opposites attract (but we're more than just that)

Chapter 3

Shinsou's hero costume was designed to blend in well with darkness, to allow him to move freely and to not get in the way of his capture weapon or mask. However, standing amidst his fellow classmates, he felt as if he was wearing a bin bag. Everyone's costume just was so bright. There were a few exceptions, but they still stood out, like Tokoyami's. There were a few weird costumes, like Mineta's, and some very revealing ones, like Yaoyorozu's, but, for the most part, the costumes were amazing. Shinsou felt a bit like the ugly duckling, surrounded by swans. He had been loitering away from the group, but a shy wave from from Jiro and Tokoyami's clique (Group? Hero team? Friendships are very confusing.) led him to be in the centre of the crowd. Everyone was focused on Aizawa, thank god, who stood in front of them, dressed in his hero costume, his sleeping bag no-where to be seen.

"Today is a very simple training exercise, so you can get your heads back in the game. You will be put in pairs, and you will then compete with a corresponding group from class 1-B. Your goal is to reach your flag before they do. Each pair here will have to find a different flag, so when the explanation's over, take a map from the pile over there. You are allowed to engage in combat with your rivals, but not any other groups. This will take place inside the model city through the gate behind me. The training exercise will last one hour. If the other team gets the flag, you're out. If you run out of time, you're out. If you injure your own team mate, you're out. If you fight against anyone you're not supposed to, you're out. If you're out, you've lost. Is that clear?"

A shout of agreement rings out, "Yes Sensei!" Shinsou didn't bother to join in.

"If I may be as bold as to ask," Iida called out in his robotic voice, "But what is the purpose for this exercise? Asides from 'getting our heads back in the game'? I feel it is important for everyone to know what lesson they will achieve from this!"

Aizawa sighed heavily, "This exercise will teach you how to focus on your own goal and enemy, and leave other heroes alone to fight theirs. As heroes, it is very important to know which battles to fight. You are one big team, just with different enemies. This will be important to understand if you are to join a hero agency when you graduate."

"Thank you, Sensei! That was very informative! But, how do we tell who our rival team is?"

"Each pair will be given a coloured arm-band, your rivals will be wearing the same colour."

"That's very clever Sensei!"

"Iida, quieten down."

"Of course, Sensei!"

"Still too loud."

"My apologies, Sensei!"

"Right, class. I will read out your pairs, make sure to discuss a plan with them before the battle."

"Yes, Sensei!" Came the chorus of voices.

"Ahhhh! I'm so excited for this! I hope I'm paired with you Deku!" Shinsou could pick out Uraraka's voice from the cluster of students, though it was quickly followed by a voice he couldn't place.

"I also wish for that, Midoriya." Going up on tip-toes, Shinsou could see a boy with an odd hair dye speaking.

"Todoroki, Uraraka! That's so kind of you! Though I'm sure you'd do just as well without me, haha." It was broccoli boy. So his name's Midoriya? Or is it Deku? And the scar guy is called Todoroki?

Aizawa cleared his throat, gaining the classes attention once again.

"Here we go. Aoyama and Ashido. Asui and Ojiro. Iida and Kaminari. Uraraka and Kirishima. Shoji and Yaoyorozu. Jiro and Sero. Shinsou and Bakugo. Tokoyami and Hagakure. Todoroki and Sato. Midoriya and Mineta. Please get into your pairs."