U.A. Auditorium - Results Announcement
"Everyone passed."
Aizawa's announcement killed the nervous chatter instantly. He stood at the podium looking exactly as tired as always, like announcing exam results was physically draining.
"Wait, everyone?" Kaminari blurted out. "Even the people who lost their fights?"
"The practical exam wasn't about winning. It was about demonstrating growth, decision-making, and the ability to work as a team under pressure." Aizawa scanned the room. "You all showed enough progress to pass. Some of you barely, but you passed."
I sat between Kirishima and Sero, watching my classmates process this. Relief, confusion, and in Bakugo's case, anger that his "victory" over All Might apparently didn't matter more than everyone else's efforts.
"The summer training camp will begin in two weeks," Aizawa continued. "You'll receive detailed information closer to the date. Use this time to rest, prepare your supplies, and don't do anything stupid. Dismissed."
"Two weeks off!" Ashido pumped her fist as we filed out. "We should totally do something as a class!"
"Like what?" Jiro asked.
"I don't know, something fun! We've been studying and training nonstop."
"We could go shopping for camping supplies," Yaoyorozu suggested. "We'll need proper equipment for the training camp."
"Shopping?" Kaminari made a face. "That's not fun, that's errands."
"Shopping can be fun if we do it together," Uraraka said.
"Exactly!" Ashido latched onto the idea immediately. "We make it a class outing. Get our supplies, hang out, maybe hit the food court after."
"A class excursion for procurement purposes." Iida's hand chopped through the air. "An excellent proposal! It would strengthen our bonds as classmates while accomplishing necessary preparations!"
"Iida, you make everything sound like a military operation," Sero said.
"Proper planning prevents poor performance!"
"Did you just make that up?"
"It's a common saying!"
I found myself smiling despite the headache forming from their volume.
"What about you, Himura?" Yaoyorozu turned to me. "Would you join us?"
"For shopping?"
"Yes. We could make it this Saturday. Kiyashi Ward has an excellent outdoor supply store."
I thought about it. I needed camping gear anyway. And spending time with classmates outside school might be good. Build those connections that didn't revolve around training or fighting.
"Sure. Count me in."
"Awesome!" Kirishima grinned. "The whole class together!"
"I'm not going shopping with you extras," Bakugo muttered, stalking past us.
"Come on, bro! It'll be fun!"
"I said no."
"Your loss!" Ashido called after him.
That Evening - Class Group Chat
My phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
Ashido: SATURDAY SHOPPING TRIP IS OFFICIAL
Yaoyorozu: I've created a shared document with suggested items we'll need for training camp. The link is below.
Midoriya: This is so organized! Thank you Yaoyorozu!
Kaminari: did you really make a spreadsheet for camping supplies
Yaoyorozu: Yes. Is that a problem?
Kaminari: no it's just very you
Jiro: At least we won't forget anything important
Kirishima: What time are we meeting?
Yaoyorozu: I suggest 2 PM at the main entrance of Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall
Iida: I shall arrive fifteen minutes early to ensure punctuality!
Sero: of course you will
Todoroki: I'll be there.
Tsuyu: Ribbit. Me too.
Uraraka: Can't wait!
Arthur: See you there.
Ashido: This is gonna be so fun!!
Bakugo: STOP SPAMMING THE CHAT
Ashido: you're literally spamming by telling us to stop spamming
Bakugo: I HATE ALL OF YOU
Kirishima: love you too bro
I set my phone down and stared at the ceiling. Two weeks until training camp. My Instinct had been quiet lately, no immediate danger signals. But that didn't mean I could relax.
The USJ attack had proven villains were targeting U.A. students. The Hero Killer incident showed they were getting bolder. And something about this training camp felt... exposed. Isolated location, students away from main campus security.
It would be a perfect target.
But maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe the next two weeks would just be normal student life. Shopping trips and hanging out and preparing for regular outdoor training.
Maybe.
Saturday - Himura Home, Morning
"You're going out with friends?"
Mom looked way too happy about this. She stood in the kitchen doorway watching me put on actual street clothes instead of training gear.
"Classmates. We're buying supplies for training camp."
"That counts as going out with friends, Arthur."
"If you say so."
"I do say so." She smiled. "It's good to see you doing normal teenager things. You spend so much time training."
"Training's important."
"So is having a life outside of hero work." She walked over and straightened my collar even though it was already straight. "You're fifteen. You should be having fun, making memories with your classmates."
"I am."
"Are you?" Her expression got serious. "Because sometimes I worry you're so focused on becoming stronger that you forget to just be a kid."
I didn't know how to explain that I'd already been a kid once. That I'd lived a whole life, made mistakes, lost people. That this second chance felt borrowed, temporary, like I needed to make every moment count.
"I'm okay, Mom. Really."
She studied my face for a long moment, then sighed. "Alright. But promise me you'll actually have fun today. Not just efficient supply procurement."
"I'll try."
"Good." She pressed money into my hand. "Buy yourself something nice. You deserve it."
"Mom, I have money."
"I'm your mother. I'm legally required to give you too much money and tell you to have fun. Don't argue."
I pocketed the cash and headed out. The train ride to Kiyashi Ward took about forty minutes. I spent it reviewing what I actually needed. Sleeping bag, basic camping supplies, maybe some new training clothes that could handle outdoor conditions.
Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall - 2 PM
The mall was packed with weekend shoppers. I spotted my classmates immediately. Kind of hard to miss Ashido's pink hair and Kirishima's red spikes.
"Said I would."
"Here." He handed me a printed list. Multiple pages. Color coded by category.
"You... made a physical list?"
"Yaoyorozu's document was really detailed so I printed it out for reference and added some notes based on my analysis of potential training scenarios we might face and..." He paused. "I went overboard, didn't I?"
"Little bit," Jiro said.
"But it's organized!" Yaoyorozu defended. "We can split into groups and cover more ground efficiently."
"Or," Kaminari suggested, "we could just wander around and see what we find."
"That's completely inefficient."
"But way more fun."
"Fun doesn't accomplish objectives!"
"Guys," Kirishima interrupted, "how about we compromise? We split up to shop but meet back for food after? Best of both worlds."
Everyone agreed. Ashido immediately started organizing groups. I ended up with Yaoyorozu, Todoroki, and Iida heading toward the outdoor supply store.
The store was huge. Aisles of camping gear, hiking equipment, survival supplies. I grabbed a basket and started browsing sleeping bags.
"Do you camp often, Himura?" Iida asked, already carrying an armful of perfectly organized supplies.
"Sometimes. My family used to do camping trips when I was younger."
"Then you understand the importance of quality equipment! A proper sleeping bag rated for the correct temperature range can mean the difference between restful sleep and hypothermic conditions!"
"Iida," Todoroki said quietly. "You're doing it again."
"What?"
"The thing where you turn everything into a lecture."
"I'm simply being thorough!"
I grabbed a decent sleeping bag and moved to the next aisle. Portable cooking equipment. Water purification tablets. First aid supplies that went beyond the basic school kit.
Two hours later, we regrouped at the food court. Everyone carried multiple bags. Ashido had somehow acquired an entire summer wardrobe.
"We were supposed to buy camping supplies," Jiro said.
"I did! I also bought clothes. Multi-tasking."
"You bought six swimsuits."
"The camp might have a lake!"
I sat with my purchases. Sleeping bag, camping gear, some new training clothes, first aid supplies. Everything practical, nothing excessive.
"This was actually fun," Uraraka said, eating fries. "We should do stuff like this more often."
"Agreed!" Kirishima said. "Class bonding outside of school is super important!"
"We could hit an arcade next time," Kaminari suggested.
"Or karaoke," Ashido added.
"Please no," multiple people said simultaneously.
We finished eating and started heading toward the exits. Groups broke up as people headed to different train lines. I was walking with Todoroki when I felt my instinct activated.
A warning, something's wrong.
I looked around the mall. Shoppers, families, nothing obviously threatening.
But something was wrong.
"I need to check something," I said. "Go ahead to the train. I'll catch up."
He hesitated but eventually continued toward the exit. I moved back through the mall, following my Instinct, trying to figure out what had triggered it.
That's when I saw Midoriya.
He was standing near a bench, talking to someone. And that someone had their hand on his shoulder.
Four fingers down. Thumb up.
My blood went cold.