An invitation to some fancy timeshare resort island.

"…junk…"

A free massage with purchase of so and so…

"…junk…"

The March edition of Support Gear Monthly with a cover highlighting an exclusive interview with Revocs' CEO on the upcoming Tokyo Fashion Week.

"…garbage…"

An envelope from UA.

"…trash…huh?"

It almost slipped through her fingers. The wax seal of UA. A stamped message saying 'gentle, do not bend.' Her name and address. A murmur built in the back of her throat. UA? Why would UA send her anything? The answer hit her just as quickly. The practical exam. These were probably her results. Or a rejection letter – sorry, we regret to inform you that despite kicking ass, you're not what we're looking for. Or they wanted her to pay for destroying that oversized villain. Which was bullshit. But whatever their excuse, she refused to think too hard about it.

Because she didn't care even if she did kick more than enough ass to get into the stupid school.

"If UA expects me to pay for breaking their stupid robot, they can kiss my ass."

The envelope was thick.

And there was definitely something more than paper inside.

For good measure, she shook it.

Nothing happened.

She reread the stamped message.

Bold, red lettering, huh? That sounded important.

"Oh well…"

Heedless of the consequences behind ignoring something stamped in bold red letters, she grabbed one edge of the letter, tore it open and let everything spill onto the coffee table.

"…huh?"

There were forms.

A graded photocopy of her written exam.

And a small metal –

"BOOYAH! I AM HERE AS A PROJECTION NOW!"

A crimson blade slightly longer than her forearm instinctively stabbed the intruding presence.

"Congratulations, young lady! On behalf of UA, let me be the first to commend your exceptional performance!"

Hair frazzled, heart beating a mile a minute, eyebrow twitching and Quirk shoved through All Might's forehead, Ryuko seethed at the wavering hologram.

"Not only did you pass the written exam with flying colors, you earned more than your fair share of combat points," blissfully unaware of the blade lodged between his eyes, or how goddamn tacky his yellow suit looked, All Might leaned away from the camera and smiled, "Sixty-three points, as a matter of fact! The second-most of any student!"

She stared at the projection.

Her Quirk deactivated.

And surprise quickly shifted into mild annoyance, "Hold on, someone seriously got more points than me?"

"But wait! There's more!"

The camera zoomed out, showing All Might standing next to a screen with clips of her battles against the robots. Including the one where she slipped, fell forward and stumbled face-first to the ground, "The exam was not based on combat ability alone! Heroes serve the community, even if the job isn't particularly glamorous! That's where rescue points come into play! Now, how does this impact you, you might be asking? Good question!"

Someone off-camera pointed impatiently at their wrist.

"Well, sorry," an apologetic shrug should have been impossible for All Might, yet the seven-foot-whatever, perpetually smiling hero either didn't know or didn't care, "While it's true you earned a significant number of combat points, your 'lone wolf' tactics left much to be desired. Yes. That's right, Ryuko. We saw everything. Quite disappointing, young lady."

Her eyebrow spasmed.

"Like I give a –"

A boisterous laugh.

Over-the-top inspirational music.

"Yet you did earn some rescue points," before she could prepare herself, physically or mentally, the symbol of peace's enormous smile filling the screen, "How's that possible, you're probably asking yourself! Another good question!"

Not for the first time, and certainly not the last, Ryuko had the urge to shove her Quirk where the sun didn't shine.

It wouldn't work.

But that didn't mean she wouldn't try.

"Ahem," stepping away from the camera, All Might coughed, "As you know, an individual hero can't do everything. Even I, many times throughout my career, have required assistance dealing with villains. For it only takes a single mistake. A distraction. Perhaps a villain with an unknown Quirk. Or an intelligent criminal holding hostages. Or as simple as not seeing a weapon until it's too late. Through teamwork and cooperation, a hero not only covers their weaknesses, but those of their comrades."

He coughed once more into his hand.

"I'll admit, while impressive, it wasn't the smartest plan. Or the safest. But the important thing is you worked together! And in the end, that's what truly mattered!"

Her eyebrow twitched again.

"Which is why, after careful deliberation, UA's panel of judges came to a decision," there was a pause, like All Might thought she was sitting on the edge of her seat from anticipation, not the urge to punch him in his perfect jawline, "Twelve rescue points! Each! For you, Kendo Itsuki and Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu!"

A strange noise escaped her lips.

Twelve points?

Taking down that giant villain was only worth twelve points?

"Now, you're probably wondering why you only received twelve points!"

He was still talking.

"And while I'd love to explain their decision, I'm being told to wrap things up. Huh? Yes. I know, but still," he looked off-screen, bewildered, "Thirty seconds? Really? You sure? That's hardly enough time to –"

"Go to hell!"

The miniature device powering the hologram teleported across the room, courtesy of her foot. It collided with the wall next to the window, leaving a small dent she'd need to plaster over, fell onto the carpet, rolled counterclockwise several times and landed upside-down. And with her foot still raised in a high kick, Ryuko collapsed back onto the couch, thoroughly exhausted. She should be upset. More upset. About All Might. About UA. And about getting into UA. But that required actually caring. But if she didn't care, why was she so goddamn bothered about only twelve points for slicing that robot's head open?

"Ugh!"

Something not quite vulgar lost its way in the cushion pressed against her face.

She didn't know how much time passed.

It could have been seconds. Or minutes. Or hours.

There was only the ticking from the clock in the shape of a cat in the kitchen.

But eventually, surrendering to curiosity, she grabbed the wrinkled pages, smoothed them against her leg and started reading.

"Congratulations, Ryuko Matoi. Allow us to welcome you to…"

"Blah, blah, blah…"

"…for over ninety years, we at UA have striven towards a brighter future for all…"

"Yadda, yadda, yadda…"

"…300,000 Yen monthly stipend…"

"Pfft, like I need the money…"

"...given your current address, it is recommended you locate appropriate lodgings in Musutafu prior to the school year."

"I gotta find an apartment?"

It shouldn't have surprised her and yet, holding the piece of paper close to her face, she reread everything. Twice. And then once more for good measure. There was more. Something about realtors and a number to call if she had questions. Grumbling from the pit of her stomach, Ryuko leaned back against the couch and stared at the ceiling. Finding an apartment in Musutafu was going to be a pain in the ass. But it beat staying at home. Because the commute sucked. An hour on the bullet train was fine. But twice a day for six days a week for three years? Her face contorted. Disgust. Revulsion. Annoyance.

She'd rather get her teeth pulled than deal with that.

"Guess that means I'm moving out…"

Something inside her chest tightened.

No, this wasn't her home.

Not anymore.

Just painful memories.

She could remember her dad walking through the door, exhausted after spending twelve hours flying home from another conference, asking if she wanted takeout. She could see his smile. Hear his voice. Swallowing the bitterness rising from her stomach, Ryuko forced herself to keep reading.

"…school uniforms…gym uniforms…"

"…health and hazard insurance…"

… fill out and return the enclosed clothing allowance and costume forms two weeks before the start of semester…"

Her thoughts ground to a halt.

A costume.

She needed to design a costume.

In one week.

While finding an apartment in Musutafu and getting ready for UA.

As the remaining pages slipped from numb fingers, the entire right side of Ryuko's face twitched.