The next day at Mirko's house

Mirko's pov

"78…79…" I say as I do one arm push ups. "Big sis, what are you doing up this late?" I hear Miki ask. I stop and wipe the sweat from my head. "Training." I answer. "Training for what?" She asks. "So I can fight Garou again." I answer. "Garou?! But Big Sis, you barely made it out last time!" Miki says.

"I know, but I have to." I say. "Why?" She asks. "Because…the last time I faced Garou, he wasn't even trying. So, if I want any chance to fight him on equal footing, then I need to train more. And I have to make sure another hero doesn't kill him." I say. "Huh? But heroes don't kill." Miki says. "I know, but most of the hero society is filled with fake heroes." I say.

"Ok, but why do you want to protect Garou? Do you like him?" Miki asks. "What?! No?! He's 18 and I'm 27!" I yell. "Wait, he's 18? But he looks 30." Miki says. "Well now you know, but to answer your question from before. I just…feel like despite all he's done, he's an alright guy. I mean, he could've hurt you but he didn't, he didn't kill any of the heroes he's hunted, and he protected that civilian from that video." I say.

"I quest what I'm saying is—", "You don't think he's a true villain." Another voice says as I look and see Keigo by my door. "How did you get here?!" I yell. "You left the key under the doormat." Keigo says. "Ugh!" I groan. I've got to hide that key better. "But yeah. I agree with that Garou Ian that bad of a guy." Keigo says.

"Huh?" I look confused. "When he came to fight me in the bar, I noticed that he had this look on his face. That he didn't want to fight with innocents in the way. And I guess you could say that I respect him for that." Keigo says. "Heh. Glad I'm not the only." I say. "Although, the HPSC would like to disagree." Keigo says. "What do you mean?" I ask.

"They want Garou dead because of the threat that he can transform into a monster. Especially now that he has returned stronger than before." Keigo says. Before Class 1-A left for the camp, Nezu informed us that Garou is back and that we need to watch our backs. "So, what are you gonna do?" I ask. "Not me, you." Keigo says as I look confused. "Since I'm unfortunately under the HPSC's thumb, you can maybe find Garou and get him to stop. That way they won't have to kill him." Keigo says.

"Alright, I guess it's a plan." I say. "I'm still here." Miki says. "Well don't just stand there, go get your stuff ready for school!" I say as she runs off. "Ah. I knew you had a soft spot." Keigo says. "Shut up!" I yell.

At the training camp

Midoriya's pov

POW!

BLAM!

"Huff…huff…" I breathe hard after I punched a boulder without my quirk. Even while not using my power, my physical strength is still incredibly powerful. After yesterday, Aizawa said for me to go to a mountain nearby to practice on my own and to probably avoid accidents with the other students.

"I'm so sorry Kacchan." I say to myself. I didn't mean for it to happen. I just…lost myself I guess. Now everyone is afraid of me. And I have no one to blame, but my self. Dammit!

"If I didn't have this stupid monster fication in me, then none of this would be happening! I had just made new friends and now I'm about to lose them because I'm turning into a monster like…like…Garou." I say to myself. It's his fault! I all started at the USJ when he caused so many of my classmates to drop out! It's his fault that Stain was more active! IT'S ALL HIS FAULT!

CRACK!

"Huh?" I look at the boulder and see that it snapped in two. Dammit! I lost control again. "Who's there?" Someone says. I turn around and see a kid with a red hat lookin at me. "Oh, hey. Are you lost?" I ask. "Who are you and what are doing here?!" The kid asks. "I'm Izuku Midoriya from the hero course." I answer. "…Did you just say you're a hero?" The kid asks. "Yeah. It's nice to meet you." I say as I hold my hand out to shake his.

BLAM!

"*Gasp!*" I gasp for air because he punched me in the balls. "Tsk, that's what you get." The kid says. "Why…huff…did you do that?" I ask, on my knees. "Because you're a hero. And I hate heroes." The kid says. "Look I…" I trail off when I get a better look at him. "Wait, you're that kid from the beach." I say, recognizing him.

"Huh? How do you—Wait! You're the hero who attacked Garou!" The kid says, recognizing me. "I was trying to protect you from him." I say. "Protect me? I was fine. Garou was a little ticked, that's all." The kid says. "He would've killed you!" I say. "No he wouldn't! If he wanted to kill me, then why did he save me from the monsters?" The kid asks. "I…he…" I don't know what to say.

"Yeah. Not much of a villain. is he." The kid says. "Even if he did some good, he still hurts heroes and puts everyone at risk." I say. "He is trying to make this world better! Not that you understand." The kid says. "Tsk! Just leave me alone!" The kid yells.

"Look kid—", "Just go away!" The kid says. I finally just give up and head back down to the camp. Why is he acting like this? Didn't Garou try to hurt him?

Kota's pov

With that hero finally gone, I am left with my thoughts. I came to this mountain cause this is my favorite spot to just think about things. After the battle between Garou and those monsters, I was left with more things to digest.

I thought Garou would be happy that I'm making everyone see that he is a hero, but that didn't happen. Instead, he got angry. Does he not want to be seen as a hero? Does he have a bigger goal?

Maybe if I see him again I can ask. But besides that, he's right. I need to stop crying for help and I should try to be strong. I was weak when I saw those monsters, but I won't be anymore. I'll be different. I'll be strong. And I won't ever need a hero to come save me. Ever.

Later at night

Midoriya's pov

"Ugh! Why are we up this late!" Mina asks. "You didn't think we wouldn't have training today, did you?" Aizawa says, smirking. "Tonight, you'll be split into two groups. One group will hide in the forest, while the other group searches for the ones hiding." Aizawa explains. "So basically hide and seek." Kaminari says. "Yeah, but you are allowed to use your quirks to escape or hide. This won't end until everyone has been found." Aizawa explains.

"Alright! This is gonna be fun!" Mina says. "However, those who failed the semester exams have to stay with me for tutoring." Aizawa says. "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Mina screams to the heavens. A lot of our classmates failed the semester exams and now this is their punishment. Thank god I'm smarter than I look.

Later, Class 1-A is sent out to hide while 1-B hunts us. While trying to hide, I'm paired up with Uraraka. "Hey Deku, are you alright?" Uraraka asks. "Oh! Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" I ask her. "It's just…after yesterday, everyone has been worried about you." Uraraka says. "I'm alright. I just got carried away." I lie to her.

We stay silent for a few minutes before she speaks. "Is it true?" Uraraka asks. "What is true?" I ask. "That you're turning into a monster?" Uraraka asks with a worried look. "How…how did you…" I ask. "I…listened to your conversation with Aizawa." Uraraka admits. "I just want to tell you that you're not a monster. No matter what happens, you're still you." Uraraka says with a smile. Why does she care for me so much? Suddenly I stop. "Uraraka…what am I to you?" I ask. "Huh?" She looks confused. "Even after what I did, you still care. Is it because I'm your classmate, or do I mean more?" I ask.

"Uh…well…you're my…fire?" Uraraka says. "Fire? What's that supposed to mean?" I ask. "No, look!" Uraraka points in the distance as I look to see blue flames in the distance. "What the?" I say. What's going on?

In the middle of the fire

Dabi's pov

The others finally arrived and we immediately began our assault. I'm in charge of making a wall of flames to keep the students and teacher in. "Now, it begins." I say to myself as fire surrounds the area.