Chapter 23: Keep This In Mind
The elevator doors opened, Yaoyorozu stepping out to head for the kitchen.
She'd been studying all morning, and was starting to develop an appetite, seeing as noon was approaching. Before she made it to the kitchen, though, she glanced at the coffee table where the two cases of the 'My Hero Academia' series were.
'Oh, I was going to take a closer look at them!' Yaoyorozu thought, forgetting about her hunger as she headed for the couches. She picked up the first case and looked on the back, seeing as the front was all black, but found nothing. Placing it back down, she grabbed the second case, also scanning, but still found nothing. Yaoyorozu bit her lip, thinking, 'This had to have come from somewhere! There's no way it just appeared out of thin air.'
The doors to the building opened as Kirishima, Ashido, Sero, Shoji, Tokoyami and Kaminari walked in.
"Hey, Yao-momo!" Ashido called.
Yaoyorozu turned around at the sound of her name.
"Hey, how was- What happened to the four of you!" Yaoyorozu exclaimed, looking over Kirishima, Ashido, Sero and Kaminari, seeing bruises and dark spots all over them.
"Ah, Bakugo happened." Kirishima rubbed his neck.
"Bakugo followed us to go train, and used us four as punching bags for revenge, as he called it." Sero sighed.
"Lucky, I didn't have to go past my limit, so, I see that as a win." Kaminari smirked, putting his hands on his hips, only to wince in pain.
"Anyway, what are you doing with the case?" Shoji asked Yaoyorozu, seeing it in her hand.
"Are you planning to watch it without us?!" Ashido and Kaminari gasped.
"No, no, of course not. It's just… something doesn't sit well with me…" Yaoyorozu confessed.
"And what might that be?" Tokoyami questioned.
"Well, remember what I said about my theory for where these came from?" Yaoyorozu said, seeing them nod in response, Yaoyorozu admitted, "Well, I'm beginning to think that's not the full picture."
"What do you mean?" Ashido got curious.
"Well, one: Did this person record us all the way from our childhood years, thinking we could be interesting? And two: Why?" Yaoyorozu continued.
"I think you damn nerds are just thinking too much about it."
The seven of them turned around, Bakugo entering the dormitory.
"K-Kacchan?!" Kaminari stuttered, shielding his face.
"Relax, I got all my steam out at the training ground. Besides, we're inside the dorms, so you're safe." Bakugo reassured him, before narrowing his eyes, smirking, "For now."
"Just don't pay attention to him!" Ashido frowned. Turning back to Yaoyorozu, Ashido told her, "Continue."
"That's mostly it for now." Yaoyorozu sighed, placing down the case before getting up and heading to the kitchen.
"Actually, what you're saying makes total sense."
Turning back around, Yaoyorozu saw Kirishima leaning over the couch to take a closer look at the case.
"I mean, where'd they get all the footage from? And how?" Kaminari rubbed his chin, grabbing the case from Kirishima to also get a look. Then suddenly, opened the case.
"Kaminari! What are you doing?!" Sero and Kirishima exclaimed.
Ignoring them, he opened it wide enough to where he could grab the black covering, and took it out.
"Kaminari, what are you doing?" Yaoyorozu walked back to the couches.
"Finding another notecard." Kaminari smirked, revealing a notecard from underneath the covering.
"It was inside the covering!" Tokoyami muttered while Shoji's eyes widened in surprise.
"We have to tell the others!" Ashido and Sero exclaimed, running for the elevator.
"Bakugo, you staying down here to see what it says?" Kirishima asked him.
Bakugo stood in the kitchen with a bottle of water, looking from the disc to Kaminari.
"When'd you get so damn smart?" Bakugo narrowed his eyes.
Everyone assembled in the lobby. Ashido and Sero spread the news about Kaminari's discovery, and lucky, everyone was in the dorms at the time of it. No one had read the notecard yet, even though Bakugo tried to tackle Kaminari to read it.
"Read the damn notecard already!" Bakugo yelled out.
Kaminari cleared his throat before reading.
"'You've seen your past and everyone's reactions. But what happens when more secrets are spilled?'?"
The class was quiet, a few glancing at Midoriya.
"Uh, Deku? Are you okay?" Uraraka tapped his shoulder.
'It's talking about Stain. It's talking about Stain. It's talking about Stain!' Midoriya sweated.
"Whoever is doing this or is behind this, they just want to torture Midoriya at this point." Asui noted, her finger on her cheek.
"Seems like it…" Ojiro agreed.
"Maybe that means, we shouldn't be watching it then." Shoji said.
"Well, it's not like we can take the disc out." Jiro told him.
"And we've already seen too much!" Ashido complained.
"Well, whatever this notecard means, I want to say something first, since we're all here." Yaoyorozu said, making her way to the front. Kaminari moved to the side, making Yaoyorozu the center as she explained, "Why and how did someone record or take note about us from birth, thinking we would be interesting later, and how were they able to get our thoughts out loud?"
Looking at Midoriya, Yaoyorozu asked him, "Midoriya, were the thoughts that were said on screen the same thoughts you were thinking during the events?"
Everyone looked at Midoriya, waiting for his answer.
"Y-Yeah…" Midoriya confirmed.
"All right. I'm out." Bakugo said, getting up.
"Th-That's creepy!" Koda shook a little.
"Yeah, really." Sato agreed.
"To have eyes watching us since we were little gives me chills." Hagakure shivered.
"But one question still remains!" Iida exclaimed, making everyone's questions pause and look at him.
"Yes, Iida?" Yaoyorozu encouraged.
"Why were the main eyes on Midoriya?" Iida pointed out.
"Th-This is just too freaky…" Midoriya mumbled, getting up in a haze.
"Deku, maybe you should sit down for a little longer? You're looking paler than usually." Uraraka tried to comfort him.
As the others also tried to get Midoriya to calm down and continue asking each other questions, one person in the back stayed still.
Todoroki listened to what the notecard said, and what Yaoyorozu thought. He felt to control the anger forming inside him, his blood boil as he gritted his teeth to keep it from spilling out. He looked visibly angry, but no one noticed, focusing on answers.
'If what Yaoyorozu says is right, then why…?' Todoroki thought, shaking from the burning anger threatening to escape as he grabbed his collar shirt, questioning, 'Why did no one try to stop him?!'
Chapter 24: The Boy Born with Everything
That same day, Yaoyorozu, Kaminari and Jiro told Aizawa about the new notecard; Kaminari bragging about how he made a major discovery while Jiro facepalmed herself. This made Aizawa concerned for the safety of his students, but seeing as the disc wouldn't come out of the player, he decided on an idea.
"All right, I know you kids have your eyes on finishing this 'My Hero Academia' series, but, I should consider the feelings of all my students." Aizawa told the eager class. Focusing his attention on Midoriya, Aizawa asked, "Midoriya, since this series seems to take an interest in you, are you all right with your classmates continuing, or would you rather stop?"
Midoriya had thought long and hard about it. He was certain his classmates would want to continue, and if he was also being a little honest, he was curious about where the disc came from, and thought maybe watching would help.
He looked up to where he made eye contact with Aizawa before saying, "I'm fine with continuing."
"Are you sure, Deku? You seemed really spooked about it this morning." Uraraka asked him again.
"Yes, I'm sure. And, I thought that if we continue watching, maybe we'll find something about where these came from." Midoriya answered, holding the case to the second season, Uraraka only sighed.
"Okay then." Aizawa said, turning the player and TV on.
"Wait, where's All-" Kaminari started before All Might burst through the doors.
"I am here… on a late notice!" All Might announced.
"All Might!" Mineta cried.
"Sorry I'm a little late, I had to discuss a few things with Principal Nezu first." All Might said, taking a seat, asking Kirishima, "So, what did I miss?"
"We began with Uraraka-" Kirishima started.
"The sports festival!" Uraraka shouted.
"R-Right..." Kirishima stuttered, getting the hint, "...the sports festival."
"Also, you had to put the pressure of Midoriya being the new Symbol of Peace on him before the games?!" Ashido exclaimed.
"I already talked to him about that, so you don't need to." Aizawa told her, handing the remote to Midoriya.
"Also, apparently, Todoroki had beef with his father before the festival." Ashido whispered.
"'Beef'?" All Might questioned.
"You know, 'were angry at each other'." Ashido explained.
"Ah, okay." All Might winked.
The same recap played.
Opening plays.
While the class sighed, All Might had questions.
"Did it just say that Young Midoriya 'will become the greatest hero'?" All Might repeated.
"Yeah, it's done that for the others too." Kaminari sighed.
"I'm still confused by it." Midoriya turned to look at All Might.
"I think you can do it!" All Might smiled.
"He'll have to beat me first." Bakugo remarked.
"Bakugo, if it's already being said, don't you think Midoriya already beat you?" Asui questioned.
"In hell he didn't! Besides, I'm talking about right now!" Bakugo yelled.
Another recap of the previous episode played.
"Young Midoriya, haven't I told you to stop being a crybaby?" All Might chuckled.
"It's just who he is, All Might." Ojiro smiled.
Title screen 'The Boy Born with Everything'
"That title isn't right, Midoriya wasn't born with everything." Ashido exclaimed.
"Maybe it's not talking about Midoriya…" Asui suggested.
"Then who?" Ashido asked her.
"Let's watch, and we'll find out." Yaoyorozu said.
"-afternoon festivities! See ya!" Present Mic announced as people poured out of the stadium.
'Faculty and Student Entrance'
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Midoriya asked Todoroki, who just glared at him.
The two stared at each other.
"Oh, drama!" Sero hummed.
"Midoriya…" Todoroki glared at the TV before his gaze turned to Midoriya, who paused the TV in reply.
"Midoriya!" the class cried.
"Huh?" All Might questioned while Aizawa narrowed his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Todoroki! When you left, it showed this as well, and I'm pretty sure you don't want-" Midoriya explained.
"If you want…" Yaoyorozu interrupted Midoriya, offering, "...we can leave and let you watch it only."
"No way! This is drama!" Ashido and Kaminari denied.
"Drama between them…" Jiro sighed.
"No, I'm going to stay to see what you two were doing here." Aiawa also denied.
"Don't blame me for what you hear…" Todoroki whispered, lowering his head to where a shadow covered his eyes.
"Todoroki…" Iida put his hand on Todoroki's shoulder.
"-don't hurry, the cafeteria will probably be really crowded…" Midoriya said, nervously to Todoroki, who still said nothing, making Midoriya gulp.
'He gives off a cold intimidation, different from Kacchan…' Midoriya sweated.
"I was overpowered… So much that I broke my pledge." Todoroki finally spoke.
Midoriya looked down at Todoroki's left arm, realizing, 'He didn't use it even if it would be to his advantage… His left side…'
Todoroki pulled his left hand out of his pocket, looking at it as he explained, "Iida, Kaminari, Yaoyorozu, Tokoyami, Uraraka… None of them felt it. At that last instant, I was the only one was was overpowered. Only me, who had experienced All Might's full power up close."
"What… What does that mean?" Midoriya asked nervously.
"It means I felt something similar coming from you." Todoroki answered, making Midoriya's eyes widen. Moving his left hand to look at Midoriya, Todoroki narrowed his eyes, asking, "Midoriya, are you All Might's secret love child or something?"
The class lost it. Everyone was either laughing, holding their sides, or rolling on the floor. Midoriya, Todoroki and Bakugo were the only ones sane.
"How are you not laughing, Bakugo? I know you don't normally laugh, but Todoroki…" Kirishima asked him, only to fall right back into laughter.
"Todoroki…" Uraraka covered her mouth, trying to calm herself down.
"I thought this conversation between you two would be tense, but who knew Todoroki had a sense of humor!" Sero exclaimed.
"It's not funny…" Todoroki narrowed his eyes.
"It's only funny because you said it in such a serious tone." Asui explained.
''Secret love child'?! Young Todoroki, where did you get an idea like that?' All Might thought.
"-I don't think you'd believe me, but anyway, that's not how it is…" Midoriya tried to answer. Calming down, Midoriya asked, "In the first place, let me ask you something… What do you think about me…?"
"Since you said, 'that's not how it is' that means there's a connection between you two that you can't talk about, right?" Todoroki asked, dodging the question.
Midoriya gasped, looking away.
"Endeavor's my old man." Todoroki said, explaining his struggle as the number two hero for so long. Looking in Midoriya's eyes, he said, "If you have something from the number one hero, then I have even more reason to beat you."
"First it was Bakugo, then Tsu, and now Todoroki." Kaminari counted, holding up three fingers.
"-have tea, Endeavor." All Might smiled to the back of Endeavor.
"When did this happen?" Todoroki narrowed his eyes at All Might.
"Oh yeah, it showed some of this last episode!" Hagakure said.
"I haven't seen you since that talk we had with the press ten years ago, huh? I saw you, so I thought I'd say hi!" All Might reminded him.
"I see. Well, you've already done that. Leave me." Endeavor spat.
"Rude!" Mineta cried out.
"Tea? What a joke. I'm going to the restroom. Begone!" Endeavor scuffed.
"Rude!" Mineta and Kaminari exclaimed.
"Shut it!" Jiro plugged her earphone jacks into their ears, making them jump.
All Might jumped in front of Endeavor, making him stop.
"Don't be so cold!" All Might laughed, adding, "Your son, Young Shoto, did wonderfully without even using half of his power. Is it because he was taught well?"
"What are you trying to say?" Endeavor asked.
"Why, I seriously want to know how to raise the next generation." All Might answered.
"Yes, you do appear to need help teaching, especially on how to teach Midoriya to use his quirk without breaking his bones every time." Aizawa told All MIght.
"I don't break them anymore, Aizawa Sensei!" Midoriya protested.
"Still, Aizawa Sensei's got a point." Sero shrugged.
"Sorry…" All Might apologized as Endeavor walked past.
Before he continued walking down the stairs, Endeavor stopped.
"Just remember this- I will make that into a hero that will surpass you one day. That's why I created him" Endeavor vowed.
All Might started sweating, asking, "What are you…?"
Endeavor turned to glance at All Might. "He's in his rebellious stage right now, but he will definitely surpass you. I will make sure of it!"
Todoroki was about to get up when he got tackled by three different people.
"What are you…?" Todoroki muttered.
Uraraka, stretching over Midoriya, who ducked, answered, "We're trying to comfort you!"
"Yeah!" Kaminari agreed, encouraging, "You'll become your own hero, not what your old man wants!"
"If you ever need to talk, we're here for you!" Ashido cried.
"Thanks." Todoroki replied before adding, "But I can't breath."
"Oops, sorry!" Uraraka apologized. Releasing Todoroki, Uraraka told Midoriya, "And sorry about stretching over you, Deku."
"It's okay, Uraraka." Midoriya told her as he unpaused the TV.
"Why can't I ever get tackled by girls?" Mineta whispered.
"-strong desire to rise in the world." Todoroki continued to Midoriya, "As a hero, he won a name for himself with crushing force. Because of that, the living legend, All Might, is a great eyesore for him. Since he couldn't surpass All Might, he moved onto his next plan."
"What are you talking about, Todoroki? What are you trying to tell me?" Midoriya asked, confused.
"You've heard of quirk marriages, right? A thing that became a problem for the second and third generation after superpowers appeared. Choosing a spouse based only on strengthening your own quirk and passing it onto your children, forcing people into marriage. The old-fashioned way of thinking brought about by a lack of ethics. He is a man with both accomplishments and money. He won over my mother's relatives and got a hold of my mother's quirk. He is trying to fulfill his own desire by raising me to be a hero to surpass All Might." Todoroki explained. Midoriya gasped as Todoroki finished, scowling, "It's so annoying… I won't become a tool of scum like that. In my memories, my mother is always crying."
An imagery of a white-haired woman crying, with Todoroki reaching out for her before it vanished, Todoroki resting his left hand over his scar.
"'Your left side is unsightly.' my mother said as she poured boiling water on me." Todoroki gripped his left eye.
Midoriya paused the TV. Glancing at Todoroki, Midoriya thought, 'I'm sorry…'
"So, that's how… how you got your…" Yaoyorozu started.
"Scar."
Everyone turned to Todoroki, who finished the sentence.
"That's what you were going to say, right?" Todoroki asked, looking up at her as Yaoyorozu nodded slowly.
"It's kind of strange to think how we were laughing a few minutes ago. And now…" Jiro said.
"I'm not sure how to feel about this." Kaminari whispered.
The class was gripped with silence, unsure and unable to speak.
"Basically, I picked a fight with you to show him what I can do, without using my damn old man's quirk…" Todoroki continued. Removing his hand from his scared face, Todoroki glared, "No, I'll reject him completely by winning first place without using it."
Bakugo stood behind a wall, his face in shock as he listened to Todoroki.
"Bakugo…" Kirishima uttered.
Bakugo flinched back while Todoroki glared at TV Bakugo.
'That's why…' Todoroki glanced down at the floor.
"The world he talked about was so different that honestly, I was scared. I thought about how it could be different for us even if we were aiming for the same thing." Midoriya narrated as Todoroki walked out from where they were talking.
"I don't care if you can't tell me how you're connected to All Might. No matter what you are to All Might, I will rise above you with just my right side. Sorry for wasting your time." Todoroki said as he walked.
"If this was a comic book, he'd be the main character." Midoriya narrated.
"Even Midoriya thinks he shouldn't be the main character in this…" Sero whispered.
"If being a main character in this anime means having your past revealed, I'd rather not." Todoroki gritted his teeth.
"Compared to that, what could I say?" Midoriya narrated.
Midoriya swayed on his feet before running towards Todoroki.
"I…!" Midoriya started, making Todoroki stop, "I have always been supported by others. That was the case earlier, too. I am here because of the people who have supported me."
'It's all right now, young man. I am here!'
'Is it possible for me to give him some of my points?'
'I'll support you with everything I've got from now on!'
'You can't be a hero with just one trick.'
'I guess it's like we've cleared the first hurdle.'
'Move! You're in the way, Deku!'
"Again, I don't support the damn nerd!" Bakugo yelled as it showed him.
'I took the one on his head where his guard was the weakest.'
'You can become a hero.'
Clenching his fist, Midoriya continued, "Saving people with a fearless smile, the greatest hero: All Might. I want to be like him. In order to do that, I have to be strong enough to become number one. My motivation might seem trivial compared to yours, but I can't lose, either. I have to live up to the hopes of those who supported me. That declaration of war you have earlier- I'll return that."
"He did return it…" Sero muttered.
Todoroki and Midoriya stared at each other, intense glares when Midoriya finished until Todoroki turned back around, continuing his walking. Watching Todoroki go, Midoriya lowered his fist, smiling softly. In his spot, Bakugo glared at Midoriya before walking off.
The class was processing what they just heard about until Asui stood up to stand in front of Todoroki.
"Todoroki, I know this is late to say, but if you need someone to talk, we're here for you." Asui smiled softly.
Todoroki nodded, assuring, "I appreciate your concerns, but it's fine."
'But there's more to your past, isn't there, Todoroki?' Midoriya thought as Asui made her way back to her seat.
"-it to the finals!" Present Mic announced while the students walked onto the field, explaining, "This is just a sports festival! So we've prepared recreational games that everyone can participate in, too! We've even brought real cheerleaders from America to liven things up!"
The American cheerleaders cheered as Present Mic spoke.
"Oh no!" Yaoyorozu cringed.
"Don't tell me…" Jiro started before it showed the girls in the same cheerleader outfits.
'I can't believe I get to see this again!' Mineta hummed at the sight of them.
"What's the matter, Class A? What kind of fan service is this?" Present Mic questioned as the girls stood in the cheerleader uniforms.
Kaminari and Mineta gave a thumbs up to each other.
"Mineta! Kaminari! You tricked us, didn't you?!" Yaoyorozu yelled out to them.
"I think the outfits were kinda cute!" Hagakure thought out loud.
"Hmmm, yeah they were!" Mineta agreed, a little drool coming from his mouth.
"Aizawa Sensei, can I hang Mineta from the ceiling again?" Sero asked him.
"No, no, no! Wait!" Mineta cried, backing away from Sero.
"What happened yesterday?" All Might asked, suspicious.
"Just Mineta being his pervert self." Ashido sighed.
'These two are getting punished tomorrow!' Aizawa glared as TV Mineta and Kaminari told the girls that it was him who told them to put on the outfits.
"Please sit down you two!" Yaoyorozu called while Sero chased Mineta. Sero shot tape from his elbow, but Mineta used one of his sticky balls to stick Sero to the wall of the building.
"Ha! Have fun getting unstuck!" Mineta stuck his tongue out before making his way back to the couches.
"Hey! Hey!" Sero called after him, pleading, 'I still wanna watch!'
"-Mineta's schemes? I even used Creation to make these outfits..." Yaoyorozu sighed while Uraraka patted her back in comfort.
"Those guys are so dumb!" Jiro remarked, throwing her pom poms on the ground.
"Well, there's still time before the finals, and it'd be a pain if things got tense. It's fine! Let's do it!" Hagakure cheered.
"What?!" Jiro screeched.
"Toru, you like this, huh?" Asui asked.
"Yeah, I actually did Tsu!" Hagakure said.
"I did too." Mineta grinned.
"-in the recreational games!" Present Mic yelled, the crowd cheering while Present Mic explained how the final round would go.
"Oh, Ojiro, why did you back down?" Hagakure turned to him.
"Well, I don't remember anything that happened during the cavalry battle." Ojiro explained.
"I didn't remember anything either, Ojiro, but I still fought." Aoyama told him, giving a sly look to Ashido, whispering, "And beaten."
"I know, but it just didn't seem like I deserved the spot, because it wasn't me who was trying, but someone under control." Ojiro sighed.
"Oh, because Shinso's quirk is brainwashing people, so I'm guessing that's what he did!" Kaminari exclaimed.
"Good job, you're using your head." Jiro chuckled.
"-every year, but there's a one-on-one competition every year. Last year, it was a sports chanbara match." Sero explained to Ashido, who asked about the final round.
"Now, let's draw lots to determine that bracket. Once the bracket is determined, we'll have the recreational games and then start! The sixteen finalists can choose whether or not they want to participate in the recreation. I'm sure some of you want to rest and save your strength. Now, from the first place team-" Midnight explained.
"Um… Excuse me?" Ojiro raised his hand, announcing, "I'm withdrawing."
Everyone gasped as they turned to look at Ojiro.
"Ojiro, why?" Midoriya asked.
"This is a rare chance for pros to see you!" Iida told him.
Ojiro put his hand down.
"I barely remember anything from the cavalry battle until almost the end. I think it was that guy's quirk." Ojiro explained.
Midoriya turned his gaze, looking around. 'If I remember correctly, Ojiro was with…'
Shinso looked away as Midoriya's gaze settled on him.
"I know that this is a great chance and that it's foolish to waste it…" Ojiro continued.
"Ojiro…" Midoriya whispered.
"But-" Ojiro spoke loud and clear, stating, "Everyone here competed by giving their all! I can't be up there with everyone without knowing what really happened."
"A true hero." All Might whispered.
"Really?" Ojiro turned to face All Might.
"You expressed not knowing what happened, and turned down the opportunity because you felt you didn't deserve the credit. That's not only chivalrous, but heroic." All Might explained, giving Ojiro a fond smile.
"Yeah, Ojiro!" Hagakure and Kirishima exclaimed, the others joining.
Ojiro smiled at their callings. "Thanks guys."
"Also, why are you guys wearing cheerleader outfits?" Ojiro asked the girls when he finished explaining.
"Mineta…" Yaoyorozu answered, staring him down.
'Gulp!' the girls thought, embarrassed.
"I'm Nirengeki Shoda from Class B. I also want to withdraw for the same reason." a blue-haired boy spoke up too, agreeing, "Regardless of ability, don't you think it goes against the goal of this sports festival for those who didn't do anything to move onto the final round?"
Kirishima started tearing up, asking, "What's with these guys?! They're so manly!"
"That is so manly, Ojiro!" Kirishima exclaimed, holding his fist up while Ojiro smiled at the comment.
"-have to see what the chief umpire, Midnight, has to say about this…" Aizawa told Present Mic as the students waited for Midnight's answer.
"Youthful talk like that is something I like! Shoda! Ojiro! I accept your withdrawals!" Midnight declared.
'She decided based on her tastes!' the students thought.
"Why am I not in her tastes?!" Mineta cried.
"Yao-momo!" Sero exclaimed, getting her attention as he asked, "Can you create something to get me unstuck?"
"Oh, of course, hold on." Yaoyorozu answered, making her to him.
"-have to move up two people from the fifth place cavalry battle team…" Midnight said.
Yaoyorozu; using Sero's tape and a dull butterknife, helped get Sero unstuck from Mineta's ball. Sero dashed to where Mineta sat, sneaking behind him. In reaching distance, he grabbed Mineta, taping his mouth before he could react, and using a little more tape, stuck him back onto the ceiling.
All Might, who watched it all unfold, was about to get up to stop the two, before Aizawa shook his head, signaling it was fine.
"If that's what's going to happen, then rather than us, who barely did anything during the cavalry battle, it should be them, right?" the orange haired girl declared, her teammates agreeing. Pointing to Tetsutetsu's team, the girl added, "The ones who fought to the end and stayed in the top, Team Tetsutetsu, right?"
Tetsutetsu's teammates gasped.
"Kendo!" Tetsutetsu uttered.
"Why were these guys so manly?!" Kirishima clenched his fist.
"If that Kendo didn't back down, you might not have fought the steel guy." Bakugo told him.
"How come you remember her name, but not some of us?" Hagakure exclaimed.
"Her name was just said a minute ago, Inviso!" Bakugo yelled at her.
"Inviso?!" Hagakure questioned.
"-and Shiozaki have moved up to make sixteen!" Midnight announced as Tetsutetsu and Shiozaki waved at their other teammates, Midnight declaring, "This is the bracket based on the results of the drawing!"
The crowd cheered as the slots filled with the sixteen students.
'Tetsutetsu | Kirishima'
"Again?! This is too redundant!" they both glared.
'Tokoyami | Yaoyorozu'
Yaoyorozu flinched as her and Tokoyami's names appeared. 'I hope it goes over my fight with Tokoyami quickly.'
"I'll give it my all." Tokoyami declared.
"Th-That's what I want!" Yaoyorozu stated.
'Ashido | Aoyama'
"Merci. Too bad you got me as an opponent." Aoyama winked.
"You mean, too lucky!" Ashido corrected.
"I suppose you did get lucky, Ashido!" Aoyama whispered.
'-first round, huh? If both Todoroki and I win, then… Before that, if I remember correctly, Shinso was...' Midoriya thought, looking at the board.
"It's you isn't it? Izuku Midoriya." Shinso asked him.
Midoriya jumped, thinking, 'This person…'
'Depending on the results of the sports festival, they'll consider our transfer into the hero course.'
'...is from the general studies…' Midoriya realized.
"Looking forward to the first match." Shinso told him.
"Me-" Midoriya started before Ojiro slapped his tail over his mouth.
"Midoriya!" Ojiro glared.
"That was a good save, Ojiro." Ashido told him.
"I told Midoriya what Shinso's quirk was and how I thought it worked to help him, too." Ojiro replied.
"But, he still got brainwashed." Kaminari chuckled.
"Yeah…" Midoriya sighed.
"At least you still beat him." Jiro pointed out.
"And if we watch, we'll find out how." Todoroki added, remembering Yaoyorozu's question.
'Come, Midoriya. I'll defeat you with this hand.' Todoroki thought, narrowing his eyes.
"Huh? Uraraka?" Bakugo questioned, seeing her name.
Uraraka shrieked when she saw she was going to be fighting Bakugo.
"Are you Iida?" Hatsume walked over to Iida.
"Hm? Indeed, I am Iida." Iida nodded.
Iida shook in his seat, remembering their fight (or, more like advertisement XD).
"I can't believe I was fooled!" Iida whispered while Midoriya patted his back in comfort.
"Actually…" Hatsume beamed.
"That's when you realize her secret plan." Sero whispered.
"I was wondering why she was staring at me like that." Iida confessed, clenching his fist, adding, "Now I know why."
"At least she walked off the stage when she was done, so, you basically won!" Jiro told him.
"But I didn't get to display my talents!" Iida shook his head.
"All right!" the girls cheered in their cheerleader outfits.
"First is scavenger hunt!" Present Mic announced.
Sero picked up a card saying, 'Bag'.
"Will anyone let me borrow a bag?" Sero asked the crowd.
More cards were flipped over while the students looked for the items.
"A cat! Please give me a cat!" Sato begged while Sero used his tape to grab a bag.
"Does anyone have a textbook?" Kaminari asked.
"This is impossible…" Mineta muttered as his card said 'Back Fat'.
Some of the class chuckled, Mineta narrowing his eyes at them from his cocoon.
"Why is it showing this boring thing?" Bakugo asked before yelling, "Get on with the fights, disc!"
"Midoriya fight is first, though. You wanna see that one?" Kirishima asked.
"It's better than this!" Bakugo exclaimed.
"-really need to get a clue or something…" Monoma sighed.
"Monoma! If you're unmotivated, then come with me!" Kendo called.
"Why?" Monoma asked, Kendo holding up her card, saying 'Perverse Person'.
"Ha! Now I understand why she was running around with him!" Kaminari laughed.
"-wrong?" Monoma asked Kendo.
"It's fine! It fits!" Kendo objected.
Montages of the other recreational games played as Midoriya narrated, "Even if we were told to have fun, those of us in the tournament couldn't relax."
Montages of the Class 1-A students in the final round played.
"Some polished their strategy against their opponent. Some tried to keep their presence of mind. Some prepared for the fight. Some sharpened their senses. And some tired to relax their nerves."
"Man, Midoriya looked like he was about to roast Ojiro's ass." Jiro observed.
"Tokoyami was being one, with nature." Kaminari said in a calming tone.
"So, Bakugo improving his senses was to glare at a wall?" Sero chuckled.
"That's not what I was doing, Flat Face! I'll kill you!" Bakugo barked.
"Ochaco, you must have been really nervous." Asui noted.
"U-Uh, yeah…" Uraraka rubbed her neck.
"You did really good, Uraraka." Yaoyorozu smiled at her.
"Ah, thank you!" Uraraka smiled back.
"-guys, are you ready?!" Present Mic asked, the crowd cheering in response. "A lot's happened, but it's now come to this! A serious battle! You can only depend on yourself!"
"Wasn't that the obstacle course too, though?" Sato questioned.
"Yes, but this is more serious." Shoji answered.
"-right? Heart, skill, body, wisdom, and knowledge! Use all that to rush up!" Present Mic's voice echoed, Midoriya standing in the hallway to prepare for his match.
Footsteps echoed in the same hallway.
"Hey!"
Midoriya turned around to see All Might.
"Sorry I'm late, but…" All Might apologized before asking, "You figured out One for All, right?"
"All Might, if that was the case, he wouldn't have been breaking all his bones during his fight with Todoroki." Sero told him.
"Do you think Deku could've won if he had One for All mastered then?" Uraraka asked.
"Well, there was only one way to find out, and that opportunity was missed." Jiro told her.
"Not necessarily…" Kaminari grinned, Todoroki and Midoriya glancing at each other.
"Aizawa Sensei, do you think we can do one-on-one battles tomorrow for training?" Kaminari asked.
"I'll think about it." Aizawa replied.
Kaminari gave a thumbs up before turning back to the TV.
"-current body, even if I succeed, I just end up with a little power…" Midoriya told him.
"Yes, if we talk in terms of the zero or 100% from before, what your body can release right now is about a five." All Might observed.
"Five percent of my power?!" Midoriya repeated, sighing, "Hearing that, I really feel like I've been blessed with friends and luck."
All Might rubbed his neck before he karate chopped Midoriya's neck, exclaiming, "You should just say, 'I'll do my best, damn it.' you prince of nonsense!"
The class nodded in agreement.
"That might have hurt, Young Midoriya, but it was necessary." All Might nodded.
"I-I know, but it just felt a little like cheating still." Midoriya rubbed his neck from the past pain.
"Deku, if you think that's considered cheating, then you should've been kicked out! But you're not because you deserve to be here, just like the rest of us!" Uraraka exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Kirishima joined in.
"Besides, cheating would mostly be getting through recommendations, since we didn't have to take that entrance exam." Yaoyorozu told him.
Midoriya looked at his classmates around him, seeing their smiling faces before he started tearing up. Wiping his eyes, he muttered, "I don't deserve this…"
"Ah, you're never going to stop being a crybaby, huh, Young Midoriya." All Might sighed.
"That's just his identity, All Might." Sero smiled.
"-if it's a bluff. Stand proud! Don't forget that I've got high hopes for you!" All Might in his muscular form explained to Midoriya, who nodded in response.
Fire shot out on the field, as Present Mic yelled, "Audience! The finals that you've all been waiting for are finally starting! Match number one-"
'Hitoshi Shinso vs Izuku Midoriya'
"Even though he's done well, what's with that face?" Present Mic wondered about Midoriya's photo on the TV screen.
"Yeah, Midoriya, you look like you're being told off." Iida told him.
"I was just nervous." Midoriya chuckled.
"Weren't we all…" Sero patted his shoulder.
"I wasn't." Bakugo spat.
"I was the most." Uraraka shivered.
"-it's Hitoshi Shinso! The rules are simple. Force your opponent out of bounds, or immoblize them! You can also win by making your opponent say, 'I give up'! Bring on your injuries! Because we've got our very own Recovery Girl waiting on standby!" Present Mic announced.
"I bet, that when Present Mic announced this match, Recovery Girl was shaking her head, muttering, 'Don't encourage the kid, Mic'." Kaminari imitated.
"Very poor choice of words." Sero added.
"-life-threatening is crap! It's not allowed!" Present Mic continued.
The class looked at Bakugo until he held his palm up, making little sparks, which made the class turn their attention back to the TV.
"Heroes should only use their fists to catch villains!" Present Mic continued.
"What about self defense?" Uraraka asked.
"Um, what are you implying, Uraraka?" Midoroya asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Nothing!" Uraraka assured him.
Midoriya breathed in then out.
"'I give up', huh?" Shinso chuckled, noting, "This is a fight to test the strength of your spirit. If you know what you want for your future, then you can't worry about appearances."
"Ready?" Present Mic asked.
"That monkey was going on about his pride…" Shinso continued.
"Start!"
"...but don't you think he was dumb for throwing away his chance?" Shinso asked.
Midoriya gasped. Narrowing his eyes, he walked towards Shinso, yelling, "What did you say?!"
Midoriya cringed at his past mistake.
"Midoriya…" Ojiro cringed with him.
Shinso grinned as Midoriya stopped.
"I win." Shinso whispered.
Ojiro stood up from his seat, panicking, "I went through the trouble of warning him too!"
All Might gulped from where he was watching.
"Hey, what's the matter? It's the important first match! Liven things up!" Present Mic yelled.
Midoriya stood frozen in place, his pupils white from their original green.
"Midoriya! The match just started and he's completely frozen?!" Present Mic shrieked.
Ending plays.
"WHAT?! NO!" the class yelled while Bakugo smirked.
"Why stop there?!" Ashido screeched.
"You can watch more…" Aizawa sighed.
"Ojiro, I'm so sorry!" Midoriya apologized.
"Hey, at least you got out of his trance, which I'm still wondering how." Ojiro replied.
"We'll find out next, right?!" Kaminari questioned, pleading, "Please skip the outro! I wanna know!"
Mineta struggled in his cocoon. 'No! No! Don't skip the outro!'
"Young heroes, let's settle down, and we shall all find out, hopefully." All Might told them.
"All Might is right, Class 1-A!" Iida agreed, adding, "Let's not go wild because of a question."
"Yes, sir!"
Chapter 25: Victory or Defeat
Same recap played.
"Forget the damn recap! Just tell me what happens?!" Kaminari exclaimed.
"If you calm your ass down, you'll find out." Jiro glared at him.
"But first it's the recap, then the opening, and another recap." Ojiro pointed out.
"We all wanna know, right?!" Kaminari shouted.
"Just shut up, Dunce Face! We don't need your complaining!" Bakugo yelled.
Kaminari sat in his seat, vibrating from curiosity.
Opening plays, then a small recap from the last episode.
"Oh! Cut it with the recaps! I just wanna know!" Ashido cried.
"Deku?!" Uraraka muttered as she and Iida stood up.
"What in the world is going on?" Iida asked.
Midoriya stood frozen in place, his pupils white from their original green.
"Midoriya! The match just started and he's completely frozen?!" Present Mic screeched, the audience's questioning.
"Hey, it's Ms. Joke!" Sato pointed out.
"-look on his face and isn't moving a muscle! Is this Shinso's quirk?! He didn't stand out at all, but could he actually be someone amazing?" Present Mic announced.
Title screen 'Victory or Defeat'
"And we already know the answer to that, so get on with the match!" Kaminari and Ashido yelled.
"If that were the case, why is he not in the hero course?" Tokoyami asked.
"The rules were to take down robots or immobilize them, but Shinso's quirk isn't really suited for that." Shoji answered.
"-imagined this?! Will the bottom really overthrow the top?" Present Mic exaggerated.
"That's why I said the entrance exam wasn't rational." Aizawa sighed.
"Huh? What?" Present Mic turned to Aizawa.
"Here's some basic information on the two of them. Since it's individual matches from here on out, I had someone compile it for me. Shinso failed the practical exam for the hero course. Since he also applied for the general studies, he probably knew that would happen. His quirk is very powerful, but the practical exam consisted of fighting faux villains." Aizawa told Present Mic, explaining who Shinso was.
"Who cares?!" Bakugo yelled.
"Cut the flashbacks! We've already seen them all!" Kaminari exclaimed, showing flashbacks of the entrance exam.
"But Aizawa Sensei does have a point." Yaoyorozu admitted.
"The entrance exam was for the power type quirks, so Shinso was at a disadvantage. And even if he did use his quirk to make people get points for him, it wouldn't be his points." Aizawa explained.
"Who cares?! Just hurry up with the match!" Bakugo yelled again.
"-you've been blessed, Izuku Midoriya." Shinso muttered before glancing behind Midoriya, ordering, "Turn around and walk out of bounds."
At his words, Midoriya was unfrozen and turned around to walk out of bounds.
"Huh? What?! Midoriya's being so obedient!" Present Mic shouted out.
"Deku, why?" Uraraka gasped.
"If you go out of bounds, then you'll lose the match!" Iida explained, waving his hands.
All Might gripped the wall. 'That quirk is…'
'Hitoshi Shinso. Quirk: Brainwashing'
"So… I was right about what I thought his quirk was." Ojiro confirmed while Midoriya wrote in his notebook.
"So, all he has to do is say a question, and get his opponent to answer, then they're under his full control…" Midoriya muttered to himself.
"Midoriya, you're note taking skills are a good quality, but muttering isn't." Asui said bluntly.
"If you're under his quirk, can you hear anything, or is it just his voice, echoing around you?" Sero rubbed his chin.
"His voice echoing." Ojiro and Midoriya answered.
Aizawa sighed, putting down the papers, whispering, "If he can just overcome Shinso's brainwashing… Well, either way, this'll end quickly."
All Might gasped as Midoriya kept walking toward out of bounds, pleading, "Young Midoriya! You can't come here!"
"All Might was so worried." Yaoyorozu smiled.
"Of course I was worried!" All Might replied, adding, "You all look worried, too."
"I wasn't." Bakugo whispered.
"Just show us how he got out of his trance!" Kaminari screeched.
'Damn it! Stop! Stop! Even though… Ojiro warned me… Crap! Damn it!' Midoriya begged with himself, his voice echoing on the last few thoughts.
Before the match, in the waiting room, Midoriya gulped.
"A quirk that can control people, huh?" Midoriya uttered.
"Hell with the flashback, show us the match!" Jiro exclaimed.
"Why the suspense!" Sero whined.
"-you know about it. I don't remember much after I answered his question. I think that's how it works." Ojiro told Midoriya about how to avoid Shinso's quirk.
"So if I answer without thinking, then I'll lose right away." Midoriya dreaded.
"No, it's not completely impenetrable." Ojiro added, making Midoriya glanced at him as Ojiro explained, "I said I barely remembered anything until almost the end, right? When we were running away after Shinso stole Tetsutetsu's headband, it looks like I ran into one of the horses on Team Tetsutetsu."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" Uraraka jumped.
"U-Uraraka?!" Midoriya questioned.
"Ojiro…" Uraraka turned to him. "...you said that when you bumped into Shiozaki, that you were able to get out of his trance?"
Ojiro nodded, Uraraka continuing as she turned everyone.
"Remember that dust cloud that Deku created before he stepped over the out of bounds line?!"
"Do you think that was how he did it?" Ashido thought.
"Just shut up and watch!" Jiro exclaimed.
"-one match, you can't count on outside forces like that." Ojiro added to Midoriya about an outside force to snap him out of Shinso's quirk. Getting up out of the chair he sat in, Ojiro sighed, "Anyway, that's all that I can tell you."
"Thanks! That was amazing!" Midoriya stood up.
Ojiro smiled before looking at his hand, clenching it into a fist.
"I'm going to say something selfish…" Ojiro started as he put his fist out to Midoriya, saying, "...but please do you best for me, too."
"Ojiro…" Midoriya's eyes sparkled before nodding.
'Damn it!' Midoriya continued walking out of bounds, the memory finishing with him and Ojiro fist bumping, uttering, 'This quickly! Even though everyone is counting on me! In a place like this… Like this…!' Midoriya thought as the screen zoomed into his eye.
The entrance where he entered the stage started glittering with lights until eight shadowy figures appeared, their eyes glowing yellow.
"What are those…?" Shoji widened his eyes.
"One looked like All Might..." Sero uttered.
"Did Midoriya…" Yaoyorozu began.
'What… is… this?!' Midoriya questioned as One for All coursed through his body before it went into his index and middle finger, pleading. 'Mov…'
"You probably don't understand, but even with a quirk like this, I have my own dream." Shinso muttered. Narrowing his eyes, ordering, "Now, lose for me."
Midoriya's foot hovered over the out of bounds line, almost placing it down. Before he could, his fingers powered with One for All flickered towards the ground, booming, creating a dust cloud around Midoriya. Shinso, All Might and Midnight covered their faces from the dust. Midoriya gasped for air, his pupils back to their emerald color.
"What the hell?!" some of the class yelled while the others jaws were hanging from shock.
All Might smiled. 'So, you were watching him, huh, Nana.'
"Who were those shadow figures?!" Kaminari exclaimed, turning to All Might adding, "And why did one of them look like you?"
"I'll explain it at a later time, Young Kaminari." All Might answered, which only made Kaminari more anxious.
"-so glad!" Uraraka sighed with relief.
Aizawa widened his eyes, seeing Midoriya's broken fingers, observing, 'His fingers are…'
"-broken." Sero sighed, finishing Aizawa's thought.
'Did he remove the brainwashing by making them explode?' Aizawa questioned.
Midoriya looked over his shoulder at Shinso, pissed.
Ojiro sat back down, sighing, "That's crazy…"
"That is crazy! Who were those figures anyway?" Ashido agreed.
"All Might said he'll explain them later." Kaminari told her.
"-able to move freely! What did you do?" Shinso yelled.
Midoriya covered his mouth, thinking, 'I'm the one who discharged my fingers. But I wasn't the one who moved them. What happened?'
The shadowy figures from before showed.
'People I didn't know came to mind, and for a second, my mind was clear! That was…' Midoriya thought.
'One for All.'
"Wait, Midoriya, can you pause?" Todoroki asked him. When he did, Todoroki turned to All Might. "In the beginning of episode three, in the first season, when you were explaining your quirk to Midoriya, you said that 'your quirk was passed onto you', right? Were those shadows the previous owners?"
All Might smiled. "You guessed it, Young Todoroki."
"No way! No wonder one of them looked like you!" Ashido exclaimed.
"Man, Todoroki, you're a genius!" Kirishima told him.
'Passed onto me like a sacred torch.'
"Todoroki figured it out before All Might had a chance to explain." Sero chuckled.
'Of the people who spun together this power… Did they save me? Is that even possible?' Midoriya glanced at his broken fingers.
"We get it, Deku. You saw the past users, now get on with the fight!" Bakugo yelled, annoyed.
"Come on, man. You gotta admit that's at least a little cool." Kirishima said.
'-think about it now, I won't find the answer.' Midoriya thought, shaking his head while holding his fingers, thinking, 'Later… Thinking can come later!'
Shinso gritted his teeth as Midoriya turned to face him.
'He won't answer… Did he figure out my secret? No, he should've heard from that monkey from the beginning. All I can do is make him talk again...' Shinso wondered before smiling, "Say something."
Midoriya squeezed his mouth shut, objecting.
Shinso gritted his teeth before gushing, "You can produce that much power just by moving your fingers? I'm jealous."
'I felt the same way in the past.' Midoriya thought, running back toward Shinso.
"Thanks to my quirk, I've been behind from the start. Someone who's been blessed like you can't understand, can you?" Shinso continued.
'I do understand. But, it's true… I've been blessed.' Midoriya closed his eyes.
"Someone like you who was born with the ideal quirk! Someone who can reach your goal!" Shinso shouted at Midoriya.
'I've been blessed by others!' Midoriya gritted his teeth before he pushed Shinso, thinking, 'That's why!'
Midoriya continued pushing Shinso back. As Shinso tried to stop him, he yelled, "Say something!"
Shinso punched Midoriya in the nose. Midoriya flinched back in pain, but didn't back down.
'I can't lose, either!' Midoriya declared.
Shinso looked behind him as Midoriya continued pushing him. 'Is he trying to push me out?' Shinso gaped before punching Midoriya's broken fingers. Midoriya gaped in pain, but still held his ground before Shinso pushed him off, "You've got to be kidding me!"
Shinso grumbled as he started pushing Midoriya, yelling, "You get out!"
Midoriya grabbed Shinso's collar, then his arm, gasping from his broken fingers before he threw him over his shoulder.
'I can't lose!' Midoriya gritted his teeth as he slammed Shinso to the ground.
The students watching stared in awe at what Midoriya did before Midnight raised her hand, announcing, "Shinso is out of bounds! Midoriya advances to round two!"
"Yeah, Midoriya!" the class cheered.
Midoriya ignored Uraraka as she shook him, thinking, 'You were right, Shinso. But, you were also wrong.'
"That was awesome, and seeing Bakugo's shocked face was priceless!" Sero grinned.
"What'd you say, Flat Face?! I'll like you" Bakugo demanded.
'Three Years Ago'
"What is this?" Kaminari questioned.
'Nabooh City Middle School'
"What the hell is this?!" Bakugo repeated Kaminari's question.
"It's Shinso's junior high!" Ashido answered when it showed Shinso on screen.
"But why his past?" Jiro questioned.
"We'll find out if we watch." Yaoyorozu answered.
"Should we be watching it though?" Uraraka whispered.
"I'm so jealous!" a student told Shinso when they learned his quirk was brainwashing.
"I can't believe you can control anyone!"
"You can do as much bad stuff as you want!"
"No one'd know it was you." a student sighed. When nothing happened, they questioned, "Don't control us, okay?"
Shinso rubbed his neck at their comments.
"Everyone says that." Shinso chuckled, thinking, 'Of course, if someone else had it, the first thing I'd think is that they'd use it for evil, too.'
Students stood behind Shinso, eyeing him.
''Criminal'... 'It's good for being a villain, huh? I'm used to people insinuating that about me.' Shinso sighed.
"That's why he wanted to go into the hero course so badly." Hagakure sympathized.
"Everyone teased him for having a quirk that they thought would suit a villain. That's not manly!" Kirishima exclaimed.
"And during his match with Midoriya, he was talking about how Midoriya was blessed with a good quirk…" Yaoyorozu added.
"Though, he was wrong about a few things." Kaminari pointed out.
Shinso clenched his fist as he laid on the ground.
"In the finals, the first person to advance to the second round is Izuku Midoriya from Class A!" Present Mic announced while Midoriya gasped for air.
"I was so nervous!" Uraraka laid back in her seat, sighing with relief.
"Turning the tables at the last minute! As expected of Midoriya!" Iida smiled.
"He did that shoulder toss on you, too, didn't he?" Kaminari teased Bakugo.
"Shut up, Dunce Face." Bakugo told him as he thought, 'That damn… He was definitely aiming for it! He led me right into it!'
Some of the class started laughing when they saw Kaminari's disappointed face.
"Aw, Kaminari, don't feel too bad. Bakugo's also a frowner!" Ashido smiled.
Kaminari put his hands behind his back. "Yeah, it was just the first time he called me 'Dunce Face', so I was disappointed."
'-best use of his experience, it's like he's using any experience he can to force the flow to change in his favor.' Aizawa thought.
"Is that supposed to be a complaint?" Sato asked.
"More or less." Aizawa answered.
"-first match, but we should praise them both for a bravely fought battle. Clap your hands!" Present Mic cheered, the audience following. While they clapped, Midoriya stared at the ground as he held his fingers.
'Someone who's been blessed like you can't understand, can you? Someone who can reach your goal!'
Midoriya looked up at Shinso, asking, "Shinso, why do you want to be a hero?"
Shinso was taken aback by the question.
'But you know…'
Shinso looked away, responding, "You can't help the things you long for."
Midoriya gasped as Shinso turned to walk away.
'I felt the same way before I inherited One for All. But, no matter what I say right now…' Midoriya looked back down.
"Did you want to tell Shinso about One for All, Deku…?" Uraraka whispered.
"Not necessarily, but I wanted to tell him that I once felt the same." Midoriya sighed.
"You were really cool, Shinso!" someone cheered from the stands, making Shinso look up to see his classmates.
"Good job!"
"I was really surprised!"
"You're the star of the general studies!"
"You put up a great fight against the guy who placed first in the obstacle course!"
While they cheered, Shinso stared, startled by what his classmates were saying.
"Besides-" one pointed towards a pro hero.
"That quirk would work quite well against villains. I wish I had it."
"U.A.'s not very smart if he's in general studies."
"Well, they've got a ton of people applying, so some things just can't be helped."
"That pro hero is right, and so is Ms. Joke!" Iida exclaimed, surprising the class by his sudden outburst.
"Yes, they're right. It can't be helped, but maybe if we discuss this with the principal…" Aizawa glanced at All Might.
"...he might make a few adjustments to the entrance exam." All Might finished.
"Yeah, Shinso!" Kaminari and Midoriya cheered.
The sun shined on Shinso as he listened to the pro heroes and his classmates. A familiar cherry blossom petal twirled around him.
"Depending on the results, they'll consider our transfer into the hero course. Remember that. Even if it didn't work this time, I definitely won't give up. I'll get into the hero course, get certified, and I'll definitely become a better hero than you guys!" Shinso vowed to Midoriya.
"What did that bastard…" Bakugo began, getting up from his seat.
"Bakugo! Don't ruin the moment!" Kirishima whispered, holding him back.
"Too late." Jiro sighed.
"Also where did that petal come from...?" Ashido rubbed her chin.
"He got you again!" Kaminari whispered to Midoriya.
"-usually wary when they talk to me, though…" Shinso chuckled. He turned his head to look at Midoriya, warning, "At this rate, someone'll trip you up in no time. At least…"
Midoriya blinked, Shinso's quirk gone.
"...don't lose in an unseemly way." Shinso smirked.
'Shinso…' Midoriya thought before promising, "I won't!"
Midoriya's pupils became white again.
"Midoriya, Midoriya, Midoriya…" Ojiro sighed.
"I-I'm sorry!" Midoriya covered his face.
"It's a little funny, though." Uraraka smiled.
"Just get on with the matches, disc! Who cares about Deku?!" Bakugo yelled.
"Apparently, the disc, since he is kinda the main character." Kirishima chuckled.
"I should've been the main character!" Bakugo narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah, like that would be interesting." Sero laughed.
"-hit close to home for you, huh?" All Might asked Midoriya in Recovery Girls office.
"But that didn't mean that I could lose." Midoriya answered. Looking at All Might, saying, "That's what it means to aim for number one, right?"
"Yeah, show no mercy!" Bakugo yelled.
"You do realize you're agreeing with Midoriya, right?" Kirishima chuckled.
"I'm just giving the damn nerd his answer!" Bakugo argued.
"-again, didn't you?" Recovery Girl glared at All Might before hitting him in the gut as she asked about him putting more pressure on Midoriya.
"Ooo!" the class winced while All Might held his side.
Aizawa hid a faint smile. 'Guess I didn't really need to talk to you about it, huh, Toshinori?'
"It was necessary! Ouch." All Might told her, holding his side.
"Not really." Aizawa looked at him.
"I might have put a bit too much, but-" All Might began.
"Midoriya always likes to feel like he carries the world on his shoulders!" Sero finished.
"No I don't!" Midoriya protested.
"Yes, you kind of do." Todoroki agreed with Sero.
"Todoroki!" Midoriya glanced at him.
"Also Midoriya just watching it unfold!" Kaminari chuckled when he saw Midoriya's blank face on TV.
"-not sure exactly how many…" Midoriya told All Might about the shadowy figures, explaining, "There was someone with eyes like you, too, All Might. Was it the people who had inherited One for All who did it?"
"Scary… What the heck?" All Might shivered.
"Wait, so you didn't even know what it was?" Yaoyorozu turned to All Might.
"No, I did. I was just a little shocked Young Midoriya had seen it so early." All Might answered.
"-saw it before, in my younger days." All Might calmed down, Midoriya gasping as All Might explained, "It's a clear sign that you've got a better grasp on One for All."
"What does that mean?" Midoriya asked.
"I think it's like a trace of something they left behind in One for All. It's not something with intent that can interfere with you, and you can't interfere with them. In other words, that vision isn't what got rid of the brainwashing. It was when you saw the vision, your strong emotions allowed you to overcome Young Shinso's Brainwashing for just long enough to move your fingertips, I think." All Might explained.
"That explanation's not satisfying at all, though…" Midoriya sighed, rubbing his neck.
"Don't get too hung up about it!" All Might yelled, adding, "More importantly, don't you need to see who you'll fight next?"
Midoriya jumped before he opened the door to Recovery Girl's office
"Thank you both very much!" Midoriya exclaimed on his way out.
As he left the room, Recovery Girl said, "You… were there, too, he said."
"That's a good thing." All Might sighed.
Todoroki walked down a hallway. 'Midoriya won, huh?'
Todoroki turned a corner, before he stopped at the end.
"You're in the way." Todoroki glared, Endeavor, leaning against a side of a wall.
"That wasn't really nice to say." Ashido thought out loud.
"You must've really been angry with your father, huh?" Sero asked Todoroki.
"Furious." Todoroki sighed.
Todoroki continued his walking, ignoring Endeavor.
"If you used the power in your left side, you would've had an overwhelming victory in the obstacle course and the cavalry battle. Stop this childish rebellion already. You have a duty to surpass All Might. Do you understand? You're different from your siblings. You are the greatest masterpiece!" Endeavor told Todoroki.
"Todoroki…" Midoriya whispered.
"That's not how you should treat your son, Endeavor!" Kaminari scuffed at the TV, adding, "Meanie!"
"Kaminari!" Iida exclaimed at him.
"-win and advance with just Mom's power. I won't use your power when I fight." Todoroki gritted his teeth.
"Even if that works for now, you'll soon reach the limits of that power." Endeavor narrowed his eyes.
The class flinched from Todoroki's face on screen, a shadow covering half of it, making him look a little scary.
"C-Can we agree that a shadow can make one's face scary?" Kaminari chuckled nervously, the others nodding.
"Sorry." Todoroki apologized.
"So that's why you were angry." Sero smiled nervously.
"-a seat for you!" Iida told Midoriya when he made it to the stands.
"Thanks." Midoriya told him. Before he made it to where Iida was, he looked to see Ojiro giving a thumbs up, Midoriya nodding.
Fire shot out again while Present Mic yelled, "Thanks for waiting! Next up is… these guys!"
'Shoto Todoroki vs Hanta Sero'
"He's good! He's good, but what's with that plainness he just can't get rid of? From the hero course, it's Hanta Sero!" Present Mic announced, Sero stretching his arms.
"That's mean." Sero smirked at Present Mic's announcement.
"Versus- taking second, then first in the prelims! You're way too strong, kid! He wasn't recommended for admission for nothing! Also from the hero course, it's Shoto Todoroki! And now, for the second match for the finals! Ready..."
"Well, I don't feel like I can win…" Sero sighed.
"I said that to be intimidating…" Sero sighed.
"You still did good." Yaoyorozu assured him.
"But did you think it would be that easy to defeat Todoroki?" Kaminari asked, showing TV Sero taping up Todoroki and slinging him to the side.
"No…" Sero shook his head.
"-his opponent out of bounds! Don't you think that was the best choice for this situation?! Seriously, get him, Sero!" Present Mic shrieked about Sero.
"Sorry." Todoroki whispered. Ice shot from his right foot, aiming for Sero.
The ground shook, Recovery Girl exclaiming, "Wh-What was that?"
"What's this vibration?" All Might wondered.
Present Mic had his face on the glass along with Aizawa's widening eyes.
Midoriya, Iida and Uraraka gasped, ice right over their heads.
Death Arms and Kamui outside stood in shock as ice spikes stood outside of the arena.
"Oh my…" All Might gaped.
Sero shivered, remembering the freezing temperature.
"Sorry." Todoroki apologized again, seeing Sero shiver.
"I-It's fine, man. D-Don't worry." Sero smiled nervously.
Todoroki broke from the frozen tape around him.
"Don't… Don't you think that's a bit much?" Sero began, his body encased in ice.
Midnight shivered, her body half covered in ice as she asked, "Sero, can you move?"
"O-Of course not… Ow!" Sero shivered.
"Sero is immobilized! Todoroki advances to the second round!" Midnight announced, the crowd staring in shock.
"D-Don't worry about it…" someone in the crowd whispered.
"Don't worry about it!" another cheered as the crowd started following.
"Don't worry about it! Don't worry about it!"
"Sorry, I went overboard." Todoroki walked to Sero. Placing his left hand over him, steam coming from it, Todoroki glared, "I was angry."
"Under the eyes of the crowd that started shouting 'Don't worry about it' unprompted was Todoroki, melting what he'd frozen himself with his left hand. For some reason, he looked very sad to me." Midoriya narrated.
Ending plays.
"What's that 'he looked very sad to me' supposed to mean?" Ashido asked.
"I guess we kind of know, since Todoroki was angry with his father at the time." Asui answered while the class glanced towards Todoroki.
"Please… don't stare." Todoroki told them.
"Sorry!"
"Aizawa Sensei, how much more are we allowed to watch?" Yaoyorozu asked.
"I suppose the same as yesterday, though, I'll be leaving when the next one ends." Aizawa answered.
"All right then, Class 1-A, let us continue!" Iida shouted.