tsuburaba, Setsuna Tokage, Kojiro Bondo, Hanta Sero, Reiko Yanagi, Hiryu Rin, Mina Ashido, & Denki Kaminari.
This is also set in the numerical order and in-universe, this was determined by their placement for the Entrance Exam. It's mostly students from Class 1-B with some 1-A mixed in. While they mostly serve as tertiary characters right now, I thought it'd be best for us to know that there was more to the Hero Course at Shiketsu.
Lastly, a bit of bonus stuff. I only have another in mind , but I'm gonna introduce this now. Omakes will be hitched onto chapters pretty rarely. They're going to entirely snippets of slice of life, comedy. Basically, stuff that would come off as filler if I used it in an actual chapter.
P.S. I'm planning on changing up the summary as the course of the story continues. I'm working on a new one currently. So, if anyone pays attention to that, you might see that sometime soon. Or not at all, if the summary winds up shit.
With that, thank you for reading and criticize away!
Update Window: December 20th - 30th
Intended Due Date: December 20th - 25th