Chapter 2: Rules of Engagement Pt 2
Word Count: 30,560
"Hey, it'll be okay, " came the soft voice of a young girl next to him. Kieran couldn't help but wonder a few things as he regarded her for only a moment. The first being obvious. When did you get there? He wondered but didn't ask though as Present Mic made a motion with his hand and the lights turned down and one of the projectors activated on the screen behind him. "I'm not worried," he told her honestly as he gave her a once over noticing her long white hair and blue eyes, she was striking, to say the least, but he wasn't one to care all that much, his attention was back on the screen as it pulled up a mini cityscape and in the bottom, right-hand corner were the words "Ground Beta."
"PAY ATTENTION LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AS YOU CAN SEE BEHIND ME, THIS IS WHERE OUR EXAM WILL TAKE PLACE. I HOPE YOU ALL ARE READY FOR THE FIGHT OF YOUR LIVES!"
"Good, so…" Koemi let the question hang there with a moment before she continued. "you have an accent, are you an American?" questioned as she leaned toward him keeping her voice low and her gaze drifted to him only every so often as for the most part it was on the screen taking in the layout. Koemi brushed her long hair behind her ear as she waited to see if he would answer her. 'It's a fair question and it's not too offensive - eh at least I don't think it is', She thought as she worried her lower lip and curled the hand that was hidden under the table into a fist, maybe she was being a little too nosy.
Kieran gave the girl a look wondering why she was so curious, but it couldn't be helped really and it wasn't like it was a secret or anything. "Yeah, I am...seems UA is recruiting far and wide for this new class of theirs," he said quietly as he sank back down into his previous position and leaned his cheek against his hand, and watched the other students for a moment. A few seemed to be worried about this exam now that Present Mic had mentioned this was going to be the fight of their lives. 'Interesting word choice,' he thought to himself as he went back to paying attention, the girl beside him was nice, but he wasn't going to fail this exam because he was being a chatty Kathy and not paying attention to the rules of engagement.
Koemi let her gaze drift to Moritsu, he had been quiet since he returned and as much as she was trying to tell herself he was fine. She was having her doubts. She'd only spoken with the boy next to her because she knew having the attention of a class could be unsettling. She'd been the center of attention more than she wanted to be. As Kieran's attention went back to the Present Mic, she did the same, trying to listen as he used a laser pointer to point at a set of rules that were short in nature. She leaned over to Mori-kun and pressed her shoulder against his own, her weight enough to cause his gaze to dart over to her.
"What are you doing?" Moritsu hissed sharply but his voice was low. He'd spaced out again, his mind wandering into overdrive about the phone call he had received from his older brother. He was still trying to figure out how he'd gotten ahold of him. He'd never liked his older brother for how he treated him, but it was a weird sense of hate and pity that festered inside. He watched as Koemi motioned toward the screen as Present Mic began to explain how the exam was going to work. "Getting your attention." She said back her tone low. He ran his fingers down his face before he forced himself to pay attention.
"AS YOU CAN SEE LADIES AND GENTLEMAN THIS WILL BE A GAME OF CAPTURE THE FLAG. THE MORE FLAGS YOU HAVE THE MORE POINTS. THESE FLAGS AREN'T THE ONLY WAY TO PASS. THOSE WITH THE TOP TWENTY SCORES WILL MOVE ALONG TO THE NEXT PHASE OF THE EXAM."
Kieran let his gaze travel to those around him as he sized them up. He was multitasking, listening to Professor Loudmouth up there, and also checking out the competition. He was positive the flags weren't going to be their only grading system.
He also couldn't deny that the capture the flag aspect was an intriguing concept and he was feeling more confident about the exam, he may not be getting all the flags at first, but he would definitely be able to take them from the competition. He smirked to himself more than ready to get started.
"WHILE THE FLAG SCORES ARE LISTED AS FOLLOWS. THE BLUE FLAGS ARE WORTH 10 POINTS, GREEN IS 20, YELLOW IS 30 and PURPLE IS WORTH 100 POINTS AND AN INSTANT PASS IF YOU HAVE IT BY THE END OF THE TIMER. SO DO REMEMBER TO PAY ATTENTION TO THESE COLORS! BOYS AND GIRLS YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO GET 100 POINTS BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY."
Present Mic shifted over to the next slide showing the colors up for grabs and the number of flags on the field but not where they were located. The flags were strung up and around the area of Ground Beta, put up by classes 1A and 1B for this exam.
"WE WANT TO SEE HOW WELL YOU CAN ADAPT TO THE UNKNOWN AND HOW WELL YOU CAN USE YOUR SKILLS AND YOUR QUIRK TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. USE THIS TIME TO SHOW US HOW PLUS ULTRA YOU REALLY ARE."
Kozua Hayashi, the living dead girl frowned as she kicked her feet back and forth from where she sat. Her gaze lingering on the board before her eyes closed and she began to fade from existence altogether. "I'll be back when things get more interesting," she muttered to Genki, watching as his startling green gaze traveled to meet her own. His mouth parted to speak with her before he glanced at the few other students around him before he ducked his head and gave her a nod before he turned back to the screen taking in the directions as they were explained. It seemed simple enough, keep your flags, and the more you find the more points you will have.
Genki could only give her a small wave from where his hand was resting and his wide smile. As she left he tried to keep his nerves to himself. He frowned at the screen as his head sank lower toward the desk, his wooden fingers curling into fists atop the desk. You can do this. It doesn't sound that hard, find the flags and keep them. He thought to himself as he took another glance at the board and didn't see anything that stood out besides the obvious. He was silently repeating the colors of the flags to himself, mouthing the words as he thought them to better help himself remember them.
"BEFORE ANY OF YOU YOUNG CATS COME UP WITH QUESTIONS LET ME SAY A FEW MORE THINGS. YOU WILL NOT JUST BE GRADED ON THE NUMBER OF FLAGS YOU HAVE AT THE END OF THE 60 MINUTE TIMER, WE WILL BE GRADING ON A FEW OTHER FACTORS AS WELL. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MINIMUM NUMBER OF POINTS BY THE END OF THE TIME LIMIT YOU WILL NOT ADVANCE INTO OUR NEXT ROUND. NOW ANY QUESTIONS?"
A hand shot up from the girl to his left and Zion gave her his attention for no other reason than it was the polite thing to do. His posture tried to remain relaxed, but his nerves had yet to be laid to rest. He regarded her as she asked her question. Frowning slightly as he turned to see what the Present Mic would have to say about it.
"When you say any means necessary, I am assuming you're saying anything is fair game just don't do any serious mangling and life-threatening injuries that might result in an accidental death?" Simone paused and let her voice carry to him and watched with serious orange eyes as some around her muttered loudly about it being obvious. Her hands curled into fists and her eyes narrowed on one of the boys in front of her. As Present Mic answered with an obvious yes. She pressed forward. "Can you ensure the safety of those here? It wouldn't be unheard of for some things to perhaps get out of hand. The stakes are high after all and everyone here wants to prove themselves and accidents happen."
Shifting in his seat Zion frowned at the kid in front of them who continued to go on for a moment as though what she was asking was stupid. "Of course killing isn't on the list of things they would allow. Geez, you really are an idiot Simone. UA sure made a mistake when they picked you to be here!" he sneered. "That wasn't what I meant Iruji and you know it!" she shot back her hands laying flat on the table, as though to keep herself from vaulting over that table and blooding his nose. She could only hope he didn't get in, he was the last person she wanted to deal with regularly. This was pretty common among the two of them. His jealousy came in many different forms.
As the boy opened his mouth to go further, it was no doubt he was a fellow Shiketsu student and that was the reason he had anything to say at all. Zion sucked in a breath, but as he did so, he was able to pull the breath of air from the boy's lungs, stealing any words he might have been about to utter. For a moment he was shocked that he couldn't speak, and then he began to panic as he tried to take a breath. "Maybe you should focus on only speaking when you have something nice to say, didn't your parents teach you anything?" Zion questioned, his brown eyes narrowed, there was little reason for him to get involved, but he just couldn't not do anything. As he blew out his next breath, the other boy from Shiketsu was able to breathe without any issue and as he coughed, his gaze even as he struggled was murderous, the message clear.
"You better watch yourself in the exam," iruji warned him.
Zion Sawada couldn't say he cared too much about the target he had on his back now, but still, he'd have to be careful. He was only a Gen Ed student, there was a lot he had to prove here to try and make it into the hero course. Well...I couldn't just ignore that. As he raised his hand, he gestured for Present Mic to continue with any comments or questions anyone else may have as he leaned his fist on his hand and waited for things to calm down.
Twirling a few strands of her light pink hair around her finger, Shirai couldn't help but let her attention wonder. She ignored what was on the board up front, she was already aware of what they were going to be doing in Ground Beta, or well so she had assumed, it was almost too obvious what they would be doing. She sighed softly, listening to Present Mic continue to answer one of the questions asked by those in the auditorium, it was one that the pinkette felt didn't need to be answered, but it wasn't her problem. It seemed obvious like everyone should be aware to not take their opponent's arm off. It would be highly frowned upon and not necessarily something that could be fixed.
Shirai scribbled a note on the notebook she had in front of her and slid it over to Junishi.
'Are we done yet? What's with all the stupid questions?' (the all was underlined thickly with her pen.)
Junishi shifted in his seat for better luck at reading what she wrote, having to clamp his mouth tight to keep releasing a snort of laughter. With a smirk flashed her way he merely shrugged ready to move along too. His gaze danced along those of their competition he couldn't say that this would be easy. He caught sight of a few who gave him pause, there was no denying who some of them were related to.
'Who knows, but this is different from the Entrance Exam we did before, what do you think?'
As the light blue-haired young man passed the note back, he brushed his long hair up into a ponytail and exposed his piercing gaze to those around who were eyeing them as though they were trying to figure out what to do with the newcomers. It was obvious by what was said, they already go to this school, so many weren't sure if that would mean they would get special treatment or not. They wouldn't, but speculation was always something that would run rampant in these events. Shirai and Junishi had to prove themselves just as much as anyone else. If not more so.
As there was a little commotion behind them, both of them turned in their seats to look at the interaction going on between a black-haired girl and someone in front of in the next row. What caused the two General Studies students to exchange looks was that Zion was next to the other girl and had spoken up. Shirai covered her mouth to hide her laughter but it was horribly hidden and a few people flashed her some ugly looks. She was one to find some of the worst things funny. It wasn't on purpose but it happened to do with her Autism and how she didn't always relate that well to others or have the best time interacting with those with whom she wasn't close with.
The only reason the two of them were close was because of all the years they had known each other and over their shared losses. That sort of thing was a hard bond to break.
Jun frowned as the Shiketsu wannabe said something to Zion. His fingers curled into a fist and the growl of sound caused a few around them to regard him with a worried look as his eyes shifted to a more reptilian gaze. His skin along his arms seemed to take on a scaly appearance as well. His teeth got sharper as well and poked against his lower lip. As claws sprouted along his nails.
"Careful who you threaten, you're on our turf now!" His facial features had ceased to look human with bright purple eyes slit like a snake. He reached out a clawed hand and gripped the other boy's wrist. Lucky for them they had been sitting in the row of seats just in front of the boy with the mouth that would get him knocked around.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Present Mic called out his eyes narrowed behind his orange glasses. His hands curled around the microphone in his hand as he waited to see if anyone was going to listen to him or not.
Shirai gave the boy a wide smile and a wink as she waved at him. "We'll be looking for you on the battlefield, don't worry you won't be able to walk when we're done with you," With those parting words the two of them faced forward again and acted as though nothing had happened, continuing to quietly discuss several possible outcomes that would be the quickest for them to get the necessary flags needed for them to pass.
"NOW, NOW SETTLE DOWN ALL OF YOU! DON'T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE!
To say that Hizashi Yamada was totally over these transfer students was the understatement of the year. He was ready to pass them off to someone else and usually, he enjoyed his little adventures, but this was over the top even for him. He preferred when the students were nice, quiet, and respectful. He wasn't sure what to expect from some of these kids, but so far he'd seen those who might struggle with authority more than he wanted to deal with. It only made him glad that he wouldn't have to deal with them as much as little Alexis.
"YES, YOUNG LADY THAT IS CORRECT YOUNG LADY, PLEASE DO CONTROL YOURSELVES IN THE FIGHTS THAT ARE BOUND TO COME UP. BUT DON'T HOLD BACK EITHER. WE WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU ALL CAN DO!"
"Will the teachers be ensuring the fights don't get out of hand?" called another boy named Ren Homura from his place with his friends. His arms crossed over his chest as his twin cat tails curled along the chair and his ears flicked forward to listen to what was said. He seemed nonchalant about everything so far, and he was. He hadn't been asking for himself, he'd been checking to see how adaptable the teachers really were at ensuring their safety, while he wasn't nervous for himself, he had his own worries for those close to him. The cat boy wasn't worried about the exam, so far the particulars of the exam seemed straightforward enough, that he had no doubt that he and his sister would fare quite well with getting the flags without issue. Those who got the flags would then become targets for others who needed the flags to pass, it was clear that if someone didn't have the quirks necessary to get them themselves, they would need to take them from others. Which was just fine, but who would be keeping score, when would the fights be called if both parties refused to give up? It was something they needed to consider at the very least and it left him wanting to ensure that things would indeed be as safe as they wanted to claim.
"YES, SEVERAL OF OUR TEACHERS WILL BE WATCHING TO ENSURE THINGS DON'T GET TOO WILD! ANYWHO AREN'T IN THE FIELD WILL BE WATCHING FROM ANOTHER LOCATION."
Masaki Chinen un-wound his long hair and began to braid it together out of boredom for a moment as he listened to the continued talks of those around him. The instructions seemed simple enough and really there seemed little point to continue to drag this out any further. As he mindless went about his current task, he was paying attention to the conversations around him. A few of the others were more than ready for the show to get on the road. He couldn't blame them and honestly, he felt the same. He also heard some interesting teams forming up, for those who had ideas of knocking out a few in the competition early.
Which wasn't unheard of it was how they wanted to go about it, that had him debating getting involved. It wasn't a fair fight at all, a team-up against just one kid, it just didn't seem fair. "All we have to do is follow him and take him out once he's got a lot of the flags, you know he'll be going for broke pretty quickly after all he's got a lot to prove to his old man. Besides if we can knock him out, just imagine the fall from grace. Inazuma has always thought he was better than everyone if we deal with him. He's out of the running for good." As one of the young men punched the other. One didn't seem as enthusiastic. "Are you sure this is a good idea Itachi?" Yue muttered lowly. "Of course it is, we either take him down, or he takes us down. Do you really think he's going to just let everyone have a fair shot at this?" sneered another voice from the right known as Kero. "You saw what that asshole did during our Winter Game Event a few months ago. He screwed over even his own teammates!" whispered Lee angrily.
Frowning, he twisted his hair up in a loose ponytail, he could easily pull it free if he needed. It would allow him to use his quirk without any issue. As he pretended not to listen, he debated his own actions, if there was a reason for him to mention anything at all. Is it really any of my business? He tapped his fingers against the desk as he thought about what Yuji would do in this situation. He would get involved, with a sigh he knew what he would have to do. It was just far more effort than he wanted to deal with.
"NOW IF NO ONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD! FOLLOW ME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN TO WHERE ALL THE MAGIC WILL HAPPEN!"
As those last words left his mouth the room lights came back on and just about everyone shielded their eyes from the light. With a few exceptions of course. Yamada massaged his temples as though he might have a headache as he hopped off the center of the stage. He was ready to pass these kids off to someone else.
As he got to the door and turned to see them all still sitting there he gave them a look that clearly said it all.
"Are you all just going to stand there? Let's get a move on; we're burning daylight! "
Those words spurred many to their feet, but it was Shirai who was one moment in her seat, and the next she was standing next to Present Mic as they exited the room. She immediately grabbed his attention and they began to talk about a few things not related to what was currently going on but the conversation was involving something about cats and videos as she showed him a few cute cat videos.
Junishi had caught up with them and walked next to them both, he didn't engage but he was listening to what was going on.
A few of the others waited not in any hurry to be first to the scene. Rather they wanted to conserve their strength, delay as long as possible, or chat with a few of their friends before things got too serious. Most of the walk through the halls was done in silence. As they hit the outside walkway that would take them past the school, many of the students either walked on their own or broke off into groups.
Tora tried not to be too entertained as the catgirl beside him shot him looks that said he should burn in hell or she wished for laser eyes to melt his face off. That thought had him smirking to himself, she wasn't the first and she wouldn't be the last to wish they could eradicate him from the world and leave them all with one less asshole, one less person who breathed hostility in his wake. Her irritation with him was what in most ways gave him entertainment and allowed him to appreciate his own life just a bit more. Misery loves company after all and his desire to make everyone else as frustrated as he was, wasn't any different from any other time.
He'd never admit the reason for his horrible temper that only seemed to increase was because of the small simple fact that his vision as Present Mic had been going through the slides had begun to grow hazy, usually, he could blink it away, but even after he'd rubbed at his eyes the haziness had turned into a blurriness that bleeds into every facet of his vision. He didn't give an outward sign of his struggles, he knew he had too many enemies. His only saving grace had happened to be that Present Mic liked to talk and discuss each of the slides. He didn't know what Ground Beta happened to look like, or what the flags looked like...but he knew about the point system, what each color would mean. The blurriness had lasted close around seven minutes and gradually it had faded back into clear sight after he'd gone over all the necessary information. Leaving Tora in a rather foul mood.
"I would pay attention kitty cat." He said dryly his golden eyes turning to regard her own. They were a darker emerald green color and held a feral edge he lacked given her cat-like abilities. His smirk only widened slightly as her nails elongated into claws that she had on the desk. Pricking into the paper notebook she'd had out to take notes, from the scrawl across the pages she'd taken a few of them. "Aw the little kitty has a temper does she?" he wondered, the goading edge to his voice only heightening in volume.
"Are you still angry about that little piece of junk?" It wasn't really a question as it was obvious that she was. "How about a wager?" He suggested looking for a way to make this exam more interesting. "If you win, I'll fix your phone and owe you a favor and be at your beck and call for a full twenty-four hours-" he paused for emphasis. "- And if I win, you owe me a favor and twenty-four hours of servitude." He rested his hand on his chin and regarded her. "What do you say Orinda Lionell?" he questioned, his grin only widening as her eyes got round at the fact that he knew who she was. It wasn't a secret really, he knew everyone in this room and what they could do. When you were the son of Osuma Inazuma, there was very little that his father wasn't aware of or couldn't find out.
The blonde with red streaks of fire in her hair regarded the boy in front of her with a look that bordered on bewilderment. Her nails bit into the desk as she'd been attempting to mind her own business and take notes, to ensure there wasn't anything she would forget about the first part of their exam. While it seemed self-explanatory, she wanted to ensure that she knew the points for the flags she would need to get. She had her goals and they were set pretty high. Just because she had hit a certain number, it didn't mean she couldn't have a higher number of flags, nothing had been mentioned about that being against the rules. All she had to do was ensure she could keep the number of points necessary to pass the exam and move on to the next round whatever that would happen to be.
Now Orinda was forced to deal with this pompous ass on top of all her other current problems. Her ears twitched forward in annoyance and her tail swished back and forth in a lazy fashion that didn't match the increase of her own heart rate as this wannabe biggest asshole was turning the tournament into something else altogether.
"What's the premise of the wager?" she questioned not having to foreign her curiosity. She had already been looking for a way to get back at him, all she had to do now was beat him.
"Obviously we both have to make it to the next round, but this is points-based. So whoever has the most points between the two of us wins. You can't tell me you aren't interested." The grin he flashed her was predatory. "There isn't anything you'd have me do while I couldn't say no?" he speculated.
Orinda couldn't stop the grin that slid along her lips at several of the possibilities. If there was something Orinda was good at it was at getting even with someone. Shu and those around her dorm in the Seijin were left a time or two in some very interesting forms of payback. "I think you have yourself a deal," she told him as she closed her notebook and began to rise with the others. "Even if you don't make the cut, don't try and weasel your way out of this Inazuma," she warned as she slid her bag along her shoulder. "I hope you're prepared for defeat."
With those parting words, she purposely left him on his own. He was just far too toxic a person to be around all the time.
Goro glanced behind him one more time, trying to get a glimpse of Airi as she walked several yards behind him with the obnoxious redhead that she'd sat next to in the auditorium. He'd been hoping to talk with her, to figure out what happened. She hadn't had a black eye when she'd left her dorm earlier today, he would have remembered. Ren's claws dug into his shoulder and kept him from doing anything stupid like going back there to try and have a conversation and that conversation would go very, very badly. He was all too aware that his earlier suspicions were correct, but even he wasn't sure how to handle this turn of events. It wasn't something they could focus on now. They had to keep their cool and focus on the exam about to take place. If they weren't focused they could possibly fail. "Don't bother her right now. You need to focus on what's in front of you. You can't let yourself get distracted," Ren told him, his fangs exposed over his lips, a sign that even he was upset about this, but was trying to be responsible.
The taller boy knocked his furry hand off his shoulder, his eyes narrowed as he glared at him. "Don't bother her! Are you serious right now?!" he demanded his hands balled up into fists as he stalked over to him, causing several others to weave around them. "You saw her when she walked in! How can you as her friend tell me to ignore her?! Someone attacked her! How can you not care?" The question was left to hang there as Goro waited for his answer, his eyes locked with his own. He'd never felt so angry before, so ready to throw a punch in his life as he did right now.
Ren's green eyes narrowed and he kept his voice low. "If she wanted our help, she'd have sat with us. She needs her space and she definitely doesn't need her personal laundry shared so publicly?" He questioned darkly his fangs bared at him. "So shut your mouth, while you still can Goro!" The growl behind his words wasn't hidden and he knew how this would go if he didn't shut things down before it was too late. "Do you want to be the reason everyone looks at her differently? Looks at her as though she's something that needs to be fixed? Do you think for even a moment that's something she wants?"
With those words hanging in the air he began to walk away from him. None of them had time for this! They needed to stay focused and quite honestly he wasn't going to be around for when Goro caused more problems with his big mouth than could be fixed. He was not getting mixed in the middle of this. This wasn't going to be labeled his problem. Hands stuffed in his pockets he stalked further ahead.
With a huff of breath, Reya rocked back on her taloned feet, her gaze on Ren's form as he gave them more distance. She ignored those giving them looks as they stood in the middle of the pathway. They were still a lot of students who had yet to arrive at Ground Beta and they were one of them. "He's got a point you know…" she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as the feathers on her wings ruffled up and various colors lit up the feathers that her jacket exposed. "I know you're worried about her," she glanced away as she realized he was still standing there digesting what Ren had said to him, the look of shock on his face was obvious. With a soft sigh she moved behind him and shoved her talon into his backside forcing him not only forward, but also to snap him out of his supper. "We need to get going, just put it behind you. You can talk to her after the exam. Clearly, that's what she wants anyway. Dealing with us isn't something she wants to do right now."
The black-haired boy stumbled forward, keeping his footing only because of his training. His red eyes narrowed at Reya as she gave him a smug look, it may not have been obvious from her beak, but it was all in her eyes. "No, you're wrong! Ignore her if you want, but I'm going to talk to her," his voice was firm, his jaw clenched his tusks more pronounced along the edges of his lips. With that, he turned away from her, away from where everyone was headed to go back the way they had come. He wouldn't let it go, he couldn't let it go. He had to check on her, it would only take a minute. His hands curled into fists at his side as he raised his head to search for her, scanning the students as he passed, positive he could find her.
"Tch." The sound was contempt was obvious as Reya watched him leave. "Why can't you see she wants to keep this to herself?" she muttered under her breath. Airi wants to keep this a secret. It sucks but it's what she wants. It's why things are so strained between us. I was never supposed to find out her dirty little secret and now she can't hide it. With a sigh, she roughly pulled her hood over her head as she turned away from him and began to make her way with those still around to Ground Beta. After a moment, she shrugged out of her jacket and tied it around her waist before she flapped her wings and took to the air a few feet above everyone's head as she headed to catch up with her brother.
Airi Hitarashi had purposely waited to be just about the last person to leave, before she had gotten quietly to her feet, ensuring Ren, Goro, and Reya had already left. It is commonplace to see friendly people taper off as an exam gets started. She'd seen it when she'd applied for the scholarship at Isamu Academy. People were friendly, nice, but as the exam got closer people changed. This was one of those times too, she was sure of it. So imagine her surprise as she exited the auditorium.
Her eyes widened as she spotted him as he leaned against the wall watching the other students filter out. She hadn't expected him to be waiting for her after he'd disappeared out the door with everyone else when the teacher told them they could leave. As Yasei Haruki pushed off the wall and came toward her, her frown only deepened as her knee-jerk reaction was to wonder what he was doing here. Why had he been waiting for her? Questions with no answers because she wasn't going to ask them. Instead, she stood straighter and waited for him to get a little closer before asking what she was so curious to know. "Haruki, what ar-" she paused as a bag was shoved in her face.
She flinched, squeezed her eyes shut, and for a moment forgot to breathe as she stepped back. The sound of rustling as the bag was shaken a little further away from her face had her raising wide deep green eyes up at him. If he was upset by her reaction, nothing on his face gave him away. "Take it, " he told her his tone even as his brown eyes glanced to the left watching the other students pass through the doorway leading outside.
Her fingers reached out for the bag out of reflex as she curled them around the chips he was giving her. She looked at him a moment before she opened them. "Thanks, " came her soft reply before she held the bag out to him. "Want some?" she questioned as they began to follow the others.
The redhead wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "No thanks, you eat them." He told her as he linked his hands behind his head and kept pace with her. His stance only relaxed once she began to eat, he didn't really feel like having to drag her to this event, people might get the wrong idea. He watched those ahead of them all too aware of the tension in the air, but it wasn't something he was worried about, he was spoiling for a fight with some of em. "So what's your story?" he questioned keeping his voice low as they walked. "What do you mean?" she questioned shooting him a suspicious look as she stuffed another chip in her mouth. She felt ravenous like she hadn't eaten in a while.
"Like where do you go to school?" he wondered as his suit pulled over his muscular arms and he ignored it before he eventually crossed his arms over his chest. "Isamu Academy, you?" she countered, her hand digging in the small back of the bag to find it empty. She crinkled the bag to hide her disappointment as she tossed it in the trash. "I was homeschooled, actually for the last year and a half. My instructor works here, so it's why I've been allowed to give their exam a shot." the 16-year old explained casually after all he had nothing to hide.
Airi hummed a response as she gave herself a little time to think of what would be the right thing to say. The idea of being homeschooled was a terrifying thought at least in her situation, and with her siblings. "How did you like it?" she questioned curiously as she tucked strands of her dark brown hair behind her ear. "Wait! Your instructor huh like a personal tutor or was it something else?"
He threw back his head and laughed unable to help himself. The question was so out of left field and the tone signified something far more devious, but her lack of decorum in some ways was a welcome change. He ignored those who gave them the side-eye, as he eventually gathered himself under control to give a wave of his hand toward her. "Trust me, it's nothing like that…" he paused for a moment as he considered the possibility for a moment, he just wasn't able to stop his wandering mind before it was too late. Yasei shuddered, wrinkling his nose in disgust. Yeah, definitely not. "Ew. yeah, hard pass. That sort of thing only happens in some racy manga or raunchy porn." He blurted out without thinking. The word hung there for a moment between them, like one of those times one would wish to take them back. His cheeks heated with color, it wasn't that he was embarrassed by what he said, it was just one of those things that he hadn't intended to say out loud exactly.
As laughter filled the air and his walking companion clutched at her sides, her long hair blown forward by the breeze. For a moment he was stunned into silence, surprised at the sound and then a wide grin slid along his lips as their eyes met a form of understanding passing in that moment. A moment of freedom so extreme that it would be hard for someone else to understand it truly. With a wheezing breath, she was eventually back under control several long moments later. "Sounds like you've got experience with that, " she teased him with a wide grin. It wasn't nearly as funny as it actually was, but to her, as Airi clung to any form of normalcy that she could, it was just what she needed. No acts, no pity, no questions, just normalcy.
Yasei just scratched at the back of his head and muttered something incoherently under his breath that sounded suspiciously like a curse word. "Something like that, " he agreed at last flushing a brighter red as he watched her green eyes give him a once over. Her teeth now exposed as she laughed at his expression. "Don't be shy Yasei, it's normal. Everyone does it, " she couldn't help but continue to tease further, enjoying all too much his discomfort. Her voice had dropped in volume and her hand pressed against his chest before dancing away from him and spinning around to keep pace with the other students as they continued on their way.
As they passed the dorms the conversation had continued switching to some group cat videos. Yamada and Shirai were busy geeking out about the cute, fuzzy furbabies. Junishi shifted his attention to their Professor.
"So Professor Yamada," Junishi said loudly, easily getting the pro hero's attention. "We only got a little information from Hound Dog, but he wouldn't give us much."
"What makes you think you're gonna get anything outta me?" Hizashi teased with a grin.
The other merely shrugged and was about to respond, when another voice cut through the conversation.
"why is UA going through all this trouble?" Asked a larger boy from another school.
Frowning the blonde ran his hand through his spiky blonde hair for a moment before he let his gaze travel back to the boy from Isamu High. He couldn't help but notice the resemblance between him and the boy that was in the same class nine years ago with Alexis. The class that haunted so many of them for various reasons, the most being it was their biggest black mark as a school that they just couldn't shake, but they had certainly changed their tactics following that year, but hero work was dangerous, it had been a wake-up call for so many of them. "Why shouldn't we?" The blonde's tone had dropped all early cheer, leaving an icy tone that none had heard before.
"You've seen the news, right? Unless you've been living under a rock, U.A's taken a heavy blow. Students were injured in that attack... three of our teachers were gravely injured."
Those words hung between them as the Junishi Norou clenched his fist at his side, but remained ever silent, letting Mic handle it.
"This exam, this advancement of our Hero course, and the one who's been chosen to fill the role are exactly what this school needs. Principle Nezu believes that a few of our brighter students may have slipped through the cracks in our previous Hero course Entrance Exams, and this is a way for us to rectify that with this change of events," he continued to explain, aware that there were several students who were around them, who were also listening highly interested in what he had to say, but he had nothing to hide.
"So…" Junishi drawled the way he expanded out the word had Present Mic glancing toward him and not sure what to expect from him, it didn't give him a warm and fuzzy feeling inside that was for sure. Instead of responding Yamada merely waited for him to continue as they walked together. "There's been a rumor about the new teacher going around the school, the other students are talking about it. Who is she?" he questioned, unable to keep the contempt about his voice...he already knew who it was, but why was the school being so hush-hush about it? Why were they hiding it?
"I wouldn't worry about that unless you pass."
Junishi faltered for a moment his purple eyes darting away from him as he seemed to realize he'd made a mistake. He clenched his teeth, not sure what to say, how to keep his temper to himself.
You better hurry up and get changed," The Pro Hero told them motioning toward the building they were coming across that held a sign on it. "Get goin' and good luck, you're going to need it," he told them before he turned his attention to students who were behind them and began to direct them as well.
With a frown, Junishi and Shirai shared a look before they each moved toward the building in question and glanced at the information on the door before they each separated into the appropriate rooms.
As his fingers clicked open the locks on his silver case he was expecting his PE uniform, the same uniform that they used in the Sports Festival just a few months ago. Instead what was inside caused his eyes to widened and for a moment he could do little more than stare at what was folded so neatly inside. The good luck note from Hound Dog shouldn't have moved him in the way it did, but he placed the note carefully back in the box as he stripped out of his clothes.
His costume was a full bodysuit that was primarily gray in color with blue-lined accents. The note told him that the suit would easily change, either in size or shrink to fit his form, if the form was on the larger size the suit would shrink into a collar around his neck. It wasn't something he'd thought was possible but it would seem it was.
With a soft sigh, Shirai regarded her case and glanced around at those who were already changing into their costumes. She tried not to be filled with any doubt, a costume didn't make anyone any better than anyone else. She knew she would stand out though and it would only make her a target. Whatever it really doesn't matter.
As she clicked the locks on her case she tried to ignore the anxiety that began to fill the center of her chest anyway. There was so much riding on this exam, it wasn't just for her, or her school, she was doing this for her sister, this was her dream she would continue. Pushing the lid up she stared for a moment wondering if Professor Inui had somehow made a mistake. She began to close the lid dread filling her, this was not the time for any mistakes. She blinked fast, aware of the spirling of her own emotions. This happened whenever things didn't go as she was expecting when there was a change in plans that was pretty abrupt.
She hated the sharp intake of breath that was characteristic of too high emotions. The flash of yellow caught her eye as it floated to the ground at her feet. Frowning she reached down her fingers picking up the note and examining it. As she noticed her name on it, she carefully opened it and read what was inside. It was a letter wishing her good luck and explaining that the uniform, no the hero costume inside, was a gift from not only himself but the Principle and the other teachers as well-wishing them good luck on the exam. It was UA's way of showing their examinees that they believed in them and were rooting for them to pass this exam.
The tears that trickled down her cheeks didn't stop and even as some of the other girls changed, wondering if they should check on her, only one girl in long white hair moved to do so. "Hey, are you alright?" the young girl asked her fingers touching briefly on her shoulder. As tear-filled pink met the other girl's startling blue eyes she rubbed at her eyes quickly to mask the tears. She nodded, unable to get any words out. "It's ok if you're not," the other girl said softly. "It can be a little overwhelming here hmm?" Koemi murmured gently.
The other girl swallowed trying to work past the tears. Frowning softly Koemi couldn't just not do anything and folded the other girl into a quick hug before she could say no. "Just breathe it'll be ok and you'll do great out there. There's no pressure, no matter what happens everyone will be proud of you, just do your best," After a moment she let her go only to get a small towel from her bag and hold it out for her to wash her face. "My name's Koemi Kousaki, if you ever wanna talk we should exchange numbers, but for now let's get you into this cute outfit," she told her.
Shirai's costume was a full white bodysuit with armor along the outer arms and legs and vital organs. With white platform boots. The symbol on the chest is a pink starburst. Koemi fixed her mask and gently redid her hair so it wouldn't get messed up. "There you're all set, why don't you go find that friend of yours from earlier. You two are quite the pair,"
The pink-haired girl had found her voice not long after her tears had stopped, but embarrassment had kept her from speaking up. Koemi didn't take it personally and had more than enough to say to fill the silence between them. As Shirai held out her phone for her to put her number in, the girl complied and handed it back. "Good luck today Shirai I'll be rooting for you," she told her warmly, the girl could only nod her fingers clutching the phone in her hand, but she did flash her a bright smile as she left.
As Junishi exited the room he looked around spotting Shirai for a moment he hesitated to go over, seeing the pensive look that she held as she leaned against one of the trees in the area before the exam would begin. With a sigh, he ran his fingers down his face and pressed them under his eyes as he regarded her from where he stood for a moment he was gathering his own strength as well.
He crouched down in her line of sight, his arm positioned above her head and the look over his shoulder was sent to a few of the boys who'd been looking as though they wanted to start a conversation with her. "What are you thinking about Rai-Rai?" he asked softly.
As those pink eyes rose to meet his own and skirt away she gave a small shrug and worried her lower lip. When she didn't immediately respond Jun didn't take it personally as he waited her out. He was used to this sort of thing with her. She didn't spill her guts all that often and when she did it was with a great reluctance to share her private thoughts. "I was just thinking about her, I can't help but wonder if she would be proud or disappointed in me for doing this," she said softly. She wouldn't admit her breakdown earlier, that was far too embarrassing, but she was sure that he could tell, he could always tell.
With a sigh, he glanced skyward well aware where her head was at and he couldn't say he blamed her. If he hadn't laid his own feelings with his brother's passing behind him, he might be in the same boat, but it was a little easier for him. The last conversation he'd had was his brother ruffling his hair on the way out the door as he headed out early for his Internship or whatever it had been with his classmates. He still missed him, but it was sort of like it just got easier. "Saten is definitely proud of you for standing up for yourself. You used to tell me those stories of how she stood against your parents' wishes for her to go be a doctor after high school. They never even wanted her to go to UA. So if anything you're following in her footsteps," he told her as he carefully bopped her on the nose with his index finger. "Now it's time to look alive, the show's about to start."
Fingers curling into a fist she silently counted in her head carefully getting her thoughts back on track, she had an exam she had to focus on. She couldn't afford the distractions not yet. She pushed off the tree and the two of them walked toward the starting gate. Her gaze landed above on the slowly setting sun. If you are watching...I'll make it...for this is what you always wanted.
Junishi didn't say anything as her fingers linked with his for a moment as they walked, all he did was squeeze her fingers a little tighter, even as the timer started he didn't let go of her hand and she was thankful for that.
Ren clearly gave off the vibe that told the other students to give him a wide berth. It was just as well he wasn't feeling particularly chatty as it was. He flexed his fingers and could feel the way his claws extended and retracted. He tried to keep his mind focused on the task at hand, it was simple, put one foot in front of the other and focus on what he needed to do. No one else needed to enter his headspace.
With a shake of his head, he turned his attention to the surrounding area, noticing the different large buildings they passed through some of the trees, their upper rooms viewable even above the trees. Those must be the dorms. He thought as he took another look around looking to see if he missed anything else and so far he couldn't say that he had.
The whoosh of wind had him glancing up above him to see Reya as she spotted him and abruptly dropped from the sky and flapped her wings as she got close to the ground to kick up dirt and fallen leaves and other debris around himself and the other kids.
"Reya!" He growled as his arms covered his eyes, nose, and mouth until the wind had died down. The look she gave him told all that she wasn't the least bit sorry as she folded her arms and stood next to him casually as though she'd been walking with him the whole time. As he bared his fangs at her and rubbed at his eyes as they watered from the dust she'd blown up.
She clicked her tongue at him and merely let him simmer in silence as they walked together. As they got closer to the course starting field. It was clear the giant cityscape they were heading toward was indeed Ground Beta, he recognized a few of the taller buildings from what they had been shown in the Auditorium.
The anticipation was very much something many were feeling and the closer they got. The quieter or rowdier some of the other students from the other schools got. Everyone was ready for this exam to start. Ready to prove themselves.
"ALRIGHT, BOYS AND GIRLS! IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR OUR TRANSFER EXAM. CHANGE INTO YOUR HERO COSTUMES IN THIS BUILDING HERE. GIRLS TO THE LEFT AND BOYS TO THE RIGHT! PLEASE HURRY YOU HAVE ONLY TEN MINUTES. IF YOU'RE LATE YOU RUN THE RISK OF LIMITING YOUR OWN TIME TO GATHER THE NECESSARY NUMBER OF FLAGS NEEDED TO PASS!"
Present Mic's voice carried to those still on their way and his words made many pick up their own pace and rush to get ready.
"See you in a few," Ren told her with a tilt of his head as he headed for the changing area. Returning a few minutes later in his hero costume that was a light, flexible forest green armor that covers his shoulders, chest, back, sides, rib cage, and stomach. Which leaves his upper arms exposed. He has forest green wrist guards that extend from after his elbow to his hands but leaves his fingers exposed. He has black under armored pants that connect to the first green leg armor. The leg armor goes from the knees, down his leg, and stops at the top part of his foot, so his claws are still exposed. The bottom part of his foot is wrapped with the same green cloth armor but that leaves his heel, top part of his feet, and toes exposed.
Reya merely nodded back, both too set in the mode of the coming exam to spare words even with each other. She changed quickly into her costume not having to worry about tying up her hair or anything like other girls. Her costume was a simple skin-tight black and gold accented one-piece suit that fits her form and connects to the neck and collar bone rather than her shoulders, it stops before her shoulders and therefore the start of her wings. The gap of the costume is large enough for her wings to fit through. The suit closes after that, covering the remains of her collar bone, chest, stomach, back which has a gold phoenix design on it, sides, and thighs. The suit's legs stop before her knees. There is a hole for her tail to fit through in the back. She has a visor and headphones that were similar to the ones the Pro Hero Hawks has. The headphones are black with gold and have a light purple visitor that goes over her eyes to protect them from the sun, dust, derbies, and other particles that can fly into her eyes from when she's in the air.
Reya frowned as she headed over to Ren and hip-checked him out of his thoughts. "What's your plan for the flags?" she wondered, unable to help her curiosity. At the moment it seemed that she was going to have an almost clear-cut advantage over everything in this event. Ren merely shrugged. "I'll improvise if things don't go my way, just like I always do. It works out well for me at school, this won't be any different. We're lucky to have done a few runs like this in my Hero courses, you can't tell me-" He paused catching her look, befuddled silver took over her purple, red and yellow feathers along her face and head, descending down along the tops of her wings. "Oh does he not do the same for your class?" he wondered, realizing that he might have some explaining to do now that he'd opened his mouth. He coughed and covered his mouth as he flicked his tails along the ground. "It isn't really relevant right now, focus on what's in front of us, we have to get enough flags to pass, we can easily do this. We just need to watch out for other people," he told her seriously. The toll of the countdown had started.
"Good luck little sister," he told her as he touched her over her heart, something he'd been doing for a while now, it was no longer as weird to her as it had been at first. "Good luck to you too," she told him seriously as she raised her curled wing to him, what she wanted clear. With a chuckle, he raised his own fist, and the two bumped fists together before they purposely separated from the other at the starting gate. Reya stayed further back intending to take off into the open sky as soon the bell sounded.
A/N: Thanks for Reading! Hope you enjoyed this part!
~Aj Aviary
