"TO DO SO, YOU'LL NEED TO WEAR THESE!" All Might stretched both arms toward the side wall of the classroom in a dramatic gesture. "COSTUMES DESIGNED BASED ON YOUR QUIRKS AND THE REQUESTS YOU SUBMITTED BEFORE STARTING!"
The mechanical sound of sliding panels filled the room as the wall transformed into a numbered display rack. Over twenty identical compartments emerged in perfect sync, each one marked with a number corresponding to the students.
Izuku rose from his seat along with the rest of the class as everyone moved in to inspect their respective designs. He found his and carefully pulled it out of the compartment. The material was light but sturdy to the touch, a deep red with black details forming diagonal patterns across the torso and limbs.
This is gonna be a problem, he thought as he examined the tight-fitting design.
The suit had been made exactly to the specs he'd submitted back when he didn't have the faintest clue how his Quirk worked. He'd asked for something comfortable and flexible that allowed complex movements without restriction. What he hadn't anticipated was that his Quirk would turn out to be the "I need direct contact with female breasts to function properly" type.
He looked down, sizing up the crotch area of the suit.
If I get hard wearing this thing, it's gonna be way too obvious, he concluded with resignation. I should've designed some reinforced briefs or something. Damn you, past Midoriya, what were you thinking?
"GO TO THE CHANGING ROOMS AND GET DRESSED!" All Might pointed toward the side doors. "AND WHEN YOU'RE READY, MEET AT TRAINING GROUND BETA!"
The class split naturally as the boys headed one way and the girls the other. Izuku carried his folded suit under his arm, still mentally cataloguing every potential disaster the tight design could cause.
The boys' locker room was spacious, fitted with wooden benches and metal lockers. Izuku chose one in the back and started undressing while his classmates did the same around him.
"This is awesome!" Kaminari exclaimed from across the room, holding his suit up high. "I'm finally gonna look like a real hero!"
"Functionality is more important than aesthetics," Iida commented. "Although I must admit the thruster design on the calves came out exactly as I requested."
Izuku slipped into his suit and adjusted the zipper running from the neck down to mid-torso. The material clung to his body, outlining every muscle he'd gained during those ten months of hellish training. He flexed his arms experimentally, and the fabric moved with him without resistance.
Okay, at least that part works, he admitted as he twisted at the waist to test the range of motion. I can do everything I need to. Now I just gotta figure out a way to activate my Quirk through the gloves.
He pulled the nunchaku out of his suit's case and examined them with appreciation. The best part was that they could clip to his belt when not in use and had a button that activated their transformation: long staff, sickle, or a pair of twin swords.
At least I've got these, he thought as he fastened them to his waist. I trained in several fighting styles over the past few months, but nunchaku were my favorite. Defense and offense at the same time, versatility at different ranges.
"Hey," Mineta's voice cut through his thoughts, "wouldn't it be awesome to have X-ray vision right now? We could see straight through the girls' locker room wall."
Several students turned to look at him with expressions ranging from discomfort to disgust.
Yeah, he admitted internally with complete honesty. I'd love that glorious view. Seeing Ochako, Momo, and all of them getting changed would be...
He stopped himself there before his imagination took him down dangerous paths.
But there's no way I'm admitting that out loud. Let Mineta take the spotlight as the class's official pervert. I'd rather keep my perversion private.
"That is completely inappropriate, Mineta-kun," Iida said in a disapproving tone. "As future professional heroes, we must respect the privacy and dignity of our female classmates."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, four-eyes."
Izuku finished adjusting the straps on his mask. The material was the same red as the suit, with black details around the eyes. He checked himself out in one of the full-length mirrors mounted on the wall.
I look like a hero, he realized with satisfaction. Or like a really well-dressed mercenary. Either one works.
"Oi, Deku."
He turned just in time to see Bakugo approaching. His black hero suit with orange accents made him look even more intimidating than usual. Before Izuku could react, Bakugo's hand closed around the collar of his suit and yanked him forward.
"Someone with a garbage Quirk like yours shouldn't even be here," Bakugo growled, his red eyes burning with barely contained fury. "You only got in because you cheated on the exam, right? You worked with 'round face' because you knew you couldn't do it on your own."
Here we go again, Izuku thought as he felt irritation bubbling in his chest. Same broken record as always.
He placed his right hand against Bakugo's chest and pushed hard enough to break the grip.
"Maybe it's about time you worried about your own business, Bakugo," Izuku said, his voice calm. "And my name's Izuku, not Deku."
Several of their classmates had stopped changing to watch the exchange with wide eyes. Bakugo stood still for a moment, processing the fact that Izuku had just stood up to him directly.
"Tch." Bakugo clicked his tongue before turning around and stomping toward the exit. "What are you waiting for, extras?! Move it!"
The door slammed shut behind him.
"Hey, Midoriya!"
A light punch connected with his shoulder. Izuku turned to find Kirishima grinning at him with all his teeth. His own red and black suit was curiously similar to Izuku's, but with a design that made him look like a human tank.
"That was super manly, bro," Kirishima said approvingly. "Standing up to Bakugo like that. Total respect."
Izuku rubbed the shoulder where he'd taken the friendly hit.
"Thanks, Kirishima. Although honestly, I was expecting him to blow my head off."
"Nah, Bakugo wouldn't do that." Kirishima waved his hand dismissively. "Well, probably not... Maybe."
That confidence isn't reassuring at all, Izuku thought as he finished adjusting his gear.
Five minutes later, the group of boys emerged from the locker room into the hallway leading to Training Ground Beta. And there were the girls, waiting in a loose cluster near the entrance.
The variety of designs was impressive. Each suit reflected its wearer's personality and Quirk in ways that ranged from practical to absolutely spectacular. But his eyes found Ochako first, automatically. Her suit was pink and bold blue, with pads on her wrists and a modified space helmet hanging from her belt.
She looks cute, he thought as he walked toward her.
"Ochako!" he called out, closing the distance between them.
She turned, and her face lit up when she saw him.
"Izuku-kun! Your suit looks amazing. That red really suits you."
"Yours too," he replied honestly as he looked her up and down without hiding it. "You look really cute in that hero costume."
Ochako's face immediately turned pink.
"R-really? I was thinking maybe it was too tight. Honestly, it's a little embarrassing because..."
"It's tight in all the right places," Izuku interrupted with an easy smile.
After all, he reasoned internally, I already groped her once. The ship of propriety sailed a long time ago.
Ochako turned even redder, but smiled anyway.
"Th-thanks, Izuku-kun."
Then Izuku made the mistake of looking to the side.
Holy tits.
Momo was standing a few yards away, and her hero costume was...
Is she related to Midnight? he wondered as his brain tried to process what he was seeing. Or is she a fan? How is it possible for an official U.A.-approved hero costume to show THIS much skin?
The design was red with yellow accents, but the amount of exposed skin was criminal. Her torso was practically bare, save for a strip of fabric covering her chest that connected to the belt. Her legs were equally exposed; the suit covered only the essentials.
Momo stood with her arms crossed, her expression stoic but with a faint blush on her cheeks that hinted at discomfort. Near her, Mineta was practically drooling.
Hey, shrimp, I saw her first, Izuku thought.
He approached Momo before his brain could talk him out of it. She noticed him coming and straightened her posture, though the blush on her cheeks deepened.
"Yaoyorozu-san," Izuku started, stopping in front of her.
"Yes, Midoriya-san?"
Izuku opened his mouth. I can't tell her "your boobs look incredible in that suit," he scolded himself. I can't just walk up and drop something like "damn, nice legs." That'd turn me into Mineta 2.0, and I'd rather keep some shred of dignity.
"I'd like to tell you that you look beautiful in your hero costume," he finally said honestly, "but to be frank... I can't find the right words to say it without it sounding offensive."
He paused, searching for some way to express his appreciation without crossing any lines.
"All I can say is that I like the way you look."
He gave her a thumbs up with all the sincerity he could muster. Momo, who a second ago had been composed, blushed from her cheeks all the way down her neck.
"I-I... Midoriya-san, please understand that I'm not an exhibitionist," she explained quickly, waving her hands nervously. "My Quirk requires direct access to my skin to create objects from my lipid cells. The more exposed skin I have, the faster and more efficiently I can create. It's a functional necessity, not an aesthetic choice motivated by..."
"Yaoyorozu-san," Izuku interrupted gently, scratching his head. "I thought it was an awesome suit. I didn't think anything weird."
"I also think you look great, Yaoyorozu-san," Ochako added with a kind smile. "Your costume is very... eye-catching. In a good way."
"Th-thank you, Uraraka-san." Momo seemed relieved to have another girl's support. "I appreciate your understanding."
"ATTENTION, YOUNG STUDENTS!" All Might's amplified voice cut through every conversation. The Symbol of Peace stood at the entrance to Training Ground Beta. "NOW THAT EVERYONE IS PROPERLY EQUIPPED, IT'S TIME TO EXPLAIN TODAY'S EXERCISE!"
He gestured toward the field behind him, where several mock buildings rose to create a miniature urban landscape.
"THE COMBAT TRAINING WILL CONSIST OF BATTLES BETWEEN HEROES AND VILLAINS! YOU'LL WORK IN TEAMS OF TWO!"
He pulled some cards from his pocket and held them up.
"THE VILLAINS WILL BE PROTECTING A NUCLEAR BOMB HIDDEN INSIDE ONE OF THE BUILDINGS! THE HEROES' JOB WILL BE TO DISARM THE BOMB OR TAKE DOWN THE VILLAINS BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT!"
Izuku felt adrenaline starting to pump through his veins. Real combat, he thought with excitement. Well, simulated. But the closest thing to the real deal we've had so far.
"AND TO KEEP THINGS FAIR, TEAM SELECTION WILL BE COMPLETELY RANDOM!" All Might pulled out a box. "EVERYONE WILL DRAW A NUMBER! MATCHING NUMBERS FORM A TEAM!"
One by one, the students stepped up. Izuku reached into the box and pulled out a white ball with the number "7" painted in black.
Team seven, he thought. I hope I get paired with someone competent.
"Izuku-kun!" He turned to find Ochako running toward him, her own ball in hand. The excitement on her face was unmistakable. "I got seven too! We're a team!"
The joy that burst in Izuku's chest was immediate.
"Seriously?! That's perfect, Ochako. We already know how to work together."
They bumped fists with matching grins. Couldn't have asked for a better partner, he thought with satisfaction. We've already got combat chemistry. This is gonna be amazing.
Then he heard Mineta's voice.
"YES! I GOT PAIRED WITH YAOYOROZU!"
Izuku whipped his head around so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash. WHAT? Sure enough, Mineta was jumping for joy, and Momo stood there with a look of pure resignation.
I'M SO JEALOUS, was Izuku's first thought. I wanted to team up with... He stopped, feeling guilty. No, that's not fair to Ochako. She's super cute too.
He turned to look at her. The tight suit really did accentuate her figure. The curves of her body were noticeable but not exaggerated; a perfect balance between athletic and feminine. And in that hero costume, he admitted, she honestly looks really attractive. But she also looks too adorable. Like... cute in a way that makes me want to squeeze her cheeks.
Izuku rubbed his chin thoughtfully through his mask, absorbed in the existential dilemma of Ochako being simultaneously sexy and adorable.
"Izuku-kun?" He blinked, snapping out of his trance to find Ochako staring at him nervously. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Can I squeeze your cheeks?" he asked without thinking.
Ochako turned completely red.
"I-Izuku-kun, what are you talking about?" she stammered. "Sq-squeeze my cheeks? Here? Now? In f-front of everyone?"
Yeah, I definitely should've thought that through before saying it out loud.
A deep sigh came from his left. They both turned to see Momo looking toward where Mineta was celebrating with a victory dance that included inappropriate hip thrusts. Izuku, moved by compassion, placed a comforting hand on Momo's shoulder.
"Stay strong, Momo," he said sincerely. "You've got this."
She looked at him with eyes that clearly said "no, I don't," but she appreciated the gesture. Then her expression shifted to something thoughtful.
"Uraraka-san," Momo said hopefully, "would you be willing to switch teams with me? I'll take Midoriya-san and you can have Mineta."
Ochako's reaction was instant.
"No, no, no, no!" She waved her hands so hard she nearly smacked herself. "I'm fine, Yaoyorozu-san! I'm perfectly fine with Izuku-kun! Really! There's no need to switch anything!"
She latched onto Izuku's arm like it was a lifeline. Momo let out another defeated sigh before her skin began to glow. In three seconds, a small can of pepper spray materialized in her right hand.
"At least I have this for self-defense," she muttered.
Izuku felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of the spray. Thank every god in existence she didn't have that this morning, he thought with relief. Or my eyes would still be watering.
"ALRIGHT, YOUNG HEROES!" All Might clapped his hands together. "NOW THAT EVERYONE HAS THEIR TEAMS, IT'S TIME TO EXPLAIN THE SPECIFIC RULES!"
He pulled out two large balls, one white and one black.
"THE TEAM THAT DRAWS THE WHITE BALL WILL BE THE HEROES! THE TEAM THAT DRAWS THE BLACK ONE WILL BE THE VILLAINS! THE FIRST MATCH BEGINS IN FIVE MINUTES!"
Izuku looked at Ochako, who met his gaze with determination.
"We're gonna win this," she said with conviction.
"Damn right we are," Izuku agreed. "We're a team. We already know how our sync works."
And if I need to use my Quirk to give her a boost, he thought as he looked at his gloves, I'm gonna have to find a way to make it work through these. Or run a test before the match starts.
******
Author's Note: hitting that Power Stone button is the best way to let me know you want more.
Hi everyone! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Our new posting schedule is now officially in effect. I will be uploading every Monday and Friday morning. Thank you all for reading. Remember that leaving a like is the best way to show you want more. I am also posting early access chapters exclusively at patreon.com/itszeroo.