29

Chapter Text

Ochako wrung her hands nervously as she sat with Kyoka and Momo. It had been a few days since the USJ, and none of the students were allowed to leave campus, so they couldn't go check on Izuku and Mina. Toru had managed to get permission and had come back and told them they were fine, but it was one thing to hear it and another to actually see it.

The doors to the dorm opened, and Class 1-A was up and rushing to the door as Mina and Izuku walked in. Izuku's arm was still in a sling, and he stepped between the crowd and Mina. "ah, wait! Mina's back is still healing the same with my arm, so please don't crush us in a hug, or Recovery Girl will have your head."

The crowd backed up a bit, and the duo sighed. Izuku smiled. "Thanks for the concern, everyone. We'll be heading to Recovery Girl tomorrow to finish treatment... I'm glad we all made it out alive. How are you all holding up?"

Hanta chuckled. "As expected, our vice rep is more concerned about us instead of himself."

The class laughed a bit as they started to spread out. Mina and Izuku sat with their girlfriend and friends at one of the dining room tables. Ochako smiled brightly. "I'm glad to finally see you two. We've all been kinda on the edge of our seats about how you were doing."

Kyoka's jacks pointed at Ochako. "She means that she was on the edge of her seat. Ochako over here couldn't keep still in her seat despite what Toru told us."

Ochako blushed as Mina and Izuku chuckled. "Kyoka! I wasn't the only one worrying about them."

Mina smiled. "It's ok, Chako. Thanks for worrying about us but don't worry anymore. We'll be back up to one hundred percent in no time."

Everyone sat around and talked for a bit, mostly expressing relief that everyone was back in the dorms. Eventually, Izuku excused himself and headed to his room to change. As he got to his floor, he looked at one of the rooms. 'Mineta wasn't downstairs...'

Izuku knocked on the door to the shorter boy's room. "Hey Mineta, you in here?"

There was a short pause before the door opened a bit, and Minoru poked his head out. "Oh, hey, Midoriya. You're back."

Izuku nodded. "Yeah. Everyone was downstairs, and we're all hanging out. Thought it was odd that you weren't there."

Minoru looked away as he said. "...yeah, I uh didn't feel like being down there with everyone."

Izuku frowned. This wasn't like Mineta at all. As kinda gross as it was, if the girls were gathered in the common room, it'd be easy to find Minoru, and if he wasn't near them, he was with Hanta and Denki goofing off somewhere. "You ok, man? It's not like you to just sit around in your room."

Minoru frowned a bit and stepped back. "Uh... you're the vice rep, so you can help me out, right?"

Izuku stepped into the other boy's room as he said. "I can try. What's wrong?"

As Minoru sat on his bed, Izuku looked around. Minoru's room was very well organized; his bedspread was a dark purple, and next to his bed was a small nightstand with a lamp and water bottle. Across from the bed was a white desk with wire shelves next to and above it. The shelves were loaded with a few books on computers and heroics and a few less than savory doujin. The rest of the shelving space was some official and some shockingly well-made fan-made figurines of some famous heroines. Izuku pointedly ignored the several Midnight figures and the poses they were in.

Minoru sighed. "I uh... I'm glad you're ok. I'm sorry I didn't help at the USJ."

Izuku pulled the chair over from the desk and sat down as he said. "It's alright, man. We all did our best and-"

"But I didn't," Minoru said, cutting Izuku off. "I hid and ran and let you guys handle everything. I was so scared I could barely help restrain villains, and when the really bad ones showed up, I did nothing."

Izuku blinked and leaned forward. "It's ok, you know. We were all scared. We're first years who got exposed to the real world way too soon."

"Yeah, but everyone else managed it. They still fought... I just shook in my boots and tried not to cry."

Izuku leaned back as he looked at his shorter classmate. He hadn't thought much of Minoru, and their limited interactions hadn't really boosted his standing in Izuku's mind... but this was different than his usual behavior. "Hm. Mineta, why did you come to UA? Why try for the hero course?"

Minoru looked up at Izuku before looking away. "I... I want to be cool, and everyone talks about how cool heroes are."

Izuku raised an eyebrow. 'That doesn't feel right.'  "Alright. I'll ask again later."

Minoru looked up at him, confused as Izuku continued on. "So you were scared at the USJ. What are you gonna do about it? How are you gonna make sure you're not scared next time there are villains in front of you?"

"I-I don't know. Mr.Aizawa said I needed to improve quickly if I wanted to stay, and then the USJ happened and... I feel like I could have done more, but I didn't."

Izuku scratched his chin as he hummed as he got an idea. "Hm. You know, when my arm gets healed, I'm gonna need to adjust my workout routine. I could always use some company. You know someone to make sure I stay motivated and someone for me to help motivate."

Minoru blinked, and after a moment of Izuku staring at him, he said. "Oh um yeah... I have time, so we can train and stuff."

Izuku smiled as he stood up. "Good to hear; let's talk about the details after dinner later, ok?"

Minoru nodded. "Yeah... Thank you, Midoriya."

"No problem, man. We're both hero course students, so we gotta help each other out."

____________________________________________________________________

Himiko fidgeted in her seat as she watched Hawks sitting at his desk looking over the information she had helped him get access to. She had planted bugs in the offices of three different people from different companies. Each one being a Commission spy that was implanted in those companies.

Hawks had explained how the HPSC kept its eyes and ears on everything in Japan, from the government to companies and even a few of the remaining villain groups out there. Though that last one never really yielded much as far as Hawks could tell, which meant their focus would be on the corporate and government aspect.

"So, is there anything useful?"

Hawks hummed and closed down his PC. "yeah, a bit but not nearly enough for what we need. We'll be running another op in a week. I'll have your cover prepared by then."

Himiko took the packet that was handed to her as Hawks continued. "Here's all the info on the person you're impersonating. Be ready; this one may get difficult."

Himiko stared at the info on the first sheet as she said. "Are you sure about this? We're doing a lot in a short period."

Hawks smiled confidently. "It's alright the Commission thinks you're infiltrating an anti-establishment group. After this op, I'll take down the would-be terrorist with the info I already have, and our bosses will be none the wiser."

Himiko clutched the packet as she said. "Ok... Thank you for everything you've done and everything you're doing for me."

Hawks ruffled her hair as he laughed. "Don't worry about it, kid. It's for my own sake as much as yours."

Himiko nodded and stood up before following Hawks out of his office.

____________________________________________________________________

Aizawa did his best to glare at the door to his hospital room. It was hard with how his face felt numb, thanks to the painkillers. Hizashi put his phone away and said. "Thirteen is out of the hospital. They're headed back to UA to see the old lady and then rest up. Nemuri is with them."

Aizawa hummed and kept his eyes on the door. "That's good. Where'd Joke go?"

Hizashi tried to keep himself from smirking. "She had to step out for a phone call. The other hero schools are scrambling to make sure they don't suffer a USJ event like us."

Hizashi looked at his friend for a moment before saying. "Did something happen between you two? She seems fine, but you're being extra glum."

Aizawa looked at his best friend before starting out the window. "It's nothing. I just woke up sooner than they thought I would."

Hizashi scratched his head as he stood up. "Cryptic as always, buddy. I'm gonna get back. I've got paperwork to do at UA."

Aizawa hummed as Hizashi left. Once he was gone, Aizawa thought about what he had heard when he first woke up in the hospital. There had been a brief moment of panic, but he kept himself calm in case he was in the enemy's hands. It wasn't until he heard Emi talking did he decide to make his status known. He had never heard her sound that serious before or say something so self-deprecating. He wanted to bring it up but talking about feelings and what not was never his specialty. Usually, Oboro and Hizashi handled all the mushy feelings, and Aizawa just focused on being a hero.

Aizawa sighed as he slumped into his bed. He's gonna need advice on how to talk to Joke about what he heard. The idea of passing the info onto Nemuri and letting her handle it just doesn't sit right in his gut. "Guess I have to do this the hard way... I want to take a nap."

___________________________________________________________________

Grainy and low-quality security footage played as All for One sat and watched as well as a man with no eyes could watch. Most vigilantes who crop up after the school year starts are low-tier people and quirks not worth his time, but every so often, there's a gem of a personality he could corrupt or a quirk he could snag for himself. Even rarer is to find those two things in one person, and if this footage is to be believed, then he had some exciting prey to track.

The street punk on the footage went down with a single explosion, and Lord Explosion dropped into the frame and restrained the villain before taking off quickly as a couple heroes arrived and gave chase.

All for One closed out the video and pulled up a few articles about Lord Explosion. The boy, whoever he was, had good control over a powerful quirk though he was quite aggressive, which was good in All for One's book. Most villains who crossed the vigilante wound up in the ICU, and occasionally if a civilian was too slow, they would get burned. That sort of recklessness could be exploited.

"Kurogiri, if you could contact Giran for me and ask him to put out some feelers for Lord Explosion, that would be wonderful. I want to know his movements and habits as soon as possible."

The ever-faithful nomu responded immediately. "Of course, Master, it will be done quickly. Is there anything else you need, sir?"

"Hm how is Tomura holding up?"

After a short pause, Kurogiri said, "He is angry. Whoever it was that killed the nomu we used has been the source of his wrath. I believe he wishes to find out who it was and kill them... or something I am unsure how to decipher his screaming."

All for One chuckled quietly. "Well, we will have to figure it out then, won't we. I suppose the Sports Festival will be the easiest way to find out. Be sure he watches it when it comes around."

"Of course, master," Kurogiri said before All for One disconnected and went back to the doctor. Today was adjustment day for the newest nomu, so they had plenty of work ahead of them.

____________________________________________________________________

Katsuki scoffed as he scrolled through the news on his phone. There was just article after article about the USJ. If Midoriya hadn't fucked everything up, he would have been there as a student, and those villains wouldn't have been able to do anything.

He closed his phone and looked around the dark streets. All he needs to do is be better than actual heroes at their own job, and he'll get his recognition. He'd seen it before. Several vigilantes had achieved greater fame than some heroes. He'd just take it a step farther and become so famous that they'll have to recognize him as a hero. Once he's the best, he'll make sure Midoriya and that bitch Midnight never achieve anything as heroes. It's their fault that he's having to take such a roundabout way to the top instead of going down the route he was destined for.

Some shady guys were following a woman who walked quickly, and Katsuki jumped down from the roof. His hands stretched out and sparked as they got close to the men's heads, and he detonated two explosions. They screamed and flew backward as he landed and smirked. "Couple more villains down. Wonder how many more till they start to recognize me for the greatness I am."

Unknown to him, a pair of red eyes studied him as he restrained the men he had attacked. Chizome weighed his options as Katsuki ran off to find more villains. He could attack this boy and kill him now, or he could use him. Heros were sure to come after him, and more than a few would be fakes. All Chizome would have to do is intercept the fakes before they find Lord Explosion and kill them. Then eventually, real and true heroes would catch Lord Explosion, and things would resolve themselves. Chizome moved silently as he kept track of the explosive vigilante.

___________________________________________________________________

Mina stood in a sectioned-off area of Recovery Girls office with two full-body mirrors. She stood in her uniform skirt. Her blouse and jacket were draped over a chair as she inspected her back. The nurse had finished the final rounds of healing on her and Izuku. Unfortunately, her back and Izuku's shoulder still scarred.

Mina frowned a bit, looking at the large jagged patch of scar tissue on her back. One of the things she loved most about herself was her pink skin. She loved how much her partners complimented it and how unique it made her look. The teasing and jabs as she grew up with had stung, but thanks to people like Midnight and Xeno King, she had always been proud of her looks. Now though, her back was permanently marred. This was something that would always be there, and it wasn't something she had chosen. Someone had used their quirk to hurt her and leave this mark on her.

Mina shook her head and pulled her clothes on as she stepped out and saw her boyfriend as he slipped his school shirt on. She caught the edge of the jagged ring of scars going around his left shoulder. Her stomach knotted itself up even more as she thought about how Toru blamed herself for their injuries, especially Izuku's.

Recovery GIrl looked over a few papers before giving them the go-ahead to head back to the dorms. Mina slipped her hand into Izuku's and laced their fingers together. Izuku squeezed her hand, and the two walked back to the dorms in silence.

Once inside, Izuku asked Momo. "Have you seen Toru?"

Momo sipped her tea and said, "I believe she's in her room. She hasn't been out much today."

Mina and Izuku thanked her before heading upstairs to Toru's room and knocking on the door. The invisible girl opened the door and spoke quietly. "Oh, you guys are back already... sorry, I would have been downstairs, but..."

Mina smiled. "It's ok, Toru. Can we come in?"

Their invisible girlfriend hummed and opened the door, letting them in. Once the door was closed, Mina and Izuku sat on her bed, and Toru sat at her desk. "Are you guys all healed up?"

Izuku nodded. "Yeah. Now, all we need to do is start our training again, and we'll be back in tip-top shape."

Toru hummed again, and her partners looked at her with concern. Mina bit her lip and chewed it for a moment before saying. "Toru. I know you've been beating yourself up about the whole USJ thing, but it's not your fault. We all did the best we could, and neither of us loves you any less for hesitating. We both understand why you hesitated, and I think we're in agreement when I say we don't want to see you beat yourself up over something that anyone would have done in your position."

Izuku nodded. "We love you, Toru, and we're proud of you. The fact that you hesitated just shows how kind you are. You knew what you could do with your powers. You understand what you're capable of, and you show concern for people even if they are your enemies."

Toru shook and was pulled over to the bed by her partners. As she was pulled onto the bed, she was squished between her partners. Toru let out a shuddering breath as tears started to form in her eyes. She buried her face into Izuku's shoulders. "I-I love you two so much!"

Mina squeezed her tighter. "I love you too, Toru."

"And I love you as well," Izuku said as he kissed the top of her head.

Toru cried between her partners, who rubbed her back and head gently as they whispered their love to her. As she started to calm down, Toru sniffled and said. "I-this is gonna sound sudden b-but I want to take our relationship farther soon. N-not now, but I-I don't want there to be anything left unsaid or not done. I want to be as close as possible with you two. I love you two, and I want to be with you forever, and I want you to have everything of mine."

Izuku and Mina both blushed a bit and squeezed Toru. Izuku said. "Ok... tell us when you're ready, and we'll do it."

Mina nodded and kissed the back of Toru's head. "We want to be with you forever as well. We want you to have everything of ours as well."

Toru buried herself deeper into the embrace of her lovers and smiled to herself. She wasn't sure when she would push things further, but she knew it would be soon.

Notes:

The Sports festival won't be happening for a bit. the next few chapters are gonna focus less on our trio and more on Himiko, Katsuki, and a bit of Aizawa. I wanna focus on the stories of Himiko and Katsuki as a build-up to what will be happening after the Sports Festival which honestly might get kinda skipped over because I'm not a huge fan of writing the Sports Fest.

last night I talked to my girlfriend for like two hours about a fanfiction idea I had. if you read Watching Over You then you've probably seen in the latest chapter I talked about a complex quirk with Izumi that was inspired by Evangelion. we expanded on the concept of a late-blooming next-gen of quirk and basically have class Z which consist of Izumi Midoriya, Ochako Uraraka, Momo Yaoyorozu, Denki Kaminari, and Eri as students. the teacher of this class is none other than Nezu with the help of his personal student Mei Hatsume. there's five students with OP quirks that affect their mental states, a kid their age who helps them manage it, and a rat king who worries. twist and turns around every corner and a bonker ass potential ending... which I won't be writing for some time. it's all written down though waiting for when I put the story in motion.