Chapter Text
For a first impression, U.A. did not disappoint. So much has happened over the course of the year, first year. Only about two months until April, where the students of Class 1-A and 1-B hit their second digit and take a step further to being pros.
The third round for work-studies has come around, optional since exams were up too, nothing much but a bit of revision. More than half of the two classes have gone off to embark on a new adventure, most going back to the same Agencies as last time, a few places new with one going back to curl under the wing of the person they spent their internship with.
As much as he'd like to, Izuku couldn't find any place that best suited him, in general, he had nowhere to go. The Nighteye Agency was still very busy due to the loss of their leader, and the Endeavor Agency? Yeah, sure the hero would probably accept his eagerness when it came to him wanting to improve his quirk.
He also understood him during his rambles, praising him for the details he tried to fit in—Made Izuku believe that the No.1 Hero should always be self-aware of every grain that creates their quirk. All Might was like that, ever so alert of his power slowly disintegrating.
A small voice in the back of his head would muster few words to ask if his power would fade.
Izuku Midoriya didn't answer that question, unsure himself.
The two heroic classes had banded together due to their small numbers, barely filling up a full classroom, even with two extras. The next-year transfer, Shinsou. As well as Eri, who went through a bit of a tantrum to be able to sit in the room with her heroes. Altogether let twenty seats be filled with seven kids. Two from 1-A, three from 1-B with rotating teachers.
"Deku?" Eri had softly called, the room was silent, which made the hesitance in her voice loud. Izuku looked up, smiling at the child. She sat in Bakugou's seat, just in his line of view.
He tried his best to offer a comforting smile, trying to get her to understand that she won't be in any trouble for speaking. "I made you a... Drew you." He now notices a small piece of paper clutched between her hands, wrinkling a bit at the hold she has on it.
Eri places it on his desk before turning away, likely embarrassed. Not long ago did she fear her own thoughts and emotions, now, she begins to act like a normal child her age.
A cute picture, one that involved the two of them drawn in crayon. Izuku has seen her draw before, it was adorable and she always took her time to get in every detail, this one was a bit rushed. Missing a few components like her dress buttons and his zipper, but that just added to the childish charm that was emitted from it. His hero name wasn't spelt correctly, missing a stroke. (Mirio has been helping her with names, but he's not here at the moment.)
"You don't mind if I keep it, right?' Izuku asked in a hushed tone, trying his best to ignore the eyes that were piercing into his very soul. The domestic actions in the classes were always the centre of attention, something he was always caught between due to his title as 1-A's little brother, just like 1-B with their 'big sister, Kendo'.
The kid took a moment before turning to meet his eye, a shy shake of the head quickly earnt Eri a hand ruffling her hair, making a few strands spring in different directions. Eri smiled when Izuku gently tucked it between the pages of his notebook, keeping it somewhere safe where it'd wrinkle. It's likely he'll forget about it until he decides to do his homework, but oh well, he'll have a surprise awaiting reiteration.
Eyes and smile were on the pair, still lingering even after they've gone back to their work, Izuku scribbling notes while Eri draws another picture of her heroes. A low huff came from the seat to his right, momentarily filled by Shinsou, whose lips were trying to stay in a line rather than curling into a goofy smile.
He's going to join the heroics course, so to coax him into the wildness, he's participating in the classes until the second year. Izuku is jealous, Shinsou gets the special treatment of joining when things are more tamed. He broke his finger on his first day, things weren't tame.
Izuku glances over, meeting dark eyes that reminded him of Aizawa-Sensei's and how they'd always bore into his, trying to tell if he'd do something reckless. He'd always remain unfazed by that, giving his teacher a sheepish smile while the man replies with a groan. But that doesn't happen here, Shinsou only offers a coy grin to the other.
Shinsou doesn't like to talk outside of practice, since his power and all, Izuku respects that. He remembers when he'd be forced into that position, being told to shut up throughout kindergarten to middle school. All Might helped a lot when it came to raising his voice, now, he's barely afraid to speak for himself—Unless it's to a large crowd or when someone is being really intimidating.
Because of Shinsou's refusal of speaking, Izuku finds himself with a question unanswered. His classmates often humour him when he asks these questions, their initial response was something they quickly came up with or was something they thought of years ago. Now, these people actually have proper reasons, admirable ones.
He feels like a teachers assistant at those times, getting others to believe in a truer meaning. Midnight was one of the curious teachers, would prod at students with questions similar to Izuku's. She'd beam at the instant answers before being told that he was the reason they bothered to give it any other thought besides the 'reassuring ones they've made themselves to believe in. (Villian attacks sure make people desperate to have a better idea of what they want, especially when it's incomplete and frail.)
Midnight had given him a small container of pastries after that, along with a pat on the head. "Keep them on their feet, help them believe in something meaningful."
There is so much more to being a hero apparently, but that never made Izuku lose sight of asking everyone he knows. He's an analysis, not a reporter. He wants to know if their beliefs interwind with their battle, not to fuel his own curiosity... Maybe so. But he does know that his curiosity makes him want to ask what kind of hero Shinsou wishes to be.
With Eraserhead as a mentor, Shinsou is obviously following the path of an underground hero. Fitting. But he's eager to prove himself, to show that a quirk like his could be useful to the heroes, not to the villains.
Izuku gives up with his overwhelming mind, deciding now would be a good time to listen to the lesson since class would end soon.
U.A's roof was a nice place, it was odd that they'd close it off. People were only allowed up with permission, and it was many used as a spot for training. But Eri wanted to see the school from up high, and since Izuku isn't permitted to use his quirk during lunch, the roof would be the safest choice.
Since nobody in his group was here, there was no reason to sit alone in the cafeteria with Eri. He was currently caring for her since Mirio was getting tests done and Aizawa was cocooned. But besides that, he'd kindly stand alone in there, waiting in line to get Eri a milkshake, listening to Monoma's jeers.
Kendo was there, glaring daggers at Monoma. Izuku was surprised to find her still here but after small talk, quickly found that she wanted to get ahead of her studies. Kendo obviously compares herself to Yaoyorozu, finds herself an inferior version of the one who succeeded in being in 'the better class'.
He offered a pitiful smile, not really knowing if a hug would cheer her up. It always worked with his classmates, teachers even! Aizawa-Sensei had gone out of his way to hunt him down during a break, only to grab him by the scruff of his blazer and drag him into one of the personal lounges.
Present Mic had been sulking, tucked in the corner of the couch with Midnight patting his shoulder in sympathy. Heroes get hate every day, it's not bad to embrace it, but it's quite obvious that it'll hurt. Aizawa nudged him forward, just in time to avoid getting trampled by his friends.
He had gushed about almost anything to the teacher, cheering him up immediately by bringing up his radio show and how he listen to the podcasts on his way to school. Izuku wasn't the shy boy he was at that moment, he was beaming, like the sun. He was called the sun afterwards too.
A small chatter about quirks, a new nickname and a hug later— Izuku spent the rest of the school day wondering if this was what Mirio felt like when Amajiki calls him the sun.
Izuku wanted to do that earlier, to let loose and comfort the other, but he remained silent. Smile of pity and a knowing look in his eyes. The only other reaction was when Monoma was suddenly backhanded. When Izuku was served his small bag of 'to-go food' and Eri's shake, he bolted, there was the same burning passion of Martial arts similar to Uraraka that surrounded Kendo.
Now, Izuku and Eri were settled on the roof, backs against a wall that had old graffiti along the bottom. 'Rooftop gang', huh? Sounds like a group with a knack for names.
Eri was nibbling on her cut-up fruits, shaped like bunnies, courtesy of the cooking hero. Izuku hid his smile in the cloud of his pork bun before stuffing it in his mouth and yoinking his notebook from his bag.
Immediately did he start a new doodle, drawing a that had appeared as of recent. He got every core feature in, all while keeping it simplified, adding points of what certain equipment did—
"Hey, Midoriya!" Izuku let out a small screech, more of a hiss under his breath as he didn't want to alarm Eri. There was a bit of a scribble around the face, nothing he couldn't erase. When Izuku met the source, he was greeted by none other but the cheery Denki Kaminari.
"Hey, Denki." He plagiarized his words with a smile.
Shinsou was behind him, standing awkwardly with all his weight on one foot. There was a light in his eye, clear to say he was surrounded by people he trusted. Not that anyone could tell, it was a delicate secret he kept between himself and the air he dared to whisper to.
"You shouldn't be up here ya'know," despite it being more of a scolding, Kaminari's voice held no more but kind laughter as he sat. He was close to Izuku's food, eying it with a possibility of snatching it up. "Heya, kiddo."
A small wave from Eri, not bothering to look up as she was far too engrossed in her latest masterpiece. Shinsou came around, grabbing one of Eri's slices and biting what would be the head off. She didn't move, still drawing.
"If we shouldn't be here, what are you guys up here for?" Izuku hummed, nudging the bag towards Kaminari. "I'm sure Sensei would be honoured to add this to your record," yellow eyes narrowed, lips parting to say something. "I'd kindly get in trouble if it means justice is served."
"You're a villain, a traitor to hero society." Kaminari shook his head, arm stuffed far in Izuku's bag of lunch. Izuku swore that he saw a bottom earlier. "My justice would just be me stealing your food, you have way too much in here."
All Might had taken note of his deteriorating eating habits and put him on the list of kids with certain diets. Izuku complained, saying he was eating fine and that school took up most of his time. His guardian hadn't been fazed by his small outburst, told his mother he was acting like a brat.
"Be my guest, you too Shinsou." There was a gruff nod after that.
Kaminari pulled out some Onigiri, offered it to Izuku, who shook his head. Kaminari accepted it, almost swallowed it in one go, almost made Onigiri come with the warning of 'choking hazard.' Chargebolt is uber cool.
It was one of the biggest surprises, to discover Kaminari wanted to stay here at U.A. instead of going out for work-studies. Everyone was being welcomed back to the places where they went before, surely Kaminari's eclectic personality would've drawn people to adore him. But no, he wanted to ask for extra work so he could better his grades. Izuku was rooting for him.
"You and Kendo are the class reps, right?" Shinsou finally spoke, interested in small talk.
"Yeah. At the beginning of the year, I gave up my spot so then Aizawa-Sensei just put me off to the side in case of Iida or Yaoyorozu are absent."
"Oh, if you were in our class you would've seen how fearful Midoriya was. He was so shy and—"
"Kaminari!"
The blonde gave a bright grin, eyes crinkled sheepishly. "Sorry, man. But you weren't that outgoing as you are now. You were like, some loser in the back of the class that nobody paid attention to." Oh, was it that obvious?
"Hey! Rude."
Shinsou had one side of his lips curled upwards by the time things got physical with painful jabs. He shook his head, snatching up another slice.
When the day ended, everyone had quickly retreated to their dorms to change from their uniforms into something better to accord to the warm weather. That was all before they piled up in the 1-A dorms, Kendo pulling a reluctant Monoma with one of her enlarged hands. She was too occupied with him, so Tsuburaba—who wanted to stay behind—was forced to carry a bunch of books and laptops.
1-B's teacher had sent them over for a study session, better yet, a spying session. So, representing Eraserhead was, Izuku, Kaminari, Shinsou and Eri while on Vlad King's side were Kendo, Monoma and Tsuburaba.
They had all found themselves in 1-A's lounge, a bunch of snacks laid out in the middle of the table, books surrounding. The television was on, and while Izuku had hoped to see the news for any recent villain attacks, Kaminari had brought down a bunch of games and his console and hogged it.
The people playing were on rotate. Shinsou was the one who brought the idea up, wanting to help Kaminari actually study for once. So both classes were versing another in a combat game during their breaks.
Currently, Monoma v. Shinsou. Nobody was cheering Monoma on though, which was sad but it seemed to stir him on even more. Izuku kept a smile on his face as he scribbled down a few equations to answer.
"Oh, you guys are already doing that?" Kendo muttered in surprise, eyes gleaming.
"Ah, yeah! If you'd like I can help you get ahead for when you begin." Izuku pulled his math book in between the two they were writing on. He blushed when Kendo gave a bright grin with a heavy thanks. When he helps his class, they don't really thank him, but it is known how grateful they are. It's nice to hear it.
Izuku's a good teacher when he tries, helped a few times when it came to note organization, he's helped a lot when it comes to practical lessons. Time passes by more quickly when your teaching, something he's picked up.
"Oh, Sensei, sorry if we were being loud." Izuku turns his head to notice his teacher walking from his room. It was more of an office since all his belongings were in the teacher's dorms. He seemed more stoic, perhaps going out for patrol?
That rose a question.
"Aizawa-Sensei?" Izuku asked, making his teacher stutter between steps as he grew tense in seconds. "Uh, I heard that some teachers were taking their students out on patrol as 'practice'. By any chance, will you be doing the same?"
His teacher's eye twitched and Izuku cowered, still daring to look at him, even when those present forced themselves deeper into their work.
"You're not planning anything reckless, are you?" Izuku cowered, even more, frowning deeply. Aizawa stared at him, practically glaring before letting his shoulders slump.
If it was any other student, it'd probably be an instant no, a lot of arguing would go on. The thing with Izuku is that he's always doing something dumb, always needs someone to watch him, that's why he's going on patrol now.
When Aizawa gave a curt nod, Izuku bolted towards the school would bubbly laughter trailing behind, a show that he got exactly what he wanted. What would matter now was how he acted, not forcing his teacher between a rock and a hard place, but if he did well on patrol.
Shame, he really wanted to try convincing his teacher rather than being reminded he's on a leash. It would've been fun to outwit him but uncharacteristically was he just accepted, his teacher was defeated at the idea of him being stupid.
And why couldn't hero costumes be put in the dorms?
Eraserhead was good at getting to places fast, so they ended up somewhere near Esuha City in what felt like a matter of seconds. To be true, he probably fell asleep and his teacher was forced to drag him around. But that was just too unlikely, he would've been left for dead if he did.
From what it sounded like, a small festival was being put on, Deku stared in awe, wondering if Kirishima was there enjoying himself with Tetsutetsu and Amajiki. Fatgum was surely having fun, being the City's hero and all.
Maybe he'd be able to sneak off? Find some hero merch. Something to add to his board of hero signatures. It hadn't been long since the U.A. festival, where he stunned nearly his whole class and god called a fanboy god by Asui. But what could he do? Eri was cheering him on.
"That was so cool." Eri had said, staring up with admiration at her champion.
"Pay attention," Ai-Eraserhead called. Deku hummed in response, happily skipping behind the man through the alleyway.
During an event like this, villains were on the sidelines ready to spoil the fun. It was up to the heroes to exploit them before their plans went into action. Deku obviously has experience from a while ago, it was definitely worth it as he got to see Eri's smile.
"Why don't we go in with disguises? It'd be so much easier to scout." Deku suggested.
"Fatgum has the inside covered." Eraserhead shot him down,
"Does he know we're here?" Deku continued.
"No." Eraserhead spat bluntly.
Deku scowled, looking away and pulling his hood down so it wasn't obvious all while making a mental note to ask Hatume about his costume so it didn't look like he made eyes with a pair of kiddy scissors. Goggles will do nicely.
He was reluctant but Eraserhead was moving too fast with longer legs than him, so he had no choice to follow, or get detention for wasting his teachers time. Deku did though, following like a grumpy kitten who has gone without attention from a parent. Deku was extremely scared of his teacher, but he still wanted to be annoying so every now and then did he let out a sigh or groan, making small noises or humming a tune.
Occasionally Eraser's scarf would come to wrap itself around his mouth, momentarily shutting him up. One time it tried to hit him. Other times just floated around him. 'Erase' was a quirk that needed to be triggered to activate, he always wondered if it was based on any emotion of anger since it always flicked on during class when he was frustrated by his immature class of toddlers. He still wants to know how his scarf moves too.
Fishing out his phone from his pocket, Deku's greeted with two missed messages from his friends along with one missed call from Kaminari, most likely if he survived or not.
"What did I say?" Eraser barks, hair flared with burning eyes. Deku only now asks himself if that man was actually doing something important that needed his full attention. "Don't make me regret this." He adds silently.
"Got it!" Deku cheered, making the other groan.
As soon as Eraserheads hair flows down, was there a rather loud of something falling to the ground, likely a building crumbling after what would most likely be an explosion.
Eraserhead is running to the source, Deku only has such little time to spring from his spot and catch up. Quickly enough were they running side by side before coming to an open but empty spot, in the corner of their eyes had a building collapsed.
"Ha, I think this was a trap." Deku chuckled, trying to rid himself of the fear that bit at him.
"Be quiet or you won't know what's happening around you," Eraserhead whispered harshly, just a second before Deku had to shove him out of the way from a piece of debris. The rock slammed into his heel but honestly nothing he couldn't shake off.
"Are you okay?" Deku quickly asks, but without giving time for a response adds, "that could've been bad."
"Maybe." Eraserhead glanced back, eyes crinkling at what should have been karma. "Why did I think it was a good idea to bring a child here."
'Not a child,' is something Deku wanted to say, quickly voted against it in case it led to him getting sent back to school. But rather puffed his cheeks and sulked to himself. He likes to think he's matured a rational amount. Been through enough situations where he'd have to think like an adult.
But then Deku's head began to spin, as if there was some poison gas leakage, there was gas though, unknown if it was by accident. Eraserhead placed a hand over his mouth, instantly tempting Deku to lick it like all the other times Bakugou tried to shut him up mid-ramble.
Although a giggle escaped, obviously proving that whatever it was had been strong. Eraserhead hadn't even realised he forgot to cover his own mouth but then again, there was no confirming that you had breathed it in for effect to take place.
"Should've never gone out today, sleep would have been the good way to end the day." Eraserhead hissed to himself, pulling the hero trainee off to the side before letting out a harsh cough.
Rather quickly did he slump, going out quite pathetically without a fight. But soon enough did he drop, settled beside his student as the world fell dark.
"Hey... Wake up!" There's a rapid smack against his arm.
Shouta lets out a groan, shrugs his shoulder and curls into himself. "Hey!" There was an annoyed huff before there was a twinge of pain to his cheek. Shouta groans louder, bring up his hand and waves it about, becoming alarmed when he's realised he's hit something. "Ouch..."
"Yamada I told you to leave me alone when I sl—AH!" Shouta hisses, grabbing his left bicep, very aware of the pain coursing through his arm.
"You're the only one who can protect everyone!"
"Shit." Shouta jumps up, very aware of the shadows that surround him. "What, you send out the strongest because you were scared?" He ignores his injured arm and grabs his scarf, ready to engage in a fight only before a wave of nausea hits him, forcing him to bang his head again the wall by making his knees weak
"You're a hero?" The kid had asked, and Shouta hadn't been able to respond coherently, stumbling over words. The green-haired child didn't mind his hesitation, staring at the blood that trickles down his arm, an obvious proof of his failure.
Was the world punishing him for letting his best friend die? If those last words are anything to go on, that was reasonable but he definitely not one—"I don't feel like a hero."
Awe-struck eyes stared up at him, clearly ignorant to his answer. "You just said you were going to fight though, you were going to protect me..." Honestly, he didn't know there was a kid besides him, but he must've said something when he was unconscious.
He smiles, and as quick as it comes it disappears as a sound comes from an alley near them. Shouta activates his quirk, going back to grab his scarf with one arm out with means to protect.
Of course, a villain, he doesn't hesitate to step in and fight. Leaping from one wall to another before delivering a swift kick to the jaw with his scarf wrapping around the evil-doers legs and pulling as he jumps back in the air.
The kid is staring, in complete awe. Shouta comes back down, landing on the villains back. "Let's get you out of here, the pros with deal with the rest if there are."
"You're Eraserhead!" The kid cried gleefully, Shouta was surprised someone recognised him. Not long did he start his work-studies, so not long was his 'student debut'. "You're known for taking down a massive villain during your time at U.A. which was years ago but not you made your official debut as a pro by taking down an entire drug ring about." He stopped to count using his fingers. "About seven months ago, but nobody has seen your face, only your scarf and yellow goggles."
What. Years ago? Becoming a pro?
"Hey, what are you talking about?" Shouta said, reaching for the child with the intent of picking by him put so they could leave. "Uh, what's your name first? I'm going to have to bring you to your parents."
"I'll tell if you say yours! And how you get your scarf to move?" The kid was wearing a yellow hoodie with a black All Might symbol, the pockets were a bit stuffed and immediately emptied when Shouta saw them. A notebook with a large 'No.7' written atop, along with a pencil.
"Yeah, sure." He let out a happy yelp, flipping to a random page. "I'm, Aizawa. Eraserhead." Villains could be using the child to make his guard fall, he wouldn't dare to give out his full name. "This isn't where I fought..."
"I'm Midoriya! Izuku!" What happened to stranger danger? "Oh, wait... This is a city isn't it?" They were on some street now. "I was at the park with Kacchan, he and the other were being a bit mean... We were playing but it really hurt, I think he knocked me out."
The kid was rambling at this point, not even trying to hide the fact he's being bullied, even though he's reassuring himself it was only an accident.
"Hey! Are you guys okay?" Shouta glanced up, instantly jumping back when someone ran up to them. Spikey red hair with no shirt and quite the characteristic design. A student, no doubt.
"Woah, another hero!" Midoriya screamed, flipping pages. The spiky-haired boy seemed to take a moment, staring at the kid. "Eraserhead, sir, do you know him!" That earnt a light gasp from the newcomer.
"Red, don't run off, you're going to get yourself hurt." Three more people came around, all heroes by the look of it.
'Red' glanced behind, going back to the two. "Aizawa-Sensei..." He reached out the other teen, inspecting his face, pulling at his cheeks. "Midoriya, dude! You're tiny!"
"Do I know you? Oh. Kacchan would like you." Midoriya giggled, making 'Red' shake his head in confirmation.
"Yeah! Me and Bakugou are friends, in the future that is." He activates his quirk and brings his fists together. "I didn't know you two when you were, what? How old?"
"I'm eight!" Midoriya was beaming and Shouta was worrying. Future?
"I'm Red Riot, but you can call me Kirishima since we're also friends." 'Kirishima' reminded Shouta a lot about the brutes in his year, all muscles and no brain. There was quite a similar scene in front of him, but Kirishima just appears to be rolling with, whatever this is.
There was a crash from behind and Shouta was first to act, along with a pro? He had plopped Midoriya down before rushing to the source, being mindful of the large hero following his steps.
"Suneater, Real Steel, do any of you have your phone? I forgot mine at the agency." Kirishima grinned sheepishly, making another, who was in a cloak covering his face as though he was being blinded.
"N-no. I guess I'll make myself useful and help Fat Gum..." He ran off and Izuku stared, hoping they'd be okay.
"Thanks, dude." Red Riot was putting in a number by the looks of it. Izuku frowned, staring at the new page with the heroes name.
He decided to scribble a quick drawing, keeping his head ducked, being cautious to keeping his tears a secret. But that doesn't work because Kirishima's picking him up, arms wrapped tightly in what would be the first hug in almost four years.
"I wanna go home..." Izuku sniffled.
"Don't worry, you will. But our first stop is U.A." Kirishima said cheerfully, ruffling his hair. "Oh, Woah, soft."
"U.A? Where All Might went?!" He wiped his eyes, offering a bright grin that can only verse Kirishima's at the moment.