United We Stand
Chapter 10: The Misfits of Aldera Junior High: Part 1 of 2
"Remind me again why we decided to go to school with only a couple weeks left of the year", Calvin yawned as he laid snuggled into Kaito's neck. Despite being one it wasn't impossible to for one to sleep while the other stayed awake, they just had an unspoken rule about it being rude most times to do so.
"I don't want to waste any more time. Besides like Nezu said I only got a three on the language portion of the placement test", of course that's what stood out to Kaito when he'd received his grade, "I can't be slacking off. Besides its either this or more work in the UA library", Kaito answered as he attempted to follow the map, he'd printed off the computer hoping to find the school.
Kaito had been assured that a tour would be provided if he got there early enough and he planned to take full advantage of that fact. Maybe he'd even be able to take the famous Principal Yami by surprise and ask her the questions that plagued his mind.
Did all students receive a letter inviting them to Aldera? If not, why and more importantly why was he chosen? He'd also like to ask about why Nejire got a letter, but he had a feeling she'd reveal that herself one day and if not it really wasn't any of Kaito's business anyway.
"It might just look a normal school, but Aldera Junior High is kind of a school for misfits and unwanted things", Nejire had said when describing Aldera.
For the rest of the walk, while he let Calvin get a little extra sleep, he thought of the wording she'd used.
"Misfits and unwanted things".
What had she meant about that?
For some reason despite not knowing what it meant, Kaito felt as if those words were what convinced him to attend Aldera. As if he'd fit right in.
Upon arriving at Aldera Kaito was greeted politely by a guard at the gate. When asked for his ID Kaito explained he was new, and the guard laughed saying he didn't recognize half the kids who'd gone here over the years. After that the guard pointed Kaito in the right direction, off he went.
The school itself wasn't as extravagant as UA but nice. A small pond was outside with a few fish and the two stopped to observe the brightly colored koi.
The walls were a nice beige color that made the red brick wall, atop a similar beige base, that encircled the facility stand out.
At the buildings topmost center was a clock that informed Kaito he was approximately ten minutes early for the tour he'd been promised.
This pleased Kaito and he headed directly into the mostly empty building hoping to find the principals office. Surely this Principal Yami would be the first to show up if she had enough dedication to send personal letters to each prospective student.
Maybe he'd be lucky, and she'd be the one who would give him his personal tour.
But then again Kaito had never been particularly lucky.
After following the signs Kaito found the admin office he'd been instructed to go to in order to begin the tour.
"Do you think he's another new kid", Calvin asked curious of the dark green haired boy sitting alone looking through a notebook and doing some drawings.
As Kaito spotted the sign informing him of the principal's office location he ignored Calvin's question and beelined straight of the office.
Calvin, ever the curious bee, decided to extend from Kaito's body and gently landed on the green haired boy's shoulder to see what he was working on.
Being so into his drawing the boy didn't even notice the light weight now perched on his shoulder and continued the finishing touches on his latest depicture of All Might, as seen on a news story last night.
"Wow you really captured his eyes well", Calvin complimented.
"Thanks, I've always been-", the dark green haired boy froze quaking in fear at the odd bug on his shoulder before he jumped away screaming, knocking over several other chairs in the process.
"What the hell are you", the boy asked as he attempted to catch his breath but realized the odd creature was now nowhere in sight.
"I'm sorry about him", Kaito said after having jogged over, annoyed since he was about to knock on the principal's office door.
Calvin who'd been just as terrified by the boy's blood curdling scream had immediately retracted into Kaito.
"He's a little to curious for his own good", Kaito explained.
"Oh, so he was interested in my drawing", the boy seemed to understand and began to calm down though he was still weary.
"Yes he was. Now Calvin apologize for intruding on this student's personal space", Kaito stated firmly with no room for arguments.
Not that Calvin would with how bad he felt for scaring the artist.
"I do apologize. If it's any consolation though I do believe you are a wonderful artist", Calvin apologize as he hesitantly extended from Kaito's left arm as usual.
"Woah", the boy said upon seeing Calvin reappear, "I- I- I mean it's ok. I should've been paying more attention anywhere. I'm actually supposed to be giving a tour today to a", the boy paused as he began to flush looking up and down the new arrival, "new student".
Well answered Kaito's question regarding if the boy was another new student or not.
"Oh, well actually I was hoping that Principal Yami would be the one giving me the tour. She sent me a personal letter inviting me to the school and I wanted a chance to thank her", Kaito explained, revealing a partial reason he wanted to talk to her.
"Oh wow, I heard that she sent a letter out every now and again but I heard it was super rare", the boy explained.
Kaito's eyes widened in intrigue, maybe he could gather some information from this boy even if he couldn't ask the principal directly.
"I hate to disappoint you but Principal Yami normally doesn't get here till about five minutes before the first bell and just between you and me I wouldn't advise trying to talk to her until at least an hour after she's had her coffee. Trust me it's not a good idea", the boy grimaced and Kaito immediately questioned what would've happened to make the boy react like that to a memory of the principal before her coffee.
"We'll take your word for it. Do you know when her office is open to students", Calvin asked.
"She doesn't really have office hours for students but there's an assembly today before lunch. Maybe you can try and catch her afterwards".
"Thanks for the information", Kaito said.
"No problem, well we only have about thirty minutes before people start showing up and an hour before we have to be in class. Let's get this tour started and I'll answer any other questions you have during it".
Kaito nodded and followed the boy out of the office but took one last glance at Principal Yami's office.
"A principal who shows up to school five minutes before the first bell, doesn't have office hours for students, and sends letters inviting only a small number of students. Just who is this Principal Yami", Kaito wondered.
"By the way I'm Izuku Midoriya, you'll be in my class", the tour guide's voice drew Kaito out of his thoughts and he turned with a small smile hiding his immense curiosity.
"I'm Kaito Murakami and this little guy is Calvin".
"Nice to meet the two of you. By the way it's not often you see a symbiotic quirk like that. Have you two been with each other since you were born", Izuku asked and Kaito had to smother a laugh as the dark green haired boy reminded him of his periwinkle haired friend.
During the tour Izuku kept the conversation going with a few questions about Kaito's quirk.
It became apparent very quickly that Izuku and Nejire would most definitely get along. It made Kaito and Calvin like Izuku a little easier and Kaito was already thinking of how funny it would be to watch the two nerd out over the more peculiar quirks.
The school itself was simple and Kaito wasn't worried about forgetting anything since he could just ask Calvin. A bathroom for each sex was on the second and fourth floors. He was apart of class 2-C meaning his classroom was on the fourth floor. The gym, music room, library, office, general computer lab, and auditorium (where the assembly would be held) were all on the first floor.
The assembly apparently had to do with the end of the year trip that would take place in two weeks.
Upon hearing this Kaito immediately made the decision that he wouldn't be going on the trip. He wasn't attending Aldera for a few weeks at the end of the year just so he could squeeze his way onto the trip.
He wanted to find out exactly what he'd have to study of the summer if needed be so he could catch up and Calvin advised it would also be nice to meet all the students he'd be going to school with next year.
"So, since you've lived in this area your whole life. Is there anyone I shouldn't be hanging out with", Kaito asked trying to keep his smile despite the memories of Kevin and the others on the colony.
"You're going to be fine Kaito", Shota had told him this morning when Kaito expressed his fear of bullies during breakfast, "but if you really are worried about bullies let me give you a bit of advice. Friends will help you through anything. Never forget that".
Those words from Shota were another reason that Kaito was quickly latching on to a possible friendship with Izuku and it didn't hurt with how likable Izuku was.
Like Nejire, Izuku was a hero nerd but unlike Nejire his questions weren't all that intrusive.
Izuku didn't talk as fast as Nejire and he often asked Kaito about his feelings regarding certain things like the warm weather or if he was nervous about attending a new school.
Both answers being yes.
One thing about Izuku that Kaito and Calvin both liked was that whenever he'd ask a question, he'd often be asking both of them. Like he immediately valued that Calvin was another individual taking part in their conversation. He also would interject his own thoughts and opinions here and there. It made it a little easier for Kaito to deal with a complete stranger since as the tour went on he learned more and more about him.
Just like Kaito and Calvin, Izuku wanted to be a hero and attend UA and as Kaito would learn. They weren't the only two.
"Well I couldn't really tell you. Nobody talks to me to much since I don't have a quirk".
"So, I'm guessing you've heard of it? A school where quirkless go to school just like their normal people. It was fun, I mean you've got to understood that they're just like you and me just without quirks", Nejire's words ran through Kaito's head as he took in Izuku's almost nonchalant confession.
"That's so unfortunate, how do you still plan on going to UA without a quirk", Calvin asked and Kaito stiffened at the intrusive question.
"Well there's a rumor that they're going to get rid of the rule making it so you need a quirk to attend. I've heard it's because of the principal's intellect enhancing quirk and how hard it is to prove you have one", Kaito was taken aback at the info that Nezu's quirk made him smarter but it did immediately make a lot of sense.
"Well for their sake I hope they pass the bill. They could use someone who takes as much notice about other people's quirks as you do", Calvin complimented as he remembered the notes about All Might's strengths and possible weaknesses that were on the opposite page when Calvin had seen his drawing.
This made Kaito smile and chuckle at how his oldest friend could go from so intrusive to caring in the blink of an eye.
"By the way do you think we'll be sitting next to you", Calvin asked.
"Yeah, I have the highest grade in the class, and I've lived in the area my whole life so they normally ask me to show new students around. It's okay though, they normally give you the offer to move seats after a week with me so you won't have to for so long".
Kaito immediately stopped in his tracks.
"Hmm, are you okay", Izuku asked wondering if even that was to long for someone to sit next to a quirkless loser like himself.
With only three and a half weeks of school left Kaito couldn't understand why Izuku would think it such an inconvenience for him to sit next to Izuku.
Then again a particular memory of a classmate on the colony complaining he had to sit next to 'kid with the weird eyes' made Kaito accept the feeling Izuku had.
"If it's not a problem I don't think I'd mind sitting next to you for the rest of the year", Kaito revealed as Calvin nodded in agreement.
"Huh, wait really? It doesn't bother you that I don't have a quirk", Izuku asked with his mouth parted slightly in awe.
"No, it doesn't. Not one bit. Why does it bother you sitting next to someone with an annoying alien sticking out their arm", Kaito asked as he continued walking.
"N- N- No! Of course, it doesn't bother me. Besides I don't think Calvin's annoying at all. Wait what do you mean alien".
Kaito patted Izuku's shoulder as he gave the dark green haired boy a light shove in order to get him going.
"I'm just messing with you Izzy", Kaito laughed at Izuku's worry.
"There is one person", Izuku mumbled.
Kaito then stopped again and looked at Izuku who was now nearly quivering as he rolled up his sleeves to reveal a burn mark.
"He has the second highest grades in the class gets particularly mean when I'm chosen to show the new kids around", Izuku quivered as he remembered a happy memory of him and that very bully watching Saturday morning cartoons once when they were kids.
"What's his name", Calvin asked for Kaito, who was unable to do anything as his grip on Izuku's shoulder hardened, his eyes refused to look anywhere but the burn, and his teeth squeezed together.
"K- K- Katsuki, his name is Katsuki Bakugo", Izuku revealed despite fully believe that Kaito would turn on him in the blink of the eye and go running off to laugh with Katsuki at how Izuku had shown him the burn. By the end of the day Izuku was certain he'd learn exactly how much of bully Kaito and Calvin could be.
But that couldn't be anywhere further from the proof.
For as Kaito stared down the burn one thing was for absolute certain. He may have just barely met Izuku, but he was kind and neither him nor Calvin needed to say a word to each other. For they had both decided in that moment that Izuku would never be hurt by this Katsuki Bakugo ever again.
The rest of the tour wasn't as lighthearted as the first half had been but the two still managed to chuckle after Izuku broke the ice by asking another question about Calvin.
By the time students were showing up both Kaito and Calvin were paying very close attention their tour guide for his reactions. Eventually he'd give something away. A light twitch or a fearful glance maybe but regardless of the sign it would show the arrival of Katsuki Bakugo.
Unfortunately for Kaito that meeting wouldn't come until he was sitting down at his desk.
Despite Katsuki having the second highest grade in class, apparently, he also liked showing up last minute but when he showed up Kaito immediately knew.
He'd been facing away from the door since his desk was to the right of Izuku's and the dark green haired boy had been explaining that they'd be reviewing for the final exams this week before starting them next week.
That's when Kaito noticed the sign.
Upon hearing a deep crackly voice get closer and closer Kaito noticed that Izuku's right hand began fiddling with his pencil.
Not wanting to be too obvious about it Kaito waited until a few minutes after Katsuki entered the classroom and Izuku made intense eye contact with Kaito, almost as if he was afraid of accidentally looking at Katsuki.
Calvin however wasn't so nonchalant.
He'd stared down Katsuki from the moment he'd entered the door with his spiked-up ash blond hair, to the moment that Katsuki sat down, and even to the moment that Kaito was asked to stand up and introduce himself to the class by the short elderly gray haired teacher.
"Hello, I'm Kaito Murakami and this is Calvin", Kaito said with a small smile, hoping to seem friendly to those were worth being friendly to. Thankfully he was to livid to care about the nervousness that almost caused him to leave his own welcome home party a few months prior.
In that moment Kaito wondered where All Might was right now.
Many of his classmates began wondering and Kaito found that most thought his symbiotic quirk was cool though none of the students actually used the word symbiotic like Izuku had.
The only one who seemingly didn't have an opinion and just gave Kaito and Calvin an odd look was Katsuki.
Who was curious why the new kid's second head had been looking at him like it wanted to rip him in half.
"Well Kaito tell us something else about you. Do you have any hobbies", the teacher, Mr. Jo asked in a cheerful manner to make the new student feel welcome.
Kaito thought for a second about his answer but knew it was the right one the moment he thought of it.
"We don't like bullies", and at that Katsuki's eyes sharpened and Kaito found it curious that a small puff of smoke blew out of his now clenched fists.
After answering the question and doing a little bow at the end, as earlier instructed by Shota, Kaito returned to his seat and took as many notes as he could.
He found it refreshing that he was able to write his own notes with a pencil and paper instead of typing them out on dying computers like he had to do on the colony. Though Kaito did have to admit his penmanship needed work. Maybe Hizashi could give him some tips or something.
During the lessons Calvin flipped through a book that Izuku had given him to keep his mind occupied.
Kaito found himself able to understand most of the things being reviewed and he'd even raised his hand a few times to give an answer.
A couple things regarding history he didn't know but he made sure to write everything down and would either be looking it up himself or asking Izuku later.
"Suck it number three", Kaito thought happily when he correctly answered a few questions that had stumped him regarding language on the placement test.
Despite having not actually been here for the studying Kaito was certain he'd score well on the tests.
When it was time for the assembly Kaito was asked to wait back so Mr. Jo could talk to him.
Izuku told Kaito he'd save him a seat in the auditorium when Kaito ensured him that he could find the way without Izuku.
The talk was short and sweet.
Apparently Kaito had the option to opt out for the actual exam but Kaito ensured the teacher he did want to take the exam if only to see more on what he needed to improve on. The teacher had been impressed at Kaito's initiative in that regard.
What frustrated Kaito however was that, even for new students, the end of the year trip to Kyoto wouldn't be optional since the summer homework – among other things – included a five-thousand-word paper regarding the city's history.
Mr. Jo however alleviated some of Kaito's fears by telling him that Kaito's education fund would be paying for his part of the trip.
Kaito was also warned of the consequences of cheating regarding having Calvin help him. This didn't offend Kaito since he'd been warned by Shota it might come up. In response to the allegation Kaito just referred the teacher to contacting his guardians who could confirm that he held no telepathic communication with Calvin but just in case he also through in a hearty promise to never cheat.
Kaito was then released to head to the auditorium but was thoroughly surprised when, after making a quick drop into the second story bathroom, he found none other than Katsuki Bakugo washing his hands.
"Heyya Sim", Katsuki greeted with a half-smile as he finished drying off his hands.
Kaito didn't respond and just proceeded to take care of his own business before washing his own hands and getting quite annoyed when it appeared that Katsuki was waiting for him.
"I figured since Deku didn't wait for you I can show you to the-".
"We can find it ourselves", Calvin interrupted, "Please don't let us keep you waiting", Calvin drawled as Kaito spent a little extra time scrubbing his fingernails so Katsuki could hopefully get a head start.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all. Besides what kind of person would I be if I left the new kid to get lost".
Kaito didn't respond and just kept washing his hands but realized that Katsuki wouldn't get the hint. So, he'd just have to make sure he did by the time they got the auditorium.
So, the two proceed to the auditorium.
"So, aren't you going to ask why I called you Sim", Katsuki asked as they headed down the stairs.
"No", Kaito answered bluntly.
"Why not"?
"Because we don't care", Calvin answered in a way that would almost be considered a snap.
"If you really don't like nicknames that much I can go ahead and just call you Kaito and Calvin. I just meant it as a play on words since your quirk is symbiotic. Get it"?
"He didn't say we didn't like the nickname. He said we don't care", Kaito said getting angrier and angrier with each word Katsuki said as images of Kevin and the knife flooded his memory.
"Dude what's your fucking deal? I'm just trying to be friendly", Katsuki asked at the end of his patience.
Kaito stopped just around the corner from the auditorium and so did Katsuki.
"You really want to know what my deal is", Kaito challenged and was answered by Katsuki's snarl.
"You'd be a bully".
"What", Katsuki asked bewildered.
"You'd be a bully if you had left the new kid in the bathroom because that's all you are Katsuki. You're a bully who picks on kids without quirks just because they're smarter than you. So, I don't want to be friends with you. Just leave me alone", and before Katsuki could say a word Kaito was off and as if fate itself wanted to spite Katsuki's attempt to help, Calvin didn't even need to tell Kaito which door led to the auditorium.
AN: I had to write this in the middle of writing because a cover of 'Lean on Me' by J2 feat. Sizzy Rocket started to play, and it fit the theme perfectly for when Katsuki's voice was heard.
OK! I want to get something out of the way real quick. I HATE reading AN after AN of people apologizing for not uploading after X amount of time. So. don't expect it from me. I already told you guys I hope to update a few times a week but don't hate me if that doesn't happen.
I'm still in love with this story. I'll let you know if inspiration does wilt a little and if you should be expecting less frequent chapters. As of right now I've just been busy.
Now that that's out of the way I would like to apologize for the quality of the original Chapter 10. I was very tired when I wrote it but didn't want to break my streak of writing every day. I will no longer post half-assed chapters like that. You have my word. . .
Ironically so because The Misfits of Aldera Junior High is a two parter!
Also, I just want to make clear, so people won't get worried, this won't be a continuously slow story. Just moments like this do need some fleshing out especially during large action scenes and/or major character introductions.
After the next part we'll be dealing with the school trip, one or two for summer, and the next school year will probably cover three to four chapters max.
Also, just to confirm Kaito is eleven and Izuku is twelve. There will be two years at Aldera Junior High for the boys before heading off to UA. *spoiler alert?* haha
Remember that Izuku starts UA just a couple months before turning fifteen. That's where I'm getting two years. If I'm doing this math wrong feel free to let me know but if you comment after I've already started writing the next year of school, I'll just be keeping it to two years.
Also, has analytics regarding who reads my story including the country they're from, the gender, and how many reads per chapter. What confuses me about this is that chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 have no views at all. I'm just confused why some are reading 1 and 2 and then skipping to 7. haha If you're one of these people please explain because the only thing I can think of is maybe you're checking to see if the story eventually becomes something you're interested in.
Also, yay for breaking 40k words!
Also, can someone explain to me the difference between a view and a visitor regarding these analytics? Thank you!
*cough cough* I still don't own the original characters or concepts of MHA or Life (2017).
And to my one follower! Thank you. 😊
As always love you all, thank you for reading, and blessed be! )O(
Update 7/11/19: Minor edits and teacher named Mr. Jo as well as a simple description of him.