Chapter 6: An Almighty Lunch
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The class responded with a chorus of "Yes, Sensei!" Present Mic smiled even wider, pleased with their enthusiasm. He then began to go over the lesson plan for the day, which included vocabulary and sentence structure exercises.
Present Mic began passing out the worksheets for the day's exercises. The students eagerly took the papers and began working on them, some scribbling away with determination, while others struggled to understand the more complex vocabulary words.
Kai was one of the students who seemed to be struggling with the worksheets. She kept looking back and forth between the paper and the textbook, trying to make sense of the English phrases. After a few minutes, she raised her hand, signaling that she had a question.
Present Mic noticed Kai's raised hand and called on her.
"Yes, Kai? What's your question?"
Kai spoke up, her voice filled with uncertainty.
"Sensei, I don't understand this sentence structure. It's confusing me."
Present Mic nodded understandingly and walked over to her desk. He took a look at the sentence she was struggling with and explained it to her, breaking it down into simpler components.
"Ah, I see. The key here is to understand the subject and verb relationship. Let me show you an example."
He pointed to a different sentence on the worksheet.
"See here? The subject of this sentence is 'I', and the verb is 'like'. So, the sentence is saying 'I like'. Can you understand that now?"
I want to say is she fucking retarded but I learned english twice. Once in my previous life as I was born in America. The other was in this life, I'm mixed. My father is American and my mother is Japanese.
My parents run a huge corporate business in America and had me move to Japan for Yuuei and some other things. I don't know much about why I had to move and I know Yuuei was just an excuse.'
'Something had definitely happened to my parents and the business. But, I can probably guess what…' My thoughts got interrupted as Present Mic tapped on my shoulder.
The class continued on, with Present Mic moving on to other topics in the lesson plan. The bell rang, signaling the end of the class period and the start of the next one. The students packed up their things and headed to their next classes, ready to continue their academic journey at U.A. High School.
I walked into the next class, which was Modern Literature. I took my seat and looked around the room, seeing that the class was about to begin.
Cementoss was already at the front of the class, preparing his lesson plan for the day. He was a tall, blocky, rectangular man with a quirk that allowed him to manipulate concrete. He looked up and smiled as the students entered the classroom, clearly excited to teach them about literature.
Cementoss cleared his throat and began to speak, addressing the class.
"Good morning, everyone. Today we will be discussing the works of one of Japan's most famous authors, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa."
The class period flew by, with Cementoss discussing various works by Akutagawa and engaging the students in discussion. Before I knew it, the bell rang, signaling the end of class and the start of the next class period.
(A/N: I was proofreading and realized Snipe was the teacher for other hero courses. Like how Class 1-A had All Might, the rest have Snipe.
I'm too far ahead to just change this, so just image he's the goat and teaches both normal theoretical heroics and physical heroics for other hero courses.)
Snipe was a tall, lean man with a sharp, hawk-like gaze. He wore a cowboy hat and a black mask that covered the lower half of his face, making it hard to read his expressions. Despite his intimidating appearance, he was a skilled teacher and knew how to get the best out of his students.
Snipe began the class by introducing the topic of Heroics Theory. He explained that in addition to physical skills, heroes also needed to understand the theoretical aspects of heroism, such as laws and regulations, public relations, and the history of hero society.
He then moved on to discussing the different types of hero licenses, explaining the various levels of authority and responsibility associated with each one. He emphasized the importance of understanding the laws that govern hero work, so that heroes could operate within the legal framework and avoid legal trouble.
As the class continued, Snipe also discussed the importance of reputation and public perception in hero work. He talked about how heroes were often judged not just on their abilities, but also on their image and the way they interacted with the public.
He ended the class by discussing the idea of "public opinion" and how heroes should always strive to maintain a positive image in the eyes of the public. He encouraged the students to think about how they presented themselves and to always be mindful of their actions and words, as they could have a significant impact on their public reputation.
The bell rang once again, signaling the end of class and the start of lunch break. The students packed up their things and headed out of the classroom, ready to grab some food and rest before the next class period.
I made my way to the cafeteria, which was bustling with activity. The air was filled with the delicious smells of food and the sounds of chatter and laughter. I saw my friends gathered at a table, waving me over to join them.
I got in line and waited patiently for my turn to order food. The line moved quickly, and soon it was my turn to choose my meal.
I looked at the various food options available, trying to decide what to get. There was a wide selection of options, ranging from traditional Japanese cuisine to international dishes. The delicious aroma of the food made it hard to choose just one.
I decided to have some food I haven't had the chance to eat in a while. I got some Spaghetti (with meat sauce), Garlic Bread, and some water.
I grabbed my meal and then moved over to the table where my friends were sitting. I took a seat and set my tray down in front of me, ready to dig into my lunch.
"Hey Midoriya-kun, Uraraka-chan, Iida-kun, and Hikari-chan," I greeted my friends.
Midoriya looked up from his lunch and smiled at me.
"Hey, Narikawa! How's your day been so far?"
"It's been good, just call me Haruto, Midoriya." I told the broccoli haired boy.
Midoriya chuckled.
"Sorry, Haruto. Old habits die hard, I guess."
Iida chimed in.
"Indeed. It's important to refer to people by their proper names. After all, it's a sign of respect and good manners."
"I like to go with the shorter or more known version of someone's name." I said, not used to the whole Japanese courtesy thing.
Kai nodded in agreement.
"That's a valid point. Some names can be quite lengthy and difficult to pronounce."
Ochako chuckled.
"Yeah, like 'Tenya Iida'. I swear, I still can't get that right sometimes." Ochako chimed in.
Iida looked slightly flustered.
"Hey, I told you it's fine if you call me Iida. It's not that hard to pronounce."
I chuckled, before eating my lunch.
Midoriya smiled as he ate his own lunch.
"Well, either way, I'm glad you're here, Haruto. It's always nice to have someone to talk to during lunch."
"Kai is too shy, Ochako is very bubbly and energetic but not to Mina's level, and Iida is Iida" I said jokingly.
Midoriya laughed.
"Yeah, that's a pretty accurate assessment. But we all have our own quirks, right?"
"Heh, quirks~" I joked from Midoriya's response.
Midoriya chuckled again, not catching the innuendo in my comment.
"Anyways, English, Modern Literature, and Heroics Theory were so… basic" I said bluntly.
Iida spoke up.
"Basic? How so?"
"I kind of forgot that this was still a school. I let the hero part of the school deceive me." I began to explain.
Ochako nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I get so excited about training and hero work that I forget we're still supposed to be learning normal stuff too."
Kai chuckled.
"It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of being a hero. But we can't neglect our studies, or else we'll end up falling behind."
"Like how you asked Present Mic-sensei's help in English," I teased.
Kai blushed slightly.
"H-hey, that's not fair! I just had a few grammar questions that I wasn't sure about, okay?"
Midoriya chuckled at the exchange.
"Come on, Kai, you know we all struggle with English sometimes. Even Present Mic-sensei does."
"Who is we, Midoriya?" I said, knowing that I had no problems when it came to English or American History.
Midoriya's smile faded slightly.
"Well, I mean, I'm not exactly a genius when it comes to English either. I get some grammar mistakes mixed up too."
"I meant me, Midoriya." I corrected the broccoli haired boy.
Midoriya looked surprised.
"Wait, you don't struggle with English?"
"Nope." I simply responded.
Everyone was silent for a moment, staring at you with a mixture of shock and envy.
"My father is American and my mother is Japanese." I explained to the squad.
Midoriya's eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh, wow. That explains it. So you grew up bilingual?"
"Yeah, my parents wanted me to be versed in both for whenever we visited family in either Japan or America." I continued.
Kai sighed.
"Ugh, you're so lucky. I can barely pass my English tests as it is."
"Maybe your snow cloud quirk affects your brain cells, they all think it's winter break year-round." I joked.
Kai rolled her eyes at your joke.
"Very funny. I'll let you know that I have a perfectly functioning brain, thank you very much."
"You have a functional brain?!" I gasped.
Kai chuckled.
"Oh, very mature. I'm sure your jokes are the pinnacle of comedy."
"They find it funny~" I pointed towards Midoriya, Ochako, and Iida.
Midoriya, Ochako, and Iida looked away, trying to hide their smiles.
I noticed the Cook Hero: Lunch Rush begin to approach us.
Midoriya waved at him.
"Hey, Lunch Rush-sensei!"
Lunch Rush smiled as he walked up to the table.
"Hello, students. Just checking to make sure everyone is enjoying their lunches."
Ochako smiled back.
"Of course we are! Your cooking is as delicious as rumored, Lunch Rush-sensei!"
Lunch Rush chuckled and gave a thumbs up.
"Glad to hear it. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."
Lunch Rush then turned to me.
"Ah, Narikawa-san. I don't believe we've met yet."
"It's nice to meet you, Lunch Rush-sensei" I nodded.
Lunch Rush nodded back.
"The pleasure is mine. I've heard good things about you. Your friends here seem to have taken quite a liking to you."
"Oh really~?" I grew a teasing grin as I looked at my four classmates.
The four of them all started blushing and looking away from you.
Lunch Rush chuckled again.
"They're not the only ones who think you're special. I've heard from other teachers too. Seems like you've made quite the impression here at U.A."
"That's good to hear. Thanks for the praise, Lunch Rush-sensei" I gave a grateful smile.
Lunch Rush smiled back and nodded again.
"Anytime. Well, I should get back to the kitchen. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day."
He then walked away to check on the other students.
Once Lunch Rush was gone, Midoriya and Ochako sighed with relief. I quickly finished my garlic bread and spaghetti.
Iida glanced at my plate.
"You ate all that so fast?"
"I was hungry, I only had one piece of toast this morning."
Ochako's eyes widened.
"One piece of toast?! Why did you only eat that much?"
"I went on a run for about an hour and a half. I started at 5:30 AM and finished around 6:15 AM" I explained to the round-faced girl.
Midoriya looked surprised as well.
"You ran for almost an hour and a half? In the morning? Why on earth would you do that?"
"To keep in shape. I can't just solely focus on my quirk." I explained.
Iida nodded approvingly.
"Very responsible of you. I also run every morning. We should run together sometime."
"Also, Midoriya." I had thought of something I had been wondering about, and I wanted to give him some advice from the future.
Midoriya looked up at me, slightly nervous.
"Y-yeah?"
"You have a strength type quirk, similar to All Might, right?"
Midoriya's eyes widened, surprised that I knew.
"Uh...y-yeah, that's right. How did you know?"
"It wasn't too hard to find out." I bluntly stated.
Midoriya seemed a bit embarrassed that I figured it out so quickly.
"W-well, yeah...my quirk is called Strength Enhancement for now. It gives me superhuman strength."
"I'd say it's more akin to redirecting a stockpile of energy towards a body part and it gives you explosive strength." I added on.
Midoriya chuckled nervously.
"I...suppose you could put it that way, yes."
"You're a huge fan of All Might, right?" I stated.
Midoriya's eyes lit up as soon as I mentioned All Might.
"Oh, yeah! I've been a huge fan of his since I was a kid. He's the reason I want to be a hero in the first place!"
"I do think it's a good idea to look up to him, but you're too extreme." I said as I didn't want to be harsh but it was true.
Midoriya looked a bit taken aback by my bluntness.
"What do you mean I'm too extreme? You think I idolize All Might too much?"
"Absolutely," I responded almost instantly.
Midoriya's cheeks flushed red.
"H-hey, I don't idolize him that much! I just look up to him because he's a great hero and a great person!"
"Midoriya, you use your quirk and try to replicate All Might." I said.
Midoriya's eyes widened again, surprised that I'd figured that out as well.
"I...uh...yeah, I do. But I have my reasons for doing that."
"That's why I call you extreme, Midoriya."
Midoriya pouted a bit, crossing his arms.
"What's wrong with trying to be like All Might? He's the number one hero for a reason, y'know."
"That's the problem, Midoriya. He's the number one hero for a reason. You aren't him, neither are both of your quirks." I acted like I didn't know the secret of One for All from the anime.
Midoriya looked down, a bit discouraged by my words.
"I know that...I just want to be as strong as him someday. I want to be able to protect people with a smile, like he does."
"That's great and all, but there are many fundamental differences between the two of you."
Midoriya's brow furrowed, and he looked back up at me with a slightly defensive expression.
"Such as...?"
"Experience, quirk, body, and mentality."
Midoriya's expression turned from defensive to slightly frustrated.
"Experience and mentality I can agree with, but I've been working really hard to strengthen my body. And my quirk isn't that different from his."
"You can't achieve the same body as All Might's. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying you can't be as strong as him."
Midoriya let out a frustrated sigh.
"I know I can't get a body like his, but I can still try. It's not like I'm just standing around doing nothing. I work hard every day to improve myself and my quirk."
"That's where you messed up and went astray in my opinion, Midoriya."
Midoriya raised an eyebrow, a bit confused by my statement.
"What do you mean I 'went astray'?"
"You try to use your quirk like him. Even if it were possible for you to both have the same quirk, it would be wrong to use it like him."
Midoriya clenched his fists, a bit upset by my words.
"What's wrong with using my quirk like All Might? He's a hero who inspires everyone with his power and determination. Why shouldn't I try to use my quirk like him?"
"Because every quirk is unique to its user. You can send what seems to be a stockpiled energy of strength to a limb, but you only use your fists like All Might."
Midoriya's face reddened slightly, his cheeks puffing up as he struggled to come up with a response.
"W-well...it's easier for me to use my quirk like that! Plus, it feels more natural to me..."
"Have you ever tried to use your feet or legs instead of just your fists?"
Midoriya's face turned even more red as he thought about it, his expression becoming sheepish.
"I...no...I haven't."
"You send it in one large burst, like All Might. But what if you tried circulating it around the limb, a finger, a toe, or even your entire body?"
Midoriya looked thoughtful for a moment, clearly contemplating my suggestion. He took a deep breath, still a bit embarrassed about his previous answer.
"I suppose I could try that...but how would I even control it? My quirk is pretty strong, and I'm not exactly the most experienced with it..."
"That's why I'm just giving advice. This is Yuuei, use its training grounds, teachers, and even other people to your advantage. If you lack experience then gain experience here."
Midoriya nodded slowly, the gears in his mind turning as he considered my advice. He looked up at me with a slightly more determined expression.
"Alright...I'll try to expand my use of my quirk and try to gain more experience here at Yuuei."
"You and All Might are different, in every way. You can look up to him and adopt his ideals, but don't use your quirk like him. You can use him as a reference, but be original."
Midoriya's determination solidified even further as he listened to my words. He knew I was right, and he had been blinded by his own obsession with All Might. He had to find his own way, to make his One for All his own.
"Thank you...I'll do my best to be original, and not just a carbon copy of All Might."
"Midoriya, you are a hero now. You aren't worthless. Bakugo calls you Deku, but you made it into Yuuei."
Midoriya's eyes widened a bit as he was taken aback by my sudden compliment. He hadn't expected me to say something so kind to him, especially after my blunt criticism earlier.
"I...thank you...it means a lot to hear that from you."
"I think you may have problems with self-worth, Midoriya."
Midoriya looked down, a bit ashamed that I had picked up on that. He had always been a bit insecure, especially when it came to his previous lack of quirk and his worth as a hero.
"Yeah...I suppose you're right about that too..."
"You seem to embody self-sacrifice, but pairing that with how you value yourself… It's a dangerous combination."
Midoriya winced a bit at my words, knowing that I was right once again. He had a habit of putting himself in danger for the sake of others, but at the same time he often thought little of himself.
"I know...I just can't help it sometimes. When I see someone in trouble, I just have to help them, no matter what the cost..."
"Even if it means giving your life?"
Midoriya hesitated for a moment, the gravity of my question sinking in. He looked up at me, his expression a mix of determination and resignation.
"...yes, even if it means giving my life."
"That's why I say it's a dangerous combination. If you give your life, or something else in return. You would be sacrificing your reason for becoming a hero. How will you save people if you are dead or crippled?"
Midoriya's expression darkened as he realized the truth in my words. He hadn't thought about it that way before, and the realization hit him hard. He clenched his fists, frustration and self-loathing coursing through him.
"I...I know you're right. I've always been so focused on helping others, on being a hero...but I never considered the consequences of my actions..."
"I have a suggestion, Midoriya."
Midoriya looked up at me, his expression still a bit conflicted but now curious as well.
"What is it...?"
"Seek therapy, seriously. There's the Guidance Counselor at this school, Hound Dog. He may seem rough and scary, but he is soft on the inside."
Midoriya's eyes widened slightly as I suggested therapy. The idea of opening up to someone and discussing his issues didn't come easily to him, but he had to admit that it was probably a good idea.
"I...I'll consider it. I'm not sure if I'm ready to talk to someone about all of this yet..."
"As a friend, what I say may come off harsh and rude. But it comes from a good place, you need to realize you can't always rely on yourself. You have so many people who care about you and see you as a person. You aren't worthless, or a lesser, Midoriya."
Midoriya was taken aback by my words, a wave of emotion washing over him. He had never heard someone say something so sincere to him before. The idea that there were people who cared about him, who saw him as more than just a hero or a quirk, was both comforting and overwhelming.
"I...I don't know what to say..."
"You have me, Ochako, Iida, Kai, your parents, even the rest of our classmates. You aren't alone anymore, Midoriya."
Midoriya's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he took in my words. He had never realized how much support he had around him until I pointed it out. The realization that he didn't have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders by himself was almost too much to handle.
"Thank you...thank you so much. I never knew...I never thought..."
He trailed off, unable to find the right words to express his gratitude and the flood of emotions washing over him.
Midoriya took a shaky breath, trying to compose himself. He felt vulnerable and exposed, but at the same time he felt a sense of relief that he had finally opened up to someone.
"You're...you're a really good friend. I don't know what I'd do without you..."
"You would probably go off on your own, thinking you're the hero who needs to save everybody. You would probably push everyone away and try to do it all on your own." I said as I remember the Vigilante Deku Arc.
Midoriya chuckled ruefully, knowing that I was right once again. He had a tendency to be stubborn and independent, refusing to ask for help even when he desperately needed it.
"Yeah...that sounds like me, doesn't it? Always trying to do everything alone..."
"But you have all of us, don't hesitate to ask us for help."
Midoriya nodded, his expression determined once again.
"I'll try...I promise. It's just hard for me to ask for help, but I'll try my best. I don't want to keep pushing everyone away anymore."
Ochako, Iida, and Kai had been silently listening to the conversation between Midoriya and I. They all exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of concern and understanding.
"Holy Shit! I forgot y'all were here-"
Ochako giggled, trying to hide her own surprise at being forgotten.
"We've been here the whole time, you know."
"I know, we were eating lunch and I ended up talking with Midoriya. I forgot all about my surroundings. My bad."
Iida chuckled softly.
"It's alright, we understand. It seems like you two had a lot to talk about."
I pulled out my phone and checked the time and saw that it was 1:15 PM.
Iida looked at the clock as well, his eyes widening slightly.
"It's almost time for class...we should get going."
"Yeah, we have Foundational Hero Studies now."
Kai rolled her eyes, her expression turning slightly grumpy.
"Great...Aizawa-sensei's class again. He's always so strict and demanding."
"I don't think it's Aizawa who teaches this class, Kai."
Kai raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical.
"Wait, really? Who else would teach Foundational Hero Studies?"
"Aizawa-sensei is our homeroom teacher, not Foundational Hero Studies."
Kai's expression shifted from skepticism to realization.
"Oh...right. I forgot about that."
Kai's eyes widened as I pet her hair, her face flushing slightly with embarrassment. She looked up at me, her expression a mixture of annoyance and surprise.
"H-Hey! Don't do that!"
"Sorry! You just seemed so adorable," I joked.
Kai's face turned even redder at my compliment, her expression now a full-on pout.
"S-Stop saying stuff like that!"
I chuckled and stood up, putting our trays where they would be taken and cleaned.
Ochako, Iida, and Midoriya all chuckled as well, amused by Kai's reaction to my teasing.
"Anyways, let's get to the classroom and wait for our unknown teacher."
They nodded in agreement and we began walking towards the classroom, the atmosphere between us light and playful.
As we arrived at the classroom, we could see that some of our classmates were already there, chatting and waiting for the teacher to arrive.
The room was filled with a low buzz of conversation as they took their seats. Kaminari and Kirishima were goofing off, while Jiro and Momo were discussing something quietly in the corner.
Todoroki was sitting quietly at his desk, his usual calm demeanor on display. Aoyama was practicing poses in front of the mirror, and Sato was munching on a snack as he talked to Ojiro.
Everyone arrived and sat down as we waited for the teacher to arrive.
A few minutes passed and still no sign of the teacher. The class grew more restless as they continued to wait, some of them starting to fidget in their seats.
Mina leaned over to me, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Do you think the teacher's going to show up at all?"
"He will, don't worry, beautiful~" I joked.
Mina chuckled, her cheeks flushing red slightly at the compliment.
"You're so smooth, you know that?"
"I aim to please."
Mina smirked and rolled her eyes playfully.
"Yeah, I bet you do."
As I waited, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the classroom. The class grew quiet as they all looked towards the door, waiting to see who was coming in.
"I am…" A voice was heard from outside the door. The door opened and in walked All Might, his signature smile on his face as he strode into the classroom. "...coming through the door like a normal person!"
The class cheered in excitement as All Might entered the room. Even the students who weren't usually so expressive were smiling and looking happy to see their favorite teacher. I stayed calm and collected, seeing him in person was of no big deal.
All Might's eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of his excited students. His gaze landed on me for a moment before he spoke again.
"I teach Foundational Hero Studies.It is a subject where you train in different ways to learn the basics of becoming a hero," All Might spoke with an authoritative tone and excitement. "You'll take most of the units of this subject! Let's get right into it!"
"This is what we'll do today-" All Might took a pause and a deep breath.
"Combat Training!" All Might said with a loud passionate voice that could have rivaled Present Mics.
The class's excitement increased, some of the students exchanging eager glances.
"And to go with that are these," All Might pointed to the slightly different colored pattern on the walls. These panels began to erect from the wall, revealing suit-cases with numbers on them. "Costumes made based on your Quirk registrations and requests you sent in before school started!"
The class yelled in excitement, while I still stayed calm and collected. There was no point in being impressed by something I had seen before, even if it made me stand out. While standing out in this world is completely stupid, I have to make sure I survived in this war and battle filled world.
~~~~~~~
This was definitely a long chapter, I hope you enjoyed it.
I had recently watched a video discussing the lost potential of My Hero Academia and it discussed Midoriya's mental state. I actually really understood and saw what the guy in the video talked about and kind of wanted to incorporate it into my fanfic.
https://youtu.be/LfDEagVK_1o?si=SPGEgILGwvqV9Fj1
"The Lost Potential of My Hero Academia" by Sync
I've actually really come to enjoy these types of deep dives and discussion videos on MHA. There are so many things I haven't realized when watching the anime or reading the manga.
I was the type of person who wasn't a big fan of Midoriya or his character. I would be the type of person to slightly bash on him in a fanfic but why not make him into a better character instead?
I never got why people never tried fixing or making a character better in their fanfics instead of just bashing on them like crazy. Also, fuck Bakugo, I don't care if he changed. He said fucked up shit and abused Midoriya for most if not almost all of his childhood.