Chapter Text
Sora scribbles down notes on everything she saw in the final exams as she waits for class to start. The four failing students are all whining and complaining.
“E-Everyone. I’m looking forward to hearing all your stories of how fun camp was,” Ashido says.
“Maybe they’ll end up letting you go,” Midoriya offers. “There might be a last minute twist or something.”
Sero stops him. “Stop, Midoriya. You’re just jinxing them. I’m not sure I’ll get to go either. Our team only passed thanks to Tanaka. I got knocked out, and since we don’t know how they’re scoring, I might have flunked.”
The door flies open. “Once the bell rings you should be in your seats.”
Everyone practically leaps over desks to get to their seats.
“Unfortunately, there are a few of you who did not pass your final exams,” Aizawa says. “So, when it comes to the training camp in the woods… Everyone is going!”
A last minute twist. A logical ruse. Midoriya was right.
“We really get to go to camp?” Kirishima asks.
“Seriously?” Ashido squeals.
“Yeah. The good news is that no one bombed the written exam. Five failed the practical badly. Two teams, of course, and then Sero failed as well.
“Allow me to explain. For the practical battles, the teachers made sure to leave a way for the students to win. Otherwise, you never would have stood a chance. We were observing how each worked together and approached the task at hand.”
“Didn’t you promise that the teachers wouldn’t be holding back?” Ojiro wonders.
“Just to put you on edge. Besides, the camp will focus on building your strength. Those who failed need those lessons the most. We were never going to separate you. That was just a logical deception we used.
“Now, I wasn’t lying to you about everything. Failure is failure. We’ve prepared extra lessons for the five of you. Frankly, they’ll be far tougher than what you’d face at summer school.”
***
“This is gonna be great,” Ojiro says. “I’m so glad we’re all going together.”
“Looks like we’ll be at the training camp a full week,” Iida notes.
“I’ve gotta find a bigger suitcase,” Midoriya says.
“Yeah, I don’t even have a bathing suit,” Kaminari agrees. “Guess I need to buy some stuff.”
“Since we’re off tomorrow and we finished exams, I have the best idea,” Hagakure says. “Why doesn’t Class 1-A go shopping together?”
“Hey, yeah,” Kaminari says. “We’ve never hung out as a class before.”
“That sounds like a blast,” Sora pipes up.
“I know the perfect place,” Ashido says excitedly.
***
The whole class is buzzing when they arrive at the mall. It’s an exciting thought, on top of the excitement of going to camp.
“Oh man, do I love this place,” Ashido gushes. “It’s got a ton of different stores to shop at, and they’re all super cool and hip. The Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall.”
It doesn’t take long for Midoriya to get going, muttering about everything.
“You’re going to scare the children,” Tokoyami says. “Stop.”
“Woah,” a guy says. “Aren’t those UA students?”
“1-A!” Another guy shouts.
“I saw ‘em on TV.”
“The Sports Festival was so good!” They all yell.
“I can’t believe they still remember that,” Uraraka says.
“Guess I should probably buy some outdoorsy shoes for this thing,” Kaminari says.
“Oh, that’s smart,” Hagakure replies. “Me too!”
“If we’re going to be Quirk training, I should see if they have the boots I like here or if I have to order them,” Sora muses.
“The guide says your shoes should already be broken in though,” Iida complains. “But wait. Perhaps it’s a mistake to not factor utility into the equation.”
“Why don’t we split up and look around?” Kirishima suggests. “We can meet here again when we’re done.”
“Great idea,” Ashido squeals.
“Perfect. Let’s say we’re all back here around three?”
Everyone agrees before splitting up. Sora, Hagakure, and Kaminari head off in direction of shoes.
“Wait, why would you have to order boots?” Hagakure asks. “Do they not carry your size?”
“The ones I like are fireproof,” Sora explains. “The boots I have at home are nice, sure, but they will burn if they get to close to my Quirk. From personal experience.”
“I can’t imagine having such a destructive Quirk,” Hagakure says.
Sora scowls slightly. “Yeah. Everyone thinks Phoenix has to be awesome because it’s so powerful, but it took me years to get enough control to not light everything around me on fire when I get upset.”
“Feel that,” Kaminari agrees.
Sora glances over the railing to the ground floor. “Wait a second. Is that Midoriya down there?”
Sure enough, the class genius is sitting on a bench by a fountain, sitting with some stranger. Someone he knows from before UA, maybe?
“Do either of you guys know that guy?” Hagakure asks.
“Something’s not right,” Kaminari murmurs. “Come on, let’s go check it out.”
The closest staircase is just to the left. Sora jumps down the stairs two at a time, using her Quirk to stay stable. Kaminari and Hagakure aren’t far behind her.
“Hey, Midoriya!” Sora calls. “We’ve been looking for you everywhere! Who’s this?”
She’s striving for casual, even as she notices the hand, yellowy and cracking. Yeah, this is a problem. What kind of problem, she isn't sure yet.
“Is everything okay?” Kaminari asks, stepping up beside Sora.
Hagakure hovers just behind them. If something goes sideways, there’s not much she can do anyhow.
The man in black hoodie looks up at them. Sora’s breath catches at the expression on his face. He’s dangerous.
“This is nothing!” Midoriya says hurriedly. “Everything’s fine! Stay back! No closer!”
A flame flickers in Sora’s hand. A faint buzzing sound emanates from Kaminari.
The man releases Midoriya hastily. “Oh, you were here with friends? I didn’t know. Sorry about that.” He turns to Midoriya, saying something too quiet for Sora to hear.
He strides away, past the startled teens. Sora half-turns, trying to keep him in her line of sight.
“Hold on, Shigaraki,” Midoriya says.
Sora inhales sharply, turning to face the villain. She’s pretty sure this could classify as an extenuating circumstance, if it came down to it.
“I have a question too,” Midoriya continues. “What is All for One after?”
“Who knows, really? But here’s a little word of advice, friend. Be careful. The next time we meet, I’ll likely have to kill you.”
Shigaraki walks off, disappearing into the crowd. Sora tries to spot him again, but he’s gone.
“I called Aizawa,” Hagakure says. “He’ll be here soon, and he promised to notify the police.”
“It’s too late,” Sora replies. “Shigaraki disappeared.”
“Are you okay, Midoriya?” Kaminari asks. “What happened?”
Sora sends a quick group text out, telling the class where to find them and summarizing the incident.
***
The police arrive only seconds before Aizawa, and not long after the class had gathered back together. Midoriya’s the first one to explain what happened, with only a few additional details being supplied by the other three. Notably, none of them acknowledged that both Sora and Kaminari had called their Quirks as soon as Midoriya had implied danger.
“That must have been terrifying,” Ashido says. “Coming face to face with Shigaraki like that.”
Sora shrugs. “We didn’t get there until right before he walked away. Midoriya’s the one who actually dealt with him.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Midoriya replies. “I don’t think he was going to leave until you guys showed up.”
“Y’know, I’m starting to see why Aizawa calls us a problem class,” Kaminari muses. “The very first time our class hangs out together outside of school, and one of us runs into Shigaraki, of all people.”
Sora can’t help but laugh a little. “Dude, imagine the next time we run into Monoma after this. He’s going to lose his crap. ”