Chapter 18: Recovery!
The boy still hasn't woken up, has he?" Nezu asked as he glanced into the hospital room.
Izuku Midoriya lay motionless in bed, his chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm. Tubes and wires connected him to various machines, monitoring every detail. An oxygen mask rested on his face, which had grown pale, almost ghostly. Inko Midoriya clutched his arm beside him, her expression a mixture of fear and sorrow.
A doctor shook his head. "The injuries he sustained were extensive. The bullet wound alone was severe, alongside broken bones, cracked ribs... his body was almost completely compromised. At times, it was as if his system was on the verge of collapse, like glass ready to shatter. There was even an area that seemed... decayed." He paused, sighing heavily.
"Most of these injuries healed at a remarkable pace, you can thank Recovery Girl for that," the doctor continued, his voice lowering. "If that were all, he would have likely left the hospital by now. But…" He cast a quick look toward Inko before discreetly closing the door.
"There's an additional complication," he explained. "A foreign toxin—one unlike anything I've seen before—has infiltrated his body. It's a neurotoxin that's attacking his nervous system directly, essentially nullifying any attempt at Recovery Girl's usual treatment methods."
Nezu's face remained stoic, his gaze distant. "How long do you expect his recovery to take?" he asked quietly.
"Recovery? If I'm being entirely honest, his chances of survival are slim. This toxin is beyond anything we have the technology or experience to counter. We can barely sustain him, let alone treat him."
Nezu closed his eyes, his fists clenching in silent frustration.
"My recommendation," the doctor said carefully, "is to inform his classmates. They've been asking to visit him for the past two days, and... it might be best to avoid giving them false hope. This situation is already incredibly difficult."
In the shadows, Toru Hagakure listened intently, her invisible form trembling as the doctor's words sank in. "N-No..." she whispered.
...
Nezu nodded."Thank you."Before he walked away. With All Might closed his eyes in shame.
"I let you down, Hisashi, I let down my students, and I couldn't even protect your son... Seems I keep letting you...down...'
He sighed heavily. Aizawa wrapped in a bandage leaning against a wall felt immense shame and guilt as he walked away.
...
Hagakure walked out putting her clothes back on as she put as she walked towards her friends guilt pooling in her stomach.
Jirou, Kendo and Ochako were there since they won't told about his recovery concern only green with the past days, Yaoyorozu who felt the most guilty wanted to desperately to know about his recovery, including Pony as they were their reasons he nearly got killed.
They couldn't see her face so they won't sure what she heard.
"Let's talk... My home isn't to far from here..." Toru's voice cracked a bit.
...
It was nighttime in a dimly lit office, where the staff members sat around a 'U'-shaped table with tense expressions. Tsukauchi stood at the center of the room, his gaze steady but somber. The atmosphere was grim; frustration, anger, and unease lined the teachers' faces.
"Our investigators are working to learn more about this so-called League of Villains," Tsukauchi began. "Two of the three villains, Kraab and Sixsix, were taken into custody by special forces. They're classified as high-threat individuals, so special handling was required." He paused, glancing around the room. "The corpse of Kaine has also been taken into custody."
The teachers exchanged uneasy glances, particularly the Plumbers among them. They knew more than they let on about those three villains—they were currently held by Tetrax.
Tsukauchi cleared his throat. "Unfortunately, I don't have clearance to interrogate them myself. I apologize."
"Don't worry about it, Tsukauchi," Midnight said, steering the conversation away from a potentially sensitive subject. "Please, continue with the League of Villains."
Tsukauchi nodded. "We've made some progress, but we haven't uncovered anything substantial on this 'Shigaraki' character yet. We've combed through our records for men in their 20s to 30s with a registered Decay-type quirk, but so far, there's nothing. The same goes for anyone named 'Kurogiri.'"
"So, what you're saying is that we have nothing concrete?" Midnight asked.
"Not exactly…" Tsukauchi replied. "Todoroki provided us with some crucial information. Apparently, Midoriya and this Shigaraki had a… conversation."
All Might raised an eyebrow. "A conversation?"
Tsukauchi's expression turned grim. "Yes, Midoriya had Shigaraki pinned down at one point, and that's when Shigaraki started... rambling. Todoroki gave us a summarized version of what he overheard. But, All Might, I think you'll find this concerning."
All Might's eyebrows knit together.
"All Might," Tsukauchi continued, "the villain who gave you that wound may be connected to the League of Villains."
All Might's eyes widened, and he slammed his hands on the table. "No… It… It can't be…"
Tsukauchi sighed heavily. "According to Todoroki, Shigaraki said, 'You're his successor,' referring to Midoriya."
All Might's face showed shock and disbelief.
"Shigaraki continued," Tsukauchi went on, "'I can tell—you're not the only one. I'm his successor too.' At first, I thought it was just a villain's ramblings. But when Todoroki told me this, I realized it might mean that the villain who injured you… is alive. And that's why the League believes they can defeat you."
A tense silence fell over the room as Tsukauchi added, "'Who do you think put a hole in your master's stomach?'"
A shiver ran through the room. All Might sank back into his seat, his hands pressed over the bridge of his nose, struggling to process the revelation. All Might looked pale as a ghost.
"To have survived such injuries..." All Might muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"We suspected something was wrong, especially after his body went missing," Tsukauchi replied grimly.
"Hold up, hold up—who exactly are you guys talking about?" Present Mic interrupted, his tone a mix of confusion and dread.
All Might sighed heavily, his face shadowed with memories. "His name was All For One... It is All For One, it seems," he said, his voice solemn.
The room fell silent as the teachers processed this. All Might—the symbol of peace and the number one hero—had been forced to run from someone?
"He's not just any villain," All Might continued. "He controlled this world from the shadows. The dark period you've all read about—that was his doing."
A chill settled over the room. Even for those who hadn't lived through it, the stories of that era were haunting enough.
"Yes," Vlad King spoke up, breaking the silence. "But when you came on the scene, things began to change. Villainy became less rampant, and heroes stopped… disappearing. But why is that connected to this League of Villains?"
"Because he's the cause of all of it," All Might replied, his tone hard. "The unrest, the resentment—it's his doing. You're all too young to remember, but when I was a teenager, it was a living nightmare. Heroes strung up by their own capes… it was a common sight."
Everyone felt a dark weight settle on them as they listened, unable to tear their attention away.
"Six years ago, I thought I'd ended it for good in our final battle," All Might continued, his voice shaking slightly. "I destroyed his entire head, though he left me with my injury in return."
"And yet, he's alive," Tsukauchi added. "The fact that the Nomu had multiple quirks proves it. All For One has somehow survived—and he's responsible for this League of Villains."
"Multiple quirks? Now why in tarnation would that point to him?" Snipe asked, already lookin' mighty unsettled.
"Because he could take or give quirks," All Might explained, his voice low. "That's how he manipulated people, crushed Japan, and kept everyone under his thumb. Those of us who lived through that dark period… we all lived under his heel."
A tense silence filled the room as every teacher felt the impact of All Might's words. Shock, horror, and a growing sense of dread washed over them; the knowledge that someone so powerful and malevolent was once again orchestrating events made them realize just how vulnerable they truly were.
"His successor, huh? And from what the students have described, he's a man-child. In some ways, he shares common ground with our students. They all have such potential. And like our students, it's possible someone is guiding him, trying to nurture that villainy," Nezu said thoughtfully.
All Might could only feel despair and guilt weighing on him. First Vilgax and now All For One... So much responsibility on that boy's shoulders. He gritted his teeth in anger.
"Damn it—if I hadn't been so careless, Young Midoriya wouldn't be in this position..." All Might muttered. The thought of Midoriya brought fresh waves of despair, knowing he still hadn't woken up.
Nezu sighed. "Thank you, Tsukauchi. If that's all, you're free to leave."
Tsukauchi bowed and left the room. His departure only deepened the grim silence that settled over the teachers.
After a long pause, Nezu spoke, his tone uncharacteristically somber. "I believe we must accept that this entire situation is our fault. A student lies in critical condition, forced to kill a Nomu, a creature that should never have entered our walls. And this student—the same one who broke All Might's record in his first week here. His eagerness to help and save others was obvious from the start. Not to say we don't care about the other students' safety, but I'm illustrating just how severe this is for our public image."
All Might, Aizawa, and Vlad's expressions grew heavier with guilt.
"And the media isn't holding back," Midnight added, scrolling through her phone. Headlines blared accusations:
"How Could U.A. Be So Irresponsible?"
"U.A. Student in Critical Condition After Battling Villains: Where Were the Teachers?"
"U.A.'s Broken Shield: Has the School Failed to Protect Its Students?"
Midnight shook her head. "They're really going hard on us."
"And somehow word of Midoriya's condition got leaked to the public. At this rate, it ain't lookin' good for U.A. as a school," Snipe said, scratching his head. "Our PR folks are suggesting we tell the public All Might swooped in just in time, saved everyone but couldn't quite reach Midoriya, and that he'll be giving a grand apology for not gettin' there sooner." Snipe paused, then shook his head. "But I reckon that don't sit right with any of us."
Nezu nodded. "Unfortunately, if we tried to spin it that way—All Might arriving just in time and saving everyone but Midoriya—it might earn U.A. a little sympathy. However..."
"It wouldn't be right to take credit for Midoriya's actions," Snipe said firmly. "The boy put his life on the line, and now he's fightin' for it. He risked everything to protect everyone in Class A and B."
All Might nodded, fists clenched. "And I'd be damned if I took credit for his heroics. He saved and protected everyone… while I wasn't even there," he said, anger evident in his voice.
Nezu, observing the room's heavy silence, allowed himself a small, bittersweet smile. "In his own way, he achieved what you always wished to do, All Might. He was able to say 'I'm here' when you couldn't."
"But at what cost? He's bedridden, his mother worried sick," All Might said, voice cracking slightly. "If I hadn't been so careless with my powers…" He trailed off before Vlad King spoke up.
"I'm the one to blame," Vlad King said, fists clenched in frustration. "I wasn't strong enough to protect the students. In the end, Midoriya was forced to save me and Aizawa. I was completely useless."
"No. The fault is mine and mine alone," All Might replied, guilt lining his face. "I used up my time in hero form. I should've been there from the beginning, should've stopped the League and that bastard who poisoned Midoriya."
Present Mic's frustration flared. "And the villain went and killed himself, so we can't even get a cure! He made sure to craft a poison we can't combat—and just to spite us, he took his own life."
Nezu's voice was grave as he looked at the group. "Now you're all aware of what lies beyond the stars, and what Midoriya possesses… even if some of you aren't Plumbers."
"You mean space cops, but go on," Present Mic quipped, earning a round of deadpan stares from the others.
...
"We have an issue we can't ignore. Vilgax is aware that Midoriya has the Omnitrix," Nezu said grimly. "He sent those robots to our main campus, even though he had already hired bounty hunters."
"From what I can gather, this was all part of his plan. He knew the villains would attack the U.S.J., probably predicted that All Might would run out of time. That's why the hunters struck when they did after watching us closely—that's what Tetrax concluded. The robots were just a distraction to keep us from intervening," Nezu continued. "If Vilgax truly wanted to capture Midoriya, he wouldn't have sent Kaine. Kaine would've killed Midoriya without hesitation."
Everyone grimaced, reaching the same realization. "He's testing him."
Nezu nodded. "Now that you've all seen the footage, what weaknesses could we identify?"
"If we're thinkin' like some tyrannical, war-obsessed maniac?" Midnight spoke up. "The kid's plenty clever, but he's got a big heart."
Aizawa sighed, his expression heavy. "If people are in danger, Midoriya will do whatever it takes to protect them. Kaine had Yaoyorozu, Shiozaki, Tsunotori, Kaminari, and Jirou. Midoriya was prepared to give himself up."
"A tyrant like Vilgax would exploit that in a heartbeat," another voice said, and a tall, armored figure stepped into the room. Tetrax.
"Tetrax?" All Might's brows raised in surprise, the tension in his shoulders easing a bit.
Tetrax gave a nod, pressing a fist to his chest. "Good to see you again."
"I managed to sneak into the hospital where Izuku's being held. No one noticed me enter or leave," he said, a slight smile pulling at his lips.
Midnight raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Hard to imagine someone like you sneakin' around."
Tetrax explained further, "The Omnitrix sends out a signal every time it's activated. Those who know of its existence can track the bearer whenever it's in use."
"And with Midoriya constantly training at U.A., Vilgax would have a precise location on the Omnitrix, given it's constantly active," Tetrax said.
A silent dread settled over the room, the weight of it pulling down on each of them.
"So... anyone looking for the Omnitrix could attack the school freely," Aizawa said, his voice muffled but tense.
"Exactly. Considering the threats out there, full-scale assaults on U.A. would become routine. For all my intelligence, I'm not so arrogant as to think our security could withstand someone like Vilgax," Nezu admitted, clenching his fists, frustration showing in his small frame.
"Luckily, I have a solution." Tetrax tapped his screen, bringing up an Omnitrix display. "I can rewrite the signal so that every time it activates, it'll ping to wherever I am."
All Might's eyes widened in sudden hope, a rush of relief relaxing his clenched fists. "Wait—so wherever you go..."
Tetrax nodded. "I'll travel the galaxy, leading Vilgax and anyone else hunting the device away from Earth—and away from Izuku."
A visible wave of relief washed over the room, easing tense expressions and filling them with new determination.
"This way, you'll have time to prepare him for the challenges he'll face," Tetrax said, looking around the room. "You won't be racing against the clock or left wondering when Vilgax will come to claim his prize. I believe I can lead them away for about a year at most."
He turned to leave, throwing a last look over his shoulder. "The rest of you just need to do your jobs as teachers and train him."
"So when he wakes up, I hope you put him through hell," Tetrax said with a small, determined grin. "It's unfortunate that the Omnitrix ended up on his wrist. The weight of the universe is too much for any one person—especially a kid."
Aizawa and the others exchanged glances, a sense of responsibility setting in, but with renewed determination to meet the task head-on.
"But this is the hand we're dealt, so we'll make the best of it. Aizawa, don't go easy on him."
Aizawa gave a firm nod, the ghost of a smile crossing his lips.
"But you sound pretty sure he'll wake up," Snipe said, a soft look of relief in his eyes, echoing the others' shared hope.
Tetrax paused for a moment. "Y'know, when Midoriya was born, that man could hardly keep quiet about his son. Said he saw somethin' in him. Maybe it was the blind love of a father—who knows?—but Hisashi believed his son could do the impossible."
He looked around the room. "That poison would've killed a full-grown Tetramand, yet Midoriya's still breathin'. Means he's fightin'. So I know for a fact he'll wake up."
A faint smile crossed his face. "And who am I to doubt that man? Hasn't been wrong before, has he?" With that, Tetrax turned and left the room.
The teachers exchanged looks, nodding with small smiles of relief. Nezu continued, "On another note, I think both Class 1-A and 1-B need ample time to recover before the festival."
Hound Dog agreed with a low growl. "I second that. Can't put U.A. pride over the kids' mental and physical well-being."
"While we're at it," Snipe drawled, tipping his hat, "reckon we oughta stretch the Sports Festival over three days instead of packin' it all into one."
Everyone turned to Snipe as he continued, "What I'm sayin' is we oughta give each year their own day to strut their stuff. Most pros tend to gather 'round the second- or third-year stadiums, leavin' the first years in the dust. This way, every class gets a fair shot at showin' what they can do."
Nezu considered this. "True, but given recent events, people may flock to the first-year stadium. Still, I agree. The first-years, especially, are eager to prove themselves… and maybe even change a certain teacher's mind."
He glanced at Aizawa, who groaned. "If you're referring to my past statement about expelling Class 1-A, I stand by it. But I couldn't follow through with it."
"True. The HPSC and the Education System refused to approve it," Nezu replied, before shifting the topic. "As for security—especially with Vilgax and who knows what other alien threats coming our way—Midoriya's use of the Omnitrix at the Sports Festival will only draw more attention. And as the son of Hisashi Midoriya, we'll need a major overhaul to our security protocols, as well as the addition of a dorm system."
"Dorm system?" They all asked.
The girls—Kendo, Ochako, Jirou, Ashido, Tsuyu, Hagakure, Yaoyorozu, and Yui—sat around the room in tense silence. Ashido hugged a plushie in frustration, while Kendo knelt on the floor, digging her fingers into her thighs, her head bowed as she fought back tears.
"I... I refuse to accept it," Kendo said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Momo struggled not to break down, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. Yui sat silently, her eyes wide, unable to find the words. Toru had brought them home since her parents were away, and she had shared what they had overheard.
Ochako hung her head, her bobbed brown hair falling like a curtain over her face.
"K-Kendo..." Toru ventured softly.
"I refuse to accept it!" Kendo's voice rose, filled with determination. "You must have misheard them; you probably didn't hear all of it. I just refuse to accept it." Her voice cracked with emotion.
Kendo stood abruptly, grabbing her backpack and slamming the door behind her as she stormed out.
"K-Kendo..." Ashido called, trying to reach out.
Tsuyu turned to Ochako, who was closest to Izuku, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Uraraka-chan?" she asked gently.
Ochako flinched at the touch but forced herself to look up, managing a strained smile. "Don't worry; I know Dekiru always makes it through." Her closed-eye smile belied her true feelings, and it was clear she didn't fully believe it herself. "Dekiru is an amazing person... He'll be fine. We'll laugh about this in a week," she added, her voice cracking.
"Anyways, my mom and dad are really worried about me, so I better get home," Ochako said, grabbing her bag.
"Wait, Uraraka..." Tsuyu called, reaching out to her friend.
Ochako turned back with the same forced smile. "Mh?"
"A-Are you okay, ribbit?" Tsuyu asked, her tone softening. "I know you and Midoriya-chan are really close, so..."
Ochako hesitated, then replied, "I'm fine. Don't worry, Tsu. Dekiru's really strong; he'll be fine!" With that, she left the room.
Tsuyu clenched her fists, clutching her chest. Despite only knowing each other for a short time, she could see that her friend was in pain.
Jirou stood, feeling catatonic, unable to articulate the deep ache in her heart at the thought of losing her friend. Anger surged within her, and she grabbed her backpack, leaving swiftly. She bit her lip to keep the tears from flowing, determined not to cry in front of her classmates. "Green..." she whispered to herself, her heart heavy with fear and sorrow.
...
Two Days Later...
Class 1-A was quiet. No one felt like talking. Yaoyorozu had eyebags, an indication she hadn't slept in a while, plus her eyes were red, showing she had been crying.
Yaoyorozu wasn't the only one to look ruff, Jirou, Uraraka, Ashido, and Tsuyu's eyes were red.
Some of the guys, as Kirishima, felt so much shame that he just looked down at his table.
Shoji was quiet, well, he was always quiet but this silence wasn't normal for him. They all just heard the ticking of the room clock. Kaminari, Sero, and Mineta felt like they should try and cheer them up.
"Hey guys, c'mon y'know Midoriya is going to be fine. It's Midoriya he always pulls a last-minute trick or something." Sero said.
"Yeah, I don't know the guy very well, but I'm sure he's gonna be fine, and he wouldn't want us mopping around," Kaminari said, moving his arms around.
"R-Right. A last-minute move."Iida said as he sighed."Th-This all my fault. If I was able to get to the teacher in time, then maybe..."
"No."Yaoyorozu said."The fault is mine." She said but didn't elaborate.
Bakugou looked catatonic he had struggled with the fact that if Deku the worthless useless pebble hadn't shown up, he would've.. he would've died. There's no sugarcoating. The villain played with them torturing them, but if he didn't show up...
'This wasn't like the sludge villain where All Might is the one who saved me... but was helpless. I was completely useless against that blackbird freak! If Deku hadn't...I would've... now he's gonna...'Bakugou thought
The door slid open, and everyone turned with some hope that the green-haired classmate would walk in everyone would hug him, he would become a stuttering mess, Bakugou would just scoff and everything would go back to normal.
Instead, the homeroom teacher walked in Mr. Aizawa, which brought some relief in knowing their teacher, was okay.
"Good morning, class." He said as he could feel and see the sad and depressed looks on their faces. These kids went through hell, and a wave of guilt washed over him as he saw the number 18 seat number empty.
"You're all here." Aizawa said needlessly as he walked in. His arms still in casts.
"Ah sensei!" Tenya shot up from his seat. The pro heroes attention was brought to him."Yes?"
"Mineta hasn't arrived! I imagine you wish to
"Iida didn't you hear what he did to Yanagi from class 1-B?" Tsuyu said a wave off bit anger went throughout the girls.
"No what had he done?" Iida said before Aizawa spoke up for her.
"From the footage we could gather, Midoriya in his Stinkfly form while carrying Yui Kodai, and Asui, he decided to make an inappropriate grab at Reiko Yanagi," Aizawa stated everyone could already imagine what he had done.
"He nearly got us to crash in the water, with the rest of those villains." Tsuyu said her tone but angry,
"Than began to blame Midoriya-chan on the villain attack kept managing his father..." Tsuyu said everyone gasped.
Kirishima shook his head in disapproval." So unmanly..."
Jirou looked angry she seemed ready to throttle the little pervert."That scumbag!" Jirou exclaimedm
Kaminari began to squirm in his seat uncomfortably.
"That's so insensitive who manages that deceased father like that?" Ochako said as Bakugou seemed to flinch in his seat before scoffing.
"Please tell me that little scumbag has been expelled?" Jirou asked.
Aizawa sighed as he seem to go back to when he talked his mother and Mineta.
[Flashback]
Nezu sipped his tea, looking thoughtful. "Are you sure about this, Eraserhead?"
Aizawa's expression remained stoic. "Yes, Minoru Mineta will be expelled from U.A."
"I thought I saw potential in him but clearly I was mistaken the statement by Reiko Yanagi is a prime example of my failure as a teacher. And the fact he did this even though I warned him several times has shown my failure to not only discipline him but I clearly was wrong about seeing potential."
"Given the current attack on the USJ, not only is one of your students in critical condition, but expelling him after failing to protect your class will certainly ruin your reputation as a teacher and Pro Hero," Nezu remarked, a glimmer of concern in his eyes.
Aizawa maintained his serious demeanor."I know. And I'm willing to take the full brunt of the backlash."
Nezu scrutinized him before speaking into his intercom. "Send her in."
As soon as he spoke, the door swung open, slamming against the wall. A short, plump woman with light green hair styled like a messy grapevine stormed in, her cheeks flushed with indignation. Behind her, Minoru Mineta shuffled in, head down, clearly ashamed.
"Finally! Do you know how long I've been waiting?!" Mrs. Mineta exclaimed, her voice dripping with entitlement. "Four hours! I demand an explanation for this ridiculous expulsion!"
'It was only about thirty minutes,' Aizawa and Nezu thought.
"Now, let's get to the point," Mrs. Mineta continued, hands on her hips, glaring at the two teachers. "My Minoru didn't do anything wrong! You're just trying to cover up your own incompetence!"
Aizawa met her gaze with a flat expression. "Your son groped a fellow student after she clearly said no. His actions were not only inappropriate but dangerous."
"That is a total fabrication!"Mrs. Mineta shrieked, her face turning crimson. "My Minoru is an angel! Isn't enough you nearly got him killed? But now you want to expel him?! Have you no shame?!"
Aizawa didn't waver. "Your son repeatedly harassed a female student, ignoring her protests, and in the process endangered the group he had been with," he said coldly.
"That's a lie! My Minoru is a perfect angel!" she screeched, her voice shrill enough to make the room reverberate.
She leaned in, face flushed with fury. "How dare you blame my child! If you and your half-rate school could protect your students, we wouldn't even be here! What exactly were you doing while my child was fighting for his life?! And don't act like you have any actual proof he did what you're accusing him of!"
"We do the footage we sent you along as his expulsion notice."Nezu interjected calmly. "We have evidence of his actions. Did you not see it?"
"Footage? You're seriously using that excuse? What a pathetic way to scapegoat a child!" Mrs. Mineta yelled, her voice echoing in the room. "What you have is vague and can't possibly be conclusive!"
Nezu maintained his composure, adjusting his glasses. "As I mentioned in the letter, the attack disrupted our systems, but we can confirm that your son acted inappropriately to say the least."
"The footage is vague at best! Nothing conclusive! In fact, if you ask me, that girl was practically asking for it." Mrs Mineta shouted.
The room went silent. Minoru's head dropped further, his shoulders slumping.
"With the way you let these kids dress like whores, can you blame my Minoru for getting a little excited?" She jabbed a finger toward the door. "Remember that Yaoyorozu girl? If you're going to let these girls parade around like that, you shouldn't be surprised when boys get a little touchy!" Her eyes narrowed with disdain. "You're practically encouraging it!"
Aizawa's expression hardened as she continued. "And yet you're expelling my son while letting that murderer, Izuku Midoriya, stay? He's the real danger! He killed that creature—burned it to ash! And there's plenty of footage to prove that!"
"You're just trying to deflect from your own failures! First you couldn't protect your students and seIf you're expelling anyone, it should be him!" Mrs. Mineta shouted, her face contorting in anger.
Nezu maintained his polite smile, though his gaze sharpened. "As we explained in our previous conference, Mrs. Mineta, the Nomu was a bio-engineered entity, devoid of true consciousness. Its design was to attack and endure, not reason or feel. Even if it had been human, Midoriya's actions would still have been necessary to prevent further harm to himself and others. It posed a direct and imminent threat to the lives of everyone present."
"And yet you'll expel my son over these baseless accusations while you keep that murderer enrolled? This is U.A.! A prestigious school—where the hell are your standards, for god's sake!"
As Minoru stood silently, visibly shaken, he finally spoke up. "I… I did it," he admitted, his voice trembling.
Mrs. Mineta's eyes widened in disbelief, and her anger shifted to panic. "No, baby! Don't say that! They're just trying to make you feel guilty!"
"I harassed her," Minoru continued, his voice breaking. "I thought if I could just grab her..."
"Minoru, stop! Don't let them put this on you!" Mrs. Mineta shrieked, her tone frantic as she clutched his shoulders.
"I... I am not a hero... I... Don't deserve to be here." Minoru said sniffing a bit as he fought back his tears
"I wanted to be a hero to get the girls," Minoru confessed, his voice tinged with frustration. "Being the shortest guy, I've always been overlooked. They call me creepy, but tall, handsome heroes can get away with the same pervy things I do. It made me jealous. I thought if I became a hero, maybe the girls would finally notice me."
"I thought if I was gonna die, I should at least feel up some boobs," he confessed, tears brimming in his eyes. "But Midoriya... he was the real hero... While I just cried and whined like a coward! I didn't understand what it meant to be one."
"No, honey! Don't praise that murderer!" Mrs. Mineta cried, her voice rising as she shook her head vehemently.
"Clearly, I don't understand what it means to be a hero. I'll accept any punishment. I'll take whatever consequences you give me," Minoru said, his gaze resolute, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Don't you dare!" Mrs. Mineta shouted, stepping closer, her fists clenched in frustration. "You will not let them ruin your future!"
"If it means being expelled, I'll accept it. I'll go to another hero school if I have to. But I need to earn my place here," Minoru said as tears began flowing from his eyes he sniffed.
"No! This isn't happening!" Mrs. Mineta shouted, her voice reaching a hysterical pitch. "You're not going to let them do this to you!"
He lowered his head in shame. "I'll accept any punishment, Mr. Aizawa... even if that means leaving U.A."
Mrs. Mineta's face turned red as she fumed, stepping closer to Nezu and Aizawa. Her eyes narrowed, her tone venomous. "You would seriously expel my boy over this? While you keep a killer in your school?" She crossed her arms tightly, planting herself in front of them, her voice rising with each word.
"How dare you! You're letting that monster stay while ruining my son's future! Are you proud of yourself?"
Aizawa sighed heavily, trying to remain unfazed by her antics, as the woman continued to rant.
...
[Flashback over]
Aizawa's expression remained calm as he addressed the growing outrage. "No, he's not expelled."
The reaction was immediate, particularly from the girls.
"What?! That creep is still in school?!" Ashido exclaimed, clearly outraged.
"He literally committed sexual assault while Yanagi was crying! He should be in prison, not in our class," Toru said, her tone sharp with disgust.
"This feels spineless, especially after you said he'd be expelled if he made one more lewd comment," Tsuyu added bluntly.
Momo and Uraraka, however, had their minds elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of Midoriya, who was in critical condition. Momo appeared visibly sad, her eyes weighed down by dark circles, while Ochako seemed lost in her own thoughts, maintaining a distant expression.
Aizawa sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, after last year, it's not as simple as that." He muttered quietly, "I can't just expel him for making lewd comments—there's freedom of speech to consider, even if his behavior crossed a line. However..." he then remembered Mineta, who looked genuinely remorseful, eyes red and downcast.
"I've decided to give him one last opportunity." Aizawa said.
Aizawa took a deep breath, gauging the uneasy stares. "I know this isn't the outcome some of you expected, but Mineta will face real consequences if he wants to remain here at U.A."
"First, he's suspended until he completes a specialized program focused on boundaries, respect, and consent. His return depends on him finishing this training. If he can't meet the requirements, he won't be returning."
"If he does come back, he'll be placed on strict probation. A mentor will monitor his behavior daily; if he fails to meet U.A.'s standards in any way, he's expelled. Additionally, he's under a strict 'no-contact' order with Yanagi and any student uncomfortable around him, with serious repercussions for any boundary violation."
"And finally, when U.A.'s dorm system is implemented, Mineta won't be granted residence or allowed to live on school grounds. He'll have to commute if he's permitted to stay here. This is his last chance. Any failure to meet these conditions will mean immediate expulsion."
"At U.A., any student should have the opportunity to change and prove themselves. We, as teachers, are here to guide you and ensure you become exemplary heroes. We won't cut you out like cancer when you make mistakes. However, if you go too far without showing remorse, don't take our kindness as weakness. I don't fully believe this statement, but everyone deserves at least a chance to change,"
Aizawa glanced around the room, noticing that most students were either disengaged or listening half-heartedly. His gaze landed on Momo, who usually bore the brunt of Mineta's derogatory comments. Yet, upon hearing that he wasn't getting expelled, she seemed indifferent. He sighed.
"I know you're all worried about Midoriya, and I recommend you see Hound Dog. Right now, we can't dwell on what-ifs. Instead, we need to focus on what went wrong and strive to improve," Aizawa continued.
The students listened half-heartedly. Tokoyami spoke up, breaking the silence. "He's right. Midoriya wouldn't want us to be depressed; it would only make him feel guilty when he wakes from his deep slumber."
Uraraka nodded, her voice soft yet firm. "Right, Dekiru wouldn't want us to feel bad for him." Despite her words, a flicker of uncertainty crossed her face as she glanced down as she forced a smile.
Everyone nodded in agreement, though some looked far away. "Now, let's begin with today. The Sports Festival is coming up."
"Oh yeah, that's right! U.A. is still a school, so it makes sense that we would have school-related activities," Ojiro added, trying to lighten the mood.
"The date of the Sports Festival has been postponed. This will give you time to heal your wounds," Aizawa announced.
Bakugou shot up from his seat, incredulous. "WHAT!? We were perfectly fine! The old hag healed all of our wounds!"
"Not all of us," Ashido whispered to herself, casting a glance at Uraraka.
"I wasn't talking about your physical wounds," Aizawa replied, cutting off Bakugou's protest.
"Huh?! What are you—" Bakugou trailed off, noticing the downcast expressions on his classmates' faces. He scoffed and sank back into his seat, frustration evident in his posture.
...
"But is it really a good idea? There was just a villain attack on U.A. grounds. Sh-Shouldn't we..." Tsuyu trailed off, glancing around at her classmates, who wore expressions of concern.
Shoji shifted uncomfortably, adding, "It's hard to focus on training after something like that. What if we face a real threat out there?"
Tokoyami nodded, his voice steady. "I share Shoji's concern. The danger is real, they could attack us when we're all in one spot."
Aizawa sighed. "You are not the only ones to think like that, Asui, but precautions have been taken. You are not obligated to participate, especially in your first year. If you feel like you can't participate, no one will judge you. You should all prepare this month."
...
"A MONTH!? "The class shouted.
"B-But wh-what about Midoriya?" Kirishima asked. "He is still in the hospital."
"He won't have the time to prepare and heal like the rest of us." Tsuyu said.
Everyone flinched from the name, and Aizawa just closed his eyes. "That's Recovery Girl's decision." He sighed before addressing the class." I should apologize to all of you because of negligence. You all suffered greatly as your teacher. I should have protected you all, and for my weakness, I am truly sorry."
He looked around and saw a few off the students expression before Tokoyami spoke up.
"None of us blame for what happened you do not owe as an apology." Tokoyami said as everyone nodded
Bakugou scoffed."Yeah whatever."
Aizawa nodded."You can come in." He said towards the door.
"I AM HERE!"
All Might stuck half his body into the class, leaning forward in a way that looked quite hilarious. He was wearing his yellow pinstriped suit instead of his costume, which even the fanboys and girls in the classes couldn't help but think was a little goofy.
"All Might!" They mostly all cheered cheering up a little from the presence of the pro hero.
"Hahaha! Good afternoon, children!" He said, cheerily, "Good to see you all doing well!" His smile dimmed, and the class sat straighter, "I wanted to come and apologize to you all for allowing the events of last Friday to happen."
Everyone stiffened in shock, and made to protest, but he held his hand up, "Regardless of your thoughts on the matter, the facts are clear. Instead of being with my classes, I was off solving crimes that mostly could have been left to other Heroes." He stared at them seriously, "As a teacher now, you all should have been my first priority. My late arrival allowed several of you to get hurt, and for that, I am deeply sorry."He bowed his head, "It will not happen again."
They glanced at each other before nodding in understanding.
[Time-skip]
It was lunchtime.
Uraraka was still in the classroom with Iida, Ashido, Kirishima, and a few other students. She sat at her desk, her gaze averted as she half-heartedly nibbled on her rice ball, a frown tugging at her lips. Every bite seemed to remind her of Midoriya, and she sighed, trying to push thoughts of him aside.
"C'mon, guys! Like Mr. Aizawa said, we should look forward!" Kaminari exclaimed, trying to lift the spirits of his classmates. "Midoriya's gonna be fine!" He waved his hand dismissively, but a heavy silence hung over the room, matching the downcast expressions of his friends.
An idea struck Kaminari. "Oooh, I know! How about you tell us how you met Midoriya?" he suggested, a hopeful grin breaking through.
Everyone raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Ojiro put a finger to his chin, nodding. "Couldn't hurt. I'm sure it would help out."
Uraraka managed a small, strained smile, scratching her head sheepishly. Her voice came out bubbly, but her eyes betrayed a hint of hesitation and worry. "Uh... sure, why not? Guess it could be fun."
Mina, trying to maintain her bubbly demeanor despite her own anxiety, leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Ooh! I gotta know! You two are so close. How did you meet?"
"Well, I guess I met Dekiru when he stole my purse," she said, letting out a soft chuckle.
Silence fell over the group, and everyone's eyes bulged in disbelief.
"Wait, wait, wait! Hold up! Izuku Midoriya, with that green hair and innocent smile, stole your purse?!" Ashido asked, clearly struggling to believe it. She bit her lip, trying to repress the flood of emotions, a mix of concern and fondness, that bubbled up inside her.
Iida began making chopping motions with his hands, his expression stern. "Uraraka, you shouldn't make up stories about our friend!"
"No way was Midoriya secretly a... bad boy?!" Kaminari and Sero echoed, wide-eyed and astonished.
Mina felt a pang of worry as the others reacted, and she forced a smile, attempting to mask her own anxious thoughts. "What happened next?" she asked, her voice a little too bright.
Uraraka's voice softened, her expression turning serious. "Well, he didn't exactly steal it; his friend did. But I ended up chasing them. The purse had my money for the month and my phone—my family is kinda tight when it comes to money."
A wave of sympathy washed over her classmates, accompanied by a collective sigh of disappointment toward Midoriya.
"I chased them and pleaded with them, but they escaped through a manhole. A manhole, of all things!?" Uraraka laughed, shaking her head at the memory. But her heart sank again, worrying about how Midoriya was faring.
"Can't believe Midoriya would do such a thing," Kirishima said, his brow furrowing.
But then a genuine smile spread across Ochako's face as she continued. "Yeah, a day or two later, though, I was walking home when the guy who stole my phone showed up again—bruised and bandaged—and he bows and hands me 1 million yen! Pfft! Hahahaha!"
Uraraka burst into laughter, the sound infectious, but she quickly tried to repress her bubbling emotions, crossing her arms tightly. "He was so flustered that it seemed like he'd never spoken to a girl in his life! Can you believe it? Bowing and ready to hand me 1 million yen?" She shook her head, forcing the smile to hide the worry gnawing at her.
Everyone's eyes bulged, jaws dropping as they processed her story.
"Who would have thought?" Ashido mused, her voice teasingly light,"The cinnamon roll a bad boy..."
Kirishima shot up in excitement. "Hold up! That's the prize money from the tournament!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe.
Jirou smiled as she put the pieces together. "So instead of just apologizing and admitting his mistakes like a normal person, he enters a tournament? He went to literal fighting tournament that people have died in... Yep. Uh-huh that sounds like Green." She said with a blush.
Uraraka felt her cheeks heat up, a deep blush spreading across her face as laughter filled the classroom. The atmosphere brightened with the story, momentarily lifting everyone's spirits. "I mean, what kind of guy does that? He fought against a literal murderer just to give some girl he didn't even know… just because I looked sad," Ochako said, her voice cracking with emotion. She struggled to repress the whirlpool of feelings threatening to overflow—both the butterflies of admiration and the ache of her heart.
"Sounds like Midoriya—he just has to go over the top," Kirishima said with a proud grin.
"Aw, man! So what did you do with the money?" Ashido chimed in, her curiosity piqued.
"I didn't take all of it!" Uraraka shouted, then quickly lowered her voice, fingers fidgeting together. "Though I was really tempted."
Jirou giggled, enjoying the moment. "And just like that, Green Bean will go all out to make us feel better by getting back up and making a very public apology."
Everyone shared a smile, a sense of warmth spreading through the room. "Yeah," they agreed, the mood lifting.
"Wait, how did you meet him?" Kaminari asked, turning to Jirou, who blushed slightly at the sudden attention.
"I was being attacked by a group of guys I had beaten up before. They caught me off guard and ganged up on me. Then, out of nowhere, this green goo-like creature appeared and took them out, along with his black-haired friend," she recounted, her cheeks still flushed.
"Always running in to help—sounds just like him," Kirishima remarked, nodding.
"Wait, black-haired teen? Did he look muscular and kinda like a thug?" Kaminari inquired, his interest piqued.
"Huh? Yeah," Jirou replied, slightly confused by the line of questioning.
"That's the guy who stole my purse!" Uraraka said, her voice rising with comedic anger.
...
Yaoyorozu walked to the student council room, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. Usually, she would be chatting with Midoriya during this walk, discussing quirks, pros, or anything else that came to mind. Those brief moments alone together had become something she cherished.
Now, however, she walked in silence, surrounded by the sounds of her classmates chatting and laughing. Couples strolled by, hand in hand, their smiles a painful reminder of what she missed. A small smile tugged at her lips, but it quickly faded, replaced by a wave of sadness.
"I'm sorry..." she whispered to herself, the words barely audible as she continued down the hallway. Suddenly, she felt a hand grip her shoulder. Turning around, she was met by Kendo, whose concerned expression revealed dark circles under her eyes.
"Hey, Yaoyorozu," Kendo said gently.
"Kendo? May I help you with something?" she asked, attempting to mask her turmoil.
"Do you mind if we go to the student council?" Kendo replied, her tone warm. "We both seem like we could use a friend."
They began walking in silence, and after a moment, Kendo broke the quiet. "Y'know, he doesn't blame you."
Yaoyorozu didn't respond, her heart heavy with guilt. She felt a lump in her throat, knowing she should say something, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she focused on the ground, unable to meet Kendo's gaze.
"It's not your fault, you know. Midoriya is a tough guy," Kendo added with a reassuring smile, though Yaoyorozu could sense the uncertainty in her voice. She wanted to believe that, but the weight of her own feelings kept her silent, afraid she would break down if she spoke.
"Hey, I'm going to visit him in the hospital," Kendo said suddenly.
Yaoyorozu froze, her heart racing at the thought. The guilt swelled inside her, a mix of longing and regret.
"If you wanna come, feel free to," Kendo offered, sensing the internal struggle in her friend.
She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."
...
Yaoyorozu sat in the council room, her gaze fixed on the empty seat beside her—a constant reminder of Izuku. The absence felt heavier today, amplifying her unease and guilt as she awaited the meeting to start.
Kendo, seated across from her, tried her best to focus, but the empty space beside Yaoyorozu lingered in her mind, a reminder of the day's heavy atmosphere. She wished the meeting would conclude quickly so they could head to the hospital.
"Uh, shouldn't we begin?" Kendo suggested, glancing around the room at their classmates.
"Hold on, apparently, a new class rep for the business course was instated," a male student interjected, eager to fill the silence.
"Oh, I heard about that. He's also in the support course, right?" a female student added, leaning forward with curiosity.
The door suddenly swung open, and two students entered, a boy and a girl wearing glasses.
"Yes, yes...ugh. Goodbye," the boy grumbled as he walked in.
Yaoyorozu, still looking down, recognized the voice and felt her stomach twist. She looked up and saw a familiar face.
"Oh, Momo, it's good to see you again," the boy said with a forced smile.
The girl beside him ignored him completely, her expression tight as she tried to avoid acknowledging his presence. "It's Yaoyorozu," she corrected, her voice cold.
"Uh, you know him?" Kendo asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes. He's the son of my father's investors," Yaoyorozu replied, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over her.
"Partners, actually. And her future husband," the boy, Billy, declared with an air of arrogance.
"The engagement was cancelled," Yaoyorozu interjected quickly, her voice firm but betraying a hint of hurt.
"Tch. I don't know what your father was thinking honestly, but don't worry. When you show your pathetic attempt at the sports festival, he'll come to his senses," Billy taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.
"He finally realized I would never enter a quirk marriage, especially not with someone as deplorable as you, Billions," Yaoyorozu shot back, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
"If I recall, your father said you had found true love or some biblical nonsense like that," Billy retorted, irritation lacing his tone.
Yaoyorozu clenched her fists under the table, feeling the familiar sting of resentment. "But don't worry; hopefully, you and your father will come to your senses. I always get what I want. And I want you. Your opinion doesn't really concern me."
This earned glares from the girls in the room, though they had the common sense not to speak up, especially considering Billy's reputation.
"And besides, what man could compete with me? I'm the richest, smartest, and my looks are beyond average," he boasted, leaning back in his chair with a smug smile.
"Can we move on? You called this meeting for a reason, Billions?" Kendo said, trying to steer the conversation away from his self-promotion.
"Yes! It concerns the sports festival," Billy announced, catching everyone's attention except for a girl with brown hair, who scoffed and appeared visibly irritated.
"You mean the event where the hero course can just look good?" she retorted with distaste in her tone.
Kendo, Yaoyorozu, and Shoda remained silent, well aware of her disdain for the hero course. It was always Midoriya who managed to calm her down during these discussions.
"Yes, it's disappointing, but I'm here to make a request." He took a deep breath. "Someone else should make the speech for the Sports Festival."
Everyone looked surprised, and Kendo shot him a fierce glare. "What are you talking about?"
"Every year, we have a hero course student make a speech for the top scorer, but since he's... currently out of commission, I propose that I make the speech and represent the support and business courses."
Kendo shot up from her seat. "I decline the proposal."
"Oh?" Billy raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.
"Izuku Midoriya is more than just the student who scored highest on the hero course exams; he broke the record—All Might's record!"
The room fell into contemplation as Kendo's words hung in the air.
"Huh, yeah, he did do that. Everyone will want to see the guy who beat All Might's score. The marketing for him will be insane."
"A record that was once thought impossible will certainly draw a lot of attention," another student added.
Billy's irritation grew palpable as he sighed. "Let's be honest... he's probably not going to make it."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Kendo's glare intensified, her voice low and threatening. "What did you just say?"
"I mean, he beat that blonde idiot's score, so what? It's not like he'll actually survive. When they declare his—"
"Shut up!" Momo stood up, her face flushed with anger. "Don't you dare speak ill of him!"
Billy looked taken aback before returning her glare.
"You want to bring a new age to U.A.? What better than the guy who literally set a new record in U.A. history? The boy who faced down villains and stood proud as a symbol of resilience? Even when the odds were stacked against him, he pushed through, going Plus Ultra—that's our school motto!" Momo's voice rose, passion igniting her words as she defended Izuku, her eyes fierce with determination.
Everyone began to feel somewhat inspired as they listened to Momo's every word.
"If we let someone else speak when Midoriya hasn't even woken up yet, what message does that send? If he does wake up, what will he think? 'Oh, we didn't expect you to make it, so we replaced you?' Is that U.A. not believing in our students, our classmates? By standing firm behind Midoriya as our representative, we're saying, 'We knew he would make it! And now he stands proudly here, giving a speech to inspire all of us!'"
Momo's breath hitched as she realized the weight of her words, her chest rising and falling quickly.
"Midoriya will make it. We just need to have faith! Before any decisions are made, I implore you to wait! Just give him time, please!" Her voice cracked, raw emotion seeping through as she fought against the tide of doubt.
Billy glared at her, his expression a mix of disbelief and contempt. "Why are you defending this boy? He's just some nobody—a lucky first-year."
"I second that!" Kendo exclaimed, her own resolve strengthening in solidarity.
"Me too!" Shoda shouted, enthusiasm lighting up his features.
"Uh, what the hell? Midoriya seems pretty cool," another student added, nodding in agreement.
"Sure, why not?" another chimed in, emboldened by the growing support.
Billy scoffed, his irritation boiling over. "You're all wasting your time." He stormed out in anger, slamming the door behind him with a resonating bang. "Izuku Midoriya," he spat, the name dripping with disdain as he left.
The room fell into a heavy silence, each student reflecting on the tension that had just unfolded. Momo stood tall, her heart pounding.