Heroes of Tomorrow

Part 52~Final Checks

Akiko yawned as she ate her breakfast, drawing on her tablet. She had been planning to do this earlier, but she got distracted writing some other things.

"I thought you said you were done with the animation." Uzu chuckled as Akiko grinned.

"I was, but I noticed a glitch when I was watching back the video I made yesterday. It caused the entire animation to freeze for a second, so I've been ironing it out. If this was for anyone else, I might not have bothered, but everyone's been working so hard I can't give them anything less than the best."

Akiko grinned before she put down her pen.

"See, all done. I've actually been wondering if you guys wouldn't mind me putting this online. I'm going to ask everyone, but I thought it might be a good way to help restore a little bit of faith in our class. I've already asked Nezu and Aizawa, and they said I could if I got the class's agreement. I asked Mina if she shouldn't mind making the account the video will go on since I don't actually own any accounts myself. I'm trying to ask everyone else. I got most of the early birds except Midoriya, who ran away for his morning training."

"Akiko," Uzu interrupted, "you're babbling again."

"Right. Sorry. Well, do any of you mind?"

Momo smiled. "I wouldn't mind. Kyoka? Uzu?"

Jiro didn't look convinced. "You really think people will watch it."

"I have no idea. I just thought it could be cool," Akiko chuckled as Uzu glanced at Jiro.

"You should agree. You'll be amazing!!"

Jiro blushed at Uzu's words as Momo nodded. "Okay, I guess. If everyone else agrees."

Akiko grinned. "Great! I'll let you see the final product before it goes out to Mina." Akiko jumped up, throwing her laptop in her bag. "I need to head over to the gym, but could you tell the others about the plan? Great! Thank you!"

The group stared in shock as Akiko rushed off.

"She seems busy," Momo laughed as Uzu nodded.

"She's become hyper-fixated. We should be glad that this ends today, or she would probably forget to eat or drink or do anything important." Uzu snickered to himself as he watched Akiko rush out of the building.

~~~

Kirishima burst through Naka's door, a wide grin on his face. "Today's the day!"

Naka nodded numbly as he stood up. Kirishima's grin faltered, a bad feeling entering his stomach.

~~~

Akiko grinned as she finished setting up the stage.

"Woah, Akiko! You've been busy." Kirishima laughed as Akiko stood up.

"I've got an X for everyone. It'll be the start position. I've been checking the cameras and everything we need. Now, all I have to do is operate everything from my laptop."

Kirishima frowned as he saw Naka climbing the rafts to work on the lights. The bad feeling persisted.

Everyone got changed as the time came close.

The entire class was nervous, waiting for things to happen.

Akiko frowned, tapping her foot. "Where is he."

"Who's missing?" Koda stood next to Akiko as she took a deep breath.

"Midoriya. He left to get a replacement rope. We still have an hour, but we should be prepared to do this without him. Koda, do you remember how to run the program? If Deku doesn't get back, I'll have to lift Aoyama."

Koda nodded. "Leave it to me."

Uzu grinned as he wrapped an arm around Momo and Jiro. "Your outfits are so cute!"

"We're wearing the same thing," Jiro muttered with a blush as Uzu huffed.

"Well, it looks cuter on you."

"Good morning, UA!" Present Mic's voice bounced around the school speakers. Prep work is all done, and it's time to rock! Let's get this party goin'! If you can hear my voice, get out there and have fun! Let me hear you make some noise! The UA School Festival starts now!"

That meant it was 9 and the festival was beginning.

"All right, I want to do a sound check to make sure all the speakers are working." Akiko smiled as the others nodded. They brought their instruments onto the stage as they played a few bars of music. "Great! Everything sounds amazing. I want to do some tests on the lighting next, so we should let the dance crew use the stage to warm up."

Jiro nodded, turning to the others. "We should take this time to practise."

Uzu grinned as they moved around in a frantic buzz.

"Hey, Hatsuharu, can you turn on the band's spotlights?!" Akiko glanced up as Naka didn't move. "Hatsuharu!"

He let out a scream, hitting the light he had been absentmindedly working on.

Akiko gasped, rushing forward as her vines wrapped around the light, stopping its fall. She let out a sigh of relief before she brought the light closer. "Well, looks like my catching speed is still fast. It's been a while since I've had to do that, though." She chuckled before using her vines to pull herself onto the rigging. "You shouldn't play with the lights."

Hatsuharu lowered his head. "Right. I'll screw it back in."

Akiko frowned. "No offence, but I would feel more reassured if I could do it. Yo, Kirishima, can you check the band lights?"

Kirishima blinked as Naka raised his head. "No- I can do-"

"No." Akiko paused. "I need you to find on Midoriya. Try to calling him or tracking him down or something." Akiko jumped into Naka's spot, screwing in the light. Kirishima frowned, a concerned look as he checked the lights Naka was meant to.

Naka slunk off, returning to the locker room. He gave up on his job after one ring. No one picked up his calls anymore.

It wasn't long before Akiko announced everything was ready and cleared her final check. "Sorry, I did so many tests, everyone." Akiko scratched the back of her head nervously as she paused. "Oh, Mr Aizawa. I didn't see you there. Is everything okay?"

"Midoriya isn't back yet," Hagakure explained as Akiko blinked.

"What?! But I sent Hatsuharu to find him."

The class turned to where Naka was standing, looking at the floor. "He wasn't picking up."

Akiko gritted her teeth together as she took a breath. "Do not start fights in front of children," she muttered to herself. "I'll try calling him." She paused with a frown, turning to Uzu with a small beg in her eyes. "Can you call him instead?"

Uzu chuckled as he nodded.