Here with another one shot! Could be expanded later on, but right now no plans on doing so, hence a one shot.
Like a couple of my recent one shots, this one is inspired by another fic I remember seeing. This time I remember the fic, called "Failure To Explode" by Barid (Finale) where due to an incident hero schools are required to have new students seeking to enter the hero course to earn rescue points. Due to this Bakugou does not get into U.A while Izuku still does. I did stop reading it however due to it revealing that it will have yaoi (gay pairing for those who may not know what that is) in it as I'm not a fan of that type of stuff. That said, I wanted to have a go at something like this, mainly for my own ideas that I thought out to be used that could appear for future stories and whatnot. You'll see what I mean.
This will probably suck but I will have fun with it anyway. Probably will be shorter compared to the other recent one shots I've done too.
Enjoy, or not, I don't care you all have your opinions.
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Nezu looked around the long table that he sat at, eyeing the many other principals of other hero schools across the country that were present. Those who couldn't make it physically instead took part through computer screens or holograms. He could even see the principal of Shiketsu presence, the woman sitting near the principal of Ketsubutsu, the man too looking among the many gathered here for this meeting. It was a rarity when so many principals were gathered in one place, yet it clear this meeting was important.
It wasn't just them either, near the front of the room, All Might, Endeavor and Hawks were present too. The three top heroes having been called to attend this meeting believed them to be important to be around for whatever this meeting was about to go over. All Might, despite his always present smile, was noticeably unsure of what this meeting was going to go over. Nezu couldn't really blame him, unsure of what this was going to discuss either.
Nezu looked up far ahead at the man sitting with authority before the gathered hero school principles. A black suited man with long black hair that reached his waist, with long locks of it going over his shoulder with a few bangs over his dark blue eyes. His expression neutral while two Pro Heroes stood by each of his side, one looked to be a towering man covered in dark purple armor resembling a mixture between a medieval knight and a samurai, while the other was a pale curvaceous woman with dark green chin length bob hair with bangs covering her right purple eye wearing a skintight black suit with silver armor paddings in certain places.
The U.A. Principal refocused his attention to the long black haired man. Kou Hidaka, the new president of the Hero Public Safety Commission.
Not too long ago, Japan held elections where the Rising Sun Party, a party that formed a few decades ago, managed to make landslide gains giving them a supermajority in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, with the leader now as the new Prime Minister. Admittingly nowadays since quirks became the norm, most people don't really pay too much attention to the political world as often as they used too, more focus on heroes and quirks. After the election was over, everyone went about their lives, refocusing on things personal or about heroes. Nezu admittingly was among them, figuring things would simply continue like normal like they always do.
Until one of the very first things the new National Diet did was pass legislation that fully absorbed the HPSC under the direct control of the Ministry of Defense.
Now, while the HPSC was always a government body, it had near if not total freedom to do what it pleased as long as it didn't go against current laws. Even how the president was normally picked was left as an internal thing within the organization. As long as they didn't go against what current laws exist or pass by the main Japanese Government, they had full reign regarding heroism and quirks-related issues and regulation. But now it was under full control of the main Japanese Government, with the new Minister of Defense replacing and picking the new HPSC President. Who in turn then replaced officials below him, who in then replaced those who were under them and so on.
In short, the HPSC was a far different beast then they were not even half a year ago. A beast that Nezu had no idea what to expect from.
Nezu put a pause to his thoughts, seeing Hidaka standing up from his seat. Arms folded behind his back; all attention was now upon him.
"I won't waste time and get to the matter at hand," Kou begun to speak, every paying close attention, "The Hero System isn't what it once was. Over the years since the profession of heroism came on the rise, all sorts of individuals regardless of their quirks were allowed in to aid in keeping the peace. But this eventually drew in those who cared not about protecting Japan and her citizens but gaining wealth, popularity and reputation. All while many hold nothing but arrogance and egos who would abandon their allies and civilians for a chance to get a drop of glory or a bump in rankings. Heroes are more so celebrities, only wishing to sell merchandise and look good while doing the bare minimum that is required of them. In short, the profession of heroics has harmed the very concept of heroism."
Nezu blinked from all this, while many principals seemed to ponder over the words spoken so far. Even All Might, Endeavor and Hawks were surprised from the topic pondering on it. But the U.A. Principal knew there was some truth to the president's words. There were those who only cared for looking good in front of the cameras and just wanting fortune and fame. But for it to seemingly get bad enough for the HPSC to bring it up, it's clear to Nezu that this was leading to one thing.
"Thus, there will be reform," Kou told them all just as Nezu predicted. That seemed to surprise many others present in the meeting, but Nezu understood it was rather surprising considering how nothing indicated for such sudden drastic change of the status quo, "This is where you all come in. Entrance Exams will soon be upon you, but all of you must ensure you are seeking quality over quantity, regardless of one's quirk. Stricter character examinations to ascertain if they have a true sense of justice and care for the wellbeing of the people for the Written Exams, along with increase emphasis on ethnics and understanding of current law. A mandatory requirement of a certain number of rescue points earned from Practice Exams, with greater emphasis on those who earn more rescue points than villain points."
Kou stared at the principals gathered, while the two heroes by his side remained silent and while All Might, Endeavor and Hawks listened in and watched the scene before them.
"Each of you may develop your own plan to implement until a universal one is developed. But know that these requirements are mandatory. Any hero school that fails to implement such changes will be disciplined in the form of licenses allowing you to operate as a hero school being revoked," Kou informed them, but Nezu could sense the threat underneath his words. It was a warning not to be taken lightly, that was clear to him while the president continued, "Do know that similar tests and study sessions will be placed upon those already employed as heroes to ensure they meet the requirements to keep operating as such."
Kou then glanced towards the top three heroes, getting their attention.
"These tests and sessions will be done from the top down." Kou informed them, getting them to be slightly surprised by this. Hawks looked a bit puzzled, as if he wasn't sure if that meant him too considering his existing history with the HPSC. But now Nezu understood why they were called here too, to be informed of their own reevaluations they must undertake if they wish to remain as heroes. Nezu has no doubt All Might would be fine, but perhaps a freshen up course for certain subjects for him to go over wouldn't hurt to be on the safe side.
The HPSC president then faced back towards the gathered principals.
"That will be all for now. Whatever plans you come up with to implement are to be sent to us for approval to ensure it matches the quality desired. Otherwise, that is all. You may be dismissed." Hou finished.
With that the meeting ended, with the president turning to take his leave with the two Pro Heroes by his side. He glanced to the top three heroes once more, motioning Hawks to follow him to which the top three hero did. They left the room, leaving the rest to their own devices.
Nezu wondered how this will go. After all the HPSC never did have say or cared about how hero schools ran their entrance exams, but now that has changed. But he did like a challenge, so he had faith that he and the rest of U.A. would meet their requirements without issue. Best to discuss this with the rest of his school's staff to see how to go about it.
'MONTHS LATER, RIGHT AFTER THE ENTRANCE EXAM'
Nemuri Kayama went over the applicants and their results along with the rest of the staff. Nezu calming drinking from his teacup, observing and aiding in deciding who went where and who passed and who didn't. All sorts of talent having pass through the gates of U.A. hoping to succeed in the fields they sought.
"Sixty rescue points to a student for one act? Even when breaking his limbs in the process?" She heard Aizawa question towards the principal, who placed his teacup down before responding to her friend.
"He went on in to rescue someone from apparently danger while all the others fled, taking down one of our biggest and toughest robots despite knowing he would gain nothing from it," Nezu informed the black haired man, face neutral all the while, "Plus, according to his file, he's among the extreme rarity of those who only manifested their quirks recently. And U.A. has the resources available to help him with any control he may struggle. It wouldn't be the first time in U.A.'s history a late bloomer enrolled into the hero course and come out successful."
Nemuri looked down at the applicant file of the student in question among the many other applicants, a boy named Izuku Midoriya, and on his file was what Nezu stated. Seeing the boy's picture, it was hard to believe someone like that manifested the kind of quirk capable of taking down the Zero Pointer in a singe punch. Almost like a smaller, green All Might, only more cute. But she knew that was just her own preferences talking. Plus, he passed the Written exam as one of the top scorers. Add that in with getting solely rescue points he was a shoe in without more discussion.
"I'm sure he will be fine Aizawa. Like Nezu says, we have the resources to help him gain better control with his quirk. Besides, someone getting nothing but rescue points is remarkable itself. I don't think the school ever had someone like that have we?" Nemuri assured her friend, before asking that last tidbit. She couldn't recall anyone passing with only rescue points from her time as a teacher anyway.
"Nope! All Might holds the record of having the most rescue points, but he still had some villain points adding to his total score. This is a first in U.A.'s history." Nezu answered her question with a smile on his face.
"All Might also had the highest total score from what I looked. It has been broken by a Katsuki Bakugou, but…"Snipe interjected before trailing off, holding up an applicant file of said student in his hand. This got the other's attention looking his way.
"But what?" Yamada asked, with Nemuri wondering the same thing.
"He didn't get a single rescue point, only villain points. If anything, he seemed to go out of his way NOT to help or even warn the other applicants. Not only that, but certain aspects of the Written Exam showed that he seemed to only care about fighting villains than prioritizing saving civilians. Not exactly showing a good sense of justice if I'm allowed to admit." Snipe explained, hanging the applicant file towards Nezu who took it to see.
Nemuri couldn't help but sigh from that. When Nezu and them came up with a new standard for the Practice and Written Exams as mandated by the HPSC, they made sure to add scenarios and increase focus on character examination for the Written Exam taken by those seeking to join the hero course while developing it in a way that would make it difficult to just lie on paper. As for the Practice Exam, they decided to make it mandatory a minimum of five rescue points needed for one to have a chance of passing the exam. Looks like all this came in handy if someone with that kind of mindset wanted to be a hero.
"Then he won't be accepted. Breaking a record of points mean nothing if he's that careless enough that could get someone killed. Nor does it matter if he thinks fighting villains is more important than saving lives." Kan believed, leaning back in his seat with his arms crossed. In his eyes this was easily decided. He didn't get the rescue points required and he failed the Written Exam, so he wasn't accepted into the school.
The teachers and staff agreed on this before continuing onward with the rest of the applicants. Nemuri figured that the boy would have applied to other hero schools and maybe do better on them. Though considering the other hero schools' standards in place that may equal if not surpass U.A's new requirements, the dark purple haired woman doubted that he would have an easier time with them.
'A WEEK LATER'
Katsuki had to be having a nightmare. There was no way this was right. The ash blonde reread the letter sent to him by U.A., hoping that he was just imagining things and it didn't say what it said. But no matter what it said the same thing.
He didn't make it. He failed the Entrance Exam. He wasn't going to U.A.
The teenager gripped the rejection letter intensely, giving everything he had to not tear the letter to shreds or blow it up to ashes. Teeth were gritted, and he had the urge to scream. Yet he refused to break down like some pathetic weakling.
How? How did he fail? He destroyed so many of those robots. That should have counted for something right? Was it the Written Exam? It was the only thing he could think of that could have doomed him in. But he studied so much, making sure that he would have aced it! But was it not enough?
He didn't apply to any of the other courses at U.A. He didn't even apply for other hero schools. Bakugou was so sure that would have made it into U.A, so confident that he didn't see the need to apply elsewhere or for the other U.A. courses. Now? Now he would have to go some local district high school. Unable to chase after his dream.
This wasn't how things were meant to go. He was supposed to enter U.A, prove he was the best, and then become a hero even greater than All Might! But now… he couldn't. he can't.
…If there was one tiny bright side to this, is that if he failed then Deku did too. But that alone didn't help with the feeling of rejection, anger and sadness he was trying so hard to fight against.
'ONE DAY LATER, ALDERA JUNIOR HIGH'
Izuku would admit that he was nervous as he entered the classroom. Thankfully none of the students paid much attention towards him, minding their own businesses as they waited for class to start. Taking his seat, the dark green haired boy already getting his books out in preparation for class.
It was still hard to believe that he managed to make it into U.A. Like a dream he was almost afraid of waking up from. But he made it. All he had to do is get through the last week of Middle School then he was good to go.
Not long after he settled in, he heard Kacchan stomp into the class, the reason for his nervousness… only for it give way to confusion seeing how upset the Explosion-Quirk user seemed over something. Why was he upset? Izuku figured he would be happy considering he got into U.A. Unless Kacchan somehow already found out that he made it into U.A. too. Izuku wouldn't even know how he would have found that out, but he couldn't help but still think of it. But considering he just went to his seat with the most furious expression Izuku ever saw, it must have not been that. Unless he was waiting until the school day ended. Wouldn't be the first time.
Eventually what remaining few students arrived, and their homeroom teacher stood up from his desk. Adjusting the papers on his desk, the man had a bored look on his face like he normally does.
"Congratulations to all of you. We've got a range of acceptances to all sorts of high schools," The homeroom teacher didn't even bother to sound happy or excited for them, getting a few students to deadpanned at him which went ignored, "We'll go about this through seat arrangement, starting from the back. First is…"
From there Izuku just simply listened, while the homeroom teacher continue to list each student name and their acceptance to whatever school and course they got into. He just hoped that when its announced how he and Kacchan got into U.A, the latter wouldn't try to do anything to him to demand how he got into U.A. also. Sure, maybe not in the class outside of yelling, but once the day was over with…
"Izuku Midoriya has been accepted as the sole student into U.A.'s Hero Department." The homeroom teacher announced once it got to him, boredom still in his voice.
A record scratch played in Izuku's head while he froze. He didn't notice how the other students looked his way with utter surprise from this revelation. Izuku was the only one accepted into U.A? Then… did that mean Kacchan…?
"What?" Izuku froze upon how quiet Kacchan quiet sounded upon hearing that. That was bad, Kacchan was never that quiet. He didn't even need to look his way to feel the burning stare of appall and fury coming from Kacchan. Didn't help that the others in the classroom started whispering to themselves about him making it while Bakugou didn't.
The rest of the day seemed like a blur. Kacchan's fury was evident even without him speaking a word. Izuku could only feel his gaze aimed his way whenever it was possible for the Explosion-Quirk user to do so.
Once the last class ended and school was done for today, Izuku tried his best to leave as quick as he could. Passing other students, he could faintly hear them whisper and gossip amongst themselves, sending looks his ways. No doubt the whole school at this point learned that he made it into U.A. while Kacchan didn't. He didn't like it, didn't like the looks he was receiving from most of the student body while he tried to leave the school grounds. The dark green haired teen would have preferred if they just ignored him like most of them used to do until today.
He made it outside of the school building, heading near the front gate…
"DEKUUUU!"
Izuku flinched as he stopped. He was so close too.
He nervously turned around to see Kacchan marching up towards him with none of his usual friends or lackeys or whatever they were to the ash blonde with him. The word fury wouldn't describe the sheer rage and hate that he was exerting towards the dark green haired teen.
"Ka-!" Izuku didn't even get to finish before finding himself being grabbed and pulled by the collar of his uniform, nervous green eyes meeting enraged red ones.
"HOW THE F**K DID YOU CHEAT?! THERE'S NO WAY A QUIRKLESS NOBODY LIKE YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IN U.A.! I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET INTO U.A! NOT YOU! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO LIVE MY DREAM AND TAKE IT FROM ME?!" Kacchan roared. Even all these years and the insults and bullying, Izuku never heard him sound so furious.
Izuku didn't know what to say. He knew saying anything would only make things worse no matter how he would try to explain himself. Already he saw his other hand beginning to pop with mini explosions. Izuku shut his eyes, already expecting what comes next.
Only for a hand to grab Kacchan and pull him off of Izuku before anything could happen, causing Midoriya to fall onto his butt. Both students met with a face of a teacher who looked frustrated from what he saw.
"Bakugou! You're coming with me to the Principal's office, now!" The teacher demanded, shocking Kacchan before he was dragged away, uncaring that the school day was over.
Izuku breathed to ease himself, watching Kacchan being dragged back into the school building. Right, normally Kacchan would try to get physical somewhere where no teachers would be present. Not out in the open near the front gate. He must have been too furious to even think about that.
Noticing the glances from other students around him who saw the whole exchanged, Izuku quickly got onto his feet and bolted away from school grounds to head on home.
Even when on the way home, Izuku couldn't help but think over what Kacchan accused him of. How did him succeeding while Kacchan didn't meant that he stole his dream from him? He didn't seriously blame him for not making it into U.A. did he? Yes he was shocked that Kacchan didn't make it since he always thought he would easily be able to do so considering his quirk and good grades. But if he failed, wasn't that on Kacchan alone? Izuku had nothing to do with how U.A. decided on who makes it into their school and who doesn't. It's not his fault, so why did Kacchan blame him for it?
Izuku couldn't help but gain a sad frown. Maybe… as much as he didn't want to think like this, maybe it was for the best. Kacchan would always be mad at him no matter what he did. Perhaps with them going to separate schools and separate ways… perhaps it was time to accept that no matter what, he would never be able to regain Kacchan's friendship. That it was time to just leave him out of his next chapter of his life. Perhaps it's for the best for the both of them to just leave each other alone and focus on the future.
Even thinking that made Izuku sad, but he thinks it needs to be done.
Eventually, the rest of the week passes and thus Middle School came to an end. Kacchan never bothered him again after that day, even when he seemed to glare at him when Izuku thought he wasn't looking. Maybe the school gave him a warning, or maybe his parents? Either way, Kacchan left him alone, and Izuku left him alone. As the remaining days pass, the anger and fury Kacchan had dissipated; only seemed defeated by how his life would go onward. Despite what Izuku thought, he couldn't help but feel bad for him, only silently wishing his former childhood friend luck on whatever he went on to do with his life.
As the final day came to a close, so too did a chapter on Izuku's life. But now, a new one was about to begin at the gates of U.A. High.
Admittingly I thought of adding more, such as Izuku's first day at U.A. High meeting those in class 1-A, but I figured this was fine. After all, it was about the changes mandated by the HPSC that would lead to Bakugou failing the U.A. Entrance Exam and Izuku simply accepting that they were both going their own way and thinking it's for the best for the two of them.
The idea shown with the Japanese Government and the HPSC was something I thought of for a while now, not just for this little one shot but for story ideas in general. There will be most likely future one shots or stories involving this concept though I'm unsure when I'll get to them. Maybe the government is actually trying to do its best and desire to make changes to improve things even if they may be rocking the boat so to speak. Or maybe there's something more mysterious and/or sinister happening behind the scenes for a greater unknown purpose. Something I did thought we might have gotten in a way when first seeing the MLA and the Hearts and Minds party in canon but that didn't really go anywhere.
Plus, I always found it odd that in a lot of stories, including some pretty popular ones, that they have the HPSC be this super influential force that can create and enforce laws on the fly and have total control of everything (including the world's entire hero systems) when they clearly don't have that in canon. One story I remember seeing had the HPSC going full corrupt and making that anyone who watches or comment on a video involving villains and/or vigilantes count as a crime and an act of villainy when I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have that kind of authority, so it just seems weird to me. That and while they do have issues and morally questionable choices, it's shown that the way they were before the Re-Destro clone wiped them out was them actually toning it down from beforehand during Lady Nagant's time. The old lady president having disagreed with the former president's ways of doing things and one of the reasons she had Lady Nagant imprisoned was to make sure she didn't get executed. Yes they were still doing morally questionable things and had Hawks do immoral actions, but it was less then they initially were before Hawks' time and seemed to genuinely think they were doing the right thing instead of being horrible jerks for horrible jerks' sake. Makes more sense if you have the main government fully taking over the HPSC under their control and then going somewhere with that. At least I think so.
Who knows, maybe I'll come back to this one and make it into a story in the future (Though if I do it won't be anytime soon). Certain things I thought of included certain students from 1-A and 1-B switched places along with a certain blood loving cute girl being found and trained by agents of the HPSC and sent to U.A. thus becoming part of 1-A taking Bakugou's place.
Anyway, what did you all think? Good? Bad? Want me to kill myself? Let me know,
See you all next time, whenever that will be.