Chapter Text
“Everyone,” Ashido sobbed. “I'm looking forward...to hearing your stories...about camp....”
“I wouldn't worry about it if I were you,” Izuku offered. “Everyone managed to pass the written section, so that's gotta count for something, right? And if we're going to a training camp, why wouldn't they bring the people who actually need practical training?”
“Dude, don't get their hopes up,” Sero chided, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Saying it aloud will probably jinx it.”
“If we failed the exams,” Kaminari grumbled. “Then we'd have to skip training camp and be in summer school hell. And since we didn't pass the practical exam, if you guys still don't get it, then you're dumber than monkeys!”
With a quick turn, the boy went to poke Izuku in the eyes. But, with a quick raising of his hand, he managed to block the attack.
“Calm down, man,” Sero said. “I don't know, either. Ichi carried me to victory while I was passed out. And since we don't know how they're scoring it-”
“If you feel bad for us, then I dunno, just bring me back lots of stuff!” Kaminari interrupted.
Izuku heard footsteps stopping right outside the door just then, and leapt over several desks to get to his seat as it was slid open.
“Once the bell rings, get in your seats,” Aizawa said flatly as the rest of the class quickly clambered to their spots without a word. “Morning. Unfortunately, there are those who did not pass the final exams. Accordingly, for the training camp in the woods...”
Four students could easily be heard sucking in a breath.
“Everyone's going!” Aizawa announced with the most genuine passion Izuku had ever seen from the man.
“We can go too?!” Kirishima asked, sounding on the verge of tears.
“Really?” Ashido added, tears already in her eyes.
“Yeah. Some failed, but no one failed the written exam,” the teacher explained. “In the practical, Kirishima, Kaminari, Ashido, Sato, and Sero failed.”
“I knew it,” Sero groaned with a facepalm. “Just because my team passed doesn't mean I scored high enough to not fail....”
“For this time's exam,” Aizawa continued. “We on the villain side made sure to leave a way for the students to win while watching to see how you all would take on the task at hand. If we hadn't, most of you would've gotten stuck before you got started.”
“So when you said you were really out to crush us,” Ojiro began.
“That was to make you feel cornered. In the first place, the training camp in the woods is one to increase strength. So those who failed need it the most. They have to get stronger. It was a rational falsehood.”
Izuku couldn't help but feel that was a lie given his usage of the “rational falsehood” line again, but said nothing. Iida, however, did speak up. He seemed to be muttering to himself while the five who failed celebrated their inclusion.
“However, since you lied to us twice, our faith in you will waver!”
“It's been more than just twice,” Tokoyami said pointedly.
“I'll take it under consideration,” Aizawa said calmly before turning to face the bird-headed boy. “And what do you mean by that?”
“You knew from day one that Midoriya was quirkless,” Tokoyami replied coldly. “And yet you still had a 'quirk aptitude' test ready for him. I don't think it takes a lot to conclude that you intended to single him out. And when he didn't come in last, you decided that you weren't going to expel anyone. Rather convenient, isn't it?”
Several murmurs flowed about the classroom, quickly shut down by Aizawa's quirk flaring up.
“Tokoyami, do you remember what I said to him after the test?” Aizawa asked calmly.
“Not particularly.”
“You told me that you wanted to make sure I was ready for the challenges this school could throw at me,” Izuku answered. “You were testing me specifically while not taking me aside and making it obvious. I assumed at the time it was because you wanted an excuse to get rid of me.”
“What? Is that true teach?” Kirishima asked, smacking his desk.
“Of course not,” Aizawa countered with a glare. “It's like you said that day, Midoriya. There isn't much difference between me and you. I just wanted to make sure you were up to the challenge, and you more than showed yourself prepared. And I only half lied. I was going to expel you if you came in last, but I also wanted to use the opportunity to see every student's potential.”
“So you did want to single out the quirkless kid,” Kacchan stated flatly.
“No, I wanted to keep a student of mine from dying because he was underprepared for this job!”
“That sounded personal,” Izuku noted.
“It was. Now if we're done with that, I would like to get back to the training camp, where we have prepared a separate time for extra lessons for you all. Frankly, it'll be tougher than the extra lessons you'd get if you stayed at school.”
The already tense mood was brought low as the man spoke, and Izuku felt a bit responsible.
“Midoriya, I'd like to talk to you after class.”
And that didn't help anything....
“So what is it that you wanted to talk about?” Izuku asked, closing the door to the private room he'd been shown to.
“I want to make sure you don't think I'm discriminating against you,” Aizawa replied, sitting seriously. “I may have had my concerns, but I want to ensure you that I don't think of you as any lesser than any other student of mine.”
“I'm aware,” Izuku nodded, taking a seat across from him. “I decided to look into your history after that first class, and realized you 'expel' students often. You could have mentioned that when you say that, you only mean that you're moving them to general studies so that they have to re-earn their spot in the hero course.”
“Resourceful as ever,” Aizawa mused. “Yes, I make sure to not fully crush any dreams or ruin any lives. But I do make a habit of ensuring that my students understand the severity of the choices they make. Especially the choice to be a hero.”
“And I respect that. But at the same time, I don't appreciate you underestimating me. You may see us as the same, but the reality is that because others don't, I have to deal with a lot of shit you can't even understand. If I didn't understand the reality of my decisions, I could never have made it to this school.”
The man looked him over for a few seconds, clearly considering his next words.
“Young man, I never want you to think that I do anything to hurt anyone. I send students to the general studies course as a faux death of their dream, rather than see them die a very real death.”
“Except that I face that very real death as a possibility every day of my life.”
“A valid point. But that doesn't lessen the danger you would face by throwing yourself at villains like we do.”
Izuku paused, thinking about what his teacher had told him. About what he'd seen in the short time since coming to this school. About All Might.
“I still want to do what's right, even if it's likely going to get me killed. I've accepted the reality of my circumstances, but I refuse to accept the claim that I can't be a hero. I want to inspire people, like All Might did for me.”
“And I can tell that you're well on your way, in both being a hero and inspiring others. In case you couldn't tell, you've already done pretty well at that latter part with your classmates.”
“How so?”
“You're pushing them to think about their abilities more, to be better people, and to refine their skills so that they can keep up with you despite you not having a quirk to compete with them. You're already so far ahead with your training that by simply working alongside you, they're improving faster than average. Please never think that I don't believe in you. I know you can be a hero. I just had concerns early on. I apologize if it came across as anything other than the best of intentions.”
As he finished, Aizawa stood and bowed in apology.
“It's alright, sir,” Izuku replied, rubbing his neck. “I get it. And my response may have been a bit overly cautious. I can see that you care, but I've had to re-assess a lot of things lately due to my prior distrust. So I'm sorry about that. Think we can just call it all water under the bridge?”
“Agreed. Have a good evening, Midoriya.”
With that, the man walked out of the room and headed down the hall.
Izuku looked around, marveling at the stores before him. His classmates had invited him to Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall, and he'd happily accepted. With a couple thousand yen as his limit, he left for the mall, arriving ten minutes early, wearing an old Nirvana shirt written in kanji, some old worn jeans, and his ever-present red shoes. Today, though, he figured they'd be getting some new friends, since they were wearing a bit thinner than he liked. Among other things.
“Midoriya!” came an excited shout.
Izuku looked over to see Ashido, along with about a third of the class. It was interesting to see everyone's unique style when they didn't have to conform to the school's dress code. He noted that several people's looks were very much expected of their personalities(such as Iida wearing business casual), but was surprised by Shoji's outfit in particular.
“No offense, but why the army brat look?” he asked the multi-armed boy.
“My dad is ex-US army,” he explained with a shrug. “I am an army brat.”
“Oh, shit. No offense meant, dude.”
“None taken.”
“Hey, aren't those U.A. students?” a bystander asked as the group continued into the mall.
“First years?”
“I saw them on TV!”
“Sports festival, yay!” all three boys shouted together.
“Oh, there are people who still remember that,” Uraraka said nervously.
Izuku chuckled as he waved at them. “Right? It feels like that was forever ago.”
He was surprised to see the three suddenly stop waving and move on. He couldn't help but notice one glare at him before leaving.
“Anyway, I need to but a big carry-on bag,” Jiro commented.
“Oh my,” Yaoyorozu replied. “Then why don't we go around together?”
“I'm gonna make sure to grab some extra snacks and some spare controllers in case any of you guys wanna join for some gaming,” Sutore announced.
“Good looking out man,” Kaminari replied. “But I don't have any outdoorsy shoes, so I want to go buy some.”
“Oh, me too, me too!” Hagakure added.
This brought the ire of the local robot.
“The guide said to bring shoes that are already broken in,” Iida started, then paused and held a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “Oh, but I see, perhaps we should choose based on utility?”
“Everyone has different things they want to do,” Kirishima interjected. “So why don't we decide on a time to meet back up?”
“Sounds reasonable,” Izuku replied.
“I agree!” Ashido shouted.
“Then let's meet back here at three o'clock!”
“Okay,” the group said together as they split up. Izuku started heading over toward the hobby store, hoping to pick up a lockpicking set. Given his often more covert approach, he figured learning the skill would be useful. It was as he was checking the mall directory that he felt someone rest their arm on his shoulder.
“Hey, I know you,” a raspy voice said. “Let me have your autograph.”
Izuku caught light blue hair out of the corner of his eye, and that the man was wearing an all-black ensamble of a hoodie and sweatpants, but had red shoes.
“You're the quirkless kid, right? The one who forfeit in the quarter finals?”
“Yeah, that's me,” Izuku replied with a sigh. “I'm happy you remember me, but can you-”
“And aren't you one of the students who ran into the hero killer in the Hosu incident?”
Izuku was getting a little concerned by the change in the man's tone.
“I am.”
“Man, I can't believe it. I can't believe I'd see you again in a place like this.”
Again? Izuku shifted his head slightly to look at the guy properly, and immediately recognized the grinning face of Tomura Shiguraki.
“It makes me feel like there's something to it....”
Izuku panicked for a moment as he realized the danger, quickly scanning the area for police or security officers, but felt the man's hand slide to his neck.
“...something like fate, or destiny.”
“Or stalking,” Izuku said quietly.
“Could be, but well, from your perspective, I guess we haven't met since the attack on UA, right? Why don't we have tea or something, Izuku Midoriya?”
Izuku felt a chill run down his spine. The man knew his name. He wasn't just some kid from UA.
“Sure,” he responded more calm than he felt. “Let's go. And if you put your hand on my shoulder instead, it'll look a lot less suspicious.”
After a moment's consideration, the hand did slide down to his right shoulder, but he noticed that the middle finger stayed raised off his skin. Maybe that was the trigger for his quirk?
“Just act natural, like I'm an old friend,” the man said coldly. “Don't make a fuss, okay?”
“I wasn't planning on it with all these people nearby,” Izuku replied honestly. “Too much risk.”
“Smart boy. I want to talk to you. That's all.”
“So where are we going?” Izuku asked, holding his calm.
“Let's go over there where it's more private,” Shiguraki smiled, pulling him along. “Look at these people. Any one of them could use their quirk at any time. How can they smile and gather up like this? When it comes down to it, laws and rules assume that individuals have morals.”
“You're technically correct,” Izuku replied, scanning for any potential help. “But generally speaking, people do have a moral code. Just because someone can do something, doesn't mean they will. Some people will do horrific things, and that's a reality we can't escape. But on the whole, people will pretty much act in whatever way serves them best. Part of that parameter is risk mitigation, meaning not to hurt others if you can't get away with it.”
“Well, I guess I'm not like most people,” the man sneered. “I figure I could crumble twenty—no, thirty people even if I need to escape.”
“Like I said, some people. Individuals are nearly unpredictable, but groups are generally predictable within a margin of error. The larger the group and the better you understand their general mental state, the better you can predict their actions.”
They arrived at a bench surrounding a large shrubbery, and Izuku was forced to sit.
“Whatever. Anyway, I hate everything, but what really pisses me off the most right now is the hero killer.”
“And here I thought you guys were friends after the Hosu incident.”
“That's the story the news is running with, but I'd rather not acknowledge it. That's the problem, almost everyone is looking at the hero killer. Meanwhile, the attack on UA and the Nomus I released in Hosu, all upstaged by him. No one's looking at me. Why? No matter how much he boasts, in the end he just destroyed what he didn't like, right? What do you think the difference is between me and him, Midoriya?”
Izuku rolled his eyes despite himself, earning a tighter grip, and a taunting wag of Shiguraki's middle finger.
“It's simple: you're just making chaos for chaos's sake. You have no endgame. Sure, you want to kill All Might, but what comes after the final boss? I still don't even know why you want to kill him in the first place. You say it's because you hate him, but what do you hate about him, and why do you hate it? In the eyes of pretty much everyone, you're a one-dimensional character. Stain, meanwhile, is a heavily flawed man with good intentions at his root. He wants a just society where heroes do the job for the benefit of others rather than for fame, power, and money.”
“So what are you saying?”
“You need to have motivation. And not like that fake script you came up with at USJ, I mean a real end goal and something to achieve besides just 'kill the opposition.'”
“That's a weight off my chest. I feel like I've connected the dots. Why the hero killer irritates me, and why you seem so interesting. I think I understand now. It's all because of All Might.”
So apparently sanity just wasn't a stop on this trip through the mind of a villain. The man began to smile, and as he spoke, his tone became more unhinged.
“Yes, that's it. When all's said and done, that's where I ended up. What was I worrying about so much? These people are able to smile thoughtlessly because All Might is smiling thoughtlessly.”
Again, he was technically correct....
“It's because that trash is smiling thoughtlessly, as if there was no one he couldn't save!”
Well, that sounded personal.
“I'm so glad we could talk. It's great. Thanks, Midoriya! I don't have to do anything different.”
Suddenly, the man stood, removing his grip from Izuku. With every muscle tense, he stood too, faking a smile.
“Good, glad I could help.”
“If you try following me, I'll get angry,” Shiguraki threatened quietly before walking away.
“Don't need to,” Izuku replied casually before dropping his tone to a serious one. “I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again soon enough. And next time, I plan to learn a lot about All for One.”
Izuku didn't like the smile that crossed the man's face as he said that.
“Midoriya?” came a voice. “Who's that?”
It was Uraraka, and the look on her face told him she was understanding the vibes of the situation.
“He's just a really dedicated fan,” Izuku lied, rubbing his neck. “Don't worry about it.”
With one last look at the hooded man sinking into the sea of bodies, Izuku turned and started heading back to his original task.
“So hey, Uraraka, do you think this place has a hardware store?”
He never did actually tell anyone he'd seen Shiguraki that day.