"(Y/n)...
(Y/n)..." It crawled toward you, actively melting and reshaping as it dragged itself along. Mutated, limbs stretching out, face deformed, skin sliding and sticking in a grotesque manner.. the figure made its way toward you. Its patchy hair was made up of multiple lengths and colors, most prominently white. "(Y/n)..." Like it's body, a very deformed, mangled voice gurgled out forth from the crawling figure.
You were weak in your fear, unable to stand, to back away quickly enough, to even divert your eyes from the horror! You gagged on your breath. But even the absurd amount of tears fleeing from your eyes couldn't cover up the sight. The horrors of what you had done. What you had made.
As it drew nearer, half of the thing's face solidified into a recognizable shape. It was Toya. Or, what was left of him at least, suffering in this sad excuse of an afterlife that was your quirk. You were doing this to him; that was what truly terrified you.
Outside of these nightmares, they were just quirks. But...here... They were people.
People whom you were responsible for mutilating.
"(Y/n).." His voice clearer but still scratchy, the teenager now your age reached out, grabbing ahold of your knee with a constantly reforming, melting limb. His piercing blue eye stared into yours with so much pain. That pain reflected in your own. "Why am I...like this?"
You swat off the goop of doughy flesh and pulled yourself back some more, but the conglomeration continued to drag after. The face of the being shown a couple more. That of an old man and a little girl together mixed to form one hideous face. Your eyes stayed trained on the face you recognized most.
You grit your teeth and spat something back in an attempt to defend yourself in some way. Any way at all! "Yo-you're the one who decided to kill yourself! I-i-if you had waited a little longer, m-maybe we would have met again, and I could have given it ba-ack!"
"It wasn't just the quirk you stole from me!.. Every quirk you steal comes with a dream too!.. I wanted to be a hero!! I wanted to be somebody and you made me nothing!! I may as well have never been born!"
"GET REAL!" You spat. Backing away still, you at least were fighting back verbally. "We both know you wouldn't have become a hero!! Trust me when I say I was trying to help you!! I-I-I was trying to save you from yourself!!.. I saw what you would have turned into and it was NOT a hero!! NO! You would have turned into a villain if I hadn't done anything!"
Toya gasped, then snarled. "NO I WOULDN'T!... TAKE THAT BACK!"
"IT'S THE TRUTH!! I HAVE NO REASON TO LIE TO YOU!"
"THEN HOW DO YOU KNOW?!"
"I just--!... do...." Both of you were at a standstill, breathing intensely while you thought up more to say. You had no evidence to prove yourself right and he had none to prove you wrong.
Toya started to bawl. He reached up to wipe his disfigured faces dry. "You could have at least given me a chance... Anything... I... I didn't want it to end this way..."
You wiped some tears away too. "Neither did I..."
"Then you know why I have to take over." He started up his crawl again.
"Huh???" Scooting back again.
"I have to make things right! I have to save my siblings and.. and punish my dad for everything he's done!" He reached out for you, hand catching on fire -- a bright blue flame. You dodged. The fire on his hand spread to cover the form's whole body, burning themselves, making their anguish worse! "LET ME TAKE OVER OR I'LL MAKE YOUR LIFE HELL, JUST LIKE YOU MADE MINE!!!" As the first form lunged for you, everything suddenly cut out.
-----
"Shhh.. shhh... shhh..." The man carrying you rocked in place like a parent comforting their dear infant, one of his hands patting your back, chin resting on your hair. Your face was sticky with tears, clothes a bit singed. Waking, dragging yourself into the present one breath at a time, you listened to your own sobs like they were a stranger's. How horrendously pitiful they were. Couldn't help but scold yourself internally for sounding so pathetic.
Slam!
Your bedroom door was swung wide open, revealing Kai, "What happened?!" who promptly switched on the lights, blinding everyone including himself. "All For One??!" He didn't need to see well to know his nemesis of sorts was here.
"I'll be gone soon.." Your dad accidentally used his soothing voice to respond. He cleared his throat and tried again, this time firm like how he usually talked to the young man. "I won't be here long. Just came to calm (Y/n) after her nightmare." The elder gestured to the burnt up wall and bed. "Luckily, I came just in time to save her little bed buddy too. The girl is recovering in the living room currently." Oh thank God! You were starting to fear you'd accidentally killed her! AFO caught Kai staring at the burn damage done to the wall. "...I'll pay the repair expenses."
"Hhhh, no, it's fine. I just...didn't know nightmares could make her lose control like that." It honestly made the brunette thankful that you had never blown up at him before. He had no doubt you could probably kill him if you really wanted to. And yes, he had heard you whimper and cry in your sleep before; just didn't know how dangerous you were in that state. How strange. You were the biggest threat when you were your most vulnerable.
Your father, still rocking you like a little baby, took one last glance at the burnt bed before carrying you toward Kurogiri's open portal in the wall. Your whole body tensed up as you appeared in a much darker, pitch black room. "HEY!" Kai called, but he was cut off as the portal closed. You couldn't see well, but what was clear was that the man carrying you sat himself down in the darkness, sitting up with you on his lap. He reached out and pulled a blanket over his propped-up knees. So, guess this was his bedroom? You'd seen his new one before, briefly. Wait, wasn't it supposed to be day here? Oh wait, all the windows could just be sealed tight or something.
Your dad hummed contently, resting his tired cheek on your head. You made a little "gmrp" sound, but that was about it... The man released an exasperated sigh. His heart was beating really fast, only now starting to calm down. You sat there curled up for a little while until the same question stuck on constant repeat finally forced it's way out. "Why do you care so much.. about my nightmares?"
He didn't answer right away, to your annoyance. No, instead, he waited until you were nearly half asleep in his arms again. "...When I was little, I had no one to run to; no one to comfort me in my unique sort of suffering. Yoichi was all I had, but he was smaller. Weaker. And he never understood me when I admitted my troubles to him. He assumed they were just like any other challenge I faced: merely an obstacle I would soon overcome. It was for that reason, as well as many others regarding my position and personality, that I soon became detached from the rest of mankind... I was suffering without even knowing... I could have easily let you down the same path as I... Abandoned you to walk the path of destruction alone soon after your birth... But..." The man paused, as if confused about what he was already questioning what he was going to say. "...In all honesty, there's always been a part of me that's wanted to see what else I could have become..." He held you a little tighter. "Sometimes, I see you as my past self; in moments like this when all I wanted was for someone to hold me and to make me feel safe... I was always that to Yoichi, but I never once experienced that kind of warmth myself... So... Like usual...maybe I am just being a little selfish."
The side of your face laying against his collar, you sighed aloud. "...I've had my fair share of doing nice things for selfish reasons... I get it... I'm fine though, honestly..." This wasn't you forgiving your dad. This was just you admitting that everyone was a little f-ed up in the head. "Um, Dad?... DaAaAd~!" It was no use. He was asleep. You huffed, pulling those blankets over yourself too.
At least this was a good excuse to not to show up to school on time: kidnapped by your dad again.
----- (me a year later: bro why did I write AFO like that?? 😭)
Kai back at the base rubbing his numb skull over why the heck he didn't let AFO cover the damage costs!
---------------
"Nononono, you have to suck in your cheeks more than that!" Tenko.
"What?? But I already am!" Iguchi.
"And lift your eyebrows more too."
"Okay..? Like this?"
"Yesss! But don't squint so much."
"??"
"Trust me!"
-----
You carried your bags of belongings to the back of the bus where the two boys sat. Looked like Tenny was teaching Spinner something. "Hey guys, what's u--" Both of them suddenly turned to you with hilariously over exaggerated model-posed faces. "uuuuuuhhh, nevermind."
"No! I'm not letting you sit down until you try it too, (Y/n)!" Tenko kindly threatened. You rolled your eyes, then gave it your best attempt, making both of the boys fall over laughing. They created space and let you sit by the window. Tenko in the middle.
"I brought snacks!" You announced, pulling some gummies out of the first pouch. Wasn't long before your whole class was reaching for them. Good thing you came prepared.
----------
Yep, today was a special day. All the first years were going to a specialized training camp for the week and everyone was excited! You just wondered how different it would be from canon, since they had reasons for going other than just "for fun."
The bus was officially full the moment Aizawa stepped aboard. His well trained eyes scanned over the rows of rambunctious teenagers, already regretting becoming a teacher.
"Hey, Sensei Aizawa!" Rami lifted his hand up high. "Didn't you go to a summer camp like this too?! What should we prepare for??" Games?? Swimming?? Hiking~??
"I don't remember, honestly. It's all a blur...
...Expect Hell." The class was not cheered up by that...at all.
----------
The bus trip went from rowdy to quieter, then louder again as students one after another joined in on some story-telling game. The "hush little baby don't say a word, momma's gunna buy you a mocking bird" one. It spiraled into the tragic story of a mother selling her child for rice and all the kids involved were giggling and or trying to turn the story around for the better, only for the next person to make it even worse. It turned into everyone roasting the absolute heck out of this poor child.. until someone dared utter the word "crazy."
. . .
"Crazy...? I was crazy once..."
Crazy? I was crazy once. They locked me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats. And rats make me crazy. Crazy? I was crazy once. They locked me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats. And rats make me crazy. Crazy? I was crazy once. They locked me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats. And rats make me crazy. Crazy? I was crazy once. They locked me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats. And rats make me crazy. Crazy? I was crazy once. They locked me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats. And rats make me crazy. Crazy? I was crazy once. They locked me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats. And rats make me crazy. Crazy?
Nearly the whole class joined in for a solid ten minutes. Aizawa was curled up laying in the front row, hugging his knees, almost sobbing.
He was not going to feel remorse for whatever happened to these kids.
---------------
By the time the bus pulled to the side of the road and everyone was ushered out, you, Tenko and Iguchi had perfected your chad faces. And it was gLoRioUs.
The next few minutes played out like dejavu. The Wild Wild Pussycats showed up and introduced themselves. The only real noticable difference was that the man in their group was less roided up, easily out-chadded by your trio, who all silently agreed this was now a game to see who could hold the model posed face the longest.
Everyone was appalled to find out the challenge ahead of them: running through the woods while dirt monsters chased them. You more-or-less expected it.
You were a little excited, however, as your class prepared at the starting line. It took the class 1-A in the anime the whole second half of the day to get through the forest to reach camp... Bet you could make it in half that time~
----------
The sun was setting as you wheezed and stumbled out of the forest. You tripped over your own foot the moment you made base and fell in the dust... Those stupid monsters.. No matter how many times you disintegrated them, they just kept coming back... Lost your chad face hours ago.
Tenko fell past the treeline a few minutes later, falling on his knees. He panted, swallowed spit, and glanced left and right. His peripheral picked up on your still form. "(Y/n)!?" He crawled over to you. You were still as a log. "Oh god, she's dead!"
"No, silly!" The blond pussycat giggled. "Don't worry, she's just sleeping!"
"Th..thank All Might..." Thump. Tenko's body draped over yours, passing out immediately. Student after student appeared one after another, each one joining the pile or at least sitting near it until everyone was through the forest. Iguchi arrived somewhere in the middle of the score board. Not the slowest, but also not the quickest. By the time you finally woke up, at least half a dozen people were laying on top of you and you didn't quite know why.
"Alright, everyone! Time to get up and make yourselves something to eat!" ... ಠ_ಠ You forgot about this part.
Everyone was half awake and making themselves some food. You weren't the only ones either. Class 1-B joined in for what would be probably the sloppiest group project of all time.
Every other person was gagging on the soup you all made. Did someone throw dirt in here or something?? You were spoiled no doubt. Spoiled so bad you'd forgotten what bad cooking tastes like. You were practically dry heaving the first few bites. After that wonderful meal, the classes split up via gender to take a nice hot springs bath.
Fuyu dipped her toes cautiously into the steaming hot water, arm over her chest. "Um.. You don't think any of the boys are going to climb over the wall..do you...?"
"Yahoo!" Luuki sprinted for and jumped into the water.
Fuyu recoiled as her skin was splashed. "Aa!"
Komi was already in the water. "Um, I don't think so.. All the boys in our class at least seem pretty respectful..." The girls could faintly hear the boys on the other side of the wall splashing around and or griping at each other for said splashing.
"Tezuka told me he would make sure no perverts see us, so I'm sure we'll be fine!" Kobayashi skipped into the big bath, so full of confidence.
You were the last to appear of the girls from classes A and B, your body still wrapped in a towel even as you came inches from the bath. Your whole face was fading pink, eyes strictly on the ground. You stripped off the towel, revealing you were still in your underwear, and dropped into the pool. The hot water made your face even hotter. You could feel all the eyes on you. "Please don't look at me.." You stayed extra careful not to look at anyone else. Your nerves were so tense that it was hard to enjoy the wonderful warmth of the water.
"...You know you don't have to wear anything, ri-?"
"-I know." You mumbled. You sank even deeper into the water until only your nose and above were sticking out of the water. Then, you rose just slightly to speak. "Sometimes I just don't like being a woman.." That wasn't exactly it. You couldn't put words to how you were really feeling. Maybe it was just the cultural differences from your past life, but even back then you hated changing in front of people no matter the gender, even when the ladies around you weren't so vividly phased. You've always hated things like baths and wearing little to nothing. Rarely even looked at yourself in the mirror with so little clothes. But, after how long today was, you knew you needed something like this to relax the muscles... Too bad they weren't getting much relaxation with how stressed you were.
"...Well.. in case you're self conscious or anything..." Komi mumbled from the opposite end of the bath. "I think you look really pretty.."
"I agree! You have all the curves, and the muscle!"
"Mhm!"
"Thhheh... You guys are too nice.." A faint smile lifted your cheeks. You kept your eyes off of the others though, willing yourself to respect their privacy just as much as you wished for them to respect yours.
Your body turned away, arms and chin resting on the edge of the pool, you finally started to relax as the girls started talking to each other about the differences in classrooms, teachers, and any other oddities. You were nearly asleep when your name was called out of the blue.
"Hey, (Y/n)!" Kobayashi.
"WUH!" Your torso jerked upright, suddenly alert as if ready for battle.
"Oh! Sorry, did I wake you up?"
"Maybe kinda.." You laughed. Such a small, nervous kind, but in a cute way. Very different from how you usually acted.
"You know Tenko likes you, right? I mean, it's been pretty obvious since day one!"
You sat straighter, glad it was the side of you facing the majority of women. You blushed a little at them. "Uhh, why are we talking about boys in a place like this??"
"What else are we supposed to talk about!?" Kobayashi laughed.
"The Space Rangers season 4 finale, duhh!" Luuki. There was a little chatter about changing the topic, but in the end a lot of the eyes ended on you again, hungry for the drama.
"Um... Well, there isn't really much to say here.. Yes? We talked about it a month ago and agreed to just be friends."
"Wow, and no drama after that??" Several of the girls were impressed.
"Yeah?.." In all fairness to them, a story like yours and Tenko's was pretty rare. It was more often to hear about friends splitting up after something like that. But, luckily your bond with Tenny was just built different.
The boy gossip continued. You eventually tuned it out. You weren't completely dense to the lingo of young women. Whenever all other conversation topics fail, there's always boy drama to fall back on. Unfortunately, this meant girls like yourself who simply have no interest in men are ostracized from a lot of girl-only friend groups. By now, though, you came to expect this pattern of behavior. You had survived highschool once already before, after all.
Reimu Luuki eventually scooted over by you to bring up conversation about something else. You were unfamiliar with this "Space Rangers" show, but enjoyed listening to her explain the plot, characters, mysteries, and action scenes in autistic detail. These were typically how conversations with Izuku went as well. Primarily him talking his heart out while you just listened, hummed acknowledging along, and only occasionally speaking up to ask a question or clarify that you heard right. By the sound of it, the blandly named show actually sounded pretty interesting, which helped to entertain you.
In the middle of everyone's bath, a sudden shriek flew over the wall from the boys' side. "BRO NOW THAT'S GAY!" This made all the girls freeze up, then laugh as even more sounds of chaos and splashing ensued on the other end. You too couldn't help but laugh. Didn't sound like anyone from your class. You put it on your to-do list to ask Tenny and Spinner about it tomorrow.
----------
In the community girls' bedroom already covered in futons...
You hissed at the girls while clutching your dead bag of snacks close. They were cornering you quickly, each one fixing you with puppy dog eyes.
"Pleeeease, Diforester~!" Fuyu's bottom lip quivered. "I still have the taste from whatever we had for dinner stuck in my mouth!"
"Me too!"
"Me too!"
"You guys should have thought ahead of time then! These snacks are mine!"
"Get her!!!" Someone from class B shouted. All the girls tackled you, fighting for those snacks like wild animals.
"I bet that together!.. Guh!.. We...stand a chance!"
They succeeded in the end, stealing the bag of snacks from you to split amongst themselves. You lay flat on the floor still, defeated and breathing mightily... You should have never brought all those snacks. Darn your sweet tooth. Darn your quirk requiring more food than average. The girls left you with still a majority of the snacks in your bag, thankfully, which you proceeded to hang up in a high corner where the others couldn't reach it without use of their quirks.
---------------
You waited until there was nothing but snoring and shifting in the night. Staring up at the ceiling, you dreaded the thought of falling asleep here... around so many people.
After the night before last when you were caught a little late from a nightmare, you heard from Himiko what happened on her end. And it was truly tragic. Turns out she was burnt. Really bad, too. But your dad used his reversal quirk on the girl to heal her just in time. That was where you had to draw the line. No more sleeping with you. Not even staying in the same room was allowed anymore.
You just.. didn't want to hurt anyone...
You stood and rolled your futon, blanket, and pillows up and carried them with you out of the bedroom.
Pale blue light spilled through the windows. You wandered around for a while, looking for a safe place to sleep. After deciding there simply was no safe place indoors, you exited the camp dormatory and settled your bed down in the middle of a small field just outside.
The dark shapes of trees framed a picture of the stars. You laid down and stared at their sparkle for the longest time. You waited and waited for that fatigue to settle in, but it never did. Anxiety kept your body awake and your mind sharp. On top of not wanting to wake anyone, you also didn't want anyone to find out about you having more than one quirk. Even after thirty minutes of lying there still, you were awake.
That knowing came about again. Your old man was checking in on you from afar. Shortly after, he appeared. Didn't say anything. Barely even acknowledged you. He just laid down in the grass beside you, hands cupping behind his head as he joined in-on your star gazing. His mere presence calmed you, though terrible as it would also be if someone found him here.
"You know, I still struggle to comprehend the vastness of the universe..." He said aloud suddenly, eyes fixed on the heavens above. It certainly was a beautiful sight. You couldn't see this many stars from the city, no doubt. Reminded you of your previous life, when you used to live out in the country.
Your father started to drone-on about the universe, about existence, and the fabric of reality we all perceive. You gave your input as the two of you theorized how it all worked. How the universe functioned. Its mysteries and realities alike. The talk got rather deep. It was hard to remember everything pondered about.
"..No, I don't think we are meant to understand everything at all." You gave a rather blunt answer. He had been talking about how one could ever expect to have all the answers. You agreed. It was simply impossible. Your eyes stuck on the sky, you reached up, as if trying to grab a handful of stars. "Hm... I don't think we were ever meant to understand it all.. At least not alone. But, together.. if one person understands this, and another that, I think we were all meant to understand the universe together. We all live such different lives. Our experiences bring an entirely new perspective to reality. One no one else could match... That's why I like to think we're all little pieces to one massive puzzle. Collectively, we can piece together the very fabric of reality and what it all means. Who knows? Maybe one day, after we die, we can look back on the world and see the bigger picture. One we could never see while alive." After death, huh...? That was a funny thought. Considering how both easy and hard it was for you to die out here. You always felt like you were two days from death when in reality you could survive a billion years.
Oddly enough, it was the thought of dying one day that comforted you more than living for an eternity.
"Hm.. Sounds like something Buddha would say... You truly are wise beyond your years." The shine from the stars in your father's eyes brightened as he side-eyed you, smirking proudly.
You chuckled and turned your face his way. "It's what happens when people talk over you your whole life."
"Pshh. Am I one of them?"
"Maybe a little."
"Hah!. I'll try to be more considerate in the future."
"Thanks..?" He was already so much easier to talk to than your past-life's dad, who would interrupt you and change topics any time you tried to talk about something he wasn't interested in... Probably helped that AFO shared a few interests with you, but-
-wait... Why are you always comparing your parents to your old ones? That was a whole nother life. A different you. A different reality entirely. Yet.. sometimes you still thought of that world as being more real than this one. Of those people being more real than the ones in front of you right now...
Why were you so attached to the past? Would you ever see this life as being truly your own? These people as truly your friends? ... Or was there always going to be this level of disconnect? That constant nagging in the back of your head telling you that none of this is real.
. . .
Sniff. Huh? Your head turned again to your dad, who was staring up at the sky. Most amazingly of all was that there were the smallest of tears speckling his eyes. "What?" You asked him coldly.
"A while ago, we spoke about old Biblical tales... Well, star gazing reminds me of the story of an old man. Abram was his name if I remember correctly... Though he and his wife tried, they could never have any children. Yet his God promised him that he would have as many descendants as there were stars in the sky... He later had a son, who from him was birthed an entire nation that went on to affect the whole world one day." He reached up his hand, delicately stroking his fingers through the stars. You watched his hand tiredly. "...It makes me wonder what kind of nation I would have created...if I hadn't slaughtered my own children.." His other hand curled in a ball and covered his trembling mouth. He stretched out his other hand even more, as if genuinely trying to grab one of them. "They may have been imperfect, but..they were of my own flesh and blood still... I hate yet cannot stop myself from imagining a life where I let them live..." Whispering now, "...Many of them would have gone on to live completely mundane lives. Talking to them would be such a bore.. But...at least they would provide me with company. The kind you can't get from villains and business partners. Even without any quirks, they could have been of use-- tssss. God, what was I thinking..?" His hands fell and dragged down his face. "I was so determined to prove Chloe wrong.. that I didn't stop to consider she may just be right... I don't even know how to feel about this-"
"-Bad." Side eyeing the villain with a cold, detached glare.
"..Pardon?"
"You should feel bad about what you did. About everything you did. It's only by the grace of God that I'm not trying to kill you right now." You rolled your eyes, turning your attention to the sky again. You sighed long and loud. You chuckled dryly. "Heh.. I can't even imagine what it would be like trying to live with thirty-six siblings... Most would probably have kids and grandkids of their own by the time I came around, so, yeah.. I could see your descendants growing into a pretty big family..." Your eyes narrowed again, the glow of the night sky sparkle leaving them. "...Not only did you kill countless people, including your own children, but you set it up for me to kill my own broken mother. So, not only is she gone, but I have to live with guilt because of it... The Lord may be forgiving.." You rolled onto your side, back facing him. "but I'm not... Say your prayers if you're really feeling sorry..but not to me. ... I won't give a s###."
"...That's... good to know..." AFO wiped a little more moisture from his face, then sat up, seeing as he was getting the cold shoulder now. "I fed Machia, in case you were wondering."
"Mh."
"Sweet dreams, my angel."
"Mh." The man pet your head before he left, then vanished in the night. You laid there with a sullen face and sticky tears streaming down the sides of your cheeks. You sniffled and wiped your nose on the blanket.
Why did you have to wish for this man to be your dad?.. Of all people.
How naive you were to think this would all play out like some young girl's fanfiction...
What about this was supposed to be fun?
----------
There were no nightmare incidents that night. Thank God.
---------------
"So what happened?" When breakfast eventually came around, you returned from getting scolded for sleeping outside to casually sit down beside your friends for that juicy scoop about what happened last night in the tubs.
Tenko stared at you for a solid three seconds before exasperatingly draping himself over the table.
"Hhh, I'll tell her." Iguchi was so kind to inform you instead. "So basically Hokusei was dared to kiss Tenko... which he did without hesitation." You gasped at this. Hokusei?!! Why, you oughta slap some sense into that boy real quick!... Who was Hokusei again?
"Why must I be the subject of such bullying?" Tenko whined. You pouted some along with him.
"Well you are kinda small.."
"Thanks, (Y/n). A real life saver you are." Sarcasm 1,000%.
---------------
Camp was the embodiment of Hell on Earth. Everyone was pushed to their limits in ruthless, nonstop training exercises.
Tenko had to do all kinds of gymnastics through the trees even when his own sweat was slipping him up, his muscles on the brink of collapsing from exhaustion. All while trying to use OFA to the best of his ability without breaking any bones.
Spinner's exercises were almost the exact same, minus the massive power boosts. He was actually kind of enjoying jumping around in the trees...until his body was pushed to collapsing, at least.
And you? Well, your training was less on pushing yourself to your limits and instead to achieve the exact opposite: minimizing the damage of Decay as much as physically possible.
So, there you stood in front of a table comedically covered in the sweetest of cinnamon rolls, tasked with viciously grabbing and eating one before it was destroyed by your quirk. However, so far the only thing you were eating was dust, and it sucked! They smelled so good! You were brought to tears.
Wait a minute... Wasn't there a..? Oh yeah! You remembered now! A little boy lived here in the anime, one who had just lost his parents! They were still alive, right?? Meaning you could do something to save those parents perhaps...? Problem was...how..?
Mh, it would be impossible to help out from this angle. Better just use the resources you have in the underworld to find and kill the villain responsible for their deaths first. That way, you could indirectly save their lives, and that little boy wouldn't have to grow up an orphan! Glad you remembered now. Gave you yet another problem to mull over in your head.
To do list:
1. Arrest Dad
1.5. make sure he can't in any way
reach Izuku or his mom
2. Kill muscular villain
3. Acquire Flect's quirk
4. Etc
There really were a lot of important things to do on there now, none of which had to do with stuffing your face with dust.
By the end of the day, everyone was too tired to speak to each other, yet again, you were expected to make yourselves dinner. This time, you all managed a little better. At the very least, it no longer tasted like dirt, and this time you ended the day with a quick shower and rolling yourself up into a burrito where hopefully no one would find you.
Rinse and repeat the next day, except this time they broke the training up with some fun competitive games. The itch around your eyes and neck were getting way worse come the middle of the week. Worst of all was you were showing the least improvement out of everyone.
---------------
Finally came the funny little game involving both classes. That one where everyone pairs up and travels through the woods while other teams of people try to scare them. Dunno who invented this game nor why, had a sneaking suspicion it was Aizawa's revenge, but it was a fun idea and you weren't complaining.
Until you were partnered with Hokusei.
Though Tenny wasn't really bothered about that little stunt anymore, you held his grudge for him. Let's just say your poor classmate could feel the protective, hostile aura radiating off of you any time he came near. You even verbally growled one time when you caught him casually glancing in Tenko's general direction. Suffice to say you were not going to let your friend get put into a position like that again. Nope, not while you were around.
This hostile atmosphere continued even after the game began. Hokusei tried his best to ignore you and just walked around casually with his hands in his pockets, but that glare drilling into the back of his head the whole time was so intense he started to get a headache.
Unable to take it anymore, the teen spun around. Nonchalant but also super annoyed. "Alright, what is your problem with me? Was it something I said?"
Droning, tone dripping with agitation, "You forced a kiss on Tenko just because of some stupid dare."
"Ghhh, sorry I got in-between you and your boyfriend-"
"-He's not my boyfriend!"
"Then why do you care so much?! Shimura already said he forgives me! So chill out!"
"Shimura will forgive anyone for literally anything."
"Well then maybe you should take a few tips from him."
You scoffed. "What's your problem, man?! Can't you see I'm just trying to take care of my best friend?!"
"And why can't you see that I was just playing a game!!?" The boy sighed. He deemed continuing this debate pointless, spinning back around to follow the trail. "Stop taking life so seriously and maybe you'll enjoy it for once."
...You didn't want to follow, but you had to. You trailed behind, enjoying the couple times when he screamed like a little girl whenever somebody jumped him. Eventually though, you were reaching your boiling point. The boy's attitude towards you and Tenko was infuriating. Yet there was no easy solution to this! Nothing but--
You slapped the teen into a passing tree and pinned him to it using your forearm like a bar across his throat. Hokusei gagged, terror in his eyes, which was such a satisfying sight for you. "Wht'th-heck?!"
"Mess with my friend like that again and I swear you will regret it!... Ya hear me?!" The other student shut up, swallowed his spit, and nodded. "Good.." You left him to gasp for air on his own.
Truth is you didn't really know why you lost your cool so easily over that, but one thing was for sure. Which is that no one messes with your friends.
You took the lead in stomping toward the end of the trail. Hokusei didn't quite get the clue. Because after only a few minutes, he rose his voice. "Listen, I like your friend, okay??" You froze, listening ears paying close attention. You craned your neck to peek over your shoulder. Lastly, you rose a suspicious brow.
"Like...gay?"
"Sssssss..." The teen neared, rubbing the back of his hot neck while keeping his eyes on the leafy ground. "...Yeah."
Your brows furrowed. "That doesn't make what you did any better."
"I know.. I know.. I'm sorry... My friend from class 1B was the one who dared me, since he already knew, and likes to tease me about it... I decided to get him back by actually doing it, whiiiich turned into this mess!.. I've already apologized to Shimura personally."
You nodded somewhat understandingly. "At least there's that."
"You two have been friends since childhood, right??"
"Yeah?"
"Has he, um.. ever shown any interest in boys?" You spun fully around. Just had to get a look at this! Dang, this was priceless! The usually 'too cool for school' chill background guy was suddenly so expressive and.. nervous!
You clicked your tongue and shrugged. "To my knowledge, no. He's never shown any interest."
"Okay..." He sulked in defeat.
"Not like I'd let you hit on him anyway."
"Huh?"
"You heard me right!" You placed your hands firmly on your hips, staring slightly down at the lad. He was actually pretty tall for a first year; another reason he got on your nerves. "Sorry, bud, but you didn't pass the vibe check!"
"I'm...sorry?"
"It's aight, but after accidentally breaking the poor kid's heart myself, I'm not just going to let anyone have their shot at it! I've been telling the girls in our class the same thing too. If you want a chance with him, you've gotta go through me, because unlike Tenny I actually have a spine!" Finishing off by crossing your arms confidently.
Hokusei's eyebrows scrunched antagonizingly. "You realize saying that makes you sound like a manipulative b####, right?"
"Strike two for the nu-uh list~"
"Fine, or, whatever. I wasn't going to say anything to him unless he looked interested anyway. Now that we had this conversation, I'm definitely going to make him reconsider having you as a friend, though, because he deserves better friends than your over controlling a##!"
You scoffed doubly offended. "Look whose talking! Listen, I'm only saying these things because I know how much of a pushover he is! He's not in the best place mentally either!"
"Oh yeah? And how much of that is your fault?"
"Excuse me???" You stepped forward. The teen crouched in a fighting stance.
"Give it your best shot; I'm ready this time!"
You tilted your chin back. "Oh, are ya, now~?" Approaching, you cracked your knuckles. "Because in that case, it wouldn't be considered bullying if I bruised you up a bit~" You were done taking the blame for everything, especially from brats like this guy.
---------------
"...Um.. Shouldn't Diforester and Hokusei be out by now?" A group of curious students and teachers had gathered. There was only one group sent in after your pairing and even they should be drawing near to the end by now. Aizawa bit at the inside of his mouth, cursing under his breath at the thought of something going wrong.
Just then, the last pair jogged out of the treeline panting. Ito and a kid from class B. "Guys!" Ito exclaimed between gasps. "Diforester and Hokusei...are fighting!"
Aizawa lowered his brows, leading the siege into the forest.
---------------
Guh!.. There is a reason this kid came in on a recommendation! Though he never showed off, he was leagues head of his classmates! Heck, you were starting to wonder how he placed so low in the Sports Festival!
A fallen stump flung at you too fast to dodge this time. Even with Decay, the chunks that remained knocked you back, giving you annoying splinters as well. This kid was smart too. He could tell based on your fighting style that you were a skilled brawler and so used the many trees to his advantage for both hiding and evading attacks. You could only stick to Decay with this guy, which was annoying but also necessary.
Three rocks flew at you all from different angles at varying levels, so there was no dodging this. Though you technically could have blocked or evaded with other quirks, you shut off even the regeneration aspect of your own born quirk, taking a rock to the shin and ribs while you prioritized slapping the one eye level into oblivion. More objects flew your way. Your best bet was to pursue the guy and try to close the gap between him and you. You managed a few surprise attacks before, but as this fight was progressing, he was the one adapting and improving quicker than you, which irritated you even more! You finally brute forced it and caught the other teen, pinning him on the ground against the base of a tree.
Grunting, struggling to keep the classmate in place, "You don't..have the right to say I am being manipulative!.. You don't have the right to say anything about a relationship you know nothing about!"
"Well that struck a nerve! I wonder why~" You slammed that smug boy's back against the tree once more. "Ow!"
"I want to protect Tenny..because I love him! Not romantically!.. Better than that! Because unlike you people with silly little boy crushes..I wouldn't leave him just because he's not interested in me!"
"Hgh.. I thought you were just saying you didn't want me near him! But now you're getting onto me for not trying?!"
"No, idiot!!"
"You're not making any sense!!"
"(Y/n) Diforester!! Let go of Hokusei right now!" Aizawa made a sudden appearance, his quirk already active and trained on the two of you. Tenko came panting shortly after, followed by a couple other students from your class.
Caught and humiliated, you backed off of the other kid with your hands raised over your head for good measure. Your eyes were so noticably distrusting that several students took note of it for later theorizing. Tenko was simply at a loss. To find his friend caught up in a fight of all things. Even if you had a good reason, it still was uncalled for.
Hokusei was a stoically silent blushing mess when he realized Tenny was among those watching. Didn't take long before he was standing at a distance beside you, looking everywhere but the people staring at him.
"Now will one of you tell me what this is all about?" Aizawa sighed. The other fighter shot you a pleading look. You rolled your eyes.
"It's personal."
"Hokusei?"
"Li-like what she said! It's stupid, really!"
"Yeah yeah!" You agreed.
"Hhhh.." Aizawa deactivated his quirk and rubbed his face. "Can't send you two home as punishment since this place is training hell...but that's what something like this would usually call for. Diforester. Hokusei. You two will wake up an hour earlier to train, will continue to train without involving yourselves in games, and will cook your own meals separately from the rest of the class. Best part is will be doing all of this together.. so you can learn to work out this 'personal matter' between the two of you without resorting to violence." Both you and the other guy side eyed each other, very much disapproving of this plan. But.. that was kind of the point of a punishment, wasn't it?
"Hhhh, yes sir..."
"Hhhh, yes sir..."
----------
On the walk back, Tenko questioned if the fight had to do with him. You admitted it had to do with him somewhat, to which he promptly apologized for.
"It's okay, Tenny... You aren't the issue here." You wrapped an arm around your friend's shoulder, afterward very discretely tilting your chin back over your shoulder, the finishing touch being the mocking little smirk you gave Hokusei behind you.
If this camp was hell, then your goal was to make his worse than yours. As was his goal as well. Neither of you would let the other enjoy the rest of their trip no matter what.
-----
Let's just say you were SOOO glad to be back once it was over!
After your father heard about it, he laughed. Who knew you could be so petty?! Must've gotten that from him.