80: 𝙰𝚐𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚝
"I AM HERE!!"
All Might said after the students reached the training grounds. Even though it was the first day back, training began immediately.
"Feels like I haven't seen you in awhile!! I trust your internships were productive?" All Might asked. The students nodded.
"What about you? Ribbit." Tsu asked. "I was curious because I didn't see any news about your hero work this week."
Tsu was as blunt as ever.
"Haha! Even Heroes like me take minor vacations! I was in the mountains visiting my sister and her family. But I did do some hero work while in their smaller town!!!" He said with a smile that never changed.
Nova's eyes widened just briefly. She hadn't known All Might had a family, but it made sense. He was still a human after all. But he must keep them in the down low because of how often villains target him. That and the media.
"Aside from that! It's time to get into training, I hope you're all ready for what's in store!"
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
A rescue race.
They were at ground gama, a battlefield full of factories that form a labyrinth of turns.
The concept was simple. Five students started in different positions and equal distance away from the center. Where all Might and the others waited. The first one to reach All Might 'saved' him. And therefore wins the match.
Nova was slightly optimistic. With Zel's gear she could easily get above the maze and maneuver straight towards All Might. Without having to take any turns.
But she was also nervous. She just won the sports festival a week ago... What if her classmates hated her for winning this too? It was a silly thought, but it felt like she needed to lose sometimes.
But it's also insulting to her opponents if she were to lose on purpose to make them feel better...
...
"I don't want to be cooler than them..."
"Well you already are, and I have a feeling you've been pretending otherwise for quite a long time." Zel said with a pointed frown.
"It's about time you change that."
...
Nova touched her gear, it was hidden under her jacket. That she still chose to wear when she wasn't using it. It made her feel more comfortable, more hidden. Like a turtle in its shell.
The conversation she and Zel had ringing in her mind.
She said Nova was more advanced than most of her class. She stated later on that it wouldn't be right to hold herself back just to make herself blend in.
She watched the screen. The first group already started, it included Midoriya, Sero and Iida. At first Nova thought Iida would win, simply because his entire quirk was moving quickly. But Iida seemed to be grounded, making her switch to Sero who moved through the maze with his tape. It reminded Nova of how Zel and herself used their gear.
She hoped he wouldn't think she was copying him...
Then there was Midoriya. Nova hadn't had much hope for him, as Zoey said: "He constantly broke his little fingers and toes."
He also hadn't ever used his quirk to do much aside from punch. And that one time at the festival where he used it in his leg to fly forward without control.
But then he surprised her. Moving through the air with sudden grace. Not a single bone was broken, green electric-like energy hovered over his limbs. Had he really evolved his quirk that quickly? He was totally winning...
Until he slipped and fell.
Sero was All Might's hero this round. And Nova's was up next.
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
Kirishima, Uraraka, Mineta, Sato and Kurayami were set for team two.
The class watched the screens as each student prepared for the race to begin.
"If we're placing bets on this one... Mines on Kurayami All the way." Kaminari stated immediately.
"You took bets last time?!" Mina asked, turning to him with a shocked look.
"Nova is the obvious choice here... Her quirk is extremely versatile. But Uraraka could float above the buildings and run over the confusing infrastructure." Midoriya mumbled. "And Sato is both strong and fast, he could pave his own way without even having to worry about getting lost. Plus I saw him eat two whole cakes during lunch, and a milkshake."
"I don't know man, everything out there is made of metal. There's no way for Kurayami to not win." Sero frowned, still wearing his winner's sash. It was the first time he actually singlehandedly won a training exercise. So needless to say he was very proud.
"I think we can at least all agree that Mineta definitely isn't going to win." Mina said, kicking her feet from side to side.
They watched the screens. Mineta popped off a few of his balls and Sato shoved a snickers bar in his mouth. Meanwhile Kirishima and the two girls didn't do much to warm up aside from stretching.
Iida couldn't help but watch Nova's screen.
He hadn't told her to keep quiet about the Stain incident, but he knew he didn't have too. Nova already kept to herself, but honestly her skills in keeping it hidden were better than he had thought. He was certain she heard their classmates not so quiet conversation, but she didn't even react in the slightest. It almost made him believe she forgot about the entire thing.
Almost.
He found himself paying a lot more attention to her today. Even if it was just silently watching her. He couldn't help it, he had seen a completely different side of her. It's hard not to pay more attention to someone after going through something like that with them.
"Hey Iida? Ribbit." Tsu said, at this point their classmates were chatting amongst themselves. They and Midoriya sat farther from the others.
Iida snapped out of his thoughts, blinking a few times. "Yes?" He asked, pulling his eyes away from Nova on the screen.
"Do you like Kurayami?"
Tsu looked at Iida with her usual blank but somehow inquisitive stare. He was taken back momentarily.
"Well... Of course, I like all of our classmates. It's my duty as class representative to-"
"Yeah that's not what I meant." She said with a frown. She touched her finger to her chin. "I mean like... Do you find her attractive? Ribbit. Like... Do you like her?"
Iida was doubly taken back realizing what she meant. This time it caused him to choke and stutter at the suggestion. "Tsuyu?! What- I most certainly do not! Why would you even suggest such a thing?!" He was aghast at the prospect. His face completely red.
"I don't know, you sure do look at her a lot." Tsu shrugged. "My mistake, Ribbit."
"I simply- I don't look at-" He chopped his arms in her direction. "I do not like her. I see her as a classmate and nothing else!"
"Okay I get it. Ribbit." Tsu said, blinking slowly. "Just thought I'd ask.
"Well..." He cleared his throat, trying to remain calm and civil. "I respect her as a classmate and rival. That's all."
"Rival?" Midoriya tilted his head in question.
"Well yes, I simply mean that... She's stronger than most in our class, I intend to do my best to surpass her." Iida nodded.
Though that seemed to be easier said than done.
All Might started the count down, distracting them from their conversation. Nova shed her oversized jacket. Putting it down and folding it neatly.
"No way..." Midoriya whispered, a huge smile coming across his face.
"That's the same tech that the hero Zel has!!!"
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