"... Um ..." Midoriya's eyes darted around the room like a trapped animal looking for an escape route.
I kept my expression neutral, though they wouldn't be able to see it behind the mask. Midoriya on the other hand, could definitely feel my unwavering gaze on him. While I noticed All Might's expression change from my side view. Why was I asking?
Two reasons really. One, it was necessary for what I wanted to do next.
Two, it was too obvious not to. Deku's blatant remark easily exposed that he knew All Might's situation.
It was only the second day of U.A school year.
Technically speaking, today was supposed to be the first time Class 1A interacted with All Might. Of course I knew why, but that didn't mean I was going to be quiet about it. This was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the kind of analytical thinking that would be expected from someone with my supposed intelligence level.
Plus, it would help establish my credibility for future situations where I might need to "deduce" things I already knew.
"It's a simple question, Deku," I said, closing the book and giving him my full attention. "Cat got your tongue? Or is there something deeper to it that's inappropriate to know about ?"
"Um ... No it's just .."
'Oh crap. What do I say?'
'Oh crap. I didn't expect this.'
Activating Meta Eye yet, their respective thoughts were audible for translation. To be honest, the brainwave reading power wasn't of much use as I expected it to be, though that might be a bit too quick a judgement. After all, I just got this power today.
"I .. found out yesterday ..."
"Oh." I raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Um, yeah. Of course."
"I see. That makes sense ..."
PHEW!
They both let out a relieved sigh.
'That was close. I didn't think Ken-kun would accept that ...'
"... Or it would, if I didn't see All Might watching Mr Aizawa's quirk examination test yesterday. He was watching for quite a while, and I'm pretty sure I heard him mutter your name in worry when things weren't looking good for you ..."
".."
They both froze, looking stiffer than Iida did on a rant about proper behavior expected from young heroes.
"The school year just started. I personally, can't think of any situation in which you would meet All Might in this state while in school, so it can't be today or yesterday. Meaning you've known it for a long time now." All Might and Midoriya exchanged a quick glance - the kind of look that screamed 'we have a secret and we're panicking about it.'
Recovery girl just watched our dynamic with interest, not bothering to interrupt.
"I... well... you see..."
"It's ok young Midoriya." All Might cut in before Deku could say something he shouldn't.
"There's no point in hiding it .." Then he turned to me. "I met young Midoriya a long time ago. Well, come to think of it, it was the same day I met you during that villain incident."
"Oh." I blinked. "Let me take a guess. All Might has been mentoring you somehow. That's why he was at our assessment exam - not just as a new teacher, but because he was keeping an eye on your progress specifically."
My analytic tone was well maintained. Well, I hoped it was.
"That explains why you looked half dead in that alley all those months ago. You were training with All Might, weren't you?"
I said to Midoriya.
"Makes sense really. Both of your quirks do look alike. They're both enhancement types, which would explain why your quirk has such similar destructive effects to his. But your body isn't strong enough to withstand its power, hence the training."
They both went rigid ... Again.
I, enjoying their natural reactions, refused to stop.
"Hold on ..."
My expression turned weird as I looked at them. "You're not ... His Illegitimate child, are you?"
"WHAT! OF COURSE NOT! WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT?"
Midoriya yelled, face turning bright red. While All Might just deadpanned.
I shrugged. "Well, something doesn't add up. How can your quirks look so similar if you're not related? Something doesn't add up."
"Alright, that's enough questioning for one day." Recovery Girl finally cut in.
"This is neither the time nor the place for detective work. Toshinori needs rest, and we still have other students to check on."
"Of course," I agreed, standing up from my chair. "I was just curious about how long this has been going on. It's actually reassuring to know All Might has been preparing students like Midoriya for hero work. Shows he takes mentorship seriously."
"Something like that," All Might said carefully. "Young Midoriya and I aren't related in any way. But his potential was undeniable. I felt it would be a waste to see such a young man denied his dream so I've been... advising him on how to properly harness his power."
He paused, looking at his hands. "After all, I can't be the symbol of peace forever. Which is why I came to U.A, to impart everything I know about being a hero onto the next generation."
"Hmph."
Recovery girl snorted.
"If you keep overexerting yourself, you won't live long enough to see it. Honestly, Toshinori, how many times do I have to patch up the same injury before you learn restraint?"
All Might wilted under her scolding, forcing out a weak chuckle. "You wound me, old friend."
"I'll do more than that if you try to stand up again," she snapped, pointing a scalpel at him like it was a weapon.
The Symbol of Peace—feared by villains, revered by the world—lay cowed beneath the fury of a wrinkled healer.
'I should've brought a camera.'
Midoriya's lips twitched, torn between worry and amusement.
His gaze went to All Might's injury at the ribs, looking even more disgusting than it previously was.
"Is he going to be ok?"
"Frankly, physically he shouldn't have too many problems. Though that's in his normal for. I can't say the same otherwise."
"Huh?"
I raised an eyebrow, acting oblivious.
"Oh right. I haven't explained yet." All Might uttered.
"I was injured years ago by a powerful enemy. That's how I got this scar right here ..." He gestured to the wound at the side. "It took my whole stomach. That said I'm now limited to only three hours of hero work a day. No, actually ...."
His expression grew grim.
"I think that fight with NOMU shortened my time limit."
"NOMU?" Midoriya asked confused.
"It's the enemy I fought, Young Midoriya."
"What happened?"
The healing process took about twenty minutes. Recovery Girl's quirk was fascinating to watch through Meta Eye—she was essentially accelerating his natural healing processes, but the energy cost was significant. All Might looked exhausted by the time she finished. "There," she said, wiping her hands. "You'll live. But you need rest, proper nutrition, and no strenuous activity for at least forty-eight hours."
"But the students—"
"Will be handled by the other faculty members, who are perfectly capable of doing their jobs without you hovering over them."
Then, she turned her attention to me after patching both of them up. "No broken bones. No Injuries, not even bruises. .." Examining, she nodded in satisfaction at seeing my perfectly uninjured body.
Thank you Infinity.
"That's good to know. Young Takumi ..." All Might began. "You should probably head back to your classmates. They'll be worried."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No. I ..."
A knock at the door interrupted the argument.
"Come in," Recovery Girl called out.
The door opened to reveal Principal Nezu, his small form moving with purpose, followed by a tall man in a trench coat who looked like he'd stepped out of a detective novel.
"Principal Nezu," All Might said, attempting to sit up before Recovery Girl's glare pinned him back down.
"Toshinori," Nezu replied with a nod, then turned his attention to the rest of us. "Students. I hope you're both recovering well from today's events."
"We're fine, sir," I replied. "Just getting checked over."
The man in the trench coat stepped forward. "I'm Detective Tsukauchi from the police. I'll need statements from everyone involved in today's incident, but that can wait until later."
"How are the students?" All Might asked immediately, his voice tight with concern. "Have you found the missing ones?"
Nezu's expression softened slightly. "That's actually why I'm here, Toshinori. The students have been found and are being transported back by authorities as we speak."
The relief in the room was palpable. All Might's shoulders sagged, and I saw Midoriya close his eyes with obvious gratitude.
"Thank goodness," All Might breathed. "Are they injured? What happened to them?"
"Physically, they're unharmed beyond some scrapes and exhaustion," Nezu said carefully. "However, they may need counseling when they return. They were exposed to some traumatizing scenes."
"Traumatizing how?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
"According to the preliminary reports, all the villains at their location were eliminated by an unknown assailant. The students witnessed the entire event."
Detective Tsukauchi consulted his notebook. "Twenty-three confirmed casualties, including the two leaders. The students described systematic elimination of all threats by what they called a 'shadow entity.'"
"All of them?" All Might's voice was quiet. "The villains are... dead?"
"Every single one," Nezu confirmed. "The students are in shock, but considering what could have happened to them as hostages, we're grateful they're alive and unharmed."
"As am I," All Might said softly.
Nezu's attention shifted to Recovery Girl. "Speaking of wellbeing, how is our Symbol of Peace faring?"
"He'll live," Recovery Girl said curtly. "Broken ribs, internal bleeding, severe quirk overuse. The usual stupidity." She shot All Might a pointed look. "I've healed him up, Though he needs complete rest for at least forty-eight hours."
"I'm grateful he received such excellent care," Nezu said diplomatically, then turned to me. "And I understand we have you to thank for ensuring he received it, Young Takumi."
All Might nodded from his bed. "Young Takumi saved my life today. If he hadn't intervened when he did, I wouldn't be here."
Detective Tsukauchi looked at me with interest. "Could you walk us through what happened?"
"I used my quirk nullification rods to disable the creature's abilities temporarily," I explained. "That allowed All Might to damage it properly. When he collapsed afterward, I helped get him to safety and brought him here."
"Remarkable quick thinking," Nezu observed. "Though I must ask, as principal, that you keep what you've witnessed regarding All Might's condition confidential. The social upheaval that would result if this information became public would be dire..."
"No problem."
"Wonderful. Well, your injuries are fixed up, you two kids run along now. Your classmates will be here soon, and I'm sure you'll all have a lot to talk about. We'll need All Might's help to help with the investigation."
I took a breath and looked directly at the principal. "Actually, sir, it's fortunate you're here. I was planning to come find you after this."
"Oh?" Nezu's ears perked up with interest. "About what?"
"About my missing ten years," I said seriously. "I remember what happened during that time period now."
___
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