Chapter 18: Difference
Morning light spilled across the living room floor, warm and bright — almost painfully at odds with the lingering worry still clinging to every word Inko spoke.
"Izuku, sweetie, are you sure this is a good idea?" she called, voice tight as she hovered in the entryway.
Izuku didn't answer right away.
Mostly because he was currently sprinting back and forth across the apartment at full speed — grabbing his shoes, his notebooks, then realizing he'd left a pen on the counter, then doubling back because he forgot his phone, then circling again just from sheer kinetic vigor.
"I just— I still don't understand why they're reopening so soon," Inko continued, wringing her hands. "After… after everything that happened—"
"It's fine, Mom!" Izuku reappeared at her side so fast she startled.
He flashed a too-wide, apologetic grin. "Really! You read what UA sent out. They're increasing security. Everything's going to be okay. Plus, I need to be there."
Inko's lips pressed into a thin line. "Izuku…"
"Mom, if we waited until the world was completely danger-free, I'd never leave the apartment again."
She stared at him—torn between begging him to stay or letting him go. Both options felt like losing.
But in the end as she looked at her son's determined face, all she could do was step aside, with a small, defeated whisper, "…That's not very comforting."
Izuku opened his mouth to give a better explanation, a better reason why he'd be okay. But he came up short on the truth, the real truth.
But as his hand rested against the doorknob he stopped. Guilt momentarily slowing him, tugging him back. As he quickly turned to give her a quick, tight hug.
"I'll be fine. I promise."
And with that he was off. Not staying to see the worry still present on his mom's face, as he slipped out into the world.
Racing down the hall. Practically vibrating with energy. Lighter than air, like every cell in his body was fired up and ready to burst. He wasn't even sure why he felt this energized, perhaps from the small break. But it thrummed in him like static — humming, buzzing, pushing him forward.
But beneath that humming, beneath the urge to get to UA, even though class wasn't even close to starting, was something else. A realization that had been building even before the USJ. That was now an all consuming reality.
That despite all his training he was still so far from becoming a real hero. Of living up to being All Might's successor. The thought pushed itself into his mind with every step. As images of All Might's weakened form flashed through his mind. His shortened time limit. His exhausted smile.
He needed to make One For All his own.
But All Might wasn't the only one he needed to catch up to anymore. Not even close. His classmates were stronger than he'd ever realized—Kacchan, Todoroki, Kirishima, Iida…
And then there was Fenton.
The one person who made the gap feel almost impossible to even begin closing.
But that only made him want to push harder. He wasn't going to be left behind. He wasn't going to be a burden. Not again.
So he didn't slow. Not once. He didn't check his phone. Didn't second-guess his route. He didn't hesitate for even a step.
His body and mind knew exactly where to go.
As UA rose in the distance like a promise, solid and familiar, growing closer with every confident stride. Until he was passing through its welcoming gates as if he were home.
Only then did he slow enough to catch his breath, energy still pulsing through him like a second heartbeat as he took in the tall, shining building. Only to catch sight of another person's familiar silhouette, only a short distance ahead.
A tall figure with stiff shoulders, dark hair moving lightly in the breeze.
A smile broke across Izuku's face as he picked up speed again. His yellow backpack jostling on his back.
"Iida!" he called out breathlessly.
Iida stiffened in surprise, before adjusting his glasses. "Midoriya! It's good to see you."
Izuku beamed. "It's good to see you too. I should've guessed you'd get here early."
"Well, it is imperative we maintain punctuality," Iida declared. Then, after a pause, his voice softened a fraction, smile lessening. "Especially after what happened. I admit I was… concerned. About how everyone was coping."
Izuku nodded, as he looked down in thought. "Yeah… me too. But I'm glad we're all coming back today. I think seeing everyone again will—"
Something barreled between them.
Both boys jerked, startled, as arms wrapped around them— one around Iida's middle and the other hooking onto Izuku's shoulder.
"Morning, Deku! Iida!" Uraraka chimed brightly between them, her smile so big it nearly swallowed her face.
"U-Uraraka!?" Izuku squeaked, immediately flushing.
She laughed, letting go as she slipped between them, walking backward for a moment just so she could see both their faces at once.
"I'm so glad you guys are here! I couldn't stop thinking about you. Especially you, Midoriya."
"Me?" Izuku stopped walking, his brain short-circuiting.
Iida nodded solemnly. "Indeed. After the USJ, we were gravely worried. Especially after learning you were taken to Recovery Girl."
Izuku blinked, the flush only getting worse. "Oh! Oh, no, no — I'm fine! Really." He lifted his hands reflexively. One going behind his head, while the other gripped the strap of his backpack with a nervous tug.
But as he did, both Iida's and Uraraka's eyes caught on his hands. To the pink, blotchy scarring peeking out across his palms and wrists. Faint but unmistakable in the morning light.
"Deku…" Uraraka breathed, her previous bubbly liveliness now popped. "Your hands."
Izuku froze, before quickly dropping them, tugging down his sleeves as if that would somehow hide it. "Oh! Um— It looks way worse than it feels." He forced a laugh. "Honestly, I got off pretty lightly"
The two shared a look before Uraraka tilted her head, "Still, shouldn't Recovery Girl's quirk prevented that? Since you saw her so soon."
"Oh! Well, yeah. Normally she would've healed everything but she said I… y'know… overdid it again. And, well, not everything can be healed by her quirk."
It wasn't a complete lie. But it wasn't the full truth either.
Even he didn't fully understand why all his other injuries, including the worse ones, were able to be healed. While his hands, well, didn't. The only thing he did know was what caused the scars. That bright green stuff that was coming out of Fenton, whatever it was.
He barely touched it for only a moment, but he swore he could still feel the burn just beneath his skin.
Iida frowned. "Midoriya, if there's something—"
"There's not!" he interrupted, way too fast, before softening it with a bright smile. "Really. I don't want you guys worrying about something so small. I'm fine. Better than fine."
He wasn't going to tell them that this was the only injury that hadn't healed. He wasn't going to tell them what caused it.
Not until he understood it himself.
Which was yet another reason he hoped to see Fenton soon.
They both seemed to believe him — or at the very least didn't press any further. Tension easing as they fell back into step with one another seamlessly, conversation drifting to safer ground.
Uraraka's energy picked up first, cheerful and warm. While Iida countered with his usual earnestness. Midoriya chimed in, but even as they talked, a small part of his mind kept flicking back toward someone else entirely.
And it wasn't long before the familiar hallway came into view, long and quiet. Their footsteps echoed lightly as they approached the large classroom door.
"This feels strange…" Uraraka admitted. "Think we'll be the first ones here?"
"It is rather early," Iida agreed, placing a hand on the door. "We may very well be—"
But as the door slid open, all three froze.
The room was full.
Nearly half the class was already there — Yaoyorozu reviewing notes. Kirishima leaning back in his chair mid-conversation with Sero. Ashido waving her hands at something Jiro said. Shoji and Ojiro shared a quiet discussion. Asui sat neatly at her desk. Sato waved absently at Tokoyami, who nodded once in acknowledgment. Todoroki stared down at his own hands as if lost in thought.
Even Bakugo was in his usual seat, hunched forward with his chin propped in one hand as he stared out the window.
But the strangest part was what happened the moment the door opened.
Every sound stopped.
Every conversation. Every idle whisper. As every pair of eyes—all of them—turned toward the doorway. Almost expectantly.
Uraraka instinctively straightened. Iida stiffened. Midoriya blinked, startled, thrown off by the sudden attention.
But just as quickly as the strange tension rose, it dissolved. As it seemed, whoever they were all hoping for was not found. Not fully, at least.
But many of their classmates didn't seem disappointed, either.
"Midoriya! You're okay!" Kirishima was the first to break the spell, as he shot upright. "Man, you had us worried!"
And with that, everything sprang back to life. Voices bursting back to life. As chairs scrapped. The front of the room becoming very packed, very quickly.
Uraraka was immediately swarmed by Ashido and Jiro—both relieved, talking over one another. While Shoji and Ojiro moved toward Iida, checking on him with quiet, earnest concern.
Midoriya, meanwhile, was swallowed whole by questions. Faces leaning too close, voices overlapping. While his own went bright pink.
"Midoriya! Are you feeling better now?" Sato asked.
"What happened after the fight?" Sero added, tilting his head.
"They really had to take you to Recovery Girl? Did All Might go with you?" Shoji asked.
Midoriya flailed, raising his hands helplessly as classmates leaned in, bombarding him with questions.
"I—I'm fine! Really! I swear— you guys don't have to—"
"You really shouldn't've rushed in like that," Tsuyu cut in, arms crossed. Though her expression was more concerned than angry. "It was reckless."
"Yeah, but he was totally a hero," Kirishima said proudly. "Without him? Who knows what would've happened."
Midoriya's eyes widened. "Kirishima, I wouldn't go that—"
"Bro, you're only saying that 'cause you jumped in too," Sero teased, elbowing him.
"I'm just glad you're alright," Yaoyorozu added with a gentle smile. To which Tokoyami nodded in agreement.
But even with everyone crowding him — talking, laughing, joking — Midoriya kept glancing around. Even though he already knew the answer.
Fenton wasn't here.
But as he looked for the third time, as if his classmate would somehow suddenly appear. Which honestly didn't seem like an impossible possibility — his eyes caught on someone else entirely.
Bakugo was staring at him.
Not glaring. Not shouting. Just… looking.
Midoriya froze.
But the instant their eyes met, Bakugo's expression hardened. His shoulders tensed, jaw tightening as he scoffed sharply and tore his gaze away, turning back toward the window with visible irritation, lips pulling into a tight scowl.
The message was clear.
'Don't get the wrong idea.'
But Midoriya couldn't fully unsee the look, even as he zoned back into the main conversation.
"Training's definitely going to change after the USJ," Iida mused as they stepped further inside. "I imagine the staff will adjust the curriculum for increased preparedness."
"Maybe we'll be doing more rescue drills?" Uraraka said, trying to sound upbeat. "Or—oh! Maybe they'll teach us new team-based maneuvers!"
"That would be cool," Kirishima nodded along. "Honestly, as long as those villains don't show their faces again, I'm good with anything."
Over time the small gathering began to disperse. A few students drifting back to their usual spots or into their own clusters, once again. Until it was mostly just Midoriya, Uraraka, Iida, Kirishima, and Ashido chatting near the front, with the occasional comment thrown from someone nearby.
Kirishima nudged him lightly. "Still, dude, glad you're alright. You gave everyone a pretty gnarly scare."
"Seriously!" Ashido added, leaning in. "You just vanished with All Might."
Midoriya gave a weak laugh, but before he could even begin trying to dismiss that fact. His attention flickered to the doorway, though he wasn't the only one.
The room quieted, as the door slid open.
"Oh! Morning!" Hagakure chirped, entering with her usual bouncing energy, though the floating uniform made it hard to truly tell.
Everyone stared for a beat too long. Before the odd moment passed as Hagakura happily went to join Jiro.
"Anyway," Kirishima continued, trying to get the thread back, "I'm telling you, from now on I'm gonna train my arms—"
Only for the door to open again.
Kaminari strode in, humming some tune under his breath—then froze, startled at the wall of eyes on him. "Whoa—uh, hey?"
"Oh," Jiro said, looking back down at her phone. "It's just you."
"What!?" Kaminari cried. "That's so rude!"
He deflated, walking in until Kirishima patted him on the back. "Hey, cheer up man. I'm happy to see you."
"Still." Kaminari sighed, but it didn't hold any real sadness as he quickly recovered. "What was that about anyway?"
"Ah—well, I think we're all still a bit on edge." Kirishima offered after a moment.
But Midoriya and everyone else knew that wasn't initially the case. Though no one said it out loud, they all knew who they were waiting for.
Midoriya found himself doing it too—every time the door slid open, even when he tried not to. His pulse jumped, as he looked up expectantly. Only to be proven wrong.
This time when the door opened Mineta was the one on the other side.
"Yo! Morning, ladies!" Mineta said, not even fully phased by the stares as he zeroed in on the girls.
Only for a collective exhale to be made.
Mineta deflated instantly. "What—hey! Don't all look disappointed at once!"
Aoyama came after, posing as though stepping onto a stage. Striking a dramatic stance in the doorway.
But the momentary, collective stares seemed to trip him up the most. Before he fluttered dramatically toward his seat.
And with that there was only one remaining and only a few minutes left on the clock.
Midoriya's stomach twisted in a strange, uncomfortable way, anticipation mixing with worry. As he wondered if maybe he wasn't coming.
But it seemed he wasn't the only one who wondered that as Iida spoke, looking at the door, "I thought he'd come in by now."
He didn't even need to say who.
Uraraka nodded, brows pinched. "Me too. Maybe something did happen?"
Midoriya blinked, "Wait? What do you mean?"
He clearly remembered seeing Fenton fly off after saying something to All Might. The image of the two standing together amidst the silent wreckage, dust catching the light as it floated through the air as All Might raised his fist to the sky. Still seared into his memory.
Though he also remembered how Fenton reacted on those stairs. The way he pulled back. The look in his eyes as he tried to steady himself… how scared he seemed.
"Well…" Kirishima gripped the back of his neck, uncertain. "After the heroes and police showed up and we all grouped together, he wasn't with us. They said he'd already headed home."
"But that wasn't all," Uraraka added quickly. "After the fight, when he came back to the entrance, he seemed so…" She trailed off, trying to find the right word.
"Lost." Iida supplied, looking down. "...And when we tried to speak to him, he didn't seem to fully hear us."
"That was the last we saw him." Kaminari finished.
Their words settled over the small group like a weight.
Midoriya felt his shoulders drop. He opened his mouth, concern tightening his voice. "Maybe he—"
The door slid open.
Midoriya slightly startled as his head turned, everything he was about to say now half dead in his throat.
For a split second, the room held its breath.
But this time, it was exactly who so many of them had been silently waiting for.
Fenton.
Midoriya blinked, almost disbelieving. He wasn't even sure why he was surprised, but he was. Because Fenton looked… fine. More than fine. He wore a light, easy smile, shoulders loose, posture relaxed, like he'd just taken a normal walk to school.
It was only when their eyes met that something seemed… off.
But even that disappeared after a moment, as the teen paused. Clearly taking in everyone who was now staring at him.
Danny blinked once, then raised a hand casually. "Uh… morning? Did I miss a memo about group staring practice?"
A couple of people actually choked—Kaminari snorted. Uraraka's eyebrows shot up. Even Kirishima looked unsure whether to laugh or question him.
Not at all the reaction they'd been expecting.
But Danny just stepped fully into the room, closing the door behind him with an easy click.
"So," he continued lightly, "everyone's in one piece, right? No limbs swapped around? No extra eyeballs grown overnight or anything wild like that?"
That finally got several students to snap back to life as they surged forward.
"Fenton!" Ashido practically launched herself forward.
"Man, where were you?" Kirishima added, bright and relieved.
"Oh thank goodness," Yaoyorozu breathed, placing a hand to her chest.
Voices flooded the air as half the class converged on him, questions layering over one another.
"Are you alright?"
"Did you go home alone?"
"We tried talking to you!"
"Dude, you looked so out of it—"
Danny laughed soft and sheepish, perfectly normal. "Wow—okay—one at a time, guys. I'm not that interesting, promise."
He kept his tone light, expression open, posture relaxed. But beneath all of that… strangely he never let anyone get too close.
Every time someone leaned in too far, he shifted his weight just slightly. Not enough to notice unless someone was watching closely. Every time a hand reached out, he found a reason to turn slightly, or nod at someone else, or gesture wider than needed so no one brushed him.
His smile was easy. His eyes were bright. But there was a tiny radius—barely a foot—of space he maintained without fail.
No one in the circle noticed.
Except Midoriya and the few who had remained seated.
He stood just outside the crowd, unable to step in, listening carefully to every answer. As Fenton laughed. Joked. Reassured everyone. Said all the right things with all the right inflection.
And yet…
What was that he'd seen in the doorframe? That singular moment, that vanished the second their eyes met?
Midoriya's brows pulled together, a tight knot forming in his chest. Was it his imagination? He looked completely okay. Totally fine. Like nothing was wrong at all.
"Midoriya?"
The voice light and warm, tinged with concern cut through his thoughts.
Midoriya startled slightly as the crowd parted just enough for Fenton to look at him directly.
"You good?" Danny asked with a small smile. "You look like you saw a ghost or something."
Midoriya straightened, heat rushing to his cheeks. "A–Ah! N-No, I'm fine!... I just—um—are you sure you're okay?"
The corners of Danny's smile dipped unnoticeable. "Course." He looked over everyone, "Sorry, that I made you guys worry so much. But I'm good. Promise."
Iida stepped forward, adjusting his glasses with a relieved exhale. "Fenton! I admit, we were rather concerned, but I'm glad to see our fears were unfounded."
Uraraka nodded, leaning in. "Yeah, we really thought something happened to you."
"Nothing happened," Danny assured with a small laugh, "Well, aside from the 'giant villain attack' part."
A few laughs erupted.
"So," Danny said. "What were you guys talking about before I got here?"
For a moment, no one seemed sure how to answer. Then Iida cleared his throat, regaining his usual posture.
"Ah! We were merely discussing the likely adjustments to our training following the USJ," he said. "Given the… circumstances, I anticipate the staff will increase our preparedness protocols significantly."
Uraraka perked up. "Yeah! We were guessing maybe more rescue training or teamwork missions. Something to help us react faster next time."
Kirishima grinned, leaning forward just a bit—only for Danny to take a nearly invisible half-step back, still smiling. "Man, I'm hoping they let us try some advanced combat stuff now! Though I suppose you don't need that man!"
Ashido nodded eagerly. "Or maybe we'll get, like, a cool guest teacher to show us special techniques! Since Thirteen couldn't."
"That would be awesome!" Hagakure said, bouncing a little. "Like someone super famous! Imagine if they brought in a pro hero! We could totally learn—oh! And we were on TV too!"
"They were reporting UA got attacked, Hagakure. Pretty sure that's the opposite of cool." Jiro deadpanned.
"Okay, yeah, but still," Hagakure insisted, "We're totally famous now!"
Aoyama dramatically flipped his hair. "I must admit, I shined quite brilliantly on camera—"
Mineta snorted. "Bro, they cropped you out."
"Cropped out!?" Aoyama gasped loudly, clutching at his chest. "Mon dieu—I was born to sparkle."
"Dude, you shouldn't be talking," Kaminari shot back. "I don't think I saw you at all."
Mineta spluttered. "Hey! I was totally visible! You just didn't look closely enough!"
The group burst into laughter.
Danny laughed too. But he didn't add anything. His smile stayed perfectly in place, but he faded subtly to the sidelines of the conversation—still within the group, still attentive, but no longer steering anything.
Hagakure continued bouncing excitedly. "Seriously though! I can't believe the news actually showed our class. We're like, recognizable now!"
"We're recognizable for being attacked," Jiro reminded her flatly.
"Publicity is publicity," Kaminari countered.
Kirishima snorted. "Dude, that is not the lesson UA wants us to take from this."
Uraraka giggled. "Still… it was kinda weird hearing everything talked about from the outside."
"Yeah," Sero agreed. "Does anyone else feel like it didn't hit them until later? Like the whole thing didn't… sink in immediately?"
A quiet murmur of agreement passed around. As everyone within the group continued to speak, comment, and joke.
Except Fenton.
He still laughed at the right moments. Smiled when someone looked at him. Gave a small nod if someone's words vaguely included him. But he didn't add anything. Not unless someone spoke directly to him.
It was strange, Midoriya thought. It was like the attack had brought almost everyone closer… except him. Now he seemed distant, withdrawn. Almost… lost.
And he looked so controlled. Like someone trying very, very hard to appear okay.
…But maybe it was just his imagination.
"So," Asui said, "Who do you think our instructor will be today? Since Mr. Aizawa's in the hospital?"
"Oh!" Kaminari snapped his fingers. "Maybe All Might or Thirteen? That'd be awesome!"
"Or maybe not," Ojiro said thoughtfully. "They were also a part of the attack."
Yaoyorozu hummed. "Given the situation, they may assign another homeroom teacher temporarily."
"Then, maybe Midnight!" Ashido gasped. "She does work here!"
Kaminari grinned. "Dude, imagine! She'd totally whip us into shape."
"What's wrong with you?" Jiro asked, giving Kaminari a flat look.
"Hey!" Kaminari barked, offended but grinning anyway. As the room filled with laughter once again.
"Fenton, what about you? Any guess who we'll get?" Uraraka asked.
Everyone quieted as they turned to the teen, who seemed momentarily troubled as he looked up from where his gaze had fallen. The faint change in his expression—barely a flicker—passing so quickly no one really noticed it.
"Oh-uh I don't really know? You're guess is as good as mine."
"Oh come on, you have to have someone you'd want. I mean this is our chance to have someone besides Mr. Aizawa." Mineta pressed, emphasizing the second part before a weird grin formed on his face, "If I had to choose I'd pick Mt. Lady."
"She doesn't even work here." Sero commented.
"He's right though, it'll be kinda nice to have someone besides Mr. Aizawa." Ashido said, also looking at Fenton expectantly. "So who'd you pick?"
Everyone was staring at the teen. But Midoriya couldn't help but notice how uncomfortable he now seemed. That strange, unreadable look passing in his eyes as he shifted. Maybe this wasn't such a good question after all.
But before he could maybe step in or Fenton could say whatever he was clearly struggling to form. The sound of a fist hitting a desk drew everyone's attention. As they turned to where Bakugo was still sitting.
"Are you extras done yapping yet?!" he snarled, scowling at all of them. "It's too damn early for your brain-dead conversations. Shut up already!"
"Hey! They're not brain-dead!" Hagakure yelled back.
"Yeah man, you don't have to be so mean about it." Kirishima added.
"I don't care," Bakugo cut in with a glare that could peel paint. "All of you are being loud and annoying and I'm two seconds from blasting you all to hell!"
"B-Bakugo!" Iida snapped, already chopping the air in indignation. "There is no reason to be so rude. Though I admit we should all be getting seated, class is about to begin."
"Aww come on, Iida. Five more minutes?" Ashido pleaded dramatically, leaning into the teens' space.
Iida's brow rose, obviously not getting the joke. "What? No, absolutely not! We must demonstrate proper discipline. Just look at Todoroki, let's all follow in his example."
A chorus of groans rose around the room.
"Ugh, fine…"
"Party pooper…"
"Aww, we didn't even get to our other questions…"
But even with the complaints, everyone did as they were told, peeling off toward their desks.
Midoriya hesitated though as he looked back at Fenton and that's when he heard it. A breath, soft and barely there. But unmistakably a sigh of relief.
Midoriya's eyes widened just a fraction.
Fenton's shoulders had dropped by a barely noticeable amount. His fingers flexed once at his side, like he'd been holding tension he could finally let go of. For a split second, the bright smile faded, leaving something small, exhausted and foreign in its place.
Then he noticed Midoriya looking and instantly the warm, easy smile was back as if it had never even left.
"Guess Iida's right. Better sit before he starts citing school policies at us."
A beat too late, Midoriya nodded. "R-Right… yeah."
He followed after, taking his seat just like everyone else. But even as he sat down, he couldn't stop his gaze from drifting. Trying to somehow figure out what he'd seen, if he'd even seen anything at all.
Maybe he was overthinking it. Reading too much into such a small moment. After all, people stopped smiling all the time. Everyone got tired. Everyone had off expressions.
So why did it feel strange?
Why did it remind him—just faintly—of the first time he'd seen All Might's true form? All Might without his ever present, reassuring smile. All Might the Symbol of Peace.
Midoriya's fingers curled slightly on his desk.
Maybe he was just overthinking. Maybe he was imagining things. Maybe Fenton was fine… but maybe he wasn't. Maybe even he needed—
The classroom door slid open.
Midoriya's head shot up as he and everyone else looked to the door.
"Morning, class."
For a heartbeat, the room was dead silent. As they all took in the familiar raspy voice and the completely bandaged person who'd stepped in. The only visual give away as to who the mummy of the man was, was the dark mop of hair and the hero's clothes.
"Mr. Aizawa?!" almost the whole class said in unison.
Except Fenton who blurted out, "Are you kidding me? Why are you—?!" Before slapping a hand over his mouth.
But it was easily overlooked as others also spoke up, with varying levels of disbelief.
"Why are you here?!" Mineta cried.
"Yeah, shouldn't you be resting?" Asui asked, tilting her head.
"Should you even be standing?!" Kaminari added, horrified.
"We thought you were in the hospital." Tokoyami stated.
Aizawa ignored all of them. As he walked behind the podium like absolutely nothing was wrong.
"Mr Aizawa," Iida said, raising his hand straight in the air, "I'm glad to see you're okay."
"That's 'okay'?" Uraraka whispered.
"My condition is irrelevant." Aizawa finally said. "Espessially, since you're fight isn't over yet."
That got everyone to still as tension rose in the air. Fear crossed some of the students' faces as others' posture straightened as if readying themselves for anything.
"You don't mean… are those villains—?" Midoriya said in a hush whisper. But before he could even finish, Aizawa continued.
"The UA Sports Festival is about to start."
A giant breath of relief was exhaled as tension bled from everyone. Though not everyone relaxed.
Danny's brows knit together, confusion clearly visible no matter how much he tried to hide it.
"Man, why'd you have to say it like that." Kirishima sighed, falling back against his seat. Though a large smile was quickly engulfing his face.
"Oh my gosh!" Ashido said, "I completely forgot! This is so exciting!" A sentiment that was apparently shared by many as a few cheers passed through the class.
"All right, enough," Aizawa said flatly, regaining some control over the classroom. "The sports festival is an important opportunity for your future hero careers. Treat it seriously."
"Wait, but is it really such a good idea to hold it after what happened?" Jiro asked.
"Yeah, they could attack again." Ojiro added.
"The Sports Festival isn't something that can be postponed just because of a few villains." Aizawa answered. Though there was something in his voice that almost sounded like even he didn't fully like the idea.
"I'm sorry, but why not? It's just a sports festival." Mineta asked, clearly not over the previous scare.
"Wait, Mineta don't you know how important this competition is?" Midoriya blinked, tilting his head as he looked at the teen.
But before Mineta could answer, someone else spoke first.
"I don't."
Everyone turned to look at Fenton. Surprised by the sudden serious edge to his voice. But he wasn't looking at any of them.
"Aizawa, what does it matter how big this thing is? Those villains… they're going to come back." The certainty in his voice was unnerving.
But even more surprising was Aizawa's reaction. As he just stood there, meeting Fenton's gaze through the narrow slit in his bandages. For a long moment, neither of them said anything.
Then Aizawa exhaled, quiet and almost like a sigh. "This wasn't my decision," he said, voice noticeably gentler. "It came from the school. They want to reassure the public that UA is safe. That we aren't shaken. That the attack didn't affect us."
Danny's mouth opened, but Aizawa's bandaged hand raised to stop him.
"And… they're not wrong. We can't let villains see we're scared. We're taking every precaution even if something does happen. We'll be ready. "
Danny's jaw tightened, eyes flickering with the haunted memory of Kurogiri and Nomu.
"…Still," he muttered, looking down at his desk.
He didn't elaborate — he couldn't. How was he supposed to explain that UA didn't even know what they were truly facing? Especially since he didn't fully know either.
A hush settled over the room.
"Fenton," Kirishima said gently, leaning forward, "I get why you're worried. Honestly, I am too. But the Sports Festival isn't just some event."
"He's right," Aizawa said, picking up where the teen left off, "This festival isn't just a school tradition. It's one of the biggest events in the world."
A few students blinked, taking in the information.
"Before quirks appeared, the Olympics were the peak of global competition. But with the rise of quirks, its scale and relevance has dropped dramatically. Now, for anyone who cares about competition there's only one tournament the world pays attention to. The UA Sports Festival."
"That's right," Uraraka said, nodding. "Top heroes everywhere will be watching. This is where you get scouted!"
"And after graduating," Yaoyorozu added, "many students join pro agencies as sidekicks. Doing well here matters greatly for our future as heroes."
"Though some stay eternal sidekicks." Jiro said, twirling her earphone jack, her gaze aimed squarely at Kaminari.
"Hey!" Kaminari sputtered, ""I'll have you know I'm perfectly—uh—" he paused, brain buffering. "…capable?"
The room erupted into laughter.
But Danny didn't join in. Not even fully listening at this point.
Instead his eyes were distant, still stuck on everything he'd just learned. A global event. Broadcast everywhere. Thousands of people and every student at UA all in one place. Honestly why not just paint an enormous target on UA's front lawn.
He just didn't understand how anyone could think this was a good idea? How UA could be this confident.
Danny sighed, quiet and resigned, head lowering in subtle defeat. Not even caring about the eyes on him for the moment.
From Midoriya, watching him with worried, uncertain eyes. To Aizawa who hadn't looked away once and of course the few other stray looks he got, that he would continue to ignore.
After a few more seconds, Aizawa cleared his throat. Cutting through all the small conversations that had been growing.
"That's enough," he said, the flat tone bringing the class back under control. "Laugh all you want, but while the Sports Festival is an opportunity, it won't mean anything if you aren't prepared."
Midoriya and several students instantly sat up straighter.
"As of today," Aizawa continued, "your regular hero-training time will be dedicated to developing your moves and refining your quirks. Training Ground Beta will be open for use, along with a few other supervised facilities."
A small ripple of excitement moved through the class.
"But don't expect me to guide every step. It'll be up to each of you to take initiative. Improve your control. Push your limits. Figure out what you can rely on — and what you can't."
He let his gaze drift across the room meeting each teen's eyeline.
"The Sports Festival is approaching quickly. Use your time wisely." With that, he stepped away from the podium, the class period coming to an end.
Almost everyone began talking again, buzzing with energy and nerves. As Aizawa turned toward the door.
But before leaving, he paused. Just for a heartbeat. His barely visible eyes looking over Danny one last time. Before he left the room, the door sliding shut behind him.
"Wow… this is pretty nerve-racking," Asui said, touching a finger to her lip. "We'll be competing in front of so many people."
"It's exciting though," Kirishima grinned, leaning back in his seat. "Man, the Sports Festival! That's like, the pinnacle or being a student at UA."
"Yeah, but we don't even know what they're gonna throw at us," Kaminari said, folding his arms. "The only thing that stays the same each year is the round-robin tournament at the end."
"That is true," Yaoyorozu nodded. "The earlier events vary widely. Sometimes it's obstacle courses. Sometimes it's teamwork-based challenges. Sometimes it's completely new."
"That just means we gotta be ready for anything!" Kirishima grinned, pumping a fist. "Bring it on!"
"You know, you all are forgetting something," Sero cut in drawing almost everyone's attention.
"Yeah? And what's that?" Ashido asked, crossing her arms.
"If any of us want to win. We'll have to beat them."
The class collectively stilled and slowly their gazes began drifting.
Some looked to Todoroki, who barely reacted. Not seeming to have paid much attention to the conversation.
Others turned toward where Bakugo sat.
"Hey! What are you losers looking at!" He snapped. Making many simply sigh.
But in short order, their eyes fell on one person in particular.
Fenton.
He shifted, shoulders tensing as nearly the entire class seemed to silently reach the same conclusion.
But the teen didn't say anything as he purposefully pretended like he hadn't paid attention. Keeping his own gaze fixated on his desk until he let out a small, quiet sigh, eyes closing.
As he realized just how long the day was going to be as the small break ended and the next class started.