...
His shoulder was stiff the next morning as for once he was on time to class. The injury was tight and almost made him stay home rather than do another day at Hero Week. Unfortunately he had no interest in dealing with his mother too. Her drinking was getting worse. Avoiding her was becoming as common as his vigilante patrols.
Heavily he dropped into his seat and laid his forehead against it. Not only was his shoulder making its displeasure known so was his head. Note to self. Do not use Zero Hour back to back. It will make him regret it.
"Deku," came Bakugo's snarling voice.
Oh not now. He did not have enough patience to deal with the bully. If he was pushed today he would show his more dangerous side. That in turn would get him in trouble. Aka being suspended or expelled. Neither being something he could afford since he wanted to go to UA.
When Izuku didn't answer Bakugo hissed, "Are you ignoring me, Deku? Do you think you are better than me?"
:No. I know I'm better than you.: he thought.
It took all of his self control not to come out and say this. If he did it would instigate a fight and it would be just ad bad as if he attacked. No better to keep his thoughts to himself.
A hand grabbed his injured shoulder causing him to cry out in pain and the smell of smoke permeated the room. Really? He was going to do this now? It was Hero Week and he should be trying to impress the heroes and not bullying him. Turning he slapped away the hand his blazing green eyes met red filled with hatred.
The entire class watched with mild interest as the two stared. They thought he had a weak quirk. In their eyes Bakugo was top dog and he was barely above those who were quirkless. The fact Izuku refused to bully their one quirkless schoolmate, a girl a year ahead of them during the two years she was in their school he was looked down upon.
The staring made his skin crawl. He wanted to avoid attention not bring it down upon him. Why couldn't Bakugo have left him alone? Oh right. Bakugo made it his personal mission to make Izuku's life hell.
Seconds passed in what felt like hours until a dangerous voice that sent shivers down every student's spine, "Now now students. You should be in your seats. Not causing trouble."
Oh fuck. That was Nezu. What in the fuck was Nezu doing in a small Middle School? As far as Izuku knew the rat didn't attend Hero Week unless pressured into it by the Hero Commission. If that was the reason he wouldn't be at this school. It wasn't big enough.
Both he and Bakugo turned to face the rat who was wearing a suit. His prestige white fur looked surprisingly soft. Black eyes watched them with a strange light. Upon seeing Izuku's look the rat turned his head to the side side. It seemed as if he was trying to read Izuku. This made Izuku instantly suspicious and cautious of him.
Bakugo did not share his caution and snarled, "Who the fuck are you? What right do you have to tell me what to do?"
Oh Bakugo you are not the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you? Anyone who wants to be a hero should be able to recognize Nezu? He was the top school's principal after all.
Dark eyes turned to the blond haired boy and they went ice cold. A shiver ran down Izuku's spine knocking the hand from his shoulder. For his part Bakugo was too shocked to teach.
Izuku had heard of Nezu's reputation. Perks of being a vigilante he knew more of the heroes reparations than anyone else. However most people heard at least rumors of Nezu's. Rumors that were 100% true.
Nezu replied coldly, "I am Nezu both a Pro Hero and the Principal of UA. And you are using your quirk illegally. Did you know that illegal quirk use can bar you from reputable Hero Schools?"
Izuku watched as the blood drained from Bakugo's face. He felt a sense of glee at the other's fear. Finally his bully was getting what he deserved.
That thought forced him to take a breath and mentally take a step back. No that was a bad thought. Revenge was not the way to go about this. No matter how much the blonde may deserve it.
Bakugo's haw clenched angrily but he was smart enough, unfortunately, not to continue to provoke Nezu. Instead he skulked off to his own seat. Though his red eyes promised pain for Izuku late. A sigh nearly escaped him. He ran a hand through his curls pulling at them slightly.
It did not go unnoticed by Nezu. Dark eyes narrowed at him. Izuku wanted to leave this wasn't worth the headache.
Nezu asked drawing him out of his thoughts, "You are?"
Izuku blinked and returned his full attention to Nezu. With the feeling that he was walking into a trap he said, "Izuku Midoriya. It's nice to meet you, Nezu."
Something entered the rat's eyes when he said his name. That look made violent shivers run down his spine. Somehow without ever meeting Nezu he had gained the hero's interest. How in the fuck had that happened?
The door to the classroom opened allowing Tsukauchi to enter. That. That would explain it. There was the written essay from the day before. Tsukauchi must have taken his essay to UA. The question was why? Why would they care? Anyone could do it with enough practice.
"That's where you're wrong, Midoriya," interrupted Nezu making him realize he was muttering again, "I am very interested in having a conversation with you."
Oh fuck. That was positively the last thing he needed. He would rather have Bakugo's angry attention on him than Nezu's curious one.
Nervously he asked, "What brought your attention, Nezu?"
"Your essay. You seen to have a good grasp on analyzing quirks. It's been awhile since I saw someone with such a talent that didn't have an analysis quirk."
Izuiu scratched at his cheek as he said, "No, no analysis quirk. Just a mild intelligence quirk."
There was a sharp movement at rhe corner of his eye like someone flinching. He ignored it giving Nezu his complete focus. The rat glanced at where the movement had come from not saying anything for a moment. Then he glanced back at Izuku his gaze sharper now.
Nezu asked his voice low, "Really now? Isn't that interesting. I would like to talk to you if you have time."
"Uh," he stuttered, "Sure."