“Good job in your match against Bakugo.” I complimented, Midoriya’s lowered gaze rising up. A nice little icebreaker. With how nervous he was, barely able to look Yaoyorozu’s way or relax, it seemed necessary. “I doubt most of our classmates would’ve lasted too long against him.”

“I-I just got lucky.” Of course, this was Midoriya I was dealing with. He immediately deflected it, downplaying or finding something else to attribute his win to.

“You almost leveled an entire building with a single punch and took some of those explosions head on.” I said, crossing my arms and raising a brow as I leaned back in my seat. “Does that really sound like something anyone can just get lucky and do?”

“I-“

“Akaguro is right. Your approach to the battle trial was reckless and didn’t take enough into consideration but there’s no denying the fact that your team managed to win because of it.” Yaoyorozu, done with her notes and passing over my binder, joined the conversation, focusing on Midoriya. “And its clear we’re not the only ones who think so. Someone was inspired enough to cast a vote for you.”

His freckled face reddened, an arm rising to block it as he fumbled for something to say back. Praise was obviously just winding him up more so we might as well jump right into things; he should at least be able to shake that anxiety once things got serious.

“I’d thought for sure I’d end up getting enough votes to be class president myself.” Yaoyorozu said, of the same mind. She gave me what could only be describe as an almost glare, managing to look both envious and determined as she clenched a fist. “But even if it’s just the position of vice president, I don’t intend on giving it up easily, Midoriya. Shall we hold a competition for it? Akaguro is already here so he can act as-“

“Ac-Actually-“ Midoriya lowered his arm, still doing everything but making eye contact with either of us, but fully speaking up for once. “-I think you should have the position, Yaoyorozu. I-um, well I voted for you to begin with so-.”

“You voted for me?” Yaoyorozu lost a bit of that determination, eyes widened a bit. “But that would mean both of your votes came from others.”

“Yeah.” Midoriya said, reaching up to rub one of his elbows as his eyes fell again. “I was surprised too. I didn’t think anyone would vote for me at all, so I didn’t think there’d be much of a point in voting for myself.”

“But why cast your vote for me?”

“Ah, well-“ He did waver under her more earnest look but forced himself to keep going. “When I was in Recovery Girl’s Office, she let me watch everyone’s matches and the observation room. Y-You always figured out what All Might had to say about every match and you’re a recommendation student. It made sense to me.”

“I…see.”

“It’s obvious that you should be the vice president so-

“Do you want to be vice president, Midoriya?” I asked before he could go giving up his claim on it. I really didn’t have any horse in the race; whoever ended up vice president, I’d still be using my new position as way to offer advice to Midoriya about One For All.

But it annoyed me just a little. It was his business really, but after making that grand old stand against Bakugo, he should be trying his best to take strides forward, not just folding over even in something like this.

“I-“ He stopped, looking down once again. “I don’t really think I’m fit for it.”

“That’s not what I asked. Do you want to be vice president or not?”

Midoriya looked up at me. Then to Yaoyorozu, still wavering, before his eyes took on that same look he had during Aizawa’s test and back when he realized he’d be going up against Bakugo during the battle trials. With the way he was, way too timid, it couldn’t really be called confidence.

Quiet desperation sounded right.

“I do.” He finally answered, gaze returned to me. “Not that I think I’m better than Yaoyorozu or anything, its just-“ And he was ruining his own resolve by rambling on.

“That’s all that matters then. Whether or not you think you can do something, you shouldn’t let that stop you from working hard towards it if it’s what you want.” I said, pushing off the back of my chair and straightened up. “The school’s whole moto is to go beyond, plus ultra.”

“R-Right.” Midoriya straightened up a bit himself, his dark green eyes looking far more optimistic than before.

“Honestly…” A sigh slipped out from Yaoyorozu, her shoulders dropped. Her lip curled a bit as she looked between us, Midoriya ultimately ending up her focus. “As much as I wish differently, it no longer feels right to compete with you at all, Midoriya. Unlike me, who voted for myself, you actually inspired others enough for them to decide that they’d want you for the position. If it weren’t for your vote, I wouldn’t even be in the running.”

What others would’ve seen as their chance to go for the victory only made Midoriya panic, more concerned about possibly getting in someone else’s way.

“Did you already forget that Midoriya voted for you?” I asked. “You got the vote the guy who two other students chose to follow. Some would say that makes you more qualified.”

“Yeah.” Midoriya quickly agreed.

“That seems like a technicality.” Yaoyorozu said though she did straighten back up, a small smile in place. “Thank you both, however, we still haven’t solved the actual issue. Only one of us can be vice president.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, leaning back again. “Mister Aizawa only said we needed to have things settled by the time lunch was over. He didn’t necessarily say anything about only one of you getting the position.”

Yaoyorozu crossed her arms, looking thoroughly unimpressed. “Mister Aizawa is a stricter teacher than most, Akaguro. While I appreciate what you’re trying to do, I don’t think it’s smart to be pedantic with him.”

“She’s right. What if mister Aizawa does something like threaten to disqualify you from being president because we didn’t come to a decision? It wouldn’t be fair.”

Their worries just showed what kind of notorious impression the man had left on the class as a whole in such a short time.

“Maybe.” I agreed. The class president was supposed to be able to handle making decisions like this after all. “If he presses in that direction, I’ll just ask him to put together and oversee some kind of competition between the two of you. Make it his problem too.” I stood up from my chair, looking between the two. “Ready to head to lunch?”

Yaoyorozu cupped her chin, her furrowed brow letting up a bit. “You’re bolder than you seem, Akaguro.”

“Just following the school’s motto.” I said, heading off ahead of them.

Hopefully it worked out.

XOXO

Head down to the cafeteria, grab our lunch, then link up with our friends. A nice, simple enough way to end our little discussion.

The world had other plans.

The moment the three of us stepped into the cafeteria, blaring alarms overtook all the usual chatter, red blinking lights spinning to life along the walls. Scarlet, on overwatch like always, didn’t feel like she was tracking anyone specific, but flying a bit faster than usual.

Hopefully she managed to pick something up.

More importantly-

Students began to shoot out of their seats as they realized what all of it meant, heading straight for the doors.

-we were about to trampled or lost in the flood if we didn’t move.

“Yaoyo.” I said holding out a hand. “Can you make a megaphone?” Not far from getting swapped up in the energy herself, she was still quick to fulfill the request, sleeves pulled again and skin taking on that colorful array of color, a compact plain megaphone formed and I caught it, raising it to my mouth.

Now that I was going to be a student president, I was going to give that my all too.

“Students!” I prepared myself for it but suddenly having every eye fall on me? My hear rate jumped only to be instantly brought back down and steadied. I guess I couldn’t really get on Midoriya’s case; even if I didn’t pay strangers much attention, ending up the center of all their attention wasn’t something just anybody could shrug off. “We don’t know if this is a drill, a mistake, or an actual incident. Return to your classes and wait for your teachers.”

It was short but effective.

The initial loud yell had been enough to stop most corralling for the cafeteria’s exit while the direction actually gave some order to things. It didn’t exactly stop those who were the most worried from rushing ahead, but people weren’t clamoring all over each other to head to the same place.

I handed the megaphone off to Yaoyorozu as we stepped out the way of the main doors. I guess she decided to follow my lead and get more use out of the thing, calling for students not to run or push into each other.

“You’re amazing, Akaguro.” Midoriya said, no longer looking like a deer in headlights now that we weren’t the center of attention. “I wouldn’t have been able to say anything with so many people looking at me.”

If I were really as amazing as he thought, I wouldn’t have needed to focus up to get Iron Mind to kick in like that, but it would be a little hypocritical to go downplaying myself after what I said to him.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get your chance to change that.” I said, scanning the moving crowd until I found Himiko and the others fast approaching us. “We might all become pros one day. We’ll have to get use to attention like that.” Attention wasn’t my thing but hopefully I’d be able to be under it without needing a trait to keep me composed.

Midoriya deflated a bit. “Right…”

I couldn’t help a chuckle. I guess he didn’t think of all the fame when it came to that dream of being a hero.

XOXO

“And all three of you agreed with that plan?” Aizawa asked, I, Yaoyorozu, and Midoriya all standing beside him up at the podium in front of the class.

We all nodded.

He regarded us silently, his always tired but stern gaze sweeping by.  “Fine.” He decided before nudging his head towards the rest of the class. “Go on and properly introduce yourselves.”

After stopping that stampede before it could even begin down in the cafeteria, a simple introduction was nothing.

The three of us turned to face everyone else.

“For those who might not know, my name is Akaguro Katsuya.” I went first, bowing my head a bit too them. “I don’t have anything special to say but I will do my best as the class president.”

Yaoyorozu and Midoriya followed up with similarly short introductions, the latter struggling compared to the two of but at the very least managing to get his name out.

“Hey, I can get down with this.” Kirishima said.

“Get us less school days prez.” Himiko called out, smirking.

“Man, I wish I got chosen.”

The overall response was naturally a bit of a mixed bag, curiosity leading instead of support or protests. Kind of a given considering that we’d only know each other a few days.

Here’s to hoping this experience worked out for all of us here.

XOXO

(A/N: Finally Midoriya! We'll be seeing more of him in the coming chapters. Of course Katsu doesn't half ass things for the most part, especially so when it comes to anything he can view as work or attach a clear goal to, so being class president will actually affect his day to day schedule rather than just being a title or an excuse to give him tickets.

That's the plan anyways.)