Hi guys! I know, I stop updating for like a week and then I come back with two updates in three days, I'm so cruel keke. Sorry for that, just had some stuff going on and dealing with crap mentally. Not to mention, Legends Arceus dropped and I've been obsessed, as my beta reader can tell you. I have an unhealthy obsession catching alpha pokemon and using them alongside Dialga and Palkia to torture the villagers.

And now I come at you all with the Provisional Licensing Exams, Leinei's reunion with some people, and even new friends from another school. Heh, friends. Song suggestions(since we haven't had them in forever!). These will carry through the entire PLE arc here, so it may be a long list, it may not. All of it is on the Short Temper spotify playlist. They are: Now or Never from Julie and the Phantoms, Sarcasm by Get Scared, The Day covered by Natewantstobattle, Stand Tall from Julie and the Phantoms, Black Catcher covered by Natewantstobattle, and Face My Fears by Utada Hikaru feat Skrillex. Enjoy guys, gals, and nonbinary pals!

"The sun is shining, it's a great day! We're getting our provisional licenses today!" Hanta sings, doing a dance as they walk toward the bus to take them to the testing facility. "Hell yeah!" he adds, throwing a fist into the air as Denki and Mina laugh.

"Someone's excited," Mina teases, elbowing him. "Did Kendall give you extra incentive?"

"That is none of your business, Ashido."

"He did, oh my god!" she laughs, tugging on his shirt. "What did he promise you? Hmm? Hmm? You know can tell me~"

"I am so not-"

"Tell me then!" Denki whines. "Come on, you know I won't tell her! Come on, Serooo!"

"Oh my god," Hanta groans, tilting his head back. "Fine, he promised me a video chat this Sunday. I'll have to stay up late for it, but he said we could video chat as long as I wanted this weekend if I got my license."

"That-that's actually really wholesome."

"Ohh, the stuff we talked about doing wasn't," he sings, hurrying off to the bus. "Come on! Aizawa'll get mad if we're late!"

"Did…" Denki looks at Mina, who just stares after their lanky friend. "Did he just admit he was going to have phone sex with Kendall-?"

"I think at this point it's none of our business," she replies. "Let's focus on the provisionals and then we can tease him more."

"Hell yeah!"

Leinei chuckles as their friends run towards the bus. She stays further towards the back, rubbing her arm as she glances down at her hero suitcase. Katsuki nudges her as they walk, his own case held firmly at his side.

"You okay?" he asks her softly, glancing up as Eijirou hops on the bus. "You seem off today."

"You think there will be other schools there?" she responds, still not looking at him. "Or is this school by school?"

"Um, I don't know, honestly. Aizawa didn't tell us that. Why?"

"Well there's three different locations for the test isn't there? And Class B is being moved to a different one so there can't be any cheating or something, so…the classes at other schools might be…"

"Well yeah that would make sense." It takes him a few seconds to actually realize what she's trying to say, seeing the way her hands are shaking and how much tension she's actually holding inside her body. "You're worried about seeing the Shiketsu kids, aren't you?"

"That obvious?"

"Yeah. Don't worry though," he assures her, squeezing her shoulder with a cheeky grin. "They say a word to you and I'll blow their asses sky high."

"I think that would make issues worse, but I appreciate the sentiment, Katsu. Thank you."

"You're my girlfriend, why wouldn't I defend you?"

The bus ride to the facility was tense with excitement and nerves. Izuku nearly threw up at one point on the way there and the bus had to pull over until they were sure he wasn't going to spill his breakfast. Besides that, it was as uneventful as most school days. Getting to the facility, there were already other students from other schools there. Leinei stiffened seeing the familiar black hats of Shiketsu, gripping Katsuki's hand. He glances over and sees the three students from Shiketsu there.

"You recognize them?" he asks quietly as the bus comes to a stop and opens the doors. Mineta scrambles off first, screaming that he needs to use the restroom. Eijirou and Denki were right behind him, seemingly having to pee as well, or just nerves. It was hard to tell with those two sometimes. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I should be," she murmurs, nodding and trying to smile reassuringly at him. "I have all of my friends here to help with that, don't I?"

"Damn right you do," he says, leaning over and kissing her cheek before standing up with his case in hand. "Damnit, now I have to fucking pee. I'll be right back. Wait outside for me and we can go in together."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," she assures, following him off the bus. He leaves his case with her, squeezing her hand once. "Don't fall in! And don't take thirty years! I don't want to be late for the exams!"

"I won't, I won't!" he grumbles dismissively, waving his hand at her as he jogs off towards the restrooms. She sighs and shakes her head, closing her eyes. At the same time, she can't help but laugh, setting down their cases to stretch her arms across her chest as she stares up at the facility.

"Oh, Salinsa! Are you excited for today?" Izuku asks as he walks over, smiling brightly. Ochaco and Tsuyu are with him, each just as excited and nervous as everyone else. "Where's Bakugo?"

"He had to go to the restroom," she replies. "And yes! We're going to absolutely throw this out of the water!"

"Heck yeah we are!" Ochaco agrees, throwing her fist up into the air. The others follow suit, laughing.

"Oh you guys must be from UA with those uniforms," a new voice says, prompting Leinei to turn and see a group of students wearing gray polo shirts and dark brown bottoms. In front is a boy with dark brown hair almost messier than Izuku's and shining brown eyes. A small blush comes across his face seeing Leinei, who pushes some of her loose hair behind her ear. The blonde girl standing next to him groans and elbows him.

"Yeah, we're from UA," Leinei assured, smiling. "Um…I've never seen your uniform-"

"We're uh, from Ketsubutsu," he replies, holding his hand out. "I'm Yo Shindo. What's your name?"

"I'm Leinei Salinsa," she replies, shaking his hand with a smile. His blush deepened and his heart skipped a few beats, his eyes glued on her hand. "And these are my classmates-"

"I'm Izuku Midoriya!"

"Ochaco Uraraka!"

"And Tsuyu Asui."

"Yeah, that's cool, nice to meet you guys," he says quickly, smiling at them before turning his gaze back to Leinei. "So, UA."

"Not even going to introduce us?" his friend groans, punching his arm. He laughs and rubs the spot she hit, still smiling at the girl in front of him. "I'm Tatame Nakagami. These are our classmates Shikkui Makabe and Itejiro Toteki. We're totally going to pass this exam with flying colors."

"Well, I hope we all do amazing then!" Ochaco says, pumping another fist into the air. Izuku, Tsuyu and Leinei follow suit, Shindo's eyes glued on Leinei's smile and the way her eyes sparkle.

"So…um…Salinsa, right?" he says, getting the lavender haired girl's attention again. She tilts her head and smiles at him. "Could..could I have your number?"

"Um, yeah sure! New friends are always nice," she says as he quickly takes his phone out and opens the contacts app.

"Yeah, new friends," he says, his voice strained as Tsuyu and Ochaco share a look of understanding. Leinei types her number under her official name, Shindo's face burning bright red as she hands his phone back to her. "Y'know, I was wondering, if you're allowed off campus, maybe we can hang out sometime?"

"Um, well, not really, I'm sorry," she replies, shrugging slightly and rubbing the back of her head. "Our rules are pretty strict. But our friends would love to have you if the situation was different!"

"Yeah, I understand," he sighs, his shoulders slumping as Nakagami rolls her eyes again. "But we can totally talk over text can't we?"

"Yeah! I don't think that'll be an issue!"

"Don't think that what will be an issue?"

Katsuki strides back over, picking up his case from beside Leinei's. Shindo straights up, smiling kindly at the ashen blond boy. Leinei tugs on Katsuki's sleeve.

"This is Shindo and his classmates from Ketsubutsu," she introduces. "Nakagami, Makabe and Tateke, right?"

"Toteki," he corrects her.

"Right my bad! This is Katsuki Bakugo!"

"The winning boy from the Sports Festival," Shindo replies, his smile darkening a bit. "Right. It's nice to meet you, Bakugo. I hope we can be friends too," he adds, holding his hand out to him. Katsuki glared down at it, before slapping his palm.

"Yeah no. We're going to crush you just like everyone else here."

"Katsu!" Leinei gasps as the three classmates behind them take a wide step back. "That's mean! Shindo was just being polite. I'm sorry about him-"

"No, no it's okay!" Shinda assures quickly, watching with a falling smile as Katsuki grabs her hand. "Besides, I made friends with your pretty face at the very least."

"What the hell did you just say to her?"

"Kacchan, I think it's time we get changed! The exams will be starting soon," Izuku calls as Katsuki steps up to Shindo. "Oh god…"

"Oh yeah, she gave me her number before you came back from wherever you went," Shindo continues, holding up his phone for proof. "Don't worry, just friends." He leans forward by his ear. "For now anyway."

"You son of a bi-"

"Katsu, let's go," Leinei says, tugging his hand before picking up her suitcase. "It was nice to meet you all, good luck in the exams!"

"Same to you, Salinsa," Nakagame says, smiling and waving as the couple walks off. "Yeah they're totally together. Sorry, Shindo. Guess you'll be lonely a while longer."

"Oh shut up," he groans, watching the way Katsuki glared at him over his shoulder. He grins and shrugs. "She's cute and totally my type."

"She has a boyfriend," she groans.

"That can change."

"Shut up and go get ready for the exam. We still have to show UA they're not all that."

"Heh, yeah. Let's do that. Just avoid hurting her, alright?"

Shindo walks off, leaving his friends standing there. Nakagame takes a breath, wiping her eyes with the side of her hand. Makabe raises an eyebrow at her display, sighing and shaking his head.

"You broke up with him," he reminds her gently, patting her head. "Don't get upset because he's trying to move on."

"Whatever," she grumbles. "I'm not upset about that. Idiots."

"If you still love him, just tell him. I'm sure he'd take you back-" Toteki tries to tell her, only to stop his words with the sharp glare she gives him. He puts his hands up and she starts after Shindo.

"I'm still not in love with him. Both of you can screw off with that crap. We are done. Not ever happening again."

Katsuki is fuming as he gets changed in the rooms provided there. Denki and Eijirou flinch with each slam he does, Hanta leaning away from his case as he raises an eyebrow at the pissed off teenager.

"What did we miss, Midoriya?" he whispers to Izuku. "Why is he pissed?"

"Um..well, apparently another guy from Ketsubutsu was flirting with Salinsa…and was rubbing it in his face. At least that's what I saw."

"She gave him her fucking number," he growls, slamming his case shut and clicking the locks down. "Her fucking phone number."

"It's Lei, she probably did it to be nice," Eijirou points out as he puts his headpiece on.

"Why does it matter if Leinei gave this guy her number?" Shoto asks, confused as he pulls his thermoregulator on and clips it in place. "Isn't she with you? Why are you upset about it?"

"Obviously it's because he feels threatened," Mineta pipes up, shrugging before putting his hands on his hips. "I mean, Salinsa is a babe. And you're totally not."

"You take that back! Bakugo is definitely attractive!" Eijirou replies, only to have several of their classmates look at him with perked eyebrows. "In a manly way! They're good for each other!"

"Uh huh," Hanta hums, shaking his head. "But seriously, are you really worried about that guy? Because Lei adores you. I really don't think you have to worry about her leaving you for him."

"..."

"I mean, if you are, just tell her you're not comfortable with them talking. You might come across as a massive douche, but hey, peace of mind."

"I'm not gonna sit there and tell her what to do. She's a big girl, she can take care of herself."

"Then don't whine if he texts her. Besides, we all love her, but it took you guys getting kidnapped and almost dying for you to actually start dating. Even with her quirk, she's oblivious as hell when it comes to that. I really don't think you have anything to worry about," Denki points out with a shrug as adjusts his launcher on his arm. "Mina and I had to orchestrate most of your pre-dates."

"What the fuck does that mean!"

"I think we should start heading out," Izuku suggests, pointing at the door as Denki shrugs with his hands up. "Why do I keep trying..?"

"Because you are a good friend, Midoriya," Iida says, patting the boy on the back. He looks over as Katsuki grabs the front of Denki's shirt. "No fighting! Save that for the exam!"

Leinei adjusts the loops of her capture scarf to sit looser around her neck and shoulders, trying to get it where it feels right. Mina leans over, looking the girl up and down before sighing and letting out a low whistle.

"Hmm?" Leinei looks up from her endeavor with the tool. "Everything okay, Mina?"

"It's fine, but like, what's this I hear about the Ketsubutsu boy flirting with you?"

"Huh?" She shakes her head as she sits on the bench to pull her boots on. "What are you even talking about? No one flirted with me."

"But you gave a guy your number!"

"Yeah and? Katsu asked for my number to include me in the group chat with him, Kiri and Denks after the Sports Festival. Doesn't mean anything. Besides, making friends at other schools is a good idea too, especially in today's climate."

"That's not really something you do in a relationship," Hagakure adds, her gloves wagging her index finger at the purple haired girl. "What if Bakugo gets upset!"

"I mean, if he's upset, he'd tell me," she mumbles, shrugging and standing up, tapping the heel of her boots on the ground before setting her school clothes inside the suitcase and closing it. "We do communicate our feelings."

"Couldn't you just feel he's upset with your quirk?"

"I mean yeah, but sometimes his default emotion is anger, so it's hard to tell if he's actually angry or not," she points out, shaking her head and standing up. "Besides, the Ketsubutsu kids seemed nice enough. I'm sure there aren't any ulterior motives!"

"I mean, probably, but what if he does like you?" Mina points out. "The way Uraraka and Tsu described what was happening-"

"I'm with Katsu," she says, putting a tone of finality to her words. "It took a literal near death experience for him and I to get together. And the fact you guys think the way you do right now, is really fucking hurtful. Friends don't doubt each other. I'll see you guys on the testing floor."

"Lei-"

The door slams shut behind her, the girls wincing before sharing a look of welp that happened. Yaoyorozu sighs and shakes her head, tightening the strap running across her chest as Ochaco pulls her helmet on.

"I don't see why this had to be brought up before the exams. We're all supposed to be on our best legs," she says, shaking her head.

"She really didn't show much interest in him," Tsuyu adds, tilting her head. "And when Bakugo got there, he seemed more interested in taunting him."

"So you think he got Leinei's number to torture Bakugo?" Mina suggests, tilting her head. "If so, that's mean."

"Who knows. We should apologize to Lei when this is over," Hagakure says, her gloves becoming fists. "Until then, let's do our best!"

Wow there's a lot of people…

Leinei stands on her tiptoes to look over the sea of people in the small room, trying to find her classmates. She catches flashes of red and white hair, a flash of green, but she loses them as soon as she sees them. Groaning, she stands on her heels and starts making her way in that direction.

"Well well, if it's the Slaughterer."

She tenses up as she hears the familiar moniker, looking over her shoulder as the familiar faces of Seiji and Camie, the latter of which doesn't seem to be entirely all there. She feigns a smile as her stomach threatens to turn over the same way Izuku's did on the way to the facility.

"Se-Seiji-senpai, it's nice to see you again!" she says, her voice an octave higher than she intended it to be. She glances around anxiously, looking for any signs of Katsuki, or even Eijirou and Denki. Even Mina would be a welcome help for now, despite the hurtful insinuations. "T-taking the exams like us?"

"What school actually let you in, murderer?" he asks, his face dark underneath his Shiketsu hat. He glances down at her hero suit and scoffs. "UA? Of course. They must have been desperate for people to fill their seats."

"Don't talk about my school like that!" she protests. "They didn't do anything to you! And you know you aren't supposed to talk about what happened in public spaces."

"Y'know it was a relief to my family when we heard that villains had kidnapped you. Then it felt like my brother's funeral all over again when we found out you survived. My father still prays for the day he sees you come through his prison's doors."

Her fingernails dig into the fabric of her gloves covering her palms as she clenches her jaw. Her heart is pounding in her chest, the flashes of her dream from the hospital coming back to her in rapid succession.

"Y'know-"

"Lei!" a familiar voice yells, bubbly and excited. "Damn, I didn't think Aizawa would let you use the scarf here today! You're gonna look so awesome-" Denki tilts his head seeing the Shiketsu students. "Oh, you guys must be old friends of hers!"

"Oi, dunceface! Where'd you run off to?" Katsuki calls, pushing past people to get to them with Eijirou in tow. "Leinei-"

"Hey, Katsu," she says, giving him a wan smile as he looks over at the dirty glare Seiji is giving Leinei and the friends. "Thi-this is Seiji Shishikura and Camie Utsushimi. We used to be classmates at Shiketsu…"

"If you could call it that," Seiji huffs. "I look forward to crushing you during the exam. Unworthy heroes shouldn't even attempt it."

With that, they leave. Leinei looks down at her feet, mixed emotions building in her chest as Denki and Eijirou get mad on her behalf. Denki yells after them to come back and say that to his face, and Eijirou calls them very unmanly.

"You okay?" Katsuki murmurs to her, not looking at her and reaching for her shaking hands.

"I'm fine. Let's focus on the exam."

Okay yes, please don't come for me, I know, cliffhanger, but I like to break the suspense up. With how lighthearted most of this chapter was, you know it's going to get worse, so buckle in folks!

Love, Luna