The next time Hitoshi saw Noriko was around noon on Tuesday. The 2nd year stood outside the gen ed classroom waiting for Shinsou to notice.

Unfortunately, the 1st year was to absorbed in his homework and wouldnt look up from his textbook. She remembered that Aizawa said he was kind of a private guy and would rather not have his entire class knowing his business, but lunch was over soon and she really needed to know when and where he wanted to meet up.

Finally reaching her 'fuck it' point she strolled into the room and made her way past the other students. The kids looked at her with confusion, and it only got worse when she stood in front of Hitoshis desk.

"Hey Shinsou-kun. "

The purple haired boys head shot up at the sound of his name. His eyes went wide at the sight of his new mentor.

"Hey Gamatsuchi. Uhh... What- I mean, I dont know why you're here."

"Well I came to get your number, so we can meet up later." The second year tucked some of her bubble gum hair behind her ear. "And I told you to call me Noriko."

"Right. Sorry." He looked down, trying to avoid the 2nd years gaze.

She just shrugged and held out her hand, making a 'gimme' motion. "Phone. I'll put my number in it."

Hitoshi nodded and dug his phone out of his backpack. He didnt really have a lot of friends to text, so he alway kept it in his bag. Noriko snatched up the device and typed away quickly. Once she was done, she handed the phone back to Hitoshi, letting her hand linger longer than necessary.

"Text me later, ok?" The second year was already walking towards the door. "Bye Shinsou-kun. "

The rest of the classes eyes went back and forth from the unlikely pair, full of curiosity and confusion. Thankfully no one tried to bring it up with Shinsou. Once the other first years stopped gawking and went back to their own conversations, the tired teen opened his contacts and looked at the newest entry.

Noriko

"Don't try to pull you're punches. You gotta treat this just like a real fight…Wait,scratch that. Don't pull you're punches, unless it's the face. I do NOT want a broken nose." Noriko rambled as she stretched. Her cotton candy hair was swept up in a pony tail, and she was in her school gym uniform.

"Got it." Hitoshi said as he stretched his arm over his head.

"I'm gonna start out on defense, so just try to take me down."

The first year only nodded and they got into position. Sparing wasnt as horrible and Shinsou initially thought. He ended up on the ground more times than he could count, but he did manage to take Noriko down once or twice. Although she was smaller that Aizawa it didnt make fighting her any easier. Noriko was a small target, but she was faster than anyone Shinsou has ever fought. She also knows when and where to strike. Like a snake backed into a corner.

The two students were wrapping up their first session. Mostly Gamatsuchi telling him where he went wrong, and giving him tips on how to do better.

"You never tried to use your quirk. Why?" The second year questioned, causing Shisou to nearly drop his water bottle.

"Well… I wasnt sure if you would be comfortable with that." He answered honestly. It's his greatest strength, but he doesn't want to scare his new mentor away after their first session. "Its not something people like happening to them."

"The whole point of me working with you is to make you a better hero. Great heroes usually use their quirks. "

Hitoshi didnt say anything back.

Noriko sighed. "Like I said, as long as I dont get a broken nose it's fine. When fights become life or death you gotta use everything you have." Her hand dropped her stomach, tracing the scar through her shirt.

Shinsou hesitated for a moment, but curiosity got the better of him. "Is that… how you got that scar?"

He knows its rude to pry, and hes still a little nervous asking questions without his teacher present; but Noriko just smiled.

"That's the first question you asked me by yourself." Her face went pink and she tucked a strand of hair that fell out of her ponytail behind her ear. Hitoshi was starting to think it was a nervous tick.

"No, its actually the opposite. Its because I used my quirk that I have this scar."

The 1st year raised an eyebrow in confusion. He still wasnt sure what her quirk even was.

"Here." She took one of Hitoshis hands and pulled him closer. "I'll show you."

Noriko traced the outline of a fresh bruise on Hitoshis forearm. Shinsou waited for the pain to come when she pressed down, but he didnt feel anything. He looked at where the bruise was and nothing was there.

The first year was amazed. He was about to comment on her quirk, that it was just like Recovery Girl when he heard his mentor wince. His eyes traveled up her arms and stopped on a purple blotch that wasnt there before.

"How…." Hitoshis hand went to the injury before he could stop himself, but Noriko didn't stop him. She let him run his hand over the area as he tried to make sense of it all.

"I can't heal people, I can just move the injuries to myself."

"So you didn't take the hit… but why would you do that?" Shinsous mind was reeling. The girl in front of him didn't just make some rash split second decision. She didn't jump in front of a civilian to save them. This girl saw the consequences and still chose to use her quirk.

Noriko looked to the ground. "It was a little girl. She was so small, and scared." There was a tremor in her voice. "I didn't know if she would survive it…so I took it."

He could see tears falling to the ground while her shoulders shook."Everybody kept telling me over and over that it was a stupid call, that I should have waited for help, but it could have been to late. I knew I had a better chance of surviving that injury. It might have been reckless, but I dont regret this scar or the pain that came with it."

"Sensei says you can't always save everyone. " Hitoshi whispered. His hands slipped down to her wrists, holding them gently. "But I think the whole point of being a hero is to try. And you tried. I probably would have done the same thing if I could."

The pink haired hero looked up to meet Hitoshis gaze. Her eyes were a bit teary, but the smile on her face was mischievous. "Big words from a guy who got pinned 18 times in a row."

A grin made it's way to Shinsous face. "Were done being sappy already?"

"Afraid so." She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "But really, thank you Shinsou-kun."

"Call me Hitoshi. Might as well drop the formalities if you're gonna keep kicking my ass 4 days a week."

Noriko laughed, and it was music to Hitoshis ears. He would have to try and make her laugh more often. Her smile went from teasing to warm and bright.

"Alright, Hitoshi." She peeked up at him through her long rose colored lashes. "I'll see you tomorrow. "

Noriko started off in the direction of the second year dorms, and gave a little wave over her shoulder. Hitoshi didn't walk away at first. He just watched his mentor leave. With every sway of her hips or bounce of her ponytail he felt a strange flip-flop in his stomach.

"This is bad."