Chapter 5: Lessons of History

"Midoriya Izuku, also known as Deku, is classified as one of the biggest villains of our time. For those who may not know, he originally strived to be the Number 1 Hero and even attended UA for some time. The late All Might mentored him and was a very promising hero until his own power, inherited from All Might, mysteriously began to reject him. He slowly struggled over the years and eventually left, only to re-emerge a couple of years later as a villain. As for how or why he became a villain, we don't know, but many say that there were signs that went unnoticed during his time in the limelight. You may want to research and dig into this further for your presentations."

Gran sensei lowered the remote onto the desk, "Some may be wondering why we explore him in school. The reason why is because it is vital and incredibly important that we do so, does anyone know why?"

Bean raised his hand.

"Yes Bean?" Gran sensei asked.

"That's because for years and years, everyone thought Deku would be a hero but he became a villain. So, we shouldn't judge people so easily." Bean confidently replied.

"That's right," Gran sensei praised.

"Also," Shiki interrupted, his right hand raised above his head, "Everyone ridiculed, undermined and refused to acknowledge the efforts of our current Number 1 Hero, and for years most people assumed that he would be a villain."

Gran sensei looks into Shiki's eyes. She could see the strength and love that Katsuki had nurtured. "Yes, that's right. Despite the opposition, Todoroki Katsuki proved them wrong, which in turn exposed a lot of wrongdoing that had been going on in and around UA at the time. But that's a conversation for another time. I am proud to see that, as a school, we have grown, and that we ourselves, as teachers and students, have also grown. We have learned from our mistakes."

Smiling, she asks a few students to pass around the history research books as well as a few laptops, whilst keeping an eye on Shiki.

After school, Shiki and Kon walk home. Kon notices Shiki's crestfallen expression and lightly tugs his sleeve to grab his attention, "You okay?"

Shiki nods ever so slightly. Kon tugs once more, forcing Shiki to raise his head. Despite now facing him, Shiki's eyes remained glued to the ground.

Shiki sighs, "He was brought up in class today."

Kon nods, "I know. You want to talk about it?"

Shiki shakes his head. He turns to continue walking but freezes. "Wait, how do you know, you weren't in class? Where were you anyway? Mum's going to kill you."

Kon couldn't help but smile seeing that Shiki was finally making eye contact, "I was there."

"No you weren't." Shiki glared.

"I was," Kon grinned, "In my own way."

Shiki groans, "Actually, forget it, I don't want to know."

Kon laughs, making Shiki smile as they both continue walking back home.

After a minute of silence passes, Shiki asks, "Don't tell mom."

"I won't," Kon replies without hesitation. He was no longer smiling. "He should already know but I'll warn Sei and Dad. Akito already knows."

"Wait, Akito knows?" Shiki interrupts Kon, "How?"

Kon sighs, "They also mentioned him in their lesson today."

"That's weird," Shiki states.

Kon nods in response.

"You mind doing me a favour?" Shiki asks.

"Oh, a background check on that particular person?" Kon grins.

"What! No! Wait, how do you know!?" Shiki snaps.

Kon laughs at Shiki's reaction, "Don't forget, there is nothing I can't find out."

Shiki shivers, knowing full well how skilled Kon is when it comes to obtaining information. "Forget that, can you find out as much as you can about the disappearances?"

"Oh, those?" Kon perks up, "Yeah, I've been digging into it in my spare time. It's a weird one."

"A weird one?" Shiki asks, "How so?"

"Well, everything I have ever needed to investigate has links to things one way or another. No matter what you do, traces will always be left, if not physical, then subconscious links due to familiarity etcetera."

"You lost me," Shiki groans.

"Basically, whether you like it or not, everything has a connection. You don't pick someone out at random, it may feel random, but your subconscious guides you to a choice that is most familiar, whether you know it or not."

"Oh, yeah!" Shiki smiles, "I totally understand what you mean."

"No you don't," Kon glares.

"I don't" Shiki smiles. "But can you do it?"

Groaning at the stupid yet effective antics of his brother, Kon nods. "I'll get it to you by morning."

"Thanks." Shiki replies.

As they got closer to their house, Kon glances at Shiki, a grin plastered on his face. He slides his backpack off his shoulder and pulls out a thin folder. "But it's sad you know."

"What is?" Shiki asks, now looking at the folder.

"I spent so much time on this!" he waves the folder in front Shiki. "You sure you don't want it?"

Shiki stares at the folder in confusion before looking at Kon. Seeing Kon's grin he clocked on. "You little-"

"Well, that's too bad, I'll just throw it away." Kon skips ahead, waving the folder above his head.

Shiki notices Kon heading toward their house bin, which was outside their house. He looks at the bin then back at the folder, then back at the bin. Every second felt like sand slipping through his fingers.

tick-tock-tick-tock-tick tock

"WAIT!"

—

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