Chapter Text
“This is a follow-up report on yesterday’s incident at the U.A. rescue training facility where hero course students were attacked by villains. According to the police investigation, the criminals call themselves “The League of Villains” and have been plotting to kill…”
The reporter’s voice trailed on as Koiyo say in front of the television, chewing on toast. His eyes were glued to the screen.
”Turn that off.” Mizuko’s voice echoed from around the corner in the kitchen, where she stood drying plates and opening a cabinet, setting the plates down gently after they made a ‘clank!’ noise from the contact with the wood.
“Police have arrested 72 villains, but they still do not know the wherabouts of their ringleader…”
The television screen went black as Koiyo gasped, only to find the target being his older sister. She was dressed in her school uniform as she frowned, her hand on her hip.
”Hey!”
”I told you to turn it off. News like this will only make you anxious, you need to learn to ignore it.”
”But I should know about the problems around me, right?!” Mizuko sighed as she looked down at the boy, walking to the hallway to set his lunch in his bag.
”Yes, but you usually never watch the news. I know what you’re doing, Koiyo.” She zipped up the bag and picked it up, carrying it over to him. “You just want to see if they found out where the villains are, because of me.”
”I just…” Koiyo finished his toast as he sat, turning around to face her. “I want to know why they hurt you. Why were you and that other boy the only students injured out of everyone?”
”Midoriya was injured from his own Quirk, he has difficulty controlling it.”
”Then… why you?”
She froze.
”I don’t know. I must be unlucky or something.” She hated to lie to her brother, but the last thing she wanted to do was scare him. She leaned down and pressed her lips to his forehead, kissing him goodbye. “I’m leaving now, don’t forget your bag, everything’s in there. You’re walking to school with your friends?”
”Yeah! Oh, speaking of which, can I invite them over today?!” His eyes lit up as she softly giggled at his behavior.
”Of course. I’ll see you after school.”
The walk to school was much more quieter than usual with Mizuko’s hands being linked with Mina’s. The pink haired girl initiated the gesture and while normally Mizuko would pull away, thinking it was indecent in public, she decided to let her friend have this after all that happened.
Mizuko arrived her home late last night, not expecting anyone to be awake. The last thing she did expect was for her friend to be seated at the dining room table, waiting for her.
”Mina?” The girl croaked as she stood in the doorway, surprised to see her friend. Mina’s eyes immediately opened, she had been half asleep waiting for Mizuko, and she pressed her hands on the table to push herself up, still staring at the blue haired girl. She slowly stepped forward, reaching her arm out before touching her cheek.
Mizuko could see the small tears well up in her eyes as Mina pressed her fingers against Mizuko’s cheek, her cheek radiated warmth to the pink girl, which made her smile shakily. She was okay.
”You’re here… Oh god, you’re here…” She wrapped her arms gently around Mizuko as she leaned into her touch, smiling. The two didn’t speak, it was a comfortable silence. Mina soon quickly let her tears fall as she bit her lip, sniffling, attempting to keep her noises to herself, but her gates broke completely when Mizuko started to rub circles on her backside.
She pulled away after she wiped her tears, her nose running, making Mizuko giggle as she walked to the kitchen and walked back, giving her a tissue.
“Sorry… I got your uniform wet.”
”That’s okay.”
”Sorry, I wasn’t there.”
”That’s okay, you don’t need to be sorry.”
”Sorry—“
Mina stopped when Mizuko stepped forward, copying the same action and pressing her hand against Mina’s cheek. Mina bit her lip again and leaned into Mizuko’s hand, holding the back of her pale hand with her own.
”I’m just glad you’re okay. And I’m so grateful to you, for taking care of Koiyo… and for caring about me.” Her eyes softened as Mina teared up again, her lip quivering. “You’re the best friend anyone could ask for, Mina.”
Mina began to bawl at this, leeching onto Mizuko as she tucked her face in her neck, squeezing her. Mizuko repeated the same action as she rubbed circles on her back and hummed, allowing her friend to let her emotions out for a little while before speaking up.
”Cry quieter, would you? You’ll wake Koiyo up.”
”Oh, shut it, would you?! You don’t know how hard it was for me to keep it together in front of him!” She whined as she pressed herself further into the taller girl. “You’re never leaving my side again, ever!”
”That’s a little…”
”You always need to be within one meter of me, okay?!”
”Okay.”
”And you need to let me know when you get home!”
”Okay.”
”In fact, turn your location on right now!”
”Mina, now you’re just seeming more creepy than concerned…”
”On. Now.”
”Okay.”
Mizuko lightly chuckled at the memory, swinging her hand around with Mina’s. Mina grew surprised at this but let it happen anyways, smiling and swinging back with her. The two girls giggled at one another before they entered the classroom, their peace quickly interrupted by their classmates rushing up to them, or more so, Mizuko.
”Kaiyotaki, you’re here!” Toru whined as she latched onto the girl’s side, Mizuko jumped slightly at the presence but let her have her time, just as she allowed Mina.
”Are you sure you should be in school?” Yaoyorozu asked, concern lacing her voice as she walked towards the girl. “Is there anything I can do for you? Tea?”
”Yes, the doctors said I should be fine, and with Recovery Girl’s help I feel better already. Just a little tired.” She gave a closed eye smile towards Yaoyorozu. “Tea would be wonderful during break, I didn’t have any last night.”
”Maybe you should still rest…”
”I’ll be glad to let you lean on me whenever you feel dizzy!”
”KAIYOTAKI!” The loud voice behind her made her jump, but she didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.
”Kirishima, good morning.” He ran in front of her, making Mizuko realize she was blocking the door as she attempted to step to the side, finding it difficult with two people latched at each of her sides.
”You’re here?! Are you sure you should be here?!” His concern made her chest warm as she smiled at him, repeating what she said before making him let out a hum in reply. “I guess that makes sense, but still… take it easy. You took some harsh blows.” He noticed the flicker of disappointment in her eyes before suddenly getting louder, continuing. “But you took it like a real man!”
’Is that a compliment? I think it is.’
”Oh, Kaiyotaki.” Todoroki walked inside the room, standing next to her. It was the first time he ever initiated a conversation with her, much less spoke to her. The girl blinked in surprise before he continued. “Glad to see you’re alright.”
”Thank you, Todoroki.” As much as she knew her classmates were merely worried for her, the constant checkups began to make her feel a little overwhelmed.
”Todoroki carried you up to us when the other heroes arrived, you know?” Mina added in, her cheerful personality suddenly coming back at the presence of Todoroki. “Almost like a prince! If the situation were any different, I would say how romantic it was!”
Mizuko’s face flushed at Mina’s comment before she lightly kicked the girl.
”I didn’t know that… thank you, that was very kind of you. I’m sorry if I was a burden.” Her sweet smile had no effect on Todoroki as he simply nodded at her, unfazed.
”It’s alright, we can’t all take care of ourselves at times.” He walked away at that, making the blue haired girl’s smile drop in irritation.
‘Is he insulting me? I’d like to see him hold his own against that thing!’ Mizuko narrowed her eyes as huffed, Mina noticing this and unlatching herself from her friend.
”I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that, he probably doesn’t know how to express himself!” She clasped her hands together as she swooned, her eyes practically turning into hearts. “Ah, the harsh life of the cold hearted prince!”
”Yes, of course.” Mizuko kept her eyes on Todoroki as he walked back into his seat, sitting down. She turned away from him as she walked towards her seat, only to remember the invisible girl latched onto her side.
”Hey, did you watch the news this morning?” Toru changed the conversation as she pulled away from Mizuko, giving her the ability to sit down. “Did you see how everyone in class was on-screen for a second? I didn’t stand out at all…”
”That’s true.” Shoji spoke up from besides the girl, shocking Ojiro at his bluntness. He quickly tried to lighten the blow.
”Ah, it’s hard to stand out looking like that, huh?” He nervously chuckled.
”But man, all the channels made a big deal out of it.” Kaminari smiled as he leaned back in his chair.
”Can you blame them?” Jirou played with her earphone jack, twirling it around her fingers before sighing. “The hero course that keeps pumping out pro heroes was attacked.”
”Who knows what would’ve happened if the teachers hadn’t come when they did.” Sero gave an empty laugh as he leaned forwards on his desk.
”Stop that, Sero! Just thinking about it’s making me wet myself—“
”SHUT UP! BE QUIET, SCUM!” Bakugo’s voice rang through the classroom as he yelled at the small boy, making Mizuko smile to herself a bit.
’At least his yelling is useful.’
”But, man, All Might was great! He pushed back those crazy strong villains.”
”Yes, his strength is worth wondering at.”
”EVERYONE!” Iida quickly walked into the room, making the students stop their conversations. “Morning homeroom is about to start! Stop talking and take your seats!”
”We’re already in our seats.”
”You’re the only one who’s not.”
“Shoot!” Iida embarrassingly sat in his seat as Uraraka giggled, comforting him from behind.
“Tsu, who’s…” Mina leaned back in her seat and turned to Asui behind her, losing her balance and shaking on her chair before Asui caught it, balancing her. “…gonna teach homeroom today?”
”Well, Mr. Aizawa is supposed to be in the hospital recovering from his injuries…”
As she finished, the door opened, revealing their teacher who practically looked like a mummy. He was covered head to toe in bandages and both of his arms were in slings.
”Morning.”
”Mr. Aizawa, you’re back too soon!”
”You’re too much of a pro!” Kaminari cowered.
”So you’re all right, Mr. Aizawa?” Iida quickly raised his arm, even though he started talking before actually being called on.
“Can you really call that “all right”…?”
”You and Kaiyotaki really should be at home resting, sir…”
”My well-being doesn’t matter.” He shuffled up to the podium as he spoke. “More importantly, the fight is not yet over.”
The room was filled with negative energy as the students grew anxious from yesterday’s events, unease spread across all of them.
”The U.A. sports festival is drawing near.”
’He really needs to phrase his announcements better!’
”FINALLY, A NORMAL SCHOOL EVENT—“
”Wait, wait,” Kaminari pushed Kirishima’s face to the side as he interrupted. “Is it okay to have a sports festival so soon after the villains snuck inside?”
”What if they attack us again or something…?”
”Apparently, they think of it as U.A. showing that our crisis management system is solid as a rock by holding the event. Security will also be strengthened to five times that of previous years. Above all, our sports festival is a huge chance. It’s not an event to be cancelled because of a few villains.”
”But that’s just a good reason, isn’t it…? It’s just a festival of sports?”
”Eh, Mineta?” Midoriya turned around to his classmate. “You’ve never seen the U.A. sports festival?”
”Of course I have. That’s not what I meant!”
”Our sports festival is one of Japan’s biggest events. In the past, the Olympics were called a festival of sports, and the whole country was crazy about them. As you know, with reductions in scale and population, they’re now a shell of their former glory. And now, for Japan, what has taken the place of those Olympics is the U.A. sports festival.”
”Of course, all the top heroes around the country will be watching.” Yaoyorozu perked up as she, uncharacteristically, pumped her fist. “For scouting purposes!”
”After we graduate, it’s typical to join a pro agency as a sidekick.”
“A lot of people miss their chance to become independent after that and become eternal sidekicks, though.” Jirou pushed back on Kaminari’s positive outlook. “Kaminari, I feel like you’d be one of them. Since you’re dumb.” Her words made the boy go pale out of shock.
”Of course, joining a famous hero agency will get you more experience and popularity. Time is limited. If you expect to go pro, then the path to your future will open at this event. One chance a year— a total of just three chances. No aspiring heroes can afford to miss this event. If you understand that, then don’t slack off on your preparations!”
”Yes, sir!”
”Homeroom is dismissed.”
“MIZUUUUKOOO!” Mina flailed towards Mizuko, and the girl wasn’t quick enough to notice this, which ended up in her being caught in her friend’s embrace. Mina giggled as she squeezed the girl, obviously excited. “This is so cool! I’m, like, super pumped, aren’t you?!”
Before Mizuko could respond, another loud voice behind her joined in on the conversation.
”Hell yeah, I know I’m getting really excited!” Kirishima leaned on Mizuko’s other side, trapping her between her classmates, which she came to the conclusion that they simply must all be touchy people. It didn’t change the fact that Kirishima was still touching her. This action of his made her face flush as she averted her eyes.
”If we put on a good show and stand out, we’ll have taken the first step to becoming a pro!” Sero wrapped his arm around Kirishima, adding to the pile. With one leaning in on her right side and two on her left, she felt imbalanced, until another one of her classmates leaned onto Mina.
”You’re so lucky, Mina. I mean, your appearance stands out on its own.” Kaminari teased the pink girl, making her stick out her tongue.
”Yeah, yeah, say what you will, but I’ll be the one to get with a good agency!”
”Nah, I think you’ll stand out even more.” Jiro walked over to the five students, her smirk evident on her face as she hinted towards Kaminari’s difficulty maintaining control of his Quirk. Kaminari went pale once more as she walked away, joining Yaoyorozu to the lunch room. This made Mina let out a harsh laugh as she wiped tears from her eyes.
”You idiots are in my way, move it.” A rough voice passed by them, bumping into Sero making him lean further on Kirishima, which created a domino effect with all five of them trying to regain their balance. Mizuko managed to duck under Kirishima’s arm and take a step backwards, saving herself but dooming her classmates in the process, watching as they fell. But no one seemed to notice her movement and yelled at the blond male instead.
”Hey! Be nicer to us, would ya’?” Mina was the first to speak as she whined, flailing her arms around.
”Oh, Bakugo!” Kirishima stepped forwards and put his hand on Bakugo’s shoulder, making the boy more pissed as he turned around. The other four froze, internally praying for Kirishima’s safety.
’You would have been a good hero.’
’It was nice knowing you.’
’Before he even got a girlfriend? What a pity.’
’I’ll miss our time together.’
”The fuck do you want, Shitty Hair?” To their surprise, the blond didn’t threaten him, and he actually stuck around to hear what the red haired boy had to say.
”Eat with us!”
”Fuck no.”
“Great! We’ll— hey, wait!” Kirishima’s face dropped from shock before he walked in front of Bakugo, blocking his path. “C’mon, man! Making friends is the best part of high school, y’know? That’s what my dad always says.”
Mizuko’s eyes lit up at this. ‘He sits with me at lunch. Kaminari and Sero too… does that make us all friends?’
”Your dad is stupid.” Kirishima dramatically clutched his heart at Bakugo’s comment, only making the blond more impatient as he tried to slip past him, only to be stopped by Kirishima, Mina, Kaminari, and Sero all tugging on his arms. Mizuko didn’t get the memo as she stood there silently, watching the scene unfold before her very eyes.
”WHAT THE FUCK, GET OFF ME!”
”Mizuko! Requesting your support!” Mina turned to look back at the girl, a ghost of a smile was present on her face as she stood.
”I apologize, I don’t want to force him or anything…”
”At least that shitty girl has some manners!” Bakugo practically growled as he tried to free himself from their grasp.
”No offense bro, but you can’t say anything about manners.” Kaminari deadpanned as Sero verbally agreed with him, only pissing Bakugo off more. The four got in a better position as they teamed up to drag Bakugo away with them.
”Mizu, you coming?” Mina perked up at her friend, seeing her smile and shake her head.
”I have something I need to do, I’ll meet up with you all later.”
”You sure? We can wait for you.” Sero said as he held Bakugo’s arm.
”No worries, thank you though.” She bowed to her classmates as she turned around, heading towards the teacher faculty office. She neared quickly, finally getting used to the layout of her school and raised her arm to knock on the elongated door before it opened suddenly. She looked up to see a tall, lanky man, looking to be somewhat in his fourties. He had bright yellow hair and eye bags with blue eyes, he noticed her presence as he was about to step out and smiled softly, stepping to the side.
”Sorry about that, little miss.”
”It’s fine, truly.” She looked him up and down again before she tilted her head, almost positive she’s seen him before. “Are you a teacher, sir? I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
He froze, nervously chuckling before pulling at the collar of his shirt.
“I work in the education department, you’ve probably seen me walking around making sure students are in their classes.” Mizuko nodded at his explanation, finding it reasonable enough. She smiled and nodded towards him.
”That makes sense! It was nice to meet you… uh…”
”Toshinori.”
”It was nice to meet you, Mr. Toshinori!”
“Did you need something from the faculty office?” He changed the subject, not asking for Mizuko’s name in return.
”Yes.” She nodded again as she stepped to the side to join him. “Is Present… ah.. Mr. Present Mic there? There’s something I would like to speak with him about.” Toshinori nodded at her before stepping back inside, leaving Mizuko to wait for his return. Not long after he reappeared, her loud english teacher was following him.
”If that’s all, I’ll be going now.” Toshinori sent a smile to the small girl as she waved goodbye at him, thanking him for his help before turning back to the hero.
”Hey, hey, kiddo! What can I do for ya?!” He didn’t even need his hero equipment on duty for how loud he was being currently. Mizuko breathed in before bowing before him, her hands held together and her eyes closed.
”Please train me for the upcoming Sports Festival!”