Chapter 1: The Assignment

"So boring" Mina thought as Aizawa-sensei continued his wrap up of the day's lessons. Perhaps it was because it was the end of the first day where they had moved into the dorms and compared to which most things had seemed so usual by comparison. Perhaps it had been the sudden, and very welcome, announcement that they were being submitted for the next probationary hero licence test, but then with the immediate follow up that this was almost 2 months away and so now was the time for preparation, as always, that had created a sense of failed expectations for Mina. Whatever the reason she just couldn't wait for some exciting to actually happen. Like the dismissal of class for the day.

"And finally, I will be handing out your assignment project for this next month" Aizawa's voice came back into focus within Mina's mind. "Wait, what? Assignment?!" resisting the urge to make it public, for fear of Aizawa, she groaned internally. Assignments were basic school work dragged out over time. "Way to ruin the day!" she thought as Aizawa took out a stack of envelopes and began sorting them

"These assignments are going to be partner focused. For the most part you will get to choose your partners, with some limitations. The underlying concept I want you to bear in mind is maintaining a working relationship with pros from other agencies. Just as with your first battles All Might supervised there will be instances where you need to create make-shift alliances where you can. Realistically these will be ongoing relationships however which is why I am letting you pick your partners now and get some preparation time." he continued in dreary monotone. By now he had finished sorting the stacks of envelopes into 4 stacks of 5.

"Take the one with your name on it and pass the others back" he instructed as he passed them to each of the front most sitting students. "Inside you will find the details of your assignments. They are unique. You will also find a list of people I am not going to allow you to partner with. for the most part these are your closest friends and people with whom I have already seen substantial teamwork. You can open it as soon as you get it." No sooner had he said it than most students tore into theirs with fixed curiosity.

"One hint I will give you that if you are wise you will carry with you to your pro days. Quid pro quo. You want to pick people suited for your assignment, just remember the reverse is also true." with that he zipped up his trusty sleeping bag, which the class took to mean; have at it.

Mina looked at her own assignment. It had a physical test to be carried out and an exam. The test detailed interrupting a robbery and apprehending the villains. The test would include the specific effects varying potency's of acid would have on various types of services. Beneath that there was a list of several classmates she was apparently unable to recruit. Tsu-chan, Ochako-chan, Aoyama, Toru-chan.

"Aw man, all the best people are vetoed!" she whined playfully as she turned to her froppy-friend.

"Why, am I on your list?" Kaminari quipped pointing to himself. Mina glanced at him

"Haha, nope!" she chuckled, Kirishima laughed and Kaminari sighed, dejectidly "I got robbers and a chase, probably, whachu got?" she asked, looking back to Asui

"Looks like it's mostly a combat situation in a building. Not exactly my forte, kero" she answered

"Same here, I got an intelligence gathering mission" Kirishima added dubiously

"Kero, looks like we are each getting something to incentivise us having to pick our allies more carefully since these arent tasks we can reliably solve on our own strengths" Asui noted looking back down at her list "which is made all the harder by these restrictions. I should have really liked to have been able to pick Midorya-chan for this" Peeking, Mina could see she had about 5 people on her list too, including Midoriya and herself.

"Well it's not all bad" Kirishima began "I mean can you imagine me bringing "King Explosion Kills" on a stealth mission??" he laughed, just as the others grinned

"The fuck was that, dye-job?" said 'King' seethed "You got something to say?!"

"I just did" Kirishima grinned

"I can be stealthy if I need to!" Bakugo roared

"Your anatomy can't even be stealthy, it took Best Jeanest a week to sort your hair out, one comment later, boom!" Kirishima mocked, demonstrating with his hands. This prompted an equally un-stealthy response from Bakugo. Mina grinned but turned her thoughts back to what Asui had said. True enough while she has pretty fast amongst the class the catch would be her fighting strength which she gauged to be just slightly below the class average. There was also the added problem than depending on the terrain, she might not be able to use her quirk to enhance her mobility. Uphills were still a big slowdown.

"What do you make of this one Tsu-chan?" she asked, handing her paper over. Asui read the contents and considered

"Well Iida-kun stands out in terms of mobility, his combat strength is decent too. Outside of him the only ones with notably mobility are class 1-A's top 3." she concluded handing the paper back

"Top 3?" Mina repeated.

"Bakugo-chan, Todoroki-chan and Midorya-chan" she stated simply "but if you are going after one of those I'd say act fast, they will surely be in high demand for a project such as this" she added. As she looked over Todoroki already had a small crowd around him. Bakugo was still arguing with Kirishima but Mina recalled his popularity at the cavalry battle and knew that he was a good bet too. Then there was Midoriya, currently muttering a thousand words per minute. He was an odd boy, Mina thought. She knew why Asui thought so highly of him, as she told Mina all about his quick and decisive actions when the League first attacked. She also would likely never forget his fight against Bakugo in the first battle class they ever had in UA. The first fight on top of that. He was incredible, especially his dodging. His fight with Todoroki in the sports festival was something else entirely as well. Lastly he and Bakugo had bested All Might himself. Okay, severely weakened All Might but still that was almost inconceivable in and of itself. She on the other hand had failed against Nezu. She still found it to be so frustrating! She pushed the memory away. "Not this time!"

She had made up her mind. She was going to snag one of class 1-A's big 3 all for herself and at the same time learn a bit more about the oddball who, she was convinced, Uraraka was interested in. As she approached he was still murmuring a mile a minute so she took the liberty of checking what she was getting herself in for and read his assignment. It was a save the hostage type and had the condition to take no damage.

She snicker silently. Aizawa's doing obviously. His list of people also caught her attention. It was almost half the class. Iida, Asui, Mineta, Bakugo, Shoto, Tokoyami, Shoji and Sero. She subconsciously made a humming sound as she finished reading which pulled Midoriya out of his trance

"Ashido-san? Uraraka-san?" he asked confused and flustered as he snapped around in response to the sound. Ashido suddenly realised Uraraka had been standing beside her. If Midoriya hadn't pointed her point she probably would have made her jump.

"Hehe, sorry, you seemed so focused and I got a little curious" Mina laughed with a grin

"Me and Iida-kun are going to set up a study night, want to join?" Uraraka asked with a energetic pump

"Ahh, that sounds like a great idea" Midoriya responded "Actually, since you are here, Uraraka-san, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to team up?" he blurted out. Mina looked between them. She was right here, right? "Come on Midoriya, what do you think I came over?!" she inwardly cried at her lost opportunity, cursing that Uraraka was not on Midorya's list despite their being thick as thieves.

"Actually, no thanks, Deku-kun" Uraraka responded, shocking both Midoriya and Mina, who had already written her idea off as a 'Nice Try!'. "It's not that I dont want to, it's just... Iida-kun was right at the sports festival. If I can't stop relying on you I'm not sure how much I can grow. So, thank you, but no thank you" she added a bow and went on back to her desk. Silence fell. Mina considered scooting back too but couldnt quite bring herself to move just yet. The look on his face was one of shock but reflection. Someone deep in thought over a mistake they had just made. As he turned to face front again he seemed to suddenly remember or see her still standing there

"Oh, I'm sorry Ashido-san. Erm is there something you needed?" he asked uncertainly. Mina puffed up her cheeks

"Jeez Midoriya-kun, theres a limit you know?!" she sulked, folding her arms. He tilted his head in confusion

"I'm sorry I dont understand. I assumed you were waiting for Kacchan?" he stammered

"Why would I hang out right next to you then?" she huffed impatiently as she began to question her perception of him as someone intelligent."That's some pretty misplaced reasoning, Midoriya-kun"

"I'm sorry I didnt realise! I got caught up in my thoughts and then I saw Uraraka-sanwhoithoughmight" he began to talk faster and faster. With a sigh Mina clapped twice causing Midoriya to stop.

"I'm here for you" she declared "obviously" she teased with a cheeky grin returning. Midoriya chuckled nervously and returned her smile

"So, you me, we going to make this thing happen, Midorya?" she stood there grinning. With a nod and a smile of his own it was decided.

"Yeah!"