Heroes of Tomorrow

Part 14~Back to Class

The classes stood before the podium where Nezu was, the headmaster as cheery as ever. "Hi there! It's the adorable small mammal you all know and love, the principal. You may notice the fur I'm so proud of has deteriorated in quality. I haven't been taking care of it. This is something that can happen to humans, too. Even if you eat a balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals, you won't have a mane of luscious locks unless you're getting lots of sleep. That's the secret."

Uzu and Akiko both looked awkward as they avoided looking at Nezu. That comment felt a little too targeted, but then again, they might be overthinking it due to their lack of sleep.

"Disturbances in your normal resting patterns are terrible for your hair. So if you want to improve your furs," and so he continued as the student body questioned its relevance. "My own sleep cycle has been upset by the incidents that took place over summer vacation, which I'm sure everyone here knows about already.

We lost a pillar of hope. The ramifications of which have appeared faster than I could have ever imagined. And there will likely be even more chaos throughout our world in the near future. In particular, this will be most apparent to those of you studying in the hero course. You must approach extracurricular activities, like the hero work studies available to second and third years, with a greater sense of caution.

The air always feels heavy when we talk about gloomy subjects. But rest assured, your teachers are working hard to remove this weight from your shoulders. I'd like all of you to learn from their diligence and remember that hard work will help you develop into capable heroes. Whether hero core, support, business or general studies. I don't want any of you to forget that you're the ones who will inherit our society."

"Well spoken. Thank you, Principal Nezu," Vlad shouted as Nezu jumped off the podium. "Now, we'll hear from the extracurricular guidance teacher. Please give Mr Hound Dog your attention."

Hound Dog stepped up to the mic, moving it to better catch his voice. "Yesterday, two students," he paused as he tried to suppress it, but he was too angry. He began snarling and shouting into the mic.

Vlad blinked as Hound Dog walked away. "As you just heard, there were students fighting last night. I know you're not used to life in the dorms, but let's all be a little more respectful moving forward. That's it. Back to the classrooms starting with the third years."

The students started to disperse as Akiko frowned.

"What's wrong, mon ame?" Aoyama stepped back to walk alongside her.

"It's nothing just... They said two students, meaning Bakugo and Midoriya."

"Correct."

"Well, then, where's Naka?"

Aoyama blinked, not knowing how to answer that.

Uzu huffed, further forward in the line.

"Is something wrong?" Kaminari glanced back as Uzu tutted.

"They didn't bring up Hanta."

"Yeah, but you can't blame them. Sero's a hot topic. I heard the public are ignoring that he was a traitor. They're holding all these memorials and stuff as if he didn't try to kill you guys."

"Kaminari," Jiro hissed, jabbing his side and making him yell.

"What?!"

Jiro didn't answer, trying to talk to Uzu, but Uzu sped up and walked off. "Good job moron."

"What did I do?!"

~~~

"Okay. Starting today, we'll resume our regular classes and training schedule. I know a lot has happened recently. However, you need to switch gears and focus on your school duties. We're lecturing today, but you'll have even harsher training this semester." Aizawa stood in front of his students as Tsu held up her hand.

"Excuse me, sir. May I ask a question? What were those things the principal was talking about during the opening ceremonies? I've never heard the term hero work studies before."

The class murmured in confusion as Momo held up her hand. "He said they're something the upperclassmen participate in, correct?"

Aizawa sighed. "I was planning to talk more about those at a later date, but I guess telling you now is more logical. To put it simply, it's work outside of class. Like the internships you did at pro hero agencies before, only closer to the real thing."

Uraraka stared in confusion before she jumped up. "Wait, then why did we work so hard at the sports fest?!"

Iida blinked. "She has a point. If we have work studies, those who weren't scouted at the sports festival still have career paths."

Aizawa nodded. "You'll be using your connections from the festival to secure a work-study. It's basic networking. This isn't part of your normal classwork. It's discretionary for each student. That means those who weren't scouted at the sports festival will have a hard time lining one up, I'm afraid. Originally, individual agencies recruited on their own. But there was lots of competition as people tried to recruit UA students. So this is how things ended up. Good enough, Ochaco?"

Uraraka bowed as she sighed. "I'm sorry I jumped to a conclusion, sir."

"Now that you have your provisional licences, you can assist in real ways for longer periods of time. Until now, there haven't been many first-years who've received their licences. With the increased activity of villains, we're currently exploring the idea that you can participate in work studies as well. We'll explain more about the work-study positions and what that program entails at a later date, but for now, we've got other things to worry about. That's all. Sorry to keep you waiting, Mic." Aizawa stopped as Present Mic slammed open the door.

"First period is English! In other words, it's jam time! Been an age since I stood on this stage. Ya miss me?"

Aizawa left his students to the torment of normal classes.

~~~

The group gathered in the dorms, an exhausted energy around the students.

"About those work studies. I wasn't scouted, so I wonder if I'll get to participate in one," Jiro murmured as Yao-momo nodded in concern.

"Maybe we can go to the places we did our internships."

"I'd be down with doing that; I'm just not sure if I'll be let back in."

Momo smiled. "I can't imagine any hero agency not wanting you."

Jiro jolted, blushing hard. "O-Oh. Thanks. I'm sure you'll have a place too." Jiro stayed flustered as she turned away. Jiro paused as she glanced out the window. She stared, spotting Uzu training outside.

She frowned, about to go talk to him, when she was brought back into the conversation and forced to stay.

~~~

Akiko frowned as Naka didn't show up the next day either. She sent him another message, but it was left unanswered. By the third day, Akiko knocked on Naka's door, trying to check on him.

The most she got was that he was alive.

"Hey, Kirishima." Akiko tapped Kirishima's shoulder as he jumped. "Can you try to talk to Naka? He's not talking to me, and considering how long he refused to talk to Uzu, I'm worried I did something wrong."

Kirishima frowned as he nodded. "Yeah, I'll check on him."

Akiko smiled as she walked away.