She zoned off.
Long past caring about the lecture they were receiving from their homeroom teacher Mr Akizuki. It was nearing the end of her third year at Mustafa Middle School, and she was tired of the constant mind-numbing ramblings of this middle-aged man.
"Shinozaki, I understand your intentions of trying to become a pro hero, but that gives no excuse to ignore my lessons," bit out Mr. Akizuki. Bright emerald eyes drew away from the window and fell upon the tall, 'authoritarian figure' that was at the front of the classroom.
"Her, a hero, teach?" Questioned a boy in the back of the class.
The snickers from around the classroom started to pour in. She was used to this behavior; however, it never stopped the waves of annoyance that would hit her.
"With that quirk, she'd be lucky to be working the front desk at one of the middle-tier hero agencies," mocked the boy behind her.
His name was Hinata Otosaka, her own personal bully, if you could call it that. She whipped her head over to him, her chestnut colored side ponytail swishing in the process.
The glare that he gave him didn't deter him from continuing, "All she can do is grow her fingernails and retract them. She'd be better off as a personal back scratcher." He grinned to himself.
She scoffed. They knew nothing about her quirk, except for the name alone.
Hiroko Shinozaki's quirk did control the length of her fingernails, but what her classmates and teachers didn't know is that she could also control the hardness and sharpness of them as well.
As long as she managed a diet that consisted of high amounts of calcium and protein, she would be able to control those factors. Vitamin b7 and filing were also necessary in order for no split fingernails and breaks.
There were some drawbacks to her quirk however. If she starts overusing her quirk, her bones and teeth become more brittle and easier to break. The amount of crowns she has had to get over the years have been traumatizing.
As the laughing continued to pour in; with even Mr Akizuki struggling to hide the small chuckles that occasionally left his mouth, she felt the annoyance turn into frustration and then anger, threatening to boil over.
She drew in a breath and exhaled, swallowing her emotions back down into the abyss.
Otosaka still had his shit-eating grin on his face as she turned to address Mr. Akizuki.
"I'm sorry Sensei. I'll make sure to pay attention from now on," She managed to bite out after the laughter died down.
"Yes make sure you do, your grade is very dependent on my lessons." He sternly said. She turned her head lazily back to her notebook, deciding to doodle the rest of the day away.
She was walking home from school now, precariously holding an application form in her hands. Her big ticket to U.A. was finally here!
She just needed a parental signature; which Hiroko hoped her mom would be able to sign in order to avoid the snide comments of her stepfather.
No such luck. The second she opened the door and slipped off her shoes, there he was, lazing about on the arm chair.
His name was Botan Suwen, a man with slicked violet hair, peppered with gray to show his age. His clean shaven face and sturdy physique gave off a certain type of authority when near his presence. If he was taken at face value, Hiroko could see how her mother would easily fall for his rugged looks.
He didn't start showing his flaws until they were well into the marriage.
His overwhelming sense of superiority and entitlement were constantly rearing their ugly heads. Hiroko; over time, grew into a quiet and obedient girl, swallowing all of her outbursts over time.
"Hiroko, you're back. Wash up and go help your mother with dinner," he firmly said while pointing towards the kitchen.
Hiding the paper behind her back, she hurries to the sink in the bathroom, thrusting the cold water onto her face. Drying up quickly, she runs over to help her mother, only to find her almost done with the Unadon dish she was making anyway.
"Hello sweetie, dinner is almost ready, so you can relax until then," Hiroko's mother said with a gentle smile on her face. "How was school today?" She asked while glancing down at her firstborn.
Yuka Sowen was a very appealing woman, carrying about her a sense of peace and hospitality that Botan was very much lacking. She had the same chestnut hair that her daughter had except it grew out past her shoulder blades and was contained in a loose bun.
What was notibitaly different about the two women was their eyes. While Yuka had oak brown eyes, her daughter had the dazzling green that came from her father.
"School was great as usual Ma," Hiroka lied, glancing to the side as she did so.
She shuffled the paper behind her back once before thrusting it towards her mother. Yuka looked down in surprise before allowing her eyes to soften.
"U.A. High? Sweetie you know that the acceptance rate is next to none right? Yuka asked worriedly looking her daughter in the eyes. Emerald eyes stared right back with a determined finality in them.
Hiroka nodded once.
"And you still want to try to take their entrance exam?" She continued, turning the flame down to a simmer on the stove and fully turning to her daughter.
Hiroka nodded furiously, threatening to undo the side ponytail that was slowly becoming more unkempt and more unkempt with each shake her head.
Yuka smiled softly and shook her head. "Well I can't argue with you when you're that determined, can I?"
She let out a small chuckle as she saw her daughter's eyes widen and small smile lighten up her face.
"You know it's a waste of time to even attempt that exam. Don't you, Hiroko?" The smile fell as soon as the voice filled the space of the kitchen.
Botan stood in the doorway, arms crossed and wearing a bored expression. "It's ridiculous to even think you can get accepted into that school. Not to mention that we'd probably have to pay for another fucking dental bill."
"Now dear, Hiroko has been training really hard to strengthen her qui—"
"I don't care how hard she thinks she's working," he interjected, "There is no reason to ridiculously attempt to take an exam she has no chance of passing."
His tone had a hint of finality in it, like he was already tired of arguing about something so ridiculous. Hiroko could feel the frustration rise in her again, desperately wanting to be let out.
Hiroko shoved it down again. If she didn't think her words through here, she would never be able to convince him to let her attempt the exam. She took a small breath before continuing. "Boton-sama, I have multiple other back-up options even if I fail."
'Which I won't,' she thought bitterly.
"The last crown I had done was two years ago. The mouth guards I've been wearing for training have been working so far." He uncrossed his arms and sent a disapproving glare.
"Whatever, if you want to waste time chasing a pointless dream go ahead," he began while walking back into the living room. "But if you fail, or so help me chip another goddamn tooth, you have to go to a school of my choosing."
Hiroko's eyes widened, eyeing her mother expectantly.
Yuka let out a breath and turned to her daughter, smiling warmly. "Well honey, looks like you're taking that entrance exam." She bent down lower to her ear, "I know you got this hun. I've witnessed how hard you train," she whispered with confidence.
Hiroko nodded with even more vigor than before, her hair finally breaking free of the confines of her scrunchie and splaying down to her shoulders.
She had done it. She had taken her first steps at becoming a hero.
What's up guys. This is my first story on here so I hope you guys like it. Don't be afraid to review and tell me if its good or bad. Any and all criticism is welcome!
Oh and I don't how many people have seen the anime/manga Battle 5 Seconds after Meeting, but Hiroko is like the green eyed, brown haired equivalent to Yuri in the show. Just wanted to give you guys a bit of insight on how i want to portray the OC.