Timeskip- 1 month-ish
"You aren't wearing that!" Sasha laughed as I shoved her lightly.
Since she'd convinced everyone in the class, and Nezu, I was going to sing for a full hour before the real concert started. I'd had to do some digging to find the songs I wanted. I then found outfits I'd be wearing for each song, because obviously.
Puss had been plenty of help; he and Mina, after she stopped freaking out over a talking cat, were able to put together outfits that complemented the songs I chose. Jiro was lots of help as well.
When she wasn't practicing for the concert or giving lessons where needed, she helped me find the songs I was looking for. She had been surprised by the few that I'd picked out, since they were all from the pre-quirk eras.
I didn't know all the names she threw around, but I was very happy to see some of Michael's songs were still around. After we found the songs I wanted, I got to work singing every day to get them just right.
I'd gotten my set list down to 55 minutes with a few spare seconds. That gave everyone time to get into place and time for the crowd to calm down; they'd need it. I'd actually gotten so into the songs I picked that I had Mina dig up old choreography for them. Midnight had actually promised to do it with me and even sing one of the songs with me.
"I still can't believe you found this and are actually wearing it." Sasha grinned as I adjusted the jacket. I smirked seeing her eye me in the mirror. "Take a picture, it'll last longer." She didn't hesitate as I left the changing room.
Since we didn't want anyone to get raw fingers before the concert, Jiro, Mina, Present Mic, and I had gotten together a mix tape of the eleven songs I'd be doing. Already, the first one was kicking off, and the crowds' murmuring was reaching me.
"Hell yeah, bro!" Kirishima grinned as I walked by. He fist bumped me as I made sure the other outfits were ready, as well as the instruments I'd use later on. Oh yeah, this first song? Bad, by Michael Jackson. He'd be coming back later.
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"Such archaic music. I expected better from the high and mighty 1-A," Monoma pouted as he ducked on instinct, Itsuka's hand smashing him regardless. "It sounds kinda cool," Tetsutesu said as Pony looked confused.
"This song sounds familiar." She murmured, "I just can't place it."
She isn't the only one present who is confused. Though Present Mic had already explained that one student would be doing a solo performance before the main event, they still didn't recognize the music being played, though the student on stage did have good moves.
Others did know, however.
Specifically, a trio of students who'd booked their flights early just to see this event.
"I can't believe he's wearing the jacket! I didn't think anyone else remembered this era?" One of the exchange students from the United States wondered as their friends nodded.
Though not all from the same place, the trio still got along great as they had arrived a few days before to get to know each other, and Musutafu.
Josh Sawyer was the resident Texan. He was from the city of New Houston, though he went to the Hero College in California, like the rest of them.
His quirk was pretty straightforward, just like his personality. Josh didn't like mincing words and usually said things as he saw them.
Josh Sawyer: 16 years old
Standing at a decent 5'9, Josh sported a simple buzzcut. Brown hair.
Born in New Houston, Texas.
Like: Hot showers, summertime, brisket
Dislikes: Lying, politicians, dark chocolate
Currently admitted to the California School of Heroics, the #3-ranked school in the country, with Washington at #1, and Texas at #2.
Quirk-Wendigo
Allows him to transform into a Wendigo, either partially or fully. As a Wendigo, he has increased ice affinity and enhanced physical stats. He can also summon blizzards at will and possess supernatural tracking skills. He curbs his need for flesh with an all-meat diet.
"His voice is decent. Though not as good as what you always play." Josh said as he remembered the various times his roommate had blasted certain old hits during his shower time.
"I know that, but it's pretty cool he's able to do it this well!" Josh's roommate, Brandon, cheered as he got into the music, though his face shifted to shock as the next song started.
Brandon was from Arkansas, at least what was left of it. The civil unrest from early quirk riots had damaged much of the natural state, so when the chance to leave presented itself, he left for California.
Brandon Simmons- 15 years old
Slightly shorter at 5'7, slightly longer black hair that he sweeps back
Born in Jonesboro, Arkansas
Likes: Most pre-quirk music, running, playing music
Dislikes: 'hero-slop' as he calls it, pickles, and floods
Currently admitted to the California School of Heroics
Quirk- Molecular Claws
Allows him to transform his nails into a pair of sleek, black claws with edges as thin as a single molecule, yet does not suffer from decreased durability or fragility. He can adjust their length up to 1 meter in length.
"Oh wow, I didn't think anyone still knew about them." The sole female of the group spoke up as they turned to her. "What song is it. I like the guitar part." Josh asked as Bianca answered.
"Oh, it's some old band called Deftones. I liked some of their stuff, but it's pretty hard to find recordings of old pre-quirk songs. I wonder how he found these two?" She said as they enjoyed the music.
Bianca Sinatra- 16 years old
The tallest of the trio, Bianca, is 5'10 and keeps her long black hair tied up in a ponytail.
Unlike her ancestor, Frank Sinatra, Bianca was born in Manhattan.
Likes: Knicks, Chocolate, listening to her family's old music collection
Dislikes: Spurs, Brooklyn, gold diggers
Currently admitted to the California School of Heroics. She is seeking to break away from her family's history of music, but still keeps it close to herself.
Quirk- Spear of Justice
Allows her to summon spears made of energy that she can telekinetically control and conjure from any solid surface.
As the United States trio enjoyed the performance, and freaking out when to yet another old pre-quirk song, class 1-A was busy getting things ready for their own performance.
"Since when could he play guitar?" Kaminari said, astounded as they did their best to stay out of sight. They couldn't help it, though, yes, they knew that Micah was really strong, and good at lots of things, but they didn't think he could sing!
"You really snagged the meal deal, huh, Sasha!" Mina snickered as Sasha grinned. "Oh yeah. He's great. I've been getting all the recordings from Jiro and listening to him practice for this. It's so nice to see him come out of his shell."
"What do you mean by that? kero" Tsuyu said with her trademark bluntness as Sasha thought for a moment.
"He always seems worried about something. When training, eating, or even talking, like something's always on his mind, no matter what he's doing. The only times I've ever seen him really stop and enjoy the moment are when he's sleeping or singing in the shower. Plus eating, he likes that a lot."
"You watch him sleep?" Shoji questioned, "You know when he showers?!" Momo sputtered as she choked on her water. "Details!" Toru cried before they shushed her, as the sounds of a banjo reached them.
"He can play that?!" Kirishima gaped as they poked their heads out to see that Micah had swapped out his outfit for a country cowboy one. "When did he change?!" Sero wondered before they spotted the small pile of ash at his feet.
"NOT ONE, BUT TWO BACK-TO-BACK GLEN CAMPBELL SONGS! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE!" Brandon was losing his mind. For years, the only person other than himself that he knew who listened to the old country singer was his grandmother.
His early childhood was spent listening to the old CDs she'd kept in the family for generations. When he moved to California, she'd given them to him as a reminder to never forget his roots, just like Glen.
The last thing he'd expected to hear was Glen Campbell, and he was loving it!
Bianca was interested in the song since she'd seen old records of a man by the name Glen playing guitar for her family a few times, nearly two centuries ago.
Josh found he liked the sound of the banjo. It reminded him of the few times he'd visited his extended family in Amarillo. He liked those memories.
"Wow, I didn't think he was able to play so many instruments!" Tetsutesu exclaimed as Itsuka dragged Monoma away. He'd been warned several times, but now she was putting her foot down, and he wouldn't be able to come back until the main concert started.
Up in his office, Nezu was also enjoying the music that Micah was playing and singing to, while making sure nothing else fell apart, that is.
Organizing such an event after All Might's retirement was a risk, one that the police had been hesitant to take, but after Nezu's repeated assurance of safety and the HPSC's go-ahead, they held the Festival.
There had been a minor incident with Izuku Midoriya; however, he accidentally caught a villain, though harmless, sneaking onto school grounds. He's managed to subdue the villain and his assistance before Hound Dog went to collect them.
Now the boy was getting ready for class 1-A performance, though Micah still had a few interesting songs left. "Oh dear, it seems Midnight might have taken things a bit too far. Oh well."
"Have you ever heard of this song?" Josh asked, and Brandon shook his head, more focused on Midnight. Most of the people were actually.
"Cuz we were barely seventeen, and we were barely dressed~" Midnight enjoyed the way her voice captivated the crowd as she watched Micah do his thing.
Despite being in an outfit she considered modest, she still enjoyed the looks she got as her voice joined Micah's.
"Paradise by the dashboard light~"
"Paradise by the dashboard light~"
"How bold." Toru squealed as the tempo ramped up, and Micah and Midnight made out on stage.
"There's no way this is ok." Kaminari sounded devastated as the next line hit.
"Do ya love me?
Will you love me forever? Do you need me?
Will ya never leave me? Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life?
Will you take me away, will you make me your wife?"
"Hey guys, I got the rope- what is going on!" Izuku chose that moment to arrive as Momo slid closer to Sasha.
"Did you know about this? That he would do that with her?" She said quietly as she blushed, remembering how Micah and Midnight had gone down on each other and felt each other up.
"Who do you think he practiced with?" Sasha purred as she enjoyed Momo's facial expression. She then answered more seriously.
"I knew, and still don't like it. I understand, however, that this is a one-time thing, and that if he does so again without me, I'm ripping it off."
Shoto. Kirishima, Denki, and Sero took a big step away from them as they watched the song continue.
"Without you?" Momo asked as if she had misheard. "Oh, he doesn't know yet, or won't admit it." Sasha then turned to stare into Momo's eyes.
"I know you have feelings for him."
Momo's face drained of color before she saw Sasha's smirk.
"What, you think I'd hate you? He's amazing. I get that other girls are going to be interested, even obsessed with him. I certainly am. I also understand that I can't keep him to myself, not entirely."
"W-what do you mean?" Momo stammered when she finally found her voice after the next song started.
'Where the hell did he find that outfit?!' Aizawa felt like ripping his hair out and rushing the stage.
The only thing he'd done was pass by the 1-A area, hear an interesting guitar riff, and move to investigate. Now he was watching Micah, the most dangerous person in the room, play a guitar while dressed like his former mentor, His Purple Highness.
He hadn't seen his mentor in decades; he knew Nemuri still kept in contact even after the incident, but he hadn't seen or talked to him in years. Now, he was seeing not only one of his mentor's outfits on stage, but he was listening to a song he hadn't heard in maybe 20 years, Purple Rain.
The emotional whiplash just might kill him.
Memories of his early years with Nemuri, Hizashi, and Oboro clashed with the heavy knowledge that one of them was dead.
"What about sunrise? What about rain?"
'Of course, he went with him. His Highness would probably rush the stage in all his purple glory.' Aizawa thought wryly as he spotted Nemuri on stage. What was she doing there? Not only that, she was more covered up than she'd been in years!
"I need a coffee. . ."
"I used to dream.
I used to glance beyond the star,
but now I don't know where we are,
although I know we've drifted far!"
Momo watched Micah pour his voice and soul into the song as Sasha stood beside her.
"You understand why? So why hesitate? I know you see in him what I do." Sasha said as she patted her friend's shoulder.
"I see it, how it consumes him." Momo admitted before tearing her eyes away from Micah, "But how do we know it stops at us? What keeps him from wanting more? Greed can consume anyone, even him."
"Because we have something no one else on this planet does," Sasha said as the last song started, and the class got into place. "We have his heart, his mind, and his trust."
Bianca nearly snapped her neck as she turned around.
They'd enjoyed the songs, but were wanting to find some other interesting things, before a familiar tune started.
"Start spreading the news."
"Whoa, are you ok?" Brandon stopped when he saw her face, but she couldn't answer as she sang along, despite the tears.
"I want to wake up,
In a city that never sleeps!
And find I'm A number 1,
Top of the List!
King of the Hill!
AAAA number one!
A pause . . .
These little town bluuess!
Aaaree melting away!
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it!
In old New York!
aaaannnndddd
If I can make it there,
I'm gonna make it, anywhere
It's up to you,
New York, New York
New York!