More old Akiharu art, anyone?

𓆱❀𓆱

"What the hell..." My mouth hung open as I approached the U.A. gates. There was a massive crowd swarming the entrance, boom mics and cameras and smartphones raised as journalists and reporters hounded on every student who passed.

The media had been getting bad these last few days, as news about All Might's new teaching role got out, but today in particular appeared to be a spectacle.

"Hey, you!"

I was hardly ten metres from the entrance before a microphone was brandished in my face like a spear. Dozens of cameras were turned my way in an instant.

The reporter before me had an intensely desperate look on her face. As I was running late for class, it wasn't a long shot to assume she'd had a long morning of being shut down by students and staff.

"What's it like having All Might as a teacher!" she asked.

I took a step back, inching toward the gate. "Sorry, I have to get to class..."

"Come on!" the interviewer begged, taking a step closer in return. "We'll only take a minute of your time!"

In my head rang one of the heroics lessons drilled into me over the years. "You must always consider how you appear to the media."

My nose crinkled at the thought.

Do I have to...?

"Just one quick comment!" pleaded one of the journalists. "Surely, you can spare us that!"

Clamours arose across the desperate crowd. Media people really are like vultures... I was starting to understand why Aizawa chose to stay out of the spotlight.

For a moment, I wished I was a bit like Bakugo. Maybe I'd yell in their faces and stomp away, but when that ended on the six o'clock news, either tonight or ten years from now, I'd have hell to pay for it.

"Well..." I began, "He's certainly a little intimidating. You know, even if he's our teacher, he's still number one! We all admire him a lot, even with all the puns."

"What about as a teacher – What are his teaching methods!"

"Um..."

...Not great?

In some sort of miracle, the attention of the crowd shifted suddenly away from me. The cause: None other than Shoto Todoroki approached, and the crowd was immediately captivated by him. With his flashy hair, cover-model looks, and a presence that screamed, Yes, I'm better than you, he was a massive attention magnet.

His heterochromatic eyes scanned briefly over the crowd, fallen quiet in his air of authority, and his brow furrowed.

"Pardon me!" Like a moth drawn to a flame, the reporter begged for his attention. "Do you have a comment on All..."

"Get out of my way, Half-and-Half!" The yell came from a few paces behind Todoroki, as none other than Bakugo arrived on scene.

I would've thought Blondie's arrival would frighten the reporters away, with his face constantly twisted in a scowl so deep it looked like it was about to fall off. Instead, the reporters and journalists instantly swarmed him like flies.

"You're from the sludge incident!"

Sludge what? I was immediately intrigued.

"Katsuki Bakugo from the sludge villain attack!"

"Do you have a comment?"

"What is it like having All Might as a teacher!"

Shouts from the crowd started to blend together into incoherent noise. Rearing his head like a snake, the blondie looked like his short fuse was about to blow.

I stepped in front of the cameras and microphones, hands raised in defence. "All right!" I clapped my hands together with a pleasant hum. "So sorry to cut our interview short, but these are school grounds, and we really should be getting to class. You know how retired heroes are about tardiness. Thanks for your time!"

Grabbing Bakugo's wrist, I tugged the ticking time-bomb away before he could explode. Todoroki tailed behind us with an apathetic face, ignoring the calls which continued from the crowd.

As soon as I was safely through the gate, I released Bakugo's arm with a retch. Thank god for years of PR training and sweet-talking executives... If HQ didn't care so much about my public image, that interaction would'e gone much differently.

"Why'd you pull me away!" Of course it couldn't have gone without comment from Mr. Hotshot over here. "I can handle 'em myself!"

"Blondie, you "handling yourself" in that situation is akin to pulling a pin on a goddamn grenade. Excuse the obvious use of metaphor, but that social suicide would take you and the school down with it. A hero's public image is important"

He scoffed, rolling his eyes to the sky. "Sweet-talking extras doesn't mean shit, as long as you're strong!"

"Sure. See where that attitude gets you in ten years, when all of your merch is underselling that of heroes leagues below you on the leaderboard. Just take a look at Endeavor."

The example had slipped out before I realized – well, it was one used most often in the dozens of PR slideshows I'd been subject to. My gaze slid to Todoroki, who shut his shoes in his shoe locker silently, appearing unfazed. Perhaps he hadn't even heard me at all.

Bakugo stomped ahead, stuffing his heels in his shoes. "People will buy my merch 'cause it looks badass, not 'cause I'm all fluffy-fluffy with assholes!"

It was infuriating how difficult it was to argue against his logic. It's so simple and thickheaded it somehow managed to be smart before looping right back around to being stupid.

"What?" scoffed the blondie mockingly. "No witty comeback for that one? At a loss for words, faced with my brilliance?"

"More like awestruck by the sheer volume of your stupidity," I muttered, pulling open the classroom door.

"Ex-fucking-scuse me!?"

Aizawa's tired eyes trailed to me from the podium. "Akiharu, Bakugo, Todoroki," he mumbled, slightly slurred like he couldn't even be bothered to fully form the words. "The first bell already rang."

"Sorry, 'Zawasir." I performed a sloppy salute. "We were held up by a crowd of pests at the front gate."

"You were stopped by the media, too?" Uraraka asked.

Ashido was fanning her face. "There were so many cameras, it was a bit scary!"

"They didn't even notice me," complained Hagakure. More often than not, I found her invisibility Quirk is an envy.

Aizawa pinched the bridge of his nose. "Damn vultures... Excuse me for a moment." He exited the class, leaving time for the two boys and I to settle into our seats.

I looked to Bakugo as he slumped into his chair. "So... Sludge incident?"

"Shut the fuck up!"

Aizawa returned a few minutes later, grumbling to himself. "It's a wonder All Might deals with that crap..."

He stepped up to the lectern, clearing his throat. "Okay. Good job on yesterday's combat training... I saw the videos and results... Bakugo, you're talented, so don't act like a brat."

My eyes slipped to the side, expecting a megafit, but instead the boy scoffed and looked away. "I know that."

"And Midoriya," Aizawa added, making the boy in question flinch. "You settled it by breaking your arm again, huh? You can't keep saying you can't help it 'cause you can't control your Quirk. I don't like saying the same thing over and over, so listen: As long as you fix the control issue, there'll be a lot you can do. Feel a sense of urgency."

"Y-Yes sir!"

"Now, let's get down to homeroom business," said the teacher. "Sorry about the late notice, but today..." The class froze in anticipation. "I'll have you decide on a class representative."

"Pick me!" Kirishima was the first to volunteer, shooting to his feet. "I want to be class rep!"

"Me too!" Kaminari chimed in. "Pick me!"

Within seconds, the whole class was erupting into volunteers. I considered the prospect briefly– It'd be good experience in leadership. Unfortunately, I was busy enough as it is. There really wasn't any room on my plate for additional responsibilities, and I was sure the others in class wanted it more than me.

Also, it sounded like a hassle.

"My manifesto is for all girl's skirts to be 30 centimetres above the knee!"

Screw it. I'd be class rep if it meant getting Mineta expelled.

"Silence, please!" Iida exclaimed, effectively quieting the class. "To be class rep is a job with the serious responsibility of leading others. It is not a job for just anyone who wants to do it! It is a calling that requires the trust of those around you. If we want to use democracy to decide on a new leader, then we should hold an election to choose one!"

Of course, as he said this, he was trembling with the effort of holding his hand higher than anyone else.

"What's the purpose of that?" Kaminari asked.

Asui tapped her chin. "We haven't known each other for that long, so how can we have trust or anything?"

"If that's the case, and everyone votes for themselves..."

I rested my chin on my hand. "Then why not just make it a rule that you can't vote for yourself?" I said. "It'll force everyone to actually think about who we want to lead."

"Hah!?" Bakugo shouted. "That's stupid! Why would I vote for someone else when there's no one better for the role than me!"

A smirk tugged at my lips. "What, Poprocks, worried no one will vote for you?"

"Of course not, shitty tie!"

Iida's head flicked to Aizawa, who stepped into his sleeping bag, zipping it closed from the inside.

"Sir, is that all right!?"

"I don't care, as long as you decide before homeroom is over," Aizawa replied, flopping to the floor and ceasing all movement. He lay so still, if I didn't know any better, I'd have thought he was a corpse.

Votes were given anonymously, trusted by an honour system that you wouldn't vote for yourself. I scrawled my answer down on a slip, handing it in. Yaoyorozu. She seemed organized, responsible, and I'd seen what she could do at recommendations. She also seemed like the type to mind her own business, which I couldn't say applied to Iida, who shared other similar traits.

Aizawa completed the tally, still zipped in his sleeping bag. "All right..." he said as he stepped away from the board, showing the answers. "These are the results."

It's a board full of zeroes and ones.  With three votes, the runner up was Midoriya. In first place... Me.

Me, with six votes. Six? Six? Have I even talked to six people in this class!?

"Then, Akiharu will be the class rep, and Midoriya will be the deputy class rep," Aizawa said.

With this many votes, I couldn't in good conscience turn it down, right..?

Ha! Imagine giving a fuck. I took my place at the podium, rapping my hands against it. "Right, so... Yeah. Thanks for all the votes. I should've said this beforehand, but I'm not in the right place to take on this extra responsibility. So, my first and only action as class rep is appointing Midoriya in my place. And Yaoyoruzu can be deputy rep, 'cause she came in third and I said so. Sorry to disappoint!"

"Aww!" Ashido chimed, leaning back in her seat.

"Well..." Asui tapped her chin. "This lineup might not be so bad."

"After all's said and done, Midoriya can get pretty fired up!" said Kirishima. "Yaoyorozu was also super cool when we were going over the battle results!"

I plopped down in my seat with a satisfied sigh. The classroom's in good enough hands.

𓆱❀𓆱

The cafeteria somehow managed to be even more packed than usual for lunch. I glanced about for a few minutes, but couldn't catch sight of my usual group. Instead, however, I found Iida, Midoriya, and Uraraka eating nearby. They seemed friendly enough, so I approached to ask for an open seat until I could locate the others.

Midoriya's head was down by his bowl as I made it to their table. "Even though I've been chosen as class rep, I don't know if I'm qualified for it..."

I rested a hand on the decorative half wall at his back. "What, after I endorsed you and everything?"

"A-A-Akiharu!" Midoriya whipped around, dissolving quickly into a stuttering mess. "I didn't – After you endorsed me – I'm sorry!"

"I'm just teasing," I snickered, gesturing to the open seat at his side. "Mind if I sit here?"

"Of-Of course you can!"

"You'll be fine, Midoriya," Iida chimed in. "Your courage and judgement at critical moments make you a person worth following. That is why I voted for you."

I hummed my agreement. "He's right. It makes you a great choice."

"But didn't you want to be class rep too, Iida?" Uraraka asked. "I mean, you've got glasses and everything."

With a sip of his orange juice, Iida began to speak in an oddly dated manner. "Wanting to do it and being suitable for it are different issues. I merely acted in a way which I believed to be correct."

"Merely?" I echoed.

"You don't hear that very often, nowadays," Midoriya said.

"Oh, that's..."

Uraraka leaned in close to the Four-eyes, pumping her fists. "I've been meaning to ask... Are you a rich boy, Iida?"

Iida's face scrunched in surprise. "Rich–" he shook his head, brow knotting. "I tried to change how I talk because I didn't want to be called that..."

Midoriya and Uraraka leaned in expectantly, waiting eagerly for his next words. With a sigh, Iida finally relented.

"Yes, my family has been heroes for generations. I'm the second son."

"What? Wow!"

At the enthusiasm from his friends, Iida suddenly got into it, a smile finding his face. "Do you know of the Turbo Hero, Ingenium?"

I concealed my inward wince with a smile. No, I have no idea.

"Of course!" Midoriya rose from his seat, his awkward, nervous persona shedding away. "He's a really popular hero who has 65 sidekicks working at his Tokyo agency." His eyes brightened as realization dawned across his features. "Wait, you can't mean..."

Iida propped his hands on his hips, tilting his chin to the sky, unable to conceal his pride. "He's my elder brother! He's a likeable hero who honours the rules and leads people. I set my sights on being a hero because I want to be like him! However, I think it is still too soon for me to lead others.

"Unlike me, Midoriya realized the point of the practical portion of the entrance exam, so he is more suited for the job. He and candidates like Akiharu and Yaoyorozu who stand out as exceptional are the ones who should be taking leadership positions at this time."

When he finished his rant and saw the pleasantly-surprised faces of his friends, Iida trailed off. "What?"

I pointed a finger to his face. "I think that's the first time I've seen you smile."

"Yeah, yeah!" Uraraka chimed in.

Iida's head cocked to one side. "What, really? I smile!"

Not often enough, I thought. He looked much better that way; when he was relaxed and not swinging about choppily like some-sort of human robot.

Midoriya looked up from his food, wearing a weary smile. "Um, Iida, about the entrance exam..."

Before he could get any further, an alarm blared through the building. "There has been a Level 3 security breach," an automated voice said over the speakers. "All students please evacuate outdoors promptly."

"What's Level 3 security?" Iida asked an upperclassman nearby.

"It means someone is trespassing on school grounds. I've never seen anything like this in the three years I've been here. You should hurry, too!"

Chairs scraped back on the floor as hundreds of students started pouring through through the doors. By the time I made it to the hall, it was filled to the brim with students, pushing and shoving in a rising panic. I was forced away from the others in an instant. As a misled elbow jabbed into my ribcage, I gritted my teeth, trying to find an open space to slide into.

The next thing I knew, I'd been bodied away from the middle of the hall, rammed back against the windows. My shoulder was bruised against the surface, but I could see outside. The press crowded past an open gate, clamouring on the brick walkway.

It was a false alarm. I had to get everyone to calm down– but how?

I spotted Iida, coming up from behind. "Iida!" I yelled. "It's the press!"

"I know!"

Eyes flicking around the room, I got an idea. Though the walls were drywall, the floors were concrete... But I caught sight of Uraraka, calling out to Iida. She outstretched her hand to him as he reached for it.

I took the scene in with a smile, and relented. He could have his chance to shine.

Someone banged into me, hard enough I thought the window at my back would crack.

"Watch it, extra!" Bakugo was seething, fighting against the crowd.

I gritted my teeth, feeling his elbow jab into my gut.

Fuck this.

The floor sagged beneath me, until I fell completely through the hallway. There was nothing but open air below; the hall was a bridge connecting the four towers.

I grasped onto the underside of the floor as Bakugo, too, fell.

"What the fuck!" he screamed.

I grabbed the collar of his blazer before he could splat like a pancake on the ground four stories below. He dangled over the ground, swinging slightly in the breeze.

"What the fuck, what the fuck! What the fuck!"

"Would you stop it with the "What the fucks"?" I said. "You're fine! You could blast yourself down if you wanted!"

"Put me down! Put me down right now!"

I sighed, pulsing energy pulsed through the supports of the building. On the nearby tower, I pulled open a slot in the wall. "Ready?"

"Fuck you!"

I swung Bakugo in through the open hole and then leapt in myself.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!"

I closed up the hole in the wall. "Well, sorry I didn't like the feeling of your elbow in my gut!"

"Then fall to your death on your own! Don't take me with you!"

"You literally could not have been any closer to me! I couldn't have dropped without..."

There was a creak down the hallway. A faculty door slammed shut.

Something felt off. "Don't all the faculty spend lunch in their break room?"

"They were all at the gate, dumbass" Bakugo hissed.

"This floor is off-limits to students."

"You think I don't know that?"

"So who's in the hallway?"

"I don't know, a janitor? Who gives a fuck!"

I glanced back at Bakugo and began stalking down the hall. "I'm checking it out."

"That's against the rules!"

"Of all the things you are, Prickly, a damn hardass was not what I expected."

I stalked down the hallway, poking my head into the empty offices. "I think we lost 'em," I whispered.

I heard footsteps dashing down the stairs and broke out into a run.

"Shitty tie, wait!"

I grabbed onto the railing and leapt over the edge of the winding stairs, landing a floor below. The fall sent me to my knees but I sprang back up onto my feet.

There was nobody down the hallway. I could still hear them running below.

I swung around the railing and continued dashing down the stairs. I took them two, three at a time, and finally made it to the first floor.

I dashed out of the open door moments before it swung shut.

Right in front of me, a black hole the size of my fist shrunk into nothingness.

I collapsed onto the step, panting for breath. What the fuck was that... A warp Quirk?

"Pointy!" Bakugo yelled, bursting out of the doors. "What the fuck is wrong with you!"

"There was someone right there," I said. "They'd just gone through the door and poof! Gone." I pushed myself up to my feet, still huffing for breath. "I should go tell 'Zawa – The Principal, the staff..."

"The hell you talkin' about?"

I looked to Bakugo over my shoulder. "The press is just a distraction. There was an intruder on U.A. grounds."

𓆱❀𓆱

It was after school hours when I pulled open the Principal's office doors.

"Miss Akiharu," Nezu greeted, sitting behind a desk. He looked like some type of white rodent – A rat, a small dog, a gerbil? I couldn't tell. "I was informed you wanted to see me?"

"Yessir," I sighed, dragging a hand across my neck. "I wish you would've seen me earlier."

"Apologies. I was busy handling the press."

I puffed out my cheeks. "Well, a few hours ago, during the trespasser alarms, I ended up on the faculty floor..."

"That's off limits to students."

"Yeah, no shit." I rubbed the back of my head irately. Failing to catch the conniving dickhead running through U.A.'s halls like a rat had left me in a bit of a pissy mood. "There's a chance it was just a prank, but... Someone was moving through one of the faculty rooms. I chased them out of the building, but right when I caught up, they vanished."

Nezu's beady eyes thinned. "That's very worrying."

I sighed, rocking back onto my heels. "Yeah. Whatever they were in that room for, I can't imagine it was good. But, you know, right?"

Nezu's furry little mouth twitched into a smile. "Indeed."

In order to get in and out that quickly... "Whoever snuck in there knew what they were looking for."

"So that's why you insisted on seeing me first."

I shrugged. "I trust Aizawa enough to tell him, but I thought it should go through you."

"How intriguing..." The rat-gerbil-dog (or none of the above) Principal laced his paws together upon his desk. "We may have a rat amongst the students or staff." Said the rat. "Is that all?"

I nodded.

"Then you're dismissed. Don't be late getting home."

"Yes, sir." I turned on my heel and started to the door.

"Oh, right. Akiharu?"

These assholes have got to stop stopping me on the way out of their office. "Hm?"

"Kindly stop stealing from my vending machines."

I turned to him, my eyes thinned. "No one uses them, anyways," I tried. "At least the snacks aren't going to waste."

Nezu sighed. "Then at least stop it with those greasy cheddar crackers. They're a nutritional nightmare."

So maybe flipping off your all-powerful multi-millionaire Principal isn't a great idea.

But those cheese crackers were my favourite thing about this school.

𓆱❀𓆱

I wasn't planning to put Bakugo everywhere originally, but I find his interactions with Akiharu funny as hell.

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