The classroom buzzes quietly as Aizawa strolls in, rubbing his tired eyes, his usual disheveled look even more pronounced after months of the aftermath of the war. The second years sit waiting, a mix of exhaustion and curiosity etched on their faces.

Aizawa: sighs “Alright, listen up.” “Today, we’re getting some new students.” “And yes, I know, Iida, it’s the middle of the year.” “But this is an exception.”

Iida: slowly lowers his hand, nodding I understand. “It’s just… unusual, but if it’s for the good of the class, I’ll support it.”

Bakugo: “snorts New extras they’re throwing in, huh? Like they think we got nothing better to do.”

Izuku: “Kacchan, that’s not fair. They’re probably just as nervous as we were when we started.”

Bakugo: grumbles, then slips “Deku—no, Midorya Whatever.” “Don’t start with the nickname lecture again.”

Izuku: smiles softly “You don’t have to switch it up, Kacchan.” “I’m fine with either.”

Bakugo: “shut up.” Mutters…”just trying to grow up a little.”

Shoto: “I just hope they’re competent. We’ve got enough distractions without having to babysit.”

Mina: crosses her arms “I hope they can dance.” “Would be fun to have a little party once this semester’s over.” “Like last time.”

Tokoyami: quietly “I wonder how many have seen the frontline of darkness. This program’s new, but it’s supposed to prepare us for the kinds of threats the world’s facing now, the veil of darkness that reaps our souls.”

Iida: “The Hero Commission’s new laws about international heroism… contracts, and emergency conflicts with international heroism right?”

Bakugo: quietly, almost to himself Like we had much choice back then… fighting AFO wasn’t some game. But he wanted to beat him- to prove himself.

Kirishima: nods “Yeah… No way these new students really understand what we went through.”

Ochaco: “I just hope they’re not too overwhelmed.” “The war changed everything—us, the world, how heroes work.”

Aizawa: folds his arms “I don’t have much left to teach you guys.” “You’ve already been through the worst.” “But this course with the new students is part of your final stretch.” “We can’t just let you graduate early.” “Not yet.”

Bakugo: glances around, quieter than usual Still, “I’m not gonna underestimate them. Not like before.”

Izuku: “That’s good, Kacchan.” “We have to trust that the Hero Commission’s doing this for a reason.”

Shoto: “The world expects more from us every year…”

Aizawa: “You won’t see these new students until tomorrow. So, get some rest. This semester’s gonna be different.”

Bakugo: stands, stretching “Guess I’ll get used to having new blood around. But don’t expect me to go easy on any of ‘em.”

Izuku: grins “Wouldn’t want it any other way.”

The class settles as Aizawa shuts the door behind him, the weight of the new semester and the unspoken past lingering in the air.