Midoriya Izuku locked the white gauntlet into place on his left arm. That system was an exact copy of the interlocking mechanism made for the Stein Gauntlet. There was a new click, however, signaling the direct connection to the unique system within his bulky glove. He then stood from his stool, feeling the new suit finally mold to his form. What he wore was similar to a professional motorist's jumpsuit – colored in black and white. Though, it had its fair share of modifications. Heavier padding made up of a plastic-metal polymer were added to his shoulders, elbows, and knees. The rubber-like material itself was chosen to relieve tension and allow for a greater ease of movement. And of course, there was his grappling system – his 'Maneuver Belt'. "A terrible name…" It interlocked with a system of straps that were integrated into the suit itself.

The belt lacked any wiring, hooks, and most importantly, pressurized gas. "That was for later…" He tapped his left index finger against his palm, causing the left grapple to click. His pinky met his palm and caused the right grapple to click. Lastly, he brought his middle and ring fingers to his palm which led to the empty spools to spin in reverse. "Control system operational."

Okuma called out, "Hey, looking cool, Midori."

"Hm?" Izuku blinked at the compliment, looking down at himself before shrugging, "If you think so."

Uemura commented, walking alongside Okuma, "You'd look better in green though."

He laughed, "With that War-Hammer, you really plan on going all in, huh?"

"I'm not sure what you mean," replied Izuku,

"Dude, I'm not getting down and dirty with those guys – are you kidding me?" He shook his head, "I made an illusion projector. I'm gonna tuck away in a corner and let them duke it out. I'll repair the gear if they can make it back to me, but I'm not gonna fight."

Uemura shook her head, "Yeah, I did not take the Support Course to fight Heroes – I'd get wiped out."

"Yeah, these guys have been training for that."

Izuku shrugged, "Well, I'm pretty sure everyone's weak to a big metal stick."

Okuma laughed, "Geez, that's terrifying dude. If you come anywhere near me, I'll forfeit right then."

Uemura rolled her eyes, "Only then? I'll forfeit before the match even starts. We're only getting graded on how our gear works – not how we perform."

"They're right… Maybe I'm overstepping my bounds here…" thought Izuku as they walked off.

"Mr. Midoriya, a moment," called Mr. Abraham from his desk.

"Of course, sir," said Izuku as he moseyed over.

Mr. Abraham lifted a piece of paper with a smile, "I wanted to present you with this."

"Hm?" He read the paper before him, "A Field Support Internship?"

He nodded, "Its selection isn't as expansive as the normal Support Course internship nor the Hero Course. However, I do believe it is an avenue worth looking into."

"You're handing these out? Why not pass them out?"

Mr. Abraham tapped his pen against the desk, "Not everyone is interested. I thought I'd let everyone choose individually. Answer specific questions or anything of the sort." He straightened in his seat, "To start, you will receive the same educational credits as your normal internship. The only difference is that instead of interacting with a Support Company, you'll be meeting with a Hero Agency."

"I see."

"Of course, it isn't locked in position. Over the course of the year, we will have more internships and work-studies. You may select between the Support Course selection or the Field Support."

Izuku shrugged, "Well, I guess I'll think about it." He rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm not sure I'm a good fit, though."

"You're a hard-worker, Mr. Midoriya. You'll fit anywhere when you try," offered Mr. Abraham.

Izuku smiled at that before he looked at the back of the sheet, "What options are there?"

"Not many, as I said." He explained, "Shiketsu reached out and I even used some of my old connections." "I even tried to get the Iida Agency aboard, but apparently, the most recent successor, Ingenium, was unavailable. An important police operation required his full attention."

"An important police operation?"

He shook his head, joking, "No juicy details, sadly." He frowned slightly, looking off to the side, "Though, I have a few guesses given recent news."

"Sir Nighteye?" read Izuku.

Mr. Abraham nodded, "Yes, David and he were good friends – friend of a friend."

"David…" He blinked, "As in David Shield?"

"Yes, he's a good friend."

"Neat," said Izuku.

Mr. Abraham stared at the young man for a moment before coughing.

"What?" asked Izuku.

"N-Nothing… I mean, I suppose I expected a… larger reaction."

"Oh…" stated Izuku. "Wow! That's so cool…" cooed he with a shimmer in his eye and a spike with energy that immediately dropped at the last word.

Mr. Abraham spat out a laugh from his gut, building and brief. "Don't mock an old man, Mr. Midoriya."

Izuku nodded, "Well, I'll consider it. Let's see how well I do during this Tournament."

"Of course," said Mr. Abraham. "Oh, do remember that we'll be preparing to leave for the off-campus site soon. So, gather everything you need."

"Aye, aye," said Izuku as he walked back to his station. On the barely stroll, he reread the back of the sheet thoroughly, "I'm kinda surprised by this selection anyway… From Rookies to top Pros… Endeavor's on here… So is Mt. Lady… It's a pretty impressive spectrum… I'm willing to bet someone would apply just to meet their favorite out of the bunch…"

"I can't imagine working for them, though… Some of these guys probably have sponsored Items from actual Companies… The top-level Pros will probably have you helping out with I.T. and the reading of a dozen manuals for the Items they do have… Then again, there are always the sidekicks… They aren't liable for those sponsors… Bigger agencies would be preferable, then… That or a rookie…" He sighed, "Though, I doubt anyone would pick a Quirkless for actual 'In the Field' work. I'd probably be stuck at the agency the whole time. Might as well just intern at a Support Company…"

The workshop's metal doors creaked open and a girl, with raven locks in a ponytail, came in, "Excuse me."

Mr. Abraham spoke across the room, raising his voice to do so, "Ah, Ms. Yaoyorozu, I assume the buses are ready."

"Yes, sir. The departure time is in thirty minutes," she affirmed.

"Thank you. We'll meet the classes at the gymnasium as discussed."

"Understood," she replied before making a swift exit.

Okuma nodded, "Dude, she filled out that uniform tight."

Izuku turned to his classmate, "Was he standing there the whole time…?" He then turned, walking over to his station, "I… guess? I wasn't really paying that much attention."

"You know, Midori, I actually had a question for you," followed Okuma.

"Oh boy…" he thought as he hummed. "Hm…?" He was distracted for a second, "Ah, I forgot to turn off the recording…"

Okuma's hands drummed against his workbench, "You seem to be pretty good friends with Ashido and Jirou…"

"Oh god…"

"Do you know what they're into? Or… if they have boyfriends?" he asked.

Was that a headache coming on? "We've barely spoken to each other before and this is the first conversation we have…?" He coughed, falsely looking over his notes, "What about Tokage? Isn't she your teammate? She'd know more than me." He thought, "Sorry, Tokage…"

"Nah, man. You can't talk to girls about other girls, especially their friends," he thankfully explained. "Oh, do you mean why I'm not talking her up?" he said without any hesitation. "Her Quirk freaks me out… She's able to, like, divide up her body anywhere…" he shuddered.

"Dear God, sorry, Tokage…"

"Anyway, back on topic."

"Oh my god, he drifted right back…! He didn't even miss a beat… I gotta get out of this conversation…" thought Izuku as he picked up the War-Hammer. "I don't really know that much about t—" The War-Hammer suddenly extended, sparking with electricity and into his gloved hand. "AH! Crap!" he shouted, jumping about from his station.

"Oh, shit, are you okay!?" cried Okuma.

"Mr. Midoriya!?" shouted Mr. Abraham.

Izuku turned, clutching his arm, "I'm fine! I'm fine…" He winced and let out a breath, "I'll check in to the Nurse's Office. D-Don't worry, I'll be sure to make it to the gymnasium for the bus ride."

Okuma offered, "I'll come with-"

Izuku bravely countered, "No, we only have thirty minutes. If someone's late, it should just be one."

"Aw, thanks, man," said Okuma.

Izuku nodded, "I'll be back," before he made his way out of the workshop.

"You better, dude."

As soon as the metal door swung shut behind him, Izuku straightened and shook off his gloved hand. "I do feel bad for making them worry… I'll have to apologize to Mr. Abraham later…" He flexed his hand, "Insulation worked perfectly… Probably a safer way to test it though…" He tried to put his hand into his pocket before realizing that he had none. "Hm, well, I need to head to the Nurse's Office all the same… Already said I was after all."

Izuku made the relatively long walk to the Nurse's Office, opening the door to two familiar faces.

"Ah, Mr. Midoriya," said Dr. Yaritezawa.

"M… Midoriya?" echoed Yaoyorozu.

Izuku nodded, "Dr. Yaritezawa, and… Yaoyorozu, correct?" He blinked before extending his hand, "S-Sorry, uh, we haven't met. Midoriya Izuku."

She smiled, moving a medical bag from one hand to another, "Yaoyorozu Momo, I heard about you from Ashido and Kaminari."

After a handshake, Izuku scratched his cheek, "Oh… Uh… That, heh, kinda makes me worried…"

Yaoyorozu offered, "All good things, I promise."

"Ah, well, that's good," he said. His eyes drifted to her bag, "Can I ask what you're up to?"

"Oh, I thought of picking up some medical supplies for the off-campus trip. We may not be there for long, but I wouldn't want to risk not having anything – just in case."

He nodded, "That makes a lot of sense."

"I'm glad you agree. I simply believed it to be within my duties as Class President," she said.

"I'm sure they're glad to have you."

Her tone turned warm, and her face seemed to have just a hint of pink, "I wouldn't say that… Though, I am hopeful of it." She gave a bow before making her way towards the door, "Remember, the buses depart in… about twenty minutes."

"Understood, I'll be there."

Yaoyorozu nodded with a smile and wave before departing.

Dr. Yaritezawa coughed, "So? What is wrong, Mr. Midoriya?"

"Ah, well," Izuku coughed, "I accidentally shocked myself with a taser device, but… I… realized that my suit was insulated which means whatever pain I felt was some sort of placebo effect."

Her look was flat in his direction, "Uh, huh."

He looked off to the side, "I was trying to get out of a conversation with someone and needed something convincing."

"Bit extreme," she criticized.

He shrugged, "You didn't hear the conversation." He took a step forward, "Though I do want your medical opinion on my hand. My glove may be insulated, but I wanted to be sure."

She blinked, "Wait, you actually shocked yourself with a taser?"

"Taser-like," he corrected.

Her look was flat with a hint of outrage in his direction, "Bring that chair over here."

Izuku did as he was told, "Thank you, Dr. Yaritezawa."

"Shush." He sat before her, taking off his glove and allowing her to examine him, "What was that conversation even about?"

Izuku shifted in his seat, "Girls… One of my classmates wanted to know about some of the Hero Course girls."

"Hm? What's so wrong with that?" She blinked, "Was it inappropriate?"

"Socially? Not morally… I think that makes sense."

"I suppose you are talking about people you're friends with."

"Yeah, I never even spoken with him before today."

Dr. Yaritezawa nodded, "Ah, I see where his priorities are." She shifted his hand, "Does it hurt when I apply pressure here?"

"No."

"Hm, good." She made a note upon her clipboard, "So, what did you tell him?"

Izuku thought for a moment, "I'm… pretty sure… nothing actually."

"Ah, atta boy. Defend their honor," she said with a partially raised fist. "Well, I'm going to clear you," she stated as she stood with her clipboard, "With a few conditions, one: report back to me if something does occur. Your hand spasming or any strange pains, I need to know." She blinked, raising her head, "How's your head, by the way?"

"Pretty good," he said.

"Good," she echoed. "Two: no more lies. Find a better way to escape conversations without risking bodily harm. Say you feel sick, need to go to the bathroom, or just run – you know, like a normal person."

"Okay."

Dr. Yaritezawa ripped the note from the clipboard, "Now, get going, you have a trip to get ready for right?"

"Oh, you're right." Izuku quickly took the note and rushed for the door, "Thank you, Dr. Yaritezawa!"

"Be safe!"

-XX-

"First Support Class, First Hero Class, and Second Hero Class," declared Mr. Haimawari. "We will be on a twenty-minute bus ride to Shiketsu's Site Beta – a mock city block." He began, "As the Support Class has never been to one of our off-campus sites, let me lay a few ground rules. Damage must be kept to a minimum. The glass may be tempered, but don't start busting windows. The pavement is still pavement, and the walls are still brick and concrete. Be wary, be safe. It is a mimicry not a playground." He shifted his attention, "On to everyone else, as we aren't engaging in combat training, we will be restricting your activities to a single stretch of road. A delivery has already been made for crash pads and safety wires – so on. Lastly, for both today and the Sports Festival, we will provide two Items. Headsets for communication between yourselves and us. For the Support Class, we will also be giving you, essentially, flare guns. Mr. Abraham?"

Mr. Abraham elaborated, "They're far from actual flares more along the line of fireworks. Three rounds of each green and red colorings. Red signify danger while green is to ensure safety. In case of emergency both during the course of today and the Festival, red will signify an immense emergency. Firing those rounds during the Sports Festival will end your match – post haste. If any injury occurs or significant danger is presented, aim your gun to the sky and fire." He added, "Green is for tactical use for your teams to determine on your own time." He finished, "Of course, as a prudent reminder, these are not toys. Aim towards the sky then fire. Unless it is being used, it is unloaded – no exceptions." He tucked his hands behind his back, "First Support Class you will the cases of these Items at the Site."

The second-year teacher concluded, "Now, separate into your teams, you will ride in groups of three – the seats are wide enough. For those with co-ed teams, no inappropriate behavior!"

All three teachers were met with a resounding array of "Yes, sir," and "Understood," from their students. The three classes mingled and shifted before they were led to the buses parked outside the gymnasium. Izuku, Kaminari, and Camie-Senpai found themselves in the second seat from the front – right behind Mr. Abraham.

Mr. Abraham looked over the top of his seat, "Mr. Midoriya, how's your hand, by the way?"

"Oh, uh… I'm sorry… My glove was insulated," he said very selectively.

"Ah, a placebo effect must've taken place. Well, I'm glad you're okay."

Kaminari leaned in from his alley-side seat, "What happened?"

"Oh, just grabbed the wrong end of the War-Hammer," Izuku shrugged.

"You okay?" asked Camie-Senpai from between them.

"Yep. Insulated," he said, flexing his hand. "At least, this isn't spiraling out of control…" He coughed, "I should probably change the topic though…" He asked, "How're your costumes feeling?"

Kaminari nodded, "Neat." He blinked, contorting his face, "I don't know if I should move my coattail when I sit though. I mean don't want it to bunch up and wrinkle, you know?"

"I know the feeling," said Camie-Senpai. "I prefer a smooth and sleek look. My old costume bunched up in annoying places. There's not as much with this one."

"Probably due to the new padding," suggested Izuku.

Kaminari lifted his arm, adjusting the white gauntlet on his left arm, "The gauntlet's kinda heavy. Kinda worried what would happen if I accidently smacked someone with it."

"Oh, I like the suit, Midori," said Camie-Senpai.

Kaminari smirked, indicating with his index and thumb, "Kinda bland, though."

Izuku shrugged, "It's not really meant to look good. What do bikers say? Dress for the slide, not the ride? If this grappling system works, I'm gonna have to be extra careful."

"So, do you have, like, a helmet?" asked Camie-Senpai.

Izuku blinked, staring off into space. "Well…" He coughed, "You see… Camie-Senpai… That… is a great idea that I wish I had…"

Kaminari chuckled, "Extra-extra careful?"

"Doubly, yeah," concurred Izuku.

Small talk continued throughout the two buses as they left the main building. The students were in a state of excitement and wariness. Hero Course students were on the way to test their new toys for the gut-wrenching tournament. While Support Course students will have to test and demonstrate all they had created under the scrutiny of one Mr. Abraham. It wasn't a unique situation, but it was still nerve-wracking. Not to mention, their devices were to finally be tested and used by actual Heroes – in training but still Heroes. For them, today was the day.

The First Support Class gasped and gawked out the windows as the buses pulled towards Site Beta. A mock city block, it was. If not for the ten-meter wall surrounding it, it would look like a normal block. Or, the fact that it was completely isolated in what was basically a valley.

Izuku thought, "But, who's counting…?"

The buses stopped for a small moment before the walls' main gates opened for their entry. Mr. Abraham stood from his seat, "Alright, students, we'll have a quick demonstration on how to use the flare guns before you're assigned sections of the road for use. For now, organize yourselves and prepare for instruction."

"Yes, sir!"

-XX-

Mr. Haimawari examined his clipboard, leading a trio to a stretch of sidewalk before a fifteen-meter-tall building, "Alright, Team Seven, you will be here."

Kaminari nodded, "Thanks, Mr. Haimawari."

"You'll be given a set of crash matts, if you need more just ask," offered Mr. Haimawari.

"Yes, sir," said Izuku.

"You'll have forty minutes to test your gear and plan the best way for you to demonstrate your new Items."

"A demonstration?" echoed Camie-Senpai.

He smiled, "It doesn't have to be anything outlandish or spectacular. Simplicity works just fine."

With a simple nod, the teacher departed before Kaminari turned to Izuku, "Well, both of our Items work just fine."

"Which means, we only have to test your stuff, Midori," concluded Camie-Senpai.

"Keeps things simple…" said Izuku. "Okay, I'm gonna lay out everything." He turned to his teammates, gesturing to himself, "Grapple System is the suit and belt. The suit is a cyclist suit built with elastic material similar to that of a gymnast's leotard."

Kaminari's face contorted, "Pfft, you said gymnast."

Izuku immediately deadpanned, "I don't even get the joke." He took a beat, "Anyway, there was a harness system meant to distribute my weight evenly throughout my body to make sure I don't kill my circulation."

"Like you did before," recalled Camie-Senpai.

"Yes but putting it on was a hassle so I integrated it into the suit as a secondary layer that joins the belt through a series of locking mechanisms." He then gestured to his belt, "Now the grapple launcher was turned into a set of two on either side of a belt. The glove and gauntlet combo on my left arm are controlling mechanisms. Sensors on my fingers and palm activate the firing and reeling of my grapples. Another set of controls are on the back of my hand. They control the gas pressure of my grapples as well as the speed of the reeling system." Camie-Senpai and Kaminari cooed in response before Izuku nodded, "And now we test it."

Kaminari clapped his hands together, "Alright, I'll get the crash matts."

When he walked off, Camie-Senpai turned to Izuku, "How are you feeling, Midori?"

He blinked, "Hm? Fine." He waited for a moment before drawing out a simple, "Why?"

"You just seem different from when we first met," she observed.

"Yeah, I'm sure," he chuckled.

Her cheeks puffed as she pouted, "You ditched me by the way. I was totes gonna walk home with you, but you were gone – poof."

He let out a surprised laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, "Oh, uh… Sorry about that…"

She looked off to the side, "It was because you didn't want to tell me… about why you came to Shiketsu."

"Yeah… Purely selfish and petty…" he sighed. "Nothing about the prestige or the history of this school… Quality of programs – ya-da, ya-da…"

Camie-Senpai turned, "You know, I only came here because it was close to my house and, like, the uniforms are totes adorbs." She shrugged, "I didn't care about any of that stuff either. Heck… I didn't plan on joining the Hero Course – I was in General Studies."

"What?"

"I transferred Courses in between my second and third semester of my first year." She added, "It was Mr. Haimawari that recommended me."

"You transferred Courses?"

She nodded, "Yep, it was way harder than I thought it would be… I just thought it'd be neat to get a license for my Quirk – maybe do a few modeling gigs." She shrugged, "I didn't care at all about helping people. It was just something I did just cause. I was gonna quit…" She lowered her gaze, "Then, I did a work-study that took me to a children's center for kids of Pro-Heroes. The way they looked at me… I was already a Pro in their eyes. Compared me to their mommies and daddies – said how they wanted to be just like me…" She smiled, "On that day, I felt shame… I joined on a whim – had the working title of people risking their lives day by day. And everyone looked at me like I earned it." She took a breath, flexed her arm and smacked her bicep, "So… I changed. I didn't deserve it, so I was gonna earn it – and own it!"

Izuku blinked, "Why… Why are you telling me this?"

Camie-Senpai stood tall, "Why you start doesn't matter… All that matters is what you do now." She smacked her hand atop of his head, ruffling his hair, "A.k.a., stop getting self-conscious about it, dummy! Don't you have stuff to tell those guys, one day? You won't make it far if you keep kicking your own butt."

He laughed at that, "That's true…"

She fidgeted with her hands, "And, you know, I felt icky after eavesdropping on you and Kaminari yesterday. So, now you know my embarrassing past, too!"

"Ah, I guess we're even," he joked. "How will you make it up to Kaminari, though?"

"I guess I could tell him what I told you?" she pondered. "But, that feels kinda flakey…"

Izuku pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Hm, maybe you should show him that jazz café we talked about back then."

"Ooh, you know, I still haven't gone. Maybe I should bring my girlfriends from class." She deflated, "It might get crowded, though."

Izuku smiled, "Oh, no, Senpai, he'd love that. He is always up to meet new people."

"Oh, then…" She turned, jogging over, "Hey, hey, Kaminari!"

Without pockets, Izuku instead hung his thumbs on the sides of his belt, "Thanks, Senpai, for the kind words… And thanks, Kaminari, for being my friend…" He then leaned against the farce building, "Hope it works out for you, buddy…"

-\ XXX /-

AN: Okay, new chapter. Apologies for the delay. The original note got deleted when I accidently clicked on the privacy thing right below the doc manager. I'm gonna try and re-hit my points, but it's not gonna be as good. And I'm sorry about that.

This chapter was going to be about the Grapple System, but after the narrative beat of the Stein Gauntlet in the last chapter, to put in another 'eureka it works' moment immediately after messes with a lot of things. Makes the Stein Gauntlet's beat a bit weaker. Puts a lot of importance on an Item that was entirely a tertiary thing in the background. And on a chapter-by-chapter reading, creates a bit of an emotional bump. This needed to be a mellow chapter to bring it down after the last. It may be weak on an episodic reading, but overall, is stronger for a full read.

Next, due to it being shifted from the Grapple System, the focus was placed on Utsushimi and her relationship with Midoriya. Now, I've made it clear that my intentions with her character were limited. Mostly due to the fact that I wasn't a hundred percent comfortable with her character just from a writing point - it's a personal thing. However, as she is a player in this Season, she needed her moment with Midoriya - something with some finality. To sort of figure out where their relationship is and where it will be.

Now, this change is due to a commenter on Archive, Ernand. He definitely influenced this chapter. Thank you for your input.

With that, dear god, thank you for reading and criticize away!

Update Window: October 20th - 30th

Intended Due Date: October 20th - 25th