"Sensei ♡"
Bakugo greeted me with a smile again today. The gentleness in her voice was undeniable; it certainly wasn't an illusion.
"Kacchan’s new personality... I just can't get used to it..."
"Tell me about it... Is that even really Bakugo?"
The students of Class 1-A, now fully assembled for Homeroom, shared the same sentiment. The radical shift in Bakugo’s character was something none of them could rationally process.
"Tsugikuni..." Aizawa whispered to me from the side. "Why is Bakugo only polite to you?"
"I am unsure... perhaps because I rescued her from that harasser. I see no other reason..."
"If it's truly just that, it's quite the leap in logic."
"I agree..."
"Still... Sigh... If I find myself feeling relieved that a villain attack made her better-behaved, am I failing as a teacher?"
Aizawa seemed to be having a moral crisis about whether it was right to appreciate the results of Fuhrer Ugly’s Quirk. I swallowed a sigh. Honestly, before the gender flip, Bakugo’s personality was a feral disaster. She was a rabid Chihuahua in human form.
"Anyway," Aizawa cleared his throat. "Despite the unpleasant incident with the villains a few days ago, I am glad everyone has recovered and returned to school. However, stay sharp. The battle is far from over."
"Eh? No way..."
"Another villain attack?"
The class tensed, their expressions hardening until Aizawa dropped the next line.
"The UA Sports Festival is approaching."
"""FINALLY, SOMETHING ACTUALLY SCHOOL-LIKE!!!!!"""
While most cheered, a few looked concerned. Hanta Sero raised his hand.
"Wait a minute, Sensei. Is it really okay to hold a festival so soon after a villain attack?"
"On the contrary, Hanta-kun!" Iida stood up, gesturing wildly. "By holding this event, UA demonstrates to the world that we do not fear villains and we will not be broken! It shows that our crisis management system is robust enough to carry on!"
"Correct. Iida’s logic is rational," Aizawa noted. "The security budget for this year is five times larger than the previous one. We will have professional heroes from all over the country joining the defensive line. Besides, the UA Sports Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It's not something that can be canceled over mere villains."
In the era before Quirks, the world obsessed over the Olympics. But as "Metahuman" abilities began to transcend the limits of normal humans, the traditional games lost their meaning. Heteromorphs, Emitters, and Enhancers rendered physical competition between "average" humans obsolete. The Olympics became a relic of history.
Now, in Japan, the UA Sports Festival has taken that place. It is broadcast nationally, and every Pro Hero agency in the country watches it for scouting purposes. For students, it is the most efficient path to securing a sidekick position after graduation.
"Securing a spot in a top agency is advantageous for both experience and fame," Aizawa continued. "Time is finite. Being scouted by a top Pro will widen your future immensely. You only get three chances in your entire high school life. If you aim to be a Pro, do not let this slip away. Give it your all. PLUS ULTRA! Go beyond!"
"""YES, SIR!!!"""
The competitive fire was ignited in every student.
I suppose it’s time for me to prepare as well, I thought. The transfer of Breathing techniques.
I had recently informed Principal Nezu that Kimetsu Village had established a formal education center—Kimetsu Academy—to preserve the legacy of Breathing. I arranged a meeting between Nezu and Kagaya Ubuyashiki. At first, Nezu was skeptical. He wondered if ancient swordsmanship could truly compete with modern Pro Heroes and high-tier Quirks.
Unfortunately, many of the Hashira in the village were technically Quirkless or possessed Quirks deemed "unremarkable" by society. The prejudice was real. However, after a demonstration spar where Gyomei Himejima—the user of Stone Breathing—effortlessly suppressed three Pro Hero faculty members at once, Nezu’s attitude changed instantly.
A sister-school pact was signed. Master swordsmen would be invited to UA as guest lecturers to teach talented students during PE and after-school hours. In exchange, UA would provide logistical support and faculty from the Support and Management courses to the newly founded Kimetsu Academy.
The first group of swordsmen to arrive at UA consisted of Sanemi, Kyojuro, Giyu, and Gyomei.
"Greetings! I am Kyojuro Rengoku! I have been invited to pass on the techniques of Flame Breathing to you all!"
"I am Giyu Tomioka... Stand up, even if it is difficult. To give up is to reach the end."
"Tch... I wouldn't be here if the Master hadn't ordered it. Sanemi Shinazugawa."
"Ah... what piteous children. Truly, Quirks are not everything. Namu Amida Butsu..."
"Those with a talent for Breathing... shall receive specialized training," I announced. "Step forward."
I utilized the Transparent World to scan the class for elemental affinity. To my surprise, Midoriya possessed an affinity for Sun Breathing. Katsuki had an aptitude for Flame. Kirishima was suited for Stone. Iida for Wind. Todoroki... Todoroki was a rare case, possessing talent for both Flame and Water Breathing.
Impressive. Is it because of the 'Half-Cold Half-Hot' Quirk? To have talent for two core styles at once is a first for me.
"Now, we begin the Total Concentration training. Midoriya..."
"Yes, Tsugikuni-sensei?"
"You are... exempt from the group session. Your path is specialized. You shall meet me after school for a private lesson."
Midoriya’s "Sun Breathing" was too unique; he needed the direct guidance of Yoriichi, the only one capable of teaching the progenitor style properly. The other four were confused but accepted the special arrangement. Midoriya really was like Tanjiro—a natural-born heir to a legacy he didn't yet understand.
"Hah... hah..."
"I... I’m dying..."
"Ugh... how can breathing be this painful...?"
"I... I have to stand up... like a man!"
The four students (excluding Midoriya) were currently drenched in sweat, practically kissing the dirt. From a distance, Momo and Himiko watched them with sympathetic eyes. They had already mastered the "Constant" state but were still undergoing their own high-intensity drills.
"Umu! Umu! They have quite a lot of passion!" Kyojuro shouted. "And their talent is exceptional!"
"Indeed... they could reach the level of a Pillar after graduation..." Giyu added.
"Hah! They’re still whining over this much? Pitiful!" Sanemi barked.
"Ah... to see them struggle to stand and refuse to give up... how heartrending and admirable." Gyomei wept.
It seemed the Hashira had taken a liking to the quartet.
"Midoriya... report to the faculty room after school. The rest of you... the lesson is concluded."
"""Thank you for the lesson!"""
As the students prepared to head to the locker rooms...
"Ah..."
Katsuki swayed on her feet, her legs giving out from the sheer physical toll of the breathing exercises. I lunged forward, catching her before she hit the ground.
"Are you unharmed?"
"Eh?! O-Oh... yeah... (////////)"
Her face turned bright red instantly. Concerned that she had overextended herself, I used the Transparent World to check her vitals. Everything was physically stable, though her heart rate was skyrocketing.
"You have... pushed yourself too hard. My apologies."
"H-Hey!"
I lifted Katsuki into a bridal carry and began walking toward the infirmary. She let out a small, high-pitched squeak. I looked down, wondering if that sound truly came from Bakugo. Her face was now a deeper shade of crimson than a ripe tomato.
"This is... so embarrassing..." she muttered.
I heard her clearly, but I chose to ignore it for her sake.
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