"For today's lesson on foundational skill of heroics, is has been decided that you will be supervised by me, All Might and another teacher."
Tetsutetsu shot his arm up. "Sensei! What'll we be doing?!"
"Today, we will be the hero everyone would need, whether it's a flood, an earthquake or any other disaster. It's the trial of rescue!"
Most of the class perked up to that declaration.
Those fools.
Saving people from a villain and saving people from a disaster are very different things. If they participate in a real rescue effort... I wonder how they would fare?
"As I was saying, You may choose to wear your costumes for this endeavour, as some of your design are probably not suited for certains task so you are allowed to simply wear your gym uniforms but ultimately, it is your choice." Kan-sensei informed the class as he opened up the wall containg our costumes. "And, as the training area is fairly far, we be getting there by bus. That is all. Go and get changed."
~~~~~
Kizuki sat by the front of the bus, next to door, as usual. This way, he'd be first to leave, as usual. What was usual was the other quiet types preferring to sit at the back of the bus leaving me right by the extroverts. The youkai simply closed my eyes and opted to ignore them, something he expected to go easy since remembers that at least half of them were intimidated by him for some reason.
But unfortunately, someone wasn't as affected like the others.
Amidst the chatter of the other students, the topic naturally shifted to a common theme: Quirks.
Those that haven't already are discussing and sharing details about their power to their peers. It was here that Monoma, a copy user, noticed Kizuki who was keeping to himself. He already knows about, and briefly borrowed the quirks of the others, mostly. The redhead was one of the few that he hasn't tried out yet and he already witnessed a fraction of it's strength and versatility during class.
A smile formed on his lips as he let curiosity take the better of him. This is one of the rare moments when Monoma was in near proximity with the other boy. So, taking his chances, he reached out a hand to the only part of him with visible skin; the face.
Kizuki flinched when a finger poked his cheek, one that he slapped away a little too hard. "Don't touch my head." The redhead angrily glared at the offender, Monoma.
The blonde raised both his hands as he spoke with a smile. "Sorry. But we were at the topic of quirks and I was curious about-"
"Don't. Touch. My. Head." Kizuki heavily intoned each word, squashing down the impulse to shoot him in the face. "Understand?" He can feel the gazes of other people collecting unto him and he ignored them all.
"...Crystal." Monoma answered, though inwardly cautious. Just as Kizuki thought he actually understood, Monoma spoke up again in an attempt to steer away the heat. "But I do find it curious, I copied your quirk and I couldn't seem to use it."
'...Does he have a deathwish?' Kizuki was both dumbfounded and furious at the audacity. 'He actually- this guy- I-'
The redhead glared at him, his eyes glowing dangerously this time as he clenched his fists. Kizuki seriously considered whether to just knock him out until Manga literally rolled over from the back.
"(◎д◎) Stop! No fighting!" His hand came between his friend and the blonde. "First! Monoma, it's not cool to just copy someone's quirk without their consent like that! And second! Kizuki! Chill out dude! All he did was poke you. Nothing to be seething about."
"I'm not seething."
"Let off the pressure and I'll believe you."
The students were quiet, the only that they heard was when Kizuki took a deep shaky breath. Incidentally, Shishida heard a faint sound like the cracking of glass but he didn't focus much into its origin.
"We're here." Vlad King broke through the tension as the bus stopped. He wanted to say something else to clam the situation but Kizuki abruptly stood up and stormed out of the bus. The other students saw from the window how the redhead didn't stop walking and immediately entered USJ, slamming the door behind him.
"Blondie, what did you do to piss him off like that?!" Tokage exclaimed, shocked at what she just witnessed.
"I just poked him! That's all I did, I swear!" Monoma defended himself. He knew it was a bit rude to copy a quirk without permission but it was a pretty good icebreaker that hasn't failed him. It was the first time he had someone react so strongly like that.
"Well, clearly you did something wrong! He wouldn't be that upset otherwise!"
~~~~~
Yesterday's lesson was an astounding success with class 1-A so I had good confidence that today would be the same. That expectation sunk when a boy entered and slammed the door behind him in a fit of quiet rage.
I exchanged concerned glances with Toshinori.
He took a breath and walked over to the seething boy, pulling him aside to have a hushed conversation. I couldn't help but worry as the young man seemed visibly upset about something as he raised his voice. Toshinori said a few more things to him which made the boy sigh before nodding, his expression seemingly more defeated and tired, fidgety even, before hardening to a scowl.
'Ah. It's a PTSD episode.' I recognize that expression. It's something that I had become familiar with as a rescue hero. 'Something must have happened.'
Then it struck me. 'I recognize him. I read his files and he was there, during the Catastrophic Descent!'
I didn't have much time to ponder on it, however, as the rest of the class arrived and I have to begin.
"Welcome!" I addressed them with an upbeat tone. Something to tide away their tension, from the way they kept glancing at the one standing by the far side. Toshinori was already by my side, smiling like nothing happened. "This is a practical training area I created to simulate all kind sof accidents and disasters, and it's name is... The Ultimate Space for Jams!"
Good. That seemed to get their attention. "Before we begin, just one thing... Or two... Or three... Or four..." I smiled at the deadpan I'm receiving. "I'm certain you're already quite aware, but my quirk is called [Black Hole]. No matter what material may get sucked into its vortex, I'm afraid it will turn to dust."
"Settle down, class." Sekijiro reigned in his class at their exclamations.
"Thank you, Kan." I gave him a nod. "Now as I was saying, My quirk is a power I regularly use for removing wreckage and saving people. However, it is also power that could also easily be used to kill others. And in that way, it's no different from the quirks of everyone here." I'm glad to see they're taking this seriously. Even the other boy to side was listening in. "Naturally, in this society of superhumans, quirks are strictly regulated, and the requirements for their lawful use are enforced. We can tell by a glance that that is the make-up of this world. That being said, please don't forget that each of you possess a quirk that can go away. On wrong step is all it takes to be able to kill others accidentally."
From the corner of my eye, I see the boy clench his fist. Not a good sign. "During your class's physical strength test, you learned of your respective power's true potential. And during All Might's trial of battle, I think you took away a true sense of the danger of brandishing this powers against one another." I motioned to them with both my hands. "This lesson will serve as a fresh start! Let's get studying about how wield our quirks for the sake of human life! Your quirks emphatically do not exist to hurt others! Please leave the exercise having fully understood that your quirks aren't inherently meant to harm another! That is all! You have my gratitude for listening so intently and patiently!" I took a bow at the applause.
"Right, first on the list would be on your left!" Sekijiro pointed over to a direction. "The Ruins zone! Follow me and I'll explain more on the way!" He then lead the students down the steps with Toshinori giving his input. I watch as they move on from the entrance and let out a soft sigh.
Normally, I'd love nothing more than to lead and explain alongside them, guiding the students on the path of rescue so they can help people in the future.
However, I see someone in need of rescue right here.
I approach the boy that was lagging behind the rest of his peers. "Hey there, Kiddo. Something on your mind?" I said gently to not startle him.
He glared my way for a second before his expression softened. "I'm fine." He said softly. "Shouldn't you be at the front, with the other teachers?"
"I should be, yes." I agreed. "But it's also a teacher's job to make sure none of the students fall behind. What's on your mind that keeps you disgruntled like that?"
"It's... it's stupid, really." He shifted his stance, a hand went up and began stroking the ribbon on the back of his head. "I almost had a crash out from someone poking my cheek."
"I wouldn't call it stupid if it bothered you this much." I comforted him. "Terrible experiences aren't a joking matter after all."
"You don't understand! I was so, so close to blasting his limb!"
"I do understand." I didn't raise my voice to match his. "Trauma can make you do things impulsively. Things that you regret and things that can be hard to take back. I have blackholes for hands, remember?" His eyes widened in recognition as the wind seemed to leave his sail. "But you didn't. You held back and that's admirable."
"I- I mean... Did you?..."
"Do something I regretted?" He nodded. "I did. Only a few times, though. But that was years ago when I was still in Judgment."
"You were?!"
I chuckled at his suprise. "Yup. I was a member of the 127th branch. Back then, I didn't have as much control with my quirk as I do now." I sighed. "There isn't much difference, actually. But that's where my gloves come in. It isn't a crime to admit that you did something terrible, but it's a lot worse if you didn't at least learn something from your mistakes."
He looked at my hands, thoughts no doubt running along his mind. He gulped audibly before taking a deep breath.
"I... You remember that specific day a few months back?"
"Sure do. Kinda hard to forget that event, kiddo."
"Right, right..." He opened and closed his mouth a few times, likely trying to find the right words to say. "Well, You see... There were some... Stuff, that happened before then, but the important part was that I got caught by the villain. He had a kind of spacial quirk, like apportation. One moment I was flying away and the next-" Both of his hands shot towards his mouth and he gagged. I pat him on the back to ease him a little. His voice was muffled by his hands, but he kept talking. "The next thing I knew, My head was in his hands and my body was impaled. T-then pain. Then electricity. Then sonic bursts! M-my- I felt my eye pop! I didn't even know whether I had a nose bleed o-o-or if my brain was leaking! And he- he- he was just-"
I heard glass breaking and the sound of a chime ringing but when I glanced around, nothing was broken or moving. "Easy does it, kid. Deep breaths." I guided him to sit down on the stairs. "I get the picture." An appalling picture. No one deserved to go through something like that.
"E-ever since then, It's like whenever someone touches my head I get put b-back into his hands. I-I just couldn't-" I reached into my pocket and handed him my handkerchief. He just realised that tears were flowing. "I- I'm sorry. I didn't-"
"It's fine. Let it all out." I squeezed his hand in support. "But this good. We can still turn this around. The first step to solving a problem is acknowledging that the problem exists."
"I don't-"
"Have the time?" I completed his sentence. "Former Judgement, remember? You'd be surprised at how common overwork is. But still, I know the word 'psychologist' sounds scary, but it really does help to talk things out. Don't you feel a bit better now?"
"...A bit." He replied meekly.
"See? It's working already. There's nothing to be afraid of, Hound Dog is a licensed professional at this kind of thing, a lot better than I am. So what do you say?"
"..." A hand went back up to his ribbon. "... I'll think about it."
I smiled at that.
Most people are against going to therapy for one reason or another, but I'm glad I got through to him, at least just a little bit. "Ready to get back to class?"
"...In a bit." He shyly looked away. "When they're done with the ruins zone."
'Ah. Good call. Probably a bad idea to see a scene similar to that day.' "Take as long as you need."
"Sorry for being a bother..."
"Don't be. It's nice to accompany a fellow alumni." An idea came to mind. "Say, do you wanna pass the time by exchanging stories from our Judgement days?"
~~~
Unbeknownst to either of them, and ear discreetly slithered away. It stealthily flew through the air and into the ruins zone, where it reconnected itself back to the head of a certain green-haired teen.
Tokage wasn't paying attention to the lesson, her mind was preoccupied with what she just learned.