The Emerald Prince

Chapter 16: Bolt from the Blue

Izuku was relieved he and Aizawa went to UA together.
The mass of press searching for All Might outside the gates looked more terrifying than any of the villain fights he had seen so often.
Fortunately, Aizawa had a much more intimidating death glare than Izuku, and reporters moved out of his way like the parting of the Red Sea.

In class, the group happily discussed their adventures battling with various reporters to gain entry. When Aizawa entered unhindered by a sleeping bag however, they were all instinctively nervous.
"You will be doing something important today."

As they had grown accustomed to doing so, the class turned to assess Izuku's state. Seeing him relaxed, the tension dissipated and they returned their gazes to a marginally irritated teacher.

"Today you'll have to choose a class representative."
And with that, he produced the sleeping bag.

The class buzzed in relief, then excitement.
"I suggest we sort this democratically." Proclaimed Iida, his booming voice cutting through the shouting.
Seeing the others nodding, Yaoyorozu willingly created a box and a collection of paper slips.
Izuku eyed each member of his class before voting for Iida, who looked like he'd actually enjoy the job.

Unfortunately, the rest of the class seemed to have other ideas, as in the end, he found himself at the front, meeting Yaoyorozu's friendly gaze. Even worse, she, the queen of grace and sense was his vice. He, the guy who'd never had friends prior to six months ago, let alone a leadership role... was president of the chaotic 1A.

"I'm amazed so many of you voted for me," he began awkwardly. "I hope I can live up to your expectations and do my best for you all." He smiled, though his nerves came through enough for everyone to notice.

Seeing their concerned faces, he chuckled embarrassed, "Sorry, I've never had a leadership position before... I'm worried I won't do well, so please don't hesitate to give suggestions or advice." He bowed low to the class and said, "I'll be in your care." Before turning to Yaoyorozu and offering his hand, tilting his head in a shy smile, "and especially yours."

Yaoyorozu took his hand, in almost complete awe. She came from a corporate background, and knew better than most how to read people's expressions.
She knew well that Izuku was a great deal more than he seemed.

The speech he'd just given could not have been more perfect for gaining the classes' respect and support as well as their preemptive forgiveness, and yet it was clear, not a word of it was devised, he'd honestly meant it all.
He was a natural leader.

———

Izuku caught Iida on the way to lunch, taking him aside; Uraraka too preoccupied trying to coax a conversation out of Todoroki to notice.

"Are you alright Iida?" He said, searching those blue eyes with concern.
Iida was shocked at his impenetrable poker face being seen through.
"I am fine Izuku!" He insisted.
"No..." said the greenette slowly, "no you aren't. If you don't want to talk about it, I can respect that... but if you would like to, I have enough food in my bag for two?"
Iida only hesitated for a moment before nodding.

———

"How could you have observed?"
Izuku chuckled. "Iida, I hate to break it to you, but every word you speak tells of an elite education and famous heritage. From your quirk...I wouldn't be wrong in guessing you are the younger brother of Ingenium?"
"Indeed!" Said the blue haired male, shocked and proud in equal measure.

"That must be a great deal of pressure." Replied Izuku carefully.
"No more than I've been raised to bear." He proclaimed firmly.
"Raised as elite since birth...must have been quite an experience...what was it like?"

Iida, thinking of Izuku's father and powerful quirk was about to respond doubtful that it was any different from the greenette's own experience, but pulled back - something in Izuku's expression.
He hesitated, but seeing earnest curiosity in those emerald eyes he relented, talking nervously at first, but soon gushing in detail about his family, training, schooling and extensively on his brother.

Izuku understood him much more for it, and him knowing put Iida as at ease as the greenette had ever seen him.
Izuku wondered if it was possible for two childhoods to be more different, and was surprised when he found no bitterness in himself, only a little sorrow.

Iida finished talking and when Izuku did not immediately bring forth another question, he turned to look at the shorter male and was taken aback by how deep in thought he was. Izuku seemed very far away at that moment, and it made Iida, probably one of the least perceptive in the class, wonder about him for the first time since his links to their teacher had first been revealed.

He watched patiently as Izuku gradually returned from somewhere distant and...sad? Blinking, Izuku suddenly saw his concerned face.
"Sorry Iida, I get lost in thoughts occasionally."
"A dangerous habit for a hero." Replied Iida, concerned.

"You know, if you want to earn the trust and friendship of our classmates, you should smile more. It's nice." Izuku's voice was soft and the comment caught the taller male completely off guard.
"R-really?"
"Yeah."
"And you'll definitely grow to be just as good a hero as your brother. You don't need to be class president to do that." Said Izuku with a calm certainty.

Iida gazed at him, searching, "Why?"
"Because I saw you save Uraraka. Tell me honestly, did you realise the true point of the test? Or did you do it instinctively?"
The pause as all the proof he needed. Izuku grinned at his friend.
"I was on the observation deck with the teachers when you did that. And you know what All Might said? He saved her on instinct. He will be a true hero."

Iida was speechless for a long time, though he felt a warmth fill his chest. That reassurance that he would be good enough, was something he'd been told so often by his loving family, yet never had it felt as true and comforting as now.
"Izuku, you asked if I wanted to talk, so I return that to you. What was on your mind?"

Izuku leaned back against the wall, the wind gently ruffling his hair. They'd headed to the roof for privacy, and Izuku had been right that view was very calming.
"It's silly. I was just wondering how amazing it was, that here we are, sitting together as friends and equals...when I think our childhoods could not have been more different."

He sighed softly, but made no immediate move to elaborate, despite his words sending Iida into complete confusion. Eventually Izuku spoke again, so casually it took a awhile for the seriousness of his words to sink in.

"My quirk... needed specific conditions to be used which I won't go into. What it meant was until a few years ago, I was thought to be quirkless."

Iida was no genius. But he did know that he now had two pieces about the mysterious greenette which would have him puzzling and worrying for many days to come if he didn't say anything.
1) Izuku very recently discovered his quirk.
2) Izuku was an orphan very recently adopted.

"Izuku...please don't leave me with that."

Bright and intelligent green eyes looked up at him, assessing and...nervous?
"I shouldn't have said anything...I'm sorry, of course that would have you worried. I'm in a strange mood..." his voice was soft as his gaze wandered away from Iida toward the edge of the roof. "There's something in the air today..."

No sooner had he said it, the air seemed to split with the shrill sounds of alarms. The pair leapt to their feet, conversation forgotten, and raced downstairs - Izuku, following instinct, looked over the fence before catching up to Iida on the stairs, seeing the press.

The canteen was in turmoil. Izuku turned and spoke hurriedly to Iida.
"You have a voice that carries, see Uraraka over there? Go to her now and move toward that exit sign, get her to float you up to it, there are just press invading the premises, get them to hear you and calm down."

Iida wanted to ask what Izuku was going to do, or how he knew this, but there wasn't time now. They needed to act. He darted toward Uraraka, a glance over his shoulder revealing Izuku pelting back the direction they had come.