Midoriya Izuku sucked air through his teeth as he lifted his form. The wooden beam that supported his ceiling creaked slightly in response. When the aching sensation began to mix with a burning feeling, he slowly let himself hang in the air. His bare feet thudded against his floor. "When did I start doing this…?" he pondered. His hand reached back, tugging at the hair-tie. The tight rattail was turned loose as he plopped himself onto his bed. "Some time after that day for sure… Because I read that exercising…" His gaze dropped, swiping a bottle of water from the foot of his bed. "Does it work…?" He held the cold container against his forehead. A sigh escaped his mouth as he opened the bottle. "No, not really…" While he was mid-swig, he noticed a shadow pass by his window before a series of knocks wrapped against his door.

Izuku pushed himself onto his feet, ignoring the slight ache in his legs. He pulled open the door and found a familiar blond standing before him. "Kaminari?"

"Midori! I need your help!"

Izuku pushed open the door further, stepping forward, "O-Okay, what's wrong?"

"I-don't-know-where-my-Hero-History-textbook-is-we're-having-a-cram-session-and-our-first-exam-is-tomorrow!"

"Missing H.H. textbook, Cram session, Midterm…" A nod followed, "Okay, I can lend you mine."

Kaminari let out a breath of relief, "Oh, thanks, man." He sniffed the air; face, contorting, "Have you been working out? You reek."

Izuku felt a pang of embarrassment shoot through his system. A blush formed on his face while a shot of adrenaline plunged into his arms. Now, once upon a time, he would've wrapped his arms around his head to cover his face and hide his embarrassment. However, his hand was on the edge of his door… So, he slammed it shut, right in Kaminari's face. Around five seconds had passed before Izuku's brain caught up. "Crap…" He pulled open the door, spotting a more sheepish blond beyond it.

Izuku coughed, "I'll get it to you in a minute."

"Y-Yeah, no problem. Sorry about that," muttered Kaminari, rubbing the back of his neck.

"No, don't… uh…" He took a step back, turning into his apartment, "I'll grab it for you."

"Cool…" Kaminari clapped his hands together, "Uh, actually, I was hoping I could ask for your help? If it isn't much, um…" He shook his head, "We're all kinda struggling…"

"W-Why me?" questioned Izuku.

Kaminari seemed surprised, "You're like in the Support Course… Must mean you're pretty smart…"

"I'm… not that…" He noticed Kaminari deflate before he pushed out a cough, "I'll be right over."

"Cool! I'll tell the others!" He gave a thumbs-up as he rushed back to his apartment, "Thanks, Midori!"

Izuku rubbed his temples after he closed his door. "Socializing… so much fun…" He felt a particular vein pulse just under his hairline as his stomach turned. "God, I wish I could redo that…" He turned back into his apartment, and after a quick shower, a change of clothing, and a swipe of his bag, Izuku found himself before his neighbor's door.

A solid knock was followed by tumbling footsteps before it was swung open by Kaminari. "Midori!"

"Hero History?" offered Izuku, holding up the book.

Kaminari took it with vigor, dancing with it, "Woo! Thanks, man!" He chuckled, pushing open the door, "Come on in!" Izuku nodded, offering a pardon for his intrusion as he made his way into the apartment. It was almost a carbon copy of Izuku's, but with a lot more personality. Different types of shoes laid upon a rack next to the door, presumably all Kaminari's. There was a surprising number of hats hanging from hooks on the wall above his small sofa. A sofa that had a leopard-print pattern on it. Finally, a round wooden table was in the center of the room, surrounded by familiar faces.

"Yo," greeted Jirou with a casual wave. Her legs were laid below the table, leaning back on her arms.

Shinso waved himself, sitting with a propped-up knee, "Sup."

"Hiya, Midori!" called Ashido with a grin from her place on the sofa.

Izuku spotted a shuffled piece of trash under the furniture, a hole in a carpet, and a few more hidden bits of trash here and there. "This place is a mess…" He blinked, turning, "Er, I mean hi."

Jirou brought her hand to her mouth, "Pfft, swift recovery, Midoriya."

"Eh? What happened?" asked Kaminari as he stepped into the room.

"Nothing," answered Shinso. He then clapped his hands, "Now, no more distractions or diversions, we study!"

Ashido fidgeted with her fingers, "Eh, what about food?"

"Pizza's on the way," replied Jirou.

Kaminari jerked his thumb, "I got Midori here to help out."

"Yep, I'll help however I can," said Izuku, holding up his bag.

"Woo, tutor!" wooed Ashido.

"What about you?" questioned Jirou.

Izuku gave a slight smile, taking a set at the table, "I'll be completing it with you guys."

"Welcome to the Idiot Crew, then," sighed Shinso.

"Hey," cried Ashido.

"Oi," stabbed Jirou.

Kaminari chuckled, cocking a brow, "Kinda crummy name. You can come up with something better."

Shinso countered, "Like Mindfreak?"

"It's a good Hero name for you!" defended Kaminari.

"Brainwashing Hero: Mindfreak?" Shinso shook his head, "Doesn't sound much like a Hero. Sounds like a… magician or something."

Jirou shrugged, "I still think Discord is pretty cool."

"Purple-Man!" cried Ashido.

Kaminari scratched his cheek, "There's a manga character with that name out there, right?"

Eyes slowly drifted to Izuku before he let out a cough, "Uh… my first thought was Feedback, but that fits Jirou more than you." His own gaze drifted, "So does Echo…"

Kaminari snapped his fingers, "Jirou has uh… Earphone Jack?"

"What?" Jirou floated.

"It's pretty simple," described Ashido.

"Pinky?" she countered.

"Well, Alien Queen got shot down!" was cried.

Shinso sighed, "Title of a movie villain. Of course, it wasn't going to work."

"So, Geas wouldn't work for you either," laid out Izuku.

He nodded, "Very close to something else… Shouldn't risk it."

Jirou blinked, realizing, "Oh my god, how do we always wind up on these tangents?" She clapped her hands together before moving them to her notebook, "Hero History's first, right?"

"Yep!" declared Ashido as she scooted forward.

Shinso nodded, "Okay, we'll hit basic bullet points before dwindling down to the details."

"Okay, first Quirk appeared in Qing-Qing City, China," started Kaminari.

Izuku nodded, "It was just the beginning. Quirks began popping into existence throughout the world. It was never discovered as to why they did either. At first, they were deemed simply mutations. They were almost treated like a global disease. Then, came chaos. People who couldn't control their newfound abilities or didn't know what to do with them. And eventually, criminals began using them."

Jirou continued, "Then… The Era of Vigilantes started…? 'Like-minded people banded together to bring order to the chaos'." She flipped through the textbook, "Sounds like a tag for some movie."

"There have been movies that surrounded the Era of Vigilantes, but they've been hit for being too politically biased," commented Izuku.

"How so?" questioned Ashido.

"Ones that supported the vigilantes brought concern that it would influence people to stray from the Pro-Hero System. Ones that criticized them too much brought ire for spitting on the first generation of real Heroes."

Kaminari winced, "Oof, let's not go down that rabbit hole."

Shinso started, "The Era of Vigilantes began to end with the first enacted Hero System." He reached across the table and closed a pink notebook, "Ashido, where was that?"

"E-Eh? Is this a q-quiz!? Uh-uh…" Ashido rummaged her hair, tapping her lip, before calling out, "Tokyo!"

"Bzzt!" replied Jirou.

"AH!" cried Ashido as she froze stiff, toppling over.

Shinso turned, "Kaminari?"

The blond's eyes nose-dived; only to see a freckled fiend's hand shut the notebook, "Uh…" He crossed his arms, "Qing-Qing City! It was where the first Quirk started and it's where Heroes came to be!"

"Poetic – wrong."

Second verse was the same as the first, "AH!"

"It was in the U.S.A., right?" posed Jirou.

Izuku nodded, "Rhode Island, out of one-hundred and eighty-nine vigilantes, seven were declared Heroes."

"Eh? What about the rest?" asked Ashido.

"They were deemed Quirk-Wielding Villains."

"What!?"

Shinso shook his head, "Wait, Era of Vigilantes – first generation of Heroes, they're synonymous."

"The Era of Vigilantes does not equal the First Generation of Heroes," explained Izuku. "Rather the latter came from the former."

Kaminari leaned back, "That's crazy, why did so many people get the axe?"

"The official one was simply: only seven met the standards of qualification. Which does make sense in a way. I mean the Pro-Hero System was heavily criticized when it was first introduced. And, of course, there are other theories as to why. Some range from a sociological ploy to control the view of Quirks in society. While others offer that the seven were rich or more physically appealing – poster children." Izuku blinked before pushing out a cough, "Uh, but that's more of a Hero Sociology question. We should get back on topic."

"R-Right, first Heroes came out of Rhode Island," realigned Shinso. The group slowly slipped into the swing of their academics. Eventually, the topics shifted from one subject to another.

Izuku looked over Jirou's notes as Kaminari and Ashido went to answer the door, "Quadratic functions are simply taking what is given and reconstructing it as what you know."

Jirou slowly nodded, "I'm… following…"

"Equations will be given. You then must rearrange and match the known factors to the formulas. In doing so, you can then determine the unknown factor in which you solve for."

"That was probably the worst way of explaining it," commented Shinso with a smirk.

Izuku blinked, "E-Eh? Really?" He leaned back, rubbing his chin, "I… hm…"

"Well, don't worry about it because we got pizza!" cried Kaminari, stepping back into the room.

Ashido pumped her fists, "WOO!"

A muffled voice shouted, "Oi! Quiet down! I'm trying to study!" Kaminari and Ashido were frozen stiff as if it made them invisible or rather erased the last thirty seconds from existence. The boxes were split across the table as the group started to relax.

"Ah, man, all this cramming is painful… I don't got enough room in me…" whined Kaminari.

Shinso nearly choked, "Dude, phrasing."

Ashido sighed, "High school's rough… Three hours' worth of homework is killer to start with. Then Midterms and then the Sports Festival."

"Then, Internships, the Final, and then… blissfully…" Jirou trailed off.

"Summer break," they all sighed in-sync.

"I'm already looking forward to it," sighed Shinso.

Ashido stretched, "I'm probably gonna go home and see the family. Little sis must miss me by now."

"Dad's probably having a fit right now." Jirou's gaze leveled with the blond's, "It would be an even worse one considering I'm in your apartment."

"Eh, because I'm a man?" he teased with a waggle of his brow.

Jirou barely held back, "Pfft, man?"

And there laid Kaminari, on his back, shot through the heart by one Jirou Kyoka.

Shinso chuckled before asking, "What about you, Midoriya? Got any plans for Summer break?"

"Uh… no… I don't really have any." he answered. A shrug followed, "Probably just gonna stay with my Mom."

Kaminari tilted his head, "Eh? Dad going on a business trip or something?"

Izuku shrugged, "I wouldn't know…" before taking a bite of his pizza.

Kaminari blinked, eyes wide, while the others sat in silence. Izuku did nothing to alter the path of their thoughts. "Oh shit…" was mouthed by the blond before a metal jack stabbed into his foot. He cried out in pain, rubbing his leg.

Jirou mouthed, "Say something…!"

"Like what…?"

"Sorry is a good place to start…" offered a silent Shinso.

Izuku held back a sigh, "He doesn't have to apologize, everyone. It's fine. It's not like he knew." He pushed a smile, shaking his head, "It really doesn't matter. It's not even a sore spot. Let's just move on, please."

Kaminari blinked, "Ah, well, uh…"

"Junior High was great, wasn't it?" pushed out Ashido.

She was met with an array of awkward, "Y-Yeah."

"Okay… Is this what it's like watching a train crash…?" pondered Izuku.

Kaminari coughed, "Man, I miss the chill days you know. It was, uh, different back then."

"Hm, it had its moments," muttered Shinso.

Jirou shook her head, "Those awkward times were the worst, but at least they were fun."

Ashido slowly turned her head, "R-Right, Midori?"

"Yeah…" His mind stated, "Let's leave it at that…"

"Great!"

A silence soon followed as the group's gazes fell to their laps. Awkward fidgeting and wandering eyes marked everyone's desperation, practically begging for a change in course. Luckily, one was provided by one Midoriya Izuku, "Do you… Do you guys want to go see the fireworks display over the break?" He blinked before raising his palms, "Ah, unless you guys have any other plans... I, uh, don't want to be assuming or anything. Of course... you guys already have plans... I just wanted to change the subject-"

"Midoriya!" called Jirou.

"A-Ah?"

She shrugged, looking amongst the group, "I wouldn't mind seeing the fireworks."

"Woo!" Ashido grinned, "I bought a yukata for last year's, but the display got washed out by rain. I'll finally be able to use it."

Kaminari nodded, "Same! I missed out last year." His eyes widened before he gasped, "Ooh, do you think we can invite Camie-Senpai?"

"If we can avoid the crowd, I'm all in," posed Shinso.

"So, everyone, we will meet for the fireworks display during summer break!" summarized Kaminari. "Agreed?" He was met with a casual but energetic array of agreement.

Ashido blinked, turning to the Quirkless, "Ah, we'll probably need your number to plan it, Midori."

"Yeah, you don't have any of our numbers," recalled Kaminari. He smiled, holding out his hand, "Pass your phone, we'll set up a group-chat and everything."

Izuku sat there for a moment before quickly pulling out his phone, "U-Uh… Sure…" His device was exchanged between hands before landing with him once more. His eyes drifted to his contact list and underneath Utsushimi's name, he found: DENKI, JIROU, PINKY, and SHINSO. A whopping two personal contacts had jumped to six. It was a milestone, an achievement…

Shinso leaned back, "Ah… we should get back to studying…"

"Ugh, can't we sit back a little longer…" groaned Jirou. "I don't want to hop back into the 'Parabola' deep-end."

"Agreed!" cried Kaminari.

"Seconded!" cried Ashido.

Izuku pondered, "Aren't you… third?"

"Our break will continue!" declared Kaminari.

Ashido pumped her fist, "Yeah!"

"You're enabling them…" sighed Shinso.

"They were lost causes to begin with…" muttered Jirou.

"E-Eh!?" cried Kaminari and Ashido.

Izuku leaned back, pressing his back against the sofa, "My birthday's just before summer break…" His eyes shifted, staring towards the ceiling, "Dad…! Dad, dad…! Are you home yet…!? Ah, mom…! Is Dad… M-Mom…? Why are you crying…?" Izuku held it back as he pushed himself on to his feet, "I'll be right back, need to go to the bathroom." He could feel their gazes on his back as he made his leave. He didn't take the time to infer their feelings, he couldn't. "I need a moment to myself…" he thought.

-XXX-

Kaminari Denki ran his toothbrush across his teeth as the morning light shone into his bathroom. "Midoriya…" He remembered the look on his friend's face, yesterday, "I hope he's okay…" He finished his hygiene routine and was just finishing up his uniform as he spotted his clock. If he lived in a cartoon world, his eyes would've shot out of his skull and into the wall. "S-Shit…!" He swiped his cap and his bag as he shoved his shoulder through the door. "Exam Day and I'm late!?"

A familiar voice distracted him from another door opening and closing, "K-Kaminari!?"

"Ashido!" called Kaminari, turning to the girl at the end of the hall.

She waved her hand, "We gotta run! Come on!"

"Aw, man!" He joined her as they sprinted down the staircase.

"You guys, too!?" cried Jirou as she nearly ran into them in the stairwell.

"Of course, Shinso isn't here!" noted Ashido.

"He lives on the ground floor, why would he?" questioned Jirou.

Denki declared, "He should've woken us up!"

"We're not his children."

Denki feigned crying as they stepped onto the ground floor, "But we treated him like family!"

"Is this really the time for a gag!?" shouted Jirou as they ran down the sidewalk.

"I gag when I panic!"

Ashido commented, "BuT yOu'Re tAlKiNg JuSt FiNe!"

Jirou groaned, "You two are the worst!"

Denki's eyes focused ahead, "Shit! The gate's shut!"

"B-But the bell hasn't rung yet!" whined Ashido.

"They probably closed it early so they could turn in for the exams," explained Midoriya.

Denki and Ashido nodded, "That makes sense…" Before they realized, "Midori!? When did you show up!?"

Jirou and Midoriya looked at them both, "He/I was here the whole time."

Denki's face contorted for a moment before Midoriya quickly looked ahead, bringing the tip of his cap downward. "I overslept, too…" he explained.

"Well, what're going to do about the gate?" asked Jirou as she slowed.

Midoriya charged ahead, "The security system won't go off because of our student I.D.s!"

Ashido grinned as she did the same, "Ah, I see where your head's at!"

Jirou's hand slapped over Denki's eyes as Midoriya and Ashido leapt at the wall. Their sneakers scraped across the concrete surface as they gained just enough height to grab the lip of the wall's peak. They both grunted and gritted their teeth as they climbed onto the precipice, mounting it. They looked at the remaining two before reaching out their hands. Jirou pushed Denki forward. He spun, nearly asking her why, before he noticed her blush which caused his eyes to trail down to her skirt. He quickly spun around before her jacks flew toward his eyes. Ashido and Midoriya helped the two over the wall before they dropped down themselves. Denki had the mind to turn away as the acid-girl made the drop. They rushed inside, trading out their shoes at their lockers. The girls finished faster, rushing off for their exam rooms.

Just before the boys went their separate ways, Denki put a hand on Midoriya's shoulder, "H-Hey… Midori – ya. Are you okay?" Midoriya's eyes were obscured from his view by the brim of a cap.

A smile forced its way across Midoriya's face, "I'm fine." He turned his head, lowering it even more, "We better go. We're late enough as it is."

Denki opened his mouth before shutting it, "You're right…" He let go, turning to go his separate way, "But… hey, if you want to talk man, I got ya, okay?" Midoriya stood there – no way to read him.

Whatever was going through Midoriya's head was shaken away, "Sure," was his answer before they ran.

-\ XXX /-

AN: Hello! Just barely got it! Ha-Ha, that was close! Holy hell... Study chapter! Thank god I didn't do one before the Joint Assignment otherwise things might've been a bit too slow. I mean things are already slow, but that might've been a bit much. Major elements are Izuku has been getting fit since the very first chapter, some lore stuff, friends woo, daddy issues ooh, and jokes! A lot of jokes...

I don't think there's anything more to be said. If there is any in-depth analysis to be had, I would let it be discovered by you, reader.

Update Window: March 20th - 25th

With that, thank you for reading and criticize away!