"Decent work on yesterday's combat training, everyone," Aizawa greeted us as class began, sifting through some papers. "I reviewed the video feeds and results for each of your teams."
His tired eyes settled on Bakugo first. "Bakugo, you clearly have talent, so don't sulk like a child over your loss. Take it as motivation to improve."
Bakugo clicked his tongue sharply, grumbling under his breath. I couldn't quite make out his words, but I assumed they were rather vulgar.
Aizawa's gaze shifted to Midoriya next. "And Midoriya, while you did win your match, the only way you succeeded was by recklessly breaking your arm again." He sighed wearily. "I understand you're still getting a handle on your Quirk, but you can't keep damaging your body like that. It's unsustainable."
Midoriya ducked his head, cheeks flaming. "R-right! I'll work on controlling my power better!"
"See that you do," Aizawa said. "That Quirk will become a valuable asset if you can learn to use it properly."
He then clapped his hands together loudly, making several of us jump. "Now, time to get down to business. Our first task today will decide your future..."
The class immediately tensed up. Were we in for another ruthless Quirk assessment test?
"...You'll need to pick a class representative," Aizawa finished casually.
The classroom erupted into shouted appeals, nearly everyone scrambling to volunteer themselves. Well, almost everyone - I settled for a loud yawn instead, already tuning out the cacophony.
Suddenly Iida was on his feet, hand chopping the air authoritatively. "Everyone! The most logical way to handle this would be democratically. We should put it to a vote!"
The class gradually quieted, mulling over his suggestion. It did seem the fairest method. We passed out slips of paper to write our selections on.
When Aizawa tallied up the votes, Midoriya had come out on top with four, while Yaoyorozu followed as a close second with two.
Bakugo baulked at the results. "You idiots!" he raged, sparking explosions dancing across his palms. "Who the hell voted for Deku?!"
Sero couldn't resist a jab of his own. "What's wrong, Bakugo? Upset no one picked you?"
Bakugo looked ready to detonate at that, but Aizawa intervened before bloodshed could occur.
"Enough. Midoriya is our class representative, and Yaoyorozu will be deputy. I expect everyone to show them proper respect." His tone brooked no argument.
Midoriya sputtered in disbelief even as Yaoyorozu sighed resignedly. "There isn't some kind of mistake?" he asked timidly.
Kirishima turned towards me, curiosity plain on his open face. "Who'd you end up voting for, Katoka?"
I shifted my gaze briefly to the freckled boy still attempting to process this new responsibility. "The hero one," I replied simply.
Kirishima furrowed his triangular brows. "Well, we're at a school full of aspiring heroes, gonna need more specifics than that!" He laughed boisterously.
I merely offered a faint shrug in return. Wasn't it obvious who I meant?
Soon enough we were released for lunch break. As I wandered through the bustling cafeteria searching for a place to sit, I realised with dull surprise that I somehow got separated from both Kirishima and Midoriya. How had such distinctive hair colours vanished from sight so quickly?
I continued weaving through the crowded aisles until I finally spotted an empty seat. Or rather, almost empty - a single boy with messy indigo hair already occupied one side. His tired eyes and prominent dark circles reminded me distinctly of Aizawa.
My stomach rumbled impatiently. I decided to throw politeness to the wind and simply plopped myself down without warning. The boy quirked a brow, staring at me over steaming bowls between us.
"You know, normal etiquette suggests asking before taking a seat," he commented wryly.
I paused thoughtfully. "Ah. That is a fair point." I didn't budge from my spot though.
Instead, I opted for cordial introductions to smooth over the awkwardness. "I'm Shiro Katoka, from Class 1-A. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." I even gave a small bow of my head, noting the amused gleam enter those heavy-lidded eyes.
"Hitoshi Shinso," he returned after correctly deducing I had no intentions of relocating. "So, the hero course, hm? You enjoying learning to be big mighty heroes then?"
I plucked a pickled radish off my tray, nose wrinkling at the pungent odor. "I suppose. More taxing than enjoying really." My eyes flicked briefly over Shinso's uniform, taking in the ordinary gray shirt and slacks rather than our school's high-tech hero gear. "Let me guess - general studies?"
"Got it in one." Shinso rolled a shoulder half-heartedly. "Not exactly Hero Course material sadly."
I extended the radish towards him. "Here. You can have this."
Shinso raised one brow dubiously. "Trying to foist your least favourite foods onto others?"
"That is... slander," I protested weakly before wilting under his knowing stare. "Very well, you caught me. I apologise for the deception and humbly request you dispose of that foul vegetable so I am not forced to ingest it." I even pressed my palms together pleadingly.
A startled huff escaped Shinso's lips. But after a moment he relaxed, lips quirking upward. "Lucky for you I don't mind these," he responded and popped the radish into his mouth.
I couldn't fully smother a grimace at the sight. "You have peculiar tastes."
By way of apology, Shinso scooped the cucumber slices off his own tray and transferred them onto mine. A peace offering I accepted with a nod.
We ate in surprisingly comfortable silence for a few minutes before I spoke up once more. "If you don't mind me asking, why didn't your Quirk qualify for the hero course?"
Shinso's eyes darkened. He remained quiet for so long I worried I might have offended him somehow. But at last he responded softly.
"I can brainwash people. Not exactly a power heroes look for, its pretty villainous after all." His lips twisted bitterly. "Useless for smashing robots too. So here I remain while all you privileged hero-types have fun playing with your flashy Quirks."
My chest clenched unexpectedly at his words. Hearing someone else labelled as having a 'villainous' power struck a little too close to home. Shadowy memories flickered through my mind unbidden - crying children scrambling away from me, stone-faced adults muttering 'demon child.'
I understood far too intimately that hollow ache of being seen as something evil incarnate. My hand drifted absently to the tattoo etched on my left wrist, tracing the pentagram-shaped burn scar.
But then another memory surfaced, this one bringing warmth instead of chill. A young boy with eyes full of empathy who saw me as human when no one else would.
"Who cares what your quirk is..." Midoriya's kind voice echoed from my past. "All that matters is what people decide to do with it!"
I focused back on Shinso across from me. "The current number two hero wields incredibly dangerous fire," I mused aloud. "With a Quirk like Hellflame he could easily incinerate entire city blocks if he wished. But instead Endeavor focuses his gift to foil villains and save civilians... most of the time at least." I waved off Shinso's exasperated huff at that editorial comment.
"My point being, any Quirk has equal application for good or ill, sure some more than others. But, what truly determines one's character is how they choose to apply their abilities," I pressed on earnestly. "With proper strategy, I could see your brainwashing talent excelling at hostage negotiations for example. Rendering the criminals docile without any violence or property damage needed. In that regard, you would probably be better at saving people than All Might."
Shinso looked thoughtful but still unconvinced. I struggled to articulate my jumbled thoughts. "I suppose...the heart behind one's actions matters more than the methods used," I tried slowly. "Whether someone is considered a 'hero' often ties more to their selflessness, rather than their actual powers. So don't define your worth by what society claims you can or cannot be."
I reached over and gave his wrist a gentle, comforting squeeze. Shinso's eyes widened in surprise.
But before he could respond, sudden blaring alarms shattered the moment.
"Warning. Level three security breach," an automated voice announced over screeching sirens. Students began panicking, many rushing in a frenzied herd towards the exit.
I glanced sharply at Shinso while rising cautiously from my seat. "That means someone infiltrated past UA's outer defences." My muscles tensed, my body coiled in anticipation.
Shinso paled. "You don't think those are actual villains do you...?" He whispered anxiously.
The terrified speculations swelling around us certainly lent credibility to the notion of another attack. Just as true bedlam threatened to erupt, Iida suddenly propelled himself atop a nearby table.
"Everyone, stay calm!" his authoritative voice boomed. "This is likely just another media trespassing event. School security has everything under control. We must keep level heads and not indulge unnecessary panic!"
Remarkably, his quick address managed to restore order amongst our peers. As we resettled, I felt grudging admiration towards Iida's composure. Perhaps he would indeed make an effective class representative after all.
Soon lunch ended and we students filtered back to our homeroom class. Upon entering, I spotted Midoriya's tense frame near the front already beside Yaoyorozu. Their first duty today involved addressing the entire class together.
Poor Midoriya looked utterly petrified, faint tremors wracking his lean body. I couldn't blame his unease - public speaking hardly played to the boy's few social strengths. Nevertheless, I tried offering what I hoped was an encouraging thumbs up when his gaze fleetingly met mine.
Unfortunately, Midoriya misinterpreted my gesture completely, paling further until he resembled mint-flavored chalk. Whoops. Note to self, work on supportive body language.
Before I could attempt damage control, Midoriya was stuttering out an appeal to the class. "I-I've been thinking about this a lot and, well, I believe Iida should take over my position as class rep instead!"
Said bespectacled boy jerked back in astonishment. "Me? But why, Midoriya?"
"Because you were able to capture everyone's attention back at lunch," Midoriya explained earnestly. "You have the leadership skills for this job. So I nominate you to lead our class from now on!"
Murmurs of agreement rippled through students. Kirishima smiled widely. "Gotta admit, Iida totally stepped up. Plus Midoriya already gave him the stamp of approval."
"Yeah, Iida would be a kickass rep! I change my vote to him too!" Kaminari chimed in brightly.
Aizawa merely grunted impatiently from his cocoon upon the floor. "If you're done with this inane chatter, hurry up and make the switch so we can actually start class..."
Thus properly motivated, Iida straightened to his full height. "Very well. If both Midoriya and the rest of you support my candidacy, I promise do everything in my power to excel as class representative!"