Heroes in the Dark: Class 1A Interlude (chapter 16.5)
(Author's Note: thank you all for your patience! If you couldn't tell already, this is a side chapter covering over the effects of the Villain Alliances' actions on the rest of the class. I'll do more of these if the opportunity presents itself and they don't get in the way of normal chapters. This was actually quite interesting to do.)
That damn Bird.
Bakugou sat himself down in his usual seat by the window. Technically there was still ten days left of summer break, but between the invasion of the forest camp and its catastrophic aftermath, it was deemed essential that everyone prepare themselves further before the start of the next semester. UA had finally resumed some of their classes, but it couldn't have come soon enough. The days following that event had been a special kind of hell on par with his actual abduction. He should've been relieved to be back here, where he could continue to build himself into the hero he knew he could be. Or at least, what he was supposed to be. Lately he'd been riddled with doubts. The overall pressure from media coverage and questioning from the school faculty had left his nerves on edge, and by now his classmates knew not to approach him regarding anything. It sucked, and he hated it, but he was so done with everything that he could hardly even focus. But that's to be expected. Everyone was grieving.
It's all his fault. That's the phrase that kept cycling through his mind. It would be so much easier to think that. He saw everything that happened, clearer than any of the heroes present. The image of Tokoyami losing control of his quirk in the Villain Hideout right as All Might came to save the day was permanently seared into his mind. Because as much as he tried to dismiss it, he'd been the one to trigger it. He'd called the student's strength and determination into question, producing a truly expected outcome. And like a cruel domino effect, it had stricken the Symbol of Justice. That…was less expected.
How was I supposed to know All Might was coming for us? I was just doing what I could. But obviously I should've known we were being saved. Maybe…maybe if I hadn't caused such an outrage, if I'd just stayed put like Tokoyami instead of making a mess of things. I can't keep doing that. It's too destructive. I know that's what it is. This incident had served as yet another bleak reminder that he needed to stop acting out of line. Starting with the Sludge Incident – which in a cruel twist of fate was now only his first kidnapping from a villain – that had ended in lives being at risk and thousands of dollars in property damage thanks to his reckless explosions. Then his intimidating display of rage at the Sports Festival winning ceremony had drawn more unwanted attention than he could ever want. And finally…he couldn't even do anything right in this last event that had ended in a truly horrid outcome. Weren't they being trained to face off against villains? How useless. Nothing could've prepared him for that. He wasn't even of any use during the villain's invasion on the camp. The most he was able to accomplish there was getting Tokoyami's quirk under control after it had defeated that monstrous human Moonfish. And yet he wasn't able to do the same thing where it really mattered. Instead he'd gotten captured, said some things he shouldn't have, proved he couldn't keep his temper under control, and…gotten All Might killed.
Bakugou's pencil snapped violently in his hand. With a dejected growl, he let it fall to the desk. He couldn't be bothered anymore. Almost two weeks had passed since then, and yet he was still being plagued by these thoughts. It had occurred at one point that this might not be healthy, but he'd be damned if he went to someone about it. He'd much rather channel it into anger that can be taken out the one way he knew how.
On the edge of his vision, he saw a pencil creep within his reach from behind him. That damn Deku. Sticking his nose where it didn't belong. Bakugou didn't readily accept it, but rather watched with angry red eyes as Midoriya had to stretch just to put the replacement pencil on his desk. Refusing to acknowledge him further, his gaze traveled back to the window. Apparently the nerd had gone through a lot of trouble with the stunts he pulled. Over and over, always the hero. But now it hurt just to look at him, the utter mess. His injuries had been nothing to sneeze at, sure, but those had inevitably healed just fine. After All Might's death, it was clear to see the impact it had on him compared to the other students. He was a bit quieter, more withdrawn. But also reserved, as though he had some sort of new responsibility. Bakugou remembered his expression when All Might had pointed at the camera in some sort of grand final action. "You're next." Those words had resonated far and wide, but he had this feeling, no this knowledge, that they were meant for Deku. And then…they were standing next to each other when their cheers over All Might's triumph had turned to wails of dismay as the hero fell to the ground.
He did so much to come and rescue us. I can't imagine it was worth it.
"Bakugou, are you still with us?" Aizawa demanded. "You should pay more attention. Class has started."
Bakugou tore his eyes away from some far off place. Despite the time that had passed, his feelings on the incident hadn't done much to waver, preferring to fester inside him. He got the distinct notion that being surrounded by his classmates was making it worse, but he wasn't about to do anything that might call attention to it. And yet it was painfully clear. Looking around the room, nobody seemed particularly thrilled to have to be continuing their classes as though nothing was wrong. As though the greatest hero and teacher of their era wasn't gone. And the empty seat where Tokoyami used to sit offered up another somber reminder: they weren't safe, no matter how strong they were or who they had to protect them. Sure they were moved into these new dorms for the sake of their protection, but the villains have done more than enough to prove just what they were capable of. If someone like Tokoyami was still in the grasp of the villains, then what chance did any one of them have? He sure as hell didn't fare much better. In fact, Bakugou shuddered to think what position he'd be in now if not for Kirishima. And even that had been a close call. Back during the height of the battle, when he was desperately trying to reach them, he couldn't have known that the person he thought was Tokoyami at his side was actually that demented transforming girl. That encounter could've so easily been lethal…if not for Kirishima's quirk. After everything that had happened, he was the one person he allowed to get close to him. It was hard to ignore someone that lived in the dorm room right next to you.
Aizawa scoured the room for empty seats as he took attendance. He looked even more tired than usual, which was saying a lot. "Come on, everyone. It's our first day back for the semester. You could afford to be a bit less glum," Aizawa said, even as his own face was a mask of exhaustion and sorrow. But still he stood as a central figure for the students to look up to in the absence of All Might. "And why isn't Aoyama here yet? Everyone needs to be here, this is important."
Bakugou looked over to the empty seat in the front. Sure enough, that sparkling nerd was absent. It was his loss if he didn't have what it takes to be a hero. Although admittedly it was a bit unnerving to have someone usually so enthusiastic not be here during such a critical time. Bakugou had heard that the student had been found protecting some other students who'd been hurt by the rampant gas, apparently pretty close to where the villains had taken their final leave from the forest with him and Tokoyami in tow. Bakugou didn't know all of what was going on during that time, but he bet that bastard could've done something to diminish the turmoil.
Aizawa continued when nobody offered up any sort of response or excuse. "Just make sure to fill him in on what's happening when you see him. Alright, and then Toko –" He stopped himself quickly before fully acknowledging the only other seat left empty. But everyone noticed anyway. Shouji, Midoriya, and Tsuyu looked back at the noticeably vacant desk. They'd all been part of the effort to get them back the first time around in the forest, for as much help as that had been.
Aizawa coughed awkwardly into his sleeve, getting everyone's attention back to him. "Now I know tension is still running a little high and we're all having to deal with a lot of changes, but that's even more of a reason to be focusing on becoming the next generation of heroes. It's important to stay on track with your studies. That way, you all can move forward in the hopes of attaining your provisional hero licenses. The test for that is coming up soon and I need you all to be ready for that. They're a serious responsibility, and reaching the qualifications to get one is difficult. Even the average yearly passing rate for just the provisional license exam is only about 50%. So try not to miss class if you can help it pay careful attention. I went through the trouble of planning out a special training day. With that in mind, let's go forward. Starting today, each one of you…will be devising at least two new super moves!" The classroom door slammed open and in streamed the likes of pro heroes Midnight, Ectoplasm, and Cementoss.
That seemed to lift the spirits of the students significantly. They were out of their seats in an instant, ready and willing to head to the gym for this new spectacle.
You useless bastards sure are quick to shift your attention despite everything. How many of you are even aware of what's happening around us? UA's in more trouble now than ever and you don't even want to acknowledge it. Don't just fucking pretend like everything is fine. Bakugou glared at all the excited faces beaming in the room before finally settling on Midoriya, sitting directly behind him like always. His hair was a tangled, unkempt mess, his eyes puffy from lack of sleep. He also didn't quite share his classmates' excitement. But still he resonated with determination, as though he wasn't willing to let anything get him down so long as he continued to strive towards being a hero. Everything's not fine. You know this as much as me, Deku.
Everyone was already starting to leave their desks, following the teachers to the gym. Aizawa watched as the room began to empty. Kirishima was waiting anxiously besides the door for him to get up with everyone else, but he remained seated a moment longer. When Midoriya got up from his own desk and began to pass by him, Bakugou grabbed his sleeve. "Dekuuu," he growled quietly with animalistic integrity. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
Without hesitation, the usually mousy kid turned to him sharply. "I'm doing what I can to keep going."
"Then maybe you shouldn't be trying to help me," Bakugou spat.
Midoriya grimaced. He looked down at him sadly, which did nothing but further his own hatred of the nerd. "I-I'm sorry you think like that. But you're not doing yourself any favors like this. Are you doing alright?"
For some reason that hit him harder than it really should have. He yanked his hand back as though the very fabric of Deku's sleeve was burning him. "You're looking down on me again. Worry more about yourself before meddling with other people's business. Otherwise you're gonna get hurt like nothing you've ever experienced before." Those last words hung in the air like a threat.
"I'm just glad you're back. I'd hate to face you as a villain," Midoriya said with a sigh. Then he was already walking away from the confrontation. As though it didn't even concern him.
Kirishima came up to him after witnessing their exchange. "Hey man, you doing okay?" He stepped back as Bakugou finally hoisted himself out of his seat.
"Doing just fine," Bakugou grumbled. He took one last scornful look at Tokoyami's lifeless desk before making his way out of the classroom in the wake of everyone else. They were the only ones in here now, with the exception of Aizawa still waiting impatiently for the room to be cleared. "Let's go wreck some shit with some new moves. That'll make me feel better."