The Next Generation

C18: Slipping the Leash

"The UA Sports Festival," Shoji mused as he sat down next to Optimus at lunch. "This could be our chance to prove ourselves to the world."

Optimus looked at the other students who regularly sat with him at lunch. Shoji, Koda, Tokoyami, and now Ojiro. Sometimes others visited, but these four stayed together. They seemed to agree with Shoji, but...

"I'm not so sure," Optimus picked at his potatoes. "I understand the need for healthy competition, but if the festival is about recruitment, then maybe the better option would be to showcase our individual skills and abilities."

"The unique abilities of each student?" Tokoyami asked. "That seems like a lot to ask for."

"Like a portfolio?" Koda perked up.

Optimus nodded. "A portfolio could be a good solution. Any hero looking for recruits could go through an archive of students and be aware of their unique skills."

"Yes, with things as a competition, anyone who isn't at the top won't have any eyes on them," Ojiro pointed out. "My quirk is a tail. It doesn't really grab attention."

"But that doesn't mean you aren't an asset," Optimus added. "That's why I don't think this festival is as effective as it should be."

"Oh please," Mineta appeared between Tokoyami and Ojiro with a sly grin. "This festival is so that the school remains highlighted and gets plenty of money. We just have to make the most out of it."

"I hate to say this, but Mineta is right," Tokoyami frowned. "There are more than one reason for the school to host this festival. Like Mr. Aizawa said, it will help reinstate support for UA after the USJ incident."

"Unless it becomes USJ incident number two," Koda muttered.

 Optimus tilted his helm. "That's something to consider, but they couldn't go after All Might. He's the center of attention when in public and there are far too many heroes at the festival. If they were going to do anything, it would be a quiet murder while everyone is focused on the main event. Us."

"Oh great," Mineta threw his arms up. "That makes me feel so much better."

"It shouldn't," Optimus gave him a look. "Any sort of death—"

"I was being sarcastic."

"Oh," Optimus blinked. "My mistake."

▪️◾◼⬛◼◾▪️

Optimus was starting to believe something was amiss.

It started with Principal Nezu on Saturday, then Mr. Aizawa not long after. He spent the night with Present Mic again, and then Cementos came asking if Optimus could help him with a construction project that took up most of the day. Not that Optimus minded, but it seemed a little odd to ask him. Directly after that, Principal Nezu had been waiting outside to take him to the cabin.

Not a moment to himself.

Those events during the weekend might have been forgotten. It was just two days, and it wasn't all that suspicious, but after school on Monday, Hound Dog dragged Optimus off to patrol the UA barrier, and then Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Aizawa gave him new textbooks and had him stay at school to read them. Wednesday, Midnight took him shopping for high heels, and then that progressed to her playing dress up and asking him for advice on human fashion trends he didn't know anything about. Thursday, Principal Nezu went with him to visit Detective Tsukauchi and Optimus spent three hours sitting alone in the police station before Sansa took pity on him and let him tour the evidence room.