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!

55. Chapter 49: Pizza! And Girl Talk?

Chapter 49: Pizza! And Girl Talk?

Class 1-A trudged wearily toward the dorms, exhaustion weighing down their steps. Recovery Girl had worked her magic, patching them up after the brutal training session, but no amount of healing could restore their drained energy.

"God, I'm so tired..." Sero groaned, dragging his feet.

"Same," Kaminari mumbled. "Feels like my soul left my body two hours ago."

"Is this what it's like for you all the time, Green?" Kyoka muttered, stifling a yawn as she walked beside Izuku, her crutches long abandoned.

Izuku chuckled. "You get used to it-well, kind of. Recovery Girl's the real nightmare, though. If you see her too often, she stops holding back. I think she enjoys scolding me at this point."

"Not surprised," Kyoka smirked. "I'd probably yell at you, too, if you kept breaking your limbs like a maniac."

"She's got a point," Mina chimed in. "Remember that time you wrecked your fingers during the festival? I swear, she looked two seconds away from bashing you with her cane."

Izuku scratched his cheek, smiling sheepishly. "Yeah, uh... she actually did. Twice."

As they rounded a corner, Tenya adjusted his glasses, his usual stiff posture intact despite his evident exhaustion. "You all go on ahead. I need to check on my hero costume adjustments before tomorrow."

Most of the group offered lazy nods or halfhearted waves before continuing toward the dorms, but Izuku perked up.

"Oh, I'll come with you," he said, stepping into stride beside Tenya.

Tenya blinked. "That isn't necessary, Midoriya."

Izuku shrugged. "I know, but I barely get costume repairs, so I figured I'd check out the Support Course while we're there."

Before Tenya could argue, an excited voice piped up. "Oh! I was already planning to go!" Toru declared, practically bouncing on her heels. "My new costume should finally be ready!"

Mina raised a brow. "Wait-finally? How has it not been done yet? Momo got a whole redesign before internships!"

Toru huffed. "Yeah, well, Momo had the blonde genius making it for her. And her dad is, like, the most famous tech brain on the planet."

"Melissa really thought Momo's original costume wasn't appropriate," Izuku added with a thoughtful frown. "She made sure to tweak it before internships. Something about, uh... not sexualizing a teenager on her potential debut."

Kyoka snorted. "Good call. The last thing we need is some creep zooming in on Yaomomo's bits to jerk off for later."

"Melissa was quite insistent about it, yes..." Izuku chuckled.

Toru sighed dramatically. "Meanwhile, my designer didn't even see the point of a redesign! And because I'm listed as a mutant-type instead of transformation, no one believed me when I said my Quirk had evolved! I had to go through so much bureaucratic nonsense to get reclassified."

She puffed out her cheeks in frustration before quickly brightening. "But! That's all behind me! The point is-I finally get my new costume!"

Izuku grinned. "That's awesome, Hagakure. I hope it turns out how you want."

"Same here," Mina added. "What's different about it?"

Toru tapped her chin. "Can't say yet, but you'll see! It's so cool!"

As they neared the Support Course building, Tenya adjusted his gauntlets. "I've also been considering modifications to my costume... primarily making it significantly lighter," he mused.

"Yeah, you probably need that," Mina teased. "Your armor's so bulky, I keep expecting you to tip over like a turtle on its back."

"It is not that heavy!" Tenya huffed.

Momo, intrigued, tilted her head. "I've always wondered what the Support Course is like up close."

"Actually, it was my second-choice course if I didn't get into the Hero Course," she admitted after a moment.

Izuku blinked. "Really?"

Momo nodded. "My Creation Quirk would be perfect for designing support items. I could innovate and produce equipment on the spot."

Izuku smiled. "You'd be great at it, Momo. You've got the intelligence and creativity for it."

Momo's cheeks turned pink at the praise, but she kept her composure. "Thank you, Midoriya. But... I don't think I would've been truly fulfilled in that role. I want to be out there, directly helping people. That's what drew me to hero work."

Ochako grinned. "I get that! Being a hero means making a real difference! Helping people, protecting them... It's why I want to be a pro, too. Well, that and supporting my parents."

"That's pretty admirable," Mina said, giving her a thumbs-up. "You've got the drive for it."

Ochako beamed at the compliment, and the group shared a quiet moment, connected by their shared determination.

...

"Speaking of hero costumes, Midori," Mina said with a mischievous grin, the kind that instantly put Izuku on high alert. He tensed, already feeling a nervous sweat form on the back of his neck. He recognized that look-he was about to be put on the spot.

Momo, standing beside her, let out a tired sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh no..."

Mina struck a playful pose in front of Izuku, hands on her hips as she leaned in slightly. "So, out of all the girls in Class 1-A, whose costume do you like the most?"

Izuku's brain stalled. His face turned a deep shade of red, and his hands flailed slightly as he tried to process the question. "I-I-I think you all look... um..." He swallowed hard, his voice cracking. "...y-you all look great! As heroes! P-Professional and, uh, um... good?!"

Mina stuck out her tongue, grinning wider. "Wow, that was a terrible dodge, Midori. You didn't even try to answer."

Momo shook her head, crossing her arms. "Mina, please don't tease him too much. He might just pass out at this rate."

Mina turned toward Momo, lowering her voice just enough for the girls around them to hear. "Come on, I'm trying to see if he finds us attractive. Remember what we heard?"

The effect was instant. The girls all blushed, their gazes darting to Izuku before anxiously glancing at each other.

Hagakure, never one to let a chance for mischief slip by, chimed in eagerly. "Yeah, Midori, come on! Who do you think looks super hot?" She pointed dramatically at Ochako. "I mean, Ochako kept her skin-tight suit just to show off her round body!"

Ochako's entire face ignited in a deep, fiery red. She stumbled backward, waving her hands frantically. "N-N-No! T-That's a lie, Toru! I didn't keep it for that reason!"

Toru giggled, shaking with laughter. "Uh-huh, sure, Uraraka. We believe you."

Mina smirked. "Oh? That's funny coming from you, Miss 'I walked around naked for the first couple of weeks of school.'"

Toru's laughter died in her throat as her invisible face burned with embarrassment. She folded her arms, her body language stiffening. "H-Hey, that wasn't my fault! It's not like I could wear anything when I turned invisible back then!"

Kyoka crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah, but you were naked all the time. Who knows what you could've been doing next to Izuku?"

Toru immediately turned invisible with a squeaky yelp. "N-N-No! Izuku, I would never do anything like that!"

Kyoka leaned in smugly, tapping her earlobe jack. "Super hearing, you perv."

Toru reappeared instantly, her face somehow an even darker shade of red. "Jirou, please stop! I didn't do anything!"

Momo sighed, rubbing her temples. "Honestly, Kyoka, I thought you were beyond these childish antics."

Mina snickered. "Oh? Really, Momo? You're one to talk. That 'fanservice and seduction' costume of yours isn't exactly subtle."

Momo froze, her mouth opening and closing as if trying to form words. Her hands clasped together in front of her chest, her fingers fidgeting as she looked away. "...It's not-shut up!"

Izuku, completely overwhelmed by the conversation, reached for the door handle in a desperate attempt to escape. "C-C-Can we please-"

Before he could finish, a deafening explosion erupted from the other side of the door.

BOOM!

The sheer force of the blast sent Izuku flying backward, his body flipping through the air before crashing into the ground with a loud thud. Smoke and dust filled the air, obscuring the hallway.

"MIDORIYA/GREEN/MIDORI/IZUKU/DEKIRU!" The class shouted in unison, their voices filled with shock and concern. Some had their mouths agape, others were already moving toward the wreckage, their hearts pounding.

Before they could reach him, a voice, thick with fury, echoed through the smoke.

"YOU!"

A small but furious figure stomped out of the destruction, his dull blue eyes burning with frustration. He coughed, waving away the soot covering his yellow excavator-shaped helmet. "JUST BECAUSE AN IDEA POPS INTO YOUR HEAD DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD GO AND BUILD IT!"

The students hesitated, eyes darting between the short, spiky-haired man and the still-smoking wreckage of the door.

Then, from the smoke, a cheerful giggle rang out.

"Failure is the mother of invention, Mr. Power Loader. As Thomas Edison said, 'Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless!'"

The class turned toward the source of the voice, their eyes locking onto two silhouettes on the ground-one lying on top of the other.

As the smoke cleared, they finally saw Izuku sprawled on his back, dazed and covered in soot. And on top of him, straddling his torso, was a girl with bright pink goggles and messy hair, completely unbothered by their position.

She blinked, tilting her head. "Huh? When did you get there?"

Izuku, still dizzy from the explosion, slowly became aware of the warmth pressing against his chest. His brain rebooted as he began to register what was feeling on him.

It was a soft. A pair of what felt like hills, gentle pressures, that seemed to match each other in size. They were also warm rising slightly in a gentle rhythm like a person taking steady breaths."Wait a minute..."

Izuku's eyes widened as he looked at his chest, his face turning crimson. "B-B-B-B-B-" his mind stuttered, but his friends finished the sentence in their heads:

"Boobs."

Their expressions darkened.

Ochako's fingers twitched, her lips pressing into a thin line. Mina's eye twitched. Momo stiffened. Toru turned completely invisible again, but everyone could feel the heat radiating off of her. Kyoka clenched her jaw, barely holding back a groan of frustration.

And then, the girl sitting on Izuku's stomach grinned.

"Oh, my future baby-maker has come for a visit!" Mei Hatsume chirped brightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Silence.

The girls' jaws dropped in perfect synchronization.

Tenya, still standing frozen nearby, looked like he was on the verge of an aneurysm. "Future... what?!"

The girls all stammered out barely audible sounds, too horrified to form proper words.

Izuku, meanwhile, had completely short-circuited. "H-Hatsume...?" he squeaked.

And in that instant, the same thought raced through the girls' minds in perfect, terrifying unison:

"He knows her?!"

...

""Please, get off me," Izuku pleaded, squirming beneath the weight pressing down on him.

The girl above him tilted her head, her pink goggles reflecting the workshop lights. A slow, mischievous grin spread across her face before she broke into a giggle. She remained firmly seated on his lap, her golden eyes locked onto his, making Izuku's blush deepen.

"Uh, Hatsume?" Izuku ventured, his voice uneven as he tried to reason with her.

She didn't respond immediately, instead leaning forward ever so slightly. He could feel the heat radiating off her, and the proximity was enough to send his heart into overdrive. Then, his sleeve was suddenly yanked back, exposing the Omnitrix. His eyes widened in realization.

"Wait-Hatsume," he said again, this time his voice carrying a suspicious edge.

"Hmm?" she hummed, feigning innocence, her fingers tracing the edges of the watch with growing fascination.

Izuku's brow twitched. "Are you trying to study the Omnitrix? Is that why you won't get off me?"

Her hands stilled for a fraction of a second before she shrugged, an all-too-innocent smile plastered on her face. "Nooo... not at all."

The onlookers collectively thought, She's an even worse liar than Izuku!

Powerloader sighed, rubbing his temples. "Hatsume, get off him!"

"Hold on, just a sec," Hatsume said, waving him off. Her grin turned teasing as she looked back at Izuku. "I think he's starting to like it."

Izuku's face erupted into a deep shade of red. Around them, a chorus of embarrassed coughs and flustered expressions filled the room as the girls watching grew visibly uncomfortable at the implication.

"Ochako..." Izuku croaked, eyes darting to her in silent desperation.

"On it," Ochako said, stepping forward with a determined expression. She reached out and placed a finger on Hatsume's back. Within moments, Mei found herself floating weightlessly.

"Oi, oi, what's the big deal?" Hatsume asked, flailing her arms but still grinning. "Don't guys usually like when a girl's on top of them? You got to have a girl on your lap and I got to examine my next masterpiece! That's a win-win!"

Mina rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, Midori isn't that kind of guy. Trust me, we'd know."

Ochako, Momo, and Kyoka exchanged glances before zeroing in on Izuku, their gazes unusually sharp. His flustered reaction to Hatsume's antics was really starting to get under their skin.

Still sprawled on the floor, Izuku blinked as his brain struggled to reboot. Ochako, more accustomed to the absurdity of girls invading his personal space, snapped out of her own daze and helped him to his feet.

"H-How come my Danger Sense didn't go off?" Izuku muttered to himself, still visibly shaken.

Powerloader crossed his arms. "You alright, kid? Nothing broken?"

Izuku swallowed hard, still reeling. "Y-yeah, I'm fine! Haha... glad no one got hurt," he added awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.

Powerloader exhaled through his nose. "Hatsume, you seriously need to respect people's personal space."

"Pfft, it was just a minor accident!" Hatsume dismissed with a casual wave. "I was just taking advantage of the opportunity presented!"

Kyouka muttered under her breath, "And she doesn't seem to know personal boundaries exist."

Hatsume ignored her, eyes gleaming with scientific hunger as she turned back to Izuku. "I gotta say, that watch of yours is something else!" She leaned in excitedly, still floating as Ochako held her in place. "The way it's fused with your skin, the seamless integration-it's like a Quirk, but not. I bet it's connected to your nervous system, maybe even your bloodstream! The potential applications for support tech are-"

Izuku instinctively shielded the Omnitrix with his hand. "S-Sorry, Hatsume, but I can't let you examine it."

"Aww, c'mon! Just a peek?" She pouted but quickly shifted back to her usual manic excitement. "I will get a closer look eventually."

With that she touched her fingertips Ochako released her Zero Gravity, and Hatsume landed smoothly on her feet. She dusted herself off, utterly unfazed.

With a light tap on Hatsume's shoulder, Ochako released her Zero Gravity, letting the excitable inventor float gently back down to solid ground. Hatsume landed effortlessly, dusting herself off without a care in the world.

"Cool!" she chirped, as if she hadn't just been weightless a second ago.

The air around them, however, grew noticeably heavier as the girls turned their collective attention toward Izuku. Their voices synced unnervingly.

"Izuku," Tsuyu and Momo spoke in perfect unison.

"Midori," Mina and Toru followed suit.

"Green," Kyouka deadpanned, her earphone jacks curling slightly, almost like the tail of a hunting animal.

"Dekiru," Ochako finished, her eyes gleaming with something unsettling.

The synchronized chorus sent a visible shiver down Izuku's spine. He gulped, his wide eyes darting to Tenya in silent desperation. Tenya, however, was already turning away, pretending not to notice.

"So, I'm here for my costume," he declared, his voice a little too loud, making a swift retreat.

Powerloader, catching on to the tension, sighed and clapped a hand on Tenya's back. "Right this way, kid."

Izuku could only watch as his supposed friend abandoned him, leaving him at the mercy of the now eerily silent group. Traitors! his mind screamed.

Momo stepped forward first, her arms crossed beneath her chest, her sharp gaze pinning Izuku in place.

"Why did she call you her 'baby maker'?" she asked, her voice firm and entirely too serious.

The air around him felt suffocating. Kyouka's jacks coiled slightly, as if reacting to the weight of the question. Mina's expression was unreadable, but the glint in her eye told him she was enjoying this far too much. Tsuyu blinked at him, expression unreadable.

"U-Uh, I don't know-" Izuku started, only to yelp as Hatsume suddenly grabbed his wrist, yanking him forward with surprising strength.

"No time for questions!" she announced, dragging him toward the Support Course workshop. "I need him for science!"

The girls stood frozen for a beat as Izuku disappeared into the Support Course, his startled protests fading into the distance.

Momo's arms crossed tighter, her fingers tapping a slow, thoughtful rhythm against her bicep. Tsuyu's lips pursed, her gaze lingering on the spot Izuku had been moments ago. Kyouka's jacks twitched slightly, her frown deepening.

"...Did she just kidnap him?" Mina muttered, tilting her head.

"She abducted him," Kyouka corrected dryly, rubbing her temple.

Inside, Hatsume practically vibrated with excitement. "Man, I've been waiting for you to drop by! Did you love the iron soles I added to your hero costume?"

Still trying to recover from the interrogation outside, Izuku blinked. "O-Oh! Yeah, they were amazing! They really helped me in my fight against Stain."

Mei froze mid-step. Then, with the biggest, most manic grin Izuku had ever seen, she whirled around.

"You mean my babies helped you take down the Hero Killer?" she asked, eyes gleaming. "Do you know what this means?"

Izuku opened his mouth, but she didn't give him the chance. In a blur, she produced a notepad and pen from seemingly nowhere.

Mei gasped dramatically. "Holy crap, I have to use that for marketing!" She whipped out a piece of paper and shoved it toward him. "Sign here-this is legally binding, by the way!"

Izuku blinked. "W-What?!"

"Just a formality! Now sign!"

Sighing, Izuku scribbled his signature.

As Izuku hesitantly scribbled his name, Mina and Ochako burst through the doors, their heads swiveling as they scanned the room.

"Where is he?" Mina muttered, arms crossed.

Ochako's eyes darted from workstations to blueprints before landing on a familiar mop of green. "There."

But before they could march over, their attention snagged on something else-the sheer chaos of the Support Course. Everywhere they looked, students buzzed around, assembling prototypes, welding pieces together, and running test simulations. The entire room practically hummed with invention.

...

"Whoa, look at all this stuff!" Toru exclaimed, practically bouncing as she caught up to Mina and Ochako.

Tsuyu followed closely behind, her gaze sweeping over the massive workspace. She gave a quiet "Ribbit," absorbing the sights and sounds.

"This place is huge," Mina murmured, barely audible over the hammering and buzzing machinery.

"And loud," Kyoka grumbled, wincing as a drill whined in the background. "It's like a constant battle with my eardrums in here."

Undeterred by the noise, Mei grinned and gestured dramatically. "Welcome, client Midoriya, to the Support Course! The land of innovation and invention!"

Izuku chuckled. "Client, huh? And hey, you actually remembered my name."

Mei smirked and subtly hid her hand, where "Midoriya" was scribbled in ink. "Of course! I know it like the back of my hand!"

She spun on her heel and spread her arms wide. "This is where the magic happens! The birthplace of support items, where creativity knows no limits!"

Izuku stepped forward, fascinated. He'd been here before, but seeing it in full swing was different. Students huddled over blueprints, welding sparks flew, and half-finished gadgets cluttered every available surface. The air was thick with oil, metal, and the undeniable scent of ingenuity.

Mei turned to him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "And you've arrived at the perfect time, my new client!"

"I'm not your client," Izuku corrected.

Mei chuckled. "Still in denial? Fine, fine. But I do need your help."

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "With what?"

"You know, utilizing that Upgrade form of yours."

Mina's eyes narrowed. "Wait... how do you know about that?"

Mei smirked. "Easy. I tried hacking the system to get access to your files, but Nezu caught me. Then he just gave them to me anyway!" She cackled. "That little gremlin is my kind of crazy."

Izuku's eye twitched. "You what?"

Mei kept going like he hadn't spoken. "Turns out, your brainpower in Brainstorm form rivals Nezu's! He actually seemed excited about the idea of me 'collaborating' with you. And that E.M.P. machine you made during the USJ? Genius! I've been reverse-engineering it ever since. With enough power, that thing could shut down a whole city-clean, efficient, and oh-so-powerful!"

Izuku swallowed hard. "Uh... that wasn't exactly the goal-"

Mei wasn't listening. She leaned in closer, eyes gleaming. "You should ditch the Hero Course and transfer here. Think about it-no boring patrols, no legal red tape, just pure, unfiltered innovation! The babies we could make together-!"

Mei's rapid-fire speech left everyone momentarily stunned. Izuku's face turned bright red, especially with how close she was standing. Tsuyu and Momo exchanged glances, both caught off guard.

"Actually," Mei continued, tapping her chin, "forget what I said about you joining the Support Course-" she grinned mischievously, "-I don't need the competition."

Izuku blinked, still processing. "B-But, uh... thanks for the offer! If there's any way I can repay you for the iron soles, I wouldn't mind helping out."

Mei's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, I heard your Upgrade form can enhance technology. I'm curious to see how it'd work on my babies."

Izuku's eyes lit up with interest. "I mean, I have some time to kill, plus having a chance to use Upgrade and upgrade tech that isn't from a dumpster could be really cool."

"Alright, what did you have in mind?" Izuku asked, taking a step forward.

Mei's smile grew wider as she turned to lead the way.

But before they could take another step, Tsuyu spoke up, her voice laced with a hint of desperation. "Wait, Izuku..."

Ochako nodded vigorously, her face reddening. "Yeah, aren't you tired from today's heroics training? You should probably relax and... relax!" Her eyes darted between Mei and Izuku, her cheeks flushing deeper.

Kyouka's Jacks snaked around Izuku's arm, her grip tightening possessively. "C'mon, we should head back to the dorms." Her voice was low and husky, her cheeks tinted pink.

Momo's eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed, as she nodded in agreement. "Yes, we have a lot of homework and Class Representative duties to complete."

Izuku gave a confused look, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'll be fine, we're just testing out her inventions. Plus, I'm curious about how Upgrade will affect tech that isn't from a garbage."

The girls exchanged nervous glances, their eyes lingering on Mei's breasts, which rivalled Momo's, and her earlier intimate position with Izuku.

Tsuyu's arms crossed, her fingers digging into her biceps, while Ochako's eyes fixed on Mei with a mixture of discomfort and annoyance. Kyouka's grip on Izuku's arm tightened, her eyes flashing with a hint of possessiveness. Momo's hands clenched into fists, her jaw clenched.

"If you guys aren't busy, you can-" Izuku began, but the girls cut him off, their voices a tad too eager.

"Yes!" they chimed in unison, quickly pacing to follow Mei to her inventions, their eyes fixed on Izuku with an intensity that bordered on possessiveness.

...

Mei proudly showcased her workspace-a chaotic, cluttered corner of the workshop brimming with half-assembled gadgets, scattered blueprints, and spare parts stacked in precarious piles. She spread her arms dramatically.

"Welcome to my domain! Where my babies are born, raised, and-sometimes-explode spectacularly!"

With a flourish, she swung open a cabinet door, unleashing a tidal wave of tools and unfinished devices that clattered onto the floor. Izuku instinctively took a step back, while Momo and Tsuyu exchanged wary glances.

"You built all these?" Izuku asked, wide-eyed. "That's amazing, Hatsume!"

Momo nodded, scanning the sheer volume of inventions. "Your craftsmanship and dedication are... impressive."

Tsuyu tilted her head, noting the sheer variety of devices. "Ribbit... You must really love inventing."

Mei grinned proudly, resting a hand on her hip. "Love? More like obsessed! Every one of these babies was crafted with my own two hands! Quality and quantity-Hatsume Industries guarantees both!"

The girls exchanged looks-begrudgingly impressed, though wary of Mei's boundless enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Izuku glanced over the tables, scanning the lineup of gadgets. As he examined them, his gaze landed on a familiar design.

"Wait... is that Airjet's jetpack?" He stepped closer, his excitement overshadowing his earlier hesitance. "It looks just like the one he uses!"

Mei puffed out her chest. "Ding ding! Good eye! I like recreating pro hero gear as a warm-up-keeps my mind sharp and my fingers busy!" She tapped her temple with a knowing smirk.

Kyoka folded her arms, quirking an eyebrow. "So, you just casually reverse-engineer pro hero tech? Yeah, that's normal."

Mei shrugged. "If I can rebuild it, I can improve it! That's how innovation works, baby!"

Ochako blinked, her eyes landing on the jetpack. "Wait, didn't you use this in the Sports Festival?"

Mei clapped her hands together. "Yep! And now, it's even better! But I hit a wall with optimizing the propulsion system... which is why I wanna see if your form lives up to its name, Izuku!"

Mei pushed the jetpack into Izuku's hands with a gleam in her eye. He glanced down at it before turning to the Omnitrix.

"Alright, let's see what happens." He scrolled through the dial and stopped at Upgrade. "Cover your eyes."

With a flash of emerald light, his body morphed into a sleek, black-and-green bio-mechanical form-Upgrade. His circuitry-like patterns pulsed faintly as he flexed his fingers.

Mei's goggles glowed as she analyzed him. "Whoaaa! Your whole body is composed of nanotech! Fully adaptable, reconfigurable at a molecular level-oh man, this is so cool!"

The girls blinked at her rapid-fire enthusiasm.

"It is?" they chorused, confused.

Upgrade glanced at his hands. "Huh. Guess I learn new things about my forms everyday."

Turning his focus to the jetpack, he placed a hand on it, letting his form melt into the device. The old metal shell shifted, morphing into a sleeker, high-tech design. Green circuits pulsed along its surface, and the turbines gleamed with upgraded propulsion systems.

Mei gasped, practically vibrating with excitement. "This is insane! The thrusters are now running on high-density energy output! And-ohhhh, self-generating power reserves?! Genius!"

Before anyone could process the breakthrough, Mei snatched the jetpack and promptly strapped it onto Ochako's back.

"Eh?" Ochako blinked in confusion.

Then, realization hit.

"EH!?"

"What the hell are you doing?!" Kyoka shouted.

"Test run, duh!" Mei grinned, hitting the activation switch before Ochako could protest.

With a WHOOOSH, the jetpack roared to life, green energy flaring as Ochako rocketed into the air.

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"

The girls' faces drained of color as Ochako spiraled through the workshop, flailing wildly.

"Someone help!" she screamed.

"Hatsume!" Tsuyu croaked, her tone bordering on done with this. "Put her down!You can't just launch like some test drive dummy!"

Mei cackled. "That's the whole point of the test! Real-world data, baby!"

Momo pinched the bridge of her nose. "This is not how testing works!"

Meanwhile, Ochako's flight pattern was anything but stable-she zipped through the air in jerky, unpredictable movements.

"OH GODS, IT'S TOO FAST!"

"We have to get her down before she crashes!" Tsuyu yelled.

Upgrade's voice crackled through the jetpack. "Don't worry-I got her!"

Ochako suddenly steadied mid-air. She let out a shaky breath. "O-Okay... still dizzy, but I'm not dead."

The girls sighed in relief, their shoulders slumping.

Mei, however, pouted. "Aw, but I wasn't done collecting data!"

...

The girls collectively shot Mei a mix of exasperated glares, their annoyance momentarily overriding their concern for Ochako-at least until an excited voice cut through the tension.

"Hey, girls! And Midori!"

The sound of footsteps echoed as Toru stepped into view, twirling to show off her new cycling outfit. She wore a snug white and purple cycling jersey with short sleeves and a V-neck, paired with matching purple cycling shorts, blue cycling gloves with white-padded palms, and a pair of light tan cycling shoes with laces.

Mina's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Oh my god, Toru! You look amazing!"

Momo nodded approvingly. "It's quite stylish and practical. A wonderful choice."

Jirou smirked. "Guess that means no more streaking, huh?"

Tsuyu croaked in agreement. "The colors suit you, ribbit."

From above, Ochako chimed in-still suspended midair. "You look awesome, Toru!"

Toru beamed at the praise but quickly blinked in confusion as her gaze drifted upward. "Thanks, Ochako... but, uh, why are you floating? And-wait, where's Midoriya?"

Upgrade's blob-like head popped out of the jetpack strapped to Ochako's back, glowing green circuitry lining his face. "Right here! And I agree-you look awesome, Toru!"

Toru stammered, caught off guard. "T-Thanks..." She scratched the back of her head, shifting slightly before shaking off her flustered state. "But seriously, what are you two doing?"

Mei barely looked up from her notebook, grinning. "Oh, she's riding Midoriya."

Ochako's face turned red almost instantly. "I-It's not like that! This crazy inventor strapped the jetpack onto me-I'm basically her unwilling test subject!"

Mei corrected with a playful grin, "More like my crash test dummy."

Ochako shot her an unimpressed glare. "Dekiru, fly me over there so I can throw her into orbit."

Upgrade's voice crackled, "Ochako!"

She huffed but let herself hover down, and as soon as her feet touched the ground, Mei eagerly unstrapped the jetpack. Green energy pulsed as Upgrade detached from it, shifting back into Izuku with a quick slam to the Omnitrix.

"Hmm..." Mei tapped her chin, her pink irises gleaming as she scribbled furiously into her notebook. "Seeing Upgrade in action has given me so many ideas! I could integrate a more efficient combustion system-maybe a hybrid turbofan engine-to increase thrust while reducing fuel consumption! Oh! And by implementing advanced aerodynamics, like winglets and air curtains, I can minimize drag and boost stability during flight!"

The rest of the group exchanged glances, their confusion slowly growing.

"Huh?" They muttered in unison.

Mei, completely oblivious, continued, her voice practically vibrating with excitement. "Not to mention, I could upgrade the ignition system to a plasma-based startup for faster, smoother takeoff! And if I incorporate advanced materials like lightweight composites and smart alloys, I could-"

"-Okay, I think I stopped understanding five sentences ago," Mina admitted, rubbing the back of her head.

"Same here, ribbit," Tsuyu agreed.

Even Izuku, despite his love for technology, struggled to keep up with Mei's rapid-fire ideas. The only one who didn't look completely lost was Momo, who at least seemed to be piecing some of it together.

Finally, Mei turned to Izuku with an excited grin. "Alright, Midoriya! I think you should Upgrade some of my other babies next!"

Before she could elaborate, a chorus of firm "No way!" rang out as the girls swiftly grabbed Izuku, dragging him away before Mei could rope him into another experiment.

"H-Hey! What's going on?!" Izuku yelped, stumbling as Mina and Ochako each took an arm while Kyoka pushed from behind. "G-Guys?! At least let me-!"

"Not happening!" Kyoka cut in.

"We're not letting you become her personal power source," Ochako added.

"You'll never leave this workshop if we do," Momo agreed, her grip firm.

Mei, unfazed, simply waved with a knowing smile. "Bye for now, Midoriya! Don't worry-I will get you to upgrade my babies soon enough!"

Izuku's voice faded as the group whisked him away. "U-Uh, bye, Hatsume?!"

Mei, still grinning, turned her attention back to her jetpack, already brainstorming her next move. "Hmm... maybe if I add an AI-assisted stabilization system..."

The muttering continued as the others made their escape, leaving Mei happily lost in her world of innovation.

...

A few minutes later, Toru had changed back into her uniform, adjusting her tie as Izuku approached, looking puzzled.

"Was that really necessary?" he asked, scratching his head. "I mean, you didn't have to drag me out of there."

The girls huffed in unison, turning away with crossed arms and small pouts.

"Hmph."

Izuku sighed, still trying to piece together their behavior. He knew they cared about him, but their reaction had been oddly... possessive? The whole thing felt weird, almost like-

"Wait... were they jealous?" The thought barely formed in his mind before he shook it off. No way.

Before he could dwell on it further, he noticed Tenya standing nearby, stroking his chin in deep thought.

"Tenya, what's up?" Izuku asked.

Tenya blinked, as if snapped out of a trance. "Ah, Midoriya! I was merely considering modifications to my armor-specifically, making it lighter."

Izuku tilted his head. "Lighter? But doesn't the weight help stabilize your speed?"

"Indeed, but greater flexibility could increase my reaction time," Tenya explained. His expression darkened slightly. "My past encounters have made it clear that my current mobility is not enough."

Izuku immediately thought of Stain-the way the Hero Killer had shut Tenya down despite his speed. The memory made his chest tighten.

Momo, picking up on the conversation, chimed in. "You could consider materials like carbon fiber, titanium, or advanced ceramics. They're lightweight yet durable, and commonly used in modern armor."

Tenya nodded appreciatively. "An excellent suggestion, Yaoyorozu! I'll research those materials immediately." Then he turned toward Izuku and Kyoka. "By the way, Midoriya, Jiro-you both promised to tell me more about the Forever Knights, did you not?"

Izuku, Kyoka, and Toru all stopped in their tracks, caught off guard.

"Oh... right," Kyoka muttered.

"I kinda forgot," Toru admitted, rubbing the back of her neck.

Izuku sighed. "W-Well, I already told Todoroki a few days ago over the phone..."

Tenya raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Alright," Izuku relented. "So..."

Izuku recounted the story of how he, Kaminari, Toru, and Kyouka infiltrated the Forever Knights' base, posing as naive children eager to learn their ways. Their goal was simple-gather intelligence. But what they found was horrifying. An alien being was strapped down, subjected to cruel experiments, while a dragon, caged and furious, bellowed in rage. Ironically, the dragon was innocent, but with the Forever Knights' blind hatred toward mutants and anything remotely alien, they treated it as another monster to be disposed of.

Izuku had barely managed to stop the beast from going on a murderous rampage, calming it down just enough to avoid a massacre.

As Kyouka would later put it, "Shit hit the fan."

Their covert mission spiraled into a full-blown rescue operation, forcing them to fight their way out.

Mina's jaw dropped. "Holy what the fuck?! You went full fantasy RPG for real!"

Tenya adjusted his glasses, nodding. "That is quite the harrowing tale, Midoriya. Though I cannot condone trespassing, even for a noble cause."

Kyouka smirked. "Yeah, but we didn't break in. They let us in. We just, you know... broke out in the most explosive way possible."

The conversation shifted to their encounter with Stain.

"I didn't fight him for long, but from what I did see, his reflexes were insane," Izuku admitted, rubbing his arm. "I don't think he even needed to think about dodging-he just moved."

Tenya clenched his fists. "I could barely touch him. His speed, strength, and control were on another level entirely."

Kyouka scoffed. "Too bad he's a lunatic with a hero complex the size of a skyscraper."

Tenya exhaled through his nose. "I can only hope that the truth about the Forever Knights is revealed soon. If they're connected to Stain, then their influence is deeply concerning."

Toru shivered. "I already told my parents to avoid that entire district. The last thing I need is those creeps snatching my mom and dad."

Momo's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Despite their obvious flaws, their historical records must be fascinating. Imagine what they know about ancient civilizations and extraterrestrial life!"

Kyouka deadpanned. "Yeah, imagine. Too bad they'd probably kill us on sight."

Toru giggled. "Unless you're Yaoyorozu or Iida. Then you'd probably get the VIP tour and a 'join our cult' pamphlet."

Their conversation was abruptly cut short by the unmistakable, obnoxious cackling of Class B's resident blonde menace.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

A collective groan rippled through the group.

"Why do I get the feeling Monoma found out about the botched training exercise?" Toru muttered.

"Why do we live with him again?" Mina grumbled.

"Kami's divine punishment," Toru sighed dramatically.

Kyouka pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay, hear me out-what if we don't deal with Monoma? Let's just let everyone else endure his dumbassery."

"Kyouka."

"I have a headache from dealing with one loud blonde idiot today. I really don't wanna add another," she whined.

Tenya crossed his arms. "Jirou."

"Ugh, fine!" she groaned, throwing her hands up in defeat. Begrudgingly, she walked over and opened the door.

And there he was.

Monoma stood in the center of the common area, his smug grin stretching from ear to ear.

"Class 1-A, you absolute disasters! Zero saves in the rescue exercise? A record-breaking failure! Truly an inspiration to all future generations of what not to do!" He clapped mockingly. "Not one save?! My god, you people are pathetic!"

Kyouka gripped Izuku's shoulder and leaned in. "Green, I know it's unethical, but-"

Izuku didn't even look at her as he deadpanned, "No, I'm not using Ghostfreak to knock him out."

Kyouka sighed dramatically. "Had to try."

Monoma wasn't finished. "I mean, it's kinda impressive how you managed to get the robots killed. And to think people actually believe you're the best class just because you have Midoriya!" He pointed directly at Izuku and Ochako, snickering. "And you two! You stopped the Hero Killer, and yet you can't even save a simulation? Talk about embarrassing!"

Izuku's eye twitched. Stay calm.

Then he heard footsteps.

Shoto and Sero descended the stairs, Shoto holding up his phone and showing something to Sero, completely oblivious to the tension.

"Can't believe you guys bombed that bad," Itsuka said, strolling down with a smirk.

"Yeah, when Vlad told us about it, I thought he was joking," Setsuna added, barely holding back a chuckle. "He and Monoma were losing their minds."

Monoma's smirk only grew. "And rightfully so! This just proves who the superior class is. We executed our exercise flawlessly. Kendo's leadership, Shoda's tactics-it was a masterpiece."

Sero raised an eyebrow. "Okay, but... if you guys won, what was the prize?"

Monoma turned on his heel, all theatrics, before dramatically revealing-

A mountain of pizza boxes.

The logo of Pizza Paladin-a famous pro hero known for his heroic pizza-making skills-was stamped across each box.

The intoxicating aroma of melted cheese, seasoned tomato sauce, and crispy crust filled the air.

Class 1-A collectively froze.

Their stomachs rumbled.

Momo's mouth parted slightly, her usual composed demeanor faltering at the sight.

Kyouka's eyes took on a dazed, pizza-induced haze.

Even Todoroki, ever the picture of stoicism, visibly hesitated, his gaze locked onto the boxes like they held the meaning of life itself.

"Eight super-sized pizzas, courtesy of Pizza Paladin himself!" Monoma announced triumphantly. "All Might and his vast connections got us this heavenly reward for our glorious victory!"

He smirked. "Enjoy your failure, Class 1-A. We'll be enjoying this."

A deep, unified groan filled the air as Class 1-A stared at the holy grail of free food, cruelly just out of reach.

"Ah, man..."

...

"Holy shit!" Sero exclaimed, his eyes wide with longing.

"Fuck, I wanna marry that pizza!" Kaminari declared, his voice trembling with desire.

"Great holy pizza.." Mineta said.

"I-I have never seen a pizza so... authentic!" Ochako's eyes widened, her mouth watering in awe. Growing up in a humble household in Japan, she had never seen a genuine Italian pizza, fresh from the oven, with its perfectly balanced sauce, melted mozzarella, and various toppings.

The aroma wafting from the pie was like nothing she had ever smelled before, leaving her speechless and her hunger pangs screaming in protest.

"Seriously, Monoma, must you taunt us with the culinary equivalent of a perfect score?" Momo said, a single tear falling as her stomach growled in protest. "That pizza looks like a masterclass in flavor and texture, a true gastronomic triumph!"

"You have no idea," Shoji agreed, his eyes shining with tears of culinary deprivation.

Monoma, reveling in their misery, took a massive slice and bit into it with a flourish. "Mmm! This tastes so good! Oh, I'm sure you guys had your pizza... Oh wait! You didn't, because you failed! HAHAHAHAH!"

Class 1-A's comedic tears flowed freely, their faces contorted in agony. Tokoyami muttered, "Must you rub salt on the wound?"

"Bastard!" Kaminari shouted, his fists clenched in frustration.

"I know Monoma's an asshole, but this is just mean," Izuku said, shaking his head as Monoma took another bite of the enormous slice, the cheese stretching comically.

The sight of Monoma savoring the pizza was like a dagger to their hearts, twisting the knife of their defeat. The aroma wafting from the boxes was a cruel taunt, reminding them of their failed mission and the prize they would never taste.

Tenya, fed up with Monoma's antics, declared, "Dammit, Class A! We will endure! We won't let Monoma get the best of us! Our bellies may be empty, but our wills remain strong! We're heroes! Monoma won't have the pleasure of thinking he's won!"

Class A wiped away their tears, nodding in agreement. "Y-Yeah, that pizza doesn't look so great," Kaminari said, his tone unconvincing.

"Y-Yeah, who needs a dumb pizza?" Kyouka added, her stomach growling.

"It doesn't live up to its taste, don't worry," Momo said, her stomach growling the loudest as she blushed.

Monoma burst into laughter, holding his sides."HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAAHA!"

Itsuka intervened, "Alright, alright, you've had your fun."

Monoma, still chuckling, said, "F-Fine, you didn't knock me out. I guess I'll live up to our deal."

Class A exchanged curious glances, wondering what deal Monoma was referring to.

"A hero shares food with the ungrateful, needy, annoying, and unpleasant," Monoma said, gesturing to Class A, who twitched an eye.

Monoma continued, "So, you can have some boxes. We had Kodai supersized the pizza's to comical portions so there's more than enough for all of us. "

"Trust me, Monoma tried," Shoda added, comically patting his large stomach. As the boys of class B were groaning from their full stomachs.

"So there's more than enough for all of us." Monoma said with condescending smile.

Sero's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-Wait, seriously...?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Yui, who still wore a blank expression. Despite her stoic demeanor, she had gone above and beyond to enlarge the pizzas, ensuring everyone from both classes could enjoy a slice.

"Thank you, Kodai!" the group shouted in unison, their voices filled with gratitude.

As they tossed their hands into the air, the chant began: "Kodai! Kodai! Kodai!"

Yui's expression remained as neutral as ever, but she gave a slight nod, responding with a simple, "Mhm. Mhm."

Itsuka grabbed three pizza boxes and turned to the boys. "Alright, you guys stay here. We'll enjoy our pizzas upstairs in the Class B common room."

The girls eagerly followed her lead, chattering excitedly.

"Aww, you guys for real?!" Mina whined, dragging her feet.

Momo clapped her hands together, smiling warmly. "Kendo, thank you for this!"

As the girls began to leave, Setsuna hesitated, sneaking a glance at Izuku. A slow flush crept up her face before she quickly shook it off.

"A-Actually," she said, scratching her cheek, "if you girls don't mind, I think I'll stay down here and chill with the guys."

Mina whirled around, looking scandalized. "Huh?! You're ditching girls' night?! This is betrayal!"

Setsuna waved her off with a chuckle. "Relax, Ashido, it's just one night. I feel like switching things up."

'Plus, I never really get to hang out with Midoriya... and I kinda wanna make my move. I know Kendo called dibs, but... there's no harm in trying, right?' she thought, shifting uncomfortably at the slight pang of guilt in her stomach.

Izuku blinked in surprise. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah," Setsuna said with a teasing grin, stretching her arms behind her head. "Could be fun."

From a little ways off, Kinoko squirmed slightly, nervously toying with the sleeve of her hoodie. "U-Uh... I-I dunno... c-could be fun..." she mumbled, stealing a shy glance at Izuku before quickly looking away.

Mina gasped dramatically, crossing her arms. "First Tokage, now Komori?! Is girls' night really that easy to abandon?!"

Momo glanced at the scene unfolding before her and tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well... I suppose there's plenty of pizza. It would be fair to share."

Yanagi sighed, shaking her head. "You do realize it's obvious, right?"

The girls froze, a faint blush dusting their faces.

Ignoring the comment, they hesitated only for a moment before ultimately settling down among the boys, subtly maneuvering themselves toward Izuku.

As the conversation picked up again, the class dove into the oversized pizzas, the easy chatter filling the air-though the quiet battle for the best seat near Izuku had only just begun.

The boys, still stunned by their unexpected good fortune, lunged at the massive pizzas like a pack of starving animals. The room erupted in chaos as hands shot out, each person eager to grab a slice of the oversized meal.

"Wait!" Sero shouted, bringing the frenzy to an abrupt halt.

Everyone froze mid-motion, confused as Sero turned toward Mineta with a knowing glare. Without another word, he unspooled his tape and began wrapping Mineta up like a cocoon.

"Hey! What the hell?!" Mineta yelped, struggling as Sero worked efficiently.

"Sorry, Mineta," Sero said, securing the last wrap, "but Shoji and Jirou can unfortunately hear what you do in your room."

The room went dead silent. A few faces turned green as they recalled the unsettling rumors about Mineta's... solo activities.

Sero sighed dramatically. "And by how many times you do it... I'm sorry, Mineta, but I'd rather not share a pizza with you."

The rest of the boys nodded in unison.

"Y-You guys are acting like I'm some kinda freak! Come on, I wash my hands!" Mineta protested, wriggling in the tape.

"We'd rather not take the chance," Kaminari deadpanned.

Despite the public shaming, Sero kept his word and handed Mineta a slice, leaving only his hands free to eat. Mineta, though humiliated, still eagerly devoured his share.

As they dug in, the boys savored the ridiculous size of the pizzas, each slice nearly requiring two hands to hold. They laughed, joked, and enjoyed their meal, the tension in the air fading.

Then, after nearly two hours, the dorm door creaked open.

Bakugou stomped inside, fresh from his still-ongoing detention. The moment he stepped in, the once lively atmosphere died. Class A fell silent. The chewing stopped. The chatter died.

Every set of eyes turned to glare at Bakugou.

The tension in the room was suffocating. Kirishima, usually the first to defend him, shifted uncomfortably, knowing there was no justification for what Bakugou had done.

Bakugou stopped in the doorway, his usual scowl in place. He looked like he wanted to say something-but then, he scoffed and walked off, heading toward his room without another word.

"Prick," Mina muttered, taking an aggressive bite of her pizza.

"Asshole," Toru added, her voice dripping with irritation.

Kyoka clicked her tongue in distaste, arms crossed.

"He doesn't even have the guts to apologize," Toru continued, shaking her head.

"Please, you'd have better luck fighting a Nomu than getting Bakugou to say sorry," Sero scoffed, still pissed that Bakugou had blasted him during the Sports Festival.

Itsuka, who had been watching the exchange with confusion, finally spoke up. "Uh... what exactly happened?"

The class collectively let out an exhausted sigh, the lingering frustration from the day's events still fresh. As the evening wore on and the last scraps of pizza disappeared, Itsuka, Ochako, Momo, Kinoko, Ibara, and Toru took it upon themselves to clean up the mess-stacking empty boxes, wiping down tables, and picking up stray napkins.

As they worked, Itsuka turned to the others, curiosity piqued. "So... how exactly did you all fail the test?"

Ochako, Momo, and Toru exchanged tired glances, their mouths still full of pizza. After a long, collective sigh, Momo finally swallowed and spoke. "It was... frustrating, to say the least."

Ibara frowned, arms crossed in thought. "With Midoriya and Todoroki on your team, both possessing immense firepower, I find it hard to believe that you struggled that much."

Kinoko nodded, excitement in her voice. "Uh-huh! Todoroki could've just frozen the whole dam, shroom! And Izuku could've used Swampfire to create, like, a forest of vines to hold back the flood!" She giggled. "Swampfire's totally my favorite, shroom!"

Itsuka raised a brow, skeptical. "And I know you guys weren't dumb enough to fall for the fake prize bait. The whole point of the exercise was teamwork-if anything, that should've been obvious from the start."

"One should never let greed cloud their judgment," Ibara agreed solemnly, before sighing. "Though I must admit, when the notion of a 'prize' was introduced... some among us may have been tempted to think individually rather than as a unit."

"In the end, it was Yui's team that saved the most civilians and secured the actual prize," Kinoko added. "Shroom, they worked so well together."

Momo nodded. "For the most part, our strategy was working, too. We had set up rescue zones, started evacuating civilians, and even had Midoriya and Todoroki control the dam's collapse to minimize flooding. We were so close to passing."

Toru huffed, throwing her hands up. "And then Bakugou completely screwed us over!"

Momo sighed, pushing up her glasses as she recounted the events. "Despite nearly everyone agreeing to work together, Bakugou refused to cooperate-particularly with Midoriya. He insisted on going off on his own, disrupting plans, and-ultimately-endangering our entire operation."

Ochako scowled. "Yeah. Thanks to him, we barely managed to stabilize the situation in time. Dekiru's quick thinking helped a lot, and Todoroki managed to freeze the dam before it fully broke, but... we still had to hold back a ton of flooding."

Toru crossed her arms. "We literally almost drowned because of that jerk! And he didn't care! Not one bit!"

"Seriously! He was running around screaming 'Flawless Victory!' and 'DIE, DEKU!' while everything was falling apart!" Ochako growled, scrunching her face in an exaggerated imitation of Bakugou.

Ibara gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. "Merciful God, bless the heavens you all made it out unscathed!"

Itsuka looked completely aghast. "Wait, hold up-seriously? He nearly got you all killed just because of his damn pride?!"

Momo sighed. "I wish I were exaggerating, but no. His refusal to cooperate nearly cost us the exam entirely."

"And then after everything," Ochako grumbled, "he had the audacity to act like it wasn't even his fault."

Toru rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "Yeah, not surprising. One thing's for sure-I'm never working with Bakugo again." Her voice was colder than usual.

Momo nodded, a sharp exhale escaping her lips. "Agreed. I, for one, do not wish to work with someone so..." She trailed off, her jaw tightening as frustration bubbled beneath the surface.

The memory of what Izuku told her-what Bakugo had done to him-flashed through her mind. That frustration swelled into something deeper, hotter. When Bakugo had hit Izuku, she had never felt such anger before. A dangerous thought crept into her mind-she had wanted to hurt Bakugo in that moment. She knew her emotions were being influenced by something more personal. Knowing the boy she cared for-the boy she love-

Momo's breath hitched. Her thoughts came to a screeching halt as the weight of her own realization crashed down on her. Her face went red hot, her heart hammering in her chest. I... I love him?

The notion made her stomach flip. She had never considered herself in love with anyone before.

No, that couldn't be right. She'd never been in love before, so maybe she was exaggerating. Love was far too strong a word for a connection formed in such a short time. She had a crush-yes, that much was undeniable. But love? Love was...Love was...For the first time barely could find a solution.

She felt like someone who was clearly being far to eager.

And if they were to date, she could absolutely see herself falling for him, but... had she already fallen without realizing it? The thought sent her into a spiral of confusion.

"Uh... Yaoyorozu?" Ochako's voice snapped her back to reality, followed by a gentle poke to her shoulder.

"YES!" Momo blurted out, sitting stiff as a board.

The others turned to her with confused expressions. She cleared her throat hastily, trying to compose herself. "Ahem. My apologies. What I meant to say is that I agree. Hopefully, his problematic attitude will be addressed by the teachers."

Toru tilted her head. "Do you think we can, like... formally request something be done about it?"

"Possibly," Momo said as they began walking back to the common room. "Though I imagine the teachers will handle it soon enough."

Tsuyu, who had been listening nearby, croaked curiously. "What makes you think that?"

"The teachers told us this was meant to simulate a real-world crisis, correct?" Momo explained. "If this had been a real-life mission, what would've been the first outcome?"

The girls fell silent, each pressing a finger to their chin in thought.

"They'd face immediate backlash," a voice answered.

All heads turned toward Izuku, who had rejoined the group, casually chewing on a slice of pizza, his cheeks puffed out slightly. The girls collectively cooed internally at the sight, though Momo looked away quickly, feeling another rush of warmth creep up her face.

"I think they wanted us to experience the consequences of a failed mission firsthand," Izuku continued after swallowing his bite.

Toru huffed. "That still doesn't explain why that asshat got off scot-free."

"Yeah, don't try to defend that asshat," Mina chimed in, frowning.

Izuku hesitated for a second, resisting the urge to call Bakugou an asshat himself. "Well... it's not like the media would know exactly what happened right away. From their perspective, they just saw a group of pro heroes fail to stop a disaster. They wouldn't have the details."

The girls exchanged uncertain glances before Mina sighed. "I guess that makes sense... but it still pisses me off."

As the conversation continued, Kinoko found her gaze drifting toward Izuku. She watched him animatedly chatting with the others, the usual nervous energy in his posture as he explained his thoughts.

Something stirred in her chest, but she quickly shook it off and turned away.

Then, with a sudden glint in her eye, she leaned toward Itsuka, dropping her voice mischievously. "Sooo... how was your date with Izuku?"

Itsuka's entire body tensed, her face turning a shade of red that rivaled her hair. For a split second, it was as if all color drained from her, like a poorly drawn manga panel. Then-

"WHAT THE HECK?!" Itsuka yelped, immediately grabbing Kinoko and shoving her under the kitchen counter.

"You can't just ask that!" Itsuka hissed, glancing around in panic.

Kinoko grinned, unfazed. "Oh, come on, shroom! I need some gossip! What was he like on a date? Was he, like, super romantic? Did he bring you a dozen roses? Oh! Or maybe-" Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Maybe he's a secret perv and totally tried to make a move on you?"

Itsuka deadpanned. "What is wrong with you?"

Kinoko blinked, then hesitated. Her face flushed slightly as she fidgeted with her sleeve. "I-It's not like I like him or anything! I just... I dunno, I kinda wanna talk about girly stuff, you know?"

Itsuka raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "...Uh-huh. Sure. Totally not suspicious."

Kyoka's earjacks twitched, picking up on the conversation, and Pony, with her own sensitive hearing, quickly caught on. A few of the other girls, who had been casually eavesdropping on Kinoko's questioning, stiffened in place, their conversation with the boys becoming noticeably forced. Meanwhile, the boys remained blissfully unaware, enjoying their pizza without a care.

Itsuka wanted to change the subject, maybe even escape entirely, but Kinoko's wide, pleading eyes made her feel like she was about to kick a puppy if she refused. Her heart raced every time she thought back on the date. From the train ride to the coffee shop she had always wanted to visit, to the rock climbing, and finally... the kiss on the Ferris wheel.

"And the dork totally cheated during darts," Itsuka scoffed, arms crossed. "I mean, I still won, obviously, but I had to go easy on him."

Kinoko giggled. The girls listening nearby felt a sharp pang in their chests, struggling to keep their expressions neutral. They knew Izuku and Itsuka had gone on a date, but hearing how effortlessly romantic and fun it had been made their hearts ache. Worse yet, it was Izuku who had asked her out.

Tsuyu glanced at Ochako, reading the subtle tension in her body. Her friend was clearly trying to listen in, but Kaminari and Kirishima kept dragging her into their conversation.

"And that's how my usual exercise routine goes," Kirishima said proudly.

"H-Huh? Oh, right! Yeah, totally manly!" Ochako forced a smile, though her mind was elsewhere.

Seems like Dekiru and Itsuka are getting closer... Her chest tightened. D-Don't get sad... She actually had the backbone to ask him out... She clenched her fist under the table, trying to ignore the growing pit in her stomach. I should be happy for them... right?

Tsuyu sighed internally, a mix of concern and sympathy washing over her. 'Ochako... I'm rooting for you, despite my own feelings. But it's not like I can force you to confess. Her throat tightened.

'Not that I even should confess... Izuku already has so many people who like him. Adding myself into the mix would just make things complicated. For me, for the girls... and for him. Especially if he doesn't even like me back... or worse, if he only likes one of us.'

Mina tapped her foot anxiously, wearing a shaky smile. "

'So they actually went on a date... She swallowed hard.

'I kinda always wanted to go on a date with him...' A dreamy thought floated in her mind before reality crashed down. Not like I have a chance. Her gaze flickered toward Kyoka. He probably likes Jirou...

The more she thought about it, the more her stomach twisted. She gets him like no one else. She knew something was off with Bakugou before anyone else did, and she's always had his back.

'And why wouldn't he like her?' Mina let out a bitter sigh. 'She's like the perfect girlfriend for him. They both dealt with bullying. They understand each other. And Izuku clearly likes her. He...'

She shuddered, a deep blush creeping up her face as a certain memory surfaced-the moment she found out Izuku... took care of himself to the thought of Jirou.

Mina forced a laugh, stuffing a piece of pizza into her mouth. 'Yeah, like I have any shot.' If she asked him out, he'd practically leap at the chance. She clenched her fist under the table. 'And he's clearly into tomboys, waaay to girlie Look how much chemistry he has with Itsuka... and Jirou...'

Toru chewed on her pizza, her heart quietly aching. 'I should probably just give up...' She scolded herself.

'It's not like he's the only guy in the world! Stop acting like some lovesick schoolgirl!' She tried to push down the emotions clawing at her chest. Midoriya deserves a girl who really gets him. 'Someone who appreciates how cute, funny, sweet, smart, adora-'

She shut her eyes tight. NO. STOP. Bury that thought. Move on.

Kyoka sipped her water, listening intently while trying to maintain a neutral expression. But as Itsuka continued gushing about the date, something in her chest twisted painfully.

Her mind drifted back to the moment when Izuku, in his usual awkward honesty, had admitted to- jerking off-to her. Just to make her feel better.

Her face burned. 'That dork...'

As much as she tried to deny it, that moment stuck with her. The way he had stammered, embarrassed but genuine, giving her unintended compliments that made her heart race. He didn't have to tell me that, but he did. Just to make me feel better. Just to make sure I knew I was... desirable?

Kyoka exhaled sharply, gripping her cup. I' don't know if I have a chance... but I do know one thing.'

Her fingers tightened around the cup, her face burning. He wouldn't give up. 'So I shouldn't either...'

Ibara anxiously tapped her foot, her fingers lightly tugging at the ends of her vine-like hair as she overheard the conversation. Her cheeks grew hotter with every word.

"Stop it. Get these impure thoughts out of your mind," she scolded herself, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment. Yet no matter how hard she tried, the image of Izuku asking Itsuka out and their shared kiss on the Ferris wheel refused to leave her thoughts.

She stole a nervous glance toward the group, her fingers gripping her hair a little tighter. The boys, blissfully unaware, continued their own conversation, with Mineta drooling over some actress-Jennifer Nocturne, if she remembered correctly.

"I need to focus on my studies, on my training, not Midoriya." Ibara pressed her warm cheeks with her palms, willing the heat away.

Meanwhile, Kinoko and Itsuka remained caught up in their conversation-until an unexpected presence made them both freeze.

Yui, ever the quiet yet bold one, had suddenly appeared between them, crouching like she had been there the entire time.

"And then he-" Itsuka stopped mid-sentence, her face going pale as she finally registered Yui's presence.

"K-Kodai!?" Itsuka nearly choked, her voice hushed in embarrassment.

Yui blinked, her face as unreadable as ever. "What? Don't stop at the good part."

Kinoko stifled a giggle, while Itsuka's blush deepened.

Before either of them could respond, Yui continued, completely unfazed. "Besides, I want to know what to expect when I start dating Izuku."

Dead silence.

Both girls turned black-and-white on the spot, and a ripple effect spread as the other eavesdropping girls stiffened, their skin metaphorically draining of color. Even Kyoka, who had been sipping her water, nearly choked.

Watching from the side, Reiko Yanagi shook her head slightly, the smallest of smiles tugging at the corner of her lips. "That girl is way too bold," she murmured.

Itsuka's face erupted into an even deeper shade of red. "WH-WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"

"Mh?" Yui tilted her head slightly, completely unaffected. "Isn't it obvious? I like Izuku. And when we start dating, I'd like to know how much he can handle." She blinked, then added, "Ooh, does he mind a little pervy?"

"P-PERVY?!" Itsuka nearly shrieked. "WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING ON DOING TO HIM?!"

Yui considered this for a moment, her face remaining as neutral as ever. "Mh... I don't want to say. Shiozaki wouldn't approve."

Ibara, who had been desperately trying to suppress her growing blush, turned an even deeper shade of red. She nearly stormed over then and there, her mind torn between indignation and something far more flustering.

Reiko observed the scene with a knowing look, her fingers lightly twirling a lock of her silver hair. She didn't comment, but a certain curiosity lingered in her usually distant gaze. So even Yui's being that forward...

She exhaled softly. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Izuku is... spooky.

After an hour, Ochako carefully watched Izuku yawn and stretch, looking content yet sluggish after devouring too much pizza. The common room had quieted down, some of the girls having retreated to their rooms, while a few of the guys lay sprawled across the couches in varying degrees of food-induced comas.

Kirishima clutched his stomach with a pained grin. "Ugh... I think I overdid it."

Shoto, looking uncharacteristically pale, exhaled through his nose. "That was... excessive."

Tenya, despite his own clear discomfort, attempted to rally the remaining guys. "Come now, we must retire for the night! A proper hero must regulate their diet and sleeping schedule!"

Izuku chuckled at the chaos before pushing himself off the couch, rubbing his stomach. "Man, that was good. I should really thank Yui for picking the place..." He yawned, shuffling toward his room, his body feeling heavier than usual.

As he neared his door, he noticed someone standing just outside. The familiar bobbed brown hair and small, fidgeting movements gave her away instantly.

"Ochako?"

Ochako jumped slightly, turning to face him with wide eyes. "Oh! Uh-D-Dekiru!" she stammered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

There was an awkward pause as she stared at him, her expression unreadable. Izuku, still standing in the doorway, tilted his head. "Is... something wrong?"

Before she could answer, his stomach let out a loud, betraying growl.

Ochako giggled, her lips curling into a teasing grin. "Guess that pizza really hit ya, huh?"

Izuku laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Y-Yeah, I might've overdone it a little... I was just gonna crash for the night."

Ochako's playful smile faltered slightly as she looked down. Her fingers fidgeted at the hem of her hoodie. "Dekiru..." she started, voice softer now. "You know I think you're really amazing, right?"

Izuku blinked, thrown off by the sudden shift in tone. "Huh?"

Izuku blinked in surprise. "Uh-w-well, thanks, Ochako, but-"

"I mean it!" she cut him off, suddenly frustrated with herself. "Like... ya really inspire me. I-I dunno how to explain it, but you're just... you're so kind, you're smart, and you're-" She swallowed hard, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Izuku felt his heartbeat pick up. "Ochako...?"

Her hands clenched into fists as she forced herself to keep going. "A-And I think you're really sweet, and smart, and-" She squeezed her eyes shut, her whole face burning. "-really, really cute..."

Silence.

Izuku's brain short-circuited. His eyes went wide, his face instantly heating up. D-Did she just-?!

Ochako's own brain screamed at her to abort. She flailed internally, regretting every decision that led her to this moment. WHY DID I SAY THAT?! WHY AM I SO BAD AT THIS?!

Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she scrambled to cover. "I-I mean, like-ya got a real nice smile, ya know? Real friendly-like! And ya did great today leadin' everyone, even with Bakugou bein' all... well, Bakugou!" She waved her hands in the air, desperately trying to redirect the conversation.

Izuku, still frozen, tried to form a coherent response. "I-I... uh..."

Ochako panicked. 'Nope, can't do this, can't do this! CAN'T!'

"A-Anyway, I should head back! You're probably real tired, huh? Yep, super tired, okay goodnight Dekiru-!"

She turned on her heel and made a beeline out of there, her heart slamming against her ribs.

"H-Hey, Ochako-"

She halted mid-step.

Izuku hesitated for a moment, rubbing his neck before managing, "I... I like your accent."

Ochako nearly tripped. Her face went beet red as she slapped a hand over her mouth. Oh god, I wasn't thinking-he totally heard me-WHY DID I LET MY ACCENT SLIP?!

She bolted down the hall.

As she ran, her mind was a chaotic mess. "Oh god, I almost confessed! What was I thinking?! When I heard about those two going on a date, I thought-ugh! I lost my chance! I'm not the jealous type!"

But despite her inner denial, a small voice whispered otherwise.

Slowing her pace, she bit her lip. "Dekiru probably has enough going on... If I say anything, it'll just stress him out. He'll feel guilty... He doesn't need that right now."

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if trying to dispel the storm of emotions raging inside her. "I just need to suppress this... It'll be fine..." she tried to convince herself, but the words felt hollow.

Then, like a spark to dry tinder, the memory of Itsuka's confession ignited something deep within her. The way Itsuka had boldly told Izuku her feelings, how she had taken that step forward without hesitation, and how-dammit-she had even gone on a date with him.

Ochako clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Itsuka said she wanted to grow stronger beside him... She didn't just sit around hoping he'd notice. She did something about it."

Her chest tightened, jealousy twisting inside her like a vice. Not at Itsuka-no, she admired her-but at herself, for being too scared to do the same. She had watched Izuku push himself day after day, had seen him rise from nothing to become someone who inspired everyone around him, including her. And yet, she had stood back, letting others take the leap she wanted to take.

"I don't just wanna stand on the sidelines..." Her jaw tightened. "I want to be there with him. I want to be strong like he is. I want him to look at me the way he looked at Itsuka when she said she wanted to grow stronger with him."

The thought sent a fresh wave of heat to her face, but she didn't push it away this time. Instead, she embraced it.

"Ugh! Dammit, I can't just give up!" Her grip on her emotions wavered, her frustration bubbling over. "I-I have to tell him! I have to at least try!"

Her stomach twisted with nerves, but beneath it, a newfound determination burned. Maybe she wouldn't get the perfect moment. Maybe she wouldn't even get the words out right. But she couldn't keep running.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Tomorrow... Tomorrow, I'll tell him. No more holding back...Maybe the day after...NO! Just tell him and focus on being a hero! Itsuka is doing it I can do it!"

---

Back at his room, Izuku stood in stunned silence, still replaying the conversation. His heart was hammering in his chest.

"...Did she almost confess?"

The thought sent a rush of heat to his face. He flopped onto his bed, covering his face with both hands.

"N-No way... she was just being herself... r-right?"

Yet, no matter how much he tried to reason it away, he couldn't ignore how flustered Ochako had been.

A small, nervous smile tugged at his lips.

"M-Maybe... she really does like me...?"

That thought lingered in his mind as sleep slowly took over, leaving his dreams unusually warm that night.

Izuku slept peacefully, his drool dripping onto the pillow, his messy hair a tangled mess from a restful slumber. Suddenly, a knock at the door broke the silence, and Izuku slowly rose from his cozy bed. "Dekiru... It's me, I-I was kinda hoping we could finish our conversation from yesterday," Ochako's soft voice came from the other side of the door, filled with a hint of nervousness.

Izuku rubbed the sleep from his eyes, still trying to shake off the drowsiness. He stumbled out of bed, his legs wobbly, and made his way to the door. "U-Uh, right, coming," he mumbled to himself, trying to compose himself.

As he opened the door, he was met with Ochako's bright red face, her eyes darting to the floor as soon as their gazes met. "S-So, I-I was trying to say something, but I kinda chickened out," she stammered, her hands clutching the hem of her skirt.

Izuku's face turned a shade of red as he tried to reassure her. "O-Oh, uhm... I-If you want to say something, we can talk later," he said, trying to sound calm.

But Ochako's determination was palpable. "N-No... I-I want to say this now. When I heard you went on a date with Itsuka and Momo... I just... I don't think I can keep this in anymore," she said, her voice trembling.

Izuku's heart skipped a beat as Ochako's ears turned bright red. She took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-Izuku, I... I want..."

Without warning, she flung herself into his arms, her warm body pressing against his. Izuku, caught off guard, hesitantly wrapped his arms around her, feeling his heart race like never before.

As they stood there, Ochako's face buried in his shoulder, her voice was muffled. "I... I want..."

Izuku's ears strained to hear the rest, but it was lost in the gentle pressure of her embrace. "I-I didn't get that..." he whispered, his heart pounding in anticipation.

"I want..." She clutched him tighter, her arms wrapping around him like a vice.

"Y-Yeah..." Izuku said gulping his heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest.

"I want... I want..." Ochako's voice came through her face burning, Izuku could feel her heart beating against her chest,

"...Out."

"Huh?" Izuku asked his confusion evident. Before voice before nervous stuttering was now clear and firm.

"I want out."

Izuku unsure if he heard her correctly asked for clarification.

"Uh... Can you repeat that? I don't think I heard you correctly." Izuku said, his brow furrowed. Ochako's response sent shivers down his spine. As her voice came out in a menacing raspy tone.

"I want out."

Izuku's fear spiked as he tried to break free from the hug, but Ochako's grip was like a vice."O-Ochako let me go!" He pleaded his voice cracking a little.

Her response was a low menacing chuckle."You want me to let you go? Let me out!" She commanded as she looked him dead in the eyes revealing her black eyes her pupils glowing an eerie purple with cracks spreading from the edges.

Izuku stumbled back his heart racing as he desperatley tried to process the terror before him. He turned and ran, his feet pounding the floor as he fled to the common room. The place bustling with conversation from class A and B. But when Izuku entered an eerie silence fell.

"Guys something's wrong with Ochako!" Izuku said in a desperate tone. But when turned around he's fear intensified, class A and B eyes transformed similar to Ochako's as they slowly closed on him.

"You can't get away from me."

Momo's voice slithered into his ear like a whisper of smoke, her words dripping with venom. Izuku jerked violently, spinning around-only to find her right there, her face barely an inch from his. Had she always been that close?

No. No, she hadn't been there at all.

Izuku stumbled back, but more voices joined in.

"Always the hero," Tenya sneered.

"What a waste of potential," Tsuyu murmured from above, her head twisting unnaturally as she clung to the ceiling, her blackened eyes leering down at him.

Izuku's eyes snapped upward his body sparked with One For All, his body instinctively tensing for a fight

Izuku's pulse was a hammer in his skull. This wasn't real. It couldn't be real.

Then the world shattered like brittle glass.

The floor exploded outward, splintering like rotten wood as a pale, nightmarish hand ripped through it.

Ghostly white, elongated, clawed, its razor-sharp talons gleamed like obsidian. Shadows twisted and coiled around it, moving like living smoke, writhing and clawing at the air.

Before Izuku could move, the claws snapped shut around him like a cold vice.

He thrashed, kicked, fought-but there was nothing to fight. The hand wasn't solid but he uselessly thrashed through phasing through like air.

"You want to be a hero?" The voice came from everywhere and nowhere.

From the yawning abyss beneath him, a ghastly form began to rise.

It was Ghostfreak. Large as Mt. Lady if not larger clutched him in has pale ghostly claws.

"THEN GET ME OUT!"As the clawed hand tightened his grip squeezing him like grape.

Izuku's eyes snapped open.

His breath came in ragged gasps as he jolted awake, his body drenched in cold sweat. He tumbled out of bed, hitting the floor with a thud, chest heaving, his heartbeat a frantic drum.

The room was normal. His door was there. The walls weren't breathing.

But even as he wiped his damp forehead, the lingering sensation of hands clutching at his skin refused to fade.

...

Izuku yawned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he wandered into the common room. The nightmare still clung to him, leaving him restless. Giving up on sleep, he figured some quiet time might help.

Soft footsteps caught his attention as Kyouka and Momo entered, both stretching and yawning, still groggy. Kyouka shuffled straight to the coffee maker, lazily pouring herself a cup before grabbing a few cookies.

"Green, you're up early," she murmured, her voice husky with sleep. She slumped onto the couch, sipping her coffee.

Izuku stretched, rolling his shoulders to shake off the stiffness. "Y-Yeah... couldn't sleep."

Momo, now seated beside him, tilted her head slightly. "That's unusual for you, Izuku. You push yourself so hard in training-you need proper rest."

He forced a chuckle. "It's nothing, really. Just a bad dream."

Kyouka and Momo exchanged a glance but didn't press further.

"What about you two?" Izuku asked, eager to shift the conversation.

Momo smiled, flipping open her book. "I enjoy reading early in the morning. It's peaceful."

Kyouka, strumming her guitar absently, added, "I usually get up to write lyrics. Inspiration hits better when it's quiet."

Izuku nodded, his gaze drifting toward them. That's when he noticed it-their outfits.

Kyouka's Deep Dope tank top clung to her body, the fabric light and just a little too thin. The cool morning air had clearly had an effect, and Izuku's breath hitched as his eyes traced the subtle outline of her small, perky breasts. The way the material molded to her skin, her nipples lightly pressing through, was impossible to ignore.

Then there was Momo. She had on a button-up shirt, but it was loose-very loose. The top buttons were undone, revealing the smooth curves of her bare chest beneath. When she stretched, her breasts shifted naturally, the soft flesh pressing against the straining fabric. The gaps between the buttons offered teasing glimpses of her ample cleavage, and for a split second, Izuku thought he saw the edge of her nipple before she shifted again.

Heat rushed to his face.

Izuku's brain short-circuited.

His face turned beet red, and he snapped his gaze to the floor, heart hammering in his chest.

Kyouka noticed his reaction first, frowning slightly. "Uh... what's up with you?"

Momo tilted her head, following Izuku's now desperate attempt to avoid looking at them. She glanced down at herself, then at Kyouka. It took a second for everything to click.

Their eyes widened in horror.

Momo's hands flew to her chest as she let out a panicked gasp. "O-Oh my-!" She quickly crossed her arms, her entire face turning crimson.

Kyouka grabbed the nearest pillow, hugging it to her chest as she cursed under her breath. "Shit-! We didn't think any of the guys would be up this early!"

Izuku, still frozen, waved his hands frantically. "I-I didn't see anything! I swear!"

Kyouka and Momo didn't wait around to hear any more. Practically tripping over themselves, they bolted out of the common room, still shielding their chests as they fled.

Left alone, Izuku groaned and buried his burning face in his hands.

This morning was going to haunt him forever.

...

Momo and Kyouka returned to the common room later, still a bit flustered from their earlier embarrassment, but determined to brush it off. As they settled in, the awkwardness slowly faded, and the morning routine resumed as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Izuku stood in the bathroom, brushing his teeth, trying to shake off both the lingering unease of his nightmare and the... unexpected events of earlier.

He spat out the toothpaste, rinsing his mouth, but as he lifted his head-his heart nearly stopped.

The reflection in the mirror wasn't his own.

For a split second, his skin had turned grey, black lines running across his face. Cold, piercing purple eyes stared back at him.

"Let me out!" the reflection snarled.

Izuku stumbled backward, knocking over a cup as his breath hitched.

He squeezed his eyes shut, his heart pounding against his ribs. When he looked again, his reflection was normal-just his tired, wide-eyed self staring back.

"What the...?" he muttered, gripping the sink. His hands were shaking.

He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

"Maybe Momo's right... I really can't afford to miss sleep," he thought, shaking his head as he finished his routine.

After throwing on his uniform and slinging his backpack over his shoulder, he stepped out of the dorms. He had about an hour and a half before class started-just enough time to clear his head.

As he walked through the courtyard, he heard a soft, familiar voice behind him.

"Mh."

Izuku turned to see Yui Kodai, already dressed for class, her neutral expression as unreadable as ever.

"Morning, Izuku," she greeted in her usual soft tone. "You're already ready for school?"

"Y-Yeah," Izuku replied, rubbing the back of his head. "Just hoping to catch a few Z's before class starts."

Yui nodded. "Mh. Hope you're getting enough sleep." She paused, her lips curving just slightly. "And I hope you didn't eat too much pizza."

Izuku grinned, remembering last night's feast. "Oh, yeah! Thanks for enlarging them! I don't think I've ever been that full before. I don't even know how to thank you."

Yui's expression remained neutral, but a hint of playfulness crept into her voice. "I know one way."

She opened her arms, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hug me."

Izuku's face flushed bright crimson as he stuttered, "Y-Yui, I'm gonna be late!"

Yui made a cute growling noise, her arms still open. "Fine."

Izuku hesitated, his face growing even redder, before he opened his arms.

"No, you walk up to me and hug me," Yui commanded.

Izuku's face turned an even deeper shade of red before he reluctantly walked up to Yui and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around him, enjoying the warm embrace.

"Yay," she said, a small blush forming on her cheeks.

Izuku, still blushing, asked, "T-T-There, can I go now?"

Yui nodded, her expression returning to neutral. "Mh."

Izuku walked out and began strolling to class 1-A he walked with some students early birders like himself heading to class.

"Izuku." A raspy voice said in the distance of sea of students he looked around frantically before catching something flying past.

He ignored this before quickly heading back to class.

...

As class began Izuku did not sleep. He's eyes were baggy as he stared at his reflection. As homeroom began the day went on as per usual. Izuku struggled to not fall asleep and barely noticed the conversation that was happening all around him.

That's totally unfair!" Mineta shouted, his face red with rage as he glared at his phone. "How come they have fucking fangirls! It's so unjust!"

He was seething with anger, his eyes scanning the article with disgust. "Dekiru 10 fanclub vs Shoto Todoroki fan club: A debate on whose the most hottest UA first year hottie." The title alone made his blood boil.

"Ugh, why do they get all the attention?!" Mineta exclaimed, his voice trembling with frustration. "I'm the one who's been working hard, perfecting my Pop Off technique! But do I get any recognition? No!"

He scowled at the pictures of the fangirls, dressed in Izuku and Todoroki's styles. "I get Todoroki, but why him?! WHY?! He's just a stupid, stoic, ice-boy! And Midoriya's just a... a... Dork!"

Mineta's friends took a step back, wary of his explosive outburst. But Mineta didn't care. He was too far gone, consumed by his own anger and frustration.

"I mean, come on, he's got credentials!" Kaminari started to list off Izuku's achievements. "He fought the Hero Killer, saved an entire school, beat Todoroki, beat Bakugou, saved us at USJ, and even beat All Might's record!"

But before Kaminari could continue, Mineta's glare cut him off. Mineta's face turned beet red with rage as he slammed his fist on the table.

"I don't get it! He's a nerd, all he talks about is All Might! How the hell is he getting babes? I mean, what's so special about him? He's just a lucky, awkward, little dork Im the one with chrasmia!" Mineta shouted, his voice dripping with envy and disdain.

"It must be those girls from that school! They must have fallen for Midoriya's 'hero' act, and now he's taking advantage of them! He's grooming them, preying on their vulnerable state! This should be illegal!" Mineta exclaimed, his eyes wide with indignation.

Kaminari took a step back, startled by Mineta's outburst. "Dude, calm down, it's not like that..." he tried to reason, but Mineta wouldn't listen.

Jirou's irritation grew, echoed by the other girls. "Your existence should be illegal," she snapped. "And besides, Midoriya is far more appealing to any girl than you'll ever be."

Kaminari and Sero exchanged a look and said, "Ooh!"

Mineta sneered, "Flatties don't get a say in this."

Iida tilted his head, confused. "Flatties? What does that mean?"

"Huhh?!" Jirou said in anger."H-How dare you!" Kyouka said in anger.

Jirou looked ready to murder him, her jacks slithering as Iida tilted his head I'm confusion.

Kaminari clarified, "Small boobs, man."

Mineta scorned, "Yeah, small, nonexistent boobs, like Jirou."

Kyouka stepped forward, ready to attack, her javelins at the ready. "How dare you!"

Iida intervened, "How rude. Breasts are breasts, and one shouldn't get hung up on relative size."

Tenya Iida added, "Try walking a mile in someone else's shoes, Mineta. How would you feel if girls commented on your...small nature?"

Mina chimed in, "Huh? Iida, we comment on Mineta's short stature all the time."

Kyouka agreed, "Yeah, I call him 'imp' or 'shorty' every chance I get."

Tenya Iida clarified, "I'm not referring to his height."

The boys who shared a changing room with Mineta struggled to contain their laughter, their faces turning bright red as they bit their lips and looked away, trying to stifle their grins. Kaminari and Sero were shaking their heads, their eyes watering from holding back tears of laughter. Tokoyami was covering his mouth, his shoulders shaking with suppressed chuckles.

Mineta shouted in dismay, "Iida!" realizing too late what Tenya was implying.

Mineta's face turned a deep shade of crimson as he spluttered, "I-I'll have you know, my little Mineta is average size!"

Sero couldn't resist taking a jab, "Calling it your 'little' Mineta is a 'big' understatement."

Tokoyami chimed in, shaking his head, "Average size... Pfft." Tokoyami glanced at Mineta."...Sure."

Koda held up a sign that read "There's nothing to be ashamed about" He held up the sign with such sincerity.

The boys' teasing was too much for Mineta, and he felt his embarrassment reach new heights.

The girls, who had been watching the exchange, quickly caught on and tried to stifle their giggles, but it was too late.

Mineta's face turned an even deeper shade of red as he realized he was the laughing stock of the group.

"Sh-shut up! All of you!" Mineta shouted, trying to regain some dignity, but it only seemed to make things worse. The boys' laughter grew louder, and even the girls couldn't help but join in, their snickers and giggles filling the air.

Shoto, who had been quietly reading his book, looked up and said, "It's not fun when you're at the receiving end of it." He was the only one who hadn't joined in the mockery, but his comment carried weight.

Todoroki's words struck a chord, "I mean, you make blatant sexual remarks about the girls. Maybe before you start commenting on their physique, think about how the other person feels. Your comments can be demeaning, like what you just demonstrated with Jirou."

The class nodded in agreement, and the girls began to speak up.

"Yeah, just because she doesn't have the biggest doesn't make her any less pretty!" Ochako shouted.

Mina chimed in, "Yeah, Mineta, you insensitive asshole! Not everyone likes your comments!"

Tsuyu added, "Grow up, Mineta. Ribbit."

Toru, who had often been the subject of Mineta's perversion, spoke up, "I'm tired of being objectified by you, Mineta. It's not funny, it's just gross."

Momo, another frequent target of Mineta's comments, added, "I agree with Toru. Your comments make me feel uncomfortable and disrespected. Please stop."

Mineta, still reeling from his humiliation, sat silently, his gaze fixed on the floor. Meanwhile, Ochako stole a glance at Izuku. He was staring out the window, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, lost in thought.

She hesitated before gently tapping his shoulder.

Izuku jolted, his whole body tensing as if he'd been shocked.

"Woah! Y-You okay?" Ochako asked, concern laced in her voice. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Izuku let out a dry chuckle. "More like a Ghostfreak," he muttered under his breath.

Ochako blinked, tilting her head. "Huh?"

"N-Nothing," he quickly dismissed, waving it off.

She studied him for a moment before leaning in, lowering her voice. "Hey, Dekiru... if you're not busy later, mind coming to my room tonight?"

Izuku's entire body stiffened. His face went bright red.

At night? In her room? Alone?!

His brain short-circuited for a second, but caution quickly settled in. "Uh... w-why?"

Ochako's own face turned pink as she fidgeted with the hem of her uniform. "Look, I need to tell you something... something I've been keeping in for a long time and-"

BANG!

"WE ARE HERE!"

The door swung open as All Might and Midnight strode in, instantly commanding attention.

"Good afternoon, Class 1-A!" All Might boomed with his signature grin. "Are you ready for today's training?!"

Midnight smirked, her confident presence drawing everyone's eyes. "Today's focus is on subduing villains with minimal force. I'll be demonstrating some effective restraint techniques."

Bakugou scoffed, crossing his arms. "Tch, what's the point? Beatin' 'em down makes sure they stay down."

Midnight's smile didn't waver, but her tone turned sharp. "That kind of thinking is exactly why this lesson is necessary."

Bakugou's scowl deepened.

"There will be times when the 'villain' isn't truly a villain," she continued. "Maybe they're a civilian panicking in a dangerous situation, or someone being manipulated. Not every fight is about overpowering your opponent. A real hero knows when not to throw a punch."

Kirishima grinned. "That's actually kinda cool. I wouldn't wanna beat up someone who's just being controlled. That's totally unmanly."

Mina nodded eagerly. "Yeah! My Quirk's not exactly non-lethal. If I can learn how to stop someone without melting their face off, that'd be pretty great."

The doors shot open as the suitcases were launched out-one by one-until there were nineteen in total.

Wait... nineteen?

"Huh?! Where the fuck is my costume?!" Bakugou's voice rang through the room, his frustration boiling over in an instant.

Midnight's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Ah, glad you brought that up, Bakugou."

Before Bakugou could explode further, All Might stepped forward. His usual cheerful demeanor was absent, replaced with the weight of authority. "Now, do you all recall the last rescue exercise?"

Mineta snickered. "You mean the one where Bakugou absolutely fucked all of us over by going AWOL? Thinking he could do everything by himself? Claiming it'd be a 'flawless victory'-but instead, it went down as the biggest loss in UA history?"

Bakugou's face darkened instantly, his teeth gritting as he whipped his glare toward Mineta. "Shut the hell up, you grape-haired bitch!"

Mineta, ever the coward, smartly positioned himself behind Izuku, using him as a human shield. He smirked smugly, knowing Bakugou wouldn't dare lunge with All Might standing right there.

Midnight's expression turned serious. "Yes, that's correct. Now, let's analyze why you all failed. The scenario was a flood zone rescue. Given the setting, what do you think went wrong?"

She swept her gaze across the class, watching as they absorbed her words.

"You've had time to reflect. Tell me-what mistakes were made?"

Momo raised her hand with practiced elegance. "We were all at fault for not properly accounting for Bakugou's behavior. Instead of addressing his unwillingness to cooperate, we allowed him to act independently. His reckless decisions led to the dam's destruction, which, in turn, flooded the city and resulted in a catastrophic failure."

Midnight nodded approvingly. "Partially correct. However, from a media perspective, accountability would not be limited to one person. The scale of the loss would overshadow any internal disputes. You would all be seen as responsible."

The room fell into an uneasy silence.

Midnight's tone sharpened. "Now, let's shift focus. Imagine we are the Hero Safety and Support Commission. What would happen next?"

Tenya, always quick to respond, adjusted his glasses. "We would each have to write formal incident reports, detailing the events and our decision-making process."

Midnight nodded. "Exactly. In real-world scenarios, thorough documentation is crucial in determining accountability."

Sero exhaled. "So, in other words, we'd all be explaining how Bakugou completely screwed us over?"

Momo frowned but nodded. "His inability to cooperate cost us the exercise."

She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice firm. "And if we are speaking candidly, I do not believe Bakugou has faced adequate consequences for his recklessness."

Bakugou's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "If you dumbasses had just followed my lead, we wouldn't have lost! But no, you had to follow Deku's half-baked plan!"

Kyouka let out a dry chuckle, arms crossed. "Oh yeah, what a mystery why no one wants to follow the guy who constantly screams at everyone and calls them 'extras' while making zero effort to listen."

Bakugou slammed his fist onto the table with a loud BANG, making several students flinch. His glare locked onto Kyouka, eyes burning with barely restrained fury.

Kyouka, unimpressed, simply stared back. Her expression was flat, bored even, as she raised a brow in silent challenge.

Bakugou took a step forward, his hands still balled into fists-but a single glance from All Might halted him in place.

The silence was thick with tension until Tsuyu's calm voice cut through. "It wouldn't make sense for everyone to follow Bakugou's lead when the majority agreed that Midoriya and Yaoyorozu had the best plan."

She turned her gaze toward Midnight. "I agree that letting Bakugou go unchecked was a mistake, but the root of the issue is his refusal to collaborate. That isn't something we can fix on our own."

Her eyes shifted back to Bakugou, steady and unwavering. "What really concerns me is your lack of willingness to work with others. And the fact that you hit Midoriya proves that. You expect everyone to follow you without question, but you don't extend the same courtesy to anyone else."

Bakugou's face twisted in irritation, his nails digging into his palms.

Tsuyu, unfazed, continued. "Midoriya and Yaoyorozu worked with the entire team. They adapted, they listened, and they valued input from all of us. But you? You refused to cooperate and then resorted to violence when things didn't go your way."

Midnight nodded. "So, is this how you all feel?"

Ochako hesitated before speaking. "I... I agree. We can't force Bakugou to work with us. But what really bothers me is that he hit Dekiru."

Bakugou's face darkened. "I can work with anyone-I just don't wanna work with that damn Deku!" His voice was thick with frustration. "If you extras had just listened to me, we would've won!"

"But Dekiru didn't do anything to deserve being hit," Ochako shot back, standing firm. "He was trying to work with you."

"But Dekiru didn't do anything to warrant being hit! He just wanted to work with you!" Ochako shouted, her voice unwavering despite the furious glare Bakugou shot her way.

Bakugou's scowl deepened, hands clenched into fists, but Ochako didn't waver.

Mina crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "Bakugou was violent and uncooperative. Midoriya, on the other hand, is much easier to work with. Plus, he doesn't call me 'Raccoon Eyes' every five seconds."

Shoji gave Mina a brief nod, his expression neutral but supportive.

Koda, avoiding eye contact with Bakugou, lifted a handmade sign, its letters shaky but clear: "He's scary..."

Todoroki's voice cut through the tension, cold and precise. "Midoriya and Yaoyorozu's quirks suited the situation far better. They understand our quirks and know how to utilize them effectively. You, on the other hand, insist on leading without understanding those you're working with."

His eyes locked onto Bakugou. "How do the teachers expect us to work with someone who refuses to let others lead, someone who doesn't even take the time to learn our names?"

Toru, arms crossed, scoffed. "Yeah, unlike Dekiru, who actually bothers to learn about his teammates. I don't want to waste my time explaining my quirk just to get insulted."

Bakugou's face reddened, a vein throbbing on his forehead. "I know all I need to know about you extras!" he snapped.

Kyouka leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand with an amused smirk. "Really? Then what's Koda's quirk?"

Bakugou stiffened, his glare darting toward Koda, expression twisting with barely contained rage. His eyes scanned the room as if the answer would magically appear in front of him.

Seconds passed.

"Shut up! I don't have to prove anything to you!" he barked.

Kyouka's smirk widened. "My point exactly."

Kirishima scratched the back of his head, glancing at Bakugou with a sheepish shrug. "Look, Bakugou's cool and all, but... I kinda gotta agree with everyone else here."

Midnight, who had been watching silently, finally spoke, her tone laced with disappointment. "It seems there's a consensus."

She turned to Bakugou, eyes sharp. "Katsuki Bakugou, for the next three weeks you will be suspended from the Hero Course."

Silence crashed over the room like a wave. Every student's eyes widened in shock.

Bakugou's face paled before turning a deep shade of red. "Wait-WHAT?!"

"Did she just say Bakugou's getting suspended?" someone murmured.

Kyouka remained neutral, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in her expression.

Midnight didn't waver. "This suspension means you will not participate in Hero classes for the next two weeks. However, you may observe alongside the teachers-nothing more."

Bakugou's hands trembled at his sides, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His pride burned like fire in his chest.

"What the fuck?! How is that fair?!" he exploded, voice shaking with fury.

All Might, who had been silent up until now, stepped forward, his gaze firm. "UA prepares you for the real world, Bakugou. And in the real world, actions have consequences. A pro hero behaving as you did today would have their license revoked immediately."

Bakugou's breath hitched slightly, the weight of those words sinking in.

All Might's gaze swept across the room, addressing the entire class. "Take this as a lesson. Bakugou is not the only arrogant hero you will encounter. Unfortunately, I have worked with many pros who risked lives to prove a point-especially when working alongside the best."

His eyes landed on Todoroki and Izuku. "You two, in particular, will face these kinds of heroes. When you're at the top, others will challenge you-not just villains, but fellow heroes seeking to prove they're better than you."

Izuku swallowed hard. Todoroki's expression remained unreadable, though a flicker of unease passed through his gaze.

Bakugou's jaw tightened, his hands trembling as his anger shifted toward the two standing beside him.

'He thinks those two will be the top heroes?! THEM?! What about ME?! I work harder than any of these extras!' Bakugou seethed internally.

All Might continued, his voice tinged with the weight of experience. "Being a top hero is never easy. Envy and pride drive people to reckless decisions. I wish it weren't so, but it's a harsh reality I've faced myself."

His gaze shifted toward Momo, who stiffened slightly under his scrutiny. "That's why we were so harsh on you and Young Midoriya. You both have the potential to reach the top, but that comes with responsibility."

Momo's cheeks flushed, her hands tightening at her sides, both from pride and the sheer pressure of such expectations.

All Might's expression darkened. "And responsibility means handling scrutiny. The media will tear you apart at the first sign of weakness. They won't care about context or fault-only results. If you fail, the headline won't be 'It wasn't their fault.' It will be 'How could the top heroes let this happen?'"

Izuku hesitated before raising his hand. "Is... Is that why you usually worked alone?"

All Might nodded. "Yes. As the Number One Hero, I had many allies, but I also had rivals who resented my success. Some made it their mission to surpass me at any cost, even if it meant endangering others."

Todoroki's gaze darkened, his mind flashing to Endeavor-his father's obsession with surpassing All Might, the pain it had caused. Izuku noticed his expression shift, his brows furrowing in concern.

All Might's gaze turned sharp again, focusing back on Bakugou. "And speaking of reckless ambition-Bakugou, your behavior during this exercise was unacceptable."

Bakugou's teeth clenched, his shoulders tensing.

"Physically lashing out at Midoriya wasn't just unprofessional-it was a betrayal of teamwork. Your outburst sabotaged your own team, put your classmates at risk, and ultimately cost everyone their victory. In the real world, that kind of recklessness gets people killed."

Bakugou's breath came faster, anger and humiliation swirling inside him. "They abandoned me to work with Deku!" he spat. "Why should I trust them when they don't trust me?!"

Midnight's voice was calm, but firm. "Because trust is earned, not demanded. You constantly belittle your classmates, refuse to listen, and expect obedience through intimidation. That isn't leadership, Bakugou. That's fear."

Her piercing gaze locked onto him. "No one wants to follow a leader who refuses to respect them. And your inability to set aside your pride and work with Midoriya proves you still have a long way to go before you're ready to call yourself a hero."

Aizawa's tired gaze lingered on Bakugou, watching as the boy trembled with barely contained fury. He sighed, rubbing his temples before turning to Izuku, his voice calm but firm.

"Midoriya," Aizawa called out suddenly.

Izuku stiffened as all eyes turned to him.

"You're the one Bakugou hit. You're the one he's refused to work with. And you're also the one who has to deal with the consequences of his actions," Aizawa said, his tone unreadable. "So tell me, what's your opinion?"

Izuku's breath hitched. He hadn't expected to be put on the spot like this.

Aizawa wasn't finished. "And before you answer, I want you to consider what's best for your entire class."

Silence filled the room as Izuku hesitated. He could feel everyone's stares burning into him, waiting for his response. His fingers curled into fists at his sides as he wrestled with his emotions. If he was being honest, he didn't want to be anywhere near Bakugou. Every time he saw him, all he could think about was how much he wanted to knock him flat.

His heart pounded.

"Honestly, I... I don't think my opinion matters," Izuku finally admitted, his voice quieter than usual but firm. "I feel like no matter what I say, it would be completely biased."

Bakugou scoffed.

"But... I am a hero," Izuku continued, lifting his head. "And as a hero, my personal feelings shouldn't matter in situations like this." He inhaled sharply. "That being said, I don't want to work with Katsuki Bakugou."

A collective hush fell over the room.

Aizawa's sharp eyes studied Izuku, but he didn't interrupt.

"I..." Izuku's hands clenched at his sides. "I don't want to be near him. I don't trust him. Every time we're forced to work together, it ends in disaster. And honestly? I'm tired of trying to fix that when I'm the only one even trying." His voice wavered for a second, but he pushed through. "But again, my feelings shouldn't dictate my decisions as a hero. So I can't give an unbiased answer."

Aizawa gave a small nod, as if he'd expected this response.

His gaze flicked to Bakugou, who was shaking with frustration. "Bakugou," Aizawa said flatly. "Depending on how you respond right now, I can either lessen or extend your suspension. So tell me-what exactly did you do wrong during the exercise?"

Bakugou gritted his teeth, his hands balled into fists so tight that his knuckles turned white. His crimson eyes blazed with fury. "Tch... if these damn extras had just listened to me, then-"

Aizawa sighed, shaking his head. "Congratulations, Bakugou. Your three-week suspension is now indefinite."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"Class 1-A," Aizawa said, voice laced with finality, "get your hero cases and leave."

"What?! Why?!" Bakugou snapped.

"When someone offers you a hand, asking to work together, and you respond by hitting them, that's not the sign of a hero," All Might said, stepping forward, his usual warmth absent. "It's the behavior of a child throwing a tantrum."

With a comically exaggerated motion, he pulled out a picture of Bakugou with 'Temporarily Banned' scribbled across it. "On top of your indefinite suspension from Heroics training, you are now banned from using UA's training facilities."

Bakugou's eyes widened in disbelief.

All Might's expression remained stern. "This mirrors what would happen in the real world if a hero acted the way you did. A single violent outburst could cost you your license." His voice grew heavier with emphasis. "And once you lose that, there is no going back."

The weight of those words settled over the room like a thick fog.

Bakugou's blood boiled. 'Indefinite?! Indefinite suspension?! That means no training, no getting stronger, while Deku keeps getting better?!' His hands twitched as his gaze locked onto Izuku, sharp enough to cut glass. The intensity of his glare sent a ripple of unease through the class.

The room felt colder.

All Might's voice cut through the tension. "When, or if, your suspension is lifted, Aizawa will oversee your remedial training, but until then, you are forbidden from participating in any combat exercises."

Bakugou didn't move, his shoulders rising and falling with each furious breath. His jaw clenched so tightly it looked like his teeth might crack.

"Now," All Might turned to the rest of the class. "Everyone except Bakugou, follow me and Midnight."

One by one, the students hesitantly filed out, their eyes flickering back toward Bakugou. His head was bowed, his face shadowed, but his body language screamed barely-contained rage.

Izuku was the last to leave. As he stepped through the doorway, he felt Bakugou's burning glare drilling into the back of his head.

Then-

BANG!

The sound of Bakugou's fist slamming onto the desk reverberated through the empty room, making the chairs rattle. His whole body shook as his face contorted into something ugly-veins bulging, eyes wild, teeth bared.

"FUCK!" Bakugou roared, the raw fury in his voice echoing through the halls. "INDEFINITE?! YOU'RE KIDDING ME! YOU CAN'T FUCKING DO THIS!"

His breathing was ragged, fists clenched so hard that tiny drops of blood splattered onto the floor from where his nails had pierced his skin.

'Deku's going to surpass me. He's going to get stronger while I sit here and rot-'

"Fuck."

...

Izuku walked ahead of the group, his mind clouded with an odd sense of guilt. Not guilt because Bakugou got suspended-no, he deserved that. It was guilt because, deep down, Izuku realized something unsettling.

He was enjoying it.

Should he really feel happy about this? About seeing Bakugou finally face consequences?

Izuku sighed, rubbing his neck. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts...

"I can't believe they actually suspended him indefinitely," Kirishima muttered, shaking his head. "I mean, I get it, he's kinda..."

"A dick?" Ojiro offered.

"An asshat?" Kaminari added.

"Explosive idiot?" Sero said.

"Pyromaniac sadist?" Mineta smirked.

"Uh... I was gonna say misunderstood, but sure, that works too." Kirishima sighed, crossing his arms.

"I'm glad he's suspended," Iida said firmly, adjusting his glasses. "I'm sure this will teach him a valuable lesson in teamwork."

Izuku shrugged. "I really-"

As he stepped into a patch of sunlight, his breath hitched.

His heart plunged into his stomach.

For the briefest moment, as his shadow stretched along the wall, it wasn't his own.

It was Ghostfreak's.

Izuku violently jerked back, stumbling as his breath quickened. His wide eyes locked onto the lit wall where his shadow had been, but-

It was normal again.

"Huh? You okay, Midoriya?" Ojiro asked, frowning.

"Have you been getting enough sleep?" Tokoyami's voice carried an edge of concern.

Izuku hesitated before forcing a weak smile. "Y-Yeah," he muttered, shaking his head. "Probably just seeing things..."

The others continued their conversation, but Izuku rubbed his eyes, his body tense.

The others hesitated, but when Izuku pushed off the wall and kept walking, they let it go, continuing their conversation.

Izuku swallowed thickly. His fingers twitched at his sides as he clenched his fists. That wasn't just a trick of the light... was it?

"Geez... I seriously need some sleep."

The boys of Class 1-A exited the changing room, reuniting with the girls as they made their way toward All Might. Izuku tried to focus, but something felt wrong. That brief flash of Ghostfreak's face had settled in the back of his mind like an itch he couldn't scratch. It was crawling under his skin, whispering in the back of his mind.

He was still trying to shake the feeling when-

POP! POP! CRACK!

The hallway lights exploded.

"WHAT THE-?!"

Glass rained down as everyone flinched away from the sudden bursts. The fluorescent bulbs above them shattered one after another, their filaments hissing with electrical discharge.

Izuku's breath caught in his throat. His body stiffened as his eyes widened in horror.

Because from the flickering sparks of the dying lights-

A pale, ghastly face emerged.

It stretched unnaturally from the shadows, its single, slitted eye locking onto him.

"I WANT OUT!"

Ghostfreak's rasping voice slithered through the air, sending chills down Izuku's spine.

Then-BANG! Another bulb burst, plunging the hallway into partial darkness.

"What the heck, Kaminari?!" Kyoka yelped, instinctively backing away.

"It wasn't me!" Kaminari shouted, looking just as spooked.

"It wasn't Kaminari! It was Ghostfreak!" Izuku yelled, his voice panicked.

The hallway fell into stunned silence.

All eyes snapped to Izuku, their faces a mix of confusion and concern.

"...What?" Momo blinked.

"Uh, dude?" Sero raised a brow. "You're kinda sounding-"

"Crazy?" Mineta finished unhelpfully.

Izuku turned, expecting to see that horrifying, slitted eye still lurking in the shadows-but there was nothing. Just the usual dim corners of the hallway, flickering slightly from the broken lights. His pulse was still racing, his skin clammy, but no one else seemed alarmed.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder. "Come on, Izuku," Momo said softly, her brows knitted in concern. "You've been under a lot of stress lately. Maybe you just need to clear your mind."

"Yeah, dude," Mina chimed in, throwing an arm around his shoulder with a reassuring grin. "We all get a little jumpy when we're running on fumes. Maybe you need a power nap or something?"

Izuku swallowed, scanning their faces. None of them had seen it. None of them believed him. His fingers twitched. "B-But... none of you saw that?"

They exchanged uneasy glances before looking back at him with sympathetic smiles. He could tell they just thought he was exhausted.

"Come on, Young Midoriya!" All Might suddenly boomed, giving him an encouraging thumbs-up. "No time for gloomy thoughts-it's Hero Time!"

Izuku glanced up at the Pro Hero's broad, confident smile. Slowly, he let out a breath and nodded. "Right... Hero Time."

Even if his heart was still pounding.

Once the tension settled, the class gathered in the training area for the day's exercise.

"All right, listen up!" Midnight called, hands on her hips, lips curled in a sly smirk. "Today's objective is simple-restrain your opponent."

All Might stood beside her, nodding firmly. "Heroes often find themselves in situations where overwhelming force isn't an option. Whether it's dealing with villains, mind-controlled civilians, or even fellow heroes, brute strength alone won't always be the answer. Today, you'll focus on subduing threats without causing harm."

He clapped his hands together. "You'll be working in teams of 5! 2 of you will act as the villain, trying to escape or resist capture. The other three will be the heroes, working together to bring them down using skill, tactics, and restraint."

"Ooooh," Mina grinned, rubbing her hands together. "So, like, stealth takedowns? Tactical ninjutsu stuff?"

"Exactly!" Midnight grinned. "Use your quirks creatively, but no excessive force! The goal is to incapacitate, not obliterate."

The students quickly paired up into teams, dividing into mock battles across the training field. The usual playful banter filled the air, but Izuku barely registered any of it.

His mind kept drifting. Every shadowed corner, every flicker of movement at the edge of his vision made his stomach twist. It was like a phantom sensation, an itch he couldn't scratch.

All Might, standing at the sidelines, watched Izuku with a pensive expression. He'd noticed how distracted his successor had been ever since they entered the training grounds.

"Young Midoriya..."

After a moment's thought, he stepped forward. "Young Midoriya," he called, his voice steady but kind. "I know something's bothering you."

Izuku stiffened.

All Might studied his face carefully. "Is it about yesterday? You feel I was too harsh on you and Yaoyorozu?"

Izuku quickly shook his head. "No, it's not that, All Might. I get what you were trying to say. I really do. It's just..." He hesitated, his throat dry. "Something else."

All Might's eyes narrowed slightly. "Something else?"

"I'll tell you later, okay?" Izuku forced a weak smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "After training."

All Might held his gaze for a beat before sighing and nodding. "O-Oh, alright. But don't keep it bottled up too long."

Izuku nodded, jogging off to rejoin his classmates.

All Might, however, couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was bothering him...

...

After the teams were assigned, Izuku, Ochako, and Mina found themselves grouped together as the heroes, while Kirishima and Tokoyami played the villains. The training area was set up like a maze, filled with narrow hallways, multiple floors, and various obstacles to simulate a real-world capture scenario. The goal was simple: subdue the villains using teamwork and restraint.

Mina stretched her arms above her head, a playful grin on her face. "Alright, fearless leader, what's the plan?"

Ochako nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Dekiru, how do you want to handle this?"

Izuku hesitated, glancing at the Omnitrix. The idea of transforming into Ghostfreak made his stomach churn—something about that form felt wrong, unstable. He shook the thought away. "We have to—"

Before he could finish, Danger Sense screamed in his head.

A mass of clawed shadows exploded from the darkness, hurtling toward them like a living storm. Ochako and Mina barely had time to react before Dark Shadow's massive talons slammed into them, pinning them against a wall with enough force to crack the concrete.

Izuku leaped back just in time to avoid a crushing swipe, only for Kirishima to lunge from the shadows. His skin had already hardened to a near-unbreakable level, a wide grin on his face. "Heads up, Midoriya!"

Izuku barely managed to twist his body mid-air, bringing his leg around in a swift counterattack. His kick connected with Kirishima's side, sending the redhead skidding back.

Kirishima dug his heels into the floor, stopping his momentum. With a roar, he launched himself at Izuku again. "C'mon, man! Hit me harder than that!"

Izuku braced himself—then his vision twisted.

Ghostfreak appeared right in front of him.

"Let me out!"

Izuku gasped, his body locking up for just a second—just enough time for Kirishima's hardened fist to slam into his face.

The impact sent Izuku crashing through the hallway, tumbling across the ground.

"Midori!" Mina struggled against Dark Shadow's grip, trying to melt the tendrils with acid, but Tokoyami kept control, tightening its hold.

Izuku groaned, pushing himself up just as Kirishima rushed him again. He ducked beneath the next punch, spinning in the air to deliver a sharp heel-kick to the side of Kirishima's head.

Dark Shadow suddenly released Mina, its clawed hand shooting toward Izuku.

Danger Sense flared again.

From the corner of his eye, Ghostfreak's distorted, spectral form flickered within the shadows.

"Let me out!"

Izuku's breath hitched. "Leave me alone!"

He slammed 15% Delaware Smash into the ground, sending a shockwave through the floor. Cracks splintered outward, forcing everyone to steady themselves.

Ochako blinked in confusion, stepping forward cautiously. "Dekiru...?"

But Izuku wasn't looking at them. His wild, frantic eyes darted around the room as if searching for something that wasn't there. His gaze suddenly locked onto Mina, his expression twisting into terror.

In the dim lighting, the shadows stretched unnaturally.

A scythe-like blade emerged from the darkness behind Mina, poised to cleave straight through her.

Izuku lunged for the Omnitrix, his hands moving frantically over the dial. "Going hero!"

With a swift motion, he slammed the device down.

A burst of green light exploded throughout the room, illuminating every darkened corner.

Dark Shadow let out a distorted shriek, recoiling violently from the brightness. The sudden flare of light forced Tokoyami to shield his eyes, breaking his control for a brief moment.

As the glow faded, Izuku's expression contorted in horror.

He wasn't who he had chosen.

Ghostfreak hovered in the air, his translucent form floating above the cracked floor.

"What?!" Ghostfreak's own voice echoed in shock. "I didn't pick you!"

The room fell silent.

Ochako hesitated, a bead of sweat rolling down her forehead. "Dekiru…?"

Kirishima, rubbing his jaw, grinned. "Dude, that was a crazy move! But c'mon, you're not tapping out already, are you?"

Then—

Ghostfreak's single green eye darkened, turning into a sinister purple.

The air plunged in temperature.

Tokoyami stiffened, his feathers bristling. Bloodlust.

It slammed into him like a tidal wave. His heart pounded against his ribs as his instincts screamed at him to run.

Ochako's breath hitched. The suffocating, malicious aura rolling off Ghostfreak—it was the same feeling she had when standing near Stain.

Mina took a step back, her throat dry.

Kirishima, normally fearless, felt his blood run cold.

The hallway darkened. Shadows curled unnaturally around Ghostfreak, his body distorting and shifting as if he were barely holding himself together. His form flickered, one moment intangible, the next disturbingly solid.

A deep silence fell over the room.

Kirishima swallowed, his mind flashing with a single terrifying thought.

He's going to kill me.

...

The air was thick with tension as Ghostfreak's lone, glowing purple eye bore into Kirishima. His voice was low, venomous.

"Why do you always defend him?" he asked, his tone dripping with disdain.

Kirishima swallowed hard. "W-What are you talking about—"

"Kacchan." Ghostfreak's voice turned into a slow, eerie drawl, almost mocking. "Why do you always make excuses? Why do you refuse to see the monster he is?"

The words slithered into Kirishima's mind like poison. He wanted to argue, to demand what the hell Ghostfreak was talking about, but his throat locked up. The heavy silence around them felt suffocating. He wasn't sure if it was fear or the pressure radiating off of Ghostfreak, but he felt like prey, like a mouse about to be devoured by something far beyond his strength.

Then Ghostfreak scoffed. "Hm? You know what? I don't care."

Purple electricity crackled violently around his body, distorting the air with static. A sudden shockwave burst outward, rustling hair, rattling debris, and making everyone flinch.

Then he vanished.

Panic swept through the room. Eyes darted everywhere, bodies tensed in anticipation. The only sound was their rapid, uneven breathing.

"You are so annoying," Ghostfreak's voice suddenly sneered, echoing from nowhere and everywhere at once.

Kirishima barely had time to react before an invisible force slammed into him from behind. His body was sent flying, his hardened skin scraping against the cracked floor as he skidded to a stop. He groaned, pushing himself up—but Ghostfreak was already there.

"So oblivious. So ignorant."

Kirishima braced himself as Ghostfreak's claws slashed toward him. He activated his Quirk, his skin turning to solid stone—

But the claws cut through like wet paper.

A sickening crack filled the air as deep, jagged wounds carved into Kirishima's chest. His eyes widened in shock as pain seared through him. His unbreakable defense had been torn apart like nothing.

Everyone watched in horror as Ghostfreak cocked back a fist. Then he struck.

The first punch landed like a sledgehammer, making Kirishima cough up blood. The next one cracked his armor-like skin even further, fractures webbing out like shattered glass. Another, then another, each hit harder, more vicious, each impact echoing through the halls like thunder. The sound of flesh and stone breaking sent shivers down the spines of everyone watching.

Kirishima's body slumped forward, unmoving. Unconscious. Defeated.

But Ghostfreak didn't stop.

His strikes became more ruthless, his claws tearing at Kirishima's limp form. The scene was grotesque, brutal, the kind of merciless onslaught that made stomachs churn. Mina's breath hitched, her hands clamping over her mouth, tears welling in her eyes.

"Stop… please…" she whispered.

Ochako was frozen in place, her knuckles white from how hard she was gripping her arms. This wasn't Dekiru. This wasn't the kind-hearted boy she knew.

Then, finally, Ghostfreak stopped. His head slowly turned, locking onto Tokoyami.

The moment their eyes met, Tokoyami felt it—a suffocating, dreadful pressure wrapping around him like unseen chains. A predator had set its sights on him. His body stiffened, cold sweat dripping down his temple. He felt like he was standing before death itself.

Dark Shadow, usually unwavering, was trembling behind him.

"I… I surrender," Tokoyami stammered, his voice shaking.

But Ghostfreak didn't acknowledge his surrender.

In an instant, he disappeared again, only to reappear right behind Tokoyami, his spectral hands turning intangible as they phased into his skull.

Tokoyami's scream ripped through the training ground.

"Aaaaahh!"

His body convulsed violently, his legs giving out as he collapsed to his knees. His eyes rolled back, leaving only the whites visible, his entire form twitching and spasming. Dark Shadow shrieked, writhing wildly, before suddenly vanishing altogether.

In the observation room, the students stared at the monitors in horror.

Iida's face was ashen, his usually composed demeanor shattered. "This… this isn't right—!"

Todoroki's hands curled into fists, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. "What the hell is going on with him?"

Tsuyu covered her mouth, her large, wide eyes glistening with moisture. "Midoriya…"

Jirou's hands were shaking. Her heartbeat pounded so hard she could hear it in her ears. This wasn't just a loss of control—this was something else. Something terrifying.

And then—

"All Might!" Tsuyu stuttered, glancing at the hero for guidance.

But All Might was already gone.

The heavy silence lingered in the observation room. No one spoke. No one could. They barely dared to breathe, their minds struggling to process what they had just witnessed.

...

All Might arrived in a powerful WHOOSH, his presence commanding yet cautious. His hand stretched out in a calming gesture, attempting to soothe his students as their fear rippled through the room like a suffocating wave.

But Ghostfreak merely stood there, basking in the bloodied wreckage of his enemies, his glowing purple eye fixated on the fallen bodies around him.

"Young Midoriya…" All Might's voice wavered.

Ghostfreak's gaze snapped toward him.

For the first time in years, All Might hesitated.

That look. That gaze. It was not Izuku's. It wasn't the determined, earnest fire he had come to know and cherish in his protégé. No, this was different. Cold. Detached. Hungry for destruction.

It was a gaze he had only ever seen in the worst of monsters.

It was the same gaze that All For One had once given him before their final battle.

A terrible thought clawed at the edges of his mind, suffocating, crushing.

Is this still my student?

He swallowed hard. 'No. No. Whatever form he had taken, this was still Young Midoriya.' His protégé. He had to believe that.

Then—Ghostfreak chuckled.

A sickening, echoing sound that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.

Ochako moved first, her boots skidding against the ruined floor as she ran forward.

Mina was right behind her.

"Dekiru, snap out of it!" Ochako pleaded, desperation laced in her voice.

"Please, we can talk about this!" Mina added, her voice cracking slightly.

But Ghostfreak only laughed louder. It was sharp, cruel, mocking.

"HA HA HA HA!" His voice distorted unnaturally, layered with something inhuman.

Then his grin vanished.

"Izuku is not here."

Before they could even react, Ghostfreak swiped his claws forward, his attack supercharged by One For All. The sheer force of it howled through the air like a storm, the shockwave alone enough to crack the ground.

All Might moved on instinct, flashing forward in an instant, yanking both girls close as the devastating slash tore through the air.

It sliced through his costume.

Blood trickled down his side.

Then—the entire section behind them erupted.

Stone and metal cracked and splintered, an earth-shattering boom rocking the training facility. A jagged trench carved through the ground and ceiling, ripping through support beams as if they were paper. The outer wall didn't just crack—it was obliterated, light pouring through the gaping wound like flickering embers.

Dust and debris filled the air, choking, suffocating. The building groaned, barely holding together.

All Might tightened his grip on the girls, holding them close, his mind racing.

Ghostfreak stood amid the carnage, unaffected. His purple energy crackled wildly, arcs of lightning licking at his form like living fire.

He stretched his claws and let out a sigh, as if bored.

"Anyways," he muttered, rolling his shoulders, as if the destruction he had wrought was nothing more than a mild inconvenience. "I've got places to be."

Then his eye gleamed.

One For All surged within him like liquid lightning, coiling and twisting through his very being. The moment it did, his head snapped toward the horizon.

Danger Sense flared violently.

A sharp, stabbing pain split through his skull as he felt it—an overwhelming, boiling malice unlike anything else. A hate so raw, so deep-rooted, it almost drowned out all the other fear and chaos in the building.

"There he is." If he could grin he would.

"Time to pay Kacchan a visit." The words sent a cold shiver through the air.

The room froze. A collective chill ran down everyone's spine as they realized what he meant.

Before anyone could react, Ghostfreak vanished from their sight in an instant.

All Might's heart dropped. His eyes widened in horror. "Midnight! Call Aizawa!" His voice cracked with urgency as he turned toward the comms, his hands shaking slightly. "Midoriya's gone out of the control—he's going after Bakugou, and something is deeply wrong!"

The dread that swept over the room was palpable. The Sports Festival flashed in the minds of those who remembered the horrific tension when Izuku nearly killed Bakugou. The observation room had been thick with fear that day, and now that same fear surged back with vengeance.

...

Aizawa sat in the dimly lit room, fingers wrapped around his coffee mug, exhaustion pulling at him like gravity.

Across from him, Bakugou sat stiffly, arms crossed, jaw clenched so tightly it seemed his teeth might crack. The anger rolling off him was palpable, practically crackling in the air.

Deku.

The name burned in Bakugou's mind like a fresh wound, his nails digging into his arm.

Indefinite suspension?!

After everything he had done, after all the blood and sweat he'd poured in, this was his reward?

Because the damn nerd and those extras couldn't follow his lead, he was the one being punished? Bullshit.

He didn't need them. He never had.

A hero always wins.

Aizawa exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing as he watched Bakugou. He could see it—the storm behind his fiery gaze. The anger, the resentment, the isolation. It was all too familiar.

Then—

BZZT!

Aizawa's phone buzzed.

He lifted it to his ear, his voice flat. "Hello?"

Before he could even hear a response, it happened.

It was subtle at first. A whisper of movement, the kind that made everyone turn their heads instinctively.

Something like hurricane flew through halls off UA.

Tables flipped, windows shattered, students screamed, and the ground trembled beneath their feet. A violent force tore through the building, ripping through the corridor like a speeding bullet.

The windows of the classroom exploded inward, sending razor-sharp shards flying in all directions. Students screamed from nearby rooms, throwing themselves to the ground as a howling wind tore through the building like a hurricane.

Aizawa's instincts flared—something was coming. He snapped to the door just as Bakugou was ripped from his seat by an unseen force.

His body was flung into the air like a ragdoll, and his eyes widened in horror before—

BOOM!

Bakugou's back slammed into the ceiling with sickening force, the impact reverberating through the room as the walls trembled, dust raining down. His body hung suspended in the cracked plaster for a split second, then gravity took hold. But he never hit the floor.

With a swift, violent motion, Ghostfreak's clawed hand shot out, grabbing Bakugou by the throat and slamming him back into the ground. The sound of his body hitting the floor was thunderous, the concrete cracking beneath them.

Bakugou's face turned a deep shade of purple as he struggled to breathe, his fists weakly pounding against Ghostfreak's hand. It was useless. The grip around his throat tightened, suffocating him.

The air grew frigid, too cold, as if all warmth had been sucked out of the room. Bakugou's vision blurred, his body trembling under the crushing pressure. The only sounds were his desperate gasps for air and the eerie creak of the floor beneath them.

Aizawa's eyes burned bright red. He didn't hesitate. "Midoriya, let him go." His voice was like a whip, sharp and commanding.

Ghostfreak, with a bored glance, shifted his weight, sensing the slight flicker of One For All disappearing from within him. His eye darted to Aizawa, a bored, almost mocking expression crossing his face.

With a flick of his wrist Aizawa's capture scarf moved on its own.

The cloth slithered in the air like a nest of living snakes, snapping toward Aizawa's head with unnatural speed. His eyes widened as the scarf whipped around his face, blocking his vision, cutting off his Erasure.

"I'll deal with you later, Aizawa," Ghostfreak murmured with an eerie calm. "Let's go, Kacchan." His voice was like ice, every word dripping with disdain as he gave Bakugou another crushing squeeze.

Aizawa's breath hitched as he struggled against the tightening grip of his own capture scarf. His fingers clawed desperately at the fabric constricting around his throat and skull, his nails scraping against the reinforced material.

"Hope you enjoy your permanent nap, Eraserhead," Ghostfreak taunted, his voice soaked in amusement. Then, with a flick of his fingers, the scarf yanked violently, slamming Aizawa face-first into the cold floor. The impact sent a dull crack echoing through the room as Aizawa's head bounced off the ground.

Ghostfreak turned, his single, sickly-yellow eye gleaming with cruel delight as he focused on Bakugou.

"Now," he purred, his voice curling around the word like smoke. "Let's have some fun."

Bakugou's throat convulsed, a sharp, guttural choke escaping as Ghostfreak's claws tightened around his neck.

Bakugou barely had a moment to react before an invisible force wrenched him off his feet. His throat convulsed as his body was hoisted into the air, limbs flailing, struggling to break free—but he couldn't touch him as he sent an explosion the passed through him uselessly.

And then—

SLAM!

Bakugou's body rocketed downward, crashing into the floor so hard that the tiles split beneath him. A sharp gasp tore from his throat as pain flared across his back, rattling his very bones.

But Ghostfreak didn't stop.

With a flick of his claws, Bakugou was ripped from the ground and hurled across the classroom. His body exploded through a row of desks, the wood splintering on impact before he was whipped in the opposite direction.

CRASH!

Bakugou's spine slammed against the window frame, glass shattering around him, shards embedding into his skin. Before he could even choke out a sound, he was yanked forward again, his body ragdolling through the air.

THUD!

He smashed into the far door, the wooden frame splintering under the sheer force. His limbs hung limp, blood trailing down his forehead as his consciousness flickered.

But Ghostfreak wasn't done playing.

Bakugou's body stopped—suspended in mid-air. He was dangling, weightless, trapped in some unseen force as Ghostfreak leisurely floated forward, his long, spectral tail curling and undulating behind him. The sight of his prey struggling, powerless, made his eerie grin widen.

Ghostfreak reeled his fist back, his muscles coiling like a spring before—

WHAM!

A punch exploded against Bakugou's face. His head snapped back, his neck cracking from the sheer force. The impact was so brutal that his jaw nearly shattered, blood and spit spraying from his mouth. His body rocketed backward, crashing through desks and chairs, the wooden frames snapping apart like twigs under the sheer momentum.

Bakugou's limp body slammed against the farthest wall, his skull bouncing off it before he crumpled to the ground. His breath came in ragged, shallow gasps, fingers twitching weakly as he struggled to move. His entire body screamed in pain, his muscles barely responding.

Above him, Ghostfreak hovered, his tail curling behind him like a serpent coiling around its prey. His singular, ghastly eye gleamed with twisted amusement as he took in the sight before him—Bakugou, bloodied, broken, and helpless.

Aizawa, still on his knees, had managed to peel part of the capture scarf from his face, desperately gasping for air. His vision swam, black spots dotting his sight as he clawed at the remaining fabric constricting his skull.

Then—

CRUNCH.

A grotesque, wet sound filled the air as Bakugou's arm twisted at an unnatural angle.

"ARGH!" Bakugou's scream ripped through the classroom, raw and agonized. His body arched off the ground before he collapsed back, his breathing ragged.

Ghostfreak merely let out a slow, sickening chuckle.

He relishing the sensation of Bakugou's limp body hanging from his grasp, utterly powerless.

Then, without another word, Ghostfreak's form melted into the ground, his twisted laughter echoing as he sank into the floor like a wraith disappearing into the abyss.

Students had begun to panic, their frightened voices blending into a cacophony of terror. Teachers rushed out of their classrooms, their expressions shifting from confusion to alarm as the disturbance grew louder.

Vlad King burst onto the scene, his eyes widening at the wreckage before him. Without hesitation, he rushed to Aizawa's side, pulling the battered man to his feet.

Aizawa coughed harshly, blinking away the pain as he pushed himself up. His hands trembled as he reached for his goggles, adjusting them with a sharp inhale. His mind was reeling.

Ghostfreak had taken Bakugou.

And whatever was happening to Midoriya… it was far worse than anything they had imagined.

In the observation room, panic surged through Class 1-A.

"Holy shit—what the hell?!" Kaminari blurted, his hands gripping the table so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"Did Midoriya just—

Before anyone could even react, a low, sickening chuckle slithered through the air, reverberating down the hallways like a whisper from the abyss.

"Hehehehe…"

CRASH!

With a sudden crash, Bakugou's broken body was sent flying across the room. His body collided with the monitors, sending sparks flying as the force of the impact cracked the screens. He fell to the ground with a sickening thud, the force knocking him out cold, leaving him motionless.

Class 1-A stared in absolute horror.

Bakugou's battered, bruised body lay in a heap at the front of the classroom, broken and unrecognizable. The shock of seeing him so vulnerable, so utterly destroyed, silenced everyone.

Kaminari was the first to speak, his voice trembling.

"What… what the hell just happened?" His words were shaky, full of disbelief.

Mina's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide.

"Oh my god, Bakugou…"

Their gazes fell to the broken body, and the tension in the room thickened, like the air had become suffocating. Nobody knew what to do.

Ghostfreak's voice echoed coldly from the shadows, a chilling reminder of the power they had just witnessed.

"Catch."

Everyone's quickly tried to attend to Bakugou who coughed violently, each breath a struggle as blood dribbled from his split lips.

His vision blurred, dark spots dancing in his periphery. His entire body screamed in agony, but he barely had time to register the pain before Iida lunged forward in a blur of motion.

As the students tried to help Bakugou suddenly a chuckle before the students pulled by some invisible force pulled aside like curtain smashing into the wall.

"I've been waiting for this moment." Ghostfreak said as he began to float towards Bakugou." more bound by a child."

"Midoriya, stop this madness!" Iida bellowed, his engines roaring as he closed the distance—only for his kick to pass straight through Ghostfreak's form like mist.

Shoto's eyes narrowed, frost swirling around his fingertips as he unleashed a blizzard, ice rushing toward Ghostfreak with lethal precision. But the attack phased harmlessly through, the frozen shards scattering against the walls.

Ghostfreak didn't even acknowledge them. His crimson eye locked onto Bakugou, his spectral form gliding forward at an agonizingly slow pace. The air was suffocating, thick with dread.

The entire class erupted into motion, desperately trying to stop him—Aoyama's laser, Jirou's sonic waves, even Sato's desperate charge. Every attack passed through as if he weren't even there.

Yet he moved forward, completely unbothered, his clawed fingers twitching with eerie anticipation.

Bakugou struggled to lift his head, his limbs barely responding. His body was battered, his face swollen and smeared with blood. He could barely breathe.

Ghostfreak's grip tightened, his claws digging deeper into the back of Bakugou's bloodied scalp. The raw pain sent white-hot agony through his skull, but the worst part wasn't the pain—it was the way his body barely responded to it anymore. His nerves were fried, his limbs uncooperative.

Yet, his pride refused to let him stay silent. He forced his tongue to move, voice hoarse, barely above a rasp.

"G-go to hell, f-freak…"

Ghostfreak let out a low, amused hum. "Oh, Kacchan… you still think you have a say in any of this?"

Without warning, his clawed hand jerked Bakugou's head back, before slamming his face straight into the shattered ground.

CRACK!

A sharp, sickening noise rang out as Bakugou's nose broke against the concrete. Blood splattered, pooling instantly beneath his face.

"AARGH!"

His muffled scream barely made it past the floor before Ghostfreak yanked him up again, not even giving him time to recover.

"You should really learn to shut up when you're at the bottom of the food chain," Ghostfreak mused before slamming him down again.

CRACK!

This time, a tooth flew from Bakugou's mouth, skidding across the floor. His vision blacked out for a second, pain exploding through his skull.

He barely registered his classmates' screams—Tsuyu's horrified sobs, Momo's raw pleas, Kaminari's panicked cursing. It all faded into background noise.

Then, Ghostfreak dragged his limp body up again, this time gripping his chin between his claws, forcing his face up so that everyone could see.

Blood leaked from his split lip, dripping down his chin and onto the front of his uniform. His nose was crooked, swollen, his left eye already bruising shut. His breathing was ragged, wheezing past the thick layer of pain in his ribs.

"Look at them, Kacchan," Ghostfreak hissed.

"F-fuck—!" Bakugou barely got the word out before his head was slammed into the ground.

The concrete shattered beneath him, a deep, web-like crack spreading out from the point of impact. His body jerked, muscles spasming as white-hot pain exploded through his skull.

Before he could so much as groan, Ghostfreak dragged his head back up, forcing him to meet his gaze.

"Look. At. Them," he repeated, his voice sharper, colder.

Bakugou blinked through the blood dripping into his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused. At first, all he could register was noise—frantic, panicked shouts cutting through the ringing in his ears.

"Stop it, Izuku!" Tsuyu's voice cracked, thick with desperation.

"You're gonna kill him!" Sato's voice was tense, furious, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Please, stop, Izuku!" Momo screamed, her voice raw, breaking under the weight of her sobs.

The sound of it—the way they were all begging—twisted something deep in Bakugou's gut. His breath hitched, his chest tightening with a suffocating pressure he couldn't quite name.

Ghostfreak chuckled, the vibration of it rattling through Bakugou's skull.

"Do you hear that, Kacchan?" he mused, voice laced with dark amusement. "Your friends… the ones you've looked down on, the ones you called 'extras'… are pleading for your miserable little life."

Bakugou forced his head up, his blurry vision finally focusing on the faces of his classmates.

And that's when he saw it.

Pity.

Their eyes weren't filled with anger or resentment. There was no sense of triumph or satisfaction in seeing him like this.

Only pity.

His stomach churned.

Ghostfreak yanked his head back by his hair, forcing him to really take it in.

"You see it, don't you?" Ghostfreak whispered, leaning in so close that his cold breath ghosted against Bakugou's ear. "The way they're looking at you? Like some pathetic, broken thing."

Bakugou clenched his teeth, rage burning beneath the humiliation, but his body—his goddamn body—was too weak to fight back.

"You always thought you were above them," Ghostfreak continued, his voice slow, methodical, as if peeling away Bakugou's pride layer by layer. "So strong. So superior. But look at you now—"

His claws flexed, sending another sharp jolt of pain through Bakugou's battered skull.

"—Bleeding. Shaking. Helpless."

Ghostfreak tilted his head slightly, his hollow eyes narrowing as he studied the battered boy dangling in his grip. He let out a quiet, almost contemplative hum.

"You know why they're begging?" His voice was almost curious, like he was genuinely interested in the answer.

Bakugou's breath hitched, his already labored gasps coming in short, ragged bursts.

The cries of his classmates—Tsuyu's choked sobs, Kirishima's desperate shouts, Momo's raw, tear-filled pleas—all began to blur into background noise, distant and muffled.

Ghostfreak leaned in, his cold, unnatural breath ghosting against Bakugou's ear.

"It's because they know I can kill you."

A sickening chill ran down Bakugou's spine.

The room froze.

Even the sobs quieted, as if the weight of those words had sucked all the air out of the room.

"I could do it right here, right now," Ghostfreak continued, his voice gentle, like he was stating an obvious fact—something inevitable. "Snuff you out like a dying flame."

Bakugou tried to snarl, to force out some insult, some pathetic curse—but his throat burned, his body barely responding.

"And the best part?"

Ghostfreak's grip shifted, claws trailing lazily from the back of Bakugou's cracked skull to his throat.

The moment his ghostly fingers wrapped around his neck, a cold, suffocating force clamped down like an unrelenting vice.

"There's nothing you can do about it."

Bakugou's eyes blew wide.

His entire body spasmed as his windpipe collapsed under the unseen pressure. His lungs screamed, burning, begging for air. Instinct took over—his hands shot up, clawing at Ghostfreak's wrist—

Only for his fingers to pass right through.

Panic seized his chest.

His body convulsed, legs kicking, trying to gain any sort of leverage—anything—but it was useless.

He couldn't breathe.

He couldn't fight back.

A choked, gurgling sound escaped his throat as his vision swam, darkness creeping into the edges.

"Come on, Number One Hero." Ghostfreak's tone took on a sharp, mocking edge, each syllable coated in venom. "Break out of this. Stop me. You're supposed to be the best, right? Better than me, right?"

Bakugou let out a strangled wheeze, his body jerking weakly as his chest heaved.

"Beat me, Kacchan."

Ghostfreak's words stabbed deeper than any physical wound.

He had said something so similar before.

"Try and hit me, Deku! What's the matter? Too weak? Too useless?"

But now—

Now, he was the one dangling. The one struggling. The one completely, utterly powerless.

He desperately tried to claw away Ghostfreak's grip but he phased through like a helpless child grasping for air.

A broken, rasped sound pushed past his lips. His voice was barely above a whisper.

"F-Fuck… y-you…"

Tears—unwanted, bitter tears—spilled from his bloodied face.

Ghostfreak clicked his tongue. "Tsk. What a shame."

And then—

BOOM!

The wall behind them shattered as a titanic fist ripped through the concrete, sending chunks of debris flying.

A massive silhouette stormed through the dust cloud, golden hair whipping as a voice roared with unrestrained fury—

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!"

The moment Ghostfreak turned, an earth-shattering punch came hurtling toward his face—

Only for it to phase right through.

Ghostfreak floated back, completely untouched, his grin never once faltering.

All Might landed between them, his broad shoulders heaving, his eyes burning with fury.

"You will not harm him any further!" His voice boomed, shaking the very walls.

But Ghostfreak?

Didn't even flinch. His gaze flicked to the Number One Hero—cold, indifferent, like he was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

Then his eye shifted back to Bakugou.

A slow, cruel smile spread across his distorted face.

"Not even the Number One Hero can save you, Kacchan."

Bakugou's barely-conscious body trembled in Ghostfreak's grip, his ragged breaths coming in uneven, shuddering gasps.

His mind—hazy, broken—screamed at him.

Move. Get up. Fight back!

A hero always… wins!

Ghostfreak tilted his head. "Go on, fight back," he whispered, his tone almost gentle.

Then, without warning, he hurled Bakugou's broken body across the room like a discarded toy.

Bakugou's back slammed into the wall, the impact cracking the plaster before he crumpled onto the floor like a ragdoll.

A wet cough gurgled from his throat, blood splattering against the cold tile.

His fingers twitched uselessly at his sides. His body refused to move.

He had felt this way before.

Helpless.

Weak.

He hated it.

He wanted it to stop.

Ghostfreak's clawed hand clenched into a fist. "I'm going to enjoy this."

Then, with a brutal motion, his fist slammed into Bakugou's stomach, his unnatural strength launching him backward.

A sickening crunch echoed through the air as he crashed into another wall, a sharp burst of pain shooting through his ribs. Blood splattered from his mouth, staining the floor beneath him.

Ghostfreak hovered over him, his form flickering with unstable energy, his eerie pupil narrowing into a menacing slit.

His voice twisted into a guttural snarl. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME, BAKUGOU?! QUIRKLESS FREAK?! PATHETIC LOSER?! WORTHLESS TRASH?!"

His form flickered, twisting and contorting in and out of sight before phasing directly in front of him.

Clawed fingers curled into wicked talons, gleaming under the dim light.

"Yes, I'm a freak. A Ghostfreak." His voice warped and distorted, rage bleeding through every syllable. "That's how you always saw me, Kacchan, wasn't it? A FREAK BETTER OFF DEAD?"

His claws lashed forward.

Bakugou barely had time to react before razor-sharp talons ripped across his chest, shredding through fabric and flesh alike.

A strangled grunt left his lips as fresh crimson seeped from the gashes, his body instinctively trying to recoil—only for Ghostfreak to phase behind him in an instant.

Momo skidded to a stop nearby, her breath catching in her throat. "Izuku… stop this!" she gasped, horror etched into her features.

Ghostfreak's cold, mirthless laughter sent a shiver down her spine. "Stop?" His voice twisted, echoing unnervingly. "Why? He never stopped when it was me!"

Bakugou groaned, forcing himself up, but Ghostfreak was faster. He reappeared above him, claws slashing downward in a brutal arc.

Bakugou barely turned in time—his shoulder exploded with pain as the razor-sharp talons tore through skin, blood spraying onto the cracked pavement below.

All Might lunged, blocking another strike, but Ghostfreak's translucent form phased through him effortlessly. With a flicker, he materialized at Bakugou's side again, fingers curling into a ghostly fist.

Then he struck.

The blow hammered into Bakugou's ribs, lifting him clean off the ground before slamming him back down with a brutal thud. Blood spurted from his lips as his body convulsed, a broken cough rattling from his chest.

Tsuyu's voice rang out, thick with desperation. "I-Izuku, stop! You're hurting him!"

Ghostfreak's head snapped toward her, that single, piercing pupil narrowing.

"DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES HE'S HURT ME?!" he bellowed, his voice ricocheting off the walls.

Momo clenched her fists, her heart aching at the sheer emotion in his voice.

Toru stood frozen, unable to look away from the nightmarish scene unfolding before her.

All Might tried to shield Bakugou once more, but Ghostfreak's intangible form phased right through his defenses.

Then, with a bone-shattering force, his fist collided with Bakugou's ribs again, sending him skidding across the floor, his already battered body spasming in agony.

"You have no idea what he's done!" Ghostfreak snarled, his voice cracking with raw rage. "You don't know what kind of monster he is! You don't know what he did to me!"

He hovered over Bakugou's broken form, his translucent body pulsing with One For All.

"I may look like a monster, but from where I'm standing, the real monster is on the ground."

"Izuku!" Tsuyu screamed, tears streaking down her face.

Ghostfreak laughed—low, chilling, and utterly devoid of warmth. He drifted forward, a predator toying with its prey.

"You actually thought we were rivals?" His voice dripped with mockery.

"No. We were never friends."

"We were never rivals."

"He was just a bully who preyed on the weak."

His body flickered, vanishing for a heartbeat before reappearing inches from Bakugou, his single, glowing eye burning with hatred.

"He is no hero," Ghostfreak spat.

"He is just another villain in my story."

The world around them blurred into insignificance, drowned in the weight of Ghostfreak's rage. Bakugou's wheezing breaths were distant, his battered form little more than a ragdoll under the relentless assault.

"Like all villains," Ghostfreak whispered, claws glinting ominously as they rose again, "he should be put down like the dog he is."

His claws descended in a savage blur, each strike cutting deep, carving through flesh like paper. Bakugou's body jerked with every brutal slash, blood arcing through the air in crimson streaks.

"This... this is what it feels like..." Bakugou muttered, his voice barely more than a rasp, his body wracked with pain. Above him, Ghostfreak loomed, claws still raised, his singular eye burning with eerie malice. As with a final killing slice.

Momo threw herself between them, arms outstretched in a desperate attempt to shield Bakugou.

Ghostfreak's claws hovered inches from Momo's face, the tips glistening with fresh blood. For the first time since the nightmare began, he hesitated. His single, ghostly eye flickered, the burning hatred within it momentarily wavering.

"Young Yaoyorozu, move!" All Might's booming voice tore through the suffocating tension, but Momo didn't budge.

"No!" she cried, her voice shaking but unwavering. "Because I know, no matter what, you wouldn't hurt me!"

Ghostfreak's body tensed, as if struck by something far more painful than any physical blow. His claws twitched, quivering mid-air. His breathing hitched.

"You would protect it…" he muttered, his voice strange, layered with something unreadable. "After everything he's done… you would still protect him?"

"I'm protecting my friend!" Momo pleaded, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "Izuku, I know you're in there! I know this isn't who you are! Please—turn back!"

A sharp inhale rattled from Ghostfreak's form. He staggered back slightly, his translucent body flickering erratically, like a radio signal struggling to stay connected. His claws curled into fists, shaking violently at his sides. His lone eye squeezed shut.

Then, suddenly—

"Omnitrix wielder compromised. Limiter engaged."

The Omnitrix, still strapped to Ghostfreak's wrist, let out a deep, foreboding beep.

Ghostfreak's eye snapped open in pure horror.

"No... no, there shouldn't be a limiter!" His voice cracked, desperation and fury colliding in a frenzied panic. His claws raked against his own skull, his entire body convulsing in resistance. "NO! NO! I'M NOT GOING BACK!"

Beep. Beep. Beep.

With one final, chilling scream a blind red light burst from his form forcing everyone to shut their eyes. As the light faded.

Izuku was seen standing panting heavily, his body trembling from exertion. Sweat dripped from his brow as he wiped it away. He swallowed, trying to gather himself.

"Glad to be back to myself," he muttered, exhaling.

He turned to his classmates, about to apologize—when he noticed something was wrong.

Nobody was looking at him.

They were staring past his shoulder.

They had been frozen in fear taking a battle stance face drained if colour.

Shoto's eyes, usually so composed, were blown wide with something dangerously close to panic. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths. Momo had gone completely pale, her hands clasped over her mouth, her body visibly shaking.

They weren't looking at him.

"Midoriya, get back!" Shoto's voice snapped, laced with urgency.

Izuku blinked, his heart pounding.

"Izu—MOVE!"

That was when he heard it.

A chuckle.

Low. Wet. Malicious.

Izuku's eyes turned pale eyes wide in absolute horror.

His blood turned ice cold as a sickening chill slithered down his spine, slow and deliberate.

Something was behind him. Someone was behind him.

The very air grew suffocating, like something ancient and wrong had been unleashed.

Slowly, so slowly, Izuku turned around.

And then—he saw it.

Ghostfreak.

He's own transformation, himself standing there in the living, breathing flesh.

Izuku's face drained of all breathing hitched as he slowly moved back.

He had been told before. By everyone. That Ghostfreak was terrifying. That there was something deeply, fundamentally wrong with him.

But knowing and feeling it were two entirely different things.

Izuku stood frozen, breath shallow, as the entity loomed before him, its very presence suffocating the room in dread.

The air felt thick, heavy with something primal—something twisted. The malice radiating from Ghostfreak seeped into his bones, curling around his nerves like cold, dead fingers.

No. No. This wasn't possible.

"T-This c-can't be... H-How...?" He stammered, his voice barely above a whisper, a tremor betraying the horror clawing up his throat.

Ghostfreak exhaled, his eye narrowing in delight.

Izuku felt his stomach drop into a pit.

"Finally," Ghostfreak rasped, his voice curling through the air like a dying breath. The ghostly alien floated inches from Izuku's face.

"We meet face to face."

...

...

camdawg: Yeah I'm scared too, though I probably won't make it Izuku or I will, I mean the reason why the put them together in Canon was stupid in my opinion.

Guest Justin D: Sorry they won't be an anidotes sorry though I might give the girls the charms of bezel. And Melissa and Mei were going to get Ship, they going to spoil that dog rotten and also fight over him a lot.

Yellowpikmini88: Yeah, I'll give him some consequences when this whole arc has been resolved. Though they won't be severe as this was a training exercise and mistakes are bound to happen, that's how I tried to justify it, but most of the readers have advocated for some consequences and I will.

Neroblaze11: Yeah you're actually right a few of my readers have pointed out how Bakugou wasnt reprimanded enough and I agree, and I'll try for him to face Bakugou and his probably reprimanded in the future. But it's also hard to write Bakugou without expelling the damn prick, I'll try to write better. Though I think for now I atleast should call out the teachers on them not reprimanding Bakugou. And with Shigaraki more like he's going to be a villain for Izuku, not the main villain obviously not, but I think he can still challenge Izuku in some aspects not power more ideologies, as Izuku can see how people's compliance on how All Might will always save the day made them neglect a child on the street, but don't worry he will not be the main villain. And Izuku is going to have a lot of threats well a lot of people trying to kill him. But I am curious on what do you mean he had plot armor?

Guess::If you mean how they can advise each other and improve themselves I can make that work, I can see All Might telling Aizawa that he should give students a chance some nonsense that everyone has potential. Aizawa can give him tips on you know how to actually teach!

Trey Qualls: Thank you! Though I'll have small chapters to have the characters breathe before shit hits the fan and another threat comes knocking hopefully you'll enjoy them.