MHA Rewrite: Plus Ultra

In the class of 1-A.  “Sports festival!” “That’s totally ordinary!”  Momo raises her hand. “Sensei… is this really a good time for the sports festival? After the villain attack…-” Her voice trails off. “That’s precisely why,” Aizawa says. “They want to show the world U.A.’s crisis management is sound. There’ll be five times the usual police presence this year.” His gaze sweeps the class. “But that’s not what you should be focusing on. The Sports Festival is the biggest opportunity you’ll get.” He exhales. “Like I said… the world keeps turning. This isn’t the kind of event that gets cancelled over a few villains.” Mineta’s mouth hangs open. “Sensei… That’s insane.” Kaminari claps Mineta on the back with a grin. Mineta hisses in pain, rubbing his back with a frown. “C’mon, Mineta! You’re not even a little stoked you get to participate? We could all use something like the Sports Festival to lift the mood!” Mineta frowns. “That’s not what I meant…” Sero perks up. “I know I am! U.A.’s Sports Festival is one of—if not the biggest events in Japan!” Kaminari twists in his seat, leaning over the back of his chair to look at Sero. “Right?! It’s way better than the Olympics! Wait… I don’t even remember the last Olympics…” Iida adjusts his glasses. “The Olympics were once the world’s premier sporting event. Entire nations would be swept up in them.” He straightens. “However, their influence has diminished over time. As far as Japan is concerned, what takes the place of the Olympics…-“ Iida’s eyes narrow. “-…is the U.A. sports festival!”  “Not to mention what Aizawa-sensei was alluding to—the nation’s top heroes will be watching. They’ll be there as scouts!” Momo adds. Kaminari chuckles, leaning back in his chair, hands laced behind his head. “And whatever poor sap they scout ends up stuck as a sidekick forever! Sidekicks barely go solo. After what I pulled at USJ? Pretty sure I don’t need that sidekick crap.” Jiro slowly turns toward him. She slouches, eyes going unfocused. “Woohoo…!” She gives a lazy thumbs-up, swaying slightly. “…I’m Kaminari Denki…!” She straightens, expression flat. “You need to stay a sidekick, retard.” Kaminari jerks upright. “You— you bitch!” Jiro flips him off. Aizawa continues. “Whatever it is, you’ll gain experience—and visibility—if a pro takes interest. So do your best and make yourselves worth noticing.” He exhales. “Your time here is limited. Show them what you’re made of, and you’ll build your future. This happens once a year. You’ve got three chances.” His gaze sharpens. “If you actually want to be heroes… don’t waste them.” Kirishima fidgets, then hesitantly raises a hand. “Aizawa-sensei…? What about Midoriya?” A tense silence settles over the room. “…Will he recover in time?” Aizawa is silent for a moment longer before responding. “He’ll make it. The festival’s in two weeks. He’s recovering. He should be back in class tomorrow… or the day after.” A brief pause. “Whether he can participate…” Aizawa exhales. “…that’s not an option he’ll consider, is it?” Another silence. Iida raises a hand. “Sensei… couldn’t you prevent him from entering?” “…And why should I do that, Class President? It’s hardly fair to take away his opportunity while the rest of you still have yours.” “Sensei…! Everyone here already recognizes Midoriya’s exceptional potential as a hero. He will no doubt be scouted by multiple pro heroes in due time…” Iida’s fist tightens, teeth gritting. “But—! In his current condition, coupled with his recklessness and disregard for basic instructions… he poses a serious danger to himself!” His voice sharpens. “That behavior needs to be corrected. Immediately.” Aizawa looks at him. “You’re not wrong.” A brief pause. “But this isn’t a matter of what should happen.” His gaze sharpens slightly. “Midoriya’s already made his choice. And if I try to stop him… he’ll just find another way.” Iida clenches his jaw. “Sensei. I urge you to recon—” “Iida.” Aizawa cuts him off. “Your concern is noted.” Iida looks to his desk, frowning in frustration. Momo hesitates, her hand half-raised. Jiro crosses her arms, looking away. “…Tch.” Aizawa watches them for a moment longer. “That is all.” Todoroki looks at Izuku’s desk. Silent. … Lunch break. Outside the nurse’s office. Uraraka stands at the door. Her hand hovers near the handle— then stops. She remembers— Izuku in her lap. Arms broken. Bones exposed. Blood running down his face. Uraraka takes a steadying breath. Her grip tightens. Then, with a small frown, she opens the door. Her eyes instinctively avert— not toward the bed. Instead, they settle on the figure seated beside it. Back turned. Head lowered. Watching over him in silence. Inko turns. Her face is tired, worn—but she offers a polite smile. “Oh… I’m sorry. If you’re looking for the nurse, she just stepped out for a moment.” Uraraka’s eyes widen. “Ah—” Same hair… same eyes… She offers a small smile, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. “Are you Midoriya-san…?” She bows. “My name is Uraraka Ochako. It’s nice to meet you.” Inko’s eyes widen in recognition. “…Uraraka?” A gentle smile forms. “You’re the girl who befriended Izuku. The one who can control gravity, right?” Uraraka giggles softly. “Yes! That’s me…” “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Izuku talks about you quite a lot.” Uraraka scratches the back of her head sheepishly. “Oh…! Does he…? He probably talks about ways I can maximize my Quirk and stuff…” Inko chuckles softly, a teasing warmth in her eyes. “That… and he talks about how kind you are.” A small pause. “He told me how you saved him during the entrance exam… and even tried to give him your points.” Uraraka freezes slightly. “And how you kept pushing yourself, even when things didn’t go your way.” Her smile softens. “And how you’re always looking out for him. He’s really grateful for that.” Steam practically bursts from Uraraka’s ears as her face goes completely red. “U-uhh… W-well…!” “And me too.” Inko stands. “I never got the chance to say ‘thank you.’” She bows. “Thank you for saving my son, Uraraka-chan.” Uraraka flails her arms wildly. “N-n-no! It’s okay! You don’t have to do that…!” “Midoriya-kun saved me first… and he’s always helping me—and everyone else…” Inko straightens, her smile softening into something more fragile. “…I see.” She sits back down beside the bed. Uraraka feels the shift. She lingers for a moment, swallowing the lump in her throat. Then she steps forward, coming to stand beside Inko. Her gaze drifts— and finally settles on Izuku. Uraraka steadies her breath, hiding the hitch in her throat. She thought the sight would disturb her—that a wave of guilt or sadness would crash over her. But instead… She looks at Izuku. …and notices how peaceful he is. She watches the steady rise and fall of his chest. A small smile finds its way onto her face— along with tears. Inko smiles faintly, her gaze still on Izuku. “I’m glad he found a good friend.” A small pause. “He seems happier these days. At dinner, he just goes on and on about his day… like an excited little puppy!” She laughs softly. Uraraka smiles. Inko’s fingers tighten slightly in her lap. “Before… he was always alone. Bitter. Sad.” A breath. “He tried to hide it from me, you know?” Inko exhales shakily. “…and I let him.” Her smile falters. “I told myself it was fine. That he was okay.” A pause. “But I wasn’t helping him… was I?” Her voice softens. “If anything… I’m the one who let him become that way.” Uraraka’s smile fades. “…I—” The words catch in her throat. She looks down, fingers curling slightly at her sides. …but nothing comes out. A sob escapes Inko. Tears spill down her cheeks. “And now…!” Her voice breaks. “I’m going to be the one to do it again…!” Inko breaks. A sob tears from her as she covers her face with her hands. Uraraka stiffens, alarm flashing across her face— then quickly steps closer. “H-hey…!” She gently places a hand on Inko’s back, rubbing small, unsure circles. Inko doesn’t respond. She just cries. Inko draws in a shaky breath, wiping her tears away with her sleeve. She steadies herself. “…I’m going to press charges.” Uraraka blinks, caught off guard. “They said it was a villain attack. A special circumstance.” Her grip tightens slightly. “But that’s not acceptable.” Her voice firms. “This is the top hero school. They should have been prepared.” A brief pause. “…And after that…” She looks at Izuku. “I’m taking him out of U.A.” Uraraka stiffens. She doesn’t know what to say. What can she say? Another sob breaks from Inko as she covers her face again. “He’s going to be so angry at me…!” Her shoulders tremble. “I’m going to be the villain who destroys his dream… again…!” Inko continues to cry.  “But Izuku…! You promised…! You promised…!” Uraraka hesitates. Her hands tighten against her skirt. Midoriya-san… you’re right. Maybe… it would be better if Deku left U.A… He’s only going to keep hurting himself… and then… one day— Uraraka bites her lip. But—! A flash. Debris pins her down. She can’t move. The Zero Pointer looms. And then— Izuku launches upward. A single punch. Metal collapses. Light. Another. Iida’s arms locked around her. Held in place. Izuku steps in. He grabs Bakugo. A sharp crack. Another. Tsuyu, frozen. Shigaraki reaching. And then— Nomu’s arm tears free. Izuku moves. Straight toward Shigaraki. Uraraka’s grip tightens. She draws in a small breath. “Midoriya-san…” Inko looks up at her. “I… I understand how you feel.” Inko wipes her face with her sleeve. “You do…?” A shaky, hopeful smile forms. “Then you understand why I have to do this… right?” Uraraka purses her lips. She hesitates. Her hands tighten slightly. “I…—” They loosen again. Her gaze slips to the side. “I had a fight with my parents too.” A small pause. “They didn’t want me to keep going after what happened.” She looks down. “But… I couldn’t stop.” Her voice steadies, just a little. “I want to be a hero so I can help my parents. With money. That’s why I started.” A breath. “And even if it’s scary… even if it hurts…” She looks up at Inko, resolve settling in her eyes. “…I can’t give that up.” Inko’s mouth parts slightly, her brows knitting in confusion. Uraraka swallows. “Midoriya-kun is the same.” A beat. “No matter what happens… he’s not going to stop.” She draws in a breath. “And it’s not because he’s selfish. Every time he got hurt… it was because he was saving someone.” Her gaze steadies. “If it weren’t for Midoriya-kun… other people wouldn’t get the chance to chase their dreams.” Uraraka looks at Inko. Inko’s expression falters. Her brows knit together, lips parting slightly, like she wants to respond… but nothing comes out. “…If you take that away from him…” Uraraka hesitates. “…will he really be okay?” A small pause. “Or will he just… keep trying anyway?” Inko swallows. “But… Uraraka-chan…” Her voice trembles. “This is only the fourth day… and he’s already been hospitalized four times…!” Uraraka widens her eyes. Inko’s grip tightens in her sleeve. “U.A. isn’t keeping my son safe…!” Uraraka flinches slightly. “…I know.” A small pause. “That was… too much.” She looks at Izuku. “…and it wasn’t normal.” Her hands tighten. “That attack… it wasn’t something anyone expected.” She looks back at Inko. “But… Aizawa-sensei… and the others…” She hesitates, choosing her words. “They’ve seen how Midoriya-kun fights.” A breath. “They know he pushes too far… and they’re not just going to ignore that. They won’t let him keep going like that…” A small pause. She meets Inko’s gaze, resolve firm. “I won’t let him keep going like that.” Inko lets out a sob—then a shaky laugh. “You can’t promise that, Uraraka-chan…” She shakes her head, a sad smile flickering. “Heroes never keep their promises…” Her eyes fill as she looks at Izuku. Her little boy. The only one she cares about. She reaches out, gently brushing his cheek. “But you’re right…” Her voice softens. “He’s not selfish. He never is…” Silence lingers. “…Okay, Uraraka-chan…” Her voice is quiet. “…I won’t press charges.” A small breath. “…Izuku can stay at U.A.” Uraraka lets the tears in her eyes fall. She smiles. She nods. “Midoriya-san… thank you.” Inko doesn’t reply. Her gaze remains fixed on Izuku. “…Whatever happens, Uraraka-chan…” A small pause. “Don’t leave him alone.” Uraraka sniffles.  She nods.  “…Yes.” … The door clicks shut. Silence settles over the room. Uraraka stands there for a moment— then slowly sinks into the chair beside the bed. Her hands rest in her lap. She stares at him. “…You’re really unfair, you know…” Her voice is small. A shaky breath. “You keep running ahead like that…” Her fingers curl. “…and you don’t even look back.” Tears slip down her cheeks. She laughs weakly, wiping at her eyes. “I can’t keep up…” A pause. She leans forward slightly. “…so slow down, okay?” Her voice trembles. “Let me catch up to you.” Tears spill over. “…please.” Her quiet sobs fill the room. Izuku continues to breathe. In. Out.