My Hero Academia - Under Pressure - Chapter 11 - Evaluations

It was midday at UA High School and lunch was being served to the students. Tonen Keitomo and many of the others in Class 1-B ate together and talked about various things that had been going on in recent days and times.

But not so far away, in the teachers' lounge, the various staff and support staff of UA were doing their own work and eating around a large table. A few chairs were empty, but Angel Wings, Armed Guard, Big Brain, The Tinker and Life Force were all there. Each were focused on their own thing when the door opened and Principal Ayatsune entered, and behind her were three other members of the staff.

One was an older woman with silver hair, and she wore a very Victorian style dress, on each shoulder was a cat. Another was a man with a more simplistic skin-tight outfit but a smile that was both odd and eerie and he had long hair that was tied up in an asymmetrical fashion. The final person was a younger woman with orange hair and also had a skin-tight outfit on but had gloves with fingers that had mini-speakers on them.

They filled up most of the empty chairs, save for one, Principal Ayatsune noticed this and was displeased, "Where is he?"

"He said he had 'better things to do' than a meeting with faculty," answered Angel Wings with a weak smile. "Pretty sure he has something in mind for his 1-A students. You have to admit...he is taking his teacher role seriously..."

"Not seriously enough, Tsuru. I'll deal with him later. I thank the rest of you for coming in for this meeting, I know it's a bit hard with all of our schedules and needs."

The cats on the older woman meowed as if they knew what she was stating and the woman raised a hand which silenced the cats, "No need to butter us up Rinoda, you call, we come. Most of us anyway..."

The cats hissed at this, which got the principal to smile, "As always, your support means a lot Abaru. You're our most experienced staff member and your words carry weight, especially with me."

"Maybe that's why my cats like you so much."

She smiled at Principal Ayatsune and gave a small flick of her finger, to which one of her cats, a brown tabby, went and sat before the principal, who petted the cat in return.

"Perhaps. But the reason I called you all here is that it's been about a month since the new classes started and with the Sports Festival coming up soon enough I'd thought I'd ask your opinions on the new students. I don't like the game of favorites, but, our school does want to be represented well so...who are the standouts in your minds?"

The staff looked at one another and then went into their own mind spaces to think about what students really stood out to them, and which ones still need to stand out.

Angel Wings noticed that many seemed hesitant to speak first so she raised her hand slightly to get the principal's attention, "I'm a fan of Kuroda."

"Oh, why is that?"

"Many of us have seen students whose confidence stems from their impressive power sets and thus they feel they're better than everyone else. I happen to have one of those in my class. But with Kuroda...it's different. Her confidence is...more pure. She understands herself in a true way, and she carries herself proudly and with that confidence as a result. But, she's also not afraid to admit that at times she doesn't know what to do and needs help. She's outgoing, can be both guiding and comforting, isn't afraid to put others in their place to protect the class and so on. Kuroda is a great class rep, and she overwhelmingly won that vote so that says a lot."

"Hmph, you haven't even mentioned her skill with her Quirk, which was the point of the question," Armed Guard said with a grunt.

"No, that's not what she asked, she asked about standouts. You can have a great Quirk, but if you don't have a personality to match with it, it's going to get in the way. Kuroda's element shifting is very special, and she honestly hasn't gotten to use it on grand levels with the tasks we've presented to her. When she lets loose, which I think she will do in the Sports Festival, she'll surprise everyone with how powerful she is. But for right now, she's smart enough, and confident enough, to know how to use her Quirk, and that makes her a big standout in my mind."

"Hmph."

"If you feel differently, Hirota," noted Principal Ayatsune with a piercing gaze, "then please state your selection to the class."

He matched her gaze for a bit then looked away, "As you wish. I too will go to Class 1-B. In terms of strength, Mr. Mako and Ms. Amame stand out. Their enhanced forms present interesting possibilities, and I've seen them enhance their strength such as with the USJ test. They could push themselves even farther in terms of power and that could be useful in terms of fighting villains."

A snicker caught Armed Guard's ear and he looked up to see the man with the odd hair trying to contain his outburst, "Shocker, Hirota here likes students with raw power."

"Did I SAY I was DONE?!"

"...no."

"Good...because if we're talking about all around standouts I would say my pick is Mr. Keitomo."

Angel Wings reacted happily to this, "Now there's a pick I can easily support. Tonen is great."

"He has great potential. A good analytical mind. A Quirk he uses with great versatility. He's willing to listen to advice and grow. And most importantly in the eyes of some here, he's rather selfless and always helps his fellow students when asked."

"That's why I like him so much. Plus that and his nicknames thing is funny."

"We all have our personality quirks, Tsuru," revealed Principal Ayatsune with a small smile.

"That's how he described it, ironically enough."

"Indeed. Who else has someone who's impressed them?"

"Speaking logically," inserted Igasato Quo in his usual monotone voice, "The best student that I personally have seen is Eri Hogata."

"Go on."

"It is a simple thing to point out. Hirota speaks of 'great potential', but with Eri Hogata's Quirk of copying all kinds of physical movements her potential is virtually limitless."

"That's a bold claim," Abaru pointed out as she petted one of her cats. "Physical ability only goes so far, especially since her Quirk can't mimic things like energy attacks or other things that could give her a distinct advantage."

"That is true, but you're thinking only in one dimension. A person with a weapon won't always be able to beat someone who is unarmed so long as that person knows how to deflect and evade that weapon. In the team battle with Class 1-B, Eri Hogata went after Tonen Keitomo. On paper, she should've been blown away by him. But using her gymnastic ability and other learned skills she was able to get close and then use Pressure Point Combat to immobilize him. Had Iha Jun not interfered, he would have lost the fight and you all likely would think of her more highly."

A thoughtful groan came from Armed Guard, "He makes a valid point, I noted something similar to Mr. Keitomo after that battle and encouraged him to work on defensive tactics due to what Ms. Ogata did to him."

Quo gave a small nod of appreciation to his co-worker, "Precisely. I'm not saying Eri Ogata is perfect, but her ceiling logically is much higher than the others because she can potentially learn enough to do much more than the others ever could. Should she make it to the final round of the Sports Festival, it'd take someone very special to take her down easily."

Principal Ayatsune thought about this as she petted the cat in front of her, "As always, Igasato, your words are logical to a fault."

"It is the only way to think."

"Perhaps. How about you, Abaru? I'm curious as to what you think."

The cat in front of Abaru reacted to the statement and climbed back onto her shoulder as her master leaned in to look at the others, "I find many students curious in certain ways. I'm actually a bit surprised though that no one has mentioned Kazekuwa Norihisa from Class 1-A."

This got a bit of a reaction from the rest of the staff, many shifted in their chairs at the mention of his name.

"Do you all dislike him that much?"

"No!" called out Angel Wings with a frantic motion of a hand, "It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"His Quirk is a cheat," stated Armed Guard simply.

"Oh? And Quirks are fair mister unbreakable defense?"

"Ha! I'm not unbreakable, I have limits. But Kazekuwa...does not, and his class knows it. Our missing member relayed to me that his Quirk wards off his classmates because they have no chance of beating him, and he himself isn't that friendly and doesn't care for connections as he prefers to be alone."

"Sounds like Chuya," lamented Angel Wings with a frown.

"Chuya is influenced by family. She can overcome. Kazekuwa...is different. It's hard to explain, but I would not want to follow someone like him into battle with the power he has attached to the mindset he exudes. It's a dangerous combination."

The cat on Abaru's shoulder hissed at Armed Guard, "My cat doesn't like your tone, Hirota."

"Does it look like I care? Why do you like that boy so much, Abaru? Can you not see his flaws?"

"Of course I can, when you're old all you see are younger people's flaws..."

"Especially when you're over 200..." joked the orange-haired man. This time though both cats hissed at him loudly and he almost fell out of his chair.

"Mind your manners, Zaba. As I was saying, yes, he does have flaws, but that 'cheat' of a Quirk that you hate also has potential to save many lives. As well as stop criminals before things get out of hand. Is that not the point of training them here? To have them do good in the world?"

Armed Guard didn't answer, but merely looked away. Principal Ayatsune tapped the table to get their attention, "Keep it civil, everyone. Yaka? Anyone get your mechanical mind a going?"

The Tinker wasn't paying attention to her, but instead messing with a device that he had brought. Annoyed, Principal Ayatsune cleared her throat loudly to get his attention.

He snapped to and looked around, "Who? What? Huh? Did someone say something?"

"Yes, I did. We're talking with each other about the new students. Which ones have stood out to you?"

"Ah, easy answer! The ones called 'The Twins'."

This got another reaction from the staff, outside of Principal Ayatsune, but this time it was more of a groan.

"Why that sound? Why did you do that?"

The orange-haired woman looked at him slyly, "Tinker, you only like those two because they've been helping in your lab!"

"It's not a lab! Not one at all! It's a studio!"

"Same difference, man."

"No. No! NO! Totally different. Just like they are different. All the homeroom teachers try and teach two things beyond Quirk management, thinking and teamwork. The Twins aren't just...well, you know, twins, they have a mindset that allows them to think on a wavelength that's downright computer-like! They work as one, talk as one and based on what I've heard from some of you they are a perfect unit on the battlefield. Yes, Ryo and Ryu help me in my studio, but they are well worth the attention outside of it."

With a self-satisfied nod he went back to the gadget he brought with him. The orange-haired woman just looked at him in a curious way, "That was profound...kind of."

"Can you do better, Uyeki?" asked Principal Ayatsune.

"Well, I have my eyes on a pair of ladies from 1-A who may not be sisters, but they make a vicious combo power-wise. Their names escape me for some reason... I do better with hero names."

"Personality Quirk," teased Angel Wings.

"Sure, why not? Anyway, I recall when I was here a few years back, the classmates I hung around with the most were the ones that surprised me with what they could do. Those two already having a mastery of tag team moves? That's special."

"I know of who you speak, they are special in how their powers build upon one another," acknowledged Armed Guard.

"See? Even Armed Guard agrees with me. Beat that Tinker."

"Why? Why do that? It's pointless! I still prefer the Twins," he bit back not looking at her.

"Yeah, whatever."

"Will you two please stop your pointless back-and-forth?" interjected Quo, eye twitching with annoyance.

Yaka and Uyeki looked at one another, then at Quo and stuck out their tongues in defiance, which made him even more annoyed.

"Fumiko? You've been awfully quiet," Principal Ayatsune noticed as she looked at the nurse, who was indeed very still.

Life Force waved off the idea presented to her, "Oh no, I'm not selecting anyone. I haven't been as hands-on as some of you. And frankly, I'm just glad we haven't had major healing needed...despite someone's best efforts..."

She gave a glare to Armed Guard, who didn't shy away from the look, "We've been over this, Fumiko. They must be pushed to understand how far they can go."

"There's a difference between doing that and brutalizing them! Your team exercise had one of the Class 1-B students put through solid concrete by a brick woman!"

Zaba clapped his hands and started a tune, "She's a brick...house! She's-"

"Don't, Zaba," cut off Principal Ayatsune with a stern look to him.

"Thank you, Rinoda," praised Fumiko with a smile. "Anyway, as far as I can tell many of the new students are special in their own ways. I leave it up to you all to teach them where to go. I'll just heal them when they need me."

"You do more than that, Fumiko, you know this to be true."

"Thanks again, Rinoda."

The two smiled at one another and the room fell silent, which Zaba capitalized one and posed dramatically, "Then I shall make MY selection! I choose...nobody."

For the third time, the staff reaction was mighty, this time one of surprise.

Angel Wings was very perplexed by this, "Really? Not one student stood out?"

"Eh, I wouldn't go that far. I've seen how good some of 1-A and 1-B are, and if I was to go by style or flair there's one or two I would pick. Like that speedster Oshibu. But in truth...we just haven't put them through their paces yet despite Hirota's best efforts. The team battles were cool, and the USJ showed cleverness on some of their parts, but I want to see something...more. I always look forward to the Sports Festival because it shows just that. Multiple tests, multiple chances to impress, and always surprises to be had. So thus...I too abstain."

"You often surprise me, Zaba," noted Principal Ayatsune, "but this time I like it."

"I aim to please."

"Not as much as you think. Well, the lunch break will be over soon, I thank you all for talking with me about this, you're dismissed, and I wish you well on the classes leading up to the event."

The staff stood and gave a small bow to the principal and exited with their items in tow. All except Angel Wings who hesitated and stayed behind. Principal Ayatsune didn't notice this at first as she stared at a spot on the table, but then she realized she wasn't alone, "Something wrong, Tsuru?"

"Are you ok?" asked Angel Wings with clear concern.

"Why do you ask?"

"Don't play games with me, Rinoda. You never do this, or at the very least not a month in! You'll do evaluations at the end of the first term just to see where you all think the classes stand on all levels, but not like this, and not with the new students when they've barely been here. What's going on?"

"It's...a feeling."

"A feeling? What kind of feeling?"

Principal Ayatsune exhaled sharply and rubbed her face in frustration, "Something came to my attention recently, something I'm not allowed to talk to you about, so please don't ask. One of the students, to my surprise, got caught up in this and now I just have this nagging feeling that something is going to happen soon and I don't know what it is. It's got me very worried."

Angel Wings tried to grasp what she was saying but couldn't decipher it. She took a seat next to her friend and place her hand on Principal Ayatsune's, "You can trust me with secrets, you know that..."

"This isn't about secrets, or at least, not the personal kind per se. This is a top-secret thing from the top of the ladder. Trust me, the moment I can tell you, I will."

She tried to muster a smile to put Angel Wings at ease, to which she nodded, "I understand. But why does this have you worrying about the new students? Was one of them caught up in this top-secret thing?"

"Yes, but that's not why I'm worried. I just...want to know who I might be able to count on should something go wrong. With the students from the higher levels I can easily make a squad should the need arise, but with the new ranks...I'm not so sure, and that's why I needed those suggestions from you all."

"Are you expecting someone to attack the school?"

"I certainly hope not," Principal said Ayatsune with clear desire, "but it wouldn't be the first time, would it, Tsuru?"

Angel Wings' mind flashed back to a point in her past, images of her in a class uniform alongside her fellow classmates. Her carrying several of them away to safety, and more. Her eyes welled up at the memories, "No, no it wouldn't."

Principal Ayatsune wiped away the tears that emerged from Angel Wings face and cupped it once they were gone, "We're going to be ok. I just want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row and I know who will step up if I need them to. That's all. Hopefully nothing will happen in the near or distant future, ok?"

"Ok. But if something does change, you'll let me know?"

"First call, just like always."

This comforted Angel Wings and she smiled before getting up and exiting the room. When she was gone, the expression on Principal Ayatsune's face soured heavily. Her thoughts raced as she tried to comprehend the sense of dread that was within her.

Was it that she was truly sensing something foreboding? Or was it her own nervousness that an old enemy had returned? She couldn't tell, and it made her all the more worried.

Knowing that she wouldn't be able to get anything done where she was, she proceeded back to her office. As she made her way there she passed by several students, including ones from Class 1-A and 1-B, and as she looked at their faces she thought about what the teachers had said about them, or what they didn't say about them.

Upon entering her office she went right to her computer and brought up some documents outlining Class 1-A. She cycled through them one by one and muttered to herself thoughts on what they needed to do in order to grow. Some were already good in her mind, some needed a push to be better, and some were an enigma that she hadn't solved just yet.

After she went and reached Class 1-B she slowed things down and thought about them a bit more deeply. She gazed at their test results so far as well as footage from the battle training and rescue training sessions they had done and as she cycled through them in her mind she put out notions of what they needed to do to grow.

"Chuya Taki. Your skill is good, and you have a warrior's heart, but what happened to make you want to turn away everyone that isn't family? Should've asked Hirota to expand on what he said about you."

She clicked the next file and groaned loudly, "Goya Ramasu. Yes, your power is great, but you really need to get over yourself. But given what I've seen, will you actually be able to do so?"

She clicked the next one.

"Ebirima Koge. You have a good head on your shoulders, but you can be better if you were to push yourself. I hope you do, that Quirk of yours can come in handy in tight spots."

She clicked the next one.

"Anno Mako. Ah, our resident shark. You're more clever than people give you credit for, but you can't fool me. You've only tapped the first levels of your potential, don't stop until you've learned it all."

She clicked the next one.

"Ah, dear Azujima Yakishi, I honestly pity you and your Quirk, it's a burden no doubt. I've already seen you grow in how you use them, but don't forget to grow yourself in the process."

She clicked the next one.

"Eri Ogata. Quo thinks very highly of you, but he missed a key thing, you sometimes can get in your own way, and if your Quirk is taken away, you stumble. Can you do more than just copy?"

She clicked the next one.

"Sanda Hideaki, you can move as much earth as you can words out of your mouth. Your foundation is strong, but how far can you push your Quirk? I think even you'll be surprised by that answer."

She clicked the next one.

"Ha! The Twins. Inseparable in all the ways that matter...but that begs the obvious question, how will you fair alone? Can you weather that storm when it comes?"

She clicked the next one.

"Wakuse Bohiko, there's a lot more to you than meets the eye. You're boisterous, but you have a nature that won't hesitate to defend others. There's something deeper there that I fear you're compensating for, let's hope you don't go overboard trying to do whatever it is you think you're doing."

She clicked the next one.

"Iha Jun. Another whom I pity, but not because of your Quirk, but because of your mind. I pray you don't let it affect you as things get rougher, you will definitely be needed in the times ahead."

She clicked the next one.

"Doza Risuke, your Quirk is one that is infinitely impressive, and yet terrifying. You know that, and are careful in how you deal with it, much like Azujima. But you can't live in fear forever, else no good will come of your gift."

She clicked the next one.

"Hana Yasuyomi, I remember Angel Wings saying you wanted to be known throughout Japan. Is fame all you're concerned with? I certainly hope not."

She clicked the next one.

"Kuroda Fuji. Angel Wings speaks of you with clear reverence, and I agree about your confidence level. But as with all measures of confidence, if it's shattered in a major way, how will you react?"

She clicked the next one.

"Oshibu Noka. Another rather arrogant student. You happily blitz from one spot to another, but do you see the journey before you? Or just the destination? Both are important as you'll find out."

She clicked the next one.

"Oh boy, Ueno Gematsu. I'll be honest, I'm not sure what to make of you. Frankly I hope we can cure your vertigo just so I can stop your wobble, makes me nauseous just thinking about it."

She clicked the next one.

"Ikaim San. You don't like to show it, but you wish your Quirk was better, more 'impactful'. All Quirks have purpose, you'll see that as you go on."

She clicked the next one.

"Fenella Merida. You have a lot of pride in yourself and your heritage. You hide it with jokes and puns, but it's there. But don't let it consume you else you'll be the one who's rune-d, I mean ruined! Dang it, now she's got me doing it."

She clicked the next one.

"Kanagita Amame. You also have a fear of your Quirk, but in a way that's different from the others. Do you fear what you become in your brick form? Or do you see something else when you transform..."

She clicked the next one, and at this one she paused as it was Tonen's picture looking at her.

"Tonen Keitomo. Oh how I wish I could look at you and just see a student, or the 'nephew' to Brazen. But we're connected by that card and its wielder, and for that I am sorry. You're a good kid who wants nothing more than to help, and I hope that no matter what happens, no matter who comes for us...you don't lose that goodness within you. That would be the worst possible thing."

Not wanting to think about it anymore she turned off the computer and turned to look out at the window. As she gazed out at the school and the area surrounding she tried to find peace and calm in the beauty of it all...but her thoughts continually got clouded, and that sense of dread from before grew back.

Far away, in a dark room with a desk and a deck of cards, a man sat in a chair and looked at the deck. With a wave of his hand the deck split itself up into sections and with another wave it started to shuffle itself. First slowly, and then at a faster and faster pace, the man's hands guiding them every step of the way.

Eventually the man paused the hands, and the reassembled deck lowered itself back onto the table.

Footsteps got the man's attention and a familiar looking man appeared before him and bowed, "Sir, I have an update on the mission you requested."

"Yes?" asked the man simply.

"It would be unwise to go and try and grab the target at the school, too many variables."

"I agree, do thank those who spent time trying to figure out a way though, it's not unappreciated."

"Of course, sir."

The man leaned in slightly, "I hope you didn't come all this way to tell me that. I would be...disappointed."

"No, no sir!" the messenger quickly replied. "I merely started with that to show you that we had considered it as you wanted. We have procured another plan that we feel is better."

"Go on..."

"We believe that the target is going to expose himself outside of the school very soon."

"Based on...?"

"Intel we've procured and testimony from those close to the school in auxiliary capacities. As well as what we found on the target information-wise regarding his personality."

The man in the chair leaned back and mulled this over, "Likelihood of success?"

The messenger paused as he took his turn to think, "We cannot guarantee an exact time of capture but...if he exposes himself, 100%."

"Provided you draw the right card."

The deck shuffled itself once again in front of the messenger, and he picked up the top card upon it and smiled, "This was exactly who I had in mind for this task."

"Very good. Then you have my permission to proceed. Alert me when the operation is in motion and when the target is acquired."

"Yes sir, thank you sir."

The messenger bowed and then left the room. The man in the chair waited for him to leave and then pulled out a tablet and brought up an image, it was one of Tonen.

"Time to find out who you are and what you know."

*credits*