Chapter Text
Nezu's POV
I smiled a large grin as I finally finished preparations for my plan. A way to get Midoriya to show what he's capable of, if my hunch and instincts are right. A way to push him into the light, to make him stop hiding. Sure it might have taken a handful of hours worth of preparation and ignoring other work for now, but hopefully it'll be worth it. ‘He knows too much and I think he can do much more, so if you try to hide from me good luck…’ I thought happily as I sent out the final emails.
Izuku's POV
To say I was nervous was an understatement. I had been called to the Principal Nezu's office for the third time that holiday. ‘I don't even know what I did this time to get called over, is it about Luna?! No… couldn't be… did I break any rules? NO! Did he find out about me looping the camaras and sneaking into the science labs?! God I'm going to die! No, I'm going to go into Taturus! Or at least to jail… No stay calm, maybe he was going to allow me to go on another outing? No school starts the day after tomorrow and everyone's coming back tomorrow… ummm… what's going on?! What did I do?’ I thought, my mind was swearling into a black hole, consuming every light.
If it hadn't been for the fact I knew that there were cameras everywhere I would have probably sat down to have a breather. But no, I don't have that privilege, I'm not that lucky right now. So I pulled myself back out, it's fine, I have a plan for everything, it's fine, the worst that could happen is I die, no one else is here to get hurt… and it's fine if I'm going to be the one to die, I die fighting. My mind was already coming up with a situation and solution for every worst case scenario it could think of.
I take one last breather as I reach the door. ‘It’ll be fine,’ I thought calmly as I reached out and knocked on the door….
Correction, tried to knock the door, it swung open just as I knocked, leaving my knuckles with no contact, just hanging up in the air. I walked in cautiously, I corked my head to one side in confusion as I found two people I was not expecting there with the principal. Mr Aizawa, which is not too unusual, and Shinso, which is quite unusual, especially seeing that he's only meant to be here tomorrow.
‘And even if this is about transferring Shinso to the hero course, it should just be Shinso and Mr Aizawa, so what's it's about? Why am I here?’ my mind rambled as I looked at principal Nezu. I snapped out of my rant, “Umm.. Hello, you called me over?” I said now feeling unsure, ‘did I maybe come here at the wrong time?’
“Yes! That's right, now everyone's here, let's get started!” Principal Nezu said as I walked and stood beside Shinso, I gave him a quick smile then refocused back on principal Nezu.
“Ok! I have a special exam that I have prepared for, coming up. It'll be starting a week into school, and you will be having the first week's heroics and after school lesson time to prepare for the exam!” Principal Nezu said, with possibly the largest smile I've seen, ‘and is it my imagination, or does it feel like he's planning something?’ I thought as I watched principal Nezu.
“Why are you telling them this? Why weren't the teachers informed of this? Normally we make these decisions after being discussed,” Mr Aizawa said. This made my eyes widen, ‘Mr Aizawa and none of the teachers knew about this?! What is going on?’ My eyes ment Shinso, mirroring my same look of confusion.
“Yes, I will get to why I'm telling them earlier. And as for discussion, at the end I have the final say, and seeing I am already set in doing this exam and have prepared everything for it already, so I have decided to get a head start in informing everyone,” he said.
“Yes, but at least a head start notice would have been nice,” Mr Aizawa said, his voice showing more and more annoyance. “Yes, you have a bead start notice along with these two, the rest of the students will be getting informed tomorrow afternoon,” Principal Nezu said, his voice still even and patient but getting slightly faster.
Mr Aizawa just grumbled, “Ok what does this have to do with Shinso and Problem child?” He said with a huff.
“Yes. Well, the exam is a large scale Hero VS Villain exercises with both hero classes and volunteers from other courses. And it just so happens that I've decided to make Midoriya and Shinso the villains of the game,” Principal Nezu chirped. We all stared at him this time, before we all dumbly said, “what?” We shared a look between each other before looking back at principal Nezu.
“Why?” Mr Aizawa said, his eyes were narrow and focused this time. “Shinso displayed great skill in the exercise we did for his transfer exam. But it also happened so that he won one and lost one. So depending on whether he won or looses this will determine whether he can transfer!” Principal Nezu said. “You want him to fight 39 students with one other person to help. And that's what decides whether he can move to the hero course.” Mr Aizawa said, ‘if I didn't know better I would think that he was going to murder principal Nezu soon.
“Yes.” Principal Nezu replied, unphased.
“As smart as you are you should be able to see how impossible this is. Shinso hasn't fully mastered the scarf, and he has much less training. And despite Problem Child being a powerhouse in his own right, putting them against 39 trained and powerful quirked kids is not the best idea you've had. Saying that's what will decide whether he will get into the hero course is quite unfair.” Mr Aizawa said.
“Life is unfair. But yes, I can tell what you're getting at. It'll be fine, I have a reasoning behind everything,” Principal Nezu said. “Why me?” I said, finally shaking my head away from my confused thoughts. “Why not? I figured you would be a strong allie and would like to help a friend get into the hero course. After all, you are going to be the leader!” He said. “Leader? In a team of two? And why me? If this determines whether or not Shinso will get into the hero course then doesn't it make sense for him to be the leader?!” I asked.
“Because that's what I've decided. The teamwork part in the last exam was slightly non-existent, so this to show how well he can work in a team and follow instructions and plans. And you've proved yourself to be quite a good planner,” he said. I really wanted to complain more, but I didn't get a chance to. “Umm… I'm not too sure if it's belief that we have a chance, but I don't think I could beat 39 people just yet… and well, the entire exam seems to be put against us having a chance of winning…” Shinso said.
“Yes, call it belief for now I suppose. You have extra planning time, and help from any number of people from the support course to help make you weapons and suites. You will have the official rule book handed to you tomorrow at the same time as everyone else. Naturally, they will also have help from the support class,” he said.
“Why Midoriya?” Shinso asked. “Because I've decided that it'll be the most fitting person, based on skill level, personal history and my choice!” Principal Nezu chirped.
“Ya, personal history of yelling mean things to him makes us great partners…” I heard Shinso mutter under his breath. “Nezu what are you doing? Really?” Mr Aizawa said. “I am doing what I just told you. We will have a staff meeting after this to fully inform everyone! I figured you should hear about it first seeing you have a close connection with these two students in particular,” he said.
“Naturally, for taking on such a hard and unfair task, Shinso will be placed into the hero course without waiting for anyone to be kicked out to replace, and Midoriya can have a request of whatever he wants, that is within my power, of course. But as the principal of UA and someone with many connections, you'll find I have the ability to do quite a lot,” principal Nezu said. We all stood in silence for a moment.
“This is already decided, we can't do anything to change the exam so there's a higher and fairer chance of Shinso getting into the course?” I asked hopefully. “No, I'm quite set on doing this, and though you're the first to be informed I have already prepared everything necessary for the exam!” He said.
I internally sighed, ‘ok, for one, I know he's suspicious of me, that's why I'm the leader, he knows I'm strange, he just doesn't know why yet…. This is a great trap. Setting me with all of the hero courses as my opponent and Shinso as my teammate…. I can't purposely lose if I want Shinso in the hero course. By personal history he means that he knows that I want him in the hero course, at least to some extent. But I don't think I'll be able to take down everyone, even with all the precise planning…. He might be overestimating me…. And this is an everyday school exam, I can't really say no either way…’ I think, letting my mind gather its thoughts.
I can feel my mind come up with ideas. I open my eyes as it lands on one. ‘Ok maybe I can do this… maybe….’ I think. “Does Shinso have to show any specific amount of skills? You said you're looking for teamwork and following institutions, is it necessary? You said whether we win or lose the game will determine whether he gets in. Even if he sits around doing nothing but we win the game, will he still get transferred in?” I ask, my mind creating a path depending on his answer. I could feel Mr Aizawa and Shinso's eyes on me but I ignored them, I had to focus for now.
“Yes, I suppose you could do that, just winning the game while he's still in the game means that he will get transferred. But if he gets out and you win then only you will get your prize,” he replied with a nod and smile.
“Hay! I don't know how useless you think I am but I don't think you have to do all the work, I can do enough to at least get some people out. How self centered are you to think you just need yourself to get everyone out and win,” came an angry voice. I looked over to see Shinso.
I look over and tilt my head to one side in confusion. “I have no belief that I'll be able to win against 39 people on my own. Just earlier this year I lost against a full out fight, one on one, with Kacchan… I just wanted to know how much of your skills we will need to show to get you in, because if that's important we need to be able to showcase all and every important skill you have so you have a higher chance of getting in….” I said, offhandedly. My mind was in the middle of thinking of what the details of the game could be and how we could win. I shook my head, ‘no point, I'll just have to see how things go…’ I thought as I moved my attention back to principal Nezu.
“So you'll take in the challenge?” Principal Nezu said with a grin. “We can't choose what work we are given, that's the school's job, this one seems quite unfair and hard, but you've already given it to us, so I guess we'll have to try our best,” I said firmly. “Excellent! I can see you have a firm understanding. I hope to see your hard work. Also Midoriya, you're free to include your pet to the game as well. There'll be no problems with the extra quirk with such a large number difference. You two are dismissed. Aizawa, we'll have a chat before starting a meeting and preparation for the game!” Principal Nezu chirped happily.
Mr Aizawa seemed to have given up on the topic altogether. He just gave a curt nod while looking at us, practically telling us to leave. Taking this as a chance we both got out of the room as quickly as possible. We weren't staying in there for a moment longer…
We half jogged, half walked outside into a hallway, before Shinso pulled me out of my thoughts. “Why did you say yes? Are you pitying me?” He asked, I could almost feel the venom that was starting to build up. “It's an exam, it didn't matter whether I said Yes or No, I was given it and I'll have to try my best in it…” I said blankly. I then shake my head, before turning to look Shinso in the eye. “Plus, I think you'll make a great hero! So I'm honored to help you get into the course. I promise I'll try my best!” I say determinedly.
Shinso's eyes widened. He's silent for a moment before speaking up, “you think that we have a chance?” He asked. I tilt my head while closing my eyes and putting my hand to my chin, “of course we have a chance, a very small one, and depending on the amount of effort and luck we have, hopefully we can win!” I said, opening my eyes to look at him. “So you're just being optimistic…” he deadpanned at me. “No, I do believe we have a chance, but I'm also looking at the bright side, let's try our best to win!” I said again. “Of course…” he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “My life's goal, and one unfair game that's pretty much made for me to lose, decides whether I have a chance of achieving it or not…” he muttered.
“Well we can at least try! Do you want to start preparing? We probably can't come up with a plan right now, seeing we don't know the game. But we can at least do some training to get used to each other's fighting and moves…” I said. “Sure…also what did he mean by pet?” he said.
“Oh, I'll introduce you, she's a bit… cautious of new people,” I said, clicking my tongue twice. Luna appeared on my shoulder the next moment. “Hi Luna, spying on me were you? How would you like to hang out with us doing the game,” I asked. She meowed in response. “You have a teleporting cat?” Shinso said with a surprised voice, seeming, forgetting about the impossible task he was worrying about a moment ago. “Yes, she had a teleporting quirk, and her name is Luna,” I said happily.
“Wow, the cat has a ten times more useful quirk than me…” he said while trying to pat Luna. Luna just hissed and moved away onto my other shoulder. “Come on Luna, you need to at least give them a chance! And Shinso stop saying that, your quirk is great!” I said.
“Ya ya, keep telling yourself that…” he said. I just sighed before grabbing his hand. “Come on, if we actually want to win we might as well use any head start we're given. It's going to be hard to beat everyone,” I said as I took his arm and pulled him along with me to the training room.
“Ya… ya, let's try our best…” Shinso said quietly as we ran. And maybe, just maybe, I think he sounded just a bit more optimistic.
~END~