Red in Different Shades

13. Margin of Improvemnt

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Edited 14.MARCH.2022

Edited 15.OCT.2024

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The classroom was already full of her fellow classmates by the time she stepped through the door. Bakugou was hounding Kirishima and Sero, who couldn't stop laughing about something, but most of the class was focused on Iida.

"It's true that he was tenacious. I understand how some people could think he was cool. But he chose purging as a result of his beliefs. No matter what he thinks, that part of him is unacceptable. To keep anyone else from turning out like me, I will continue on the path to becoming a hero." Iida stood tall, fully back in his usual class-rep mode.

Niwa gave a small, approving smile. Good. It seems like he's moving forward, too. The Hero Killer had been a subject she'd avoided like the plague, but knowing how badly Iida had been affected by his brother's injury, she'd been quietly concerned. Seeing him now, steadfast and ready, it eased something in her. Maybe arresting Stain had given him the closure he needed.

"Morning." Niwa strolled over to her seat, keeping her steps light. She felt the weight of things shift, bit by bit. The week with Mirko had been a lot, but she'd pushed through. No breakdowns, no doubts. Just pure progress.

As she passed Bakugou, she noticed his fingers still digging into Kirishima's and Sero's uniforms.

"Hey, Niwa!" Kirishima grinned as Bakugou scoffed and finally released the two boys.

"How'd your internship go? You just missed the funniest thing ever," Sero added, fixing his collar with a mischievous smirk.

Niwa raised a brow just in time to see Bakugou smack Sero over the head with his textbook.

"It went well enough," she said, stretching her arms. "Jumped across buildings, beat up some guys, chased a pro hero around, and got pummeled by said pro every day. Pretty normal, really."

Sero whistled low. "Better than us, then."

"Way better," Kirishima groaned.

The sound of Aizawa's footsteps echoed down the hall, the sound urged the class scramble to their seats as if teleporting into place.

Niwa dropped into her chair and exhaled. The internship had been both grueling and thrilling, but sitting back in a classroom where nothing was trying to punch her, was a luxury she hadn't realized she'd missed.

When Hero class with All Might rolled around, that feeling of calm only deepened. Sure, All Might was far from perfect as a teacher and half the time, he still needed his notes but there was comfort in knowing that nothing he planned would be as... extreme as Mirko's idea of training.

"All right! Long time no see, boys and girls!" All Might greeted them with his signature grin, standing tall in his hero costume. "You've all been well, I hope! Today, we're going to shake off that internship rust with something fun. Arescue race!"

Niwa relaxed further in her seat, practically ready to melt. Finally, something straightforward.

Iida's hand shot up. "If we're doing rescue training, shouldn't it be at USJ?"

"That place is for disasters," All Might replied. "This is a race! We'll be in Field Gamma, a dense industrial area designed like a labyrinth."

A labyrinth of twisting metal... Niwa smirked slightly. Now this could be interesting.

"You'll break into four groups of five and go one group at a time. When I send a distress signal from inside, you'll start from the city's outskirts. The goal is simple. Find and rescue me first!"