"She's…gone" was all Hitomi could say to the chimera beside her.
As Zelgadis' eyes widened and he turned and darted back into the hallway, looking about as if the tanuki girl could be around the corner laughing at them, Hitomi pulled out her phone. The rock-encrusted young man turned his attention back to the counselor when she muttered "That can't be right…"
"What? What can't be right?" Zelgadis questioned, his impatience barely constrained as he stepped back into the room behind the brunette.
"The sensor for the balcony and the door say she entered but hasn't left. She…should still be here!" Hitomi answered, panic creeping into her voice.
"Hold on a second." Zelgadis said, waving a hand in front of him "How could you possibly know that?"
"You remember that night you had to stay in jail?" Hitomi innocently asked. Her only answer was an annoyed frown from the chimera. With a nervous laugh, the counselor continued "Heh, right, sorry. Anyway, while you were there, Power Loader was installing equipment that tracks when each of you enters and exits your room while your under evaluation. I can bring it up from my phone any time but according to it, Michiru entered but never actually left. It doesn't make any sense…"
"Well, regardless of what your fancy technology is telling you, clearly she isn't here. I'll check the rest of the house!" Zelgadis declared, giving Hitomi little time to tell him anything otherwise.
The zeal the chimera was displaying came as a bit of a surprise to Hitomi as she stepped into the hallway. There she found Emeralda watching, concern on her face. Just before she dialed Jun to explain what was happening, the counselor waved at the nanomachine girl and spoke "Emeralda, I'm sorry but it looks like Michiru has run away. Before you blame yourself, I know that she has been under a lot of stress because of, well, everything. It'll be ok, this isn't the first time a lighter has run away like this."
Hitomi noticed that as she had first began speaking, Emeralda seemed like she wasn't paying attention, and only after a few moments did the greenette turn her complete attention to her. When the brunette was done talking, Emeralda replied with a distracted "Yes, I know Michiru has much on her mind. Thank you, Hitomi."
The counselor offered a concerned smile before turning to leave, her phone to her ear as she began informing Jun of what had happened. Emeralda continued to stand there, silent. Only after Hitomi began to descend did she also begin to move forward as well. When Emeralda arrived on the first floor, Hitomi was pacing back and forth talking on the phone with Zelgadis nowhere to be seen.
Before long, Zelgadis came back from the other wing of the house, breathless. Moving the receiver of her phone away from her mouth, Hitomi asked the clearly redundant question "Any sign of her?"
"No…there was…no sign of her in the classroom, the gym…or any of the storage closets" the chimera answered between breaths.
"You hear that, Jun?" Hitomi spoke into the phone as she offered Zelgadis a nod of thanks.
"I did. Without knowing how she did it, or any trace of her, we're flying blind. She has an official ID now as a citizen and though we have forbid her from leaving unsupervised, that isn't strictly a crime so the most we can ask the police is to keep a lookout for a tanuki girl of interest." Came the retired hero's response.
"What about heroes?" Hitomi asked, clearly not happy asking the question.
"Don't worry, I don't think its wise to get heroes involved that don't already know what's going on. That being said, it might actually be better if it's a friendly face." Jun spoke, his voice subdued as if he was thinking as he spoke.
Zelgadis watched on intently as the conversation progressed, eager to do something, anything to help. He got his wish when Hitomi again slid her phone's received away from her mouth and asked "Zelgadis, can you run over to 1-A's dorm and let them know what's happened? See if any of them are willing to help look for Michiru."
Wasting no time, the sorcerer-swordsmen was already half way to the door before calling back "On it!"
As the eager chimera threw the door open, Emeralda watched on as Zelgadis left, a curious look on her face. Hitomi noticed the same distant look on the greenette's face as earlier, calling out "Emeralda, you sure your ok? You look a bit off."
Shaking her head as if to clear it, the tan girl answered "No, I am fine. Its just…I thought I heard something is all. May I search the campus grounds?"
"Of course, Emeralda. Good luck." came the counselor's quick response as she turned her attention back to her phone.
(X)
Even with her friend having run away, Emeralda didn't seem to show much emotion and that grated Michiru to no end. It made her that much more confident she was doing the right thing in getting out of this prison of a school. By now she had managed to get out onto the grounds undetected, her hunch about sensors on the doors being right on the money. When Hitomi and Zelgadis had seen Michiru's apparently empty room, the tanuki girl had, in fact, been there as well, just as Hitomi's phone had said.
What neither of the room's other occupants knew was that by shifting herself into a chameleon-like form, Michiru could effectively make herself invisible. All she had to do then was slip out just as someone else was leaving so the sensor couldn't tell two people were leaving at the same time. Both times it was poor Zel that had provided Michiru with the cover she needed to escape. She did feel bad leaving the chimera behind but ultimately, the tanuki girl told herself he was better off without her holding him back with her fool-hardy proclamations and poor leadership.
Now that Jun had been made aware, Michiru knew she had to get off the grounds before they really locked things down. As Zelgadis headed toward the dorms, Michiru dashed for the campus entrance, still invisible and wishing she could just fly out of there. As luck would have it, several students were heading in just as she approached, allowing her to bypass any sensors that may have been installed at the threshold.
Waiting to make sure she was out of sight of UA's entrance, Michiru finally made herself visible again. After another moment and some sparks later, the wayward lighter also appeared completely human. The irony wasn't lost on her that not wanting people to see her like this was a part of the reason she was here in the first place. Still, most everyone in this world had only seen her as a beastman and Michiru thought she'd have a better chance to blend in and get away like this.
As to where to go, the only place the shape-shifter could think to go was that McDonald's knock-off. That store manager seemed to know what was going on and if she was lucky, he might be willing to help her again. It was worth a shot anyway. Still, without her phone, which she left behind, sure they could track her with it, Michiru was left asking random strangers how to get there. The consensus was that she had some walking to do.
(X)
It had been Izuku's turn to head out into town to get the night's supplies for dinner. It wasn't a chore he minded, he liked being able to help out and do his part for everyone. That being said, the long list gave the freckled boy the distinct impression that his strength was being taken advantage of. Izuku couldn't help but feel like the grocery list was always noticeably longer whenever it was his turn.
The inheritor of One for All was ruminating on his lot in life when his phone buzzed to let him know he got a text message. Lucky for him, he'd only been to one store so far and had a free hand to respond. Unlocking the phone, Izuku saw it was from the class rep, Tenya, though it appeared to be part of a group chat.
*Midoriya, Greywards-san has come to tell us that Kagemori-san has run away. We're going out into town to look for her. You will keep an eye out for her, won't you?*
*Oh, that's terrible! I hope she's ok. Of course I'll help. I'm sharing my location now so no one overlaps me.* the freckled greenette responded.
*That's super smart of you, Deku! Thanks.* Ochako added, eliciting a blush from the boy.
Just then, Izuku noticed a girl near his age that seemed oddly familiar asking an apparent salaryman if he knew where the nearest McGonald's was. What was it? Why did he feel like he knew her? As the older man stumbled to give the girl an answer it hit the greenette. The cloths! They looked a lot like the ones Michiru was wearing that night in Yokohama. But…Michiru was part tanuki wasn't she? Right! That's part of what the fight the night before was about…she could look like a normal human, couldn't she?
With all the grace of a teenage boy trying to sneak a photo of a girl, Izuku fumbled with his phone to take a shot of the girl without her noticing. It took…more than a few tries but the hero-in-training got it. Ducking away just as the girl shot a glance his way, Izuku sent the photo to the group, asking *Is this her? She's asking about a McGonald's? Sorry the shot is so blurry.*
*Yes! I think thats her! Great job Midoriya!* Mina immediately replied.
*Try to keep her there, help is on the way.* Tenya instructed.
*I will info Zelgadis.* Fumikage said as well.
*Izuku-chan, your photography could use some work.* Tsu helpfully added.
Ok, it was up to him to keep Michiru from running further. How, exactly? No idea! After a deep breath to steady himself, All Might's successor glanced about the busy city street. After a few moments, Izuku found the wayward lighter's red jacket and rushed toward her. Dancing through people, having to hold himself back from apologizing to avoid giving himself away, Izuku did the only thing he could think of. He came up behind Michiru and grabbed her shoulder with all the finesse and subtly of a bag of bricks.
When the now black-haired girl turned to see who had grabbed her, Izuku stuttered though his opening line "M-Michiru, is t-that you?"
Unfortunately for the freckled boy, blunt actions get blunt responses as Michiru's eyes went wide as she blurted out "Oh shit." And started at a full sprit through the crowd, leaving Izuku, arm still extended, briefly dumbfounded as several bystanders giggled at the scene.
Izuku only stood immobile for a moment though before he, too, started forward after his temporary classmate. At first, Izuku thought he'd have little trouble catching up to Michiru given his training. However, he was surprised to find the morpher was pretty quick on her feet and in great shape meanng it was all he could do to keep pace with her without using his quirk.
Still, that didn't seem to be good enough for the lighter because Izuku could see a brief sparkle and a familiar pair of ears and tail now adorned his furry classmate. A moment later and another brief light show and the tanuki girl was suddenly pulling away from him fast. Clearly Michiru had decided it was worth the risk of using her quirk in public if it meant getting way. Izuku now had a choice of his own to make.
Clearly something was wrong with Michiru but was it worth risking losing his own future as a hero over? After the Stain incident, Izuku had been chewed out by the chief of police who had made it clear he needed to play it on the straight and narrow. And yet, he had risked it all to go looking for Ka-chan, even if, in the end, he had by the letter of the law, pulled off the rescue without attacking anyone, it was still reckless. Was now just as important? Wouldn't the police handle it?
No. A hero helped people. Brought smiles to their faces, consequences be damned. Willing One for All through his body, visible energy arching about him, Izuku charged forward as fast as he felt safe while also closing the gap between himself and Michiru. It wasn't much, but bit by bit, Izuku was catching up.
As the gap was closing, Izuku realized they were running out of real estate as they were approaching the ocean. As they got closer, the crowd was thinning out but the way Michiru was going, the greenette had to wonder if she even knew they were coming up on a beach. The hero-in-training got his answer as he got within six feet when Michiru suddenly called out in panic, trying desperately to put on the breaks as they came to the sand's edge. Izuku saw his chance. As the tanuki girl tumbled forward, tripping on her own feline legs, the greenette leaped forward, throwing himself on the unbalanced and tumbling lighter.
The two tangled together, falling into a mass of limbs rolling about in the sand as momentum carried them closer to the water. It was Izuku that finally managed to use some of the momentum to swing himself on top of Michiru, ending their tumult when he pinned her to sand, a few feet from the breaking waves.
Izuku's body continued to arch energy, signifying he was using his quirk to enhance his strength to hold the girl down as the two breathed heavily from their chase. The freckled boy stared down at her, worry and concern on his sweating face. Michiru was not meeting his gaze as she lay there, making no effort to resist as she looked away with a frustrated frown.
Confident that not only was Michiru not offering resistance but that she couldn't, Izuku had to know why. Having caught his breath, the apparent victor of the chase asked, his voice laced with concern "Michiru…what's wrong? Why did you run?"
Letting out a bitter snort, the tanuki girl answered with a question of her own "I'll tell you if you let me up. Don't worry, I'm…I'm not going to run again."
Izuku furrowed his brow briefly as he considered her request. He had proven he was faster than her and with the ocean to one side, her options for escape were limited. Reluctantly, the freckled boy released Michiru as he stood up. Michiru sat up, before she spun around to look out at the water, pulling her knees up to her face. When no words came, Izuku decided to sit himself, his legs straight out, resting to Michiru's left.
The silence continued for several more moments, broken only by the never-ending rolling of the waves to their front. The beach itself was one that Izuku was intimately familiar with, being the very same that he had started his training under All Might so many months ago. He had cleaned this beach single-handedly and there was no small amount of pride that went along with that accomplishment, especially since achieving it meant he gained the power he needed to live his dream.
Izuku was pulled away from his reminiscing when Michiru finally spoke, her voice distant and melancholic "Midoriya, can I tell you a story?"
Not exactly sure where this was going, Izuku could only answer "S-Sure. Go ahead Kagemori."
"When I was younger, I always wanted to help, ya know? I would stick my nose where it didn't belong any time I thought something wasn't right. You have to remember. I didn't have my…quirk back then. I was just a normal, everyday girl but I guess, I wanted to be a hero. I wanted to help wherever I could. I even threw myself in front of a car to save my best friend from getting hit. That same friend later criticized me. Told me I was forcing myself onto others. To leave her alone." Michiru explained, continuing to stare out into the ocean, seeming to not care if her companion was listening or not.
"It was a small mountain town. Quirks weren't really a thing. Then…this happened." Michiru said, holding her clawed fur covered hands. Izuku was watching on, his empathy feeding a growing concern for the tanuki girl.
Dropping her hands heavily back to the sand, Michiru continued "I was so scarred, so embarrassed and so worried for my parents that I holed myself up in my room for a whole year. Then I thought, if I left, if I could go where someone like me was more accepted, I wouldn't be a problem for my family."
Michiru took another moment to pause and something wasn't adding up for the nervous young man "Kagemori, are you saying no one had quirks where your from? How is that possible?"
Realizing she was dangerously close to giving herself away, the tanuki girl's eyes widened briefly before returning to a more reflective visage "Well…no one like me. No one looked the way I do back home."
"But…couldn't you just make yourself look human?" Izuku ventured, trying hard to suppress his curiosity to remain supportive.
"I didn't know how. I wasn't born with my powers like all of you. I didn't have years to train and learn how to do it or anyone to help me. Its just like with Zel and Emmy! They're both so good at what they do and now that they know more about Japan…they don't really need me anymore. They're better off without me holding them back. You have any idea what its like to be around so many amazing people while you're just trying to stumble along and keep on your feet?"
Michiru's head snapped up from its resting place on her knees and twisted to her left when she heard a firm "I do."
"What?" was all Michiru could muster when her questioning glaze met a determined Izuku "I grew up quirkless too. All I ever wanted my entire life was to be a hero, to be like All Might. I spent years listening to everyone tell me how impossible it was, how…useless I was. How I should just die."
The depressed air that had hung over Michiru had quickly shifted into one of disgusted shock on hearing the freckled boy's words. It was stunning to hear this coming from such a gentle and kind person. It was hard to hear that anyone would say such things to him, especially in a world that seemed so accepting of differences. Izuku continued "But then, it turns out I was lucky enough to have this power, a power I was wholly unprepared for. I don't know if you watched this year's sports festival but anyone who did saw how unprepared I was because even just using my quirk at first would break my body."
Now that he mentioned it, Michiru remembered back to when she and Emmy were watching previous sports festivals in the lead up to their exam against the Big Three. It was true. Izuku hadn't used his quirk at all until the final round where he lost to Shoto after breaking all his fingers and arm. That memory allowed the boy's next words to really sink in when Izuku said firmly "So yes, I know exactly what its like to just come into your powers when everyone else is so amazing and you are trying desperately to catch up."
Michiru took a few moments to let that sink in before turning away and replying, ashamed "Well, I guess you do know what it's like. Sorry, I just assumed. Another problem I have I guess."
The two sat in silence again for a few moments, the only sounds coming from Izuku tapping at his phone. When Izuku spoke again, he said "Your wrong, you know."
Her face scrunching up in annoyance, Michiru didn't answer but looked over at the greenette out of the corner of her eye. Seeing he had her attention, Izuku continued "About Greywards-san and Kasim-san. They rely on you, even now. You're the one leading conversation when the three of you arrive for training and you're the one they look to at the end each day, especially Kasim-san."
"Geez, Midoriya, you sound like a stalker, you know. How long have you been watching us?" Michiru suddenly accused the now very nervous looking Izuku.
"W-well, its just that I've kind of been obsessed about quirks since I was a kid! And I keep notes on everyone I observe! And, and you three were new and your quirks so cool! And, and…I'm sorry." Izuku stammered out nervously.
Michiru couldn't help but giggle at her companion's discomfort as she returned to the more pressing subject "But seriously, you really think they rely on me?"
"I do." Izuku replied. "And just about everyone in class seems to like you, Michiru. I don't know exactly what happened last night but I know everyone was worried."
At that, Michiru fully turned to face Izuku, who had a gentle smile on his face. Michiru let out a long sigh before picking herself up out of the sand and patting herself clean as she said with a sense of resignation "Ok, fine. You've convinced me you little stalker. I still haven't forgiven Emmy for what she did but…I'll head back."
Izuku's shoulders visibly sank as relief washed over him before he noted the hardened look on the run away lighter's face and asked "You still look pretty apprehensive. Everything ok?"
Perching her lips, Michiru threw her hands behind her head as she began walking back to town and said "Yeah, we'll see. Me, Zel and Emmy aren't supposed to leave campus since the whole mess in Kamino. I'm not looking forward to what that beady-eyed little principal has in store."
Izuku thought for a moment as he jogged over to walk beside her. After a moment he asked "Well…how did you leave in the first place?"
"Oh, I can look like a chameleon and blend into my surroundings. No one ever saw me!" Michiru proudly explained.
That surprised the wielder of One for All. Just how many applications did Michiru's quirk have? It almost seemed broken with how versatile her ability seemed to be. And to think she had only come into it in the last few years. Realizing the tanuki girl beside him was staring at him expecting a response, he nervously rubbed the back of his head as he said "That's amazing, Kagemori! But then, wouldn't that mean you could do the same thing to get back in?"
Michiru raised an eyebrow and titled her head slightly in confusion "Wait, but they already know I ran away, what good would that do?"
"Wellll, if no one but me has actually seen you out here, you could just say you were hiding somewhere on campus, right?" Izuku suggested, his conscious already screaming at him for suggesting something so underhanded.
The light flickering on in her head, Michiru suddenly perked up as she excitedly asked "You'd do that for me Midoriya? I don't know what to say!"
"Heh, a thank you's good enough for me. Now head on back, I need to continue 'looking for you' and get my shopping done since I dropped what I had already bought to catch you."
The freckled boy had just finished that thought when he felt the full weight of Michiru crash into him in the biggest hug the morphing girl could manage. "Thank you Midoriya, your really sweet!" A series of sparks later, and a normal looking girl was smiling at Izuku as she let go and started jogging away, turning to wave as she disappeared into the crowd.
A little more confident he had done the right thing after the show of affection, Izuku tried and failed to hold off the blush on his face. was about to head off himself when he got a text notification. It was Sanada-sensei.
*Midoriya, I got reports of someone matching your description moving at superhuman speed chasing someone through a crowd. Did you, in fact, find Kagemori?*
*No, sir. I was chasing someone but it was just a kid with a speed quirk. Once I caught him, I let him know it was dangerous. Sorry, Sanada-sensei.*
*Ah, I'll let authorities know then. Still, I would give you the same warning about quirk usage in public. You haven't passed the provisional exam yet. Please don't do it again.*
*Yes, sensei. Sorry sensei.*
On second thought, maybe he's made a terrible mistake.
(X)
Without running at crazy speed, it took Michiru quite a while to make it back to campus, especially since she was avoiding people whenever possible. However, she did make it and just as before, managed to sneak back in despite the heightened security. To her surprise, she saw that Emeralda was there, at the entrance, just standing there, looking out at nothing in particular. Odd as it was, the temporary chameleon girl kept going, making her way into the main campus building and working her way to an upper floor.
When she thought the coast was clear, Michiru went back to her normal tanuki form, opened a window and brought forth her wings to fly to the top of that part of the building. The sun was starting to set and she resolved to sit and wait until she was found and claim she had been there the whole time as Izuku suggested.
Michiru was only there a few minutes when her ear twitched at the sound of someone walking toward her. That was far quicker than she imagined it would take them to figure out where she was. Still she didn't turn to face whoever it was and before long the figure came to stand right beside her. Any question as to who stood there was answered when a deep, annoyed voice said simply "You're an idiot, you know that?"
The words brought a strange sense of comfort to her and Michiru couldn't help but smile alittle when she looked up at the stoic visage of Zelgadis standing there, arms crossed, his hooded jacket billowing in the wind. "Yeah, I guess I am, aren't I? How…how'd you know?"
"Where you were? Emeralda. I don't know how but she suddenly said she knew where you were. The search has been called off but you really worried everyone. Don't do that again, you hear me?"
On hearing that, Michiru tried to read her fellow lighter's expression but if he was happy or relieved, she couldn't see it. That left one avenue. "So, does that 'everyone' include you, Zel? Hmm?"
A crack in the façade could be seen as Zelgadis' expression turned into a light frown and his right eye twitched before he shot back, reacting far stronger than he intended to "Hey, I had to go to training alone this morning. I am not doing that again, you hear me! Either we all go or none of us do, you got it!"
That was enough for Michiru as a smirk crept onto her face. Without looking at him, the tanuki suddenly, but lightly, jabbed Zelgadis in the side "I'll take that as a yes! Though…I didn't think a powerful sorcerer like you would have so much trouble with a bunch of high schoolers Zel."
The chimera took a moment to glance at his companion and on seeing her playful expression grumbled and looked away before he warned "You say that but you're the one who's really going to have to face them. Jun and Hitomi too. And Emeralda."
On hearing the last name, Michiru's expression became somber once more. Her friend's betrayal of her trust was still fresh in her mind and though she wanted to know why, Michiru wasn't sure she was ready to face the tan girl. Well, she'd cross that bridge when she reached it. For now, the tanuki girl stood up and stretched her arms, Zelgadis looking on as she said "I did lead everyone on a wild goose chase, didn't I? Well, guess I should face the music. Lead the way, Zel."
(X)
Izuku had finished his shopping just as word came that Michiru had been found on campus and to return to UA. That relieved the inheritor of One for All as he began the trek back to the 1-A dorms. His talk with Michiru still fresh on his mind, the freckled boy began to think about that conversation again, something about it seeming weird to him. The way Michiru had described it, she made it sound like her hometown had no one with heteromorphic quirks at all. Which seemed all but impossible now-a-days. Plus, Michiru said she had wanted to be a hero, which in today's hero society, just about every kid grew up wanting to be. So then, why were others giving her so much trouble for it? Was it because she had appeared quirkless like him? It almost sounded like she was from some weird, isolated place completely out of step with the rest of Japan.
Come to think of it, back in Kamino Ward she had said something weird too. Hadn't she implied that if they defeated All for One that they wouldn't see him again? Why? What connection could the lighters have to All Might's greatest nemesis?
His mind swirling with questions, Izuku pulled out his phone and started typing into his search engine. So apparently there have been lighters for ten years, starting with…Kanzaki-san? Then once a year after that…Luminaire was always the one to save them…Come to think of it, outside of saving a lighter, when was the last time Sanada-sensei used his quirk? It must have been when he retired? After that incident with his family that…All Might resolved? He wasn't sure what, exactly but Izuku couldn't help but feel like something big was missing here and he resolved to ask his mentor about it the first chance he got!
(X)
Zelgadis had been right, when he and Michiru had flown back down to the ground, Jun had been waiting for her and had not held back in how disappointed he was in her for hiding herself away like that, leaving Hitomi and himself worried sick. That was what Michiru had been expecting. What happened next though made her feel so much worse. Jun had wanted to know what was bothering her so much that she felt like she had to do it to begin with. Hitomi too wanted to know so they could help.
When Michiru told them what she had told Izuku, about feeling like she was just getting in the way of the others, Jun was sympathetic and supportive but Hitomi wanted to hear more, offering to sit down with the tanuki girl and go into more detail. That was the last thing Michiru wanted and she deflected, referencing what had happened to Emeralda. When Hitomi said that she and Emeralda had talked already it took some of the air out of her sails, but she still refused. In the end, the two mentors wouldn't let her go until she promised to at least seek them out before resorting to hiding again. Since she hadn't left campus, Jun also promised not to report the incident to the authorities, much to Michiru's relief.
Now though, Michiru was just glad to be getting back to their dorms, the irony of which hadn't escaped her as she and Zelgadis came across Hina just hanging up her phone, a satisfied smile on her face as she greeted the pair "Ah, glad to see you decided to stick around, racoon. I wouldn't want all my hard work spoiled because our waittle Michiru got her feelings hurt and hid away!"
Rolling her eyes and waving her hand dismissively, Michiru moved to pass the blue-haired telekinetic as she retorted "Whatever. I was an idiot. You happy? I'm tired so whatever your planning can wait till later, ok?"
Zelgadis, though, was curious and for once in a less foul mood than his furry companion. Gently grabbing Michiru to let her know he was stopping, he said "If you're willing to be cordial, I actually want to hear what you have to say Hina."
"Hina-senpai" Hina attempted to correct.
"No" the chimera said flatly.
With a pout and a huff, Hina crossed her arms but then offered a smile to the pair "I've just secured the last hold out for the party! Looks like we'll have it after your exam. You can think of it as a celebration for you getting your licenses!"
When the only response Hina got was a pair of annoyed stares, her face crunched up in frustration "What? You know how hard it is to get everyone together now-a-days? You should be grateful its happening at all!"
Frowning, Zelgadis grumbled "Not everyone, thankfully."
Momentarily confused, when she realized who the chimera meant, the smaller girl slapped Zelgadis across the back, her hand cringing at the contact with his hard skin. Ignoring the pain, Hina replied slyly "Oh? How do you know I didn't get him too, hmm?"
For the briefest of moments, Zelgadis' eyes went wide but just as quickly they narrowed as his expression hardened. Realizing what was going on, Michiru grabbed the perturbed sorcerer's hand and began dragging him away, saying "She's just messing with you Zel. Come on, don't give her the satisfaction."
Zelgadis grumbled but said nothing as he let himself be led up the stairs, Hina's smug smile slipping as the two passed out of sight.
The pair had made it toward their rooms when Emeralda stepped out of hers. Michiru's two-toned blue/pink eyes met Emeralda's amber and the two seemed frozen, neither sure what to say to the other before both turned away. Zelgadis let go of Michiru's hand as he whispered to her "Say something, Michiru. She was worried too."
Michiru had half a mind to kick the taller man behind her but knew full well how much that would hurt her own foot. Instead, with her gaze still averted, Michiru asked "So…I hear you're the one who spotted me huh? Looks like that new eye is working really well!"
Michiru inwardly cringed the moment she said that last line while Zelgadis felt no need to hide his thoughts as he put his face in his hand in disgust. Both brought their attention to the third member of their trio when Emeralda responded, seeming to completely ignore Michiru's poor attempt to break the ice as she said "You left…you actually left me, left us behind. Why? Am I…that difficult to be around?"
Realizing what was being said, Michiru's eyes went wide as she almost frantically turned back to look back at Zelgadis. Finding surprise on his face, Michiru turned back to the nanomachine girl and desperately answered "Wait! No! That's not what I was thinking at all!"
Then came the almost accusatory words from behind her "What is she talking about, Michiru?" came Zelgadis' voice.
Whipping around, the tanuki girl saw the hard look on the stone-encrusted man's face. It made her blood run cold and Michiru almost welcomed the sound of Emeralda speaking again, giving her cause to turn back as the tan girl spoke "She was invisible. She was actually in her room when you and Hitomi went to see her. She snuck past you and made her way off campus. I…could hear her."
Zelgadis was shocked and a sense of betrayal crept into his heart as he took a step back, almost whispering "Michiru…is that true? You, you lied to me! And what's worse, if they find out, they could bring the hammer down on all of us! What were you thinking!?"
Michiru couldn't believe this was happening. She felt trapped, surrounded by the two people she thought she was helping by running out in the first place. Each now clearly hurt by that very action. Trying to bring things back to some sort of calm, Michiru blurted out "Its like I said to Hina, I was stupid! I made a mistake! I, I just wanted to make things easier for you, that's all!"
Neither of her friends seemed to buy it, Emeralda quick to answer "Its ok Michiru. I know that you hate me. Its ok, this isn't the first time this has happened. I…I'll stay out of your way from now on, just don't leave again, ok?" As she spoke the final sentence, Emeralda's stoic façade broke, tears welling in her eyes and she opened her door and stepped back inside.
Michiru reached her hand out as she called out "Emmy, wait! You got it all…you've got it all wrong." The last part escaping her lips as a whisper, the door already shut in front of her. Her arm went limp as the tanuki girl turned to face the blue-skinned sorcerer, who had gone deadly silent.
His eyes obscured by his hair as he hung his head, Zelgadis finally spoke, his voice trembling with barely contained rage "Once the exam is over, we can go work under heroes. I think it would be best if we went our separate ways at that point. Until then, you think you could stay put, Michiru?"
"Zel, I-"
"CAN YOU DO THAT, MICHIRU?" Zelgadis roared, his face seemingly as hard as the rocks that adorned it.
Completely dumbstruck by Zelgadis' behavior, Michiru could only nod her ascent. Satisfied, the chimera heaved a mighty sigh to calm himself before his coolly replied "Good." And proceed to his own room.
Michiru was left there in the hallway, fully aware of what had just happened but still unsure she could believe it. It felt as though her world had collapsed on her all over again and it took everything she had just to drag herself into her own room. The moment the door shut, she fell backwards and slumped down in a heap on the ground, her arms over her head, which rested buried against her knees. The emptiness she felt in that moment was so heavy, so pressing that she couldn't even bring forth tears. Indeed, the pressure was such that even her breathing became heavy as she starred at the darkness of her own making.
(X)
Nothing was the same after that. Sure, Michiru, Zelgadis and Emeralda went to training with 1-A but how they went about it was cold and business like. A oppressive tension hovered around them that was evident to all who cared to glance their way. The three didn't converse and only Emeralda and Zelgadis would acknowledge each other, their own less than social natures keeping them from talking more.
To say the mood had turned sour in the waning days of training would be an understatement. Even with Michiru apologizing to the class to start the day's training was brought down by her unwillingness to discuss why she did it with any of her friends from the class. The comradery that had been built both among the three lighters and the trio with their adaptive class had all but shattered and the last few days of training felt as though a paw had descended upon them.
During lunches Zelgadis continued to sit with Fumikage but both Michiru and Emeralda sat by themselves. Any attempt by their classmates or their teachers or mentors to coax some sort of explanation or solution was met with evasion or stonewalling. When Emeralda trained with Mashirao, barely a word was spoken. Terra could get nothing out of Zelgadis, who was even more sour than normal. Classes with Jun went by faster than they had before with no one speaking or seeking clarification or discussion. Three three seemed to be going through the motions as much as anything.
Izuku had found All Might to be too busy to speak to during these days and resolved to speak to him after the licensing exam, all the while probing further for more detail on his own. At the very least, one detail that Michiru had told him, about being the only person with a heteromorphic quirk in her hometown turned out to be false. At least as far as a cursory search of people's profile photos on social media for her hometown could be trusted anyway. His search did, however lead him to discover a local branch of a group called the CRC in Michiru's hometown and once Izuku began to read up on them, the freckled hero-in-training realized both that this world may be darker than he thought it was and that he may have found one of his answers. One more thing to ask All Might.
Then, the day finally came and 1-A got onto a bus along with Shouta and made their way to the National Dagoba Arena, the site for their exam. Michiru stepped off the bus and gathered with the rest of the class, dressed in their simpler, jacketless summer uniforms, white collared button-ups with navy shoulder straps and red ties and pants or skirts that match the straps. The arena looked absolutely massive, far larger than any she had seen in her home world, the front fascade featuring red and white vertical stripes that almost gave it a circus-like quality.
Glancing around, the tanuki girl seemed to be the only one actually impressed by the structure, including her fellow lighters. Actually, everyone seemed pretty quiet and focused. Well, except Minoru, who began wondering out loud what would happen if he failed, earning a pep talk/rebuke from their teacher. Perhaps sensing the unease and tension in the air, Shouta then addressed the rest of the class, his voice carrying an uncommon amount of confidence from him "If you can pass this test, and get your provisional licenses, then you novice eggs will hatch into chicks. You'll be semi-pros. I expect your best."
All three lighters internally thought the pep talk to be at least a little patronizing given their experience but knew the dour man's words weren't really for them. Seeing spirits were starting to rise, Eijiro decided to really get everyone pumped up, stepping up and raising his fist before proclaiming "Let's call out the usual you guys. On my mark."
As the red-head spoke, a tall guy in a plain button-down and a navy-inspired cadet's cap with a golden 'S' on it slipped in behind him, barely contained excitement on his face. This brought the other students to pause so that only Eijiro started the chant with the first part of UA's unofficial motto only to be finished by the new boy with a very loud and energic "ULTRA!"
The interloper stood frozen in place, hand held aloft as several students dressed like him appeared from behind, the shortest one among them speaking in a somewhat condescending tone "You know, its rude to barge into other people's huddles like that, Inasa."
Stricken with embarrassment, the now named Inasa lowered his arm sheepishly and spoke without turning to address his apparent classmate "What? Pardon me." After which the rather imposing interloper suddenly and in the most exaggerated way possible, straightened his posture, brought his arms in and flung his head to the ground as he literally yelled "I AM SO…VERY…EXTREMELY…SORRY!" as he actually smashed his head into the ground prostrating himself in apology for his minor transgression.
Just about everyone in 1-A reacted with shock to one degree or another, Denki being first to speak as he pointed at the over-the-top display "Who is this guy? I do not trust his enthusiasm."
Just off to his side, Zelgadis grumbled "Clearly he's an idiot."
"Hey, look at their uniforms." Kyoka said, likely ignoring the chimera's comment.
Michiru, who was standing beside Shouta and noticed the attention he was giving Inasa, picked up on the ear-jacked bluette and asked what everyone but the three lighters probably already knew "What about their uniforms? Where are they from?"
Despite the tension building between the two groups of students, Katsuki felt the need to get a dig in "You idiot racoon, you've never heard of Shiketsu?"
Glaring at the dirty blonde, Momo clarified "Shiketsu Academy is in the western part of Japan and rival's UA in its prestige."
Inasa had risen from his jarring apology, none the worse for wear and still extremely enthusiastic as he declared "I really wanted to say it just once! See, I really love UA High School! I am extremely honored to compete against such incredible students! I'm so looking forward to it!" The passion proved to be too much as the now hatless young man began bleeding from his head, almost as if to symbolize his hot-blooded passion.
During the exchange, Emeralda, whom had been sticking to the back as much as possible, felt as though she was being watched. It only took a moment to find that a long-haired blonde girl from Shiketsu had been starring at her with a very predatory look in her eye. When the two locked eyes, the other girl's playful smile widened and narrowed, giving it an almost snake-like quality. When Emeralda didn't react, meeting the other girl with a steely glare of her own, the standoff was only broken by the shorter purple-haired boy calling for the group to leave. At that point, the odd girl seemed to be distracted by the blood on her classmate's head as they left.
As the Shiketsu students left, Shouta explained that Inasa had applied to UA, had scored at the top of the recommended students and was indeed quite strong but at the last minute declined an offer from the school for reasons unexplained. That bit of information caused Izuku to glance at Shoto, who had entered UA as a recommended student as well, unease on the freckled boy's face.
Shouta had just finished explaining that despite the contradiction, Inasa was someone to watchout for when a woman's voice caused the usually unflappable man to freeze on the spot. A woman perhaps in her late twenties with hair about the same color as Emeralda's, though this new woman covered part of her's with an orange bandana to go with a black tight fitting top, smiley faces on her waist and flared out shorts with vertical orange and green stripes. It was clear this new-comer knew their homeroom teacher and that he clearly didn't want anything to do with her.
Despite this, the woman cheerily waved her hand and happily said "Heeyyy Eraser! I saw you on TV and at the sports festival but its been awhile since we were this close in person."
Shouta looked mortified as his students watched on with a mix of fascination and horror at the man's reaction. Izuku, though, seemed to know her but couldn't put his finger on it before the woman got right up in their teacher's personal space and brazenly asked "Lets get married."
The words had barely left the woman's lips before Shouta flatly replied "No" as disinterested as possible. The refusal didn't deter Mina from gushing at the prospect though.
"Ha ha! You're a real laugh-riot, buddy." Was the woman's own response as she doubled over in laughter.
Shouta continued to look unfazed as he muttered "As usual, your impossible, Joke."
And that was the last piece missing to fall into place for Izuku's eyes to glaze over in nerdy excitement as he exclaimed, his hands clenched into fists in front of him "Oh, that's Ms. Joke! The Smile Hero! Her quirk is Outburst and…" on and on the freckled hero worshiper went detailing the green-haired woman's ability.
Most of 1-A was quite used to their classmate's sudden outbursts of enthusiasm for anything related to heroes and their quirks and mostly paid it little mind. Zelgadis, too, having spent more time among the boys of the class had enough exposure to the behavior to just roll his eyes. Michiru, though, hadn't really seen the boy who had captured her a few days prior act so…childish and couldn't help but gawk.
Izuku's rambling was soon replaced by more shameless flirting by the older woman, garnering more attention from the class. Zelgadis, though, kept his attention on the tanuki girl he'd spent so much time with. Michiru returned to a reserved state once the freckled boy had stopped his blathering but for a moment, the chimera noticed she had glanced over at Emeralda, who herself seemed to have a distant look on her face, looking off where those Shiketsu kids and wondered off.
All three noticed, however, when Ms. Joke introduced her own students, who were approaching, from Ketsubutsu Academy. The second year students wore simple grey polo shirts with brown pants and black backpacks and seemed excited to meet the famous class 1-A. One young man with shaggy black hair was very forward in introducing himself, taking Izuku's hands and clasping them in his own as he spoke "Hey, I'm Shindo! Seems like UA's had a lotta trouble this year, musta been tough for you."
The great successor of All Might could only muster a feeble "Uh, yeah" in response.
Just as quickly, Shindo moved on, grabbing Denki's hands and laying it on thick as he continued "But even so, you're all still aiming to become pro heroes, despite those hardships. Its wonderful" he finished as he jumped to holding Kyoka's hands, who had been next to Denki.
Then he stepped back and made a show of making a fist in front of him, radiating charm as he finished by saying "Hearts of fortitude! I believe that's what every hero in the world needs to have!"
The students were stunned by how nice the guy, soon to be their direct competition, was being. 1-A's veteran students found themselves waiting for what else this kid might say. One of the classes newest members, though, had had enough and before Shindo could speak again, a cynical "Hey" could be heard from the back of the gathered first-years.
Several toward the front seemed as though a spell had been broken and turned to face the frowning Zelgadis, who continued, having now also got the attention of the Ketsubutsu student "I've had enough of your little nice guy act. You got something worth saying then say it. Otherwise, stop trying to butter-up my classmates."
"I must say, Greywards-san, that was quite rude of you. Clearly Shindo-kun here was just expressing his sincere appreciation!" Tenya chided as said boy nodded, his expression that of someone wounded by such words.
Sighing, the sorcerer-swordsmen retorted "Pay attention Iida, he's trying to get you to lower your guard since he thinks he has an advantage over you all."
Still looking wounded but now joined by the rest of his class as if to assert their strength, Shindo smiled slyly as he asked "Oh? That's quite the accusation you've leveled there stranger. And just what advantage might that be?"
Several in the class had already picked up on what Zelgadis was implying and shot glares at Shindo, who was looking more menacing by the minute. Zelgadis spoke again, his voice calm, and assured, almost arrogant "Please. We are well aware we're the only ones here who televise a competition and that you've seen this class's quirks in action. Don't think we aren't prepared."
"Yeah!" Ochacho yelled out
"That's Right!" added Eijiro.
A chorus of agreement rose from the UA students. The smirk on Shindo and his classmates faces began to falter but he had one more string to pull "Not the hardest deduction to make, especially for someone who couldn't even make it out the gate to make it on video for the sports festival! Besides, without knowing our quirks, the advantage is still ours."
That caused the excited UA students to quiet down to a murmur as that perfectly reasonable point settled in. Shindo's arrogant smirk returned as did the spirts of his own classmates. That was until a soft but firm voice spoke up "Yo Shindo. Quirk: Vibrate. Allows him to vibrate anything he touches."
Instantly the smirk vanished from the messy black-haired boy's face and an almost haunted look graced his eyes. The voice continued "Tatami Nakagame. Quirk: Telescopic. Allows the user to retract parts of their body into themselves." A blonde girl with sharp teeth and blue eyes went stiff as the voice spoke again "Itejiro Toteki. Quirk: Boomerang. Allows the user to throw objects extremely accurately and change its direction mid-air." This time a young man with a round face, small eyes and long black hair began to tremble.
Shindo at this point had regained enough of his wits to blurt out in an attempt to get the voice to stop "Who are you? How could you know our quirks?"
As each name had been spoken, UA students had stepped aside, to the point that when Shindo had asked his question, the owner of the voice could step forward and be seen, framed by the line of her classmates. Emeralda stepped forward, stone-faced until she was a few feet in front of the wide-eyed rival student. "Who the hell are you? You weren't at the festival either, were you?"
Entirely ignoring the latest question, Emeralda instead answered the only query she cared to, saying "The registry."
"What?"
"Everyone has to register their quirk, don't they?" was the tan girl's answer.
"But, but that would mean you'd have to memorize everyone who is taking this test to know us? Who the hell are you? Is…is that your quirk? How, how could you do that?!" came Shindo's now panicked response.
Briefly glancing back and noting the mixed expressions on her classmate's faces, from terrified to elated and everything in between, a light smirk slipped onto the greenette's face as she starred right into Shindo's eyes and said simply "Plus. Ultra."
A pin drop could have been heard in silence that followed as the students before the nanomachine girl remained locked in place with fear. Only Shouta calling out "Hey, get your costumes and head to orientation!" was the moment broken, the Ketsubutsu Academy students breaking into a sprint in the opposite direction.
Emeralda nodded to herself and turned back, hoping to fade back into the group, only to be mobbed by the class as they ran forward in cheers. "That was so badass!" Denki proclaimed.
"Perhaps not the most honorable approach, but highly effective." Tenya added.
"Way to show them, Emeralda!" Toru cheered
"I didn't know you had it in you." Tsu said.
"Remind me not to get on your bad side!" Rikido said, patting Emeralda on the back.
To the side, Ms. Joke was incredulous "Eraser, what the hell!? You training little psychopaths over there? Don't tell me you forced one of them to memorize all the applicants?"
"What's wrong, Joke? I thought it was pretty funny myself. Joking aside, that one isn't even really mine. Just an add-on for the exam. Though thanks to the three of them, the rest are more prepared for this than anyone else here today."
Ms. Joke noted that Shouta had said three, realizing the blue rocky guy being the second. She followed the tired man's line of sight as he spoke and spotted the only girl not celebrating, a tanuki girl looking unsure what to do but determined to do something, walking up to the rest of the class. "Well, looks like there's a story there you'll have to tell me over our next date! See ya during the exam, Eraser!" the green-haired hero teacher said as she left to join her students.
Meanwhile, as Michiru approached, several students cleared the way for her to stand before her friend. The small smile Emeralda wore vanished from her face as the two faced each other and an awkward silence settled on the group. Finally, Michiru said, clearly unsure of herself "That was…something else Emmy. Your crazy, you know that right?" Not exactly the warm and fuzzy embrace many were hoping but those looking on watched expectedly as Michiru then slammed her fist into her open palm "Lets go kick some ass!"
As a cheer went up among the group, Shouta shouted "HEY! I said get to orientation!"
"YES SIR!"
(X)
Alright, for any of you itching for a fight, you're about to get it. My plan for this next chapter is for it to be almost double length with all that'll be happening. That being said, life does tend to get in the way. My son's birthday, followed by Thanksgiving will leave me with less time. But who knows? I've pulled it off before, all I can do is try, right?
In case any of you missed 86 back in 2020 like I did, you should take the time to give it a shot. I'm a few episodes from the conclusion so can't say how satisfying it is but its been one hell of a ride so far. Not, uh, not exactly a warm and fuzzy show but the characters and the world are impressive things to behold.
As always, thank you for taking time to visit this story, I very much hope you enjoy it. Take care and I'll see you next month!