Late November, Dorms"We're going to take care of her here at U.A" Aizawa explained, while Nejire put Eri's hair into pigtails. "I didn't think I'd be able to see her again so soon!" Izuku exclaimed.
"Hey." Kirishima crouched down to Eri's level, followed by Uraraka, Tsu looking on from behind the couch. I looked at the hairstyle, then to Eri's red eyes. She looks like- I blinked as suddenly a pink haired girl sat in Eri's place. "Usagi, hurry up and come over here silly!" She jeered. I flinched back, as I felt someone touch me. Izuku brushed past me as he got to Eri, her silver hair shining as she turned to thank Nejire. Calm down Serenity. This is Eri, she's finally smiling, don't make this all about yourself. I berated myself as I put on a smile. "How did this come about?" I heard Izuku ask Aizawa. "She couldn't stay at the hospital forever." He gestured to talk outside, and we followed.
"It looks like Eri was abandoned by her parents. Aizawa explained. That's horrible.. "And the head of the Shie Hassaikai, who's related to her by blood, has been in a coma for a long time, so she currently has nowhere to go." Mirio nodded. "And, you might've already heard from Aizawa sensei, but the horn that Eri's Quirk is released from..." He started to say. "Yes, I heard that it'd gotten smaller and was fine now.." Kirishima said. "It's starting to get bigger again slowly." Oh.. "Then, in order to keep that from happening again..?" Ochaco trailed off. "She needs a way to let out her power safely." I stated. Aizawa nodded. "Yes, that's why we're taking care of her instead of sending her to an orphanage." "We'll watch her in the teacher's dorm." The Pro heroes will make sure her power doesn't injure anyone.. "We'll see how she is and help her find a way to live with that great power." "There are things we need to check, too.." Aizawa sighed. "Anyway, we'll take things step by step." Tsu put a finger to her cheek. "That sounds like a lot of work for you, Mr. Aizawa." Mirio raised a hand enthusiastically. "That's where I come in!" "I'm on a temporary absence from school, and I'm friends with Eri!" "I'm sure you're all busy, but stop by and visit sometime." "Of course!" We said. Amajiki put a hand on Mirio's shoulder as he smiled. "Sorry to be asking this of you already Togata, but can you take care of her for a while?" Aizawa asked. "Roger!" Mirio saluted him. "Let's play Othello!" "Can we join you?" Asked Izuku. "Class A, go back to the dorm." Aizawa shot him down. "You have guests arriving soon." Guests?
I sat on the couch next to Yaoyorozu and Kaminari. Tokoyami sneezed. "Sick?" "Are you okay?" Asked Ochaco. "No, I'm in good health." Tokoyami said holding up a hand. "My mucus membrane was just doing its job." "Maybe someone's talking about you!" Kaminari spoke up. "Maybe you've got some fans!" "Like Yaoyorozu at the school festival!" He added. "Will you please not poke fun of it!" "I'm very grateful." Yaoyorozu stated. "Tokoyami's probably had fans for a while already." Ochaco said, holding a cup of tea. "I mean, you did your work study with Hawks." Tokoyami shook his head. "No, I don't think so." "Everything was too fast there." We all turned our heads towards the door as we heard a knock. "They're here everyone!" "Greet them!" Iida shouted. Who? The doors flung open. "Lock on with these sparkling gazes!" "We've come to lend a paw and help!!" "Coming out of nowhere.." "Stingingly cute and catlike!" Four voices rang out. "Wild, Wild.. Pussycats!" The four heroes stood in the doorway, in casual attire.
"Pussycats!" Iida exclaimed. "Long time no see!" Ragdoll threw her hands up. "You kitties look like you've been doing well!" Ashido and Hagakure ran to accept the box from Tiger. "We're fine." "Right?" Jirou responded. "Paw pad buns!" Ochaco, Ashido, and Hagakure chanted while holding up the box. "Please, come inside." Shoji gestured. "Oh, don't worry about us." Mandalay pushed her hands out. "We need to go visit Class B, too." Tiger added. Izuku smiled, spotting Kota. "Kota!" "Long time no see!" He bent down and shook his hands. I smiled at his enthusiasm. "Thanks for your letter!" "I'll treasure it forever!" Kota looked away. "Whatever." "Midoriya-kun, look!" Mandalay pointed to where they had set their shoes down. "He chose them himself." I grinned at the familiar red shoes, a mini version of Izuku's. That's adorable! Kota blushed, waving his hands at Mandalay. "N-No-" He protested, embarrassed. "We match!" Izuku smiled. "But why are you back at U.A?" Sato questioned, coming back with the tea. "We came to let you know we're in business again." Pixie Bob responded. "You are?" Iida leaned forwards. That's great news! "Congratulations!" I smiled at them. "Ragdoll, you're working again?" Izuku questioned. I hesitated. Since she lost her quirk.. that must have been very hard, I hope his question wasn't unthoughtful. "I thought your Quirk was stolen, so you were suspending activities--" I winced at his further questioning. "It's not back!" She raised her hand. "I'll be doing office work to support the other three." "Office lady cat!" She explained, posing her hands like they were typing on a keyboard. "We received a report from Tartarus, though." Pixie Bob stated. "They're still trying to pin down just how many and what kinds of Quirks he's hiding.." All For One.. "Currently, not letting him do anything is the only way we can contain him." Yaoyorozu stepped forwards. "Then why are you starting up again at this time?" Mandalay pointed. "This will be announced later, but for the Japanese Hero Billboard Chart, we were ranked 411 for the second half of the year." The hero billboard chart.. from what I've read, it's based on the total number of incidents resolved, contribution to society, and citizen approval rating. And it ranks active heroes twice a year.. their ranking is pretty low. "Last time, you guys were ranked 32." Izuku said. That's a pretty significant drop.. "I see!" Kirishima interjected. "It's because you dropped in the rankings!" He clenched his fists by his face. "Do your best!" Ragdoll jumped up in enthusiasm. "No meow!" "How are we still in the three digits even though we haven't done any hero work?" Did she just say meow? Izuku, Kirishima, and I looked at each other. "The approval rating component gave us a boost." Explained Tiger. "There are people waiting for us." Pixie Bob said, eyes closed. "We can't just stand still!" Ragdoll threw her hands in the air. That's admirable.. the people care for them so much that they want to show them they're alright.. "You're so manly, Wild Wild Pussycats!" Kirishima pointed at them with one hand, using the others to brush away tears. "You're being too loud." Kaminari remarked. "Speaking of which, they haven't announced results for the second half of the year yet, huh?" We turned to Ashido. "A lot has happened." Tokoyami remarked. "A billboard chart without All Might, huh?" "I can't wait to see how the rankings ended up." Well, with his retirement being so sudden, wouldn't everyone just have been bumped up a spot, then have had the other factors taken into account?
"This is the first billboard chart since the Kamino incident, where the symbol of Peace, All Might, was driven to an early retirement." A reporter explained, as we all focused on the television. "Everyone understands how important this is!" They continued. "Until today, heroes did not appear on stage for the announcement, but this time is different!" "Take a look!" The lights of the stage lit up, and music started playing. "Number ten!" "Dropping down one rank from number nine last time, Dragoon Hero: Ryukyu!" Ryukyu walked onto the stage, waving. "Honestly, I don't think I deserve it this time." She muttered. "Number nine!" "He went down too!" "But he won't be defeated!" A hero covered in black and gold armor stood on the stage. "Equipped Hero: Yoroi Musha!" Armored warrior.. "Hm.. outside of the top three, a ranking like this is all erroneous based on the tide of the times." He remarked. "Number eight!" "From the 'Clean and Shiny' commercial, Laundry Hero: Wash!" A washing machine? A head and arms popped out of a washing machine. "Wash!" "Wash-ash-ash!" Bubbles spilled from the top of the costume. "Number seven!" "A huge leap!" A person covered in wood walked to the stage, a hand held up. "A promising hero whose growth won't stop!" "Kamui Woods!" "I'm honored." He said. The camera turned to Mount Lady, who was sitting in the audience. "Kamui Woods is number seven!" a reporter exclaimed. "As one of his teammates, it's very encouraging." Mount Lady smiled. "What about reports that you two are dating?" Seriously, reporters need to stop butting into people's private lives.. "No comment." She held up a hand. "Number six!" The camera showed a man in a green shirt, clenching his fist. "From the orthodox school of manliness, he reliably keeps his ranking!" "Shield Hero: Crust!" His eyes shook. "I wanted to see you in action more.. All Might..! A tear dripped down. All Might is even admired by his fellow pro heroes, how nice. "Number five!" "A bunny with a determined spirit has risen in the rankings!" "Rabbit Hero: Mirko!" She brushed aside a lock of hair. "I heard you formed a team?" "Weakling." She tilted her head. "Number four!" "This mysterious ninja's had a huge jump in cases resolved and approval rating!" "Ninja Hero: Edgeshot!" The hero wore a large red scarf, and his hair pointed downwards into a sharp point. "Be quiet, we're in public." He glared at Mirko. "This time, those heroes involved with the Kamino incident have all seen their approval ratings go up." The reporter remarked. "Which brings us to this man.." She brought her tablet closer to her. "Even though he's currently on hiatus, he's still number three!" The screen showed clips of Best Jeanist. "With the number one approval rating for this round, Fiber Hero: Best Jeanist!" The crowd cheered. He must still be in the hospital.. I hope he recovers soon. "We're all waiting for him to return as soon as possible!" "Number two!" "He does things his own way, but he's fierce!" "With great momentum, he's reached the number two spot!" "Wing Hero: Hawks!" That's right, I read articles about him after we met, apparently he was the first to ever make it to the top ten before 20. He's only 22 now right? That's impressive, though I wonder how he managed that, seeing as it didn't mention him going to any hero schools. "And..!" The lights shut off. "He's been the temporary number one, but today.." Light radiated from Endeavor's flames. "He's really, truly in the number one spot." "He's waited a long time!" The camera focused on Endeavor, walking up to the stage. "Flame Hero: Endeavor!" The heroes stood on the stage, in front of them was the Public Hero Safety Commission President. "We chose to put on this kind of event this time because we saw that this was a critical juncture." I stared at the woman speaking. For some reason.. she makes me uncomfortable. "It's been about three months since All Might's retirement." Her eyes look emotionless. "There are still rumors that we are lacking an icon, but the heroes who will bear the future are right here." "Let us work toward a peaceful society with them." Hawks shifted from behind her, raising a hand to his mouth. He said something to Endeavor. Endeavor glared at him, and Hawks mimed zipping his lips shut. He seems relaxed, even with this big ceremony. "And now, let's have a comment from each person!" The reporter said after the HPSC president finished her speech. "Thank you very much." Said Ryukyu. "But if I could have refused, I would have." Hold on, they can't refuse their hero rankings? I frowned. That makes it feel like they could be easily trapped by responsibility.. "There were lives that I should have been able to save but didn't." She closed her eyes. "I will strive to become a hero worthy of the rank I received." The audience was silent. "I get you, Ryukyu!" Crust gestured, tears flowing from his eyes. "The anguish in your heart!" "The remorse!" "We must stand tall!" He shouted. "You can do it, Ryukyu!" "Let's do our best!" He's very enthusiastic. "Crust, it's not your turn." Ryukyu admonished him. "What we must do now is no different." Yoroi said. They moved on to Wash, who just repeated their name. "I would like to work in a way that does not shame those who have come before me, starting with Edgeshot, who accepted me on his team." Kamui stated. Hawks frowned, looking bored. "Oh, why was I not at Kamino on that day?!" Crust shouted. "For those of you planning evil deeds right now--" Mirko pointed. "Prepare to be sent flying by me!" Hawks sighed. "You were third in the approval ratings." The reporter said to Edgeshot. "I am not concerned with numbers." The ninja hero stated. "I am grateful for all the support I have received, but I am not doing this for the fame." "I believe my job is to bring about peace." I frowned. None of these speeches really stand out, they're all just standing on a stage, promising to be good heroes. "Who's gonna be happy listening to that?" Hawks asked. "Stain?" Everyone went silent.
It was broken by Mirko. "I like you!" "You're cheeky!" She grinned. "As always, you like to rock the boat." Edgeshot sighed. "I'm just bad at controlling myself." Hawks grabbed the microphone from the reporter. What is he doing? "Let's see.." He raised his wings. "If we're just talking approval ratings.." "Best Jeanist is number one with the boost he got from being on hiatus." He rose into the air, flapping his wings. "Second is me, third is Edgeshot, and fourth is Endeavor." Endeavor is the number one hero now, but his approval rating is so low.. isn't that one of the most important aspects? "I'll skip the rest." "I think approval rating is the most important number right now, though." "Is this really the time to be dragging out the past?" "You don't think we need to change how we do things?" He questioned. Everyone stared up at him. "The Symbol is gone." "At this 'critical juncture', why are those less accomplished than me playing it safe?" He asked. "Say something that sounds more hero-like." He grinned. "That's all from me." he flew straight down in front of Endeavor, holding out the microphone. "Now, go ahead, number one hero with a lower approval rating than me." I grinned. Endeavor snatched the Microphone from Hawks. "Former number one hero.. what is the Symbol of Peace?" Endeavor asked. "After Hawks fanned the flames, I won't say much." He raised a fist. "Just watch me." I stared at the screen. Seriously? Is that it? That was so anticlimactic. Hawks started to slowly clap. As the number one hero, he should have been the one to make the inspiring speech.. It kind of seems like Hawks knew he wouldn't, so he took it upon himself to do it. It's impressive that he can read the room that well.