U.A.'s Continued Decline:

Student Expelled for Vigilantism

By: Chitose Kizuki

For years, when surveys asked aspiring Hero students what school they wanted to attend, the number one answer has always been the same: U.A. High School; infamous for producing top ranked Heroes like All Might, Endeavor, Best Jeanist, and Edgeshot to name but a few. However, U.A.'s glory days may now be behind it. Already the topic of controversy due to the terrorist attack at this year's Sports Festival U.A. has now publicly confirmed the expulsion of first year student Mina Ashido for vigilantism.

Before the Sports Festival attack, Mina Ashido gave quite the showing making it to the final nine with her powerful Acid quirk, though she eventually fell to Fumikage Tokoyami and his spectral Dark Shadow. After the attack, despite several requests for U.A. to either delay or cancel programs while its security was reviewed U.A. continued on unwavering. First year Hero students participated in the school's internship program where students spent a week interning at an Hero Agency to get on-hand work experience. According to U.A.'s statement, it was during her internship that Mina Ashido allegedly committed vigilantism, engaging a villain in combat while 'disregarding her given orders, laws, and environment.' The encounter left her briefly hospitalized, though she has since been released.

Miss Ashido wasn't the only U.A. student to suffer injuries during their internship. According to a statement by Team Idaten, internee Iida Tenya is currently in a medically induced coma while his brother, the Turbo Hero: Ingenium was forced to retire due to injuries inflicted by the Hero Killer Stain.

The loss of two students brings renewed attention to the U.A. Hero course with the school's detractors saying that the internship program should be reserved for second or third year students, citing both the dangers inherent to heroics and inadequate training. U.A. declined our request to comment, but did say in their publicized statement that to be enrolled in the Heroics Course, students and their guardians must confirm their understanding of the hazards and risks inherent to heroics as well as the fact students may be exposed to those dangers over the course of their education.

Though U.A. is clear of liability, it is still the school's responsibility to protect and prepare its students for the dangers they will face. With inadequate training, the school is risking the safety of not only their students, but all the people they will one day protect. Already under scrutiny for the Sports Festival attack, we can only wait to see what actions U.A. will take to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring.

Standing over her desk, Mina couldn't help but sniffle as she leaned against her chair for support. The school day was going to start soon, her classmates' first day back since their internships. Mina had come in early hoping to collect her stuff and turn in her student ID while avoiding her classmates. She'd already left the class group chat and blocked all their numbers ignoring the various messages sent to her. 'It was better this way', she told herself. She'd only been their classmate for about two months, better she leave without ceremony and let her now-former classmates grow close to her replacement.

Her stomach writhed at the thought of that word in particular: replacement. Would she ever find one? A replacement for her dream that she'd worked so hard to achieve? A school that wasn't U.A.? She didn't know, and that was terrifying. She couldn't even go home, her apartment contract lasted half a year and she didn't want to pay the fee for breaking it. It was all too much and she sniffled as her eyes began to water. Rubbing at them, Mina didn't hear the classroom door open, only freezing as a soft voice hesitantly called out, "Mina?"

The alien girl froze, her arms falling to hang by her side as she turned her head, flashing her invisible friend a watery smile. "Toru."

Toru's bag slipped from her shoulder and fell to the ground while the seemingly haunted school girl uniform launched itself at Mina engulfing her in a hug Mina eagerly returned. "Mina! Are you okay? Why didn't you respond to my texts? Do you know how worried I was?"

"I'm sorry," Mina sobbed. "I didn't know how to say goodbye."

"S-so it's true then? You really were expelled? Todoroki said… we saw the news, but…" It wasn't Toru who spoke. She'd been the first into the classroom but others followed after her: Kiri, Kendo, Yaomomo, those Mina was closest to. Kendo was the one who'd spoken, the orangette's hand clenched into a fist, but she seemed unsure of how to express her emotions.

"It's fine." Mina smiled weakly, "I did what they said I did. I disobeyed Manual, tried to help, and broke the law. I deserve this."

"No, you don't!" Kiri yelled, he wasn't smiling. "This… this is bullshit. I know you. You were trying to help. Do the right thing."

"And she broke the law," Yaomomo finished coolly.

She didn't flinch even as Kendo and Kiri rounded on her with shouts of "Yaoyorozu!" Her eyes remaining locked with Mina's own.

"Even if she had the best of intentions, we live in a society with laws, rules we have to follow, especially as Heroes in training. If we disregard them, how are we any better than the villains we face?"

Kiri's arm hardened as he slammed it into a nearby desk, which warped under the pressure. "Yaoyorozu," he practically growled, "Are you calling Ashido a villain?" His voice trailed off, the threat clear.

Yaomomo blinked, her emotionless facade falling away as she frantically waved her hands in front of her while shaking her head. "No, no, no, that's not what I'm saying. I'm-" she seemed to struggle with her words before giving up with a sigh, "I just wanted to say that actions have consequences, but Ashido's punishment seems especially excessive. I certainly don't wish for her to be expelled."

"It's fine," Mina interrupted, one hand idly rubbing Toru's heaving back comfortingly, "I know you didn't mean it like that." The heiress sighed in relief at her words.

"They didn't tell us any details." Kendo added, "But it couldn't have been that bad, right?"

Mina opened her mouth, but before she could answer, the image of Iida filled her mind. His face steaming and melting under the effects of her acid. What remained of his armor caving in as it liquified and dripped into his wounds. "Yes," she finally croaked, "It was."

The opening of the classroom door provided a welcoming distraction, but it wasn't another student that entered, it was Aizawa. His eyes wandered over the four, pausing on each of them momentarily before flickering to the few other students that had come in while they talked: Ojiro, Aoyama, Sero, Jiro, and Mineta. "Ashido," he said emotionlessly, "class will begin shortly. I believe it is time for you to leave."

Toru's grip tightened on Mina's shirt, but she reluctantly let go as Mina gently plied her hands off. "Okay, Aizawa-sensei." Slowly the pinkette walked towards the door, stepping past Kiri, Kendo, and Momo, each of whom turned to watch her past. Stopping in front of the doorway, Mina looked up at Aizawa, who looked down at her emotionlessly. For a brief moment, Mina thought his eyes softened, but between one blink and the next the expression was gone, if it had been there at all.

Wordlessly the man stepped aside, and Mina paused to turn and take one last look back at the classroom. Kendo and Momo looked at her remorsefully, the other students seemed saddened but remained silent. Kiri opened his mouth but couldn't seem to find words, instead looking away as he ground his teeth together. No one said a word as Mina left, slowly walking down the hallway, ignoring the looks cast at her by nearby students as Mina bid farewell to her dream on her way towards the U.A. gate.

Later

Sitting in the empty bar, Tomura gazed at the printed out picture of his rival while he waited for his guest to arrive. Kurogiri was behind the bar polishing a glass like always, but both turned as the bell above the door rang signaling a new arrival.

"Shigaraki-san," Giran greeted stepping inside, a lit cigarette clutched between his fingers, "Congratulations, you and your league are all people are talking about nowadays. Well, you and those Nomu that popped up in Naruhata. That wasn't you, was it?"

"No." Clenching the picture in his hand, Tomura let it dissolve before he opened his hand, letting the dust fall away.

"Well, it isn't any of my business," the broker shrugged, "but people are beginning to talk. They're wondering if you're the start of something big."

"Who's 'they'?" Giran merely stepped back letting three new arrivals walk into the bar. Two walked in normally; a young man with black hair wearing a white shirt and black jacket whose distinguishing feature was the ugly purple skin under his eyes and covering his lower jaw and neck. Staples connected the burnt skin to the healthy flesh, a crude attempt to hold them together.

"Man, you're just as ugly as you looked on television," he drawled.

The other person was just as striking, but in a different way. A plague mask covered his face while bandages wrapped around his neck and head, atop which rested a bowler hat. The rest of his body was obscured by a cloak, leaving not a hint of skin exposed.

"This is Shin Nemoto," Giran introduced, "He's a former yakuza. Doesn't talk much and he's not much of a physical fighter, but he's got quite the Quirk if you know how to use it. I almost kept him for myself but," he took a drag of his cigarette, blowing out air as he exhaled, "I'd better get paid my commission, Kurogiri."

"Of course," the bartender nodded.

The final newcomer was larger than the others, having to duck under the doorway as he entered. Pale ashy skin peaked out from underneath the dark bodysuit that covered his broad frame and orange flame-like hair seemed to dance atop his head. "Nice place you got here, brat." He complimented, looking around. "You wouldn't mind if I took some of these drinks for later, would you?"

"Kurogiri, send them away." Tomura ordered "This draw is a disappointment. I wanted fighters, which that guy isn't," he said pointing at Nemoto, "As for those two… they're rude." Tomura complained, scratching at his neck.

"Let's at least hear them out," Kurogiri said appeasingly. "Giran brought them, they'll most likely be useful to us."

"...Fine. Giran already introduced plague doctor over there so I guess that means it's your turn." Tomura said, looking at the burned man expectantly.

"I use the name Dabi."

"I want your real name. You're not some little kid playing villain. Take this seriously."

"I'll share it if it becomes necessary. I think we'll get along. You seem to know the Hero Killer, so let's just say I want a certain hero dead and leave it at that."

"And you?" Tomura asked, turning to the muscular giant.

"Maguma Iwata, or Volcano. I used to head a group of thieves, but we had a parting of ways after we ran into Wash during a heist."

"The washing machine? You lost…to the washing machine." Tomura stood up from his bar stool scratching furiously at his neck with one hand, red eyes glaring at the three wannabes through the fingers of his makeshift mask. "I knew it. You three, you're useless."

With an angry howl Tomura launched himself forwards, hands outstretched, but the three weren't idle. Nemoto drew a revolver from the depths of his cloak, cocking the gun as he aimed it, while Dabi and Iwata each thrust out their arms. Bright azure flames danced around Dabi's hands while a thick gooey magma began to leak from Iwata's. But, as quickly as the violence broke out, Kurogiri ended it. Portals opened up in front of everyones arms, redirecting their limbs to empty air.

"Please calm down, Tomura." Kurogiri requested, "For things to go according to your will, we must expand our organization." Like the mist his body was made of, Kurogiri's head extended, wrapping around Tomura's head so he could whisper in his charge's ear, "We're in the spotlight right now, this is our chance. Instead of rejecting them, we should accept them. We must take advantage of this opportunity."

For a moment Tomura didn't move, before he slowly drew back his hands with a growl. "Shut up."

"Where are you going?" Giran asked as he client walked past him.

"Shut up." Throwing open the bar's door, Tomura let it slam behind him as he left.

"Geez, I shouldn't complain about a client, but that boy's still to immature." Giran huffed, idly scratching his head.

"That was some killing intent though," Iwata smirked. "For a moment, I thought I was gonna die."

"He's still ugly." Dabi huffed, thrusting his hands in his pocket. Nemoto didn't say anything.

"We thank you for your interest," Kurogiri said, charismatically redirecting the attention his way, "We'll give you our answer through Giran at a later date. I'm sure Shigaraki knows what he has to do, that's why he left without saying anything. He's still growing and needs to find his own answers, ones I'm sure will satisfy both him and you all. For your time, may I offer you a drink? The first one will be on the house."

"Why not? You still know how I like my cocktail, right?" Giran asked, stepping forward. Iwata followed, but Dabi and Nemoto didn't even bother to say goodbye as they made their exit.

Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall: Japan's number one shopping destination, infamous for having the largest number of stores in the country all within one place. Located within the Tokyo limits but still outside of the city itself, the mall was bustling on Saturday as Class 1-A gathered together, or at least the ones who could make it. They soon split though, each student interested in browsing their own interests. Some went off in pairs or groups while others wandered on their own, though they all agreed to regroup later that afternoon.

"Geez, everyone sure left fast," Itsuka remarked as she casually strode through the mall. A few kids pointed at her and she smiled, giving them a little wave. Even now, it still amazed her how many people recognized her and the others from the Sports Festival. 'I guess I should go check out the camping equipment I need. I could have gone with the others but I wanted to check out the motorcycle shop to see if there was anything I wanted for my bike.'

She smiled, eagerness bubbling within her as she recalled Aizawa's announcement the previous day, 'I can't wait. A week-long training camp just for the Hero students, it's going to be amazing.'

Her smile faltered as she recalled two students in particular who wouldn't be attending. The class had just finished their Finals and were eagerly awaiting the freedom of summer break when Aizawa-sensei spoke with an amusement that chilled his class, "Oh yeah, don't expect the empty seats in your class to remain empty much longer. Your two new classmates will be joining you at camp." It had sparked a round of eager discussion, the class wondering just who their new classmates would be.

It wasn't just the camp she was eager for either; All Might had invited Itsuka to the I-Expo on I-Island during her summer break so she could meet some friends of his. He'd even said that he had them working on a special gift for her, a reward for her passing her semester finals. Itsuka wasn't much of a tech girly outside of motorcycle maintenance knowledge, but even she knew what I-Expo was: the premier global exposition of technology, both Quirk related and otherwise. Companies and Heroes from all over the world would be there, and she would be amongst them.

Dreaming of what she might see, and wondering if just maybe any of it could be applied to her bike, Itsuka was shaken from her daydream by a young voice calling out to her, "Wow, it's a student from U.A. Hey, I recognize you from the Sports Festival." Before she could turn, an arm was thrown around her shoulder, but as Itsuka prepared to ask him to remove it, resisting her martial arts training and urge to forcibly remove the unwanted contact herself, the man spoke again, "Really, I can't believe it. To think I'd see you again while just wandering about. I'm starting to think there's something special between us." Itsuka froze, she knew that voice. She tensed but before she could move, four fingers wrapped around her neck. "Something like fate or destiny." Her teal eyes darted to the side as she met the darkly amused red orbs of Tomura Shigaraki. "You wouldn't mind talking to your fan for a moment, would you, Itsuka Kendo?"

"Don't do anything rash." The villain ordered. "Act calm and take a breath. I just want to talk, that's all."

"R–really? Well I'm sorry, I don't feel like talking to you at the moment."

"Aw, that's too bad." One of the fingers scratched her neck and she shivered. "It would be unfortunate if my pinkie just accidentally happens to graze you. The moment it does, your skin will start to flake and crumble. Within a minute, you'll be nothing but ash. You'll die long before that though. How long do you think it would take my Quirk to eat through your neck? Five seconds? Seven? Nine? You really shouldn't be so eager to find out."

"You'd get caught." Itsuka swallowed, "People would see you kill me. This place is popular. There's got to be Heroes nearby ready to respond to any incidents."

"I'm sure," Tomura grinned, amusement clear, "But look around. All these people, all these Quirks and powers, yet everybody's laughing and mingling. Laws and rules are built on the assumption of people's morals. Nobody ever really believes something bad is going to happen to them. That a man in the mall will suddenly decide to go on a killing spree. I might get caught, but I could disintegrate 20- no, probably 30 people before I am. More if I manage to kill the first Heroes that respond." A finger tapped against Itsuka's neck, "So what's it going to be, Miss Hero? Do you really want all these people to die because you couldn't stand to have one conversation with me?"

"W-what do you want to talk about?"

"Let's sit down first. Isn't it better to talk in comfort, Miss Hero?" Tomura guided Kendo to a bench and sat down, a few people looked there way but simply smiled. Itsuka shivered at the thought that they believed the two of them might be a couple. "You know, I don't like most things, but right now the thing that angers me the most is the Hero Killer."

"I thought you guys were a team?"

"That's what people are saying, but he turned down my offer. But that's my problem: people are all talking about the Hero Killer, his attacks and killings. The Sports Festival attack, the Nomu in Hosu; he upstaged them all."

"What about the Nomu in Naruhata?"

"Inquisitive aren't you? No, that wasn't me. It was probably my rival."

"Your rival?"

"Just another person I hate. But this is exactly what I wanted to talk about. The Hero Killer, my rival, no one's paying attention to me anymore. Why? For all Stain's talk, he's just destroying what he doesn't like, so how's he any different from me? Itsuka Kendo, give me the answer."

"I-I think that in the end, it all comes down to conviction." Itsuka answered, staring down at her hands, mind racing. "You and the Hero Killer, I don't agree with either of your actions, but back at the Sports Festival you gave up so easily. It was like it was all a game to you. But the Hero Killer? He rants about how what he's doing is for the betterment of society. Again, I can't agree with his methods, but I don't disagree with his goals."

"His…goals."

"Heroes exist to help people. Money, popularity, recognition, all that should be secondary to helping others. That's what I believe, and that's what he believes in too."

"You…believe." Itsuka turned her head and froze; Tomura's eyes were boring into her. "Belief. I think I understand. Why the Hero Killer makes me so angry. Why you and your classmates' refusal to die at the Sports Festival annoyed me. Why these people laughing so freely pisses me off. It's because, in the end, you all believe that everything will be alright. That Heroes will save the day and the status quo will be restored."

Kendo began to choke as Shigaraki's hand tightened around her neck, "Don't struggle. Do you want to die? Is it okay if these people die?"

'Stain, you said you wanted to see what kind of seed I sprouted into. Well congratulations, I've decided I'm going to use it all: you, Izuku, you're all going to be my stepping stone. Ideals? Conviction? You're right, I do have that… something that drives me. From now on, every act, every movement, will go towards showing just how weak this 'justice' and 'peace' really are. I'd call that conviction, how about you?'

"Itsuka?"

Two heads rose to look at a heiress dressed in a lilac sundress, her black hair tied back in its signature ponytail. "Yaomomo! Stay back!"

Yaoyorozu tensed as she took in the two, the hand wrapped around Itsuka's throat. "I'm going to have to ask you to let her go."

"Momo, I'm fine! Don't come any closer!"

"Oh, you're with her. Sorry, sorry, I just wanted to tell her how much of a fan I was." Shigaraki leaned down as Itsuka bent over gasping for breath, "Don't follow me." He whispered, "You know what'll happen if you do."

She trembled, her breaths coming in rapid gasps as she looked down at the dark water below her. She couldn't believe she was doing this, but she had no choice; it was better this way. Better for her family, better for her friends, and yes, maybe in the end, it was better for her. Better to let those she knew move on with their lives. Lives without her.

She'd had hope when she left U.A.. Believed that even with the expulsion on her record, she would be able to move on. School was the first step, but none would take her. At first, she thought it was because it was almost a quarter of the way into the school year. Sure, her grades weren't the best, but they were still acceptable. She'd studied hard to get into U.A. and even if she'd let them slip a little once she got in, they were still good.

She started with her fallback schools, the ones she'd applied to in case U.A. didn't accept her. Some hadn't replied; others had with the standard scripts given to those refused entry, 'Thank you for your application. Unfortunately at this time, yada, yada'. But others had been quite clear that they could not admit a student expelled from a school as prestigious as U.A.. Mina's record was now marred, and it wasn't just schools that had turned her down.

To help cover the costs of living and save for the eventual fine that would be leveled against her, Mina had tried to get a job. But again, regardless of the company or position she'd found nothing but denials. Her routine quickly became a repetitive monotonous slog that drained her like nothing she'd ever experienced. Mina thrived on the energy of those around her, fed off of it to keep her spirits up, but now sitting alone in her apartment, she felt lethargic, tired no matter how much sleep she got.

She had no friends to talk to. Her old classmates from middle school were busy with their own lives and she didn't want to bother them with her problems. Her former classmates at U.A. were still blocked in her phone. Her parents' calls were irregular and the calls themselves became shorter, the time between them longer. What was there to say? That she still hadn't been accepted to any of the schools she applied to? Still hadn't managed to land a job?

Eventually, she just kind of stopped. Stopped applying herself. Stopped sending in applications or attending interviews. Stopped… trying. What was the point? She already knew she was going to be refused or denied. But being the ball of energy she was deep down, she quickly grew bored of wasting away in her apartment and took to going on walks around Musutafu. She had nothing else to do so she explored the city during the day when most were busy. One of her favorite spots was a river. It was surprisingly clean, flowing out to the beach, and Mina liked just watching the flowing water. It was peaceful; an escape, however brief, from the hardships plaguing her.

But just like so often the case, the routine had to end; her end came in the form of a phone call from her father. "Mina," even over the phone, the girl could tell he'd been crying, "I-I don't know how to say this. Your mother's been stabbed." In an instant, Mina's lethargy and depression vanished.

"What!?"

"She's fine," Mina's father reassured her before she could ask any questions. "She's at the hospital getting treated right now. The police caught her attacker."

"What hospital is she in? Where's it at?" Mina questioned grabbing her essentials from around her room. "I'll be over as soon as I can. I'll catch a train and-"

"Mina." The seriousness of her father's voice froze the pinkette where she stood. "I want you to stay in Musutafu. Don't come home right now."

"W-what?! Mom was stabbed, Dad! I'm going to see her."

"No. I'll have her call you when she's feeling better, I promise, but right now please just stay where you are."

"Dad," Mina began slowly, "there's something else, isn't there? What aren't you telling me?"

For a moment, he didn't answer, so all Mina could hear was the faint sound of his breathing and the quiet buzz of the line. "The attack wasn't an accident." He said finally. "The woman who did it, she was saved by Ingenium when she was younger. I don't know the details, but I was told she blamed you for his retirement and attacked your Mom to get at you."

Mina's stomach fell, "B-But that's stupid. The Hero Killer was the one who-"

"I know. Believe me, I know. But it is what it is. Just… give things a chance to calm down, and then I promise you can see her or we'll come visit. Okay? Can you do that? For me?"

"...I'll try."

"Thank you." The relief in his voice was clear, but Mina didn't feel better, she just felt sick. "I have to go, the doctor's calling me but I'll text you later. Love you. Bye."

"Bye." Mina whispered, but he was already gone, the silence of a dead line the only noise in her ear.

Her body felt numb, her mind unable to comprehend the world around her.

It was her fault.

Like a puppet dancing on its strings she left her apartment and wandered until eventually she ended up at the bridge.

It's all her fault.

Slowly, aimlessly she walked closer to the edge of the bridge, the guardrail the only thing separating her from the chilly river below. She climbed atop it and now here she was standing on the precipice, frozen.

She was stupid.

She didn't want to die, but the dark, innermost whispers she buried away urged her on.

She deserved this.

Telling her she was doing the right thing, that she was making the lives of all she knew better.

It would be so easy. All she had to do was step off.

Tears leaked from her eyes as she raised a foot, shaking so badly it was practically a blur in the air.

Step off. Step Off. SteP OfF. STeP OFf! STEP OFF!

"Careful," a voice called out. Mina nearly broke her foot with how hard she brought it down. Her chest heaved as she took rapid breaths, her arms wrapping around her body in a vain attempt to starve off the unnatural cold enshrouding her. What was she doing?! She'd nearly killed herself!

Desperate for something to focus on, Mina turned to her savior, who was looking at her with a cocked eyebrow as he rested his head upon his arms. 'He's kinda cute,' she noted absently. His fluffy green hair reminded her of her own pink locks, and his matching eyes were a mesmerizing jade. His figure, while lanky, was still toned with a musculature that reminded Mina of the boys in 1-A.

"So, is there a reason you're standing on the side of the bridge or…"

"Yes. I mean, no. I-" Mina sniffled, "I don't know."

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"...Please."

"Okay then, let's talk." Slowly, Mina climbed over the railing, only to collapse against it once her feet touched solid ground. Leaning back, she closed her eyes and slowly began to just… talk. About her shitty problems, the rejections, her expulsion. She smiled as she talked about U.A. and her former classmates. Stumbled through her confrontation with the Hero Killer, the memory still fresh even now, before ending with the attack on her mother. Her savior didn't say much aside from the occasional question, just letting her talk while he sat beside her listening.

"And now I'm here," Mina finished with an insincere smile, "talking to you."

Her savior sighed, "You've sure had it rough, huh?"

"Yeah," Mina chuckled depreciatively, "It hasn't been easy."

"I apologize in advance," the green haired boy warned, "I don't mean to offend, but… your story, it's just a reminder of why I hate heroes."

"What!?" Mina exclaimed, turning to her companion eyes wide, mouth gaping. "You hate heroes?! How? Why?!"

For a moment, his emerald eyes just looked at her before he lowered them, "A Hero killed my mother." He almost whispered. Mina gasped, "I know what you're thinking, and before you ask, no, it wasn't an accident. I didn't want to believe it either, but it's kind of hard to deny it when you walk in on him raping her beaten, broken body."

Mina's eyes watered as she covered her mouth with her hands. "Who?"

"A small time Musutafu Hero named Slugger." His hand curled as he spat the name with vitriol. "He gloated about it, took pleasure in it. He was a villain disguised as a Hero, but the worst part is, when my apartment complex collapsed and my Mom died he was honored. People honored my Mom's killer as a hero."

"I'm sorry," Mina apologized slowly, reaching out to rest a comforting hand on his shoulder, "But not every Hero's like that."

"Really? You're saying that? You were literally just expelled to maintain the status quo."

"That's not what happened!"

"Really? So your fellow students, Iida and Todoroki, the ones from Heroic families, were expelled too?"

"Of course not. Iida was injured and he's in a coma. Todoroki, he was just helping."

"So were you. What's the difference between you two then?"

"Nothing."

"Then why wasn't he expelled?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

"Because maybe he didn't put his fucking classmate into a coma!" Mina screamed, rounding on the infuriating greenette looking at her with that same frustrating small smile.

"You think you're special, don't you?" He asked, leaning back.

"What?"

"You think you're unique? That no Hero students ever hurt anyone? Training, internships, even Pro Heroes on the job have civilian casualties." Mina looked at him eyes wide. "I'm not lying," he said, pulling out his phone. "The HPSC doesn't like to make a big deal out of it," the tired face of Mera swam before Mina's eyes, "And it only really makes the news if there's a lot of civilians caught in the crossfire," Mera's face was replaced by Kizuki's news article, "but some fan sites try to keep track." He stuck his phone out, where Mina could see some figures for a Hero named Takeshita. There was information on his Quirk, personality, known incidents responded to, and underneath it all a small subsection titled: Casualties was a list of figures: injuries, fatalities, and unknown. Mina was thankful she was sitting or she had no doubt she would have collapsed.

"It's expected really," her savior said, taking his phone back, "There's always going to be those a Hero can't save and you're students, little fledgling trainees just tipping your toes in the water. Normally students are punished like your friend Todoroki: detentions, suspension, a strongly worded apology letter, that kind of thing. But expulsion? Now that's rare. Reserved for students whose actions go so far out of line that there's no coming back, lots of dead, lots of destruction, something you can't fix."

"So… what am I then?" Mina asked desperate for an answer.

Her savior stood up, looked down at her with a kind sympathetic smile, "You're a sacrifice."

"W-what?"

"A sacrifice. U.A.'s lamb offered up for slaughter, the fall guy- or, I guess, girl. A convenient scapegoat." He sighed at Mina's clear confusion, "U.A. was attacked, their prized Sports Festival and defenses breached in front of the entire world. Then not even two weeks later, the renowned Iida family suffers a loss, their pride and joy Ingenium's career comes to an end at the hands of the Hero Killer. But that's not all, no, their heir might be gone, but hey, at least they still have his brother. Except no, they don't, he's in a coma, and they aren't sure he's going to wake up. But it wasn't a villain, no it was his classmate, another student. They cry out demanding repercussions and U.A. needs to show it's taking action, that they are doing something, anything at all. They are Japan's top Hero School, they can't be doing nothing especially now that they've lost a student on top of everything else."

His words were cruel but his cold logic painted the picture for Mina all too clearly. "So they expelled me," she whispered.

"They might have thought it for the best," her savior tried to reassure her, "How many students apply to U.A. but don't get accepted and have to instead find another school? You actually got in, that's more than any of them can say. U.A. may have thought you'd be eagerly welcomed anywhere. They didn't expect you'd get turned down."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Mina asked as fresh tears streaked down her face. "I'm still out of a job, a school. I can't go home. What am I supposed to do?"

For a moment her savior didn't answer. "I never introduced myself," he said finally, "Did I? My name's Izuku Shigaraki, and if you want," he held out his hand to her, "you could come with me. Help change society. Heroes don't save everyone. But with me? I promise you will make a difference in people's lives."

Mina hesitated. Shigaraki, she knew that name. Why did it sound so familiar…? Wait, that was the name of the dust villain from the Sports Festival! If Izu-kun was related to that villain, he might be another one!

…But… he had saved her, and she wasn't aware of any villains that would go out of their way to save someone about to kill themselves. Why would they? What villain cared about the loss of a life if it wasn't useful to them. Was that Izu-kun's intent? To use her?

But what do you really have to offer? The voice within hissed. You have nothing. You are nothing.

Then why save me? What does he want from me? She looked up at Shigaraki's stretched out hand and small smile. But all this meant nothing if Shigaraki just coincidentally happened to be his last name. Judging someone on their last name alone? She'd be just as prejudiced as everyone who labeled her a villain based on her physical mutations and destructive Quirk. Izu-kun hadn't even done anything villainous in the slightest since he stopped her from jumping. 'But am I really willing to take a chance on my future with a complete stranger?'

'...It's not like l have much of a future otherwise. No school, no job, and I endanger my parents or friends just by continuing to exist. Well, worst case scenario, I could always leave.'

A single word, a question slipped from her mouth: "Promise?"

Izuku smiled, "I promise." And Mina took his hand.

"Master, you seem exceptionally happy today. Is it because the League of Villains is expanding?"

"No, Doctor." All For One chuckled at Garaki's question, "It's because finally, after all these years, Tomura has acquired conviction. Those who approve of that conviction are what the League needs now. I'll let him decide everything. If he asks for help, I will help him."

"What about Izuku?"

"Hmm, what about him?"

"If Tomura is growing as you have hoped, is he?"

All For One smiled, "Yes, he is. In fact, I have what I believe Tomura calls a quest prepared just for him. Tomura's revealed himself to the world, I believe it's about time Izuku does the same; whether he wants to or not."

Author's Note:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! *insert pathetic party streamer noise hear* I hope you all are doing well. I'm back from a vacation in the Bahamas and can now proudly say I spent Christmas Eve seabobing in Aruba with sea turtles over a German WWII shipwreck. I even touched a sea turtle – wait I'm pretty sure that's illegal – scratch that I merely watched the sea turtles swim about WITHOUT touching. See nature lovers I'm a good little demon boy.

Anyway new chapter Mina's fallout ends up with her joining Izuku's party and yes, eventually his harem. Whoop de do add that to the Tropes page why don't you. Sorry still just so hyped someone made that. Hope Mina's depression and character portrayal make sense. I based it off that classmate who's popular in school but then kind of stumble about a bit after graduating since they are unsure of what to do without their friends to support them cause you know they're off at college, getting married, or living their own lives.

Whelp, anywho next chapter starts the I-Island Arc. I wonder what's going to happen...guess you can watch the movie if you want an idea. It's MHA: Two Heroes, it's on Netflix, no I'm not being paid to say this I'm just using it for rewatching and writing purposes. Also wrote a new chapter of HPVM which will go up on P-atreon as soon as my editor – hail – is done with it. Until then special thanks to my $5 demon level Patrons:

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As always leave a comment since they're what keep me writing and until next time this is the devil whose going to be splurging for the Dredge and Spirit skins once the Junji Ito collection is released signing off,

- D'yavol Lucifer 3:)

*IMPORTANT NOTICE*

All the cover art for my stories are ones I found online. I am really interested in using fanart provided by you the readers to replace them. If you're interested draw something up and pm me so I can send you the details on where to send it or pm me and I'll give you some details so you can draw one. As I say in my bio if I use it I may add you as an oc in one of my stories! Isn't that exciting!

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