As Iida said, Aizawa wasn't around much of the next week. As students put on their winter uniforms, the incident of the Shie Hassaikai faded away into a distant memory like how the last of the summer days faded into autumn.
The next day after their return, the work study students were accompanied by Aizawa, All Might, and Principal Nezu to attend Nighteye's funeral.
There, the pro heroes under whom they had been doing their work study informed them of the discussion to decide what to do about the subject, it seemed it would be a while before they could go back.
On that day too, Aizawa told them on their drive back that Eri regained consciousness but was still unstable mentally and emotionally, so she would stay quarantined for a little longer.
Whenever Aizawa wasn't around, ectoplasm usually covered for him. That day, Yuu put down his pen and stared out the window, for the first time ignoring a problem on the board.
" Seijin are you alright?" Kaminari walked over to him after the period was over. " It's unlike you to space during class."
" Are you still bothered about your Quirk?" Mineta climbed over the back of his chair. " Don't worry, even if you won't regain it, I-"
Asui's tongue wrapped around him, gagging him. " I really hate your way of hitting where it hurt."
" I'm fine guys, really." He assured them.
" By the way, Seijin-san, I don't see Whisper-san around anymore." Yaoyorozu turne back to him. " Is he alright?"
" He's fine. But he can't stay in our world on his own for so long." Explained Yuu. "He needs to go back more often now that he can't depend on my energy. It took a while to persuade him to go back until my Quirk is restored."
" Anyway, you will be free this afternoon too." Kirishima approached him. " Will you watch from the sideline today, or are you heading back?"
" I will be watching you guys."
" Good! Then let's go eat together then head to Gym Gamma!" Sora told them. And as they strolled to the cafeteria, Yuu lingered behind. Sora noticed that and slowed down so she was by his side. " I know you miss him." She said giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder. " But Whisper will be back soon."
" Yeah, I know..." He stopped by the window and stared out at the vast sky extending everywhere before him. " Sora..." He looked back at her, his eyes quite bothered. " What do you think happens to those who die?"...
________________
" Aren't you coming?" Sora peeked from behind the door as they were heading to Gym Gamma for the next period.
" Nope, I'll be heading to the staff room first. I need something done." Yuu told her. " I will be catching up with you soon."
Sora however didn't budge from her spot. " Are you sure you're alright?" His question was still resounding in her ears. " What do you think happens to those who die?"
" I'm fine Sora. I really am."
" Come on Sora!" Ashido ran back to fetch her. " Team Rainy Day can't start without their scout after all!"
" Okay, Mina-chan. See you later then, Yuu." The boy nodded at her before getting going on his own way too...
________________
" You want to change your hero name?" It was one of Aizawa's few returns to the school. He stared at the boy while holding the paper he had just received from him. Yuu could tell how much the teacher was tired by looking at his sleep-deprived eyes. " Then, your reason is?"
" I just came to realize that I was deeply mistaking my relationship with my spirits, so I feel this name no longer works for me..." His lips curved into a small smile, recalling both Kyubi and Thunderbird standing before him to protect him though they weren't called. " I'm not their tamer, I'm their friend."
" Very well then." Aizawa leaned back on his chair and placed Yuu's paper on the desk. " I will take care of the paperwork and I will have to borrow your hero license for a day or two." He held his hand out at Yuu as he handed him the card.
" Your Quirk still hasn't recovered yet?" Yuu nodded his head. " It was predictable. The drug that was used on you was a more refined version than the one used against Amjiki. It will come back eventually, until then don't push yourself too hard."
" I'll. Thanks." With a bow, he left the staff room and headed to the Gym.
In spite of his erased Quirk, Yuu was determined to attend the Hero training even if he couldn't participate. He didn't want to be left behind, and more importantly, that was a chance to get a closer look at how everyone else was doing. He realized Sora had found a way of turning the hardened feathers on her arms and legs into shields, repelling attacks, and even helped with boosting her attack when she covered her knuckles with them.
When the training was over, Yuu went to the center to meet with his friend. " You're getting the hang of it."
" But my control is still off. However, it's really helpful," she said as she landed by his side. At that very moment, Yuu's eyes fell on something scribbled on a block of cement.
" What's that?"
" Oh, Aoyama-kun scribbled that using his Navel Laser." Sora scratched her head." I think he was showing Midoriya some move or something..."
Yuu kneeled beside the cement block and the tips of his fingers ran on the embedded words. " This is not just scribbling."
" Eh?"
" It's in French. 'Il n'est pire eau que l'eau qui dort', there is no worse water than that which sleeps," Yuu murmured.
" What does that mean though?" Sora haunched over by his side, inspecting the engravings. It didn't make any sense to her.
" It means..." His eyes were dead serious as he looked back at her. " Beware of those who are calm and likable."...
________________
" Cheese is an essential part of breakfast." Sora heard Aoyama telling Midoriya as she passed their table with her breakfast in hand.
" Woah, he really is into it, Aoyama-kun," she muttered while looking for a table, she found Yuu, Todoroki, and Kirishima having breakfast together so she decided to join in. " Good morning everyone."
" Morning."
Sora looked at her friend sitting by her side, eyes half closed, the bags under his eyes darker, and a mug of black coffee in hand. Yuu never drank black coffee unless he was extremely sleepy. She tilted her head in curiosity to get a better look at him. " Yuu, did you ever sleep last night?"
" Nope. I didn't sleep a wink." He beamed despite how tired he looked.
" Was something bothering you?" Todoroki asked.
" Why not make a wild guess." A familiar voice called out to them before a certain translucent white head phased through the table and between their trays.
" Whisper!" Kirishima cried.
" Yep! Guess who's finally back!" Whisper smirked as he floated over to Yuu's shoulder.
" And what a rowdy comeback that was." Yuu pointed.
" You were happy though," Whisper retorted.
Todoroki studied him for a moment. " Sejin, could it be..."
Yuu's smile broadened as he nodded his head. " Yeah, my Quirk is finally back."
" That's great, Seijin! I'm happy for you!" Kirishima cried out, taking everyone by surprise. " And Whisper, it's good to have you back!"
" A leader never abandons his battalion!" Whisper puffed his chest.
" But Whisper, what have you done to him? What is he sleep deprived?" Sora asked and Whisper rolled his eyes at her.
" Why are you treating me like a wrongdoer here?" He complained. " It's just, as soon as I felt Yuu's energy was back, I brought all his other spirit friends over last night. They were worried about him too."
" And they stayed around till dawn." Yuu brought the mug to his lips. " It was a pleasant surprise, Whisper, I can't deny it."
" I knew you would like it." Whisper shrugged.
" Still, you're lucky today is a day off." Sora pointed. " I can't see Yuu getting through classes in this form."
" It's fine, Sora. " The boy smiled at her. He couldn't have ever felt greater now that his Quirk was back and Whisper was once again by his side. He really missed the nagging of the ghost.
" You're feeling alright? Nothing is wrong with it?" Yuu nodded at Todoroki. Nothing was wrong with his Quirk so far, it was as clear as he could ever remember, and it felt a little harder to ignore what was happening on the other side of the veil.
" Still, Aizawa-sensei said that I should go see recovery girl as soon as it's back." Of course, they need to be sure that there were no permanent aftereffects left on both his Quirk and his body.
The boy stood up after finishing his breakfast and headed back to the kitchen, Sora followed shortly after him. " Nee, Yuu..." She cast a glance over her shoulder at where Midoriya and Aoyama were. " What do you think Aoyama-kun meant by what he wrote yesterday?"
Yuu placed his cup and plate under the running tab and looked at her. " I'm not sure either... but we're sure he wrote that for a reason. He wanted to tell Midoriya-san something."
" What's it? What are you talking about? I get away for a few days and I miss on a lot!" Whisper asked looking from one to another.
" It's just... Aoyama-kun wrote some warning to Midoriya. Something that meant to be careful of calm likable people," Sora explained and Whisper tapped his chin.
" Maybe it's that... you know it..." He looked into their eyes. " Don't pretend that you didn't think of it. The way the League of Villains managed to find you during the training camp, it suggests we have an imposter in UA."
Yuu and Sora exchanged looks. Yes, they knew about it. And yes they had their doubts after all. But nothing was to be gained from blaming and losing trust in one another when their safety was in jeopardy. " Maybe, just maybe, Aoyama knows something. Maybe he even knows who the traitor is and was threatened to keep quiet about it." Whisper had a point.
" Even though, Midoriya-san didn't seem to get the message. And we don't have a way of confronting Aoyama about it. Seeing as he went as far as to write it in French that no one else would understand it, I hardly believe he would talk freely to us." Yuu stated.
" Well, we don't have to confront him." Whisper smirked.
Yuu knew that smirk too well he held a warning finger at Whisper." No, you're not going to do that!"
" Do what?" Sora asked impatiently.
" Spy on Aoyama," Whisper said. " By the way he is acting, we could tell the traitor is close by. Tailing him is the best way to figure that out." He looked at Yuu and snorted. " But Yuu here has a very strong conscious he wouldn't want me to spy on other people."
" He is a friend."
" A friend possibly in danger." Whisper pressed on. " If this traitor is in cahoots with the League of Villains, believe me, privacy wouldn't save Aoyama at all."
Yuu took a step back, brooding over Whisper's point of view. " I can't believe the first thing I will be doing with my recovered Quirk is this." Yuu swayed reluctantly in his place before heaving a deep sigh. " Very well Whisper, trail him for the week. But... stay considerate of his privacy, please."
" Alright..." Whisper muttered with a roll of his eyes. " I'll keep that in mind..."
Yuu rubbed his arm uneasily as Sora walked over to him. " I really feel like an awful, disgusting person."
" No, you're not." Sora snapped." You're just worried about him. And after all, it may be just Whisper's wild speculations."
" Let's hope it's..." Yuu murmured...
________________
The next day, during lunch break, all of them were gathered around, watching Ashido as she performed some of her dancing skills. "She is a pro, that Ashido is." Whisper had to admit.
" If you're gonna wear something under, then take off your skirt!" Mineta shouted only to be clobbered on the head by Hagakure.
" With you around she wouldn't dare." Sora wanted badly to join Hagakure in disciplining the short boy. However, as Ashido embarked on teaching Midoriya and Aoyama the two steps, she joined them. She wasn't even close to Ashido's moves but she was better than the two boys.
They kept trying until Aizawa opened the door and with his stare, he sent them running back to their seats. Sora saw he had his yellow sleeping bag with him. I wonder what we are going to do?
" Um..." He began as he drew the bag around him. " We're going to have a school festival."
The shout of a 'super normal school event' merged it the word 'schooent' as everyone shouted together.
" A school event? In the current situation?" Whisper didn't seem to like the idea. Even Kirishima shared the opinion.
" It's because that's the situation we should have such an event," Sora spoke. She was bouncing on her chair, waiting to decide what they would be doing.
" It's not just that. UA isn't just about the hero course." Aizawa zipped his bag up to his chin. "If the sports festival is the big moment for the hero course, the school festival is for the others; support, general studies and business course students to shine."
" It's really easy to forget UA has other courses as well."
"That's why such events exist, Whisper, to remind others of their existence," Yuu remarked and the ghost floated lower as though admitting his defeat.
Aizawa continued on. " And there are those who are feeling stressed by the current conditions, which, starting with the dorm system, came about because of the hero course."
" True, because we were attacked they had to resort to such measures," murmured Yaoyorozu.
" For other courses, it may seem like we're the cause of what happened," Yuu told her. Kirishima as well lowered himself, finding no more reason to object.
"Unlike past years, this year, other than some of the people involved, the festival will be just for the school."
" Which means Grandma and Yumei can't come." Sora sighed as she leaned on her desk." I was hoping to spend some time with them."
" Even if we're not the focus, each class still needs to participate with something." He sat down in the corner of the classroom. "You need to decide that today..." and with that, he fell asleep against the wall.
He's asleep!
" Aizawa-sensei... looked even more haggard than usual," Yuu noted.
" He's been running around different places the past few days. " As Whisper said that, Yuu couldn't help but feel guilty for deciding to change his Hero name around that time. He didn't want to add to their teacher's already busy schedule.
Iida and Yaoyorozu stepped up onto the stands and began taking suggestions from the rest of the class. The whole of them were excited they had many ideas to share so a batch of hands rose up at once.
Kaminari suggested a maid café, it didn't seem bad but it spured Mineta. Sora and Asui wrapped him in a bag and hung him up before he could make any pervert suggestions.
The ideas kept flooding, from mochi to dance to handmade Soba. There were odd ones like the death match and students of darkness feast which Sora didn't even know what it meant.
Yuu held his hand high." What about a 3D movie?"
" Sounds interesting!"
Sora hopped off her chair. " What about games?! The ones we see usually at a fair! Like shooting gallery and such!"
"That should be fun!"
" A horror house!" Whisper shouted. " With Yuu's Quirk, it will be the most realistic haunted place ever!"
" Sounds scary!"
Yaoyorozu put all the suggestions on the board and she even included Mineta's incomplete sentence before proceeding to eliminate Aoyama, Bakugo, Tokoyami, and Mineta's ideas.
Neither the local history presentation nor the study session seemed appealing to the rest of the class. They all started chattering and babbling about the possibilities it grew into a racket even Iida could do nothing about.
The bell chimed and Aizawa was already on his way out. " Decide what you'll do by tomorrow morning. If you don't..." He gave them a stern threatening side gaze. " I'll make it a public lecture."
Yuu gulped as he imagined their class being set down for a lecture in the presence of an audience. That is no good!
The rest of them seemed to be thinking along the same line that Iida passionately declared. " Everyone, let's decide what we'll do by tonight!"
" Yeah!"...
________________
Even with that said, Yuu, Sora, Midoriya, Kirishima, Asui, Uraraka and Tokoyami couldn't partake in that meeting for they had their extra classes to cover what they had missed during their work study. So it was the natural course to do what the rest agreed on.
" Nee Yuu." The boy looked up from his notebook when Sora whispered to him. " Where's Whisper?"
" Back at the dorm." He wanted so badly to vomit as he thought of what the ghost was doing.
" Don't think too much about it," Sora assured him. " It's just a week, right."
"... Yeah."
" Shirogane, Seijin. Do you have something you want to share with us?" They rose their heads to meet with Aizawa's piercing glare.
" No! We're sorry!" They replied in unison before burying their heads back in their notebooks.
" Anyway, Midoriya, Eri-chan wants to meet you. You've got a free period tomorrow so do you think you could go?" The teacher focused on the green-haired boy but all of them were interested.
" Eri-chan wants to see Midoriya-chan?" Asui asked.
" Yeah. Strictly speaking, she's concerned about Midoriya and Togata. Apparently, it's her first request since being admitted to the hospital."
" That girl..." Sora twirled her mechanical pencil in her hand. " She had been through a lot, and from what Midoriya told us, she was even willing to go back to hell to spare us all. After seeing both of them get hurt in front of her, of course, she would be restless and concerned."
" She sounds like a very kind girl," Yuu added. " What happened to her is unforgivable."
" Deku-kun, you should go see her." Uraraka urged him. " Go and make her mind at peace."
Midoriya nodded, he didn't need to be told that.
" One more thing." Aizawa trailed."We haven't told her about Nighteye. From what I hear, she's been blaming everything on herself and holding onto the guilt. Bear that in mind. She will find out someday, but right now, it's too cruel."
" What dark times we're in." Tokoyami finally spoke up. " For a little girl like her to feel guilty for something she didn't do, how sad."
There was a heavy silence as they finished copying the text into their textbooks. " That will do for tonight. Tokoyami, you've caught up to the rest of the class. As for you six, I'll be expecting you tomorrow too."
" Hai!" They scrambled to gather their things and head out when Aizawa called for Yuu.
" Seijin, your license." He said giving the boy a certain card. Yuu looked down at the name written on it and smiled broadly.
" Thank you very much!"
" Let me see, let me see!" Sora peeked over his shoulder on their way out and read the kanji world. " Reitomo?"
" Seijin-kun, you changed your hero name?" Midoriya looked at him with a puzzled face.
" Yep, and it's pronounced Reito for short." He said stowing it away and beaming in satisfaction. " Means Spirits' Friend."...