Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Class 1-A was called into an auditorium for some announcement. Which must be important if Principal Nezu– he shudders just thinking of the little guy– is giving it to them. And not Aizawa-Sensei in class like usual. Kaminari Denki walks with Sero and Mina at his sides. Sero with an arm around his shoulders as Mina practically skips beside them. While Bakugou and Kirishima are ahead of them. Mina, Sero, and him are guessing what the announcement could be. Kirishima and Bakugou butt in every once in a while. With Bakugou it's almost always an insult but Kiri gives his own guesses. Hopefully, it's something good and not another threat. No more villain attacks, please. They've already dealt with so many and they're just in their first year. It'd be nice if it was like a class– or…course trip. As they exit their classroom 1-B does too. So, does it have to do with the whole hero course or just the first years? He'd think the intercom would have been used if it was the whole course. Probably just 1-A and 1-B then.

“Whatever this is for, I'm sure 1-B will prove its obvious superiority!” Monoma declares when striding past them.

“Sure, Buddy!” he and Sero call after him before shaking their heads, laughing.

“Why is he always like that?” Mina asks between giggles.

Sero swiftly quips, “It’s the superiority complex.”

The whole Bakusquad bursts into laughter harder than before. Even Bakugou, himself huffs a quick laugh. Eventually they quiet down which has less to do with Iida’s reprimands than he thinks. And more to do with the squad getting back to guessing. Denki gives his guess that he hopes it’s a course trip. Sero won’t give a final guess, saying that he’s manifesting a vacation. Mina agrees with him but she’s specifically manifesting a beach trip. Bakugou says they're all stupid and that it’s obviously going to be joint training since they haven’t worked with 1-B yet. And that he hopes so because he wants to punch and blow things up like usual. Well…he said something close to that effect. Kiri follows Bakugou’s lead like usual because of course he does. Denki is really, really hoping it's a trip far away from Japan. Meaning they'd be far, far away from the League of Villains. After the summer training camp he thinks they deserve it. 1-A especially with all the shit they've been through. The school festival that just happened was nice and all but that almost got ruined by villains too! These villains and their obsession with his class is annoying. Like yeah, it also sucks and it's super worrying. But to Denki it's mostly super annoying and stupid. Why are you beefing with a bunch of teenagers? That you've had mild success towards if any. Like what happened to wanting to kill All Might? Dude is one of his teachers and he doesn't want him to be in danger either. But like he's actually a pro hero, he already deals with this stuff. He…is less powerful though and retiring. So, maybe not. But why does it have to be them?!

Denki’s class, 1-B, and their teachers finally arrive at the right auditorium, Aizawa-Sensei directs their class to the right side of the room. The Bakusquad instantly finds seats in the middle…of the middle row. Which earns them a warning glare from Aizawa-Sensei and a very long sigh. Like he just knows he’s going to regret it which is like, hey! …But also fair enough. Aww, he knows them so well. Aizawa heads to the front with the Dekusquad trailing after him like ducklings. Iida is leading them like a robo-duckling as he starts chopping his arm while talking. Probably about the benefits of having a front row seat. The rest of class 1-A fills the gaps while 1-B fills the left side of the room, Vlad-Sensei sits in the front as well. He’s followed by the smart and responsible students of his class too…with Monoma. Once they've finished getting situated Denki turns his attention to the stage. On it is Present Mic, the best teacher who is tied with Aizawa-Sensei, and there's also Principal Nezu. Denki is still a little scared of their genius principal after the final exams and all. Like a wrecking ball are you serious?! How has he not been sued for child endangerment yet?! Either way, Nezu stands at the center podium while Mic-Sensei is at his side. For some reason there are two other smaller podiums on each side of it. But a little further back so they're all in like a ‘V’ formation.

Principal Nezu taps the mic a couple times before proclaiming, “Good morning, class 1-A and class 1-B! Am I a dog or a mouse or a bear, well more importantly... I am your principal! And I bet you are all wondering why you are here.” A few nods of the head are given but nobody is rude enough or stupid enough to interrupt. “You are here to hear about your next heroics exercise. An exercise for the first years that also counts as an exam. The Civil War Exam!” hushed murmurs spread through the audience. 

The Civil War Exam, huh? Sounds intense and not like a vacation at all. Bakugou was right, figures. Denki doubts it'll be easy like a civil war against robots. Robot civil war would be a good movie title. Nezu said all first years are participating but only 1-A and 1-B are here. Why aren't they at this assembly if it involves them too? Maybe they only have a minor role and 1-A will be fighting against 1-B? That sounds like a smart enough answer he's going with that one.

Principal Nezu claps his paws together, gathering everyone's attention again. How did he make any noise? “Now, first I would like to offer my praise to you all. You all had such splendid performances at the school festival. A very well thought out play and quite the dazzling concert.” A few chuckles ring out here and there from his word choice and smiles are shared between the audience at the praise. Although Denki just knows Monoma is wound up ready to brag about being mentioned first. “A little fun fact about this exam is that it is not new, it was taken by previous first years, years ago. Though it was usually taken as the midterms and also the final exams. We, however, have already taken both. But we are still bringing it back, to again educate all first years the importance of heroics and the strength of the mind. In a more realistic way. You and your teams will have a fortnight to prepare for this week-long endeavor. But I am getting a bit ahead of myself. This Civil War Exam is between two large teams, the fake villains and the hero hopefuls.” Some of them will have to act as villains? That sounds so fun and not like a bad idea at all. “The hero team will need to try to arrest the villains or drive them out of the city. Which will count as a forfeit for the villains if they succeed. The villains will need to try and not get captured while completing their objectives. Causing mayhem and whatnot. The objectives will be in a rulebook given to the leaders and gone over with them after they are announced. These leaders have already been selected by the staff. The rest of you students will decide which team you wish to be on and leaders will need to recruit otherwise.”

Leaders, huh? Denki guesses that it makes sense for a civil war. Needing to recruit people would be hard if you were the villain leader. No one will probably want to be on the villain team! Other than maybe Tokoyami because of the darkness calling to him or whatever. It doesn’t really matter to him just as long as he isn’t one of the leaders.

“There will also be civilians, majority as what we call civ-bots. Robots with sensors that you heroes will need to ‘keep alive’ so to speak. And during the two weeks preparation period you will have a lighter class load. This is in order, so you can recruit, strategize, coordinate, and to gear yourselves up.”

Oh, thank the gods that there isn’t as much homework to do during this. If Denki would have had to do the normal amount of homework with such a stressful sounding exam he’d cry and probably quit. Okay, he might’ve cried but he definitely wouldn’t have quit. If getting attacked by a bajillion villains doesn’t make him quit then no exam will. No matter how hard or stressful or intense it is, it won’t make him quit. Hell, if Denki can survive several villains and Principal Nezu then he can survive anything. He can do whatever they throw at him! Wait a minute…majority?

“Now, Present Mic, would you announce our leaders?” Nezu says before he opens the podium and uses something inside it to climb down. Denki is so sure it's a ladder he'd bet money on it. He closes the podium, walking off stage as Mic-Sensei takes his place at the podium.

“For the hero team leader, the Apex hero, we have…!” suspense weaves through the crowd with students on the edge of their seats. “BAKUGOU KATSUKI OF CLASS 1-A!!”

Oh, good for Bakugou, he's gonna love that. Obvious, boring choice though. Like why couldn't it be someone from 1-B or like Tsu? Someone unexpected, y'know? Or Yaomomo another obvious choice but like girl power. At the same time it sucks for whoever is against Blasty. Whistles and hollers are made by the Bakusquad as they all pat him on the back. Bakugou has that feral grin on his face. Yeah, sucks for whoever is against him. Probably Midoriya or maybe Monoma since 1-B is involved. Hopefully, not Monoma though that might make 1-B hate them more. Y'know, when they lose. It's probably Midoriya, poor guy, he can't ever catch a break. Unless he's breaking his bones… Those two are always up against each other. 

“Now for our villain leader, the Crime Lord…!” Again suspense weaves through the crowd but not as intense as before. “KAMINARI DENKI ALSO OF CLASS 1-A!!”

Wait…Kaminari? Him? Him?! As in Kaminari Denki?! As in him?! As in Denki the Dumbass?! As in Denki the Dunce Face?! Who would choose him as a leader?! What the absolute fuck?! What were they thinking?! What is he going to do? He's so fucked. How could he ever beat a beast like Bakugou? There is no way he could beat a beast like Bakugou. Did they do this because they want Bakugou to win? Because they think it'll be easy? Well, it will be! He can vaguely hear Monoma complaining about the leaders both being from 1-A. But he's too freaked out to know what he's actually saying beyond that. Oh, Man! Denki can’t do whatever they throw at him actually. He never should have said anything, he jinxed himself! Of course those sadists would come up with something like this! He honestly feels a little like Carrie White right now. This feels like a big joke and he isn't laughing at all, it isn't funny. Winces and laughs are heard from all around the room. Just fucking great everyone knows he doesn't stand a chance.

“Why don't you each take a podium and give a pitch to your future teammates! Rally those troops, yo!”

Bakugou turns that feral grin at him with all the smugness in the world. Before he gets up, slouching all casual and confident while Denki shakily follows him. Fuck. Now, he has to get up on stage with barely any time to process this. Barely any time to think of what to say. What is he going to say? No one is going to be on the villain side let alone on his team– the losing team. Shuffling through the seats he racks his fried brain on what he should say. Also he came here to be a hero and now he has to act like a villain! What could he even say to make others want to join him? ‘Join the walking, talking phone charger and not the exploding powerhouse.’ It sounds worse when he puts it like that! He's so fucked. Bakugou goes to one podium on the left as he goes to the other.

Into his microphone Bakugou yells, “I could win against Pikachu with my eyes closed! He's one of our weakest links! You Extras can join me for all I care! Beating him will be the easiest thing I've done ever since getting into UA!” 

At first Denki is very a little hurt by Bakugou’s words. He knows how Bakugou is but like ouch. The guy is supposed to be his friend! One of his best friends…or at least he thought he was. Denki kinda believed the same as what Bakugou said as well. When the leaders were announced he thought, ‘there is no way I could beat a beast like Bakugou’. But then he stepped on this stage and yeah what Bakugou said hurt. But at the same time it pissed him off. Bakugou is supposed to be his friend and all he sees him as is lesser than. As an idiot. He's over being underestimated and seen as one of the weakest links. He's done being dismissed as nothing but a dumbass battery. Being nothing but a spinless follower who is good for nothing but his quirk. However, a clarity giving memory pops in his head. A memory that gives him some hope and a new determination. It puts all of this in perspective for him really. Maybe they want to see Denki prove he belongs here, that he has what it takes to be a hero. Well, if that's true then he will but honestly fuck everyone he's going to win. They better watch him as he does because he’s going to play the best damn villain they’ve ever seen! Kaminari Denki has something to prove and he'll be damned if he doesn't do it.

So, Denki chuckles at his opponent's words like they are ridiculous because they are. This causes Bakugou to quickly round on him, asking, “The fuck you laughing at, Dunce Face?”

Denki stares straight into Bakugou's eyes with a smile as he retorts, “Oh, sorry. It's just…who saved your ass at the Provisional Licensing Exam?” He points at himself with a raised eyebrow just to drive the point home. Denki's question is answered with anger and tension filled silence. Bakugou’s eye twitches but he says nothing, he just silently snarls. He continues regardless since it was rhetorical, “Which you didn't get by the way, right? Not immediately anyway… But I did,” he finishes looking down his nose at Bakugou with a sharp grin.

An “Oooooooo…” rings through the audience most definitely started by Sero. It sounds exactly like a soundtrack from a sitcom.

Followed by Mina shouting, “The shaaaade!” while Roki deadpans, “He's not wrong.”

“He did win the Sports Festival, though,” The short white haired kid from 1-B pipes up.

“Yeah, he did. At the beginning of the year,” Denki shoots back, feeling Bakugou's eyes boring into him.

Tokage, also from 1-B calls out, “Didn’t he win against All Might? I think that's what I heard.”

“In the final exams?” Denki laughs as Bakugou growls. Denki then says, “Barely and he needed help to just get through the gate because he got KO'd. We all saw him getting his ass handed to him, thoroughly.”

Bakugou’s hands start smoking from the debate and this is when Mic-Sensei cuts back in, “ALRIGHT! Why don't you give your own speech now, Kaminari-kun?”

Denki nods, taking a deep breath, and wings it, “Have you ever wanted to prove people wrong about you?” He pauses letting the question sink in. “I have, I do. I also have a friend…or two who also want to prove people wrong. Prove that something as stupid as your quirk or your appearance doesn't define you. That they don't make you a villain. Maybe you are trying to do the same with your own hero journey. I know what you must be thinking ‘why is he talking about this? How would joining the villain team help prove that?’ And it doesn't, it doesn't help prove that. But why I'm talking about it is because I believe it will make you a better hero. Sounds crazy, right?” He sees his peers looking at him oddly but he just smiles through it. “I believe it will make you a better hero by giving you different perspectives. By teaching you things you might not learn on the other team. Like how not all criminals are villains and how not all villains are pure evil. Some of them just need help or to be saved and set on the right path. I'm rambling–” he interrupts himself with a sheepish laugh which earns him a few smiles. “–but just know whether I win or not I've got something to prove. My friends do too and we're going to make damn sure we prove it. With this exercise or not.”

Claps ring through the audience starting small but quickly getting louder. He finds his friends grinning at him and clapping wildly. His fellow classmates are all clapping too, some give him smiles as well. Iida looks like a confused but proud father which is hilarious. Even Aizawa looks mildly impressed…he thinks. Class 1-B also claps along, Monoma doing so looking thoughtful. Denki would be so lucky to have him on his team and he'll even say it to the guy's face. Denki is so desperate even if he has more conviction now. Dude, hypothetically, he's never really seen him in action, is powerful in his own right. And he's at least gotta be smart about quirks, right? Like Midoriya. Oh, Midoriya would be great to have but would he want to be a villain? Would he want to go against the guy he gave a very cute nickname to, a guy he’s known since childhood? Could Midoriya even act like a villain? Can Denki? Who knows? Denki just hopes his speech wasn’t for nothing and that he did in fact rally some troops. He thinks he did at least a little bit, his speech was good right?

“I see you putting that high literature grade to work,” Mic-Sensei mumbles to him with a grin and he returns it.

Damn if only UA allowed extracurriculars he would totally join the debate team.

Once the clapping ceases Bakugou asks, fuming, “You're talking a lot of shit but can you actually back it up?”

It must be good if Mic’s comment means anything and if Blasty McAnger-issues is asking that.

“Can you?”

“A hell of a lot better than you can!”

“We'll see about that… Kacchan.”

Mic interrupts and saves his yet ass again by declaring “Alrighty, that's enough of that! You, Listeners, did well, you should be proud.” Bakugou glares at him, stalking off the stage. He should definitely avoid him for the time being. He goes to follow but Mic stops him, “Hey, Kiddo! Aizawa wants to go over the rules and objectives with you, ya dig?”

“In his office?”

“Yup!”

“Then, I dig.”

⛈

The recruitment speeches weren't supposed to turn into a debate. Aizawa Shouta is not surprised it turned out that way with Bakugou. Kaminari was a bit of a surprise though, he knew exactly what to say. How to push every single one of Bakugou’s buttons. It was smart, strategic even to make his peers doubt Bakugou’s abilities. He saw the opportunity given to him and he ran with it at full speed. Not lying once. His speech was also well said, the kid will be great at handling the press. He shockingly never strayed off track like Shouta has seen him do before in presentations. He had a lot of great points, he kept his audience’s attention, and he kept it genuine enough that it didn't just sound like a pitch. When the rest of the staff, even Hizashi himself, called Kaminari a ‘Mini Mic’ he never fully agreed. He could see similarities and he did agree they were both loud blondes with too much energy. Which is what the rest of the staff saw but his husband saw more. But Shouta didn't see the hidden cunning genius underneath all of that like he did in Hizashi. Like Hizashi sees in Kaminari. Now, he's starting to see what he was talking about. In hindsight he should have trusted the man to know himself best.

Bakugou's speech, while expected, was quite disappointing. He knew there would be some trash talking but he thought, hoped there would be more. He wanted Bakugou to try to recruit those around him, even if it was just him bragging. He instead said he didn't care if they joined him or not. If most students didn't join the hero side out of wanting social acceptance and moral obligations… He'd be worried that almost everyone would join the opposite team out of spite. He certainly would have, especially at that age. It would have taught Bakugou a lesson though. One of the lessons he needs to learn before becoming a hero. One lesson they had in mind when choosing him as the Hero leader. Having backup, teammates, people to rely on, having help isn't a weakness but a strength. They need to shove that through his thick skull before he graduates or he might not survive even his first year on the job. There are many other things they wish to teach him with this exercise. Like how his attitude leaves much to be desired. Bakugou is somehow a horrible combination of Mirko and Endeavor. Now with less of Endeavor than at the start of the year, at least. They chose them both for several reasons, for Kaminari there were three. Number one; so the kid could prove himself and gain actual, genuine confidence in his abilities. Number two; to bring out his hidden genius that while not quite academic intelligence it is social intelligence. Number three; hopefully this will help provide him with leadership skills. And another reason they chose Bakugou has more to do with Midoriya than the spiky loud blond. It's a three-parter. With Bakugou as the hero leader they hope it will drive Midoriya to the villain team. Where he would hopefully unearth his own genius and gain confidence. With those two on the villain team he thinks this year they might win.

“This exam was a thing when you were a kid too, right?”

Shouta guesses they can add hidden observation skills to the list.

“Yes.”

“And you were on the villain team?”

“...Yes.”

“Cool, cool. Were you the leader?”

“Yes and I lost.”

“Really? Huh…” Shouta, though he'll never say it, is flattered at the pure shock and even slight confusion on his student’s face. Shouta was only sixteen after all. But he did almost win, so it isn't completely unwarranted. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to win this for the both of us then, Sensei.” Kaminari pauses for a bit before he asks, “And Mic-Sensei what team was he on?”

“Mine. He was my second in command.” 

Shouta fondly remembers the day Hizashi joined him on the ‘villain side’. He didn't even have to try recruiting the ultimate loud blond. And he didn't have to really recruit anyone afterward. Hizashi and his sunshine people skills took care of it. He never asked him to, he just did it.

“Nice choice, you were keeping it lively, keeping it groovy. And he’s a lot smarter than he looks. Thanks for answering,” Kaminari comments with finger-guns.

…Mini Mic.

“You would know a little something about that wouldn’t you, Kaminari?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean by that, Sensei. Anyway, the objectives. I should probably know those.”

Shouta stares at his student for a moment longer before getting on with it and hopefully quickly, “All the objectives have something to do with certain crimes. Such as doling out a ‘hit’ on a specific target, creating a hostage situation, stealing ‘classified’ documents, creating scandals, or obtaining particular items. You need to complete at least five of them to win. Although there is another way you can get an automatic pass even if it's a technicality. You defeat the heroes, incapacitate them, drive them to withdrawal, or all of the above.” Kaminari nods his head in understanding so Shouta moves on, "There are sixteen objectives in total for each team. Though they are obviously different to fit the roles you will be playing. Like I said before, to pass the exercise, you must complete at least five of those objectives. However, you must also escape with all or most of your team. With each added objective your final score will improve and your team will be rewarded extra credit. This in turn will help raise your grades."

“Well, raising my grades would be a total bonus…and I definitely need it,” he only mutters the second half of the sentence before inquiring, “Anyway, what are the loss conditions again? Wait, first how many are there?” 

“Three. Either all of your team is eliminated and/or detained. You, the Crime Lord, are defeated or detained by the hero team. Or, you leave before the final day, which like Nezu said would be considered a forfeit.”

“Okay… I think I understand. Now, what about the rules?”

Shouta hands him the rulebook. “This binder contains all the rules, I will go over a few of them with you. First and foremost you will be judged on acting and realism. So, do your best to act like a villain. And if you die you're dead. You can't warn your team about your enemies. Anyone considered ‘dead’ is automatically locked out of the comms. Don't mess with the teachers' feed, our cameras in any way. This is a given but do not maim your classmates.”

“Those seem reasonable, very common sense like.”

Shouta sighs deeply which fully gains the young blond's attention. He says, “I'm not going to sugarcoat this, Kid. This will be hard. From recruiting to facing off against your friends to going against your moral code. No one, especially no hero hopefuls, wants to be a villain. You will most likely be at a disadvantage, overpowered, and maybe even outnumbered. Which is annoying because that makes this entire exercise less effective.” 

“Then I'll just have to find an advantage or two, won't I? I'll make sure to teach my friends a few lessons and don't worry we'll only be playing villains on TV. Now for my real questions,” Shouta raises a brow at those statements while Kaminari asks, “First, Nezu said this was to educate all the first years, right?”

“Correct.” 

“So…any first year can participate in the civil war?”

“Yes. Just remember to have them officially sign up for your team.”

“What about help from teachers?”

“Teachers cannot help students from either side to train or prepare for this exercise.”

“M’kay…” Kaminari deflates with that answer. “Where is our war taking place and how early can I check it out?”

“You’re asking the right questions. It's at Ground Delta and you can visit as many times as you want.”

Kaminari smiles and sits up straighter at the praise while he inquires, “Alrighty, what's up with the robots, what's their deal?”

“There are five different types of robots. You have the civilian robots you have been told about called civ-bots. The criminal robots, called crime-bots. The police robots, called cop-bots or robocops. The firefighter robots, called hydro-bots. And lastly the security guard robots, called secure-bots or… roboguards. Civ-bots will be in most public places doing simple everyday things, some may even have ‘jobs’. Crime-bots will do crimes ranging from vandalism to robot murder. They may attack humans but they won't do serious damage. Hydro-bots are powered down unless they are alerted that there is a fire. The cop-bots will do patrols and act like those particularly dimwitted cops. Secure-bots will be doing what security guards do, some will be protecting objectives.” 

Kaminari starts fidgeting in place so Shouta hands him a stress ball. Kaminari looks confused for a bit before thanking him. Shouta then continues his explanation like nothing happened.

“They are all mostly just mannequins with basic motor functions and sensors. Civ-bots will replicate normal reactions like running from danger. And with it being one of the objectives you can take them hostage. Crime-bots have more of an advanced AI and you can actually carry on a conversation with them. Some are armed and prone to violence but like I said they won't do serious damage. Hydro-bots also have more of an advanced AI, same with cop-bots. Hydro-bots as I'm sure you guessed put out fires they won't do much else. Other than reporting to the heroes or cops. Secure-bots are like civ-bots but they are only programmed to protect certain things. They also won't do much else. All of the robots will run from danger, excluding cop-bots, some crime-bots, and in the case of a fire the hydro-bots.”

“Okay, cool…” Kaminari pauses thinking of another question he assumes. He's right when he's asked, “If this is to educate all first years, does that mean that the other courses will have roles in the exam as civilians and whatnot?”

“I see you caught Nezu's intentional wording. Yes. They will be civilians or cops though some may be tasked with a crime for one of the objectives. They are having a separate assembly right now explaining their roles.”

“Cool, is that all…?” Shouta doesn't interject so Kaminari gets up and continues, “Then have a great rest of your day and maybe a nap!” He shuts the door with that.

‘Good luck, Kid…’ is all Shouta thinks.

Chapter Text

Denki is heading back to class from Aizawa-Sensei’s office. All the while he thinks of who he might recruit when he hears–

“Um…Kaminari-kun?” 

Denki stops in his tracks and turns around. Standing there is a nervous green haired boy but not just any boy, it's– “What is up, Midoriya?” he motions for the other boy to follow him and Midoriya scrambles to catch up.

After a few beats of silence, Midoriya admits, “I– I want to help you beat, Kacchan.”

Denki almost stops at the confession. “You…what?”

Midoriya as a villain? Well, he shouldn't underestimate the guy. He isn't going to be like Bakugou. And everyone else who decided to underestimate Denki. He's also smart enough to know that Midoriya can be a serious threat. Y'know, under all the sunshine, cinnamon, and icing goodness. The dude is a jacked powerhouse with a big brain. He'd be a great asset and ally, Denki can't mess this up by being stupid.

Midoriya fidgets with his fingers as he starts, “Firstly, Kacchan and I don't get along if…you haven't noticed–”

“I think everyone noticed– I'm sorry, dude, that was rude. You may proceed.” Denki even dramatically gestures for him to do so.

“Heh, um– So, I know if I was on the hero team he probably wouldn't really let me do anything. And– and he doesn't take me seriously. He's doing the same to you because he can't see…past his own ego.”

“Well, I get why.” Midoriya nods his head, solemnly, sadly until– “It's gigantic I don't think anyone would be able to see past it.” 

Midoriya stares at him wide eyed and his next words seem to just tumble out of his gaping mouth, “You also do that.”

“Do what?” Denki tilts his head, side-eying his classmate.

“You tease him and you stand up to him like it's nothing. You aren't afraid of him– or if you are, you power through it and act like you aren't at all,” Midoriya all but rants, his hands moving as he talks.

“I mean…I guess, yeah. But Bakugou is more bark than he is bite, right? So, it's nothing,” Denki tries to brush off the comment as it kind of rubs him the wrong way.

“It's really not.” Midoriya mumbles the next sentence but Denki hears it loud and clear, “…he's really not.”

And that is exactly why it rubs him the wrong way. Okay…filing that away for later but for now–

“I’d be happy to have you, Mido! I'll need brains like yours to be able to even think of winning this,” Denki says as they come up and stop at the classroom door.

“I don't think you give yourself enough credit. I mean your speech was spectacular and inspiring! And I know a lot of people don't take you seriously– but maybe that's a good thing! You can hit them before they even see it coming! You should let them think you're easy to beat, it'll be a good lesson for them. To never underestimate their opponent.”

“Yeah…maybe you're right.”

Maybe being underestimated isn't such a bad thing. 

The next few classes are boring but informative on how their workload is going to be for the next week. In most classes they just have to turn in any work they haven't turned in yet. But for some like literature and hero law and ethics they have one more assignment to do. Cementoss-sensei gave them a little book of a biography to read. Aizawa-Sensei’s assignment actually had to do more with after the exercise was over. On one side of the page it asks you to list the pros and cons of heroics and asks ‘what do you think are the hardships of heroics?’. While the back asks ‘why do you think villains become villains?’ and ‘how can we prevent it?’. But other than that they didn't really do anything today, especially since there is no heroics. It was canceled… At least there isn't really any work to do except the reading. He shifts in his seat ready to get up and go. It's nearly lunch and he's hungry, he forgot to eat breakfast. To be fair he was running late this morning, he fell back asleep after Bakugou woke him up. Bakugou always wakes him up for class, Mina too. Bakugou… He hopes they can still be friends after this. Bakugou may have been an ass but he always is, so no difference there. It's not like the guy is as bad as he was at the beginning of the year though. Hopefully this whole exercise will help that along. Hell, maybe Bakugou will even respect him after this. Like he does Uraraka after the Sports Fest. He kinda feels bad for the rest of the Bakusquad. They have to choose between their friends. If they chose Bakugou though he'd understand. He probably would've. Actually if Bakugou’s declaration was the same and said to someone else he wouldn't have. Definitely not he'd be pissed at the guy just like he is now, maybe even more so. He's about to start packing for lunch when he feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns around thinking Kirishima needed something only to find Sero in his spot.

“Uh– hey, where's–” Denki cuts himself off when Sero points in Bakugou's direction. 

Of course. 

Denki knew Kiri would probably join Bakugou but it still kinda hurts to see it. Even if he understands. The redhead has a major crush on the other. Even without that he can't really picture Kiri as a villain. But at the same time the dude would follow his bros anywhere. Just not this one, not this time. Not with the other in play.

“Kinda predictable, huh?” He hears from his right. He looks over and sees Mina smiling sadly at her desk beside him. 

“Heh– oh, yeah... I knew that was going to happen, though.”

“Yeah. But it still kinda sucks,” Sero says, giving him a knowing look.

Curse Denki's great friends for knowing him so well and understanding.

“But you don't have to worry! You won't be alone!” Mina exclaims like it's an irrefutable fact. 

And yes he knows big words, it's like Mic said he has a high literature grade but more importantly–

“Wait…does that mean?” Denki asks, hopefully.

“Uh duh!”

“Yeah, man. You're not the weakest link. If anybody is, it's Mineta.”

“You can say that again! We're going to kick Bakugou's ass together.”

“Yeah, he needs it.”

Denki gives a wobbly smile and jokes, “You guys are about to make me pull a Midoriya.”

His friends laugh and he keeps smiling while he gets his bento. He's so happy that they chose him and want to stick by him. They could have easily gone over to Bakugou in what most would assume would give them an easy win. Denki thought the same at first before being put up against the guy. Denki's still a bit upset about Kiri but it's not like he feels betrayed or anything. Or maybe he does a little, does Kiri think that Denki is the weakest link? He chose Bakugou without saying anything. Either way it still hurts not being picked by his friend. Though he is kinda glad Kiri didn't pick him. Because if he did, would that leave Bakugou without anyone in the squad? It’s not like he’s really friends with anyone else and only just seems to tolerate them and that’s just on a good day. He wouldn't want to leave the guy without friends. Not when he still wants to help, Bakugou is still his friend after all or he is for now anyway... The bell rings and they all get up to leave. Denki spots Bakugou as one of the first out the door after Aizawa, Kiri at his side. More of their classmates quickly trail after them. They were about to follow only to get stopped by a certain green haired boy.

“Um, Kaminari-kun?” Midoriya is in front of him and as always he looks like the poster child for anxiety which Denki understands with his stupid rejection sensitivity or whatever Hound Dog called it. 

So, he smiles, trying not to make the other more anxious as he responds, “Yeah, Mido?”

“I think there's someone you should meet. I… I think they'd be great for the team.”

“Woah, bro you snatched Midoriya?” Sero asks, knowing like everyone else how good of a player Mido is. Well, everyone except Mido himself really, hopefully this exam changes that. And Bakugou doesn't either because he hates him for some reason…

“Nah, he came to me like you guys. Who are we meeting?”

Mido fidgets with his hands. “Well, technically…you've already met before. But we should hurry and meet her before lunch is over.”

Technically, huh? A quick glance around the room and Denki notices they are the only ones left. Huh, that was fast. He guesses Aoyama chose to eat in the cafeteria today. Which is rare…like very rare.

“Her? Yay! More girls! There are too many boys on this team already. We need variety. Some out of the binary would be great too.”

“Pffft– I'm sure there will be more, Mina,” Sero comments. 

Hopefully.

“It's a good thing we all brought bentos today, so lead the way Mido!” Denki declares, gesturing for the other to go first.

With bentos in hand they follow Midoriya down the halls. Weirdly enough it's not towards the cafeteria or class 1-B. So, someone from a different course then. Cool. Oh, if it's Hitoshi he was already planning on recruiting him. But Mido probably knows that with Denki forcing them to work out their differences and all. Or more like Hitoshi’s differences. Mido knows they're friends but he said that Denki and this person have only technically met. So, probably not Hitoshi. Oh, wait fuck– Mido said ‘her’ didn't he? Denki has absolutely no clue who else it could be. He hasn't really interacted with many people outside of his class. Mostly because they don't…like his class, so he usually doesn't like them either. They keep walking, Sero and Mina chattering about something or another. Until they come up to the support wing and now he knows exactly who they are meeting.

“Oh, Midoriya, you are an absolute genius,” Denki comments seemingly out of the blue, quickening his pace so he walks beside the other boy.

Midoriya looks as if he's going to brush it off before he ultimately throws him a shy grin. Good. Denki is so proud. Then a door up the hall explodes off its hinges. And if he was anybody else they'd probably be regretting this right about now. But not him, he knows this is going to be fun. It'll be an absolute blast and yes, pun intended.

“AGAIN?!” they hear from down the hall likely from inside the room with blown off doors.

“We're going there, aren't we?” Sero asks, his tone mimicking and exasperated Aizawa.

“Yes, yes we are.” Denki picks up the pace with Midoriya never leaving his side. He misses the shared glance between the other two.

“This is the third time this week, Hatsume!” Power Loader shouts, scoldingly.

“But that's less than last week!” Hatsume giggles before seeming to sense them at the open doorway. “Ten Million!”

“Mei-chan!” All the nerves Midoriya had before seem to just wash away in the presence of the support student. Nothing Denki has ever really seen before with the guy. Or maybe he just never paid this close attention to it.

Hatsume drags Midoriya to her workstation and they follow along. “What brings you– oh!” She finally notices the extra tag alongs and responds accordingly, “Sparky! Is my glasses baby and Sharp-shooting baby working out for you?”

Or accordingly in her own way.

Denki grins and answers, “Working wonders, Hatsume. Like always.”

“We're actually here about something else…” Midoriya starts but before he can say anything else–

Bouncing a little, Hatsume chimes in, “OH!! Do you need more babies! Because I have sooo ma–”

“Kind of Mei-chan but um…” Midoriya interrupts but trails off as she just stares at him, maniacally grinning with her quirked eyes zooming in and out.

“You heard about the Civil War, right?”

Her eyes immediately zero in on Denki and she somehow grins wider and more manic than before. “Uh-huh, what about it?”

Denki takes a deep breath and starts giving a sales pitch, “Well, I'd like you on my team. I'm the villain leader. You'd get to make your babies and show them off to other hero st–”

“I'm in! Especially if Ten Million is!”

Well, that was easy.

“AH!! Mei-chan you should really think your decision through!” 

“I did! I get to make babies for the whole villain team and showcase them to others in the hero course! Maybe even the teachers! I have sooo many ideas! And you'll be there so it'll be fun!”

Midoriya still looks unsure and they can't have that. Which is why Denki slowly slings an arm over Midoriya's shoulder, giving him enough time to pull away. He doesn't so Denki says, “Hey, this was your absolute genius idea. And if she wants to back out at any time she can. As long as she doesn't officially sign up.” He turns his attention to the girl in question. “But if you're sure, Hatsume I do have some ideas–”

“Lay ‘em on me, Sparky!”

“Wait, wait! Other courses can be recruited?” Mina questions.

“Yeah, Aizawa even confirmed it. Anyways, Hatsume.” Denki turns back to the girl who is less pink. “I was thinking of having paint guns for everyone to use.”

“Like in paintball?” Sero asks.

“Kinda but I want them to look real. We are being graded on realism.” Denki misses the shocked looks on his friend's faces and Midoriya nodding along. He continues unaware, “My next idea is also having some water guns to use against Bakugou. Y'know, to neutralize his quirk.”

“Oh, I like the way you think, Sparky.” Hatsume grins at him ferally and Denki matches it. 

Like he said, this is going to be fun.

The start of the villain team spent the rest of lunch going over gear ideas and how to use them. The details of the guns and how they should go about learning to train with them. Which Midoriya found a loophole for that Denki probably never would have found. He's so lucky to have Mido on his team and he made sure the green haired boy knew it. Midoriya turned into a strawberry, spewing denials when everyone jumped to praise him as well. Sero and Mina even came up with a few ideas themselves. Like how Mina wants something to store up and shoot her acid while Sero’s built off current ideas and helped improve them. After lunch they went back to class and each one so far has basically just been study hall. He's used that time to go over the rulebook on his phone. He took pictures of some of it while in Hatsume’s workshop, so now no one will know or try to peek at what he's looking at. He read that the villains need to be detained for the whole exercise for it to count. Something Aizawa didn't mention, probably hoping he'd actually read the rules. He thinks this rule is to give the villains more of a fighting chance but he feels like there's more to it than just that. He's also read over the objectives and he already has a few plans in mind. Same with the rules as he's read between the lines and surprisingly found some more loopholes. It almost feels too easy but Mido did say he doesn't give himself enough credit… Anyways, he's seen a few of his classmates and some from 1-B join Bakugou's team. Bakugou almost always told them the same thing, ‘sign up then come talk to me’. Kiri would then take control of the conversation to smooth it over with his sharp-toothed grins and encouraging words. Then it was like fish in a barrel and everyone went along with it. Bakugou better thank the gods for Kiri, that boy is basically his liaison and mediator. Denki thinks all the fuss though is because Bakugou is worried about double agents. Well, he doesn't have to be, Denki doesn't think he can risk any of his allies like that. Even if he doesn't know all of who is going to be on his team it doesn't matter. All of them will probably play a part in his plans and none of them are going to be pawns. It also would definitely suck if they got caught. Bakugou is more intelligent than he looks and is already paranoid. Which he can stay that way since it'll probably work in his favor. Maybe he can turn the hero team on each other, one of the objectives is to frame one of the heroes. Maybe he can have them all pointing their fingers at each other when they're all actually innocent, having them all on edge, distrusting, and only focusing on each other. Then his team can strike when they least expect it whether that be by taking them out or getting the objectives they need to win.

Okay… Mr. Diabolical Mastermind, who are you?

Well, he is supposed to play the villain…and that’s actually not a bad plan. He'd just have to figure out how to put it into play. This might be fun, more fun than just getting to work with Hatsume. He is calling psychological warfare fun and thinking about it as he washes his hands in the bathroom… He needs to tread lightly with this persona or whatever it is. Maybe he can have somebody to tell him when it’s too much? All of them might need it though so partners might be a good idea. To like keep them in check, to make sure they’re taking care of themselves, and to watch their back. It might also make trust within the team easier especially when they get to pick their own partner. Like Sero and Mina will definitely be partners only after he has his own, though. They wouldn’t want to exclude him or make him feel lonely. Not that he would with Hitoshi and speaking of Hitoshi, if he can recruit him he’d pick him as his partner. The guy is most of his impulse control, at least some kind of voice of reason, and thinks things through before joining Denki's chaos. Hitoshi is responsible or at least more responsible than Denki is. He dries his hands as he thinks of how Mido would probably pick Hatsume. Their partnership would be wild but he also thinks it would help the both of them. Maybe with Hatsume’s eccentric passion and willingness for chaos will help bring Mido out of his shell more. While it already seems that with Midoriya’s friendship, his acceptance of her personality has brought her more down to Earth and more socially aware. From what Denki has noticed anyway. Strolling out the restroom he thinks of other possible pairings, wondering who his next teammates will be.

“I would like to join the villain team.”

Well, would you look at that there’s one now.

Denki whirls around and quips through a laugh in surprise, “Hello to you too, Yaomomo.” 

“Oh! Hello. I'm quite sorry, Kaminari-san,” Yaomomo apologizes, bashfully.

“No, no I was joking. And like I would love to have you, you're absolutely amazing. No doubt about that but why would you…?” Denki questions as he is genuinely confused on why she would want to ‘go villain’.

Yaomomo takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders, and then explains, “You see Kaminari-san, unlike Bakugou-san, I know you won't just use me for my quirk. You of all people know what it's like as others do it to you as well.” Denki takes a deep breath, turning his gaze to the floor. Ah, that’s why. “I am not a factory and you are not a power strip, we aren't tools, we are people. I would like to prove that I am more than just my quirk and I'm assuming you do as well. Especially from your speech. And from just knowing you I know you will respect me, respect my intelligence. If I had advice for you, you would listen and not dismiss me and you would value my contribution. So, Kaminari Denki, I would like to join your team.”

“Oh, Yaomomo… You're going to make me blush– or cry.”

“Oh, please don't cry,” she says with a kind smile.

Denki grins in return. “Don’t worry I won’t pull a Mido but like I said I'd love to have you, so let's prove we're more than our quirks together.” 

“Together,” she mimics.

It’s quiet for a moment before he clears his throat feeling a bit awkward after all of those feelings and Yaoyurozu’s vulnerability. “Right, uh well– we should head back to class.”

“Oh, yes. I apologize for ambushing you. Outside of the bathroom no less,” she says with clenched fists and blushing.

“No problem.” They start to go back in silence until Denki quickly breaks it, “How would you like to be my main advisor?”

“Oh! I– I'd love too…but are you sure–”

He interrupts, “It took a lot of confidence to say all of that, to even just join the villain team. Don't lose that confidence now, we're gonna need it.” 

“Right,” she affirms, a steely look in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Again, no problem.”

HELL FUCKING YEAH!!

Denki just got the ultimate player who is like tied with Mido if not better. She's an all-rounder; intelligent, strong, reliable, reasonable, willing to cooperate, a good fighter, and has a versatile quirk. Which he won't solely use her for not only since he basically promised but also because he's not that stupid. You'd have to be a real small brained idiotic moron to do that in his opinion– or actually that's just facts. He'd understand if someone did that to him because he doesn't have much else to contribute. But to Goddess Yaomomo? Pfft– that's straight up blasphemous, the height of stupidity if he's being honest. And with her as his advisor, his team, his plans will thrive. Like with having Hatsume his gear ideas will thrive. He really hopes this position will also help Yaomomo thrive herself. He knows she lost some of her confidence after her loss at the Sports Fest. And how she regained most of it during the final exams but clearly not all of it. Or that's what it looks like to him even only from their conversation they just had. He also wants to help prove herself because she deserves to be respected. Which he knows will already be hard for her in this industry, so her future co-workers should learn to respect her now. Yaomomo is also just a really good friend with a good head on her shoulders, a true goddess. She'll be a great asset to the team. He wonders who else will join.

Shouji is leaning against the wall near the classroom door, seemingly waiting for them to get back. Oh my gods– hey, speaking of the gods Yaomomo is a total goddess just by being herself… Denki is totally using that. Maybe it'll help her confidence and if not it's still funny. It will probably make her laugh if nothing else. So, anyways… Oh my Yaomomo, he thinks it happened again, there's another one! He wonders why Shouji wants to join… If the current pattern and his speech have anything to say he probably wants to prove himself. For some reason, somehow. And Denki is going to do his best to help him do that. If he wants to join that is. Either way Shouji is also really nice, a voice of reason, and also an all-rounder even if he isn't quite on the same level as Mido or Yaomomo. 

Shouji slowly pushes himself off the wall and damn…how does Denki always forget he's that tall? Yaomomo clears her throat and offers, “I’ll let the two of you chat.” She enters the classroom leaving the two boys in the hall.

“Sooo, this is like the third time I've been ambushed today or well I don't think I'd really call yours an ambush. Yours is a lot calmer since you were just waiting for me. But if I had nickel for everytime I've been ambushed today, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it's happened twice. And I'm sure it'll happen again. Anyways, I've been in my head all day so I haven't been yapping as much as usual. So, sorry for the rambling…” Denki awkwardly rocks back and forth on his feet after his utter word vomit.

Shouji chuckles. “It's alright I've noticed you've been more quiet and kept to yourself today. But that's not why I calmly ambushed you.”

“Oh? I see how it is, where your concern is at, where your priorities lie. Pfft– I'm sorry, what did you need?”

He can tell Shouji is smiling not only by the look in his eyes but how his mask has shifted. Even one of his tendrils formed a smiling mouth. “I want to join your team. In your speech you said you have friends who want to prove that they aren't villainous. I am one of them, I don't want to seem scary or evil. I want to help people realize that looks do not determine actions. I also feel like my performance so far has been lacking. I can do more, do better and I want to show it. I think your team can help with that as long as I'm not strictly recon.”

Denki makes a face and assures, “Oh, you definitely won't just be strictly recon. That would be severely underutilizing your skill set.” 

Shouji just blinks at him and so Denki jokes, “Yeah, I know big words.” the taller boy laughs in response and Denki adds, “Oh and welcome to the team, Big Guy.”

⛈

“Kaminari.”

Denki almost dropped the stack of papers in his hands. But manages to keep a hold on them. “Woah!” He turns around and who he finds surprises him. “Monoma?”

Make it three nickels.

“Do…you have a moment?” 

Denki just stares at him for a while utterly bewildered, so confused, very confuzzled. Before he asks, “Are you okay? Are you sick? Oh my Yaomomo– TOGA?!?!”

“What?! No! No to all–” the other blond pauses before questioning, “...Did you just say, ‘Yaomomo’ in place of a deity?”

“Yes, what about it? She's a goddess. And wait does ‘no to all’ mean you're not okay? Because I'd believe it because you're acting so…weird. Also you gotta tell me something only Monoma would know.”

“I'm…fine.” Monoma looks away when he answers, meaning he's very not fine at all. But he doesn't push it and lets him talk. “And… Kendou is the one who shuts me up–” he sighs, shaking his head, and says, “I would just like to speak with you.”

At least Denki knows Monoma is his annoying self. However, this whole interaction is surprising or maybe not because Denki did see him looking thoughtful in the auditorium. But he's so subdued and polite-ish, it's kinda unsettling honestly. 

“We are speaking.” Monoma looks like he's doing his best to bite back an angry grin. “Alright, alright. Sorry, you were saying?” 

Monoma lets out a long-suffering sigh that could compete with Aizawa-Sensei’s. Going on to say, “Obviously you know both team leaders are from the idiotic class 1-A.” Denki just nods, ignoring the jab. “Regardless I would still have to work with your class either way, unfortunately.”

“...Are you asking to join me and my team?”

The blue eyed boy finally looks him in the eye again and deadpans, “Yes. I fear Bakugou and I will kill each other by the end of the exam. Maybe even before it.” Denki snorts and nods agreeingly. Monoma continues, “Even if most of the superior class is planning on joining that barbarian I do not wish to. Not only because of said leadership but also I am tired of being underestimated. By everyone but more so my own classmates. They may follow my lead at times but I can see the doubt in their eyes. None of them take me seriously.”

“Oof. Yeah… I know how that feels.”

Monoma gives him a wry smile but a knowing look is in his eyes. He inquires, “So, can I join? If so, I'd rather my classmates don't know that I have. I can be like your secret weapon,” he finishes with a cocky grin.

“Well…duh! I'd be stupid not to! Of course you can join!” Monoma’s face falls leaving him to blink blankly in response so Denki keeps going, “Your quirk would be useful as would your smarts. I heard you were the one who came up with the strategy for 1-B at the Sports Fest! And you have to know how to adapt, learn on the fly, and be observant with a quirk like yours, right?” Monoma nods but narrows eyes suspiciously at the last two statements. “Yeah, so I'd be happy that you joined. And pretty lucky.”

“It sounds like you're just buttering me up.”

“I may be a little–” his class’ self-proclaimed rival scoffs “–but that doesn't make it any less true.”

Monoma seems to debate with himself before sighing again and coming out with, “Alright, I will be joining your team. By the way, tomorrow Kan-sensei will ask if you and the barbarian want to visit 1-B for recruitment.”

“Thanks for the heads-up. Bakugou probably won't go, I mean you heard his speech. Also you're gonna have to keep the 1-A insults to a minimum. But anyways, I should go get these to the staff room.”

“Fine. We better win class 1-A scum.” The other blond walks away with that and Denki sighs heavily. Before shaking his head and finishing his trek to the staff room.

On his way back he thinks of his peculiar interaction with Monoma when he is ambushed yet again.

“Hey, Kami!” yells Kirishima who appears to be done using the water fountain.

Four nickels.

“What's up, Kiri?”

“Can we talk?”

Denki almost makes the same quip he did at Monoma but thinks better of it at the serious look on Kiri's face. So, instead he replies, “Sure, Dude.” 

“I'm sorry.” Oh, here it comes… “For what Bakugou said–” …and there it is.

Denki cut him off before he could say anything more, “That apology shouldn't be coming from you. You aren't responsible for him or his fucking actions. You fucking– you shouldn't have to clean up his messes.” 

This is pissing Denki off more than he thought it would. He should be used to this, it's not like this is the first time Kiri has done this. But he's done, he's over with it. Kiri shouldn't be doing this even Bakugou would be pissed at him for doing it.

“I’m not– this isn't…this isn't a mess.”

“Not a mess? What is this then? Don't fucking tell me it was all an accident.”

“No! It was a mistake!”

Denki barks out a humorless laugh sounding nothing like it usually does. “Oh, did Bakugou tell you that? No, he fucking didn't. Because even if he did feel that way he never would have admitted it out loud!”

“Kami–”

Wait…

Tears pool in golden eyes. “Don't– don't fucking tell me that you agree with him.”

“Agree with him– what? No! No!”

“Then why are you apologizing for him instead of saying he was wrong?!” Kirishima opens his mouth but he hesitates, he doesn't say anything. Denki nods with a mean smile and tears on his face. “Was it a mistake just because somebody actually fucking said it to my face?” Kirishima reaches out to him and Denki takes a step back. The blond scoffs while shaking his head before getting in the last word, “Have fun playing the hero with the ‘strongest’ link, Kirishima.”

He brushes past the redhead, speeding down to the Gen Ed wing, and pulls out his phone; he texts Hitoshi. Waiting in one of the many bathrooms, thankfully where there are cushioned benches in every one of them. So, he doesn't have to choose between sitting on the toilets or the floor. And luckily enough it's empty. Oh, he should probably text someone about where he's at… Eh, they have his location from his phone and his trackers. Yaomomo made a few for them all in 1-A after the summer camp and what happened in Kamino. He sniffles wiping at his face, he hasn't stopped crying. What hurts the most is that he gets it. He is the weakest link, the dunce but– But he thought or at least hoped that his closest friends wouldn't think so. Maybe then he could stop believing that about himself, maybe then it wouldn't be true. But if someone like Kirishima Eijirou thinks so? Maybe it is true, maybe Bakugou was right… 

“Denki?” Hitoshi asks, his voice ringing out in the silence. He steps into the bathroom, finding him on the bench. “Hey, what are you doing in here you didn't say–” Denki looks at him and Hitoshi cuts himself off, “–the fuck? Are…you crying?”

Denki laughs and confirms, “I was.” 

Hitoshi stares at him for a minute before he sits next to him and questions, “What made you cry?” 

Denki shakes his head, Hitoshi doesn't like most of his classmates anyway. He doesn't want to make it worse. “It's nothin–”

“Let me rephrase that– who made you cry? I'll kick their ass.”

“What makes you think they are who?”

“Well for one you just said ‘they’.”

“Damn.”

“And two, you would have told me immediately if it wasn't directly caused by someone. So again, who made you cry? I'll kick their ass.”

Hmmm… “Even if they're a teacher?”

“...Yeah, I still would. Even if it was Aizawa. Are…they a teacher?”

“No.”

“Then why did you ask?” The incredulousness on Hitoshi's normally deadpan face makes him burst out laughing.

“I don't know! I just wanted to see if you still would, Dude!”

Hitoshi shakes his head at him and clearly tries to hide his smile. “Who then?”

That makes Denki sober up and he averts his eyes from his friend's purple ones. “...It's not important.”

“If it wasn't important you wouldn't have come all the way to Gen Ed to come cry in some random restroom. And you definitely wouldn't have told somebody about it either if it wasn't. Now, my…friend is crying, so don't tell me it's not important. Who was it?”

“...Kirishima.”

“The red puppy dog with shark teeth?”

Denki grins. “That's one very accurate way to describe him but yeah.”

“You wanna talk about it?”

“...You heard about the Civil War Exercise, right?”

“Yes…?”

“And you weren't told who the leaders were, right?” It didn’t seem like Hatsume knew anyway.

“No, we weren't.” Hitoshi suddenly and quickly turns towards him fully. “Wait…” 

Denki huffs and wryly responds, “Yup. You're looking at the leader of the villains, Hito.”

“Damn,” Hitoshi utters, slumping back against the wall. A perfect mirror to Denki.

“Damn, indeed.”

“So, you and Shark Puppy fought about that?”

“Shark Puppy?” Denki inquires through startled laughter as Hitoshi just shrugs. He shakes his head and finally answers, “Kinda. It was more about the other leader and a recurring problem Kiri has.”

“First off, who is the other leader?”

Denki turns his head and looks Hitoshi in the eye, deadpanning, “Bakugou.”

“Fuuuck…”

“Fuck, indeed.” Hitoshi himself huffs and shakes his head at Denki's antics. “Y’know, during his speech after we got announced as the leaders… He called me the weakest link– like of the whole hero course.” 

“Even weaker than the Grape Perv?”

“I honestly think Bakugou forgets he exists,” Denki says through choked laughter.

“Well, he's wrong about you but I'm sure you know that– or you should know that.” Denki smiles at how insistent his friend sounds as Hitoshi adds, “But anyway, what's that recurring problem of Shark Puppy's?”

Denki sighs, hugging his knees to his chest. “He apologized for what Bakugou said– and he always does, always apologizing for his shit. Like whatever Bakugou does is his fault! It's annoying and like a mother apologizing for her gremlin's behavior!”

“That would piss me off too but there’s more to it than that isn’t there?”

“He said what Bakugou said was a mistake.” Denki scoffs. “Like yeah right. And then…I basically asked if he agreed with him. He said no at first but then I asked why he was apologizing instead of saying Bakugou was wrong… And– and he didn't say anything– he didn't answer!” he sobs. 

After a minute Hitoshi grabs some of the paper towels provided and hands them to Denki. Hitoshi sits back down and wordlessly holds his arm out. Denki doesn't waste any time sliding under it and getting comfortable as he wipes his face.

“First off, they're both wrong–”

“Are they?”

“Yes, what the fuck?” Denki feels Hitoshi shift under him probably to stare at him, offended on his behalf.

“When I got announced several people laughed and winced. Because they knew–”

“Then they're all wrong!” Denki's head snaps up and Hitoshi holds his teary gaze. “Every single one of them because honestly you're so much more than you think you are. And I don't think you've shown all you can do yet. Whether it be from the situations you're in or your lack of…self-esteem.” Hitoshi ignores the indignant ‘hey!’ and continues, “But being the underdog might be a good thing. It worked out for me, didn't it?”

“I guess it did.” Denki nuzzles his now clean cheek against the taller boy's shoulder. “...Mido kinda said something similar.”

“Did he?”

“Yeah… something about I should let them underestimate me and hit them when they don't see it coming. Or something like that.”

“Great minds think alike,” Hitoshi comments, his head lolling back to rest against the wall.

“But fools rarely differ,” Denki quips with a cheeky grin. 

“You calling Midoriya a fool?”

Denki gasps dramatically, “No, I take it back! You can never tell him of this. If we're talking about low self-esteem Mido is the poster child for it. So, the joke never happened.” Hitoshi snorts while a lightbulb blinks on above Denki's head, metaphorically and literally. He noticed it earlier and now's a great time to use it. He just remembered he already planned to do this so why not do it now. 

And so he begins to do what he does best– run his mouth. 

“I want you on my team and– hold on hear me out. There are many reasons why you should join me on the dark side. I would obviously be there and that's always a plus– how's that for low self-esteem?! I'd understand if you didn't want to be on the villain team though. Y'know, because of the connotations. But I think it would be a great opportunity for you to really show your stuff. To show all the teachers– not just Aizawa– that you belong in the hero course. Also to meet and work with your future classmates slash co-workers because you will have to eventually.”

“...Did you just say ‘slash’ out loud?”

“Focus! Don't deflect.”

“I was already going to join your team.”

“What?! So all that yapping– that wonderful sales pitch was for nothing?!”

“I mean…yeah kinda. I already thought of most of the things you pointed out. And I agree I think it would be in my best interest especially if you are there. I am practically all of your impulse control.”

“Speaking of being my impulse control– I want slash–” Hitoshi rolls his eyes. “–need you on my team because I need you to tell me if I'm going too far. I need you to keep me in check.”

“Do you really think you need me to do that?”

A sharp smile slowly slides onto the villain leader’s face as he softly confirms, “I think we all will need someone to keep us from going over the deep end. For what I have planned anyway.”

Chapter Text

Kaminari Denki has added Shinsou Hitoshi, Sero Hanta, and Ashido Mina +3 others to this chat

Kaminari Denki has titled the chat Be Gay Do Crime

Kaminari Denki has changed their name to The Conductor

[5:30 AM]

The Conductor: Yo! This is your conductor speaking! I made this so us villains could talk w/o any heroes overhearing

Yaoyorozu Momo has changed their name to Yaomomo

Yaomomo: Good morning to you too, Kaminari-san

This is a great idea!

The Conductor: Ah, I see what you did there lol

And thanks I came up w it all by myself haha

Oh and @Midoriya Izuku do you have Hatsume’s number??

Shinsou Hitoshi Has changed their name to it's too early for this

it's too early for this: read my name it's true also @The Conductor why tf is that your chat name??

Midoriya Izuku: I do! Would you like her number so you can add her?

Also good morning everyone! (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)づ

The Conductor: Yes, Mido and thanks! Oh, and gm!

@it's too early for this my chat name is this bc it's my villain name! It took forever for me to come up w :/

Speaking of getting numbers I need to get Monoma's

Midoriya Izuku: Here it is @The Conductor! xx-xxx-xxxx-xxxx

it's too early for this: is it because of conductors of electricity and because it's synonymous with the words director or boss?

The Conductor: Got it in one, Hito!

The Conductor has added Hatsume Mei to the chat

it's too early for this: wait Monoma? the somehow louder blond than you @The Conductor

doesn't he hate your class with his entire being??

The Conductor: Oh, shit NOBODY TELL ANYBODY MONOMA JOINED unless they are on this team– ESPECIALLY don't if they are from 1-B

The Conductor has pinned 1 message: ‘NOBODY TELL ANYBODY MONOMA JOINED unless they are on this team– ESPECIALLY don't if they are from 1-B’

The Conductor: I told him I wouldn't tell his classmates he joined :(

He wants to be a secret weapon or whtver and I kinda feel bad for the guy

He's like me… :/

Yaomomo: I promise not to tell anyone!

Midoriya Izuku: I promise not to either!

it's too early for this: yeah, alright I promise

The Conductor: Thank you, guys

Hatsume Mei has changed their name to Mad Scientist

Mad Scientist: HI!

Yaomomo: Good morning, Hatsume-san!

Mad Scientist: You're the one with the creation quirk right???

Yaomomo: Ah, yes. I suppose that's me

Mad Scientist: GM!!! I HAE SO MNY BABY IDEASS FOR U

Midoriya Izuku: She calls her inventions babies btw!

Yaomomo: Oh, well in that case I'd love to talk about them but right now we should all be getting ready for school!

The Conductor: Can everyone meet me at auditorium A at 8:30???

I need to speak w Monoma 1st bc I don't have his number but I do know he gets to class insanely early

and 1-B for recruitment lol

Yaomomo: The auditorium we heard about the civil war exam in?

The Conductor: Yes, that a one!

4 people agreed with this message: ‘Can everyone meet me at auditorium A at 8:30???’

[6:16 AM]

Ashido Mina: hi, everyone!

hold on, I gotta backread!

oh, this is a great idea, Kami! or should I say the Conductor? lol

Ashido Mina changes their name to Alien Queen

Alien Queen: bc it was apparently too scary to be my hero name :( so, this is my villain name until I can think of something better!

also– MONOMA?!?!!?? I mean I promise not to tell but like– MONOMA?!?!

1+ person agreed with this message: ‘Can everyone meet me at auditorium A at 8:30???’

Sero Hanta: I mean his options are work with class 1-A or work with class 1-A lmao

I promise to keep quiet too but also

Sero Hanta changed their name to help I need a villain name

help I need a villain name: I don't have any ideas guys, help :/

1+ person agreed with this message: ‘Can everyone meet me at auditorium A at 8:30???’

Several people are typing…

⛈

Denki puts on his blazer after he finishes tying his deep red tie. He's actually up early today as today is the day the two week planning period starts. Music is softly playing in the background to not disturb his neighbors. He looks in his full length mirror on the back of his closet door one more time to check his hair and eyeliner. Good enough. He takes out everything in his opened pale yellow school bag. Only putting in his extra portable chargers, a snack from his stash, minty gum, and his Thor water bottle in its side pouch. He isn't taking his rulebook with him since he took pictures of the rest of the pages last night. With this people will think he's slacking off and fooling around on his phone. And no one will be able to mess with or steal his rulebook as it will be in his locked room, hidden. It's not like anybody but maybe Sero and Hitoshi could guess his password. It's ‘bitch’ in all lowercase in English, his phone is in English since he's fluent. He's half American and grew up learning both languages but he doesn't know or remember all the technical stuff like conjunctions. So, he still has English class with one of his fav teachers like everyone else. Now all he needs to do is brush his teeth and grab his bento, his shoes then he's out. He moseys on into his bathroom carrying his bag and phone with him. He turns the upbeat music down a bit and grabs his toothbrush. He hums along to the song, dancing a bit while brushing his teeth. He rinses out his toothbrush and places it back in its holder. He grabs a floss pick for later when he facepalms suddenly. He forgot his earbuds. Collecting his things he speeds over to his desk he sees he also forgot his main portable charger. He'll use this one on the walk to school. He snatches them off his little desk and plugs the charger into his mouth. He sighs in contentment at the familiar buzzing and thrumming he feels. He plugs his earbuds in, turns off his lights, and leaves his room. Denki enters the empty elevator and he quietly sings along as he rides it down. Trudging into the kitchen he gets his bento out of the fridge and quickly makes sure everything is there. He puts it in his bag and picks up two apples from the fruit bowl on the counter. One for him now and one for little Eri-chan later. They'll see her before lunch, he's pretty sure and if not he'll give it to Tokoyami. He rinses them off before he gets a plastic baggie for them. He places the second one in the baggie and the floss pick with it. He puts it in his bag and he pulls the charger out of his mouth. He wraps it around the energy bank and puts it in his bag. He takes a bite out of his apple and heads over to genkan. Switching his slippers for shoes before he walks out the door. Denki laughs as he backreads over the chat while walking to the Gen Ed dorms. Hitoshi had agreed to be his emotional support while talking to 1-B. Since Denki doesn't know them like at all and also Monoma is kinda stressful. Everyone in the group chat who isn't busy is trying to help Sero come up with a villain name. Mina keeps suggesting two names Sero hates and refuses to use. It's pretty funny. He takes another bite of his apple as he thinks of a good name for Sero. Hm… Jorogumo? Like the spider yokai? Nah, he doesn't think Sero will like that one… Maybe something that has to do more with his skills than just his tape? He shrugs and then remembers he has to try and get Monoma's number today. Ugh. That's going to be fun. How is he going to ask without his classmates being around? Oooo…a good name for Mina would be vitriolage– meaning acid attack. He'll have to tell her that later. But back to Monoma… He takes the last bite of his apple and is glad he finally made it to Hitoshi's dorm so he can throw it away. He does and walks up the front steps only for the door to swing open. His eyes meet familiar purple ones and he beams greeting his friend. He gets a tired grumble back but he doesn't take it personally. He too knows what insomnia is like but unlike Denki, Hitoshi can't literally recharge his energy.

“Do you have any ideas of how I'm supposed to get his number from him alone?” Denki asks, pulling out the floss pick and using it.

“I have no idea. I don't come up with good ideas in the morning.”

“Ugh! How about names for Sero?”

“Silencer.”

“Alright, jeez.”

“No, I mean his name could be Silencer. His quirk would be great for ambush attacks and he can literally tape people's mouths shut. Maybe he can be like an assassin or hitman…”

“That sounds like a good idea in the morning,” Denki teases.

“Maybe I can't come up with them on the spot. I've been thinking of a name since he texted the chat.”

“You got one for yourself?"

“I'm debating between a few.”

They continue their trek in silence with only the birds chirping to accompany them. Denki can do this, he can do this. He's already made a recruitment speech and he can do it again. He has to. He isn't just playing to win or to prove himself. Not just that anymore he has people relying on him now. So, he needs more numbers even if that means more people relying on him. But he isn't doing this alone; he has his friends at his side. Like Hitoshi is in the literal sense right now. He can do this. He can talk to Monoma and he can talk to the rest of 1-B. He has to, he wants to, he needs to. This will help him help them prove themselves. Prove that Yaomomo is more than her quirk and should be respected. Prove that Hitoshi isn't a villain and he's going to be a hero. Prove that Midoriya is useful and a threat that needs to be taken seriously. Prove that Shouji isn't a monster just because people think he looks like one. Prove that Monoma is a threat that needs to be taken seriously and should be respected. Sero, Mina, and Hatsume didn't give him reasons they wanted to prove themselves. But he can see them clear as day if he looks hard enough. Sero wants to prove he doesn't have a weak quirk and that he can be a serious threat. Mina wants to prove that she isn't scary looking and that she should be respected. Hatsume wants to prove that she should be respected and taken seriously. And he's going to help them prove all of it, every single one. He won't let them down– What did he think just before his speech? Right. –and he'll be damned if he does…or something like that… They come up to the entrance and Denki is ambushed yet again.

“Do you have a fucking problem with Shitty Hair being on my team?”

Does this count as nickel number five?

“Good morning to you too, Bakugou. And no I don't.” Denki tries to continue his way inside but Bakugou blocks him.

“Can you move?” Hitoshi deadpans but Denki can hear the annoyance slipping into it.

“This has nothing to do with you, Eyebags. Fuck off.” Denki gestures with his head telling Hitoshi he can go. Hitoshi sighs and leaves but Denki sees he doesn't go far. He just leans against the wall near the entrance doors. “If you don't have a fucking problem then, why the hell was he all sad and shit?”

“Because I'm tired of him apologizing for you. I'm tired of him taking responsibility for your actions. His sorrys for the shit you do don't mean a thing. You know why? Because they shouldn't be coming from him in the first place.”

“Fucking– what?”

Denki rolls his eyes and says, “You should be the one to apologize to me. But I know you never will because sorry isn't in your ‘vast’ vocabulary. You probably don't even know why you need to apologize.” He shakes his head and sighs. “Just get out of my way asshole, I have a war to win.” He pushes past Bakugou, ignoring the enraged yelling from behind him.

“You good?” Hitoshi questions once Denki gets close and as he pushes off the wall.

“Oh, yeah. Telling him off felt great. Anyways, I gotta ask Shouji if this counts as five nickels or not because it's the next day.”

“...What?”

⛈

help I need a villain name: MINA I AM NOT HAVING BONDAGE OR SHIBARI AS MY VILLAIN NAME!!!

STOP.

DO I LOOK LIKE MIDNIGHT-SENSEI TO YOU??!!!

The Conductor: Yo! @Shouji Mezou I got ambushed again lol

Does this count as nickel number 5 or not bc it's the next day??

Also lmao @Alien Queen @help I need a villain name

Shouji Mezou: I say it counts And really five times not including me?

Shouji Mezou has changed their name to Calm Ambusher

1+ person agreed with this message: ‘Can everyone meet me at auditorium A at 8:30???’

The Conductor: Love the name lmao And yup! Ambushed 5 times and calmly ambushed 2 times (obviously including u)

Yaomomo: I'm confused. Ambushes? Are you alright?

Midoriya Izuku: I am also confused and concerned (⁠*⁠﹏⁠*⁠;⁠)

Alien Queen: Uh, yeah… huh?

it's too early for this: again what??

help I need a villain name: if most of them happened yesterday and he's currently texting us then I am unconcerned so, I still need a villain name

MINA!! CEASE UR TYPING AT ONCE WOMAN!!!

⛈

“Again what?” Hitoshi asks.

“Okay, so you know that two nickels meme from that one pre-quirk cartoon that's amazing?”

“Yeah, the one with the depressed, evil doctor try-hard and his secret agent therapy platypus in a fedora?”

“Yes! Anyways, when I was calmly ambushed by Shouji I had already been actually ambushed like twice. Hence, the two nickels meme. I was ambushed by people wanting to join the team.”

“So, you basically only recruited me and one other person? Since you were also calmly ambushed twice. And the whole Shark Puppy thing.”

“Well… It was Mido's idea to recruit Hatsume actually and I didn't really have to work for it. Soooo…”

“So, you only recruited me. Well, aren't I special?”

“Yup! The ultimate special purple edition of besties.”

“Besties?”

“Yes, we're besties. You can't deny it,” Denki declares, pointing at him and has since finished flossing.

“Wouldn't dream of it… Bestie.” Denki is sure he looks like the surprised Pikachu meme.

Hitoshi chuckles and leans in to whisper, “No one will ever believe you.”

“Mido would believe me actually and then everyone would believe Mido.”

“Damn.”

“No damn needed, I wouldn't do that to you. You know why?”

“Because I am here?”

“No! Because I'm a good bestie. Get on my level Troll Doll All Might.”

“Pfft– alright, alright. What's the game plan exactly?”

“Ugh!” Denki's smile falls as he groans, throwing his head back. “I don't know! How am I supposed to get him alone?!”

They arrive at the shoe lockers and spot someone waiting at Denki's locker. The one and only Todoroki Shouto. The Pretty Boy of Class 1-A– no, of UA. Who always has confession letters spewing from his shoe locker. One of the rich kids of class 1-A who will insist on paying. Mr. ‘I'm Not Here To Make Friends’ guy to Mr. ‘Let Me Buy You Things So I Can Try And Max Out My Sperm-donor’s Credit Card’ guy. Okay, okay– Denki's done with listing the dude's titles. But come on! From just that he's pretty sure anybody would be confused on why the guy wants to talk to him. Sure, they're classmates and yeah they aren't allowed to go grocery shopping together anymore but he's–! He's–! They're not–! The guy is like so out of his league in several different ways. What in the world could Kaminari Denki offer the Todoroki Shouto?

“Six nickels,” Denki mutters, throwing away his used floss pick in a nearby trash can.

Todoroki blinks. “What are nickels?”

“Nothing. Did ya need something?” Denki asks while Hitoshi stays silent, lazily glancing between them.

There's no way Todoroki Shouto, one of the other powerhouses, wants to be on his team. …He does already have like two or so, though– But aren't he and Bakugou buddies now?

“I would like to join your team.” Denki stands corrected, very surprisingly…or maybe not.

“That sounds great! But uh– what's your reason for joining?”

“Endeavor was the hero leader when he went to UA.” Ah, that explains literally everything. “His team won, broke the record and now, he wants me on the hero team. He's furious that I'm not the leader but Nezu won't budge, thankfully.”

“Is that it…?” Hitoshi questions, obviously confused.

Todoroki blinks again. “Mostly. But the chance of going against and beating Bakugou is too good of a chance to pass up.”

“Wait…I thought you two were buddies after your remedial stuff?” Denki inquires as he is now also very confused.

“Ah. I see why you would think that. I forgot I'm so good at acting.” Todoroki nods at his own words before stepping and leaning closer to Denki. He lowers his voice, admitting, “Acting like he's one of my bestest friends in the world is just a facade I use to piss him off.”

“Why for fun?” Hitoshi inquires, raising a purple brow.

“Yes, but I also have a grudge against him.”

“Huh– okay… You fooled me, that's for sure.”

“Yes and several of our classmates.”

“Yeah, good job, wonderful job.” Denki nods. “You’d be a great addition to the team, so welcome. We're having a meeting in auditorium A at 8:30 AM.”

Todoroki nods at them as soon as he finishes and leaves. Hitoshi comments, “Okay…then.”

“I– I had no idea!” Denki sputters, throwing his hands in the air.

Hitoshi snorts, shaking his head. “We better get going but what's your game plan for 1-B as a whole?”

Denki walks to his newly unblocked locker. “Oh, well… It's going to be like my speech from when I was announced, just the Monoma version but obviously toned down.”

“I didn't hear your speech obviously but from what you just said it's going to be like a protest rally from the movies…?”

“Man– you are on fire today, Dude!”

After getting their indoor shoes the two made their way to class 1-B. They waited in the front of the classroom as people trickled in and found their seats. He quietly went back and forth with Hitoshi a bit on what his speech will be about. Now he scans the mostly filled seats looking to see who might want to join him. Recalling what information he knows about those of his sister class. Monoma: on his team already, is like him, and maybe a bit misunderstood? Kuroiro: who would make a great bestie for Tokoyami, hard to combat, most likely had been discriminated against, and has a crush on Komori. Awase: fun dude, helped the goddess Yaomomo during the summer camp, curses like Bakugou but lacks his feral aggression, and his quirk is great for apprehension. Kendo: Yaomomo variant but less proper and solves her problems with hitting people, martial artist, big hands that could squash him like a bug, class president, holds the class’s respect, and probably won't join his team in the way that he knows Ojiro won't. Kodai: can enlarge and shrink things, an enigma, quiet, stoic, and her personality other than that is a mystery unless that is it. Kaibara: quiet, level-headed but still a fun guy, limbs practically become drills, and may be up for joining his team. Kamakiri: a name similar to his, knives so many knives, badass, a quieter, more humble Bakugou? More observation required, badass though, and gruff but intelligent like Aizawa. Honenuki: laidback and goes with the flow like Sero, smart, recommendation student, quicksand-like quirk that's great for apprehension, and would surprise him if he joined his team. Tokage: the other recommendation student, a quirk where she would do wonders as a magician's assistant, it's also great for detection and stealth or distraction, she spoke up during the ‘debate’–

Vlad King's voice breaks through his observations, “Kaminari from class 1-A, the villain leader has come to speak with you all.”

All of the seats have finally filled up and all the people in them are now staring at him. Unlike the auditorium he can see them so much more clearly without the stage lights. He can do this, he can do this. He's technically already done this; he just has a better view of his audience this time. Deep breaths. He's got this. He has Hitoshi right next to him for support. His sleepy emotional support troll doll. He quickly goes over his other speech, what he and Hitoshi spoke about, his movie rally inspo, and all-around gathers his thoughts. He takes one more steadying breath, making sure to make eye contact with a few people before looking at Vlad. The man gives him a nod to which he returns. He feels Hitoshi squeeze his wrist for a moment and the warmth of action calms him. So, he eventually clears his throat before opening his mouth to speak.