BNHA: Singularity

With the morning bell sounding, Aizawa entered the classroom looking like a man who hadn't slept in weeks. This sentiment was reinforced when he stepped up to the classroom's podium, his expression and tone tinged with exhaustion as he said, "Good, everyone's here. We'll be receiving two new students today. Try and get along."
As neither Bakugo nor Mineta were present, Aizawa mentioning that everyone was present caused a few students to gulp. Fortunately, though no one celebrated, at least one of the 'new' students was someone they recognized.
With somewhat sunken eyes and a noticeably pale complexion, Mineta stood before the Class and mechanically muttered, "Hello, everyone. My name is Minoru Mineta, and I'll be your classmate from now on..."
Following Mineta's introduction, a much taller boy with messy indigo hair and half-lidded, seemingly exhausted eyes raised his hand and said, "My name is Hitoshi Shinso. I was previously in Classroom 1-C of the General Studies Department. Due to your former classmate's mistake, it seems I'll be a member of the Hero Department from now on."
Following the duo's introductions, Mineta was allowed to return to his old seat while Shinso was assigned Bakugo's. After that, Aizawa got on with homeroom, providing an overview of UA's facilities and explaining who to contact if they were having trouble at home or with UA's admittedly taxing curriculum. Once those formalities were out of the way, he pulled out his sleeping bag and gave everyone free time until their first period of state-mandated classes, English Studies.
Though UA was the number one School of Heroics, the first half of the day was set aside for general studies such as Math, English, Japanese, and Art History. After that, students of the Department of Heroics would have an hour for lunch before attending classes that would prepare them to become Heroes, a seemingly random mix of theoretical and practical lessons colloquially referred to as Foundational Hero Studies...
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After an exceptionally boring first half of the day, most of the guys from Class 1-A were seated together in the cafeteria. This included Izuku, who had temporarily been prohibited from interacting with the girls' group. Not because he had done anything wrong but because the girls didn't want a boy listening in on their 'private' conversation.
"Man, I can't believe Bakugo was kicked out of the Hero Course," said the red-headed, spiky-haired Kirishima. He and Bakugo hadn't had the time to become friends, but it felt unnerving for the person previously ranked first in their class to be gone.
Pushing up his glasses, Ida retorted, "Katsuki Bakugo's expulsion from the Hero Course is the consequence of his actions. It would harm UA's illustrious reputation if such a foul-mouthed, violence-prone brute were allowed to become a Hero."
As they had all witnessed Bakugo's behavior and manner of speaking, no one could refute Ida's words. A few looked like they had something to say, but it was Izuku who asserted, "While it's true that Bakugo has some behavioral issues, you shouldn't preclude him from becoming a Hero just yet. Everyone has the capacity for change, and while his attitude might be unbecoming for a Hero, Bakugo genuinely wishes to help people. I expect that within a few months' time, he will be rejoining the Hero Course anew."
Not expecting Izuku, of all people, to speak in defense of Bakugo, Ida's ever-serious expression became notably reflective. Due to the previous day's events, he regarded Izuku as the person closest to becoming a true Hero within their Class. If nothing else, his level-headedness, confidence, and ability to see the positives in every situation were commendable.
Nodding his head after a moment of introspection, Ida said, "I have taken your words to heart. Instead of condemning Bakugo for his past actions, I will cling to the hope that he may be reformed. If any school is capable of such a feat, it's UA."
With nearly everyone nodding in agreement, the conversation abruptly shifted from Bakugo to a comparably 'juicy' topic as Kaminari said, "Let's forget about Bakugo. What I want to know is how Midoriya managed to secure a date on the second day of school. Seriously, man, tell us your secrets."
Adopting a somewhat wry smile, Izuku replied, "To be perfectly honest, I'm just as surprised as you are. I certainly hoped to date at least one of the girls in our class, but I never expected it to happen this soon. I mean, just look at how cute they all are. I figured it would be at least half a year before I had a chance with any of them."
Hearing that Izuku already had a date, Mineta's expression resembled that of a vengeful spirit as he asked, "Which girl is it? Don't tell me it's the person that was sitting in my seat..."
Since the girls of Class 1-A weren't seated that far away, Izuku's voice was a little louder than necessary as he replied, "I wish. I mean, I'm not even remotely disappointed that Ashido-san was the one to invite me on a date, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in Hagakure. Just by listening to her voice, I can tell she's super cute."
Though he had never seen Hagakure's true form, Izuku remembered one of his buddies from his previous life mentioning she was 'canonically' the cutest girl in the entire series. She just happened to be invisible to both the naked eye and most spectroscopic devices. Which was a real shame considering her Hero costume was essentially her walking around naked...
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While the boys were talking about them over at their table, the girls were listening in on them using an audio receiver Ashido had asked Yaoyorozu to place under their table. The latter had initially been reluctant to spy on her classmates, but Ashido managed to convince her it was for the safety and well-being of every girl in class.
Hearing Izuku's claim that he could tell she was cute by the sound of her voice, Hagakure cupped her invisible face with her equally invisible hands as she said, "How embarrassing~" in a faint but discernibly gratified tone.
Exhaling a faint sigh, Ashido, sitting with her arms crossed and a smile on her face, remarked, "He's a dangerous one, that Midoriya. He isn't a bad guy, per se, but he has the potential to become a womanizer. I'll have to test him when we go on our date this afternoon."
Blinking in surprise, Ochaco asked, "Is that why you asked him to go out with you? I'm not sure how I feel about that..."
Shrugging her shoulders, Ashido asserted, "I know what you mean, but someone has to determine his true nature. A maiden's heart, once broken, can never be fully healed. I'm fairly confident in my abilities, so if he tries anything, I'll be able to protect myself."
Though she had been one of the most popular girls in her elementary and middle schools, Ashido had struggled with finding a boyfriend since most of the boys who confessed to her were strange or perverted. She did her best to turn down each of them politely, but they invariably spread rumors that her acidic Quirk would melt anyone who dared to date her. It didn't help that the internet allowed them to easily find and distribute grotesque photos of people that had survived acid attacks...
Adopting a broad smile, Ashido preempted Ochaco's response by saying, "Don't worry, Uraraka-san. My intuition regarding things like this is pretty sharp, so I'm fairly certain that Midoriya is a decent guy. Once I confirm that to be the case, you and Tsuyu can decide which of you should date him 'for real.' I'm just the litmus test. Pun intended."
Hearing Ashido mention the possibility of them dating Izuku, Ochaco and Tsuyu exhibited varying degrees of embarrassment. Neither of them had ever gone on a date, and before now, they hadn't really considered trying to find a boyfriend. The possibility had certainly crossed their minds, but their primary focus was becoming Heroes.
Amused by the duo's innocent reactions, Ashido narrowed her eyes and teased, "If you can't come to a decision, don't be too surprised if one of us beats you to the punch. Midoriya-kun may not be the most handsome boy in Class, but he's easily the most confident and mature. So long as he doesn't turn out to be a secret scumbag, he's probably the best boyfriend material."
Surprising nearly everyone present, Yaoyorozu remarked, "He certainly gives off a dependable aura. I would need to introduce him to my parents and grandfather, but I don't think they would oppose me dating him."
Staring at Yaoyorozu as if she were some kind of strange creature, Jiro asked, "Are your parents super strict or something? Introducing a boy to them is usually only something you'd do before marriage."
Tilting her head to the side, Yaoyorozu replied, "But of course. Is there any meaning to dating a boy if you don't intend to marry them? It might seem a little early, but it never hurts to start preparing for your future in advance."
"..." x 5
Voicing the thought in everyone's minds, Ashido adopted a somewhat awkward smile as she asked, "Could it be you come from a super wealthy family, Yaoyorozu-san?"
Without hesitation, Yaoyorozu nodded her head, revealing, "Before there were restrictions implemented to prevent the economy from destabilizing, my great-grandfather used his Quirk to secure my family's position as one of the ten wealthiest in Japan. We have used that wealth to become one of the central pillars supporting the Hero Association, so it isn't incorrect to say my family is 'super wealthy.' I hope that doesn't affect the way you view me from here on. My family aside, we all have the same aspiration of becoming Heroes."
Though many of them had suspected it based on Yaoyorozu's demeanor, the girls from Class 1-A now knew for certain they were dealing with an 'Ojou-sama.' Fortunately, unlike most of the 'Super Elite,' Yaoyorozu gave off a relatively approachable aura. It also wouldn't hurt to become friends with someone whose familial wealth measured in the trillions, so even without communicating, each of the girls present decided they would be good friends with Yaoyorozu from then on...
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Seeing how 'close' the girls were in the wake of their first lunch period, Izuku couldn't help wondering if something had transpired. Unfortunately, when he attempted asking Yaoyorozu directly, she responded that it was a matter between the girls of Class 1-A and that it wasn't proper for him to pry.
Not wanting to complicate matters, Izuku promptly apologized and spent the remaining time before the bell chatting with Sero, Tokoyami, Mineta, and Shinso. The latter wasn't very sociable, undoubtedly due to the fact most people actively avoided talking to him, but he responded to most of Izuku's and the other boys' questions. The only thing he didn't reveal was the nature of his Quirk. However, there was a very good reason for that...
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Name: [Hitoshi Shinso]
Quirk: Brainwashing
Current Level: 13(21,309 EXP)
Effective Level: 23
[Attributes]
Strength: 14
Agility: 20
Vitality: 41
Intelligence: 65
Dexterity: 25
Luck: 70
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Though Shino's physical attributes weren't very impressive, barely above average, his Intelligence, Luck, and, most importantly, his Quirk were all phenomenal. Unfortunately, as the concept of Brainwashing had a lot of negative connotations, for good reasons, everyone who learned about his Quirk automatically assumed he would become a villain. Thus, at least for the time being, Shinso intended to keep it a secret for as long as possible. Unfortunately, fate had other ideas in mind as the door to the classroom abruptly slid open, followed by a booming voice shouting, "I AM HERE...!"
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While everyone else was excited by the appearance of All Might in his Silver Age costume, full-body tights with a red top, blue bottom, a utility belt, predominately golden boots, and golden vambraces, Izuku's usual smile had frozen.
By rejecting One-for-All, Izuku was hoping that All Might wouldn't be the teacher of Class 1-A's Foundational Hero Studies course. Now that he had appeared, the probability of the USJ incident and other events transpiring increased drastically...
Striking a pose at the front of the room, All Might shouted, "Foundational Hero Studies! As the name suggests, this Class focuses on teaching you everything you need to know to be a proper Hero. As for our first lesson..."
Striking yet another pose, this time holding a placard with the word battle written on it, All Might declared, "We'll be conducting a battle simulation!"
Hearing they would be conducting battle training on the second day of school, a tense yet excited atmosphere pervaded the classroom. Things became especially exciting when All Might pressed the activation switch of a tiny remote, causing the far-side wall of the classroom to slide open, revealing twenty numbers briefcases.
"To aid in your first battle, the school has prepared gear and costumes in accordance with the forms you filled out during your enrollment. In other words, these are your very first Hero costumes...!"
As not everyone had the means to acquire rare materials or develop high-quality costumes, the Class practically erupted in response to All Might's words. Izuku was similarly excited, as he had put considerable effort into designing his Hero costume, but it was hard to remain enthused when he knew his life would soon be imperiled. He wasn't completely unprepared, but even the best-laid plans meant little in the face of true strength and inextricable violence...
Interrupting Izuku's thoughts, All Might made a pointing gesture toward the door with his thumb, saying, "Grab the briefcase matching your Seat Number and then make your way to the Field Beta. You can change in the corresponding Locker Room. With that said, I'll see you there...!"
Without waiting for anyone to respond, All Might bolted out of the room as if there was a fire. In the wake of his departure, everyone hurried to grab their assigned briefcases, the only exceptions between Izuku and Shinso. The latter didn't have a briefcase just yet, so he waited for everyone else to clear out before grabbing his gym uniform and following at a distance as the Class made their way to Field Beta...
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Contrasting the diverse and fairly flamboyant costumes of his classmates, Izuku's military-themed Hero costume sacrificed flair for practicality and ease of movement. The top was a seemingly simple black tee, but it was woven from a special carbon-fiber mesh that made it resistant to small-arms fire and most blades. The bottom was made from the same material, but it resembled the standard-issue fatigues of the JSDF, complete with cargo pockets.
Complimenting his outfit, Izuku wore a set of titanium-plated dog tags around his neck, heat-resistant combat gloves on his hands, and thick-soled combat boots on his feet. He also wore a red belt around his waist that came equipped with a magnetic belt buckle and a short-wave signal jammer. It could also serve as a tourniquet during an emergency, but that was a function Izuku hoped he would never have to utilize.
Seeing Izuku's outfit, the nearby Kirishima couldn't help asking, "Is that really your Hero costume? Don't get me wrong, it looks pretty badass, but isn't it a little too ordinary?"
Without missing a beat, Izuku tucked his dog tags into his shirt as he said, "I prefer the term 'practical.' Besides, soldiers, policemen, and firefighters are the 'original' modern Heroes. Paying homage to our roots never hurts."
"Well, when you put it that way, I dig it," said Kirishima, extending his right fist with a smile.
Adopting a smile of his own, Izuku bumped Kirishima's fist with his own, saying, "I'll see you on the battlefield." before making his way out of the Locker Room. One of the many benefits of a practical costume was that it was easy to change into, so he was among the first to finish getting changed. The only person who took less time was Ojiro, but his outfit was basically just a modified karate gi.
Upon arriving at Field Beta, Izuku's green eyes briefly flickered as he noticed a pair of white shoes and distinctive blue gloves hovering in the air. While Ojiro was among the first to arrive, the absolute earliest was Hagakure. After all, her current Hero costume was essentially just her 'removing' her clothes, not changing into something else...
Seeing Izuku looking her way, a potent blush spread through Hagakure's invisible face as she slightly turned her body. She had mentally prepared herself to be 'seen' in her Hero costume, but it was still embarrassing to be stared at directly.
Smiling wryly, Izuku decided against bothering Hagakure and instead made his way over to where All Might and Ojiro were standing, his eyes scanning the latter as he said, "Nice costume. I take it you've undergone some traditional martial arts training?"
Nodding his head, Ojiro replied, "Yeah. My family owns a dojo outside of Tokyo. My Quirk may not be all that impressive, but I'm pretty confident in my strength and skill."
Following Ojiro's response, All Might elected to comment on Izuku's outfit, remarking, "That's quite the practical costume, young Midoriya. I'm a little surprised, though. Based on your performance during the Entrance Exam, I thought you would have incorporated more Support items into your Hero costume."
Punching his right fist into the palm of his left hand, Izuku explained, "I've changed quite a bit since then. I still plan to make use of Support items in the future, but I'm currently focusing on my close-combat and detainment skills."
Recalling how Izuku had apprehended Bakugo, All Might gave a curt nod without pressing the matter further. He truthfully had a lot to discuss with Izuku, but now was neither the time nor the place...
With All Might leaving them to their own devices, Izuku and Ojiro made casual conversation until the other students trickled in. Most of the girls wore form-fitting costumes that would bolster their popularity once they became Heroes, while most of the guys wore edgy or flamboyant outfits that would allow them to stand out. Female Heroes, especially attractive ones, had a much easier time earning fans and brand endorsements, so male Hero costumes needed to be flashy or iconic to compete. Of course, none of that mattered if you were truly powerful...
Waiting until everyone had arrived, All Might struck a pose with his hands on his hips as he said, "They say the clothes make the Pros, and behold, you are the proof of that claim! From this moment on, you are all officially Heroes-in-training!"
Hearing someone like All Might call them 'Heroes-in-Training,' the eyes of nearly everyone in Class 1-A blazed with resolve. The former was the idol of almost every child in Japan, so even a small compliment from him was enough to get them pumped up...
Feeding into everyone's excitement, All Might began explaining the details of their Battle Training. Simply put, they would be split into groups of two, one side playing the part of Heroes while the others were Villains charged with protecting a fake nuclear bomb. If the Heroes managed to touch the bomb before time ran out, they would be victorious. On the other hand, if the Villains managed to incapacitate the Heroes or stall until time ran out, they would be the victors...
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As things were developing similarly to canon, Izuku expected to be paired with Ochaco, working together as a Hero Team. Instead, undoubtedly as a result of Bakugo being dropped from the Class and Shinso being added, he ended up on a Villain Team with Ashido, prompting her to come over to him and remark, "It looks like we're fated to be together, Midoriya-kun." in a teasing tone.
Though his mood wasn't the best due to All Might's appearance, Izuku managed a smile as he replied, "If that's the case, I'm pretty lucky. You look amazing in your costume, by the way."
Similar to the majority of female Heroes, Ashido opted for a skin-tight bodysuit as the core of her Hero costume. What distinguished her from the rest was her psychedelic camo pattern, blending bright turquoise and magenta in a way that was offensive to the eyes yet compelled people to stare. Over that, she wore a yellow half-vest with a thick fur collar, a white facemask that covered the upper half of her face, and dark-purple boots with yellow accents.
Adopting a broad smile, Ashido mused, "You never pass on an opportunity to pay a girl a compliment, do you? Not that I'm complaining. I put a lot of effort into this design, and I'm pretty proud of my physique."
Nodding his head, Izuku asserted, "It shows." before quickly changing the topic, adding, "I also designed my Hero costume. What do you think?"
Leaving Izuku a little speechless, Ashido replied, "Eh, it's okay. Your body matches, but you don't really have the face of a rugged soldier-type Hero. Your face is too round, and your freckles aren't doing you any favors."
"..."
As there was a fair amount of truth to Ashido's words, Izuku found himself unable to refute them. He had worked hard to cultivate a lean and athletic figure, but his face hadn't changed much since middle school. Cutting his hair had made a massive difference, but his face and bone structure made him look frustratingly young and naive.
Exhaling a sigh, Izuku had a defeated expression and tone as he said, "I believe honesty is important, but you could have sugarcoated your words a bit. This is the face I was born with, after all. There isn't much I can do to change it..."
Patting Izuku's shoulder, Ashido attempted to comfort him by saying, "I didn't say it was a bad face. If anything, your face is pretty cute. It gives you a 'trustworthy' vibe that makes you easy to approach."
Though he didn't appreciate being called 'cute,' Izuku ultimately shook his head and said, "I'll take the compliment. Thanks, Ashido-san."
Smiling even wider than usual, Ashido gave Izuku a few additional pats on his shoulder before suggesting, "Come on. Let's watch the other matches together and plan our strategy. Mineta shouldn't be a problem, but Shoji-kun's grip strength is insane. My Quirk can't really be used against people directly, so you'll have to be the vanguard to fend him off."
Nodding his head in affirmation, Izuku joined Ashido in watching the other matches. Deviating from canon, where 'Deku' had to compete against Bakugo in the very first match, Izuku and Ashido wouldn't be participating until the third. This gave them plenty of time to strategize, even if the first match was guaranteed to be a bust. After all, it was a match-up between Todoroki and Tokoyami, representing the Hero Team, against Tsuyu and Sero as Villains. Izuku would like to cheer for Tsuyu's victory, but he knew she had no hope against Todoroki's ice powers.
At least she looked adorable while hibernating...
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With the first round ending with Todoroki's and Tokoyami's absolute victory, Izuku offered some consoling words to Sero and earned himself some brownie points by asking Yaoyorozu if she could produce a warm blanket for Tsuyu. The latter was extremely susceptible to the cold, so she invariably collapsed after Todoroki used his ice powers to freeze the entire building. Sero, too distracted by her condition, was unable to fend off Tokoyami and his Dark Shadow, so the match ended after a mere 37 seconds.
Fortunately, while the second match was also a little one-sided, it was marginally more interesting as Shinso was on the Hero Team, paired with Ojiro. When the two encountered the Villain Team, consisting of Kaminari and Koda, Shinso exploited his Brainwashing Quirk to take out the former in an instant. Koda lasted a little longer, as he seldom spoke aloud, but he was virtually powerless against Ojiro's assault since the only animals in the mock city were birds and a variety of insects. As a result, Shinso was able to casually walk around him, placing his hand on the rocket-shaped bomb and securing the Hero Team's victory in a modest 5 minutes and 13 seconds...
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With Bakugo's behavior constituting multiple felonies, battery and intent to cause bodily harm being the least among them, Izuku wasn't surprised when he was called in for a meeting with Principal Nezu.
"Thank you for coming, Midoriya-kun. It's a shame our reunion couldn't be on a happier note."
Matching Principal Nezu's smile, Izuku replied, "Such is life. Expect the unexpected, as they say."
Exhaling a light-hearted chuckle, Nezu remarked, "Right you are." Then, getting straight to business, he added, "I asked you here to discuss how you would like to handle the situation regarding your classmate, Katsuki Bakugo. You are well within your right to press charges against him, but-"
Interrupting Nezu's statement, Izuku shook his head and revealed, "I've already resolved to leave this matter to the discretion of Principal Nezu and the trustworthy staff of UA. I know better than most that Bakugo isn't genuinely malicious; he simply needs proper guidance."
Waiting until Izuku was finished speaking, Nezu's smile broadened as he asserted, "You truly are a very mature and dependable young man. Rest assured, I can personally guarantee that young Bakugo-kun will receive the best guidance UA can offer. Thank you for your time and cooperation. You may leave now."
Nodding his head, Izuku rose to his feet and prepared to leave Principal Nezu's office. Before he could, Nezu called out to him, adding, "Oh, and I approved your request to use the Support Class facilities. You'll only have access to them on Sundays, but if you're willing to give up your free time, a member of our staff will be more than happy to supervise you."
As UA utilized a 'long week' system, meaning students attended classes Monday through Saturday, they only had Sundays to themselves. Izuku, however, didn't mind sacrificing his free time if it meant being able to use UA's Support facilities and equipment free of charge. Acquiring materials was extremely costly, and many of the more useful items he tried getting his hands on were prohibited to civilians. With the nearly endless budget UA provided the Department of Production and Support, Izuku could save himself a ton of time, energy, and money.
Unable to suppress the urge, a broad smile developed across Izuku's face as he replied, "Thank you for informing me." in an audibly excited tone. He felt his actions were a little childish, but, as a bonafide fourteen-year-old, he quickly forgave himself.
Amused by Izuku's response, Nezu exhaled another light-hearted chuckle before advising, "You should be on your way. And be careful on your way home. Musutafu is one of the safest cities in the prefecture, but, as you so pertinently pointed out, you never know what to expect."
After bowing his head and thanking Nezu for his advice, Izuku departed the former's office with a smile. He was glad he had entrusted Nezu with his 'secret' as the peculiar chimera was quickly becoming one of his most dependable allies. With Nezu being one of the most influential people in Japan and the world's sixth wealthiest 'person,' having his support would make things much easier for Izuku down the line...
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As classes had let out nearly half an hour prior, Izuku was surprised to find Tsuyu and Uraraka standing near the school's front gate, seemingly waiting for him.
Confirming Izuku's suspicions, Uraraka waved her hand and called out to him when she noticed his approach, shouting, "Oh, Midoriya-kun! Let's go to the station together~!" in a cheerful tone.
Though he had initially intended to run home, going so far as to change into his gym clothes, Izuku didn't hesitate to respond, "I would be a fool to refuse the company of two cute girls."
Not expecting Izuku to call them cute out of nowhere, Uraraka laughed nervously while Tsuyu blushed, remarking, "You should be more careful with your words, Izuku-chan. You could cause a misunderstanding if you go around calling every girl you meet cute."
Shaking his head and maintaining a confident smile, Izuku asserted, "I don't go around calling every girl cute, only those I genuinely believe to be charming. I'm willing to withhold such remarks if they make either of you uncomfortable, but I prefer to speak my mind."
Similar to when he had embarrassed her earlier that morning, Tsuyu hung her head slightly and made a muffled groaning sound. As for Uraraka, her face was completely red as she pressed the pink-padded tips of her index fingers together and muttered, "I don't really mind it, but I also agree with Tsuyu...it would be best if you used polite speech until we're a bit closer..." Without missing a beat, Izuku's smile broadened as he said, "Then I look forward to becoming closer to you both. To that end, feel free to address me by my given name in the future. Preferably without the -chan."
Understanding that Izuku's final few words were directed at her, Tsuyu stared back at him with a somewhat blank look as she said, "I add -chan to everyone's name, ribbit."
Instead of contesting the matter, Izuku gave a helpless shrug and said, "Then you're welcome to continue doing so. Just don't complain when I start calling you Tsuyu-chan."
Though her eyes were already remarkably round, Tsuyu managed to appear wide-eyed as she heard Izuku's form of address. It wasn't the first time someone had called her Tsuyu-chan, but it made her heart skip a beat. At the same time, she felt a sudden and intense desire to smack Izuku with her tongue...
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[April 2nd, 2149]
After teasing them the previous day, Izuku wasn't too surprised when Tsuyu and Uraraka, now Ochaco, basically ignored him. They returned his greeting when he called out to them but made no attempt to come over to his seat when he dropped off his stuff. Instead, they sat together in the front row, Uraraka borrowing Ida's seat as the two conversed without him.
Since he had anticipated the duo's reaction, Izuku didn't try to intrude on their discussion. Instead, he took advantage of the fact that Hagakure and Ashido had gathered around Yaoyorozu, the former sitting in Mineta's currently unoccupied seat.
Disregarding the unspoken rule that prohibited boys from interfering in an ongoing discussion between girls, Izuku surprised the trio by asking, "Are you sure you want to sit there, Hagakure-san? If Mineta arrives and finds his seat warm, you may regret it."
Though his words were polite, Izuku mentioning that she was 'warming' Mineta's seat caused Hagakure to blush. It wasn't visible to anyone, but her body language made it clear she was embarrassed as she waved her invisible hands and said, "W-What are you talking about, Midoriya-kun? Mineta-kun was expelled after the Quirk Apprehension Test. He shouldn't be coming to Class."
Maintaining a completely relaxed expression, Midoriya retorted, "Don't be so sure. Even if he was expelled, it's possible for him to be accepted back into the Class. Aizawa-sensei seems like the type to make good on his threats, but I can't imagine him severing the path of a future Hero over a simple test. I imagine he's speaking with Mineta-kun right this instant to explain the significance of yesterday's lesson."
With Izuku's 'speculation' about them being tested on the first day ultimately proving true, Yaoyorozu piggybacked his words, stating, "I believe there is some truth to Midoriya-kun's assertions. You may wish to vacate that seat, Hagakure-san. Minoru Mineta is a very...peculiar boy..."
As the girls had already formed their initial opinions of everyone in the Class, especially the boys, Hagakure practically leaped to her feet after Yaoyorozu's words. She would never say it aloud, but she and the other girls had secretly been relieved when Mineta was the one expelled from the Class. Now that there was even a slight possibility of his return, she regretted her careless act of sitting in his seat...
Amused by Hagakure's reaction, Ashido exhaled a good-natured laugh before teasing, "You're so cute, Hagakure." Then, meeting Izuku's gaze, she added, "And you're pretty bold, Izuku-kun. Not many guys can insert themselves into a girl's conversation as if it's perfectly normal. You must have been pretty popular in middle school."
Shaking his head, Izuku unashamedly revealed, "Quite the opposite. You see, before I turned thirteen, I was Quirkless. I also had a fairly nervous disposition and neglected my physical appearance, so I was often bullied and regarded as a 'nerd' due to my obsession with Hero Statistics. It was only after I obtained my Quirk that I managed to get myself together and became the man I am today."
Hearing Izuku unabashedly call himself a 'man,' a light-hearted chuckle emanated from Ashido's throat. She couldn't deny he gave off a mature, somewhat dependable aura, but it was difficult to distinguish how much of his behavior was an act. This wasn't her first time dealing with a boy who had undergone a drastic 'transformation,' so only time could reveal how much of Izuku's behavior was genuine.
Voicing the thoughts of the other two girls, Yaoyorozu remarked, "It's pretty rare for someone to awaken their Quirk so late. If you don't mind my asking, what exactly is the nature of your ability...?"
Though he was hoping for a bit of empathy concerning the fact he was bullied for being Quirkless, Izuku wasn't too disappointed as most of that was experienced by the original. He had inherited the latter's memories, but, much like he lacked a proper mother-son bond with Inko, he never experienced the stress, fear, and anxiety that 'Deku' had to live with every day since the revelation of his Quirklessness.
"To be honest, I'm still familiarizing myself with its capabilities. I've only had it for around two years, so there's a lot I don't understand. For the most part, it periodically allows me to enhance my strength, speed, and intellect. I'm currently maintaining a balance between all three."
Blinking in surprise, Yaoyorozu questioned, "Does that mean you're even stronger and faster than you demonstrated yesterday?"
Nodding his head, Izuku clarified, "If I invested all of my energy into pure strength or speed, I'd be about three times as strong or fast. However, as my body takes time to adapt to the changes, I would risk harming myself if I focused on a single one."
Rejoining the conversation, Ashido pointed out, "Even so, your Quirk sounds amazing. Mine mostly just allows me to produce corrosive liquid. I can control the pH levels, but there are a ton of downsides. Just imagining how much I'll have to pay in reparations and property damage is enough to make me lose sleep."
Seizing the opportunity to dish out some compliments, Izuku attempted to comfort Ashido by casually remarking, "Look on the bright side. You're cute and have a somewhat exotic appearance. Mt. Lady also causes a ton of property damage, but she's moving up the HBC like crazy. You should have no trouble emulating, potentially even exceeding her performance."
Slugging Izuku in his arm, Ashida couldn't restrain a smile as she said, "You little tease. I was wondering why Asui and Uraraka were behaving strangely. Casting your net pretty wide, aren't you?"
Instead of refuting Ashido's claim, Izuku pretended to massage the pain from his shoulder as he questioned, "Can you blame me? All the girls in our Class are super cute. I know it's not why we came here, but I would be an idiot if I didn't at least try and establish a positive rapport with each of you."
Amused by Izuku's honesty, Ashido's smile broadened as she said, "You really are bold. You also seem like a pretty fun guy to be around, so the two of us should hang out sometime. There's a neat little cafe not too far from campus. How about accompanying me there after school?"
Realizing that Ashido was asking him out, the gears in Izuku's mind came screeching to a halt. She wasn't wrong when she said he was casting his net wide, so he didn't expect to catch anything so quickly...
Even more amused after seeing Izuku tense, Ashido narrowed her eyes and agreed on his behalf, saying, "It's a date, then." before punctuating her statement with a playful wink.
...
..
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Chapter 11: Chapter 11