Midnight proved to be an engaging teacher, her knowledge of hero history both deep and personal. She'd lived through the formation of modern hero society, had watched the industry evolve from chaotic vigilantism to regulated professionalism. Her anecdotes were genuine, her insights valuable.
But she also knew exactly what she was doing with her body language. Every gesture was designed to capture attention. Every shift of weight drew eyes to specific locations. She was using her presence as a teaching tool, demonstrating how heroes could control a room without ever deploying a Quirk.
It was actually kind of brilliant.
If also incredibly distracting.
"Midnight-sensei!"
Mineta's hand shot up like a rocket.
Midnight raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Mineta?"
"I have a question about historical accuracy!"
"Go ahead."
Mineta leaned forward. His eyes gleamed with an intensity that made Izuku's skin crawl.
"I was doing research on early hero costumes and I noticed your original design was significantly different from what you wear now. For historical comparison purposes, would you ever consider wearing the original version in class? Purely for educational—"
"No."
The word came from five different directions at once.
Jiro's earphone jacks had extended toward Mineta like angry snakes. Toru's sleeve was raised in what could only be a threatening gesture. Mina's skin had darkened several shades. Even Momo, usually so composed, had her hand raised in a way that suggested she was about to create something heavy to throw.
Ochaco just looked disappointed, which was somehow worse.
Mineta shrank back. "I was just asking—"
"The answer is no," Midnight said smoothly. "And Mineta? After class, we're going to have a conversation about appropriate questions. Consider it a preview of the sexual harassment seminar all hero students are required to complete."
Mineta went pale.
Lunch arrived like a gift from the gods.
Izuku's stomach had been growling since midway through Midnight's lecture on the formation of hero agencies. The cafeteria was massive. Open concept. Filled with students from every department, their conversations blending into a constant hum of teenage chaos.
Lunch Rush, the cooking hero, ran the kitchen with legendary skill. The menu changed daily. Today's options included katsudon (Izuku's eternal weakness), curry rice, udon, and about fifteen other things that all looked incredible.
Izuku loaded his tray with katsudon and a side of vegetables. Grabbed a bottle of tea. Scanned the cafeteria for familiar faces.
"IZUKU!"
Toru's voice carried across the room like a foghorn. Her uniform bounced up and down, waving both sleeves above her head.
Subtle she was not.
Izuku made his way through the crowd. Found a table in the corner that had somehow accumulated half of Class 1-A. Toru sat at one end, her tray loaded with an alarming amount of food. Jiro occupied the opposite corner, her jacks curled around her earphones as she listened to something on her phone. Ochaco was wedged between them, her own tray modest by comparison.
Mina and Kirishima had claimed the middle seats, already engaged in an animated debate about something. Kaminari slouched beside Kirishima, looking exhausted from the morning's academic assault. Sero leaned against the wall, his tape elbows propped on the table as he scrolled through his phone.
Two additional faces caught Izuku's attention.
Mawata Fuwa sat at the far end of the table, her tray literally overflowing with food. Multiple bowls of rice. Three different meat dishes. A mountain of vegetables. She noticed Izuku looking and waved cheerfully.
Beside her, small and silent, sat Yui Kodai. Her tray contained a single bowl of rice and some vegetables, arranged with geometric precision. She glanced up at Izuku's arrival. Said nothing. Returned to her food.
Izuku took the empty seat between Toru and Ochaco.
"Finally!" Toru grabbed his arm. "I've been saving this spot forever!"
"It's been five minutes," Jiro muttered.
"That's forever in lunch terms!"
Izuku settled into his chair. Picked up his chopsticks. Prepared to enjoy his katsudon in peace.
"So." Kirishima leaned forward, his shark teeth gleaming with excitement. "Anyone know who our hero course teacher is gonna be?"
"Isn't it Aizawa?" Kaminari asked. "He's our homeroom teacher."
"That's different, bro. Homeroom is administrative stuff. The hero course has a separate combat instructor."
"Maybe it's All Might!" Ochaco's eyes went starry. "He teaches at U.A. now, right? I saw it on the news!"
Mina shook her head. "No way they'd give first-years All Might. He probably teaches the seniors."
"What about Endeavor?" Sero suggested without looking up from his phone.
Everyone at the table made various sounds of disgust.
"Mm." Kodai's single syllable somehow conveyed complete agreement with the group's rejection.
"I heard a rumor it might be Thirteen," Toru offered. "The space hero! They're supposed to be really good at rescue training."
"Thirteen would be sick." Kirishima pumped his fist. "All that black hole stuff is super manly."
Fuwa finished her first bowl of rice. Started on the second. "I hope it's someone fun. Someone who lets us actually fight."
"What do you think, Midoriya?" Ochaco turned to him. "Any guesses?"
Izuku swallowed his bite of katsudon. Considered the question.
"Whoever it is, they'll probably try to break us down first. Figure out our limits. Push us past them." He shrugged. "That's what I'd do."
"Spoken like someone with experience," Jiro said.
"Ten years of it."
Jiro's jacks twitched. She looked at him over her phone screen.
"Speaking of experience." Her voice dropped. "How were those crepes yesterday?"
Izuku's brain froze.
How did she know about the crepes?
Toru had told her. But how much had Toru told her?
If Toru had mentioned the hand-holding, he'd be dealing with mild embarrassment.
If Toru had mentioned the thigh-touching...
Izuku glanced at Jiro's earphone jacks. They were pointed directly at him. Coiled. Ready to strike.
No.
If Toru had given her that level of detail, those jacks would already be embedded in his jugular.
"They were delicious," Izuku said smoothly. "You should come next time."
Jiro's eye twitched.
Toru's uniform went rigid.
Ochaco looked between them with confusion.
"What crepes?" Mina demanded. "Who had crepes? Why wasn't I invited?"
"You were there," Kirishima reminded her.
"Oh yeah! Those crepes were amazing! We should totally go back!"
The conversation devolved into a debate about dessert preferences. Izuku used the distraction to catch Toru's sleeve.
"How much did you tell her?" he whispered.
The sleeve shook back and forth rapidly.
"Just the basics!"
"The basics meaning..."
"That we went for crepes! And sat together! And talked!"
Izuku relaxed slightly.
No mention of the thigh incident. Good.
He could work with that.
Jiro was still watching him. Her expression suggested she knew exactly what he was thinking. Or at least suspected.
Izuku gave her his best smile.
Her jacks snapped toward him like striking vipers.
He caught them both. Gently. His fingers wrapped around the rubbery extensions.
Jiro's face went crimson.
"Careful, Compass. Someone might get the wrong idea."
"Let go of my jacks."
"Ask nicely."
"I will murder you."
"That's not nice at all."
Ochaco laughed nervously. "You two sure are... close."
"We're not close," Jiro hissed. "We're barely acquaintances. We met during the entrance exam and he won't stop being annoying."
"She means she can't stop thinking about me."
The jack in his left hand vibrated with rage.
Izuku released both of them.
Jiro yanked them back, wrapping them around her neck like a protective scarf. Her face remained red.
The debate about their mystery hero teacher resumed. Theories flew around the table. All Might. Thirteen. Gang Orca. Someone suggested Hawks, which prompted Mina to spend five minutes describing exactly why Hawks was "literally the hottest hero alive."
Izuku ate his katsudon.
Fielded questions from Ochaco about his training.
Dodged Jiro's murderous glares.
Felt Toru's sleeve brush against his arm under the table. Once. Twice. Three times.
His first real day at U.A. High School.
Not bad.
Not bad at all.