[55] All the World’s a Stage

May 9, 2226

Principal Nezu's office was a study in controlled chaos. Books and papers covered every surface, yet somehow maintained an underlying order, like the workings of the principal's brilliant mind laid bare. Rays of afternoon sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting strange shadows across the organized clutter.

"Tea, Midoriya-kun?" Nezu's paw moved with surprising dexterity as he poured steaming liquid into an ornate cup.

"Thank you, sir." I accepted the delicate porcelain, noting the complex pattern of mathematical equations etched around its rim. Everything here has layers of meaning.

"First, I must apologize." Nezu settled into his oversized chair, tail curling around the armrest. "In the aftermath of the USJ incident, certain matters slipped through the cracks. Your heroism that day deserves recognition."

I shifted in my seat. "Sir, I was just—"

"Doing what needed to be done?" His beady eyes gleamed with intelligence. "Perhaps. But taking on a Nomu specifically engineered to fight All Might, while protecting your injured teacher and classmates? That goes beyond mere duty."

The tea's aromatic steam carried hints of jasmine and something sharper - ginger maybe? I took a careful sip to avoid responding immediately.

"However," Nezu continued, "that's not why I called you here today. Though the timing is... fortuitous."

He produced a small envelope from beneath a stack of papers, sliding it across his desk.

"As the highest-scoring entrant in UA's history, it falls to you to deliver the student pledge at next week's Sports Festival."

The tea caught in my throat. 

"The... student pledge?"

"Indeed." Nezu's whiskers twitched in what might have been amusement. "The opening ceremony takes place next Tuesday. I've included two VIP tickets for your family - your mother and...?"

"Probably Auntie Mitsuki." The words came automatically while my mind raced through implications. A speech. In front of the entire school. Plus thousands of spectators and pro heroes.

"Excellent choice." He paused, head tilting slightly. "Though I understand your relationship with young Bakugo is... complex."

I met his gaze steadily. "Our past is complicated. But we're both focused on becoming heroes now."

"Hmm." Nezu took a long sip of tea, studying me over the rim of his cup. "And what kind of hero do you plan to become, Midoriya-kun?"

The question hit harder than it should have. All Might's offer of One For All lingered in the back of my mind, an unopened door of possibility.

"One who protects those who need protecting," I said finally. "With or without a quirk."

"Interesting choice of words." Nezu set his cup down with surgical precision. "'With or without.' Still undecided about All Might's proposition?"

I stiffened. "You know about that?"

"I know many things, Midoriya-kun. It's rather the point of being principal." His smile revealed too many teeth. "Though I must admit, you've given us all quite a lot to think about."

"Sir?"

"A quirkless student outperforming every quirk-user in the entrance exam. Surviving a villain attack through pure skill and determination. Making us question our assumptions about what's truly possible." He gestured at the chaos of papers surrounding us. "Do you know what most of these are?"

I shook my head.

"Research proposals. Policy reviews. Curriculum adjustments. All sparked by your achievements." He leaned forward, paws folded neatly on his desk. "You've started something, Midoriya-kun. The question is - what will you do next?"

The weight of expectation pressed against my chest. "I don't know yet. But whatever I choose, it will be because it's right for me."

"Well said." Nezu's tail swished approvingly. "Though you might want to work that sentiment into your speech. The audience appreciates authenticity."

Right. The speech.

"Any guidelines I should know about?"

"Keep it under five minutes. Inspire confidence in UA's values. Perhaps touch on recent events without dwelling on them." His whiskers twitched again. "Beyond that, I trust your judgment."

Three days to write a speech that will set the tone for the entire Sports Festival. No pressure.

"Thank you for the opportunity, sir." I stood, tucking the envelope carefully into my jacket pocket. "And the tea."

"One more thing, Midoriya-kun." Nezu's voice stopped me at the door. "Whatever you decide regarding All Might's offer... know that you've already proven yourself worthy of being here. The question isn't whether you need a quirk to be a hero. You've answered that quite definitively."

I turned back. "Then what is the question?"

"What kind of example do you want to set?" His eyes glittered with that unsettling intelligence. "After all, you're not just fighting for yourself anymore."

The words followed me out of his office, echoing in my head as I made my way through UA's halls. What kind of example do I want to set?

My phone buzzed - a message from Camie.

[Babe, you done with the mystery meeting? Momo's stressing about last minute preparations 😅]

I smiled despite myself, typing back: [On my way. Got news.]

[Good news or 'we need to plan for disaster' news?]

[Both? I'll explain when I get there.]

[Ominous 👀 See you soon!]

Sliding my phone away, I touched the envelope in my pocket. Two VIP tickets. And three days to figure out what message I wanted to send to the world.

No pressure at all.

The walk to Gym Gamma seemed longer than usual, my mind already drafting and discarding opening lines. How do you inspire an entire generation in under five minutes?

More importantly - how do you do it while still wrestling with your own path forward?

"Whatever you decide..." Nezu's words lingered. "You've already proven yourself worthy."

But worthy of what? Of being a hero? Of All Might's power? Of the responsibility of speaking for every person who dreamed of something more?

I stepped into the gym, already reaching for my training weights. After all, actions spoke louder than words.

And I had a lot to say.

===

May 13, 2226 - Day of the sports festival

The morning sun cast long shadows across UA's stadium grounds as camera crews jostled for position. News vans lined the perimeter, their satellite dishes reaching skyward like mechanical flowers seeking light. The air crackled with the static of dozens of microphones being tested simultaneously.

"Coming to you live from UA High School," a reporter from Hero News Network adjusted her earpiece, "where unprecedented security measures are in place following the USJ incident. This year's Sports Festival has drawn record media attention, particularly focused on the now-famous Class 1-A."

Across the grounds, her rival from Hero Entertainment Daily was already mid-broadcast: "Sources say several students fought off multiple villains during the attack. The question on everyone's mind: Will these first-years live up to the hype?"

Inside the stadium's media room, Takeshi "Hot Take" Tanaka shuffled through his statistical printouts while his co-host, Matsuda "Mad Dog" Kenji, paced the floor.

"Numbers don't lie," Takeshi muttered, highlighting another data point. "Class 1-A's entrance exam scores were twenty percent higher than last year's average."

"Numbers?" Matsuda's signature laugh echoed off the walls. "Am I hearing this right? Am I? These kids stared down death and kept fighting! That's what the people want to see!"

"Statistical anomaly. Small sample size."

"Small sample- They fought a Nomu!"

Outside the main gates, Mt. Lady batted her eyes at a food vendor. "You wouldn't charge a hard-working hero for keeping everyone safe, would you?"

"Of course! Anything for you Mt. Lady!"

Nearby, Kamui Woods scanned the growing crowd. "That green-haired kid from the beach is competing today."

"Ooh, the hunky one?" Mt. Lady perked up. "Think he'd want an internship with a gorgeous pro hero?"

"I was thinking more about his tactical potential and work ethic."

"Boring!"

In the stands, Ryukyu finished taking pictures with fans while Mirko slouched deeper into her seat.

"Why are we even here? There's actual hero work to do."

"Because," Ryukyu smiled for another photo of the gathering crowd, "these students fought off a coordinated villain attack. They might make excellent intern candidates."

Mirko's foot tapped an impatient rhythm. "They're still brats."

"Care to make it interesting?" Ryukyu lowered her voice. "If one of them impress you, you will cover my night patrol shifts next week."

"And when I win?"

"If you win - I will buy you that world famous carrot cake from France."

"Deal." Mirko grinned. "Easy money."

In the civilian VIP section, Inko Midoriya and Mitsuki Bakugo found their seats next to a striking young woman flanked by two sharp-suited men. Her snow-white hair cascaded over one shoulder, perfectly styled despite the morning breeze. A subtle designer logo adorned her blazer - Kenzo Limited's latest collection.

"Miyabi Kenzo," she introduced herself. "A pleasure to sit with you both."

"Oh!" Inko's eyes widened. "From the Kenzo fashion group?"

"My father's company," Miyabi corrected gently. "I'm here scouting potential hero ambassadors for our brand."

"My Katsuki would look great on billboards," Mitsuki declared.

"Perhaps." Miyabi's smile never wavered. "Though I'm particularly interested in Class 1-A's wonder kid. Such an... unusual specimen."

Something in her tone made Inko shift slightly closer to Mitsuki.

The stadium speakers crackled to life with Present Mic's voice: "ARE YOU READY?!"

Back outside, Mt. Lady had somehow acquired a fourth serving of takoyaki. "Think the beach hunk will show off those muscles during the events?"

"This is a serious competition," Kamui Woods muttered.

"Exactly! Serious eye candy."

"That's not what I- never mind."

In the stands, Mirko stretched lazily. "Wake me if anything interesting happens."

"Oh? Afraid you might lose our bet?"

"As if. They're just kids playing at being heroes."

"We'll see."

Miyabi's perfectly manicured fingers drummed against the armrest of her seat. Her guards remained motionless, but their eyes constantly scanned the crowd. The morning sun caught something metallic beneath their suit jackets.

"Such potential," she murmured, almost to herself. 

Mitsuki shot Inko a look. Rich people are weird.

Inko nodded slightly. Very weird.

The stadium lights blazed to full brightness as Present Mic's voice boomed: "WELCOME TO THE UA SPORTS FESTIVAL!"

Across Japan, millions of viewers leaned toward their screens. In hidden bases and secret lairs, villains analyzed potential threats. In agency offices, pros evaluated future sidekicks. In homes and shops and public squares, ordinary citizens gathered to watch extraordinary students compete.

But all eyes turned to the tunnel where Class 1-A would soon emerge. The class that had faced real villains. The class that had survived the USJ incident.

The most watched, most analyzed, most anticipated group of first-years in UA history.

What kind of heroes would emerge from this crucible of competition?

What kind of legends would be born?

The answers were moments away.

The future was about to unfold.

The UA Sports Festival had begun.

And nothing would ever be the same.