"Why couldn't you just put the button inside my shoe?" I asked, moving my hand up and down from my side to the button Mei had just installed in my utility belt, testing how quickly I could get to it if need be.

Mei and I were in her personal shed — otherwise known as 'The Baby Workshop.' The walls were covered with shelves filled with all the 'babies' she'd ever made — successfuls and duds alike. An aged, wooden table sat in the center of the small area; covered in a few haphazard toolboxes, and a special space that I called 'the project of the hour spot' where Mei would work on new 'babies.'

Said inventor was already working on another project as I practiced, eyes razor focused on some mechanical gauntlet, and yet she was still able to laugh boisterously at me. "Don't be silly! What if you accidentally press it while you're walking around?"

The thought would've been hilarious if I didn't already feel on edge about the fact that I had an hour to get to the UA entrance exams (time sure passes fast). The written exam wasn't going to be an issue — that, I could attribute to my family making sure I studied just as much as I trained over the past months — however, with it being recommendations, I was going to have to put my blood and sweat (no time for tears) into being ahead of the other competitors.

Who'd've thought it'd be so exciting to compete at the chance to be a hero?

I shrugged at her question, "That's a good point, but I also wouldn't have to worry about it if my hands were ever tied up. It'd be in my shoe for a quick getaway."

On my feet were a pair of black sneakers — slightly formal looking, and yet durable enough for running and everything else. What Mei installed in them a few months prior turned them into rocket sneakers, ergo the new button on my utility belt to activate them. Running with them I had already worked out… it was just the placement of the button that I was debating. When practicing with it, I just held it like a mini remote in my hand, and that is too easy to lose.

Mei finally tore her gaze away from her 'baby' to eye me in amusement. Grease stains littered her face and arms, and even the goggles she always wore on her head had some scuff marks. She always felt like she had a lot more room to work with if her arms were bare since — as is especially the case when working on her 'babies' — her usual choice of clothing was a black tank top and coveralls, the top part of which was tied around her waist. "Chise, this is the entrance exam, not a villain attack!"

"My point — it's an entrance exam for the hero course. I want to be prepared for anything they might throw at me."

"Hmm.." she held her pointer finger to her forehead in thought. "That also makes sense…. Ooh, now I really can't wait for the support course entrance exam!" Mei pointed to the 'baby' sitting on her table, "I only hope my baby will be ready for it when I take it tomorrow. Can you imagine how bad that would be if I failed…? Oh, well, I can always try again next year!"

The thought wasn't even possible in my mind, despite how little she worried about the ending results of… well, anything.

"I know you'll do great on the exam. Don't even sweat it," I told her with an honest grin. "You're the best inventor I know. With… whatever this thing is going to do… they're bound to be begging for you to attend their school."

Mei smacked my arm playfully. "Hey! It's your exam today, not mine! I'm supposed to be the one encouraging you!"

"I know," I chuckled. "Doesn't hurt to have some extra confidence on your side ahead of time, though. But, anyway, do you think I'll pass?"

I held my arms up halfway as a sort of 'ta da' for me appearance-wise. Makoto insisted that for the written exam and the interview, I needed to look at least somewhat presentable… as such; I was wearing a white polo shirt with the buttons halfway buttoned up (come on, I still need some space for my neck to breathe) and black dress pants.

In my shoulder bag, I kept my shorts and tank top at the ready for the practical. Despite the cold weather outside, I couldn't wait to change into them. No matter what it was going to be, I was bound to have to break a sweat

Mei grinned widely, "You're going to amaze them!" She rubbed my arm with an oil-stained hand, "Just make sure you show my babies off in the best light, okay?"

I snorted, attempting to wipe the oil that remained off my arm, "I will, I know the drill. I'll even be sure to mention that you're the mother of all my gadgets in the interview." I found myself frowning suddenly in concentration, realizing that the stain was not going away so easily. "Dangit, Mei, now I have to be stuck with this on my arm."

"Thank you~!" she gushed, ignoring my comment about the grease mark that seemed to only spread further across my skin as I rubbed.

"Don't thank me yet," I grumbled, walking over to grab my orange jacket from the hook on the workshop door and pulling it on. "I may just happen to 'forget' to mention the creator of all my gadgets."

She pouted only for a moment before pulling a bottle of baby oil, and tossing it toward me with a large grin. After I caught it one-handed, eyeing her curiously, she said, "That'll take the grease right off… Good luck!"

Her energetic wink and thumbs up was all the encouragement I needed.

After a twenty minute walk, I stood in front of UA High School next to the sign detailing the directions to the entrance exam location. The front of the building was large, covered in many windows, and — strangely enough — formed into the shape of an 'H.' Why? I don't know. I noticed that for a mere second before my attention was completely enraptured by a noticeably familiar boy walking past me toward the entrance.

It's got to be him, I thought to myself as I stared at him. His hair was unique, so there was no way I was mistaking him for someone else: half white on his right, half red on his left. Only difference was that not only had he grown — shall I imagine? — handsome, but there was also an angry red scar over his left eye that wasn't there when I last saw him.

Strange. Could the other half of his quirk have caused that?

"Shoto?"

He turned to glare at me without any recognition, his mismatched cyan blue and gray eyes actually level with mine…. On another note, it's good to be tall — would've absolutely hated to be short.

"Do I know you?" he asked briskly.

His reaction hurt. Am I that forgettable? Nevertheless, I smiled at him and shook my head nonchalantly. "Huh? Oh no. I don't think so. Just want to wish you good luck on admissions. My name is —" I held out my hand for him to shake, but he merely turned with a scoff and continued walking.

"Don't waste my time," he muttered.

My shoulders slumped, jaw tight as I stared at his retreating back. We're not going to be on a first name basis anytime soon, are we… Todoroki?

A bus pulled up behind me as Todoroki walked away, other incoming examinees filing out and also walking up to the entrance. Todoroki was stopped again, but that time it was an extra tall guy wearing a black suit and tie who placed his hand on his shoulder as other people strolled past them. On his face was a grin that somehow seemed larger than any I'd ever seen from Mei.

Todoroki barely looked over his shoulder at the guy before saying a short few words and pushing forward with the other people. The guy seemed disappointed, his grin faltering as he also watched him walk away.

I was mostly glad to know I wasn't the only one he was being cold to… but, it was also disappointing. I had looked forward to the thought that we might be classmates and become friends again, but it wasn't going to be a possibility if he wouldn't acknowledge me. My first friend… what happened to you since then?

Uh oh.

The tall guy noticed me.

He immediately started beaming again as he strode over to me, hand held out up until he was right in front of me. "Hi! Nice to meet you! I am Inasa Yoarashi!" he proclaimed proudly. Up close I realized his facial features were sharp, his slanted eyes as black as night, and dark brown hair buzzed short.

My eyes were wide as I stared up at him (damn his extra height), but I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of my chest. "You too, Yoarashi. I'm Chise Kirita." I gingerly clasped my hand into his large one, and was immediately shaken by his vigorous handshake.

"What a very pretty name, Kirita! Are you also here for the recommendations' ceremony?!"

"Er —" I waited until he released my hand, composing myself before responding. "Thanks.. I am here for recommendations…. You seem to be excited."

"Absolutely!" he beamed. "I am so stoked! Getting into the hero course here will be a dream come true, no doubt about it! It's going to be a class full of passionate heroes-in-training, I can't wait!"

A sweat drop formed at the back of my head as I listened to him monologue, surprised that anyone could be so full of energy. Especially at such an early time in the morning.

He became starry-eyed as he looked down, "Is that a sword?!"

"Oh." I'd had to call ahead to ask if it was okay to bring my sword — considering Naomasa's apprehension based on experience with the schools I've gone to — but they had surprisingly been more than open about it. Perhaps based on the fact that it might as well have been as close to a 'quirk' as I could get on proving my ability to become a hero. "Yeah, it's part of my skills."

"That's incredible!" he said earnestly. "Which pro hero recommended you?"

"No one you'd know," I shrugged, gesturing toward the entrance for a subject change. "Want to come with me? We might be able to sit by each other for the written exam."

If possible.. his grin only widened. "I would love that! Let's go!"

His walk was dynamic, swinging his arms back and forth in a speed walk. I'd say I would've rushed to catch up, but I'd be lying… I walked casually, nodding at him with a smile as he hurried backwards and continued by my side.

"Sorry about that! I'm just so excited for this!"

"It's fine," I chuckled. He was very entertaining. "Do you have any idea what they might have us do for the practical?"

"It may be a battle royale or a race!" Yoarashi exclaimed as we walked through the front doors, beginning our long trek through the wide hallways. "I've trained a lot for either outcome, and I'm going to give it my all! What do you think it will be?"

Interesting. A battle royale or a race? What could I do to maneuver my way — at the minimum — to the top ten in either scenario? In a battle royale, I could dodge around until I spotted others' weaknesses… but in a race, I would really have to rely on the rocket sneakers. The problem with that option was that, from personal practice with them, I couldn't continuously keep them running. They could go for a few minutes straight, no issue, but then eventually their engines would overheat and require five minutes to cool down.

"What do you think it will be, Kirita?" Yoarashi reiterated as I got lost in my mental strategies. "Do you have a preference?"

I craned my neck to smirk up at him, "I'm prepared for either one. Can't wait to see what we're up against."

"Me too!"

We entered a large room, the outside of which showcased a sign on the wall indicating that it was the testing room. As soon as we crossed the threshold there was a table, behind which sat the pro hero known as Present Mic.

I'd never met him face to face before, but the speaker covering his neck (as a support item for his quirk) and his long blonde hair were what gave him away. His hair was worn spiked up in a curved tuft behind his head, and on his face was a small brown mustache and a set of orange-tinted shades.

Behind him, other examinees were already seated in a large array of desks ranging about six feet away from each other.

"Welcome, prospective heroes!" Present Mic told us eagerly, clicking a pen in his hand as he held a stack of papers up in front of him. "What are your names?"

"Inasa Yoarashi, sir!" Yoarashi bellowed.

Present Mic flipped through pages before making a checkmark next to a line, and then reached into the large box next to him. He pulled out a large, white notecard with the number '41' on it and handed it to the tall excitable guy next to me. "Hold onto that number! After the written exam, that will be the number you wear for the practical! You'll be split into groups of six, so listen for your number!"

Does he always talk like he's announcing something incredible? Just because it's part of his loud-mouthed quirk?

"Got it!"

I twisted a finger inside one of my ears, both of which felt like they were ringing from the loud voices of the two I was stuck with. I was seriously thinking about just pulling my earplugs out of my utility belt and putting them on.

"And you?" Present Mic asked me.

"Chise Kirita," I replied, dropping my hand to my side.

Finding my name quickly, he pulling another number out of the box and handed it to me… '103'. Oh, it's a sticker.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "How did we just jump from '41' to '103'?"

"The numbers are random, and as are the groups of six you'll be split into for the practical exam!" he explained shortly, turning to hold his hand out in the direction of the desks. "Now, find a seat! The written exam will begin shortly!"

Yoarashi took a deep breath, turning to me with extreme happiness and arms held up into fists in front of him. "Would you sit near me?"

This guy sure holds nothing back, I thought. "Sure."

We found seats around the center of the room after walking past Todoroki, who stared down at his desk with that constant glare — almost as if that was the only face he could ever make. Yoarashi pulled a face as he glanced at him before eyeing me and brightening up all over again.

After we sat down, laying our bags at our feet, I finally looked over at Yoarashi. "Hey."

He perked up, looking over at me with a "Hmm?"

I pointed over at Todoroki, "Do you know him personally or something?"

Yoarashi was silent a moment. Even though I'd only just met him, it was already alarming to see him lose that enormous joviality. "I don't," he said softly, to my surprise. "But I know he's the son of Endeavor. I can tell from the eyes, but some part of me is hoping that he might be different. I figure if I can become friends with him, who his father is won't matter. I'm sure he'll make it into UA anyway — I know I will."

He's not a fan of Endeavor… I realized as I looked at him. Albeit, the fiery hero was known for giving even fans the cold shoulder, but obviously something about his actions put quite an impression on Yoarashi for him to compare the father and son duo by their eyes. Huh, there might even be something to that… I recalled the way he'd glared at me, as if he wanted nothing more than to get the day over with without dealing with people.

Curious.

"Do you know him?" Yoarashi asked, bringing my attention back to his curious gaze. "I also saw you try to talk to him earlier."

How to answer that..? I forced a tight smile and nodded, "I did once, but… he seems not to remember that."

"Are you —?"

"I'm fine," I uttered. "Getting into UA may change that. All you and I have to do is be patient, don't you think? Maybe we can get him to drop that cold act."

Yoarashi seemed uncertain, but ultimately he nodded in agreement and gave me a grin again. "We'll pass together!"

"THE WRITTEN PORTION IS OVER! NEXT UP IS THE PRACTICAL PART! LAST IS THE INTERVIEW! YOU'LL BE IN GROUPS OF SIX FOR THE PRACTICAL! COULD THE NUMBERS WE JUST CALLED PLEASE PROCEED TO THE TEST SITE?"

After the written exam was over with, Present Mic gestured before us to an insane looking obstacle course while using his quirk to announce everything at a much higher decibel. There was a waterfall, a set of three high hills connected only by rope bridges, an area filled with holes that spit fire at random, and many more wacky areas. The directions through it were shown as arrows drawn into the ground and — strangely enough — on the side of one of the hills pointing up.

That'll be fun… I guess it is a race then. I'll have to conserve the fuel of the rocket sneakers for only the most important parts.

I stood next to Yoarashi, taking a deep breath as he giddily psyched himself up to begin the race. I didn't know what his quirk was but, with his excessive energy, I knew it had to to be something good for him to feel so certain that he'd be able to get in.

For the practical, since we were outside, everyone had put on their activewear. Yoarashi had on a teal track suit, the sweater of which he'd completely zipped up and tagged his number '41' on the front. I, of course, had my blue gym shorts and black tank top with my orange sweater loosely hanging over one shoulder. The number '103' was stuck to my top.

A few people away — just my luck — happened to also be Todoroki. The black jacket with red lines that he had already been wearing was unzipped, the number '23' attached to his white shirt.

Why the hell did I end up with such a high number? I thought as I noticed the other numbers in our group were '12', '16', and '31'.

"YOUR TEST IS A THREE-KILOMETER FOOT RACE," Present Mic continued. "BUT THIS ISN'T A RACE THAT CAN BE FINISHED JUST BY RUNNING! MAKE USE OF YOUR QUIRKS TO REACH THE GOAL!"

Everyone tensed up, readying themselves to dash through. My hand quickly reached for the button on my utility belt.

"Good luck," I murmured to Yoarashi.

"Thanks," he replied. "You too."

"ALL RIGHT EXAMINEES! TIME TO GOOO! PLUUUS ULTRAAA!"

The sound of a horn burst above us from three sets of speakers attached to the starting line entryway.

We set off. I pressed my thumb against the button, and my rocket sneakers roared into action just as the two wheels popped out from the soles. I was propelled forward, placing first at the very beginning as I left the others behind. Okay, that's a perfect start, I thought, removing my hand from the button so the engines puttered to a stop.

On the momentum I started off with, I was still moving pretty quickly so long as I kicked one of my legs back from time to time and avoided looking over my shoulder. Doing that would give my competitors reason to believe I was weak. I would not let that be the case.

As I reached the hill, I held my thumb to the button again and sped forward, bending my knees slightly so that once I was about ten feet away I jumped high enough into the air. Positioning myself properly, I was able to land straight against the side of the hill with a strong posture before seemingly flying up to the top.

The hiccup came when I suddenly slowed down, ending up at a complete stop as I slowly began to somehow sink into the side of the steep hill. "What the hell?" I looked at my feet in dismay, watching as my feet disappeared into a randomly quicksand-like terrain.

A wacky laugh was heard not far behind me, "Coming by! Good luck getting out of that!"

Damn, now I'm forced to turn around… I thought irritably, glancing over my shoulder with clenched teeth at a guy swimming easily through the material — something he must've caused with his quirk.

His skin was pale, with similarly colored hair and a skeleton kind of face… which seemed skeletal due to the fact his teeth were visible with no lips in sight. The number '16' was on his green sweater, sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

"We'll see about that," I said as he got closer, reaching deftly into my utility belt. Soon as he was moments from sliding past me, I held out my bottle of pepper spray — spraying him right in the eyes.

"What!" he screeched, coming to a skidded stop just ahead of me as he held his hand over his eyes.

Not even seconds later did a gust of freezing cold air spring by, revealing a thick line of jagged spikes of ice up the side of the hill.

Damn, there goes Todoroki.

Breezing past, only a few feet off the ground with an obvious wind quirk, was Yoarashi — literally speeding faster than I expected.

I grit my teeth. My rocket sneakers were out of commission inside the quicksand-like area I was stuck in… I would have to resort to something else.

Inasa Yoarashi:

The greatest hero school in all of Japan… I thought excitedly, speeding through and around all the various obstacles the course had. The most hot-blooded school this country has to offer is waiting for me!

I had passed Kirita not too long ago — she'd gotten caught in the trap of one of the other examinees. It was problematic for her, to say the least, but I had faith that she possessed enough passion to get out of it in time! She was very determined about her capabilities for the practical — and her quirk was something else! She was gone before I even knew what happened, and the examinee that slowed her down was in pain not far away from her!

Kirita was obviously formidable. I was sure she would catch up in no time.

Just ahead of me was Todoroki. I sped closer until I was close enough to see the ice pouring out of his hand at an insane amount of speed, stacking perfectly together to help him stay in first place.

Or not.

He's stacking his ice to propel himself! So fast! I thought, impressed. Those eyes really wig me out, but… I have to give the guy credit for his red-hot skills!

I caught up a little at a time, conserving my energy as best I could without losing my place. I still had Kirita to watch out for.

Hm… I stared uncertainly at the back of Todoroki's duo colored hair. This dude's probably gonna pass… I recalled Kirita's words to me just before the written exam started, and instantaneously cheered up. Whatever! I'll just have to use this chance to make friends with him! Maybe that icy stare doesn't mean a thing! Maybe we don't have to wait to get him to open up!

With an extra gust of wind, I sped up… pushing my feet out in front of me as we reached the finish line.

"AND #41 IS FIRST, BUT ONLY BY A HAIR!" Present Mic declared.

I WAS FIRST!

I stood straight and triumphantly pumped my arms up and down, "Awww yeah, I won! But who can say about next time? You're awesome man!" I dropped my hands down to try to talk one on one with Todoroki, who was facing the other direction. "You must be Endeavor's son or something, right?! Too cool!"

"Shove it," was his response, staring straight ahead of him.

… What?

"This is a test," he continued. "Passing's all that matters. We're not competing or anything."

He won't look at me… I thought. He hadn't done so this entire time, but it was still startling to realize.

"Move it."

My heart dropped into my chest, his words and actions hurt just as bad as his father's did… and that's when a force suddenly pushed me to the ground.

Chise Kirita:

I was the one that tumbled into Yoarashi.

My bad.

"What the —!" he exclaimed in surprise, face first under me.

I quickly pushed myself off of him, and sheepishly shrugged. "I hope you don't mind, but…" I reach behind him to pull the mini grappling hook off his shirt. "I sorta hitched a ride."

The grappling hook was attached to a thin wire that I'd wrapped tightly around my hand. It was long, too, hence why it took me half a minute to get to the finish line after Yoarashi and Todoroki already crossed it. I was lucky Mei gave me such a strong string, because man was he fast. I was able to secure third place riding on his wind quirk with the wheels in my sneakers, of which I then reached down to push inwards, retracting the wheels back inside of the both of them.

Yoarashi stared at me in uttermost shock. "Why did you need my help to pass?"

I ran a hand through my short hair, "It's not exactly 'needing' your help, I was just using my surroundings to my advantage after that guy's quirk got me stuck." And that quicksand crap of a quirk somehow managed to damage the rocket sneakers… Mei will be upset about her precious baby for a moment, but she'll easily fix it. "Since there's no rules about passing on your own quirk abilities, I thought outside the box for another way to secure a high place in the race. It may be third, but that's ten times better than sixth, and you got here in less time than most people's quirks can get them."

"Then how were you first for so long on just roller sneakers?"

I lifted one foot up to show the small, barely noticeable propulsion system in the back. "Rocket sneakers."

"You don't have a quirk?"

"Nope." Gained a friend and lost a friend, Chise. Must be a record.

His eyes glowed curiously, "But how did you know I would end up passing?"

My giggle was extremely unintentional, "You have so much energy and charisma, how could you possibly lose? Besides, the other examinees were so far be—"

"I like you!"

"Huh?!"

Juzo Honenuki.

That was the name of the guy with the quicksand quirk — well, technically, he explained it to me as a softening quirk. Any inanimate object he touched would soften, and only he could easily move through it.

He wanted to give me kudos for making it out and beating him, even apologized for the underhanded tactic. In his desperate hope to win, he'd gotten a little too cocky and hadn't expected for me to retaliate.

I forgave him. I mean, I'd've probably done the same if I'd had the opportunity.

Anyway, the interview portion was straightforward:

"What do you think you bring to a prestigious institution like UA?"

"What kind of hero do you expect to become?"

"What do you think you need practice on to become a better hero?"

And on and on the list goes. Things I had long thought about in detail.

Honenuki left with a bright wave good-bye, and I stood in the hallway waiting for Yoarashi's interview to finish up.

I wanted a reason to smack him upside his head for his random exclamation after the practical exam, but did I really have the right to do that to a brand new friend already? It threw me off! No one, besides for Mei and… well, I really can't say Todoroki anymore, can I?… well, besides for Mei, had ever just accepted the fact that I was quirkless before. It was enlightening to say the least, but he didn't need to shout what he thought of me at the top of his lungs!

So embarrassing.

He exited the room a few minutes later, beaming brightly at me. "Thank you for waiting! Can I walk you home?!"

"No, I'm fine without that," I said, waving my hands frantically in front of me. "Anyways, um I'll see you again when school starts, right?"

His face fell immediately. "I don't —"

"Don't be silly," I interrupted, reaching over to pat his arm. "We'll see each other again."

A grin pushed it's way to his lips, "Y-Yes! You are right! I will see you again, Kirita!"