"Stay together and don't move! No. 13, protect the students! That is... a Villain!"
Class 1-A had come to the 'Unforeseen Simulation Joint'... abbreviated as 'USJ'... for 'Rescue' training.
Just as the lesson was about to begin... from beyond something like a black mist appeared a disorderly, ununified group of various sizes, some humanoid and some heteromorphic.
What they had in common was... 'malice' directed at us. This single point.
In this place full of various things you could criticize, they would face the real 'Villains', the real 'malice' that pro Heroes deal with.
☆☆☆
...Okay, let me sort out the situation a bit.
Today, for Hero Basic Training, we were heading by bus to a training ground somewhere in U.A.'s vast campus to conduct 'Rescue' training.
On that bus, everyone was enjoying conversations as they pleased. As long as we weren't being too noisy and just chatting, Aizawa-sensei didn't seem inclined to complain.
Among those conversations, one that particularly heated up was, as expected, the topic of 'Quirks'.
"Your Quirk is similar to All Might's."
Starting with Tsuyu, who described herself as 'saying whatever comes to mind,' saying that. When pointed out, Midoriya seemed flustered, whether from embarrassment or confusion.
"Wait, Tsuyu, All Might doesn't get injured! It's similar but different."
When Kirishima rebutted that, the attention shifted to him.
When I heard that, I thought, 'Ah, right.' These guys still don't know that Midoriya is gradually learning to use his Quirk properly.
Since that incident, there haven't been any training sessions involving full-power combat using Quirks. In fact, this is only the second time we've come to training in our Costumes since the combat training.
Incidentally, Midoriya's Costume was still being repaired after being damaged in his battle with Bakugo, so today he was participating in just his gym clothes with some Costume parts... gloves, mask, boots, and belt.
...Since his original Costume was somewhat plain (Uraraka called it 'down-to-earth'), it doesn't change his impression much...
Rather, this way looks cooler, or suits him better, is how I see it.
Or rather, U.A.'s gym uniforms are somewhat notoriously called 'uncool,' but are they that uncool... I quite like them, though.
Well, I'm also wearing my Costume today. Since we have them, it'd be a waste not to wear them.
"But simple 'Enhancement-type' 'Quirks' are great! They're flashy and versatile! My 'Hardening' is strong in fights, but it's plain."
"I think it's really cool. It's a Quirk that's fully viable for a pro."
"Pro, huh... But pros also have that popularity aspect, right? And when it comes to flashy and strong, it's gotta be Todoroki and Bakugo."
"But Bakugo-chan is always angry, so he probably won't be popular."
"What did you say, I'll punch you!"
I was thinking it was an enjoyable conversation to listen to, when,
"I think Fumiko and Yaoyorozu are the ones to watch. They might be a step behind Bakugo and Todoroki in flashiness, but like Kirishima said, those two can do a ton of things, right?"
Oh, I became a topic.
But since I'm in a distant seat, I can't participate in the conversation myself. I can only listen. Well, that's fine.
"Ah, that's true... Thinking about it now, 'Creation' is practically cheat-level, right? You can make anything as long as you know its structure?"
"But I heard you have to understand it down to the molecular level in detail, so I think it's a Quirk that depends entirely on the user's knowledge, experience, and effort. I think it's precisely because Yaoyorozu-san has put in that much effort that she can use such a versatile, highly applicable Quirk so masterfully."
The face of Yaoyorozu, sitting diagonally in front of me... is maintaining a poker face, but if you look closely, it's slightly red. She's happy to be praised, huh.
"Ah, that's definitely true... Even if I had Yaoyorozu's 'Quirk,' I doubt I could use it properly."
"If you had it, the only thing you'd be able to make is tape. A familiar substance."
"That's no different from now!"
"Shut up, you're the same, Kaminari! AA batteries at best!"
"Hah, don't be stupid, I don't know how batteries work, so I couldn't make them!"
"Wow, you're proudly self-deprecating on a grand scale?"
"Kero, speaking of not being able to use it properly... When Midoriya-chan learns to control his Quirk, will he be able to fight with incredible power and speed like Fumiko-chan?"
"U-um, I wonder... Probably, I think so... I mean..."
"Ah, so Midoriya's 'Quirk' is like that because he can't control it. I totally thought it was the type where you sacrifice part of your body for super power."
"Eh, ah, no, it's not that kind of self-destruct technique... I'm sorry, it's entirely due to my inexperience... b-but..."
"No need to get so seriously down and apologize..."
"Yeah, yeah, let's be positive, Midoriya! If you train, you might be able to fight like Fumiko! Let's do our best together!"
"K-Kirishima-kun... Thank you. I'll do my best!"
So, Midoriya seemed to say that, moved by Kirishima's encouragement... but when I glanced at him, I could tell there was a somewhat awkward expression mixed in.
Probably... it's because he missed the timing to say that he's already somewhat able to control it.
He seemed like he was trying to say it here and there in the conversation, but kept getting interrupted. Poor Midoriya.
•••
#More chapter on Patreon.com/Fanfreaker