Chapter Thirty-Nine
Tsuna pouted at his mittens covered hands. Nope, he hasn't activated his flames yet. For the record, he doesn't know what special moves to come up. He wrinkled his nose as he propped his elbow to his knee and started to think. Given his new found flames, it's not hard to come up with a special move with them, but he wants to add something to his arsenal. Something he can use with his sky flames and enhanced strength.
He glanced around to at least get an idea. Everyone is working their butts off, unlike yesterday. They were super laid back after they finished arranging their rooms. He didn't really go to the common room since he pestered Katsuki first, before they visited him to let them see how he decorated his space.
His room isn't that 'extravagant' as the others though. Well, he has some hero silhouette posters on the wall, a lined hooks for the jackets he uses, and an installed bookshelf for some manga he wanted to reread and those he hadn't read yet. It's one of the luxuries his granted himself that he couldn't enjoy at his age back in the original world. It was the same with his video games consoles and some cartilage he took from their apartment. He pulled them along to invite Uncle Hizashi and his Dad for game when they need it.
Other than those, he has some stationeries on his desk, complete with stacks of paper, pen holders with the other needed things in their respective drawers. He also took his printer out, which he used for printing his and Katsuki's picture. His closet held some of his clothes, bedsheets, pillow cases and blankets. He retained his bed and put curtains on the veranda, while a peephole on the door. He'll never know.
His eyes flitted to Katsuki who is fighting Ectoplasm's clone. Since they're neighbors in the fourth floor, Tsuna visited the blond after getting his 'home warming' gift from his own room. Before that, he helped Shouto with his Japanese styled room that reminds him so much of Kyouya. When he got inside the blond's room, he sighed at the lack of All Might merch. Being a little prick, he put two All Might merch. A pen and a bubble head that he bought the day before. He eventually got a glare, but Katsuki didn't chide him. He did quirk an eyebrow on the picture frame the brunet placed on the table though.
It was one of the nicest pictures they had that morning which was taken by Kirishima. He had one of his arms wrapped around the blond's shoulders, holding out a peace sign with a grin on his lips. Katsuki, on that rare occasion, was smiling at the camera. He was giving his own small peace sign, the other hand gripping the brunet's book bag strap. Between them was the blond's headset. It looked like something both of them will do everyday they meet. It was honestly nice.
"Any time to move, Sawada?" He looked back to Ectoplasm, his Math teacher. "You looked slumped."
"I admit," He raised his hands in surrender. "this is harder than all the math equation you gave us."
The hero chuckled. "Good observation."
"It's just that my head is fried." He sighed. "I can't think of any more move."
"Hm. Why don't you ask Eraserhead then?" The teacher suggested. "He knows more about your quirk."
He smiled understandingly. "Yup. He'll know. He's as complicated as my quirk."
"I won't tell him that." His Math teacher grinned, making him grin too.
Tsuna stood up before he leaped from platform to platform. He was greeted by some which he greeted back. When he reached the ground, he noticed Midoriya on slump too, that made him wince. He was nearing his Dad and Nemuri when All Might came in.
The hero still has his arm in a bandage, but he looks healthier. He received a nod from the hero before some his classmates went to him. Tsuna watched them get entertained, after the hero gave Midoriya an idea. Huh...
"What's wrong, Sawada?" He turned to his Dad. Shouta's brows shoot up in surprise. "You're pouting. Haven't came up with your own special move?"
He held out a hand. "Zero point breakthrough, X-burner, big bang axle and X-stream. Don't make me enumerate the things I could do with Natsu when he's with me." He sighed. "I'm slumped, Sensei."
His Dad hummed. "What do you want to do anyway?"
"Well, I want to do one move with my sky flames alone, and another with both of my quirks."
"What about your other flames?"
"It depends on the user, Sensei. I generally follow their properties. Like storm is primarily an offense with it's poison-like action. Rain for defense since it can slow down enemies, especially when I don't want to engage them. In terms of sun, although it's both, I only use it for healing." He explained.
"What about your sky?" His Dad questioned. "It has harmony, fire, ice and petrification. Have you tried petrifying something?"
He frowned as he tried to remember. "No. It was Natsu who did that once."
"Why don't you try it? Then you can think of another move with both of your quirk."
Tsuna cupped his chin with his right hand. "That will be a thought to digest."
"Sawada." Both looked at Nemuri who is curiously inspecting him. "Mittens don't look good with your suit, kid."
"Oh. It's not a normal pair of mittens, Midnight-sensei." He answered. He held out his hands as he activated his flames. The mittens turned to his usual gloves.
"Woah!" He looked back to his classmates.
"That's so cool!" Sero praised, staring at his gloves in shock and amazement like anybody else.
"It's specially made for my flames." He explained. "Unlike the gloves I asked the department, it can withstand big amount of X-burner. But of course, I won't let the last pair of gloves I have go to waste." He smiled sweetly with a hint of slyness. "I can smuggle this out while that could stay with my hero costume. In a way, when I forgot to bring this, I'll have those. Anyway, thanks for the tip, Aizawa-sensei!" Then he ran for a little before flying with his flames.
By the next days, Tsuna found himself trying things. He's one of those who'll stay in Gamma gym. Sometimes, it's Shouta who has to haul him out, mostly it's either Iida, Shouto or Katsuki. He can't honestly stop thinking how to do the petrification until he got an idea and started to practice it. The only problem now is how is he going to combine his two quirks.
He perked up from his perch when his intuition alerted him of new addition. He looked around and saw All Might walking in, greeting Shouta. He decided to skip over, leaving a petrified clone of Ectoplasm.
"All Might-sensei!" He called out as he landed.
"Tsuna?" The man called, surprised with his sudden appearance and the 'sensei' part. "How are you hanging?"
The brunet grinned widely, making his Dad smile slightly. "I passed one. I'm doing the second one."
"Second? You're doing two?" The hero asked as he neared.
He nodded. "It's convenient. So I was thinking that our quirks are quite same in some ways, can you give me tip to how I can combine it with my flames? I have an idea. But I don't think it will go well."
"Hey! Watch out! Above!"
The three of them looked above, and their eyes widened at falling rock. Tsuna put a hand on All Might's uninjured arm, making the hero look at him. He smiled reassuringly before looking up again to see Izuku kicking the rock. When he looked down, he saw amazement and pride on the man's face. Heh. He missed Reborn having the same expression as that whenever he amazes the hitman.
"All Might." Shouta called out, as if trying to usher them away. "It's a bit dangerous-"
"So I was saying," He said a little louder, pointedly scanning those people who have tried to ask if the hero in front of him is alright. Shouta's eyes widened before he closed his mouth, getting the message. "wanna hear my theories, All Might-sensei?"
"Ah- Oh, sure." The hero blinked, as if confused with his sudden action.
He put his arm by the back of the hero and ushered him in a discreet manner. "I thought of enforcing them with flames? In a way, it can get a little more impactful?"
"Hm." All Might hummed in thoughts. Tsuna discreetly waved off the people to do their things as Shouta joined them. "I think you don't necessarily need something that powerful, Tsuna."
He inclined his head to the side as they stopped walking. "What do you mean, Sensei?"
He caught Shouta's pleased smirk as All Might went bashful a little. "I have noticed that your enhanced strength is as good as it is. You're pretty adept to it and you can use it with your good reflexes. You are nimble for a tall teen. Power, agility and speed are in you. You're unstoppable. With those said, I think, what you need to enhance more is your ability to save people."
He blinked and cupped his chin in consideration. "True." His head went on ahead and made a bar chart in his mind. "Right now, I'm more on techniques, and low on the saving lives portion. I need to up that scale a little to balance them." He looked up to the man and beamed. "You're the best. Thank you, All Might-sensei!"
The two teachers watched the brunet run for his previous spot.
All Might looked at Aizawa with bewildered expression. "Have you ever considered-"
"That he has a third quirk?" Eraserhead continued. "We considered it both. He calls it sunshine smile."
All Might burst into laughter. "That is accurate!"
"It's pretty deadly if you ask me." The Eraser hero added, hiding the lower part of his face to his capture weapon to hide his smile. "I just hope no villain get targeted by it."
"I sure do hope so!" The Symbol of Peace agreed, whizzing in laughter.
When night came, Tsuna pulled Katsuki to cook for the others before he left them to eat with his Dad. Shouta shooed him away after, saying he needed a rest for working too hard. He couldn't stop himself from smothering the man with hugs and praises of how considerate he is, how he's the best Dad and how he loves him so much for being like that. Red faced Shouta Aizawa is adorable. He felt like a doting father instead of a son.
He was walking back when he noticed Class C's dorm. Feeling gutsy, he went over. To say the whole class was shocked with his sudden appearance in their porch was an understatement. He asked for Hitoshi after greeting those he knew and those he's familiar with. The purple head didn't even need minutes to come, he was already out of the elevator two minutes tops and rushed towards him. He laughed as Hitoshi grinned at him as they went out of the patio.
Hitoshi is like Izuku in a way. Since they never had friends, they don't know what are the things that friends usually do. Since Tsuna knows how that felt, he decided to do things that others won't expect. One is sleeping over Izuku's house, even though unexpected and unplanned. Second, seeking out Hitoshi in the most unexpected time. Just ask if he's okay, how was his day, then tell him he was the first one he remembered after seeing their dorm. As much as how adorable his Dad is, Hitoshi Shinsou blushing is another.
After bidding goodbye, Tsuna proceeded to Class A dorm. He was nearing the patio when he saw Izuku doing some practice with his shoot style. He decided to passby to say hello.
"I-zuku." He sang as he nears.
"Tsuna!" The greenet exclaimed with a bright smile. "You had dinner with Sensei?"
Tsuna nodded. "Yup. I wanted to stay, but he shooed me away. He wanted me to rest." He glanced at the notebook on the ground. "What's up?"
"Just reviewing myself of Iida's kicking style." The greenet sheepishly answered. "I couldn't get it right."
"If it's okay, I can help." He offered as he removed his buds. "I'll demonstrate to you how it looked, and you can take points as much as you can."
"Really?" Green eyes widened in hope before reluctance mixed in. "But aren't you busy too?"
He waved off a hand as he placed his phone beside the teen's. "It's fine. I'm never too busy for a friend."
Izuku blushed. "Thank you, Tsuna."
They spent an hour and a half performing the kick. It was fun making Izuku murmur things. It was like listening to Shoichi and Hayato talk about the things they love, like new invention and some spotted UMA. In case of Izuku, more on capabilities, skills, possible things that will happen. Just analyzing. Whenever the greenet catches himself and apologize, the brunet will urge him to do it. He doesn't find it annoying or scary. It's really endearing.
They parted by the elevator. Nope, Izuku pulled him to the elevator so he won't pass out again on the sofa. Since the greenet is on the second floor, he got off first before Tsuna did. Passing by Katsuki's door, he tried to listen for any noise. He heard some foot padding around. He pulled his phone up as he went for his door. After texting the others good night, he messaged the blond.
Tsuna: It's past nine already. Good night, Katsuki.
Katsuki: I know. Night.
"How cute." He chuckled as he closed his door.
Katsuki: I'm not cute.
Tsuna chuckled again.
Tsuna perked up when he felt a tug on his strap. He blinked his eyes to Katsuki in question. The blond motioned to the others who are talking about something. He removed his bud and listened. He didn't point out that Katsuki didn't remove his hand on his bag strap.
They're in Takoba National Stadium, where every Provisional Hero Licence exams are held. He knew schools from different parts of the country will come. It's like what the students really want to be at least a semi-hero in name. It actually makes Tsuna bored cause he had watched some of the exams and knows their tricks like the back of his hands. Something Reborn will do for him and his family. Well, others don't know about it because they haven't seen it. He knows because he usually sneaks in to watch.
"Eraser?!" Tsuna's brow furrowed as some woman called his Dad out. "Eraser, is that you?"
When he saw his Dad's expression, he gently pried Katsuki's hand and went over.
"I saw you on TV and at the sports festival." The woman greeted while waving her hand and smiling widely. "But it's been so long since we've seen each other face to face!"
Tsuna put his hand on Shouta's and stood beside him. The hero incredibly relaxed.
"Let's get married!" The woman exclaimed excitedly.
"No way." He deadpanned as Shouta said 'No, Thanks.'
The lady blinked and stared at them. "Eh?"
"Dad isn't going to marry anyone until I'm twenty-one. So no." He deadpanned.
"I'll be thirty-seven by then." Shouta pointed out.
He shook his head. "It's fine. You're a healthy male, scientific wise." He looked up to his Dad who's eyes are twinkling with mirth while peering at him. "Who's she, Dad?"
"Shit! Tsuna called Aizawa-sensei Dad twice!"
"Oh- Oh!"
"He's being protective!"
"It's adorable!"
"Ah! You're Eraser's son!" The woman nodded with an understanding smile. "I'm Miss Joke, the Smile Hero. Nice to meet you."
Caramel eyes blinked before smiling softly. "Nice to meet you too. But really, no."
"It's fine. She likes riling me up because it's fun for her to pull my leg. Although her sense of humor is really unamusing." His Dad placated. "She saw your picture once."
"What picture?"
"That energizer picture."
"Eh? That selfie I took with your phone?" He gasped. He remembers his Dad grumbling about a woman, so he took the other's phone and snapped a selfie of himself grinning widely, with a caption 'Hey Dad! I'm your energizer!' "That was years ago!"
"Still my wallpaper." Shouta shrugged.
"Our offices used to be close to each other, so we kinda help each other out. It was just that one time that I caught him scrolling on his phone, and I saw your picture. Don't worry. If you still want me to be his wife, the offer still stands." The lady winked.
He grinned. "Let's see after seven years."
The lady roared in laughter. "Nice one!"
"I'll excuse myself. Nice meeting you, Miss Joke-san." He bowed before squeezing his Dad's hand, letting it go as the other did, and running over to Katsuki. "Sorry."
"You're damn possessive." The blond cursed.
He laughed nervously. "Sorry. It's in the genes."
He inserted one of his bud as Katsuki snorted. "I hope your children won't take that personality from you."
"They won't." He humoured. "I'm not planning on marrying anyone."
"And among them," They turned to the guy who is facing them. "The ones at the center of the Kamino incident, Bakugou and Sawada." The guy smiled and offered his hand. "You two have exceptionally strong spirits. It's our privilege to stand alongside with you all today. We will do our best."
Tsuna raised a brow at the obvious taunting, which Katsuki caught too and slapped the hand away.
"Screw off, shit-face. The words coming out of your mouth don't match up with the look on your face." The blond spat, almost earning the guy's true colors after he smiled wickedly.
"Hey man! Don't be rude!" Kirishima admonished before turning to the other teen. "I'm sorry for his impoliteness."
"It's alright! Just proof of how strong his spirit is!" The guy said understandingly.
Tsuna put a hand on the blond's shoulder to keep him steady and smiled in a friendly way. "May we all pass. Come on, Katsuki, Kirishima. Sensei is telling us to change in our hero costume and go for the information session."
"Okay okay." Kirishima nodded while Katsuki went on ahead.
Tsuna followed the boys to the dressing room. He went for a separate locker and put his things there before changing in his suit. He pulled on his mitten, sighing why he used the last of his gloves on doing his new technique. It didn't withstand it, so it burned off. Obviously, he resorted to using his mittens all the time and didn't bother Power Loader on creating any more.
They were ushered to where the information session after. He didn't bat an eyelash on how many students from different schools are trying to get their own licences. Sometimes, those who weren't lucky the previous year has to apply again for the following year. It's a good thing the Class B went for a different site. Knowing how good his classmates are, there's a hundred possibility that not all Yuuei students will pass. Can't underestimate competitors, can we?
"Tsuna-kun!" He looked back to see who called him. It was a blond girl with this military cap on her head. "I missed you!"
He blinked and inclined his head. "Eh?"
The lady giggled and smiled widely. "You're so adorable!"
His brows furrowed. Well, there are few people who can call him that. The latest was- His eyes widened. "Hie! What are you doing here?!"
Toga, under the guise of a student in Shiketsu, giggled. "Scouting!" And she leaned in to whisper. "And Deku."
He grinned. "How are you? Them?"
"We're fine! Thank you!" Toga cheerfully answered. "He has been really grumpy though."
"Who?"
"Your roommate! He's always glaring and more cynical!"
Tsuna's mouth went 'o' before he smiled. "That will pass. He's not someone who dwells on things that much. But tell them I said hi, yeah?"
"Ehe." Toga grinned.
"Don't be hard on Deku, okay?" He requested.
"I'll try!" She sang.
When the man from the Hero Public Safety Commission named Mera went for the platform, both of them stopped talking. He explained what's happening, after Stain's incident. Well, Chizome's idealism did spread, and people are doubting the heroes' capabilities. And it didn't even take long for All Might to retire, making them feel fear. That, and they want to know what heroes' idealism too.
Heroes are expected not to get compensation for their works and such. But it can't be helped if it's a profession. Heroes need to eat too. They need the money. If they're staying patrol twenty-four-seven, how are they gonna take care of themselves? In a sense, human rights were kinda stripped off from the heroes' lives.
So since they are one thousand five hundred forty applicants, the examiners are only taking one hundred passers. Their condition to pass is to hit circular targets attached to other competitors' with a ball. Those three targets can be put anywhere in the body, as long as visible, no on the armpit and soles of the feet. They are given six balls. It means they have to hit two people. It's almost like the entrance exam, except they're against people, not robots.
Before the targets and balls were distributed, they were introduced to all the terrains that are possible. Tsuna accepted the three targets and the six balls with a 'thank you'. He asked Kouda to put a target on his center back before putting the others on his heart and the liver.
"Are you sure, Sawada?" Iida questioned worriedly. "You can be hit at the back."
"You can't be a warrior if you don't know how to defend your back, Iida." He answered before looking over. Todoroki and Bakugou with Kirishima run off. "Protect each other's back. Usually,"
"Usually?" Izuku parroted, putting a target on his side.
Tsuna blinked before smiling. "Usually, Yuuei is the first one to be targeted in Provisional Exams like this. We're the threats, you know."
His classmates stared at him, mouth agape.
"Really." He smiled before waving his hand to them. "Let's go before anything happens and the time goes up."
"Alright!" Izuku answered and took the lead.
As they go, Tsuna slipped away from the group. He went for the city buildings. He walked around, inspecting everything. When they were signalled to start, he let his rain flames surround his perimeter as students from different schools tried to target him. The balls slow down and fall on his feet, he shrugged and let them do whatever they want. When some tried to attack him, Tsuna dodged, took one of the balls from the ground in a swift movement and threw it on one of his attackers' open target. His eyes widened when the target lit up. His assaulters stepped back when he grinned.
It didn't take long for him to finish all of them with the use of their balls and put two down with his own. It was like dodge ball, that he sucked at in his original world during his age and got really good at it after Reborn made him play. He was laughing all the way to victory, with those people he outed unconscious. When he was asked to go to the waiting room, he flew over. Heh. Much needed rest.