It had been a week since the test. A week of being on edge. A week worth of anticipation and doubt and nerves. Yuuma was doing his training alone today, simply doing his exercises and going through the motions Aunt Airi had taught him since he was seven.

His aunt got called in to work, so they were spending the weekend being watched by their grandma. Grandma Ao, a sweet woman who loved to spoil her grandbabies whenever they were around. Everyday she prepared their favorite foods, smothered them in kisses and hugs, and took photo after photo to brag to her co-workers (Granny Chiyo) about how adorable her grandkids were. She was the grandma who gave them the biggest and best gifts on Christmas, always trying to out do the competition (Aunt Airi) when it came to doting.

All of this love and care, however, did not stop his growing nerves and doubt.

"Did I pass, Did I fail? What if I failed? I don't remember how many points I got, I didn't count! Why didn't I count? What if I failed because I didn't keep track?! I wonder how Katsuki-nii and Izuku-nii did? Izuku-nii seemed sad, I should let him hug Pickles II. He's very soft and makes me feel better when I'm away from Ritsu... Now I want to hug Ritsu. I should go hug Ritsu."

As if summoned, Ritsu came barreling out into the yard, fumbling over himself as he held a letter in his hand. "I-it's here! Ni-san! It came! Your letter from Yuuei finally came!"

All of Yuuma's thoughts came to an abrupt halt at those words.

The letter came.

Why did he want to run and hide and just not look?

"Everything will be okay, Ni-san." Ritsu said with a giggle, as if reading his mind. "Want to look at it together?" Yuuma nodded without missing a beat. What would he do without a Ritsu in his life? He didn't want to think about it. Ritsu promptly grasped his small hand and pulled him along into their living room, where Yuuma nervously and awkwardly began to open the envelop with the glamourous "UA" insignia upon it.

A desk shaped device fell out onto the floor, which confused both of them.

"Yo."

"ACK?!" Yuuma and Ritsu jumped at the sudden projection of a hobo, sleep deprived man with shaggy black hair and bandage-like cloths wrapped around his neck. When they realized who it was, Yuuma beamed while Ritsu scowled.

"Uncle Zawa!" Yuuma exclaimed quietly. "Ritsu! Uncle Zawa's on the wall! Now that I think about it, Yuuei tends to do things normal people wouldn't even have enough money to even consider. This honestly shouldn't be all that surprising, but it's still really cool! But why is Uncle Zawa on the wall?"

"You're probably wondering why I'm here." Aizawa said in his usual monotone voice. "I have to tell you your results." He got straight to the point, as expected of Aizawa.

At this, Ritsu's scowl became more of an intrigued frown.

"I don't have time for details, sleep is calling. You passed. You tied for first on the written portion with a recommended student, and placed first on the practical with 52 Villain Points and broke the record for the hidden portion of the exam with 73 Rescue Points."

"Rescue Points." So Yuuma's guess was correct when he thought there was more to the exam. Now it made more sense as to why Present Mic would explain the test as such. They were looking for those with natural heroism as well as practical experience. Yuuma felt a smile creep on his face. He was sure Izuku and Katsuki did well if that was the case. Katsuki-nii had great battle wit, and Izuku-nii was always willing to help others. He had no doubt in his mind that they passed.

"Here are the total results. Oh, and because of your age you will have to check in with Recovery Girl often after heroics class, no exceptions. Welcome to Yuuei kid, I'm going to sleep."

"Typical Bakazawa." Ritsu sighed, but allowed himself to smirk. Even Aizawa couldn't hide that little smile on his face, he was breaking his stoic character. The next time Ritsu got to talk to him, he would make sure to rub it in. Just in case, he took a photo as evidence so Aizawa couldn't deny that he indeed did smile, even if it was small.

Yuuma has that effect on everyone, there is no reason to be ashamed. But that is not the reason Ritsu calls Aizawa "Bakazawa". That is something different.

And with that the screen switched to the results. Yuuma couldn't help but stare at it as Ritsu nodded, knowing that the older boy had nothing to worry about.

1. Yuuma Kageyama | Villain Points: 52 | Rescue Points: 73 | Total: 125

2. Katsuki Bakugou | Villain Points: 77 | Rescue Points: 0 | Total: 77

3. Eijiro Kirishima | Villain Points: 39 | Rescue Points: 35 | Total: 74

4. Ochako Uraraka | Villain Points: 28 | Rescue Points: 45 | Total: 73

5. Ibara Shoizaki | Villain Points: 36 | Rescue Points: 32 | Total: 68

6. Itsuka Kendo | Villain Points: 25 | Rescue Points: 40 | Total: 65

7. Tenya Lida | Villain Points: 52 | Rescue Points: 9 | Total: 61

8. Izuku Midoriya | Villain Points: 0 | Rescue Points: 60 | Total: 60

9. Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu | Villain Points: 49 | Rescue Points: 10 | Total: 59

10. Fumikage Tokoyami | Villain Points: 47 | Rescue Points: 10 |Total: 57

"I told you everything would be fine. The only thing that could make this better was if the person telling you was anyone else besides Bakazawa." Ritsu grumbled.

"How come you don't like Uncle Zawa? He's always been around, and you still sleep with that giant black cat stuffy he gave you last Christmas. Doesn't he have a matching one?"

"T-that doesn't matter! He's still Bakazawa." Ritsu looked away, not wanting to show the embarrassed pink that was slowly creeping onto his cheeks. Yuuma giggle, knowing how much Ritsu actually liked Uncle Zawa. He wasn't sure when he'd started calling him "Bakazawa" and whenever he asked he replied with "He's an idiot for not noticing. That's all."

...Noticing what? What did he miss? Had Uncle Zawa done something silly? It was a mystery that Yuuma simply gave up on trying to figure out. What he was focused on now was what he'd just heard.

He passed. He passed in first. He passed in first? He didn't expect to pass, and if he did not in any top seat, but first?

Yuuma turned to Ritsu who was in front of him by a few steps and wrapped his arms around him from the back, picking him up just a little bit in a tight hug. "Ritsu! I passed! I passed Ritsu!" Ritsu let himself laugh with joy, forgetting his irritation with Bakazawa giving him the good news. "Yes Ni-san, I told you you'd do great!"

"Ri-chan! We should have Ice-cream today! We should go get Grandma Ao and tell her the news. She'll probably take a bunch of pictures. Wait, I need to call Katsuki-nii and Izuku-nii, they passed too! I saw their names! We're going to Yuuei together!" Then he paused, letting what he'd just said sink in. "I'm going to Yuuei, Ritsu. Oh my god, I'm going to Yuuei?"

"Yes, Ni-san." Ritsu answered sagely. "It's your Hero Academia!" He'd been waiting to say that sentence for an entire week now, even researching the word "academia" to make sure he was using it right. He saw the sparkles and sunshine radiate off of the older boy as the tears pricked at the edges of his round eyes.

"Yeah!"

-Meanwhile, At a certain bar somewhere-

Tomura Shigaraki hated everything about his current predicament. Sensei told him he'd be sending someone to help him with his plans, and he was expecting someone like Kurogiri, who was useful and obedient to an extent. Or one of those things he was working on, those Nomu. Or even some lackey villain who he could easily kill if he got mad.

Grim was none of those. Walking into the bar was what seemed to be a child. He wore a dark hoodie that kept his face from view, his eyes seemed to glow in the dark eerily. If you took him at a glace, he was no bigger than a middle schooler. He wore gloves and shorts with black stockings that covered his legs completely. The look was complete with a pair of black running shoes and a cap that he wore just beneath his hood.

He was almost cute. He didn't touch the ground at all, just floating from place to place. At first glance you'd believe he was harmless: a complete contrast to how he actually is. His personality was a refreshing dose of "sass for days" with a healthy dash of "murder happy" and a hint of "sadism." His size couldn't fool Tomura.

He was dangerous, even compared to him.

"Well aren't you a sorry sight, not worse than your master but still," The not-child now sitting across from him at the counter began, "Have you never heard of Chapstick? Lotion? The way you look even drowning in it wouldn't help you." His voice was almost demonic with how deep and raspy it was, and it echoed off the walls as if it didn't come from his lips.

Did he even have any? How was he talking? Tomura didn't know because his features were either hidden from view due to the hoodie he wore, or were completely non-existent like Kurogiri's. It was infuriating to know that someone was amused by his annoyance yet be unable to tell what exactly they were feeling because they had no face!

Tomura really wanted to kill him. "Shut up."

"Nah, I'd much rather annoy you."

All this person had were something that was a semblance of eyes but they weren't like anything he'd ever seen before. It was like they were looking through him, as if he were but a speck of dust he could blow away or an insect he could step on at any time. It unnerved him, and he didn't like it. He wanted him gone, he wanted to kill him.

"I'm going to kill you."

"'Kill' isn't quite the right word, dear. You are welcome to try though. Please, make a fool of yourself... again." He answered, bemused. Tomura let a growl escape him as he glared daggers at this insufferable not-child. It was official that Tomura hated this guy with every fiber of his being, maybe even as much as he hated All Might.

...Probably not that much, but Grim was a close second.

"Master said that you must endure him for the time being, Shigaraki Tomura. Please, control your anger." Kurogiri tried, attempting to soothe the younger villain's smoldering rage as Shigaraki had decayed yet another glass from the bar.

"No, no. Let him have his tantrum, it is much too fun pushing his buttons." The demonic not-child chided, the other party glaring at him with his red orbs.

"You—" He stopped himself, knowing that he was just being toyed with by the amused glint in his hauntingly white eyes. They could not afford to lose another hideout because he got mad. Ever since then Grim found it his new favorite pass-time to annoy the boy whenever they were in each other's presence.

It didn't help that his quirk did nothing to the not-child either. It just made him even more insufferable. His body was more tangible than it had been before, and could actively be called something akin to a living body, but that didn't mean that it was. Grim was an apparition that could touch and interact as if he were alive, but that did not mean others could interact with him the same way.

Physical attacks did nothing but amuse the being, the only thing being affected were his clothes which he wore just cause.

"I hate you."

"I know~ It amuses me, human." Grim slouched down until his arms were folded over the counter top and his head rested upon them. He let a laugh escape him as Shigaraki dusted yet another few cups in an attempt to not decay the entire building. Ah, he was so much fun to annoy. But alas, the fun could not continue forever.

As his power grew, so did his form. It was like aging in his terms. But the bigger he became, the more he hungered, so he opted for this partnership. He would help them with their plans (as he saw fit) and they would let him reap anything else they happened to come across. It was a win win.

Besides, he needed power to undo whatever they'd done to his body. Could it even be called that? It might as well. Because they were mixing and molding his spiritual energies with whatever they were doing before he awoke, he took on a more solid form. It was akin to a mutation in their terms, and that mutation even applied to his power.

It was weaker. Similar to how Shigaraki has to touch something with all five fingers for his quirk to take effect, Grim has to be in contact with his prey for an extended amount of time in order to reap their soul and devour it for himself.

If they are able to break contact before the process is complete, then the soul will return to their body. The bigger he gets, the less time he needs. Although it is still infuriating. Normal attacks still can not touch him, but energy type quirks can to an extent. Only a specific type of energy can actually harm him though, but it wasn't like he was going to tell them any of that.

He almost feels like reaping all of those scientists disgusting souls to sate his rage at their years of tampering, but it will have to wait. His partnership with the interesting human that calls himself "All For One" still stands, and he actually likes working with the human.

That human that reeks of death, yet refuses to just die.

He was tempted to reap his age old soul for himself the first time they met in person, but refrained because he was much to interesting to just devour. It was something he was always searching for in his centuries of un-death.

Something fun to do. His boredom was a force to be reckoned with, that bastard.

Yes, killing and reaping souls and growing in power had their perks, but doing the same thing for centuries on end at a snail's pace gets boring. And thus, here he was, exploring this new era with villains simply because he had nothing better to do at the moment. Plus All For One fed him, he likes him a lot.

Free food for the win. Speaking of food...

"I'm hungry, what are you planning to do so I can eat." The deep voice echoed, his demonic baritone contrasting heavily with his chibified features. "I heard you had something interesting planned~ Get on with it or I'm just gonna reap some of these lackeys you've been collecting to pass the time." He ended lazily, kicking his feet.

"Why can't you just find something to do on your own?!" Shigaraki snapped, resulting in Grim's eerie glowing orbs to curve into an eye smile. "It's not that I can't, I just don't want to, because I know it annoys you, and annoying you is fun."

Because Shigaraki was in no mood to deal with the not-child, he proceeded to storm out the bar to decay a bunch of random stuff to calm down. Kurogiri, not wanting to anger the small looking spirit, took it upon himself to explain what they'd learned from their sources and the formulating plan.

"Ho? How intriguing." If Kurogiri could see Grim's features he was sure that a satanic smile would be adorning his face right now. It sent a shiver down the warp-gate user's spine. Why was it that he was fearful of this person's presence? Kurogiri didn't know. But everything in him told him that he was not safe, and the not-child seemed to revel in it, clearly noticing his discomfort.

Kurogiri was right to be afraid. He had no idea what he was, did he? Grim knew though, he could sense it. He could smell it. He could almost taste it coming from him.

Death. A molded and tormented soul. It was so twisted and warped that it didn't even realize it existed anymore. How barbaric of them to do such a thing. And he serves them, not knowing what they'd done to him at all, more than likely unable to. The irony.

A part of Grim felt pity for this soul. Pity, empathy, remorse, what disgusting feelings. This very reason was why he was tempted to get rid of Kurogiri. So that which had caused him this confliction wouldn't exist anymore. But he refrained from doing so for the very same reason.

Stupid emotions.

Grim was not a good person, so why should he mind about this being in front of him? His existence was only to gain power and do whatever he wanted, nothing more or less. When he gained enough power, he would most definitely get rid of this annoying part of his soul. Again.

The part that... cared.

Ew.

It had to have been mixed into his being when those scientists were having their fun misusing his spiritual energy. All of those Nomu failures were once unassuming helpless innocent humans, their souls untainted, and then they got mixed in with him.

That is saying a lot considering just what he is. It was no wonder they lost their minds. They really thought they could handle him? The day that happens is the day Shigaraki learns that lotion does indeed exist.

Just as his energy merged with them, their energy was consumed by him. They really thought they was gonna come into his personal space and take something without him getting even? That, that was funny.

Grim's thoughts were very specific. If you killed his cat, he killed your dog, you, and then took all of your valuables to get him a new cat.

So, when those scientists thought to take his energy, he took the energy of whatever they were trying to add his energy to, killed them when he got out, and got a deal with All For Whatever to get him more food.

...Same thing.

And now their emotions replaced the ones he'd thought he'd gotten rid of. A leech. A tumor. A wine stain on a carpet! He hated them! They needed to go. If he could revive those idiots just to kill them again he would, repeatedly. Having these things in him was hindering his actions.

These Feelings.

Ew.

Once he got rid of it, everything would become prey as it should be. He had no amount of patience for, ew, friends. None of these people were anything to him, they were just interesting. Yes, very fun to mess with. And yes, they did fun things like plan mass murder. Very interesting thoughts they had.

Bad Grim. No. Stop liking them so much.

He was a predator, and they were his prey, and when all was right again, he would make sure they knew that. He eyed him with malicious glee at the very thought. But enough of these thoughts, it was time to mess with Kurogiri some more. It's too much fun making him uncomfortable.

"A hero school, huh? Tell me more."

Kurogiri suppressed the urge to recoil away from the being that was eyeing him was clear and ominous joy. "T-there are rumors that All Might was to be teaching at the most prestigious of hero schools, Yuuei High School. We've been gathering information, and even planted a spy within the school. In the following days we are to infiltrate to get the information we need to make our next moves against the heroes." Kurogiri stated calmly, tending to the bar while warily eyeing the not-child.

Yes. Heroes. Before he was scattered in the void he'd heard that term. He was sure that man, Shigeo Kageyama, called himself a hero. He was not nearly as strong as he was back then, stuck in this small agonizing form until he gained more power. He hated every second being stuck in this form without enough power to just do whatever.

Limitations suck.

But being destroyed and then reviving would do that to someone.

However, if everything came easily, it wouldn't be nearly as fun. Maybe he should be thanking that esper for destroying him, this was the most fun he'd had in many decades. He could feel the anticipation crawl throughout his being. He was sure he even let a laugh slip by him.

Kurogiri flinched at the sound, how cute.

If he was going to find what he was looking for, the best place to start looking would be a hero school, wouldn't it? He hoped they had fun people there to mess with, to torment.

To Reap.

"I'll be leaving for a bit, I'm hungry. Contact me when you guys are ready to move. Bye~" The not-child left the bar, Kurogiri sighing in relief. Being in the being's presence was absolutely terrifying. He always felt like if he wasn't careful, he'd be the one on Grim's menu.

That was if he wasn't already. The thought was scary. Any moment he's alone with him is a chance that he'll be killed and his soul eaten. Kurogiri felt pity for those who weren't as lucky tonight, he'd seen how Grim eats...

Their screams and his laughter will haunt his nightmares.

-Some time later, Yuuma's room-

Yuuma was anxious, but in a very good way. He'd already called Katsuki and Izuku who were happy they'd all passed, well... Katsuki boasted about having the most villain points, and demanded Yuuma tell him how he beat him in the exam, to which Yuuma explained readily.

"There was more than Villain points on the test, Katsuki-nii. I'm sure you would have had a lot more if you just helped out some of the other examinees."

Stab.

"To hell with that! If they can't save their own ass they shouldn't be taking the exam in the first place!" Was his response. Yuuma... didn't know how to feel about that response. It left him very conflicted, and with an unknown, heavy, and uncomfortable feeling in his chest.

6%

"But helping is always a good thing. Me and Izuku helped you during that horrible sludge incident. You couldn't escape it on your own, so does that mean you shouldn't have been in the exam?" Yuuma said.

Stab. Stab. Critical Damage!

He only got a 'tsk' from the older boy, but for some reason it sounded like Katsuki got punched in the gut (It was the sound of his reality getting checked).

Although Katsuki was upset that he didn't get the top spot, he didn't mind that it was Yuuma that had it. Besides, as the younger boy had explained so very calmly, he only had him in rescue points. Katsuki still won when it came to Villain points, so he still considered this his win.

He still had no idea Izuku had also beat him in that category, and Yuuma did not tell him assuming that he saw the score board. Speaking of the greenette, when Yuuma called him to give his congratulations the older boy cried. Yuuma was very startled.

"W-what's wrong, Izuku-nii? Are you okay? Do you need a hug? I could lend you Pickles II, he's very soft and makes me feel better."

"I-it's okay, Yuuma-chan! I'm just happy we both passed. I was sure that I failed because I wasn't able to get a single Villain point..."

"Well, being a hero isn't all about the villains, right, Izuku-nii? It's about helping people."

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right."

"I told you before. You have just as much potential to be a hero as anyone else, all you have to do is work hard! I believe in you Izuku-nii!"

The freckled boy ended up crying once again, to which Yuuma once again offered hugs. That's when a question popped into the younger boy's mind. "But Izuku, how come you didn't get a single villain point? You could have just used the remains of other robots as a weapon."

Stab.

"Not everyone has a quirk that gives them more attack power, having a quirk doesn't mean every problem is solved. My aunt taught me that."

Stab. Stab.

"Y-yeah." Izuku agreed, but for some reason he sounded as if he was kicked in the leg. It was the way of Yuuma's family to better the lacking areas of themselves so that they become better people. He soon said his goodbyes to Izuku, and after having dinner with Grandma Ao and Ritsu, getting more congrats on him making it into Yuuei.

He cried happy tears and Grandma and Ritsu gave him many hugs.

Yeah, that day was very emotional indeed. It was great, and Yuuma fell asleep awaiting his first day at Yuuei. He drifted peacefully into the sweet lull of sleep. Soon, he'd be at the same school his parents learned to be heroes.

When Yuuma opened his eyes again, he was in a vast plain of nothing but white. As far as the eye could see there was nothing, just endless empty space. "Where...? What...?" Was this a dream? It felt so strange.

"..."

Yuuma turned around to the muffled sound. There was... something, standing there. It was unclear as if it was far away, and no matter how Yuuma tried to get closer he couldn't see it clearly. "What are you saying? Who are you? I can't understand it..."

He felt like he'd asked this question before. He felt like he'd been in this place before. But why? How? When? He couldn't recall no matter how much he tried to, and the entity, which for some reason he felt a connection with, did not... or rather could not, get any closer or speak any louder.

Why? What was it? Where was he? What was this? He had a sinking feeling that he would not remember any of it when he woke.

The entire plain began to crumble away slowly, he could feel that he was waking up. Why did this feel familiar? Had it happened before? Had he met this entity before? What was it trying to tell him? "B...e..."

White faded to black, and Yuuma felt himself being pulled away. The entity who's form could not be seen was getting further away than it already was. Yuuma didn't want that! He knew it was trying to tell him something, and he knew it was important! He wasn't sure why or how, but he could feel it. Something was wrong, something was off.

Just a little longer. Just a little closer! He had to hear what it was trying to tell him. He didn't know why, or what, or how, but he just had to! "Please! Don't go yet! What are you trying to tell me?!"

Everything began to fall away from view just as soon as it came, and Yuuma could feel his memory of the place slipping from his grasps. No... he needed to hold on. He needed to know. What was it trying to tell him? Why did it feel desperate? He couldn't see any features besides it's small size which matched his own, but he could tell that it was frowning. But it just couldn't reach close enough for him to hear the entire message.

But it soon faded away to nothing as if it were never there in the first place, it's broken and scattered voice only able to form two words that seemed to be nothing but a concerned, distant whisper at the back of his mind:

"ᴮᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ..."

Yuuma awoke with a jolt, cold sweat dripping down his brow. What was that? Why couldn't he remember it anymore? It was right there, he knew it! But it was once again subdued and suppressed in the deepest parts of his mind.

'Be careful'? Of what? Who had told him to be careful? What did it mean? How did it know him? Why was it there? How come he could see(?) it in his dreams? Was it real? Was something wrong with him? He looked towards the clock he had on his desk.

2:32 AM

This wasn't the first time he'd woken up like this, but it was the first time he remembered something about why he'd woken up like this. It set him on edge, but he couldn't put a finger on why. He hadn't told anyone about him getting strange dreams and being startled awake, not even Ritsu. He thought that maybe it was something he'd watched on TV prior to going to sleep, or maybe he dreamt of a ghost tale that their grandma would share with them from when she was young.

But no. This was very different. He felt like whatever he saw, whatever that was, was somehow trying to tell him something important. Whether it was real or not didn't change the fact that it felt that way.

And It was afraid.

And that made him afraid.

For the first time in a very long while, Yuuma felt unsettled. So many questions which had no answers, so many emotions that had no name. Out of all the questions he had swirling around his head, there was one that stood out as the most important:

What had it been trying to warn him about that made it so ...scared?

He didn't know that a killer had just casually passed his house in search of prey.

[A/N] Suspense and Mystery have entered the chat ladies and gentlemen. Until next chapter~