Chapter 20

Chapter Text

Katsuki wasn't really surprised that All Might didn't turn up for their heroics theory class. He'd managed to teach a couple of classes last week, before the USJ, but he'd looked terrible after everything that happened. He might still be the number one hero but Katsuki suspected there was more going on. Maybe it was just that he was getting older and didn't heal as quickly as he once did, but Katsuki couldn't shake the idea that the man was ill.

Whatever had happened was last minute though, because Aizawa had been on his way out the door when he'd received a text that had him returning to the podium and starting the class himself.

"Sorry to interrupt," Nedzu said, scaring at least half the class with his unexpected arrival, "but I thought I should escort this student back to class personally."

Aizawa raised an eyebrow, not even bothering to do a headcount. He knew all sixteen students for class 1A were already in the classroom.

"Class," Nedzu said, "I believe you saw his quirk in action at the USJ."

"Black tentacle?" Todoroki asked.

"Blackwhip, actually," Nedzu said. "Also, smokescreen, float, and several others."

"Multiple quirks?" Kirishima asked. "They were all one person?"

"Indeed," Nedzu said, apparently enjoying the theatrics of introducing a new student. "And all from a person you've already met."

"Nedzu," Aizawa said in a warning tone. The rat laughed softly.

"Apologies, Aizawa, but this is just too wonderful to not draw it out just a little." He grinned using all of his teeth. It was not a comforting sight. "Class, this is Midoriya Izuku. His newly manifested quirk is called Ghost."

"What?" Katsuki said, his chest tightening at the thought that he was hearing this all wrong, that he'd somehow dropped into a fantasy in his own mind. "He's… He's al–alive?"

"In a manner of speaking," Nedzu said. "It will likely take some time for Midoriya to learn how to communicate efficiently in this form, but I have no doubt he will find a way. I've read his analysis journals, after all." He took a moment to watch the black whip's movement. "I apologize for the invasion of privacy, but in my defense… Well, anyway. Class 1A is back up to seventeen students. Have a good day everyone."

He left nearly as quickly as he'd arrived.

All Might stood in the doorway looking sheepish but pleased.

"So," Hitoshi said, "we're sure this um…ghost is actually Midoriya Izuku? You were able to confirm that without a doubt?"

"We were," All Might said, moving toward the teacher's podium. "I was aware of most of Midoriya's unique collection of quirks. No one, not even Izuku, knew about Ghost until it manifested."

"Until I killed him," Katsuki mumbled, unable to hold back the words.

"Bakugo," Aizawa rebuked, but it was the black whip that caught the whole class's attention.

It swayed awkwardly in front of Katsuki's desk before moving to pat Katsuki on the head. When he didn't flinch away from that it slowly curled around him, tightening briefly before releasing him from what seemed to be a black whip version of a hug.

"For what it's worth," Katsuki said, his eyes filling with tears, "I'm really sorry."

A small burst of smoke shot gently into the air above them and was then waved away by the tentacle.

"So," Hitoshi said, glancing at Katsuki, very aware of the way he'd been struggling to cope with what had happened, "that means he's forgiven?"

The tentacle bobbed up and down, but turned toward Hitoshi suddenly.

"Yeah," Hitoshi said, grinning widely. "I felt that too."

"Hit—Shinsou?" Aizawa asked, almost worried enough to accidentally out himself as Hitoshi's dad.

"My quirk… Um, I can sort of maybe use my quirk on ghost-Midoriya." He winced, probably unsure how Midoriya would react to the name. "I can also confirm he's roughly our age with green eyes and hair."

The black whip thrashed excitedly.

"Fuck, it really is you, Izuku?" Katsuki asked breathlessly.

Black whip nodded and moved in for another hug. This time Katsuki did his best to hug him back.

"Okay," Aizawa said, cutting through the emotions with his no-nonsense attitude. "Take your seat Midoriya. We're already a week behind on the curriculum." He wore that determined, yet creepy-looking smile. "It's time to catch up."