Chapter Four: Rivalry and Battle

Minami used her commute time to try and remember some of the hand movement for sign language. She skipped over the syllables and tried to remember some of the basic signs commonly used. She probably wouldn't be able to communicate properly with the guy for a while, but learning always starts somewhere.

Honestly, it made the commute more fun. Reading on transportation made her nauseous and always looking down at a phone while walking was hazardous. Where as occasionally looking down and memorizing based on repetitive actions was a lot safer.

She entered the classroom and was surprised to see Aizawa already there, albeit in that sleeping bag of his in the corner. The seating chart drawn on the board. Seat 10 huh? She looked to the back of the class. Such a shame.

It wasn't her decision to make so she walked to the back and sat in the second row.

Minami didn't waste the opportunity. She took out her notebook. The rectangles symbolizing the desks she had drawn the previous day could finally be filled. Even better she didn't have to assume how their names were written. She copied the seating plan down. She would have to remember their names at a later time, but at least she had them. She still remembered the embarrassment of one year that took 8 months before she knew everyone's name.

To her right sat Uraraka – the brown hair girl. To her right sat the ice boy Todoroki, whose name sounded familiar but couldn't pin point why. Then in front of her was the rock head guy and the reason she was adamant to learn sign language.

The morning was much more relaxed than the previous day. Regular classes began as expected of any educational institution. It was reassuring that the teachers knew their subject as expected of a teacher. She shouldn't have had doubts just because pro-heroes were teaching. Of course they could be knowledgeable in multiple disciplines. Wasn't she aiming for something similar? She felt assured her academics would be taken just as seriously as hero studies.

Minami was surprised when Yamada was introduced as their English teacher. Well – Present Mic. She discovered that Aizawa was the odd one out by giving his presumably legal name rather than hero name. It still felt odd to consider them one and the same even though he acted the same both in and out of costume. She adjusted to the loud tone he mostly spoke in. At first she thought she would hate it but it oddly cuts out other irritable sounds like the noise of pencil on paper or squeaks from chairs.

She did learn that her class didn't seem very eager to participate. It wasn't anything particularly new. She's been in plenty of classes like this before. Thinking back to the entrance exam, weren't people like that then too? Though, she had chalked that up to people's seriousness of trying to get it. Now though… now she thought this would be painful. Minami was more than happy to wait out silences, but she also hates wasting time. When no one answers, she always volunteers an answer to move the lesson along.

Math class also seemed like it will be fun. Ectoplasm didn't shy away from giving challenges. Something that excited her as math was her best subject. Just something comforting about a subject that has a clear right and wrong answer. She had been getting better with the humanities the past few years as she found new appreciation for the nuance, but math will always hold a special place in her heart and mind.

Minami was happy when Japanese Literature ended. Cementoss was very calming but modern literature had to be her least favourite subject – only matched by science. With science she lacks the understanding of what she memorizes but at least she could memorize it. Whereas modern literature has some interesting stories, but she hates being forced to read and many of the metaphors and analogies often going over her head making the overall experience unbearable. Like last year! Last year her literature teacher gave the class a poem to 'dissect' which was apparently about drugs even though it only mentioned snow. Also, why did there have to be a 'right' interpretation. People can instill meanings they don't intend whereas some intended meanings may never reach the audience. It was the reason she supports 'death of the author'.

At lunch Minami walked to the cafeteria. This was the first school she had gone to with a full separate eating area students could make use of. She paid for her food then looked around. Where was she supposed to sit? She ended up sitting in an area where no one else had sat yet. She prodded the food gently before she hesitantly took a bite. It smelt good but would it taste— It tasted heavenly! She happily continued eating.

"Miss Goody Two Shoes finally decides to grace the school with her presence." Minami looked up to see Monoma. Taunting as ever. "What? 1-A too good to attend the entrance ceremony? I still don't see why they let you in. You couldn't even handle a little robot without me. If they were going to enroll you they should have dumped you in General Studies where you belong."

He could taunt her all he wanted. She didn't like it, and she thought in immature, but she felt a protectiveness when he began insinuating things about other people.

"What's wrong with general studies?"

"Of course, general studies are for people who want the U.A. name but don't have the talent." There's no way that was true. She didn't understand how anyone could think that. She would admit she was worried about the academic curricular but today demonstrated how all those worries were for nothing. Not to mention there were plenty of hero associated jobs that would benefit from being at a hero school even if not directly doing 'hero' work. That also doesn't include those who may not have the ability to destroy robots. U.A. policy clearly outlines that if their abilities are proven than they can transfer into the hero course. Section 17 paragraph 3 to be exact.

"Of course, a loser like you would think that. I showed it in the exam, and I'll continue to prove it. Between the two of us I have the better quirk." Minami didn't understand why that was important to him. Actually, did he even know she didn't have a copy quirk? Thinking back, she thought it was fourth grade when they re-evaluated and changed her quirk in the registry. That was after they had moved – so probably not.

Minami wasn't compelled to change his mind. She doubted that would his attitude would change even if she mentioned it. She also wanted the conversation to end so she could go back to her meal. "It doesn't need to be a competition…"

He continued to give jeers until another student physically forced him away.

Finally.

"Was he from Hero Studies?"

She didn't expect anyone else to talk to her so freezes as she took a spoonful of food. She swallowed then nodded. The voice was from a guy sitting down not directly next to her but a seat over. He had messy indigo hair and dark bags under his eyes that could rival her sister's.

"You're in General Studies too?" Ah, he clearly didn't hear the entire conversation. "I'm Hitoshi Shinso from class 1-C."

"Not exactly." Shinso looked at her waiting for elaboration. Support? Management? She mumbled but he couldn't hear. "What?"

"…Heroics."

He continued to stare.

"Monoma had some choice words about our teacher decision to skip the entrance ceremony…and apparently holds some elementary school grudge." There seemed to be many competitive people in her class so why couldn't he go bug someone else who wanted the competition. Was it because people compared their quirks? Was it because she was one of the tops in the class? Because he thought she would put up with his behaviour? "…I don't understand why he doesn't just become the best version of himself rather than obsessing over what everyone else can do." She felt that way, but she realized in retrospect maybe that wasn't completely fair. His quirk also relied on the abilities of others. Some attention was warranted and expected if he ever wanted to use it.

"Then what you said about General Studies was just to get him to back off?" Anger bubbled inside him.

"He shouldn't have spoken poorly of other people." Shinso's anger grew. They were just people to be pitied? "Who cares what class someone is in?"

"Easy to say as someone in the Heroics Department." Oh, did he say that out loud?

Minami looked down. That was fair. Classes shouldn't dictate someone's capability or worth but wasn't exactly what the system was designed to do. There may be flaws but the intention was there. Especially when choosing between thousands of applicants every year.

She hated it. It was like stupid thought and social experiments that purposefully lead people to answers. Like who to save on a sinking boat. If you had enough time to think on that then think of a solution to save more. Or the train experiment where apparently people though sacrificing people unrelated to the problem was somehow moral. They clearly never read Frankenstein…or maybe they did. She remembered having to read it for English class and the teacher pitted people against who was right and wrong between Frankenstein and the Creature as if they both didn't create problems. It was frightening how people would defend horrible behaviour based on sympathy.

It was probably because those ideas were simple that people rallied and supported them. She could almost understand that reasoning from the general population – even if she hated it – but then what excuse was there for people who gained power. People in leadership roles. Those who framed society.

"I'm sorry. I'm not always sure how to convey what I want to say, so if I've ignorantly said something that hurt you than I'm really sorry. I never want anyone to ever feel inferior, or neglected…or judged as a human being just because –" because of what? Their capabilities? Their circumstances? Their quirk? All true but when worded like she was about to she thought she sounded obtuse. Life's not fair. The words that have constantly been iterated to her echoed in her mind. She realized if she finished her statement she might give the impression that she thought his class inferior even if not her intentions.

She wished she could speak more eloquently in these moments like Kaede.

"I'm just going to stop before I dig a deeper hole."

Minami stands.

"Just…be who you want to be and don't let me or anyone convince you otherwise."

Shinso hadn't planned on it. He was going to show everyone – everyone – that he could be a hero. That he wasn't destined to be a villain.

…..

"It's me!" The number one hero came in as dramatically as he could.

All Might was apparently their teacher for Foundational Hero Studies. Wasn't he usually busy? Minami suppressed her thoughts. He might be like the others and taking on a much larger load than they should, and the other teachers so far didn't give her any reason to believe he also wasn't capable.

His fumbling around was a little worrying though.

Even if the class did stare at him starry eyed.

"Foundational hero studies! For this class, we'll be building up your hero foundation through various trials. Let's jump right in with this. The Trial of Battle!" All Might announces. A Battle? Another assessment test maybe? "And to go with your first battle we've prepared the gear we had you send in requests to match your quirks."

Minami faintly remembered sending in her request the day after she visited the Hedgehog Café. She couldn't imagine what it would look like so she had just noted some points down that she would like to have and left the designing up to whoever created it. Mostly she just wanted to ensure thick fabric to prevent scratching through. Breathable for comfortability and she couldn't imagine being sweaty in something skin tight, and resistant for extreme temperatures among a few other things. Oh, and pockets. Ways to store things was always important.

Minami removed her costume from the box and marveled at the costume like the rest of the girls in the changeroom.

If there was one complaint she has was the colour scheme – black and white. Cleaning white seemed like a nightmare, but for the time being the costumes were school property so cleaning it was currently their problem.

There was a black shirt with a high white collar reaching up to her chin with two buttons. Black pants made of the same material. She didn't know what it was made of but it was incredibly thick. Black platform boots. A large reversible jacket that was large enough it almost looked like a cloak on her. One side was black, but when reversed it was white. The note in the case mentioned that when having the black side outward the jacket worked like a fire-resistant blanket whereas the having the white side outward used infrared materials to protect from extreme cold temperatures. It was extremely heavy though. It would take a while to get used to. She was happy the designer had the foresight to colour coat the jacket though.

There were also black goggles in which reminded her of snow goggles. She had them rest on her head. They would come in handy if there was ever lots of smoke, dirt, or other debris. There was a belt with several smaller pockets attached. Then finally there was the wristband. She wished it was her idea but Kaede had mentioned it in passing when she saw Minami make her list. Voice activated hologram. Its sole purpose was to give a small display of an image pulled from the internet. Constantly grabbing for her phone seemed hazardous.

Minami looked at the other girls' costumes. Ashido had a sleeveless blue and purple suit and a white half mask. Just looking at her outfit made Minami's outfit feel so much heavier. Asui's was mostly green. Her boots making her look even more frog like. Uraraka's was blue and pink and looked space tech-y. Jiro's outfit has a punk DJ feel to it. Hagakure's…was just shoes and gloves. It made sense considering her quirk but did that mean she was naked? It's early spring, wouldn't she be cold? Speaking of cold, Yaoyorozu's outfit didn't seem to do too much for protection, but her quirk used her skin or something right?

They exited the changeroom as a group. Minami was last to leave the room and noticed a few of the boys just standing in the hall staring their way. She ignored them and went to meet up where All Might would be.

…..

Minami looked at the city structure. Would this be like the entrance exam?

"This will be an indoor battle trial! Villain cleanup is usually seen out in the open, but statistically the better part of the job is an indoor job. Most acts of villainy are committed indoors. Imprisonment, house arrest, the black market… in this hero saturated society villains with any intelligence are lurking in the shadows."

Of course, they were. If you wanted to commit a crime in the open you were probably trying to make a statement, committing a non-planned passion crime, were arrogant enough you think they could get away - or just a plan not thought through. The 'best', and scariest, crimes were the ones never discovered or couldn't be proven.

"For this test, you'll separate into "villain" and "hero" groups for a two-on-two team battle." Minami knew this day would come. Group work that is. That didn't mean she was particularly thrilled to do it already. Logically she knew she couldn't control everything but relying on people she didn't know has never been something she enjoyed. At the very least her classmates should have some skills, knowledge, and basic competency. She hoped.

All Might explained the activity. Villains were to protect a nuclear weapon and the heroes need to stop them before it's too late… and their teams would be determined by a random lottery.

…but if it was supposed to be a nuclear weapon, wouldn't it be better to hide it and run? Kaya wouldn't want to be in a building she planned to blow up.

Minami looked at the letter she had drawn.

F.

Her eyes flickered over the group as people paired up. Who was her partner?

"Are you F?" Mineta asked Yaoyorozu. Tears escaped his eyes when she told him she was group E.

"Are you F?" He continued on asking girl after girl. Did he not think the boys would be F?

"Mineta!" Minami showed her F.

Mineta stopped. His partner was a girl! That was good. He remembered her from the practical exam where she prevented him getting crushed by a bot! He added another fantasy to his arsenal where she would pick him up 'bridal style' and hold him close to her chest as she destroys a bunch of enemies. Minami's costume though… it was such a waste! He can't see her figure through that oversized jacket of hers. He saw her in their school uniform! He knows she has one!

It was upsetting but it could be worse too. He could have been paired with a boy. He couldn't imagine being on the same team as someone like Iida or Bakugo.

…..

The first match was destructive.

That was the only way she could put it. Bakugo and Midoriya destroyed the building.

All Might announced the hero team the winner making Minami frown.

She hesitated before raising her hand. "All Might? Is that really alright? Claiming victory after deciding to suspend a match is a little… not to mention the goal was to retrieve the core but the spirit of that mission was to prevent catastrophe to the building. In spirit of that goal, I don't think it makes sense to be able to award a victory to the hero team."

Doubt. Despite the great start to the year her initial doubts on education and leadership leaked back into her mind.

Then there was that moment at the start of class with Midoriya. Did they know each other? She didn't know if anyone else caught it as they focused on All Might, but she didn't.

Was he showing favoritism?

Some of her classmates who initially agreed with the assessment started seemed to quiet. Were they re-evaluating the match? It wasn't just her, right?

…..

The next match had Todoroki and Koda be the heroes against Yaoyorozu and Kirishima.

Minami continued to watch the overlapping screens, but it was giving her a headache. Did everyone else actually find it easier to pay attention? Todoroki freezed the entire building.

Despite the oncoming headache it was impossible to not stare. Did so many in her class have such overwhelming power?

At least he had the ability to evaporate the ice so leave no lasting impact on the building.

Minami didn't even think her quirk could reach the height of the building.

She looked away from the screens as the next match started and – huh? Bakugo was standing off to the side quiet and frantic? It wasn't any of her business, yet he seemed so panicked. Like a startled prey animal caught determining whether to flee or fight. With his…. explosive personality… she couldn't rule out the possibility that to approach him won't end with violent outlash.

"Bakugo?"

He jolted at the sound of his name. "What do you want dead eyes?"

Minami didn't know whether his 'nicknames' were intended to be insults or if he just didn't know anyone's name – whether he sucked at names like herself or he just couldn't be bother was an entirely different question.

She didn't think this far though. What was she supposed to say? She didn't even know what was wrong. Though, if she had to make a guess it probably had to do with whatever fight he had with Midoriya. Bakugo had come across as pro-violence. Eager to shout at people and using the word 'die' like a catchphrase. She doubted he had any remorse about helping destroy a building, but he did seem extra volatile when it came to their classmate.

"I don't know what happened to make you like this. I don't know whether it even matters. Yesterday you claimed to the class you want to be number 1, right? Then keep working on yourself. Concerning yourself with whatever Midoriya can or can't do doesn't affect your capabilities." Was this helping? Was it making things worse? Maybe she should shut up and stop making assumptions. She really needed to join some communication class or something.

"Take your own fucking advice and keep to yourself you extra."

Caring about yourself doesn't mean everyone else is an extra!

She would leave it at that. If he wanted to be miserable that was his own prerogative.

…but did she overstep boundaries?

…..

Kaminari and Shoji (Heroes) v.s. Mineta and Hanajima (Villains)

It was finally her turn but she didn't feel assured. Shoji was definitely the strongest. She should avoid getting into a fist fight. Kaminari had electricity which wasn't a good match with her often relying on wind. They would need to be strategic with this.

Even worse is that the villains didn't get capture tap. It really was just waiting out the clock.

"Any ideas?" asked Minami.

Mineta panicked and complained about having to fight. She guessed strategy was left up to her.

"Let's move the bomb to this room. It's small and there's no window access. Could you use your quirk so that it would be hard to get across the room? Then put some of those spheres on the inside of the door, but along the edges so that when you close the door it sticks shut."

"I can but what's the point of boobytrapping the room if we are going to seal the door."

"…Mineta…we watched the walls and doors get destroyed already today. Let's not risk it again."

Mineta paled. "…right…"

"Meanwhile I'll try and close as many doors as I can. If we can make them waste even a bit of time checking each room it will be worth it. Then let's meet here." Minami points to the floorplan. "I can focus on trying to make distractions."

Half their planning time was over which didn't give much time to prepare. Still, it was better to do something than nothing.

The 'heroes' were allowed in and now Minami felt tensed. Thinking about fighting and being in a situation where you might fight felt very different.

"I can hear footsteps that way." Shoji could tell?!

"Alright! Let's do this!" said Kaminari.

Minami panicked.

Wait. They can hear us?

She may not have visual memory but she does have audible memory.

Minami brings a finger to her slips to signal Mineta to remain silent.

She looked at Mineta for a moment before imagining him down the hall. She created an illusion of Mineta and added sounds of foot steps to help make it believable.

Electricity flowed down the next hallway narrowly missing the illusion.

"I missed!" Only Kaminari chased after the illusion. An illusion which disappeared the moment turned the far corner.

"Hey! Where'd he go?"

"Ah!" She had been distracted with Kaminari's actions that she missed Shoji came the other way behind them. Mineta's cry was the only warning.

Minami erected a wall of wind but Shoji punched his way through it managing to land a punch on her.

Mineta through a sphere at Shoji which landed on his hand? Well, it should have been a hand but it was the form of an ear.. Unfortunately, had several more he could use.

Shoji was in front of them and Kaminari was now running at them from the other direction.

This really was a bad match up.

"Sorry Mineta."

She didn't have time to explain as she scooped him under her arm like a sac of rice, smashed the window with a blast of wind then jumped out the window.

Mineta looked how far the ground was below them. They were going to die! He felt something. At least he would die feeling the side of Minami's "boobs".

Mineta said boobs out loud. Minami looked down at his pink face. What the hell?

No. No. Think about the exercise. She moved them up to the roof top. Narrowly missing a strike of electricity Kaminari threw from the window.

"You can jump down to the escape staircase from here. Wait out here or go back in and help. Choose what you want." Minami wasn't certain there was much they could do. "I'll try to attack from the outside. At this point we just need to keep them away from the 'bomb'." The only good news was that neither of them were with the fake explosive, so Shoji couldn't trace them to it.

The second half felt agonizingly slow. Minami would weave in and out of the building after attacks. It worked for another few minutes until they realized she never aimed to battle them therefore focused on the mission of disabling the bomb.

Shoji and Kaminari found the sealed room. When the door wouldn't open Shoji busted it down. A disappointment but somewhat expected.

With nothing else to lose, Minami runs towards them for an attack.

Huh? Mineta actually did a great job covering the floor and walls. It was still possible to avoid them which the hero team was doing but… With a gust of wind, she knocked them unbalance. Enough for Kaminari to fly into the wall – sticking him against it like some human scarecrow. Shoji barely moved but the wind was just enough for him to misstep, stepping onto one of his hair ball things. Shoji reached for the bomb but he was just out of reach.

Did they really do it?

"Time's up!"

Minami turned to Mineta with a thumbs up. She didn't know whether they deserved the victory, but she wasn't going to complain.

They rejoined the group. Several people immediately asked Mineta how he cloned himself. He had fully been around the corner and never say the illusion leaving him thoroughly confused.

…Minami doesn't offer clarification. Consider it payback for apparently thinking about boobs instead of the assignment.