"All right, Listen!" announced Iida, the first day after our return. "It's time for this morning's homeroom period! Take your seats, everyone!"
"We are in our seats," said Sero. "You're the one who's not."
The door opened and Mr. Aizawa came in, covered in bandages.
"Morning, class."
"Mr. Aizawa, you're already back?" everyone cried out.
"Sensei, you're all right?" asked Iida.
"Can you really call that OK?" said Uraraka.
"Don't worry about me. After all, the battle hasn't really ended for you yet. The UA Sports Festival is approaching."
Oh yeah - this is a school.
"Wait, hold up!" said Mineta, "That sounds like something villains would try to infiltrate! Will it be OK?"
"On the contrary," replied Mr. Aizawa. "Since we're going ahead with the festival, it means the school is confident it has it's ducks in a row when it comes to crisis control now. I hear police presence will be five times bigger than normal, for example. What you should be thinking about is what a huge chance the Sports Festival presents for you all. This isn't some event that'll be brought to a halt by the likes of villains."
"Why not?" said Mineta. "It's just a Sports Festival."
"Mineta," said Midoriya, staring at Mineta incredulously, "have you never seen the UA sports Festival?"
"Of course I have! That's not it!"
Aizawa sensei continued, "Our sports Festival is one of Japan's biggest events. Long ago, the Olympics was the Sports Festival that whipped the nation into a froth of enthusiasm, but now the extent and population have shrunk and it's lost a lot of substance. So what has taken the place of the Olympics in Japan is the UA sports festival."
Next to me, Yaoyorozu added "The country's top heroes are all sure to be watching us. It's because they'll be scouting for us."
"I'm thinking I might follow the tactic of going sidekick for a pro hero's squad after graduating!" Kaminari piped up.
"But there are loads of people who get stuck as sidekicks forever, and miss their chance to break out as solo heroes," replied Jirou. "And you seem just that kind of dumbass, Kaminari."
"Naturally," said Mr Aizawa, entering a famous hero team will get you higher status and more experience. Remember, time is limited. If you get noticed by a pro, that gives you the standing for a brighter future than otherwise. This is the chance you'll only get once a year, for a total of three. If you're aiming to be a hero, this is an event you can't overlook."
With that announcement, it was time for proper classes to begin that day, and we were left contemplating our future opportunity.
At the lunch bell, I got up and left class early. I always try to be first in line for the soba stand. About ten minutes later, my classmates started lining up behind me, and I happened to be near Uraraka and Iida - and without meaning to, overheard their conversation.
"That was so weird of All Might!" was the phrase that caught my ear, from Uraraka's mouth. "Wonder what he wanted with Deku?"
"I heard Midoriya jumped in when All Might was getting attacked," said Iida, speaking of the USJ. "It's probably something to do with that. Also, remember what Asui said on the bus? His power is a great deal like All Might's, so he might have taken an interest in him."
Right. What Asui had said. Your power is a lot like All Might's. And the USJ, when Midoriya had jumped into danger, breaking his legs, to save All Might from the villains…that strange super strength, and now secret conferences between them? There's definitely something up with those two. Thinking back on what I knew about quirks, it seemed the most likely explanation was that Midoriya was, somehow, related to All Might. But if he was, why wouldn't All Might come out and say so? An illegitimate child, perhaps? They look nothing alike, though. But perhaps…that would explain a good deal.
Either way, this probably meant that Midoriya was All Might's protege. Someone that the symbol of peace himself had marked as special and worthy.
