Dekiru 10: The Symbol Of Peace And The Protector Of Earth

by Phantomdanger

Izuku Midoriya, previously quirkless, was offered One For All by the greatest hero, but during training, he discovered the Omnitrix. Now his on the journey to be the greatest hero, the Symbol of Peace and The protector of Earth. It's Hero Time!

37. Chapter 32: Pink encounters!

Chapter 32: Pink encounters!

"What in God's name happened here?"

Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi's voice broke the oppressive silence as he stepped into the desolate remains of Shinka Park. The once vibrant area was now an unholy graveyard, the air thick with the stench of blood and death.

Scattered across the park were the mutilated bodies of pro heroes, their uniforms soaked in crimson. Severed limbs hung grotesquely from the branches of nearby trees, swaying slightly in the breeze. Decapitated heads were impaled on spikes, their lifeless eyes wide with terror.

Tsukauchi grimaced, stepping carefully to avoid the pools of blood that stained the ground. Around him, police officers moved mechanically, covering the mangled corpses with tarps, though many struggled to maintain their composure. A young officer doubled over near a tree, violently retching, his breakfast splattered on the ground beside him.

In the center of the park stood the grim centerpiece of this massacre: the crucified body of a well-known pro hero, their arms and legs nailed to the statue at the heart of the park. Beneath them, scrawled in jagged, dripping letters of blood, was a damning proclamation:

FAKE HERO.

Tsukauchi's stomach churned as he approached, his eyes drawn to a white envelope pinned to the hero's chest with a dagger. The envelope bore a golden infinity symbol, its elegant design starkly contrasting with the grisly scene.

"My God..." Tsukauchi whispered, his voice barely audible.

"Detective Tsukauchi," came a voice from behind him. He turned to see Officer Sansa Tamakawa, his feline features tense with unease.

"Sansa," Tsukauchi said, forcing himself to remain professional. "Give me the report."

Sansa handed him an envelope identical to the one on the statue. "From what we've gathered, around seventy pro heroes were lured here. Each of them received one of these letters."

"What could have compelled them all to show up?" Tsukauchi asked, carefully opening the envelope.

As he unfolded the contents, his breath caught in his throat. His face paled as his eyes scanned the photographs inside. "Wh-what is this?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

The images were damning. One showed a pro hero assaulting their sidekick, the young girl's face contorted in terror as she struggled to escape. Another depicted the same hero counting wads of cash, their sidekick lying unconscious in the background. As what seemed to be another Pro Hero leaving with a satisfied grin.

The evidence was overwhelming—and horrifying.

Sansa nodded grimly. "It's worse than it looks, sir. Each envelope contained similar evidence—photos, videos, recordings—exposing heinous crimes committed by the so-called 'heroes.' Blackmail, abuse, corruption... it's all there."

Tsukauchi swallowed hard, trying to suppress the bile rising in his throat. "And these heroes came here because they were threatened with exposure?"

"Pretty much," Sansa said, handing him a small voice recorder. "The letters demanded their presence here under the threat of public ruin. Most of these heroes panicked, knowing the evidence would destroy their reputations, their careers... their lives. Desperate people do stupid things."

Tsukauchi pressed play on the recorder, and a familiar, chilling voice filled the air.

"These are not heroes—they are parasites. Liars. Frauds. Today, their sins are laid bare for the world to see."

It was the voice of the Hero Killer, Stain.

Sansa continued, his tone heavy. "From what we can tell, this wasn't just Stain acting alone. A larger group seems to be involved—one that shares his ideology. They executed these so-called heroes to make a statement, leaving behind their crimes as justification for the slaughter."

Tsukauchi stared at the recorder, his hands shaking slightly. "My God... How much of this has gone public?"

Sansa hesitated, then pulled out his phone. "A video of the massacre was released online. It includes footage of Stain executing the heroes and showcasing their crimes. The HSPC is working frantically to take it down, but it's spreading faster than they can contain it."

Tsukauchi's jaw tightened as Sansa played the video. Grainy footage showed the heroes frozen on the ground bleeding.

Stain stood among them, his blade dripping with blood as he addressed the camera.

"These are your heroes!" he shouted, his voice brimming with righteous fury. "They prey on the weak and call it justice. They exploit the innocent and call it heroism. Today, their lies end."

The video cut to scenes of the heroes' crimes—abuse, extortion, violence—followed by graphic footage of their executions. The screen went black, replaced by a chilling message:

"FAKE HEROES WILL FALL."

Tsukauchi handed the phone back to Sansa, his expression grim.

...

Endeavor hovered in the air, his arms crossed, scowling as he surveyed the scene below. "In one night, the Hero Killer managed to slaughter 40 pro heroes, cripple 7 more, and even kill 27 small-time thugs and villains." His tone was grim, his words laced with disbelief.

"Guess villains aren't excluded from his murder spree," Hawks remarked, swooping in beside him. The younger hero hovered effortlessly, his wings beating lightly against the air.

Endeavor spared Hawks a sharp glance but refrained from acknowledging his casual tone.

"Hey, Endeavor," Hawks greeted, waving cheerfully, clearly trying to break the tension.

"Focus, Hawks," Endeavor growled, his patience already thin.

Hawks sighed but got serious, adjusting his yellow visor. "What's really weird is Stain's sudden disappearance about four weeks ago. There's a report from a pro hero claiming he was attacked by Stain, but right in the middle of the fight, a group of men in armor showed up and subdued him."

"Men in armor?" Endeavor repeated, frowning.

"Yeah. Apparently, Stain took a few of them down before disappearing. But when officers arrived to investigate, the entire place was spotless—no signs of a battle. Nothing. It was like it never happened."

Endeavor stroked his chin thoughtfully, his fiery beard flickering. "Stain's always been a killer, but something like this... this scale of carnage in one night? It doesn't add up. You think these knights might've enhanced him somehow? Or maybe they're working together?"

Hawks shrugged. "It's possible, but we've interrogated the knights we've captured, and they won't admit to anything. They're completely loyal to their 'cause.' Getting information out of them is like pulling teeth."

Endeavor scowled. "Then stop wasting my time with theories."

"Aw, come on, Endeavor. Why the cold shoulder?" Hawks grinned, his tone turning playful. "Or in your case, the hot shoulder."

Endeavor shot him a withering glare, flames licking at his shoulders in irritation.

Hawks chuckled before continuing. "Anyway, here's another interesting tidbit: these knights were spotted chasing a hooded figure on what eyewitnesses described as... a hoverboard."

"A hoverboard?" Endeavor asked, arching a skeptical eyebrow. "Like something out of a sci-fi movie?"

Hawks smirked, his golden eyes twinkling. "Oh, is Endeavor secretly a sci-fi fan? What's next, you quoting Star Wars?"

"As if," Endeavor scoffed, though a flicker of memory crossed his mind. He vaguely recalled Fuyumi chatting with Shoto about some movie he didn't care enough to follow—something called Star Wars.

...

---

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as the morning sun bathed the bustling café in golden light. Conversations hummed around the room, punctuated by the clink of cups and the occasional hiss of the espresso machine.

"This year's first years are one hell of a bunch!" declared a man with a bright orange juice box for a head, his black sunglasses gleaming under the sunlight streaming through the windows.

The TV mounted on the wall replayed highlights of the U.A. Sports Festival. On the screen, Izuku Midoriya, in his Heatblast form, unleashed a scorching attack that tore through the stadium walls, the flames blazing in brilliant orange and red.

At the next table, a pink-haired boy with a yellow scarf, Hiroshi, tapped his fingers on the table. "Quirks just keep getting crazier every year, man. It's like they're mixing and evolving into straight up walking natural disasters. And these first years? They're on a whole different level."

"Woof," chimed in Kenta, a burly man with canine features, chuckling as he stirred his coffee.

"Though I gotta say," Hiroshi continued, "Endeavor's kid, Todoroki, sure doesn't seem like he's cut from the same cloth as his old man, huh?"

Across from him, Ryota, a muscular boy with a shark-like head, leaned forward. "Hiroshi, no offense, but Endeavor might not even have the best fire Quirk anymore."

Hiroshi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah, you saw Midoriya, right? Those flames he whipped out as that fire form? They make Endeavor's look like birthday candles! And the dude's just a first year!" Ryota's voice grew animated as he gestured wildly.

Jin nodded, adjusting his sunglasses. "They even gave names to Midoriya's forms on the broadcast. What was it again? Heat-something?"

"Heatblast!" Hiroshi exclaimed. "Man, that's such a badass name. That form was like Endeavour and Ghost rider had secret love child!"

Ryota let out a hearty laugh. "Did you see Endeavor's face when Midoriya transformed into Heatblast? He looked like he was gonna pop a vein! Priceless!"

Across the café, Aiko, a girl with blue skin and vivid red, insect-like eyes, leaned her elbows on the counter. "Forget that. What he did to Bakugo was absolutely legendary."

The table went silent as everyone turned to stare at her.

"No, seriously," Aiko defended, waving her hands for emphasis. "That beatdown was 100% justified. Bakugo fought like an unhinged lunatic! First, he tortures that poor Uraraka girl, and then he practically destroys Sero? He's a menace! Midoriya put him in his place."

"Uh, Aiko," Jin interjected, raising his juice-box head. "The guy also took out two teachers. You just gonna gloss over that?"

"Look, I'm not saying that wasn't messed up," Aiko said, shrugging. "But keep in mind, if Midoriya really wanted to, he could've killed Bakugo. Nobody could stop him. The dude's a literal force of nature. Did you see him change the weather? If that's not next-level, I don't know what is."

The café buzzed with murmurs of agreement as the TV continued to replay Izuku's electrifying feats.

"But man, that Uraraka fight was incredible!" Jin exclaimed, nearly spilling his coffee as he gestured animatedly. "She almost tossed that angry pomeranian out of the ring!"

"Dude, same here!" Hiroshi chimed in, his excitement mirroring Jin's. "I was literally on my feet screaming with the crowd! She had me believing she'd pull it off!"

Aika smirked, her chin resting in her hand as she stirred her drink lazily. "Couldn't help but notice how Midoriya was shouting for her to win," she said with a sly grin. "Just saying, maybe there's a reason he gave Bakugou that well-deserved ass-kicking later."

Jin leaned back, crossing his arms. "I highly disagree with the whole 'deserved' part, but go on."

Aika raised an eyebrow, her tone full of implication. "I'm just saying, guys always lose it when it comes to a girl they care about. And, well..." She trailed off, her hints as subtle as a brick through a window.

Everyone groaned and rolled their eyes in unison.

"If my girlfriend were getting beaten down like that by Bakugou, yeah, I'd do the same," Jin admitted, sipping his coffee. "Hell, I'd drag his face through the arena for good measure."

"But you gotta admit," Ryotka interjected, setting his cup down with a soft clink, "Midoriya had some of the best fights of the entire tournament! Even though Uraraka only had the one match, she didn't back down for a second. She fought harder than anyone else—and almost won!"

A waitress approached, carefully setting down their refills. "I was totally rooting for her too," she chimed in. "But that Bakugou kid? He's no joke. One hell of a Quirk and some serious fighting skills."

"Thanks," Jin said, blowing on his steaming cup before taking a cautious sip. "Though, you've gotta admit, it's kinda weird how everyone suddenly started pulling off these crazy power-ups."

Aika nodded in agreement. "Right? Like that Jirou girl! She comes out of nowhere with that sonic wave and almost blows Todoroki off the stage. Where was that earlier in the festival?"

"And Iida!" Hiroshi added, his pink eyebrows raised. "That guy turned into a literal blur. I've never seen anyone move that fast—even from the Iida family. He's Ingenium's little brother, right? But I've never seen Ingenuim moved that fast."

"And Uraraka's move at the end? She spent the whole fight trying to touch him to make him float, but then, out of nowhere, she can make things float without even touching them?" Aika said.

A man at the counter, sipping a cup of tea, turned to the group. "Maybe we're seeing Quirk evolutions," he suggested, his tone thoughtful.

"Quirk evolutions?" Aika repeated, intrigued.

He nodded. "These kids went through the USJ attack, didn't they? From what I heard, it was so dangerous one of them had to kill just to survive. High-stress, life-or-death situations like that can trigger Quirk awakenings—boosting their abilities in ways they didn't even know were possible."

The group exchanged glances, the weight of the man's words sinking in.

"So, you're saying," Ryotka began slowly, "that all these power-ups weren't just random? They're a result of what these kids went through?"

"Exactly," the man replied, sipping his tea again. "When your back's against the wall, sometimes that's what it takes to unlock your full potential."

"Okay, that might explain how some of them suddenly got those crazy power boosts, but it doesn't explain Izuku Midoriya," Aika said, crossing her arms with a frustrated huff.

Jin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"My guy makes no sense," Aika replied, leaning forward as if sharing a conspiracy. "Quirks don't work like that! Not in any way that adds up!"

Jin frowned, motioning for her to continue.

"Alright, hear me out," Aika said, gesturing animatedly. "Quirks are supposed to be crazy—I get that. But Midoriya? First off, having multiple Quirks? Fine, it's rare, but it happens. Some people have two, maybe even three. But nineteen?!"

Jin choked on his coffee. "Wait, nineteen? Are you serious?"

"I'm dead serious!" Aika exclaimed. "This guy has nineteen different abilities. And I'm not calling them Quirks—they're straight-up superpowers! You're telling me this kid can switch between electricity, fire, ice, transforming into monsters, and turning into what—freaking living magma?!" She threw her hands up. "It makes no sense!"

"She's got a point," Jin muttered, nodding along. "Like, I can understand sub-powers. Y'know, how some frog or spider Quirk users can also turn invisible or stick to walls—that stuff tracks. But Midoriya? He's out here summoning lightning and hurling fireballs the size of buses. Just by slamming down on his watch? How is that a Quirk? Fuck it we're in a manga and Midoriya's the main character!"

"And don't forget the enhancement power!" Aika added, her voice rising. "The guy has that green lightning that amps his strength and speed on top of everything else! How the hell does that even fit in? Are we just supposed to believe he lucked into some ultimate Quirk buffet while everyone else is stuck with one or two? It's like he rolled a perfect genetic lottery ticket!"

Jin rubbed his temple, trying to process it. "And those transformations," he said, glancing at the others. "Like Heatblast or that weird crystal thing he turned into during Capture the Flag. How does that connect to anything? Where's the genetic link? Fire makes sense for Todoroki because his dad is Endeavor, and the ice comes from his mom. But Midoriya? What's his Quirk even supposed to be?"

"That's just it—it doesn't fit any category," Aika continued, tapping her finger on the table for emphasis. "Mutation-based Quirks usually have some physical indicators, like Tokoyami's bird head or Asui's frog traits. Emitter Quirks like Bakugou's explosions are tied to his sweat. But Midoriya? He's got transformations, elemental control, insane strength boosts, and god knows what else. There's no consistency!"

"It's like he's breaking the rules," Jin muttered, his voice almost reverent. "If Quirks are supposed to evolve naturally, his are... I don't know. Engineered."

"Exactly!" Aika snapped her fingers. "Like, if someone told me this guy was a government experiment or some alien superhero, I'd believe it before I believed this is just some regular-ass Quirk."

The group fell silent for a moment, exchanging uneasy glances as they processed the conversation.

"You know," Jin finally said, his voice low, "there's always been a theory that Quirks evolve under extreme stress or specific conditions. But with Midoriya... it's like he's the exception. Like his Quirk doesn't just evolve—it adapts to every situation, no matter how insane. And that's not normal."

Aika leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Guess Midoriya is one lucky son of a bitch. Overpowered Quirk, a body sculpted like a Greek god, and the guy's actually super nice. You all saw his apology?"

Ryotka nodded, swirling a soda can in his hand. "Yeah, standing up and apologizing like that with the entire world watching takes some serious humility. To swallow your pride like that? Respect. Scared shirtless of him, but respect."

Jin jabbed Hiroshi in the ribs, grinning. "And unlike a certain number two hero, he can actually make a public apology without looking like he's about to bite someone's head off."

Hiroshi's eye twitched, his voice rising in indignation. "Shut up! That's part of the appeal! He's supposed to be this rude, no-autographs, do-your-job-and-leave type. That's why Endeavour's awesome!"

Everyone stared at him, their expressions blank. Aika raised an eyebrow. "You're totally one of those guys who's gonna end up idolizing Bakugou when he becomes a pro, huh?"

"Total masochist," Jin added, snickering.

Hiroshi rolled his eyes but muttered, "Whatever."

Aika tapped her fingers on the table, her tone shifting. "Anyway, no offense to Endeavor or anything, but the guy seems like a perfect target for the Hero Killer."

Hiroshi frowned, resting his chin on his hand. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"No offense," Aika began, leaning forward slightly, "but Hero Killer's whole deal is cutting down 'fake heroes,' right? Those who don't live up to the ideal of what All Might stood for."

"Hey! Endeavor is so a real hero!" Hiroshi snapped, sitting up straighter in his seat.

Ryotka laughed. "Dude, you're such a massive Endeavor fanboy."

Hiroshi's cheeks turned red as he stammered, "Okay, yeah, but it's not like Endeavor's as bad as those other heroes the Hero Killer took down. You saw the stuff they did, right? That's next-level scumbag behavior."

Aika sighed, shaking her head. "True, but come on, the guy's kind of a dick. You can't deny that. Still, I don't get it—how the hell were they able to dig up all that dirt on those heroes? Like, the video footage, the recordings, the documents... that's some deep intel."

Ryotka leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Right? Those were some real no-name heroes, but the stuff they were doing? Makes you wonder who's backing Stain. No way he's pulling all this off alone."

Jin nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yeah, like, who even has the resources to get dirt like that on 40 heroes all at once? That's not some amateur sleuthing; that's organized."

Aika grimaced, recalling one of the leaked videos she'd seen. "I mean, the things they showed... those guys deserved to be taken down, but still, that whole massacre was brutal."

"Brutal doesn't even begin to cover it," Ryotka said. "That crucified hero at Shinka Park? That's next-level psycho."

Hiroshi shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, but even so... the way Stain's making his point—killing all these people—it's terrifying."

Jin nodded thoughtfully. "But I kinda get it. It's not like our world is all sunshine and rainbows. We've got heroes everywhere, but in this time of peace, most of them are barely scraping by. If you're not fighting villains, you've gotta find ways to make money somehow."

Aika twirled her straw around her drink, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah, and since All Might came onto the scene, it's like the whole hero industry's been flipped on its head. Villains aren't the only ones bored out of their minds—half the heroes out there are struggling to get by. Unless you're a top-tier pro with sponsorships and advertising deals, being a hero is basically a dead-end job."

Ryotka frowned, leaning forward in his seat. "Still, it doesn't justify the crap those so-called heroes were doing. I mean, taking advantage of their position to abuse sidekicks or skim money from their agencies? That's disgusting. They're no better than the villains they claim to fight."

Jin shrugged. "True, but you can't say the system doesn't push them into it. It's all about who's marketable now, not who's actually a good hero. The pressure to stay relevant must be insane."

Hiroshi crossed his arms defensively. "Pressure or not, it's no excuse. A real hero wouldn't stoop that low. They'd find another way, even if it meant working side jobs like Uwbami."

Aika chuckled darkly. "Oh, sure. Let's all just work ourselves to death. Not everyone's built to juggle hero work and part-time gigs. You think Endeavor's moonlighting as a cashier to pay his agency bills?"

Ryotka snorted. "Yeah, right. Can you imagine him scanning groceries? 'Do you want a receipt?' in that gruff, angry voice."

Hiroshi chuckled."Okay back on the Stain guy straight up a crazy a person."

Jin raised a brow. "You're not wrong. He's killing people—heroes and villains alike—and leaving entire streets covered in blood. That's not justice; that's insanity."

Aika tilted her head. "Is it, though? He's not just killing for the hell of it. He's got a message, and whether we like it or not, people are listening. The guy's practically a martyr to some folks."

...

---

Izuku's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the soft glow of sunlight streaming through his window. For the first time in what felt like years, he didn't wake up with a heavy knot in his chest. The tension that had been his constant companion seemed to have loosened its grip.

He stared at the familiar ceiling, letting out a slow, measured breath. The fight with Bakugou... It had been messy, painful, and raw, but it had also been cathartic. For so long, he'd carried the weight of unresolved anger, bitterness, and self-doubt. Admitting it—no, confronting it—had been terrifying, but now, he felt lighter, as if a storm had passed and left clear skies behind.

Izuku sat up, rubbing his eyes and running a hand through his messy hair. As he stretched, his joints popped, a physical reminder of how tightly wound his body had been. He rolled his shoulders, noticing how much freer they felt, how much easier it was to breathe.

Izuku let out a small, almost disbelieving laugh. "Guess I needed that more than I realized," he murmured to himself, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

Izuku flipped up into a handstand, his body perfectly balanced as he began his morning workout. His arms pumped steadily, his voice counting softly with each repetition.

"One... two... three... four..."

Before he could hit five, a knock at his door interrupted his rhythm. Caught off guard, he lowered himself back to his feet with ease, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow.

"Huh? Who could that be?" he wondered aloud, heading for the door.

When he opened it, he found Mina standing there, her ever-present smile brightening the hallway.

"Hey, Midori!" she greeted cheerfully, though there was an unusual hint of hesitation in her tone. "Mind if we talk for a bit?"

"Uh, s-sure," Izuku replied, stepping aside.

Mina wasted no time, stepping into his room like she owned the place. She glanced around briefly before plopping down on his bed, patting the spot next to her. "Morning, Midori!"

Izuku froze, his face flushing bright red. A girl was in his room. On his bed. Gesturing for him to sit beside her. His heart began hammering in his chest as he slowly walked over, sitting as far on the edge as possible.

"Uhm, good morning, Mina," he managed, his voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, Mina didn't respond. She stared at her hands, poking at her horns nervously. Izuku noticed the unusual silence, tilting his head in surprise. Mina's... nervous?

Her thoughts raced. 'How do I start this? Kendo made it look so easy... But c'mon, Mina! Midori said himself he couldn't stop thinking about her after she confessed...' Her face turned a shade of lilac as she scolded herself.

'He... he needs to know how I feel. Yeah! To know that there are people who really like him... Right! You got this, Mina!'

She took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hey, Midori... If you ever... and I mean ever... need someone to talk to about anything, I'm here, okay? Friends help each other out, you know?"

Her words made Izuku smile, though he still noticed the slight tremble in her tone. "Thanks, Mina. That means a lot."

But Mina wasn't finished. 'Okay, he's listening... this is your chance. Kendo already made her move, so now it's my turn!' She scooted closer to him, her thigh brushing against his. She was wearing shorts, and the warmth of his muscular leg sent shivers up her spine.

Izuku stiffened, his face blazing crimson. His eyes darted everywhere but at her, desperately searching for an escape. "M-Mina, you're, uh... you're really close!"

"I-I know," she stammered, her own voice betraying her nerves. She gulped, trying to steady herself, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

The room fell silent for a moment, the air thick with tension. Izuku's heart raced, his chest rising and falling with quick breaths.

Finally, Mina spoke, her voice wavering as she fiddled with her fingers. "So... I heard you asked Kendo out on a date..."

Izuku's eyes widened in shock, his face somehow turning even redder. "M-Mina! What... what are you talking about?"

Mina's nerves were spiraling, but she pressed on. "I-I mean, Kendo's not the only girl who, um... might..." Her words trailed off as she struggled to find the right way to say it.

Gathering what little courage she had left, Mina leaned in closer, her golden eyes locking with his emerald ones. Her face burned as she closed the distance, her heart thundering in her chest.

Izuku's breath hitched, his mind blanking as Mina's lips hovered just inches away.

'God, what if I do it wrong? What if he doesn't like it? What if...' A dark realization crept into Mina's mind, and her nerves finally snapped.

"Morning... b-breathe," she whispered to herself before suddenly bolting across the room. Her laugh was high-pitched and frantic. "Haha! J-just kidding! You didn't actually think I was going to—" She stumbled over her words and her feet, nearly knocking over his desk chair in the process. "Just my usual teasing! You should see the look on your face—it's priceless!"

Izuku sat frozen, his face a deep red, blinking in shock as he tried to process the sudden shift. Mina, meanwhile, was floundering, her usual confidence completely unraveling.

"I-I mean, maybe if we were d-dating or something!" she stuttered, her voice cracking as she waved her hands in front of her. She could give Izuku a run for his money in nervous rambling at this point. "But we're not, so, uh, yeah! Anyway! I'll, uh, see you around!"

She shot him a pair of awkward finger guns before spinning on her heel and practically sprinting to the door. Mina yanked it open, slipping through and slamming it shut behind her.

The moment she was out, she leaned against the hallway wall, burying her face in her hands. "God, that was so stupid and embarrassing! What was I even thinking?!" She groaned, tugging at her horns in frustration. "Man, Midori must think I'm a total doofus... Ugh, that was... ugh!"

Mina stomped her foot lightly, then sighed, letting her hands fall to her sides. She glanced back at the door, her cheeks still burning. 'Why does this have to be so hard?'

...

Izuku stepped out of his room, watching Mina's retreating figure with a confused expression. "What was that about?" he muttered to himself.

He rubbed the back of his neck, replaying the awkward interaction in his mind. Mina's usual teasing was one thing—he'd grown somewhat accustomed to it—but her sudden shyness and nervousness had thrown him off.

Was she actually serious? No way... Mina loves messing with me. That had to be just another way to get me flustered, right? he thought, though a nagging feeling in the back of his mind told him there was more to it.

He sighed, letting out a tired yawn. "I know Mina likes teasing me, but she should really learn some boundaries," Izuku muttered as he shuffled toward the bathroom to brush his teeth. After freshening up, he made his way downstairs to grab breakfast.

As he entered the common area, he spotted Yui sitting by the window, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. She was staring outside, her expression as blank and unreadable as ever, but there was a strange intensity in her gaze.

"Morning, Yui," Izuku greeted, walking toward her. Yui flinched slightly at the sound of his voice, then turned to look at him. Without a word, she opened her arms, gesturing for him to come closer.

Izuku froze, blinking in surprise. "Huh? W-What are you doing?" he asked, his voice awkward and uncertain.

Yui tilted her head, her expression unwavering. She repeated the motion, this time more insistently. "Hug me," she said bluntly.

Izuku's face turned bright red as he stumbled over his words. "I-I don't think that's really necessary—"

Yui frowned, her lips forming a slight pout as a soft growl escaped her throat. Despite her usual calm demeanor, her body language made it clear she wasn't joking.

Izuku sighed in defeat, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped closer. "O-Okay, okay. If you insist," he said, awkwardly wrapping his arms around her in a quick, stiff hug.

Yui wrapped her arms around Izuku, holding him tightly. He didn't see it, but a small, rare smile graced her lips as she savored the warmth of the physical connection. As her hands rested against his back, she suddenly noticed something curious—his body tensed under her touch, and a slight twitch escaped him. Intrigued, she pressed her fingers lightly against his side, earning a small, involuntary flinch.

Her eyes narrowed with newfound interest. Pulling back, she put a finger to her chin. "You're ticklish," she stated bluntly.

Izuku's eyes widened in panic. "W-What? N-No, not at all!" he stammered, waving his hands defensively. His face turned crimson as he backed away slightly.

Yui tilted her head, her blank expression doing little to mask the mischievous glint in her eyes. "Izuku, you're a terrible liar," she said, taking a slow step closer to him.

Izuku could feel his heart racing as he tried to come up with a way to escape. "Y-Yui, p-please don't!" he begged, his voice shaking.

Yui blinked at him, her face calm as ever. "Hm... No," she said simply, shaking her head as if his plea didn't even register.

Izuku's mind raced in desperation. Dammit, Yui! You can't just say 'no' like that!

Before he could think of an escape plan, he stumbled backward, landing on the floor with a soft thud.

Yui was already on him, crouching over him like a cat who had cornered her prey. Her dark eyes gleamed with quiet determination, and her lips twitched into the faintest smirk as she cracked her knuckles dramatically.

Izuku gulped, his green eyes wide with dread. "Yui... l-let's talk about this!" he tried, scooting back on his elbows.

Yui wiggled her fingers menacingly, inching closer. "No need to talk," she replied in her usual monotone, yet there was a teasing undertone that sent shivers down his spine.

"Wait—Yui, no! S-Stay back!"

...

...

Izuku's laughter filled the room as Yui's fingers mercilessly sought out every ticklish spot he had. His attempts to squirm away were futile against her surprising persistence. To his shock, her usually neutral expression was gone, replaced by a soft smile that made her seem almost playful. Even her occasional giggles escaped, a sound so rare that it nearly distracted him from her relentless attack.

He thrashed lightly, his body unable to resist her skilled fingers. Amidst the laughter, a realization struck him—he couldn't remember the last time someone's touch had felt this harmless. In middle school, he'd always associated contact with threats—Bakugou's aggressive grabs or the lingering fear of someone misusing their Quirk on him. But Yui's touch was different. There was no malice, just playful teasing. A small part of him, despite his embarrassment, enjoyed the fleeting warmth of the connection.

"Yui, p-please! I'll do a-anything!" Izuku pleaded desperately, his voice cracking between fits of laughter.

Yui paused, tilting her head in mock curiosity. "Anything?" she asked, her tone calm but her eyes betraying the spark of mischief behind them.

"A-Anything that isn't perverted!" Izuku blurted, his cheeks flaming red.

"...Mh," Yui hummed thoughtfully, and without missing a beat, resumed her tickle assault. "Sorry, I didn't hear you," she said, her monotone delivery making the teasing even more infuriating.

Her fingers expertly finding a new spot that sent Izuku into another fit of hysterics.

Izuku finally snapped. Gritting his teeth, he managed to grab her wrists and, with a burst of effort, flipped their positions. Now it was Yui pinned beneath him, her arms held firmly in his grip.

Breathing heavily, Izuku stared down at her, his face still flushed. Meanwhile, Yui blinked up at him, her expression calm but her words anything but. "Oh no," she said flatly, her voice carrying no urgency.

Izuku sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement. "Yui, you're not even trying to fight back."

Yui gave a half-hearted wiggle of her arms, barely moving an inch. "Oh no," she repeated, her voice as flat as ever. "I'm completely powerless. I guess you'll just have to… have your way with me," she added, turning her head to the side in mock resignation.

Izuku's face turned beet red. "Y-Yui, you know I'm not going to do anything like that, right?" he stammered.

Yui let out an exaggerated sigh. "...I know."

Izuku's eye twitched. "If I let you go, you're going to tickle me again, aren't you?"

"Mh."

"And if I don't, you're just going to keep pretending I've 'defeated' you?"

"Mh."

Izuku groaned, feeling utterly defeated. "I'm not going to win this, am I?"

"No, not likely," Yui replied bluntly, though a faint smile still tugged at the corners of her lips.

Despite himself, Izuku chuckled at the absurdity of it all. His laughter seemed to soften the moment even further, and Yui's rare smile lingered, her calm eyes meeting his.

For just a second, the tension dissolved entirely, replaced by a shared warmth that made them both smile.

Then Yui spoke, her voice soft but deliberate. "In junior high, people took my picture without asking and spread rumors about who I was dating," she said, her tone as neutral as ever, though her words carried weight. "Confrontations with stalkers were frequent. Girls accused me of stealing their boyfriends... and they despised me."

Izuku blinked in surprise, tilting his head as he tried to process her sudden admission.

"People always admired me for my looks," Yui continued, her gaze steady. "They tried to woo me or judged me with bias. But none of it felt real... I didn't have many friends."

"Yui," Izuku started, his voice unsure, "why are you telling me this?"

Yui's eyes didn't waver, her expression unreadable. "Because I want you to know me. The real me." Her voice softened further. "And I want to know the real you."

Izuku's breath hitched. He hadn't expected her to say something so direct, so vulnerable.

"Even if the real you has some anger and resentment for that Bakugou guy," she added.

Izuku's eyes widened in shock, the words hitting closer to home than he expected.

"I want to value you," Yui said, her tone firm yet gentle. "Your faults, your strengths—the good and the bad. I don't want to be someone who only sees you for your Quirk or for how strong or kind you are." She hesitated, her fingers lightly brushing her bangs aside. "Just like I don't want people to see me as just 'pretty' or for my Quirk. Those things don't matter if they can't see who I really am."

Her words hung in the air for a moment before she gave him the faintest of smiles, almost imperceptible but genuine. "So, I hope you don't mind showing me the real you."

Izuku stared at her, his chest tight with emotion. For a moment, he couldn't find the words to respond, but something about her honesty made him feel lighter.

"W-What?!" Ochako's voice rang out, her face flushed a deep red.

Kyoka's face mirrored Ochako's, glowing with embarrassment. Tsuyu tilted her head in mild confusion, while Momo's forced smile betrayed her barely contained irritation.

"Uh, are we interrupting something?" Ochako, Momo, and Kyoka asked simultaneously, their voices layered with suspicion as a dark, murderous aura radiated from them.

"What are you two doing?!" Kyoka exclaimed, pointing accusingly. "Why are you on top of her?!"

"He's about to have his way with me," Yui said flatly.

The girls' faces immediately exploded into shades of crimson, their eyes twitching as they struggled to contain their annoyance.

"N-No, I'm not!" Izuku stammered, his face bright red.

"You're not?" Yui asked, her tone carrying genuine confusion.

The other girls suddenly felt a wave of possessiveness wash over them, as though someone was playing with their favorite toy. Before the tension could escalate, more voices entered the room.

"Uh, what's happening here?" Tokoyami asked, his gaze shifting to Yui, who appeared completely content being pinned to the floor.

Hagakure's invisible figure hesitated before her voice broke through. "Seriously, what's going on?!"

"Midoriya! What do you think you're doing with my future second wife, you bastard?!" Mineta shouted indignantly.

"Hey! I'm the victim here!" Izuku defended himself, flailing his arms.

"We believe you," the girls said in unison, though their jealous glances toward Yui told a different story.

"Kodai, this is sinful behavior. Please don't take advantage of Midoriya's kind nature," Ibara said, her tone as scolding as ever.

"Izuku," Momo began, her eye twitching slightly, "why are you on top of her? She didn't try anything… did she?"

"Uhm... well..." Izuku fumbled, clearly panicking.

"Dekiru," Ochako said sweetly, though the underlying hostility in her tone was unmistakable. "Mind explaining what exactly is going on here?"

Before Izuku could answer, Sero chimed in. "Wait, why is everyone assuming Midoriya didn't try anything?"

Kyoka, unimpressed, gestured at Izuku, her earphone jacks pointing out the obvious.

Sero rubbed his chin thoughtfully and nodded. "...Good point."

"Hey!" Izuku protested, his voice cracking slightly.

"Please, Izuku," Momo said, folding her arms, "get off her now."

With a reluctant sigh, Izuku helped Yui to her feet, brushing himself off awkwardly.

Yui leaned close to his ear, her neutral expression giving way to a faint blush. "Y'know, you'd be pretty hot if you were more assertive," she whispered before stepping away, her face slightly pink.

Izuku blinked in surprise, his blush deepening, before Ochako's voice snapped him back to reality.

"So… Dekiru," she said with a too-sweet smile, her eyes narrowing, "mind explaining why you were pinning Kodai?"

"Oh… uh… well, I was… practicing? Y-Yeah, for, um… martial arts!" Izuku stammered.

Ochako's smile didn't waver. "Dekiru."

"Y-Yeah?"

"You're a terrible liar."

"I know," Izuku mumbled, dejected.

As the group made their way down the hall, Ochako stopped near Iida's room, concern etched on her face. "Iida's not back yet, is he?"

"Well, we haven't had his mandatory wake-up session," Mineta quipped, earning confused looks from the others.

"Mandatory what?" Setsuna asked, tilting her head.

Mineta snickered. "Iida wakes up at eight every morning and says—'Future heroes need to wake bright and early for the day!'." He mimicked Iida's authoritative tone, earning chuckles from the group.

The laughter subsided as the mood grew somber.

"I hope he's alright," Izuku said softly. "Poor Iida..."

Sero clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Alright, enough drama for one day. How about we watch the Sports Festival highlights?" he suggested with a smirk, waving the remote.

The idea immediately energized both Class A and B, and they quickly packed into the common room, jostling for spots as Sero flipped through the channels to find their moment of glory.

Much to Izuku's embarrassment, the Sports Festival highlights seemed to revolve mostly around him. Clips of Heatblast blasting massive holes through the stadium played repeatedly, the destruction leaving many of his classmates slack-jawed.

"Izuku Midoriya, U.A.'s most powerful student in history," a news reporter proclaimed as footage of crescent-shaped craters in the stadium flashed on screen. "The kid has power but clearly lacks control. Just look at the scale of the damage left behind."

Izuku slumped further into his seat, covering his face with his hands. "I'm never going to live this down, am I?" he muttered.

"Buddy," Mineta said with a laugh, "you destroyed three stadiums and delayed the Sports Festival for the second and third years. No, you're not."

The group chuckled at Izuku's expense, though some cast him looks of both awe and disbelief.

The highlight reel transitioned to Ochako versus Bakugou, and the room grew quiet. Ochako blushed deeply as the footage played, showcasing her desperate strategy to close the gap against Bakugou's relentless explosions. Before she pulled her hail Mary and the crowd cheering her on.

"Bakugou was dubbed the 'Villain' of the Sports Festival," the reporter continued. "A bad guy to be defeated, with the media largely discouraging his overly aggressive tactics."

"Damn, they're really painting Bakugou as the villain, huh?" Kirishima said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Seems like most of his fights are either cut short or heavily censored," Sero said, wincing as footage of him being sent flying across the arena played.

"Serves him right," Ochako said quietly, though her voice carried a rare edge of irritation.

The reel shifted again, focusing on Monoma's team, who had been labeled the "Anti-Heroes" for their underhanded tactics during the capture the flag battle.

"I can't believe you knew about that Shinso guy's Quirk and didn't say anything!" Pony exclaimed, punching Monoma's arm repeatedly. "If it weren't for Midoriya, I would've lost!"

"Ow! You won!" Monoma retorted, rubbing his arm. "Besides, it would've been unfair if I gave away his Quirk!"

"Unfair?" Pony huffed.

As the banter continued, Kirishima and Aoyama slumped back, their expressions dejected as clips of their losses to Shinso played.

"It sucks, but we can't really blame him," Itsuka said, leaning back. "Shinso probably would've lost in the first round if Monoma had spilled the beans."

"Yeah, I know," Kirishima admitted, his voice laced with irritation. "It just sucks! I didn't even get a chance to show off my training properly."

"You were awesome, Kirishima," Mina chimed in, grinning. "Shinso's Quirk is tough to beat; it wasn't your fault."

"Thanks, Ashido," he said, perking up slightly, though the sting of defeat lingered.

"Though where's that Bakugou guy?" Kamakiri asked, leaning back with a curious look.

"Oh, he's still in his room," Kirishima said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I tried to talk to him, but he just told me to 'fuck off.'"

Monoma's lips curled into a smug grin. "Typical Bakugou. Guess the big bad 'future Number One Hero' can't handle losing, so now he's sulking like a baby in his room."

"Hey, that's uncool!" Kirishima protested, frowning.

"What?" Monoma said with an exaggerated shrug. "It's true! The guy talked a big game, acting like he was unbeatable, but the moment reality smacks him in the face, he locks himself away to pout? Pathetic."

"Monoma..." Kirishima growled, his voice low, but Monoma ignored him, his smirk growing wider as he turned toward the others.

"I mean, think about it," Monoma continued mockingly. "He strutted around, barking at everyone like he owned the place, and what did it get him? Third place. A bronze medal. Guess all that screaming and bravado only gets you so far."

The room erupted into mostly from class B laughter, though Kirishima's scowl deepened as he looked around, noticing no one seemed particularly eager to defend Bakugou. Even Kaminari and Mina exchanged awkward glances, unsure whether to jump in.

"Hey, give him a break," Kirishima said firmly. "Bakugou might be a hothead, but he worked his ass off for this."

Monoma rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. If he's so 'hardworking,' maybe he should try growing a thicker skin. Heroes don't get to whine and cry just because things don't go their way."

Sero, sensing the rising tension, turned toward the door and spotted Todoroki dressed in casual clothes, heading out. "Uh, Todoroki? You going somewhere?" he asked, hoping to steer the conversation away.

Todoroki nodded, his expression as calm as ever. "To the hospital," he said simply. "I already cleared it with the teachers."

Without waiting for a response, Todoroki walked out the door, leaving the room in a brief silence. Izuku watched him go, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he wondered what Todoroki was thinking.

Ochako stood up from the couch, stretching slightly. "I should probably get ready, too," she said. "My parents are in town, so I'm planning to spend the day with them."

Izuku turned toward her with a smile. "That sounds nice. I'm sure they'll be happy to see you."

Ochako nodded, giving him a soft smile in return before heading upstairs, leaving the others to their conversation.

...

A few hours later, around 11:30 a.m., the dorms were relatively quiet.

"Oh, so you're heading back home?" Izuku asked the brunette cheerfully.

"Yeah, Mom and Dad have the whole day planned," Ochako said, smiling as she adjusted her backpack, now dressed in comfortable, casual clothes.

"Well, have fun, Ochako," Tsuyu said from her spot on the couch.

Izuku opened the fridge to grab some food, humming softly to himself.

As Ochako made her way to the door, she opened it—only for it to be flung open as a furious pink-haired girl stormed inside.

"Where is Izuku Midoriya?!" she demanded, her sharp voice filling the room. Her striking pink hair was pulled into a messy bun, and cotton earrings dangled from her ears. Her gaze scanned the room with fiery intensity.

Izuku immediately ducked behind the fridge door, his instincts screaming at him to avoid her wrath.

The girl's sharp eyes locked onto the fridge, and she marched over. "I know you're hiding behind there!"

Izuku hesitated, peeking out nervously, only for Mineta to clap him on the back with a grin. "Hey, Midoriya, who's the babe?"

The girl's scowl deepened as she stomped over and slammed the fridge door shut, revealing Izuku, who flinched under her glare.

"H-Hey—" Izuku started, only for her to jab a finger into his chest with surprising force.

"You're the idiot who blew up three stadiums!" she snapped.

"W-Well, I mean—"

"And because of you, the entire festival for the second and third years is delayed!" she continued, her frustration spilling out. "Do you know how much of a logistical nightmare it is to reschedule an event like this?!"

Izuku blinked, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to respond.

"Thanks to your reckless rampage, we now have to hold our events in rainy weather!" she added, throwing her hands in the air. "And do you even realize how many pro heroes probably won't attend now because of the disruption you caused?!"

Izuku took a step back, trying to explain himself. "I-I didn't mean to—"

"You didn't mean to?!" she repeated, her voice rising. "You've got one job in the festival—show off your Quirk without breaking half the damn stadium!"

Momo stepped between them, raising her hands in a calming gesture. "I'm sure Midoriya didn't intend for any of this to happen. Perhaps we could all—"

The girl pointed an accusatory finger at Izuku, ignoring Momo. "Not your intention? Then learn to control your Quirk! Honestly, I can't believe Mr. Aizawa didn't expel you for that sheer display of reckless incompetence!"

Izuku hesitated, guilt washing over him. "I-I'm sorry… I really didn't mean for it to—"

"You should have better control over your Quirk! Honestly, I can't believe Mr. Aizawa didn't expel you for your sheer reckless incompetence and... Ugh! Can't believe you're in my old class!" the girl huffed, frustration radiating off her.

"W-Wait, you're a second year? I thought Mr. Aizawa expelled your entire class," Izuku blurted, blinking in surprise.

Everyone in the room facepalmed simultaneously. Sero shook his head, muttering, "Not the time, dude…"

The girl's eye twitched violently as her irritation skyrocketed.

While Momo, despite the tense moment, had a triumphant glint in her eyes. "I knew they wouldn't actually expel an entire class!" Momo murmured with a satisfied smile.

The pink-haired girl's frustration seemed to bubble over. She spun around on her heel, clearly furious. "Yes, I'm part of the class that got expelled!" she yelled. "Rub it in, why don't you?!"

Her hands glowed as she created several cotton puffs, which she then shoved into Izuku's messy hair with a growl.

"Good luck getting those out," she huffed, turning on her heel and storming out of the room, leaving the group in stunned silence.

Izuku, still trying to process the encounter, tugged at the cotton lodged in his hair, but it only made the situation worse, the cotton tangling in a mess. "Ah, man..." he muttered to himself.

The group looked at him, some amused and some clearly sympathetic.

"Izuku, don't go chasing after her," Hagakure called out, knowing exactly what he was about to do. She crossed her arms. "She's clearly furious. The last thing she probably wants is another confrontation."

Izuku was already on his feet, though, red shoes slipping across the floor as he bolted for the door. "But I have to apologize! I can't just leave it like this!"

...

Mineta looked absolutely livid, throwing his hands in the air. "Oh, so when Midoriya chases after a girl, it's all sunshine and rainbows, but when I do it, I'm called a creepy pervert?! How is that fair?!"

"A. Izuku doesn't have any creepy intentions with girls," came Yui's monotone voice as she descended the stairs, her footsteps echoing softly. "B. What's this about Izuku chasing someone?"

The girls froze, awkwardly exchanging glances.

After a brief and mumbled explanation, Yui's eyes narrowed. "Wait... you let him chase after some random girl?"

The silence spoke volumes. Without hesitation, Yui grabbed a magazine off the nearby table and promptly whacked each girl on the head as she walked past.

"Ow!" Ochako yelped, holding her head.

"Hey!" Tsuyu croaked indignantly.

"Ouch!" Momo winced, rubbing her temple.

"That hurt!" Toru's voice piped up from the corner.

Yui paused, looking at them with her usual deadpan expression but with an undeniable edge of exasperation. "You do realize that you let Izuku—the same Izuku you're all crushing on—run off to apologize to another girl? And we all know he's going to go above and beyond to make it right, don't we?"

The words hit like a lightning bolt, and realization dawned on them.

"O-Oh no," Ochako stammered, her face paling.

...

"Hey, wait up!" Izuku called, running after the pink-haired girl.

The girl shot him a sharp glare over her shoulder and quickened her pace. "Go away."

"Look, I just want to talk!" Izuku pleaded, matching her stride.

"I don't want to talk!" she snapped, walking even faster.

"I'm really sorry about—"

"Stop following me!"

The girl abruptly turned and shouted, "Pervert!" before breaking into a full sprint.

Izuku's eyes widened in panic. "W-Wait, it's not like that!" he called, speeding up to keep pace with her.

She whipped her head around, her voice cutting through the air. "Quit following me, Kouhai! That's an order from your Senpai!"

Without missing a beat, she created a cotton platform under her feet, launching herself into the air. Hovering above him, she smirked triumphantly before taking off, weaving through the skies around U.A.

Izuku stopped in his tracks, watching her shrink into the distance. Gritting his teeth, he activated the Omnitrix. A green flash lit the area, and in her next glance down, the girl saw a blue jellyfish-like creature streaking through the sky after her.

"Gah! What the heck?!" she yelped, startled by the glowing alien rapidly gaining on her.

"Look, I just want to talk!" Amphibian's voice buzzed.

"Oh, you're one persistent first year, huh?" she called back, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Let's see if you can keep up!"

With that, she darted forward, her cotton platform propelling her at high speeds. Amphibian pushed himself to match her pace, his glowing tentacles rippling as he flew after her.

The girl expertly maneuvered, slipping through narrow spaces and even flying through an open window, hoping to shake him. Amphibian followed, his alien form gliding after her but struggling to match her sharp turns.

"She's fast," Amphibian muttered to himself, impressed.

"Ready to give up, Kouhai?" she teased, glancing back at him with a smirk.

Amphibian glanced around and spotted an outlet on the side of the building. If he could grin, he would have. Without warning, he zipped toward it, converting himself into crackling electricity and disappearing.

The girl paused midair, glancing around. "Huh? Where'd he go?" she muttered, letting out a sigh of relief. She perched on her cotton cloud, looking up at the sky. "Geez, when did boys get so persistent?"

Suddenly, the air around her crackled. Her eyes widened as Amphibian reappeared, reforming from the outlet.

"Gotcha!" he declared, his tentacles stretching out to grab her.

"Gah!" she shrieked as he gently but firmly caught her.

"Please, just give me five minutes to explain!" Amphibian said, his tone earnest. "After that, I'll leave you alone, I promise."

The girl sighed, clearly annoyed, but relented. "Fine, five minutes."

She floated to the roof of U.A., her cotton platform dissipating as she stepped onto the solid surface. Amphibian landed beside her before the green flash of the Omnitrix returned him to his human form.

"Hey," Izuku said, panting heavily, trying to catch his breath.

The girl crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him, her irritation evident.

Before she could say anything, Izuku suddenly dropped to his knees, bowing his head low.

"I'm really, really sorry!" he said sincerely. "It wasn't my intention to ruin anything for you or your classmates. I—I know what it's like to feel like you've messed up and disappointed people. I just… I'm sorry."

The girl blinked in surprise, her mouth opening and closing as she looked around nervously, hoping no one else was watching this.

"H-Hey! What are you doing?!" she stammered, taking a step back. "Get up! Seriously, people are going to think something weird is going on!"

Izuku hesitated but stayed in place. "I just wanted you to know that I regret how my actions affected everyone."

"Okay, okay!" she said quickly, waving her hands. "Stand up already! Geez, you're making this way more dramatic than it needs to be!"

Izuku slowly stood, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

The girl sighed, brushing her bangs aside. "Look, being part of the class that got expelled on the first day isn't exactly something I want people to remember me for. It's… not a great legacy." She glanced away, her voice softening. "And it doesn't help that some pros don't think I have potential because of it. Word gets around fast in this world, you know?"

Izuku's expression turned sympathetic. "I get it. And I know it's not much, but… for what it's worth, I think you're incredible. The way you fly and maneuver? It's amazing."

The girl's cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned her head to hide a small smile. "Tch. Whatever, Kouhai."

"I thought this was my chance to prove everyone wrong," the girl said, her voice tight with emotion. "To show that I belong here. That I'm not what Mr. Aizawa thinks I am. That I have potential."

She took a deep breath, frustration evident in her eyes.

"I worked so hard, even before I came to U.A.," she continued. "I got first place last year, but... the pros weren't exactly paying attention to a class that got expelled on the first day."

Her shoulders slumped, and she let out a bitter sigh. "Now, the pros won't even know I exist. I'm just the girl who got kicked out on the first day of school."

Izuku's stomach twisted. He felt awful. No, worse—he felt like a complete asshole. No, he felt like he was Bakugou. That realization made his insides churn.

"I'm really sorry," Izuku muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He sank to his knees. "I don't know what else to say. I know what it feels like to be underestimated, and I didn't mean to make things worse... I really didn't. I never realized how much damage I could cause with Heatblast. I just wanted to help, but... I messed up."

The girl shook her head, looking down at him. "I get it. But still, you don't know what it's like to try so hard, only to feel like you're invisible."

Izuku swallowed and looked up at her. "I do understand. And you will be noticed. You got first in two events before, right? The pros will see that! I'm sure of it! And you just have to show off in a few days!"

She scoffed, folding her arms. "Right. Like they'll remember me as the girl who got expelled. I'm just a joke now. They not gonna come."

Izuku stood up, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "That's not true! You can't let one setback define you! You've got a whole year to show them who you are. Even if the pros don't recognize you now, prove them wrong! You still have time to grow!"

The girl stared at him for a moment, and for a fleeting second, her expression softened. She gave him a small, almost reluctant smile as she stood up.

"I like that," she said, her voice lighter. "You've got a lot of spirit for a first year. Maybe when you're out of here, you'll make a decent sidekick."

Before Izuku could respond, she jumped off the roof, creating a cloud beneath her and effortlessly soaring toward the second-year dorms.

"Oh, and by the way," she called back, "my name's Mawata Fuwa."

Izuku smiled to himself as he watched her fly away, feeling a bit of hope stirring within him. He turned to head back inside, the weight in his chest lighter than before.

However, from above the sky, a girl with blue hair and blue eyes watched the whole two and pouted."Why can't I have a flying buddy!?"

...

Izuku was heading back when his danger sense suddenly spiked. He looked around, but before he could react, the door in front of him began to expand. With quick reflexes, he jumped aside just as the door exploded, sending smoke billowing into the air. A figure flew through the smoke, and Izuku's heart raced.

"Wait, there's no school today. Could it be a villain?" Izuku muttered to himself, pulling the sleeve of his arm to activate the Omnitrix. His alien form was ready, just in case.

"Ow, ow, ow," a feminine voice groaned from the smoke. The smoke was dense, but through the haze, Izuku could make out the faint shape of someone standing up and quickly moving back toward the classroom.

Izuku steadied himself, gripping the broken doorframe. The smoke cleared, and a girl with salmon pink dreadlocks emerged, looking slightly disoriented.

"Uh, hello?" Izuku called out.

The girl flinched at first but then turned toward him, her expression softening into a relaxed smile when she saw he was just a student.

Izuku blinked in recognition. The girl seemed oddly familiar. As she looked him over, he realized she'd likely seen him in action before.

She lifted her goggles up and grinned wildly, her eyes locking onto the Omnitrix on his wrist.

"Oh, hey! Green Kid!" she called out.

Izuku quickly moved to hide the Omnitrix behind him, sensing her interest in it. "H-Hey, I'm Izuku Midoriya. There's no school today, so... what are you doing here?"

The girl's grin widened, and she leaned forward with enthusiasm. "Oh, I'm building my babies! Can't let a day off stop me from inventing!"

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think students were allowed to work on days off."

The girl scratched the back of her head nervously. "Well... technically, I'm not supposed to be here. Especially not me," she muttered under her breath, glancing around.

Izuku looked at the mess of the exploded room and the thick smoke still lingering in the air. "I can see why."

Before he could say anything else, the girl was suddenly behind him, making him jump in surprise.

"AAAH!" Izuku yelped as she grabbed his arm, zeroing in on the Omnitrix. "This baby is amazing! I've never seen anything like it! The material is strange, but I can tell it's something special! I saw how you used it in the sports festival—"

Izuku quickly pulled his hand back, his other hand covering the Omnitrix protectively. "H-Hey! Please don't touch it!"

The girl whined, not even slightly deterred. "Oh come on! I just wanna take a closer look!" She leaned forward, completely disregarding the personal space Izuku was desperately trying to maintain. "Let me see it up close! It's gotta be something incredible!"

...

"Can you at least borrow me the device? I want to examine it! I promise I'll return it in better condition!" Mei said, her voice practically dripping with excitement, her gaze glued to the Omnitrix.

"Sorry, it doesn't come off," Izuku said, trying to back away. Mei snapped her fingers in frustration, clearly disappointed. She could tell just from the way it sat on his wrist that it was fused to his skin somehow, but she couldn't figure out how or why.

"Aw, nuts!" she huffed, looking at him with an almost comically exaggerated pout. "Okay, okay, fine! But this isn't over!"

Izuku, now feeling a little more uncomfortable, decided it was time to leave. "W-Well, I—I've gotta go!"

He raised his hand to wave goodbye, but before he could escape, Mei grabbed his wrist, her sharp eyes focusing on the small scars dotting his fingers and hands.

She tilted her head, cupping her chin thoughtfully. "Your Quirk did this, right? The super strength one where you don't transform?"

Izuku's face flushed a deep red. "Y-Yeah..." he stuttered.

Mei's grin only grew wider. "How strange. Do you have any support gear to go along with that?" Her fingers traced over his scars lightly. "If the Omnitrix doesn't come off, then it looks like you and I are going to be spending a lot of quality time together, Izuku."

Izuku blinked in confusion. "I-Izuku?" he repeated, his mind racing. "I'm not really on a first-name basis with anyone—" He stopped, remembering his recent interactions with Yui and Momo. "Okay, I guess I'm surprisingly on a first-name basis with a lot of people, but I just met you. Heck, I don't even know your name, and you're already calling me by my first name!"

"Trust me," Mei said, brushing her dreadlocks aside as she grinned widely, "the shorter the name, the more likely I'll remember it. But even then, that's a small chance." She continued to rub her hands over his, inspecting his scars like they were the most interesting thing she'd ever seen.

"Now, you didn't answer my question—support gear?" she asked again, not even looking at him as her hands roamed over his.

"O-Oh, well, I've got a hooded jacket and basically just home clothes, not much of a costume. I usually transform, so having support gear seems kinda pointless." Izuku replied, shifting awkwardly under her intense focus.

Mei's expression immediately turned to one of complete shock. "How could you say that?! Pointless?! Support gear is never pointless!" She gasped dramatically, pushing closer to him.

"You use yourself to fight, right?" she asked, her voice almost mocking as she poked him in the chest with a finger. "Your forms may not need support items, but you certainly do!" She shoved him back against the wall, keeping him trapped with a hand on his shoulder and a leg braced against his side, preventing him from moving.

"I-I... well, yeah, I do," Izuku stammered, his face burning even brighter.

"Great!" Mei chirped, her tone as though she had just solved the world's greatest problem. "That means I'm gonna work on some support gear for you!" She started feeling around his arms, running her hands over his muscles. "Hmm... Your Quirk must hurt your body, right?"

"Y-Y-Yeah..." Izuku was beyond flustered now, completely caught off-guard by her forwardness, his voice barely a whisper.

"Is it because you're weak?" Mei continued, not even waiting for a response as her hands traced his biceps. "No, that can't be it. You're pretty muscle-y." She leaned closer, her face inches from his, her hands still roaming.

Izuku froze completely, his entire body stiffening under her touch. His mind was scrambling as Mei continued to explore his body, making him feel both mortified and strangely paralyzed.

...

Yui paused, setting her cup of tea down, her eyes narrowing as she sensed something off. "I feel a disturbance," she muttered quietly.

Mina's eyes widened slightly as she instinctively placed a hand on her horns, feeling them twitch. "My Midori ship is tingling."

...

"Do you have a specific designer for your gear?" Mei asked, her curiosity clearly piqued.

Izuku quickly thought of Melissa, feeling slightly uncomfortable with Mei's proximity. He gently pushed her back. "W-Well, yes, her name is Melissa Shield."

Mei's eyes widened in recognition. "The daughter of David Shield?! She's your support designer? Did she make that incredible thing on your wrist?"

Izuku scratched his head nervously. "Uh, no, but she did offer to make my gear in the future..."

Mei scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "Nope! I'm not one to poach someone else's client, but..." She leaned in closer, a gleam of determination in her eyes. "But you, Izuku Midoriya, are a magnificent challenge! I'll personally be taking you on as my new client!"

Izuku's eyes widened in surprise. "B-But I already have—"

She interrupted, her voice excited. "She's in I-Island, I'm right here, right now! And I will not take no for an answer! Let me make your babies, Mizuku Izoridya!"

"Izuku Midoriya, also, why?!" Izuku stammered, his face turning red from both the mispronunciation and her overwhelming persistence.

Mei grinned widely, her hands waving through the air as she spoke rapidly. "I want clients, and you clearly need better gear. I'm sure you'll love my babies!"

Izuku blinked, his face flushing even more. "I don't even know your name, and you don't seem to remember mine!"

Mei stopped short, suddenly realizing the flaw in her approach. "Oh, right. Clients should know their personal support designer."

"I'm not your designer!"

Mei grinned even wider. "Mei Hatsume, nice to meet you, Izuku Midoriya, my own personal client!" She extended her hand eagerly.

Izuku blinked in disbelief. "I'm not your— Hey! You remembered my name!"

"Of course I did!" Mei beamed, as if it were the most natural thing. "You're my new client, Izkodoriy!"

Izuku sighed, already feeling the weight of this interaction. "Hatsume, thank you for the offer—"

"Come on, have me as your support designer!" Mei's voice cut through his protests. "I won't—" She suddenly collapsed onto the floor in exhaustion.

"Aaa! Hatsume, are you okay?!" Izuku rushed to her side, panic filling his voice.

Mei raised her head with a sheepish smile. "Sorry! Looks like my body's completely wiped out!" She scratched her head bashfully, clearly embarrassed by her sudden collapse.

"I see that," Izuku noted, his concern evident as he observed the bags under her eyes, the grease on her clothes, and her disheveled hair. "You need some rest."

Mei's face lit up in a sly grin. "Mind carrying me to my dorm? We can discuss our new relationship on the way!"

"We're not in a relationship!" Izuku protested, his face flushing with embarrassment.

Hatsume pouted, her full lips jutting out in a sulky expression. Izuku hesitated for a moment before scooping her up onto his back.

As he settled her into place, he felt her breasts press against his back, their soft weight and gentle bounce sending a jolt of electricity through his body.

His blush deepened as he became aware of her nipples, hard and erect, rubbing against his back

"W-Why isn't she wearing a bra?! This is so embarrassing!"

Mei shrugged nonchalantly. "Bra gets in the way, plus it can be tight and annoying." She said it so matter-of-factly that Izuku couldn't even comprehend how to respond. "I-I said that out loud, didn't I?" He mumbled, his embarrassment almost suffocating.

Mei nodded with a mischievous grin. "Yup, you totally did."

Izuku sighed, mentally praying for this moment to be over. As he was about to leave, Mei pointed. "Oh, mind grabbing that table there? I need my bag!"

Izuku glanced over and moved to grab the bag, his hands shaking slightly as he picked it up. Mei dug through the bag, then nodded. "Yes! Let's go!" she said with sudden renewed energy.

Izuku started walking toward the support course, her head resting on his back. Mei's fingers brushed through his fluffy hair as she lazily spoke. "Your hair is super fluffy, muscles."

"Muscles?" Izuku asked, confused by her sudden compliment.

"Well, friends give each other nicknames," Mei said casually. "And yours is 'muscles.' You like it?"

Izuku groaned, his face turning even redder. "It's better than client."

"But you can call me—" Mei started, a playful glint in her eyes.

"I'm not calling you my new designer," Izuku interrupted, still not fully used to her assertiveness.

Mei pouted, but the teasing smile never left her lips. "Loyal to your designer, huh?" she teased, her tone light but full of mischievous energy.

"Yeah, and she's a friend. I can't just switch to another designer." Izuku said, trying to keep things clear.

"Loyal to the end, huh?" Mei smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I respect that. You're an awesome client, even if you're a little stubborn!"

Izuku shook his head, cheeks turning a little pink. "I'm not your client, though."

"Not yet!" Mei grinned, her energy not wavering. "But don't worry, you'll be begging for me to make your gear in no time. Trust me, you'll love my babies!"

Izuku sighed, feeling a little cornered. He didn't want to be rude, but he couldn't just drop Melissa. She had already helped him so much, and he trusted her. "I appreciate it, but I can't just abandon my current designer. Melissa's been really kind to me, and I don't want to betray that trust."

Mei's grin didn't fade. "Aw, you're cute, Midoriya. I get it, but you're still going to fall for my babies. No one does support gear like me!" She winked and gave him a playful nudge. "Just wait, you'll be begging me to make you the best gear around. I'm the best in the business!"

Izuku couldn't help but smile at her persistence, even if it was a little overwhelming. "I don't know about that..."

...

Class 1-H had just finished breakfast, and a silence hung in the air.

"Hm. This place is way too quiet," one student remarked.

A girl with orange hair nodded, exhaling in relief as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, sinking slightly into the sofa. "Yeah, it's... a bit too quiet."

"Too quiet," another muttered, and suddenly, the tension in the room shifted.

"Wait—where's Hatsume?!" they all shouted in unison.

"You don't think she broke into the studio again to work on her babies, do you?!" A blonde-haired student asked, his voice laced with panic.

"If that girl blew up the studio again, I'm seriously—" the orange-haired girl trembled with barely contained fury.

"I don't want my inventions blown to pieces again..." another student said, sounding dejected.

"Uh, guys... good news?" A student shouted, her face pressed against the window, eyes wide. "I found Hatsume!"

The group quickly gathered around, all sighing in relief—until her next words made their blood run cold. "B-But she's being carried by... Izuku Midoriya."

The room fell into a stunned silence before the panic set in. A student's voice cracked as they whispered, "Y-You mean the same guy who blasted three holes into the stadiums for all three years?"

The girl with the window nodded grimly. "That's him..."

"THE SAME Midoriya who turned the weapon meant to kill All Might into ash and scared the villains into retreating with their tails between their legs?" A girl added, her voice trembling as she took a step back.

"Wait—he died after the USJ attack, didn't he?" another student gasped. "But hell spat him out... He's like a demon or something!"

"What? No way!" someone else protested, eyes wide in disbelief.

"He's... he's cute though!" a cat-girl muttered, her tail flicking nervously.

"Don't fall for it!" A panicked voice interrupted. "His cute and nice persona is all an act! You get close, let your guard down, and before you know it—he traps you, makes you his servant!"

A dog-girl, nervously chewing on a lump of meat, shuddered. "Hatsume must have really done something bad... He's probably planning to... Have his way with her."

"She is pretty busty," the cat-girl commented, glancing nervously at the group before wiping sweat from her brow. "And... he's always surrounded by girls. Maybe he's sick of them and now he's going after Hatsume?!"

"A-Are we sure we aren't jumping to conclusions here?" one of the students stammered, clearly struggling with the sheer weight of the fear in the room.

"We're not!" another student yelled, their voice shaking. "Look at the facts: He turned a freaking monster into ASH, broke his own fingers to win a fight, and destroyed THREE stadiums because someone wasn't using their full power! Does that sound like a logical and sensible person to you?!"

The room fell into uneasy silence again. Everyone was trembling, the fear settling deep in their bones.

...

"S-Should we call the teachers? Maybe All Might?" One student stammered, his voice trembling.

"Oh God, he's getting closer!" Another student screamed, her body shaking in fear. She had known Mei's antics would get her into trouble one day, but with him—the guy who had destroyed three stadiums? She must have really pissed him off this time.

"W-What do we do?!" someone else gasped, eyes wide.

"We... we must save Hatsume!" a boy shouted, his voice wavering but determined.

"W-What?!" another student yelped. "He nearly destroyed three stadiums, and you want us to fight him?!"

"...For Hatsume?" the boy replied, looking at the others with a look that almost begged for support.

A resigned silence fell over the group. It was clear they were too terrified to actually stop Midoriya. If they tried, they would probably be obliterated before they could even make a move. And if they did nothing, who knew what he would do to Hatsume?

"Look," one student started, trying to rally the others. "I know Hatsume's inconsiderate. She blows up the studio, destroying our inventions. She can't remember any of our names. She even... gropes us without asking—"

"Uh, buddy, you're really not helping here," someone interrupted, looking skeptical.

"But who always helps us rebuild our inventions?" the student continued, ignoring the comment. "Hatsume. Who, even though she's careless, still takes the fall when things go wrong?"

"Hatsume!" the others chimed in.

"Who, even when she's a pain, gives us advice on how to improve our work, and sometimes even tries out our inventions herself?" the student pressed, his voice gaining strength.

The class seemed to soften, a few of them wiping away tears as the weight of the situation settled in.

"She's still our classmate!" the student shouted. "We may lose—scratch that, we're probably going to get destroyed—but we have to at least try!"

"YEAH!" they all shouted in unison, their fear melting into a unified sense of determination.

Grabbing some old equipment and unfinished support items, they rushed out of the room, shaking in their boots as they prepared to face the terrifying Midoriya. They were shaking, legs wobbling, barely able to hold onto their makeshift weapons.

When they reached him, they took a deep breath and raised their equipment in a desperate, trembling stance.

Izuku looked at them, seemingly unfazed. "Oh, hello."

The group faltered, barely able to form words. "H-Hey... I-I'm sure whatever Hatsume did, but w-we can't just let you... do whatever you want with her!"

Izuku blinked in confusion. "Oh, I was just going to take her to her dorm..."

The students froze, their expressions growing even more horrified. "He was going to do... unspeakable things!"

Izuku, noticing their panic, sighed. "But since you're here, I guess there's no choice." With that, he gently pried Hatsume off his back as she sprang away, grinning.

"Thanks, Muscles!" Hatsume saluted him enthusiastically.

Izuku gave her a deadpan look. "You're never going to remember my name, are you?"

"Probably not!" she replied cheerfully, not an ounce of shame in her voice.

Izuku let out an exasperated sigh, preparing to leave. "Just... don't blow up any more studios, okay?"

"Wait, she blew up the studio again?!" the group shouted in unison, their faces turning bright red in anger.

"Oh, by the way, here!" Hatsume tossed Izuku his phone. He caught it in surprise.

"Hey, my phone!" Izuku exclaimed.

"Bye, new client!" she called over her shoulder, waving as she walked away.

"I'm not your—" Izuku groaned in frustration, waving reluctantly before turning to leave.

As he opened his phone, something caught his eye. On his contact list, under a new entry, was the name "Mei Hatsume, personal designer." Izuku's eye twitched as he immediately changed it to just "Mei Hatsume."

"Wait, when did we exchange contacts? And... is this a schedule?" Izuku muttered to himself, his confusion growing as he glanced at the strange new details in his phone.

...

[UA Staff room]

Recovery Girl stood in front of the monitor, her expression grave as the staff listened intently.

"After conducting a thorough investigation of the students, we've concluded, as you suspected, Aizawa, that some of them have undergone significant DNA alterations." Her tone was calm but tinged with concern.

"Alterations? How significant?" Cementoss asked, leaning forward.

"Take Kyoka Jiro, for example," Recovery Girl continued. "Her vocal cords have been altered, granting her abilities akin to a Sonorosian."

"Sonorosian?" Cementoss raised an eyebrow.

"The alien form Midoriya calls Echo Echo," Recovery Girl explained.

Present Mic straightened up, visibly concerned. "Yo, yo! The girl already has super-sensitive hearing. If she's got Echo Echo's powers on top of that, isn't this gonna be dangerous for her?"

Midnight nodded in agreement. "That's a valid point. If she's inherited abilities like Echo Echo's, the amplified soundwaves could be a major detriment to her health."

Recovery Girl raised a hand to reassure them. "That's the strange part. While her hearing is still exceptionally sensitive, it appears her body has adapted to handle the strain. Whatever changes the Omnitrix—or perhaps Midoriya's Quirk—made seem to negate that weakness. She's able to use these new abilities quite effectively."

All Might frowned, his concern deepening. "One For All can be transferred, but are you suggesting that the Omnitrix somehow merged with it to cause these changes?"

"It's a theory," Recovery Girl admitted, her gaze shifting to All Might. "But we'll need further investigation to understand it fully."

Nezu, sipping his tea, interjected. "Regardless of the cause, we'll need to inform the students about their newfound abilities as soon as possible—preferably before the internships begin."

"Perhaps," Aizawa agreed. "But these changes only began manifesting recently. Something must have triggered them. We'll need to investigate what that was."

"What's the common thread here?" Cementoss asked.

Recovery Girl shook her head. "That's a question the students might be better equipped to answer. But for now, there's a more pressing issue at hand."

Aizawa glanced around the room, his tone firm. "Vilgax has returned."

The atmosphere in the room shifted immediately. All Might shot to his feet, his face pale with shock. Nezu paused mid-sip, his usually calm demeanor faltering.

"This quickly?!" Toshinori exclaimed. "Midoriya isn't ready for this!"

Aizawa crossed his arms, his gaze steady. "You shouldn't be surprised. The plan was a desperate measure at best, and Tetrax hasn't contacted us. That's only making this situation worse."

"We always knew this fix was just a patch on a bullet wound," Snipe drawled, his tone as heavy as a storm cloud. "Reckon we just hoped it'd hold a mite longer."

Nezu set down his tea, his tone uncharacteristically somber. "If Vilgax is truly back, our chances of survival… are minimal. Even with One For All, Midoriya is no match for him in his current state."

Present Mic leaned forward, an idea sparking. "But if the kids have Midoriya's alien powers, couldn't we—"

"Absolutely not."

"No."

Aizawa and All Might spoke in unison, their agreement catching everyone off guard.

"I'm fine with telling them they've gained abilities similar to Midoriya's," Aizawa said. "But the truth about the Omnitrix? About aliens? No."

All Might nodded firmly. "They'll want to help Midoriya, and I can't allow that. Sending them into battle against Vilgax would be sending them to their deaths."

Aizawa's voice hardened. "Even with these new abilities, at best, they'd be a distraction. At worst, Vilgax would use them as leverage against Midoriya. That's not a risk I'm willing to take."

The room fell silent, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on everyone present.

...

Thirteen broke the silence, her tone calm but serious. "Perhaps that's why we should inform them. If we let them know what's at stake, they might at least stay out of the way if Vilgax does come. They'd know better than to interfere." She had fought Vilgax before and understood the danger he posed. Still, she acknowledged Aizawa's perspective: these kids could easily become liabilities in a battle of that scale.

Snipe leaned forward, resting his crossed arms on the table. "Let's lay it out plain. Vilgax comes huntin' for Midoriya. The boy steps up to face him, and the young'uns—thinkin' they're helpin'—charge in like calves in a stampede. They won't see the true danger, just figure he's another outlaw. That kind of blind guts'll lead to foolhardy moves, and we'll be too busy fightin' to keep Midoriya breathin' to wrangle 'em."

All Might groaned, the strain of the conversation evident on his face. "He's right. Their lack of understanding could get them killed or, worse, jeopardize Midoriya's focus when he'll need it most."

"Reckon that's true," Snipe said, his tone measured. "But if we spell it out for 'em—the Omnitrix, Vilgax, and just how mean that son of a gun really is—might be they'd step back. At least they'd see why they need to steer clear." He paused, tipping his hat back slightly. "Course, there ain't no guarantees. We're still dancin' to Vilgax's fiddle. He could ride in tomorrow, next month… hell, could be anytime."

Midnight sighed heavily. "And that's part of the problem. None of us are ready to face Vilgax again, especially if he's even stronger than before. We barely made it through the last encounter. Now we're in worse shape, and time isn't on our side."

All Might exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "In my condition, I don't think I could survive him again. I barely managed last time, and now…" He trailed off, his frustration palpable.

"But if we tell the students," Aizawa cut in, his voice firm, "they'll want to get involved. Bakugo, in particular, will see it as a challenge. He'll want to prove himself, and his tendency to clash with Midoriya will only make things worse. We can't have them competing during something this dangerous."

Cementoss nodded, his expression grim. "Midoriya already has enough to deal with. He'll be fighting the man who killed his father. Adding a competition with Bakugo—or anyone else—would only divide his focus. That's a risk we can't afford."

Midnight frowned, her arms crossed. "But don't you think the students could provide emotional support? Midoriya's still just a teenager. We may be his teachers, but he needs someone to confide in. Someone his own age."

"That's why we have Hound Dog," Aizawa replied flatly. "If Midoriya needs emotional support, he can go to him."

Midnight shot him a sharp look. "You really don't get teenagers, do you? Midoriya is supposed to open up to the people who've been lying to him for years about his father's death? That's a pretty tall order."

Ectoplasm joined the discussion, his voice measured. "And if we expect Midoriya to lie to his classmates to cover for us, it'll only isolate him further. That kind of pressure could push him to his breaking point. Do we really want to put that burden on one student?"

Vlad King folded his arms, his brow furrowed. "But if we tell them, we risk the opposite. These kids care about Midoriya. They'll want to help, no matter the cost. And if we can't stop them from getting involved, we'll be putting them in even greater danger."

Hound Dog growled softly, then spoke. "The students need to understand what they're facing, but there's a fine line between caution and recklessness. If we don't frame it right, they might see this as an opportunity to prove themselves instead of a warning to stay back."

"Not to mention," Thirteen added, "if we tell them, it might break their trust in us. They'll know we've been keeping secrets—not just from them but from Midoriya, too. That could damage the team dynamic entirely."

Present Mic, who had been quiet until now, raised a hand. "But isn't that already a risk? If Vilgax shows up and they find out the truth anyway, they'll lose trust in us regardless. At least if we tell them now, we control how they hear it."

Nezu, observing the debate, tapped a clawed finger against his teacup. "Both sides have merit. If we tell them, we risk dragging them into a battle they're not prepared for. But if we don't, we risk alienating Midoriya and creating a larger conflict within the class when the truth inevitably comes out."

A heavy silence fell over the room as the teachers weighed the arguments. There was no easy answer, and the stakes had never been higher.

...

"Let's change the subject for now," Snipe drawled, trying to shift the conversation. "Vilgax's tougher than a rattlesnake bite, stronger than All Might in his prime. So how in tarnation's Midoriya gonna take him down?"

"But... I know Midoriya can win this," All Might said, determination in his eyes.

Aizawa raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You can't just rely on hope. We need a solid plan."

"You all recall the power he displayed during the festival," All Might said, his tone calm, trying to reassure them.

"You mean how he blew up three stadiums?" Nezu cut in, his voice dry. "And since he's your successor, will that be coming out of your paycheck?"

All Might slumped, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "Fair enough." He cleared his throat, trying to refocus. "Anyways, that was only at 45% of his power, and he was able to unleash devastating destruction."

"At 45%?" Snipe repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "That's…"

"Incredible," Thirteen finished for him, her tone grim. "If he can do that at 45%, I can't imagine what he'd be capable of at 100%."

Recovery Girl leaned forward, her face lined with concern. "All Might, if you're suggesting he uses his Quirk at a higher percentage than—"

"Of course not," All Might interrupted quickly, raising a hand. "I'd never ask him to risk his body like that."

Aizawa leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. "Then what are you suggesting? This can't just be about brute force."

All Might reached into his bag and activated a small projector. A hologram of two red gauntlet-like devices appeared, floating in the center of the room. "Melissa Shield is currently designing what she calls 'The Full Gauntlet.'"

Aizawa looked at the projection with a raised eyebrow. "And how is this supposed to help?"

The teachers leaned in, their interest piqued.

"Melissa?" Recovery Girl asked, her voice softening with recognition. "Your old friend's daughter?"

"Yes," All Might said, nodding. "These gauntlets are engineered to withstand pressure equivalent to my own full power. However..." He hesitated, his expression growing serious. "Since Midoriya's strength surpasses mine, the prototype would only allow him to use his power in limited bursts—maybe three or four punches at 100% before they break down."

"Not exactly useful," Aizawa said bluntly, crossing his arms. "That's not much more than a temporary fix."

"And that's why she's working on them alongside David Shield," All Might explained. "When completed, they'll allow Midoriya to use around 50% or 60% of his strength, keeping the strain on his body manageable."

The room went silent for a moment as the teachers processed this new information.

Midnight blinked in surprise, her voice full of intrigue. "50%? That's still a huge jump in power, though."

Cementoss folded his arms, his eyes thoughtful. "But what happens if he needs to push past that? We have seen why Vilgax can do will that be enough?"

All Might nodded, his expression serious. "I'm aware of the risks. But for now, this is the best option we have. Midoriya's Quirk amplifies his strength, including his forms. His Omnitrix aliens are also enhanced by this—meaning their abilities are boosted as well."

Thirteen gave a thoughtful hum. "So, not only is his own physical strength enhanced, but his alien forms are as well? That gives him an edge, at least."

"How long will it take?" Midnight asked, her tone filled with concern.

"Er... three months minimum," All Might said, rubbing the back of his neck.

The room fell silent again, the weight of the situation settling in.

Aizawa sighed deeply, clearly processing the new information. "Three months... that's pushing it. We'll need to prepare Midoriya for what's coming in the meantime. We can't rely solely on those gauntlets."

"Three months is better than nothing," Nezu said, his voice calm and strategic. "In the meantime, we'll need to focus on his tactics. His raw strength and alien abilities may be powerful, but we need to teach him how to use them efficiently against a foe like Vilgax."

The room grew heavy with silence as the other teachers avoided meeting each other's eyes, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.

Midnight crossed her arms tightly, her voice wavering. "It's cruel. We're supposed to protect these kids, and instead, we're sending him to fight a monster none of us can handle. What does that make us?

Snipe sighed, shaking his head. "It feels wrong. The kid doesn't even have his provisional license yet, and here we are, asking him to take on someone we can't even dream of facing ourselves."

Thirteen crossed her arms, her voice filled with unease. "And then there's Bakugou... How do we expect Midoriya to handle this when Vilgax is the one who murdered his father? He hasn't even had time to process that. Maybe we should hold off and—"

"Hold off?" Aizawa interrupted, his tone sharp and frustrated. "You think Vilgax is going to wait until we're ready? This isn't about what's fair or what's right. It's about survival." He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "Look, none of us are happy about this. None of us want this for him. But the reality is that not one of us—not even All Might—is strong enough to stand against Vilgax. This isn't something we chose; it's been forced on us."

"I agree with Aizawa," Nezu said. "This is far from an ideal situation. But we must acknowledge that Midoriya's role in this is inevitable."

Midnight looked up, her voice tinged with sorrow. "I hate that it's come to this... but we don't have the luxury of time. We can't afford to sit back and do nothing while the clock ticks down."

Nezu nodded solemnly. "I do not condone the unfairness of this situation. But, much like all of you, I see no other option. We must prepare Midoriya to face this challenge, even if it costs him more than we ever intended.

Midnight leaned back in her chair with a dramatic sigh, her red lips curling into a sly smirk. "Fine," she drawled, crossing her legs in a way that seemed to demand attention. "But at the very least, let the poor boy have some time to relax before we dump the weight of the entire universe on his shoulders."

She paused for a moment, tapping her chin with a perfectly manicured nail before her smirk deepened. "Besides," she added, her voice laced with mischief, "a little birdie told me our dear Midoriya has not one, but two upcoming dates."

The room froze. The mere suggestion of Izuku Midoriya juggling multiple dates sent an odd, collective shiver down the spines of the faculty. For a moment, they exchanged glances, each silently acknowledging the truth: Midoriya might take after his father more than they'd like to admit.

Nezu, ever composed, set his teacup down with a quiet clink. "Ah," he said, his tone as neutral as ever, "perhaps we should consider instituting a formal ban on dating within school grounds."

Midnight's eye twitched, and she clenched her fists under the table. 'Overreact?!' she thought, barely restraining herself from snapping.

"Oh, lighten up, Nezu," she said aloud, leaning forward with a teasing grin. "Let the boy live a little. You can't expect him to save the universe if he doesn't even know how to handle a proper date, can you? I mean, who knows..." Her voice dipped into a sultry tone, "a little experience might do wonders for his... confidence."

Aizawa pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, "Not happening."

"All I'm saying," Midnight continued, raising her hands in mock innocence, "is that letting him feel like a normal teenager for a couple of days couldn't hurt. Who knows, he might have quite the stress relief. Stress relief works wonders, after all."

Recovery Girl shot her a sharp look, but Midnight only winked in response.

The room fell silent for a moment before a reluctant series of nods followed. Aizawa let out a low grunt, his expression a mixture of resignation and exasperation. "Fine," he muttered. "But only a couple of days. After that, he needs to focus."

Midnight clapped her hands together, her grin triumphant.

...

Izuku hurried toward the dorms, his body still sticky with grease from carrying Mei Hatsume, the faint odor of her sweat clinging to him, along with the dampness from the rain that had started to fall. He wiped his brow, feeling the weight of the day, and was relieved to be nearing the door of Height Alliance.

As he reached it, he sneezed, and the sound made him look up, surprised to see Tsuyu sitting outside, reading a book.

"Midoriya?" Her voice was soft, yet clear, and she looked up from her book.

"Oh, Asui!" Izuku said, a little startled.

"Call me Tsu," she said with a warm, gentle smile.

"Right, sorry. Huh, I'm surprised you're out here. Don't you usually spend your time with your siblings on days off?" Izuku asked, taken aback by her presence.

Tsuyu shrugged lightly. "Today's a weekday, so they're all at school. My parents are at work, so I've got the day to myself. Ribbit." She gestured to the space beside her. "Come on, sit with me."

Izuku hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside her, the two of them watching the rain fall. The gentle sound of raindrops was calming, but a feeling of nervousness lingered in Izuku's chest. He knew they needed to talk about his fight with Bakugou.

"So... about my fight with Bakugou..." Izuku began, unsure how to approach the subject.

Tsuyu tilted her head, her eyes studying him thoughtfully. "Everyone's already given you enough grief, Midoriya. I think you've gotten the point."

Izuku sighed in relief, though a bit of guilt still tugged at him. "Yeah, but it didn't feel like everyone was against me, you know?"

"You know what the difference is between you and Bakugou?" Tsuyu asked. "Besides the obvious?"

Izuku blinked, not entirely sure where she was going with this.

"You actually listen to people. You think about what others feel. Bakugou? He just... ignores everyone. Kirishima tries to get him to stop insulting us, but Bakugou just tells him to shut up and keeps doing it. It's like talking to a brick wall that answers with explosions," Tsuyu said with a matter-of-fact tone.

Izuku snorted a little despite himself. "I guess you're right. Bakugou's not really one for conversation."

Tsuyu raised an eyebrow. "Not really. But let's change the subject. You're covered in grease... and sweat?" She looked at him with a hint of curiosity.

Izuku groaned, leaning back against the wall. "Yeah, a crazy support girl wouldn't keep her hands off me. I told her I already had a personal designer, but she wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Sounds like she was... interesting," Tsuyu remarked, an amused glint in her eyes.

"Yeah, but I could tell she was passionate and worked really hard. She's just... intense," Izuku said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Tsuyu tilted her head. "So, I take it you won't be having her as your personal inventor?"

Izuku quickly shook his head. "No, I can't. I already have Melissa, and she's my friend. She's my personal inventor. I can't just have someone else."

Tsuyu smiled knowingly. "I get it. Loyalty is important."

Izuku looked at her, blushing slightly. "Yeah, exactly."

"Do you always spend your free time with your siblings?" he asked after a moment of quiet.

"Ribbit, pretty much. But since moving into the dorms, I've had more free time than I expected. I still pick them up from school though," Tsuyu said, her voice softening. "I love them, and since my parents work hard, I don't mind taking on the extra work."

Izuku listened intently, his thoughts drifting to Iida and his situation. When Tsuyu mentioned her siblings, he couldn't help but think of his friend. "Do you think Iida is okay?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

Tsuyu gave him a sympathetic look. "Probably not. If it were my sibling, I'd be furious. Someone hurting someone so close to you—it's hard to imagine what he's going through. All we can do is hope he's alright, and if he wants to talk, we just need to let him know we're here for him. But I think he'll pull through, ribbit."

Izuku nodded slowly, appreciating Tsuyu's blunt honesty.

Tsuyu shifted slightly, glancing at Izuku with a thoughtful expression. "What exactly is the deal with that Hero Killer Stain? I've heard bits and pieces, but you probably know more about him than I do. Is he just some psycho serial killer running around killing heroes?"

Izuku frowned, thinking carefully. "Well, the victims who survived say he talked about heroes being 'fake.' That's what seems to fuel his obsession. He doesn't think heroes are real heroes."

"Fake heroes?" Tsuyu echoed, confused. "Like, he thinks they're frauds? But Iida's a good person. His brother, Ingenium, was his hero. What would they have done to make someone think they're fake?"

"I don't know. I've met Ingenium. He's a good guy," Izuku said, frustration evident in his voice. "Heroes risk their lives every day for people. I don't get how anyone could call them fraudulent."

Tsuyu shrugged. "Guess you never really know for sure. Even pros are still just people." She glanced at Izuku, her expression turning a bit more serious. "No offense, but not all heroes are as pure-hearted as you, Ochako, or most of us."

Izuku shifted uncomfortably but stayed silent, listening to Tsuyu's words. "Some people are willing to bend or break the rules to get what they want," Tsuyu continued. "In my opinion, those people aren't heroes—they're just villains in disguise."

The two of them sat there for a while longer, watching the rain fall,

...

...

Any feedback would be appreciated, whether it's complimenting the story, pointing something wrong, or just giving out a suggestion. Tell me what you thought of the chapter.

Leonmooky: Thanks. In all honesty, this and Todorokis fight were my favorite fights to write, though Vilgaxs fight is what I'm the most excited for. Oh, and the guys who want to kill if Izuku all I can say if Izuku messes up, or they think he has lost it, they weren't hesitate

UzamakiRamen: Yeah, I'll try to clean up the grammar and whatever issues the other chapters have. And thank you it means a lot!

Ed-Marshall: Okay, not gonna lie I love that idea!

Trey: Damn, yeah but our boy has the Omnitrix and One For All that's going to attract a lot of unwanted attention.

TacoGod1: No, though they will be ultimates. The Omnitrix designe is by Paul Medella. I gave Izuku green flames because I like the idea and to separate him from Ben, kinda like how Ben 23 flames are blue.

Please leave a review on what you might want to see, and what you thought about the chapter.