"Alright, class…I think it's time we started addressing the elephant in the room." Aizawa mentioned as he brought up an image caught on CCTV of the media and their various attempts to grill students. "Ever since All-Might's started teaching at UA, we've had more and more reporters showing up on our doorsteps to get whatever info they can…So for the rest of these few weeks, we'll be talking about how to address members of the press alongside your usual studies."
"What?" Kaminari groaned as he dropped his head onto his arms as some of the others protested at the added workload.
"Come on, we know how to handle stuff like that…" Hagakure pointed out as she waved her hands around, which in her case simply was just flapping her sleeves.
"This isn't just a case of saying "No Comment" or not swearing and threatening on camera…Though knowing what to say and not freezing up at questions IS part of one reason." Aizawa mentioned as nearly everyone looked at Kenshi when he said the freezing up comment and at Bakugo with the swearing comment. "We do have multiple cameras so I have a good idea on how your initial reactions are with this kind of thing."
"Those reporters are a pain in the ass!" Bakugo barked as he didn't bother with mincing words; "They just follow me around and hounded all the way to the doors, just so they can ask about All-Might."
"Relationships with reporters are still an important part of how Pro-Heroes spread their influence." Iida pointed out as he opted for the other side of the argument. "While they may be intrusive and can be impulsive with their desire for publicity, Pro-Heroes rely on the Media so they can maintain their popularity AND let people around the world know about any upcoming talents."
"Regardless, if you're going to be a Pro-Hero at entry level or if you feel ambitious enough to become a high ranking one; You need to know how to conduct yourself in public, say the right things or being able to not let yourself get tongue twisted." Aizawa mentioned as he scratched his head; "Since All-Might is away on leave, Present Mic will be helping you in this batch of lessons."
"You're not going to teach us?" Momo asked as she was rather curious about the choice; while everyone else knew that Present Mic was probably the most definitive choice for the topic but being second behind All-Might, she half expected Aizawa to handle it himself.
"I'm a hero but I'm not the type of hero that stays in the spotlight, Yaoyorozu." Aizawa pointed out before continuing; "The only advice I can offer is how to avoid interaction altogether…If you truly want to be a Pro-Hero in the public eye then you need to be able to make the press your best friend, their words on live TV can make or break any newcomer's start in the industry."
The message wasn't exactly well liked in terms of learning but since they knew that the reporters hadn't gone anywhere for the last few weeks and wouldn't likely stop, it was a quick answer of "Yes, Sir." that cinched them into taking these classes for the next few days while undergoing their already intensive studies.
By the time that lunch came around after the week was up; Nearly everyone was tired of phrases to use for specific questions, even the likes of Iida who had the added perk of experience due to being related to Ingenium was burned out.
"Okay…If I have to hear "Don't look directly at the camera" one more time…I'm gonna bang my head on the wall…" Uraraka groaned as she reached her head up to sip her juice through a straw.
"It is an arduous task, Uraraka…" Iida mentioned, his gaze remaining firm but letting out a faint note of sympathy at their struggle; "But it is our sworn duty as future heroes to be able to conduct ourselves properly."
Kenshi on the other hand looked like his brain had overheated, he was currently slumped over on his side with a spoon sticking out of his mouth and a plate of stir fried vegetables were by his head. For anyone who passed by him; They could hear the faint mumblings of Present Mic's media mantra repeating itself, others could see steam coming from his ears in the process and he was just one of the few who struggled with actual schoolwork, a vision very much seen with the likes of Mina, Sero and Kaminari who were equally frazzled.
"Wow…Even Yoshiyasu's having trouble with this…" Uraraka thought as she picked at a plate of fish; "Still…At least we know that nobody's perfect at this publicity thing." She said optimistically as she lightly elbowed Kenshi to get him moving again.
"Indeed…I have to admit that it is hard when it comes to maintaining proper press etiquette but it is still something we all must do." Iida mentioned as he looked to the worn out Kenshi; "Though I think if we are doing this more often then we need to ensure that the three of us can at least attain adequate grades."
"You know…You guys can always make up a study group to do it together." Tsuyu suggested as she picked at a piece of food on her plate; "Iida's one of the smartest guys in the class and it looks like Momo's helping some of the others when they asked."
"I could probably use it…" Kenshi mumbled from his spot as he scooped another helping of beansprouts and greens into his mouth. "I'm not exactly the smartest guy but I do take the notes in class."
"May I see them?" Iida asked as he was both curious at his classmate's study process but also wanting to get more of an insight into the enigma that was Kenshi's brain.
Kenshi reached his hands down to grab his bag but his alertness and his shock spiked when a loud, high pitched alarm rang out in the cafeteria and the rest of the school. "The alarms? Is something going on?"
"No time to dawdle! We must make our way to the designated point." Iida said as the other students including their class were whipped up into a frenzy at the sudden noise and panic.
"Alert, Intrusion on the main campus! Please evacuate to your class's dedicated gathering point in a calm and orderly manner." An automated voice rang out on the intercom to warn everyone of what was happening.
Suffice to say that nobody really paid attention to the last part; The hallways leading past the classrooms were crammed up to the windows with panicking students, teachers who were trying and failing to contain the madness outside but this also left no one to intervene as people were pushed and shoved.
"Everyone, please!" Iida yelled out over the crowd but the din of everyone at ear level was too loud and struggling too much to listen. "Calm down and listen to-OW!" He kept trying to shout over everyone but got an accidental elbow to the face which knocked off his glasses.
"It's a stampede!" Ochako grimaced as she was knocked and shoved between people taller than her while Kenshi lingered a little behind her to help try to get them both some elbow room. "We're gonna get squished at this rate…"
"Yoshiyasu! Can you throw me over the crowd so I can get a better angle?" Iida yelled as he struggled to keep close to his two friends.
"Are you nuts?! I'm getting stepped on, shoved and smacked too much to focus. if I throw you then I may end up send you flying too hard and I can't levitate you without taking a few people up with you." Kenshi argued back as he looked around but then saw through the glass. "Wait…Iida! It's the press! They've broken in and are swarming the campus, that's what's setting off the alarms!"
"Damn it…Okay, I have an idea." Iida said as he looked to the both of them. "Yoshiyasu, give me enough of a boost to get over the crowd! Uraraka, I need you to use your Quirk on me so I can float over the crowd." He suggested as he started rolling up his pant legs to expose the motors on his calves.
Uraraka nodded as she watched Kenshi lift Iida up onto his shoulders, her hands lightly tapping at Iida's leg and making him shimmer with that same shade of pink that showed her active Quirk.
"Here goes…" Iida thought as he started his motors and then began to propel himself forward as he felt Kenshi push him off into the air lightly, however there was one small factor that the trio never really took into consideration when putting a boy with engines in his legs into a Zero Gravity environment.
Everyone who wasn't preoccupied with getting space to breathe could see a sight that very quickly got attention; Iida was corkscrewing through the air like a discus and finally smacked against the wall over the door. "EVERYBODY, CALM DOWN! EVERYTHING IS FINE!" Iida bellowed as he was planted against the lip of the door, just above the exit sign. "The press is outside and have set off the alarms, do not panic! Do not riot AND DO. NOT. KILL EACH OTHER BY MOBBING!"
The students quickly stopped and began to calm down as Iida made his declarations and started to file away to their individual spots at one of the gyms for tallying. Each class now lined up and taking names as hushed talks were made with the knowledge that the press were hanging around; Some talked about whether they'd get on the news, a few of the more self-assured wondered if this got them a boost for Pro-Hero scouting and a vast majority were wondering how members of the press got past security.
"Students!" Nezu called out over the intercom; "The crisis is now averted but for right now, go back to your classes and continue your day." He stated as he wanted to reassure everyone that things were calmer now.
Thankfully, the next lessons were free periods for Class 1A so everyone peeled off to do their own thing:
Momo and Jiro grouped up to study together in the library, though that group quickly expanded as Mina, Hagakure, Shoji and Ojiro jumped/welcomed the chance for group studying.
Mineta was the only one who ended up studying on his own since his behaviour with ogling during the battle training made a lot of the girls uncomfortable despite his numerous apologies, though he was still one of the smarter kids and that resulted in having to help Kaminari and Sero study.
Todoroki was a mixed case; He was one of the most introverted students in Class 1A but he also was high up on the totem pole when it came to grades and his Quirk, he separated himself for the chance to train on his own.
Bakugo on the other hand took the unorthodox approach: He would train and work out with the likes of Kirishima and Sato when they asked to join, he would also aggressively yell questions at them and then blast or hit them if they got it wrong…It was a harsh training but it was also beneficial to two of the tankiest in of their class.
"Yoshiyasu…" Iida said in a mix of shock and amazement as he adjusted his glasses to read the notes that Kenshi had been taking in their classes. "How does someone who can earn a place in the Hero Course have such abysmal penmanship?" He asked as he squinted his eyes to look at the barely legible chicken scratch that Kenshi called notes.
"I write stuff down as fast as I can, my power isn't super-writing." Kenshi argued indignantly as he felt embarrassed at getting called out for bad handwriting.
"I mean, can YOU read it?" Tsuyu asked as she was handed the notes but made a peculiar face as she had to squint to get a good read; Her and Aoyama both took the chance to join in on the trio's study group, Tsuyu offered because she at least wanted to get help from one of the top three smartest in class and improve, Aoyama on the other hand was all too willing to jump in since Mina basically said that six was a crowd with Momo's study group. "Because I really can't…"
"Of course I can read it, I wrote it after all." Kenshi muttered as his cheeks turned pink in embarrassment. "I mean, I grew up in the countryside and took short notes for everything…Not everyone has fancy-pants handwritin' teachers." He grumbled as his accent came out in a brief moment of flustered grumpiness.
Nearly everyone turned to look at Kenshi with a look of shock as they certainly weren't expecting him to talk like that; Tsuyu wasn't as shocked as most people since she already knew that he was a country boy but she still found it adorable that it came out when he was flustered enough, Iida was just surprised in general that Kenshi's handwriting was poor enough for him to squint through glasses along with the suddenness of learning more about him, Aoyama was twinkling with glee as he could appreciate the differences, Uraraka on the other hand was both trying her hardest not to squeal in joy at not being the only country sounding person, it also because it answered the questions about Bakugo's weirdly specific insults, ones that now gave her a small seed of guilt for giving him the nickname of Cowboy.
Aoyama however was the first to speak up before anyone else could say anything. "You really are the gift that keeps on giving, mon ami." He said as he was glad that he had another glimpse of the person that Kenshi was.
iida on the other hand realised where his complaints could have been leading to and decided to try backpedaling to avoid saying the wrong thing; "I apologise, Yoshiyasu…I did not mean to offend you."
"None taken…Besides, it's not like I go out of my way to pretend I'm not." Kenshi admitted before deciding to come clean and be more comfortable; "I've always been more of a learn by doin' rather than a book person."
"I guess that makes sense." Uraraka said as she pat his back. "Besides, nobody's perfect, there's no point in trying to make yourself that way." She said reassuringly and smiled in a way that made Kenshi's heart squeeze itself a little, though that didn't seem to be the only person it affected.
Tsuyu watched a little as she noticed how at ease Kenshi seemed to be with everyone compared to their initial meeting. She wasn't surprised that Uraraka and Iida had been quick to befriend him because she could understand in a small extent; He was a nice guy and seemed to get along with good number of people in their class, he was hard working even when he had difficulties of his own and he wasn't swinging his weight around unlike certain people she knew in class. "It's nice to see him being genuine instead of how he is with Bakugo around…" She thought to herself though she felt eyes on her as well, a quick peripheral look caught Uraraka sneaking a glance at her too, Tsuyu had been used to people staring at her because of her Quirk's side effects of making her look odd, however this time she felt something different when she was aware that Uraraka was taking peeks at her...Something more self-conscious.
"Tsu…Tsu, are you okay?" Uraraka asked as she lightly waved a hand in front of her, earning a surprised kero like she blinked back into consciousness. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you but you've been staring blankly."
"Sorry…I was just…Thinking." Tsuyu said as she didn't actually realised that she had spaced out until she noticed both Iida and Kenshi were looking at her. "What?"
"You are normally very attentive, Asui…Are you sure tha-"
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine." Tsuyu said with such a flat and final tone that it stopped that line of thought in it's tracks, at least would have if there wasn't another high pitched squealing that rang out over the intercom.
"Great…The press are back in?" Uraraka groaned in annoyance as she got to her feet, though it seemed the serious looks on Iida's face made it clear that it was something else.
"No…That's the fire alarm." Iida said as he began rounding up the others in the library and started rallying them for the exit. "Everyone stay calm, this is just another drill..Just head outside like earlier and-"
"Warning! Fire in the school courtyard, this is not a drill…Please evacuate to your designated meeting zones, REPEAT: This is not a drill!" The automated voice came out over the intercoms as everyone had decided to follow the rules this time, however there was still that same air of anxiety as people walked out.
No one really knew what started the fire and with the initial inquiry for how the press managed to steamroll into the school; The only real clue that something was wrong was the blackened grass and the scorched statues of prior heroes, the only thing that seemed the most sensible option was to allow students to go home early so this could be investigated.
The only people left in the school were the staff and they were all taking the events with a mix of shock and suspicion. "How could this have happened?" Nemuri Kayama aka Midnight was the first to speak up as she had been concerned that this was a lot to happen even for the beginning of the school year. "We've made sure the security was locked down, there were no recorded blackouts in the city area and Power Loader even said that the maintenance checks were fine before we opened up for the semester."
Thankfully for her, everyone was in agreement as they all seemed to nod and once Present Mic and Aizawa returned, they managed to get a full scope of the initial break in. "Whatever happened out there…It wasn't a malfunction or an accident." The 1A Homeroom teacher explained as he held up his phone and showed them a picture of the very eroded front gate. "The police are looking into criminals with Quirks who could fit the description and compiling a list…"
"That explains how the reporters got in…But what about the fire? Because I doubt a reporter or any sensible thinking criminal would dare try to pull a stunt like this when so many Pro-Heroes are in one place." Vlad King added as he crossed his arms. "What about Ryo? Has he found anything for a cause?"
"He's still searching the grounds with some of the staff security to try ascertaining the line of events." Nezu explained as he sat at the head of the table. "Nonetheless, we have one thing to worry about at this stage…Keeping the students safe." He said before sipping on a cup of tea and then continuing. "If that attack on the front gate is a direct cause of malice then we need to be on the lookout in case this happens again."
"And the fire?" Ectoplasm asked with some confusion despite his mask making it difficult to show it. "No matter which way you look at it, that is definitely an act of malicious intent…"
"If that is the case then we need to find out who exactly could do something like this." Cementoss commented as he looked to the others; "While I would rather not make it a primary focus…We do have to address certain concerns…There are students who fit the criteria to make such a thing happen."
"And some of them happen to be in my class…Go figure…" Aizawa thought as he decided to vouch his case. "I can't speak for the other classes but my students wouldn't be part of that incident." He said before noticing everyone turning to him with that look of confused apprehension.
"You sure about that, Eraserhead?" Vlad remarked as he glanced to Aizawa with the least amount of shock. "You've got one kid who can make up anything from explosives to flammable substances with her Quirk, Endeavour's kid…Not to mention that one of your top students operates on a hair trigger while the other is a walking disaster if he doesn't focus."
"You really want to do this right now?" Aizawa asked as he got defensive once Vlad started to poke at him. "Yaoyorozu and Todoroki both have the common sense and the proper training to not let themselves get carried away, Bakugo is aggressive but he's not stupid enough to do that...And Yoshiyasu has had my eye constantly on him from the get-go so I know that he definitely wouldn't dare try."
"You do have to admit, Aizawa…Bakugo's not exactly the coolest of cucumbers…" Present Mic mentioned as he couldn't help but comment. "I've had to tell him constantly to calm it down because of his attitude in my class."
"Alright, that's enough." Nezu said sternly as he tapped his cup on the table to regain the attention. "No one is pointing fingers at anyone's students, Shouta…" He said to reassure Aizawa, "I have good inclination to believe that none of our students here would be so careless or as deliberately malicious to cause this…"
"You're going to drop it? We can't ju-" Vlad started to reiterate what concerns he had but he found himself stopping when Nezu held up his hand to let him know that he wasn't done.
"I also will not excuse anyone's part in this, accidental or not if they are involved. So if you can provide me with proof that a student did this then by all means…But I draw the line at baseless accusations." Nezu said with a serious tone, he knew that Bakugo was volatile thanks to staff meetings and the various footage in class but he also knew that everyone deserved a chance.
"It wasn't a student." Ryo Inui aka Hound Dog said as he dropped what looked like a solid lump of melted plastic and wires on the table. "This was someone with a Quirk that managed to sneak in and melt all the cameras on their path to the garden…"
"Did you or security find anything to work with? We will need to contact the police to conduct a search if we had an intruder." Midnight asked as she eyed the former camera.
"Whoever did it has absurd control or strength over their Quirk to take them out…" Hound explained before tapping the debris. "They're also fairly smart if they went to every length to hide who they were…I've asked Power Loader to try dismantling the less damaged ones to see if he can find a copy of the memory chips."
The room was tense as they realised what this meant…Not only did they have evidence that someone was out for them but they also had proof that there were at least two people who succeeded in getting past their defenses.
"What do we go from here?" Mic asked as he finally found his words in the harsh silence. "All-Might goes away and now this happens…"
Nezu sighed as he then looked to the group. "For now, we do nothing…There's not a whole lot that we can do immediately but I think we should put a rush order on some of our projects…Maybe put a focus on higher learning and the college programs along with UA Heights."
"Makes sense…Though I would suggest we push back Thirteen's offer of the USJ Simulation training until at least the end of the year." Aizawa added as he heard the agreements from every other teacher. "Let the stress die down a little and see if we can push up the training for both Hero Classes over the next few months until then…"
"What about The WWP? We can reach out to them for a training camp…Last I remember, that was planned for this summer." Vlad pointed out since he was eager to let his other students try getting the limelight.
"Both are good suggestions, though I would say to focus on the training and see where that can take us." Nezu finalised as he dismissed the group. "We can't let what happened change anything…But it's up to us as staff and Pro-Heroes to help prepare them while we can."