Ayano frowned down at her unconscious classmate while wondering if he was going to be getting up anytime soon. He just bonked his head a bit. So he shouldn't be this out of it, should he? Maybe he hit it more than she had precious thought.

"Hey, Izuku, you need to wake up now." Ayano said poking his cheek. "I would like to get home sooner rather than later, but I can't just leave you here."

She kept poking him while hoping he'd show some kind of sign of waking. He didn't, however, as he continued to lay sprawled out on the ground. She sighed guessing she'd have to get a bit rough. She usually only does this sort of thing on Katsuki when he's really acting up—well, just to the point where he's completely unbearable—but she needed to get Izuku up. Hopefully she wouldn't hurt him too much.

"Want me to give it a shot?" All Might asked from behind her.

"No, I've got it." She said.

She formed a psionic hand—a rather large one, and without warning smacked Izuku hard across the face. He cried out once waking immediately after that as a large handprint colored that side of his face red. All Might sweat-dropped while thinking that was a bit brutal.

"Ah!" Izuku cried. "Ay—Ayano?! What was that for?"

He held his throbbing cheek as Ayano dropped the psionic hand while not looking apologetic at all. This had Izuku pouting as he rubbed his cheek though he wasn't surprised. Ayano was rarely apologetic for anything she's done. He then noticed the looming shadow over Ayano and him, which had him looking behind the girl. His eyes widened when seeing All Might who raised his hand in a wave.

"Hey, thought we lost you there!" He said.

Izuku let out a scream while back peddling away from the hero. Ayano blinked wondering what that was about. She knew All Might was a big deal to Izuku, but that reaction seemed a bit much.

"Well, looks like you're moving around alright." All Might said. "Sorry about that back there. I didn't mean to get either of you caught up in my justicing. Usually I pay more attention to keeping bystanders safe, but it turns out the city's sewer system is pretty difficult to navigate."

He laughed it off as if it wasn't a big deal as Ayano stood up from where she had been crouched next to Izuku.

"Anyway, you both were a big help! Thank-you!" He said while holding up the bottle with the villain inside. "I've captured the evildoer!"

Izuku just continued to stare in awe even as All Might started putting away the villain and getting ready to leave. All Might turned to Ayano though beforehand.

"Young Ishida Ayano, you have an impressive quirk." All Might said. "Tell me, do you plan to go on the hero track in the future?"

She really could become a great hero if she studies hard and trains with proper guidance. In fact, there were a few heroes out there that would be perfect mentors to the young girl.

"My application is already being processed at U.A, I'm sure." She said. "I'll be taking the entrance exam soon enough."

She then adjusted the strap to her bag while knowing she needed to get home. She still had studying and training to do.

"Good to hear!" All Might said giving a thumbs up. "No need to waste such talent!"

She just hummed in reply then looked to Izuku while holding up the notebook he had dropped.

"Hey, Izuku," she called getting his attention.

She tossed the notebook at him, and he fumbled a bit but did manage to catch it. He blinked at it as if not realizing what it was for a second.

"I got your favorite hero of all time to sign it." She said as she started walking away. "Try to stay out of trouble for the rest of the evening okay?"

All Might watched her leave while making a mental note to watch out for her at the beginning of the school year in ten months. He's interested to see how she develops in time. He wasn't sure what exactly had him interested in this girl. But she did sort of remind him of that woman. Actually more than just sort of, but he wasn't one to jump to conclusions. However, it seemed as if young Ishida might have a connection to her. A woman of his past. A woman who smiled for him when he couldn't.

"I'm home." Ayano called out to her empty apartment.

Of course, there was no reply back to her, but she's grown used to the quiet over the year since she's been on her own. Ayano took off her shoes at the door then placed them neatly off to the side before stepping up onto the floor behind the door. She walked the short hallway past the living room and kitchen, which were on opposite sides of each other to her room where she dropped off her bag. She'd get started on her studies soon enough.

She went out to the living room to turn on the news, and the first thing that greeted her was breaking news on the sludge villain. Apparently he had created havoc at a shopping district. This had her frowning. Had the villain gotten away from All Might? She sat down on the couch while turning up the volume. She listened to the news reporter give a rundown at what happened on scene, and her eyes widened partially when Izuku and Katsuki's pictures both showed up on the screen.

The reporter said the latter junior high student had been taken hostage by the villain though bravely had tried to get away with his powerful quirk. It showed footage of Katsuki sending a rippling explosive through the villain that did nothing, but put already burning stores in more flames.

"That fool." Ayano said though had a concerned look on her face as she watched the footage of Katsuki as he desperately tried to get away from the villain.

The reporter went on to say the heroes tried in vain to free Katsuki, but none of them had possessed the right quirk to defeat the villain. While the heroes were trying to help other citizens to safety, Izuku had rushed by trying to help Katsuki apparently. Ayano frowned because that was completely reckless on Izuku's part. He could have gotten hurt. However, All Might had showed up at last second to save both of the boys and defeat the villain. Ayano couldn't believe she missed all that.

She had been so concerned about getting home to do some stupid studying, and two of her classmates had been in trouble. Maybe if she hadn't been in such a rush, she would have picked up on some panicked thoughts to let her know there was trouble. She needed to be more aware of her surroundings. Or she'd never be able to help anybody.

"Stupid." She said to herself as her hands clenched into fists.

Weeks passed since the incident in Tatooin Shopping District. That meant there was less time to prepare for the entrance exam to U.A. Sure, there were still months left, but for the three students of Aldrea Junior High, that meant just less time for training. To get ready to make sure they have what it takes to shine enough to get in. However, Ayano was taking a break from training and studying today. It was a Saturday, and there was somewhere she decided to visit with her free time. So here she was at the hospital.

She had already checked in at the front desk, and was going down the halls towards a room she visits four times every month at least. Some of the staff who recognized her, smiled and waved, which had her waving in return. Though they smiled she could hear their pitying thoughts. How sorry they felt for her and her family. But for her mostly. She ignored their thoughts, however, since she was used to them by now.

She made it to her destination, and took a deep breath before opening the door. Inside there was a young man who looked to be in his late twenties to early thirties. He had shaggy dark hair that hasn't been cut since he was admitted into the hospital nearly a year ago. He as lying back on his bed unmoving expect for the slight rise and fall of his chest as a machine helped him breath. Ayano felt her heart clench while seeing he was in the exact same state she left him in last time. Unconscious.

"I'm back, Niisan." She said to the unmoving man as she shut the door behind her.

She walked over this his bedside while sitting in the chair that was pulled up close to his bed. She set the bag she had brought with her to the side then reached out to take her brother's hand. Though she paused before she could touch him. She drew back her hand while looking down at it with a frown. She curled it up into a fist then placed it on her lap.

"I know it's been a while since my last visit." Ayano said. "I've been preparing for the exams to get into U.A."

Though he gave her no reply she could practically see him getting all emotional and telling her how proud he was of her. He's always been very expressive, and wasn't afraid to cry. And he always let Ayano know how much he loved her and how much he supported her. He practically raised her after that incident with their parents. Or rather his parents. The Ishidas had adopted Ayano when she was still a baby. Not even a year old yet.

Apparently her mother had put her up for adoption not long after giving birth to her. They had been an older couple with a son who was nearly grown by the time they brought Ayano into their family. Ayano's adoptive mother—Ishida Hakura—had always wanted a little girl, but after the difficulties of her son—Ko's birth, she could no longer have children. She loved her son though, of course, and raised him as any good mother would. But she had always longed for a daughter, which led to them adopting Ayano.

Though by the time of her fifth year in this world, both of her adoptive parents had a…accident that led them to be unfit to care for Ayano. She would have been sent back into the system, but Ko, who was legally old enough to take care of her, became her guardian. He raised her as his own, but now he was here and she was looking out for herself. Luckily she was of age where she could legally live on her own. But she'd give anything to bring Ko back home. To have him wake up, so he could continue to be her brother.

"I know if I get in that I'll have a lot to live up to." Ayano said. "You were a top ranking student when you were there, weren't you, Niisan?"

Ko was a quirk user like her, and had even went to U.A about fifteen years ago. His quirk was capture. It allowed him to use any part of his body like a trap, and if anyone tried to run through him, they'd soon find themselves bound and chained. He became a somewhat of a well-known pro-hero. People called him the Jailer, and Ayano looks up to him so much for that. However, one job had went particularly bad, and well, here he was. Ayano bit her lip while her hands curled up into fists even more.

"I promise to grow stronger." Ayano said. "So strong I'll be able to bring you back. I promise you, Niisan, that you won't be like this for much longer."

Another reason Ayano was to go to U.A so badly… was that she just wants to bring her brother back. So she wouldn't have to be alone any longer.

Ayano let out a deep breath as she looked up at U.A. The ten months have passed. It was time for the exam. She had her gym bag thrown over her shoulder since it was asked they bring their workout attire. She knew they would be doing mock battles in a faux city, and she had to be ready for anything, which is why she packed the clothes she could move the best in.

"Well, can't keep standing out here." She said to herself.

She started walking through the gate while actually allowing her walls to drop. She wanted to hear the thoughts of her competition. She see what they had planned. Maybe hear a bit about their quirks. Her mind reading can't dive deep into someone's mind without her meeting certain requirements. Like getting her target—the person's mind she wants to read—to open up to her. She has to get personal information out of them. The more she knows the farther she can dive into their heads—safely anyway. If she tries to force her way into the darkest corners of their minds well…she could break them. But what she can do without leaving behind damage is read what is currently on their mind.

And most of the people here are thinking about strategy against a test they wasn't even sure what was about. They were thinking about how kind of moves they could use to impress the judges. It was letting her see just what kind of people she was up against. Now, she knows she told Katsuki it wasn't a competition, but that was partially a lie. This school doesn't have a very high acceptance rate, which means you need to stand out as much as possible during the exams. Which means doing the best you can do.

These people here were her competition. Though she didn't view her two classmates as her competition. Mostly because she knew Katsuki would get in no matter what. There was no need for her to concern herself with trying to "beat" him. As for Izuku, well, she has learned over the last few months that the little "Deku" they've known for years has a very big secret. One concerning a certain very popular pro-hero. To think the quirkless boy, who wanted to be a hero more than anything, would have managed to inherit the quirk from the greatest hero of all time.

She had never known it was possible to pass down a quirk until she had gotten some stray thoughts from Izuku during class one day. Izuku had caught her attention when he started muttering to himself in class, which he has done many times. However, that time had been different, which had had her wondering what was going on inside his head. So she decided to take a peek. What she heard and saw through his mind had completely shocked her. And she had been able to see far inside Izuku's mind since she knew him since she was a child. And the more she knows someone the more she can go through their heads. Usually she doesn't like doing that to her friends-especially Izuku and Katsuki, which were really her own friends-but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. So she learned all about All Might's secret and how he was now tied to Izuku.

Yet she had remained silent. After hearing so many secrets over the years, she has gotten very good at keeping her mouth shut about them. She decided to do this with Izuku and All Might's secret as well. She didn't have all the details anyway. Just the small bits and pieces from Izuku's mind she's gotten. And honestly, she wasn't even sure if he did inherit the quirk in the end. The last time she had peeked inside his head, he was still doing the special training All Might had given him to prepare his body for the transfer of power. But she supposes she'll learn today if he accomplished what he wanted in the end.

But if he did, that means he'll be a certain acceptance meaning he'll be another person not to concern herself with. Everyone else though—she didn't know their exact skill set or who they were. They were the ones she came here to beat.

"I will be accepted into this school." Ayano said to herself in determination.

Ayano was about to continue on to the school, but noticed a certain green-haired boy who was laughing like a lunatic in the middle of the courtyard. What was he doing now? She walked up to him as other students looked as if they should be worried about his mental state.

"Izuku, what are you doing?" Ayano asked.

Izuku jumped in fright since he hadn't expected someone to come up behind him then turned to see it was just Ayano.

"Oh, ah, Ayano!" Izuku exclaimed. "I…I was just—um—I was…"

"Never mind." Ayano said when seeing he was getting flustered. "Let's just go inside and sign in before it's too late, you looney."

She started pushing Izuku along while shaking her head as he kept muttering out of embarrassment. Though she felt her lips twitch up. Looks like he succeeded after all.

As the students piled into the auditorium for the beginning of the exam, Ayano realized her seat would be right next to her oh-so-favorite hothead. Katsuki glanced up at her arrival while also noticing Izuku was right behind her. He frowned wondering why he had to be sitting next to the loser and Ayano.

"I suppose it should warm my heart that you don't think of me as a loser, Katsuki." Ayano said sarcastically as she sat down beside him.

Izuku sat down next to her while actually feeling better at being with his classmates. Especially ones he's known since he was really little. The three of them went through kindergarten and everything together.

"Shut up, Aya." Katsuki said cutting his red eyes over to her. "And stay out of my head for a change, will ya?"

"I would, but you think so loudly you practically scream your thoughts to me." Ayano retorted coolly. "Maybe you should learn some control."

Katsuki turned almost completely in his chair to glare at her, which had Izuku sweating nervously. He really hoped those two didn't start fighting here in front of all these people. Everyone usually thought Katsuki was the one who starts the disturbances, but Ayano has admitted to being guilty of riling him up, which leads to the scenes being caused by their fights. Though before Katsuki could speak the lights in the auditorium shifted. They went off above the students, but turned on over the stage to illuminate the one standing there in front of the large screen.

"What's up, U.A candidates?!" The hero—Present Mic—asked. "Thanks for tuning into me—your school DJ! Come on, and let me hear ya!"

He placed his hand to his ear as if waiting for someone to make a noise, but he was only greeted by silence. Ayano's brow quirked while hearing from the not so quiet thoughts that people were either unimpressed or too nervous to make a peep. This guy wasn't going to have a very interactive audience.

"Keeping it mellow, huh?" He asked while trying to look as if the silence didn't bother him. "That's fine! I'll skip straight to the main show. Let's talk about how this practical exam is going to go down, okay? Are you READY?! Yeah!~"

He raised his hands expecting noise, but the room was filled with silence once again. Ayano and Katsuki exchanged a glance with the latter looking annoyed while the prior's gaze asked if something was wrong with their "school DJ". Their classmate, however, seemed tickled pink as he gazed down at Present Mic in awe.

"Oh, my goodness, it's the voice hero—Present Mic!" Izuku practically squealed. "So cool! I listen to his radio show every day of the week! It's crazy nuts that all the U.A teachers are—!"

"Will you shut up?/Izuku, maybe you should take a deep breath." Katsuki and Ayano interrupted their classmate.

Katsuki did it more out of annoyance while Ayano just didn't want Izuku to blow a fuse or something.

"Like your application says, today you rocking boys and girls will be conducting ten minute mock battles in super hip urban cities." Present Mic continued. "After I drop the mic here, you'll head to your specified battle centers! Sound good?"

Again he was met with silence as the students looked at the cards they had been given. It told them their examinee number, and which mock battle zone they would be going to for the exam.

"Okay!" Present Mic said moving right along.

Ayano didn't really pay attention to him as she looked at her card then glanced at her classmate's cards. They were one after the other on examinee numbers, but their zones were completely different.

"I see," Katsuki said realizing the same thing.

His voice made Izuku jump as if he was expecting to be hit, which Ayano didn't really blame him for.

"They're splitting us up so we can't work with any of our friends." Katsuki continued.

"Yeah, you're right." Izuku said as he finally looked to his classmate's cards. "Our examinee numbers are one after the other, but we're assigned to different battle centers."

It was true. Izuku was assigned to B while Katsuki A, and when looking at her card, Ayano could see she was going to battle zone F. She wouldn't be anywhere near the boys. Which could actually be a blessing. Lord knows Katsuki would probably make a scene if they were all together.

"Get your eyes off my card, Deku." Katsuki hissed causing the green-haired boy to flinch. "Damn, I was looking forward to crushing you—both of you."

He threw a frown at Ayano who looked at him unbothered in return. He really hated it when she did that. Sometimes she was like an emotionless robot. Ayano inwardly frowned at his thoughts though decided not to comment. Everyone then looked back to the front as Present Mic continued with the explanation. A mock city was brought up on the screen behind him as he continued.

"Okay, okay," He said as three shadow images appeared around the city with point values. "Let's check out your targets. There are three types of faux villains in every battle center. You'll earn points based on their level of difficulty! So best choose wisely."

The screen changed again to show a little computerized Present Mic going through the fake city to take on the faux villains. It looked very video game.

"You goal in this trial is to use your quirk to raise your score by shredding these villains like a mid-song guitar solo!" Present Mic explained. "But—check it—make sure you're keeping things heroic. Attacking other examinees is a U.A no-no, ya dig?"

Made sense to Ayano. Though she wasn't sure if the blonde next to her would be too happy about that. He does like to hurt others for fun. As if he had suddenly become the mind reader of the two, Katsuki turned to glare at Ayano as if he knew what she was thinking. She ignored the look, however, as a boy a few rows down from them stood up with his hand raised.

"Excuse me, sir, but I have a question." He said.

"Hit me!" Present Mic said pointing at the boy.

All eyes turned to look at him as a spotlight appeared on him. Ayano didn't know who he was, but based on his appearance, she'd say he's the very studious type who might take things too seriously. Now there's nothing wrong with being studious or wanting to do your best, but he just seemed like the type that's all.

"On the print out," The boy began as he held up the paper. "You've listened four types of villains not three. With all respect, if this is an error on official U.A materials, it is shameful. We are exemplary students. We expect the best from Japan's most notable school. A mistake such as this won't do."

Yep, he was definitely the over serious type. Suddenly he turned around while pointing in the direction of the students of Aldrea Junior High. Ayano's brow quirked wondering if he had a problem with them.

"Additionally, you with the unkempt hair." He said.

Ayano and Katsuki both turned to look at Izuku, whose eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights, as the youth pointed at himself.

"You've been muttering this entire time." The boy said. "Stop that. If you can't bother to take this seriously, leave. You're—!"

"Sorry, but I've got to cut you off." Ayano cut in.

Things got an entirely new quiet when Ayano interrupted the boy whose eyes narrowed at her.

"I understand your first point about wanting to know if there is a fourth villain." Ayano said as she crossed one leg over the other. "However, calling out people you don't even know just because of something as small as muttering is not cool. If muttering distracts you so badly, maybe you're the one who shouldn't be here because there are all sorts of distractions for heroes when they're out doing their job that are worse than muttering. So please, either let us hear the rest of the explanation, or leave."

The boy seemed shocked that Ayano spoke up as others were as well. Izuku looked grateful to her as Katsuki snorted. There she goes again…looking out for little Deku.

"Besides, Izuku can't help it." Ayano added as she pat him on top the head. "Muttering is sort of his thing."

Izuku blushed dark head while hanging his head in embarrassment as some of those around chuckled or laughed in amusement.

"Alright, alright," Present Mic said calling the students back to attention. "Examinee No. 7711, thanks for calling in with your request. The fourth villain type is worth zero points. That guy's just an obstacle we'll be throwing in your way. There's one in every battle center. Think of them as a hurtle you should try to avoid. It's not that it can't be beaten, but there's…kind of no point. I recommend my listeners to ignore it, and focus on the ones on top of the chart!"

The boy, who seemed to get over his small tiff with Ayano and Izuku, bowed to Present Mic respectfully.

"Thank-you very much." He said. "Please, continue."

He sat back down in his chair with the spotlight coming off of him once he was done.

"So number four is useless, huh?" Ayano asked herself. "Might not be able to get any points from smashing it, but maybe I can use it to smash the others…if it's big enough."

One thing was certain, and that was she wouldn't be able to use her telepathy at all during this exam. Robots didn't think. They had no minds for her to enter. Meaning she wouldn't be able to predict their moves. It'll make things more interesting for sure.

"That's all I've got for you today." Present Mic said. "I'll sign off with a little present. A sample of our school motto. As General Napoleon Bonaparte once laid down, 'A true hero is one who overcomes life's misfortunes'. Mm-hmm, now that's a tasty sell bite. You ready to go beyond? Let's hear a—Plus Ultra!"

Again no one made a noise, and Ayano almost felt bad for Present Mic who seemed not to be used to such a quiet audience. He then cleared his throat.

"Good luck!" Present Mic finished. "Hope you practiced more than hitting just books!"