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Prelude

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The conference room residing in the infamous U.A. High School is silent. All of the teachers and staff fill the chairs surrounding the long rectangular table, remaining vigilant at the presence of a teenage girl sitting at the same table. Nezu, the principal, smiles as he lowers the test packet the girl completed just moments ago. He smiles at her.

"You've passed the written part of the test." He informs, neatly setting the packet down onto the sleek wood structure. The girl doesn't react and Nezu tilts his head slightly in curiosity, being one of the very few in the room to not be giving her a grim look of some kind.

Her silver eyes that have light bags beneath them are gazing at a cicada that is sticking to the other side of the window. She seems to be absorbed in her own thoughts as she stares at the bug, almost as if she's remembering something. Her lips that remained in a straight line since she's arrived here twitch upwards slightly.

"Young Aihara," All Might addresses her from his seat beside hers, gently nudging her to draw her out of her thoughts. She blinks as she's dragged back to the present. Turning her head, she gazes at the Symbol of Peace, All Might. His usual wide grin grows even wider.

"Yes?" She asks, bringing her hand over her mouth to cover up a yawn.

"Nezu was speaking to you."

"Oh," She turns her head in the direction of the humanoid mouse she oddly finds cute. Her dark and messy hair that only reaches her shoulders sway at her movements. "Sorry. What were you saying?"

Nezu laughs to himself and shakes his head in amusement. He slides her packet across the table and towards her. It's a little out of her reach, so Present Mic picks it up and hands it to her. She takes it all while dipping her head in thanks, causing the Pro Hero to smile widely and point both of his fingers at her with a pose.

"You're welcome!" He says perhaps a bit too loudly.

"It's kind of weird hearing your voice when it's not on the radio." She admits with a sluggish smile. Her silver eyes gaze at the passing grade written on the packet. "So, I passed the written test. Does this mean I can move on to the practical?"

"Indeed, it does." Nezu nods. "You'll be able to participate in the practical test normally like everyone else."

"Ah," She yawns and sets her packet down in front of her, bringing her fists up and rubbing at her drooping eyes. "So, I won't have to do any extra procedures?"

"None at all." Nezu smiles and brings his paws together. "Your hero path is now laid out in front of you. It's up to you now to follow it and make the right decisions, all while giving it your all. I do hope you do well in the practical test, Hotaru Aihara. It would be an honor to have you as a student here."

At those words, her tense body relaxes, and her eyes shut as she lets out a relieved breath. As she loosens up, nearly all the heroes in the room do the opposite. Nobody failed to notice the nefarious glint in her eyes. For a moment, it looked almost as if he was sitting there instead. They look towards Nezu skeptically.

"Thank you, Principal Nezu." She whispers before reopening her eyes. That glint is no longer present in her silver orbs. "I'll see you tomorrow at the practical exam."

"Before you leave," Nezu starts up just as she begins to stand to take her leave. She pauses and locks eyes with him. "There is one question I want to ask you. Please answer it truthfully."

"Alright." Hotaru responds after a short moment. She lowers herself back down in her seat and swallows. All eyes are on her, and Nezu's presence suddenly becomes almost overpowering.

"What made you want to become a hero?"

Hotaru's eyes widen as she stares at the humanoid mouse. Her eyes then roam over all the heroes in the room who all stare back at her. That question brings back many old memories she holds dear yet also wants to forget. It's quiet for a good and long moment. Right when she opens her mouth to answer, someone cuts her off.

"You have no desire to become a hero." Shouta Aizawa, the Pro Hero known as Eraserhead speaks up for the first time since she came. Her eyes snap over to him. "It's easy to tell."

"Hold on, Aizawa," All Might holds his hands up in a calming gesture. "Young Aihara looks to have an answer."

Hotaru closes her eyes. Aizawa is right and she doesn't speak to deny it. She's not trying to enroll in U.A. High School like other students. However, there was a time long ago when she dreamed of becoming a hero. She wanted nothing more, and it was all because of those words.

Hotaru opens her eyes and looks up. Her gaze focuses past Aizawa and at the window. The cicada that was once there is gone just like that old dream of hers. She stands from her seat, taking her packet into her hands. Her eyes lock with Aizawa's.

"You're right, so there is nothing more I need to say." She answers with a lazy smile and bows lowly, dismissing herself. All Might follows behind her.

"Nezu," Midnight speaks up when they leave. "Are you sure you want to let her move on in the entrance exam?"

"It is clear she has malicious intentions." Cementoss joins in, staring at the door Hotaru left through. Snipe nods at his words along with Ectoplasm. "Considering her circumstances, it'll be dangerous to let her enroll."

"Safety of the students has always been one of, if not our top priority." Higari Maijima, the Pro Hero Power Loader, says. "We shouldn't let her move forward. She'll cause an uproar among everyone."

"What exactly are you up to, Nezu?" Sekijiro Kan, known as the Blood Hero, asks. "I'm starting to question your role as principal."

Nezu wordlessly reaches for his cup of tea. He brings it towards his mouth and takes a drink before setting it aside. He then smiles and rests his paws atop the table. Briefly, his round and dark eyes shut.

"I understand your concerns," Nezu begins. "Her background and where she came from are indeed worrying, as well as her upbringing we know little about, but that's precisely why it's up to us to help her! We're heroes, are we not? She has much potential and a caring heart."

"How exactly do you know this?" Aizawa frowns.

"Did you really think I wouldn't do any research at all before giving her the chance to enroll?" Nezu laughs, truly amused. He brings his paws up into the air. "Lately, I've been in contact with a Park Ranger."

"Huh?" Present Mic drags out.

"Alright, Young Aihara," All Might comes to a stop in his walk. His much larger form turns around and faces the girl. They have exited the building and are now standing just outside the school entry gates. It's sunset and the sky is painted a fiery array of colors.

Hotaru stares up at All Might with her droopy eyes. Her messy strands of hair blow in the soft breeze. The over-sized hoodie she's wearing over her junior high uniform covers most of her skirt, and one of her backpack straps hangs off her shoulder. She looks like she just rolled out of bed. All Might's teeth gleam almost blindingly as his brings his hand onto her shoulder.

"This is where I see you off." All Might says. "It was a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to seeing how you perform tomorrow. I'm sure you'll be a wonderful hero!"

"Huh," Hotaru chuckles under her breath, raising her hand up and brushing her bangs back. "All Might, I've thought you were smarter than that. You know who he is, so you know who I am. If you're the number one hero, shouldn't you know a villain when you see one?"

All Might's smile merely grows wider. He gives her shoulder a squeeze before bringing his hands to his hips. What an amusing girl.

"I do know a villain when I see one, but I also know a hero when I see one, and a hero is what I see in you." He responds honestly, making her eyes widen and lips part.

"How can you say that?" Hotaru asks, her lips angling downwards. "Saying things like that with such certainty is really troubling, you know."

"I'm only speaking the truth my eyes see. Young Aihara, I've been at this for a long time." All Might's eyes soften. "You have a dream, don't you?"

"Once." She whispers and closes her eyes. "But I've let it go."

"Reach for it!" All Might clenches his fists in front of him in an encouraging way.

"Didn't you hear me? I said I let it go." Her brows furrow.

"Grab ahold of it again before it gets too far. If you remember it, I'm sure you are very passionate about it! Dreams aren't just accidental. They are birthed for a reason. You've created that dream, so don't let it go, and don't let nobody else stand in your way."

"It's already out of my reach." She shoves her hands into her pockets and reopens her eyes. "Just like it's out of my reach, it's also unrealistic. I'd compare it to a worm's dream of wanting to become a butterfly. Thank you for socializing with me. It's not every day I get the opportunity to speak with the Symbol of Peace."

"And it's not every day I get to speak with a person such as yourself." All Might beams and waves. "Be safe on your way home."

Hotaru bows lowly in thanks before walking around All Might's much larger form. She can easily feel his eyes on her. It's overpowering, and she slowly begins taking smaller steps. She swallows nervously and turns back around, seeing All Might making his way back towards the school building.

"Hey, All Might?" She calls out to him. The man turns around instantly and appears in front of her with super speed. She yelps in surprise with a skittish drop of sweat rolling down her face.

"Yes, Young Aihara?" He asks eagerly. Hotaru reaches in her pocket and pulls out her phone. Her cheeks gradually darken.

"...Can I get a picture with you?"

"Of course!"

Hotaru holds her phone up in front of her while All Might maneuvers to stand by her side. Once his face is within the cameras sight along with her own, she grins a wide grin that almost matches his own. When she taps the screen and her phone lets out a shuddering noise that signals the picture has been taken, she puts it back in her pocket. She turns to All Might and bows lowly yet again.

"Thank you." She speaks and before he can respond, she turns on her heels and takes off into a run towards the station. All Might scratches his cheek meekly as he stares after her. With that buried look in her eyes that's slowly been making itself known since they left the council room, he was sure she was going to ask for something else.

"Young Aihara, didn't you really want to ask for help?"

Hotaru stares at the screen of her phone. On the screen is displayed the picture she took with All Might just yesterday. This picture also serves as her new background. The bags beneath her eyes remarkably aren't noticeable as she tried to intimidate his iconic smile. Her eyes shut as a closed-lip smile graces her face.

"How amazing." She sighs to herself. Her and the number one hero… an odd picture. She's going to treasure it forever. However, she wasn't made aware All Might was also a teacher at U.A.. But either way, meeting him was so very amazing. Yawning loudly, she puts her phone in her pocket and rubs at her eyes. When she lowers her hands, she stares ahead at U.A. High School.

It's the dawn of a new day, and the practical part of the entrance exam will be happening very soon. Her eyes shut and she draws in a breath. She needs to pass this no matter what. There is no doubt in her mind that she can't pass it. Playing hero can't be all that hard, right? Her eyes open as she recalls the events of yesterday.

It's no surprise to her that the U.A. teachers and staff are wary of her wanting to attend the top hero academy. She was prepared for their hostility, but it is a little troubling that the two people she should be most cautious of are so supportive of her wanting to attend. Nezu and All Might.

"I look like a hero, huh?" She whispers to herself. Just saying that out loud is heartwarming, and All Might saying it himself is even more so. How could they put that much faith in her? She wasn't born to be a hero and has no intention of becoming one. In fact, just standing in front of this hero school makes her cringe. Oh, how disappointed they are going to be once she does what she has planned to.

A hero is anything but what she looks like. She brings her hand in front of her, her silver orbs boring into it. Her hair is always frizzy, and her eyes are always so dull and sleepy. She wouldn't say she has a welcoming appearance either. She looks worn out and tired constantly. A thought strikes her, and she blinks. Her finger grazes against her chin. It sounds like she's also describing that Aizawa guy. Disappointing. She's comparing her appearance to an unkempt man.

"It's almost as if I was born for the sole purpose to disappoint." She mutters while stifling a yawn. Yawning has become such a nasty habit of hers.

"Really? Because I don't see anything disappointing." A voice draws her out of her thoughts. She looks around tentatively, growing confused when she doesn't see anyone. "Down here."

She looks down and her brows rise upwards. Standing beside her is a very tiny boy who can't be over four feet tall. He has a big head and even a big pair of eyes to go along with it. His dark purple hair resembles grapes. Is his hair related to his quirk? He looks so weird it's almost cute. Like a pug. He's looking at her like she's a diamond among coal. She recalls what he said and frowns.

Looking away from him, she eye's her attire. She's only wearing her school uniform that is very wrinkly. She actually slept in this and spilled coffee over it on her way here, which has left behind a huge stain. Her droopy eyes move back to the boy.

"I think you're misjudging me." She mutters with a drowsy smile, bringing her hand towards her messy hair to keep it out of her face when the wind blows. A blush grows on the boy's face and drool drips out of his opened-mouth smile. He looks the very definition of perverted.

"I think you're misjudging yourself." He responds.

"What are you trying to say?" She openly yawns and looks away from him in disinterest. She brings her arms high above her head and stretches them. They let out loud pops and cracks and she sighs in content, closing her eyes. Right when she begins to adjust her backpack hanging from her shoulders, he answers her question.

"You're beautiful."

Her whole body tenses up and her eyes grow large. His words echo in her head. Beautiful? Only one person has ever called her that before besides her parents. There is heat building up in her cheeks which causes them to be stained a hot pink. She turns quickly, her silver orbs locking with his round dark ones. His grin grows wider and his eyes tremble in excitement as he clenches his fists in front of him.

"Score…!" He whispers cheerfully in success, referring to her bright blush. She coughs into her fist and looks in the other direction.

"T-thank you." She mumbles.

"I'm Minoru Mineta." He introduces, staring intently at her legs. His eyes roam upwards, taking their ever so sweet time. She can easily see him from the corner of her eye. This is the first time someone has ever "checked her out." It's definitely… disconcerting. "What's your name?"

"Hotaru Aihara. It's nice to meet you..." She pauses and looks up at the blue sky as she thinks briefly. Smiling, she looks back down at him. "Mineta-kun."

"It's nice to meet you too," He drools some more and takes a step closer to her. "Aihara-chan…"

He trails off as he stares up her skirt. How bold of him. All noise fades away except for the sound of the gusting wind. Nearby students gape in complete shock and look at the boy in disgust. Hotaru closes her eyes, laughing to herself as she brushes back her frizzy waves and curls.

"Sorry to disappoint," She says, taking steps towards the school building. "It's like I said though, disappointing others is my reason for living."

"Who wears shorts under their skirts?!" He yelps and jabs a finger at her in horror.

"Their attached." She replies through a yawn.

"That takes away the whole purpose of a skirt!" He runs after her.

"It's not my fault this is my school uniform."

"Your middle school must be nothing but torture…" He mutters more to himself than her. She imagines he's only saying that because of the "skorts" she's wearing.

"Can't say I disagree. These things do give me wedgies a lot."

Awkward silence.

"Really?" He tries to look up her skirt again with lustful eyes.

"Mineta-kun, if you want me to hurt you, all you have to do is ask."