Firecracker- A Katsuki Bakugo fan fiction

CHAPTER 18: Speak Now

I walked out onto the campus, trembling slightly. I wasn't going to lie; I seriously felt really nervous. But someone had to say something, and if no one was going to do anything I had to. I'd been sitting in my room being useless for days, and now it was my time to take responsibility. Being a symbol of peace means being able to encourage others and smile in the face of challenges and doubt. And everyone needed that now more than ever.

As soon as I set foot outside the gates of UA, I was swarmed by reporters and news stations. A whole cluster of questions were hurled at me, as their hungry and fearful eyes stared into mine, trying to find some reason to blame UA more. At this rate, the school could even be shut down.

I took a deep breath, raising my hands up as an indication to settle down.

"One question at a time, please." I smiled weakly.

At that a young brunette woman (probably in her late twenties) pushed a mic into my face, a camera man behind her.

"Are you a First-year?"

I nodded. "My name's Izuku Midoriya. I'm from Class 1-A."

I watched as the reporters surrounding me started vigorously taking notes and pictures. To be honest, I felt seriously uncomfortable in an environment like this, but Allmight had to deal with this everyday. If I was going to be his successor I had to be able to do this too.

"How have UA protocols changed since the incident? Are the other students safe? Did any other students fail the simulation?"

Of course they knew about Tsunotori, I thought. My heart ached for her. I didn't know her very well, but the thought of anyone suffering like that filled me with sorrow.

Stop it. Put on a brave face.

"UA is using all of their resources to ensure the safety of us all. Lessons were originally going to proceed but it was eventually decided that they should be cancelled, so the others don't have to worry about anything when they get back. Nothing's happened to anyone."

I could feel them staring at me with scepticism. I hoped that I didn't say anything that they could warp and use for more buzz to make the situation worse. People wouldn't be able to take the panic. Of course they needed the truth, but the way the truth is delivered is everything.

"Midoriya, correct?"

I nodded, remaining calm, still giving her a very loose smile. If my movements were stiff; she could take that as a sign that I was nervous.

"Tell me," the lady glared at me, pushing the mic closer to me, the camera practically in my face. The pressure was practically oppressive. For a second I thought that I might just slip up and ruin everything, but I still had to try. She gave me a fake smile, asking me the question I was dreading:

"Do you seriously think your friends will make it back?"

There was silence for a second. I bit my lip, knowing I had to phrase my words carefully. This could make or break the situation. I had to get my message across.

"Yes. I know they will." My smile disappeared as my face dawned a serious expression, my eyes filled with earnestness. I looked directly at the camera, making sure that the world heard what I had to say:

"Everyone's scared. I'm scared. But the only way we can truly move forward is by trusting and believing they'll be okay. My friends are trapped there, but I'm going to keep moving forward, knowing that that's what they would've wanted. And all of you need to do the same."
It was then that I flashed a smile to the camera. Not a fake one like the face of the woman who asked me this question, but a sincere one.

"It's not a question of 'if'. It's a question of 'when'. No one's to blame for this, except for the villain who caused all of this. And that's why all of us have to fight back."

I raised my right hand, showing the peace sign that represented Allmight and everything he stood for.

"We're all heroes. Everyone of us is, in our own way. And so we need to ignite the spark of hope. Because if we won't, then who will?"

I turned my back on the paparazzi then, walking back inside UA.

For the first time ever, they all seemed speechless.

                                          -.-

As soon as I made it far away from the reporters vision, I fell down to my knees, shaking. That was one of the most difficult things I ever had to do. But I did it.

And that's all that matters.

"Midoriya!" I looked up and saw the rest of my class all coming towards me, Iida at the very front. And he was.....crying?

"Iida...you okay?" I looked at him in concern. He smiled.

"It's just...that was such a marvellous speech Midoriya! Truly impeccable!"

"Yeah. Amazing job." Tsuyu held out her hand to raise me up, which I gladly took. She grinned.

Sero gave Iida a whole box of tissues, patting him on the shoulder gently.

"There, there."

I couldn't help but let out a tiny giggle. He was acting like Iida's therapist or something.

"Wow." My eyes widened when I realised Aizawa was here.

"I'm really sorry if I messed up Aizawa-sensei!" I bowed down sheepishly, but my homeroom teacher wore a grin on his face. Behind him was Principal Nezu, his fur all over the place. He looked frazzled, like he was almost always trying to escape certain death.

And this tiny teacher of mine grabbed me by the paw and smiled.

"You did it. You saved UA." His eyes looked hopeful, filled with tears of happiness. He seemed genuinely grateful for what I did.

I was glad.

Allmight ran up to me and gave me a hug, causing my eyes to truly widen in surprise.
"I'm so proud of you."

Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Thank you."

I couldn't help but think back to all my friends who were still in the simulation. What were they doing now, how far had they come? I hoped this would make them all happy. I hoped that they would come back soon. I knew that they'd come back soon.

Because they're heroes.