62

Chapter 62: Quarrel

A/N: Fun Fact: All the team matchups for this Joint Battle Training were created with a random group generator. Even determining which teams were going to fight one another was random. (Okay, that's slightly a lie. I had Izuku end up fighting whichever team had Shinso, because why not? Otherwise, everything else was randomized!)

Izuku opened up his pack and began filling it with bugs. It was a common part of his routine now whenever he got into costume, with him filling his pack much more than he usually did without restricting his bugs all too much.

Izuku thought it a necessary precaution, given the time he suddenly found himself without bugs during the raid on the Eight Precepts of Death.

I know that this kind of preparation isn't really warranted given the fact that I'm preparing for a school event, Izuku thought. Afterall, unless the League suddenly decides to attack the school again — which was unlikely to occur, especially with Kurogiri in custody at Tartarus — I wouldn't really need as many bugs as I'm packing. Unless the League suddenly found another person with a transportation quirk that'd allow them to bypass the walls and the strengthened security measures that Nezu had set up. I mean, it is true that long distance transportation quirks are rare. All we have here in Japan are Kurogiri, whatever that goop thing All For One used, Traveler, and Waypoint. There may be the slight possibility that—

"You didn't eat any breakfast this morning."

The voice broke Izuku out of his thoughts. He turned his attention towards its origin and found Todoroki, who was looking at him with an odd mix of frustration and worry.

Izuku had blanked at first, having never seen such an expression on Todoroki before, and he wasn't sure what to do as a result. And then he thought back to what Todoroki had just said.

It was true that he hadn't had breakfast. But that was because it was Sero's turn to prepare something for the class — and he wasn't exactly that great of a cook. Sero had been making those things that he called pancakes. Izuku had taken one look at them (with his bugs whilst he was still in his room) and made sure to avoid the kitchen with all the effort he could spare.

Izuku was going to wait for lunch, planning to head straight to the cafeteria right after whatever exercise Aizawa had planned with Vlad King-sensei. Because whatever Lunch Rush would end up serving would be loads better than Sero's attempt at cooking.

And then Izuku realized that he had been standing there in silence for a full minute, thoughts racing through his mind. All the while Todoroki did the same. Izuku clamored for a response.

"W–well, you see—"

"Here." Todoroki moved forward and grabbed for Izuku's hands. Suddenly, Izuku's hands were hit with a slight warming sensation and the familiar feel and sound of crinkling plastic.

Looking into the clear bag he found in his hands, Izuku found a couple buns of milk bread. There was no doubt that it was something of Lunch Rush's make, given its look and packaging. Though, that also meant that it had been fresh right this morning, still steaming after being taken out of the oven. It was a bit soggy as a result — condensation, some obvious bread sweat — by having been kept in the bag for around an hour or so.

And then Izuku realized that he was being silent again, right before Todoroki spoke up again.

"I got it from the cafeteria this morning. I was going to eat it, but I forgot about it. And then I remembered you not eating Sero's pancakes. So you should eat it instead. Since we're having hero practice... Unless you don't like milk bread? In that case, I can—"

"No, no!" Izuku waved his hands in front of him. "It's fine. The bread's fine, I mean. I really appreciate it. Really."

Todoroki blinked. "Oh. Uh, good." And then he nodded. "I suppose that we should be going then. You know that Aizawa-sensei doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"Oh! Right!" Izuku hastily closed up his pack and got the straps around his arms. He grabbed for his mask aiming to put it on, but decided against it at the last second.

He then hurried himself along and fell into step beside Todoroki. Once he settled, he tore open the plastic of his newfound breakfast and began to eat. They fell into a comfortable silence, Todoroki content with the quiet while Izuku underwent his usual amount of introspection.

It was nice of Todoroki to give me his bread, especially since he was considering that I'd probably need it for whatever exercise was planned. Though, I suppose that I did the same thing after Endeavor's fight with that Nomu? … I think? I mean, I already knew that his relationship with his father was complicated, and he did just sit there while Todoroki was letting out some more things about himself that he hadn't already shared back at the Sports Festival… Huh. Am I piggybacking off of him? Or is he off of me? Are we just backboards for one another to bounce off each others' problems?

"It's not like you mind, do you?"

Izuku took a moment to consider QA's words. No…? No. I guess not.

It wasn't long until they were out of the building, and joining up with the majority of their class. Of course, everyone was still mulling around since there were still a few missing from the overall group.

"Ah, Izuku! There you are." Momo greeted, walking up towards the duo. She nodded her head towards the other of the two. "Greetings Todoroki," she said. "You were conversing with Izuku about something I suppose?"

Todoroki hummed. "Not necessarily. I mostly just gave him my bread."

Momo gave off a look that expressed she wanted to know more, but Todoroki didn't notice.

"I actually have been meaning to ask him about something, though," he admitted, looking at Izuku. "But he began muttering a bit ago, and I've been waiting for him to stop."

"Oh, you and I both know that's normal for him," Momo waved Todoroki's concerns away. "And he really must be out of it right now, since he doesn't seem to have noticed me being here." She snapped her fingers right in Izuku's face. "Hey, Izuku."

Izuku blinked, his vision refocusing and spotting his friend. "Oh, Momo! How long have you been here?"

"Not too long," Momo answered. "I was merely talking with Todoroki while you fell away to Mumble City yet again."

"Oh," Izuku chuckled. And then he noticed the newfound cloak around Momo's shoulders. "Oh! That's right! The winter designs came in today didn't they? It looks great, Momo!"

"Oh, uh, thank you, Izuku," Momo cleared her throat. "Anyways, I was talking with Todoroki, and he said that he had a question for you."

"Are you doing okay with your new scar?"

"To—Todoroki! You can't just ask something like that out of the bl—"

"No, it's alright Momo!" Izuku interrupted. "It's nothing too serious anyways." Izuku rubbed his fingers over his cheek, where said scar lay. "It could have been worse, but Recovery Girl did minimize the damage. I don't really care for it, so… It's fine."

"Alright." Todoroki nodded.

Momo, all the while, looked on in disbelief at the two's casual bluntness.

1-B's arrival came not long after, announced quite distinctively by Monoma's usual boisterous and flamboyant attitude. His boasts of his supposed survey that he had taken to gauge whether 1-A's or 1-B's performance at the Culture Festival were better set off a whole plethora of conversations amongst the students of both classes.

Izuku didn't really care to take part in the debate despite having been to both performances. He graded them as equal when asked, ensuring his neutrality within inter-class rivalry. And it wasn't as if he was lying; he really did find both of them just as equally impressive practically and performance wise.

Of course, Monoma wasn't one to let things slide. And the second Monoma got out of hand he ended up being silenced by Aizawa even before Kendo could act, something Izuku internally laughed at.

Eventually, Aizawa and Vlad King came to address the class as a whole. They had brought along Shinso, who had ended up giving an extensive speech for his introduction. Once that was over, Aizawa and Vlad King went over the specifics of the exercise.

It was a fairly simple explanation: The exercise would be taking place in a section of the Athletics Field Gamma. The field was in the design of an industrial area, filled with pipes and metal structures with extensive interiors. Aizawa highlighted the field's poor footholds, tight spaces, and limited visibility.

There would be eight teams of four (and two of five when considering Shinso) that would divide up the classes. The matches would be twenty minutes each, with the main goal being capturing as many of the opponent's team as possible.

Of course, the very second that Aizawa and Vlad King brought out the boxes respectively labeled 'A' and 'B' and explained that teams were going to be chosen by lots, Izuku felt a sudden feeling of dread.

"Oh shoot," he muttered. "I think that I might have made a mistake."

"What do you mean?' Momo asked, shooting a questioning look at Izuku.

Izuku sighed in response. "It's Pony and Manga. Considering the fact that I've known them since before UA, they're much more familiar with the way I think. Much more than any of you guys at least — Setsuna included, despite all the time we've spent together with Edgeshot."

"So you're saying that they'd be expecting your strategies, you mean?" Momo mused.

"But can't you plan around that?" Todoroki questioned.

"I wish. Well, I mean, yeah. If that was all they'd be doing, anyways.

"As in…"

Izuku let out a nervous chuckle. "I sort of, um, trained them."

"Trained them?" Todoroki asked, raising a brow.

Izuku nodded. "In analysis and strategy making. They aren't that good, thankfully. But still, they're getting there. And umm… they might have been sharing their knowledge with everybody else in their class. As in, ways to better use their quirks and stuff, which I've sort of been neglecting to do with the rest of you."

Momo blinked. "Oh." She turned back to look at the rest of 1-B. "I see."

Todoroki, on the other hand, merely tilted his head at the statement. "Huh."

Izuku sighed. "Yeah…"

Eventually, it came time to draw the lots, and in turn, the creation of the teams.

Team A1:Bakugou, Ashido, Shinso, Hagakure, and Koda

Versus

Team B3: Awase, Tokage, Bondo, and Monoma

[-]

Team A2: Todoroki, Iida, Kaminari, and Aoyama

Versus

Team B4: Shishida, Shoda, Shiozaki, and Kendo

[-]

Team A3: Jirou, Sato, Mineta, and Sero

Versus

Team B2: Kodai, Tsuburaba, Yanagi, and Tetsutetsu

[-]

Team A4: Ojiro, Tokoyami, Kirishima, and Uraraka

Versus

Team B1: Fukidashi, Kaibara, Komori, and Rin

[-]

Team A5: Asui, Midroiya, Shoji, and Yaoyorozu

Versus

Team B5: Kamakiri, Tsunotori, Honenuki, Shinso, and Kuroiro

Once the team matchups were revealed, everybody began shuffling themselves around into their own respective teams. Izuku went to do the same himself, but before he was able he caught Aizawa's eye. Aizawa, in turn, ended up gesturing Izuku over.

"Yes, Aizawa-sensei?" Izuku asked, tilting his head as he approached his teacher. He narrowed his eyes in scrutinization, trying to determine whether or not Aizawa had anything planned for him. Of course, his mind went to the worst scenario he could think up.

"Wait, you aren't taking me out of this exercise too, are you? Was that five person team thing just another ruse?"

Aizawa's blank expression didn't change at Izuku's questioning, and the man answered with the same tired tone he always used. "That would be overly complicated, Midoriya. There'd be no reason for it. If I wanted you out, then I would have said so in the first place."

"Oh," Izuku nodded, letting out a sigh. "But... you are calling me over for something, right?" he asked. "I wouldn't be here otherwise."

"Of course," Aizawa admitted. "I just want you to remember that this is a school exercise. I don't want to hear that you filled your peers' lungs with bugs or ended up giving somebody a case of anaphylactic shock."

"Of course not, sensei!" Izuku exclaimed. "I know when to limit myself."

"Could have fooled me," Aizawa muttered under his breath. But then, a grin came upon his face, and he raised his voice as he looked towards Izuku. "Then how about this; no biting or stinging. I'm sure that you can still neutralize your enemies without any of that. Besides, I'd like to see you try. Some genuine practical demonstration of your skills would be a nice thing for your class to see every once in a while."

"Are… Is that supposed to be a challenge?"

Aizawa shrugged his shoulders. "Think of it as part of your ongoing punishment."

Izuku smirked. "Alright then, Aizawa-sensei. I'll do it."

Aizawa nodded. "Then get to your team. You have some planning to do, no?"

Once Izuku parted away from Aizawa and dove straight back into the chaos of the two classes teaming up, he ended up getting ambushed by an overly-frantic Kaminari.

"Dang it man!" Kaminari exclaimed.

Izuku blinked in confusion. "Um, Kaminari?"

"I wanted to be on your team!" the yellow haired teen interrupted. "We would've won for sure if I was!"

"Kaminari!" Iida's voice soared over the crowd. "We are planning at the current moment. Our success depends on your cooperation! You can't just go running off in the middle of a conversation!"

"I just need to get my exasperation out of my system, Iida! Give me this!"

"Kaminari," Tsu said, popping up in front of Kaminari and the partially trapped Izuku. "You should go back to your team, kero. We need Midoriya-kun for our planning."

"But Tsu—"

"Um, Kaminari—"

Tsu stuck her tongue out with a challenging look to her eyes, moving it into a position Kaminari was familiar with.

"Alright, alright!" Kaminari held his hands up in surrender. "I'll go! Sheesh, first Jirou and now you too?"

As Kaminari retreated back to his own group, Izuku turned his attention back towards Tsu and gave her a nod. "Thanks for that, Tsu."

"No problem," she ribbeted. She began walking back towards where Shoji and Momo were waiting, Izuku following her along.

"Here he is, kero," Tsu addressed Shoji and Momo. "He was talking to Aizawa-sensei and then ended up being harassed by Kaminari."

"I wasn't being harrassed—"

"Sure," Tsu interrupted.

"Kaminari is like that all the time, you know that. He lacks a filter. Mineta, on the other hand, while he may be getting better—"

"What did Aizawa-sensei want?" Shoji asked, interrupting Izuku before he could go on further.

"Oh, uh… Funny thing about that, actually," Izuku said, thinking back to the conversation he shared with his teacher but moments before. "I think that I might have accidentally just handiapped our team?"

All three of his teammates looked at him in disbelief.

"It's not that bad!" Izuku exclaimed. "It's mostly just for me anyways! Aizawa challenged me to refrain from biting or stinging and I just accepted! Now I'll just have to resort to physical altercations and silk ambush tactics! It'll be fine!"

Momo sighed, wiping her hand over her face. "Only you, Izuku. Only you."

It's alright. I believe that we'll be fine," Shoji said. "After all, you weren't actually biting or stinging me back during our first Battle Trial, after all. You can just do that again."

"I… huh." Izuku nodded. "I suppose that you're right."

"And you are the best tactician out of all of us," Tsu said. "That's another thing we need to remember."

"Wha— What? I'm not too su—"

"It's true, Izuku. Don't sell yourself short."

Izuku sighed. "Lright, alright. Well go on about me later. How about the three of you? Tsu, you can start doing that skin blending thing, co—"

"Izuku!" a voice called out. Turning towards the voice, Izuku found Pony bounding up to him.

Izuku turned back towards his group, sent off a brief, 'Figure some other things out, I'll see what Pony wants,' and then turned back to the oncoming Pony.

"Izuku!" she greeted again. "I'm going up against you! Isn't that exciting?" she smiled.

To others, the smile may have seemed innocent and adorable. But Izuku could see behind it, sense the hidden glee hiding behind Pony's demeanor. And to Izuku, that smile withheld a sinister, calculating mind. One that he himself had crafted.

"I think you mean terrifying," Izuku corrected.

"Oh?" she said, adopting a grin. A much too wide of a grin, to Izuku's eyes. "Why ever would that be?"

Izuku sighed. "Now I'm regretting teaching you and Manga all those things. Could you maybe just hit your head and suddenly forget everything I taught you?"

Pony pouted. "That's so mean, Izuku!"

I know it's a front. She wants something, but isn't telling me what exactly that something is. She isn't hiding what she's thinking either. Hmm. I just need to figure out what it is that—

"Wait a minute!" Izuku suddenly shouted. "You're distracting me!"

Pony tilted her head. "I am?"

"Alright everybody," Aizawa's voice rang out, effectively silencing all of the students. "Time's up. We'll be having our first match in just a few, so stay silent and get back to your teams. I don't want to be telling any of you twice, so go."

Once Aizawa turned his attention away from his students and a slight murmur rose among the crowd — much to Aizawa's irritation — Izuku turned his attention back to Pony.

"Oops?" she said with a slight giggle. "Well, it looks like I need to get going," Pony said, retreating back towards her team with a wave. "Good luck!"

"Gah! I was played!" Izuku said, turning back to face his own group.

"It's fine Izuku," Momo said. "We shared a few details here and there. I'm sure you were listening to some of it with your bugs?"

Izuku nodded.

"Then it's fine. And besides, we still have a bit of time to plan when it's our match, so don't look so worried."

Izuku sighed. "Yeah, you're right. Might as well wait for that, the—"

"I said to be quiet." Aizawa's voice rang out once more. Once the noise finally settled, he shook his head. "Right. Team A1, Team B3; come on up. Your match is first."

And so it began.

A/N: Aa bit short this time, but that's mostly since this is a setup chapter. The real action starts next time, so stay tuned for that!