Chapter 22: Class 1-A
Noon came way too fast. Izuku found himself alone at a corner table in the big cafeteria. He just stared off into space. His face felt empty, his eyes weren't really seeing anything. The morning's events kept playing over and over in his head, torturing him. He still couldn't quite wrap his head around everything that happened. A weird, aching emptiness had taken root in his chest. It felt like a hole where his hopeful heartbeat used to be.
The morning went by so fast Izuku barely noticed anything outside his own thoughts. Teachers for different subjects came and went. Their first-day intros were just quiet noises compared to the storm raging inside him. He couldn't stop thinking about the quirk assessment. He could almost feel the same numb feeling coming off his classmates. Their dead-looking eyes showed the same despair he felt, like it was stuck to him.
All he'd wanted was to not look like some arrogant show-off. He just wanted to be a good classmate. He planned to hold back during the test. He wanted to give everyone else a fair chance to do well. He never, ever expected Aizawa to react so strongly.
But a bigger, more painful question kept digging at him. How did Aizawa know, so clearly, that he was holding back? The only thing Izuku could think of was his performance in the Entrance Exam. Thinking about it now, he'd really, really underestimated Aizawa. Aizawa must have gone over everyone's Entrance Exam results carefully. He probably already had a good idea of what they could all do. The quirk assessment test was likely his way to check his own ideas. And maybe to show the students what they were capable of.
But then, why turn his classmates against him like that? What was Aizawa trying to do with this twisted plan? Why torture his future students and make them suspicious of him? Izuku knew Aizawa wasn't a big fan of teenagers. But that didn't justify being so cruel to them, did it? Or was he, again, not realizing how harsh Aizawa could be?
But the 'why' of it all didn't really matter now, Izuku thought. A new wave of despair hit him hard. He'd made a huge mistake, one he couldn't forgive himself for. He wasn't the type to run from his responsibilities. He should have paid more attention. He should have realized Aizawa already had some idea of their power levels.
Still, he'd gone into the quirk assessment planning to hold back. He knew it was his fault. There was no one else to blame. But his actions had put his new classmates, people who could have been his friends, right in Aizawa's line of fire. It was all because he hadn't been straight with them. All because he'd been selfish, thinking more about his own worries than their futures.
He knew, with a painful certainty, that he'd lost any trust his classmates might have had in him. He'd noticed their sideways looks and quiet whispers all morning. Months of facing criminals in dark alleys had made his senses super sharp. He couldn't miss their mumbled complaints or the way they tensed up when he was near. He heard them blaming him, heard their disappointment.
They didn't know him. They weren't even friends yet. So, it made sense they'd blame him for the mess they were in. He might have wrecked their shot at U.A. if Aizawa hadn't given them that tiny bit of hope, that second chance. They'd all fought so hard, given up so much, to get into this top school. And now, through no fault of their own, they were about to get kicked out on day one.
Every one of them had dreams. They all desperately wanted to be heroes, to be like the heroes they looked up to. Getting expelled on the first day would crush those dreams. It would leave them with nothing but shattered confidence. What would they tell their parents, their friends, their families? That they got kicked out because one kid thought he was too good to show his real power? They'd be outcasts, jokes to everyone.
Someone moved at the edge of Izuku's vision. He looked up, a bit nervously. Iida was standing at the other end of the table, holding his food tray. His eyes stared at Izuku, full of disappointment he couldn't quite voice. His eyebrows were pulled together in a deep frown, marking his face with disapproval.
"Iida…" Izuku whispered. He sounded fragile, heartbroken.
"Midoriya," Iida replied. His usual sharp, commanding voice was gone. Instead, his tone was heavy, quiet, and deeply unsettling. "Why…?"
Izuku winced, seeing how vulnerable, how completely broken Iida sounded. His own lips trembled. He knew better than anyone how much being at U.A. meant to Iida. His family had a legacy. And Iida desperately wanted to live up to his amazing older brother.
"I am sorry, Iida," Izuku answered. His voice was low and weak, the words feeling empty even to him. He knew, with a horrible certainty, that apologizing over and over wouldn't fix the mess he'd made for them.
"I just… I just didn't want to come off as a show-off," Izuku continued. "I thought… I thought I'd look like an arrogant asshole if I used my full power. I… I…" He trailed off, the words catching in his throat. He didn't know how to justify himself.
He realized then, with a crushing feeling, he had no excuse.
Iida just stared at Izuku, his sad expression not changing. He didn't have any words for him either. What could he possibly say to close this huge gap of disappointment? "Midoriya," he started slowly, his words heavy, "the others want to talk. They need to decide what to do. They asked me to join them."
Izuku nodded, just a tiny movement of his head. "I understand, Iida," he said. He forced a small, weak smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You should go join them."
"Thank you, Midoriya," Iida replied. He gave a respectful nod, attempting at a smile that was both shaky and unsure. He turned and walked away, his steps careful and slow.
Izuku watched sadly as Iida walked over to the table where Class 1-A was sitting. They were all talking quietly, faces tight with worry. He might have just lost his best friend's friendship, all because he'd been so incredibly stupid. That thought, the idea of losing Iida, hurt more than any punch ever could.
Iida walked through the cafeteria. His long legs carried him to the table where the rest of Class 1-A sat. A heavy silence hung over them. Worry was plain on their faces. It matched the churning feeling in his own stomach. He hesitated, stopping for a second to look back at Izuku's lonely table. Izuku was still there, a single figure in the busy lunch crowd, his food untouched. Iida's jaw tightened.
A knot of guilt formed in his chest. It felt so wrong to leave Izuku alone like this. But a little bit of hope pushed him forward. He hoped he could convince his classmates to rethink things, to give Izuku another chance. He wasn't sure he'd succeed. But he felt strongly that he had to try, to check every option.
His heart felt heavy with both dread and determination. Iida finally reached the table and sat in the empty seat next to Uraraka. The brown-haired girl, usually so full of life, just stared at her bowl. She stirred her soup like a robot, completely lost in her own worries. She didn't even seem to see him arrive.
Iida looked up, checking the faces of his classmates. He saw his own anxiety and worry reflected in their expressions. Kaminari caught his eye and tried to give him a reassuring smile. But it wavered and didn't quite reach his eyes. Jirou also seemed lost in thought. She stared at something far away, not really seeing anything. The only one missing from the group was Todoroki. His empty seat made Iida feel a quick flash of concern.
"Mr. Iida."
Yaoyorozu's gentle but firm voice got Iida's attention. She was the only one at the table who looked calm on the outside. Her dark eyes were fixed on him, looking very determined. "Yes?" Iida answered, a bit of caution in his voice.
"We understand you're friends with Izuku Midoriya," said Yaoyorozu. She didn't say how she knew this.
Iida paused. He looked around the table at the expectant faces before slowly, carefully nodding. "Yes," he confirmed, "I am friends with Izuku Midoriya."
"Did you know he was holding back?" The question came suddenly from a muscular boy.
"I…" Iida started, then stopped. The truth felt stuck in his throat. He let out a heavy breath. The weight of the situation felt like it was pressing down on him. "No… I did not."
"Did you know why he was holding back?" asked the pink-skinned girl.
"He didn't want to appear arrogant," Iida replied softly. He frowned as a scoffing sound, seemingly from nowhere, broke the quiet.
"Yeah, right," the invisible girl grumbled. The sleeves of her blazer moved as if she were crossing her arms. "He tried to avoid looking arrogant by hiding his powers? That sounds even more arrogant, if you ask me."
"Mr. Iida," Yaoyorozu cut in calmly. She steered the conversation back before it could get too sidetracked. "Could you perhaps tell us something about Izuku Midoriya's quirk?"
"Are you… planning to fight him?" Iida asked, feeling worried. He suddenly had a chilling feeling, like a deer caught in headlights.
"Do we have any other choice?" Kaminari shot back. His voice sounded reluctant, like he didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to fight Izuku. He still clearly remembered Izuku saving him during the Entrance Exam.
"Not one that I can see," Yaoyorozu admitted. A small frown of frustration briefly crossed her usually calm face.
"And I don't think any of us want to risk angering Mr. Aizawa any further," added the boy with a very long and thick tail. He even shuddered when he said Mr. Aizawa's name.
"The most logical thing to do seems to be following Mr. Aizawa's instructions and fighting Midoriya," the boy with the bird-like head stated. There was a hint of regret in his voice.
Iida's frown got deeper at their words. A wave of protectiveness washed over him. He knew, maybe better than anyone else there, how selfless Midoriya was. "Everyone…" he began. "I understand your position. I really do. But I'm begging you, please don't blame Midoriya."
The invisible girl slammed her hands on the table. The force of it made the furniture shake. "Are you freaking serious?!" she shrieked. "He's the reason we're in this mess! And you're telling us not to blame him?! Who should we blame then? Ourselves?!"
"That's not what I meant," Iida protested, but his voice didn't sound as sure as usual. "He couldn't have known Mr. Aizawa would react so strongly."
"And was that fair to us?" challenged the red-haired boy. His tone was much more controlled than the invisible girl's. "Was it fair that he tried to give us a chance to shine?"
"It was not," Iida admitted. He felt the argument slipping away from him. "But…"
"Iida…" the frog-like girl cut in. Her voice was surprisingly neutral, almost calm in the middle of all the tension. She seemed strangely unaffected by how serious the situation was. "Would you be saying the same thing if Midoriya wasn't your friend?"
"I…" Iida stammered. He couldn't find the words. He was trapped by the clear truth of her question. He knew, with a horrible certainty, that if things were switched, if Izuku wasn't his closest friend, he'd probably be on their side, planning how to beat him.
Asui gave a small, knowing nod. "I hope you can understand the tough spot we're in."
"Iida…" Uraraka's voice, soft and hesitant, broke the heavy silence. It was the first time she'd spoken since Iida joined them. She turned to face him. Her large, brown eyes were full of a vulnerability that tugged at his heart. "Please… Please tell us how to defeat Midoriya."
Iida's hands clenched. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of his tray. But his face stayed carefully neutral. He looked down, feeling the weight of all their desperation. There was no point trying to reason with them, to change their minds. They'd already decided. With a tired sigh, he stood up, picking up his untouched tray. He turned to face the rest of the class.
"Everyone…" he began. "I understand your reasons, and the impossible situation you're in. But…" He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "I cannot reveal anything about Izuku. I cannot betray my best friend like that. I hope you can understand my reasons, and my situation, too. I can't just betray my best friend for a chance to become a Hero. I don't want to become a hero that way. If Mr. Aizawa expels me, then so be it. I'm quite sure and confident that I'll be able to find a place in another Hero Academy."
He gave them a respectful bow, a way of saying goodbye and showing he understood. Then he turned and walked away, leaving them to their difficult choices. If he had looked back, he would have seen his own regret and guilt mirrored on the faces of every member of Class 1-A.
Shortly after Iida left, Jirou stood up, her own tray in hand. "You all should reconsider," she stated firmly. "There's no way we can defeat Midoriya."
"Are you saying we're weak?" the invisible girl challenged. Irritation was clear in her voice, though her expression, as always, couldn't be seen.
"Weak? No, not at all," Jirou responded. Her gaze focused on the space where Hagakure was probably sitting. "But we're nowhere near strong enough to take on Midoriya and win. Believe me." A faraway look appeared in her eyes as the image of the destroyed 100-pointer flashed in her mind. "I've seen what he can do firsthand." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving her classmates to think about her words.
Kaminari stood up quickly, grabbing his tray. He gave the remaining students a sheepish grin. "I'm going to go check on her, make sure she's okay," he explained, before hurrying after Jirou.
"She's right," the red-haired boy said. It was the first time he'd spoken during the whole conversation. "I saw him during the Entrance Examination. He demolished an entire zero-pointer all by himself and didn't seem fazed." He stood up from his seat too. "I'll talk with Mr. Aizawa and try to convince him otherwise. I don't want to become a Hero by sacrificing someone else's career. Even if they unknowingly wronged me. And most of all, someone like Midoriya doesn't deserve to be left behind."
With that, he also left the table in silence.
When Iida finally got back to Izuku's table, he found it empty. A wave of unease washed over him. He scanned the cafeteria, looking for his friend, but Izuku was nowhere to be seen. With a heavy sigh, Iida sat down at the empty table. A knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. He could only hope that Izuku didn't misunderstand his actions, that he didn't think Iida had betrayed him.
"Are you freaking serious?" Present Mic's voice practically vibrated off the walls of Aizawa's office.
Behind his desk, the Pro Hero in question just kept eating his lunch, totally unfazed.
"Hey! Are you even listening?" Present Mic tried again. He only got a noncommittal grunt from Aizawa. "Did you seriously pit the entire class against Nemuri's nephew?"
Aizawa grunted into his meal again. It was a clear yes.
Present Mic threw his hands up. "Do you know how idiotic that is? Have you even thought about how furious Nem will be if she hears about your little stunt?"
"Who's going to tell her?" Aizawa asked flatly.
"Oh! I don't know! Maybe her nephew will!" Mic shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I am quite sure Nemuri would understand," Aizawa said patiently. His eyes, though, stayed glued to his food.
"Nem? Our Nem?" Present Mic looked completely baffled. "The only thing she'll understand is planning your funeral."
"Listen, Mic," Aizawa finally looked up. His gaze was stern. "I did what I thought was the best course of action. I don't need to explain my decisions to you or anyone else. Nezu knew about my idea and he agreed with it. That's all that matters."
"Nezu would probably agree to bomb the HPSC's office if you suggested it," Mic retorted, clearly exasperated. "His agreement doesn't mean it's not reckless! You expelled last year's class because they failed this exact test. What makes you think this class won't fail too?"
Aizawa finished the last of his lunch. He then methodically packed the container into his bag and wiped his lips with a tissue. Then, he met Present Mic's agitated stare with a serious expression. "As all of you said… They have potential."
Present Mic stared at Aizawa in disbelief. He let out a sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Okay, just one last question," the Pro-Hero said. "For the last four years, you've been setting up either the top ten against the bottom ten, or pitting them one-on-one against each other…" He paused. He gave Aizawa a look that was both curious and frustrated. "What changed? Why pit them against Izuku like this?"
Aizawa just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Change of plans."
"No, no, no! I'm not letting you do that!" Midnight's voice boomed through the Principal's office.
"But that is a solid plan!" Izuku argued back.
"That is the most moronic plan I have ever heard!" Midnight shot back angrily. "You know what! Let me go and talk with Shota. I will handle him myself."
"Hey! I can't let you fight my battles!" Izuku stated firmly. His frustration was growing by the second.
Midnight spun around to face Nezu. The Principal was calmly sitting behind his desk, sipping tea from his cup. "Are you listening to him?" she yelled at Nezu. "Tell him to stop! This plan is the worst, and it will never work!"
Nezu took another sip before he drawled, "Actually…" He looked up from his cup. He fixed Midnight with a curious look, his pupils glinting with mischief. "I think this is a very fun plan."
"What the hell!" Midnight roared, very much like herself. "Are you serious?! Are you really going to approve this and go with what this idiotic boy is planning?"
"I mean…" Nezu glanced at Izuku. The boy didn't show a single ounce of doubt in his posture. "Mr. Midoriya seems pretty confident with the plan. Are you sure you want to go through with this, Mr. Midoriya? You'd be fighting a Pro."
"Never been more sure in my life," Izuku responded.
"Holy crap!" Midnight threw her arms up in defeat. "I am dealing with fucking morons!"
Iida walked quickly down the hall toward his classroom. He was determined to find Izuku. He'd already searched the entire school, carefully checking everywhere. But the boy was nowhere to be found. Worry started to grow inside him, like a knot tightening in his chest. He wondered where Izuku could be. Had Izuku already given up? No. Iida immediately rejected that idea. There was absolutely no way Izuku would surrender so easily. He was the most resilient, most determined person Iida had ever known.
His classmates had all gone their own ways, leaving him alone. But the quiet disappointment he had seen in their eyes were gone, replaced by an understanding look. They even nodded at him. It didn't really matter, though. His time here was short. After today, their opinions wouldn't mean anything. His main goal right now was to find Izuku. Mr. Aizawa had called their class to the same training field they'd used that morning.
Finally, he reached the classroom door. He slid it open. A wave of relief washed over him when he saw Izuku standing near the far window. The sound of the door must have broken Izuku's concentration. He suddenly spun around to face Iida, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Oh… Iida," Izuku murmured. There was a hint of surprise in his voice, as if he hadn't expected him. "Is your meeting done?"
"Lunch ended nearly an hour ago, Midoriya," Iida replied. He gave a gentle, teasing chuckle.
Izuku's eyes widened for a moment. A flash of realization crossed his face before he let out an embarrassed chuckle of his own. "Ah, you're right. Time certainly flies."
"What are you doing here all alone?" asked Iida. He looked at Izuku carefully, paying close attention.
"I was just making some plans," Izuku answered. A hesitant smile touched his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"What kind of plans?" Iida probed softly, his concern clear.
"Just… plans," Izuku replied vaguely, the smile staying fixed on his face.
Iida's worry for his friend grew deeper. He really hoped Izuku wasn't about to have a mental breakdown. "Are you sure you're alright?" he asked. The question slipped out before he could stop it.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Izuku responded. He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at his best friend. "In fact, I think I should be asking you that question."
"I'm managing fine," Iida stated, giving a stiff nod to emphasize his point. "But we need to hurry. It's almost time…"
"Mr. Aizawa…?" Izuku asked, a little unsure. He got an almost invisible nod from Iida as confirmation. Izuku nodded back. "I understand… Let's go. We need to get changed."
The two friends went to the changing room. They found it already full of the other boys. The boys glanced at them briefly before quickly looking away. You could feel the tension in the room. It was so thick it felt like you could cut it with a dull knife. The other boys gave them plenty of space. Kaminari was the exception. He stayed silent but offered them a small, encouraging smile.
The other boys left almost right after Izuku and Iida arrived. The red-haired boy looked like he wanted to say something. But his confidence clearly faded, and he left without a word. Izuku noticed the boy's worry. He recognized the boy's natural kindness. However, Aizawa had effectively turned the entire class against him. Even if the boy wanted to do something different, his hands were tied. His future was hanging by a thin thread that could snap at any moment.
After putting on their gym clothes, Izuku and Iida left the changing room. They walked down the hall toward the training ground.
"Iida…" Izuku murmured. "I am sorry…"
"You have nothing to apologize for, Midoriya," Iida reassured him warmly.
"Still…" Izuku looked down, his eyes fixed on the tiled floor. "I should have been more honest with all of you… The fault is mine…"
"Listen…" Iida began. "I've thought a lot about your situation, and… I can honestly say I would have done something similar if I were you. It's not your fault, or anyone else's. There was just no way for any of us to know Mr. Aizawa would react so negatively. And it's not like you performed poorly. You deliberately held back and still managed to do great in the assessment. I believe Mr. Aizawa should have cut you some slack."
"No…" Izuku shook his head. "I understand Mr. Aizawa's reasoning. He probably wants all his students to realize their full potential. And me hiding the truth about my strength from all of you would have definitely held back your progress too."
"Regardless," Iida's tone changed, becoming noticeably more relaxed and lighthearted. "I think two students who successfully passed the U.A. Entrance Exam would be easily welcomed at another Hero academy, right?"
Iida's statement made Izuku stop suddenly. He stared at the blue-haired boy's back with a bewildered expression. "What do you mean, Iida?" Izuku asked cautiously.
Iida stopped and turned to face Izuku directly. "What…? You don't expect me to let you leave alone like that, right?"
"W-What…?" Izuku was completely stunned by what Iida was suggesting. He couldn't possibly mean what Izuku thought he meant, could he?
"Izuku…" A flicker of disappointment crossed Iida's face before he smiled, a little exasperated. "You don't expect me to sit here and watch you get expelled. I mean, heck! You would die out there without me."
"Tenya… No…" Izuku murmured. Pure astonishment gripped him. "Why are you doing this? Why are you throwing away your future like that? And for what? It was my fault we're in this situation. I am not going to let you make such a bad decision."
"Well, thank goodness you're not my master or anything," Iida quipped with a chuckle. "And it's even better that I'm capable of making my own decisions." He turned and started walking again, adding over his shoulder, "And, let's be honest… What kind of hero would I be if I abandoned my best friend when he needed me?"
Izuku stared, wide-eyed with awe, at Tenya's retreating back. What had he possibly done to deserve such an incredible friend? Feeling a rush of emotion, Izuku rubbed his eyes, wiping away the tears that were about to fall. He hurried to catch up with his friend and offered a reassuring smirk. "Hey… Don't worry. I have a plan that will probably save us."
"Please don't do anything stupid again," Iida warned. A worried expression was etched on his face.
Izuku threw his head back and laughed heartily. "We're getting expelled anyway. Let's try everything we possibly can."
Aizawa's gaze swept over the students. He noted their downcast and tired expressions. The day's difficult events had clearly affected their young minds. He reminded himself that this was the path they chose: the path of a Hero. This was just the easiest challenge they would face during their time at U.A. And in their future careers, if they even passed this first test.
He watched Midoriya and Iida walk toward the group. A strange seriousness marked their faces. It was different from their classmates. Their movements were stiff. Aizawa briefly wondered what could have caused such a reaction. They stopped, exchanged stiff nods. Then Iida joined the rest of his classmates while Izuku stood apart.
Aizawa studied the two groups that had formed on either side of him. Midoriya radiated confidence and determination. It looked like he had decided to face the rest of the class. Aizawa shifted his attention to the others. He saw them fidgeting nervously, their eyes lowered. Some, like Ochako, looked terrified. He briefly thought about the invisible girl, Toru Hagakure if he remembered correctly. He wondered what turmoil she might be going through.
"So…" Aizawa began. He directed his words at the class. "You're all finally here. Good." He acknowledged them with a short nod. "Now, what have you all decided?"
"Mr. Aizawa…" Izuku started. He sounded remarkably serious. Aizawa had met him a few times before. Usually when Nemuri had invited him to the boy's birthday parties. He never would have guessed the usually bright and cheerful boy could be so serious.
"Yes, Midoriya?" Aizawa prompted.
"I…" But before Izuku could continue, Yaoyorozu interrupted.
"Mr. Midoriya…" she called out firmly. "Do you mind if I speak before you?"
Izuku met her gaze. Confusion flickered in his eyes. His serious expression wavered slightly. After a few moments of hesitation, he nodded. "Of course not…" he replied.
Yaoyorozu stepped forward. She shifted her gaze from Izuku to Aizawa. Her eyebrows were knitted together, showing her resolve. Her eyes flared with determination. She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath, calming her nerves. "Mr. Aizawa," she began. Her tone was level and steady. "We would like to withdraw from the fight," she declared.
Izuku's eyes widened with surprise and confusion at her words. What? Why? Even Iida stared at Yaoyorozu's back, his expression mirroring Izuku's shock.
Aizawa blinked, surprised by this unexpected turn. "We…?" he murmured, questioning who she meant.
"Yes," Yaoyorozu confirmed with a firm nod. "We, meaning all of us," she clarified. She turned slightly and gestured with her left hand toward the rest of the class behind her.
Aizawa shifted his gaze to the other students. To his hidden surprise, their downcast expressions had been replaced by ones of firm seriousness. Is this really happening? Aizawa wondered to himself.
"Why?" the Pro-Hero drawled. Genuine curiosity colored his tone. He needed to understand their reasons. Was it fear of Midoriya's power? If that was the case, then they truly didn't deserve a place in the Hero Course.
"Because there is no point in becoming a Hero like this," the blonde-haired boy with the long, thick tail stated. His entire body trembled with emotion he was trying to hold back. The words seemed to have been forced out, fighting against an inner fear.
"What do you mean…?" Aizawa pressed, wanting more explanation. His confusion was growing.
"He is correct, Mr. Aizawa," the red-haired boy confirmed. He stepped forward and met Aizawa's gaze with a determined look. "All of us here want to become heroes, including Midoriya. But how can any of us claim that title if we sacrifice even one person for a better future for ourselves? Crimson Riot certainly didn't teach me to abandon anyone. And neither did any other true Heroes."
"He's right," the invisible girl spoke up. Her sleeves rose to where Aizawa guessed her face would be. "We don't want to be heroes like that. Ms. Midnight would definitely not abandon Midoriya if she were in my position."
Izuku glanced at the girl. His eyes softened with empathy as he saw her desperately trying to wipe away tears. They were, literally, sacrificing their futures for him.
Iida felt a pang of sympathy for the girl. She must have realized how serious her earlier words had been.
"There is no point in becoming a Hero like this," Ochako stated in a whisper. "What kind of heroes would sacrifice someone so that they can live a better life?"
"You guys…" Aizawa's voice was unusually soft. His usually tired and lazy eyes were wide with real surprise. He asked, "Are you all absolutely certain? You can still withdraw from this. Anyone?"
"NO!" the boy with the purple balls on his head exclaimed. Even though his eyes were shedding lots of tears, his posture was perfectly straight and determined. "We are not becoming Heroes without Midoriya! Even if it means I have to sacrifice my future Harem!"
At that moment, Izuku didn't feel like he was looking at a group of teenagers struggling with their own problems. He felt, with total certainty, that he was staring at a group of Heroes.
His heroes…
"Mr. Aizawa," the red-haired boy spoke up. "There has to be another way, right? Where we all can be heroes. Midoriya doesn't deserve to be left behind. I have seen what he is capable of doing. Out of all of us, he probably is the most capable of being a Hero."
"Yes, Mr. Aizawa," Yaoyorozu added. "Please. We request you reconsider. Give us another chance, all of us."
Aizawa stayed quiet for a few seconds. He studied their conviction under his careful gaze. They didn't back down under the pressure. Instead, they became more sure of themselves. He let out a chuckle which made Izuku's jaw clench. He prepared himself to take drastic action if needed. He wouldn't let their sacrifices be for nothing.
But then, Aizawa's chuckles grew into full-blown laughter. This wasn't a crazy outburst, though. Instead, it sounded like a genuinely happy laugh. It thoroughly confused everyone there.
"You… You guys…" Aizawa tried to speak between fits of laughter. He finally managed to get himself under control. His laughter died down, and he pushed his hair back with his right hand. His frown was replaced by a wide, excited smile.
"You guys sure are something, aren't ya?" he said. He sounded genuinely excited and refreshed. His tired, slumped posture was gone. He was practically radiating happiness. "I was wondering if you would all end up fighting each other. But I guess I was proven wrong, huh? They were all right. You guys do have immense potential. A great deal of potential. And I really look forward to shaping that potential here at U.A."
"Does that…mean…" The words escaped Uraraka's lips slowly, hesitantly, in short bits.
"Yes," Aizawa confirmed. The grin on his face turned into a proud smirk. "Welcome to U.A. I guess it is the right time to say this. It's time to go Plus Ultra!"
Cheers erupted across the field. The new classmates hugged each other, congratulating themselves on avoiding the crisis. On the sidelines, Izuku stared, wide-eyed. He realized they had managed to escape expulsion without needing to use his more drastic plan.
"Midoriya!" The red-haired boy called out. He waved his hand at Izuku with a bright, beaming smile. "Come over here! Let's celebrate!"
A smile bloomed across Izuku's face as he jogged toward the group to join the celebration. The new classmates enthusiastically introduced themselves, shaking hands and exchanging names. Izuku learned that the red-haired boy's name was indeed Kirishima.
"No more holding back, alright, Midoriya?" the invisible girl said. Her bright smile was clear only to Izuku.
"Of course not, I wouldn't dare," Izuku replied, returning her smile with sincerity.
Aizawa watched from the sidelines. A small, visible smile touched his lips. He had truly underestimated this group of students. He was genuinely excited to see them reach their full potential.
From a distance, Nezu and Midnight watched the celebration with proud smiles were on their faces. It was definitely a satisfying turn of events. They were both very pleased with how things turned out.
"It seems we didn't need to use Mr. Midoriya's rather bold plan, eh, Midnight?" Nezu commented cheerfully.
Midnight laughed. "Indeed. Thankfully, it seems we didn't have to rely on Izuku's plan."
"Oh Well," Nezu chuckled, "I missed the chance to see Aizawa's face when he would have realized I agreed to Izuku's plan." He imagined Aizawa's confused expression. "However, I think I prefer this outcome. It's incredibly refreshing to see such a group of teenagers wanting to be Heroes…" He glanced at the sky. A small smile, full of pride, touched his lips. "I believe the future is in capable hands."
Nezu turned around and started walking back to his office. But he noticed Midnight wasn't following him. So, he turned and faced her again. "Not coming, Midnight?"
"Please go ahead, Principal," Midnight urged. "I need to have a small talk with Shota."
"Don't do anything stupid," Nezu said as he began his walk back to his office.
"Alright! Round up!" Aizawa commanded. His tone shifted, becoming stern and authoritative.
The celebration stopped suddenly. The class turned their attention to Aizawa.
"Now, follow me," Aizawa said as he turned around. "We will visit a special place."
For the next fifteen minutes, the twenty students followed Aizawa quietly. The Pro Hero led them through the huge U.A. campus to somewhere unknown. They walked down paths lined with flowering plants on either side and trees. They noticed three older students in a field. Two of them waved at the class enthusiastically. Some, like Mina, Kirishima, and Sero, waved back with the same energy.
Finally, the class found themselves in front of a giant space. The most eye-catching part of this field were the tall, thick, pillar-like structures made of gold. Aizawa stopped right outside the entrance. It was basically a small gap between the bushes lining the path. He stared at the field. His posture was relaxed, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Welcome to the Memorial," Aizawa said softly. He headed into the field through the small gap. The students followed him.
The class walked past several pillars. The students gazed at them with awe and curiosity. Izuku noticed that the pillars weren't just pillars. They had several names carved into them. He had a feeling he knew what these pillars were for.
"What are these, Aizawa-sensei?" asked Ashido. She sounded uncomfortable.
"A memorial," Aizawa responded softly. "For all the Heroes that were killed on duty during the last Civil War."
Aizawa's words managed to make the class even more uncomfortable, if that was possible. Their eyes widened when they realized just how many Heroes had been killed during the deadliest conflict the nation had ever faced. Their gazes dropped. They no longer wanted to look at the pillars. To many of them, heroes being killed on duty sounded unbelievable. It was something that didn't happen even in their worst nightmares.
"Don't look away," Aizawa urged. He didn't even need to look back to know their reactions. "Look at their names carefully. These were the brave heroes that gave their lives so that all of you could live a comfortable life."
"W-Why?" Uraraka asked, her words trembling. "Why did the villains kill them?"
"Because these Heroes stood up to them," Aizawa told them softly. "Back then, it was a sport to hunt down 'Heroes.'"
He stopped beside a pillar and stared at it sadly. He put a hand over one of the names and wiped away a little dust that had fallen on it. From a short distance, Izuku read the name 'Junichi Aizawa' and immediately felt dizzy.
"Back then, death was a normal part of life for those who tried to be heroes," continued Aizawa. "Only the bravest of the brave decided to be heroes. You could be alive one moment, enjoying time with your family. And you could be dead the next second. We have come a long way since then. But death still looms over us heroes all the time."
The Pro-Hero paused for a second. He stared at the pillars instead of facing his students. "I have learned a lot of important lessons in my life. One of them is that a hero never abandons anyone. I couldn't agree more. We heroes only have ourselves to rely on. The world loves heroes, yes. But the thing they love more is to watch a hero fall."
He finally turned and faced the class. "The small test I gave you, I have given similar tests to the last four classes I was assigned to. In the last four years, only three have actually managed to truly pass the test. They are now studying in Class 3-A and are on their way to becoming great heroes themselves. Last year, I gave the same test to the students. They ended up fighting amongst each other. I expelled them. But I still gave them the option that if they enrolled in another Hero school and managed to impress us, they would be re-enrolled in U.A. Do you want to know what happened?"
The class didn't answer. They waited for Aizawa to tell them.
"Half of them went on and became villains," Aizawa informed them. "The other half never enrolled in another hero school. That is how weak-hearted some people are who manage to make it all the way to U.A. U.A. is supposed to enroll the best of the best. But even then, there are some who end up becoming worse."
He studied the uncomfortable looks on most of the students' faces. "I'm not saying that you guys are cowards or are going to end up becoming villains. But the journey you're on is an extremely difficult one. I have seen many great heroes break down under the pressure. You can hate me for almost expelling you. And to be honest, I don't care. My job is not to be a parent to you. It's to prepare you for the worst."
"Your journey to becoming heroes begins now," Aizawa continued. "There is no time to waste anymore. Every second is precious. But the most important thing is this." He emphasized his point, pointing directly at the students. "From now on, you are not just friends. You are family. You will see each other's tears, each other's failures. And you will face many hardships together. Throughout it all, only you can have each other's backs. I want you to take this saying to heart if you wish to remain in my class: 'Those who abandon their friends are worse than trash.'"
"YES, SIR, YES!!!" The students chorused together. They saluted Aizawa with sharp precision.
"Now, go," Aizawa dismissed them. "School ends in half an hour."
Aizawa watched his students leave. He turned and stared back at the memorial. He hardly ever visited this place. He preferred to stay as far away from it as possible. But it was a kind of tradition to bring new students here to pay respect to the brave Heroes. It was something done during Orientation. Since his class hadn't attended it, it was his responsibility to carry out the tradition.
He rubbed the corner of his eyes. It felt like some dust was prickling them from inside. He suddenly heard the clinking of heels behind him. He glanced to his right from the corner of his eye. And there she was: Midnight, standing beside him.
"This place is really depressing, huh?" Midnight said softly. She gazed at the names carved into the pillars.
"What do you want, Nemuri?" Aizawa asked tiredly. "Are you here because of your nephew? If so, then you'd be pleased to know that I didn't expel him."
Midnight stared at him from the corner of her eye before saying, "Why did you pit the entire class against Izuku in the first place?"
"Can I ask you something?" Aizawa asked, instead of answering her.
Midnight narrowed her eyes at him. "Go on."
"Is Midoriya Night Crawler?" He wasn't even looking at her. His gaze was still fixed on the pillar.
Midnight stiffened. Her eyes widened just a tiny bit. How could he know? When did he figure it out? How did he figure it out?
But her fear and panic vanished the next second when Aizawa suddenly chuckled and said, "What am I even thinking? Izuku Midoriya can't be Night Crawler. He is too naïve and compassionate to be a cold-blooded killer." He rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I really need to go and rest. My mind is starting to play tricks on me, making up weird conspiracies."
He turned around. "Have a good day, Midnight," he said and headed off.
"Hey, wait!" Midnight called after him. "You didn't answer me, you fucking dolt!"
Aizawa finally made his way back to his office and shut the door behind him. He trudged to his chair and plopped down on it hard. He let out a sigh and was about to doze off for a bit. But a sudden knock on the door broke his focus.
"Come in," he called. He hoped Midnight hadn't come to visit. The door opened, and an even worse person to talk to entered his office: Toshinori Yagi. Internally, Aizawa sighed. He already felt a headache coming on.
"Are you busy, Eraser Head?" Yagi asked. Caution filled his voice.
"No, just back from testing my students," he replied. He laced his fingers together, resting them near his chin, and looked at the man. "Please, come in."
"Thank you," Yagi said, closing the door behind him. He took the seat opposite Aizawa.
"What can I help you with, Mr. Yagi?" Aizawa asked once Yagi was settled.
"I've asked you to call me just Yagi, or Toshinori," Yagi commented lightly. "Everyone calls me by either of those names."
"I believe in keeping things professional within the respected halls of U.A.," Aizawa responded quickly and firmly.
Toshinori knew there was no point arguing about names. So, he decided to get back to the main topic. "May I ask you something?"
"Go on," Aizawa urged.
"I heard from the other teachers about your expulsion threat," Toshinori stated. He kept his tone carefully light. "I was wondering… Were you genuinely going to expel all of them?"
"If I believed they didn't deserve to be here, then I absolutely would have," Aizawa replied without any hesitation.
Toshinori studied Aizawa quietly. He offered no argument against his statement. He wasn't here to argue, just to clear up a few things. "Then why did you pit the students against Izuku Midoriya?"
"Concerned about your future protégé or something?" Aizawa suddenly cut in. His gaze was fixed on Yagi with an unreadable expression.
"Nothing like that," Toshinori responded, shaking his head gently. "I simply wanted to know the reason."
"Because it seemed logical to me," Aizawa answered with a casual shrug. "Pitting them against someone who was clearly holding back, and is much stronger than them, seemed like a good way to test their determination to become Heroes."
"Is that it?" Toshinori murmured. His question pulled Aizawa out of his own thoughts. "Is that the only reason you chose to make an entire class fight a single student?"
"Do I need any other reason?" Aizawa countered sharply.
Toshinori and Aizawa's eyes met. They locked in a battle of wills. Neither was willing to back down. After what felt like forever, Toshinori rose from his seat. "Thank you for answering my questions, Aizawa," he said. He then turned and walked towards the door.
"You know," Aizawa spoke up just as Toshinori slid the door open. This made him pause. "Izuku Midoriya reminds me far too much of you. Powerful, compassionate, kind… But in the end, completely foolish and irrational. You should give him a fair warning. Not everyone is as lucky as you, to get an incredible Quirk that saves them when everything goes wrong. We don't want him making unnecessary sacrifices like a certain someone."
Toshinori remained silent. He didn't say a single word to acknowledge Aizawa's cutting remarks. Because, deep down, he knew the Pro-Hero was right. With a single, firm nod, he stepped out and closed the door behind him.
The first day finally came to an end. Everyone was packing their bags, getting ready to head home. Izuku let out a sigh of relief. He was grateful the day was over. Who could have guessed the first day would be such a rollercoaster of emotions? Thankfully, the day had ended on a much more positive note than it started.
He glanced at Yaoyorozu. She was carefully packing her own bag. Come on, Izuku, he silently encouraged himself. Go talk to her. Tell her you're sorry for not introducing yourself properly this morning.
Nemuri had tried to teach him how to approach girls and flirt. Unfortunately, those lessons had failed miserably. Her instructions had only made him more shy around them. Not to mention the overly explicit 'birds and bees' talk she had given him. It certainly didn't help that Yaoyorozu looked so captivating in his eyes.
"I think you should go talk to her, Green," Jirou suddenly whispered in his ear. It made him jerk away in surprise. He was so lost in his own thoughts, he had completely missed her getting so close. Worst of all, Ashido and Hagakure seemed to be with her.
"What do you mean?" Izuku whispered back. He tried to sound casual and pretend he was confused.
Ashido grinned mischievously. Her hands were planted firmly on her hips. "You didn't expect us to miss the way you were looking at her, did you?"
"What?" Izuku felt a nervous sweat trickle down his forehead. Was he really that obvious? "D-Do you think she noticed too?" he whispered, stumbling over his words. The last thing he wanted was to seem creepy.
"Nah. I don't think so," Hagakure reassured him. She offered a grin that was only visible to Izuku. "I am grinning, by the way," she clarified, directing her words to the other two girls.
Ashido then gave him a gentle shove in Momo's direction. "Go talk to her, dummy," she urged. The three girls offered him encouraging thumbs-ups.
Izuku cast a nervous glance at his new friends. He gulped and took a deep breath to steady his nerves. Then he walked over to Yaoyorozu, who had just stood up from her seat. His heart hammered against his ribs like a wild drum as he got closer to the slightly taller girl.
"H-Hey, Ms. Yaoyorozu," he called out respectfully. He tried his best to avoid short-circuiting in front of her again. His mind raced. He recalled all the lessons Nemuri had drilled into him about approaching a girl: the respectful, gentlemanly way she had emphasized. Studying and taking notes under her guidance had been easy. Actually doing it in real life proved to be much harder.
Yaoyorozu turned towards him. A genuinely warm and happy smile was on her face. "Oh, Mr. Midoriya. You can talk after all," she joked lightly.
Izuku let out a nervous chuckle. "Y-Yeah, I really can talk, huh," he tried a self-deprecating joke. "Uh… I wanted to say sorry."
"Whatever for?" Yaoyorozu tilted her head. A slight frown formed on her brow. Her expression was one of genuine confusion.
"You know…" Izuku began, looking away slightly. "For not introducing myself properly this morning."
Yaoyorozu raised her eyebrows. "It's alright, Mr. Midoriya," she said softly. Her voice was like music to Izuku's ears. "Thankfully, Mr. Iida introduced you to me."
"He did, huh? And please, call me Midoriya," Izuku requested. A small, genuine smile touched his lips. He now felt much more at ease with the conversation. "The honorifics make me feel old."
Yaoyorozu smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling. "Only if you don't attach honorifics to my name."
"I can definitely do that," Izuku chuckled softly. "Shall I walk you to the train station?"
"I'm sorry," Yaoyorozu replied. Her smile faded slightly. "But my chauffeur is likely waiting for me at the gate."
"Then please, allow me to walk you to the gate," Izuku offered. He gestured with his hands in a gentlemanly way, inviting her to go ahead of him.
"Thank you, Mr. Midoriya," Yaoyorozu said sweetly. She stepped away from her desk and started towards the door.
"I thought we agreed on no honorifics," Izuku reminded her playfully.
"Aw~ But you were acting so gentlemanly that I simply had to," she teased back. "And unfortunately, I don't think I am very comfortable calling someone without the honorifics."
"I guess I will have to make do with what I have," Izuku added with a smile.
Just as Izuku was about to step out of the classroom, he glanced back at the three girls who had encouraged him to start the conversation. He saw them silently cheering him on, pumping their fists in the air victoriously. Giving them a two-fingered salute, he left, following closely behind Yaoyorozu.