The next day….
When I arrived at the school gate, I found it packed with reporters, cameras flashing everywhere, and microphones shoved into students' faces, asking various questions, while the students were struggling to push through.
"What's it like having All Might, the Number One Hero teacher?"
"Tell us what the symbol of peace looks like in front of the class!”
"Has he been a good teacher?"
"Is there anything you dislike about having All Might as a teacher?”
I heard them asking those questions as I approached further.
‘ Seems like the news that All Might had come to teach at U.A. is out, and now the reporters are coming to hound us. If my memory serves me correctly, that means, not only Shigaraki or Dabi, I can't remember which one is in there, but tomorrow or in the days that follow it will be the day of the USJ attack.’
For the time being, I decided not to involve myself with this mess at the gate. Using the black ghost, I flew over the reporter and landed on the school grounds.
Once inside, I kept walking, my expression neutral, pretending the reporters didn't exist.
‘ Yeah, it's too early in the morning for this.’
Arriving inside class, I walked towards my desk while greeting everyone. Looking around, I saw that there were some of my classmates missing, who were most likely being held back at the entrance by the reporters.
At the side of the class, I could see Midoriya nervously looking at Bakugo, who seemed to have recovered overnight and was currently glaring back at him with the usual ferocity.
‘ Those two seriously have some weird relationships going on.’ Since it wasn't my problem, I ignored it and continued walking.
Kaminari and Kirishima, as friendly and easy-going as ever, came to my table,
"Man, those reporters at the entrance are really troublesome. I had to waste so much time trying to get past them! How about you, didn't they bother you?”
“Yeah, they were really annoying.”
Kirishima complained to me, with Kaminari also agreeing.
“Nope, I just flew over them.”
“Huh, are you for real!? Dude, I wish I could also fly.” Kaminari responded, jealous that I didn't have to go through the same experience.
"I have to say, Arata, that was an unexpected way of handling the reporters." Yaoyorozu, behind me, said.
Hearing her say that, I responded in a neutral tone with a light shrug,
"True, but it would be best if we tried to act nice in front of them. Or they might not like us when we become heroes. A working relationship with the press is good. You could have some type of scheduled interview and not have them try and dig into your personal life."
They all seemed surprised by my answer as Yaoyorozu paused, considering my choice of words, nodding her head in understanding,
"Yes, I see your point. It's very admirable of you to give valuable advice, Arata."
Kaminari at the side was slumped over my desk, complaining,
"Sigh… man, trying to become a hero is rough. Now we need to have a steady relationship with the press… It's only the first week, but we've already been swamped with homework!"
Kirishima agreed, sighing,
"I feel you, man. Who knew that in the Hero Academy, we would spend more time on our studies than in middle school!?"
I nodded, "Yeah, it sucks. But the hero training is only one part of our education here at U.A. If we don't do well on written exams, we won't be allowed to graduate."
Hearing me, Kaminari's eyes widened,
"I didn't know that!!”
"How could you not know? Most Hero Academies are like that. Maybe only a few have a pure Hero Course, but those typically don't have great reputations.”
Yaoyorozu answered, and Kaminari looked to have fallen deeper into despair,
"Seriously? We have to study for the next three years…? I thought I left it behind when I came to U.A.”
I turned to Yaoyorozu,
"You seem to have no problem with the homework. From what I see!"
“For me, a top hero should be someone who has both brains and brawn. Only a rigorous education that combines both the practical aspect of heroics and a well-rounded schooling can help us become top heroes." She shot back seriously.
"Yaoyorozu, why do you want to become a hero in the first place?" I asked, genuinely curious.
She blinked, not having been expecting such a question, but answered without hesitation.
"Why wouldn't I? My quirk, creation, has the potential to do so much good for the world. I was born into a famous family and was fortunate enough to grow up in a privileged environment. A good quirk and a good family- how could I not give back to society by becoming a pro-hero?" She replied with confidence.
‘ So she wants to contribute to society, huh?’ An unsurprisingly mature answer, I mused.
"What about you, Arata? Why do you want to be a hero?" She asked, resting her chin on her palm.
"Me, simple, money and freedom." I shrugged. My response surprised those who were listening in, not expecting me to have what many would deem a hollow desire.
"Wait, are you serious? I thought you would say something deep or touching." Sero swivels around in his chair to join the conversation, leaning forward on the desk.
“There is no need to lie about it. I could have said literally anything else to look good in front of people, but if you ask me, what makes a good hero is being able to know oneself and be okay with it.”
Sero chuckles nervously,
"Well, can't say I am better though, my family isn't exactly well-off, figured this would be a good way to change that," he shyly admits.
"That's actually a really good reason, and you should not let anyone tell you otherwise," I said, seemingly not noticing the looks the others were giving me.
"How about you, Kaminari?"
"Oh, that, my Quirk can be difficult to control, but now that everyone is saying it, a part of me wants to be cool and famous too!”
After that, we continued the conversation with others also coming to share their goals before we knew it; all of the other students arrived.
….
Soon after, homeroom started, as Aizawa entered the classroom, looking like he just pulled an all-nighter.
Everyone settled in and waited for him to speak. Walking to the desk at the front of the class with a stack of papers in his hands, he began with a small praise to the class,
"Good work on yesterday's combat training. I saw the video and results." He sighed as he put down the stack of papers on the teacher's podium.
“Bakugo!" He called out, while looking at him
"You're talented, so don't act like a child. You have what it takes to be a hero. Just get your temper under control and think more rationally.”
Bakugo just looks to the side but nods,
"I know.”
Then, Aizawa proceeds to tell the rest of us our flaws and where we need to improve, with some small compliments thrown in there.
Once he praises or scolds us on our flaws, he then addresses the whole class with a bored expression,
"Now onto homeroom business. Sorry for the sudden announcement, but today… you'll pick a class president." He stated.
What happened next was everyone yelling to be the leader. The entire class burst into chaos with everyone trying to prop themselves up.
" Choose me for president. " Kaminari said as he raised his hand.
" No, me. " Mina said as she raised her hand in excitement.
“I want to be a class rep! Pick me!” Kirishima jumped from his seat.
" You idiots. I should be class president. " Bakugo yelled.
Excitement spread like wildfire; the class went back and forth in their arguing before Ida stopped them,
"Quiet down, everyone!" He yelled, getting everyone's attention. "Leading the many is a task of heavy responsibility… but ambition does not equate to ability! The sacred office demands the trust of its constituents. If this is to be a democracy, I put forward the motion that our leader must be chosen by election!"
"But Ida, we haven't known each other long enough to build any trust." Tsuyu pointed out.
"And everyone will just vote for themselves!" Kirishima added.
"In that case, let's just make it a rule. We are not allowed to vote for ourselves. Problem solved, right?" I suggested.
"Ah, that is a good idea, Arata. Will you allow this, sensei?" Ida asked the half-asleep Aizawa, who was already wrapped in his sleeping bag.
“I don't care how you do it, just have an answer before my nap is done…”
Thus, the vote commenced as everyone began voting for who they thought would be the class president. I thought about it and decided to vote for Yaoyorozu, since I believed she would be a suitable class president.