Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Shigaraki has been laid up for two weeks. 

Even with that creepy doctor taking care of him, he’s barely cleared to shuffle around like an invalid by the time the Sports Festival begins. He still can’t lift anything heavy. Apparently a punctured lung combined with being bodied by some godmode quirk are a “big deal” and not something he can “just shrug off.” It would have been less dire if they’d left when Kurogiri had asked, but he’d been determined to see All Might die. He deserved that, or at least to kill one of the brats. 

He got neither.

All Might was still stronger than the Nomu. Eraserhead managed to keep the stupid bird away from him so he couldn’t even disintegrate a half-dead body. That green-haired kid ruined everything else. He ran the blackbird out of there (what was that giant shadow monster anyway? What is it with these birds ruining Shigaraki’s plans?) and then came back with his own broken quirk to save All Might when Nomu finally had the upper hand. Kid has super strength, just like the Symbol of Peace. 

He’s so mad it itches. 

Kurogiri maneuvers the desk in his room, places it so he can still see his computer monitor from the bed. He’s pretty good at playing nursemaid but Shigaraki still hates having him in his room at all. Kurogiri gets Sensei’s setup in here too, so Sensei can give instructions and commentary during the event. Apparently Shigaraki’s supposed to learn something from a bunch of stupid kids. One of those stupid kids tried to kill him, him, and that’s so wildly unfair it makes him sick. 

When the opening ceremonies kick off, all Shigaraki learns is that they need a better healer in their party yesterday. The bird brats are participating in a festival while Shigaraki is still wheezing around his injuries. They should be crippled. Or dead. How are they back up? 

The only sign that they were even injured is a still-healing scar running across the red one’s face. It even looks cool. 

Shigaraki decides he’s going to kill him first. Then the blackbird and his shadow puppet. 

He’ll save All Might Jr. for last. 

It is his right to destroy everything he hates, after all. 

***

Midoriya’s genuinely surprised when Takahashi ends up participating in the Sports Festival.

He can’t be at 100%. There’s no way. 

The rest of the class seemed to think it was a foregone conclusion, that of course Takahashi would be up and ready to compete in a couple weeks time. Maybe Midoriya should think that way too - he’s the one who has broken every limb in his body several times over by now. School’s only been in session for three weeks and Recovery Girl’s already lecturing him on his likely long term outcomes (bad, really bad) if he isn’t more careful. His mom was genuinely afraid about him participating in the events today. 

But there was a moment at the USJ when the only two people near Takahashi’s body seriously thought he was going to die. He could see it in Aizawa-sensei’s face, waiting for the medics to arrive. Their teacher had been terrified, too afraid to move him more than he already had. So they’d sat together, Midoriya with his useless legs and Aizawa checking for a pulse, right up until the infirmary team finally carried Takahashi out. 

Midoriya had been just as scared.

Midoriya had also been in the infirmary when Recovery Girl was prepping Takahashi for surgery. He’d probably heard a lot more than he was supposed to in the chaos of triage, including Principal Nedzu asking for additional testing once they got him stabilized. As someone intimately familiar with medical diagnostics and quirk assessments, he’s pretty certain that wasn’t something UA had the authority to do. Maybe it's fine because Takahashi’s an orphan? Midoriya’s not an expert on custody law and how it applies to wards of the state in high level heroics programs, but if he hadn’t been so busy getting ready for the festival, he might have gone down that rabbit hole at the campus library. 

He still might once everything quiets down. He needs no one other than Recovery Girl to ever do an extensive diagnostic like that on him. He has a toe bone he really, really shouldn't, and who even knows what One-For-All would look like on a diagnostic machine.

Huh. He should find that out. 

None of this answers his questions about how Takahashi healed so fast. It’s possible his quirk also has a regenerative factor, which, if it does, would make Takahashi’s quirk one of the most versatile Midoriya has ever seen. It's unbelievably suited for heroics work. You could hardly ask for more if you’d designed one in a lab.

Which, incidentally, is what Mina believes to be where Takahashi came from. She’s convinced that UA is working to get him away from and/or buy him off of some unethical scientists making designer babies. It's certainly a theory. Aoyama, on another hand, has postulated that Takahashi must be stuck in some kind of horrible K-pop-idol-esque contract with an overbearing sponsor. Or is a runaway k-pop star trying to make it as a hero in Japan, except his old managers have gotten their lawyers involved and are trying to sue Aizawa-sensei and UA for letting his face get messed up. 

At the moment Midoriya is more concerned about whether or not Takahashi has actually recovered rather than where he’s from. He might just be ignoring his injuries like Midoriya often does. He finds the way Takahashi deflects any personal questions or comments a little too familiar to middle school conversations with his mother, a little too much like looking in a strange mirror. 

But why would a handsome, smart kid with an incredible quirk have the same habits as a stupid, useless Deku? This isn’t even touching on whatever actually happened the Night of the Text Messages.

Shinsou and Tokoyami aren’t saying anything to anyone. Takahashi just laughs about it. Everyone has theories, (Mina’s and Aoyama’s are just two contenders), but Midoriya’s got a mind that doesn’t shut up or slow down even at the best of times. He’s thought a lot about what might be going on with Takahashi. It doesn’t help that he was witness to Takahashi’s stone-cold efficiency, sweeping clear a field of combatants like a pro and then keeping up with Aizawa-sensei while cutting down his remaining opponents. It certainly doesn't help that he had a front row seat for Shigaraki getting backstabbed, that he can still remember the burbling sound of him trying to breathe and a bubble of blood at the corner of the man’s mouth.

Midoriya’s worried about him. Wherever he came from, it can’t have been good. Not if UA is trying to intervene. 

Midoriya’s starting to worry about Todoroki too, especially after his normally quiet classmate publicly singled him out in the locker rooms. Something’s going on there. At least Todoroki’s gotten kinda close with Takahashi’s little club. He still hardly talks, but he’s been spending his lunch breaks with them. 

Hopefully they can help him with whatever is eating at him, but they seemed just as surprised as Midoriya by his proclamation. 

Unfortunately, Midoriya still has to win this. He’s got All Might counting on him to announce himself to the world. This is his moment, and, even though he’s not sure how he can beat Todoroki or Takahashi, (or Bakugo for that matter, because there is always Bakugo), he’s going to have to try his best and give it his all. 

Even more unfortunately, Midoriya is still himself. Even when it might be in his best interest not to be. He slows down deliberately as they head out, pacing himself to walk next to Takahashi. Takahashi notices, (he usually notices), and gestures for Shinsou and Tokoyami to go on ahead.

“So what can I do for you, Midoriya?” 

He always asks that. Midoriya adds it to the puzzle pieces he’s collecting about his classmates, but for now focuses on why he flagged Takahashi down in the first place.

He takes a deep breath, “Listen, Takahashi, are you sure you’re up for this?”

“You mean the Sports Festival?” Takahashi sounds bewildered by the idea of not being up for the most physically demanding, high pressure event UA puts on.

“No one would think less of you if you decided to sit it out today, especially if you’re still recovering. I’m not trying to insult you or anything, I just, I know everybody’s really excited about it but you got really, really hurt at the USJ. I don’t want you to think you need to be here to prove anything. Everyone knows you’re amazing.”

“Oh, no, I know that,” Takahashi just laughs, waving him off. “But I’m good. I know my limits.”

Midoriya frowns. “Do you?”

Takahashi tilts his head, “No offense, but you’re the punch-so-hard-I-break-my-own-bones guy.”

Harsh, but fair. And also a good set up, “You’re not wrong about that. So please know that I’m serious when I ask about this.” 

Takahashi smiles even wider, “You really are something special, Midoriya. Has anyone ever told you that?”

Just my mom and All Might, Midoriya thinks, and now Takahashi, but he absolutely cannot say that. This conversation is getting away from him. “Uh-” 

“Seriously, I’m okay. I’m here to have fun and support my friends. But if you still want to do me a favor, let me know if you see Endeavor trying to sneak backstage, okay?” 

Midoriya feels like this conversation has gotten away from him. 

“Endeavor?”

“Yep, big guy, usually on fire. Hard to miss. We’re trying to make sure he doesn’t get anywhere near Todoroki today.”

They are almost at the end of the tunnel, the light from the field is just ahead. 

“You want to make sure Todoroki’s dad, the number two hero, doesn’t get close to him?”

“That’s the goal! Can I count on your support?”

Takahashi beams at him.

Midoriya hears the roar of the crowd as the first of his classmates step out. He has no idea what is going on but he supposes there’s only one response he can realistically give.

“Um, yes! I can help with that!”

“Great! Good luck out there!” 

Anything else they might want to say is lost in the noise as the festival begins 

***

Shinsou and company join the mob that’s crowding the starting gate. Keigo’s looking up at the sky, wings flexing a bit but otherwise relaxed - particularly after catching Midnight-sensei’s attention to ask her how high up the obstacle course boundaries went (answer: high enough for him to not be worried about it). He’s more or less healed up now. Shinsou would argue it’s more on the ‘or less’ side of things, plus the guy only had a few days to get back into fighting condition before the event, but he seems happy enough to be here. 

Shinsou doubts his lingering injuries will matter too much for this competition though. Not the first event at any rate. A four kilometer obstacle race? 

Yeah.

Even at half the pace he flew to Tokyo and back, Keigo could crush that in about two minutes. Maybe a little more if he takes a bit to get up to speed. He can dodge obstacles blindfolded. And has. Repeatedly. Since he was like seven. The only way he doesn’t win this is if someone takes him down. Which neatly explains Bakugo hanging uncharacteristically back from the front of the pack, side-eyeing Keigo with single-minded focus. Shouto is locked in too, but somewhere up ahead near Midoriya and the rest of their class. His drive to win this apparently doesn't extend to singling out Keigo. Shinsou still expects things to get very, very cold, very fast once the event starts. That narrow gateway is a perfect choke point for Shouto to freeze out a good chunk of the competitors and he bets everyone in their class knows it. Freezing feet to the ground is one of Shouto’s go to moves. 

Shinsou gives Bakugo a jaunty little wave to let him know that he sees him, both because he’s feeling petty and a little worried about the flammability of his friend (did Bakugo find out about that? Shinsou sure didn't say anything but Keigo wasn't exactly sneaky about sharing that info). He’s pleased to see their most volatile classmate’s expression twist in annoyance and rage at being noticed by Shinsou regardless. Good. Bakugo’s the easiest person alive to catch with brainwashing and is just self aware enough to know it.

Shinsou turns back to his friends. 

“How are you guys feeling about the viability of teamwork as a strategy right now?” 

Keigo grins at him. He very deliberately and very silently shakes his head. Nope.

Tokoyami narrows his eyes. He signs the phrase ‘do not even think about it.’ Dark Shadow sticks its tongue out at him, because Dark Shadow is a manifestation of the vengeful dark, sure, but mostly of Tokoyami’s inner four-year old. 

“Cold. But I get it,” Shinsou smirks. “What was it that Shouto said? We’re ‘not here today to make friends,’and ‘don’t forget, this isn’t a team effort?”

Keigo rolls his eyes, but he’s still grinning. Even makes a little heart with his hands, because his secret hidden personality is apparently “obnoxious brat” now that he doesn’t have to keep cover. 

“Have fun out there and watch out for Bakugo,” Shinsou gives them both a lazy salute. “Good luck.” 

He heads off into the crowd, giving Bakugo one last side-eye for good measure. He wasn’t actually expecting a boost from the bird bros. Shinsou wants to stand out today, and running the exact same play he did in the entrance exam isn’t going to cut it. Too bad the support course wasn’t able to finish his request in time, too busy getting their own equipment ready to show off, but he’ll manage. Some members of Class 1-B are just up ahead and look very interesting indeed. 

Time to go and prove Todoroki wrong. 

Shinsou’s here to make some new friends. Maybe start a real team effort.

“Hey guys, just wanted to give you a heads up before you get frostbite-”

***

“What should we be paying attention to in the early stages of the race?”

Aizawa sighs. He agreed to this. Heaven help him but he did. 

“The doorway.” 

He’s not surprised to see the ice coating the tunnel walls and ground mere seconds after the start - it’s a standard play for Todoroki. He is pleased to see that his students expect it and react accordingly. He is less pleased to see Bakugo make a deliberate go at burning the flight feathers off of Takahashi the moment Kayama calls ‘Begin!’ 

It's a controlled attack, even from the commentator's box Aizawa can see that, but it’s still an aggressive opening move. Bakugo is, for once in his life, too slow. Takahashi is gone before he can singe so much as a single feather.  The moment Takahashi twists out of the way of the explosions aimed precisely and carefully at his back is probably the last clear shot the cameras will catch of him. There’s a red blur speeding about ten yards above the track and that’s that. 

Yamada jumps between commentating on Todoroki’s massive opening move and calling brief attention to “Keigo Takahashi of Class 1-A, a student who’s almost too fast for his own good! Certainly too fast for our camera robots along the course to get a good shot. Refs, get ready to watch the replays to make sure our high flier stays within bounds since it doesn’t look like the first obstacles were able to react in time! He’s going, going, gone!” 

Takahashi’s already woven in between the robots long before Todoroki arrives to just straight up freeze them in place. 

Off balance. 

On purpose. 

To fall on his competitors. 

This class is going to be the death of him if not of each other.

***

“And it's looking like a race for second place, folks! Our refs are rechecking the slow-mo recaps, but it seems like this winged warrior combined speed AND precision to remain in bounds for his unbelievable flight around the track! After that performance from Takahashi, let’s turn our attention to the next frontrunner, and certainly no slouch himself, Shouto Todoroki! BUT WHAT’S THIS? KATSUKI BAKUGO HAS MANAGED TO COME UP FROM BEHIND AND CHALLENGE HIM FOR THE LEAD!” 

Present Mic is in his element. Kayama’s always glad when Yamada gets to do commentary, but utterly delighted when he manages to bully Aizawa into being his co-host. 

The energy between those two? ‘Chef’s kiss’ as her students say. 

She hops down off the stage and saunters (she’s still in costume after all) over to where Takahashi collapsed after completing the obstacle course in a little over a minute. Takahashi is flat on his back, which cannot be comfortable with those wings of his, staring up at the sky and breathing hard. She makes a show of circling around his outstretched wingspan, giving him another second to recover, before stopping next to his face and leaning down to peer over him. 

She double checks her mic to make sure it’s still off, “You doing okay there, honey?” 

Takahashi squints up at her, but only nods. Their little champion probably isn’t up to long conversations just yet. Kayama’s not a mathematician, she specializes in the arts for more than one reason, but she can guesstimate that their boy hit something close to formula one speeds on his little jaunt. She gives him a quick once-over, but it’s hard to tell how well his back or wings are faring without any clear indicators.

Hm. He’s tracking where she’s looking. Interesting. 

“Well, you’ve got a moment to recover while we wait for the rest of the students. Aizawa says you’ll need to check in with Recovery Girl before the next event though. Mandatory, so don’t even try and sneak away. She’ll be waiting at Tunnel A for you.” 

“Understood,” it’s barely more than a gasp, but it’s audible. 

She unscrews the cap off of a water bottle and holds it down to him. He stares at it for a second before taking it. 

“Good boy.” She gives him one of her patented sultry smirks for good measure and gets quite the alarmed expression in return. Terrified, even, and not in the fun way she’s used to. He shuts it down fast but not fast enough for her not to notice it. 

Oh dear. Time to show mercy and back away from the poor kid. 

“Oh no, sweetheart, it's just a bit. Part of the whole ‘Midnight’ image. You’re fine. Let me give you some space.”

She leaves him to his hydrating and heads back to the stage, comming Aizawa with her earpiece along the way, “Passed your message on to your baby bird, but it’s going to be a second before he’s going anywhere.”

“How’s his back?”

Not even a grumble about the baby bird comment. She needs to get him or at least Yamada alone to get the full details of what’s going on there. 

“You’re going to have to ask Recovery Girl about that one, I didn’t want to crowd him, but he doesn’t look like he’s in pain, just winded.”

“Doesn’t mean much, unfortunately, but thanks for checking.” 

“Noted.” 

Aizawa isn’t thrilled about Takahashi joining in today’s festivities, but Kayama’s getting the sense that Aizawa would prefer to wrap the kid in bubble wrap and put him in a nice, soothing safe room for at least another month.

Ah, the joys of teaching today’s youth. 

“We should talk more later too. After the event. He doesn't seem to be the biggest fan of my whole brand. Kid looked scared out of his mind when I-”

“IZUKU MIDORIYA LITERALLY EXPLODES PAST THE COMPETITION?!” 

Kayama whips her head back to the screens at the same time Aizawa asks her what on earth she’s talking about. 

You really can’t miss a moment during these games.

***

“Nice work out there.”

Shishida shakes his head, fog clearing from his mind. What? What is…he’s in the arena again. Is the race over? His lungs are burning, his muscles are aching, and there’s one of the kids from 1-A holding out a bottle of water to him. The purple-haired one.

Oh. Oh no. 

“How dare you-” 

He clamps a hand over his mouth. 

Hitoshi Shinsou just shakes the bottled water at him, “You should hydrate, Midnight-sensei is getting ready to announce the next event. You’ll want to have your wits about you for that. We qualified, so congrats. Numbers 12 and 13.”

He would growl, but he is not an animal and is also not sure if that counts as a response. Shinsou’s quirk is truly dastardly. The last thing he remembers clearly is asking him about Todoroki’s strategy. The rest of the race is a foggy blur. 

Shiozaki puts a hand on his arm, “I am sorry, Shishida, truly, but I did not understand the nature of what was occurring. I had thought your kind heart merely took pity on this weak, wretched sinner.”

Shinsou’s eyebrows go up, “On this what now?” 

Someone starts coughing uncontrollably behind Shinsou. The boy with the red wings, also from 1-A. Shinsou turns his head and immediately frowns in annoyance, “Get it together, Keigo.”

“Oh! Are you injured? Ill?”

“Nope,” ‘Keigo’ wheezes, “M’good. Gonna borrow Shinsou though if that’s alright with you guys.” 

Shishida supposes it’s for the best that they stay far, far away from Shinsou. He’s angry enough that he’s losing his composure. “Please.” 

Monoma pushes his way through the crowd towards them as the other two boys depart, “What happened out there? You guys completely abandoned our strategy!”

“I am sorry, Monoma, but I could not countenance doing less than my best, and poor Shishida fell victim to a terrible scheme.”

“Fell victim into placing twelfth?”

“It’s Shinsou, from 1-A,” Shishida frowns. “We need to warn the rest of the class about his quirk.” 

***

Midoriya really is pleased with the outcome of the first event. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be happier to have come in second place for something. 

10,000,000 points. What a nightmare.

Midorya put his all into the obstacle course, he even got lucky with his landing at the end. Being conservative with his quirk paid off - he has all limbs and fingers intact for whatever’s next. Pulling ahead of Todoroki and Bakugo at the last second felt amazing. Listening to Mic-sensei’s commentary about it after the fact was surreal. He feels like he did All Might proud, at least so far. 

He would be disappointed about not placing first, but there just wasn’t much anyone could have done against Takahashi. Not in a race where he was allowed to fly. Midoriya would need to be able to use One For All like All Might himself to beat that. As it stands, Iida’s their only classmate who even comes close to matching Takahashi’s speed and there were sections of the course that just couldn’t be run across. Even if Iida could have run the whole thing straight through, it might not have mattered. 

An hour-long flight, sustaining an average speed of 300kph, means that in a mere 4k sprint Takahashi had everyone laughably outclassed. Bakugo did the only thing anyone could have done to stop him: tried to take Takahashi out at the starting line. Midoriya only learned about that maneuver during the replay after the event, but he can’t really fault him. He's not sure if he could have gone through with it himself though. 

But now Takahashi’s worth 10,000,000 points and Midoriya’s sitting pretty at 205. 

Time to form a team. But with who? 

“Hey Deku! Let’s team up!”

***

“So much for taking it easy, I guess?” Keigo sighs. “If anyone wants to bail, now would be the time. No offense will be taken.”

“No,” Tokoyami shakes his head. “If we feared a challenge we would have pursued a different course in life.” 

Shinsou snorts, “Yeah, I think Class 1-B has it out for me regardless of what team I’m on, so I’d much rather stick with you two.”

He risks a glance at the competition. Yep, some blond kid is still mean mugging Shinsou like he personally murdered the guy’s family, friends, and future prospects. So is Bargain Bin Kirishima (Tetsutetsu…Tetsutetsu? That cannot be his actual given name), plus Shishida, and the other few members of Class 1-B he can see besides the girl with the vines. She’s watching him with a soulful, pained expression. 

Honestly he prefers the dirty looks. He’s been called a lot of names over the course of his life, but ‘weak wretched sinner’ is a new one. He's trying not to develop a complex about it. And failing. 

He looks past the glares, searching for familiar red and white hair. There. Shouto’s surrounded by people, probably vying to join his team. Him and Bakugo both. Shinsou projects his voice over the crowd, “Hey, Shouto! You want in on team all-the-points-ever?” 

Shouto startles. He looks over his shoulder and opens his mouth to say something, but pauses. Frowns. Closes his mouth.

He at least seems to be considering the invite, eyeing the three of them and starting to make his way over, but considering it so carefully that he won’t risk verbally responding to Shinsou. Shinsou tries to let it slide, to pretend that it doesn’t hurt. The guy really is worked up, or at least the Shouto Todoroki equivalent of it. And they had been training to help him avoid getting caught so easily.

It’s not his fault Shinsou has issues. 

“No worries if not, Todoroki,” Keigo reassures once Shouto gets close, still trailing hopefuls. “Seriously. Feel free to spread your wings. You don’t need to stick with us if you want to strike out on your own.”

“Speak for yourself, Takahashi,” Tokoyami grumbles, “The four of us together would be a formidable force.”

Shouto thinks for a long moment, ignoring Kaminari pulling at his sleeve. Kaminari glances at the three of them, “Don’t do it, dude, it’s suicide. They’re the 10,000,000 point team. Stick with us. Team ‘Most Stable Formation’ for the win.” 

Shouto shakes him off, but gently. “No, Tokoyami is right. Together we would have long, mid, and short range coverage. Takahashi and I both provide excellent mobility, and, should anyone react carelessly, Shinsou grants us a massive advantage. We would be hunted for the entire event, but I believe we could win this. I had not considered it as a strategy, but being the singular point of focus has its own merits as well.” 

Shouto glances up in the stands. A flaming figure stands unusually tall on the midlevel walkway. Even Shinsou can identify Endeavor from here. The guy’s likeness is on a good chunk of the merch being sold at all the vendor stalls. 

Shinsou wonders what Endeavor would have to say about Shouto choosing to team up with their group. Wonders how much that thought might be messing with Shouto’s head. 

All Shouto says, however, is, “I accept your proposal.” 

Keigo grins, “Awesome.”

A girl with pink hair and a heavy trunk skids up, “Aw, nuts! Don’t tell me you already have your crew? There’s not room for one more?” 

***

The Calvary Battle is both intense and entertaining. The crowd roars all around the UA faculty box, gasping and cheering as the competitors use their quirks and their wits to fight for victory. UA’s teachers get pretty swell seats, too, but All Might has a good seat guaranteed basically everywhere he goes. 

At least on the occasions that All Might goes anywhere. It’s nice to just be Yagi Toshinori sometimes, just another face in the crowd. It certainly helps that he doesn’t need to maintain appearances, even if he is supposed to be at least somewhat neutral here. 

Although Present Mic’s commentary certainly has its favorites.

“AND IT’S URARAKA, SUPPORTING HER ENTIRE TEAM AS THEY TAKE OFF AFTER THAT 10,000,000 POINT HEADBAND! NOT EVEN THE SKY IS SAFE FOR TEAM SHINSOU! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE PLAY!” 

Toshinori is pleased with Midoriya’s performance so far. Seeing him soar through the air with that support student’s jetpack is really something. He’s gunning for the top, just like everyone else. He’s not letting his kind heart stop him from putting everything into this.

What an amazing kid. 

“BUT WHAT’S THIS? BAKUGO HAS SEPARATED FROM HIS HORSES! A THREE WAY AERIAL DOG FIGHT, RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES! IS THAT EVEN ALLOWED?” 

***

Tokoyami thinks that, after the festival, he should listen to Takahashi and really start figuring out a way to fly. Being in the sky feels right. 

Just maybe not like this. 

Tokoyami’s held aloft by four feathers, wrapped around his upper arms and feet. Takahashi can keep them all airborne without flapping his wings, but maintaining it takes a lot of focus. Especially with him simultaneously responsible for preparing their fallback plan. Managing that while manipulating himself, Tokoyami, and Todoroki like puppets, wings spread out for balance, has effectively taken him out of the fight other than as their mobile platform. 

Dark Shadow finds Tokoyami taking a turn as a marionette particularly delightful. It doesn’t have time to crow about it though. Team Asui (and their jetpack) has closed with them, and Bakugo is incoming fast.

“OUT OF MY WAY, YOU STUPID DEKU. THAT HEADBAND IS MINE!” 

Shinsou shouts instructions and taunts in the same clipped tone, “Tokoyami, left! Shouto, right! Bakugo, shut up! No one cares about your crush on Midoriya!” 

Takahashi spins them, so Tokoyami can focus on defending against Team Asui, (who don't have bright, explosive flames), and Bakugo gets driven back by a wall of falling ice. He also screams what might be expletives at Shinsou in incoherent rage, but it’s unclear to Tokoyami if that counts as a response. The ice wall certainly explodes into a shower of crystals, but that could just be Shinsou trying to keep him from being crushed by it. Either way, Bakugo’s lost his momentum. He’s falling now. 

Dark Shadow whips around and barely manages to block Tsu’s tongue. She really is quite dexterous. Tokoyami shifts his focus. 

He cannot underestimate Tsu. 

***

Mineta made it. He made it into the Calvary Battle. 

Sure it was close - his plan to hitch a ride on grade-A hottie Momo Yaoyorozu didn’t work out, but she’d shucked her gym shirt to get rid of him so who’s the real winner here? Getting hit with that metal pole did hurt, but not so bad that he wasn’t able to slip in as number 39. 

He’s the only general studies kid in this event, but that’s a feature, not a bug. No one else is here to steal the spotlight from him. He just needs to prove himself, and Mindfreak will be kicked out of the heroics course that he never should have been in to begin with. That spot will be Mineta’s. 

Everyone loves the underdog after all. 

He hears something explode above him. He looks up to see Bakugo falling from the sky, surrounded by ice shard projectiles.

Oh.

Crap. 

“SHOUJI! EVASIVE MANEUVERS!" 

***

Tape Kid manages to catch Bakugo, and the snap of the tape yanking him back towards his team wakes him up in time for him to recover and stick a landing.

Ice rains down around him, scattering the teams. 

He is going to murder that purple parasite.

***

Monoma feels good about his strategy. 

His team’s collecting headbands left and right from all the overachievers focused on the prize in the sky. This ‘Shinsou’ kid isn’t even a problem, he’s sixty feet in the air. 

They even snag Bakugo’s headband while the idiot’s busy ranting at his team. 

Ah, sweet victory.

Bakugo snarls as soon as he notices, turning his attention to his betters. Time to wave a red cape in front of the world’s most explosive bull and send him careening. Monoma’s earned a little rage-baiting.

As a treat. 

***

And that’s the stupid copycat taken care of. 

Now Bakugo can murder that purple parasite.

***

Okay, bad strategy. Very bad strategy.

Monoma can admit his faults, few as they are. 

They’ll need to regroup.

***

The last seconds of the Calvary Battle are insane, even by UA standards. 

Iida uses Recipro Burst to launch his team skyward and Ojiro makes a grab for the headband, springboarding off his peers with his tail for extra height. Aoyama tries the same tactic as Bakugo, leaving his squad mates behind to laser himself towards victory. Bakugo himself makes another attempt. Togake from 1-B uses her quirk, which is splitting her own body into little levitating pieces, to make a grab in the chaos. Team Midoriya launches Tsu at them at the same time. One of the 1-B girls tosses a handful of pebbles which start to follow Shinsou like heat seeking missiles. Vines erupt from Miss Soulful Gaze. 

Shouto and Tokoyami are excellent defenders, They still might make it out of this. Maybe. 

But not likely.

Shinsou makes the call.

“Keigo, now!”

They spin so Shouto can deal with Aoyama instead of Tokoyami, which results in a light show of rainbow ice prisms exploding over the field. Tokoyami blocks Ojiro with Dark Shadow, but Ojiro clings onto the manifestation like a bullrider at a rodeo, letting his team fall back without him as Yaoyorozu drops an entire air cushion to the ground to catch them. Bakugo’s still incoming, maneuvering like a pro to stay on Tokoyami’s side and taking advantage of the fact that Tokoyami isn't about to let Dark Shadow drop Ojiro sixty feet with no landing strategy. Vines rush past, Tsu’s tongue whips through the fray, Shinsou sees a few, disembodied fingers for just a second before Bakugo closes in, hands sparking inches from Shinsou’s face-

“STUN GRENADE!” 

***

“TIME!” 

Bakugo told everyone he was going to win this at the start and he meant it. 

He sticks the landing, Tape Kid roping him back to their team. He has the winning headband in his hand. Kirishima’s grinning like a maniac, Raccoon Eyes is cheering. Tape Kid whoops. 

Bakugo holds it in the air to the roar of the crowd and reaches around his neck for the others-

***

Hiccups aside, Monoma had the winning strategy after all. Focusing on the ground instead of joining the mad rush at the end successfully secured them their spot. Plus three of the toughest competitors just lost their places in the tournament, right along with the brainwasher. 

The one-on-one matches will be much more balanced and interesting now without Endevor’s son and the birds in the mix. Sure they lost some points to Bakugo, but-

Wait. 

Oh. Oh no. 

***

Tsu has an iron grip on their collected headbands. Thank goodness for Tsu racking up points along the way, his own 205 point total, and for an entire youth spent analyzing quirks. 

That final move could have cost them everything if Midoriya hadn’t predicted it. 

It was still brilliant though. 

***

“Is everyone alright?”

Tokoyami sounds more than a little concerned. Dark Shadow lowers Ojiro to the ground. Ojiro rolls his shoulders, swishes his tail, “I’m good.” 

Shouto gets his footing the second they land, and helps lower Shinsou down along with a flurry of red feathers. His classmate’s bleeding from his ears and looks more than a little dazed. He’s got minor burns (Shouto knows exactly how those feel) along the right side of his face and down his right arm. His gym uniform shirt will need to be replaced. Shouto can smell burnt hair. 

Shouto isn’t surprised. That last explosion was brutal. Shouto’s own hearing is just now starting to return. Bakugo’s attack was on his left side, so he’s otherwise fine, but it was loud. And bright. Tokoyami was lucky to have been looking away when it went off, but the feathers on the back of his head are still singed. 

Midnight-sensei is asking each team to hold up their headbands, but even her amplified voice sounds like it’s coming from underwater. Takahashi shoves five headbands into Shinsou’s uninjured hand, feathers still attached to a few, and helps raise Shinsou's left arm aloft, “Here! Over here! Let's get this done with so we take him to medical. Todoroki, can you tell if his eyes are tracking? That flash got me good. Everything’s blurry.”

“-AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE AN UPSET! TEAM BAKUGO MANAGES TO TAKE FIRST AT THE LAST SECOND, FOLLOWED BY TEAM SHINSOU WITH THEIR OWN BUZZER BEATER MANEUVER! NEXT UP, WE HAVE TEAM ASUI IN THIRD AND FINALLY TEAM OJIRO! WHAT AN EVENT AND WHAT A SWEEP FOR CLASS 1-A!” 

Takahashi blinks, squinting a bit. He must have been looking right at Bakugo when he lit them up. An extra eyelid Shouto wasn’t aware of keeps nictitating too, some kind of clear membrane. Perhaps it helps him when he’s flying at high speeds? Fascinating, but Shouto needs to focus right now. 

Shouto has some EMT training, since it is important for any pro hero to know. His scumbag father didn’t teach him himself, but he made sure someone proficient did when Shouto was twelve. He remembers that it is important to remain calm, and to keep one’s voice reassuring. Shouto doesn’t know if he can manage that last part, but he can certainly remain calm. 

“Shinsou, can you hear me? You’ve been hit by the equivalent of a stun grenade. You might be experiencing some disorientation, but you are safe.” 

No response. At least no coherent one.

Midoriya makes his way over, “Whoa, is he okay? Do you need Recovery Girl?” 

Midnight-sensei’s right behind him, “What’s all this?”

“A flash bang went off two inches from his face is what,” Takahashi sounds snappish, which is extremely unusual for Takahashi. “Permission to take him to medical?”

“Sweetheart, you don’t actually need permission to do that. Go ahead and make sure he gets checked out. Recovery Girl’s standing by. Tunnel A. Anyone else injured?”

“My hearing is returning,” Shouto says, because he isn’t sure what does and doesn’t count as ‘injured.’ Being at UA has been a continual exercise in learning that. 

“I’m fine,” Tokoyami tells her, “Just singed.” 

“I’m scared,” Dark Shadow says, “I want to go home.” 

Tokoyami sighs, “I’ll accompany Takahashi. The shade of the arena interior will do Dark Shadow some good. Todoroki, would you like to join us as well?” 

Shouto nods at the same time Midoriya says “I’ll come too!” 

Midnight-sensei rolls her eyes and goes to say something more, likely about uninjured students crowding the infirmary, but Takahashi just picks up Shinsou. Deadlifts him straight off the ground and snaps his wings open, forcing Midnight-sensei back. “See you all there.” 

He takes off. 

***

Midoriya’s waiting outside of Recovery Girl’s office for a change. 

It feels kinda weird. 

Tokoyami and Todoroki are waiting with him, sitting in the blue chairs lining the wall. Dark Shadow has retreated, so it’s just the three of them. Takahashi stayed put in the room. Midoriya supposes Recovery Girl didn’t have the heart to kick him out despite the breach of patient confidentiality. He’s acting kind of, well, intense. 

They can hear Present Mic dismissing everyone for the lunch break. His voice is on the intercoms in the hallway, sure, but they can also hear it echoing down the tunnels from the stadium itself. They’ll probably need to get going soon if they want to eat something, and they all should. Everyone here qualified for the upcoming tournament matches - Todoroki, Shinsou, Tokoyami, Takahashi, and, well, him. 

That’s…that’s going to be a rough lineup to beat. Plus Bakugo, Mina and Asui, oh and Kirishima aaaaand yeah. It’s a full three quarters of their class. Plus Mei from Support. Hoo boy.

Everyone’s real quiet. 

“Great strategy,” Midoriya offers into the silence. 

Tokoyami nods, “We had hoped to keep the winning headband, but it was important to have failsafes in play.” 

Todoroki nods. “You noticed the feathers?”

“Yeah, but I was also kind of looking for them?” Midoriya admits, sheepishly, “I don’t think anyone else did though. How did you guys pick which teams to target?”

“You’ll have to ask Takahashi, we entrusted him to carry out that plan.” 

“Ah. Cool.”

The silence stretches.

Todoroki is eyeing him. He seems to be thinking about something pretty intently. 

Midoriya tries not to stare back, but it’s getting kinda awkward. 

Todoorki starts to stand up, “Midoriya, I wanted to -” 

The door to the infirmary bangs open. Midoriya jumps, almost putting One-For-All into it, as Takahashi explodes out. He makes a beeline for Todoroki, who looks just as shocked as everyone else by this turn of events. Takahashi grabs him by the forearms and starts herding him towards the open door with frantic intensity, “Hey, Todoroki, Shinsou needed to ask you a question right now so if you could just-”

“What?”

“-just get out of the hallway thank you, good, excellent,” Takahashi shoves him into the infirmary and immediately slides the door shut behind him. He spins around, back to the door, wings spreading wide as if he could hide the fact that the infirmary door even exists by virtue of being very colorful and in the way. 

“What on earth was that -” Tokoyami starts to ask, Dark Shadow peering curiously over his shoulder, but he doesn’t finish his sentence before heavy footsteps echo down the corridor. 

“Shouto?” 

Pro Hero Endeavor turns the corner, all six-foot-five of him, heading right their way. Flames lick at his face and shoulders. He is more impressive in real life than Midoriya thought possible. Midoriya also notices a small red feather, just a tiny covert, detaching from a massive boot. It drifts down the hall to reattach to Takahashi’s wings, just ahead of the giant of a man. 

Takahashi was tracking him?

Holy whoa.

“Ah. Shouto’s teammates. Have you boys seen my son?”

Tokoyami looks up at him, eyes wide. Dark Shadow retreats with a small ‘eep,’ but Tokoyami himself stands his ground, planting his feet. Midoriya feels both confused and frozen in place. He’s supposed to be helping keep Todoroki away from this man. 

Right. 

Exactly how is he supposed to be doing that? 

“Shouto?” Takahashi speaks first, expression and tone both utterly normal. He sounds like his usual, cheerful self. He snaps his wings a bit as if he’s just been stretching them instead of blocking line of sight to a door. “Yeah, he was amazing in that last event! Did you catch the ice prism explosion at the end?”

Huh. Maybe like that? 

“Yes, an impressive use of his ice. But I wish to speak with him about his strategy. He did not use his fire. It would have secured the end of the match and a first place win. Why did your team place him as support at all when he could have covered both sides more easily as the team leader?” 

“Oh, for sure!” Takahashi shrugs, and looks a bit embarrassed, “That’s my bad, actually. I’m super flammable. Just a spark and these feathers go up like ‘whoosh.’ So he covered our right, Tokoyami here covered the left, and I kept us airborne while Shinsou directed and distracted. Worked out pretty well!”

Endeavor stares. He seems to be weighing Takahashi’s summary and finding it wanting. “And what exactly is this ‘Shinsou’s’ quirk?”

“Great question! You’ll get to see it in action during the upcoming matches,” Takahashi grins in a way that reminds Midoriya of no one so much as Present Mic. “No spoilers though! Can’t ruin the fun for everyone!” 

Endeavor narrows his eyes. “And where is my son now?” 

“Lunch? At least I think so,” Takahashi shrugs. “Which we should be on our way to as well. Just wanted to make sure our teammate was okay before heading to the cafeteria. Has it changed all that much since you were a student here?”

Midoriya is realizing in real time just how good at lying Takahashi is. He is feeling several sorts of ways about it. 

“Not likely,” Endeavor frowns. He seems thrown by the change in topic.

Takahashi beams, “Then I would be honored to accompany you to find out! Maybe we’ll find Todoroki, er, Shouto on the way. If he’s not already there.”

Endeavor considers this, but there’s nothing to see besides an excited, respectful fan offering his help. Midoriya is impressed. And concerned.

“Lead the way. What is your name, boy?”

“Takahashi, sir! I’m one of your son's classmates.”

Takahashi bounces ahead, the hero costume boots he’s wearing with his gym uniform all but skipping on the cement as Endeavor follows him. Tokoyami frowns and starts to follow too. He’s glaring at Endeavor’s back like he’s expecting the man to suddenly launch an attack. 

What is going on?

Midoriya frowns, “Um, I'll catch up! Just going to ask Shinsou if he wants anything from the cafeteria first.”

Takahashi waves a hand over his shoulder, “Considerate as always, Midoriya! Thanks!”

Midoriya waits for the three of them to be fully gone before opening the door to the infirmary.

Shouto Todoroki is sitting in a chair next to Shinsou, who’s watching his classmate warily. Shinsou’s face and right shoulder are shiny from burn ointment. Midoriya recognizes the smell so well he could probably guess the brand. UA must spring for the good stuff. Not that anyone ever needs to know how he knows that.

Stun Grenade. That’s a new one. 

Midoriya brings himself back to the present with a forceful head shake. Right. Todoroki. 

Shinsou seems concerned. Todoroki looks caught somewhere between medical shock and absolute fury. 

“Um, your, uh, dad’s gone,” Midoriya winces at his own hesitant delivery, “If you wanted to know where he was. For any reason. Takahashi’s taking him to the cafeteria with Tokoyami.”

Todoroki stares at him. Midoriya feels a bit like a mouse being watched by a concussed but angry panther.

“Not that it's any of my business. Or that I need to know any details.” 

He looks around the room, mostly to avoid looking at Todoroki, but it seems like Recovery Girl has stepped out through the side doors. Likely to check in on the other minor injuries from the Calvary Battle. 

Shinsou slumps back against the bed. “Well that was close.”

“Is…um…is everything okay?” Midoriya can't help but ask. He shouldn't, it really isn't his business. But he is Izuku Midoriya and is pathologically incapable of not helping when someone seems distressed. And Todoroki seems pretty distressed. 

Shinsou chuckles, but it isn't a pleasant sound. “Peachy.”

Todoroki closes his eyes. Sighs like he's letting go of something heavy. 

Shinsou glances over again, and his voice is surprisingly gentle, “Hey, Keigo’s got it handled. We’re good.”

Todoroki takes another breath. In. Out. “Midoriya, could I speak with you for a moment?”

“Oh! Um. Sure?”

“Privately.”

Shinsou looks surprised. “Shouto? You sure?” 

“Yes.”

Todoroki’s looking straight at Midoriya when he says it. 

***

Tokoyami is not a master of deception. 

Growing up with Dark Shadow meant that, on some level, his emotions would always be on display. And Tokoyami has cultivated his own sense of honor as a matter of principle.

Right now he can’t tell what Takahashi’s lying about and what he isn’t. 

The three of them are crossing UA campus, heading towards the main building and the cafeteria. People gawk. People dive out of the way. People take photos. Endeavor, number two hero, walking the footpath with mere mortals. 

Tokoyami plans to remain silent as possible. He isn’t sure Endeavor even remembers that he’s there, but the man must have the situational awareness of a true pro. Even if Tokoyami doesn’t register as relevant, he likely registers as present. 

Dark Shadow remains hidden. They’ll need to take some time in the darkest space possible, and soon, but he is not going to abandon Todoroki or Takahashi. Not right now. They’re almost to the cafeteria building. Hopefully Endeavor will leave them there, once he realizes his son isn’t present, and go off in search of something he will not find. 

“You know,” Takahashi muses, continuing his (mostly one-sided) meandering conversation, “This is kind of embarrassing to say, but you were my favorite hero growing up.”

Laying it on a little thick perhaps.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah! I mean, I know most little kids love All Might, but no one else was even trying to catch up to him. Not seriously anyway. I thought you were so cool for that. Even had a plush toy for a while, but, uh, I think it might have been one of the knock offs. Didn’t have a lot of cash growing up, y’know?”

Keigo chuckles awkwardly. 

It sounds like the chuckle of someone giving an exclusive interview. It’s perfectly endearing. Practically manufactured. 

If Endeavor notices, he hides it well. “Striving for more is the basis of my philosophy as a hero.”

“Exactly!” Keigo snaps his fingers and points, “That’s it! So cool! And then you saved someone close to me. One of the kids I grew up with - their dad was a criminal. Small-time thief, unimportant, wouldn’t even be on most pro’s radar because there wouldn’t be any glory in the arrest. But you took the time anyway, even at Number Two. Brought him in. My friend worshipped you for that.”

Endeavor slows down, unsettled. “For arresting his father?”

“His old man used to beat the shit out of him. Ah, sorry for the language,” Keigo laughs again, but it’s strained. Just a touch. The more cynical part of Tokoyami thinks it is exactly the right amount of strained to effectively garner sympathy. “It goes that way sometimes, bad luck and all, but it wasn’t something anyone was going to do anything about. Not where we lived. I think his dad just hated the way his life had gone. That he wasn’t where he thought he should be. He hated a lot of things, and I guess it's easier for some people to kick around a five year old than fix their own issues, y’know?”

Tokoyami has no idea what expression is on his face right now, but he needs to stay behind Endeavor at all costs. 

“He sounds like a truly despicable individual.” 

“He was,” Keigo nods. “I mean, what kind of person hurts their own wife and kid, y’know?” 

Endeavor doesn’t slow down, doesn’t break his stride, but there’s something in the way the flames at his shoulders flicker that Tokoyami can’t help but read into. 

“Anyway, when I graduate, that’s the kind of hero I want to be. There’s more than one way to rescue people, y’know? I want to make sure no one grows up like my friend did.”

Endeavor is silent for a long moment. When he does speak, his voice sounds a little distant.

“An admirable goal.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“...What happened to him? This friend of yours?”

“No idea. I lost track of him years ago. We both ended up in the system and, um, well, you don’t really get to stay with your friends unless you get really lucky. I hope he’s doing okay though. Maybe I’ll see him again someday and he’ll be working as a pro too!”

Endeavor nods. “One can hope.” 

“Sure can! Anyway, sorry. That got a little heavy, I just wanted to let you know what you meant to me when I had the chance. Here’s the cafeteria! Todoroki, ah, Shouto, usually sits over there.” 

Takahashi gestures towards the spot their class colonizes at lunch time. Most of their class is there, gawking at Endeavor along with everyone else. 

“It hasn’t changed much,” Endeavor says, looking around. 

“Hm?”

“The cafeteria. It hasn’t changed.” 

Endeavor visits with their class, but it’s fairly brusque. Yaoyorozu gives him a formal bow and introduces their classmates. Iida thanks him for his service. Once it’s established that no one has seen Todoroki since he escorted Shinsou to the infirmary, Endeavor leaves. 

Tokoyami stands next to Takahashi as he waves an enthusiastic goodbye to the second most powerful hero in Japan. They watch Endeavor walk out through the double doors. Tokoyami says nothing as a small red feather drifts aimlessly on the breeze before attaching itself to Endeavor’s left boot. 

Tokoyami frowns. He has been careful in his conversations with Takahashi. Even after their meeting with the faculty, after everything that night, he does not want to overstep. But some questions need to be asked. 

“Was any of that true?”

“Hm?” Takahashi’s still staring after Endeavor.

“What you told Endeavor. Was any of that true?”

“Nah. Made it up. Just wanted to see how he’d react.”

Tokoyami is not a master of deception. But he is perceptive. “Really?”

“Of course!” Takahashi laughs, and it’s perfect. Perfect and fake. “Seriously, don’t worry about it, Tokoyami. I lived way out in the middle of nowhere. No neighbors. There wasn't anyone my age around for miles.”

“I see.”

“I couldn't have had a conveniently tragic friend even if I’d wanted to.”

Tokoyami stares ahead. Considers. Thinks about what he knows and what he suspects.

“I suppose not.”

Takahashi seems to relax. Just a bit.

“But I am glad that you are mine.”

Takahashi stretches one wing, then the other, “I told you, Tokoyami. You’re a class act. A gem.” 

Tokoyami sighs, “You better not have actually placed any bets on my performance.”

“After you asked me not to? Never.” Keigo grins at him. “Lets grab some lunch. Midoriya’s never going to make it here in time and Todoroki and Shinsou are going to need food too.”

Tokoyami lets it go. For now. 

“Agreed.” 

***

Keigo participates in the recreational field games because why not? He’s never done a Sports Festival before. He’s never been to any kind of festival before. Pushing a giant ball around the track for kicks might be the height of entertainment for him. He’ll never know until he tries. 

Shinsou’s sure he’s out there charming the crowd and (hopefully) having a blast. Shinsou sits them out because he needs more time to ‘prepare’ (aka throw up in the bathroom.) It was really nice of Keigo and Tokoyami to bring him lunch, but it will not be staying with him for the remainder of today’s events. Maybe he’ll down one of Iida’s juice cans later if he can stomach it. 

Bakugo catches him on his way out of the men’s room and just snorts, “Pathetic.” 

“Right back at you,” Shinsou mutters, not feeling particularly magnanimous at the moment.

Bakugo narrows his eyes, but, for once in his life, says nothing. 

Maybe he can learn. 

Shinsou’s made it to the tournament, but it’s all Class 1-A. He could be proud of that fact (go team!), but his class all know about his quirk. A few of them have even been using it to train with. Maybe he should be pleased that his training partners all made it into the bracket (he helped, he is a team player!) but he mostly just feels like he’s about to get turned into paste. 

Silently. 

Shinsou almost lost his vision and hearing to Bakugo not two hours ago, which would have been a real issue for anyone, much less someone with a quirk like his. He also had half his body lightly burned. He has frostbite to look forward to next if he makes it to the second tier. 

Midnight announced the matchups right after lunch. Apologies to Sero, but Shouto is winning that fight. If Shinsou wins his first round, he’s taking on Shouto next. At least he’s not the only one struggling under pressure. Tokoyami went off in search of a dark room to lay down in. 

Apparently, after this is all over, they need to ‘have another discussion about Takahashi.’ 

Awesome.

Shouto’s having his own meltdown. He told Midoriya everything, which Midoriya then told Shinsou about since the Todoroki family drama threw Midoriya into his own meltdown. 

He’d worked out that Shinsou must have already been aware of everything (Midoriya’s incredibly smart, but didn’t really need to be to put that together) and figured it would be safe to come cry to him about it. Or, y’know, manfully discuss how one of your classmates has been horrifically abused for years by a man you are pretty powerless to do anything against and has also hinged some percentage of their mental health and wellbeing on being able to defeat you in single combat. 

And he also generates ice and fire with his mind, even if he’s only planning on destroying you with the ice. 

So, yeah. Midoirya and Shinsou trauma bonded over the horror that is Shouto Todoroki’s life. And the smaller, but much more existential horror of Shouto accusing Midoriya of being All Might’s secret lovechild. Shinsou can kind of see it, but only in the same way people joke about ‘Dadzawa’ with him. If any of his classmates ever find out about his upcoming living situation he will never know another moment's peace but that is not his most pressing problem at present. 

Midoriya gets officially read in on Operation: Hide Todoroki from Endeavor at All Costs. They are friends now, because it’s kind of hard not to be friends with Midoriya on some level once the guy talks to you for longer than five minutes. Unless you are Bakugo and possibly medically incapable of forming a real human connection with anyone. 

And Shinsou’s first matchup just happens to be against his new bestest buddy. 

Fantastic. His initial strategy for getting Midoriya to talk (insulting Iida or Uraraka, since they’re all pretty close, and Midoriya will take any amount of garbage aimed at himself but exactly zero aimed at anyone he cares about) feels a little too cruel after the guy all but cried on his shoulder.  He’s just really, really nice. And genuine. And kind. And Shinsou’s ability to be a ruthless monster in order to achieve his goals has waned over the last month. 

Especially since those goals feel less pressing. He’d made it. He’s in the heroics course at the top school in the nation. 

He doesn’t need this like breathing because he’s had a solid month of breathing air like the rest of them. Part of him is forever so painfully aware it could all vanish at any moment (again, almost blinded and deafened not two hours ago, and he still feels the general studies students nipping at his heels), but after a lifetime of swimming for the surface he’s finally been pulled up into a life raft. He doesn’t want to shove someone else down into the water just to get a leg up. Not now. Not when it isn’t life or death. Not after he’s faced actual life and death. 

He still feels pretty awful on just about every level by the time the recreational games wrap up. Keigo finds him in waiting room two, lying on the cool floor with a damp towel over his head. 

“That bad, huh?” 

“Don’t talk to me. Unless you are coming to my fight with Midoriya, then please talk to me.” 

“I don’t think they let you bring a friend to this one.” 

“Do you think I could convince Midnight-sensei to make an exception? Get her to allow audience participation or something?”

“Sure, so long as she responds to literally anything you say. But then you’d need to convince Cementoss and Present Mic too. And Aizawa. And the commentator’s box is pretty high up there, so that would be a bit of a feat to manage without going out of bounds. How many people can you control at a time?” 

“Probably not enough.” Shinsou pulls the towel off his face. It’s lukewarm now anyway. “Any tips for nerves?”

Keigo gives this some consideration. He smacks his fist against his palm. “Nope!” 

“Do you even get nerves?”

Keigo just cackles in response. He sounds only mildly deranged. 

Shinsou sighs. “Any tips for kicking Midoriya’s ass?” 

“Don’t let him break any bones? He’ll probably vaporize you if he does.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

“Whisper real quiet and ask him ‘idiot says what?’”

“Where did you even learn that?” 

“Hey! Civil servants have senses of humor too. They just suck.”

“I’m going to die.”

“Sure are with that attitude!”

“He all but cried on my shoulder this afternoon. Shouto told him everything. I can’t be a jerk to him now. He’s made of sunshine and, like, love for his fellow man.”

“Yikes. Rough break.”

“Why couldn’t I have matched against Bakugo?”

“Because the universe both loves and hates our buddy Bakugo a little too much for that. And it would have been too funny. Shortest round in history. You could have had him dancing disco out of bounds.”

Shinsou takes a moment to enjoy that mental image.

It would have been amazing. 

“True.”

The buzzer in the waiting room rings. 

Keigo holds down a hand, “C’mon. You’re up. Time to go.” 

Shinsou lets himself be pulled up. Keigo pats him on the back. “You’re going to be fine. Midoriya’s trying to avoid using his quirk anyway. If it comes down to quirkless hand to hand, do your best and show Aizawa-sensei everything you’ve learned. Even if you lose, he’ll be proud of how far you’ve come.”

“That is…surprisingly sweet.”

“You’re welcome. It’s also true. And if it looks like Midoriya’s going to win, then go for the eyes. Start biting. Headbut him in the nose. Knee him in the groin. Throat punch.” 

“Geeze, Keigo.” 

“Look, Midoriya’s a great guy, but you asked for advice and he’s not my roommate.”

Shinsou just shakes his head. “Thanks for being in my corner.”

“Always, my man. Always.” 

Shinsou feels a tiny bit better. 

***

Midoriya wins. 

Shinsou even manages to catch him, but, well. 

He’s Midoriya. 

Midoriya struggles not to respond to people, even worse than Shouto, and asking some benign hero trivia questions followed by “so did you and ‘Kacchan’ have a bad break up in middle school?” got him stuttering denials in abject horror. Maybe Present Mic was onto something about joining an improv class, maybe even doing some standup. His brainwashing takes hold like normal and Shinsou sends Midoriya walking out of bounds (no disco, because Midoriya is a good person who deserves his dignity intact). Present Mic commentates for the crowd so they understand what is happening and Shinsou tastes both victory and dread as the world learns about his quirk. 

But then it turns out that Midoriya just happens to be the first person he’s ever encountered capable of breaking free of brainwashing without giving Shinsou a seizure about it first. Midoriya somehow snaps his own finger bone despite being under Shinsou’s control. It unleashes a massive shockwave, and then Midoriya is coming right at him, already swinging. 

At least skipping the seizure was nice. 

Shinsou can be proud of the fight he puts up, if he tries hard enough. They fight quirkless, head to head, and even if Midoriya managed to flip him out of the ring in the end, it takes a respectable amount of time and effort on his part. Shinsou almost had him for a second, thank you Keigo and your one gazillion methods of pinning someone, but Midoriya fears neither man nor beast nor dislocated shoulder. Makes sense. His go-to strategy involves breaking his own femur. 

The crowd had loved it. Loved them. They’ll go even crazier for Ojiro and Kirishima’s eventual match-up, he’s sure, but it’s not a bad reaction for an opening fight between two kids with almost no flashy quirk use between them. 

The cheering is surreal, the comments about his quirk’s potential utility for a Pro Hero even more so, as is seeing his classmates losing their minds for both of them. Keigo doesn’t even bother staying in the stands, he flies straight down onto the field for a congratulatory and commiseratory high five.

After everything he’s been through to get to this point, when he remembers where and who he was just a few months ago, he can hardly call this a loss. When they bow to each other at the end of the match, they're both smiling. 

Shinsou made it to the final round of the UA Sports Festival. He's in Class 1-A of the Hero Course. He has friends, a mentor, and a new home waiting. 

The future’s looking pretty bright.