Hana Satou was motionless, trying to process what she had seen, desperately hoping that it was some sort of trick. But, the more she thought about it, the less she felt like her eyes could have simply lied to her. She knew what she had seen.
She hated what she had seen.
"Alright, vacate the area," Hana was broken from her musings by several sharply dressed sidekicks directing people away from the square, trying to disperse the crowd.
Hana felt a hand lay on her shoulder, and looked up to see an armoured man staring down at her. She knew that figure well, and had seen him race several times before.
"Ingenium," she begins, "W-what are-."
"Sorry," he interrupts, "but we need everyone to disperse. It is best if people simply leave and go about their business."
"B-but what about that boy?" Hana tries to argue, "What is going to happen to him?"
Ingenium keeps directing her away from the square, "I'm sorry kid, but we need people to leave the road. I am sure you are shocked by what you saw, but let me assure you, the heroes at U.A. can handle it. Right now, we need to prevent anyone from acting rash in a crowd like this."
As Ingenium escorts Hana and several others to the sidewalk and away from the jumbotron, neither notice the figure perched on the lip of the roof above them, staring down in contempt.
"And just like that…it's like it never even happened…" Stain's eyes shoot up to the screen, then back down again as the crowd disperses. "It's easier for people to ignore the problems of society…to look away from the stains on the sheets…"
"... Disgusting."
"These fakes…every day they sink their roots more and more into this country…today, they brush off a mutilation…tomorrow…"
"I'm running out of time…my message needs to be heard!"
Ingenium speeds off, down the street, but Stain's gaze never leaves him.
"...and I know where I should start."
_________________________________________________________________________
There was no medal ceremony for the Sports Festival this year. There was no event for the second or third years as well. After the events of the finale, U.A. had shut down the entire Sports Festival, and had the stadium vacated after the fact. Many of the teachers had been tasked with facilitating this process, namely Eraserhead and Ectoplasm, leaving several other teachers scrambling to quell the situation that had evolved since that final blow.
One teacher in particular found himself sitting in front of Recovery Girl's office. Maijima's hands were supporting his head, iron fingertips splayed out. His knee was bouncing, and his gaze was fixed firmly in front of him, at the closed door of the nurses office.
Even though he seemed focused, his mind was anything but. Every time he tried to take his mind off the events not six hours prior, he found that his thoughts kept shooting back to the smell of burning flesh, the freshly scorched skin, and the…
"Don't think about it." Maijima reprimanded himself, "He'll be fine…Recovery Girl can heal anything…"
He knew deep down that that was far from the truth.
Next to him, Midnight sat, shaking. Having helped Maijima carry Midoriya to Recovery Girl, with the aid of two robots, Midnight had decided to stay, waiting for when Recovery Girl was done. Maijima looked over, seeing Midnight trembling with concern, and fear.
The two sat in silence, listening to the buzzing of fluorescent lights, neither willing to voice their fears. From the mouth of the hall, they saw that the stadium had been completely cleared. Maijima moved to break the silence, grasping at his mind to find something to make this experience even a bit less grim, but Midnight beat him to the punch.
"This is all my fault."
Maijima looked at her in surprise, but stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. "I…I failed…as a hero, and as a teacher. I failed to protect my students."
"That isn't tru-" Maijima tried to respond, but Midnight interrupted him.
"Yes, it is true." Midnight shook her head, "maybe for a civilian, this would be acceptable…but i'm a veteran hero! If I had just done my job…if I had just.." she trails off, her words unable to articulate in her emotion.
Maijima stayed silent. He wanted to argue with her, but he couldn't deny, he had been thinking similar to her during that mess. He looked at Nemuri, and noticed that her eyes were ragged. This had clearly been weighing on her for some time.
"Sometimes, people need to get it out…maybe I'll let her talk."
As predicted, Midnight continued, "It was my responsibility to judge when things went too far…when violence becomes too much violence. Injuries were expected…but this?" She chuckled, bitterly, "I had every chance to do something…and I just…stood there."
Midnight's voice settled back to a reasonable volume, and she slumped forward, staring at the door. "Maybe…if I had disqualified Bakugo before, this wouldn't have happened."
"Maybe you're right," Maijima spoke, causing Midnight to let out a bitter bark of a laugh, "then again, maybe you're wrong. At this point, we can't change what happened…what we can do is be there for Izuku…and make sure that this doesn't go unpunished."
Midnight sighed, "you heard the commission…that ship has sailed."
Maijima's jaw clenched, recalling the conversation that many of the teachers had mere hours prior.
_________________________________________________________________________
Maijima stormed into the teachers booth, where many of his colleagues were gathered, seeing that many were discussing something heatedly around the central table. Despite an abundance of seats, none were sitting down.
The iron clawed hero slammed his hand into the table, catching everybody's attention. He looked around the table, seeing Aizawa staring at him with a facade of indifference, but having worked with the man for years, he noted the hint of guilt buried in his eyes. Ishiyama could not meet his glare, choosing to look down at the table. Yamada and Nemuri were next to each other, Nemuri with a heated gaze, and Yamada with concern. The only one who did not react much was Nezu, who stood on the table, gaze locked at a picture pinned to the table.
A picture of Katsuki Bakugo.
Maijima grabbed the picture, and held it up. "I want this fucking monster expelled. Now!"
Nobody seemed to offer an argument initially, but after hesitating, Ishiyama spoke. "...To play devil's advocate…" Ishiyama started, noting the glares that met him after that statement, "...we do not know the circumstances that led to Midoriya's injuries…perhaps things are not as they seem?"
Maijima almost lunged over the table at his cement-headed colleague, but Midnight acted first, shouting at the man.
"You have got to be kidding me!" she shouted, causing Ishiyama to flinch, "We all saw him hold Midoriya down! We all saw him grab him!"
"I am not defending Bakugo's actions…" Ishiyama placated, "I am simply suggesting that we not be rash, and let ourselves calm down and think rationally."
"Rationality flew out the window when this little shit mutilated another student in a school sanctioned event!" Maijima roared, slamming Bakugo's picture into the table. "Where the hell is he anyways?!"
"He is detained," Aizawa said, "under guard, in a place that I will not be telling you where."
Maijima grit his teeth, but the message was clear. They were worried Maijima might hurt the boy.
A fair worry, Maijima admitted to himself.
"I reiterate," Maijima said again, "I want him expelled. No hesitation. This piece of shit needs to go!"
Many of the teachers did not speak one way or the other. Even Ishiyama at this had remained silent. But then, a hand rose, and Yamada Hizashi stood.
"I agree with Maijima," Present Mic said, uncharacteristically serious this time, "Bakugo has shown a pattern of behaviour that is, frankly, disturbing. He clearly doesn't care about who or what he has to hurt to win. That isn't how a hero should behave!"
With Yamada's declaration, several other teachers nodded along with him, including Snipe, Midnight, and, surprisingly, Aizawa. Everyone looked to Nezu to answer them, but he seemed to be focusing on the screen in the middle of the room, displaying a censored frame from the live broadcast of the Sports Festival, a newscaster speaking next to it.
"The media has picked up the story," Nezu says, "It will not be long before battle lines are drawn." He looks down at the paper, "I think we should make our stance clear. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated…Bakugo Katsuki will be expelled."
"You will do no such thing."
The room turns to a voice as several men and women in suits enter the room, followed by an ageing woman in a professional suit. Her hair was tied into a tight bun, and her eyes were a frigid blue steel. Her face was set into a perpetual scowl.
"Madame President," Nezu says with a strained smile, "to what do we owe the pleasure ?"
The rest of the staff did not react so kindly, instead seeming to glare back at the woman. If she was bothered, she did not show it, choosing to meet Nezu's gaze, and his alone.
"I had a feeling once that…incident…happened, you may react rashly. I am telling you that expelling Katsuki Bakugo at this point is a foolish mistake."
"Mistake?!" Maijima shouts, despite the president not wavering from Nezu's gaze, "Katsuki Bakugo almost killed another student on stage, and you are calling that a mistake ?!"
"That is a serious accusation, Power Loader…do you have evidence to prove that he acted maliciously?" Maijima made a rebuttal, but found that a small white paw had been outstretched in front of him.
"While I respect your stance, Madame President," Nezu begins, "you are not responsible for the individual decisions of our school. If we choose to expel a student, we do not need your support or approval to do so."
Madame President seems unfazed, and ripostes with, "The Hero Commission has taken interest in Katsuki Bakugou's future, and we believe that if properly nurtured and educated, he can become a great hero." She stiffened her posture, "therefore, I am ordering you to keep Bakugo enrolled in this school."
"Ordering?" Nezu's smile begins to widen, showing his sharp fangs to the President, who remains unfazed. "If I recall, Madame President, U.A. is a privately owned academy…and therefore we actually do not need to abide by your orders."
"Privately owned, but publicly endorsed by the Hero Commission." The President rebuts, "do not forget, Nezu, that the Hero Commission offers significant contribution to the continued operation of this school…and not just financially." The President takes several steps forward, "Let me be abundantly clear with all of you. Bakugo is not to be expelled for this incident…we should all be allowed to learn from our…mistakes ." As she utters that last word, she turns to meet Maijima's gaze, causing fury to build in his stomach. But before he could reply, he heard Nezu speak.
"As you command, Madame President. We will not expel Katsuki Bakugo for his actions in the Sports Festival." Several heads turn to Nezu in shock, and disbelief, but Nezu does not meet their gazes. Staring ahead to meet the President as she nods in confirmation. "However, we at U.A retain the right to punish Bakugo in other ways. He must face consequences for his actions, else he may never have the opportunity to…'learn from his mistakes' as you so eloquently put it."
There is a moment of tension between the two, until the President nods. "Good, I am glad you understand your position, Principal Nezu." With that, she turns and walks out of the room, the other suited figures following her out the door.
"Trust me, Madame President," Nezu is no longer smiling, his teeth bared, ready to rip his target to shreds, "I understand my position perfectly ."
After the commission leaves, Maijima storms over to Nezu, slamming his hand into the table in front of him. The iron tips of his excavator claws dig into the fine wood, causing it to splinter.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Maijima roars, "All that talk, and you cave like a coward the first bit of pressure gets put onto you?! That's really all it takes?!" Nezu doesn't respond, so Maijima leans closer, "You are weak ! You're really going to let that psycho get away with mutilating a student! It has been three hours, and Recovery Girl still isn't done healing Izuku's injuries! Who the fuck knows if he is going to be okay after this! And you want to let Bakugo off with nothing but a slap on the wrist?!"
"Maijima," All Might interjects, approaching the hunched man, "I understand you are upset, but please try and calm down."
Maijima whirls onto All Might, who takes a step back at the fury in his eyes. "Oh, of course you would say that! Gotta make sure you don't bite the hand that feeds, huh?! What else would I expect from the commission's biggest showpony !"
Maijima saw hurt in All Might's eyes, but he didn't care. He opened his mouth, ready to continue shouting, but Nezu interrupted him.
"I understand your concern, Maijima…but you mistake my actions as relenting."
Nemuri approached Nezu, "usually, I am able to trust you, Nezu…but here? I am not sure I can in this situation. I just don't understand your game."
Nemuri's tone was calm, but Maijima could see the barely restrained anger hidden deeply. She was doing everything in her power to avoid lashing out.
"Let me be clear with you all right now." Nezu spoke, "As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, 'never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.' Right now, an opportunity has opened up. The Hero Commission laid all their cards on the table, and they misplayed their hand. I need you to trust me, at least for a bit longer…and unfortunately, it involves indulging Madame President…"
"...But let me be clear…this will be the last time she tries to control my school."
Some of the other teacher's seem to relent, but Maijima does not seem to calm. Instead, he seems to blister even more.
"Here you go with your fucking games! I'm sick of it! You play around with people like they are chess pieces, always going on and on about patience and the bigger picture, but you are missing the reality right now! A student was mutilated! M y student! And the one who did it is getting let go with not even a mark against him!" Maijima's fists were clenched, but they began to relax. "I'm done…consider this my two weeks notice. I am not going to sit by and pretend that I think this is okay…that playing with people's lives is okay ."
Maijima turned, and he heard several people call out to him, telling him this is foolish, but he doesn't listen, simply walking to leave the room, and head to the nurses office.
He needed to be there if… when Midoriya woke up.
_________________________________________________________________________
Maijima's fist was clenched as he recalled that meeting, gritting his teeth in frustration. He did not regret his decision back then, and he sure didn't now. He wasn't about to roll over and pretend like he was fine with this…not when one of his students was the one suffering for it.
"I still cannot believe that Nezu just… gave up like that!" Maijima seethed, "he pretends like he has a plan, like this is all going according to his whim, but I don't see it!" Maijima stands up, "and even if I did, why does Midoriya have to suffer for it to work?!"
Nemuri was still looking down, her gaze affixed onto the tile floor. It was clear she was battling with the same thoughts.
Maijima continued, "maybe if he would just explain himself for once, instead of using everyone, I would trust this…but I can't! I won't !"
"Jeez, you sure are loud, boy."
Maijima and nemuri's eyes snapped up, seeing Recovery Girl walk out of the nurses office. She seemed exhausted, like her age was finally catching up with her, but in her eyes, Maijima saw a deep sadness. He walked over to Recovery Girl, gingerly, fearing the worst.
"H-how…" Maijima can't find the words, scared to ask the question, and cement the answer into reality.
Recovery Girl met him with a complicated gaze, but sighed, "You can relax a bit…Midoriya isn't dead." Maijima breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders, but he still felt that same pit of sadness, knowing that that was likely the best news he would get.
"...I did everything I could. It was touch and go for a bit…the boy is exhausted, but will hopefully wake up tomorrow." Recovery Girl looked down, a deep grief on her face. "I have seen so many young heroes suffer horrifying injuries…too many young people having their lives ruined before they really begin…but this? This boy isn't a hero…he shouldn't have been put through this."
Recovery Girl opens the door, allowing both Nemuri and Maijima to enter the medical wing. The lights were blinding, but Maijima zeroed in on the lone figure in the far corner, still asleep on his cot. He quickly walked over there, assessing the boy as he lay.
"Like I said…I did everything I could." Recovery Girl lamented, "there is only so much my quirk can do." Recovery Girl sighed out, age showing clear on her face. "My quirk speeds up the natural healing of the body. I can heal fresh wounds, like burns…but I cannot heal what the body can't…or what is no longer there to heal."
Izuku's form seemed fragile, and thin. His breathing was ragged, but steady, hooked up to a nutrient IV and a breathing mask. His uncovered eye was closed, relaxed but strained. His body still had several bruises littered across his skin. On the other side of Izuku's face, a thick swath of bandages covered his right eye and upper skull.
"I will say…this boy is tough. Tougher than most. But my quirk has limits. I was able to heal most of the burns on the right side of the face. His ear is restored, though he will likely suffer bouts of chronic tinnitus. He can at least hear out of it. I was not able to heal the more severe burns all the way…so his eye socket will have scarring…and…" she pauses, "...and I could not save his eye."
Maijima's breath hitched, and he felt the weight of her words crash down on him. Nemuri looked close to tears, so Maijima laid a supportive hand on her shoulder, trying to stabilise her.
"...what can we do now?" Maijima turned to look down at Recovery Girl.
"Frankly? Nothing." Recovery Girl's blunt delivery washed over Maijima, "I will stay overnight and watch Midoriya, you two need to go home, get some rest…and try to be there for him when he wakes up. This won't be an easy recovery process…"
The two heroes nod, and make to walk out the door, but Maijima stops, taking a look back at his sleeping student. He keeps his gaze there for some time, before turning back around, and leaving the room.
Maijima and Nemuri walk in silence towards the gate of the stadium. The sun was beginning to set, bathing the world in bright orange and pink hues. Throughout the walk, Nemuri was throwing glances onto Maijima, concern blatant on her face.
"...do you want to talk about it?" She suggested, but was met with some more silence.
Eventually, they reached the entrance of the school, the sun dipping low, the sky darkening. Nemuri made to walk away, but was stopped when Maijima spoke for the first time since the nurses office.
"...15…"
Nemuri looked back at him in confusion, but Maijima wasn't looking at her. He was looking at the ground, grief etched onto his face.
"...he's only 15." Maijima clarifies, "only 15…and he's faced worse than most people can imagine." Maijima chuckles, bitterly, "I have seen veteran heroes break from losing a limb…the pain, the recovery…the shame they feel at being 'incomplete'…" Maijima swallows harshly, stalling himself, "and he's just a kid…not even old enough to drive…and he's a double amputee…"
A cold breeze blows between the two of them, and Nemuri closes the gap between them, reaching out and pulling Maijima into an embrace. Maijima, shocked, does not make a move, just letting her hug him.
"It's like you said…we can't change what happened…but we can be there for him when he wakes up."
Maijima feels her words wash over him, and he nods. Nemuri releases him, and the two greet each other farewell. The walk to the parking lot is short, but his mind racing as it is makes him feel like it takes an eternity before he spots the familiar metal visage of his car. Maijima reaches his car, starting the engine, listening to the vehicle roar to life.
He doesn't shift the car, leaving it in park for some time, pondering the events of the day.
…we can't change what happened…but we can be there for him when he wakes up.
"I'm not going to abandon you, Izuku," Maijima declares in his head, "I'm not going to let you suffer alone."
_________________________________________________________________________
"Hmm…interesting."
A figure sits in his office, watching a replay of the final fight of the Sports Festival, sipping on a crystal glass filled with fine brandy. Despite his lax posture, it is clear to everyone who knows the man that he is anything but relaxed. Again, he replays the television, the screen stopping on the visage of a blonde teenager, a malicious grin on his face as he unleashes an explosion upon the quirkless boy.
"Powerful quirk," he presses a button, and it moves to a clip of Bakugo using his quirk to rocket ahead, moving into a flip over his opponent, "not to mention incredible skill, and a ferocity to match."
Another button, this time with Bakugo fighting Mina Ashido. Bakugo bulldozes Mina, knocking her down, and unleashing an explosion at close range, disorienting her. "He has an excellent grasp of his abilities, and knows how to use them to win."
"It is clear we should keep an eye on this 'Katsuki Bakugo'...he may be useful in the future."
A large oak door opens, cracking light into the room. He sees a figure enter the room, a dishevelled man with unruly black hair and blue tinted sunglasses enters the room. He wears a long black trench coat that goes down to his shins, and thick black boots on his feet.
"Apologies, sir," the man speaks, an easy smile finding its way onto his face, "but I think you would be happy to learn that we have gained a new ally to the cause."
"Oh?" The sitting man rumbled, his brown hair only partially revealed by the crack of light entering the room, "and who might that be?"
"Another member of the National Diet, sir." the black haired man responds. "It took some convincing…as well as extended periods of… discussion …but he has finally seen the light. However, it is almost time for the banquet. You have a speech, remember?"
"Ah," the man finally stands, towering over his chair, "thank you, Trumpet. I had nearly forgotten…I found myself quite thoroughly entertained by the Sports Festival this year, and nearly lost track of time."
"I understand, sir. But remember, you need to be punctual. The people must see their leader as an example, and that starts with-"
"You needn't lecture me, Trumpet." The man smiles easily, but Trumpet notes the twinge of anger in his voice, and stops himself.
"Of course, my liege. Forgive me." Trumpet bows deeply, before raising himself.
"Are you ready, Re-Destro?"
"Yes," Re-Destro replies, "I am always ready."