Chapter Three: First Day
"Kaede, you awake?" Minami opened the door to their bedroom.
Kaede pulled the blanket over her head before she threw it forward while she pulled herself upward in a sitting position. Her hair was staticky and her bags as prominent as ever.
"I cooked breakfast. I just finished eating but there's a plate for you. I'm going to leave now. Have a good day!"
Kaede checked her phone. It was only 7:00am. She flopped back down. Just another 10 minutes.
Minami grabbed her school bag, slipped on her shoes then left.
…..
Minami got off the train and walked the remainder of the way. She took note of the restaurants, stores, and building in the area. She hadn't been back this way since the entrance exam, and back then she had been so busy running that everything was a blur.
The front gate opened as she approached. Just like last time only this time she had a student card than an examination card.
The halls were quiet, but it was rather early. She eventually found her classroom 1-A. The ceilings were extremely high. As much as she enjoyed the open floor plan, it seemed like such a waste of space. She opened the door to find out she was the first one there. It was quite early so this was expected.
Minami took a seat in the further front row seat. They would probably be assigned seats after the entrance ceremony anyway. She pulled out a notebook and a pencil. She looked behind her and counted the desks. Four by Five. She drew 20 rectangles to match the layout of the class before putting the notebook away. She would have to write her classmates names down later to help her remember.
She was scrolling the news on her phone for several minutes before the next student entered the class…or students.
One was a girl with pink hair and pink skin. The other a boy with spiked red hair.
"Do you two know each other?" The two were chatting with each other with such ease. Or perhaps it only looked that way from her own inadequacy forming friendships.
"Don't mind us. We went to the same high school. I'm Mina Ashido. That's Kirishima." What were the chances two of her classmates were from the same school?
"Eijiro Kirishima. Honestly, I almost thought I wouldn't make it in, but now that I am there's no holding back."
"Didn't you get third on the practical?" said Mina.
"Yeah, but almost half my points were 'hero' points. I was so worried getting that hologram message. Not to mention that written test was super hard."
"Okay, yeah that test was really hard." The pink girl turned to Minami. "So, what's your name?" Minami didn't think it was, but she wasn't about to say that out loud. One, it would be rude. Two, she wasn't usually boastful about such things. She would rather be recognized for things she worked hard on then things that came more naturally.
"I'm Minami Hanajima. It's nice to meet you both."
"You were second on the practical, weren't ya?" Kirishima said loudly.
Minami nodded.
"You must have some super awesome quirk," said Mina. Her fingers curled into fists and moved her arms in a pump movement, seemingly excited.
Minami felt unsure of how to respond. She opened her mouth to say something when—
"Alright you extras! The real hero is here." Messy blond hair and narrow eyes. He easily made himself at home, choosing a desk, leaning back in the chair, and kicked his feet up on the table.
Minami frowned. Someone was going to have to clean that. Her first impressions were that he was abrasive with a lack of consideration to his surroundings – or maybe he was aware and just didn't care. As he continued to make a statement, a boy with half white-half red hair quietly came into the room and took a seat in the back.
"Oh, you're that girl from before! Hanajima, right?" The brunette Minami ran into after the exam stood in front of her, and immediately she got introduced to Mina and Kirishima.
It quickly became rowdy from there as one student after another joined. A floating uniform (she hopped she was invisible and not a ghost), a boy with a bird's face, a rock headed guy trying to communication in sign language (not to self: try to learn a bit to help accommodate), a flashy blond, someone wearing a mask, and the list went on.
"If you're going to be hunting for buddies, do it elsewhere." Minami looked up at the clock. It seemed time flew by with a class like this. Well, she could understand their excitement. They were accepted into a well-renowned school with an exceptionally low acceptance rate. Still, there had been plenty of time to celebrate with friends and family before today!
"This is the department of heroics!" The presumable teacher unzipped the sleeping bag. She felt sorry for him. He looks so tired. Still, as a teacher she expects him to be mentally there for class. "It took you lot 8 seconds to quiet down." Not great but it could have been worse, but she emotionally wanted to agree with him. "Life is short, kids. You're all lacking in common sense." Okay, now that felt like a personal attack.
Minami frowned.
"I'm your homeroom teacher Shouta Aizawa. Pleasure meeting you." Yeah, no. While it was simple politeness his tone made it sound like a chore rather than a pleasure. "Wear these immediately and then shove off to the P.E. grounds."
"What about the opening ceremony? And the guidance counselor meeting?" Uraraka brought up the plans originally laid out for them.
"If you want to be heroes, we don't have time for frilly niceties. You all understand the school's reputation for freedom on campus. Well, that freedom goes for us sensei too. Now go change."
Minami was fine with this. She didn't particularly sit through the opening ceremony. It gave information sure, but she had already ready the public documents the school had. Which included things like resources. The one thing she really needed was a tour of the school, but that wouldn't be provided at the ceremony.
Minami quickly changed into the uniform. Twisting the top where it met the pants. UA was designed onto it but the lines didn't match up perfectly when moving around in them. She then exited the doors closest to the changing rooms. The whole thing took less than 3 minutes, but now she was awkwardly standing outside. The only other person out was Aizawa.
Everyone was eventually outside. Aizawa listed a variety of basic exercises expected of a gym class. "These are all the activities you know from middle school, naturally. Physical tests where you were barred from using your quirks." It was a facet of the law she disliked. How can you name something a quirk, one's individuality, and say you can't use it. She could understand temporary measures when they first developed until more comprehensive laws could be formed.
Of course, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should but this was just one of the many absolutes the law was written in.
Aizawa called Katsuki Bakugo up to throw the ball.
"DIE!"
Minami stood a bit straighter at the sudden shout. Why did he scream die? Regardless of his choice of words he threw the ball 705.2 meters.
Some of those around chattered about how fun and exciting this was. To Minami this was still just gym exercises.
"It looks fun you say? So, you were planning to spend your three years here having a good time. What happened to becoming heroes?"
Ultimately, hero schools were a type of training school. The standard subjects were still required but there was an emphasis on training. Being a hero meant becoming law enforcement after all. Aizawa's words were harsh. Maybe more so than warranted since you can take something seriously AND still have fun, but she wouldn't be surprise if most students enrolled without understanding that simple truth.
"New rule. The student who ranks last in total points will be deemed hopeless and will be instantly expelled."
Minami froze.
"This is our first day here! But even if it weren't that's just too unreasonable." Uraraka spoke up again echoing the sentiments of several of her classmates.
Aizawa gave a speech about how life wasn't fair. Just because life wasn't fair didn't mean you couldn't make it fairer. Her thoughts were brought back to Mr. Tomiko claiming life wasn't fair when she reported bullying.
…..
Test 1: 50 Meter Dash
Koji Koda and Minami Hanajima were called up for the next run.
3…
2…
1…
Go!
Wind built up under her foot to push forward before bursting forward from a gust to the back.
3.71 seconds.
That was good, and her movements had been stable. Last thing she needed was for her to use too much power and break her neck or something.
Minami watched her classmates who went after.
When it became Bakugo and Midoriya's turn she flinched. She had quickly witnessed it before but the explosive power was even more apparent when he used it to propel herself. She doubted she would ever use him as a reference. She was quite adamant that if she used explosives she would only burn herself.
…..
Test 2: Grip Strength
Minami could only manage 38kg without her quirk. She spent a while trying to figure out what else she could do. Was it cheating if she didn't use her hand for a grip test? Because she could pressurize the force.
She was startled out of her thoughts as Mezo Shoji gripped 540kg. That was more than the weight of a horse. More than the weight of a grand piano.
…..
Test 3: Standing Long Jump
Minami cleared the sandbox once again using wind.
She began to get nervous. Her quirk was clearly written on her application. If she didn't do something else was Aizawa going to punish her? But using the air was already helping her clear the trials. There were very few of her classmates who's quirk she could probably imitate and some of those would definitely hurt without proper training and safety – and even then it may not be the best idea. Minami could probably imagine some kitchen knives…maybe. She had the photo saved on her phone and made them almost every day. They were so much sharper than the cheap ones they owned. However, what was she going to do with knives?
Nothing.
…..
Test 4: Repeated Side Steps
It was the grape head from the practical exam. He was bouncing back and forth. Minami wished she had her phone so she could reference something bouncy herself. It looked a little fun, but at his speed she was worry he would get whiplash.
She looked the other way to see the green hair boy. He must be feeling the pressure. She hadn't seen him use his quirk yet. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem but with Aizawa's threat… She wished she could do something.
…..
Test 5: Distance Run
Minami would be the first to admit that she needed to practice distance running. She much preferred repeated short sprints than continuously moving. She felt like the wind carrying her was cheating, but she also felt that if she didn't use it Aizawa would deduct points or something.
It also gave her the much-needed time to itch herself. Even her ankles were itchy. She was appreciative of the pants and long sleeves so they could act as a barrier. Cutting into her skin from itching was very much possible.
…..
Test 6: Seated Toe Touch
Minami lied. Forget long distance running, this was the bane of her existence. Her core ached so much.
…..
Sit Ups
Minami didn't mind sit ups, but she would have preferred to do them before the seated toe touches. She still ached from that and this was using many of the same muscles.
…..
Ball Throw
Minami held the ball. She didn't actually know how far she would be able to throw it. There was a limit to how far her quirk worked. She didn't know the exact distance. She probably should but didn't. It didn't help that her depth perception wasn't the greatest. She would literally have to use a measuring tape to measure one day.
Once again she relied on wind. Aside from being easy to use due to its invisible nature, it was quite flexible. She hoped to use the velocity to go as far as possible after it left her field of control.
Getting into a pitcher stance, Minami winded her arm ad threw the ball. It was definitely less than the length of their 50-meter dash when the wind died out. 310 meters. She'll take it.
…..
She definitely wasn't last, but at this point she just has to hope Aizawa didn't view her as incompetent. She had zero faith that he would only expel one person if he felt like it.
Midoriya is last to throw the ball, at which time Aizawa revealed he had an erasure quirk. Despite her current mixed feelings on the man, she couldn't help but take interest. It made her think of Kaede. She wondered if he would have any advice she could share with her sister when she remembered this is the same teacher who wants to expel someone on their first day. More importantly, she needed to respect Kaede's decisions…even if the perfect opportunity was in front of her.
Bakugo rages. Claiming Midoriya was quirkless. If he was or wasn't there's no reason to lash out like this. Also, did that mean there were two pairs of people from the same school in their class?
Aizawa restrained him and for the moment she was appreciative. He took control of the situation.
"Oh yeah, that expulsion thing was a lie. It was a logical ruse to pull out your best performances," said Aizawa.
"C'mon guys use your brains. Of course, it was just a ruse." Momo Yaoyorozu looked bored. Minami glanced at everyone as they seemingly come to accept the answer. She still doesn't think it was a ruse, but perhaps that was her cynicism towards authority figures.
…..
"I'm home."
Minami reached the end of the couch before dropping her bag and toppling over the armrest.
She turned the screen of her phone on and looks at her messages. None. She looks at the chat threat labelled 'Dad'. Message last received 12 days ago. He could brag to people online that his daughter got into a prestigious school, but not once could he mention congratulations to her in person – or even a message!
"Kaede…"
"Yes?"
"I missed you."
"That bad?"
"They're collectively loud and hero-gazed. One also has an obsession of yelling die like it's some shonen power move." Minami wanted to bring up her teacher but decided against it. At least in a comparative sense. "The teacher is super serious though. Still not sure if that's a good thing or not. We skipped the opening ceremony too to be tested. Good thing there were information packets and I've done enough research otherwise I might feel lost. The place is huge."
"Then there's this girl who can create things and it comes out of the skin. Just watching makes my skin tingle." Remembering gave her the shivers. She needs something soft! She pulled down the blanket hanging over the couch and stroked it. Ah~ Fleece. It was so soothing.
"Bird head said some things that I think were supposed to be dark but come across as amusing dramaticism."
"Bird head? Please tell me you just don't know his name and you don't call him that."
Minami showed a thumbs up. "You know me so well. Thanks for letting me rant."
Minami's phone vibrated.
She eagerly checked, hoping to see something from her dad.
She did.
Minami frowned and dropped her phone to the grown and she curled inward on the couch.
She sighed before rolling back over and reached down for her phone.
"Survivor benefits came in! Dad just sent it."
Push the thoughts away. Push them away.
Tomorrow can be a fresh start.
