Don't Let the Spark Die [BNHA Gen 2]

Chapter 16: A Rare Assembly

~In the auditorium~

Aizawa POV

Me and my class sat in our spots as Principal Nezu, who is surprisingly still alive, slowly walked up to the microphone to introduce our assembly.

"Good afternoon staff and students and welcome to today's assembly. As I'm sure many of you know, this assembly is being held as a result of a recent kidnapping event that happened here at UA. As many of you have been waiting to know, the student who was kidnapped was none other than Class 1-A's Pika Kaminari." There was an eruption of mumbling throughout the hall as the principal began talking again.

"In this unfortunate series of events, some amazing people have worked through it, even going so far as to locate and rescue Kaminari. So I guess you could say that there are some people I would like to acknowledge and congratulate. First of all, Mr Shota Aizawa, the teacher of Class 1-A, would you please come forward." Nezu said. I smiled briefly at Shinsou, who was here after applying to be a school counsellor earlier in the day, and walked to the podium.

"To you, we award a bravery award and a UA Teacher's Choice Award." Nezu looped 2 glistening medals around my neck. "Now normally I would give a speech but, fortunately, some members of Class 1-A have saved me from that and actually prepared their own speech for their teacher. Please welcome to the front, Hana Uraraka, Satoshi Iida, Fumiko Yaoyorozu and Yumena Jiro." Principal Nezu stepped off the stage as I saw four of my students make their way to the front.

Uraraka POV

"Please welcome to the front, Hana Uraraka, Satoshi Iida, Fumiko Yaoyorozu and Yumena Jiro." Everyone clapped as Principal Nezu made way for us to walk on stage. I was first to talk.

"Mr Aizawa, where do we start with you? For one, you are an amazing teacher and I'd like to thank you, on behalf of the 1-A cohort, for being brave enough to take on such a chaotic group of teenagers." Everyone laughed, including our teacher, as Iida stepped up to the microphone.

"You could list any quality a pro hero should have and Mr Aizawa will have it." Iida started. "Our teacher, although he may have very strange traits, he is a pro hero and a bloody good one at that. Strength, bravery, initiative. You name it, our teacher's got it." I nudged Yaoyorozu forward so she could speak.

"As well as being a hard working staff member, teacher and pro hero, Mr Aizawa also just planned and ran a smooth rescue mission, saving the life of one of our fellow classmates. Iida, pull down the projector screen. As Kaminari cannot attend due to the extent of her injuries, she has pre-recorded a video she'd like to share with you all." Yaoyorozu finishes talking as I get my laptop, which is connected to the projector, and press play on Kaminari's video.

~on the video~
"Hi Mr Aizawa, it's me, Kaminari. I just wanted to say thank you for getting me out of there. Without you or your plan, I have no doubt that I would still be in there. To anyone who's ever doubted your abilities, show them this or get me to tell the story. Go beyond, Plus Ultra!! Love you Dadzawa."

~video ends~

After the video, I disconnected my laptop and Iida put the projector screen away as Jiro stepped forward to say her part. We could all see that Mr Aizawa was crying so Iida, Yaoyorozu and I went over and hugged him as Jiro began to speak.
"I would love to introduce the other brave souls who helped this rescue become reality but that's a power that I think is better suited to Principal Nezu." She joins our hug with Aizawa before we all go back to our spot with the class.

Aizawa POV

"Thank you students. Mr Aizawa you may return to your seat in a moment, just let me call up the others." Nezu cleared his throat as I wiped away the tears that were still lingering after Kaminari's video.

"I would also like to welcome up to the front Mr Denki Kaminari, pro hero Chargebolt. It is unfortunate that the rest of our pro hero rescue team was unable to attend this assembly due to their duties at their agencies." We all watched as Denki shyly but quickly walked up to the podium. I smile at how much my former student had changed and almost laugh at the wild memories we had shared with Class 1-A almost 10 years ago. Principal Nezu began to clap, as did everyone else. When the clapping stopped, the old mouse was handed a small, shiny medal, which he put around Denki's neck.

"In the face of danger, we all commend you Kaminari Senior. Many of you may be wondering why Denki was given a bravery award. It is because, as you may have guessed, Pika Kaminari is his daughter. Seeing as this poor hero already lost his wife to the League, I'm sure this situation was extremely difficult to deal with. He was also the getaway driver of his daughter's gory rescue. Amazing work Kaminari, we are all so proud of you." We all clapped, expecting the assembly to end, but Nezu shushed us once again.

"We do actually have a couple more awards to present although, they all go to the same person. Could Tsuyoi Kirishima of Class 1-A please come to the front?" I have never smiled a smile so big in my life. Watching my student walk up to collect awards was the best feeling ever. I was called over to give Kirishima the awards as Nezu stated what they were for.

"First of all, a bravery award for our young student." I put the first medal over Kirishima's neck and took the microphone to explain why.

"We will not disclose the details of our rescue but I think it's safe for me to say this. Without Kirishima, this mission would have failed. She not only located the LOV base and Kaminari but she also hacked into the security system and guided 5 divisions of pro heroes through the LOV base over the course of a 4 hour mission, never once giving up. That is why we present Kirishima with her awards today." I saw the shocked faces of my class as they realised how important Kirishima had been to the mission. Nezu introduced her next award.

"Next, we present to Kirishima, a UA Student's Choice Award, awarded to her for her bravery and skill during a mission that is at the risk and skill level of the top 10 pro heroes." I looped another medal around Kirishima's neck, as she smiled at me, a blush obviously dusting her face.

"Last but not least, we have a very special award for this young lady. The Japan Heroes Corporation would like to present Miss Tsuyoi Kirishima with a small trophy, a token to represent her courage, bravery and hero potential." The entire school gave her a standing ovation as I handed her the golden trophy, her name beautifully carved on the small plaque. I gave her a huge hug as we smiled at each other. The Japan Hero Corporation (JHC) was HUGE. It was responsible for every hero agency and school in Japan. Most pro heroes are lucky to get an email back. For my student to get a trophy from the JHC? That's pretty amazing and everyone knows it. 

Word count: 1259