Strength of the future.
You jumped when Aizawa popped up in search of you. It was still weird looking at his face, and it wasn't often he actually went to find you.
"If you are still interested, I'm on the way to the student mock battle exams". Since you didn't have any classes scheduled just yet, you got up quickly to follow. Recovery Girl had a makeshift infirmary set up, outfitted with a massive set of big screens. You made note of which ones followed your friends.
"Have you been well?"
"No problems so far." Even she had been at your celebration party for a while, retiring early after Mic began his loud version of karaoke singing. It was nice to see her again in a normal setting. "This is an interesting exam." They had gathered a selection of teachers for it.
"Nedzu thought it would be best to have practical experience of battle. After the run in with villains, it was a challenge more suited to their needs. They are a good bunch of children." You nodded.
The students were paired up and the exam began.
It was captivating to see Aizawa in action. Aside from the training sessions, you had never seen him in battle. Your eyes followed his every move against Yaoyorozu and Todoroki. He was quick and calculating, calm and precise. His style seemed to be everything your quirk use was not. You had meant to switch between everyone, but before you know it Recovery Girl had announced his defeat to the entire class. She patted you on the back with some amusement when you scrambled to see how the others were doing. Midnight and Mic were both doing pretty well keeping their opponents at bay. Kayama had already knocked out one of the students while Mic seemed to be having more fun than he should have been. You stopped at All Might's screen.
"What is he doing?!" Your finger prodded at the tiny image of All Might practically murdering two boys. You recognized them both as well.
"Going overboard again, I imagine."
You watched in disbelief as he knocked them around. He obviously didn't know the meaning of take it easy.
xXx
You stood outside the tent as Recovery Girl tended to the boys. You could hear her scolding All Might for going so far. When he finally walked out, he was holding an unconscious Bakugou.
"All Might." You glared at him with arms crossed. He definitely didn't get enough reprise.
"I'm taking young Bakugou to rest inside."
"Are you crazy?"
"It was Recovery Girl who reques-"
"I mean, don't break your students!" You sighed and pointed him to the school, following behind. You weren't about to let him off easy. Once the kid was safely with his friends, you continued.
"That freckly boy, you're going to push him too hard." You both walked to the staff room so All Might could poof back without being noticed.
"Young Midoriya?" You gave him a look. Who else would you be talking about? Midoriya was usually on the top of All Might's worry list. And you had to be blind to miss the kid's adoration. Seeing them around school sometimes made you think they had a familial relationship, like watching a father and son. You reached the office, taking care to shut the door behind you.
"He'll end up hurting himself just to make you proud. Be careful, Toshi." A yellow lump on the floor caught your eye, making you laugh.
"What are you doing?" You bent down to see Aizawa drinking a square juice packet. You bit your lip to fight the growing urge to laugh at him again. He glanced at the both of you before getting up.
"How did they do?" Toshinori gave him a thumbs up.
"Then the matching worked as intended. It's a miracle they didn't kill one another." His eyes flickered as he remembered something. "By the way, _ _, I wanted to talk to you." Zipping out of his sleeping bag, he left it crumpled on the floor.
You were surprised. Glancing at Toshi, he didn't seem to know what it was about either. Instead he made his way to the door.
"The others should be done soon, I'll see how it went." He left, which meant you and Aizawa were alone. You stood there, waiting for him to speak. He seemed to be lost in thought, eyebrows furrowed and a strange downturn to his mouth. Maybe he didn't know how to begin?
"Summer break is coming up."
"That's what he wanted to talk about?" You shifted in place, not sure what to say. "Yes. I have a remedial class with some of the general education students."
"You've heard that class 1A and B are doing a boot camp?"
"...yeah. The kids have been chatting about it nonstop."
"Only a select few are going. Not even All Might knows the location." You still weren't sure what this had to do with anything. He looked slightly frustrated that it wasn't getting across to you. "You just became a part of UA. It isn't to say that we don't trust you..."
"Ah." It clicked now. So far you had been excluded from all of the principal's plans in order to ensure the safety of the students. You were too new for him to confide in. Aizawa was trying to console you. Your expression softened with the realization.
"I'm not offended at all." His face crinkled again as if he didn't believe you.
"It seemed like something you would worry about." His concern was touching, but it really wasn't something that bothered you. In fact, UA had done more than enough to make you feel like you belonged. To put him at ease, you grinned and elbowed him in jest.
"At least I know you trust me, Aizawa." You two had come a long way from the first meeting. You thought highly of him, so it was nice to know he had grown to think of you as a friend. "I know everyone's trying to play it safe. And you should. I wouldn't want to see you become a mummy again."
"There's plenty of precaution going into this trip."
"I realize that, but still... be careful. I'd like to see your face a few more times, you know?"
Thanks for the reviews everyone! Sorry if I seem so thirsty for them, it's just super exciting when they pop up.
Messing around with the side stories, which will actually be updated weekly so I don't let the story drop. I really want more BNHA chapters to come out so I can keep the plot going. Hopefully I haven't written myself into a corner.
