September turned into October faster than we'd expected. Summer was over and it was starting to get work study gang got together with All Might and Mr. Aizawa, and we attended Sir Nighteye's funeral.

The whole time I felt like I could feel everyone seeing me and thinking "you could've saved him". If only you'd been faster. If only you'd gotten him to safety in time. Even Deku - I'm sure he wasn't thinking anything, but in my head I felt like I could feel him looking at me accusingly, like he somehow knew...Even though he really wasn't looking at me at all.

Kirishima and Tsu were both somber and serious too, even Hado wouldn't talk and gossip like usual - not that I'd expect her to. Our work studies were put on hold, and Eri was confined to the hospital. We all went back to regular classes.

Ectoplasm Sensei stood in front of us one balmy day, teaching math.

"It's not an elegant equation, but who can solve this definite integral?" he asked us. "Raise your hand if you know."

Everyone just stared. Even Yaoyorozu was too stumped to solve it. Deku, looking really intense, jumped in to give the answer.

"Midoriya!"

"107/14!"

"incorrect! Yaoyorozu!"

"It's 107/28!"

"Correct! onto the next page!"

Iida and I exchanged a glance. We'd both noticed, we couldn't help it, that Deku seemed extra stressed lately. Even without a work study he was still moving like crazy. After class, we went over to him, to meet up for lunch.

"That was fierce, Deku," I commented.

"Putting such effort into your studies is admirable indeed!" said Iida, applauding slightly. "In anticipation of afternoon classes, we should recharge with some of Lunch Rush's cooking!"

"Yeah, I'm starved -" began Deku, before his mouth was blocked with of all things, a piece of cheese held by Aoyama.

"Have some cheese."

"What - cheese!?" Deku stammered.

"It's Pont-Leveque, mild and easy on the palate.

He held out more for Deku, who stammered "Huh!? Hang on, I'm still chewing, thanks though!"

Iida threw out his hand. "Why not join us, Aoyama? I've observed that you eat alone mostly!"

"Non!" Aoyama threw out his hands. "The Cafeteria food doesn't suit my tastes." HE went over and threw out a cloth on his desk.

"To each his own - we won't pressure you,then. Enjoy yourself!" said Iida, and we all left for lunch together. We came into class together the same way the next day, with Iida telling us both "No running allowed! Just power walking at Maximum speed! One minute until class, just in time!" We'd just skated into the door, and I imitated Iida's hand chops with a smile.

Deku, behind me, had very dark circles under his eyes. Iida noticed and frowned. "All-nighters are ill-advised! You'll throw off your autonomic nerves!"

"Sorry, Mr. President," he said, and cast this weird look at Aoyama.

After Miss Midnight's class that day, Kaminari was showing Mineta something on his phone.

"Yo, Mineta! You heard about this!?"

"Something R-rated?"

"Nah, suitable for all ages. Mt. Lady and Edgeshot are teaming up. Kamui Woods too!"

"They're calling themselves 'the lurkers'," said Jirou. "There've been rumors for a while."

"Lots of team-ups recently, huh?"

"Mt Lady's career is going places."

"We should team up when we're pros too!" said Ashido. "Uraraka! You can make me float and I can make acid rain!"

"Kinda brutal, no?" I asked.

"And you can control me with your tape, Sero!" she added.

"Where are you going with this?"

"While Koda, Shoji and Jiro run reconnaissance!" Ashido finished "We'll be 'team rainy day!'"

"What about us?" said Kaminari and Mineta.

"No thank you!"

I heard Yaomomo consoling them as I left. "Mushing personalities matters as much as quirks when it comes to partnerships."

"Wow, Yaomomo, talk about adding insult to injury!" said Hagakure.

"Get ready to move out, everyone! It's time to get changed!" yelled Iida. We were headed to hero training.

"Today's assignment," said Cementoss, "Keep working on your ultimate moves. The previous benchmark was to create two ultimate moves. Those who haven't done so will keep trying, while those who have will work on improving their existing ones."

Right. Ultimate moves. Time to get training!