It hadn't even been a full twenty-four hours before news of villains attacking the USJ was somehow leaked to the press. After the initial leak, it seemed every news station and media outlet had latched onto it and, despite their lack of information, began their coverage of the story. By the next morning there were no fewer than five different accounts of the event, and while some were pretty accurate, one or two contained wild accusations that created widespread rumors of several students' deaths.

"The Musutafu Police Force public relations committee released a statement earlier this morning to quell these rumors." Detective Tsukauchi informed the faculty of UA. "Hopefully, we managed to jump on this leak quick enough to prevent any serious damage to the citizens' impressions of public safety. That being said, I'm afraid I can't do anything about how this will effect UA's reputation as a school."

"Still no word on how the villains managed to bypass security then?" Toshinori asked.

"I'm afraid not." Tsukauchi shook his head. "We're following up on some leads, including the investigation of a potential villain with an electricity quirk, but so far we haven't found anything concrete."

"If that's the case, perhaps it's best if we cancel this year's Sports Festival." Midnight suggested. "At least until we can determine where our cracks in security are."

"The situation has already discussed by the Public Safety Committee." Nezu, Principal of UA and member of said committee informed. "We decided it would be in the public's best interest not to postpone the event."

"Makes sense." Snipe said. "The Sports Festival is probably the best way to demonstrate to the public that we're still strong. Cancelling now would only increase unrest. It'd be playing right into the League of Villains' hands."

"But as teachers, shouldn't our first priority be the safety of our students?" Midnight questioned.

"Yes. But as Pro Heroes, we need to be concerned with the safety of the public at large." Vlad King countered. "I can't say I don't hold any reservations but canceling wouldn't do any good. We have to be looking at the bigger picture. Besides, I don't think you're giving those students enough credit. From what All Might was saying, those kids seemed to be handling themselves pretty well."

"Against the lower-class villains, yes." Toshinori nodded. "But that big bird looking fellow hospitalized Aizawa and gave me a run for my money. Not to mention the one with the warp quirk took Thirteen out of commission."

"That's not even mentioning their ringleader." Snipe added. "Still, I'm impressed. I don't think we've ever had a class of first years have a real encounter with villains. Not like this. They handled themselves well."

"Some of them did." Midnight said. "But others were completely helpless. If it weren't for their more capable classmates, many of our students may have very well been severely injured, or worse. But I won't deny a handful of them showed promise. All Might himself said that if it weren't for Todoroki, Bakugou, and Midorya's interference, he may not have won that battle."

"It's true." Toshinori agreed. "They were reckless, yes, but they bought me a few vital seconds that helped to determine the outcome."

"What about that other kid?" Red Vlad asked. "The one with the blindfold?"

"(F/N) (L/N)." Principal Nezu said.

"The one you bypassed the entrance exams for?" Midnight asked.

Nezu nodded. "From what the students have told us, half of his classmates directly attribute Mr. (L/N)'s actions to their safely surviving the events of the attack."

"It's impressive." Toshinori said. "To think this is the same boy that was so adamant about not using his quirk."

"Yes, well, his apprehension isn't without reason. Growing up in the foster care system, he never received adequate quirk counseling like his peers." Principal Nezu explained. "As All Might is already aware, Mr. (L/N) has extremely limited control over his power."

"It makes his actions all the more impressive." Snipe said. "Even if the outcome wasn't ideal, it's far preferable to the alternative."

"I agree." Nezu said. "But this isn't the first instance where he's lost control and hurt someone. His actions weigh heavily on his conscience, and Ms. Miyoko's present condition has only added to that burden. We'll have to take precautions with him in the future."

"That being the case, should we allow him to compete in the Sports Fesitval?" Midnight asked. "What if he ends up hurting one of the other students?"

"I've been pondering that very question myself." Principal Nezu admitted. "Still, I think it's important that he be given the opportunity to compete. With some careful training, I believe he could participate while posing a minimal amount of risk towards his classmates. Certainly, no more than any other student."

"Then we'll need to train him outside of normal class hours." Toshinori said. "Assuming he's recovered enough, it might be wise to have Aizawa present, just as an added precaution."

"I agree." Nezu said. "Though, I have the feeling that Mr. (L/N) may not be receptive to the idea. Regardless, it is imperative he learn to control the more volatile elements of his quirk. If he continues to suppress it, the results may be catastrophic. But if he were to learn to control his quirk. Master it. Well, he may one day be more powerful than even you, All Might."

[My Hero Academia]  

The scent of the budding cherry blossoms filled his nose as the morning sun slowly ascended over the horizon, painting the sky different shades of fuchsia and lavender as its warm rays bathed over the city below. Classes had been cancelled the day following the USJ attack, which had given (L/N) ample time to contemplate everything that had transpired. His teachers said his actions were heroic, his classmates called him a savior. Principal Nezu assured him what happened wasn't his fault. He'd been told that lie before. The truth was he hurt someone. Friend or foe, the details didn't matter, at least not to him. All that mattered was he lost control. Again. And now someone else paid the price for his inability to control his quirk.

He'd allowed Thirteen's words to ignite some small spark in him. Some ridiculous notion that he could actually save people. That he could be a hero. Reality quickly stamped out that misguided belief. The guilt he felt now, the knowledge of hurting yet another person, this was the penance for allowing himself to think, even for a moment, that he could ever be anything more than a liability.

His head fell back against the trunk of the tree and he turned his face towards the sun. He could feel his body absorbing its warm rays, feel its fiery power burning from behind his covered eyes. His sense of time became distorted as he lost himself within the feeling of the sun, feeling its intensity grow as it traveled across the sky until it reached its peak. He inhaled deeply through his nose and held his breath, as if forcing the power that coursed through his body to suppress, containing it deep within himself. The glow that had begun to surround his body slowly began to fade. After another few seconds it extinguished completely, but the burning force behind his eyes burned hotter than ever. It was always the hardest to control at midday when the sun shone the brightest.

The bustling noises of Musutafu reached a peak as the city broke for lunch. Office workers taking trains and cabs to enjoy their breaks outside the confines of their cubicles and groups of friends meeting up to try the new restaurant that had opened downtown. The noise didn't usually bother him when he was so far away, but recently it seemed he was becoming more and more sensitive. The bottle was almost empty. Only four left, or two days' worth. He would need to get more later that day. But for now, he opened the bottle and emptied the remaining pills into his mouth.