Chapter 18

Chapter Text

Shota was immensely relieved to find sixteen students sitting at their desks on Monday morning. He'd honestly expected a couple more dropouts or transfers out of the heroics course after what had happened at the USJ.

"As you are probably aware," Shota started the moment the bell rang for homeroom to begin, "the sports festival for the first years has been postponed." Their disappointed expressions were actually really good signs. He'd been worried that his class would not want to participate at all. After everything they'd been through the past couple weeks he wouldn't have been surprised. "However, since most of your teachers are involved in the sports festivals for the second and third years it has been decided that you'll attend the festival of your choice as a spectator. Please email me your preference by the end of the day."

"Yes, sensei," the class said in unison.

"Now," he said, not really minding the closer relationship he had with class compared to other homerooms he'd taught, "I know that Detective Tsukauchi went through your statements with you all personally, but I wanted to check in and see if anyone has anything to add." He made eye contact with each and every one of his students. "It is not uncommon for people caught in a traumatic experience to forget a few details. It's also not uncommon to regain these memories at a later date, so if you have anything you need to add, I can arrange another meeting with the detective."

No one moved or did anything to suggest they needed to talk to Naomasa, so Shota left the topic for now and doubled back to the emotional toll such an experience could take.

"I know you all have individual appointments to speak to Hound Dog this week, but I want to reiterate that you are not alone in this experience. You have me, the rest of your teachers, and each other as a support network."

"Aizawa-sensei," Kirishima asked as he raised his hand, "but what if we did nothing? I mean, I wasn't even…" He swallowed, looking miserable. "I didn't fight. I just…"

"Kiri, no," Ashido said, moving over to place a hand on her classmate's forearm. "You did exactly what you were supposed to do. You protected yourself and your classmates and helped evacuate Thirteen."

"You also protected me," Shota said, grateful that Kirishima was brave enough to raise what was actually a very common issue for heroes during an emergency. "One of the reasons we concentrate so hard on teamwork at UA is because not every quirk will suit every situation. Every time you go on a mission there will be parts of it you're better suited to than others."

"And it's the same for everyone else," Ashido said, nodding along with the others in the class.

"Exactly," Shota agreed, shooting his sons a quick look to make sure they didn't restart the argument they'd had last night regarding Shota throwing himself into the fray when his usual style was a quick and brutal ambush. Shota was the pro-hero and that outranked the more powerful, but mostly untrained, quirks in class 1A. He stood by his decision—always would when it meant keeping his class safe—and was glad when his sons kept their mouths shut.

And, damn, now Mic had him thinking of Katsuki as theirs too. Although, considering the fear and deep concern he'd heard in Mitsuki's and Masaru's voices when he'd explained what they suspected regarding Midoriya Inko they might very well end up with fulltime custody of the kid before the end of the week. Shota was surprisingly okay with that, especially since the Bakugos were making their decisions based on what was best for their son, not themselves or others.

"Sometimes the most effective use of a hero's skills are to stand and wait." He gave Kirishima a soft smile. "If the villains had gotten through the front line, your skills and quirk would have been desperately needed to save lives. I'm glad that wasn't necessary, but it doesn't make you less important or negate the trauma of such an experience."

"What he said," Ashido agreed in a soft whisper, squeezing Kirishima's fingers gently.

"We all have a part to play," Shota said, smiling at the way Ashido was supporting her classmate, "and it will vary for each mission." He again made eye contact with every student. "And here is the most important thing to remember. Despite being untrained, despite being inexperienced, every single one of you did exactly what you should have done. We can definitely put this one in the win column."

Shota waited for that sentence to sink in before nodding at Todoroki's raised hand.

"Sensei, were the police able to identify whoever was using the black tentacle things?"

"Unfortunately, not yet," Shota said. "We are aware that they were protecting students so I can assure you when we find them they will not be charged for the USJ incident even if they were there with Shigaraki."

"I would like to thank them for their help," Todoroki said in a tone that mostly hid the slight quaver in his voice.

"When they are identified I'll let you know who they are, if I'm allowed."

"It was a pretty cool quirk," Kaminari said. "Hella strong too. Gotta say I'm real glad they were fighting on our side."

"Moi as well," Aoyama said in his usual flamboyant tone. "Very heroic." He giggled happily. "Plus seeing those black whips toss villains around was quite entertaining."

Shota smiled and shook his head.

Problem children, the lot of them.

~*~

Toshinori was standing at the door waiting for homeroom to finish when he overheard the conversation Aizawa was having with the class, but it was Aoyama's description of the quirk as "black whips" that niggled at something in his memory.

He pulled his phone from his pocket, checked that he had a few moments to spare, and then—very carefully since he was in his full All Might form—searched the Internet for a quirk called "black whip." He had to skim past some possibly traumatizing search results to find a name but when he did his heart nearly stopped in his chest.

Diagoro Banjo.

If Toshinori was remembering correctly that was the name of the fifth holder of One for All.

And, holy shit, that jogged another memory of Nana's predecessor's quirk—smokescreen.

What it possible?

Was One for All still there? The previous owners' quirks still usable?

Possibly sentient?

Holy shit, he needed to talk to Nedzu.