AN: Just realized that it's almost been one year since I first posted this story on AO3. Back then I wasn't expecting so many people to love this, or to get this far. A lot can happen in that time, huh?
Hope you all enjoy the chapter!
Classes were canceled for the next few days after the attack. As such most of the students stayed home to rest and recover from the ordeal they had been through. News about the 'USJ Incident' had been on all morning, as Izuku found out as he flipped through the channels. If he was being honest he hoped that Ravel wasn't watching the news, especially if the news ever talked about the Nomu. The fact it had the Phenex family's immortality was disturbing, to put it mildly.
A gentle yawn then drew his attention, a certain brunet walking into the living room in her PJs and bedhead. "Morning," she greeted.
"Good morning," Izuku greeted. "Sleep well?"
Ochako nodded in response when an unpleasant scent caught her attention. "Is something burning?"
"Kyah!" That was all the answer they needed.
Running into the kitchen, Izuku and Ochako found a coughing Ibara, her face slightly black and a frying pan on the floor, surrounded by a smoking black substance. "Burnt rice again?" Ochako asked, slightly amused.
"I almost had it that time," Ibara lamented as she turned the stove off.
"Well, at least you didn't set off the fire alarm… again," Izuku tried to reassure.
It helped a little, though Ibara still had a dejected look as they cleaned up the mess. As the finished, the chime of Izuku's phone suddenly went off. Checking, Izuku saw that a number he didn't recognize was calling him.
"Uh, hello?" He answered.
"{Hello, Izuku.}" A familiar and friendly voice greeted.
Izuku's eyes widened in shock, a small bit of sweat dripping down his head. "S-Sirzechs-sama!?" He gasped, the two girls gasping when they heard the name. "How'd you get my number?"
"{That's not important right now.}" Sirzechs replied.
'He dodged the question.'
"{Tell me, are you and everyone else in Rias' peerage free today?}" Sirzechs sounded rather serious.
"Uh, yeah…" Izuku hesitantly answered.
"{Good!}" The Devil King continued. "{Kudelia and Sona have already organized everything, so all we need to do is wait for you to bring Rias here later today.}"
"W-Wait, what's going on?" Izuku asked. "Bring her to what? To where?"
"{I suppose she did forget.}" Sirzechs chuckled before he explained. As he did, Izuku's eyes widened in surprise.
Later that day, Rias led the ORC through the streets of Musutafu, specifically in the Tatooin district. "Is it around here?" Ochako asked.
"That's what Kudelia told me," Rias replied. "She and Sona should already be there. The owner is one of Kudelia's regular clients and he's agreed to reserve the bar for the afternoon for us, to get our minds off what happened yesterday."
"…So, what exactly do you do at a karaoke bar?" Ravel asked.
"You sing and have fun, nothing to it," Kyoka answered.
"And we get the entire bar to ourselves for the afternoon!" Ochako happily added. "I hope they have songs done by MAN WITH A MISSION and LiSA!"
"I wonder if they have songs by Larval Stage Planning and Porno Graffitti?" Said Yuuto.
"I'm personally hoping for some of Suzuki Masayuki's songs," Rias said, a teasing look in her eye as she glanced at Izuku. The boy blushed in response.
Soon they arrived at their destination; Max Rebo's Karaoke. It was built right next to the station, the exterior having the appearance of being made of sandstone, torn and tatted cloth hanging from a neon sign.
"I'm almost afraid of what Kudelia has planned," Rias muttered as she opened the door. The lights of the bar were off, for some reason, but Rias was able to make enough details to note several things off. Brightly colored boxes laid out on a table, along with about a dozen boxes from Pizza Hut, and a banner hanging from the ceiling.
'Wait, happy birthday?'
"SURPRISE!"
POF!
POF!
POF! POF!
POF!
Behind her, Ochako, Ibara, and Izuku yelled at the same time as the lights turned on, confetti poppers startling Rias enough to make her jump. "Happy Birthday Rias-buchou!" Everyone from the ORC, Student Council, and Newspaper Club declared. There was a poster with the words 'Happy Birthday Rias' the table with food and party favors that were no doubt made by her family's chefs, and red balloons and ribbons decorated all around the house. Fitting for the Crimson-Haired Princess of Ruin.
"Wha…" she blinked before it finally hit her. Chuckling, Rias could only smile. "I can't believe I forgot my own birthday."
"We figured you did," Kudelia smiled. "After what happened yesterday, we figured now's a good a time as any to relax. And what better way than on your birthday!"
"Since it was at short notice, not all of us were able to get you gifts," Sona added.
Rias smiled as she shook her head, "It's fine, Sona. Just having everybody here is good enough."
"And what's a celebration without a celebratory cake?" Rias gasped when she head her brother's voice. The small crowd moved apart as trolly carrying a large birthday cake with candles lit strolled towards the birthday girl, pushed by none other than her brother Sirzechs.
Trailing behind him was Grayfia, only instead of the maid outfit, she wore a black shirt with golden-caramel accents at the edges with two light golden trims going down the shirt, the shirt itself splitting slightly above her stomach. A long, cyan scarf was wrapped around her neck and reacher her hips. She also was wearing blue jeans with a white outline at the top.
Next to her was a man and woman, both seemingly round the same age as Sirzechs. The man had long crimson red hair tied in a loose ponytail with a black hairband, bright blue eyes, and a short and red stubble. He wore a white suit with gold accents and black cuffs.
The woman was strikingly similar to Rias, only with shorter flaxen hair and violet eyes. She wore an elegant looking white dress that didn't leave much to the imagination with her hourglass figure.
From Sirzechs' right, a small kid ran towards them. He was a cute-looking young boy wearing dress clothes with short crimson red hair and red eyes. "Happy birthday, Rias!" The boy shouted, jumping and hugging the crimson-haired girl.
Rias smiled and hugged the small boy back. "I missed you Millicas! I wasn't expecting any of you here, though," she admitted.
"Of course," Sirzechs chuckled, "I haven't missed any of your birthdays yet. At least give me credit for that."
"Wait, is this pipsqueak your brother?" Kyoka asked, a question some of the others had.
Rias turned around, the boy still in her arms and shook her head, a smile on her face. "No, this isn't my little brother. He's my nephew," she explained to Kyoka and the newer members of her peerage.
"Your nephew?" Ibara asked curiously.
"Go ahead and introduce yourself," Grayfia said as she walked up.
"Yes, mother."
'MOTHER!?' Izuku, Ibara, Ochako, Momo, and Kyoka all thought as he backed away from Rias and stood in front of the group.
He held his hands in front of him and smiled pleasantly at them. "Hello. My name is Millicas Gremory, and it's a pleasure to meet you," Millicas introduced himself, offering his hand which Izuku took and shook politely.
"I-It's a pleasure to meet you, too," Izuku politely said as he shook the young Gremory's hand. "I wasn't expecting Sirzechs-sama to have a son… or for Grayfia-san to be his wife," he added.
"I do my best to keep him in line," Grayfia commented, causing Sirzechs to laugh nervously.
"You must be Rias' new servants," the man said as he walked up to the group. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you all. I'm Zeoticus Gremory, Rias' father," he said politely as he held out his hand. Izuku nervously accepted it. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
"O-Of c-course s-sir," Izuku weakly stuttered. As Zeoticus began greeting the others, Izuku's attention then turned to the flaxen-haired women. "I didn't know you had a sister, Buchou," Izuku stated, glancing towards Rias as he said this. The flaxen-haired woman chuckled light-heartedly in response while Rias sighed and pressed her palm on her forehead.
"I'm flattered you think so," the woman said with a stunning smile before glancing at Rias. "I like him already."
A noticeable blush appeared on Rias' cheeks as she gestured to the young woman before them. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet my mother," she muttered quietly, avoiding eye contact with any of them.
The newer members of Rias' peerage did a double-take at that. "I'm so delighted to meet all your new friends, Rias," Rias' mother said. "I'm Rias' mother, Venelana Gremory." She formerly greeted.
"I-I'm Midoriya Izuku," he greeted. "I-I'm sorry i-if I o-o-offended you, Lady Gremory. I-I j-just wasn't e-expecting…"
"For someone like me to be a mother?" she finished with no hint of being offended in the slightest. Rather, her smile broadened at his comment. "Don't worry about it. I'm flattered in fact. To hear a cute young man like you mistake me for my daughter makes me very happy. I can see why my daughter likes you." She cupped her cheek with her hand and smiled her pretty smile as she said this.
'Cute?!' Izuku thought while Rias' blush intensified until it reached the same color as her hair.
*Flash!*
Before anyone could react, Zeoticus had pulled out a small camera which he pulled up to his face and took a picture of Rias' blushing face. "There we go. What a nice face, Ria. I'll be sure to add this to the album…" he chuckled warmly. "And look, I managed to get Izuku in the shot!"
"F-Father please!" Rias stuttered.
"Now dear, don't embarrass Rias too much now," Venelana said sweetly as she lowered the camera in her husband's arms. "It is her birthday."
"R-Right," Zeoticus started to sweat nervously.
'That's Buchou's mom, alright…'
"Then what are we waiting for?" Kudelia suddenly called. "Let's get this party started!"
"Raise your flag! "
" koe no kagiri "
" koe no kagiri "
" koe no kagiri sakende "
Izuku smiled as Ochako, Tsubasa, Cammie and, surprisingly, Milia sang. He was sitting at a table with Rias, Yuuto, Ibara, Koneko, Ravel, Momo, Kyoka, and Millicas, the younger boy sitting in-between Rias and Ibara. Kyoka seemed really invested in the song.
As the four girls sang, the other party guests were enjoying themselves with other activities. Sona and Kudelia were playing chess, with Saji, Tsubaki, and Tomoe cheering for Sona while Tye, Alexandra, and Jessie cheered for Kudelia. Hanakai and Ruruko seemed to be arguing about something at the soda fountain, with Nanase having trouble getting the drink she wanted.
Makoto just hung back, not taking part in the party at all.
The adults were sitting at the bar, chatting while the bartender served them drinks, nonalcoholic of course as this establishment catered to minors.
"If you want to, you can sing next Kyo-chan," Momo said, a teasing look in her eye.
Kyoka began to blush and stammer in response. "We'd agreed to never use nicknames in public!" She hissed, causing the mature-looking girl to giggle.
"You can sing, Kyoka-san?" Izuku asked.
"Uh, well…" Kyoka's blush seemed to deepen, her fingers tapping her earphone jacks.
As she did this, Millicas stared curiously at her earphone jacks. "Millicas, it isn't polite to stare," Rias gently reprimanded.
"Oh, sorry," the young devil apologize. "I didn't mean to, it's just… this is the first time I've seen Quirks up close."
"Really?" Izuku asked.
"Yes," Millicas nodded. "I've only been to the human world a few times, so I hardly ever see Quirks," the young devil boy said as he turned to Ibara. "Are those thorns on your vines sharp?"
"No, they're blunt," Ibara explained. "They hurt a little bit if I lay down on them, but they're harmless otherw-" As she explained, Millicas snatched a vine in his fingers and was fiddling around with it.
"You're right. They are blunt."
"P-Please don't touch those," she whimpered as her face erupted into a blush.
"Oh, I am so sorry!" Millicas let go of the vine. "I forgot that it's hair!"
"It's f-fine," Ibara said as she held onto the vine. "You just caught me off guard."
"It's always interesting seeing Quirks up-close," the group at the table looked up to see Sirzechs standing over them. "I always enjoy coming to the human world because I always see something new."
"Father!"
"How long have you been there?" Rias asked.
"Long enough," Sirzechs replied. "I'm afraid I have to leave early. It's a shame, too. I was hoping to do at least one song."
"You're leaving already?" Millicas asked, disappointed.
"I'm afraid I have no choice in the matter. Something urgent has come up. Can I speak with Izuku and Rias for a moment?"
Izuku and Rias briefly glanced at each other before they got up and followed. Once the three were at the entrance, Sirzechs looked to them a serious look in his eyes.
"I'll get to the point," he said, the tone of his voice unnaturally serious. "This creature you fought, are you certain it had the Phenix's immortality?"
Izuku, tough a taken a little off-guard from the change in Sirzechs tone, nodded. "Yes, sir."
Sirzechs shook his head. "I see," he sighed. "I need to get back to the Underworld to help with reopening Rivalz Phenix's disappearance… as well as tell the family about this development." Rias and Izuku both winced at that. "Since it's still Grayfia's day off, make sure she enjoys the rest of your birthday party, okay Ria?"
"Of course," Rias nodded.
"Good," Sirzechs smiled. "And Izuku… now seems to be a good time to give her your present," he added before leaving.
Izuku quickly glanced at Rias, who was looking at him with sparkling eyes. "Uh… One sec!" Izuku quickly ran to where the presents were being kept and came back with a red and green wrapped box. "Happy birthday," Izuku handed the box to Rias.
The box wasn't big, just the right size to fit in her arms, and it wasn't that heavy either. When she opened it, she gasped in shock at what was inside. "These are…" she gently pulled out one of the objects as if it was the most delicate thing in the world. "The limited-edition Phoenix Ranger Featherman Victory complete figurine set?!"
"It's the set you've wanted to get when we were supposed to be on our d-d-date," Izuku explained. "When Sirzechs-sama called today I asked what you would want, and he said that you've been looking for these figurines. Ibara and Ochako helped buy them, so this is a gift from the three of us."
Rias' smile honestly looked downright adorable, a dorky grin that can compete with Izuku's. Without warning, Rias leaned in and pressed her lips on his, kissing him. It lasted for about a second before she pulled away.
"Thank you, Izuku."
Then, just as quickly as it happened, Rias pulled back, turned on her heel, and went to rejoin the party. Izuku stood in absolute shock as he raised a hand to his cheek, fingers just grazing where Rias had kissed him for a second time, memories of the first kiss flooding back, causing his head to turn a certain shade of red. And yet… he felt unnaturally warm, and tingly. That warmth quickly spread throughout his body, a huge smile splitting his face.
By the time the part was over the sun began to set. After saying their goodbyes to the rest of the Gremory family, the three young devil peerages went home. As the ORC walked through the streets, they chatted happily about the part, from the gifts they got Rias to the songs they sang.
"That was so much fun!" Ibara happily said. "I always wanted to sing something other than Bible verses."
"Good thing you didn't do that," Koneko said, eating a slice of cake she saved.
"I actually enjoyed myself," said Ravel. "I didn't think karaoke would be so fun."
"Thank you, everyone, for today," Rias said, holding onto the Featherman figurines she got. "Though I am surprised that Inko and Mizu didn't show up. I figured that Mizu has meetings at U.A. because of what happened, but Inko…" she stopped when she noticed the looks Izuku, Ibara, and Ochako all had.
The three were shaking uncontrollably, all color draining from their faces. "Crap, we forgot to tell her…" Ochako said.
"She won't be happy to have missed Buchou's birthday," Ibara stated.
Izuku audibly gulped.
"I'm… sure she won't be too mad," Yuuto tried to reassure.
"If anything, I'll take the blame," Rias said. "It was my failure to tell you about my birthday. I'm sure she'll understand."
"I hope you're right," Izuku replied.
As it turned out, Inko was not happy finding out she missed Rias' birthday.
By Monday, school was back in session. Everyone in Class 1-A talked about how they and 1-B received a few minutes of screen time on the news, even if it was because of something scary.
"Man, all the channels are making a big deal out of what!" Kaminari said as he turned his head behind him to talk to Kirishima.
"Yeah, bro, I was surprised. It made the headlines everywhere. I bet the entire country knows about it by now!" Kirishima said.
"It's not that surprising," Liana commented as she read her book. "U.A.'s Hero Course that has produced some of Japan's most promising heroes was attacked by villains out of nowhere. It'd be more surprising if it didn't make the news."
"I'm just glad the pros showed up when they did," Sero said. "Who knows what could've happened to us and 1-B if they didn't."
"Why'd you say that?!" Mineta suddenly shirked. "I'm going to have nightmares for weeks-"
"SHUT UP!" Bakugo shouted, "IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT THEN LEAVE, GRAPE BITCH!"
The class continued to chatter until the bell rang and the door opened to reveal… Aizawa, completely covered in bandages from head to toe, his arms in casts. How he was walking was beyond them all. "Morning class," he greeted in his usual tone.
"Aizawa-sensei, what are you doing here?!" the entire class asked, shocked.
"What kind of crazy person teaches while like that?!" Hyde asked.
"Aizawa-sensei, I'm glad you're okay!" Iida said, shooting up his arm.
"Can you really call that 'okay'?" Ochako pointed out.
"My well being is not important right now," Aizawa stated, trying to go to his desk without falling to the floor. "And I'll pay back that 'crazy' comment later," Hyde flinched. "Your fight is not over yet."
"Fight?" Bakugo asked.
"Don't tell me…" Izuku wondered.
"Not more villains!?" Mineta almost shrieked.
The class waited with bated breath at what Aizawa meant. "The U.A. Sports Festival is drawing near," Aizawa simply stated.
Immediately, all the students hit their desks with their foreheads.
"Don't scare us like that!" They all yelled.
"Hold on, is it really okay to hold the sports festival right after villains attacked?" Kyoka asked in slight worry.
"Yeah. What if they attack again?" Tsubasa questioned.
"By showing that U.A. can proceed with this event without worry, it helps show that our crisis management system is solid," Aizawa explained. "Not to mention, security will be strengthened five-fold compared to last year. But that's nothing you all should be thinking about. What you should be focused on is that this event is a huge opportunity for you all. The U.A. Sports Festival is one of the biggest events in Japan. Hero agencies across the country will be watching to see what the top talent of U.A. have to bring to the table. This is one of only three opportunities you have to make a name for yourself. You can't miss it."
"Yeah, if we do well, we can get noticed by top agencies," Kirishima expressed.
"It'll make getting hired on as sidekicks super easy," Kaminari added.
"Yeah, but knowing you, you'll be stuck with that gig your whole life," Kyoka said.
"Did you really have to say that?"
"No, but I did it anyway," Kyoka snickered.
"There's one more thing that the sports festival will do." Aizawa continued, getting all the student's attention. "Prepare you for the International Heroic Students Competition, should you get in."
"The international tournament held every four years," Izuku noted.
"The tournament that has taken the place of the Olympics in terms of scale," Momo added.
"Correct… Getting in and competing is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Aizawa said. "The only requirement is either permission from your school or having a Provisional Hero License. As it'll take place in Tokyo this year, the competition to get one of the 10 spots to represent Japan will be fierce. Time is limited. If you expect to go Pro, then the path to your future will open up at these events. No aspiring heroes can afford to miss them. So, don't screw up." Aizawa finished.
"Yes, sensei!"
"Homeroom is dismissed."
The bell rang to signal the end of the fourth period, modern lit. After Cementoss stepped out of the class, it was lunchtime for Class 1-A and everyone's mind was on the Sports Festival
"Oh, man! This has me so freaking pumped you guys!" among these, to no one's surprise, was Kirishima.
"Hell yeah, man!" Sero agreed, "If we manage to show off our stuff here, then that's one huge step towards going Pro!"
This declaration sparked additional replies and soon there was a general ruckus from that corner of the room. Izuku smiled at seeing how excited his classmates were. "Seems like everyone's excited."
"Indeed!" Iida declared. "We all enrolled here to be heroes, so of course we would be fired up!"
"All the more reason to get excited," Tsubasa smiled in agreement.
"Izu-kun, Iida-kun, Yura-kun," said a voice from behind them, forcing them to turn around to see a serious face Ochako with pink aura surging all around her body, wearing a bloodthirsty grin "Let's do our best at the Sports Festival!"
They were all surprised at the sudden shift in tone. "U-Uraraka, are you okay?" Tsubasa asked.
"What the hell's with her?" Hyde asked, a little intimidated by Ochako's sudden change.
"I'm going to do my best!" roared Ochako as she raised her arms.
Still, her attitude was rather infectious, causing Izuku and the others to raise their arms in agreement. They soon made their way to the cafeteria, walking with Rias, Yuuto, Ibara, Milia, Itsuka, Yui, and Setsuna.
"Where's Momo and Kyoka?" Rias asked.
"They said they needed to be somewhere, and left early," Ochako answered.
Suddenly…
"There you are, young Midoriya!"
All Might appeared suddenly from a corner, surprising them all. They were still not used to the fact that the number one hero was actually here teaching.
"Wha- All Might?!" Izuku exclaimed.
"Would you care… to eat lunch with me?" asked All Might shyly.
"That's adorable!" giggled Ochako
Izuku looked at his friend before Rias gestured to him to go with All Might. Izuku blinked in surprise but nodded, following the Number One Pro to the teacher's lounge.
Once he entered the room after All Might, Izuku looked around, more than a little confused. "A-All Might, i-is there th-there a reason why…" he trailed off, noticing that there were two more occupants in the room. "Wha? Momo-san? Kyoka-san? Why are you here?"
"It's… a bit of a long story," Momo replied.
"You might wanna brace yourself," Kyoka warned.
"Huh? How come?"
*Poof!*
Izuku looked up, just in time to see All Might engulf in steam, leaving in his place, a skinny and emaciated man, coughing a small bit of blood.
"…HUH!?"
"Why do you think All Might called away Izu-kun?" Ochako wondered in slight worry. She and the others were already waiting in line in the cafeteria.
"Perhaps it's about the USJ incident," Iida suggested. "I heard that Midoriya-kun stopped that Shigaraki villain from attacking All Might."
"Oh yeah, that did happen," said Tsubasa. "Think it has something to do with that?"
"Possibly. Plus Midoriya packs a serious punch," Setsuna added. "The incredible amount of power that he can deliver may have interested All Might. Maybe he's even taken a liking to Midoriya," she hypothesized.
"Yeah, that could be it!" Ochako smiled, putting her fist into her palm.
"How lucky to have been noticed by his idol," Rias smiled.
What they hadn't noticed was that Todoroki was eavesdropping on their conversation, and looked rather interested. 'All Might… and Midoriya Izuku… what are they hiding?'
Back at the teacher's lounge, Izuku was in the middle of a complete freakout. He had just been talking to his hero All Might, a giant of a man. A larger than life hero for the whole world. But he had taken his eyes off of the hero for only a second and now, an emaciated man stood in his place. "Wait…who…what happened? You deflated? Where did All Might go? You… you're not him. You're a fake, an imposter." He looked over at Momo and Kyoka shakily. "This is a joke, right? A prank? Funny. Hahaha!"
"T-Try to calm down, Izuku-kun," Momo reassured. "This isn't a prank, we promise. So please, sit down and listen."
All Might stood up straight, "I assure you, I am All Might. You know how guys at the pool are always sucking in and flexing to try and look all buff? I'm like that."
Izuku's mind was desperately trying not to shut down from what he was hearing. The only reason it hadn't yet was because of months being a devil.
"I'll get to the point. I wanted to thank you, Young Midoriya. If you hadn't stopped Shigaraki when you did, I would've been done for," Izuku was genuinely shocked by this. "I also wanted to give you an offer," All Might continued.
"An offer?"
"You don't have to accept it, and I'm not forcing you into anything, but this is kinda a big deal," All Might said. "I want you to be my successor."
There was a pause before Izuku leapt up in shock, "YOUR SUCCESSOR!?"
"Shhh!" was All Might's immediate response. "Please keep it down!"
Izuku nodded, placing a hand over his mouth.
"As I was saying, I want you to inherit my Quirk."
Izuku's jaw dropped slightly and his head tilted to the side. What did he just say? Inherit his Quirk?
"Hey hey what's with that look kid? I told you I had an offer for you. So you need to decide what you want to do."
"All Might I don't understand. What are you saying? That's…" Izuku trailed off, remembering just what he and Momo were. "Kinda hard to believe," he decided on.
"I don't blame you for having trouble believing this." All Might said. "Do you know what my Quirk is?"
"Your Quirk? No. I don't think anyone does. There are a bunch of theories out there but no one knows for sure. I know stuff like super strength and invulnerability are the two top runners. And whenever you get asked about it during interviews you always find a way to dodge the question."
"I do that so people will keep thinking I'm just like them. A regular person with a Quirk that became a hero. But the truth is there's nothing regular about me or my Quirk. I wasn't born with this power, it was passed to me."
"Passed to you?"
"That's right. My Quirk is like a sacred torch. It was passed to me a long time ago. And now I want to pass it on to you."
"Wait! Hold one, this is a lot to take in all at once!" Izuku said. "While there is a lot of debate on what your Quirk is, no one's ever been able to figure it out. There are endless online debates about it. …" Mumble, mumble, mumble.
As Izuku spiraled into a mumbling mess, All Might scratched the back of his head before looking at Momo and Kyoka. The two could only shrug sheepishly. "We… did warn you," Kyoka said.
"Uh… Young Midoriya?" When it became obvious that Izuku wasn't listening anymore, All Might leaned forward and clapped his hands together in front of Izuku's face, shocking the boy enough to get him to stop talking to himself.
Izuku looked around before sheepishly apologizing, "I'm sorry, I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around this. It's just…" he stopped himself, remembering just what HE is. "A lot to process."
"Understandable," All Might nodded. He went on to explain the true nature of his Quirk, One For All, that it was a Quirk that stockpiles power, having done so over several generations. He also went into detail his injury, how he lost a lung and his whole stomach, while his respiratory system was basically shot. He also explained how his injury gave him a limit to how much hero work he can do each day. Ever since the USJ, All Might can only use his power for about an hour and a half.
"I… honestly don't know what to say…" Izuku muttered, seemingly in a daze, before slowly turning to Kyoka and Momo. "When we first meet, you guys said that cleaning the beach was the suggestion of a friend. Was that…"
The two fidgeted slightly in response. "Yeah… that was All Might," Kyoka confirmed.
"We kinda… found out about all this by accident." Momo added. "We'll explain the details later."
"Young Midoriya," All Might began. "I understand that this is a bit much to process, and you don't have to accept this offer right away. I'm more than willing to wait for your answer. How about either before or after the Sports Festival? Will that work?"
"Uh, sure. That's enough time," Izuku nodded.
Izuku spent the rest of the day thinking about All Might's offer. He had plenty of time to mull it over, but still…
As he and the rest of 1-A got ready to leave, the stopped upon seeing a crowd right outside their door.
"What the heck!?" Ochako exclaimed in surprise.
"They're crowding the exit! What are they here for?" Mineta complained.
"They're scoping out the competition, Grape Bitch," Bakugo sneered as he walked towards the crowd. "We and 1-B made it out of the villain's attack in one piece, so they're checking us out before the U.A. Sports Festival."
While Mineta cried at the abuse, Bakugo glared at the crowd, who seemed to take a step back at his glare.
"It's pointless to do something like that," scoffed Bakugo. "Out of my fucking way, extras."
"Don't call people you don't know extra's right off the bat!" Iida lectured, his arms chopping the air as he did so.
"I came to see what Classes 1-A and 1-B were like, but you seem pretty arrogant. Are all of the students in the Hero Course like this?" A student with gravity-defying purple hair, and a worn out and tired face that could give Aizawa's a run for its money, said as he made his way to the front of the crowd.
"Did you know that a few people who enrolled in General Studies or other courses did so because they didn't make it into the Hero Course?" The student asked Bakugo who only grunted in response. "The school has left those of us a chance. Depending on the results of the Sports Festival, they'll consider our transfer into the Hero Course. And it seems they may also transfer people out."
Bakugo merely continued his glare before walking through the crowd.
"Oi, Bakugo, you can't leave it like this," Kirishima said. "They're going to hate us!"
"It doesn't matter," Bakugo shot back. "As long as you rise to the time, nothing else matters."
Seeing such simple but powerful words, the other students of 1-A nodded in agreement before walking out. The other students unconsciously stepped back to allow them room to walk out. Izuku turned to notice a similar size group crowding in front of 1-B. His mind turned to the two weeks left before the festival. He needed to make his decision by then.
Later at home, Izuku sat on the couch, reading over his notes on All Might. The pages dedicated to him had speculation on his Quirk is and it's limits. Now that he knew the truth it seemed all so trivial now. What's more unbelievable was that All Might actually offered to give him his Quirk!
Sighing, he closed the notebook and leaned back.
"Is something wrong, Izu-kun?"
He nearly jumped when he saw Rias standing over him. "Oh, no. I just have… a lot on my mind is all."
Rias smiled before plopping down on the couch next to him. "I understand. You've been through a lot recently. The Sports Festival is also coming up, but I get the feeling that's not it, is it?"
Izuku gulped. 'Crap. What do I tell her?'
*Ding-dong*
Lucky for Izuku, the doorbell rang caught his and Rias' attention.
"Company right now?"
"Did you forget?" Rias reminded him. "After what happened at the USJ, all adjacent buildings are being inspected, including the club buildings, so we're having the club meeting here today. I told you that this morning before training."
"Oh, yeah. You did say that," Izuku blinked as he remembered.
"Alright then. Let's go and meet the others, shall we?" Rias smiled.
The two got up and went to greet everyone at the door. The rest of the club members were at the door, all dressed in casual clothes. "Hey, guys! Come on in!" Izuku greeted.
"Pardon the intrusion," Yuuto smiled as he and the others stepped into the apartment and removed their shoes.
"Oh, you have company over?" Inko asked, peering through the living room.
"Just for a club meeting, Inko," Rias clarified.
"Sorry for barging in, Midoriya-san," Momo bowed.
Inko smiled and nodded before she noticed Ravel. "Oh, who's this? I've never seen you before."
"I'm Ravel Phenex, ma'am," Ravel greeted. "My family and Rias' are acquaintances, and I've recently moved to Japan to study."
Inko nodded when a glint appeared in her eyes as a smile stretched on her face, "Oh, Izuku," she said as she looked to him, "can you prepare some drinks for our guests?"
"Sure mom," he obeyed, not catching the look in her eyes. He pulled out a carton of juice and glass cups, putting the cups on a tray, and pouring the juice into the cups. The second he walked back in the living room, he saw his peers crowding around as his mother presented pictures to them.
"What's… going on…?" he wondered.
"Hey, Izuku!" Kyoka called over, turning to him as she used her hand to cover her mouth as she tried to control her laughter, "I had no idea you were able to pass off as a girl!"
Instantly, Izuku's mind entered panic mode. "MOM! Don't show everyone those pictures!" Izuku cried out, running to get the pictures away from them.
"No, no, no!" Inko smirked as she put up her hand to stop him, "This is your punishment for not telling me about Rias-chan's birthday and is my gift to her. This is also part of your youth. You need to learn to live with it!" She took the tray from his jittering hands. "I'll just hand these out to your friends."
"Seriously," Kyoka snorted. "You once dressed up as a girl?"
"I'd… rather not talk about it."
"Izuku-senpai's embarrassing past," Koneko smirked as she and Ravel looked at another embarrassing photo.
Ravel chuckled. "What's the story for this one?" She asked Inko.
Inko only needed to glance at the photo to recall the event it depicted. "That's from when he tried to save a spider from being crushed, but it started crawling all over him." Ravel laughed while Koneko smiled in amusement.
"Izuku as a child… Izuku as a child… Izuku as a child… Izuku as a child…" Rias, stars in her eyes, was gushing and muttering in a mantra as she looked at the photo album. Ibara and Ochako sat with her, having similar expressions.
"Oh, I understand Buchou. Izuku-san is so cute!" Ibara cooed, stars in her eyes also.
"Kyah! Look at little Izu-kun playing hero in an All Might onesie!" Ochako squealed, her eyes having stars in them as well. "He looks like a little bunny! It's so cute, I can't stand it!"
"He is rather cute," Momo smiled as she looked at another photo album.
Izuku could only sigh before he turned to Yuuto, who too was laughing at a photo from another album. "Not you too, Yuuto-san," he groaned.
"Oh come on, Izuku-kun. It helps us get to know you better," the bishonen snickered as he flipped through the pages. As soon as he stopped at another page, his face turned to shock. "Izuku, can you tell me about this photo?" Izuku almost didn't hear Yuuto's voice starting to crack.
Izuku went over to look and had a sad look on his face. "Oh, that." The photos showed Izuku and another child with chestnut hair doing action poses straight out of Featherman. "That was the last photo we took before Rinchan moved away."
"Rinchan?" Yuuto asked with a raised eyebrow.
"She was a childhood friend. I tried to protect her from Kacchan once, and we became friends. We both loved heroes and she encouraged me to follow my dreams even though I was Quirkless," Izuku told him. "I wonder what she'd say if she saw me at U.A. now?"
"I see. But can you tell me about that sword over the fireplace?" Yuuto asked as he pointed to the object on the photo.
"It belonged to Rinchan's father. I tried to play with it once but he found out and scolded me, telling me that it isn't something kids should be playing around with. I think it was an old antique sword or something," he shrugged.
"That's no antique sword," Yuuto's response was filled with malice.
"Eh?" Izuku looked at his fellow devil and his eyes widen in shock at Yuuto expression.
It was filled with anger and hate.
"This is a holy sword."
"A what sword?" Izuku asked.
A low, angry chuckle escaped from Yuuto's throat, "Who would've thought I would encounter something like this here?" He handed the photo album to Izuku. "Thanks for the photos, man. It was… very informative."
"Um… okay?" Izuku said with an unsure look on his face. He hadn't seen an expression like that before. Even Bakugo never looked that angry.
Later that night, Izuku stood before the large doors of an apartment complex located in uptown Musutafu. Despite his mother showing everyone his baby photos, the meeting went on like normal, but Izuku noticed that Yuuto had that angry expression through it all. He figured that it had something to do with the sword Yuuto saw from the photo. He wanted to ask about it, but he had other things to do right now.
"Okay, time to go to work," Izuku said to himself to put his mind into focus. He lifted his hand to reach for the doorbell. As his finger was just centimeters away, a sudden chill went down Izuku's body. He let out a small gasp as his mouth started to tremble.
Something felt off. Steeling himself, he reached the doorbell and pushed it. He heard a loud chime echoed through the complex. The door opened halfway. Standing there was a tall man appearing to be in his twenties with black hair, golden bangs, and black goatee, wearing a dark-green yukata.
"Hello," Izuku greeted. "I'm the Devil you called for. I know that you were expecting me to appear out of the flyer, b-but I couldn't do that originally, and most of my early clients prefer for me to come like this, so it's become something of a habit. Sorry for any inconvenience."
"Well, I guess that doesn't matter," said the man, surprising Izuku for a moment. He was certain he was going to be criticized for showing up late or not being one of the girls. "Come on in, devil-boyo."
Walking into a dark room, Izuku was amazed by all of the nice furniture in the living room. Sitting down on one of the three sofas, he looked around the place and wonder who this person was. He didn't look like he was from Japan, despite the yukata. His thoughts were cut by the sound of a door opening. Looking its direction, Izuku saw the man standing at the doorway, holding up a silver tray that contained silver cups and sake. "Care for a drink?"
"No thanks," Izuku denied politely, "I'm still a minor."
"Really? Bummer," the man walked over to the sofa on the right of the one Izuku was sitting at. Something seemed off about him, but he wasn't able to put his finger on it. Perhaps its paranoia built up from mouths of unexpected situations popping up. "I was hoping to have a partner to drink with," he said after sitting down and pouring himself a glass of sake.
"Is that why you summoned me," Izuku asked.
"Is that a problem?"
"No, it's fine." Izuku held up a reassuring hand. "The contract will be formed when the request of the client is fulfilled and I receive a fitting compensation in return."
The man started setting out the cups and bottles. "Unfortunately, I only have sake," he said. "You okay with tab water?"
"Yeah, sure."
A few minutes later, and the man was buzzed from the sake. "Hahaha! So your magic was so weak you had to ride a bike to the people who summoned you?"
"Y-Yeah…" Izuku replied, taking a sip of water.
"Hahaha! That's hilarious!"
About a half-hour passed before the man ran out of sake. "Ah, that was fun. So what's the pay? I'm guessing you want my soul?"
"N-N-No! I-It doesn't work like that," Izuku said.
"Oh? Well, that's unexpected."
"Yeah, but I'm still going to need a payment."
The man then pointed with his thumb to the painting of flowers in a pot behind himself. "Will this do," he asked. "It's not a reproduction."
"Doesn't that seem kinda expensive?" Izuku asked, a little confused.
"I don't have anything else to pay you with at the moment." He then shrugged. "But if that's not good enough, then I still have my soul for the taking."
"N-No, the painting's fine."
Izuku walked out of the complex with the painting strapped to his back. 'I never expected to be paid like this just because I had a drink and talked with the client,' he thought. Just before Izuku was going to teleport back to the clubroom, his phone suddenly rang. Izuku glanced at the screen and saw Momo's caller ID]. "Momo-san, is something wrong?" Izuku said as he answered.
"{Izuku-kun, good work on the contract,}" Momo's voice said. "{Sorry for calling on such short notice, but we've just received word about another stray devil in the city.}"
"A stray?"
"{Buchou and the others are already headed there. I'll send you the coordinates.}"
"Got it. I'll see you there."
It didn't take too long for Izuku to reach the coordinates Momo sent. When he arrived the rest of the ORC, except for Kyoka, were present. They were standing in front of what looked like an old factory. "Sorry I had to make you come out, Izu," Rias said to him, her arms crossed with a serious expression.
"It's fine," he said, before looking at the abandoned building. "Is the stray hiding in there?"
"We believe so," Ravel said.
"Do we know anything about it?" Momo asked.
"Only that it's fast and can produce acid."
Rias smiled confidently. "Whatever it is, it's extremely dangerous. We shouldn't try to fight it inside." She looked towards the two Bishops. "Ibara, Ravel, you wait at the rear."
The two nodded. "Hai!/Yes, Ma'am!"
"Momo and I will be ready and waiting outside. So Koneko, Ochako, Yuuto, and Izuku will have to draw it out."
"Understood," Momo said.
"Right," Koneko said.
"Got it," Ochako said.
"Okay," Izuku said before drawing out his Boosted Gear.
However, when Rias looked towards Yuuto, she noticed that he seemed to be deep in his own little world. Thinking heavily on something. "Yuuto?" she asked.
As the others looked at him with confusion, it took a solid second for him to snap out of it and answer. "Yeah. Right. Got it," he responded quickly before running toward the building, something he doesn't do when being given orders.
Izuku, worried for Yuuto, follows him with Koneko and Ochako close behind. When they approached the closed metal doors, they stopped. Ochako and Koneko glanced at the other before nodding.
They walked up to the door, brought their arms back, and swung their fists forward.
*BAM!*
The power of the two Rooks broke the doors off their hinges and sent them to the floor. What they saw next, however, gave them pause.
"Are… are those… spider webs?" Ochako hesitantly questioned. What appeared to be enormous spider webs were strung all across the walls and ceiling.
Eyes narrowing, Izuku went in. "Stay close," Ochako and Koneko nodded, while Yuuto lagged behind.
As the four explored the abandoned warehouse, they failed to notice that they weren't alone. There was something crawling on the ceiling above them quietly, keeping a close eye on them with ominous purple eyes.
They came to a halt when they came across a wall of webbing, but they gave an audible gasp at what was in the webbing. People! More than a dozen of them, and… they were all dead. No, 'dead' was putting it mildly; they were butchered! Severed limbs laid on the ground as heads were stuck on the webbing, some bodies were cut in half with the upper halves stuck on the web and hanging like trophies while other limbs, the lower halves of the bodies, and even some organs laid on the ground, rotting with flies buzzing all around.
Koneko nearly gagged at the sight, while Ochako did her best to not throw up.
"My god…" Izuku muttered as he covered his mouth to swallow the bile that was building up in his throat, ignoring the pain he received from what he said.
"God had nothing to do with this."
Acting on instinct, Izuku turned and fired a Dragon Shot at the source of the unknown voice behind them, but the entity leaped back to avoid hit. It was defiantly a she, a fairly attractive woman in her mid-twenties.
She has a curvy figure, with very large breasts, a thin waist, and wide hips. She has fair skin, with her hair being shoulder-length and pale gold in color. Her eyes were a brilliant purple color, with two smaller eyes above them, given her six in total. She wore a black halter top with a gold and purple trim, black dress pants and dark purple knee-high boots. Her most notable feature, though, was the four long spider-like legs on her back.
She gave an amused hiss as she shot webbing from her palms at Izuku. Izuku didn't have enough time to react as some webbing pinned his left arm to the ground. "Izuku-senpai!" Koneko cried, she and Ochako swiftly coming to his side.
Izuku grunted as he tried to free his arm, but couldn't. "I can't move!"
"Yuuto-san, help us free Izuku," Ochako told the blonde Knight, but to no response. All he was doing a stand there looking at the ground. "…What are you doing? Hey, Yuuto!"
"Huh?" Yuuto finally snapped out of it, seemed confused at first, but then looked up at where the Stray Devil on the ceiling before looking at Izuku. "Sorry, I-" webbing suddenly struck Yuuto in the back, the spider woman quickly pining the Knight into a wall, trapping him in webbing.
"That's two," Koneko and Ochako glared up at the ceiling only to find the spider woman gone. "Once I deal with you, I'll take care of your friends outside." Her voice echoed throughout the building.
The two Rooks stood protectively near Izuku, keeping their eyes peeled, looking for any movement in the darkness. "This stray is different from the others," Koneko noted.
"Stray?" The spider woman's voice echoed. "You think I'm a stray devil?" A faint laugh echoed throughout the building. "That explains why you're here. Sorry to disappoint, but the stray you were looking for is dead."
The comment Ochako, Izuku, and Yuuto gasped while Koneko's eyes narrowed. "If you're not a stray, then what are you?" The white-haired girl asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
A green-purple blob suddenly hit Koneko in the arm. She cried in pain as she was knocked to the ground, the substance being her skin.
"Koneko-chan!" Izuku tried even harder to get himself free. Looking around, he spotted an old piece of rebar. Grabbing it, he began using the rebar to try and pry himself free.
Ochako stood shakily, gripping her staff tightly as her eyes scurried throughout the building, looking for the monster. "Izuku, any ideas?" She asked.
Izuku grunted as he continued to pry his hand free, without much success. 'Think. This spider lady must have some kind of weakness. If Ravel was here then she can burn these… Wait.' Eyes widen in realization, Izuku yelled out. "Ochako, use fire to melt these webs!"
Ochako followed his command quickly. "Firaga!" Burts of fire shot out from her staff, hitting the webbing that trapped Izuku and Yuuto. After a couple of seconds, the webs melted, freeing them.
"Oh, a witch? I haven't added a witch's head to my collection in a while." The spider woman commented.
Izuku didn't waste any time in attending to Koneko. A good part of her skin where the acid hit was gone, showing the muscle and sinew beneath. 'Even with her Rook durability, that acid was able to hurt her this badly.' Gritting his teeth, Izuku knew was they needed to do next. "We need to get out of here! We can't take her on by ourselves."
"Do you really think I'll let you?"
Izuku looked up, just in time to see the spider woman charge toward them.
Outside, Rias and Momo waited for the four to lure out what they thought was the Stray Devil, unaware of what was happening. "Something isn't right," Rias narrows her eyes. "They should've drawn it out by now."
Momo was about to voice her thoughts when she noticed something. Several flies were swarming near a ditch. Curious, Momo walked over and peers into the ditch. What she saw caused her to covered her mouth to prevent herself from throwing up.
"Momo, what's wrong?" Rias asked, running up to her Queen. She got her answer when she saw what was in the ditch.
It was a corpse, only it wasn't a human corpse. It was the stray devil they were hunting… at least what was left of it. Someone or something had killed the stray in a grisly and, from the look on what was left of its face, painful fashion.
Rias gagged at the sight. "That's… the stray we were informed of!" She gasped.
"Wait… if this is… was the stray, then what is everyone fighting?" Momo asked.
Rias didn't answer. She wasn't sure she wanted an answer. Quickly, she ran as fast as she could into the building.
"Buchou!"
Izuku watched in horror as the spider woman charged toward them. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning hit the monster, sending her flying into the adjacent wall. "Buchou! Momo-san!" Izuku exclaimed in relief. Rias quickly ran to Izuku, who was protectively carrying Koneko.
"What happened!?" She asked. Then she saw the state of Koneko's arm. Her expression darkened, a hateful glare directed toward spider woman, but…
"Where'd she go?!" Ochako exclaimed. In the second the devils weren't looking, the spider women vanished.
Several minutes later, and Ibara was already tending to Koneko. Izuku explained everything that happened once they went in, from finding the dismembered bodies to how Yuuto was acting.
"Just who was that woman?" She wondered out loud.
"I don't know," Izuku's eyes narrowed. "But we won't let her get away with what she did."
A sharp slapping sound came from his side. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Rias standing in front of Yuuto with her hand motioning to a stop. "Are you awake now?" she asked with a stern frown. "Not only did that… thing getaway, but you, Izuku, Ochako, and Koneko all nearly ended up getting killed. What's going on with you?"
Yuuto's face was at its side, a red tint slowly beginning to fade from his cheek. "Sorry, Buchou," he replied as he turned to face her with a forced smile, "I… don't think I'm feeling too well. I think I'm going to be taking a break from club activities for a little while. Goodnight." Rias' expression turned worrisome as she watched Yuuto walk away, with the others looking on in quietly.
Izuku, on his part, couldn't keep quiet. "Yuuto-san! Wait!" he shouted as he ran after him. Yuuto stopped but didn't turn to look around. "Yuuto, what's wrong with you? You aren't usually like this."
"It isn't any of your business, Izuku," the harshness of Yuuto's words seemed to match the sound of thunder rolling in the sky.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Izuku frowned, raindrops started to fall from the sky one by one before it turned into a light drizzle. "Yuuto-san, if something's bothering you, you can tell me. We're friends, right?"
"Friends…?" Yuuto looked up at him. "Izuku, recently I remembered something important."
Izuku's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity, "What's that?"
"My reason for living. I'm almost ashamed of myself that I had forgotten it after so long."
"Your reason for living… is it because of Buchou?"
"No…"
Yuuto turned to look Izuku straight in the face, his eyes brimming with rage and hatred. Izuku shuddered under his gaze.
"It's for revenge," Yuuto said, his voice bolden with anger with a clenched fist. "I live only for the destruction of the holy sword Excalibur. I swore an oath on my honor and for the sake of my comrades, that it would be destroyed. That is why I live."
Yuuto didn't speak another word as he walked away. Izuku could only watch as he disappeared into the rain.
In another part of the town, the abandoned church that was used in a certain ritual found itself with three visitors trying to get out of the rain. The white cloaks were recognizable and their hoods managed to keep their hair from getting wet as the rain started to get heavy.
One of them sighed as they enter the church. "We finally made it."
Now out of the rain and walking through to the altar, the first figure pulled off her hood, revealing a young woman of Italian descent. "Not the most ideal shelter, but this will do for now," she said, looking over the ruined church.
One of the other figures pulled off their hood, revealing a teenage girl of Italian descent with blue chin-length hair and a green fringe on her head and dark yellow eyes. "I can't believe the people of this city would leave such a nice church to rot," she said, brushing off water from her head.
"From what I heard, the former owners faked a weeping painting and took the money before they disappeared. I can't stand it when people use our faith to commit such sins," the last of the three said.
Griselda sighed, sad that such a thing took place, but not at all surprised. "However this church fell to ruin doesn't matter. We'll stay here for the night and begin tomorrow. I'll contact the Gremory devil and the Sorcerer, see when we can meet with them. You two will search the city for any clues until then."
The two young exorcists nodded. "Do you still remember the city's layout?" The blue-haired exorcist asked her companion.
The other girl pulled off her hood, revealing a young Japanese girl with long chestnut-colored hair in twin ponytails and bright purple eyes. She whipped her hair back and forth to shake out the water before smiling, "Of course I do," she said as she flashed a photo of two children, a girl with hair and eyes like hers and a boy with messy green hair and eyes, "After all, Musutafu is the city where I grew up in."
Elsewhere, a certain blond gnashed his teeth as he walked through the Musutafu streets, stomping toward home, an annoyed look in his eyes. He had spent all day after classes ended training for the Sports Festival, blowing the hell up out of anything and everything that U.A. allowed.
And yet he hadn't seen a certain green-headed nerd and his girlfriend's training at all today. "Is that asshole even taking this seriously!?" If Deku thinks that weird move he used during the USJ would be enough for him to beat him, then he's dead!
*Splash!*
A different splash from his own caused Bakugo to snap out of his thoughts and to pay attention to what was in front of him. There was a person stumbling towards him. And based on his attire and the cross hanging from his neck, he was a priest.
And he was bleeding badly.
"Please… help!" The priest begged before he collapsed.
Bakugo blinked in confusion, wondering what could've happened when he heard someone laugh.
"Whoo-hoo!" The blond looked up and saw a young man swinging a sword. The blade was wavy and slightly jagged rather than straight like most swords were. "What do we have here? A little lamb who's lost his way? You have good timing. I was getting bored and I don't like leaving witnesses." He laughed maniacally, a crazed grin on his face.
Bakugou's hands were already starting to sweat, little explosions going off as he turned to look him in the eye. "Witnesses?" The blond grinned. "If you think I'll sit back and let you kill me, you got another thing comin'!"
"Oh, you're a confident one!" The man laughed, licking the blade of his sword lecherously. "Name's Freed Sellzen, an exorcist who hunts priests. But priest hunting has gotten so fuckin' boring and I need a challenge. I hope you're up for it Explosion Boy. 'Cause you're up against the holy sword known as Excalibur! Loser gets to die!"
Bakugo Katsuki grinned, his palms sparking in anticipation.
AN:
Heh, a lot happened in this chapter, huh?
First off: Happy belated birthday Rias! Kinda wish I finished and posted this chapter 10 days earlier, then it would've fallen on her canonical birthday.
Second: the Sports Festival was officially announced, but the bit about an international competition was different, while All Might has offered Izuku One For All (whether he accepts or not is another story).
Inko shows everyone embarrassing pictures of kid!Izuku, all because he forgot to tell her about Rias' birthday. At least he's learned his lesson. The ORC have encountered a mysterious spider woman, while Irina and Xenovia have arrived in Musutafu with Griselda.
And finally, it's Freed vs Bakugo. Didn't see that coming, did ya?
And I just realized that this chapter covers the first episodes of the second seasons of both My Hero Academia and High School DxD.
Anyway, next time we'll have the fight between Freed and Bakugo. Hope Bakugo will be all right. Hint, hint. We'll also see Izuku reunite with an old friend. Until then, be patient and stay healthy.
Plus ultra!