Twelve hours.
That's how long it took to fly all of the way from America to Japan with her husband.
Twelve long, agonizing, hours. Hours of not knowing what had happened to her son, hours of worrying and stress. Her feet creating a groove in the airport terminal as she walked back in forth.
It didn't help that she was traveling with her husband...a man that was all but withering away. While she was barrelling through things like a bat out of hell she also had to make sure that he was not far behind.
Normally, she would have worried more for him, argued against him traveling in his condition...but his doctor said it was ok for him to travel so long as he has a place to stay once he got there.
Him taking that trip once was probably ok, more than that and they were pushing it.
In all honesty she should have told him to stay in America but one look at each other and they both knew that that was never going to happen. So they both went, leaning on each other for comfort as they took the long journey back home.
It kind of reminded her of their younger days together...the whole situation would have even been nice if their situation was any different...
As soon as they got off the plane and onto Japanese soil they were already hailing a cab. Going from a long jet lagged flight to a not as long cab ride to the hospital.
They didn't even take their luggage home, just threw it in the back of the cab as they lugged all of their things in large leather cases to see their son.
When they finally made it to the massive white building they knew that their son was staying in they were exhausted. Every movement and action weighing them down and pulling them farther towards the ground.
After talking with the doctor they were relieved to hear that their son had not sustained any injuries, only suffering from a major case of quirk exhaustion. He told them that he was unsure how long he would be out but that he mostly needed to rest in order to regain his energy.
So...they waited. For three days they waited, making sure not to leave his side for long.
It was on the 1st night that this happened...
Slowly walking through the halls of the hospital Inko Midoriya let out a small yawn, her short pudgy silhouette casted through the warm glow of hospital light bulbs.
Turning her head she made sure to wave at any of the nice nurses as she passed by, feeling nothing but appreciative for everything they have done for them.
Maybe when this was all over she could bring them a nice basket or something? God knows they need it.
Walking back into the room her son was sleeping in she smiled softly in the doorway. Her son laid in his bed, unmoving, the slow rhythmic movement of his chest moving up and down being the one thing telling everyone that he was ok. Not far away her husband laid back in an old hospital chair, his face pressed up against the glass window of the room as he snored...
She'll have to take him home soon so he could sleep in an actual bed...at least for a little bit. There was no way that sleeping like that was healthy for him, especially with his condition.
But what really made her smile was the sight of Itsuka Kendo as she sat diligently next to her sleeping son. She was staring down at him as if she was a silent protector, the faint light almost making her look like an ethereal spirit from another world. Standing in the doorway to the room she watched as the red headed girl reached a comforting hand out before stopping herself, her fingers hanging directly over her son's hand before she pulled away. The poor thing jumping a little in place when she entered, snapping her out of whatever thought she was thinking.
She couldn't help but giggle at the startled look she gave her.
Cute.
"Itsuka sweetheart, isn't it about time you went home? Visiting hours ended at least thirty minutes ago."
And that was being a little generous towards her.
Looking back at her defiantly the red headed woman looked like she was going to say something before yawning, any of the fight in her leaving instantly.
"I'm not tired..."
Ok...maybe not ALL of her fight.
"Looks pretty tired to me." Shaking her head Inko smiled before walking over to her. "Come, your mom is going to pick you up soon. Let me walk you out."
Blushing Itsuka smiled back before taking her things and heading out of the room.
Walking side by side the two women moved in relative silence.
"I don't get why I have to go home while you two get to stay long after visiting hours were over." The younger woman huffed.
Letting out a small chuck Inko waved a hand off. "That's because we're family sweetheart. You aren't family, yet. Once you marry in, then, we can talk."
A teasing wink was all it took to stop Itsuka Kendo in her tracks.
She so loved teasing Itsuka and her son. They both made it so incredibly easy to do, the two always getting so red and locking up like something out of a cartoon.
It was adorable.
Young love was certainly a beautiful thing, she just wished the two weren't so oblivious about it...
Frowning back at her Itsuka's cheeks turned red as they made their way down and out into the cool air.
Itsuka didn't even try to argue with her this time which was probably a good sign, the two must have gotten closer since she was gone.
Parked near the entrance was Hada Kendo's car, the old beat up truck rumbling and shaking as it danced in place.
Watching Itsuka get loaded up into Hada's car the two older women shared a look before they parted ways, making sure to wave as they left. Watching the two red headed woman drive out of sight in their car she stared off into the darkness a little longer then she should have. Using the small gap of quiet to get her barings.
Shifting her foot she closed her eyes and let out a long, drawn out breath. Blowing out air as if it was the first time she had ever breathed.
She had to be strong. For her family and the Kendos.
Inko Midoriya was always a crier ever since she was little, crying over the smallest things. Her mother once told her they came from a long line of emotional people, every negative emotion coming back so much harder then they did with normal people. She always hated it but at the end of the day it was just how she was.
But now was not the time for tears, she could cry later once it was all over. For now, she would stand tall, for the people she cared for.
Turning after a long moment of catching her breath and trying to center herself again Inko started to head back inside. Only stopping her step when she heard the sound of footsteps and her name being called out from the dark.
"Inko!"
It was...a voice she hadn't heard in years. A bitter sweet sound filled with a history of friendship and lose . It was a conflicting concoction of both happiness and anger.
Turning her head she swallowed back her tears as Mitsuki Bakugo stood before her.
"Hello Mrs. Bakugo, its been a long time." She said as gently as she could despite everything. Immediately she could tell that her words cut into her old friend deep, the taller blonde haired woman staggering back. A part of Inko wanted to take it back but it was already said. "What are you doing here at this hour? I was told that visiting hours were over for everyone but family."
Swallowing thickly Mitsuki nodded. "I tried to come as soon as I heard that Izuku was still in the hospital but the people at UA wouldn't tell me which hospital he was taken to...so I kind of went to all of them."
She had the gall to look concerned for her son right now. At that moment all Inko could think of was the thought, 'where was that concern years ago?'
"He's alright. The doctors say he just needs to sleep. How is Katsuki? I hope our son's match didn't take too much out of him."
"Oh...um, he's alright." Mitsuki muttered a little surprised at the question. "Just some bruises, nothing some rest wont fix. Trust me, this wasn't the first time that he was in a brawl and it probably won't be the last."
Nodding Inko gave her a courtesy laugh as she went to start heading back inside.
"That's good, I'm glad. Now, if you dont mind I should really start heading back to my son."
"A-actually! Can, can I maybe..." It was weird to see her old high school bestie so...quiet. Mitsuki was always the more loud and confident of the two of them but now it was almost like they switched roles. "Can I see Izuku? I still remember the time not long ago that he was so tiny. It was honestly really surprising to see how big he had gotten on live television."
Letting out a joking laugh Mitsuki rubbed at her head, nervously shifting under Inko's gaze.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Mrs. Bakugo."
"Oh c'mon! I remember when I used to help change his diapers! I'd just like to..."
"I said no. Mitsuki." She couldn't help but let some venom leak through her stern voice.
Staring back at her Mitsuki's blonde eyebrows knitted together as some of her old fire flared up from behind her eyes. "I'm just asking for a second...I'm just worried for him! I used to see him as a second son and I just saw him get hurt on live television! I get that you are mad at me but you wont even let me see that he's ok!? I care about him too! That hardly seems fair!"
"Fair?" Her words came out quiet yet sharp, slammed into Mitsuki and stopped her in her tracks. "I dont think you deserve fair."
"I-inko?" Mitsuki whimpered out wide eyed.
Blinking away at her tears the smaller woman clenched her chubby fingers into fist before taking a steady breath.
"Mitsuki. Do you remember when I came to you all those years ago?" Her old friend stared back slack jawed, any words refusing to come out. "Because I do. I remember it as if it were yesterday."
Taking a step forward Mitsuki took a step back, any of the distance between them refusing to shrink.
"I came to you, crying about my son. I remember saying that...that I found my son hiding burn medicine from me. I t-told you that I thought that Izuku was being bullied...and that, that Katsuki might be in on it. I begged you to talk to your son about it, to make sure that he wasnt..." There goes her tears now, flowing down her face just like she didn't want. "I barely asked you for anything ever since we were kids! I just wanted you to do this one thing for me and what did you do!?"
All Mitsuki could do was stare at the ground as well, shame evident on her face.
"You...you gaslit me! You told me that nothing was happening! T-that I was just...just imagining things! You made me feel crazy!"
"Inko I didn't! I..." Blinking away at her own tears Mitsuki tried so desperately to find the words that she so wanted to say. She thought about what she would say if they ever saw each other again, there wasn't a day that passed bye that she didn't think about it. Yet now that they have finally met after so many years everything left her mind. What do you even say after all this time? That she didn't want to think that her son could be capable of such a thing? That she believed what the school was saying over her best friend? Instead of any of those things all she could say was. "H-he's my son Inko. I...I didn't know."
Emotions flashed across Inko's face, her face going from a pained crying to quiet acceptance. Standing upright the shorter woman looked so much taller then her at that moment as she turned and went back to the door. Stopping in the doorway back inside Inko paused to think before turning around to face her.
"In that case, how about we just watch over our own children? Shall we?"
Then she turned and went back inside, leaving an openly crying Mitsuki in her wake.
On a raining Thursday morning the streets started to glisten under a persistent drizzle, a faint swath of rain lightly coming up from above and wetting the streets as they walked. Shifting his umbrella a little in his hands Midoriya moved through a crowd, his shoes slapping against the cold ground and making a quiet splashing sound.
It had been a while since he's made this walk from his parents house and down to the train station over to UA but it was still familiar to him. The streets of Tateyama still fresh in his mind, it was almost nostalgic...which is weird to think about since he's only been living in the general study dorms for a couple months.
Now that he thought about it he's only been going to UA for a few months in general, it felt much longer then that...
"Midoriya, you ok? You haven't said much since we started walking."
Facing Kendo he smiled, doing a small nod as they walked towards the train station. "Yeah, I'm ok. Just a little tired."
Which was mostly true. Even after getting all of that rest he still felt sluggish and he was starting to get stir crazy just laying in bed all day.
Kendo seemed to understand, nodding slowly as she huffed quietly. "Yeah I get that, I didn't even go through everything you went through and even I feel tired.
That's probably because you spent days in a dreary hospital instead of going home to your friends and family.
He thought to himself but decided not to voice it. Instead he said "Did I miss anything important since I was gone?"
Something like a date with a certain silver haired guy? Are you guys going out now? Where do I fit in in all of this? Are we still best friends?
"Nah not really." Putting one of her hands in her pockets she looked away as she spoke, not really meeting his eyes. The other hand squeezing her umbrella handle. "Just studying for the semester final and looking into which hero I should intern with. There are so many options, just yesterday Set and Kodai were saying that..."
Midoriya listened to her talk intently as they walked. Hearing her talk about everything going on with her class right now and about her friends.
Kendo always made friends so easily growing up so it was no surprise that she was still good at it. If anything she had gotten better with it over the years, he was almost jealous of how easy it came to her.
Watching her quietly as she spoke he looked her over slowly, making sure not to stare too long and let her know that he was watching her.
Only the normal amount of staring of course...
Despite the grey skies she looked as happy as ever, her cheeks lightly painted red from the cold as she spoke. She had been a little weird around him the first few days he had left the hospital but now it looked like she was back to her old self. She was probably more worried about him then anything else.
As much as he hates it everyone seems to be worrying over him more then usual nowadays...he's honestly a little surprised that his mom even let him go back to the dorms after he got out.
After reaching the train station and hoping onboard they both found a spot next to each other, making sure to ring out their umbrellas before sitting down.
"But enough about me, how are you doing? I heard your dad moved into your guest room."
Oh...yeah.
That was another weird thing...waking up to find his mom and his dad flirting in the kitchen as they made breakfast. Acting like the two weren't separated for god knows how many years. How the two could just snap back into their roles was beyond him. Every time he looked his dad in the eyes he was overcome with the urge to hit him...he didn't of course. He wasn't going to just up and punch a dying man but the urge was there and man was it tempting.
"It's been...weird. He keeps trying to be all chummy with me and I can't help but feel betrayed by how my mom already forgave him. Does that make me a bad person?"
"You? A bad person? I think hell would rather freeze over first." She snorted, giving him a small eyeroll as she squeezed some left over water out of her ponytail. "I can't imagine what you are going through but I think feeling betrayed is a natural thing. You haven't heard from the guy in years and then here he is one day just strolling back into your life. I don't think I would forgive him right away either."
It was at least a little comforting to know that he wasn't completely crazy. Yet there was something implied in her words that made him pause. "But you do think I should forgive him?"
"Yeah." Crossing her arms she tilted her head. "He may be a piece of work but at the end of the day he's still your dad. You should at least try to patch up that bridge...else you regret it once he's gone."
That was a depressing thought. He really didn't know how much longer his dad had to live, based off of how he held himself it didn't look good.
Before he could think on that any further, several passengers recognized them, their voices making both of them turn. "Hey! Those guys are from the sports festival! I recognize their uniforms!"
Before they realized it more passengers started to crowd around them, making a wall between them as they spoke, their words of encouragement bleeding into each other.
"Hey man, your match with the metal guy was so cool! You totally lifted him up like he was nothing and pulled him into a headlock!"
"I liked when you tackled that tornado with the crazy pink haired chick."
"You did so well for a general study student. If they don't take you into the hero course they are idiots!"
He tried to speak to each of them the best he could but there were so many. Looking over the top of the crowd he could see that Kendo was getting swamped on her side as well, a small crowd around her as she spoke to a woman. He watched her fiddle with her ponytail as she laughed at something someone said.
Well...at least one of them was thriving.
A small pull at his hand drew his gaze away from her and down towards the ground.
Standing not far away was a little boy, looking up at him with big, aww filled eyes. He had glowing yellow hair, sparkling softly like a star in the night sky. Despite his interesting mutation he looked shy, simply looking up at him wide eyed. The little guy awkwardly shifting in place, one hand holding onto his sleeve and other with a thumb in his mouth.
"H-hi." He shyly said through a small gap in his teeth, his thumb making a soft popping sound when he pulled it out of his mouth. "You u-um...hi."
If that wasn't the cutest thing he has ever seen he doesn't know what was.
Smiling gently he leaned down a little to be at his eye level as he spoke. "Hi there, what's your name?"
"I'm uh, my name is..." He scrambled a little with his words. "Um, Sanji."
"It's nice to meet you Sanji. Where are your parents? This place isn't safe for someone so little to be here all by his..."
"Let my son go RIGHT now!" Shoving her way through the crowd was a middle aged woman with the same type of hair. Thrusting her hand forward she all but yanked her son away from him. Her son stumbling a little from the force as she sent him a challenging glare. Sensing tension radiating off of the woman he stood back up to his normal height and raised his hands in a placating gesture. Before he could speak she steamrolled on. "How DARE you just up and touch my son like that!"
"I'm sorry ma'am, I was just..."
"What are you even doing on this train!?" She all but screamed, her voice raising an octave. "You should be nowhere near my son!"
"Hey! Leave him alone!" A guy from the crowd shouted back, aggressively taking a step forward. "He has every right to ride the train like anyone else!"
"The hell he does! Did you see what he did in that crowd of people!? That kid is a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode!"
"Oh please! Don't just believe everything you read online! There's no way that such a prestigious school would allow someone so dangerous into the hero course!" Another shouted, an old man barging his way into the conversation and pointing a chubby finger at the woman and child. "Its disgraceful to talk that way about our future generation!"
Around him others started to join in on the argument, the air in the train car changing into something much more aggressive. The fact that they were fighting over him was something that he couldn't seem to wrap his head around.
"That boy is a menace!"
"Hey! Who the hell do you think you are to say something like that? It looked like it was an accident to me!"
"I mean...she's not wrong though?"
"Even so its not something you should outright say! Stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong!"
"That boy should be locked up for his crimes!"
"Forceful quirk activations are protected under the law for a reason you idiot!"
He felt the need to defend himself but the way the two groups were shouting at each other he couldn't exactly find an opening.
Looking around the entire car people in the car were bickering amongst each other as if his presence was already forgotten, the conversation turning into something more political and way out of his purview.
A few minutes later and he hardly even noticed when the train came to a stop at one of the stops down the line. Feeling a hand on his arm he was pulled out of the train car and back into the station, Kendo using that opportunity to make their leave. Nearby people trying to enter the train took one look at the arguing train car and wisely decided to enter a different car all together, leaving that car alone to fight.
Letting out a tired sigh he watched the train start up again and continue on the journey. The faint sight of people bickering in the windows of the train car getting smaller and smaller before disappearing out of sight.
He didn't cause that...did he? Him running away was hardly a heroic thing to do in the moment but there was no way he was going to be able to calm them all down. They all just started rolling down hill so fast.
Placing her hands on her hips Kendo frowned at the direction they went before shaking her head, unfurling her umbrella and turning around.
"Guess we're walking the rest of the way. Hope you don't mind some exercise."
Falling in step next to her he pulled out his own umbrella, the faint hint of ran hitting his poofy hair. "I'm more concerned about the rain then the walk."
"Ohhh what? You afraid of getting your messy hair even more messy?" She taunted playfully.
"I'll have you know I try really hard to get my hair this certain level of messy." He shot back, trying his best to look almost offended.
"Really? Is that what you do? And here I thought you just didn't brush it."
After a few minutes of playful banter and soft smiles he could see the massive UA gates in view, a voice shouting out as he ran past.
"Kendo! Midoriya! Good morning! We best pick up our pace else we be late!" Iida shouted out as he rocketed past, water splashing up by the speed of his run. Wordlessly the two started to run with him, Midoriya holding his umbrella up like a shield as they ran.
"Late?" Kendo shouted slightly annoyed. "We have plenty of time until classes starts! What are you talking about!?"
"Punctuality is one of the most important parts of being a hero! If we can't set a good example how are we to protect the future!?" Iida shouted back seriously. "As my brother would say, If you aren't at least fifteen minutes early then you are late!"
By the time they made their way inside Iida was already taking his yellow rain coat off, folding it under his arm as he fiddled with things in his bag.
Midoriya wanted to reach out to him but he honestly didn't really know Iida that well. Sure they hung out a few times as a group but they weren't super close all things considered. He looked to be much closer to Uraraka and the other members of 1A then himself. It didn't seem his place to say anything.
Looking over at Kendo she looked like she was feeling the same way, giving the taller boy a worried look as she tried to think of what to say.
Almost as if he could feel their eyes on him he raised a hand, waving it in the air.
"If you are both worried for my brother or myself, thank you but I must assure you that I am fine." Iida said his voice turning serious. The serious looking going away just as quickly, looking over to them with a fake smile. "I know you both saw the news but do not worry. My family has been working tirelessly to find my brother. With our many connections it will only be a matter of time until he is back home safe and sound. I appreciate your concerns non the less my friends."
...that did not make him feel as comforted as it should. There was something else in Iida's smile that made him only worry more. The guy was clearly struggling but how much was still unknown to him. Before he could pry any more on how he was feeling Iida abruptly turned away from the lockers and started to wander off. More or less slamming a metaphorical door in his face as he walked farther into UA.
Something in his gut told him that whatever that was was not going to end well...hopefully he'll have another chance to talk with him moving forward.
Despite everything that happened in the last few days his return to UA was surprisingly a pretty normal one. He had a few people talk to him in-between classes to say that they were relieved that he was ok but other then that his day was rather lackluster.
The sound of a bell signaled the start to the much-awaited lunch period. Everyone in his class rummaging with their stuff before getting up to leave. Midoriya would have joined them if it weren't for Cementoss calling after them.
"Midoriya. If you have a second I would like to have a word."
Stopping he slung his backpack over his shoulder as she stepped aside and let the others pass. Cementoss walking back to his desk and sitting down.
"Thank you for your time Midoriya, I promise this will be quick."
"Of course sir, was there something you needed?"
Nodding his square shaped head his teacher tapped a thick finger against his desk.
"Yes. I just wanted to inform you that because of your hospitalization you missed me handing out papers for the final." Opening a drawer he fished inside before pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to him. "Your final is to write a paper on a god or mythos you find pertinent to your life. It matters not from which pantheon, it just has to be one that tells a lesson important to your experiences. It would normally be due by the end of the semester but considering your situation I would be willing to take it later for full points."
Pulling the paper from the desk Midoriya flipped it over to look it over quickly. His green eyes scanning it before he put it in his backpack.
"Thank you, Mr. Ishiyama. I appreciate it."
Letting out a low chuckle the large brick of a man smiled. "Of course. Take your time, I for one can't wait to read what you write."
With that he made his way out into the hall, following the swath of people out into the school grounds. Walking into one of the many cafeterias he smiled when he noticed the large table of his friends, grabbing some food before heading over.
When he made his way over to his group of friends he noticed that they all were lost in their own thoughts, absently reading through large stacks of potential internships.
Shinso was sitting with Kodai as they looked through some papers, the two mostly communicating through text. Their phones going off every once in a while and forcing them to look down at it and type out a response.
Uraraka sat by herself, determination radiating off of her every pore like an aura. Stabbing into her food she put some into her mouth before she chewed, almost missing her mouth all together.
Kendo was quietly chatting with Shishida and Tokage as they ate, the three of them having a pleasant conversation most likely about their class final as Jirou and Yaoyorozu sat nearby. Jirou leaning over to place an earbud in Yaoyorozu's ear as the prim and proper girl was reading something seriously. The black haired girl jumping in place surprised before frowning down at her friend, making the punk girl laugh.
On the other side Midoriya observed that Iida was the most serious of all of them. His normally stiff body hunched as he lasered through a number of papers, his gaze sharp and serious. It looked like he was searching for something specifically, never looking at one page for too long before quickly looking at another.
It was hard to tell what the man was thinking. He was either fairing much better then he originally thought or doing terribly and just really good at hiding it.
He could kind of understand, the guy must have gone through a lot the last few days and was looking for some kind of outlet.
Everyone was so busy doing their own thing they didn't even acknowledge his presence as he walked up, sliding next to Kendo as he started to eat. Kendo and Tokage gave him a smile as he sat down. It wasn't until Shishida spoke did people actually look up from their work.
"Ah, good after noon Midoriya. I'm glad you are doing better."
"Midoriya!?" Everyone's heads jerked up and turned towards him all at once. He honestly is surprised they didn't get whiplash...
Uraraka sat next to him an instant, looking up at him as she looked him over. "You are ok!? I...er, we, were so worried!"
Scootung over to sit across the way Jirou and Yaoyorozu set their stuff down.
"I'm surprised to see you up and about so soon dude, I thought you'd be out for another week atleast."
"Kyo be nice!" Yaoyorozu scolded softly before turning towards him with an acknowledging nod. "I'm glad to see you are fairing well, Midoriya."
"Good to see you in one piece Green." Tokage gave him a knowing smile, her eyes quickly looking over the others. "I know atleast some of us were extra worried for you."
Kendo sat up a little straighter in her seat, her glaring eyes boring into Set's head before she turned away and shoving some food into her mouth annoyed.
Silently moving over to sit down Shinso actually gave him a relieved smile. "Glad to have you back with us Midoriya."
"Mmm, mmm!" Kodai said with a nod.
He had no idea how much he missed his friends until they were all sitting before him. A warmth bloomed in his chest as he smiled at all of them. "Thank you all, glad to be back."
The only one who didn't look up or even move at all was Iida, the stoic boy being more statue than man at the moment. Frowning over at him he looked amongst the others, all of them giving him the same worried look.
"Hey Iida, what are you looking at? Come join us."
Turning towards them startled he must have just now noticed they were there, too lost in his own world to notice anything else going on around him. Opening his mouth he went to go say something before sighing and giving a small nod. Scooping up his papers into his arms he walked over to join them, sitting next to Shishida at the far end.
"My apologies, I have been so focused on internships...just want to make sure I pick the right place." Adjusting his glasses he looked down at his papers as if that was the end of the conversation.
Everyone at the table was quiet after that, no one really knowing what to say.
This wasn't helping anyone so he decided to try and steer the conversation into a different direction.
"So...what is everyone's plans for internships?" he asked gently. "Did anybody get any good offers?"
They all looked amongst each other excitedly, all of them clearly wanting to talk about it but no one wanting to be the first.
"I got an offer from Gang Orca." Shishida said softly, almost as if he was embarrassed by it.
The table erupted with various reactions. Midoriya's eyes widened, impressed. "Gang Orca? That's impressive, Shishida. He's ranked pretty highly and known for his impressive strength. He'd be a good pick for you."
Letting out a whistle Tokage shot him a shark toothed grin. "He's also known for being one of the best at crisis situations on top of being voted at the top of 'Heroes that look like villains.' I'm honestly a little jealous."
"You want to look like a villain Set?" Kendo shot back playfully.
"Hell yeah! People are afraid of my old man all of the time and it is awesome." Placing one of her cheeks in her hand she sighed wistfully. "Maybe one day I'll be the scariest hero out there..."
"...I'm sure you will Set."
That got a collective chuckle out of the group. Uraraka smiling wide as she scooted closer. "I think I'm going to go with Gun Head, he looks like he could teach me a lot!"
That was a little surprising to hear that Uraraka was going with a battle hero but he guessed it made sense. She must have taken their fight a little too hard...
"I believe I will go with Uwabami. She's the highest rated hero on my list considering how far I had gotten in the competition." Yaoyorozu said thoughtfully. "I'm honestly a little surprised she offered me an internship..."
Midoriya raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Uwabami, huh? She may be a competent rescue hero but her focus seems to lean more towards her modeling career. Just something to consider."
Tokage nodded along. "I agree with Green. I mostly just see her in commercials for beauty products. Just between us my pops kind of hates her."
"I got an offer from her as well but decided against it after hearing from Set. She doesn't seem like she would be a good pick for either of us honestly." Kendo hummed.
"...well shoot." Yaoyorozu muttered mildly annoyed. "Perhaps I should go with someone else."
After that people started to break off into groups to talk more about which option would be the best pick, Iida using that moment to slip away when their backs were turned. His glasses reflecting as he took one final look at his friends before leaving with out another word.
"What about you Kodai?" Midoriya asked.
"Mmm."
"Really? That sounds like a good pick."
"Mmm?"
"No I'm not just saying that."
"Yeah I was telling her that it was a good pick." Shinso chimed in as well.
Looking amongst them like they were crazy Jirou tilted her head before taking a bite of her food. "So...are you guys just making up understanding her or what?"
"Kyo! That's such a brash thing to say!"
"Calm down Momo, I was just curious."
The three looked amongst each other before responding with a shrug.
"It's an introvert thing." Shinso said dryly.
"Basically." Midoriya said with a confirming nod.
"Mmm!"
"That's not true." Jirou shot back with an eyeroll. "If that were true that would mean that I would be able to understand her as well!"
"Mmm?"
"What does that mean? Of course I'm ah..." Blinking Jirou did a double take surprised. "Wait. I understood that...what are you?"
"Mmm."
"Huh cool, we should hang out some time."
"Mmm!"
Breaking off from that conversation Midoriya's gaze started to drift as he ate his lunch before noticing Monoma in the distance. The boy was standing not far away and looking at them with a frown, his mouth opening, poised to say something before stopping himself. Gritting his teeth he swallowed whatever he was going to say. Tensing his shoulders he stood there a little longer before walking away.
What was that about?
"Just ignore him Green." Tokage said with a smirk, obviously amused by it. "Apparently he's on his second strike. One more and he's gone. He's been quiet for days now! It's kind of been great."
"It would be better if you didn't antagonize him so much Set." Kendo scolded. "I don't like the guy either but taunting him when he can't do anything back is just cruel."
"Aww c'mon Prez, I'm just having some fun!"
"Having fun at someone else's expense is hardly 'fun.'
That was kind of surprising...he knew that Monoma seriously messed up at the sports festival but he had no idea it was that bad...
Now that he was thinking about it he never had time to watch what happened after his and Bakugo's match.
"Hey Shinso." He called out. "I never got to ask but how did your match go?"
Eyes widening Shinso grimaced before looking away.
"Let the next match...begin!"
Rushing in Shinso ducked and weaved as he closed the gap to his opponent, making sure not to stay in one place for long.
Ducking down he lept upward, turning in the air before driving a fist right into Kirishima's face. A load crunch filling the air as a sharp pain ran up his arm.
Cursing Shinso started to wave his messed up hand in the air, in too much pain to notice that Kirishima retaliated with a punch of his own. One hardened fist to the face was all it took, his head being launched back wide eyed as his cheeks rippled from the hit. His feet leaving the ground as he was launched up high into the air.
"It was...fine." Shinso said with a dismissive shrug. "I wouldn't waste my time in watching that..."
A few of the people at the table chuckled at his words.
No one outwardly said it but to both Shinso's shame and annoyance apparently the face he made was so funny it had now become a meme on the internet. His rippling cheeks playing on a loop to the amusement of many.
"I'm sorry to hear that Shinso." Midoriya said with a slight frown. "Atleast you made it to bronze. It's not ever year that someone in general studies takes third place."
It didn't look like it but Midoriya could tell that what he said made Shinso feel a little better.
"In that case I should probably look up the final match then. Bakugo versus Kirishima sounds like an awesome match."
Whatever he said stopped all of the talking instantly. Everyone turning to look over at him surprised.
Did he say something weird?
"...what?"
"Oh!" Uraraka exclaimed before waving a hand back and forth. "Its not that you've said something weird or something it's just that...well. Um..."
"Bakugo never showed up to his match."
It took a second for what was said to process, his brain slowly chugging the information as if someone just told him an impossible fact. Looking amongst his friends surprised his eyes widened.
...what?
"Hello! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to see me Bakugo family." Happily chimed Principal Nezu, his little paws clasped together as he looked his three guest over. "Would any of you like some tea?"
There an uncertain pause before Mr. Bakugo raised a hand. "A-actually I wouldn't mind having some..." Wincing Bakugos father's words were cut off by his wife, the woman lightly smacking his reached out hand with an annoyed look.
"Thank you but I think we are good Principal Nezu...we have a strict rule on not taking hand outs."
"Nonsense! I offered after all, it's important to make your guest feel welcome!" The little rodent chirped, standing up on his desk as he turned to check on his pot of tea. Large piles of papers stacked up high and almost blocking him from their view. "I hope you don't mind the mess...things have been rather hectic the last few days based off of everything that happened at the sports festival. Plenty of angry parents and concerned citizens, you know how it goes!"
"I can imagine..." Shifting a little in place the older woman hummed, raising a hand to her mouth before coughing. "Is that why we were invited here Principal Nezu? To talk about what happened with our son?"
Frowning even harder Katsuki Bakugo stared at the floor, choosing not to say anything as he had done in the past. Instead letting his mom do the talking...she always was the best one at that kind of thing.
"In a way yes, I just wanted to speak to him in person before the changes go through."
They all winced a little at that, the word 'changes' obviously not a comforting one. Watching the little principal as he stirred the pot Mrs. Bakugo was the first to speak.
"Changes? Principal Nezu?" She said nervously. "You already had my son speak to that detective you mentioned before...what else would you have us do?"
Turning her head she watched as Nezu walked over to the corner of his desk, hoping down gracefully before handing a steaming cup to her husband. The man nervously looking at the cup and then at her. The two sharing a look before he begrudgingly took it despite what he said earlier, slowly lifting the cup to his lips and taking a sip of the soothing brew.
"Of course changes, there has to be SOME kind of punishment after all." Nezu chimed in happily as he hopped back onto his desk. "The people are screaming for blood...and as irrational as they are being I agree that something needs to be changed in order to prevent the event from happening again. There's no point in dwelling on what could have been avoided, all we can do is prepare for future mistakes."
"Is...is my son no longer in the hero course Principal Nezu?"
"I wouldn't say that. Have no fear, he will be welcomed back into the class happily once this is over." Picking up his own cup he poured some tea into it. "It's just necessary to give a verbal warning after the second strike."
Mitsuki blinked surprised at that. Looking over her shoulder with a quizzical look at her son as if she was trying to figure something out, her blonde brows knitted together. Bakugo looked back at her with a confused look of his own."
"Second strike, Principal Nezu? I was made to believe that this was the first time my son had gotten into trouble at your school. My son had gotten nothing but good grades since he has gotten here."
"Oh no doubt! Your son has been quite the interesting case since he's joined our ranks. He doesn't really fraternize with the others but he's always been on his best behavior during class. It's less about what your son has done on our school grounds and more his reputation I'm afraid."
"His...reputation?"
"Yes. From Aldera."
The three looked like they were just punched in the gut, all of their mouths opening at once as air escaped them. Who knew such a small creature would throw such a gut rendering punch with just his words.
"Y-you know about Aldera? Principal Nezu?" Bakugo's mother choked out, hope looking to drain from her exhausted face.
"Of course!" The Principal chirped. Either he was unware of the blow he struck to her family or he didn't seem to care all that much. "I pride myself on doing deep dives on every student that walks through these halls. How could I not know about one of the biggest scandals of the last few years?"
All three of the Bakugo's stared back at the little Principal as his back was turned to them. Happily stirring a cup of tea.
Sitting up a little his mom croaked out a response. "If that's true then why did..."
"Why did I allow young Bakugo to enter the hero course?"
There was a pause before his mom nodded. Principal Nezu not even looking over to them as he spoke, his little ear twitching.
"Are any of you aware of the phrase 'there is no such a thing as a bad student, only bad teachers?" Principal Nezu asked, waiting for a response but only finding silence. The soft clink of his spoon against the side of his good porcelain cup filled the quiet air of the room. "It may be a little on the nose but I believe it is apt in this situation."
Turning to face them he smiled...well, as much as a smile you can give with a long snout.
"Many would disagree but your son was also abused Mrs. Bakugo. In most abuse cases while there is always someone to be punished there are usually others that go along with it out of the sole fear of they themselves being punished next. Hate is not something born into this life, it's something that is instilled into you." Holding his cup to his lips he took a sip before continuing. "I had hoped that giving your son a new chance free of judgment would be good for him. A place he was allowed to blossom without toxic intervention in order to heal...but now I see that the idea was foolish in retrospect. Perhaps a little too optimistic. It's clear to me that the roots of the Meta Liberation's ideals runs much deeper then I originally thought."
Katsuki's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, his hand clenching and unclenching into a fist.
"Will you stop beating around the fucking bush already! Abuse this and hate that! If you are going to fucking expel me get on with it!" He shouted out, his roar overcoming any other sound.
"Katsuki!" His mother called out indignant of his actions, reaching a hand out she took hold of the back of his head and pushed it to the ground in a bowing gesture. "I'm so sorry Principal Nezu! My son doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut!"
"No no, let the boy speak. This is a judgement free zone and he should not be punished for speaking his mind."
Principal Nezu's higher pitched voice surprised his mother a little, her hand letting his head go and bowing as well. "My apologies."
There goes his mother groveling again, it pissed him off to no end. Do all of these fucking people just have a power trip!?
Gritting his teeth he made a soft clicking sound with his tongue. Sitting up a little to glare at the rodent. "If you want me to beg for mercy I ain't giving it. You'd be better just fucking expelling me now."
Ear twitching Nezu turned towards Katsuki with a thoughtful look. His beady eyes boring into him and making him flinch a little under his gaze. His clawed toes making a soft clicking sound as he walked against the wooden grain of his desk before stopping in front of Katsuki.
"Is that what you want...Katsuki Bakugo? For me to expel you?"
Swallowing he grimaced. "It doesn't matter what I want..."
Letting out a thoughtful hum Nezu smirked before turning away with his paws behind his back. Walking over to a pile of papers on his desk.
"I think it does matter young Bakugo! Only what really happens now depends on you." Placing a furry paw on a small stack of papers he turned towards them again. "This here is every internship paper turned in with the hopes of you joining up with them. It's a rather small pile for making it as far as you have, wouldn't you agree?"
Silence after his question. Looking the three over he slowly pushed the pile off of his desk and into a waiting trash can down below. The stack of papers clattering out of sight with a bang.
"All very promising opportunities I'm sure but I'm sad to say that those doors are now closed." Slapping his paws together with a satisfied gesture Nezu looked them over. "Instead, I would like you to take your internship here. For the next week you will come here, take intermission classes and go to therapy sessions with Hound Dog, our on sight guidance councilor and therapist. After those seven days, if we see an improvement in your mental state, no matter how small I will allow you to stay in the hero course."
"He'll do it!" Bakugo's mom all but shouted, all too eager for a way out of the situation. Anything else she was about to say being silenced with a raised paw.
"I would like to hear that from Katsuki himself, Mrs. Bakugo."
What the hell do they take him for? Some kind of charity case? He's not some weakling!
His teeth grinding together made a strained sound.
"I'm not taking some stupid therapy session." He all but growled out, his parents making a startled sound at him. "I don't need that shit."
"Oh but you do, Katsuki." Wiggling a little finger at him Nezu turned to start heading back to his seat. "I feel you might have misunderstood your situation. This, is not a negotiation, it's a helping hand. You have every right to spurn it but just know, there will not be another."
Taking a seat he wiggled in place before smiling.
"Right now many are demanding I outright expel you Katsuki Bakugo. Not just push you into general studies but outright expel you. A black mark...that when stacked onto your other would be a death sentence to your hero career before it even has a chance to start. We at UA work on a three strike system, this, is your second strike." The Bakugo family looked amongst each other, Katsuki suddenly feeling any of the fight leaving his body at the realization of the situation he was in finally started to sink in. "Show me you can and will improve Katsuki Bakugo and I will protect you from the vultures just outside these walls. If you don't...I'm afraid there is nothing more I can do for you. I truly hope you take me up on my offer however, you have such a promising future as a pro hero."
Sitting down in his big chair the scene would be almost comical if it weren't for the tension in the air. If anyone in the room was questioning the principals power the thought was long gone. Shifting a little in his seat Nezu looked amongst them with his black beady eyes.
"But at the end of the day, improvement must start with you...now if you could be so kind, you can see yourself out."
"Midoriya, did you decide on an internship yet?"
Nothing really happened all day so he started to distract himself by flipping through the medic books she gifted him until the sound of Recovery girl's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Turning to face her she was sitting at her desk, the chair swiveled to face him.
"No, not yet." Shaking his head slowly he blinked. "Aizawa handed me the papers...I just haven't had a chance to look at them yet."
"I see, any particular reason why?"
Maybe because he's starting to doubt himself. There were just so many things going on right now and so many people were hoping for his failure.
No matter how hard he tries he always seems to run into a wall, facing someone so much stronger then himself.
"Its been a lot the last few days. I guess I got distracted is all."
Looking down at the ground he missed Recovery girl's eyebrows raising slightly at his hopeless look. Looking him over slowly as if she could read his mind before sighing.
Getting up from her seat her cane lightly tapped against the ground as she walked closer.
"That's good, because I actually had an interesting opportunity for you."
That got him to look up at her. "An opportunity?"
"Mhmm. Tell me, what do you know about the Pro hero, the Shadow Boxer?"
The Shadow Boxer?
Staring off in thought he tried to remember everything about that niche low rank hero, having to think really hard as he crossed his arms.
"I only really know about as much as anyone else. He was an underground hero that fought along Miruko back when she was still new. Together, them and a few other underground heroes helped destroy the underground fighting rings in Chiba way back in the day." Trying to think up anything else all he could really think of was things Miruko herself said in interviews. Praises here, compliments there...other then that the man was a mystery. "I remember reading some theories about how he had a mind reading quirk. Something that allowed him to predict his opponents next move but other then that he's mostly a mystery. From what I read on the subject most people think he died way back then..."
He kind of fell off after that, fading into obscurity...so much so that even he, hero nerd that he was, didn't know much.
A small smile came to Recovery girl's lips as she let out a amused chuckle. The old woman looking like she was remembering something from long ago.
"Yes that does sound about right...even though some of that information is wrong." Walking up to his desk she tapped a cane against it to get his attention. "Yes, he did help Miruko many years ago when she first started and also yes he did help tear apart the underground fighting syndicate...but he didn't die, he's very much alive. He also doesn't have a mind reading quirk. He funny enough, is quirkless."
Anything else he was doing was stopped as soon as he heard that, the pencil in his hand clattering to the ground.
A quirkless hero was completely unheard of, he didn't even know such a thing existed!
If...if someone without a quirk managed to become a pro hero despite everything maybe there was hope for him after all.
Their eyes met and Recovery girl had an amused look on her face as she said the next part.
"He's also my husband."
Notes:
I bet you weren't expecting me to bring up the illegal Chiba fighting rings again after mentioning them all the way back in chapter 2 were you? Well surprise, its coming back and with it is a new original character; please don't steal tm. I guess I lied about no more original characters because here comes another. He's mostly coming to help Midoriya grow into what he eventual turns into and to build on other stuff I have planned out.
There's no way that canon Midoriya was the first person ever to want to become a hero despite being quirkless right? There had to be others, I'm sure they just weren't talked about or they lied to avoid stigmas to save their careers.
On another note. An idea I had a while back that I thought was interesting was "What if no one at the Sports Festival really won?"
Midoriya and Kendo lost their match against an opponent with more raw power then them, highlighting the difference between someone born with a powerful quirk and someone that has to work hard to make their quirk work.
Katsuki may have won the physical match between him and Midoriya but its clear to everyone that he has his own problems, so much so that he just didn't show up to the final match. He might be one of the strongest of the class but he needs a different kind of growth going forward.
Todoroki never got a wake up call and never was given the proper push he so desperately needed in order to become the fan favorite that we all love in canon.
And Kirishima steamrolled the competition, facing bad match ups and was never forced to think outside of the box. He wasn't forced to use OFA in a different way meaning he never had to push himself to improve and is probably going to become stagnant if he doesn't get a challenge.
The only one who kind of won was Shinso and he got punted infront of a live studio audience of pros.
They all need to improve in order to be the heroes they are destined to be, for now their struggles will have to be enough.
