It had been a couple of weeks since Chisa had become the new homeroom teacher. Izuku's Crew had also settled in at Hope's Peak while also continuing their education at UA. Right now Hajime was sitting in the cafeteria with Chiaki and Nagito.
"Well if nothing else, Yukizome-Sensei's great at making sure everyone stays in class."
"But it's really not enough. This class is kinda low on the multiplayer vibe." Chiaki noted. "If we're really gonna become Pro Heroes like Red-Haired Shanks wants, then we need to learn how to work together."
"Well, that's why you have us helping you out." Hilda smiled as she and Izuku came over.
"Akane and Nekomaru are causing a bit of a ruckus but don't worry, we have it under control."
"Oh man, what are they doing?" Hajime asked with a sigh.
Akane had just been slammed right into the wall. She righted herself and crouched low, charging the built-up kinetic energy inside her before rocketing herself at Nekomaru.
"Can someone explain what happened to the wall?" Chisa asked as she came in.
"They started a training bout and so far, it's been dead-even. Nekomaru's got the defense advantage but Akane's Quirk gives her the strength to smash solid steel when she's charged up." Kazuichi explained.
Suddenly, Akane and Nekomaru felt their Quirks leave them, followed by the former being wrapped up and constricted by Nimona, who took the form of a boa constrictor while Nekomaru was hit with a headbutt from Katsuki.
"Good grief, you should be ashamed of yourselves," Ben said as he and Penny walked in, the latter having used Configuration: Eraser to project a Quirk-Disabling Field Drone. "How old are you all again? You're acting like kids in a preschool playground!"
"Was this what it was like at the start of school with me?" Katsuki asked Penny, who giggled.
"No, you were far more coordinated."
"It's just so frustrating." Hajime sighed. "Thank god that Dekiru and his friends are here to keep an eye on us."
Chiaki nodded. "Yeah, not the way we want to act if we're going to be Heroes, let alone bringing the world to a brighter future with our talents."
"Well, maybe you guys need to do something to get the class together." Kirby suggested, having been hanging out with the two of them by the fountain. "I dunno, my class had to fight actual villains at the USJ to start coming together but I don't think you guys wanna re-enact that."
"Yeah...but you still have a point there, Kirby." Chiaki smiled as she turned to Hajime. "Let's get the class together, Hajime. I have an idea."
Hajime looked interested. Whatever Chiaki had in mind, she was clearly motivated.
Later, Chisa noticed the commotion in the room and walked in on class watching Chiaki, Akane, Nekomaru, and Gundham playing a fighting game.
"What's going on here?"
"Fighting game tournament!" Ibuki called out. "I call winner!"
"Chiaki thought it might help us get together if we found some common ground," Hajime explained, "As it turns out, we all like the same games. So we're starting with that."
"Sweet monitor, huh?" Kazuichi said proudly. "Just a little something I threw together for the occasion."
"It is very fascinating, Kazuichi." Mipha smiled while everyone was engrossed in the game.
"Chiaki's the one who brought the consoles and controllers. And provided all the games as well." Sonia pointed out.
The games continued as Kazuichi, Teruteru, Fuyuhiko, and Nagito started playing Mario Party. Nagito even got in an amazing roll in Chance Time, improving his fortune while beating Kazuichi to the goal and stealing all of his cash to boot. Chisa got involved next, playing with Chiaki, Hiyoko, and Ibuki in Mario Kart. Ibuki was confident at first, until both Chiaki and Chisa passed her, while Hiyoko trolled her with an invincibility powerup. Finally, it was Mikan, Sonia, Mahiru, and Chiaki playing Bomberman. Mikan was freaking out and dropping bombs all over the field. Just then, a delicious aroma started wafting into the room.
"Order up, class!" Teruteru said as he and Hiyoko came in. "We got a special treat for lunch. My specialty nikujaga. And for added enjoyment, I put my Quirk to work."
Teruteru's Quirk was [Super Chef], which not only allowed him to empower his dishes with various beneficial effects, but he could even harness food as a weapon in various creative ways. One of the effects his Quirk could empower his food with was letting anyone who eats it experience the cooking process like they were right there in the kitchen.
"Wow, I wasn't aware you were going to all this trouble," Chisa noted as she admired the dish.
"I got worried we might get hungry. I often forget to eat when I'm in the middle of a gaming session, so I wanted to make sure we had lunch ready." Chiaki explained as the group sat down and dug in.
"Wow, this is amazing!" Akane said as she took a bite.
"I'll say, I can actually see it. The sizzling beef, the simmering potatoes..." Chisa said before noticing something. "Hiyoko pouring a bottle of pink sauce in the pot?"
"Uh-Oh..." Teruteru's eyes widened in shock as he quickly checked his cases of soup. "That's not good, I'm missing one...!"
"Would this be the one you're looking for?" Hiyoko asked, producing a soup bottle from her yukata.
Teruteru gasped. "No! Not that one!"
"Akane, what's wrong?!" Nekomaru exclaimed when Akane suddenly collapsed.
"I...feel strange..." The Ultimate Gymnast moaned as Nekomaru helped her up, her face tinted red. "No... Don't touch me like that... I'm sensitive..."
Nekomaru pulled back, but couldn't help admiring Akane as her heavy breathing emphasized her chest. And they weren't the only ones affected. Ryota dropped to the ground clutching his heart as Mayuri moved to support him while Ibuki stumbled across the room.
"I feel like I'm on fire guys. But not barbecue. More like... Sexy fire!"
Chiaki's hand found Hajime's as they stared at each other, an obvious longing in their eyes. Gundham was trying to keep his bandaged arm under control as if trying to prevent a horrible demon from erupting within while Mahiru was taking sexy selfies of herself.
"Saionji, just what did you do?!" Chisa asked, trying to resist the heat rising to her face.
Hiyoko smirked smugly. "I just poured this whole bottle into the soup."
"You glorious madwoman! That soup was chock full of aphrodisiacs!" Teruteru exclaimed. the obvious spasms getting to him.
"Hang on Sonia, Soda's here to help." Kazuichi said as he reached for Sonia, who had fainted onto the group, Fuyuhiko holding him back as best he could.
"My master is in trouble... I'll save you sugar butt..." Peko slurred as she moved to help Fuyuhiko, only for Mikan to glomp her from behind.
"Peko, can I borrow your sword? I need it for... Medical purposes." The Ultimate Nurse giggled as she rubbed Peko's bokken. "Just the tip... That's enough... Any more's just... Too much."
Hiyoko laughed at the entire scene. "Man, you guys are so hilarious! I'm glad I skipped out on the stew!"
Just then a dark shadow appeared behind her. It was Teruteru, glaring at her with murder in his eyes.
"If you don't like meat how about some veggies," He growled. "I'll show you my gigantic daikon radish!"
Hiyoko quickly backed up against the wall as Teruteru approached her, now fully processing just how badly she screwed up.
"Um...Someone wanna snap out of it and help me out here...? He's really getting close...!"
"HADOUKEN!"
Chiaki suddenly fired a flaming sphere of blue energy at Teruteru, sending him flying and bouncing around like a pinball.
"If you wanna touch my classmates, you gotta get through me first." Chiaki said.
"I'm your classmate too..." Teruteru muttered after landing. "Just saying..."
"Oh, yeah..." Chiaki said before collapsing, Hajime managing to grab her as he chuckled.
"That was pretty impressive. What's say we take the time to recuperate after all that excitement?"
Chiaki smiled. "Yeah... I am really feeling out of it..."
Izuku and the UA Ten were watching from the sideline, having been prepared to step in if things got out of hand. Thankfully, Chiaki had everything handled from here, it seems.
"So what was with all that blue flame?" Sonia asked, everyone currently in the nurse's office.
"It's my Quirk, [Game Boy]. With it I can gain the powers, abilities, and weapons of any character from any game I've ever played. And I've played a lot of them."
"Well, you are the Ultimate Gamer." Nia shrugged, the UA Ten also there.
Chisa smiled when she noticed Class 77-B naturally gravitating toward Chiaki. Perhaps she was the glue that was needed to keep the class together and Hajime was just the right guy to be her Player 2.
Meanwhile, Katsuki was talking Hiyoko's ear off for poisoning Teruteru's food for her own amusement, the chef in him refusing to allow such a travesty stand. With his harsh rhetoric, the explosive UA student was getting through to the Ultimate Traditional Dancer.
"Congratulations on being made Class Rep, Nanami!" Izuku smiled as Chiaki and Hajime were hanging out with him, Hilda, Ben, and Penny.
"It's a big responsibility," Chiaki admitted before smiling as she turned to Hajime. "But with a Player 2 like you around, I think I can manage it."
Hajime nodded. "Looks like our class is coming together. And if we can work together as a team, perhaps we really can be just as great Heroes-in-training as UA's Class 1-A and 1-B."
Chiaki smiled. "I'm looking forward to seeing what we get to cut our teeth on."
"This is a truly sensational thing!" Penny beamed. "Perhaps UA and Hope's Peak will be able to unite together in joint missions!"
Meanwhile, the Steering Committee was meeting with their old friend, Dr. Daruma Ujiko, real name Kyudai Garaki.
"So, you are in need of someone for your Ultimate Hope project without drawing attention from Shanks?" The former doctor of All For One mused. "Well, I think we can collab together. You see, our old friend, All For One, has since been dethroned, but his legacy can still live on..."
"Forgive us, but how can a successor to the Symbol of Evil possibly be an Ultimate Hope?" One of the committee asked.
Dr. Ujiko chuckled. "You think too narrow, old friend. Villains need Hope just as much as Heroes and regular civilians do. While Tomura Shigaraki is already a worthy leader, he needs a council to aid him...and your Ultimate Hope will be the right thing we need."
"What are your demands?" Another committee asked.
"Whoever you choose for the Ultimate Hope project...allow me to work on it with you. Combining our two projects together will create a perfect benefit to ourselves as well as Young Tomura, the Ultimate Lifeform."
August walked in, the Time Link glowing as he showed a glimpse into the future for the Steering Committee to peer into.
"And I believe the perfect candidate is making themself prominent as we speak."
Fuyuhiko's eye was twitching in irritation, which didn't go unnoticed by Hitoshi and Shoto as they were passing by.
"Something wrong?"
"It's my sister Natsumi," Fuyuhiko explained. "She's currently a student in the Reserve Course. She was...sorta friends with Hajime before he was upped to the Main Course."
"Your family is one of the last remaining Yakuza clans since the Dawn of Heroes." Shoto noted. "I'd be interested to meet them. Especially if they're much better and more noble than the Shie Hassaikai were under Overhaul's control."
Fuyuhiko scoffed. "You say that, but you haven't spent more than five minutes listening to her. Most of my family, even me, can be nice when the situation calls for it. But Natsumi has just as much filter in her words as Teruteru, except replacing lovable pervert with smug egotist. She rubs everyone she meets the wrong way. Dad's always worried she'll anger the wrong person and wind up in the morgue for it."
"I see..." Hitoshi said. "Kinda like Monoma Neito in a way."
"She's not a bad person, though. She just doesn't have people skills." Fuyuhiko sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "In the yakuza, we learn how to use threats when necessary to get something. She just never learned how to use anything but threats."
"Were you two talking about Natsumi?" Mahiru asked as she approached them. "Would that be Natsumi Kuzuryuu by any chance?"
"Yeah, she's my baby sis."
Mahiru looked worried. "I see... I thought your last name sounded familiar, and not just because of the obvious. I thought maybe there was a different Kuzuryuu family for a while but..."
"Something wrong?" Shoto asked.
Mahiru sighed. "Natsumi, myself, and my friend Honami Sato from the Reserve Course were in the Photography Club in middle school. As you can imagine, my photography skills were the best out of all the group, which is how I got scouted. Sato was happy for me when she heard that. Anyway, Sato and Natsumi always seemed to be at odds with each other, and Natsumi would bully us as a result."
Fuyuhiko grunted in annoyance. "Yeah, that sounds like something she'd do alright. I hope she's not doing the same in her new class."
"I wouldn't hold my breath on that..." Hitoshi said.
"Yeah, just wishful thinking, is all..."
Meanwhile, Hajime had gone to visit Natsumi at the Reserve Course to see how she was doing. The girl was quite confident that she was above the other students in the Reserve Course, the only reason she never antagonized Hajime was that they struck up an odd friendship of sorts when they first met.
"Really, the Ultimate Little Sister?" Hajime asked dryly. "Sounds to me like you're trying more for the title of 'Ultimate Bullshitter'."
"Excuse you!" Natsumi snapped. "Do you think I care what your opinion is?! I'm getting into Hope's Peak, one way or another."
"Not with that attitude, you're not..." Hajime thought to himself.
"So...are you gonna tell me how you managed to get in?" Natsumi asked. "Any secrets you have that need spilling?"
Hajime shook his head. "There's nothing to tell. I actually could have gotten in easily, but I thought the talent I had was a pain. I actually considered taking a deal that would have netted my family some much-needed money."
"Yeah, from those crooked creeps in the Steering Committee. Good thing you didn't take that deal." Natsumi scoffed. "But you're not gonna be the only one getting into the Main Course from this dump. I'm coming too."
"And how do you plan on doing that?" Hajime asked.
Natsumi grinned in response to this. It was a sly, devious grin, which gave Hajime a twinge of unease. Whatever Natsumi was planning, it couldn't be good.
"Oh, I've got a plan. Don't you worry. It's pretty simple. I'm in the Reserve Course, remember? Meaning, that if one of the students at Hope's Peak drops out, one of us steps in to replace them. So, that's how I'm gonna get in."
"You're not planning on trying to bring me back down so you can take my spot, are you?"
Natsumi looked apprehensive. "Of course not! You're the only other person I could consider a friend in this slurry pit! Of course, there's a certain freckle-faced bitch I have in mind instead..."
Just as Natsumi said this, a tall girl with messy dark hair stomped over to her and with smoldering, furious eyes.
"Natsumi! I should have known you would still be the same conniving bitch you were in middle school! What exactly are you planning to pull?!" She growled angrily, baring her teeth. The room was dead silent as Natsumi smugly grinned at her.
"Ah, Sato! I thought I smelled something rank. So, you're still butt buddies with that little ginger twat, are you? How adorable," she cooed, with venom in her voice.
Hajime awkwardly looked back and forth between the two girls. They had gotten into a few fights before but back when he was in the Reserve Course, he had mostly been able to keep them away from each other.
"If you are scheming anything that will hurt Mahiru, I swear I will make you pay. Stay away from her, or you'll regret it!" Sato threatened, with menace in her voice.
"Oh? What's that? Are you threatening me, you gangly-haired carpet muncher?" Natsumi sneered through her teeth, as her smug smile began to crack, giving glimpses of the anger that boiled beneath it.
"It's not a threat, it's a promise, you skank!" Sato snarled. "When are you going to get it through your head that scumbags like you have no place in Hope's Peak!"
Natsumi folded her arms. "I'll do as I please, and if you know what is good for you and your little girlfriend, you'll stay out of my way. It would be a shame if things got messy."
"You don't seem to get it Natsumi! You're not going to get your way. Not this time. You just can't handle the truth. Mahiru is better than you! You're nothing!" Sato snapped. "And Hajime is better off without you as well!"
"Okay, don't go dragging me into this-" Hajime began as he prepared to break them up, only for Natsumi to speak up.
"Oh please. You've been up Mahiru's ass since middle school. You're just a love-stricken, sycophant bitch. I almost want to crush your precious Mahiru just to see the look on your face… Here's a thought. It would be a shame if something were to happen to those hands of hers." Natsumi mocked, smashing her fist on her palm to show a crushing motion.
"If you even think about touching Mahiru, I swear, I will personally end you, Natsumi!" Sato spoke with severe conviction. Natsumi was taken aback by this threat, but she tried to play it off with a wry smile.
"Oh yeah, I'm shaking in my boots. Real intimidating, seaweed hair. Now run along and pick Mahiru's pubes out of your teeth, you nasty dy-"
Natsumi was interrupted as a sound echoed through the halls. Natsumi had a red mark on her cheek and her eyes were wide with shock. Sato had just open-hand smacked her in the face. Natsumi reached up to place her hand on her cheek and her expression changed from shocked to menacing.
"You just made the worst mistake of your life! You just signed your fucking death warrant!"
Hajime cursed himself that he wasn't quick enough to grab Sato's arm. A few dozen straggler students had witnessed the encounter and the slap. They were already mumbling to each other. Hajime grabbed Natsumi's arm and tugged her away. He brought her to the balcony on the next floor above them. Once they reached it, Natsumi jerked her wrist away from him.
"Holy shit! You can let go of my arm now! Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Listen to me Natsumi! You need to stop this! This is going too far. You can't just threaten other people like this," Hajime chided, in a serious, concerned tone. "No one from Hope's Peak is going to scout you. If they find out about what you've been doing, you're going to get expelled! Hell, your brother is worried you'll just piss off the wrong people and get yourself killed!"
"He's right you know."
The two noticed Izuku coming in, a stern but gentle look in his eyes as he came in.
"Fuyuhiko-Kun has been really worried about you. You keep getting on people's bad sides left and right that you're gonna have enemies on all sides eventually." The Devil Fruit Hero said. "You need to stop before things get out of control."
"Shut up about it already! You think I don't know that?! I know that! I know that, alright?!" Natsumi yelled, as tears began welling in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. She quickly reached up to wipe them away, out of embarrassment. She turned away from the two boys and leaned on the railing, looking out at the afternoon sun, as it dipped lower and lower.
Hajime and Izuku stood there for a few moments, as Natsumi tried to collect herself and hold back her tears. She rested her head on her arms, sulking.
"I've been curious about this since we first met in the Reserve Course." Haime spoke up. "Why do you want to get into the Main Course so badly, anyway?"
"Hajime is the Ultimate Counselor. Talking might help you feel better in the long run." Izuku pointed out.
Natsumi took a while to answer. She inhaled through her nose, sniffling a bit.
"My big brother is… amazing. He carries the family name on his shoulders. Everyone has put all their hopes into him. He's everything I want to be... That's why I need to be better. I want to be by his side. I want him to be proud of me," She said, in an earnest tone.
Hajime frowned. "Okay, I can understand that. But it's not like you need a talent in order to be a good sister."
"Are you stupid? An awesome brother deserves an equally awesome sister! Nothing less. If I can't live up to that, then I don't deserve to be his sister in the first place," Natsumi insisted angrily, tears once again showing in her eyes.
"That's wrong! You know, there's more to life than having talent! Did you ever think about that!?" Izuku called out. "Have you even asked your brother what he thinks? Do you really think his love for you hinges on whether or not you can impress him with some... stupid talent?"
Hajime nodded in agreement. "Is that the only reason why you love him? If not, then why would it be the other way around?"
Natsumi looked at the two wide-eyed before looking away, a look of shame in her eyes as Izuku walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"My friends and I were eavesdropping on that fight you had with Sato in the Reserve Course. I really hope you're not actually planning on going through with that plan of yours."
"I wasn't being serious. Guaranteed success in life if you graduate? No amount of harassment I could give Mahiru would make her give that up." Natsumi clarified bitterly. "Besides, even I know it's not as simple as taking the place of an Ultimate who quits. I still need to prove my own ultimate talent. Easier said than done, since how do you quantify being the Ultimate Little Sister? Would they even accept such a weird talent?"
The younger Kuzuryuu sibling just hung her head down, a look of utter defeat on her face.
"I don't give a shit anymore. That whole plan was never gonna work anyway."
Izuku and Hajime frowned before the latter walked up and stood beside Natsumi.
"If it makes you feel any better, Fuyuhiko hasn't forgotten you. No matter how you treat him, he still see you as his cute little sister." He smiled. "You could stand to improve your social skills more, though. As the Ultimate Counselor, I might be able to help you with that."
Natsumi hummed. "I guess it couldn't hurt..."
Izuku smiled as he turned and left the two alone for the time being. However, he couldn't help but feel a chill run up his spine, as if something really serious was about to happen that would soon need him and the rest of his crew's undivided attention...
Tomura smirked as August showed him the glimpse into the future that showed the perfect candidate for the successor of All For One as well as the Steering Committee's Ultimate Hope.
"It is almost time, Tomura. Soon, All For One shall rise once more."
"Well then...GAME ON."
Things are afoot at Hope's Peak! Will Izuku and his friends be able to help Class 77-B through it?
And just who is the new candidate for the Ultimate Hope that the League of Villains have provided for the Steering Committee? You will find out in the next chapter!