My commute to school that morning was surrounded in murmurs about the USJ attack and sneaky glances at my U.A. uniform. I was thankful that no one felt the need to question whether or not I was involved. I just didn't think I could have a polite conversation with some stranger on the train about the ordeal.

I was excited to see my classmates again, especially under more positive circumstances. When I entered the classroom, said classmates were in the middle of chatter about the news coverage on the USJ incident.

"It was so cool that we got a few seconds of screen time! Though.. I bet nobody noticed me hanging out in the background..."' Hagakure, who I only knew was the one speaking by the floating, animated uniform, sighed.

Shoji cut the shit, "Probably not."

"Kinda hard to stand out when you're just gloves.", Ojiro sympathized. I smiled to myself, inwardly laughing as his observation as I sat in my seat.

"We're totally big deals.", Kamanari spoke smugly, "Those news channels loved us, we're basically celebrities."

Eijiro agreed, "Yeah, it's kinda crazy, right?"

"Get over yourselves,", Jiro knocked them down, "The hero course that pumps out pros was attacked and that's all they cared about."

Sero turned to smirk in my direction, "Unless you're Miyake and Todoroki."

Shoto looked up from his desk as we both looked at Sero, "Huh?", I asked.

"There was some footage of the two of you blushing in a conversation! What were you two talking about? Was it-", Mina squealed.

My face grew red at her information. I stood up pushing my chair back, and was about to refute the rumor when Mineta interrupted me.

"Why would you say that???!? It's already unfair that Todoroki got all the action with her during the attack, but to have the evidence in my face is insulting!!! It's no fair that he gets the girl with the biggest butt in class!!", he yelled.

The flush on my face only grew from more embarrassment and anger by his words. Before I could refute anything Katsuki stomped from his seat to Mineta's and grabbed him by his shirt collar.

"WILL YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY? NOBODY FUCKING CARES ABOUT UNIMPORTANT RUMORS LIKE THAT EXCEPT IDIOTS LIKE YOU!! NOW, IF YOU DON'T KEEP QUIET ABOUT IT I WILL STUFF MY FOOT IN YOUR ASS AND USE IT AS A SLIPPER. GOT IT?", Katsuki violently shook Mineta's limp body as he threatened him.

After throwing him back into his seat, Katsuki stomped back to his and sat there with a seemingly permanent scowl. The rest of the class sat in complete silence.

Until I decided to break it with a soft cough to gather their attention to me, "Thank you, Katsuki. I would uh... like to clear up any miss information between Todoroki and I. Whatever picture they used on the news of us talking together is when he informed me of the state of No.13, and Aizawa-sensei. I can assure you that there is nothing going on between Todoroki and I."

I was upset that I would have to make such an embarrassing declaration, and even more upset that it was kind of a lie. The picture was probably when we had decided to let one another use our given names, and now I felt too embarrassed to use it in front of our classmates due to the rumor. How would it look if I called him Shoto while trying to dismiss a romantic rumor about us?

Soon enough that topic simmered away and a new one arose. Who would be substituting for Aizawa? It didn't seem likely that he would be joining us for class because of his severe injuries.

The door slid open to dismiss my thoughts as the bandaged sensei himself answered them with his attendance. "Morning, class.", he greeted from underneath his wraps.

This man just does not quit. He limped to the podium at the front of the classroom and addressed us that the UA Sports Festival was just around the corner. It was decidedly not canceled, to show that UA is strong and can overcome anything. Security would of course be increased. It was important to maintain the event because it was how pro hero agencies would scout up and coming heroes.

Morning classes were soon finished, and lunchtime had rolled around. I was stretching in my seat, listening to the conversations around me.

Eijiro stood close to my desk in the back of the classroom as he spoke to a small group consisting of Tokoyami, Sato, and Sero. "That villain stuff sucks- sure... but I'm pumped for these games!!", he cheered at them, with he arms thrown in the air.

"If we put on a good show, then we're basically on the road to being pros !!", Sero nudged him with his elbow.

"Yeah, this is why I'm even here in the first place!", Sato spoke as he punched his fist into his other open palm.

Tokoyami agreed, "And with so few chances, we have to make the most of this."

I stood from my seat and entered their conversation, "Yeah, if we were to mess up it could really cost us a chance in the end."

Eijiro pokes at my cheek, "Don't be so serious about it! You can still have some fun-"

"I know, I know. It's still important and not something we should take so lightly.", I smiled at him.

Our attention was grabbed my Uraraka, who was emoting a very serious, very determined energy, "EVERYONE! I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST!", she declared in a fighting stance with a fist in the air. A small chorus of 'yeahs' followed her. She turned to us with the same intensity, "I SAID I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST!". Quickly the four boys and I returned her declaration by putting our fists in the air as well.

I chuckled as I walked to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder and tugged her towards the door, "Come on before you scare them all shitless."

As I led her to the cafeteria I realized Iida and Izuku followed us in tow. We slowed down a bit so that they could catch up, but Izuku's call brought us to a complete stop.

"Hey, Uraraka?"

She pulled fully away from me and turned, "Yeah, what's up?"

They caught up with us, "Why did you decide to come to UA? What made you want to be a pro hero?"

Uraraka began to nervously sweat, "Oh uh... because... the money...", she mumbled.

"For the money?!?", Izuku repeated, "You wanna be a hero so you can get rich?"

She nervously scratched the back of her head, "If we're getting to the chase then, yeah. I'm sorry if that sounds greedy! You guys have such admirable motivations...I hope you don't think less of me now.", she held her face in embarrassment as she spoke.

Iida was the first to step forward, "Not at all! Your goal is to support your well being- which is a perfectly admirable ambition to have!", he waved his arms around to emphasize.

"Mhm, it's just kind of surprising.", Izuku agreed.

I elbowed him, "It's not surprising!", I gave him a tiny glare as he rubbed where I elbowed him, "It's just... different compared to why most people would."

Uraraka sighed, "You see, my family owns a construction company and we haven't gotten any work lately so we're flat broke.", she nervously ran her hands throughout her hair, "Anyway this isn't something I usually tell other people but.."

Both Iida and Izuku held a hand to their chin in thought, thinking about her circumstances. I attempted to hold back a laugh at their joint reaction.

"Construction, eh?", Iida pondered aloud.

"If she got licensed I bet she could use her quirk to bring costs down a lot!", Izuku struck an idea.

Iida followed, "And they could sell their heavy lifting equipment! She could float everything!"

"I KNOW, RIGHT?", she jumped and agreed with finger guns, "I've been telling dad that since I was a kid!", she frowned a little, "But..they've always pushed me to follow my own dreams instead of helping them.", she gripped her skirt with tight determination, "That's why I'm going to become a pro. I'm going to sign with a good agency and make plenty of money. Then I'll be able to let my parents have an easy life."

My chest swelled from her declaration. It was extremely touching that she would want to do something so extreme and demanding so that her family no longer had to work. Iida threw his arms above his head and began clapping for her.

"That's beautiful, so noble! Bravo, bravo!!", he cheered.

I took her hand in mine to get her attention towards me and from Iida's applause, "That's very amazing of you, Uraraka."

She smiled at me, "Please, just call me Ochako."

I nodded and smiled, "Alright, Ochako! Call me Aiya, then!" She smiled and grabbed my other hand and squeezed.

Other moment of pure, sweet friendship was interrupted by All Might's bounding laugh in the distance.

"Young Midoriya is here!!!", he yelled as he pointed to a squirming and embarrassed Izuku. His eyes then trailed to me, "And his childhood sweetheart, Young Miyake!"

I rolled my eyes, "Just a friend, but yes. Here we are." What is with everyone romanticizing me today? It was getting fucking annoying.

"What are you doing here, All Might?", Izuku questioned his mentor.

"Lunch.", he simply states as he lifts up a cutely patterned handkerchief wrapped around bento boxes, "You wanna eat with me?"

Ochako seemingly erupted next to me, probably due to the cuteness of the situation. Izuku looked at the three of us for approval before joining him. Once receiving our nodes and left our group to join All Might. With Izuku out of view, we began walking to the lunch room.

Iida turned to me. "Miyake, this may be me over stepping, so you don't have to answer if so, but why do you want to be a hero?"

I waved a hand to show it was fine, "No, Iida it's fine. I think you'll find that we have more in common than you originally thought."

"Hm? How so?"

I smiled, "I want to be a hero because of my family, specifically my older brother, as well."

Ochako and Iida's eyes lit up, but she was the first to pop the question, "Do you have a pro hero brother too?!?"

"No, the opposite actually.", their eyebrows raised.

"Don't tell me... your brother is a villain?!!!", he exclaimed with terror in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes, "No! He's not a fucking villain!", I swiped my hand down my face, exasperated that I would even need to clarify that, "No, he's very sweet and kind and just all round a good person. He's just... quirkless." They both gasped at my words, "Both of my parents are too.", their expressions became more dramatic and confused by the second.

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Aiya.", Ochako looked away.

"No need to be sorry, it doesn't stop them from living their lives to the fullest.", I smiled at her. "They're very happy people, and aren't really deterred by the fact they don't have powers."

Iida was back in his thinking position, "Not to be rude, but I feel as though I'm missing the point. How do they aspire you to be a hero?"

"Well, I was never expected to have a quirk- especially a strong one. When it manifested it kind of crushed my brother for awhile, which is understandable. He had wanted to be a hero, but for obvious reasons he couldn't do that. He has always been so supportive despite everything, and I just want to make him proud. He has always been my own hero, so I just want to make him proud the best way that I can. I want to accomplish his dream for him.", I smiled brighter, "Me being a hero would the closest he can get to becoming one."

I looked between both of them, they held similar expressions as Iida and Izuku had after Ochako's declaration. Except this time, she was the first to react.

She grabbed my hands and spun me in a circle, "That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard of!!!"

When she stopped twirling us, Iida took a step forward to catch us encase we went flying. "Just as inspiring as one would expect from you, Miyake!", shifted in thought, "It is very surprising that your entire family is quirkless though."

"Well not my entire family.", I shrugged as this got their attention. I leaned forward closer to them, so I could speak softer, "My grandmother was a pro hero in her day."

"A PRO HERO!!", Ochako exclaimed.

Iida smirked, "I knew it!"

"SH!", I pulled them back to the circle, "I'm whispering for a fucking reason." They leaned back towards me, with more caution, "Even though I'm not sure many would even know her hero name, I still don't want the attention."

"Who was she?", Iida pressed.

I looked around out side of our formation before speaking softly, "Her hero name was 'Telekun'."

"OH MY GO-", Ochako erupted until I put my hand over her mouth. She continued to pop off in excitement for a few more moments before recomposing herself. Once done, I removed my hand from her mouth. With heavy restraint she whispered, "I cannot believe that she is your grandmother."

"So you've heard of her?", I asked.

She furiously nodded, "Yes! We have a collectible, signed trading card of hers at home! It's my dad's from when he was a kid."

I laughed, "Yeah, she doesn't have much of a young fan base anymore. Even Izuku didn't know who she was until I told him." At that point in the conversation we were already standing in the lunch line. A few feet away from us I saw the bicolored stoic prince's back. Shoto. I suddenly felt the need to apologize for this morning's antics. I turned to Iida and Ochako with a smile, "I have to go do something, I'll see you both after lunch, okay?"

With their nodes and goodbyes, I made my way over to him. As I got closer, I became less and less sure of what to say. What if my reasoning to use his last name upset him? I wanted to be friends, and I didn't want to hurt his feelings or something. Actually, I wasn't sure if it really even mattered to him. Throughout the exchange this morning he remained emotionless, and didn't even mention anything against it. Even though it didn't seem like much really bothered him, I didn't want to be the thing that did.

I tapped his shoulder, and he gave me a quick glance from the side and then trained his eyes back forward. "Miyake.", he spoke in acknowledgment.

Okay, maybe it did bother him. "I just wanted to apologize for this morning."

"There is no reason to apologize.", he spoke without looking at me.

I fiddled with my fingers, "Oh uh... well I know..", I spoke quieter, "I know we spoke about using our given names, and this morning in front of the class I didn't."

"Yes, I know. I was there."

"Well... I just wanted to say I did it because I knew they would read into it... and I just didn't want to add fuel to flame.", I trailed my eyes to my feet, them becoming very interesting, "I didn't want to drag you deeper down if I could help it."

He kept his eyes forward as he moved up in line, "I understood your reasoning for doing so, I'm just unsure why you're explaining it to me now."

I sighed, "I just wanted you know why... I would still like to use your given name and be friends-"

"Friends?", he turned to look at me.

I raised a brow, "Yeah, I would like to remain friends."

He turns back away, "Just because I let you use my name doesn't mean we were friends." Ouch.

I was taken aback by his words, "My mistake, I guess."

"Yes, your mistake.", he spoke with more edge than before.

I did not appreciate his attitude. I took a step forward and grabbed his shoulder to force him to look at me. "Why are you being so cold to me?", I asked, maintaining direct eye contact.

He brushed my hand off of him, "There is no reason for you to be pushing this. You said there was nothing between us, yes?"

"You're blowing my words up, and you know it.", I put my hands on my hips as he turned away from me and moved forward in line, "I said that so they wouldn't think we were dating or something like that." I rolled my eyes at him, "You're surprisingly dramatic for someone so soft spoken and conservative."

"Is that so?", he said without looking at me.

"Fine then, be that way, Todoroki.", as I began to merge in front of him in line, and get a tray of food.

So much for that. Who knew he could be so harsh? Suddenly, I had flashbacks to the USJ attack when he told the villains he would let them freeze and die if they didn't answer his questions. Okay, so I knew. But that situation it was understandable to be so harsh- we were fighting for our lives. This was him just being overly sensitive and dramatic. He was definitely blowing my words out of proportion. It wasn't like I did it too be mean to him.

For fuck sake, just yesterday I was admitting to Izuku to possibly having a crush on him. But that was a different Shoto- Todoroki... the one who used his fire quirk to warm my body when I was shivering. Where the fuck was that guy?

I pushed down thoughts of both the cold and warm versions of Todoroki. There were a lot more important things for me to worry about.

The sports festival was coming up, and I needed to up my training routine. Not that I had been slacking, but there was always room for improvement. Maybe I could start sparring with Izuku? That would definitely not only benefit me, but also him. I have been feeling like a bad friend recently, so this could help make up for that.

My brother was also coming home soon- maybe his visit would overlap with the festival. He's never seen me in action before, nothing beyond our usual play fighting and wrestling at home. I wonder what he would think of me in this different element. Knowing that there was a possibility of seeing me perform only pushed me to want to do better than before.

Lunch was soon over, and my afternoon classes flew by as well. It was now the end of the day and I was packing up to leave, when I realized the outside of our classroom was a packed crowd of students. They must of been curious as to what the class who was ambushed by the League of Villains looked like.

I realized that the thought didn't seem to occur to everyone as Ochako yelled, "Why are you all here?!"

"Do you students have some sort of business with our class?", Iida tried to make sense of it.

Mineta popped up, "Why are you blocking our doorway?? I won't let you hold us hostage!!"

Katsuki walked towards the door, unimpressed, "They're scouting out the competition, idiots."

I followed after him, realized that they would move from his brash behavior, "May I remind you guys, we're all anyone's talking about because of the attack."

"They want to see us with their own eyes.", he added as he stood directly in front of them, "At least now you know what a future pro looks like. Now move it, extras." I couldn't help but sigh at his choice of words as Iida, Ochako, and Izuku broke out behind us.

"So this is class 1-A?", spoke a boy with messy purple hair who was shoving himself to the front of the crowd, "I heard you guys were impressive, but you just sound like an ass.", as he got closer, I could see the dark circles under his eyes, "Is everyone in the hero course delusional, or just you?"

I could feel Katsuki's anger begin to rise, so I moved next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

The purple haired boy continued, "I wanted to be in the hero course, but like many others here, I was forced to choose a different track. Such as life. I didn't cut it the first time around, but I have another chance. If any of us do well in the sports festival, the teachers can decide to move us into the hero course. Then they'll have to transfer people out to make room. Consider this a declaration of war."

I straightened my posture and took a step forward, "Big claims coming from someone who couldn't make it in.", screams and reprimands came from my classmates behind me, "I can assure you that none of my classmates will give you the opportunity to make way into our classroom. Just because you feel as though you were wronged out of a place, doesn't mean one of us wrongfully placed into the hero course. We all earned our spot here, and will fight to maintain it." He raised a brow and smirked at me. "If you're going to make a declaration, make sure you make it out on top.", I plastered my own smirk on my face to match his own.

"HEY!!", all heads turned to the new voice except for my own and the purple haired boys. "I'M FROM CLASS 1-B, NEXT DOOR TO YOU! WE HEARD YOU FOUGHT SOME VILLAINS AND I CAME TO SEE IF THAT WAS TRUE!! YOU'RE JUST A BUNCH OF BRATS WHO THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN US!!"

Katsuki began to walk away from the scene, and I gave one final look towards the purple haired boy before I followed him.

"HEY, DON'T YOU IGNORE ME!!", he kept calling.

Eijiro ran forward, "Dudes, where are you going?? You have to say something! It's your fault they're hating on us!"

"These people don't matter.", Katsuki flatly states, "The only thing that's important is that I beat them." He began to walk away, and I couldn't help but smile to myself at his words.

I turned to face my class, "I hope you all will take his words as inspiration and meet us at the top. Don't make it lonely up there." Giving a soft smile I turned back to leave.

I quickened my step to catch up to Katsuki, and began walking side my side. I couldn't help but hear Eijiro mentioned something about manly exits, and I smiled to myself. We walked to our lockers, off school grounds, and towards the train station in a comfortable silence; the entire time a smile on my face.

He looked down at me, him holding the bar above his head to remain steady, "What's with that smile on your face?"

I shrugged sitting below him on one of the seats, "I'm just pumped for the festival. Kosuke may be coming to see it."

"Make sure you don't lose then.", he flatly concluded.

"I could say the same to you. You and I both talked a lot of shit in front of the other classes. Let's make sure we aren't all bark and no bite? hm?"

"It doesn't matter what those extras think, I will come out on top.", he swayed a little as the train slowed to a stop that wasn't ours.

"I'm not doubting that, I'm just making sure you know you can't lose anymore. You have to be first place.", I smirked.

He gave me a half smirk,"Yeah? And what about you? If I'm first then how are you going to be at the top?"

"As long as I do my best in every possible way, I've won.", I smiled, "I don't need to be first to feel like I'm winning.", I shrugged with fake coyness, "Besides, I know that regardless what I do I'll still be one of the top ranked contestants."

His smirk grew into a full one, as he leaned down a bit to intimidate me, "Seems like someone is a little cocky, don't ya think?"

"Hard not to be when I'm hanging around you.", my own smirk grew on my face.

Once getting home, I decided I would plan out a new work out regiment for the next two weeks leading up to the festival. After doing so I ate dinner with my soba, and completed my regular school work. I avoided going on my phone, and tried to go to bed earlier than usual. I was going to need all the rest I could for the incoming weeks if I was going to make it to the top.