The Emperor's Dragon

One Last Fight

Izuku grinned at Hitoshi and Ochaco. It was graduation day and while none of them were the Dux of the school, that had gone to Sae Jou, they had all been lauded for passing UA's entrance exam. Ochaco especially. Their Middle School had never had anyone get into UA, let alone three of them, and one of those three into the most prestigious course of Heroics. The praise had done a lot to reinstate her confidence.

This was the last day and they'd just gotten through their last assembly. The rest of the day would be spent with the class reminiscing before they went home. For some, it would be the last time they saw each other but for others, they would go on to High School together. For Ochaco and Hitoshi, they would be looking for accommodation near UA. Dad had already arranged an apartment for him.

"Go talk to others," Izuku encouraged his friends. "They'll want to talk to you today," he added.

"Yeah, because they never have before," Hitoshi noted.

Izuku chuckled. "They'll want to today," he repeated.

"And to you?" Ochaco asked.

He sighed. "Yeah," he admitted. They laughed and moved off. Today, even if they hadn't spoken all year, he knew their classmates would want to talk, and yes that did include him. It was just one of the things that was expected. It was a bit fake. Their classmates had had the last four years to talk to them, but mostly hadn't and suddenly now they did. It was probably a way of repairing bridges for the future and since he only knew he was going into Management at UA... he should probably make sure bridges were repaired, or built. If there was no bridge, then it did have to be built.

Betsu was the first to come up to him. "UA huh?" she said with a sly smile. "I didn't think you, of all people, would go to UA."

Izuku looked at her. "Why not?" He asked. He wasn't friends with Betsu, not the way he was friends with Ochaco and Hitoshi but he had at least spoken to the other girl a few times this year!

She gave him a disbelieving look. "Everyone knows you hate heroes."

"Ah," Izuku replied, sighing slightly with the response. "You do know my dad is going to require assistance with his breathing for the rest of his life," he said. It was slightly defensive but he had a reason to not like heroes that much.

"I know but UA is the hero school so seeing you go there, it's a surprise, that's all," Betsu said.

"They also have the best management class," Izuku reminded her. "And I am going to take over dad's businesses," he added. He didn't know if he was going to do that but, it was the easiest response.

"It's still a bit of a surprise," she repeated, "but needs must-" The way she said it put Izuku on edge.

"You're okay with going to Haisui?" he asked. Haisui was one of the best High Schools in Tsu but it did not have the reputation of UA. No where had the reputation of UA.

Something flashed across Betsu's features. "I'm okay with it," she said in a tone that Izuku knew immediately that she wasn't okay. He didn't know what he could do about it or even if he should attempt to do anything. He had no idea of her situation.

"Did you apply for-" He didn't finish the question.

Betsu shook her head immediately. "Good luck, Izuku," she said instead.

"Good luck to you as well, Betsu," he wished her well. "High School isn't everything," he added firmly.

"Yeah, we'll see," she said as she moved away.

The encounter left Izuku feeling... he wasn't quite sure but he did know there was nothing he could do, so resolutely he pushed it from his mind. Something Tomura had said to him was appropriate. If she wanted to be more than a NPC, then she was going to have to do something, not him. Except... for all that he'd heard longing in her voice, he was pretty sure Betsu would remain a NPC. As much as Tomura complained about his friends, even he had to admit they were doing their best not to be NPCs.