Targeted
"Ah, good morning, mademoiselle," Aoyama said with a wink and dramatic wave of his hand. "And to you, monsieur."
Terra smiled at the warm greeting while Todoroki just stared in silence. "Good morning to you, too."
"I am so glad to see you have recovered from the USJ attack." Aoyama struck a pose with his thumb and finger under his chin in an L shape. "I was worried when they took you away."
"You didn't have to worry. I was fine after getting some fluids and rest. You seem to be fine as well." Terra looked him up and down.
"Indeed." Aoyama nodded. "Those ruffians didn't hurt me one bit."
"That's good," Terra said.
"Shall we walk to class together?" Aoyama bowed and waved his arm towards the door that would lead them out of the locker area.
Terra nodded. The group of three left for their class. Whispers swirled around them from the moment they stepped into the building and all the way to their homeroom class. Even there the students continued to speak about what happened. Terra half listened to them.
"But man, all the channels made a big deal out of it!" Kaminari laughed.
"I was surprised," Kirishima admitted.
Jiro stopped twirling her earphone jack and she shrugged. "The hero course that keeps pumping out pro heroes was attacked for real. Of course everyone wants to talk about it."
"Who knows what would've happened if the teachers hadn't come when they did?" Sero sighed with relief.
Koda made his way back to her desk and mimed his concern.
"Yeah. They took you off in an ambulance." Ashido joined them. "Your arm looked hurt."
"I'm fine. I was only observed over night to make sure I got rehydrated properly," Terra said. "And I did burn my arm thanks to a villain, but Recovery Girl healed me up."
"I'm glad to hear it." Ashido clapped her hands together while Koda nodded rapidly. "I wanted to call you but didn't have your number."
"You should totally give it to us," Hagakure said. "Then we can call you. Maybe we could hang out sometime."
"I'd like your phone number, too," Yaoyorozu said. "It'll come in handy if I have class rep stuff to share with you."
Terra looked at the long haired teen.
"I have everyone else's numbers. Would you mind if I got yours?" Yaoyorozu held up her phone.
"I guess it'll be all right," Terra said. Her eyes drew to Todoroki, who gave her a carefree shrug, before going to Ojiro and Asui. They smiled. "Fine. I'll give it to everyone."
"Great! I'd love to have your number on hand." Drool dripped from Mineta's lips. His hands and arms trembled with excitement.
Asui stuck her tongue in the boy's ear. "Keep that up and you won't get any girl's number."
Terra spoke out her number. She noticed everyone tapped it into their cellphones. The only ones she wasn't sure about was Bakugo and Midoriya. The former had his phone out but she had no way of knowing if he was putting her number into his phone or not. Midoriya, however, looked back at her with a timid glance before turning back around.
"And I'll give you mine," Ashido said.
"Birdie, record numbers." Birdie's beak opened. One by one her classmates gave her their phone numbers, but for Bakugo and Midoriya.
Kirishima gave Bakugo's for him instead. "Don't be so stand offish, Bakugo." He snatched Bakugo's phone and input Terra's number.
"Give me back my phone, you idiot!" Bakugo shouted but made no move for his cellphone.
Terra pursed her lips. Did that mean he wanted her number? Her eyes went to Midoriya. Other than Bakugo, Midoriya was the only one who didn't offer his number. She figured it was because she threatened him.
"Everyone! Morning homeroom is about to start!" Iida marched down the isle with his hands straight and arms pumping. "Stop talking, put away those cellphones, and take your seats!"
"Yeah, yeah, Emergency Exit." Kirishima sat down. "We were only doing what was necessary. You input Terra's number in your phone, too, right?"
"Ahem." Tenya coughed into his hand. "Of course I did. I am the class rep. It's my duty to have everyone's phone numbers."
"Sure," Hagakure said. "That's why you suggested it instead of Yaoyorozu."
With a heavy sigh Iida sat down in his chair. "I know. I have been derelict in my duties as a class rep."
"It's okay, Iida," Terra said. "I wouldn't have given out my number before now anyway."
"What made you change your mind?" Iida turned in his chair to look at her.
"Well…" Terra looked at Ojiro and Asui. "I guess things changed."
Ojiro and Asui smiled and nodded.
The door to the classroom slid open opened. Aizawa came walk in with bandages around his face and arms. "Morning."
The shook in their chairs at the sight of their homeroom teacher wrapped in so many bandages and for being in class. "Mr. Aizawa! You're back too soon!" they shouted in unison.
Terra's eyebrows rose. Recovery Girl must have helped in his recovery for him to return so soon. That was the only thing she could think of to get Aizawa back on his feet so soon. She also heard about how Midoriya helped All Might in the fight against the villains. While she didn't get the full story of what all happened, she did gain a small amount of gratitude for the boy.
"Y-you are too professional." Kaminari gasped.
Tenya's hand shot in the air. "Mr. Aizawa, are you really all right?!"
"Could you call that all right?!" Uraraka asked.
"My well-being isn't important. What's important is the fight is not yet over," Aizawa said.
"Fight?" Terra's curiosity peaked a bit.
"Don't tell me. " Midoriya stiffened in his chair.
Aizawa lowered his head, eyeing his students from between his bandages. "The UA sports festival is drawing near."
"What?!" The students fell back in their chairs with relief. "That's a super normal school event!"
"Is it really okay to have a sports festival so soon after the villains got inside school premises?!" Jiro asked.
"What if they attack again?" Ojiro asked.
"Apparently, they think of it as UA showing that our crisis management system is solid as a rock by holding the event," Aizawa said. "Security will also be strengthened to five times that of previous years."
"That's good to hear," Iida said.
"Above all, our sports festival is a huge chance for aspiring heroes. It's not an event to be cancelled because of a few villains," Aizawa explained. "Our sports festival is one of Japan's biggest events. In days past, it was the Olympics that everyone watched."
"Of course, all the top heroes around the country will be watching," Yaoyorozu added. "For scouting purposes."
"I know, but…" Mineta still protested.
"That's correct. Joining a famous hero agency will get you more experience and higher status," Aizawa said. "But time is limited. If you expect to go pro, then the path to your future will open up at this event. One chance each year you are here for a total of three chances to get scouted. No aspiring heroes can afford to miss this event. If you understand that, then don't slack off on your preparations."
"Yes, sir!" the class said.
Terra slumped over her desk and poked Todoroki on the shoulder. "I can't believe I'm having to participate in such an event."
"I'd rather you didn't," Todoroki said. "But since you are here it's obvious All Might thinks it's fine."
Terra sighed. "Maybe."
"Have you spoke to him about it?" Todoroki asked.
"Before school started. He said it'd be fine."
Todoroki nodded. "Then we have to trust him. Like Mr. Aizawa said, security will be tighter this year. No villain will be stupid enough to attack an event with so many heroes around."
"I know you're right. Maybe its just nerves." Terra sat back in her chair as the school day got started. Her mind would only half focus on the lectures while the other half kept going over and over the upcoming sports festival. So many people watched it. The last time she was in such a large crowd things didn't end well. She had no idea how she would handle it all. Or if she could handle it. She had no idea if she would hurt anyone. What did the sports festival consist of anyway? Tapping her pencil on her chin she thought back to previous events. They had all been different. So this year would be different too. She huffed and wondered if All Might could give her some information on it.
After hours of seamlessly endless lectures their fourth period finally ended. Chatter about the sports festival filled the room as Class 1-A got ready to go eat.
"Sho-chan, I'm going to go find All Might for a moment," Terra said.
"Probably a good idea. Want me to come with you?"
"No, you go on to lunch. This wouldn't take long. I'll meet you in the lunchroom."
A minute later they went their separate ways. Todoroki went downstairs as Terra headed off for the teacher's office. She found he wasn't there but he might be in one of the teacher lounges. She headed off to find him. It didn't take long as she spotted him in the hall heading into a room. "Hey, All-" She paused when she spotted Midoriya with him.
"Hm? Something wrong, Terra?" All Might turned to her when she ran up to him.
"No, nothing's wrong." Terra stared at Midoriya for a moment before looking up at All Might. "I wanted to talk to you but I see you're busy."
"I'm not busy. I was going to eat lunch with Young Midoriya here." All Might lifted his lunchbox. "Want to join us?"
"No thanks. Sho-chan is waiting for me. Can you come over tonight? I want to talk to you about the sports festival."
"Still nervous about it, huh?" All Might asked.
Terra nodded.
"Of course I'll come over." All Might patted her head.
"Great. See you tonight then." Terra cut Midoriya a harsh stare before rushing off.
"She hates me." She heard Midoriya said.
"Not at all," All Might said. "She's just hard to get close to." He lowered his voice. "Especially since you know my secret. Give her time. Was there something you needed, Young Midoriya?"
Terra didn't hear his answer as she continued on her trek to the lunchroom. She joined Todoroki in the lunch line.
"What's going on with Deku? Why do you think All Might wanted to speak to him?"
Terra glanced behind her when she heard Uraraka spoke.
"I heard he jumped in to help All Might during the attack on the USJ," Iida said. "It's probably something to do with that."
"Also, it's like Tsuyu said on the bus," Uraraka said. "He's strong like All Might."
"All Might's speaking with Midoriya? Is that why you got here so quickly?" Todoroki asked.
"Yeah. They're eating lunch together. I don't know why though. It might be because of the attack." They ordered their food and went to claim a seat. Much to her surprise she found some of the girls waved them over. "Well, this is a surprise. Don't you girls usually eat together with a few of the boys?"
"True, but we wanted to eat with you two," Ashido said. "And talk."
"So how are you all going to prepare for the sports festival?" Hagakure asked.
"I don't have anything planned," Ashido said. "Since we don't know what we'll be doing it's hard to prepare for it."
"That's so true." Yaoyorozu nodded. "We should still be prepared as possible."
"I think you've got that covered," Terra said. "With your quirk you can create whatever you want."
"It's not that great." Yaoyorozu shifted in her chair, a slight pink rolling across her cheeks. "I have limits like everyone else."
"I think we should take a day and chill out at the mall or something," Hagakure said.
"Sounds good! I'm in!" Ashido said. "We should get together the weakened before the sports festival! How about it, Tsu?"
"Ribbit. Count me in." Asui looked at Terra. "Will you be coming?"
"I don't know." Terra swirled her chopsticks in her noodles.
"Come on. It'll be fun. A girls day out." Ashido leaned over the table with a grin.
"She'll go if her mom says it's okay," Todoroki said.
"Hey! Since when do you make my decisions?" Terra wrinkled her nose at the boy beside her.
"You don't want to go?" Todoroki glanced at her.
"Well…"
"Then you're going." Todoroki slurped up his soba.
Terra sighed. "Sure. I have to ask Mom first."
"Yes! I'll be sure to ask Uraraka and Jiro later," Ashido said.
…
As the day came to a close, Terra found more excitement was about to hit Class 1-A. When the door to the room was opened they found another class standing there.
"What business do you have with Class 1-A?" Tenya demanded to the other students gazing in at them. "We can't get out!"
"What'd you come here for, anyway?!" Mineta asked.
"Clearly they're here to scout out the enemy, small fry." Bakugo stalked to the door with his hands in his pockets. "We're the ones who made it out of a villain attack. They're probably checking us out before the sports festival."
"S-small fry?!" Mineta gasped.
Bakugo stood at the doorway. "There's no point in doing stuff like that. Out of my way, extras!"
"Ah!" Midoriya, Iida, and Uraraka jumped behind Bakugo, panic sweeping across their faces.
"Stop calling people extras just because you don't know them!" Iida exclaimed.
"I came to see what Class 1-A was like." A voice came out of the crowd. "But you seem pretty arrogant." A couple of first years stepped aside and a boy with tall purple hair came to the front. "Are all the students in the hero course like this?"
Midoriya, Iida, Uraraka, and Mineta shook their heads vehemently while Bakugo growled.
"What is with this school's students and spikey hair?" Terra popped up beside the purple haired guy.
"Ah, Terra Tanaka. Finally, I get to meet All Might's recommendation face to face," he said.
"Is there a spikey hair club at this school I don't know about?" Terra tugged on a strand of his hair. "And it's purple."
"What is wrong with her?"
"Is she really All Might's recommendation?"
"She's so weird."
"Why purple?" Terra gave another tug. "Is it connected to your quirk? Mine is. Or so I assumed. I've seen other plant quirks that don't have green hair. What about you? What is your quirk?"
"Stop that." The boy grabbed her wrist with an annoyed glare.
Todoroki was at Terra's side in a second. He grabbed the guy's wrist and squeezed. "Let her go."
"Chill. I wasn't going to hurt her." He released Terra's wrist.
"I never expected All Might's recommendation to be like this. I heard the rumors but thought they were only that. Rumors." He looked at Terra. "I hope your performance in the sports festival proved me and everyone else wrong."
"Eh?" Terra tilted her head.
"I had hoped that those rumors were false and that you were more serious. But seeing you and your classmates have left me disillusioned." The boy sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets. "There are quite a few people who enrolled in general studies or other courses because they didn't make it into the hero course. Did you know that?"
"And what does that have to do with Class 1-A?" Terra blinked.
"It means that your performance at the sports festival determines whether or not you'll be transferred out of the hero course. If that happened then one of us will be transferred into the hero course." He eyed Bakugo up and down and then he scoffed. "You think I'm here to scout you guys out? I'm just here to say that if you get too carried away, I'll sweep your feet out from under you and steal your spot. I came here with a declaration of war."
"Can they really transfer students out of the hero course?" Terra asked.
"They can." Todoroki nodded.
"Wow," Terra said.
"Ribbit. That's insane. But I guess it does make sense." Asui pressed a finger to her chin. "If someone isn't performing well then there's no point in them staying in the hero course."
"That means we have to work really hard not to get kicked out," Kaminari said.
"Terra, time's wasting," Todoroki said.
"Right." Terra nodded and walked off with him. "All Might's coming over tonight. You want to come? I'm going to talk to him about the sports festival."
"No. I'll give you two some time alone. After what happened at the USJ I figured you could use some time with him," Todoroki said.
"Yeah. You're right." Terra nodded.
…
"So what did you want to talk to me about exactly?" Toshinori sat down on the couch in the underground house.
"The sports festival. The USJ attack. All of it." Terra sat beside him. "Are you sure it's a good idea for me to join the festival?"
"Of course it's fine." Toshinori patted her head. "I'll be right there the whole time. And they're taking extra security measures this year. Aizawa told you about this."
"That's something else I'm concerned about. Those villains could still come back to try and kill you again."
"Terra." Toshinori put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. "I'm okay. Those villains will never kill me."
"They might not, but that nomu thing did hurt you." Terra tilted her head to look at his side where Midoriya said the nomu jammed its long sharp fingers in then looked up at him. "They could come back with another one of those things. Or worse an army. No one seems to know what the nomu even is. There could be thousands out there."
"Terra, you're worrying over nothing." He gave her a squeeze when she attempted to get up. "That's not going to happen. You're talking to the number one hero. And we are at the best hero school. That attack was a one-time thing. They'd be crazy to attack the school again. Especially since they got a good look at the up and coming new heroes. Despite the odds against you, you handled yourself real well. All of Class 1-A did."
"I know. You've said that before." Terra rested her head on his chest. "I'm still worried. You're important to me. I don't want to lose you."
Toshinori sighed.
"Uncle Toshi?" Terra looked up at him to find his dark eyes were distant, deep in thought. "Something wrong?" When he didn't answer she poked him. "Uncle Toshi!"
"Huh?"
"Are you okay? You seemed distracted."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you like that. It's getting kind of late. How about we make dinner for Tomoko?"
"Yeah!" Terra nodded and jumped from the couch. It had been a while since they had spent this kind of time together.
"Okay, okay. Settle down." Toshinori chuckled and followed her into the kitchen.
Dishes clanked together as Terra pulled out what was needed.
"So how are you getting along with your classmates?" Toshinori asked while the fish sizzled.
"They're okay. A few of them have some issues." Terra stopped chopping the carrot. "Like Bakugo. He's loud. Seems to hate Midoriya… Well, he seems to hate everyone. I haven't heard him say anyone's name. He always calls them something else. He even called me Plant Face at our first hero training course with you."
"Plant Face?" Toshinori paused and looked at her. "That's right. I do remember him saying that."
"Yup. Then there's Mineta. He and Kaminari are perverts, but Mineta is the worst."
"They haven't made a move on you, have they?" A small snarl pulled across the man's face.
"Don't worry. Nothing's happened." Terra giggled. "Let's see… Oh, yeah. Some of the girls asked me to go out with them the weekend before the sports festival. That is if Mom will let me. Considering she let me go out for ice cream with Ojiro and Tsu I get the feeling she'll say yes."
"That's a good thing. I've seen you speak with your classmates a couple times. You seem to get along with them rather well."
"Yeah." Terra nodded. "They're okay. So far they haven't asked me to explain more of my past."
"But for Young Midoriya."
Terra flinched.
"I saw how you were towards him earlier today. You're still unsure if he'll keep my secret."
"I can't help it," Terra mumbled.
"I know. And that's why I've decided to train you two together before the sports festival."
"What?!" Terra jerked her eyes towards him.
"That's right." Smoke wafted from Toshinori's body as he transformed into All Might. "From now until the sports festival ends I will be training you and Young Midoriya side by side."
"Uncle Toshi!"
"No arguing, young lady." Turning back, Toshinori tapped her nose.
Terra puffed out her cheeks then said, "Fine. But you have to stay and watch movies with me until I fall asleep."
"Deal."
"I'm home!" Tomoko called out an hour later. "Something smells good." She walked into the kitchen. "Oh, Toshi."
"Welcome home." Toshinori smiled.
"Dinner is all ready." Terra sat the bowl of mashed potatoes on the table. "Uncle Toshi's going to stay for movies, too."
"Really?" Tomoko blinked. "It's a school night though."
"No problem." Toshinori sat down. "It's not like I have papers to grade."
"True." Tomoko nodded and sat down. "So how is work going?"
"It's fine. There are a lot of promising young heroes this year. I can't wait to see how they grow," Toshinori said.
"You mean how Midoriya grows," Terra grumbled around a mouthful of food.
"That's not true. I want to see how they all grow," Toshinori said.
Terra squinted at him. "You favor Midoriya. Almost more than you do me."
"Hey. No one can ever take your place." Toshinori ruffled her hair.
"But you do favor him."
Toshinori sighed. "Sometimes you're too observant for your own good."
Terra shrugged.
"Okay, it's true. I do have a special eye on Young Midoriya. But that's all I will tell you," Toshinori said. "If you want to know more you'll have to speak with him."
"Uh huh. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to talk while you train us," Terra grumbled as she continued eating.
"What are you two talking about?" Tomoko asked.
"I am going to supervise Young Midoriya and Terra in training for the sports festival." Toshinori grinned.
"I see." Tomoko picked up her fork.
The rest of dinner passed without any more mention of the hero school or students. The three moved into the living room to start their movies. Terra put in the first movie then took her spot beside Toshinori on the couch, tucked comfortably under his arm.
…
"Sorry she made you stay until she fell asleep." Tomoko clicked off the TV, plunging the room into low light from the lamp.
"I didn't mind at all." Toshinori shifted on the couch, careful not to disturb Terra's sleep, and picked her up. "She's worried about what happened at the USJ. That it might happen again. I want her to be comfortable."
"Oh? Is that why you're going to force her to battle with Midoriya?" Tomoko faced the man and crossed her arms.
"So you picked up on that, huh?" Toshinori stepped around the coffee table and headed for the kitchen.
"Hard not to." Tomoko followed and opened the elevator. The small room hummed as it took them underground. Soft lights lit up as they stepped out of the elevator and made their way to Terra's room. "Are you sure it's a good idea to push her like that?"
"It'll be fine," Toshinori said stepping into the bedroom. "Young Midoriya will be a great friend to her. He'll be strong. Just like Young Todoroki."
"I see." Tomoko leaned against the doorframe of the room. "You're trying to make sure she's got solid support. This Midoriya is your replacement."
Toshinori laid Terra on the bed and pulled the cover over her. A soft expression over took his eyes.
"You should tell her the truth," Tomoko said.
"I can't." Toshinori brushed his fingers over her bangs before letting them fall back into place. His eyes landed on the frog plushie he gave her as a child. It sat in the corner of the bed, always close by. "She relies on me too much. How can I tell her that my quirk has been passed onto the next generation and that I'm going to die?"
"You have to tell her. She's going to figure it out. It'll be better coming from you. She's already suspicious of Midoriya."
Toshinori sighed and sat down on the bed. "You might be right. But I still can't do it. She can't rely on me forever. She needs to build friendships and tell them the whole truth."
"I don't think she'll ever tell anyone. You know she still hadn't come to terms with what happened."
"I know." Toshinori nodded. "That's one of the main reasons I was determined to get her into UA's hero course. I want her to become stronger for the next time she becomes a target."