“Quiet down!”

The shout was accompanied by the usual flash of red eyes and floating hair, causing twenty teenagers to immediately quiet.

“As I’m sure you’ve noticed, Mineta is not here today.” A slight pause. “He has been expelled for inappropriate behavior. Let this serve as a reminder that just because you are in the Hero Course, that you are not immune to consequences, and no matter your skill, if you harm others, you will be punished.”

The room was dead silent.

“Am I understood?”

Everyone nodded.

“In other news, the following week will be your internships.” Aizawa looked as tired as always, but most of the bandages had been removed, showing a crescent shaped scar across his cheek. “You have received offers based on the interest of the Pros who observed you at the Sports Festival. Those who do not receive any will have a list of agencies to choose from.”

Aizawa lazily turned on the projector.

Izuku’s eyebrows shot up.

“The numbers are usually a little closer, but this year was an exception.”

Sitting in first place was Todoroki with 3 002 offers, followed behind by Bakugou with 2 843. The place after that was Yaoyorozu with less than a thousand.

“Wait, Midoriya got second place, why didn’t he get more offers?” Mina questioned. “He beat Todoroki! How did he get fewer than Iida-no offense Iida.”

Their bespectacled classmate waved dramatically. “You have no need to worry, I take no offense. I too am curious.”

“How idiotic are you extras!? It’s because he threw the fucking festival!”

Aaaaaaand there it is. He’d been wondering how long it would take for Bakugou to blow up. Ever since his loss at the Sports Festival which he seemed to blame on Izuku, his temper had been on an even shorter fuse.

Technically Izuku had been the one to tell Shinsou about the old nickname, but that had been weeks ago and not even in the same context. He’d slipped up and used the name after a sparring session between them, and Shinsou had asked.

If anything, it was a good deployment of skills and memory.

Not that Bakugou was likely to see it that way.

“In all fairness, he did it in the best possible way.” Kaminari grinned despite the other Bakugou’s glare being sent towards him. “I hope you know you’re a meme now.”

That was…something. Considering his main objective for the past decade has been to lay low, that wasn’t exactly a point of comfort.

Let them come. At least that way the enemy will be in front of you. At least that way you can finally-

“Regardless of them amount of offers you got, there is something you all need to do.” The attention of the room shifted back to Aizawa. “Today, you’ll be choosing your Hero names.”

…

After the inevitable pandemonium that occurred with that announcement, Midnight stepped into the room and cracked her whip.

“Listen up!” she snapped. “Since Mr. Grumpy over here wouldn’t know a good name if it came up and bit him, I’ll be helping.”

When no one moved she cracker her whip once more. “Get a move on! We don’t have all day.”

The following minutes were filled with furiously scribbling teenagers, Bakugou stepping up to present his name first and be shot down first.

“What’s wrong with King Explosion Murder!?” He demanded.

Midnight gave him a flat look. “If you even have to ask that than you’re far too gone to be saved.”

Aoyama went next, his ridiculously long name also being denied.

“Maybe go for something shorter?” Uraraka suggested. “Maybe something like, oh I don’t know, Sparkle Master?”

Aoyama’s responding smile was nothing short of blinding.

Tsuyu was the first to get her name approved, her choice of Froppy fitting. Sato, Koda, Ojiro, and Hagakure’s soon followed, despite Midnight’s half-hearted complaints about lack of creativity.

Todoroki’s choice of name caused some raised eyebrows, but no one dared say anything, especially since it passed purview from the teachers.

“As long as you don’t mind the controversy of having a swear word in your name.” The Heroine said with a shrug.

Izuku personally thought HellFrost suited the other boy.

Uraraka passed with Uravity, as did Yaoyorozu with Creati.

Bakugou was once again denied, as Kirishima, Sero and Kaminari came up with theirs. Mina was also rejected but bounced back quickly with Pinkie.

Time ticked by as one by one, his classmates had their names approved. He was aware of the curious glances his friends sent his way, but felt no need to explain himself.

Names…titles…for Izuku’s entire life they had been replaceable. Being identifiable was his worst nightmare, and there was no point in clinging to something that would be changed the next month. He had been everything from Hayate to Adam, transitioning seamlessly because that was his only option.

Jiro, Shoji and Tokoyami were next, and Bakugou finally figured out nothing with the word Murder in it was going to be approved.

“Dynamite.” He growled, as if daring anyone to comment.

Midnight dared. “Finally, something decent.”

And then it was only him and Iida.

“I wish to maintain my family’s legacy.” Iida announced. “Thus, I have chosen the name Speedster; the running Hero.”

Izuku cracked a sardonic smile.

You’ve never really had to run. But you will.

One day.

“There’s only one of you left.” Midnight said, narrowing her eyes at him. “We’re on a time limit here. If you don’t choose something now, I’ll do it for you.”

Izuku met her gaze and wrote the first thing that came to mind on the white board.

Nomad; the wandering Hero.

…

Lunch was a little different than usual, and Ochako couldn’t say she minded.

Mei had apparently decided to stick with the group, tinkering with things on the cafeteria table despite Iida’s protests and chatting vigorously with anyone and everyone.

“So, where are you guys planning on going for your internships?” The Mei questioned, cranking her wrench aggressively.

“Gunhead’s Agency.” Ochako said firmly, ignoring the surprised everyone but Midoriya sent her way. “I want to get better at combat-even if I do become a Rescue Hero, I should know how to fight. Look what happened to Thirteen at U.S.J..."

There was an awkward pause, the subject of the attack normally taboo between them all.

Iida saved them. “I am, of course, planning on interning at my family’s Agency. It will be an honor to work with them, and I am excited to learn as much as possible in our limited time.”

Shinsou snorted. “’Limited time.’” He mocked. “They’re your family, you can learn from them whenever you want.”

Ochako was pretty sure she wasn’t imagining the bitter undertone in his voice.

Thankfully, Shinsou turned his attention towards Midoriya. “What about you? Any particular offers catch your eye?”

Midoriya took his time responding, thin fingers tapping against the table in an uneven rhythm. “Gran Torino.” He said eventually.

Iida furrowed his brow. “I am unaware of any Hero with that name. Why did you choose him?”

Another long pause.

“My mom knew him.”

There was a loud thud as Shinsou knocked over his bag, its contents spilling onto the floor and drawing everyone’s attention.

“Ah shit.” He grumbled, bending over to scoop up his books. “I need a new bag, I swear. This one keeps falling open.”

Mei snorted. “Considering that bag is held together by less seams than my sanity, I’m not surprised.” A wicked gleam entered her eye. “Say, how about I-”

“Let me stop you there.” Shinsou finished putting his school supplies away. “As terrible as my bag is, there is no way I am letting you anywhere near it. It’ll take over the world.”

Mei grinned. “Come on, it’s only a backpack. The worst it can do it run for mayor.”

Shinsou rolled his eyes. “You say that now…”

And just like that the topic of internships was abandoned, the table switching to things like schoolwork.

Ochako didn’t think she imagined the grateful nod Midoriya sent Shinsou.

…

Hitoshi was still practically glowing the day after the Sports Festival. Not only had he shown up those snobs from the Hero Course-Midoriya, Uraraka and Iida excluded-but the rest of his class had surprised him with cookies.

While they hadn’t been hostile towards him like his previous classmates, Hitoshi wasn’t exactly the friendliest, and his Quirk tended to make people wary of him. This…was a nice change.

The day had gone by in a blur, and before he knew it, last period was over and it was time to go home. He had a few hours until his shift at the grocery store started, so he wanted to get a head start on his homework. Nothing like having to work to eat and also attending one of the most academically challenging schools.

They usually had enough money to afford their meals, but Hitoshi’s job was the steadiest source of income they had, and they could only use abandoned trash and stolen school food for so much.

Hitoshi wasn’t really sure where Midoriya got the money he brought home, but had a feeling that it was best to not question it. The one time he’d asked the other boy had merely stared at him before shrugging and muttering something about plausible deniability. Considering he’d once seen Midoriya take the wallet off of a would-be mugger, Hitoshi was pretty sure he’d need it.

“Hitoshi Shinsou?” A quiet drawl startled him out of his thoughts as oh my god Eraserhead stood at the class door.

He swallowed. “Yes?”

“I need to speak with you.”

Well that didn’t sound ominous at all.

Slowly shouldering his bag, Hitoshi sent a quick text to Midoriya letting him know that he’d be late meeting him outside the school before following the Hero out the door.

The teacher led him to a small office with a couch, Aizawa lazily gesturing him to take a seat.

“Am…I in trouble?” he questioned, years of being blamed for incidents raising to the forefront of his mind.

His childhood Hero shook his head. “This is about the Sports Festival.” He pulled out a sheet of paper. “And your transference to the Hero Course.”

Hitoshi froze. He-he hadn’t dared hope, even with his placement-why would they let a villain like you in with the Heroes? Why would they welcome a snake to walk among the lions?

“As I’m sure you’re aware, if a General Studies student does well enough in the Sports Festival they have the chance to join the Hero Course. Your showing was more than enough, and the school has decided to transfer you.”

There weren’t tears in his eyes, there weren’t.

“There has recently been an opening in class 1A, so that’s where you’ll be placed. However, since you’ve missed out on a few months of training, you’ll need to get caught up with your new classmates.”

Of course there was a catch. “How will I be doing that?” He said in as even of a voice as he could manage.

“Seeing as your Quirk is non physical, the staff decided it was best if I trained you personally. We’ll meet three times a week after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, does that work for you?”

Hitoshi couldn’t nod fast enough. “Yeah-yeah that’d be-great.” He’d have to rework his job hours and would probably get even less sleep with the workload, but he was in the Hero Course.

“Now, as it stands you have two options for your internship. You can choose to train with me, or you can go to Ms. Joke’s Agency.”

He blinked. “Ms. Joke?”

Aizawa’s expression resembled a disgruntled cat. “She sent in an internship request, and as…unorthadox as she can be, I know her to be reliable, and she could help you with finding new ways to get people to respond. She’s also highly skilled at hand to hand combat, so any time you spend training with her will be useful.”

And that-that surprised him more than anything. Aizawa may train him, but that could be because the staff agreed to it, not because he wanted to. But Ms. Joke, who couldn’t have known that he was getting transferred, went out of her way to ask for him.

“I’d-I’d like to spend my internship week with Ms. Joke.” He said, forcing down any hesitation.

It was a relief that Aizawa only nodded. “Alright. Now I have some forms for your parents to sign by tomorrow.”

Hitoshi froze. “My parents…?”

Aizawa glanced up, his dark eyes seeming to pierce right through him. “Yes, they need to sign these papers or else you won’t be able to join the Hero Course. Is that a problem?”

Shit shit shit shit shit.

“Not at all.” He lied.