"A tattoo is a true poetic creation, and is always more than meets the eye. As a tattoo is grounded on living skin, so its essence emotes a poignancy unique to the mortal human condition." ― V. Vale, Modern Primitives: An Investigation of Contemporary Adornment and Ritual

You Won't Believe This False Hope

There's a saying that states, 'Home is where the heart is'. Cliche and a bit lackluster but mimicked Ena's souring mood to a 'T'.

Musutafu lacked the archaic, industrial charm that was Bunkyō. Ena felt out of place as much as a book in a world of tablets; less convenient but a classic, nonetheless.

Then again, she didn't really fit into's Bunkyō's stringent regime either. The historic but severely outdated educational prefecture conformed once Quirks were introduced: rickshaws around the Nezu Shrine were pulled via animal-type users. Whilst the Kōdōkan Judo followed in the steps of the widely popular and successful U.A. and Shiketsu schools and adapted itself into Hero High. Even 'Tokyo's Big Egg', the prestigious Tokyo Dome and home to the Yomiuri Giants, was modified as a colosseum for hero training.

Despite the vast improvement to the times, however, their bigotry and disgust towards anyone who didn't meet their standards remained steadfast.

Ogamisama no Ena suspected U.A. High would be no different from her prior school and fully expected to meet the same cool behavior she faced from her peers as she did at Hero High.

The school was courtesy enough to provide generic furniture, so she needed very little to get settled in. The first-year student brought only the necessities and a few memorable trinkets. Among the boxes of clothes and several mismatched blankets she brought a singular frame that included her family during the Azalea Festival.

The amenities certainly lacked in terms of feeling like 'home away from home' but it wasn't exactly stifling, either.

By the following morning, Ena had unpacked and tidied her room and sat staring out her balcony to the awakening of Musutafu. With the commencement of dawn breaching the horizon. The liquid gold began to bathe the city in its gentle rays. Its gleam shone off of U.A.'s many windows like dew in the pasture.

Trapped in her own world, Ena gradually lost track of time as it unwound like a piece of thread. Before she knew it the sun was clambering higher in the sky and class would begin shortly.

Donning her gakuseifuku was strangely more comfortable than she anticipated and fitted handsomely. Surely, a school as well regarded as U.A. wouldn't fail even in terms of school uniforms.

She meant to leave earlier but was constantly having to soothe her nerves. No doubt her siblings would've teased her for 'first day jitters' but this was deeply rooted than just being anxious.

The walk to the actual campus was supposedly five minutes but the young hero had a noticeable difficult time moving her legs on her own.

She avoided the curious gazes of her classmates as she trudged into the entryway and stashed her belongings into the locker assigned for her. The duration of her morning was spent with the Principal as he gave her a decisively brief orientation.

Even though she was sure the esteemed faculty gave a delightful speech, welcoming her to the pride and joy that was his school, she was distracted by her unwavering desire to pet him.

Principal Nezu was set on making sure she had a rewarding experience at U.A. Though mostly lecturing, the head of faculty had a serene nature to him. A surprising feat given that you'd half expect him to be resentful towards humans considering his torturous past.

"Here at our school," the hybrid mouse beamed. "We make sure that every student has a chance of receiving a brighter future ahead of them."

By the time he concluded his long-winded lecture he had finished his cup of tea, though Ena hadn't touched the fragrant herbal mix once.

"We have been feeling the effects since we lost our 'Symbol of Peace' and need more individuals willing to step up to the role of a hero and you are absolutley no exception young Ogamisama. Your homeroom teacher is especially well-trained in helping students out with their Quirks. With the guidance of the teachers here I have no doubt you'll be Plus Ultra!"

Yeah, right, she scoffed inwardly. The mouse was seriously enthusiastic about being apart of U.A. for sure.

As the conversation began to dwindle the shōji slid open. A haggard man, who upon sitting down looked like he had just woken up from a coma and cursed with a patchy beard mumbled, still half-asleep, "Excuse my absence."

"Thank you for joining us," squealed the principal. "We were just getting Miss Ogamisama caught up on our day-to-day basis."

The man grumbled in response but sent a sparing look to the new student. Eraser had been told in advance of her lack of transparency with her ability.

"This is your homeroom teacher, Mr. Aizawa. As of this semester you will be in class 1-A till until we get you situated."

"Please treat me well," Ena nodded respectfully.

His response? A grunt.

"So you're the transfer from Hero High?"

No room for sugar-coating.

Ena considered her words carefully as she gritted her teeth. Feeling her enamel practically breaking from the pressure.

"Yes," she said with a hint of agitation. Attempting to keep her tone as polite as possible. "Yes, I was." She added more quietly.

Aizawa, who remained pretty laid back during the altercation, was animated as he continued, "I've read your report. If you so much as hurt any of your fellow classmates you can be guaranteed an expulsion would be light from what you might face here. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, sir."

Nezu looked fiercely uncomfortable, and was about to step in before the homeroom teacher sighed. A green vial appeared from the depths of his black jumper. Aizawa placed one drop of the sticky substance into his eyes and blinked rapidly.

Dry-eye was a bitch, honestly.

There was a pregnant pause as Ena's fleeting hope was dissipated in a manner of sentences.

"Now then," the principal intervened. "Allow Mr. Aizawa to take you to your class. I'm sure your fellow classmates are eager to meet your acquaintance." He said as rushed the two out of his office. As the door closed abruptly behind them, Principal Nezu let out a breathe of relief.

Aizawa could be intense when he wanted to be. Thought that was part of his philosphy, Nezu surmised.

As the two made their way to class, a heavy air of silence weighed upon Ena. So much for a warm welcome.

Aizawa stopped suddenly.

His fatigue outweighed his speech but he managed to mumble a coherent sentence. "I don't know what happened at your previous school, and frankly I don't care. However, whatever trials or pain you went through there will not follow you here."

Uh, thanks?

The young hero thought this was the supposed Pro-Hero's attempt at reassuring her. Though poorly put, it did lift her broken spirts a little(?).

"I'm also sorry to tell you but for the next three years U.A. will run you through the wringer. That's 'Plus Ultra'. So if even you want to be a Pro-Hero you have to be ready. My class will prepare you for nearly every obstacle, but some do come purely from experience," the sleepy man continued. "You have much to learn, so do your best."

Wow, you should be a motivational speaker, Ena quipped mentally.

"I'll make an introductory speak and then you'll introduce to yourself to the class."

She feared that. Public speaking wasn't necessarily bad but they wouldn't even pay attention to what she was saying.

The door was a towering wooden shōji that was fiercely intimidating. Class 1-A.

Aizawa walked in just as a student was barking for everybody to take their seats.

"Good morning class," he greet with an air of exhaustion. "We have a transfer. Please be kind to Ogamisama no Ena."

Best. Introductory. Speech. Ever.

Her walk to the front seemed to take forever, she could feel butterflies dance in anticipation in her stomach.

"Please be kind to me," she said forcibly.

As she suspected the whole class was utterly silent. Their expression presented a range of emotions.

Her entire body, except for her face, were completely covered in tattoos.

A/N: This story begins shortly after All Might lost his ability but pretty much becomes non-cannon from than on. So the actual storyline and my own are pretty much going there own way like all my relationships do...

Jeremiah please come back.

Chapter Published: 04/28/2019

Word Count: 1, 503