Angel: Alright guys, this is it, Izuka's hero name! I wonder what it could be? I also hope it's not disappointing, because I had a LOT of choices to pick from. I even changed the name just last week because I thought it was too simple-and no, my mental health wasn't affected doing that because the find and replace tool works wonders XD I will be going back to just one chapter next week for uploads, but I am currently proofreading all I've written so far, including the first movie (the 2nd and third movies will be...torture to sort through in terms in continuity, I swear). Hopefully proofreading won't take too long so I can upload much more because I just started writing season 5 as of now.
New episode also comes out today, I haven't seen it as of uploading this, but seeing where things are going, I will cry like a baby if they don't show the character being okay, because waiting for that is emotional pain for me. But I'm gonna cry like a baby when I get to writing season 7 and having to rewatch those certain episodes, so I'm fucked in that regard either way.
It was starting to rain as things went on normally at Tatooin Station.
In the days after the Sports Festival ended, we recovered from our injuries, and then our normal classes started right back up again. A large screen was displaying the cavalry battle from the Sports Festival.
Izuku still had the scarring over his right hand, but other than that, his recovery was going smoothly. He didn't even need a cast anymore by the time school started. Mine went as smoothly as well, and things were at first the same.
Well, some things were different.
Izuku and his sister were squished together on the train ride to school. He still had bandages over his hands while looking at his phone. Izuka was as usual hiding right behind him. "Hey, you," Someone whispered to them. "Excuse me. You're the Midoriyas from Class 1-A!"
They looked up in alarm as people immediately turned to look at them. Izuka yelped while hiding behind Izuku, shaking. "Great job in the Sports Festival, both of you! I rooted for you guys!"
Izuku gasped as he suddenly felt like All Might when it came to recognition. "You were in the top nine, right? That's so impressive!" People murmured while staring at them and Izuka wanted to die from the stares. Meanwhile, Izuku didn't even know what to say as he stuttered a bit uncomfortably.
"Yeah, I can tell you really wanna be a pro one day!"
Meanwhile, the screen was showing off the results of the festival. Katsuki's picture though was...unflattering, to say the least, because it was taken when he was still raging mad over his win. "Keep trying for it, heroes!"
Izuka glanced up at the screen to see Katsuki and blinked. She then gave a small amused giggle at it. You know, if you take away his anger issues, he would actually look kinda cute. Her eyes then widened at what she thought, whining and holding her red cheeks as her eyes were shaking. I can't believe I just thought about him in that way...sure, he can be nice sometimes, but most of the time, he's not exactly pleasant to be around.
"We will...! Thanks!" Izuku gave a giant anxious smile.
After getting off the train, the two siblings were walking to campus. Izuku was holding an umbrella over both of them. "I can't believe I forgot my umbrella today," Izuka closed her eyes in disbelief. "Thanks for letting me share with you, little brother."
"Oh, no problem! And…well, you are shorter, so it's not taking up too much room." He laughed sheepishly while rubbing his neck and she whined at the reminder. He then gave a whine himself. "I feel like I'm barely awake. By the way, sorry about the crowd. That's why you looked so flushed earlier, huh?"
She blinked while glancing up at him. And then she got the reminder of her confrontation with Katsuki not too long ago. How close he was, how fierce he looked...She flinched and then waved her arms rapidly, laughing awkwardly. "Yup, you know me, little bro! Could barely manage them recognizing us either, so that's that!" She quickly agreed, and then silently groaned. She wasn't sure if now was the best time to tell him the real reason she was flushed. He already had freaked out when Katsuki walked her home the first time. Telling him she was thinking of Katsuki would only make it worse, and she wasn't even sure if she should think about him more positively.
"Well, as long as you're okay," Izuku raised a brow at her. That was weird. It was almost like she jumped to agreeing with me.
She then sighed to herself, closing her eyes. Bakugo-San is nothing more than a classmate. A...challenging one, I'll admit. Even if I think otherwise, I still can't ignore what he's done ever since we were little. And yet for some reason when I'm with him now...part of me wants to forget all of that.
"Good morning, Midoriya, Mido!" A familiar voice called out from behind, snapping the girl out of it. They both glanced back, and then recoiled in surprise.
"Whoa, Ida?!" He was running towards the twins while wearing a raincoat. "You really went all out with the rain gear."
"Good morning to you too, Ida-San. I expected you to be early the day we came back to school," Izuka gave him a small smile.
"Why on earth are you both walking so slowly?" He asked while running right past them. "You'll both be late!" They stared after him in confusion.
"Late? But..." Izuku faltered as they chased after him. "There's still five minutes until the first bell!"
"UA students should always arrive ten minutes early, don't you think?" He then ran faster, to their shock. Izuku stared at him, wondering what was going on with Ingenium; not once had Tenya mentioned him. And they'd think that with coming back to school, he'd be a little less urgent than he usually was.
Izuku shook his umbrella dry in the locker room. He turned to Tenya putting away his rain boots. "So, Ida, um-"
"If it's about my brother, don't be concerned," Tenya interrupted him knowingly. "I'm sorry if I made you worry," He glanced back with a small smile, taking off his hood. "Everything'll be fine." He then walked off without another word and Izuku gave a small frown.
"It's so weird that people recognize us from TV," Mina commented to some of her classmates, laughing. "Everyone wanted to talk to me on my way here."
"Yeah, me too," Eijiro pointed to himself with a small smile.
"People on the street were staring at me!" Toru gestured to herself and then shuffled in a bit of embarrassment. "It was kind of embarrassing."
"Sure, but isn't that pretty normal for you?" Mashirao commented with a small sheepish smile.
"You won't believe what a bunch of elementary school brats yelled at me," Hanta jerked a thumb to himself in annoyance.
"Nice try?" Tsuyu guessed correctly, her chin rested on the desk.
Hanta let out a groan while holding his head. The others aside from Tsuyu looked a bit sorry for him.
"All it took was one Sports Festival and suddenly we're like celebrities," Denki commented as Izuku looked around. Izuka was sketching while glancing towards outside. She was gonna paint the outside field later after school. The whole time, she was sketching while eyeing the environment closely. Once she believed she was done, she looked back...only to see that she had doodled Katsuki.
"Bak-" She covered her mouth quickly as she was in class, hoping no one heard that, but someone did unfortunately.
"What?" Katsuki turned to her in irritation.
"Um..." She looked at him wide-eyed and then quickly crumpled up her paper, shoving it in her pocket. "Nothing!" She laughed nervously and hid her face into her desk with a groan. How did I end up sketching him again...? I was looking outside!
"This school really is amazing!" Minoru said in awe while Izuku sat down.
"Although I'm sure Mido wouldn't mind less attention," Momo gave the girl a sheepish smile.
"Don't remind me," Izuka muffled from her desk, still hiding in it. "Someone else can have it..." Katsuki briefly glanced at her, giving a small huff. He personally didn't see why it would bother her so much, and then he gritted his teeth while closing his eyes.
She's being so annoying right now... He then remembered what he said to her two days ago about her being good company when she wasn't being like this. Although I guess that's normal in her life. He flinched in alarm that his thoughts were about her and then he looked annoyed once again. Damn it...why am I even giving this any thought? We may be in the same class, but we're not friends. They weren't at each other's throats mostly, but they weren't close either. And he had a hard time trying to get into that middle ground no matter what he had told her...
Mr. Aizawa then opened the door and the girl had to lift her head back up. "Morning."
"Good morning, Mr. Aizawa!" Most of the students greeted and as he walked past, something immediately got their attention.
"Ribbit?" Tsuyu blinked in shock. "Mr. Aizawa, you don't have bandages anymore. That's good news!"
He was mostly healed, aside from a few bandages hidden in his clothing. And he also had a scar underneath his right eye now. "The old lady went a little overboard in her treatment. Anyway. We have a big class today on Hero Informatics."
All of them froze, most of them in fear considering what that usually meant coming from him. Oh no!
Informatics? Denki gave an unnerved look. Please don't tell me it's a pop quiz!
Crap, I bet it's about hero laws Eijiro's lip was shaking. I'm so bad at stuff like that.
It was dead silence for a few seconds. "...You need codenames. Time to pick your hero identities."
Most of them immediately reacted in excitement, while the more calmer ones were definitely more at ease. "This is gonna be totally awesome!" They all shouted in unison, though Mr. Aizawa was not amused as his eyes glowed red. They all shushed themselves and waited patiently for him to speak again.
"This is related to the pro hero draft picks that I mentioned the last time we were in class together," He started off while his eyes calmed down. "Normally, students don't have to worry about the draft yet. Not until their second or third year actually, but your class is different. In fact, by extending offers to first-years like you, pros are essentially investing in your potential. Any offers can be rescinded if their interest in you dies down before graduation, though."
Minoru was shaking in his seat, considering he didn't make it to the finals. Plus with his small size, he wasn't sure if he was noticeable to any pros... He then slammed his fist against the desk. "Stupid, selfish adults."
"So what you're saying is, we'll still have to prove ourselves after we've gotten recruited," Toru spoke up and he nodded a bit.
"Correct. Now. Here are the totals for those of you who got offers," He brought up the results, and Shoto had the most at over 4 thousand. Bakugo was second with over three thousand, followed by Fumikage with 360. Tenya had 301, while the numbers drastically decreased by each one who was actually on the board. Only ten students had names, with Sero being last. Izuka blinked in shock as her name was up there, with 79 offers, so she was in the bottom four. "In past years, it's been more spread out. But there's a pretty big gap this time."
"Gah!" Denki recoiled his head backwards. "That's no fair."
"What about the real star?" Yuga pouted while Mina looked miffed that she didn't get any. "Moi?"
"Todoroki got the most, ahead of Bakugo?" Kyoka raised a brow in confusion. "And Mido's got a fairly low number. You'd think she'd be higher since she was on TV before any of us."
"Yeah, it's the opposite of how they placed in the festival," Eijiro pointed out the obvious.
"They probably weren't excited about working with the guy who had to be chained up at the end," Hanta then spoke up to them. "Or about a girl who defended him. They must think she's similar to him."
Katsuki turned around to him, pissed off. "If I scared a pro, they're just weak!" He exclaimed in anger while Izuka gave a nervous look at the boy. She personally could see why she had less offers, but she didn't really mind that.
Momo let out a small sigh at not getting offers, and she felt like she knew why. Izuka blinked and turned around to her. It was then she realized she hadn't had any time to talk to the girl. I'm not being a good friend if I don't ask her how she's feeling after the Sports Festival. I've just been caught up in other things that I haven't found the right moment. She then turned back to her desk with a small frown, pumping her fists in determination. She would definitely ask later so she could help Momo.
"That's amazing," Momo looked at Shoto encouragingly, though the boy looked like he could care less. "You must be proud."
"These offers are probably because of my father," He dismissed as he wouldn't be surprised if Endeavor either talked him up or asked several agencies to consider him...
Ochaco gasped with happy tears in her eyes, shaking Tenya in front of her. After how she felt in the Sports Festival with her loss, this definitely was helping her feel better. "People want us...!" She gave a happy giggle.
Izuku had the opposite reaction as he let out a groan, since he wasn't on the board. Minoru shook him a little. "Midoriya. You got none! I bet everyone was really grossed out by the crazy way you were fighting. But Mido's got some, maybe she could offer to take us to the one she'll pick..." Minoru looked towards Izuka longingly. Izuku groaned in a bit of annoyance, his eyes narrowing a bit.
"Please stop..." Izuka pleaded while closing her eyes after hearing this. The last thing she wanted was her perverted classmate to eye her the whole time if they ended up picking the same place to internship...Katsuki glanced back with a murderous look at Minoru and he shook in fear.
"Despite these results...you'll all be interning with pros. Got it? Even those of you who didn't get any offers," Mr. Aizawa revealed, to their shock.
"Oh, so...we're all interning?" Izuku blinked as he thought it was just those who got offers.
"Yes. You already got to experience combat with real villains during the attack on the USJ facility. But it'll still be helpful to see pros at work. Up close and personal, in the field. Firsthand," Mr. Aizawa explained to the class.
"And for that, we need hero names!" Rikido guessed correctly while clenching a fist. Ochaco's smile brightened up.
"Things are suddenly getting a lot more fun!" She replied with a cheerful expression.
"These hero names will likely be temporary, but take them seriously or-"
The door suddenly opened. "You'll have hell to pay later!" Midnight interrupted him, Minoru standing up in shock. He and Denki were both blushing while Hanta gave a smile. "What you pick today could be your codename for life. You better be careful, or you'll be stuck with something utterly indecent," She strode in, her hands behind her back.
"It's Midnight!" Some of the boys gushed.
"Yeah, she's got a good point," Mr. Aizawa agreed with her. "Midnight is going to have final approval over your names. It's not my forte," He bent down to grab his sleeping bag.
Hizashi Yamada, or Present Mic, glanced at his classmate curiously. "Hm? So you haven't decided on a codename yet?"
"It doesn't matter what I choose," Shota commented while looking at his desk. "I don't wanna be in the spotlight anyway."
"Bro, I got it!" Hizashi gave a big grin. "I got it! How about Eraser Head?!"
"Sure, whatever," Shota agreed without seeming to mind.
"The name you give yourself is important. It helps reinforce your image and shows what kind of hero you wanna be in the future. A codename tells people exactly what you represent. Take All Might for example."
Izuku gave a determined look, hoping that he could live up to his hero and his name. All Might... He snapped out of it as he was given a small board by Katsuki. He took some and then gave one to his sister. My hero name...I need something that embodies the kind of hero I wanna be one day...
Izuka hummed in thought while looking up to the ceiling. A hero name...I never gave it much thought after I found out about my Quirk. I had a design in mind, but I could never settle on a proper name. I need one that'll help me stand out like I want to in the future...
Mr. Aizawa slept in his sleeping bag, nuzzled in front of the chalkboard. "Now students, who among you is ready to share?" Midnight gestured to the podium.
Eijiro opened his mouth in shock. We're presenting these?!
Hanta then flinched in alarm. Oh great! Who's got the balls to go first?
Yuga stepped up first, turning to his classmates with a smile. He then slowly held up his board halfway. "Hold your breath," He stated and everyone stopped murmuring as they waited. "...The Shining Hero!" He then held it up for all to see. "My name is I can not stop twinkling! Mon amis. You can't deny my sparkle."
Most of them were baffled by this. Come on!
He waited patiently for Midnight's approval. She had taken his board and then scribbled on it. "It'll be better this way. Take out the I and shorten the cannot to can't," She suggested as she held it up as it was now Can't Stop Twinkling.
"It's stunning, mademoiselle," He pointed to her in approval.
"She likes it?!" Kyoka, Denki, Eijiro, Rikido, and the twins all wondered either in disbelief or shock.
"Also, you're not really French, are you? That's just an act," Rikido accused his classmate.
"Maybe don't ask that with the entire class hearing you, Sato-San..." Izuka suggested politely with an awkward smile.
"Okie dokie, lemme go next!" Mina skipped towards the front, and her suggestion was Alien Queen. "My codename: Alien Queen!"
"Hold on!" Midnight exclaimed in protest, thinking of Mina as a terrifying monster. "Like that horrible monster with the acidic blood? I don't think so..."
"Dang it," Mina pouted as she went back to her seat.
That one wasn't okay? Some of her classmates thought wearily. Since the first two were so weird, I feel like I have to come up with something really clever now!
Tsuyu then raised her hand. "Ribbit! I think I've got one. Okay if I go next?"
"Come on up!" Midnight pointed with an encouraging smile.
"I've had this name in mind since grade school," Tsuyu confessed while looking at the name. She then turned it around to reveal it. "Rainy Season Hero: Froppy!"
Midnight rushed over to her, looking happy. "That's delightful! It makes you sound approachable." The students went from terrified to relieved after hearing this. "What a great example of a name everyone will love!"
"Froppy! Froppy!" Half of them cheered for their classmate. "Froppy! Froppy!"
Thanks, Froppy! Finally, a normal one! They were thinking while they cheered.
Eijiro went up next. "I've got mine too. The Sturdy Hero. My name is Red Riot!" He told his class confidently.
"Red Riot?" Midnight seemed to be familiar with it. "Interesting. You're paying homage to the Chivalrous Hero, Crimson Riot, yes?"
"That's right," He rubbed the back of his neck in a bit of embarrassment. "He may be kind of old school, but someday, I wanna be just like he was. Crimson is my idol."
"Hm," Midnight gave an approving smile. "If you're bearing the name of someone you admire, you have that much more to live up to."
"I accept the challenge!" He grinned widely at the teacher.
Wow, that's so cool Izuku gave a look of awe. He then looked down at his board. Before I met All Might, I had a couple of names picked out. Big sister did too.
"Ah," Inko turned to her children in surprise. "You two want me to help you pick out your hero names?"
"Yeah!" Izuku was wearing an All Might costume. Izuka simply had on a hoodie in the hero's likeness with the two hairs sticking out from it. Both of them held out their notebooks to her, the boy jumping around. "I can't decide which one I like most!"
"Let's see here," Inko smiled as Izuku bounced happily. Izuka giggled at him, looking up at her mother in anticipation from the left. "There's Mighty All Man and Mighty Boy. Then we have All Bright and Night Girl. Oh, All Might Jr and Nova?"
"That's me!" Izuku stood up happily, Izuka smiling at her brother.
"Mighty Man or Captain All Might. Bright Gal or Princess All Bright. Ooh, I like Super All Might and Super Nova!" Inko continued to read, letting her children express themselves.
"Super!" Izuku shouted as Izuka stood up, her hands above her head.
"Super!" She repeated in excitement with a slight blush on her face.
"Super!" Inko wrapped her arms around the twins, picking them up in unison, both of them laughing.
We loved coming up with all those names. It was one of the few times I remember Izuka being excited about being a hero before she got her Quirk. Izuku blushed in embarrassment from the memory. They never failed to put a smile on my face back in those days. But...now that I've been given his power and I'm training under him with my sister...I see just how far I still have to go. He looked at his blank board, realizing...that he couldn't just take All Might's name anymore. Not when he had to work hard to become number one. There's no way I can choose a name that riffs off of his yet.
Izuka also looked conflicted, leaning back a bit in thought. Those names just don't seem right to me now. Maybe it was because it was before everything changed that I can't pick one of them. Just because I paid homage to All Might back then doesn't mean I could do it now. I don't have his power, but he does treat me the same as Izuku. That's all I can really ask for now since he's kept his promise. She bit her lip in thought, rubbing her chin at her blank board. So that just leaves any other name in the whole world...but maybe I should narrow it down. What is it about me that I want to reflect in my hero name?
Denki tapped his marker against his chin, a bit frustrated. "Man. I still haven't been able to think of anything that's cool enough..."
Someone tapped his shoulder and he turned to see Kyoka. "Hey, I've got one," She gave an amused look. "How does Jamming-yay sound to you?"
"Ha!" He immediately realized why that suggestion. "Oh, it's like Hemingway, who wrote A Farewell to Arms, right? Real clever," He gave an approving smile and a thumbs up. "I like it!" He thought that would make him seem smart.
"No," She covered her mouth while trying not to laugh out loud, thinking of his face when he overused his Quirk. "It's because even though you're powerful, you always...jam your brain!"
"Oh come on, Jiro!" He did not look amused as she stood up. "Quit messing with me!"
She then dashed to the podium with a small smile. "The Hearing Hero. I'm Earphone Jack."
"Now that's a good one!" Midnight smiled at her, though it was her Quirk's name.
Mezo then went up with his. "The Tentacle Hero, Tentacole," One of his limbs spoke for him.
"Oh, I like what you're doing with that," Midnight agreed as it was tentacle and octopus mixed together. "A nice portmanteau."
Hanta went up next, though he was a little nervous. "The Taping Hero, Cellophane!"
"That's on the nose. Good work!" She winked with a thumbs up and he blushed in response.
Mashirao was up as he stood in front of the class. "Martial Arts Hero: Tailman."
"No surprise with that one, I guess!" Midnight brightened a little.
Rikido smirked as he held his board. "I'm the Sweets Hero, Sugarman!"
"Perfect!" Midnight gushed from it.
"Pinky!" Mina held up a fist, hoping it would get a pass.
"Make those looks work for you, girl!" Midnight pumped her fist in encouragement.
"Stun Gun Hero," Denki presented his after Mina. "I am Chargebolt! Electric, don't you think?" It was mixed in with lightning bolt, since that was his Quirk.
"Makes me all tingly!" Midnight gushed again, a blush on her face.
Toru then stood to give hers. "The Stealth Hero: Invisible Girl!"
"That really suits you!" Midnight agreed and then held out a hand. "Now come on, who's gonna step up next?"
The next student was Momo. "I hope that I can live up to this name. The Everything Hero: I'm Creati!"
"Creative!" Midnight clapped a little, and Izuka did too with a small smile.
Yaoyorozu-Chan's hero name is cute, and it makes sense given her Quirk.
Momo looked at the girl and hummed with a small smile.
Shoto was up, but his was...a bit unexpected. "Shoto."
"Just your name?" Midnight eyed it curiously. "Is that it?"
"Uh-huh," He mumbled as he didn't seem to mind it.
After him was Fumikage up front. "Jet-Black Hero: Tsukuyomi."
"Ah, god of the night!" Midnight was especially happy with this one.
Minoru stood in front of the class, but all they could see was the top of his hair. "Fresh-Picked Hero: Grape Juice!"
"Very kitschy!" Koji was after Minoru, blushing as he didn't speak. His name was the Petting Hero: Anima. "Yup! All about it!" Midnight gave him a thumbs up.
Then it was Katsuki's turn, and his...was about as anyone in his class would've expected. And it was a straight example of a 180-turn given the last one. "King Explosion Murder."
Izuka cringed a bit at this. I can't say that this doesn't surprise me...isn't that a bit extreme?
"I'm gonna say that one's a little too violent," Midnight rubbed her chin while staring at him.
"Huh, whaddaya mean?!" He exclaimed at her in anger.
"Why don't you be Explosion Boy?" Eijiro called out to the blond.
"You shut up, weird hair!" Katsuki screamed towards him. As he was yelling, Ochaco stood up, hiding her name in front of her.
"Okay. My turn." After the angry blond sat down, she held up her board in a bit of embarrassment: Uravity. "This is the name I thought of: Uravity."
Midnight pressed her hands together, brightening up. "I just love that!" Ochaco gave a sigh of relief at this.
Oh, I get it. She used both her name and her Quirk! Izuka gave her friend a small smile. The brunette glanced at her and smiled back, giggling.
"To be honest, choosing names is going faster than I thought it would," Midnight commented as it was already 9:20. "All we have left is young Bakugo, who needs to rethink his, and Ida. Oh yes, and the Midoriyas too!"
Tenya gripped the marker as he had been sitting like that for a while now. He had something in mind, but...he was hesitant using it. "Tenya," Tensei spoke to him while in the hospital. "I wasn't sure if I wanted to say anything yesterday." Tenya was sitting nearby, wearing a mask. "But I...I can't feel my legs. They're useless."
"What?!" Tenya recoiled back in shock; that meant that...his brother could no longer use his Quirk. "No way!"
"Yeah. I think the hero Ingenium...is finished," Tensei revealed sadly; he thought that retirement would've been when he'd stop hero work. Sadly...life just didn't work out that way. "At least for me."
"No!" Tenya protested while standing up. "You still have so many people to help and inspire, brother. This can't be true!" He shook his head rapidly as he refused to believe it. Despite what he just heard, he wanted to hold onto the hope he had as a kid watching his brother be a hero.
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid it is," Tenya's eyes shook as he looked away. Tensei then opened an eye. "That's why...I want you to take the name...will you do that? For me, Tenya."
Tenya started to move his hand to write Ingenium, but his hand stopped writing it about halfway through. He looked away, squeezing his eyes shut. He would've accepted it alone for just the request, but...something in him just couldn't go through with it. No...I'm still...
He then presented only Tenya. He didn't say anything as he looked away. "You're using your real name, too?" Midnight wondered in a bit of surprise. Izuka's eyes saddened towards Tenya.
It might have to do with his brother that he's not jumping to use any other name...poor Ida-San.
Katsuki was frustrated still coming up with his. "Well, Midoriya, are you ready?" He gave a look of surprise as he was lost in thought.
"Oh. Yes!"
"Um..." Izuka raised her hand timidly before Izuku could stand up. "Can I...present with my brother please, Ms. Midnight?" He glanced down at her in a bit of surprise, some other classmates staring at her as well with wide eyes. "I...wanna be right next to him when he hears mine, that's all," She pressed her fingers together nervously.
"I don't see why not," Midnight gave a small smile towards the girl. Izuku nodded with a small smile as they both got up. Izuka silently ran past Katsuki and Toru as he followed his sister. Both of them had their names hidden from the class.
This is it. It has to be
Izuka hugged hers close while taking a deep breath. I can't imagine having any other name. And it's one I wanna grow with.
He showed his first, and most of the class was shocked aside from Katsuki. Izuka blinked and then gave a small smile. "Really, Midoriya?" Minoru called out first.
"You sure about that?" Denki raised a brow skeptically.
"Yeah man, remember, that could be your name forever," Eijiro gave a small frown.
"Right...I used to hate it," He confessed to the class. "But then, something changed. I guess...someone taught me that it could have a different meaning. And that had a huge impact on how I felt," He then gave a small smile. "So now I really like it."
"You can call me Deku, but I'm not helpless anymore! From now on, Deku is the name of a hero!"
He gave a slightly nervous smile as he looked up. "Deku. That has to be my codename!"
Katsuki was baffled by this while Ochaco gave a knowing smile. She could interpret that she was the one who inspired him to use it.
Izuka then cleared her throat. "My hero name...I wanted it to reflect how much I wanna be just like everyone here," She glanced at all of them. "Strong, confident, and powerful. I know that with me not having used my Quirk in years has put me behind...so I hope that someday I'll be like my brother, and be front and center like he has shown already. Actually...something someone said helped me confirm that this is the one."
"I just wanna be more like you guys...to shine like a moon would in the night sky," She confessed to Katsuki, who blinked slowly. He then scoffed, putting his hands into his pockets.
"You really still believe you're weak? Not after what I saw, idiot. You at least didn't completely blow it."
She did a double take as he didn't look towards her at all.
Katsuki slowly looked up with wide eyes, wondering if she meant that instance. "So my name..." She held up her board to reveal it. "Is the Shining Bright hero, Callista!"
"Oooh!" Midnight gushed while pointing at her. "That's so cute! And it alludes to one of Jupiter's moons, Callisto!"
"Hmph," Yuga stared at her, a bit offended. "Stealing my image a little, are you?"
"But..." Ochaco blinked at the girl in confusion. "You already shine like us, Mido!"
"Yeah!" Eijiro smiled while clenching a fist. "You placed in the top 9th, after all. That just proves how great you are!"
"Mido is already a formidable classmate. She did almost take down Bakugo," Shoto glanced towards Katsuki, who growled from the reminder.
"Shut up, Icy-Hot! I can take her on right now!"
Everyone started talking in agreement as Izuka looked around in awe. She then slowly gave a beaming smile. "Thank you, everyone...! I promise I'll keep at it!" She exclaimed with pink cheeks and her eyes closed. Izuku smiled at her happily.
Thank you, everyone...for always being there for my big sister.
Katsuki stared at the girl's smile and flinched, turning away with a flushed face. She's never smiled like that with me around...
In the teachers lounge, Cementoss was looking at something. "Huh. Offers for the first years are still coming in." Toshinori walked in from behind. "Lookie here."
"Who's that one for?" The man asked curiously.
"It's for Midoriya," Cementoss explained to him.
"Really? Who's after him?" Toshinori got a curious closer look. He then narrowed his eyes once he saw who it was. "What?! Are you kidding me?!" He screeched at the name.
"Lord Explosion Murder!" Katsuki exclaimed once he came up with a new one.
"That's basically the same thing," Midnight deadpanned at the boy.
Izuka gave a quiet giggle to herself and then pinched her nose in realization. Why do I find this kinda adorable?
"Now that everyone's decided on their hero names, we can go back to talking about your upcoming internships," Mr. Aizawa spoke once he was done with his nap. "They'll last for one week. As for who you'll be working with: those of you who were on the board will choose from among your offers, everyone else will have a different list. You have a lot to think about," He showed a paper as an example. "There are around 40 agencies across the country who've agreed to take on interns from your class. Each agency has a different specialty that its heroes focus on. Keep that in mind."
"Imagine that you were Thirteen," Midnight suddenly chimed in. "You'd want to choose a place that focuses on rescuing people, not fighting villains. Understand?"
"Think carefully before you decide."
"Yes sir!" Everyone chimed and they got their lists as the bell rung.
"I wanna fight crime and bad guys in a big city," Eijirō gave a small smile.
"I just hope I can intern someplace where there's a lot of flooding," Tsuyu chimed while looking at her own list. "Or maybe a lake."
"Turn in your choices before the weekend," Mr. Aizawa informed while Midnight smiled and waved.
"We've only got two days?!" Hanta yelped in alarm.
"Yeah, so you should start now," He replied and then looked over his shoulder. "You're dismissed." He then closed the door, leaving his students alone.
Shoto gave a small gasp as of course, his father's hero agency was on his list. He then gave a small frown, unsure if he could really put himself through that...
Lunchtime was just about to start and they were still going through their lists. "So guys, have you decided what pro agency you wanna go for?" Mina asked in boredom, slouched in her chair. Momo and Kyoka surrounded Izuka's desk as they talked to her.
"Mt. Lady's my top choice!" Minoru smiled while jerking a thumb to himself.
"Mineta," Tsuyu walked past him with a blank look. "Are you thinking something perverted?"
"Possibly..." He gave her a look of disbelief that she was able to guess.
"You made it pretty far in the tournament," Mashirao pointed out as he joined Mina, Ochaco, and Minoru. "It's weird you didn't get any offers."
"I know!" Mina stood up with a whine.
Ochaco gave a small chuckle, turning around. "Hey Deku, Mido, who are on your lists?"
Izuku was once again in one of his muttering phases. Izuka gave him a sheepish smile from nearby. "There are only 40 heroes who'll take us, so after looking up their specialties sand splitting them into groups, I can start narrowing..."
There he goes again All five thought to themselves.
"Huh?" Izuku looked up with an embarrassed blush. "Oh. Sorry. What'd you guys say?"
"I myself haven't really decided yet," Izuka looked at her list in thought. "But I know that I want to do an agency that specializes in fighting."
"You're both really thinking hard about this, aren't you?" Tsuyu asked as she and Ochaco approached the twins.
"Mmhm," Izuka gave a small nod and smile at her classmates.
"Oh, does that have to do with your Comet Punch?" Momo blinked at her.
"Makes sense. She's only used it once against Bakugo," Kyoka glanced at the short girl. Katsuki huffed to himself, closing his eyes.
"Oh, well...I just wanna be able to make progress, that's all," Izuka pressed her fingers together, closing her eyes with a smile. "I hope I can learn more about my Quirk too. Maybe do some target practice if I get the chance."
"It'll all work out, for both of you," Ochaco encouraged the two. "I've settled on my pick."
"Already?" Mina asked her in surprise.
"What agency?" Mashirao questioned her curiously.
"The one that the Battle Hero, Gunhead runs," She answered, and Izuku looked up in a bit of shock. His sister blinked slowly as she saw Ochaco as more of a rescue hero.
"Gunhead's a big brawler, though. Are you sure that's where you wanna intern, Uraraka?"
"Yup! He sent me an offer," She punched the air with a grin.
"Whoa, really? But I thought you were trying to be a hero kinda like Thirteen, more into rescuing than fighting," Izuku pointed out what his sister was thinking.
"Ultimately, that's the plan. But I've been thinking ever since the festival—well, at least since I faced off against Bakugo," She then moved her feet apart, punching the air again. "The stronger I am, the more possibilities I'll have! Plus, learning from a battle hero will give me a different perspective. Right?"
Izuku blinked a few times as he could see her logic. "Yeah, totally."
"Well, after hearing that, I support your choice, Uraraka-Chan," Izuka gave her a small smile.
"Aww, thanks, Mido!" Ochaco smiled down at her, pumping her fists. "I'll support you too!"
"Me as well," Momo gestured to herself.
"More importantly, there's something I've been meaning to ask you all day. Why are you trembling?" Ochaco wondered to the green-haired boy.
"Oh. This?" He wasn't actually sitting in his chair, he was hovering above it while shaking. "It's exercise."
"Exercise?! Were you doing that during the whole class?"
"There's no way!" Mina exclaimed while Mashirao stared at him wide-eyed.
"That's such an old-fashioned way to train," Minoru piped up from behind.
"A smart one, though. The isometric muscle contraction that's needed to hold your body above your seat makes it an easy way to work out without moving," Mashirao explained while Katsuki was shaking in anger. He then crumpled his paper a little.
"Idiots..." He grumbled, though either they ignored him or didn't hear it. All except for one, though.
"Mm?" Izuka blinked at him from her seat. A gaze that didn't go unnoticed from Ochaco or Momo.
I have to keep on improving. It's the only way I'll have any hope of finally controlling One for All.
Fumikage glanced at them, his arms crossed. "Tis skill not strength that governs a ship," He informed while Tenya stared at his paper in silence. He wrote something down as he made his choice as well.
After that, classes were ending as students were leaving school. "Hey, Deku!" Ochaco ran up to him. "Wanna walk together?"
"Mmhm," Izuku nodded with a small smile.
"Ida, come with u-" She faltered as Tenya wasn't actually at his seat. In fact, he hadn't said much today to anyone. "Huh..."
"I bet he already decided where he wants to do his internship," Izuku guessed while walking to the door. "My guess is he's off turning his forms in right now."
"Mido, wanna come?" Ochaco smiled at the girl, who looked up while holding her bags.
"I would love to, but the crowds when school is over are still overwhelming. Reminds me of the Sports Festival if I think about it too hard," She shivered a little and then held up her bag. "Besides...you know me," She rubbed her arm awkwardly.
"Oh, you must've gotten some inspiration from the Sports Festival to paint something!" Ochaco guessed correctly with a grin. "I won't get in your way then!"
"You could say that..." Izuka glanced away sheepishly—all she had drawn lately was Katsuki, so it wasn't like she had anything else to paint...
"Well, enjoy your painting," Her brother waved and then opened the door. All Might suddenly dashed in front of him, bowing to the boy with a laugh.
"I am here in a bizarre position!" He announced, baffling the twins.
"Um...yeah, what's that about, and why are you in such a hurry?"
"Hi, you and Mido come with me a sec," He gave a nervous wave. Izuku glanced back at his sister, who gave him a look of confusion at this.
"Uh, sure. Okay."
"Oh!" Izuka blinked in realization. "I have to tell-" She turned around to Katsuki's desk, but he wasn't there. She assumed that he must've gone home after being annoyed hearing Izuku's conversation earlier. "Um...never mind. See you tomorrow, Uraraka-Chan and Yaoyorozu-Chan," She took her bags while waving to them.
"Bye Mido!" Ochaco smiled and waved at her.
"Get home safely," Momo called out to the girl.
The trio stood in the hallway for the bathroom. "I'll get straight to the point. You've received an offer from a hero who'd like to take you on," He revealed to Izuku, who gasped in excitement.
"Oh, that's so great, little brother," Izuka smiled at him happily.
"Wait, seriously, who?!"
"Yes," All Might didn't face them, standing in the shadow. Izuka tilted her head at him. "The hero's name is...Gran Torino," He then looked back at them in terror. "He taught at this school back in my day, but only for one year. In fact, the man was my homeroom teacher." Izuku beamed at the hero. "He knows about One for All, as well." Izuku then gave a look of shock, his sister opening his mouth a little. "Actually, I suspect that's the reason he asked for you."
"Are you alright, Mr. All Might? Do you...need to go to the infirmary?" Izuka asked the man in concern, but he didn't answer.
"This guy sounds totally awesome!" Izuku gushed and then realized something. "Wait. So he knows how your Quirk works, too? But how?"
"Gran Torino was the sworn friend of my predecessor. He retired a long time ago, so I...forget to count him among the people who know," He then grunted as he was shaking, but in fear. "Is this because I wrote about you in the letter I sent him? Or did he watch the festival and think that my teaching was inadequate like Mido did at some point? If he went so far as to use his old hero name when making the offer...it's scary. Too scary. Dammit, legs, stop shaking!" He hit his own leg a few times.
"Are you sure you're okay?!" Izuka yelped at him, her hair standing up on end. Izuku was shocked by this as well. "And please don't take it too hard, I only wanted my brother to stop getting hurt..."
All Might is seriously freaking out right now...
All Might let out a growl. "I-I'm fine, though your concern is appreciated, Mido. Anyway, it is my duty to train you," He couldn't stop shaking the entire time. "But, since you got an offer, you should work with him this week if that's what your heart says. Anyway, h-h-here's the-the-the-the address," He stammered while giving Izuku the paper.
Just how scary is this guy...?
I'm honestly feeling scared for both of them...is this man really that bad? Izuka glanced between the two of them, patting both their backs in unison.
"Young Mido! Let's talk about your offers. Anyone in mind?" All Might turned to her and she pulled out her own list to show them.
"Well, I had 79, but I do wanna pick a fighting agency," She gave a small smile and then pointed to one. They both blinked in shock at the one she was looking at. "I was considering maybe this one?"
"Whoa, you got one from a hero in the top ten?!" Izuku flinched in shock, and then turned to her. "He doesn't seem to match your fighting style, though. Are you sure that's who you wanna intern with, Izuka?"
"I know it'll involve a lot of public interaction, but I think it'll be worth it," She hummed with a smile. "I just hope that he doesn't mind..."
"I'm sure he won't! I'll even put in a good word for you anonymously!" All Might gestured to himself.
"Ah! Isn't that a bit much?!" She shrieked while a bit on edge. If he made the referral too obvious, she might not get picked at all...
Mr. Aizawa was looking through several students that had already turned in their forms. "Internships, huh?" Snipe walked up to him.
"Yeah. A few students already chose theirs," Mr. Aizawa informed the teacher.
"It's an important time for them. Make sure they do it right...plenty a' third years around here still regret their picks," He then walked off.
"Of course," As he was flipping, he noticed that Tenya only had one choice listed out of three. And his was in Hosu City, with the Manual Agency. Ida only listed one place. That's strange. He must have gotten better offers than this one. He then saw the city name. A hero agency in Hosu.
Tenya was running off as the sun was setting. Don't tell me...
Ochaco was taking her umbrella. "What? You got an offer?" She smiled as he was holding his shoes. "Go Deku! That's awesome!"
"Yeah, thanks. And Izuka's thinking about her choices still," He opened up Tenya's locker to see that it was empty.
"Aw, man. Did Ida go home without us?" Ochaco whined a little and he closed the locker. He hoped Tenya was doing alright...what he said that morning was concerning to say the least. And knowing him, his brother getting hurt wasn't something he'd pass off as things being okay...
Izuka stood at the exit of U.A., looking up towards the rain as it had returned. She spent too much time painting to catch up before the internship that it was now nighttime. And on the one day she forgot her umbrella… "Great," She sighed heavily, as she'd have to cover herself up if she wanted to get home on time. She put down her stuff and was about to take off her jacket when someone stepped up to her.
"Oi," Her eyes widened from the familiar voice. Katsuki took her black bag and then turned towards her, holding his own umbrella. "Let's get going, mousy."
"Huh?" She blinked in surprise as she looked up that he was still here, wondering why he wasn't at home by now like everyone else was. I thought he went home already. What's he doing here? "B-Bakugo-San…?" She stared at him and he gave her a snarl.
"Yeah, it's me. Now come on before I leave without you."
She opened her mouth as she realized…he must've waited for her the whole time if he was the only other person here with her. How did he know she'd be out late?
She snapped out of it and picked up her bag, and he joined her side. They started to walk together in silence, the girl at his left side as she looked towards the city up ahead. She glanced up at Katsuki with curiosity, wondering how long he was gonna keep this routine of theirs up. It had been months now that he had been walking her home and she had a feeling he shouldn't wait for her if she was running late.
"U-um…" She started off nervously and his piercing red eyes glanced towards her. "Thank you, but…you didn't have to wait for me today…I was gonna cover myself with my jacket…"
"Tch," He scoffed a bit, looking back up ahead. "You would wanna focus your time on dumb painting before internships started. And I saw you with Deku this morning without your own umbrella."
"Y-You could've just gone home…!" She protested up at him.
"If I did, you'd be sick in bed by tomorrow. Then Deku would start being annoying if you ended up missing internships," He looked back up ahead.
She came to a stop seconds later. She didn't believe that entirely. Izuku would worry all day, yes, but Katsuki wouldn't wait for her just because of her brother. He wouldn't even admit that to her ever. "…Is that really why?"
He came to a stop, staring at her. "Or is it because of things like I lost against you in the Sports Festival or our talk after our match?" She flinched and covered her mouth immediately. She didn't mean to ask that! Especially since it was none of her business in his eyes. Katsuki's eyes widened at her not only speaking so clearly but because of the question. Her voice felt nice when she wasn't stammering or so quiet.
"…Get real," He murmured as he wasn't even angry. "I'm still gonna defeat you too someday outside of a Sports Festival. Don't ever doubt that for a second, ya damn short stack."
She stared at him in silence as she couldn't respond to that. Their fight was…exhausting but also…exhilarating for her. She never felt anything like it. Even when…he hesitated before defeating her.
"I-I shouldn't have asked. I'll shut up…" She muttered since he still had that mindset that she actually kinda liked. Izuka's eyes widened as she bit her lip. Now she could start to see why Izuku admired him so much, but Katsuki was always the same as always. That hadn't ever changed.
"Whatever," He mumbled and then hooked an arm around her. "Come on, I don't have all night. The old hag at home is gonna scream if I don't get you home by curfew."
She stared up at him in a bit of awe as he kept his eyes forward. It wasn't the most meaningful or genuine conversation they had walking home together, but…it was at least something that she could get used to. Heck, he didn't even call her a mouse again...
After getting home, she was sitting at her desk, sketching. She had her eyes closed in thought. During my internship, I probably won't have time to sketch. And I've been falling behind lately anyway. I haven't done much painting because only one thing keeps coming up in my sketchbooks. Well, at least it could give me some new ideas. I wonder which one Bakugo-San chose, he didn't seem to wanna talk about them tonight. Maybe it's because it reminds him of how he won.
She then looked down and faltered as she realized she was drawing him again. This time, his face was surrounded by cherry blossoms as he looked neutral in the sketch. "No, I can't keep doing this with him," She grumbled while crumpling up the paper, placing both hands on her head with a frustrated look. "But it's such good detail, I can't throw it away," She opened it back up and then hit her head against the desk with a groan. It wasn't like she had nothing else to draw, but at the same time, she had to question why him.
Izuku watched from the doorway and then knocked on her door a bit. "You okay?" He stepped inside as she looked up, sighing.
"Let's just say that my mind keeps focusing on...other things and I don't know what to do about it," She informed and he saw her crumpled paper, giving a small smile.
"Hey, that's a good drawing of Kacchan! Is that what you were drawing in class too?" He smiled while looking over her shoulder and she groaned, slowly rubbing a temple.
"Why am I drawing him?"
"Maybe you're doing it for the both of you. Because maybe deep down, you're seeing a different side to him. I don't think you should resist it, sis," She looked away with an amused smile at his theory. The girl then gave a small laugh.
"No offense, but that's both incredible and nonsensical."
"He's been really protective of you. He wouldn't save you if he didn't mean it," Izuku pointed out to her. "Plus, sometimes when he drops you off, you seem to smile."
"No, he makes me laugh because sometimes it's unbelievable how idiotic he is. I still remember him punching Monoma-San, you know. That hasn't escaped my mind."
"Izuka..." He gave her a small smile. "When's the last time you ever drew him? That feeling of wanting to sketch him isn't going away, it seems. And you may not realize it, but I think deep down, you like drawing Kacchan. Are you afraid he'll be mad if he found out?"
She paused since he would probably get defensive over it. Thankfully he never really looked at her paintings or sketches much. He had only seen them twice, so if he realized she had been sketching him now, he might tear them since they were done by a 'short stack.' "...Maybe. And thank you for not freaking out about it," She relented in a bit of embarrassment.
"Well, I am a little surprised, but I wanna see more!" He gave a big smile, pointing to the crumpled paper. "Don't waste good drawings just because it's him. And don't worry, this conversation never happened."
He closed the door and left. Izuka sighed, smiling a little. Well, he wasn't the worst thing she had ever sketched.
After the Sports Festival...Ida's big brother was all over the news. The twins watched the news together, Inko looking sympathetic for the hero. It turns out he'd been attacked in Hosu City, Tokyo. The person responsible had apparently already killed 17 heroes in the past, and hurt 23 so badly that they were beyond recovery.
Trying to understand or justify it was next to impossible. Especially since one of our classmates was experiencing what was clearly a concern. It could've been anyone...outside of the Sports Festival, the Hero Killer was almost all anyone could speak about.
He's a scourge on the pro community. The elusive Hero Killer. His villain name? Stain.
Tenya closed his locker while still in his raincoat. "If it's about my brother, don't be concerned. I'm sorry if I made you worry," He put down his hood while looking over his shoulder. "Everything'll be fine." He then walked away from Izuku.
Ida didn't say anything else about what was going on with Ingenium. Later...I was surprised to hear that he'd taken an internship in Hosu City. Izuku walked home silently with Ochaco. The same place where his brother had been left for dead. But I felt like I couldn't ask him anything about it, since he'd never come to me wanting to talk.
Ida-San may not be talking...but he was clearly holding something back about his brother. When I heard the news, I honestly wasn't surprised. If I were in his place...I'd want to investigate too. I already almost couldn't handle Izuku getting hurt because of his power. I couldn't imagine what Ida-San was going through almost the same thing ten times worse.
That's just how things were between us as we approached the first day of our internships...
Class 1-A was at the train station, getting ready to depart. "Everyone has their costumes, right?" Mr. Aizawa asked them. "Remember, you don't have permission to wear them out in public yet, and don't lose them or anything."
"Gotcha!" Mina chimed with a big smile on her face.
"Speak properly! It's yes sir, Ashido," The teacher corrected her.
"Yes, sir..." She gave a small pout.
"Make sure you mind your manners with the other heroes during your internships," He gave Izuka a look and she flinched. "Now get to it."
I assumed that after the Sports Festival, he'd be a little forgiving with my treatment. I guess that was just wishful thinking... She sweated a little; at least the rumors about her had died down, even though she wasn't really too focused on that anymore. Honestly, it sometimes slipped her mind.
"Yes sir!"
Tenya didn't speak, and he instead left his class in silence. Shoto stared as he walked.
"Ida, wait!" Izuku ran up to him with Ochaco and Izuka. "Hey, if you ever wanna talk or anything, just let us know."
"Mm-hm! Mmh-hm!" Ochaco nodded in agreement with him. Izuka gave him a small nod as well.
"We're friends, right?"
At first, Tenya didn't say anything. He then looked back with a stoic smile on his face, almost as if he was forcing himself to do so. "Yes," Was all he said before he walked off. Ochaco and the twins stared after him.
In that moment...I should have tried harder to find out about how he was feeling. In the days to come...I would regret not being there for him.
Izuka ran up to Momo. "Yaoyorozu-Chan!" The girl came to a stop, looking over her shoulder. "I've been meaning to ask, but...I know that you lost to Tokoyami-San in the Sports Festival. You worked really hard, you must be feeling upset...I wanted to know how you've been doing. As your friend, I should've asked you immediately..."
Momo blinked in surprise and then gave a small smile. "No need to worry, Mido. I know that you've been going through some big changes in your life...concerning yourself with a friend like me isn't necessary, but I appreciate it."
Izuka frowned at her wording; it felt way too similar to how she would think the same of herself. "But Yao-"
"Oh! I'm about to miss my train, please excuse me. I wish you luck in your internship!" Momo bowed to her and then ran off. Izuka's eyes saddened as she watched the girl.
Her thinking was just like mine...the way she doubted herself, it was starting to affect her judgment. We both were up against strong people and lost...I wish I could've asked her sooner instead of later.
"Izuka!" She heard and turned around to see her brother running up. Ochaco followed close behind. "Good luck in your internship, big sis. I know you'll do great and become even stronger!"
"Let's do our best, okay?" Ochaco pumped a fist and Izuka smiled.
"Thanks, you two. Best of luck to you both," She hugged them both and they returned it. "You'll be the first ones to know what happened when we meet up again in class," She pulled away and waved while running off. The two waved back to her with small smiles.
Izuku was on his own train, looking at the paper Toshinori gave him. Wow. A hero even All Might is afraid of. He glanced out the window anxiously. If his mentor's opinion was anything to go by, he had a lot to expect going in for the week...
"Gran Torino," He murmured while walking down the street. "I've never heard of this guy before. But he must be incredible! Yup. Probably super amazing," He looked around for the building...and when he found it, it looked condemned... He glanced up in a bit of fear—this was not helping in the slightest... "Well, this is the right address, but..."
He then knocked on the door and opened it. "Hello, I'm here from UA High. It's Izuku Midoriya. I'm really looking forward to..." He then gasped as a man was surrounded by what looked like blood! He then gave a shout of horror. "Holy whoa, he's dead!"
The man then looked up. "I'm alive!"
"Ahh! He's alive!" Izuku shouted, and then let out a sigh of sweet relief...