Midoriya had just taken a bite of his pork cutlet when he suddenly choked.
"Cough—! It's… spicy—!"
"How is pork cutlet spicy?" Uraraka frowned, picking up a piece with her chopsticks and inspecting it.
It didn't take long to spot the problem.
"…There's green sauce on the back?"
She dabbed a bit with her chopsticks and tasted it.
"Wasabi! That explains it."
The sharp heat rushed straight to her nose.
Beside them, Bakugo let out a short laugh.
"You really are hopeless, Deku. You didn't even notice something that obvious."
Midoriya kept eating, eyes watering slightly.
"Midoriya, that has wasabi in it. Why are you still eating it?" Uraraka reached out and caught his wrist before he could take another bite.
Midoriya paused, then spoke quietly.
"If I don't eat, I won't have the strength to train. If I can't train, I won't get into UA. If I don't get into UA, I can't become a hero…"
He hesitated for a moment, then continued.
"…and I'll just keep getting looked down on."
He gently pulled his hand free.
"So I need to eat."
He kept going, finishing the entire meal despite the wasabi.
When he was done, he slid off his seat and headed for the exit.
"Midoriya, where are you going?" Todoroki asked, setting down his chopsticks after finishing his soba.
Midoriya didn't answer. He just ran.
Todoroki stood immediately and followed.
"Oi, Half-and-Half!" Bakugo snapped, already getting to his feet. "Don't run off on your own—!"
He chased after them.
Back at the table, the rest of the class exchanged looks.
"…Are we still eating?"
"Or should we just keep watching the stream?"
"I'm already streaming," Hagakure's voice chimed in as she suddenly appeared. "Hurry up and join."
Almost instantly, everyone pulled out their phones.
Midoriya ran until he found a quiet place.
A small grove of trees, tucked away from the main paths.
He slowed to a stop and looked around.
"This one should work."
He stepped up to a young tree and placed a hand against its trunk.
"…Sorry."
Then he raised his fists.
"One, two—!"
His punches came fast and hard, striking the tree over and over. The thin trunk shook with each impact.
Hidden nearby, several figures watched in silence.
On the fourth floor, All Might stood by a window, looking down.
"He's been like this since he was little…"
Beside him, Aizawa watched with half-lidded eyes.
"…At least he's consistent."
Closer to the ground, Bakugo and Todoroki remained out of sight, observing.
Doesn't that hurt? Bakugo thought, watching Midoriya's hands strike again and again.
He's… serious about this, Todoroki noted.
Midoriya finally stopped, shaking out his hands. His knuckles were red.
"…It hurts."
He took a breath.
Then clenched his fists again.
"But that doesn't matter."
He stepped forward and resumed.
"Only if I'm strong enough can I help people. Only if I'm strong enough won't I hold anyone back."
His voice steadied as he kept striking.
"Even if I'm ordinary… even if I don't have a Quirk… that doesn't mean I can't be a hero."
His fists drove forward again and again.
"I'll get into UA. I will."
With one final punch, the tree snapped in half.
Midoriya staggered back, breathing hard.
"…I think I got stronger."
He blinked slowly, his focus fading.
"…Wait… that was a UA tree…"
The realization barely registered.
"…How much is that going to cost…?"
His vision blurred.
"…I'm tired…"
He sank down beside the broken stump, leaning against it.
Within moments, he fell asleep.
His breathing steadied, soft and even. His hair shifted slightly with each breath.
"…He's asleep," Bakugo muttered, clicking his tongue. "Idiot."
Todoroki stepped out from hiding and walked over.
"Midoriya," he said quietly. "You shouldn't sleep here. Let's move somewhere more comfortable."
He bent down and carefully lifted him into his arms.
"Hey! Half-and-half—!"