Chapter 6 (Catching up/ Sparring)
Kazumi and Taiyoma are exploring the local urban areas around the school and then took a bus to a local mall. They walk around the mall, browsing over various shops. "Hey, while we're here, why not buy some clothes for you?" Taiyoma suggests. "But i don't need more clothes." "What, nonsense. A girls always needs more clothes. Besides are you really gonna stick with the tomboy look?" Taiyoma points to Kazumi's plain t-shirt and shorts. "I really don't care for fashion. I just wear what's comfortable." "C'mon, it will be my treat." With a defeated sigh, Kazumi gives in. They go through a bunch of clothes. From dresses to frilly shirts. They look for clothes for some time. Kazumi ends up rejecting most of the clothes that Taiyoma picked for her because they were uncomfortable. Taiyoma was about to give up hope until she laid her eyes on a beautiful blue dress with blue and white frills and a print of ocean waves from old style japanese paintings. "Hey Kazumi, check this one out. I think it suits you." Kazumi looks at the dress and takes a liking to it. She takes it into the fitting room. Then she comes out with the dress on. Taiyoma gives some applause as she steps out. Even Kazumi was impressed with it. "It feels so nice and i like the look of it. I'll take it."
After they bought the dress, they find a place to get drinks from. They then both find a table for two just outside the shop where they got their beverages. "Man it was fun coming here with you Kazu. Now that we are here, we can catch up from the years. But first, selfie time!" Taiyoma pose with her phone. Kazumi awkwardly leans into the shot and smiles. "Alright nice." Taiyoma then begins typing on her phone. "So you have other friends huh?" "Yeah i do, but they go to another school. So i can't really see them much. You know, i should introduce them to you when there's a chance. One of them even made me the chest piece i wear. Her name is Yuki. So thanks to her, i was able to get into U.A., but she was real sad when she knew i was going to go to a different school." "You sound like you have goods friends." Kazumi gives off a pained look and Taiyoma notices. "Kazu, what's wrong?" "Oh nothing. I'm glad that we can be friends again after so long." "Kazu, what happened after you left suddenly that day?" Taiyoma now has a serious face, concerned for her old friend. Kazumi hesitates. "You don't have to share if you don't want to." "No that's not it…." After a deep breath, Kazumi goes on to explain how her mother died that day, how she moved with her dad to a new place in a dojo. "I guess now that i look at it, my father was trying to protect me by moving. He even had me focus on martial arts to keep my mind occupied. But i took it too far. It was basically my life" She then explains how she can lose control of her quirk on occasion due to her not using it enough. But the recent events and the special training helped remedy the years spent not using her quirk. "Besides my father, i haven't been close to anyone during since then…." Kazumi trails off from talking. "But now we can be together again, Kazu." Taiyoma interrupts." She then starts to tearing up. "W-w-wait don't cry! I'm fine now really." "I know. It's just that….after all those years, you were so lonely. After i heard about your mom, i didn't know what to do. By the time i gathered up the courage to confront you, you were already gone…." Taiyoma wipes her tears away. "Just to let you know Kazu, i thought about you over all those years. I always wondered if you were ok….i wish i was there for you. But then i saw you on television, fighting a villain of all things. And i saw that speech you gave. Once i saw that, i knew you were fine. When i saw what you did, i changed the school i wanted to go to. You inspired me Kazu. To be a hero and come to U.A. That's when i had my friend make me that gadget." Kazumi is touched by her words. Taiyoma then lunges onto Kazumi and bawls comically. "I'm glad you're alright." "Taiyoma, calm down." "Kazu, i don't want to lose you ever again!" Kazumi pats her head like she was an infant. "Okay i think that's enough catching up, let's head back."
When they started heading back to the school, it was already late in the afternoon. As they were heading back to their dorms they hear what seems to be fighting. Taiyoma, naturally curious, wanted to investigate the noise. After walking along the main school building, they got closer to the source of the noise. The noise was coming from one of the gymnasiums. "What do you think is going on in there?" Kazumi asks. "I don't know. Wanna find out?" Taiyoma drags Kazumi into her little investigation. Once they reached the front door of the large building, Taiyoma opens it. The inside was massive and in the middle was some sort of battle arena and in it where two students battling it out. Kazumi recognizes one of them. The boy with the green hair that asked her a bunch of questions. "Woah, these guys are so awesome!" Taiyoma has a sparkle of excitement in her eyes while watching them fight. "Do you know them Taiyoma?" "Yeah, they were those crazy first years that i saw on television from last year's sports festival. They are like crazy strong. The hotty with the white and red hair is Todoroki Shoto. He can make fire and ice with his quirk. And that one that got real personal with you is Midoriya Izuku. He's got some crazy power-up quirk. Kinda reminds me of All might." As they were talking, the fight continues on between Todoroki and Midoriya. Ice and fire fly in all directions. Midoriya dashes around the arena, almost too fast to follow with her eyes. Todoroki sets up various ice pillars to obstruct Midoriya's vision. Todoroki loses sight of Midoriya. Then, somehow, Midoriya flanks his left side. But Todoroki notices it and shoots flames at him. Midoriya barely jumps out of the way of the flames. Midoriya jumps off one of the ice pillars, right towards Todoroki. But, Todoroki sets up a huge ice wall, covering about half the arena. Midoriya smashes through the wall, but Todoroki is prepared. He places his hand on the ground and a huge flame begins to rapidly engulf the entire floor of the arena. Kazumi and Taiyoma could feel the heat from where the were standing. All that heat instantly melts all the ice, creating a huge cloud of steam, covering the arena. "This won't buy you much time Todoroki-kun." Midoriya then claps his hands together horizontally, creating a massive pressure wave. It blasts all the steam away revealing both of the fighters. "Time!" a voice yells. It's one of the teachers of U.A., Cementoss. "You seem to get faster everyday Midoriya. I can barely keep up." "And you have been better and utilizing your fire and ice to control the fight." After they were both done complimenting each other, Taiyoma starts clapping. This catches the attention of everybody there. "Amazing! You guys are so awesome!" "Looks like we had some spectators Midoriya." Izuku notices Kazumi and eagerly walks up to her. "Hey, i never got your name last time." "Oh, sorry. I'm Umichi Kazumi. I already know you Midoriya-senpai, thanks to my friend here." "I see, nice to meet you Umichi-san. You think now is the perfect time to discuss your quirk?" Izuku's eyes light up with enthusiasm like the last time they met. "I don't mind, but actually….Todoroki-senpai…." Shoto looks to Kazumi with a stoic face. "You can create ice and freeze things correct?" He nods. "Yes i can." "Then, do you mind fighting me only using your ice?" Taiyoma looks at Kazumi with astonishment. "Are you crazy Kazu? What are you thinking?" "Don't worry, it's not like it's a real fight or anything. Midoriya-senpai, after this fight, i think i can better answer your questions about my quirk." Shoto looks to Cementoss. "Is this alright?" he asks him. "It will have to be quick. Curfew is about to take place. The mock battle will be five minutes."
Kazumi and Shoto both take the opposing sides of the arena. "You don't have to hold back Todoroki-senpai. Go all out with your ice." Kazumi takes off her glove, revealing her arms that are made of water. Cementoss raises his arm. "Ready?" Both of them takes a stance to prepare. "Fight!" In an instant, a huge structure of ice covers the entire arena, engulfing Kazumi. "Wow, i'm surprised Todoroki-kun can still create so much ice after our fight." comment Midoriya. Taiyoma on the other hand looks completely shocked. "What the heck. He did the same thing at last year's sports festival. So unfair." she pouts. "What? She wanted me to go all out. It would be an insult not to if she asked me." "i don't think she meant it that way Todoroki-kun. They haven't even started school yet." reminds Midoriya.
Inside the ice, Kazumi is trying to get her senses back together. "That was fast, too fast. But now is the perfect opportunity." Kazumi thinks to herself. She concentrates on the ice around her. "The ice and water, i can feel the difference. If i focus on the feeling of the ice…." The ice immediately around her begins to turn to water. That's it!" Back on the outside, Todoroki goes to melt the ice. But, before he does, he notices the ice is already melting away. Then suddenly all the ice melts away into water. Todoroki is surprised and steps, trying to avoid a large wall of water that formed from all the ice. But the wave of water stops. The water almost seems frozen in time. The water then retreats to a single point, revealing Kazumi at the center, as she absorbs all the water. "So that's why you wanted me to only use my ice." Kazumi looks with a smile on her face. "Thanks to you, i understand more of how my quirk works." "Oh, and what's that then?'" he asks. "That i can control water, even in it's frozen form. I can even make ice out of water." Kazumi holds up her right arm. It freezes and it takes the form of a icey forearm with and open grasp. "Thanks to you i now know more about my powers." "So that's how it is huh?" But, without a moment's notice, Kazumi launches her frozen arm. She pushes water, from inside her body, to send the it flying across the arena, towards Shoto. In response, Shoto creates a wall of ice. It blocks the initial impact. But, after a quick moment, the ice wall also turns to liquid. The frozen arm proceeds towards its target. It catches Shoto in its grasp and pushes him to the edge of the arena. He creates a ice barrier behind him to prevent himself from being pushed outside the line. But it was too late. The heel of his shoe barely crosses the line. "Round over" Cementoss announces.
After a quick breather, both students exit the arena. "Okay you kids, go on back to your dorms." says Cementoss as he deconstructs the stage. "Kazu, that was so awesome! You were able to beat him!" Taiyoma compliments. "I don't think i can beat him again though. I only won because of the element of surprise." "That's not true." Shoto interjects. "The fact that you were able the use a newly discovered aspect to your quirk that effectively shows how adaptive you are. You kind of remind me of Midoriya over there." Midoriya looks to them curiously. "Midoriya had a rare condition where his quirk didn't develop until much later than usual. So his body couldn't handle his quirk right away. Are you the same way?" "Uh, no. I got my quirk around the normal time. I just haven't used it for a long time until recently this year." Kazumi gives a slight look of discomfort which Shoto notices. "You don't have to divulge your past if you don't want to." Kazumi gives a reassured look and they regroup outside the building.
The sky has turned a deep red as the day approaches dusk. As they walk towards their dorms, Izuku is having a very enthusiastic conversations about quirks with Kazumi. On the other hand, Taiyoma is fangirling over Shoto. "So, Todoroki, is that a birthmark or what?" Shoto takes an unusually long pause. "It's a scar." "What?! Really? How did you get it?" He takes another unusually long pause. "It was a cooking accident." He answers plainly. "Why did it look like he had to think real hard about it?" Taiyoma thinks to herself.
In the other conversation, Izuku is furiously taking down notes as Kazumi answers his questions. "I see. You parents quirks blend nicely together. Being able to absorb large amounts of water and being able to control it makes for a very synergetic combination. And you said that you can feel with the water you can control? How does it work?" "Well i guess you can call it a feeling. It's more like i can feel the pressure of things. I've tested this out in a bathtub filled with different things. If i concentrate on certain parts of the water i have contact with, i can feel the objects in the water." Izuku continues with his notes. "That would make you invaluable in aquatic rescues! Basically perfect for any situation involving water." They continued walking and talking. Before they knew it, Kazumi and Taiyoma ended up at the Class 2-A dorm instead of their own. "Hey, it's those new first years again!" says an oddly familiar voice. It was Mina, who was out playing with the some other students in her class in the front yard of the dorm building. "What the heck! This is not our dorm!" yells Taiyoma. "We must've gotten so lost in conversation that we forgot were supposed to be heading back to our dorm that we just followed you guys." explains Kazumi. "Guess we'll head back now…." Before they can leave Mina throws herself at them. "Wait! I want to have a proper introduction. I'm Ashido Mina. Sorry for scaring you guys earlier." "Oh no worries. I'm Umichi Kazumi." "And I'm Terasu Taiyoma. Nice to meet you." Some of the other students start to approach Kazumi and Taiyoma and start introducing themselves. "I'm Kirishima Eijiro. Nice to meet ya." "I'm Jiro Kyouka. Don't let the boys get to you." "I'm Yaoyorozu Momo. Class vice president. I'm terribly sorry for our fellow student's actions from our first meeting." "Hey, i already apologised Momo!" Mina interjects. "The apology wasn't sincere enough." Last to introduce themselves was a tall student with glasses. "And I'm Iida Tenya, The class president. It is a pleasure to see such lively first years. But, curfew is about to take effect. I suggest you make it to your dorm before it comes. You don't want to be in trouble before class even starts." "Ah, you're right. C'mon Taiyoma. Let's go." They begin to head out and the students say their goodbyes. "I wish you guys the best of luck on your first day." says Izuku.
They both make it to the dorm just in time. They walk in the dorm and are greeted by Utami who was sitting watching T.V. on the couch. "Oh hey you guys are back. How was your girls day out?" "It was fun. We only got one dress because Kazu is too picky." "I guess i am. What did you do Kikuma-kun?" "I was just working on some new music. The usual." "Hey Kikuma-kun, you know what Kazu did Today? She was able to beat Todoroki in a dual today!" Utami jumps out of his seat and gives a surprised look. "Wait really?! That crazy strong guy who got second place?" "Yup, she had the jump on him and was able to beat him in an instant." Taiyoma boasts. "Hey, don't exaggerate things." "What? It's the truth. You were awesome!" "What did you do Umichi-san?" "I'm still learning how to control it…." Kazumi pulls off her gloves and holds out her hand. On the tip of her index finger, small column of water rises and begins to take a form. It eventual comes into a shape of a flower and then freezes, keeping its shape. "Take it." says Kazumi. Utami plucks the flower from her finger in amazement. "Wait, so you can make ice now? That's wicked cool." Kazumi then touches the frozen flower and causes it to melt instantly on Utami's hand. "I can even turn water back into liquid form. Her let me dry your hand." Kazumi then wraps her water around Utami's hand and pulls it off, drying it. "Wow, that feels weird." Taiyoma then yawns. "We better head off to bed, Kazu. I'll see ya in the morning." "Oh crap it's that late." says Utami, after looking at his phone. "I guess i'll see you guys tomorrow too." They then all head to their rooms. Kazumi lays in her bed thinking about all the students she met. "They all seem so bright, even with all the things that happened to them. I wonder if that's what the hero course does to you." Kazumi dozes off quickly after a tiring day out. What challenges await them on their first day of class?
(Author note) To those reading this, i am grateful that you take interests in my story. The next chapter will list all the students in class 1-A and their powers, because i want you guys to know how they work right off the back, and i am lazy at incorporating it into the story.