A new chapter after 3 months? Seems pretty on-brand for me! Heh . . . heh. Anyway. Time for one of my favorite chapters! Enjoy.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap. The sound was rapidly wearing on Izuku's nerves, but he couldn't help the way his leg bounced up and down with increasing speed. He sat on the steps leading to the school, his heart in his throat. He would've stood up to pace if that wouldn't only serve to make him look more suspicious. Did they do it? Are they dead? What happened? Should I leave? His thoughts raced faster than he could handle, and he pressed his palms to his temples, concentrating on breathing slowly. I'm glad I told Shinso to go home. It's driving me crazy to not know how it went.

Footsteps echoed behind him, and he jumped to his feet, swiveling so fast he fell to the ground once again, temporarily dizzy. He shook his head and straightened, wondering who was walking through the empty halls of UA long after the school day was over and the students had left.

"Sir—" Izuku muttered, his eyes widening at the sight of Eraser Head, who was completely covered head to toe with bandages. "Wha-what happened? Why are you—" not captured? he finished the thought in his head, pulling himself to his feet.

Eraser Head tilted his head, his bloodshot eyes seeming even more so today. "Are you waiting for your friends?"

"Yes, Ida and Uraraka . . ." Izuku's eyebrows relaxed, and the blood drained from his face. "Wait—are they okay? Did something happen to them? I—"

"They're fine." Eraser Head held up his hand to stop Izuku's tirade. "They didn't seem hurt, but we sent them to Recovery Girl just in case."

"Well, why are you here, sir? You should be resting! I mean, I don't know what happened, but that's a lot of bandages . . ." Izuku waved his arms and shifted from foot to foot, inwardly wondering how the two hadn't been hurt. There's no way all the students managed to survive unscathed . . . right? Unless Shigaraki decided they weren't worth it after they dealt with All Might?

"I knew you'd be out here, and I wanted to ease your mind," Eraser Head said, taking a few more steps toward Izuku, his boots making a loud clacking sound that echoed around the empty school. Izuku's eyes traveled down his outfit, seeing it was torn and dirty. He certainly put up a fight. Although, I didn't expect any less from him. How did he manage to escape? Izuku's jaw tightened, and his stomach turned as he finally voiced the thought he'd been avoiding for the past few minutes. He seems rather calm . . . no way he'd be this calm if Shigaraki succeeded. So does that mean . . .?

"How did you know, sir?"

"Because you're a true hero, Izuku Midoryia." Eraser Head stopped a few feet away from Izuku, and his blood froze, all the thoughts in his head suddenly draining away.

"E-excuse me?" Izuku's fingers began to shake, and he tucked them into his pockets, hoping the pro hero wouldn't notice.

"You care about your friends more than anything. Despite not knowing what happened, or if they stood you up, you decided you stay here until they arrived." The teacher shook his head. "I wouldn't be surprised if you'd stayed here until morning."

"That doesn't mean anything. Anyone would've done that."

"No, they wouldn't. I think you and I both know how cruel people can be."

Izuku started, and his eyes darted to meet Eraser Head's, not expecting the hero to be staring at him with such a sharp look in his eyes. "I guess, sir."

"Bakugo seems to have it out for you—probably has for a long time. And yet, it doesn't seem to bother you. It's almost inhuman."

"What, like my quirk is extreme optimism or something?" Izuku snorted, sarcasm creeping into his tone.

"You don't need a quirk to be great." Eraser Head grabbed at his scarf, staring at it for a long moment. "I can teach you. My binding cloth doesn't require a quirk to use."

"W-what are you talking about?" Izuku stepped away, almost tripping and falling down the stairs in the process. I forgot I was standing on the steps.

"You could enter the Sports Festival. If you do well, you can transfer into the Hero Course." Eraser Head released his binding cloth and shrugged. "Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

"Yes," the whisper escaped Izuku's mouth before he could stop it, and he considered the word for a moment before shaking his head. "But I can't."

"Why not? I saw you at the entrance exam. You have skill. Even without my help, you could beat every student in my class. With my experience, you might even be able to become a pro hero one day."

Izuku turned around and sat on the step, resting his head in his hands. He couldn't bear looking into the hero's eyes anymore. "I can't," he repeated. "I don't have a quirk."

Silence surrounded him for a moment, and Izuku squeezed his eyes shut, focusing on his breathing as his heart thudded painfully in his chest. A moment later, Eraser Head's footsteps led him to Izuku's side, and he sat down next to the boy. "Who told you that?" he asked, and Izuku could feel his hot gaze on his head.

"All Might," Izuku muttered, reaching out to trace an invisible drawing onto the concrete of the famous superhero. "He told me . . ." Izuku sighed and pulled his hand back to his chest, mentally stabbing the image he'd drawn. "Whatever."

"And you believe him?"

"Of course. He's always been the person I look up to most. The number one hero, the one who always saves everybody . . . If he says it, it must be true." Izuku breathed out slowly, annoyed to feel a tear leaking down his cheek. He shouldn't be crying. In fact, he should be smiling. That's what Izuku Midoryia would do. Bright, happy, always optimistic Midoryia, even in the face of severe bullying. Suddenly straightening, he beamed at the pro hero. "But that's okay! I can still help without being a hero. I'm going to enroll in the Support Course one day, and then I'll be able to help everyone without getting in the way."

Eraser Head wasn't looking at him, instead staring toward the sky. "All Might's the hero who saves everyone, huh?" His bandaged face suddenly faced Izuku. "But it sounds like he didn't save you, did he?"

Izuku's smile dropped, and he stared open-mouthed at the pro hero, wanting to shout that he was right but knowing he couldn't. "No," he managed, and the word felt scratchy as it pushed through his dry lips. "He was right. I shouldn't put myself in danger. I don't have quirk to protect myself. He was just. Trying. To help." Izuku's fist clenched on his lap, gathering the fabric of his pants in between his fingers. His arms began to shake, but he held eye contact with the teacher, determined not to let his anger show in his gaze.

Although he couldn't see the man's face, he could sense the frown in Eraser Head's eyes. "I see." His hand extended to rest on Izuku's head, ruffling his green hair gently. "Well, if you ever need anything, reach out to me." He rose to his feet, groaning softly. "I'll tell Ida and Uraraka to head here quickly. Don't worry, Bakugo won't come with them. I'm sure they'll tell you all about what happened today."

I should ask, Izuku thought. I should ask what happened to All Might. But the thought didn't register, and he stared at his shoes, brushing his hand through his hair in the same place where Eraser Head had touched him. "Thanks," he muttered, swallowing painfully around his swollen tongue. Eraser Head's footsteps echoed behind him as he walked away. Wasn't there something I needed to do?

"Midoryia," Eraser Head called, and Izuku tilted his head, although he didn't turn around. "I, for one, think All Might was wrong."

"Wait!" Izuku yelled, lurching to his feet as he faced the man. "I mean, Eraser Head, please wait for a moment."

"Call me Mr. Aizawa," the teacher corrected, stopping his exit and half facing Izuku.

"Mr. Aizawa. There's actually something I wanted to ask you." Izuku shoved both of his hands into his pockets, an uneasy feeling growing in his chest.

"Oh? Whatever it is, I'll do my best to help." Aizawa turned around fully, his eyes sharpening. Clearly he expected Izuku to accept his previous offer, although that was the last thing Izuku wanted to do.

"Even though I can't be a hero, I know someone who would be an excellent hero. I'm sure he would love to be taught by you, and it would mean a lot to me as well. He's using a device I made, and if he wins the Sports Festival, I would be practically guaranteed admittance to the Support Course next year." The words came out in a rush, and Izuku winced, hoping Aizawa had been able to understand him.

"Is that all you wanted to ask?" Aizawa's voice trailed off expectantly.

No. "Yes." Izuku shook his head. "That's all." Liar.

"I see." The teacher's voice was colored with disappointment. "Very well. School will be closed tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances, but once classes resume, you can introduce me to your friend. If I find him to be promising, I will teach him."

"Thank you, Mr. Aizawa. He will be thrilled." Shinso owes me big-time now. Plus, now I don't have to teach him. Izuku tapped his fingers against his legs rapidly. And that's the only reason I'm doing this.

Aizawa made a noise that sounded somewhat like agreement before turning on his heel and entering the school once again, clearly headed toward the recovery ward. Izuku sank back to the step, a hand pressed over his chest.

What just happened? A rosy light filled the sky, and he lifted his face as the sun began to set, making it appear as if the entire world was set on fire. There's no way one of the gifted just . . . did that, right?

Izuku undid the wraps on his arms, staring at the scars crisscrossing both of his forearms, some uniform and straight, others looking like they had been scrawled there by a mad-man. Some still oozed blood, which smeared across the cloth wraps, although not enough to show through to the other side.

Normally, after a wretched day like today, with all their plans failing, he would feel the urge to add to his collection using whatever sharp objects he had on hand. But now . . .

It's so quiet, he mused, running his fingers along his wounds lightly enough not to disturb them. It's never this quiet.

They had failed. All Might was still alive. Although he hadn't heard the words directly, the relaxed demeanor Mr. Aizawa had shown him was proof enough of that fact. Ordinarily, this would've sent Izuku into a rage that would end with more wounds than he cared to count littering his entire body. He would ache for weeks, possibly months. He might even pass out from blood loss as he'd done a few times already.

Why don't I feel anything? Izuku rested his head on his lap, letting his arms dangle at his sides. He knew he needed to replace his wraps to hide his scars from Ida and Uraraka before they approached him, but for now, he just wanted to rest.

You can't trust the gifted. They're all the same. Horrid, nasty, repugnant . . . they all deserve to die, Izuku reminded himself, but the words didn't come so easily this time, and he wasn't sure why.

Darn it. Izuku closed his eyes and exhaled, his soft hair brushing across his forehead. We'll do better next time.

"Midoryia, are you alright?"

Izuku raised his head from where it rested, somewhat painfully, on his left forearm. "Yeah," he responded, squinting through blurry eyes at Kurogiri, who stood on the other side of the bar where Izuku had been resting his head.

"Still thinking about All Might, huh?" Kurogiri took his cloth and wiped down the bar once again, although it was perfectly spotless. It always was. Izuku supposed it must be some sort of nervous tic.

"Yeah," Izuku repeated, although that certainly wasn't true. In all honesty, he had been dozing off, drifting somewhere between sleep and awareness, all the while thinking of his conversation with Aizawa. There's no way he meant it. After hearing my story, he realized something was off. He just wanted to keep a closer eye on me. Certainly none of them would ever believe I could be . . . Izuku couldn't even finish the thought, and he buried his face back into his forearm, wishing he could fully fall asleep, but the League of the Villains headquarters was still far too hectic for that.

"Drink some of your juice." Kurogiri gestured to the glass sitting next to Izuku's right hand. He stared at it, watching the bubbles slowly float to the surface before popping. It was embarrassing, how Kurogiri refused to give him and Toga alcohol, instead pouring them juice every time they came to headquarters. It was so embarrassing, in fact, that Izuku had made a point to never drink any of it, and although Kurogiri no doubt noticed this, he still insisted on giving them more anyway.

"Fine," Izuku finally muttered, bringing the glass to his lips and straightening enough to drink some of the amber liquid. It tasted surprisingly good, but Izuku scowled anyway and placed it back onto the bar top with more force than necessary.

"Ooh, Izuku's in a bad mood," Toga crowed, sidling up to Izuku's side and almost knocking him from his bar stool.

"Get your own seat," he growled, pushing her to the floor with a loud thud. She was on her feet in an instant, this time choosing to sit on the stool next to him instead of trying to steal his.

"Are you going to cut—" Kurogiri made a growling noise, and Toga made a face at him before continuing, "Are you going to bleed today?"

"None of your business." Izuku tugged at the wraps on his forearms to assure himself that they were firmly in place.

In a sing-song voice, she proclaimed, "That's a yes." Toga planted her elbows onto the bar and rested her face in her hands, licking her lips slowly. "I'd love to watch," she drawled.

"Please use a clean knife, Midoryia. We wouldn't want you to get an infection again." Kurogiri sighed and picked up a glass to polish, although it was already sparkling.

Fighting the urge to knock the cup out of Kurogiri's grip, Izuku instead took another swig of his juice. "Don't tell me what to do."

"Are you going to go with your master tonight?" Izuku turned to see Shigaraki standing behind him, his red eyes narrowed and his chapped lips pursed. His face was covered with even more scratch marks than usual, and some dripped blood down his cheek, earning a small squeak from Toga.

Rough day, Izuku acknowledged, swiveling his bar stool so he faced Shigaraki. "No, I'm staying here."

"Good." Shigaraki slammed a six pack of beer cans onto the bar, sliding one out of the plastic and holding it out to Izuku. "Here."

"Shigaraki, Midoryia is—" Kurogiri started, but Shigaraki glared at him, his aura so intense even the man made of smoke didn't dare to continue.

"Izuku," Shigaraki started, straightening as Izuku accepted the beverage, "is one of us. And tonight, we drink." He held out another can to Toga, who took it gladly and immediately opened it, taking a huge swing.

Great. Drunk Toga. This is a nightmare. Izuku stared at the can in his hand for a long moment before opening it.

"What did All For One say, Shigaraki?" Izuku asked. Although Shigaraki had been in the same room as them when he spoke to All For One, Izuku hadn't been listening. Shigaraki preferred it that way, although normally Izuku wasn't one to obey.

"He said we will succeed next time." Shigaraki's grip on the opened can he now held suddenly tightened, squirting beer over the rim. "He also wanted to hear how your plan is going."

Izuku examined Shigaraki's face, especially noting the disdain he clearly wore in his gleaming red eyes. Interesting. "Nothing much has changed. What I want to know is what happened. How did the Nomu lose to All Might?"

Shigaraki straightened, his expression losing its edge. "It was all because of that dratted successor." He slammed his fist onto the table, spilling Izuku's juice, and Izuku frowned. What?

"He doesn't have the quirk yet," Kurogiri corrected, moving fast to clean up the spill and procure Izuku a new cup full of juice, although Izuku wasn't sure why. "His quirk wasn't any different than it has been in the past."

"Who are we talking about?" Izuku asked, glancing between the two of them.

"Only that ugly blond boy." Toga pouted, somehow already on her second can of beer. "It was so stupid. He kept disappearing before I could stab him. I didn't get to see any of his blood thanks to his dumb quirk." She kicked her feet against Izuku's bar stool, frowning in disappointment.

Izuku's mouth popped open, and the blood drained from his face. "Are you talking about Mirio Togata?" Kurogiri nodded while Shigaraki merely scratched at his skin so hard he drew blood again. "Are you saying you only lost because he was there?" Izuku's heart began to race, and he tapped the side of his beer can in an effort to distract himself.

"Yes!" Shigaraki shouted, although Kurogiri shrugged. "I'm gonna kill that boy next time I see him, right before I murder All Might." He laughed, throwing back his head and directing the sound toward the ceiling. "Imagine, All Might watching his precious successor die right in front of him. That's what he deserves."

Izuku's eyebrows furrowed, and he looked at Kurogiri. Reading the unspoken question in Izuku's eyes, Kurogiri said, "I'm not so sure he was the deciding factor. Many of the students stepped in to try to stop us. But at the end of the day, All Might is the one who defeated the Nomu."

"My Nomu," Shigaraki lamented, shoving both of his hands over his eyes. "He ruined my Nomu!"

"You couldn't find him?" Izuku asked, and Kurogiri shook his head.

Izuku placed his still-full can onto the bar and grabbed onto the edge of the counter, gritting his teeth. Did I make a mistake? If Shigaraki was right, and Mirio had been the deciding factor in the battle, then it was Izuku's fault for going to get him in the first place. But if All Might is the one who defeated the Nomu, then does it really matter? They still would've lost either way. Izuku chewed on his lip, unsure how he should feel.

Kurogiri watched him for a moment before saying, "It doesn't matter. The villains that were captured can be easily replaced, and so can the Nomu. There's no need to stress about it." Kurogiri's eyes darted to Shigaraki, who was directing Twice to go get more beer, his movements large and erratic. Toga skipped over to the both of them, twirling a knife, and Twice tried to wrestle it away from her, scolding, and praising, her sharply. "You should probably leave," he muttered to Izuku, who nodded and stood.

Izuku grabbed his backpack and waved to Kurogiri before exiting the bar, not bothering to say goodbye to the other members. He would see them soon enough. Stepping into the cool night air outside of the bar, Izuku exhaled slowly. Kurogiri is right. None of that matters. I have a connection with the potential successor now. That's worth ten times more than what we lost.

Taking to the rooftops, Izuku arrived home quickly, and after saying goodnight to his mother, he barricaded himself in his room and fell onto his bed. Thanks to Aizawa, my plans are progressing nicely, he thought, hoping that would help ease the emptiness he felt in his chest, but to no avail.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait for school to start again.

"Izuku!" Uraraka skipped over to him, with Ida and Shinso following close behind. "How was your day off?"

Izuku's sore muscles screamed at him after training with his master for hours on end the previous day, but he couldn't really mention that to the budding heroes, so instead he said, "I think I should be asking you that question." Izuku adjusted his backpack on his shoulder and looked between Ida and Uraraka. "Are you two okay after what happened?"

They glanced at each other, seeming to hesitate in their response, and Shinso said, "I heard about that. The League of Villains attacked the USJ? I can't believe your class managed to fight them off."

"Well, we didn't." Uraraka shook her head and laced her fingers together. "All Might did all the work."

Izuku's jaw clenched sharply, and he exhaled slowly to release the tension. "Still, it is impressive that not a single one of you was even hurt."

"Mr. Aizawa got hurt," Ida muttered before slamming his fist into his palm. "We have to do better! If we had been stronger, he wouldn't have been injured!"

"That's right! So we just have to keep working." Uraraka pumped her fist into the air. The two started shouting encouraging words at each other, and Izuku winced at the noise.

Shinso turned his tired eyes on Izuku as Uraraka and Ida carried on in the background. "Are you sure they're your friends?" he asked, his voice soft and barely discernible over the ruckus.

"I think it might be the other way around," Izuku responded, giggling. A short huff of air exited Shinso's mouth, and Izuku smiled at him, realizing that was the closest thing to a laugh he'd ever heard from the boy.

They stopped in the intersection separating the four courses, and Shinso and Izuku waved goodbye to the two others before starting down the General Studies hallway.

Izuku sighed and leaned his head back. "Man, I am so not looking forward to when I'll be the only one walking down this hallway."

"What do you mean?" Shinso examined the students filling the hall, his face and posture relaxed.

"After you win the Sports Festival, you'll transfer to the Hero Course, and I'll be left all alone." Izuku frowned dramatically. "Oh well, I guess that's the price I pay for being an amazing friend."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to get something from me."

"I guess you don't know better, because that's exactly what I'm doing." Izuku laughed and stopped at the side of the hallway, facing Shinso. He followed suit, an eyebrow raised.

"What makes you think I'm going to win the Sports Festival? It's not a guarantee."

Izuku nodded. "You will."

Shinso's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward suddenly. "Are we training today, is that what you mean? You really don't have to, I—"

Holding up his right hand, Izuku shook his head at his friend. "Nope. I'm not going to train you." At Shinso's deflated look, Izuku raised his left hand to join his right. "I came up with something even better. You're going to love it."

"Midoryia," a soft voice called, and Shinso turned to see Mr. Aizawa standing behind him, bandages still covering his face, although the rest of him seemed fine now. His posture was slumped, with one hand in his pocket, but Izuku could tell his gaze was sharp, and he was looking right at Shinso.

"Good Morning, Mr. Aizawa," Izuku responded. "This is my friend, Hitoshi Shinso."

"I take it this is the friend you were talking about?"

Izuku nodded, and silence descended for a moment as Mr. Aizawa examined Shinso, who simply stared at him, his mouth agape. "Very well," Aizawa finally said, turning around. "Come see me after school, Shinso. We have much to do." He threw the words over his shoulder, making it a few feet before turning back around again. "And Midoryia, you're welcome to join at any time."

Raising his hand, Izuku smiled brightly at the teacher until he was out of sight. Once he was, he turned to Shinso and smirked, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall. "What did I tell you?"

"Did . . . What just happened?" Shinso's voice was breathy, and he stared at Izuku, his face uncharacteristically expressive.

"Pro hero Eraser Head just offered to train you. Personally." Izuku stretched out his arms in front of him and cracked his fingers. "I'd say you owe me big-time."

"How did you get Eraser Head to agree to train me? I mean, you're not even in the Hero Course!"

"Nope, but you will be." Izuku raised a finger and winked as he began to walk down the hall once again. "And now you owe me."

Shinso stood there gaping for a moment longer before snapping out it and running to Izuku's side. "What do you need? I'll do anything."

Izuku crossed his arms behind his head and closed his eyes for a moment, smirking. "Anything?" he finally asked, peering through one open eye at the purple-haired boy.

"Anything," Shinso agreed.

"Win the Sports Festival."

Shinso stopped, his mouth open and his eyebrows drawn. Izuku walked a few steps before pausing to look at his friend. "What?" he asked, not entirely sure why the boy was staring at him as if he'd grown an extra head.

"Why do you want me to win so badly?" Shinso tilted his head and strode forward stand next to Izuku.

Izuku directed his gaze toward the ceiling. Because that's what All For One wants. This was more or less true, but if Izuku was being honest, he did have another reason. "Katsuki Bakugo," he finally replied, nodding once and directing his gaze back to Shinso. "He bullied me all my life for being quirkless. He's obsessed with being the best, and if I'm honest, he's probably going to win the Sports Festival." Izuku's lips curled into a smile. "It would absolutely kill him if he didn't."

Shinso stared at him for a long moment, his expression blank. Finally, slowly, he said, "You're a true friend, Izuku."

Izuku laughed and shook his head, resuming his walk toward their classroom, and Shinso followed. "What, for wanting revenge on an old school mate?"

"Yeah," Shinso agreed, and Izuku glanced toward him, seeing a small smile cross the boy's face for a moment. There's something behind that, Izuku realized, but he wasn't sure what it was. Why does he think I'm a true friend? And what's up with all the gifted giving me compliments lately? Izuku chuckled internally. Doesn't matter. They're all fools for trusting me.

"I can't believe we're still doing the Sports Festival after what happened," Uraraka moaned, stabbing her chopsticks at her lunch like she was fending off an attack.

"It does seem a little unwise, but I understand that it is extremely important not just to the school, but to the entire hero world," Tenya responded, laying out his lunch in perfect order on the table in front of him.

Shinso and Izuku exchanged a glance before Izuku said, "Well, think of this way. Now you have real world experience to apply. That gives you a leg up over all the other competitors."

"Yeah, and if you do well, you could be scouted by hero agencies and get a good job after graduation," Shinso added, sliding his lunchbox over to Izuku, who shook his head and pulled out his own lunchbox, having not forgotten it this time.

"That's right." Uraraka stared at her food for a moment longer before slamming her fist onto the table, startling all of them. "I'm going to do my best!"

"Uraraka, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to become a pro hero?" Ida asked, pausing to regard the girl.

Izuku's head swiveled to Uraraka, mentally rolling his eyes. She's probably going to say something about saving the world, helping others, or some other goody goody crap. I'm gonna throw up.

"Honestly, for the money." Uraraka chuckled awkwardly, and the rest of them stared at her. Izuku could've sworn he heard a crack as all of their minds were spontaneously blown. "My family's construction company has been struggling recently, and being a pro hero pays well. I want to make sure I can support my parents in return for all the support they've given me."

Well, that's not what I was expecting. Izuku's eyebrows raised, and he expelled a long string of air. It's considerably better than why I wanted it.

"Uraraka, if you were licensed, you could reduce the expenses of your family's business with your quirk. They could sell all their equipment and make the whole operation more viable," Ida explained as he picked up his chopsticks.

"I know. But my dad always told me I should follow my dreams. So, I'm going to do this my own way." Uraraka beamed at him. "I know it's a little selfish, and it's not nearly as grand as your ambitions, but it's good enough for me."

"No," Izuku replied, twirling his chopsticks and staring at his lunchbox. "You have a better motive for becoming a hero than any other I've heard. It's not selfish to want to support yourself and your family—that's human."

"He's right. I think it's as good of a reason as any," Shinso interjected. "It's more tangible than simply wanting to be the best or thinking it's cool."

Ida grunted as he gave Uraraka a nod. "It is good to have your dreams rooted in reality. I believe yours is a realistic one that you will be able to achieve one day. Let us each try our best to achieve that which we desire most." Ida looked at each of them in turn, his eyes appearing as if they were on fire.

What a joke, Izuku thought, but outwardly, he smiled and nodded back.

"Thank you, guys." Uraraka had tears in her eyes, and Izuku grimaced, glad no one was looking at him. "I appreciate your support. I know we'll be competing against each other, but I really hope you all do well!"

Thanks for the sentiment, but I know exactly who is going to win. Izuku's eyes drifted over to Shinso, who was already staring at him, eyebrows raised. "Speaking of which, do you mind telling me all about your classmates and their quirks?" Izuku asked, swiftly pulling out his hero notebook in order to take notes. "I want to be prepared so I can advise all of you to the best of my ability during the Festival."

"Of course, Izuku. Thank you for offering." Uraraka smiled, and she and Ida launched into recounting their classmates quirks, answering Izuku's questions as they went. Izuku hurriedly wrote down everything they said, and Shinso listened quietly. His eyes were on the table, supposedly not paying attention, but Izuku knew he was trying to memorize every piece of information that he could just in case it ended up being important later.

Don't worry, Shinso. I'm going to make sure you win, as per All For One's plan. Izuku's grip tightened on his pencil, and it began to crack. And more importantly, you are going to crush Bakugo into the dust.

I can't wait to see his face when he realizes "quirkless Deku" was behind it all. Izuku grinned, quickly hiding it in the pages of his notebook as he leaned over to take more notes. I'm sure he'll hate that.

Omgosh I gotta write the Sports Festival next . . . please have mercy on me.

Anyway, please leave a comment to encourage my tortured writer soul.

Sally

(Salandrawolfe . com for more of my writing!)