MC POV
The next day, I found myself standing in front of the boys from both Class 1-A and Class 1-B. It felt like a bit of a step down from yesterday's mission, but teaching the future generation how to be real heroes was important. There's so much more to being a hero than just punching villains. They needed to understand that.
As I stood in front of them, I could sense a mix of confusion and curiosity. These kids had no idea what was coming. Some seemed more interested than others—Midoriya, as expected, was already scribbling in his notebook, trying to understand the quirks of 1-B students. Bakugo was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, his usual scowl in place. Todoroki was calm and unreadable. The boys from Class 1-B looked intrigued but skeptical.
I cleared my throat, bringing everyone's attention back to me. "Alright, this class focus isn't about how strong your quirk is, or how fast you can punch. We're focusing on something just as important—how you handle yourself in public, how you approach difficult situations, and how you use your brains instead of relying purely on your quirks."
Bakugo, of course, was the first to interject. "Why do we need this crap? I'll just blow them all up."
I stared at him, unamused. "And what if blowing things up isn't an option, Bakugo? Heroes can't just destroy everything in their path. You'll come across situations where fighting isn't the answer, and knowing how to deal with people is going to make the difference between success and failure."
He scoffed, but didn't push the issue further. Yosetsu, on the other hand, eagerly raised his hand. "So, we're learning about interrogation today?"
I nodded. "That's part of it, yes. But we're also talking about how to present yourself, how to read people, and how to use your words as effectively as your quirk. In the field, you'll encounter more than just villains. You'll have to deal with civilians, witnesses, and sometimes even people who don't want to talk. The way you act can either make them trust you or fear you."
I stepped forward and continued, "Who here thinks they know how to read people?"
Midoriya raised his hand, along with Todoroki and Monoma. Mineta, surprisingly, did too. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Really, Mineta?"
He grinned nervously. "I-I'm pretty good at reading... certain people…"
The rest of the class groaned, and I shook my head, choosing to ignore his... unique perspective. "Right. Well, reading people isn't about just picking up on when someone's interested in you. It's about understanding body language, tone, and how to use that to your advantage."
I walked to the whiteboard and started drawing a quick outline. "Here's the thing. When you're interrogating someone, or even just questioning them, there are different approaches. You can try intimidation, you can appeal to their emotions, or you can act like you're on their side. But you have to read the situation. Too aggressive, and they'll shut down or get defensive. Too passive, and they'll think you're weak or manipulatable."
Todoroki spoke up. "So how do you know which method to use?"
"Good question," I said, nodding. "It's about observation. Watch their body language. Are they tense? Relaxed? Are they avoiding eye contact, or are they staring you down? Their posture can tell you a lot about what approach will work best."
I looked around the room, making sure they were following before continuing. "Now, we're going to do a little exercise. I'm going to show you a case study—an actual villain investigation. Your task will be to figure out who the villain is based on the evidence I provide. The twist? You have to figure it out before the slideshow ends. So you'll need to think quickly, work together, and decide on the right approach."
I could see their interest pique as I dimmed the lights and the screen behind me lit up. A slide came on showing a crime scene—a dark alley with a few scattered clues visible.
"This is a real case," I said, turning back to the screen. "The villain here was a mastermind behind several robberies, but he covered his tracks well. Your job is to figure out who he is based on the evidence."
Bakugo, looking a little more interested now, leaned forward. "So, we gotta catch him before the slideshow ends? Easy."
Midoriya's eyes were practically shining with excitement. "Can we ask questions?"
"You can, but remember, time's ticking," I replied.
I clicked through the first few slides, showing images of security footage, witness statements, and the clues left at the scene. The boys from Class 1-A and 1-B started murmuring among themselves, already beginning to form theories. Midoriya, predictably, was analyzing everything meticulously. Bakugo, on the other hand, was scowling at the screen, his frustration growing by the second.
"Why can't we just find this guy and blow him up?" Bakugo muttered under his breath.
"That's not the point, Bakugo," I reminded him. "This exercise is about solving the case without using brute force. You won't always have a target you can just punch into submission."
Todoroki stayed quiet, but his eyes were focused on the details of the case, thinking hard.
As the slideshow continued, I added in more layers to the puzzle—fingerprints, a mysterious phone call made just before the robbery, and a hidden piece of evidence that the police almost missed. I could see the gears turning in Midoriya's head as he tried to connect the dots.
After a few more slides, I paused the presentation. "Alright, you've seen all the evidence. Now, based on what you've gathered, who do you think the villain is?"
Monoma was the first to speak up. "I think it's the shopkeeper in the background of the third slide. His alibi didn't check out, and he was one of the only people who knew the layout of the building well enough to pull off the heist."
Bakugo snorted. "That's dumb. It's obviously the guy in the security footage. He was the last one there before the place got hit."
Todoroki raised his hand, his voice calm and measured. "He's right. The shopkeeper had access, and the timing of his alibi is too coincidental."
I smiled. "Good job, Todoroki and Monoma. You're right—it was the shopkeeper. But Bakugo, you're not entirely wrong either. The guy in the security footage was a decoy. Sometimes, the obvious answer isn't the right one."
Bakugo scowled but didn't say anything. I could tell he wasn't thrilled about being wrong, but he was paying attention.
I turned the lights back on and walked back to the front of the room. "So, what did we learn?"
Kirishima was the first to answer. "That solving a case isn't always about brute force. You have to look at all the clues."while Tetsutetsu nodded at his answer.
"Exactly," I said. "You'll come across situations where fighting isn't the answer. Sometimes, gathering intel, using your head, and handling people the right way can be just as effective—if not more so."
I paused, letting that sink in. "Now, remember, as heroes, you're not just symbols of strength. You're also symbols of hope, safety, and justice. How you handle yourselves in situations like this can be just as important as how you fight. The public needs to trust you, and that starts with how you present yourselves."
I glanced at the clock. "Alright, that's it for today. Take what you've learned and think about how you can apply it in the real world. You'll be tested on this again, but next time, it might not be in a classroom."
As I dismissed them, the boys filed out of the room, some looking thoughtful, others still processing the lesson. Bakugo stormed out without a word, but I knew he'd think about it later.
I leaned back against the desk, watching them go. They had a long way to go, but today was a good start. It wasn't all about quirks and power. If they wanted to be great heroes, they needed to learn how to use their heads, too.
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Meanwhile with the Girls
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Midnight's POV
Standing in front of Class 1-A and 1-B girls, I felt a smirk creeping across my face. It wasn't every day you got to teach the more subtle but equally important aspects of being a hero. Sure, strength, bravery, and quirk mastery were all crucial, but there were other skills that didn't get enough attention. And I was here to make sure these girls understood the power they had—power that wasn't all about brute strength.
The room was filled with curious eyes, though some looked a little nervous. After all, the topic today wasn't one they were used to in a classroom setting.
"Alright, girls," I began, crossing my arms and leaning casually against the desk. "Today's lesson is about something you don't often hear in your regular classes—seduction."
I could see their reactions instantly. Ochako's and Yui's face flushed bright red, their eyes wide. Momo and Kendo shifted awkwardly in their seat, clearly caught off guard by the topic. Jiro and Ibara looked uncomfortable, and Mina and Setsuna, on the other hand, grinned mischievously, clearly intrigued.
I raised an eyebrow at the group. "Relax, this isn't going to be inappropriate. What I mean by seduction is more about charisma, charm, and persuasion. It's about using your presence and words to sway someone without having to throw a punch. In the field, you won't always need your quirk to get the job done."
Ochako raised her hand timidly. "But, Midnight-sensei… how does that help with being a hero? Isn't it more important to stop villains with our quirks?"
I chuckled softly. "Stopping villains isn't always about who can hit harder. Sometimes, the most dangerous villains are the ones who use their heads. You need to learn how to outsmart them, and sometimes, that means getting information, manipulating situations to your advantage, or convincing them to let their guard down."
Jiro, still looking a little skeptical, crossed her arms. "So, this is more about psychological tactics?"
"Exactly," I nodded. "Heroes aren't just about fighting. A lot of your success comes from how well you handle people. If you can charm someone into giving up information or misdirect them with a well-placed compliment, it could save lives. Not to mention, you need to be able to blend in or play a role when necessary. Villains aren't dumb, and sometimes, strength alone won't win the day."
Mina, who had been listening closely, leaned forward. "So, what's the plan for today? Are we just talking, or do we get to practice?"
I gave her a sly smile. "Oh, you'll be practicing, alright. I've prepared a little exercise for you all. We're going to do a case study."
Momo perked up, already intrigued by the idea of a challenge. "A case study? How does that tie into seduction?"
"I'm glad you asked," I said, walking over to the screen. "I'm going to present you with a scenario—a villain investigation. But instead of relying on brute force or your quirks, you'll need to use your charm, wit, and observation skills to figure out who the villain is before the slideshow ends. The villain has hidden themselves well, and it's up to you to outsmart them. You'll need to pay attention to their body language, how they interact, and the subtle clues that give them away."
I pulled up the first slide, and the lights dimmed. The screen showed a high-end gala event, complete with attendees in fancy gowns and suits, waitstaff moving around the room, and a shadowy figure in the background.
"The scene," I began, gesturing to the screen, "is a fundraiser. The villain is posing as one of the guests. You've got to figure out who they are before the night is over. But here's the catch—you can't rely on your quirks or any direct confrontation. You'll have to observe, engage in conversation, and try to extract information without raising suspicion."
Ochako still seemed unsure. "But… how do we do that?"
Setsuna grinned, clearly more excited than nervous now. "It's like a spy movie, right? We've got to be smooth, blend in, and get them talking without making it obvious."
I nodded approvingly. "Exactly, Setsuna. In the field, you might find yourself in situations where fighting isn't an option. Maybe there are civilians around, or maybe the villain's holding important information you need. If you can't beat them physically, sometimes you have to outwit them."
Kendo raised her hand, her brow furrowed in thought. "What are some signs we should look for when trying to figure out who the villain is?"
"Good question, Itsuka," I said, clicking to the next slide. "There are a few things to watch for. Nervous tics, avoiding eye contact, excessive politeness, or overcompensation. Sometimes villains will try too hard to blend in, or they'll act a little too casual. It's subtle, but it's there if you know how to spot it."
I clicked through a few more slides, showing different characters at the event—a waiter, a wealthy guest, a politician, and a celebrity. "These are the suspects. Your job is to figure out who's lying, who's hiding something, and who the real villain is."
The girls were leaning forward in their seats now, fully engaged. I knew this was a new concept for most of them, but they were sharp, and I had no doubt they'd rise to the challenge.
"The mission," I continued, "is to find the villain before the last slide. Work together, share your observations, and try to extract information without raising any alarms."
I could see Momo already piecing things together in her mind. She was the strategist of the group, and I had a feeling she'd be leading the charge on this one.
I clicked to the first slide again, showing the room full of guests. "Alright, let's begin."
The girls immediately started analyzing the scene. Momo leaned forward, pointing out the guests' body language. "The waiter seems nervous. He's avoiding eye contact with the guests, but that could just be because he's not used to these events."
Mina, her eyes twinkling with excitement, chimed in. "The politician is too calm. It's like he's trying too hard to blend in."
Yui, still a bit hesitant, added, "But what if the villain's someone who isn't trying to hide at all? Maybe they're confident enough to act completely normal."
I smiled, watching them work through the clues. They were on the right track. "Exactly. Sometimes the villain won't act suspicious at all, but you'll need to rely on your instincts."
As they debated back and forth, I clicked through the slides, showing more angles of the event. The tension in the room was palpable, and the girls were completely absorbed in the case.
Setsuna leaned back, her eyes narrowed. "It's the politician. His story doesn't line up. He said he was at a fundraiser earlier in the week, but the dates don't match. He's trying to cover his tracks."
Mina nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, and he's way too relaxed for someone in this kind of setting. It's like he knows he won't get caught."
Jiro crossed her arms, thinking. "But what if it's the waiter? He's nervous, and he's been watching the guests closely."
I raised an eyebrow at the group. "You've got one more slide left. Make your decision."
Momo and Mina exchanged glances, and finally, Momo spoke. "It's the politician. His story doesn't add up, and he's too confident. He's the villain."
I clicked to the final slide, revealing the answer. "Well done. It was the politician. You caught him by paying attention to the details and using your instincts."
The girls smiled, clearly proud of themselves. Even Jiro, who had been unsure at first, looked satisfied with the outcome.
I turned the lights back on and faced the group. "So, what did we learn?"
Ochako, still a bit red-faced, spoke up. "That sometimes, you have to use more than just your quirk to catch a villain."
I nodded. "Exactly. Villains won't always be the kind you can fight head-on. Sometimes you'll need to outsmart them, and knowing how to read people can make all the difference."
Mina, still grinning, added, "And that we're basically spies now."
I chuckled. "Maybe not spies, but you're definitely on your way to becoming well-rounded heroes. Remember, being a hero is about more than just fighting. It's about using your mind, your presence, and your charm to protect people."
As the girls filed out of the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. They had a long way to go, but today, they'd taken a step toward understanding the complexity of what it meant to be a hero. It wasn't always about the big fights or flashy quirks. Sometimes, the greatest victories came from the quietest battles.