After being healed with Recovery Girl's kiss, Yuu shared his room that night with Midoriya. Just in case, they wanted to make sure Eri's quirk hadn't any further after-effects on him. Despite having so much they wanted to talk about, they both fell asleep quite quickly.
The next morning, he was visited by the doctor just as he finished changing into his uniform, ready to leave with both Midoriya and Kirishima, the former had already left before him seeing how his check-out was finished. Yuu swallowed as he sat on the end of his bed. He knew exactly what the doctor was there for.
" We've got the results from the lab this morning." The doctor spoke, looking at the clipboard in his hand rather than Yuu. " Your quirk Genes were damaged but they weren't annihilated like in the case of Togata Mirio-kun. The damage may have been severe, but they will heal on their own with time. We expect you'll recover in a few days, a week at most."
Yuu froze, his body was late to react for his mind was already racing. He didn't lose it forever, he could still move on after all. Yuu felt as though he had been holding his breath since he got shot and he was finally allowed to breathe. It took all his will not to burst out crying then and there. Heaving a sigh, he thanked the doctor and smiled back at Whisper.
The ghost's lips quivered, he tried to conceal his relief and joy for the boy but finally gave up. " Thank God! This is the best news I've ever heard in my whole second life!"
Yuu hastily gathered his bag and the suitcase with his costume and headed out. He needed to tell Sora. But as he stepped out of the building, he only found Midoriya and Kirishima waiting there. " Seijin!" The red head beckoned him over with a large smile. " You're alright now?"
" What have they said about your Quirk?" Midoriya asked impatiently.
" It will be back in a few days." Whisper announced with a wide smirk. " It's not the end of the Spirit Hero Tsukai yet."
Yuu blinked as Whisper said that. He realized there was something he ought to do when he gets back to U.A. but for now..." What about Sora and the rest?"
" Oh, the girls have already left with Ryukyu," Kirishima answered. " Togata-senpai is staying for another day so they can monitor him for a little longer and Amajiki-senpai left with Fat Gum."
" Heh? Then why not take you two as well?" Whisper questioned.
" Actually." Midoriya pointed at the patrol car parked by the curb as if it were waiting for them. Well, it was actually. " The police would like to talk with the three of us about the raid."
" The girls and our senpais already did," Kirishima added. And with that, they were ushered to the back of the car and driven to the police station...
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Night had fallen by the time the police dropped them by the school. Just as they turned around to head into their dorms, a voice called from behind them. " Deku-kun, Kirishima-kun, Seijin-kun!"
They turned around to see Uraraka waving at them, followed by Sora and Asui. " Uraraka, Shirogane, Tsuyu-chan."
" Yuu!" Sora ran over to her friend, looking him up and down as if she was checking if he was missing anything. " How was it?"
Yuu smiled at her. Of course, she too was holding her breath waiting for the results. "It's alright. They said I'll recover my Quirk soon."
" Thank God..." Sora almost sank to her knees Yuu had to grasp her.
The rest took one glance at them before they busied themselves with asking about why they were late. Finally, all of them faced their dorms. "It feels... like we haven't been back here in a long time," Uraraka blurted.
"I feel like I'm finally home," Yuu added.
Just as they opened the door, Mineta came running over to them, his face expressing utter shock. " They're back. Those guys are back!"
Before they knew it, the rest of their class huddled around them, their air varied from relief to curious to concerned. They were all talking together it was hard to tell who was saying what. Sato even held up a chocolate cake for them to eat and Hagakure hugged the three girls tightly.
All six of them stood by the door, befuddled at the sudden attention. It wasn't until Iida stepped in front of them with his arms held apart, keeping the rest of the class from them. " I know that you were worried, but calm down! You saw it in the news, didn't you? A lot had happened to them. If you're their classmates, you should console them and let them rest quietly. Because I'm sure it's not just their bodies- their spirits must also be worn down."
" Iida-san..." Yuu could tell just how concerned the blue head was about all of them.
" He's such an earnest friend." Yuu had to agree with Whisper on this.
" Iida-kun, Iida-kun." Midoriya called to him and gave his best reassuring smile. "Thanks. But, it's fine."
" Then, if I may." He held on to Midoriya and shook him vigorously. " I was extremely worried about you guys! Jeez, you guys! You guys!"
Yuu couldn't help but giggle at that. " You think you're any better, Seijin-kun!"
" Told you, such an earnest friend."
" I'll make some lavender herb tea," said Yaoyorozu as she ran to the kitchen. " It'll help ease your spirits."
" And have some chocolate cake!" Sato insisted shoving a piece into Midoriya's mouth.
" Well, it doesn't sound like a bad idea, to have some of Yao-momo's tea and Sato's cake," Sora told Asui.
" Maybe that's exactly what we need now. Don't you think so, Ochaco-chan..." The green head turned to their friend to find her lost in thoughts. " Ochaco-chan, are you alright?"
The girl snapped in their direction before looking down at her own hand. Sora thought she had a good idea of what she was thinking of, she had already been spacing out a lot that day.
" I... with my hands, I held Nighteye..."
" Ochaco-chan." Sora gently patted her shoulder and gave a soft smile. " Ochaco-chan, what do you want to do now?"
"I..." Uraraka seemed to try marshaling her thoughts. " ... Want to save people."
Sora nodded her head, her smile broadening. " And so you will, Uravity."
" Yeah." Asui joined.
" Seijin-kun." Yuu looked back at Iida as he gave him his chopping hand move. " I've heard from Aizawa-sensei about your situation. He wanted me to tell you that until your Quirk is recovered, you will be excused from the hero training. Also, if you need anything, I'm here for you."
" Thanks, Iida-san." He looked around the hall. " Do the others know as well?"
" Aside from Yaoyorozu-kun, no. There was no need to worry them any more than they were." He looked back at the rest of the class. " But they will get to know when they don't see you in hero training."
" By the way, why didn't Aizawa turn up to say so himself?" Whisper grunted.
" Aizawa-sensei will be away from the school so often because of the girl you rescued," retorted Iida. " Either way, you should take it easy. I know losing your Quirk is hard."
" Believe me he wouldn't have it easier than these days of losing it," Whisper smirked down at him. " Slept well last night, didn't you? Like a baby, I bet."
"Right, for you now, it's the same as being normal," Iida murmured but then shook his hands vigorously as if to fend himself against something. " No offense there, Seijin-kun."
Yuu gave a small smile. " Well, it's certainly the first time I've had a full night's sleep since developing my Quirk. But, I really wouldn't choose that over it."
" I know you wouldn't." Iida smiled. " You're a hero after all."
" I'm going to sleep." Bakugo declared as he threw Kaminari off him and onto the couch.
"Midoriya, Uraraka, Kirishima, Asui, Seijin, Shirogane, sorry, but I'm going too," Todoroki said as he reentered the living room and by the look of it he was having a phone call.
" Huh? Isn't it too early?" Exclaimed Kaminari. " You old or something?"
Right, those two still have their provisional license training course after all. Sora thought as she looked at the back of the white and red-haired boy. Do your best, Todoroki.
Sora and Yuu were thankful to Iida that night, for as soon as they finished their dinner along with Yaoyorozu's tea and Sato's cake, he urged them to get some rest. However, both of them lay down on their beds with wide eyes, contemplating the last few days. A lot had happened, and a lot was lost during the raid, especially with the League of Villains' attack on the van transporting Chisaki. But also there was a lot to be gained.
I shouldn't waver. Sora told herself as she drew the quilt over her. I won't let it sway me, next time, I won't let a soul die on me.
Yuu was thinking along the same line as well. I don't want to put anyone in danger again because of my inexperience. He recalled just how slow he was to react when Chrono first attacked and when he disappeared with his teacher. I will become a hero who can protect what he holds dear. But before that, there was something he needed to do...
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UA? Are we having a joined training session again? Yumei wondered while Yoarashi went forward to greet them.
" You didn't say anything about training with UA," Utsushimi told her.
" Should I?"
" You definitely should have. Like, you seriously should have warned me," The blonde said before joining Yoarashi and, surprisingly, managing to get the phone number of Endeavor's son.
" Hey baldy, scarecrow!" Yumei bit down her irritation at his words. She calmly pushed up her glasses in indignation. " This woman wasn't here before, right?"
"Right! She wasn't here, and I'm not bald!"
" Neither I'm a scarecrow." She sighed deeply and turned around just as Shishikura started an argument with Bakugo. Of all people to join us today. " Inasa, let's not waste any time already." She called him from the end of the corridor and he scurried over to her.
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You gotta be joking with me! She wanted to scream it loud but the sole reaction she gave when the children were led inside by their teacher was quivering her eyebrow. The glimmering of her goggles made reading her expression a hard feat. Why, of all days, should they choose today? And to add to it... She looked back at Endeavor and All Might on the bleachers... when those two are here...
The day just seemed to get worse. Why did I have to stare at Gang Orca... she said recalling how he threw her in the 'Disciplinary action' mob. Win those kids' Hearts huh? It just sounds like some fan service in an anime. Nevertheless, she was to get this task over with.
The children swarmed around them and their teacher could do nothing about their actions but cry so far. " Well, they're kids..." She said picking a boy up in her hands and looking at him. " Surely it couldn't be hard."
" Tank tongue!" Suddenly a tank's muzzle protruded out of his mouth and Yumei had to duck her head before it got blown.
" What's the big idea here?" She glared at him as she let him down.
" Just playing around." The boy shrugged.
" You don't play with such dangerous Qui-" She felt a tug from behind and turned around just to see another kid pulling on her weapon's chains. " No! That's harmful!" The boy started crying as she snatched the tool away from him. " Oh come on!"
She wasn't the only one having trouble. From what it seems, Todoroki was attacked, Bakugo had his gauntlets stolen from him, Utsushimi was picked on by the girls and Yoarashi was treated like a sandbag, his focus was however on Endeavor.
There was arrant chaos in the training hall, kids jumping, kids running, kids bawling, kids everywhere... Why can't I be with the other team training with Gang Orca!?
Present Mic then stepped up to the table of the supervisors and took their microphone, starting to comment on the whole mess. Don't bother about him! Focus on fulfilling your task! She told herself. Still, she couldn't help but listen as the teacher talked about the difficulties they had been facing with kids who wouldn't open up to her or her colleagues.
The teacher's words reached them, and they stopped fiddling around and began seriously thinking about how to get the children to open up to them. " I still believe the naughty children should be petrified, but if that's what you all want." Youmei joined them.
Bakugo was the first who happened to have an idea. "This isn't something that 'just happens without you realizing it'. There's definitely a 'boss' who's creating this atmosphere. Find that kid!"
" And then?" Todoroki urged him to continue.
" And then beat him up and hang him up to make an example out of him. It'll be the most effective way to make him realize just how insignificant he is!"
Yumei pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. " I get why Shishikura-senpai dislikes you. Beating the children is a no-no!"
" Shut up, scarecrow! You suggested petrifying them!"
" Yeah, petrifying not harm!"
" Have any better ideas?!"
" We just need to make friends with everyone, right?" Yoarashi piped in.
Seeing there wasn't any other plan Bakugo proceeded with his own, searching for the strongest one among the class. He got no response.
" Excuse me." Yumei cut in. " How do you know the boss is the strongest among them?"
" Cause it's the natural order! Enough already! Just come out!"
Yumei sighed, they won't get anywhere that way. But she ought to thank the blond boy because she might have an idea of who the 'boss' was.
Yoarashi went next, still sticking to his idea of befriending the kids. He asked if any of them wanted to be a hero. A typical start question in their society. So far, the kids seemed to interact well. Maybe it will work. Compared to Bakugo he was making progress. Until one kid ruined it all with a cheeky retort to Yoarashi. " Forget it..." Yumei sighed.
Todoroki went in next. At first, Yumei thought he would at least manage to persuade the girls who kept staring his way. But when they saw Utsushimi admiring him as well, it seemed as though he had become infected with a plague. Well, at least he is serious about this.
But it seems the kids liked his self-introduction no more than she did and Yoarashi ended up comforting him in the end. " You guys are unbelievable." Yumei resisted the strong urge to face-palm herself.
It was Utsushimi, and coincidentally Bakugo, who seemed to come up with the next good idea. " Using our Quirks? Hope you don't mean fighting kids." Yumei glared at him.
" They deserve it!"
" Don't even think about it! I'll petrify you then!"
" Guys!" Yoarashi stepped between them and pushed them aside. " Just... remember how things ended up in the exam. Don't make the same mistake again. We should be working together, not against each other."
Yumei inhaled deeply and took a step back. " Very well, I agree with using our Quirks. After all, all children get excited over cool amazing abilities, even if they have ones themselves."
" Agree!" Yoarashi joined.
" That's exactly my point! Scarecrow!" Yumei blinked twice at the boy and he suddenly grew calmer as he elucidated what he had in mind. " We have to make them think 'Wow' or 'Cool'. But if you lose to an opponent you look down on, then it just makes you feel like crap."
" Then why did you... forget it..."He was a hopeless case. " Then, do you have any idea on how exactly to do that?"
" Shut up, I'm already thinking! It gotta be something big! Something they had never seen the like of which."
Yumei then looked back at the kids there. Refuse to open up, huh? I was the same once... I refused to open up to Sora too... Wish she was here, she would know how to make them open up to her.
She had never known any path besides the one from her house to school and back. She had never strayed from it before, for she had no reason to. She never had friends back in her old city. And even after she moved, she couldn't bring herself to befriend anyone. She never trusted them. Sora persisted in trying to approach her. Whenever she was left alone in the classroom with nothing but a book to keep her company, Sora would call out to her.
At first, Yumei didn't like her. Too nosy, she thought. Trying to play nice, trying to make herself shine. She couldn't comprehend how the girl was so eager to befriend someone she hardly knew. " But how can I get to know you unless I befriend you." It was a valid point.
Slowly, they began to get closer. Yumei showed Sora books she liked and let her borrow them. Sora showed Yumei her collection of shells. Each one shared something she liked with the other until Sora one day brought her to an old park. The park where she first met her best friend. Old and abandoned as it was, that was Sora's small warm corner of the world.
Park...
" Why not build a slide." Yumei suddenly blurted, catching the attention of the others. " We can do it with Todoroki-kun's ice."
" A slide huh, doesn't seem like a bad idea." Yoarashi agreed.
" But I can't make complex structures." Todoroki cut in.
" Don't worry. We will work with what we have here. Maybe we could use the kids' Quirks as well... if they ever wanted to cooperate."
" Well, they will..." Bakugo said. " With a practical skill demonstration!" He kind of shouted at the second sentence and the kids seemed to focus on them at last.
"That should make them want to attack us if nothing else," Bakugo smirked.
" Very well, I will sort out the structure myself. Todoroki-kun you just have to follow my direction. Inasa will back you up." She looked at Yoarashi. " And Inasa, you lift those kids up in the air. Utsushimi-senpai, we want a rather calming feeling, can you create something with your illusion."
" Yeah, like, you can leave it to me." The older girl nodded.
" Finally it's time." Bakugo looked at the kids and smirked from ear to ear. " Come on, brats, I'll fight you!"
Just as expected, the kids attacked them, except, their Quirks were too strong to Yumei's surprise. Wow, the coming generation seems promising. Yet... their attacks were easily deflected by Yoarashi, Todoroki, and Bakugo. Yosh. I think I have an idea of how it must be shaped now.
While Utsushimi was distracting the kids with her illusion, Yumei hurriedly instructed Todoroki on how the slide should be built. " ... If you use the hula hoop you'll be able to create the main body, make it wring, we want it to be interesting. For support use the other objects from their Quirks, it wouldn't only make a sturdy frame but it will look interesting as well."
" Very well." His attention went to Bakugo as he cackled at the illusion Utsushimi had made of Todoroki.
" Inasa! Go for it!" The wind picked up around her as soon as the words escaped her mouth and both kids and objects were lifted into the sky.
" Utsushimi-senpai!"
" In the building though, lame." She said as she breathed out her illusion smoke and the whole ceiling faded into a starry night sky decked with green and purple aurora.
Todoroki managed to pull the slide together and Inasa lowered the kids onto it. Their surprised cries shifted to that of joy as they began skidding down the long of Todoroki's mountain of ice.
" We can add a touch of flame." Todoroki nodded as he set the hula hoops on fire. The kids were enjoying the game they swarmed and huddled around them to get on it.
" Well, it worked in the end." Yumei looked back at Bakugo. " Don't you want to go deal with their boss? I know you figured out who he is already."
" Shut up scarecrow, I was on my way to do so." And he left.
" By the way, Hakuja." Yoarashi walked next to her. " Why you thought of a slide?"
Yumei smiled. " It's just, a friend of mine showed me a very dear place once. And I just got the idea from there."
" Baldy, Todoroki!" Bakugo came running with the blond kid that kept standing by the wall for the whole time and Yoarashi lifted him to the top of the ice slide.
From then on, it became easy. The kids were eager to approach them and talk with them. Some even asked Yumei to go up with them to the crest of the mountain. Some wanted to ask her about her Quirk and some kindly asked to try her goggles on.
By the end of training, Yumei almost, almost, wanted to lung at Gang Orca when he admitted the instructions he had given them were vague. But she had enough of babysitting already and she wasn't willing to repeat the adventure...
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" After thinking about it, I totally like you now!" Yoarashi exclaimed. " Our Quirks are good together, too!"
They had already changed and were walking to the exit. To be frank, Yumei never felt this worn out even from training. " You shut up!" Bakugo shouted at Utsushimi.
" And here I thought you weren't just made of muscles like Shishikura-senpai said." Yumei snorted.
" That meat has no right to say that!" Bakugo growled. When they stepped under the glided sky of the evening, they were met by the sight of Shishikura and the principal of Shiketsu talking to All Might and Present Mic, Endeavor a little further from them.
" I bet you anything it's about Utsushimi-senpai's incident," Yumei whispered to Yoarashi. " To think an imposter was right amidst us and we didn't realize... Inasa?"
The boy was rather focused on Endeavor and Todoroki. He suddenly punched himself hard across the face, much to her and Utsushimi's bewilderment, and walked over to the number one hero." Endeavor! I'm cheering you on!"
" Thank you. You're bleeding a lot." Yumei couldn't begin to understand how he managed to say that with his face unfazed.
" Did you have to hit yourself?" Yumei scolded him as she offered him a handkerchief.
" I needed it! It was like an awakening call!"
" I don't suppose awakening calls are meant to bleed you." Yumei sighed tiredly. And I realized it... I'm actually babysitting a big boy every day...
" Yoarashi is just, like, crazy passionate," Utsushimi muttered.
They bid U.A. farewell and headed back to the principal's car...