Smile

"He threw it over 700 meters!"

"Nice, he's finally showing us his true power!" Bubbles cheered.

"But his finger appears to be broken now. Just like in the exam. This Quirk is very odd," Iida noticed.

The shiny man commented on the execution, "It wasn't a very pretty throw."

While Bakugo looked absolutely priceless. Like he just witnessed a magical unicorn fly from a cloud of rainbows.

Now my theory is put together.

Midoriya was Quirkless last school year. He and Bakugo must be from the same school or have known each other for a long time, but he calls Midoriya a 'loser', so they either just don't get along or Bakugo bullied him, more than likely for being Quirkless.

I tilt my head, Hence, his shock. Midoriya must have met All Might at some point during the end of the school year or summer and the hero must have passed his power to him.

Their powers are way too similar—even down to him saying 'smash'—and All Might was just watching the class, or, more than likely Midoriya to see how he would do. It would also make sense as to why this power seemed so new to him and his body, plus why he looked at everyone else so nervously, he got intimidated.

My mind now relaxed at this new understanding, glanced over at Bakugo as explosions started up in his palms.

He's upset. Probably feels like he's been lied to and feels suspicious. Or possibly...he might feel Midoriya looked down on him or something and didn't tell him he had a Quirk. Which is a little strange since it isn't really his business.

He dashed forward, "Hey! Deku, you bastard! Tell me how you did that or you're dead!"

But before he could touch Midoriya, Mr. Aizawa caught him with his capturing weapon.

"They're sure making him use his Quirk and gear today. Poor Mr. Aizawa," I frowned.

"Tell me about it," the lion boy sighed in irritation.

"What?" Bakugo tried, with effort, to move, as he grunted out the words, "Why the hell is your damn scarf so strong?"

"Because it's a capture weapon made out of carbon fiber and a special metal alloy. Stand down. It'd be wise to avoid making me use my Quirk so much," his red eyes glared at him, "It gives me serious dry eye."

The class collectively yelled, "Too bad. That power is amazing!"

He let Bakugo go, the capture weapon resting around his shoulders again, "You're wasting my time now. Whoever's next can step up," he lazily lifted his hand before walking further away.

The next student went up, the next, the next, and so forth.

Then it was my turn.

I walked to the circle, stopping right in the middle. Considering how much time Midoriya and Bakugo took up, I already planned what I wanted to do while I was being a detective.

I bent my knees, before smirking, "I might as well show off a bit...why not?"

I put my tumbling skills to use, tossing the ball high in the air and doing a spinning flip, kicking the ball right on time.

"Matter...Blast!"

I landed with an unexpectedly smooth spin, it'd been a while, and I expected my landing to be heavier.

I looked over to Mr. Aizawa to see my score.

707.1 meters.

"Whoa, she got more than Midoriya and Bakugo!"

"That move was totally manly!"

"Oh," I blinked, not very satisfied.

I could feel a hard glare on my back, as I turned to walk back, Bakugo's eyes met mine.

I must be someone he's looking out for now, well...

I gave him a grin, he is too.

( ◡̀_◡́)▬▬█ U̳n̳d̳e̳r̳t̳a̳k̳e̳ ( ◡̀_◡́)▬▬█

After finishing the other tests, we all stood waiting for our results.

"All right, time to give you your results. I've ranked you all from best to worst," Mr. Aizawa told us, "You should probably have a good idea of your standing already. I'll just pull up the whole list. It's not worth going over each individual's score."

More than likely I'd be in sixth or fifth place, I only used my Quirk for two out of the eight tests, but I've trained my body to be strong despite that.

The screen appeared in the air.

My eyes didn't have to scan the list very long.

5th place.

I frowned, "I didn't do good enough. Maybe I should've used my Quirk more to make it easier. I thought I put in all my effort, so that's fine for now, I guess."

"And I was lying, no one's going home."

Mr. Aizawa clicked off the list.

The class didn't react at first, needing to take it in.

"That was just a rational deception to make sure you gave it your all in the tests."

The group yelled in shock—which hurt my ears—excluding the ones who already knew or made a guess.

The approachable-looking tall girl spoke up, "I'm surprised the rest of you didn't figure that out. I'm sorry. I guess I probably should have said something."

I frowned, speaking up for her, "You weren't wrong for that. I didn't tell them either. They shouldn't have to be told, they should be giving it their all, regardless if there's the risk of expulsion or not. Since they want to be heroes, they should want to know their limits and what potential they could have."

They all turned their attention to me, I glared at my feet.

"If you can't give it your all in everything that you do at this school...You must not want to be a hero bad enough. You must not have anything that truly drives you enough to want that goal. Even if it's just fame, that's still a goal—if you desire something, you have to work hard. It won't happen by taking it easy on yourself."

As my expression softened and I looked back up, I noticed many of them were staring into my soul.

A shy smile broke onto my face, "Oh, sorry. Was that too harsh?"

"That's it. We're done for the day," Mr. Aizawa walked off, dismissing us, "Pick up a syllabus in the classroom. Read it over before tomorrow morning."

( ◡̀_◡́)▬▬█ U̳n̳d̳e̳r̳t̳a̳k̳e̳ ( ◡̀_◡́)▬▬█

I was on my way down the hall, passing a faculty room to go home when... a voice whisper-shouted to me.

"Ah! Young Hitsu-"

My gaze slowly slid to Mr. Yagi in his All-Might form.

He stiffened, "That glare is so dark!"

"Mr. Yagi, what are you up to with Midoriya—?"

"Sh-shh. Not so loud!"

I raised a brow, "I'm whispering. And you just...change and avoid suspicion? Either that or we can just talk in there."

He paused, "That...is actually a good idea, I didn't think of that—bleh!"

At this point, I was unaffected by the blood.

I simply opened the door and let him walk inside, closing it.

"Let's make this short, sir, I don't want to get back home late."

"I'm sure with your very analytical brain, you more than likely have figured out some of the story, already."

"Yeah, I figured out everything. I just want to hear it from you," I shrugged.

He blanched, "I—I suppose kids like you get smarter, not dumber with time..."

"But I could be wrong, so stop me if I am," I activated a light shield completely around us, making an orb that muted us in case anyone has super hearing.

"You met Midoriya either toward the end of last school year or the summer, and trained him to use your Quirk, but considering how meek Midoriya is and him not already training due to him previously being Quirkless, it was probably rushed, knowing you. This means that his body isn't used to his Quirk, so that's why he keeps breaking his bones. You chose him, I'm sure because you saw something in him, but also because of your desperation to find a successor."

"Uh...yeah. That just about chalks it up."

"Mm. I'll say it before you say it. I know you want me to keep quiet. I've kept quiet about you all this time, I have no problem continuing to do so," I assured.

"I also want you to look out for him—"

"I'm sorry, I can't do that."

"Why-?"

"That's insulting to Midoriya. He worked hard, like everyone else to get into this school. You gave him your Quirk, so telling me to do that makes me feel like you don't think he can handle himself, that you doubt your choice." I looked into his eyes, firmly holding his gaze to make a point.

"He's not Quirkless anymore and it's not like Quirkless people are porcelain—honestly, I think they're stronger than us sometimes—I'll help him out if he needs it, like anyone else in the class, but I'm not singling him out because he's your favorite."

I gave him a smile I hoped was comforting, "Let him find his own strength. He doesn't need me to watch over him like a doting parent to make sure he's all right. If he wants to be a hero, he needs to learn to stand up on his own anyway, just like any other student. ...Just like you, right? Despite you flashing that fake smile every day, no one ever truly has your back, it's always the other way around. You give others hope when you want to break down. You're strong, undoubtedly, but you didn't piggyback and get your hand held the whole way."

He turned into his no-might form.

"Considering how much he admires you, making it easy for him is like cheating him out of his dreams. And I'm sure he's probably been dreaming of this for so long, that wouldn't be fair."

"You're...right. You're completely right."

"I'm off now, I'll leave you with that, Mr. Yagi."

I turn off my quirk, taking a deep breath before leaving the room.

( ◡̀_◡́)▬▬█ U̳n̳d̳e̳r̳t̳a̳k̳e̳ ( ◡̀_◡́)▬▬█

The next day was like I expected, normal classes.

This is comforting, if it was all hero training we would burn out a lot faster.

I think English might be my favorite class, first, Mr. Yamada is fun. I like his upbeat personality and speaking English feels comforting to me.

Due to my mom being born American and us living there most of my life, I'm fluent. So this class is more fun than actually needing to put in all my effort, which gives my brain rest.

As I look around at the other students, I realize I'm the only one who likes this class.

But I could care less, I happily raise my hand to answer the question.

"Hitsuji, again? Man, you guys are tough. Do you know the answer?"

I answer in English, "Yes, sir! I think the answer is number..."

( ◡̀_◡́)▬▬█ U̳n̳d̳e̳r̳t̳a̳k̳e̳ ( ◡̀_◡́)▬▬█

"I am here! Coming through the door like a hero."

All Might thrust his body into the doorway with his dramatic hero persona on full blast.

I rolled my eyes, muttering to myself, "Only you would come through a door like that. Being a hero has nothing to do with it."

Everyone gasped in amazement, fawning over him.

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike him, I just prefer him as himself, Toshinori Yagi, not the exaggerated All Might persona he plays for everyone. I understand that's what everyone expects, so he performs, but I just can't admire and dote over something that false when I know the truth. It's obvious he hides everything with a smile, but all anyone sees is All Might, the man who's supposed to always save everyone and grin while he does it all. The man whose supposed to wear the weight and pressure of being the best because that's his job.

Society seems to do that a lot, see people for the mask they wear.

"I can't believe it's really All Might!

"So, he is a teacher! This year is gonna be totally awesome!"

They never care to see someone for who they truly are until they finally break and ruin their view of perfection.

"Hey, look. Is he wearing his Silver Age costume?"

"I'm getting goosebumps."

"It's so retro!"

All Might...they don't see your fear...they don't see you breaking...all they see is your damn smile.

He had moved to stand behind the teacher's podium, hands on his hips.

"Welcome to the most important class at U.A. High. Think of it as 'Hero-ing 101'. Here, you will learn the basics of being a pro. And what it means to fight in the name of good!" he did a 'heroic' pose, "Let's get into it. Today's lesson will pull no punches!"

He displayed a card.

'Battle'

"Fight training," Bakugo eagerly grinned.

Midoriya looked worried, "Real combat?"