Chapter 3: Probationary and Problematic
Author's Note: I'll try to write longer chapters from now on, instead of posting short ones. The decisions I made in this chapter might be a bit shocking, but I had this planned from the start, so it'll be taken care of.
Inspired by the anime My Hero Academia / Boku no Hero Academia. I do not own any of the characters except for my OC, Okami Shizen, and her family. Credit goes to Kohei Horikoshi, the creator. Hope you enjoy!
Part One
The whole family was having katsudon that my mother had made for dinner. The best katsudon, I might add. The doorbell rang and a hand reached through the door flap to deliver the post.
"Get the post," my brother mumbled while chewing.
"Fine." I walked the door and bent down to pick up the post. A single letter lay on the doorstep.
The crisp white envelope.
The red, official-looking seal.
The words at the bottom right corner. "雄英高等学校". UA High School.
The letter had arrived.
The letter from UA.
I stood there in shock, unsure of what to do. Should I open it? Right now, right here? In my room? In front of everybody? Have the rest gotten theirs yet? I had so many questions.
"You okay?" Takawa called out from the kitchen. "Could it be…" His voice trailed off. "No way. I mean… wait, yes! Is it-"
"Yeah, it is." My palms became sweaty and my hands started to tremble.
He whipped out his handphone and called someone. "Mirio, get over here now!"
"What are you even doing?"
"Calling the gang over, what else can I do?" Togata must have replied on the other end, because my older brother responded, "You'll be over in five? Okay, see you!"
"In five?" I raised an eyebrow. "Have you considered that I'd like to open it in private?"
"Sorry, can't hear you. Tamaki, she got the letter, are you-"
I made a run for my room, locking the door behind me. I simply stared at the letter, unsure if I really wanted to find out what it said.
Ten minutes later, I heard a thunking noise behind me, followed by the sound of someone unlocking the door from the inside. Takawa, Amajiki, Yuyu and Nejire piled in. Togata followed soon after, fully clothed.
"Okay, open it!" Nejire urged. "Nothing's gonna hurt you."
"You sure about that?" I muttered under my breath, tearing the envelope open with my eyes shut and pulling out a metal device. It appeared to be a holographic video message.
"I AM HERE-"
"All Might?"
"AS A HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE! First, I have an announcement. I will be joining UA High School as a new teacher!"
"Whoa," Mirio whispered in awe.
"I hope that I'll be able to see all students learn and grow as they strive to reach their fullest potential! Now, about your examination results…"
"Okami, listen up!" Yuyu whispered, nudging me.
"Congratulations on your performance in the written exam! You also demonstrated fighting and combat prowess in the practical exam. As a result of the points you obtained in the practical, and your exceptional score in the written exam, you will be assigned to Class 1C-"
"Wait a minute-" Tamaki stammered.
"Department of General Studies," All Might finished.
General Studies?I hadn't gotten into the Hero Course after all. Maybe Bakugo had been right about my being foolish enough to care about others – no. I didn't regret all that I had done; saving Tsuyu, taking on the Arena Trap, making friends before I should. I had admittedly gotten ahead of myself and assumed I would see them again; maybe I would, but not in my class.
I stared ahead in shock as All Might rambled on about what I would learn during my time in UA's General Studies Course, and how to get to my classroom. Only when he said, "Welcome to your academia!" did I snap out of my trance, and realise that there was only one word I'd been desperate to hear, that he'd missed out.
Something I'd never get.
My Hero academia.
After what felt like an eternity of staring blankly ahead of me, I stood up. There was no one in the room. Outside, I heard my father making a call.
"Eraser? Do you think you could check on something for me? It's about my daughter… Yes, she took the exam…I don't think…No, this isn't a favor! All I'm asking is that you check it again…just to be sure…no, I just-" He took a deep breath.
I rushed out of my room and took the phone from my father.
"Hello, is this Eraser Head I'm speaking to?"
"Are you Peregrine's daughter?" A tired voice responded.
"Yes, I am-"
"There's no mistake, you're assigned to General Studies, Class 1C. I won't do any favors for you just because you're a Pro Hero's child."
"Yes, I understand. Sorry for the inconvenience, Eraser Head-san."
He hung up.
"I'm sorry, Otou-san. I know you must be disappointed, or you think it's a mistake, but I know why and how I'm not in the Hero Course. I have to accept it at some point-"
"I know you, and I know your limits," my father said. "I remember the entrance exam like it was yesterday; I had a lot of trouble managing it. I know you wouldn't, because you're already so much stronger and brighter than I was when I was your age." His eyes were shining with tears. "I'll always be proud of you, and in any case, I think it's unfair for UA to decline a prodigy like you."
I saw tears and nothing but tears. "In any case, I'm lucky to be in UA at all. I think a decision of mine cost me a place, but I don't regret it."
My father smiled. "It must have been the right one." He ruffled my hair.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the group of seventeen-year-olds tentatively peering at me from around the corner. My brother was the first to emerge.
"You okay?" he asked softly, walking over to me.
"Yeah. I hope I'll still get to see the people I met. I'm sure they're good enough to get into UA."
Everyone else had followed behind him. "So you'd rather be in the General Studies Course of UA than in a different Hero school?" Tamaki asked quietly.
"Yes, I would. I could get in touch with Inasa easily, but it wouldn't be so easy for everyone else. Also, no matter what I'm doing there, who would give up a spot at UA, Japan's best Hero school? Even General Studies would have an above-average academic education, and it could help in the future. Plenty of Pros didn't attend UA, and they're doing just fine now. I'll make the best of it."
My brother smiled. "I'm proud of you. And everyone, and I mean everyone, knows that all the General Studies students are practically geniuses."
Nejire spoke up. "In a few years' time, you'll do just as well as everybody else! I'm sure of it," she said, smiling.
I didn't feel quite as downcast now. "Speaking of everybody else, I should see how they're doing." I went into the chat group and typed a question.
Wolfy: Did you all get your UA letters yet?
Broccoli: I did! I'm so relieved.
Floaty: I'm in Class 1A!
Tenya Iida: So am I.
Broccoli: Kacchan and I are too.
Copy-paste: I'm in Class 1B, and so is Kodai-san. Wolfy How about you?
Wolfy: Actually, I'm in Class 1C.
Manly Rock: Aw, then we wouldn't get to see you. Congratulations on getting into the Hero Course!
Enlargement Function: Wait, but isn't Class 1C…
Wolfy: Yeah, it is.
Froggy: What is it?
Wolfy: Class 1C is a General Studies class.
Copy-paste: That isn't possible!
Rock n' Roll: We'll riot for you if we have to. There must be a mistake.
Pinky: You bet we will!
Wolfy: We checked with the school, and there wasn't a mistake. But thanks for that, anyway. I won't get to see much of you from now on, but I won't forget you.
Pinky: We'll visit you.
Wolfy: You make it sound like I'm in a hospital. :o
Copy-paste: :o Perish the thought!
Manly Rock: It should have been you and not Bakugo.
Wolfy: Either way, he does deserve it, so I just hope he makes the best of it. Broccoli Can I ask a favor of you?
Broccoli: Sure, what is it?
Wolfy: I need to contact Bakugo.
Broccoli: You didn't have to ask me in front of everyone, you could have just asked for Kacchan's number privately.
Wolfy: Uh, that's not what I meant. I mean I have to tell him something, personally.
Broccoli: Oh, okay! Well, my mom and I are visiting his family tomorrow, first thing in the morning, would you like to go?
Wolfy: Yes, that would be great. Thanks!
A new notification popped up on my phone. 'Manly Rock' sent private chat request. Accept or decline? I clicked on 'Accept'.
Manly Rock: What do you need boom-boom boy's number for?
Wolfy: Oh, just to tell him… something.
Manly Rock: Is it important?
Wolfy: Yes, most definitely.
Manly Rock: Alright, I won't pry. For that's not what manly men do!
Wolfy: Thanks for understanding.
Manly Rock: Ok, bye :)
Wolfy: Bye :)
I switched off my phone, smiling to myself.
Takawa snickered.
"Why is it every time I smile, or remotely display any form of happiness, you assume I have a boyfriend?"
"I never said anything about a boyfriend."
"Ooh." Nejire grinned conspiratorially.
"Please don't feel like you have to walk on eggshells around me, I'll probably get over it soon enough." I sighed, knowing from past experience that my family would avoid talking about any personally sensitive topics. "I don't want to, well, limit your conversation just because of what happened. Okay?"
"Oh." Takawa had been whispering to the rest and gave a start at my last word. "Yeah. Of course."
"So," I deliberately tried not to think about what it would be like to attend the school of my dreams – everybody's dreams, really – as a General Studies student instead of a Hero Course student. "Are you staying?" This was addressed (awkwardly) to Togata, Nejire, Amajiki and Yuyu.
"Well, I guess I'll be going now," said Togata.
"As will we," said Yuyu, elbowing Nejire and Amajiki.
"Bye!" said Takawa cheerfully, seeing them out.
My mother called out to us from the kitchen. "Are you going to finish your dinner?"
My father, brother and I instantly turned back towards the kitchen. "You don't have to tell me twice."
I went to bed a little happier, and mentally preparing for what would come the next day.
Part Two
"Ohayo, Midoriya-kun, Midoriya-san!"
I was standing outside the Midoriyas' apartment. Midoriya had (privately) sent me the address, and warned me, for some reason, not to mention his father to his mother. I understood that there might be some personal reasons for it and avoided the topic, even if to ask about his whereabouts.
"There's no need to be so formal, you can call me Inko!" Midoriya's mother replied cheerfully. She was a short, plump woman with hair as green as Midoriya's and a gentle smile. Sneaking a small glance behind the two into the house, I saw that it was beautifully furnished.
"You have a nice house," I said.
"Thank you, Okami," Inko said.
"How do you know my name?" I was a little confused.
"Well, Izuku-" she ruffled Midoriya's green hair- "told me about everyone he met, especially as he has a notebook entry for each person. And, well, let's just say…" Her voice trailed off, as if afraid of offending me.
"My situation?" I finished.
She smiled gently. "Yes, exactly."
"What exactly did you write in there?" I asked, turning to Midoriya.
"Only what I know," Midoriya replied. "That's because I have so many questions!" He whipped out his notebook from thin air.
"How did you – never mind."
"Is your Quirk a Transformer or Mutant class one?"
"Well, it's rare, but my Quirk was diagnosed to be under both Transformer and Mutant, because, well, you know. I prefer to think of it as a Mutant class, but it's officially both."
"Fascinating! Do you have a tail?"
This was a semi-sensitive subject. I had been the object of much curiosity during my elementary and middle school days because of my wolf tail, so I didn't like to show it much. Due to my tail, well, being located where it was, I couldn't show it, even if I wanted to, without showing… someplace else. I simplified this with, "Yes, but I don't show it."
"Sorry to interrupt," Inko tapped her son's shoulder, "but we should be on our way to Masaru and Mitsuki's place now. Let's go, or we'll be late!"
We took a bus to the Bakugo residence, with Inko insisting on paying the bus fare for me. I was surprised that the hot-headed Bakugo hadn't blown up the house – a large, single-family detached home with numerous rooms and a front window surrounded by a wall, and a well-kept garden – maybe he respected his parents more than anybody else. This theory was shortly disproved.
"SHUT UP, YOU OLD HAG!" Was that how he addressed his mother?
"KATSUKI, WE HAVE GUESTS." A woman, probably older than she looked, and with hair the color of Bakugo's, yelled right back at him. I presumed this was Mitsuki Bakugo.
"I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT STUPID DEKU, MUCH LESS THAT MUTT."
"Mutt? Is that the best you could come up with?" In actual fact, it was a little hurtful, but I didn't want to lose my cool before I did what I came for.
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE."
"IT ISN'T EVEN YOUR HOUSE!" His mother again.
"THEN KICK ME OUT!"
"Katsuki, calm down." This time, a man with brown hair spoke up; Masaru Bakugo. He didn't seem to be as hot-headed as his family, and was frantically trying to calm both his wife and son down.
"Hey… Kacchan," Midoriya tentatively waved at the angry, oversized Pomeranian.
He seemed to have calmed down just a little bit. "Deku," he acknowledged. Well, that wasn't too bad.
"Bakugo…-kun."
"Extra."
"Pardon me?"
"I SAID 'EXTRA'. THAT'S AS MUCH OF A GREETING AS YOU'RE GONNA GET, GENERAL STUDIES."
That was a little bit better. Just a little bit.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Bakugo-san, Bakugo-san," I said, bowing to each of his parents in turn.
"You're the girl Katsuki was telling us about? You seem a whole lot better than he paints you as." Mitsuki glared at Bakugo. "Then again, doesn't everyone? You can call me Mitsuki," she added.
"And you can call me Masaru."
"Thank you, Mitsuki-san, Masaru-san. Actually, the reason I tagged along with Inko-san and Midoriya-kun is…is that I wanted to say something." I looked down, willing myself not to mess it up. "To you…
"Bakugo. It may have cost me what I've wanted, but I don't regret what I've done. I don't regret choosing to save Tsuyu, I don't regret becoming attached to those I've never met, and let me just tell you this." I looked up. "There is no point in aspiring to be a Hero if you get to your goal through unheroic means. I may have been mad at you before for not choosing to do the right thing, but I understand now, why you did that. A lot more than I did a week ago. I have to say, now that you're given this opportunity, don't mess it up. I know you do have the ability, I've seen it firsthand, and I know you can change. I know you will, because you'll learn. That just because I was wrong, doesn't mean you're right. I think we were both wrong."
A long silence followed. It was broken by a scoff. From – well, you know – the only person who would scoff in a situation like that. "I don't mess anything up, believe me."
I smirked. "I'll see you get first place in the UA sports festival, then."
"You bet I will."
"You're not in any mood to kill me now, I see. Well, I guess I should be going now. See yo-"
"You don't have to go if you don't want to." Surprisingly, it was Bakugo.
"Oh, you want me to stay?" I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised that he still wanted me in the vicinity.
"Don't take it to mean anything," Bakugo grunted.
"Well, I guess I'd just like to more about the two of you."
"As you seem to be on okay terms," Mitsuki said, with a sizable amount of surprise, as if not believing her own words, "I presume it's okay to leave the three of you alone?"
"Yes, we'll be fine, Mitsuki-san, thank you." Midoriya replied with a small smile. Mitsuki then left with Masaru and Inko, presumably to have a chat.
"So, what are you planning on doing?" Bakugo asked apathetically, reading George Orwell's 1984.
"Just talking," I replied. "Say, I never took you to be a books person."
"Due to Kacchan's… explosive nature," Midoriya explained tentatively, "most people don't believe him to be an academically inclined person, but he is! He frequently aces his tests in school."
"Which middle school do you go to?"
"Aldera Junior High, it's not far from here."
"Did anyone else from your school apply for UA?"
"No one else really wanted to, except for Kacchan and I
"Which middle school do you go to?" Midoriya enquired.
"Nabu Middle School. My best friend doesn't go there, but I was close to two of my former upperclassmen, who now attend Ketsubutsu Academy High School. I was in Class 2, and someone in Class 3 applied for UA as well, but I don't know him well. His name is Shinso, I believe, and he topped his class this year. It would be nice to get to see someone from my middle school."
In the end, Midoriya and I had a nice chat and got to know more about each other. Not Bakugo, who retreated into his room to finish 1964,
"Are you and Bakugo good friends?" I had asked.
Midoriya then went on to explain how they had been childhood friends and attended the same school since first grade, and even before that. Their friendship had gotten "a little rocky" as Midoriya put it, when he was thought to be Quirkless.
"You were thought to be Quirkless?" I was aghast. "Iida-kun told me you saved Uraraka from the zero-pointer-"
"When was that? After I left?"
"Um, it was under extraordinary circumstances that we got to meet each other a second time, and he filled me in on what happened on your side. Your Quirk…power-boosting? Strength?"
"Yes… something like that. If the output is too high, I can break my own bones. As for my being thought to be Quirkless, I'm probably just a late bloomer."
Twenty percent of the population was Quirkless, and I wanted to know how it would feel like not to have a Quirk. "How was it? Your life, I mean… when you were essentially Quirkless? Is it any better than now?"
"Well, on the day the doctor diagnosed me as Quirkless, I was heartbroken. I knew I would never be a Hero as great as All Might, but I chose to ignore that. I made myself believe that I could be a Hero, even without a Quirk. Now that I do have a Quirk, my goal just seems much more real."
"Were you bullied?" I asked in a voice barely louder than a whisper.
"I was the object of discrimination among my classmates for ten years. They thought I was stupid to apply for UA."
Looking back on this as I donned my UA uniform for the first time in place of my Nabu Middle School one, I reflected on how lucky I was to have a Quirk. Sure, it did have some limitations, but it was better than nothing.
The moment I stepped out of my room carrying my school bag, I saw my older brother standing right outside the door.
"Would you like us to walk you to UA for the first time?"
"By us, you mean Nejire and the rest?"
"Yes."
"Um, I don't think you have to."
Nejire poked her head in. "We were going to anyway!" she said cheerfully.
Just like that, I was a first-year General Studies student of UA High School, accompanied by five third-year Hero students of UA High School.
Just as we turned the corner at the end of our street, I, who was looking down and nervously thinking about how my first day would go, bumped into someone who had just crossed the road from the opposite street.
I took a step back. "Sorry," I said, looking up. The person I bumped into was a boy around my age, with messy indigo hair and purple eyes. He was wearing the same long-sleeve, button-up white shirt, the same gray jacket with blue-green stripes, the same red tie.
I felt like I'd seen him before, but I couldn't quite place it.
Until he asked me, "Aren't you from Nabu?" He looked at my uniform. "Not anymore, I suppose."
It all clicked into place at that moment. "You're Shinso. Hitoshi Shinso. From Class 3."
"Was I all that famous in Nabu?" Shinso smirked.
"At least in my class. After all, you won the Science fair two times in a row, and in the year you were asked to host it, you did a horrible job of it, in my classmates' opinions, but you won, again. You frequently topped your class in the mid-year and final exams. It is quite a big deal."
"So did you, I might add." Shinso said, looking as if he was trying to remember something. "Shizen, Okami Shizen. From Class 2. You were the only younger student to take part in the senior-grade 100 x 4 relay race with three other seniors, and your team won. In your senior year, you also took part in the Regional Schools English Creative Writing Competition and got first place. That's impressive, in my opinion."
"Okaywe'llbegoingnowseeyoulater!" Nejire squealed as everyone else went, or rather rushed, ahead on the route to UA, whispering among themselves. What was that about? I thought to myself.
"What was that about?" Shinso asked, starting to walk forward.
I followed behind him. "No idea. Are you taking this route to UA too?"
"Yeah, we could walk together. But you probably don't want anything to do with me. You see, I'm in-"
"General Studies? So am I, actually."
"How did you know?" Shinso asked, genuinely curious.
"I realised that you can tell which education course a UA student in in just by looking at their uniform. The shoulders specifically. Hero Course students have one button each on the shoulders-" Shinso looked down at his jacket shoulder – "and General Studies students have two buttons with a space the size of a button in between. Support Course students have two buttons without a gap, and Business Course students have three."
"How did you know that?"
"Well, press releases, news and the school website. I never thought this knowledge would come in handy."
"It did save me from massive embarrassment," said Shinso, chuckling. "Which class are you in?"
"1C."
"Oh? So am I. Actually, ever since you mentioned just now that you were in General Studies, I've been wondering why you didn't qualify for the Hero Course. My Quirk isn't a physical one, but I'm almost certain yours is."
"I'm pretty sure it was just something I did… that didn't help me. I don't regret it, though."
"Did you know that if students from other courses perform well in the UA Sports Festival, they can be transferred to the Hero Course?"
"Or if they display excellent academic grades. I know."
"Then, I guess, you know that all hope isn't lost."
"To me, it was never lost."
Shinso sighed. "Each to his own. Or her own."
I'd remembered something. "Do you want to know what my female classmates called you? Not to your face, of course."
"Do tell."
"'Hot'."
"Oh, really? Did you agree with them?"
"Well, yes, I guess. After all you've been recognised for… I mean, who wouldn't think that?"
The moment I'd said 'yes', Shinso stopped in his tracks. "What?" I was afraid I'd said something wrong. "What is it?"
"You think… never mind." His puzzled expression turned into a smirk, and he continued to walk. "Actually, that's what the boys in my class called you, too. And just so you know, I agreed."
"Really?" In my opinion, I wasn't ever really famous, and I wondered why the boys of Class 3 would say otherwise.
"Yeah, they did."
I hadn't noticed how far we had walked while chatting; we were already at the entrance to UA High. At this moment, I realised I had absolutely no idea how to get to 1C classroom.
"Could you take me to the 1C classroom, please? I don't know where it is."
"You want me to take you to 1C classroom?"
"Ye-"
The next thing I knew, my head felt like it was full of fog. I was in a trance-like state, but still able to identify my surroundings as I walked forward, not of my own will, but like something, or someone, was controlling me.
Let me out! I screamed mentally.
Suddenly, the fog cleared.
Someone had bumped into me. He had a shock of electric yellow hair with a black stripe in the shape of a lightning bolt running through it, and seemed to be running from someone inside the nearest classroom. I turned my head to see the words on the door. It was Class 1A.
"Sorry!" the electric boy apologised. "Are you in this class to-"
"GET BACK IN HERE, DUNCE FACE!" A shout rang out from inside the classroom.
"Bakugo?" I said to myself.
The door burst open. "Kaminari-kun! Get back in here, our first lesson starts in ten minutes!"
"Iida-kun?" I said in surprise.
"Shizen-kun?"
Kaminari spoke up. "You know each other?"
"Yeah, but I'm not in your class. It was nice to meet you." I smiled. "See you around."
After they had gone back into the classroom – I heard Kaminari's terrified yelps and Bakugo's incessant yelling coming from inside – I turned to Shinso. "What on earth was that?"
"My Quirk," was all he said.
"What, total physical control? Is it called 'Puppet Master' or something?" I was so freaked out that I literally whisper-shouted the last part.
"Something like that, though a lot less ridiculous-sounding. It's Brainwashing."
"Do you have any idea how creepy that is to people experiencing it for the first time, and probably any time after that?" I was beginning to sound a little hysterical.
"Oh. Sorry." As we neared the entrance to Class 1C, Shinso spoke up again.
"Do you know what 'hot' means?"
"I'm pretty sure it means 'popular'."
Shinso snorted in amusement.
"What? Isn't it?"
"Attractive. Good-looking. Handsome. Pretty. Cute." He looked at me. "Need any more synonyms?"
"Shinso!" I'd unwillingly called him attractive, and he'd known it. "You could have told me!"
"Where's the fun in that? Look, we're here already." It was true – we were standing outside the entrance to Class 1C.
"Whoa," I breathed, gaping at the multitude of students chatting animatedly. "It's just like the first day of middle school all over again."
Shinso smiled. "Wasn't the first day of middle school just the first day of elementary school all over again?"
"It gets noisier and noisier each time," I commented as we started walking into the classroom.
At that moment, a teacher walked in. At least, I assumed he was a teacher, because who else would walk into the classroom, shouting "QUIET DOWN"?
"Good," he said, after there was total silence. "I'll be your homeroom teacher this year. Now, I'll be assigning you your seats based on the alphabetical order of your last names."
He started to call out names. I knew that my name would come before Shinso's, and so I waited, only to hear the teacher call out "Shinso, Hitoshi!" without calling out my name beforehand. Maybe the teacher has some other seating arrangements for me, I thought, and so I waited patiently at the back of the class. After a while, the teacher stopped calling out names – he had finished. However, he hadn't said mine.
"You're still standing?" he asked.
"You didn't read my name," I explained.
Thereafter followed that familiar awkward silence where teachers type furiously on their phones, trying to check if they had previously a miscommunication that the students have no idea is about. After what seemed like an hour, he looked up from his phone and told me, "Please report to the PE Grounds to meet with Class 1A's homeroom teacher now. He wants to see you for something."
"How do I get there?" Shinso's 'brain fog' had made my memory of the route I took unclear. Luckily, Shinso suddenly stood up and said, "Let me take her there."
"Thank you-" the teacher checked the name list- "Hitoshi Shinso. You do know where it's located then?"
"Yes, I do."
"That's good." He dismissed us with a wave of his hand, and we headed downstairs.
"Do you know what it's about?" Shinso asked after a while.
"I have absolutely no idea."
Part Three
We were nearing the PE Grounds, and I heard the voices of some familiar people shouting.
"We don't have enough girls in this class! You literally outnumber us seven to three! And you! You're a pervert!"
"I'm not a pervert, I'm just feminist."
"What kind of feminist gropes four girls before he knows their names, huh?"
"Guys, look!"
The whole class turned their heads to look at us.
"Is it the girl?" Kaminari and some purple-haired guy said loudly to Kirishima. At least I thought it was Kaminari; we were so far away.
"Do you hope it is?" Kirishima responded. At least I thought it was Kirishima; he seemed to have a shock of bright red hair! Dye maybe?
"Of course, we definitely need more girls in this class." Grape-Mohawk snickered, starting to drool.
"That's not manly, bro." Okay, it was definitely Kirishima.
Like they had told me, I saw some familiar faces in Class 1A; Midoriya, Bakugo, Iida, Kyoka, Tsuyu, Kirishima, Mina, Ochako and some others I'd glimpsed while walking past, like Kaminari.
"I see the student has arrived." Among the crowd of about twenty students, I heard the homeroom teacher before I saw him. It was the same voice. The same voice on the phone.
Shota Aizawa. The Eraser Head.
"I guess I'll be going now," Shinso said softly, backing away. "Good luck for whatever it is you're doing." I grinned, but inside I was a nervous wreck.
"You asked to see me, sensei?"
The students parted like the Red Sea before Moses as he walked towards me. "The principal of UA has declared to the staff that we'll be squeezing another student into the Hero Course, and seeing as you've done the best out of all General Studies students for the practical part of the entrance exam, you'll be joining Class 1A for a whole day of lessons. We are prepared to let you in if you do well enough."
Relieved as I was to be given a chance to prove myself, I couldn't help but to enquire further. "I was told I was assigned to Class 1C, General Studies."
"Correct, but it seems that some of the staff feel you should be given a chance. Note that this arrangement is only probationary, and you will still be considered a General Studies student unless we… act further on today's results. We were just about to start what I conduct for all my new classes which I call the Quirk Apprehension Test." He passed me a set of UA gym clothing. "Change and be back here in two minutes."
"Hai." I was about to walk away when I realised I needed something. I turned and asked, "Does anyone have any scissors I can borrow?"
Eraser Head raised an eyebrow. "What for?"
"I need to make some… adjustments," I said, fervently hoping he wouldn't ask me for a better explanation.
"Give me a moment," someone said. It was a tall girl with long black hair tied in a spiky ponytail. In a flash of pink and blue light, a small pair of scissors extended from her open palm, out of thin air.
"I have no idea how you did that, but thanks," I said, taking the scissors from her.
"I'm Momo Yaoyorozu," she said with a smile, extending her hand for me to shake it.
I took it. "I'm Okami Shizen."
She smiled. "I look forward to getting to know you, even if it's only for a while."
"So do I."
"Hurry it up," Eraser Head groaned.
"Gomenasai!"
Two minutes later, I was changed and handed Yaoyorozu the scissors back. "Arigato gozaimasu, Yaoyorozu-san."
Eraser Head looked at me suspiciously. "What did you do with them?"
I hesitantly answered him. "My tail gives me some sort of balance while I'm running, even if only in my head. Usually, I don't show my tail, or I don't exactly have the means to, but in a situation like this, I think that needs must." I was, unfortunately, referring to the fact that I needed my tail sticking out of the back of my pants for balance and had cut the back of the long, blue gym pants open to form a small hole.
He sighed. "Okay. Bakugo, get over here." Bakugo walked over slightly hunched, with his hands in his pockets.
"How far could you throw a ball in middle school, without your Quirk?"
"Sixty-four meters," Bakugo responded apathetically.
"Try it now with your Quirk," Eraser Head commanded.
"DIE!" Bakugo shouted as he released a massive explosion at the moment he released the ball. It had travelled over seven hundred meters! The 1A students and I were impressed, Mina looking really pumped up and ready to go.
"Okay, we'll now officially commence the Quirk Apprehension Test. I'll be expelling the student who does the worst."
I was surprised at the statement. Surely he didn't have the authority to expel the one who came in last… or did he? Either way, I thought he wasn't serious and it was just for the pressure.
"That's just unfair!" Ochako shouted in indignation. "You have to give us a chance to learn-"
"The world is never fair," Eraser Head cut in. "It's the job of a Hero to combat that unfairness."
Ochako fell silent.
First up was the fifty-meter dash, which we had to run in twos. When Iida and Asui's turn came, Iida cleared the finishing line in three seconds and zero point three milliseconds – I noticed that he'd also altered his gym uniform, leaving his lower legs and engine pipes exposed.
After someone named Rikido Sato, it was my turn, along with a tall, six-armed student named Mezo Shoji (I got the feeling that Inasa was taller, but only by a bit, though). "Good luck," he told me, from behind a blue mask that covered his mouth and nose. "Likewise."
We weren't allowed to use our Quirks before the stopwatch started, so I knew I would have to shift quickly and react swiftly. Worming my tail through the hole, I assumed a starting position and when the whistle blew, I was off. Before I knew it, I was nearing the end, and I shifted back after the finishing line. I checked the results – four and a half seconds. It was my fastest yet, and I was proud of myself, even if this test was only probationary.
It turned out that no one was able to beat Iida's record, even Bakugo, who flew with blasts from his hands and clocked a time of four seconds and one point three milliseconds. We continued with the Grip Strength test – Shoji hit an incredible five hundred and forty kilograms, I got eighty and to my surprise, Midoriya only got fifty-six. I thought that he might use his giant-robot-punching strength to do better for this test.
Following that, we had the Standing Long Jump, Repeated Side Steps and Ball Throw tests (Bakugo had already participated in that last one). I only managed to throw it about seventy meters, a little bit more than Bakugo's middle school record.
Midoriya, having not done very well in the other tests, was looking a little stressed. Okay, maybe 'a little stressed' was an understatement. He seemed to be looking at his outstretched palm over and over again, as if hoping to replicate Bakugo's explosive strength. When it was his turn, he reared back his arm dramatically, thrust his arm forward and released the ball…
… and nothing happened. Midoriya, having seen the ball go only a measly fifty meters or so, looked crestfallen. Had he activated it at all? Or was it-
"That would be me." Eraser Head spoke up. His eyes glowed red and his hair and scarf were floating – he had used his Quirk on Midoriya. "Midoriya. I've watched the video of your performance in the practical exam, and it seems that you either can't control your Quirk, or you can't control the backlash. Did you think you would be able to deal damage to yourself, the only help you provide being one attack, then having to rely on others to save you?"
"No, sensei, that wasn't my intention at a-"
Eraser Head used his iconic Capturing Weapon to pull Midoriya toward him, glaring at him menacingly. "A Quirk you can only use once, then fall to the ground incapacitated, isn't a good start to learning to be a Hero at all. It's a burden to those around you; no good Hero is a one-trick pony."
Midoriya looked positively horrified at Eraser Head's interference, until he was released and got the chance to have another go. After taking a deep breath, he released the ball, his fingers bruising. As the whole class craned their neck to look at the result, Ochako cried out, "Great job, Deku-kun!" I rubbed my eyes. He'd done what I thought would be impossible.
He'd beaten Bakugo.
The angry Pomeranian in question was stalking towards a relieved-looking Midoriya, whose expression quickly turned into 'not-so-relieved'. "I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE, YOU WERE LYING TO ME OUR WHOLE LIVES!" Hadn't he been listening in on Midoriya's and my conversation? I thought, confused. Bakugo raised his arm, ready to attack with an explosion – and he was restrained by the sleepy-eyed homeroom teacher, his eyes glowing red once more. "Don't make me use my Quirk too much, it gives me dry eye."
We proceeded to participate in a distance run, seated toe-touch, and sit-ups.
In the end, the results were shown on a big screen:
1ST – YAOYOROZU, MOMO
2ND – TODOROKI, SHOTO
3RD – BAKUGO, KATSUKI
4TH – IIDA, TENYA
5TH – TOKOYAMI, FUMIKAGE
6TH – SHOJI, MEZO
7TH – OJIRO, MASHIRAO
8TH – KIRISHIMA, EIJIRO
9TH – ASHIDO, MINA
10TH – URARAKA, OCHAKO
11TH – KODA, KOJI
12TH – SATO, RIKIDO
13TH – ASUI, TSUYU
14TH – AOYAMA, YUGA
15TH – SERO, HANTA
16TH – KAMINARI, DENKI
17TH – JIRO, KYOKA
18TH – HAGAKURE, TORU
19TH – MINETA, MINORU
20TH – MIDORIYA, IZUKU
I'd completely forgotten about that damned Todoroki. I'd give him a piece of my mind as soon as I got the chance to. Other than that, where was my name on the list?
Eraser Head seemed to read my mind. "You'll be given the results separately."
To the rest he said, "Go wash up if you have to, and change back into your uniforms. Get back to the classroom immediately after."
"Am – Am I expelled now?" Midoriya stuttered.
"No, you are not," Eraser Head replied, confirming my theory. "I lied in order to get everyone to do their best."
"What?" I didn't blame him for reacting that way.
Ochako grimaced. "Who would have seen that coming?"
"I did," muttered Yaoyorozu.
"WHAT?" Midoriya said again.
"We'd better get to class now," Kirishima said. "Shizen-san, I'm glad you got to join us."
I smiled. "So am I. By the way, what did you do to your hair?"
"I'm leaving my old self behind; I want to get a fresh start." He clenched his fists, looking determined. "From now on, I'll strive to be the manliest!"
"Excuse me," a cold voice said.
"Yes?" I enquired, turning around. It was Todoroki.
"You're in my way."
"Anything about this sound familiar?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The guy who beat you at the recommendation entrance exam. You'd have noticed by now that he's not here."
"Who are you talking about?" he asked, looking nonplussed. "Maybe he's in the other class."
"I happen to know him. Class 1B? Well, you're dead wrong," I hissed. "And it's all your fault."
"I don't even know who you're talking about."
I gritted my teeth. "I will get you back for this, I promise you. You and Endeavor both."
He raised an eyebrow. "I'll be waiting." He pushed past me.
He made me so, so, mad. He was literally looking down on me! I screamed internally. Oh, what I wouldn't have given to be taller at the moment! "Damn you," I muttered under my breath. "Damn you, damn you, damn you!"
Kirishima patted my shoulder. "Don't go all 'Bakugo' on him like that. Keep your cool, and you can sort it out another way."
"I can't forgive him -" I fell silent. Was it really the best way to get mad at him? I could beat him in the Sports Festival – I didn't have to be in the Hero Course to do well; I could just train on my own. "Okay," I whispered, almost to myself. "Thanks for that."
"I just don't want you to waste your time getting worked up over someone as unmanly as him. I mean, he literally pushed you! What kind of douche-"
"Now you're getting mad," Tsuyu interjected, putting a long finger to her chin. "We should be going now."
"Oh." I'd completely forgotten about that.
Throughout the day, we had some pretty normal lessons; English with Present Mic (Kaminari was crying in frustration by the end of the lesson), Modern Hero Art History with the R-Rated Hero, Midnight (Kaminari wasn't crying) and Modern Literature with Cementoss, which I enjoyed thoroughly. Then, it was time for lunch.
As I was walking to the Lunch Rush Cafeteria with Kyoka and Yaoyorozu, an orange-haired girl with teal eyes stepped out from the entrance of the Class 1B classroom, as did a boy with metallic silver hair. I heard a familiar voice call after them.
"Kendo-san, Tetsutetsu-kun, wait up!"
"Neito?" Upon hearing me call his name, he rushed over.
"Hey, Okami! It's great to see you."
"Who's this?" Kendo, or maybe Tetsutetsu, asked.
"We met at the entrance exam, along with Kodai-san from your class. I'm Okami Shizen of Class 1C, nice to meet you." I extended my hand to shake theirs.
The guy reached out and took it with a fist of iron. I winced, only to see that it was a literal fist of steel. "Name's Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, it's great to meet you!"
"Did I hear you right? Actually, on second thought, I bet you get that a lot."
"Yeah," he grinned, "twice today."
Kendo took my other hand. "I'm Itsuka Kendo, pleased to meet you. You mentioned you were from Class 1C?"
"Uh, yeah."
"It looked like you were coming from the direction of Class 1A, though," Tetsutetsu interjected.
I was a bit stunned. "There's been some special arrangement for me -"
Yaoyorozu's stomach grumbled. We all turned to face her.
"Gomenasai!" she apologized, looking mortified. "My Quirk."
"Oh, I must be holding you up. Why don't we talk after school instead?" Neito suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," I replied.
And then we headed off to the cafeteria to fill Yaoyorozu's hungry stomach.
And mine.
