An hour later, I stood behind the podium with Nezu beside me and Aizawa slightly off to the side. The room was packed with reporters, cameras flashing.

My phone buzzed.

Checking the screen, I saw it was a message from Mirko.

Attached was a meme.

It was an image of a rabbit standing on its hind legs with a steel bat photoshopped into its paws. The caption?

"Ryuu when he sees a villain breathe wrong."

I sent back ten rolling-on-the-floor laughing emojis, then immediately retaliated.

I scrolled through my meme folder, found the perfect one, and fired back.

A photoshopped image of Mirko drop-kicking a villain so hard he turned into a firework, launching into space.

Caption?

"Pro hero solution to all problems: Apply direct violence."

Mirko read it, then sent a single thumbs-up emoji.

Oh, so she wanted war?

I immediately went for the nuclear option—a meme of a buff rabbit flexing with Mirko’s face edited onto it, labeled ‘The Reason Your Dad Left.’

I could almost hear her laughing through the phone.

Aizawa poked me, hard. “Anything funny?” I looked at the room, grinning. “A lot.” He wasn’t entertained. Tough crowd.

Nezu stepped forward. "Thank you all for coming. As you know, one of our students, Ryuu Midoriya, was involved in the incident in Hosu. Today, he will address the public and clarify his actions."

He stepped aside, and I took a deep breath before stepping up to the mic.

I clasped my hands together. "First off, I would like to apologize to my Mom, U.A., my mentors, Mirko and Ryukyu, and the Hero Commission for acting without clearance. It was irresponsible, reckless, and not a decision I should have made as a student."

One of the reporters raised a hand. "Midoriya, why did you intervene?"

I gave a rehearsed nod. "I was heading back to my agency when I encountered Stain. Given the situation, I felt I had no choice but to engage in order to prevent further casualties."

Another reporter spoke up. "You are being called a vigilante. How do you respond to that?"

I kept my face neutral. "I am not a vigilante. I am a hero student who acted in the heat of the moment. In hindsight, I should have waited for licensed heroes to handle it."

Someone else called out. "Do you regret what you did?"

I stared at them for a second. "I regret that my actions caused trouble for my school and agency. I should have exercised more caution."

Another voice rang out. "What do you think about Stain's ideology? Many believe he has a point about corrupt heroes."

I kept my voice steady. "Heroes are people. Some are good, some are bad, but generalizing them all under one ideology ignores the reality of how the system works. Stain believed in an ideal that does not exist. Even flawed heroes still save lives."

One of the more aggressive reporters leaned in. "But aren’t you proof that a student can do what pros failed to? Doesn’t that expose weaknesses in our current system?"

I smiled. "I think what it proves is that, regardless of rank or title, people step up when they need to. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore the experience and training professionals bring. I was lucky. That is not something to depend on."

Then the press went for blood.

One of them leaned forward, smirking like they had something. "What about your speech and vulgar language? Many are concerned about how you represent yourself as a future hero."

I bit down the first thing that came to mind and kept the polite act going. "I understand the concerns. In the heat of the moment, my words were not as professional as they should have been. Moving forward, I will strive to uphold the image expected of a hero."

"Do you think your excessive force was justified?" Another reporter fired immediately. "Some say you went beyond necessary measures."

I didn't even blink. "Stain is a murderer with enhanced physical abilities. I used the force required to subdue him without prolonging the fight and increasing risks. The alternative was dragging it out and allowing him more opportunities to injure civilians or heroes."

"Still, do you think your words during the fight were appropriate?" Someone else cut in. "You mocked and humiliated him."

"Stain is an extremist who believes anyone outside of his personal standards should die. I wasn't going to debate philosophy with a serial killer. My priority was stopping him before he hurt someone else."

"Is that why you kept attacking even after he was weakened?"

I turned my head slightly. "Do you have experience fighting high-level threats?"

The reporter faltered. "That’s not—"

"Because I do," I continued. "And I know that someone like Stain can’t be taken lightly just because he looks winded. You stop the threat completely. Hesitation is what gets people killed."

Someone near the front pushed forward. "Your choosen hero name—Wild Card. Why that name? Do you consider yourself unpredictable?"

I kept my face neutral. "The name represents versatility. Every fight is different. The situation changes, and a hero has to adapt. I’m not here to fit into a mold. I’ll do whatever it takes to win and protect people."

"Would you say that makes you dangerous?"

"Heroes are supposed to be dangerous—to the ones who threaten innocent."

A few murmurs ran through the crowd before another reporter stepped up. "Do you think your actions will influence other students to take matters into their own hands?"

I thought of the practiced answers. "My actions were situational. I’m not telling anyone to go out and fight without training or authorization. I was caught in a fight, and I finished it. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Many are calling you a vigilante. How do you respond?"

"I already answered that. I am not a vigilante. I am a hero in training, and I acted to protect people."

Another one chimed in, voice sharp. "But do you acknowledge that you broke regulations?"

I nodded. "I acknowledge that stepping in without clearance was a violation of protocol, which is why I’m here taking accountability. However, in that moment, my priority was stopping a killer before he could take more lives."

The reporter wasn't satisfied. "So you admit you broke the rules, but you still believe you were right?"

I exhaled through my nose. "I believe that sometimes, the situation doesn't wait for permission. I made a choice, and I stand by it."

"Do you think the Hero Commission should adjust their policies on intervention?"

Nezu finally cut in, smiling. "The Hero Commission continually evaluates policies to ensure the best outcomes for public safety. That is a discussion for them to have. For now, Midoriya has given his statement, and we appreciate your time."

The press conference ended soon after. Aizawa and I left together, and once we were in the hallway, he shot me a look. "You almost snapped."

"Almost," I admitted.

"Next time, don’t let them push you into a corner."

"Next time, let me have a bat."

He sighed. "Go back home."

I did.

I flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. My phone was already buzzing.

I groaned, grabbing it.

[Class Group Chat – 1A Bunch of Idiots]

Kaminari: Bro you actually sounded mature for once.

Me: Yeah, felt like throwing up.

Jiro: You really held back on the insults, huh?

Me: Wasn't easy.

Bakugo: Should’ve just told 'em all to fuck off.

Me: Yeah, that would go great with my whole “not a menace” angle.

Todoroki: You handled it well.

Me: Thanks. Sucked ass, though.

Yaoyorozu: At least you didn’t dig yourself deeper.

Me: Yet.

Sero: Dude, people are still debating your hero name.

I frowned, scrolling up. What now?

Sero: Half the internet loves it. The other half thinks you should’ve gone with something cooler.

Me: Like what?

Sero: Phantom Blade, Midnight Striker, Chaos Vanguard—

Me: Okay, first off, those sound like bad RPG names. Second, Wild Card is easy to remember.

Kirishima: Nah, it fits you. Never know what you’re gonna do next.

Tsuyu: And it sounds cool.

Me: Exactly.

Mina: Anyway, what’s your punishment?

Me: U.A. put me on probation. No punching people for a while.

Mina: Boring.

Me: Tell me about it.

Izuku: At least you’re not in worse trouble.

Me: Eh, give it time.

Iida: Even though I do not approve of your reckless actions, I will admit that your composure during the press conference was admirable.

Me: Wow, thanks, mom.

Iida: Do not call me that.

I smirked, tossing my phone onto my pillow. Then grabbed it back.

I scrolled through my contacts and decided it was time for chaos.

I sent Ryukyu a meme—nothing too bad, just a dragon looking extremely done with life, surrounded by tiny chaotic gremlins labeled ‘UA Interns.’

No reply.

I waited five minutes, then sent another.

This time, it was a tired-looking dragon sipping tea with the caption: ‘When your entire hero agency is a daycare.’

Still nothing.

I sighed, leaning back on my bed. "Damn. Left on read again."

I glanced at my previous texts. Yep. All meme attempts had been completely ignored.

At this point, I was just sending them for my own amusement.

Or maybe she had notifications muted.

Or maybe she was mentally blocking my existence.

Either way, I respected it.

When I arrived at class the next day, I noticed the little perv was down.

"Why is Mineta having a meltdown since yesterday?" I asked, looking around.

Shoji smacked him on the head, but then his hand got stuck to Mineta’s hair. He yanked, but Mineta yelped, grabbing onto his wrist. Shoji clicked his tongue and tried to shake him off.

Mina laughed. "He picked Mt. Lady, and she’s been running him ragged with chores. Poor guy had big dreams."

"Of what? Drowning in boob sweat?" Jiro asked, flicking Mineta’s forehead.

"Yes!" Mineta wailed, still clinging to Shoji’s wrist. "But instead, she made me do her chores! All except laundry."

"Yep, that is enough Mineta for the day. If I stay any longer, I might actually punt him into next week." I got up and stretched. “Alright, I’m out. Locker rooms.”

The others started moving too. We had another training exercise coming up—some kind of Rescue Training Race with All Might running the show.

Kirishima nudged Kaminari. “You think it’s gonna be a full-on obstacle course, or just speed and efficiency?”

Kaminari shrugged. “All Might’s handling it, so probably something crazy.”

Bakugo scoffed. “Tch. Doesn’t matter. I’ll win.”

Jiro side-eyed him. “You keep saying that, but somehow, you never actually win these.”

Bakugo’s eye twitched. “The fuck did you say?”

Sero grinned. “She’s right, man. You’re, like, top five at best.”

Bakugo’s hands sparked. “Say that again, Tape Dispenser.”

Todoroki walked past. “I think he said you don’t win.”

Bakugo lunged, and I stepped aside, letting him chase Sero while the rest of us made our way to change.

Once in the locker room, we got our gear on. The chatter was mostly just guesses about what All Might had planned. I tuned most of it out. If he was running this, we were probably in for something flashy.

We stepped out onto the training field, where All Might stood waiting with his usual over-the-top energy. “Young heroes! Today’s exercise will test not only your speed, but your decision-making under pressure!”

Iida raised his hand. “Why are we not using the U.S.J. facility for this?”

All Might gestured toward the towering maze of pipes, platforms, and heavy machinery surrounding them. “Because this is not just about rescuing—it is about speed, efficiency, and adapting to unpredictable terrain! Ground Gamma is the perfect setting!”

Bakugo scoffed. “Tch. What’s the point? I’m going to carve my path through.”

All Might pointed at him. “Young Bakugo, please try not to destroy the area. That goes for everyone.” He dropped his hand. “But mostly Bakugo.”

Bakugo clicked his tongue, but before he could mouth off, All Might continued. “The rules are simple: I will send out a distress signal. Your goal is to locate me first. You will be divided into groups of five, using everything you have learned from your internships to navigate the terrain and rescue me. Understood?”

Everyone nodded.

All Might clapped his hands together. He looked around before calling out the teams. “Team One: Yaoyorozu, Mineta, Shoji, Sato, and Kaminari! Team Two: Todoroki, Kirishima, Tokoyami, Ashido, and Aoyama! Team Three: Midoriya, Iida, Jiro, Ojiro, and Hagakure! Team Four: Bakugo, Uraraka, Asui, Sero, and Midoriya!”

I frowned. “Wait, which Midoriya?”

All Might blinked. “Oh! Wild Card Midoriya in Team Four!”

I groaned. “Just say my first name.”

He laughed it off. “Details, details! Now then, let me explain the setup—”

After he started talking about the exercise, he motioned for me to step aside. I walked over, hands in my pockets. “Yes, Sensei?”

All Might lowered his voice. “Are you feeling alright?”

“I am fantastic. Why?”

“You just got back from that whole… incident,” he said. “And now you are in the spotlight. I wanted to check in.”

I waved a hand. “I already survived a press conference, Commission's scheming, and my mom’s wrath. This is nothing.”

He hummed. “Well, just keep in mind, the more attention you get, the more people will be watching you. Be careful how you move from now on.”

“Cool, I will try not to piss off the government again.”

“That would be ideal,” he said, then clapped my shoulder. “Alright, back in line! Let us get this started!”

---

Ryuu: releasing his inner power

“You thought I was just writing comedy?
You’ve seen nothing.

This isn’t even my Bankai.”

Pulls out a keyboard longer than Ichigo’s sword.

“Hollowfication begins the second you skip that vote.”

Vote now… or face the Arrancar of guilt.