Chapter 36: Routine

Izuku stumbled into class just as the bell chimed. Despite it being a Monday, he couldn't remember the last time he was so happy to be at school. During the weekend, he had tried to just quietly relax and recover from his injuries at home, but his mother had been unbearable. All weekend she had hovered around him, asking him questions about his friends, his schoolwork, and what he was up to. He couldn't take it, but with his body still feeling wrecked he had no other option then to endure it.

While his classmates were busily arranging their things on their workbenches, they were all excitedly chatting away about their internships and what they had been up to. A few of them called out to him, but he pretended not to hear and kept moving. He had a headache and wasn't in the mood to talk.

Arriving at his own table, he unceremoniously upended his back pack and gingerly took his seat. His stomach was killing him.

As he winced, Moyashi who was already sitting, glanced over.

'Tough week?' he asked.

'You have no idea.' Izuku responded as he attempted to get as comfortable as possible on the rigid chair, 'How was yours?'

'Pretty good. I know how to build a washing machine now.'

'Ah, career opportunities abound. Good for you.' Izuku mumbled as he settled his head down on top of his backpack.

At that moment Power Loader entered the class and the conversations died away.

'Welcome back everyone.' Power Loader said, 'I know that you all had an exciting week and are eager to share your experiences interning, but let's not get distracted. Midterms are coming up and we all just lost a week of school time so you'll have to work twice as hard I'm afraid.'

The class let out a winding groan and Power Loader grinned.

'Yes. So, if you would all please open your textbooks to page 214…'

After enduring Power Loader's lengthy exam prep session, Izuku's head felt like it was going to explode. Bumbling after his classmates to the cafeteria, he slouched over on the bench and moaned miserably. Several of his classmates grinned at him before going back to their own lunches.

'What's the matter Izuku? Have a tummy ache?' Mei teased as she took her seat across from him.

'Yes, actually.'

She tittered. Pulling out her own lunch, she bit into her sandwich with relish. Izuku watched her forlornly. For the last few days he couldn't handle anything besides soft foods. Opening the tin to his meagre pudding, he began to spoon feed himself.

'Hey guys…' Saigo said as he sat down, 'Don't look now, but class 1-A is giving us the stink eye.'

Naturally, everyone ignored him and immediately looked up or twisted around in their chairs to see. Sure enough all the members of class 1-A was glaring towards Izuku and Mei. Izuku felt his spider-sense flutter. They sure did look pissed off.

'Do you think they're still upset about the Sports Festival?' Hiretsuna asked worriedly.

'Naw.' Mei said, haphazardly waving her sandwich over at class 1-A's table and their scowls deepened, 'They're just mad because of what me and Izuku did last week.'

'Oh? What did you do?' Bukimi asked eagerly.

Here we go… Izuku thought, suppressing a grin as Mei rushed to finish swallowing her food.

'Well! We….'

Izuku listened with the rest of the class as Mei told them all about their prank. When she got to the part about the mysterious packages several of his classmates exclaimed in disbelief.

'No way! You actually did that? What if they caught you guys?' one of their classmates asked.

Mei gave a casual shrug, though the effect was ruined somewhat by her own nervous smile.

'I'm surprised you went along with it, Izuku. I kind of thought you were smarter than that.' Saigo said, jostling him in the ribs playfully. The hit caused him to double over coughing.

'Y-Yeah.' Izuku said weakly, 'You're telling me.'

'Well what's done is done.' Mei declared, dusting the crumbs off herself, 'It was for their own good really. I consider it after school training.'

'I'm just surprised you'd alienate potential customers, Mei.' Kiska said evilly and Mei's smile instantly vanished.

'W-What?' Mei said fearfully, 'No! Th-They wouldn't be so petty. It was just a harmless prank!'

She looked around for support but nobody said anything and she dropped her head to the table.

'Izuku!' she moaned, 'Why'd I let you talk me into this? Argh, this is a PR nightmare!'

'Kiska has a point, Mei.' Bukimi added, grinning as Mei started to cradle her head in her arms, 'You'd better hope their boycott doesn't spread either. You know how things are with new businesses. Just one black mark on your reputation and…' Bukimi drew his hand across his throat and made a choking sound. Mei stood.

'I-I can salvage this!' she muttered, smoothing out her uniform, 'If I go and…explain the situation then I'm sure they'll understand. Are you coming Izuku?'

He shook his head.

'No. I don't really care too much. Feel free to throw me under the bus though.'

'Right. Wish me luck.'

Shoulders squared and chin held high, she strode off towards class 1-A's table and Izuku perked up in alarm.

'Hey, Mei! Wait! I was kidding! Leave me out of it!' he shouted after her, but she must not have heard because she kept walking.

Lowering his head back to the table, he rested his forehead against its cool surface and sighed.

Well…It could be worse, I guess. At least I won't have any of the class 1-A kids coming up to me and asking for me to build them anything. I have enough work as it is.

Meanwhile in city hall, a professionally dressed man was standing in front of the district ballot centre sweating through his shirt. He was the campaign manager for the beleaguered election team for the incumbent mayor. It had been a harrowing year. His boss's campaign had been mired in one controversy after the other. Between the corruption allegations, the brothel sex scandal, and the various media leaks he had thought he was fighting for a lost cause.

Not that he'd ever resign though. Goodness no. He may be an alcoholic, manic depressive with a cocaine addiction, but he wasn't suicidal. If he even so much as tried to call in sick he'd be found floating headless in the bay.

Biting a fingernail, he watched unblinking as the poll numbers began to close. His employer had a slight edge, but the lower income districts had yet to be counted. Normally he wouldn't be too concerned about the numbers, they could buy whatever district they wanted, but this wasn't like last year. Public opinion had notably shifted and several NGO's were carefully monitoring the election.

Suddenly the poll numbers began to come in and the man's jaw dropped in surprise. The voters were almost unanimously in his parties' favour. Breaking out into a wide grin, he stood motionless as the room around him broke out in applause and cheering.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he spun on his heels and began fast walking to the exit. As he went, several people stopped to slap his back or give him a high-five. He would shake their hands or smile, but he was too preoccupied to stop. He needed to see the mayor and tell him the good news.

Rushing through the building, he raced up to the top floor. Coming to the mayor's office, he burst into the waiting area where the mayor's pretty receptionist was busily inspecting her nails. She glanced up when she heard him approaching.

'So, what's the word?' she asked in an unenthused voice.

'No need to dust off the ol' resume, you still have a job.' he said jokingly. She stared in response, one eyebrow raised, a look of clear disdain on her face. Slowly his laughter petered out and he cleared his throat uncomfortably, 'Is he in?'

The woman sat up straighter in her chair and put aside her file. Pressing a button on her desktop phone, she spoke:

'Mr. Fisk? Mr. Nott is here to see you.'

'Very well. Send him in.'

The receptionist reached beneath her desk and pressed a different button and the mayor's office door unlocked with a soft *ping*.

'Go on ahead.'

'Thank you.' he said, stepping forward. After taking two steps he stopped and turned back to face her, 'You know, we're all going to celebrate at Tōtsuki's. If you're free-'

'Mr. Nott, don't press your luck. Mr. Fisk is waiting.' she said in a bored voice.

'R-Right.'

Swallowing back his disappointment, he turned back and pushed open the giant doors to the mayor's office. Stepping into the room, he saw Mr. Fisk standing behind his desk with his back to the door. He was facing the glass windows, staring out into the city.

Walking through the spacious mahogany office and around the large table sized desk, he stopped in the newly re-elected mayor's shadow and cleared his throat.

'Mr. Fisk, the election results are in.'

'And?' Mr. Fisk rumbled in his deep baritone voice without turning.

'C-Congratulations, we've – I mean, you – have been re-elected.'

Mr. Fisk turned and Nott resisted the urge to take a step backward. Even under these circumstances his boss was an intimidating man. Standing well over a meter taller and likely weighing a couple hundred pounds more, he had no doubt that the giant could effortlessly crush him as easily as he might an empty can. He shuddered to think what would have happened if he didn't have good news. Mr. Fisk studied him for a moment.

'Mr. Nott,' started Fisk and he felt himself tense, 'you have outdone yourself.'

Nott was stunned. He never imagined he would receive such high praise. Working his lips, he attempted to speak, but Fisk wasn't finished.

'I must confess that in recent weeks I considered the mayoral office lost to me. As a result, I made a rather embarrassing choice to enact certain contingences regarding the allocation of campaign resources. A choice I will need to undo if possible.'

A flutter of confusion passed over Nott's face before he smiled vacantly. He didn't have the slightest clue what contingences Fisk could be referring to and he preferred it that way.

'Ye-Yes. Well. The party staffers and the media are waiting for your victory speech. Shall we expect you in the next, say, ten minutes?'

'Yes. I will be down shortly.'

'Very good then sir. I'll go prepare the room.'

Nott turned and exited. As he walked towards the lobby he felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

Fisk watched Nott retreat from his office. Once he had left and the door had closed behind him, Fisk picked up his oversized phone and pressed a number. After the first ring, a man answered.

'Sir?'

'What's your status?' Fisk asked.

'We're at location and on standby. Ready to proceed at your order.' came the brisk reply.

'Cancel the operation.'

Without waiting for a response, Fisk hung up his phone and turned his mind over to more pressing matters. Navigating around his desk and opening the door to his private closet, he considered his wardrobe. As he thumbed through his suit jackets, he couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. In the wake of Shocker's arrest and exile he had entertained the fantasy of retiring from public life and returning to the underworld to reign as he had years ago. But alas, he had diversified; expanded. One does not progress in life by looking backward after all.

Selecting a white blazer, he exited his cavernous closet and went to his mirror. Putting the jacket on, he straightened his cuffs and judged his appearance with as critical an eye as he could muster. He was no fashion aficionado, but he had often been complemented on his taste.

Satisfied, he left his office. As he exited, his secretary dutifully fell in step behind him and mutely accompanied him to the elevator. Entering, the pair continued on in silence as they rode the elevator to the lobby. While they descended, he considered his position. What more could he want? City hall was his. The streets were his. Musutafu was his. If he were to abdicate, all he would be doing is trading one office for another. And yet, he felt strangely unfulfilled.

Arriving at the lobby, he walked out to the conference hall where the press and his loyal staff had gathered. Upon spotting him, the journalists swarmed him with pictures and shouts for his attention. Giving them a broad smile and a wave, he continued on to the stage where Nott was already introducing him.

While Nott spoke, he looked at his campaign manager thoughtfully. Nott had first entered his employ shortly after he was elected mayor twelve years ago. At the time he had been intrigued by Nott's intuitive understanding of the political climate of Musutafu and willingness to go to any lengths to achieve victory. However, as he learned over the years, Nott was also a man of many vices. Although not unforgivable in and of itself, it had been people like Nott who had tarnished his reputation and created this situation in the first place.

Just the thought of the scandals made his blood boil. It had been humiliating, seeing his name tied to such degeneracy, slandered in the media like some common corrupt bureaucrat. He was more than just a politician. More than just some criminal. More even than what his own men believed him to be. For a visionary like him to even be implicated, if only by association, was unconscionable.

He had decided. He would have Nott killed after all. Originally, he had arranged to have Nott's wife and son murdered as well, but in light of Nott's efforts in winning him the election, he decided to grant him that mercy at least.

Yes, the city was his and always would be. There were contenders no doubt. Shocker was sure to be return - this time with the rest of the Sinister Six - to recapture the Trigger market and reassert their dominance, but he was ready for them. Working the drug trade from the production side, Overhaul and his Eight Precept's of Death might attempt to gather enough power to rebuild the Yakuza, but they had nothing to offer beyond their organization's supposedly vaunted history. The last gasp of the old world, they would disappear soon. The mysterious "League of Villains" was skulking around, but they seemed uninterested in actual power and had obsessed themselves with causing general mayhem and destruction. So long as that was all they did, then he was content to let them continue. The heroes would deal with them. Everything was under control.

'…and now, the man of the hour himself! Our re-elected mayor; Wilson Fisk!' finished Nott, bringing his hands together.

The room joined him in applause and Fisk stepped forward. Smiling and waving, he went to the podium and delivered his speech.

Izuku slowly made his way through the bustling development studio and over to his workstation. The day was almost over. Soon he would be back at home, and he could have a nice long rest. School had been far more exhausting than he had thought it would be. Thankfully he hadn't had foundational heroic studies or he probably wouldn't have made it.

'Hey, Izuku! Heads up!'

He ducked just in time to dodge the spear that Kiska was removing from her suit. Proceeding past her and the rest of his classmates, he leaned up against his workbench and caught his breath.

I shouldn't try building anything today, I'll just end up hurting myself. I guess I can review the code for my suit's computer. That should be nice and-

'Midoriya!' Power Loader barked and he flinched, 'Principal Nezu wants to see you. Go to his office.'

'OoooOOOOOoo…'

He felt his spider-sense thrum. Stiff legged, he walked past his smirking classmates while trying his best to ignore their teasing comments.

'Uh, oh! Someone's in trouble.'

'Better pack your bags Midoriya!'

'I call dibs on Izuku's suit!'

Sweating bullets, he exited the development studio and went to the administration wing of the school. Along the way he tried to think about what he might be in trouble for, but it was such a long list that he didn't know where to begin.

After suffering his way up the stairs, he entered the reception area before Principal Nezu's office. To his surprise Bakugo was sitting there. Bakugo's eyes immediately snapped over and he scowled fiercely.

'Deku!' Bakugo snarled, 'Why did I get called to the office!? What did you say?'

'K- Kacchan! Why're you here?' he stammered, taking a half step back in alarm.

'Cut the bullshit, Deku. I got called here! What did you say? What did you do?!'

'N-n-nothing! Honest! I was called here too!'

Bakugo stared into his eyes for a moment before snorting. Slumping back in his chair, Bakugo kicked out his legs and faced Nezu's closed office door. Izuku slowly made his way over to the chairs and joined him. After about a minute of tense waiting, the door to the office opened revealing Mr. Nezu himself. Izuku was relieved to see him smiling.

'Mr. Midoriya and Mr. Bakugo!' Principal Nezu said, clapping his paws together, 'I'm sorry to pull you from your classes, but I have a visitor for the two of you. Come in, come in…'

He and Bakugo glanced at each other curiously before following their diminutive principal into his office. Walking in, they stopped. Seated on one of the chairs in front of Nezu's desk was Principal Sasaina!

'Ah! Boys.' she said, taking off her sunglasses and giving them both a toothy smile, 'You do remember me, don't you? Just kidding. Of course, you do. How could you forget? Well come on then, don't be shy.'

She gestured to the chairs beside hers. He and Bakugo shared another look before shuffling over and sitting on either side of her. Trotting around his desk, Nezu disappeared from view for a moment before suddenly popping up in his chair. Clasping his paws in front of him, he leaned in.

'So! I was just having a chat with your old principal boys, and she tells me that she's in the running for educator of the year!'

Izuku carefully kept his confusion from his face and tried to smile.

'O-Okay, that's great. Yeah. Congratulations.' Izuku said and Bakugo murmured indistinctly.

'Yes.' Sasaina said, crossing her legs and smiling smugly, 'Of course, not that I mean to brag, but how could they not? What with me rearing the two stars of the Sports Festival, I would say that it was about time my accomplishments were recognized. Don't you agree boys?'

'What are you talking about?' Bakugo said, frowning, 'You didn't do anythi-'

'Oh, you! Such a kidder Bakugo is!' Sasaina interrupted quickly, 'Such a practical joker. Really, the stories I could tell you, Mr. Nezu. When Bakugo was at Aldera he was a laugh riot. Always pulling pranks on his classmates.'

'Wha-'

'But he always knew when to draw the line.' Sasaina added, biting the tip of her glasses, 'For all his bluster, he's actually a very kind-hearted person. You know, in my experience most children with such a powerful – and dangerous – quirk like Bakugo develop a superiority complex. They become cruel and controlling, oftentimes becoming bullies. It can be quite the problem.'

'Oh, I can imagine.' Nezu said, taking a sip of tea.

'Yes. But thankfully I never had a problem with Bakugo.' Sasaina said smiling over at him, 'You can check his records. Clean as a whistle.'

Izuku couldn't help but glance over at Bakugo. His face was blank, but his eyes were wide and his pupils small. He hadn't seen him that angry in a long time.

'And a good thing too! Nowadays, well, with the hero programs being so competitive I hear its impossible to get admitted unless your record is squeaky clean.'

Nezu's whiskers twitched, 'Very true. with crime on the rise we can only afford to have the best of the best as heroes. A single bad apple spoils the bunch or so they say.'

'Well. As I said, I never had a problem with Bakugo. Me and him would frequently talk about society and the responsibility we have as citizens. Didn't we Katsuki?'

'Yes.' Bakugo said in a hoarse tone just above a whisper, 'We did.'

Izuku did his best to keep his eyes carefully facing forward. He was afraid that if he looked over, the sight of his face would cause Bakugo to erupt.

'And then there's Izuku.' Sasaina said putting a hand on his shoulder and smiling at him, 'The pride and joy of Aldera. The hours I spent tutoring him! Did you know that our gym instructor was nearly worked to an early retirement off of Izuku alone?' Sasaina let out a tinkling laugh and Nezu smiled warmly, 'Yes. But we could all see the potential in him and we kept at it! Polishing and polishing until our little quirkless misfit became a true diamond in the rough. Imagine, a quirkless person coming in second in the Sports Festival! We're just so proud of you Izuku!'

'Th-Thanks.' Izuku said smiling at her uncertainly, 'I really couldn't have done it without you.'

'Mmm, I know. You must never forget the people who got you where you are so that in the future you can help others achieve similar greatness. Don't you agree, Izuku?' Sasaina said, tightening her grip on his shoulder.

'Uh, yeah! Yeah, definitely! I mean, how could I not acknowledge you and-' Izuku swallowed, '-Mr. Ijime. Without you guys, I'd probably be a high school dropout or a drug addict or something.'

'Very inspiring.' Nezu said happily, taking another loud sip of tea, 'Well, back to the task at hand. What brings you to UA?'

'Oh, I was just hoping to enlist Bakugo and Midoriya's aid in my bid to secure educator of the year. Personally, I'm not one to seek out recognition, but the winner does receive a substantial increase in funding for their school.'

'And a tidy salary boost as well!' chirped Nezu gleefully and Sasaina laughed again.

'True, true. But that's besides the point. I believe that every child could be a Bakugo or Midoriya just waiting to be discovered. With the extra funding, who knows how many children might uncover their inner hero?'

'Well that's settled then. What do you need? I'm sure Misters Bakugo and Izuku are willing to help you however they're able.' Nezu said earnestly.

'Oh, I don't need much. Just a short essay from each of them describing their experience at Aldera, how they were trained, the values they learned, that sort of thing.'

'H-How long?' Bakugo asked through gritted teeth.

'Mmm, forty pages or so. Of course, it can be longer if you feel that is insufficient.'

'And when is this due?' Izuku asked in a hollow voice.

'Well the awards deadline is fast approaching. I would say a week at the latest.'

Bakugo opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, he shoved his own fist into it. Coughing, he doubled over.

'Uh, sure. We can…do…that.' Izuku said, sighing. Sasaina grinned and abruptly stood.

'Excellent. I look forward to collecting your papers on Friday. Good luck with your midterm's boys, I heard that at UA they're a real doozy.'

'Yes, they sure are!' Nezu said chuckling, 'Thank you for the visit!'

With a final farewell to both of them Sasaina sashayed out of Nezu's office. Izuku could only sit there, stunned.

'Well, best be back to class boys.' Nezu said as he leaned back in his chair, 'Midterms are fast approaching and I wasn't exaggerating, they really are a doozy.'

Izuku and Bakugo took their cue and stood. Exiting, Izuku softly closed the doors behind them. Bakugo managed to keep his composure until they reached the hall. Taking a deep breath, he unleashed a long, unbroken chain of curses, threats, and insults that stretched for over a minute. Once he was finished, Izuku could only nod.

'Yeah, you're telling me.' Izuku said resignedly, 'But hey,' he said, shooting Backugo a wry grin, 'at least its for a good cause.'

Bakugo slowly turned to him, eyes shining with fury.

'J-just kidding.' Izuku said stepping back, palms raised in surrender, 'It was a joke, Kacchan. Just a joke!'

Growling in rage, Bakugo charged and Izuku took off running back to the development studio, his stomach aching with every step. As he fled for his life, he couldn't help but think about his time at UA. Maybe it wasn't too late to become a dropout drug addict?