Chapter Ten: Talks Turn Into Sleepless Nights (REDUX)
Izuku had woken up bright and early to prepare himself for his first day at UA. His mother had rushed around the kitchen to fix him a great breakfast so that her son could start the day off right. This was a big event for the two of them, and as they ate together very few words were said to one another, although Inko had wanted to give some choice words of encouragement to her son she couldn't find it in herself to say anything to him.
Izuku was dressed up in his uniform, and was ready to go meet up with Kyouka by the train station when his mother suddenly grabbed his sleeve to get his attention.
"Izuku!" She called before he could leave the house. She looked down somberly. Her son was growing up so fast and was really getting into UA, the school he had dreamed about… "You look great.." She smiled at him with tears in her eyes.
Motivational words be damned; she just couldn't get it out. Midoriya looked back to his mother as his hand was on the doorknob and he smiled at her. He was adorned in UA's signature uniform along with his trademark red hightops. He nodded to his mother as thanks and smiled shakily at her.
"Thanks mom! I'll… I'll see you later." He said as he exited their apartment. Inko only had one thing on her mind and that was to hope that her little boy Izuku could make it, she hoped that he could complete his dreams. She wanted him to succeed.
"You can do it, Izuku.." She thought aloud as she clenched her hands together nervously. She sighed and got ready for her own errands for the day.
On Izuku's sprint to the train station he had actually spotted Kyouka running quite the way ahead of him. He chuckled, she must've had the same problem that he had with her parents keeping him later than anticipated.
"KYOUKA!" He shouted, running to catch up to her, they were right outside the station, but still needed to hurry and catch their train. "Over here!"
She slowed down a bit and turned around, recognizing the voice. "You dolt! I thought I was keeping you waiting, don't you check your phone!?" She berated as they ran together to catch the train.
Izuku however was more focused on Kyouka in the UA uniform, she looked really cute. The blazer with her skirt, and her legs were fairly visible. It truly looked amazing on her.
"Huh? Oh! S-Sorry I was busy getting r-ready and y-you know how my mom is…" He said scratching his neck as they reached the platform for their train. Luckily the train was just pulling into the station so they were able to get on on time. They both had to stop and catch their breath, but were able to find open seats next to one another.
"That's true, but next time check your phone before you leave man! I got held up and didn't want to keep you waiting!" She exclaimed, pinching the boy's cheek. He simply grabbed her wrist and chuckled nervously, with a quick "Sorry".
The boy pulled out his phone and noticed all the text messages she had sent him pertaining as to where he was and why she'd be late. He tried to hold in a laugh as he looked at her to which Kyouka simply went red and pouted.
Kyouka then noticed that the greenette hadn't even tied his tie properly and huffed in frustration. "Geez, do you not know how to even tie a tie properly?"
Izuku looked down at his oddly large tie. "What? I think it's fine, right? I-I didn't do too bad, did I?"
"Izuku… You really have got to learn how to do this." She says, sighing exasperatedly as she swiftly fixes the greenettes tie like it was nothing. "There, now you don't look like an idiot- Well, less so."
"Oi. Watch it." He said, pouting as she snickered at her light teasing. Izuku then remembers what he had gotten for the two of them for the train ride. "Oh yeah! Here!" He said reaching into his backpack. He pulled out earbuds and handed one to her. "S-Since it's gonna take a while, wanna l-listen to some music?"
Kyouka agreed begrudgingly as it seemed really embarrassing to her, but the two enjoyed listening to music together, enjoying a new album released by Deep Dope, much to Kyouka's delight.
The two of them were just thinking about what would lie for them on their first day at UA. They knew of a few pro heroes that taught there and they wondered who would be their teacher. There was even a rumor that All Might would teach there before it was actually announced, and now here they were about to find out for themselves why they were selected out of over 300 applicants.
These two were somehow listed as one of the elite to be in the class 1-A, not many could get into the hero course, it was split between 2 classes and only 36 students a year would be chosen. As the two future heroes reached their destination at the gates of UA, they couldn't help but become nervous. Surprisingly enough it was Kyouka who was more nervous than Izuku.
She had become witness to all the other students and only now did she start to question how she could even compare to all of these elite hero course students. Kyouka felt Izuku's hand on her shoulder, and he nodded to the entrance of the school, just his firm grip on her was reassuring enough to let her know that they were in this together.
"Shall we?" He asked. Kyouka saw the life in his green eyes and how they shimmered with a newfound determination, how could she not stick with him through all this? It was too late to turn back now.
"Yeah, let's do this!"
Izuku and Kyouka wandered the halls for what seemed like forever, searching for their class. The school was huge, and the map that they had given them was confusing.
"1-A… 1-A… Ah! Kyo look!" He said, calling her attention to a large door in front of them that he was pointing to.
The two looked at the surprisingly large door in bewilderment. "I guess it has to be size friendly…" Izuku mutters as he reaches to open the door.
'Hopefully Kacchan and the guy with the glasses are in the other class.' Izuku silently hopes as he peers into the classroom, with Kyouka following suit, sharing the greenettes sentiment.
"Remove your foot from that desk! Such an action is insulting to those who came to UA before us as well as the crafters who made the desk!" The tall boy from the entrance exam scolded. There Bakugou sat, sure enough with his foot on the desk.
Bakugou scoffed at the boy and grinned evilly, "Like I care. What middle school are you from extra?"
'THEY'RE BOTH HERE!' Both Kyouka and Izuku internally scream as their faces pale in the future annoyances that they will have to deal with. This day might just not go as well as they hoped.
The tall boy was flabbergasted, yet quickly regained his composure. He was not going to let some ruffian disrespect him, or this school. "I-I'm from Somei Private Academy. My name is Tenya Iida."
Bakugou leaned forward in his chair, getting in the boy's face and causing his chair to clatter onto the ground. "Somei!? A stuck up elitist then? I should blow you to bits!" He threatened, causing Iida to flinch.
They really seem to be letting anyone get into UA these days! "Blow me to bits!? You're awful! Do you really wish to become a hero!?"
Before Bakugou could give a valid response Iida locked eye's with a shying Izuku and Kyouka who were simply peeking in through the door frame. Iida marched right over to the two, completely disregarding Bakugou. Bakugou spotted the duo as well which earned a 'Tch' from him when he spotted Izuku especially.
'Shitty Deku..' He thought, feeling the urge to stomp over to him and blow his ass straight out of UA with a well placed explosion. He then noticed Kyouka behind them and grew even angrier, 'Both of them!? Are you serious!?'
"I'm Tenya Iida from Somei Private academy-" He introduced himself as he made his way over to the duo, Izuku took it upon himself to deal with the boy, stepping before the bluenette so he could have some distance between him and Kyouka. He knew that she didn't particularly like this guy, and he didn't want her to try and snap at him.
"I-I heard you earlier! Ah… I-I'm Izuku M-Midoriya, and this i-is my friend Kyouka Jirou. Pleased to meet you, Iida…" He introduced them both, stepping aside to let Kyouka's presence be known. He remembered her as the boy's "protector" when he misjudged the boy at the exam. Were they dating? They seemed to be quite close regardless, Iida would make note not to get on their bad side.
"Midoriya… You…" He started, shaking as all bits of his pride had left his body. Izuku had proven himself as the greater candidate during the exam and truly showed Iida what it meant to be a hero. This was definitely a shock to the two standing in front of him, watching as he shook violently. "You perceived the true nature of that practical exam!"
'Eh?' Kyouka and Izuku questioned simultaneously. What was he talking about? The two turned to one another and exchanged a confused glance. This guy was weird.
"While I did not!" He continued, "I misjudged you! I hate to admit it but you are the superior candidate!"
Iida's declaration was only met with more confusion from Izuku, and a blank stare from Kyouka. Kyouka would only assume that Izuku had every right to be the superior candidate because he wasn't a prick like this blue haired guy.
'I didn't perceive anything!' Izuku exclaimed internally. Bakugou's glare was felt on the back of the boy's head, but he tried his best to ignore it.
"Deku…" Bakugou mumbled angrily. Bakugou was furious that Deku was able to pass and get into the hero course without a quirk, how was that even possible!? And how the hell did ears get in!?
"Ah! That curly hair!" Izuku and Kyouka heard, making both of them jolt, but for different reasons. Swiftly turning around Kyouka's mood went sour. It was that nice girl from before, with the really cool quirk!
"You're the plain looking boy from before!" She exclaimed. Kyouka glared and clicked her teeth while Izuku forced himself to smile politely at her description of himself.
"I knew you would get into UA! Your quirk was so cool, and powerful!" That brought a more real smile to Izuku's face. Kyouka subconsciously moved closer to Izuku while glaring at the girl, which didn't go unnoticed by the brunette.
"Yeah, it's nice to see you. I think the bell's gonna ring in a second-" Kyouka speaks up before being interrupted by a gruff, deep voice.
"If you're here to socialize, then get out." All three of them slowly looked down behind the brunette finding that there was a very tired looking man in a sleeping bag behind them. Kyouka froze in fear, and Izuku only stared. That man looked awfully familiar…
"This is…" He started, before he pulled out a jelly pouch and drank it in a matter of seconds. "...The hero course."
The man stood, and all the students in the class watched as he unzipped himself from the sleeping bag. The man was clad in an all black jumpsuit, with a utility belt and some strange bandages wrapped around his neck.
The entire class had been murmuring but quieted down as he stepped inside the classroom. "It took eight seconds for you to quiet down. Time is a precious resource. You lot aren't very rational are you?" He questioned rhetorically.
'So he's our teacher!?' The entire class thought. The man stood close to Izuku and noticed that the top pointer was standing in front of him. Actually he noted everyone's placements during the exam and recalled their quirks.
Izuku noted that this man was not someone to be messed with, either act rationally or punishment was viable. He gave off an aura that said he was not to be tested.
"So he's a pro hero too…?" He questioned under his breath. The man seemed to have heard him and glanced at the boy before turning back to the rest of the class. So that was the top ranker, eh?
"I'm your homeroom teacher, Shouta Aizawa. Pleased to meet you." He introduced himself. The entire class was in awe at the fact that this scraggly looking man was their homeroom teacher. He then reached inside of his sleeping bag and pulled out what seemed to be a blue uniform with a white insignia of UA on it.
"Quickly now. Change into your gym clothes and head out to the grounds."
The class had assembled outside, and were rightfully confused. Wasn't there going to be an entrance ceremony? Guidance sessions?
"There's no time to waste time on an entrance ceremony if you guys want to become heroes." Aizawa exclaimed. "UA is known for it's 'Freestyle' educational system. That applies to us teachers as well."
While the students' questions were answered they were still confused on what they would be doing. However they wouldn't dare interrupt the man, he was glaring heavily at those that seemed confused.
"Softball throwing. Standing long jump. 50 Meter dash. Endurance running. Grip strength. Side to side stepping. And the seated toe touch." He listed. "You did all of these in middle school, yes? Your standard 'No-Quirks-Allowed' gym tests."
Izuku believed he knew what he was getting at and Kyouka had felt a bit nervous, yes she improved physically but would it be enough to keep up with these completely jacked students? I mean just look at Izuku!
"Izuku Midoriya." He called, making the greenette jump. "You placed top on the entrance exam, how far was your throw in middle school?"
Kyouka worried for the boy, if she remembered correctly his score was painfully average, even somewhat below that…
"I-I think Thirty-six meters?" (141.1 feet). Izuku admitted, albeit shamefully. Last time he had his athleticism evaluated he was a bit of a twig. Especially back then, although now he wondered what he could do during this test.
"Great. Now try it with your quirk. Do whatever you need to do, just don't leave the circle." He said handing the ball to the boy. The boy nodded in understanding. "Give it all you've got." He stated, knowing full well what would happen.
Aizawa wanted to see the boy's adaptability. He knew that the boy was a bit of a glass cannon when using too much of his quirk, so he wanted to see what the boy would pull off to get a good score. Izuku was definitely uncertain of what to do, should he go all out and break his arm or only use a small percentage? Would he get a good score?
He looked back at Kyouka, and saw her giving him a look of worry. No breaking his arm then. Well then what should he do to get a better score, without breaking his whole arm-
'WAIT! THAT'S IT!' He realized as he wound his arm back to throw the ball. He waited until the last vital moment and used 100% of One For All in his finger, blasting the ball quite a distance away. Sure, his finger was broken, but he could continue with the rest of the events.
Aizawa smiled, a cheshire grin. "This kid!" He exclaimed. Izuku looked back at Aizawa for the score as he clenched his broken finger.
"705.3 meters." He declared, shocking the rest of the class. Kyouka looked at the boy she longed for and smiled.
"Izuku!" She called. The boy swiftly turned to her and grinned, the rest of the class looking at this display in shock. Are they dating!? She just used his first name! "That was stupid as hell! But good job, nerd!"
Izuku ran back to her and they shared a small fistbump, the boy flinched because of his injured finger. Bakugou was visibly in awe. The quirkless runt had a damn quirk!
'He lied to me didn't he!?' Bakugou started to shake with rage. He rushed towards the greenette, "DEKU! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" He shouted. Before he could reach the boy Aizawa binded him with his capture weapon and erased his quirk.
He continued to struggle against Aizawa, attempting to use his quirk. "Would you quit using your quirk, I'm getting dry-eye over here."
Izuku immediately recognized the man as the pro hero "Eraserhead" and was in absolute awe.
"What a waste of time." Aizawa mumbled. He turned back to the class and saw they were all staring at both Bakugou and Aizawa in fear. Bakugou because he just tried to attack a student, and Aizawa because he was able to restrain him.
Aizawa sighed and cleared his throat after releasing Bakugou, "It's important for us to know our limits. That's the first rational step to figuring out what kind of heroes you'll be." He educated the class. They all started to become excited at their newfound permission to use their quirks.
"Woah! This is awesome! So we can use our quirks for real!? Man, the hero course is great!" A red haired boy spoke. He seemed to be quite hyped up, and Aizawa glared. He looked up to the sky and sighed, these brats aren't rational at all.
"Awesome you say?" He questioned aimlessly, looking back down at the class. "You're going to become heroes after three years here… And you think it'll all be fun and games?"
The class was silent, and fearful of his ominous tone, his glare went deep into them and struck them with fear at the core. "Right. The one with the lowest score across all events will be judged hopeless… And be expelled."
Aizawa's declaration caused an uproar in the class, he brought his hair out of his face, and smiled devilishly at the class. "Your fates are in our hands." He said, looming over the students.
"Welcome this is the hero course at UA high!"
The entire class mumbled amongst themselves, before the brunette from before spoke up, "The lowest score will be expelled!? It's only the first day! I mean even if it weren't that's totally unfair!"
Kyouka hated to admit it but she agreed with the brunette, this was definitely unfair! There's no way he would just expel them on the first day is there!? The added pressure might just make her crack and she won't be able to do this. She can't do this, she's going to be expelled! What if she-
"Kyo." She heard Izuku's voice call. He gripped her hand, and leaned in to whisper to her as the class complained and Aizawa taught them a life lesson about hero work.
"You're going to pass for sure, I know it." He smiled at her, when was he this confident and sweet…? Kyouka took a deep breath, if Izuku believed in her then she couldn't let him down!
"You better pass too! Don't let a broken finger slow you down." She tried to add some encouragement on his end as well. She knew he was just as worried as she was. They nodded and smiled at one another before the quirk assessments began.
"You got it." Izuku said, as the two prepared themselves for the rest of the activities. Izuku had gotten pretty outstanding results just by using 3% of OFA. He was barely a second behind Iida's 50 meter dash score. And his grip score was 80kg even with a broken finger. (Granted it was bandaged up by a very nice black haired girl with a ponytail, much to Kyouka's annoyance. She had a cool quirk though!).
He was making good scores left and right throughout the assessment, but Kyouka wasn't far behind at all. During the soft ball throw she landed 501.3 meters by inserting her jacks into the ball and launching it with pure sound alone, which was a surprise for everyone.
She had even extended her sit-ups score by lifting herself up with her jacks after inserting them into the ground. The duo were keeping themselves up there and were guaranteed to not be the ones expelled.
"Alright everyone!" Aizawa called, gathering the class once more. Unlike last time, the class snapped to attention ready for whatever Aizawa had to say. "Time for the results."
He pulled out a remote and spoke once more, "Your total scores simply reflect your own performance in each of the events. Explaining the process would be a waste of time so all you get are the final rankings."
He pressed a button on the remote and the holographic leaderboard appeared before them. "Oh, also I was lying about expelling someone. It was just a logical ruse to bring out the best in all of you."
Jirou looked as if she was ready to kill the man, and Izuku just sighed in relief while holding her back. Don't scare someone like that!
Aizawa walked up to the pair, and handed a hall pass to Recovery Girl. "We're done here. Documents about the curriculum and everything are back in the class."
He looked back over to Izuku and put a hand on his shoulder, "Tomorrow's trials aren't going to be any easier." He advised, before walking off elsewhere. Izuku watched the man disappear, he definitely was a mysterious guy.
'Ominous. Very Ominous.' Izuku noted.
The rest of the day went pretty smoothly, aside from Aizawa's class it was a very simple introductory day. "Man, I'm exhausted!" Izuku said, slumping as he walked.
Izuku and Kyouka were walking back to the station to make it back home when a lone figure approached them from behind. A hand gripped Izuku's shoulder, lo and behold it was Tenya Iida!
"How's your finger?" He questioned, concern for the greenette littered on his face. So he could be nice when he wanted to!
"I-Iida-kun! It's fine, thanks to Recovery Girl!" He replied shakily, the boy sure had startled him.
"Yeah, she's always having to take care of you isn't she?" Kyouka said, glaring at the boy. He visibly shrank and muttered out an apology.
"We've just gotta get you to a point where you can use your quirk without being damaged. Strength quirks can be pretty scary…" She said, successfully avoiding any hints to the greenettes actual quirk. "Just try to be careful, okay?"
Kyouka gave an earnest worried look for him, breaking his bones so frequently could not be a good thing in the long run. Especially if the damage was internal.
"I-I'll be fine, don't worry." He said, placing a hand on her head. She blushed, and smacked his hand away out of embarrassment. He shouldn't be patting her head like that anyways, just because he was taller than her didn't mean anything!
"You're a bad liar." She remarked, "But I guess there's no stopping you…" Kyouka sighed exasperatedly. This scene definitely didn't go unnoticed by Iida, but before he could question them about it the brunette from before showed up.
"You guys!" She called, running up to them. Kyouka groaned in annoyance and began to curse internally. "Headed to the station? Wait up!"
"Ah, infinity girl." Iida didn't know the girl's name and only recognized her by her score on the softball throw.
"I'm Ochako Uraraka! Um…" She said, looking at the three of them trying to remember their names. "Tenya Iida, Kyouka Jirou, and… Deku Midoriya, right?"
Both Kyouka and Izuku sighed at the usage of his childhood nickname. Seems she picked up what Bakugou had referred to him as...
'Damnit Bakugou.' Kyouka cursed. Izuku shook his head, and Ochako looked at him confused. Was that not his name? That blonde guy called him that, didn't he?
"I-It's actually I-Izuku Midoriya. Kacchan j-just calls me that to bully me." He revealed, scratching the back of his neck. He didn't want to reveal too much about his past, but he knew an explanation was needed otherwise she'd just question them more.
Ochako apologized profusely as Kyouka glared at her from behind Izuku. "Yeah, so please don't call him that. It's not preferred."
"Gotcha! But it kinda sounds like "Do your best!" to me. I kinda like it!" She exclaimed in her bubbly tone, trying to cheer the boy up. Kyouka watched as the greenette actually began to consider it. Was he seriously okay with being called that now!? What did this bimbo have over her!?
Izuku pondered that for a minute, blissfully unaware to Kyouka's seething rage. "Huh. I guess you're right… Never thought of it like that."
"Oh! Speaking of which you, Bakugou and Jirou-san seem close, or at least like you've known each other a while. Especially you and Jirou, are you two dating?" Ochako questioned. Kyouka and Izuku looked at each other, then back to Ochako, then back to each other, then back to Ochako and their faces erupted with steam.
"EH!? W-WE AREN'T DATING!" They shouted in embarrassment. Izuku waved his hands frantically, and Jirou's jacks coiled in embarrassment. Seriously, how many people are going to confuse them for a couple!?
"But you guys are on a first name basis! There must be something going on!" She exclaimed. She did make some good points that Iida nodded along with. Seems they were in agreement about this which only made the duo's embarrassment worse.
"W-We aren't t-t-together…" Izuku stammered. He looked over to Kyouka who was hiding her face in her hands as her jacks were wriggling around aimlessly. Iida and Ochako gave each other a look of concern, were these two in denial about their feelings?
Kyouka just started to storm off to the station with the rest of them following suit, Izuku had to try and catch up to her to calm her down. The embarrassment seemed to be a bit much for the two of them seeing as this hadn't been the first time people thought they were together.
As the group split up, Izuku and Kyouka sat side-by-side on their train ride home. They were in an awkward silence, and Izuku couldn't take it anymore.
"C-Can you b-believe they thought we w-were dating?" Izuku tried to laugh at the events that just transpired. Kyouka glared at him, a growing feeling of insecurity rising. Of course he wouldn't want to date her, he'd rather be with the brown haired bimbo Uraraka, right? She was probably his type and everything.
"What am I not good enough to date, Midoriya?" She said, in an icey tone. Izuku froze, and looked at her. She was mad, real mad but tears had threatened to fall from her eyes. He reached a hand out to her and shakily caressed her cheek, making her look more surprised at the boy's actions.
"You know that's not what I m-meant… You'd be everything I w-want and more…" He mumbled the last part. Kyouka picked up on what he said and blushed deeply. What did he mean by that? Was that a confession?
"Eh..! Wh-'' She stammered, due to embarrassment. She decided to just take the compliment and pay it forward. No use in making things more awkward, Izuku just knew what to say at the right times, even if it left her embarrassed. There was no way he would be confessing like this, it wasn't even really a confession.
"T-Thanks… Y-You're not so bad yourself." She mumbled in response, Izuku blushed lightly but could still tell she was feeling off. Izuku felt he needed to do just a bit more to help her tension, so he pulled out his earbuds from this morning and held them in front of her.
"L-Let's just drown out th-the world for a bit, okay?" Kyouka giggled at his corny offer, but accepted nonetheless. It was a good way to move out of whatever mood they had set for themselves, but at the same time it was nice to see him try to keep things from being awkward. What a nerd.
"Sure. You always know what to say, don't you?" She questioned, putting the headphone into her ear, the music starting up soon after.
Izuku sighed, and leaned back in the train seat. "Only when it comes to you. E-Everyone else would probably laugh at me, or get mad at my a-attempt…"
He couldn't really help it, all he had going for him before obtaining One For All was his optimism. Izuku soon thereafter felt Kyouka's head lay upon his shoulder. Izuku stiffened, and looked down to see her wide awake and staring out the train window at the sunset.
"K-Kyo?" He questioned, but she was too lost in her own thoughts to hear him. He sighed, and just tried to relax. The two spent the rest of the train ride home in that position until it was time to get off. Izuku walked Kyouka home, and still she did not say a word.
As they had arrived at her home, she turned to face Izuku before she walked onto the path into her home. "A-Ah, thanks Izuku… C-Can I ask you something?"
Izuku quirked a brow, but nodded. She twirled one of her earlobes with her finger and looked down. "D-Did you mean it, earlier..?"
Kyouka's mind was racing a mile a minute, how could he have meant it like that? He probably didn't, there was no way he could like her like that, right?
"Mean what? I-I'm not sure w-what you mean." He replied. Kyouka's embarrassment reached its peak and she rushed inside of her home, shouting a "Nothing nevermind!" as she slammed her door shut.
Izuku sat there in mass confusion. He shrugged it off and started his walk home, but not before pulling out his phone and sending a text. Kyouka slid down to the floor after slamming her door shut. Running off like that was so dumb! Why did she do that!?
Kyouka's phone soon vibrated, receiving a text from the boy she ran from not even 2 minutes ago!
Izuku: "Hey Kyo, I'm not really sure why you left abruptly, but if it was something I did I'm sorry! I hope you're alright, and if you were talking about what we talked about on the train… Then yeah, I mean it.
Kyouka's heart raced, sure he didn't even know what she was referring to but there was a chance! There was a chance he liked her back, hell, he might even want to date her!
"Kyouka? Is that you? Why are you squealing, did something good happen?" Mika Jirou called from the kitchen. Kyouka seemed to have forgotten that her mother was home today…
"A-Ah! N-No sorry I just read something exciting!" She replied, reading over the text once more.
She definitely was gonna stay up thinking about this all night.
And that's the final REDUX chapter!
This chapter was focused moreso on changing this final interaction with Izuku, with a few light touch ups in the beginning of the chapter.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy, and I'll see you all for the next big/real update of SITM.
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