Prodigies - My Hero Academia

This is Our School Festival

A new day breaks. Clouds roll overhead, warm air blasts through the hotel vents. The lobby bar is quiet aside from the low hum that naturally emits from Kurogiri. He spot cleans glasses with a rag, greeting his superior that just entered.

Shigaraki nods in his direction, removing the disposable face mask and dropping his hood. The sun rose before he could firmly grasp time. Eight hours of work with the doctor, six hours of League matches in a cyber cafe, and half an hour of walking lead to a solid no sleep schedule. His eyes are bloodshot, limbs aching, and back destroyed by terrible chair posture. Pulling out a bag of Yamayoshi chips, he takes a seat at a round table and carefully picks up the TV remote. The screen awakens to a chipper news anchor standing behind her desk.

"Good morning and welcome to channel seven at seven! All social media platforms continue to rave over Supernova's return."

With a grimace, he changes the channel.

"Why haven't we heard a statement from the hero herself?"

Once again, he changes the channel.

"Superhero impersonator or the real deal?! Last week our girl in blue took the street by storm in the Billboard Park Parade."

"Former number two pro walks with Japan's current chart winners, then goes back into hiding."

"She is blatantly criticizing All Might! How could the Commission President let that slide?"

"Clearly there is a message here. Is she back to reclaim her spot in society?"

"I honestly think it was her. It has to be! Supernova is known for her tendency to upstage the competition. Especially for large crowds."

"We have yet to hear a statement confirming or denying the identity of this woman."

"The Commission asks that if you have any information on the matter, please contact the number on screen immediately."

Several attempts to avoid this news have failed, again. Scratching at his neck, nails flaking at the surface level of skin, Shigaraki's breathing becomes irregular.

"Can I get you a drink?" Kurogiri calls from the bar counter. 

"Our plan will need to be put on pause."

He stands, pausing before making his next move. Gripping the table's edge, half of it disintegrates into dust before hitting the wall below the TV. Chairs topple over and glasses on the counter rattle. His eyes protrude, nails digging deeper.

Mimicking reporters' voices, "Supernova! All Might! Oh, please, protect us. You're so amazing and cool. We could never thank you enough for all the damn lies you make! Hopeless fucks! I'll kill all of them. I swear it!"

"Shigaraki." Kurogiri firmly states with intent to ground him.

"Shut up! Go alert the others to fall back until further notice and get that fucking informant to come up with another time so we can collect what we need. I want to have another plan in motion by midnight."

***

U.A. campus is bustling with busy students and faculty this morning, dashing left and right to add final preparations to their respective events. Stepping down from Height's Alliance, Aizawa and Eri meet Togata at the bottom of the entrance stairs. Overjoyed to have him as her guardian for the day, the young girl hurries to wrap her arms around his leg. 

Swooping her up, "Hey Peach!", Togata laughs. 

Her pigtails bounce, lifting up the fresh breeze. Once her feet are back on the ground, Eri twirls to show off her outfit. Red overalls, sneakers, and a band shirt gifted from Yamada. A small backpack with a bee keychain is strapped over her shoulders.