MHA Rewrite: Plus Ultra

At the end of the school day, there was a bit of a commotion… Uraraka stands near the entrance, fingers tightening around the straps of her backpack. A crowd has gathered. Students whisper among themselves, craning their necks—staring into the classroom, blocking the doorway. Iida adjusts his glasses and steps forward. “Excuse me. What seems to be the problem?” No one answers. A few students point at him—snickering. Others lean in, whispering behind their hands. “He’s the one who ran…”  Iida clenches his jaw. Mineta looks around, uneasy. “No way out… what are they here for?” Mina lets out a sheepish laugh. “Hey, c’mon, guys… a girl’s gotta use the bathroom…” Momo steps forward, offering a polite smile. “Excuse me. Would you mind making way? We’d like to head home.” No one moves. They ignore her. Bakugo stands with his hands in his pockets. “Bunch of cannon fodder groupies… here to latch onto the fame of kids who survived a villain attack.” A student snickers, stepping forward. “Hey! Aren’t you the kid that Midoriya broke your fingers?” Bakugo chuckles. He looks down at him. “Yeah? What of it?” The student hesitates. A sharp grin. “Want me to break yours?” A beat. “…Hey.” A boy with fluffy purple hair steps forward, slipping through the crowd with ease. A few students shift aside without thinking as he passes. He places a hand on the student’s shoulder. He offers a small, easy smile. “That’s enough, Nishi-san.” The student stiffens slightly. “Class 1-A just went through something serious.” A brief pause. His smile softens. “It’s probably not a great idea to poke the bear right now.” Bakugo frowns at him. “Stay in your lane.” The boy with purple hair smiles. “Of course. And I apologize for my colleague’s behavior.” Nishi jerks his shoulder away, taking a small step back. “…Tch.” A brief hesitation. “Don’t act all righteous…” A sneer. “With a Quirk like yours…—“ He scoffs. “Freak.” He turns and walks off. The boy’s smile lingers for a moment— then softens as he watches him leave. Bakugo raises a brow. “Hitoshi-kun! Why’re you cozying up to that class?” A boy with a scary scowl and sharp teeth exclaims. Hitoshi chuckles. “The same reason I talk to you and everyone else in Class 1-B, Tetsutetsu-kun.” His smile stays easy. “I’m just making friends.” Bakugo scoffs, brushing past Hitoshi’s shoulder as he forces his way through the crowd. “Oh—careful!” Hitoshi calls, a small smile lingering. Tetsutetsu snaps “You jerk! Apologize to Hitoshi-kun!” Uraraka glances at Hitoshi. Huh… If Deku grew his hair out and dyed it purple… They might actually look kind of similar… “Hm?” Hitoshi notices Uraraka watching him. “Ah—” Uraraka quickly looks away. He offers a warm smile. “I’m sorry about all this… Everyone’s mostly here to talk to Midoriya-san, but I told them he’s still resting in the nurse’s office.” A small sigh escapes him, the smile still there. “But… it doesn’t seem like they listened.” “It’s fine…!” Uraraka lets out an awkward laugh. Midoriya had been drawing attention since day one… and after USJ, it had only grown. Her gaze lingers on Hitoshi. He’s kind… but— Something about him feels off… Hitoshi takes a small step closer, offering a polite smile. “My name is Shinso Hitoshi. It’s nice to meet you, Uraraka-san.” Her eyes widen. “You know me?” He lets out a soft chuckle. “Of course! Everyone knows Class 1-A… especially you.” A small pause. “You’re quite impressive, Uraraka-san.” Uraraka’s face heats up. “Uh…—No… not really…” Mineta grinds his teeth. “What a freak…!” Iida steps forward. “Excuse me. Are you responsible for this crowd? You’re obstructing our exit.” Hitoshi smiles. “Hm? Oh—no, not at all, Class President. I did try to get them to leave.” A small, easy shrug. “I’m just a guy from General Studies.” Tetsutetsu pushes his way to stand beside Hitoshi. “Heard you guys fought some villains, but now I’m seeing you’re all a bunch of arrogant bastards!” Iida slowly adjusts his glasses. “Excuse me?” Hitoshi places a gentle hand on Tetsutetsu’s shoulder. “Tetsutetsu-kun… that’s not very nice.” A small pause. His tone stays calm. “And it’s not fair. They just fought villains. They’ve earned our respect.” Tetsutetsu huffs, crossing his arms.  “My class could have handled the villains too…” Hitoshi chuckles. “Of course. But still…” A small pause.  His smile softens. “They were the ones who had to.” Iida adjusts his glasses. “Thank you for your understanding… and your diplomacy.” He gestures to the crowd. “If you could assist me in dispersing them, I would appreciate it.” Hitoshi smiles pleasantly. “I’d be happy to.” He turns back to Uraraka, offering a small smile. “It was nice meeting you, Uraraka-san. I hope we can talk again.” “R-right…” He glances over the rest of the class with the same easy expression, then steps away with Iida to disperse the crowd, Tetsutetsu helping.  “…What a shady creep,” Jiro mutters. “Yeah… he rubbed me the wrong way,” Mina adds. A few students who had been chattering falter as Hitoshi speaks— voices trailing off. “You’re right to be uneasy.” Todoroki leans against a table as a few heads turn toward him. “He just declared war on us.” “Huh?” Kaminari blinks. Todoroki pushes himself off the table. “He’s from General Studies. The students who didn’t make it into the Hero Course.” A brief pause. “The Sports Festival isn’t just for us. It’s their chance to transfer.” His gaze sharpens slightly. “If they perform well… they could replace us.” The class stiffens. “Seriously?!” Kirishima blurts. “Like, no way!” Hagakure gasps. Todoroki turns and heads for the door. “Good luck.” Kaminari frowns. “Bastard… Just because he got in through recommendations…” Jiro snorts. “Right?” Uraraka looks down. Getting last in the Quirk Aptitude Test. Being useless against Iida. Her parents. Deku. Her hand tightens into a fist. …I can’t lose! … Outside the student counselor’s office, Uraraka slows to a stop. A few seats line the hallway— most of them empty. Only a handful of students sit scattered about, quiet, distant from one another. Her gaze shifts— and lands on a familiar figure. In one corner, Aoyama is animatedly chatting with a nearby student, striking a pose mid-sentence. The other student lets out an awkward laugh. Uraraka blinks. Mina, seated beside Tsuyu, spots her. “Uraraka-chan!” She waves with a bright smile. Uraraka smiles back and approaches. “Hello…” “Hello,” Tsuyu greets. Mina leans forward, still smiling. “You’re here to see Hound Dog-sensei too?” Uraraka nods as she sits down. “Yeah… What about you?” Mina scratches her cheek sheepishly. “Well, at first I was just tagging along with Tsuyu-chan… but then I thought, why not?” A small grin. “Might as well see if our tuition fees are actually worth it.” Uraraka lets out a small chuckle. “…Yeah.” The sound fades quickly. Silence settles between them. Mina’s smile lingers for a moment— then softens. “…I guess we’re all here for the same reason, huh…” No one answers. Another quiet stretch. Mina looks down at her hands. “…Seeing Thirteen and Aizawa-sensei like that was already scary…” Her fingers curl slightly. “But when I saw Midoriya…” She trails off. Her voice drops. “…that was really bad.” A small breath. “I just—” She swallows. “…I wish I could’ve done something.” Silence. Uraraka’s gaze lowers slightly. …that feeling… Her fingers curl faintly in her lap. She knows it. A glance to the side— Tsuyu sits quietly beside them. Uraraka’s chest tightens. …she knows it too. Uraraka lifts her head. “…You did.” Mina blinks. Uraraka meets her eyes. “You stayed. You helped.” A small pause. “That matters… It does.” Mina’s eyes glisten. Before Uraraka can react, she leans forward and wraps her arms around her. Uraraka stiffens in surprise— then softens. A small, gentle smile forms as she returns the hug. Tsuyu watches quietly beside them. Her gaze lingers, calm but thoughtful. Mina pulls back, still smiling. “You were really cool, Uraraka-chan… running in like that and throwing that mist guy!” She grins. “That Deku’s really rubbing off on you, huh?” Uraraka lets out a small, bashful laugh. “I hope not…” Mina laughs along. … In the teacher’s lounge, Toshinori, in his gaunt form, finishes his paperwork. He sets his pen down, lets out a sigh, and takes a sip of his coffee. The Sports Festival, huh… He stands, mug in hand, and looks out the window. …I hope the kid gets better soon. A wry smile appears as he takes another sip. Hmph… Feels like I keep putting him through harsh training the moment he sets foot out of hospitalization… A pause. But in two weeks… if he’s not fully recovered, he can sit this one out. It’s not like I can’t help him get set up with another hero… Cementoss enters the room. “All Might-sama?” Toshinori turns. “Hm?” “A student is here to see you.” “Ah…” He exhales— and shifts into his All Might form. In a blur, he moves to the entrance. “Yes, I am here! Do you require my guidance, young—!” He stops. Bakugo stands there, hands in his pockets, his usual frown resting on his face. Just waiting. All Might’s posture settles. “…Let us speak elsewhere.” … At an empty training ground. The door shuts behind them. Bakugo’s hand drops from the handle as he steps forward, keeping his distance. All Might walks ahead. He stops at the center, his back to Bakugo. Bakugo stops as well. A beat. “So…” All Might turns— and deflates into his gaunt form. “You know the truth.” Bakugo’s expression doesn’t change. His hands stay buried in his pockets. “You gave Deku your Quirk.” Toshinori’s eyes narrow. Sharp blonde… “…Yeah. I did.”  A beat. “I suppose the question now is…-“ His gaze sharpens. “-…what will you do with that information?”  Bakugo scoffs.  “Heh… Still treating me like a villain? Think I’m gonna blackmail the Symbol of Peace?”  Toshinori’s gaze lowers, a hint of guilt. He exhales. “…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thought of you that way.”  He lifts his head. “Your actions at USJ testify to your heroism. I am proud of how you handled things.” There’s a flicker of emotion that crosses Bakugo’s face. It disappears just as quickly. He tsks, looking away. “Whatever…” A beat. Then, quieter— “…Deku still surpassed me.” Bakugo looks at Toshinori. Slowly, he pulls his hands from his pockets. “I’m not going to ask about your Quirk. I’m not going to ask why you chose Deku.” A small pause. “I just want to know one thing…” His gaze hardens— then wavers, just for a moment. “Can I reach him?” A beat. “…Should I?” Toshinori studies Bakugo a moment longer.  He exhales. “…You can.” Bakugo stiffens.  A beat. “But whether you should…” His gaze sharpens. “…that depends on what kind of hero you want to be.” Toshinori lifts his hand. He studies it. “…Not all heroes wear capes.” A small pause. “…When I started, my goal wasn’t to become a ‘Symbol of Peace.’” His fingers curl into a fist. “I just wanted to make a difference.” He looks at Bakugo. “Do the right thing.” “…I can only hold my ‘All Might’ form for about fifty minutes.” Bakugo’s eyes widen. “My time limit is getting shorter by the day. I don’t have much time left.” Toshinori exhales, his gaze drifting to the ceiling, hands slipping into his pockets. “The Symbol of Peace practically eradicated crime.” A small pause. “Now that I’m weakening… well—” He gestures toward Bakugo. “You’ve seen the result firsthand.” He looks back at Bakugo. “Midoriya isn’t training to become a hero.” A beat. “He’s training to become the Symbol of Peace.” Another pause. “And that…” His gaze sharpens, quieter now. “…is a heavy burden.” A beat.  Toshinori takes his hands out of his pockets. “Tell me, Bakugo…” He steps closer. “Why do you want to be a hero?” Bakugo frowns. “…I’m not trying to be a hero.” A beat. “I’m trying to be the best.” “Why?” Toshinori asks immediately. A pause. “…Because it’s cool.” A beat. Toshinori lets out a small chuckle. “For someone who figured out I passed my Quirk on to another… you’re surprisingly simple-minded.” Bakugo grits his teeth. Toshinori’s expression softens slightly. “That’s fine…” A small pause. “But do you see the difference?” His gaze steadies. “Why does Midoriya want to be a hero?” Bakugo’s eyes narrow. —Debris pinning Uraraka. Midoriya moving. —The Zero Pointer collapsing. —His arm breaking. —Tsuyu— Midoriya stepping in. —Charging at Shigaraki. —No hesitation. —The sludge villain. —Bakugo, trapped. —Izuku jumping in. —Clawing him out. —Face terrified. Bakugo clenches his teeth. Toshinori watches him in silence. “Midoriya might not be consciously thinking about becoming the Symbol of Peace.” A small pause. “In his mind… he’s already achieved what he set out to do.” His gaze sharpens slightly. “Save people.” Another beat. “And he’ll keep doing it… until he can’t.” Silence. “…Can you do the same?” Bakugo hesitates. His jaw clenches. His fists tighten. —Izuku, running ahead. A beat. His grip loosens. “…No.” Toshinori watches in silence. Bakugo lifts his head.  Something settles across his face— raw. Unhidden. “I can’t.” “…Then don’t.” Bakugo’s brow furrows slightly. Toshinori meets his gaze. A beat. “Midoriya’s path isn’t yours.” His expression tightens. “So decide what yours is.” Bakugo’s eyes widen. He opens his mouth— then slowly closes it. He stands there for a moment. Then, without a word, he turns and walks toward the exit. Toshinori’s gaze follows him. Bakugo reaches the door. “Bakugo.” He stops, but doesn’t turn. “I assume my secret is safe with you?” A beat. No answer. Bakugo steps out, the door closing behind him. Silence. Toshinori stares at the entrance. He sighs. “…Blondes.” … At the nurse’s office. On a particular bed— Breathing. In. Out. A pause. …Then— fingers stir beneath the bandages. His breath hitches.