It was amazing how life was not the same after nearly being assaulted by a whole class of overeager Support Department students. I had been at the Development Studio after school, having received an email from the school's official administration : my hero suit had arrived, free of charge. I barely felt the shame that I used to feel when they mentioned about the Financial Assistance Scheme they had cooked up. How my suit and boarding at Height's Alliance as well as school text book fees were also heavily subsidized.
Pride was also something one wanted to keep close to their chest, and it wasn't what I felt when Mei Hatsume mentioned my abnormally short height in the hero costume, then thrust a pair of height enhancing heels to me. The skin tight suit was surprisingly soft like cotton and comfortable, apparently that hero costume company also designed for less financially affluent students.
My top was sewn in a way that imitated the kimono, thin layers of fabric overlapping left over right. Two dots lay on my jacket's sleeves indicated the company brand. Sleek pockets were sewn in the sleeves and sides to conceal the food I would hide inside. Altogether, with the skintight pants and high cut boots, the overall look of purple and black was not bad. I cracked my knuckles, admiring the leather fingerless gloves.
Hatsume scurried over, brandishing a large box, "Open this! I designed a upgraded version of the visor that you sent in! This baby number 8462 is guaranteed to be a rocker." I cautiously pried the box open, peeling stuffing away to reveal a black and neon violet visor. A series of buttons were on the sleek frame, each with a purpose. A larger oblong button on the side and I press it, turning it on. Fitting the sleek mechanism on my face is like a second skin, the world gaining a violet hue.
Hatsume shoved a stack of paper into my hands, small diagrams and post it's scattered into my arms, saying, "These are the guidelines and other ideas." Tucking it into my school bag, I am prompted to walk around by Power Loader. The thin material stretches around my limbs, while the low heeled boots made soft clicks on the floor.
"Thank you so much," I said, admiring the visor's interface that popped up. A wall length mirror was propped up against a stained wall, which I was pushed towards. Mei Hatsume was right though, it did nothing to boost my short stature. I twisted around to see the costume in its entirety, feeling glee bubbling up out from within. Like a child receiving candy at the fair, I grinned, eyes not leaving the beautiful suit.
"Hey, look at Senrei's super hot body in her hero costume! That skin tight suit does wonders-" Mineta's lewd voice floated over. The short boy was chuckling while leaning against the entrance of the studio, making me cringe. What the hell? Looks like someone needs a good beating up. My hands glowed with violet light as I stormed towards him. That pervert needed to be taught a lesson, and the best way to make people like him learn was through my fists.
Before I could do anything, a hand seemed to cover Mineta's mouth and drag him away, shrieking and screaming. Then, a loud voice started screaming and yelling brusquely, cursing and swearing above the sounds of explosions. Bakugo? I glanced at Mei Hatsume, but she was already operating her magic on another contraption.
Racing out into the hallway, I saw a charred Mineta fleeing the scene, tears leaving dirty trails of dust down his cheeks. There is a silence as Bakugo looms into view, smoking hands shoved into his pockets. A cocky grin on his face with soot burns, he was absolutely triumphant. "Thanks for just now," I say sheepishly. He didn't have to help out. "I didn't do it for you, Chibi-chan, I was just passing by the area and that lowlife needed a beating," he rolls his eyes. I fume at the word 'chibi', but he just helped me out, and I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
"That's your hero costume huh," he mutters. I look down at the suit, tugging nervously on the jacket label. I don't know why I'm nervous all of a sudden, but I am oddly anxious to hear his opinion. "How do I look?", I say. "Not that bad," he mutters, looking away hurriedly. For some reason, I feel like smiling widely. He scowls, "but your height is the real problem here." I give a strained frown, what the heck is wrong with my height?
"What are you doing walking around here though?", I ask after that infuriating bit. "Going to the gym," he frowned. I take in his outfit and it is a simple tank top, with exercise shorts. I remember that I haven't gone to the gym in a while after the whole shift to a new school. "Wait a minute, I want to go to the gym too," I rush over my words, running back to change out of the sleek hero costume. My fingers run over the silky cloth again, feeling reluctant to part.
I sadly hand it back to Power Loader in a neatly folded stack, grabbing my bag while racing ti the gym. Adjusting the t-shirt over my shoulders, I see an annoyed Bakugo glowering at me. "It's already been five minutes," he scowls, stalking ahead to the gym nearby. I sigh, lugging my heavy bag off. If he wanted to leave first it was fine...
The gym was a masterpiece, with permanently cold water coolers and convenient seats to rest. And I almost forgot, the running equipment and other undesirables. In short, the fitness equipment. But seriously though. Which gym had perfectly subzero watercoolers? I was rejoicing in UA's thoughtfulness.
Apart from the normal equipment like weights, there are also sparring arenas. A series of bulky cameras are built around the few arenas, to make sure that the students are safe. I place the bag into a locker, prepared to torture myself by going to the treadmills. However, Bakugo grins ferociously to me gesturing tot he mostly empty sparring arenas, "Hey chibi, wanna fight?" Excitement surges up within me. I'm not going to back down from that open challenge. This would be better than running for an hour like a dying fish.
"Sure," I reply, an eager smile on my face. It's been ages since I got to properly spar with someone whose quirk I never encountered in a real fight. Peeling open a chocolate bar, I chew on it as I do my stretches, while on the other side of the sparring ring the blonde does the same. He's never seen the real brunt of my fighting style and I want to give him a taster. I chow down on another snack, to ingest as much energy as possible.
Earlier today's hero training with All Might was a great warm up. We climb into the big ring, a murderous smirk is plastered across his face. He seemed to think he would already win. He was sorely wrong if I had anything to say about it.
He fired off a few test shots, probably trying to gauge my abilities first. I did a low roll onto the floor, deflecting all the attacks with glowing palms. Sending a blast of purple, the telekinetic attack hits Bakugo squarely in the chest. He lands on the floor, with a grunt. He rises, soaring towards me with a surprising agility. Propelling himself through the air with nimble motions, he sends a grenade-like blast towards me. I shield myself with the telekinetic wall I project. Even so, I am not prepared for the explosion that rocks my body as he pummels the wall, blasts shaking the defense. Caught unawares, the sheer brute force and bright light make me want to vomit. Ears ringing, I see his cocky grin as he closes in, fists crackling.
We continue this, I attack and he is defeated for that moment, he returns the furious assault and my ears are ringing from the constant blasts. My face is charred from his quirk. As the sparks fly, I retaliate, to send a blast of force towards him, making him be pressed onto the floor. He wants to tire me out, which is a simple plan but efficient. I decide to end this.
He managed to struggle up again, making me groan. My fingers gleamed a neon violet as he is shoved onto the floor, face meeting ground. He screams a cry of rage as he struggles, but I waltz over, with a chocolate bar already in hand. I sit on the blonde's back, whistling merrily as I slowly savior the match filling and creamy dark chocolate. An invisible hand seems to be covering his mouth as I finish the snack. It is satisfying to see an enraged Bakugo being subdued so easily and I relish the victory, licking the crumbs of my chocolate.
Levitating the wrapper into the nearby open bin, I release the telekinetic bonds on Bakugo, grinning evilly. He rises like a demon from hell, like the reincarnation of an Asura, frustration and shame washing over his face, "Fucking chibi-Chan!" "Thank you for letting me win," I bow mockingly. He nearly threatens to disembowel me, fingers trembling with sheer rage, sparks crackling. "Don't need to be so sad," I laugh. "I know it's hard to accept, but I won!", I giggled.
"Shut the hell up," he snaps, lurching toward me. Before I can retaliate however, I spit out a mouthful of fresh blood onto the floor. And before I knew it, the world spun on its axis, while my vision turned blurry again.
I would not remember hitting the ground, nor Bakugo's panicked shout.
"This shouldn't happen again," a wizened voice murmurs as I open my eyes. Rubbing the sleep from them I sit awake, groaning at the pain. "How are you?", Recovery Girl says, face a tangle of worry, concern and weary annoyance. I grunt at the pain in my chest, "I'm doing fine." I glanced at the stack of reports on my name : dehydration, malnourishment as well as low blood pressure. I wince, maybe I wasn't doing so well. "Young lady," Recovery Girl chides, "you are aware of your low blood pressure, aren't you?"
I sigh, "Yes." "Did your parents not tell you not to over exert yourself?", the old nurse sighs in disbelief at my recklessness. My parents? I give a wry smile, "My parents hardly talk to me." Recovery girls eyes flicker with understanding, but she doesn't press on the issue, and I don't elaborate. I'm thankful for the comforting silence as she forces me to drink a glass of water before I rush off for my night shift at FamilyMart before the weekend.
As I sip slowly and force the water down my parched throat, Recovery Girl points to the door, "They're waiting for you outside." As I am about to ask who are they, a loud noise sounds out as the door to the medbay slams against the wall, Bakugo storms in, the room filling up with a deadly aura.
"You still alive, Chibi-Chan?", he scowls at my disheveled appearance. "What does it look like?", I retort, before the door opens again. I give a sigh, as a familiar figure also edges cautiously into the room, Yaomomo. I grin weakly as she worriedly fires off question after question. It takes a moment for me not to be overwhelmed and Bakugo's sharp tone slices short Yaomomo's speech, "Hey Ponytail, can't you see she's tired? Or are you that stupid?" I give him a half-hearted glare.
Recovery Girl chuckles, "It was quite a shock when young Bakugo charged into the room with you unconscious." That could only mean he carried me all the way from the gym. I click my tongue, turning to him, "I guess I owe you a thank you, Bakugo." A low huff is heard. "Well, I couldn't leave your ass dying on the ground," he snarks. Recovery girl's lips press together in a firm line.
"You'll have to remember to eat proper food," Recovery Girl prattles as she shoos us out of the medbay doors. I fidget with my bag straps, and say, "Thanks for your concern guys, but I need to leave." Yaomomo gives me a quick hug, breaking decorum before moving off to the dorms, "I trust you will be well, Shizu-Chan."
"The hell you're going?", a voice sounds out. Bakugo towers over me in annoyance. "Supermarket shift," I groan. "Fuckin' chibi-chan, you're going to overwork yourself!", he exclaims, looking angry and worried. Worried? "You're concerned for my wellbeing?", I grin mischievously. "Shut up," he gripes, "If your dying ass vomits blood on innocent people then you're fucking screwed."
I click my tongue. "The only thing that vomits are unreasonable foreigners spraying spit at me," I say, checking my watch. "I have to go," I say. "Tch. You better not die, dumbass," he glowers, spinning on his heels.
"Hey, Shrimp," a coarse voice said, almost like the dull scrape of metal against rough tile. Dry and grating on one's ears. I frowned slightly, turning round to meet a strange man's eyes. With light green tentacles protruding from his scalp and beard, he was the image of crassness that UA warned us about. He had on a tattered clothes with dirt stains and a murderous grin. And he was coming for me.
I swerved, back hitting the hard walls of the street. A residential area. Alone with a man. "Give me your purse, little girl!", the tentacles made a slick wet sound as they shot out of his hair and aimed for my wrists. Ducking low with my smaller frame, it was easy to utilize my quirk.
My heart raced as my fingers twitched, as the attacker was slammed against the ground with my mental command. My fingers stopped glowing violet as I whipped my phone out to call the police, sighing. As the police came and thanked me, I resisted the urge to vomit the blood collecting at the back of my throat.
Nowadays, common thieves or low levels villains were making their way around town. One particular hotspot was the area which I worked in. FamilyMart wasn't the establishment with the best employee protection services, thus Yaomomo had forced me to bring anti stalker devices like pepper spray.
I fished the tissue packet out of my bag, pressing it onto my bloodied lips. Today's hero training was at the gym, where we were asked to come up with more special moves. Aizawa sensei and All Might sensei were both extremely hard on me as I was considered not as experienced as the rest. I was truthfully not much better than most people. Furthermore with this stupid quirk drawback, it landed me in the medbay again. In my last school, my teachers would have been livid at my weakness.
I thought back to those days at Alderaan Gakuen. Not to be confused from Aldera Grade school, this facility was concentrated mainly on strength and control. He brutal trainings at the school gym made my Quirk drawback worsen. I folded the crimson tissue up, not too long ago at the Gakuen I would have been coughing blood on the dusty floor of the gym. Forced to learn intense gymnastic and body contortionist type trainings, my tutor then was a sadistic creep whose hobby was to make her students suffer or have brutal near death experiences.
The thick hot air of the fear in that gym in Alderaan was still a presence that bore down on me. That fiery annoyance that tugged at my subconscious. I thought of how the oppressive Gakuen was just like the gilded birdcage of my past home. How now after the incident, our family's wings were cut off before they could grow strong enough to fly. Our cramped apartment in Musutafu now a decrepit reminder of what the faded luster of old prestige looked like. The wounds on my shoulders itched at the thought of my mother.
My fingers balled the handles of the plastic bag in my hand. I yanked the old muffler higher up my face, reaching the dorm. Collapsing at the entryway of the door was just great. As I put the shoes away at my shoe cabinet in the hallway, I proceeded to the living room, fingers glowing as they flicked to turn the light switch on.
I looked through the fridge, before my gaze lands on a written note. Kanji splashed onto the post it in forceful strokes, which was still very neat for such aggressive way of handwriting : Stop eating instant ramen, chibi-chan. -Bakugo
The post it sat atop a small bowl of cold noodles, making my stomach growl. "Bon appetit," I whisper as I heat it up.