"Welcome to U.A. High School! To every student standing in here today, we congratulate you for getting into this school! This is your first step into a brighter future!" The principal, Nezu spoke through the microphones.

It was the first day of classes. All 1st year students were lined up in the court for the opening ceremony. The sun was shining brightly as the principal held an inspiring speech for all the excited students who couldn't wait to start the whole year.

One of these students was Shiozaki Ibara.

To be entrusted by God with this privilege... I'll do my best to be a worthy student!

She felt blessed to get into the No. 1 Heroics School in Japan. And up until now, she couldn't even believe she was one of the top scorers in the practical entrance exam. It's a good start!

With that, her thoughts began to drift off in excitement, daydreaming on being a hero and what the future holds for her in being in a prestigious school as U.A. Until the sounds of cheers and applause returned her to the present.

The scoreboard of the top examinees was flashed on the large screen.

Name

Villain Points

Rescue Points

Total Points

Rank

Katsuki Bakugou

77

0

77

1st

Eijiro Kirishima

39

35

74

2nd

Ochaco Uraraka

28

45

73

3rd

Ibara Shiozaki

36

32

68

4th

Itsuka Kendo

25

40

65

5th

Tenya Iida

52

9

61

6th

Izuku Midoriya

0

60

60

7th

Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu

49

10

59

8th

Fumikage Tokoyami

47

10

57

9th

Yosetsu Awase

50

6

56

10th

"We'd like to acknowledge these students who had exceeded expectations in the practical exams."

Another wave of claps. The boisterous atmosphere earned a scowl from one student in particular- Bakugou Katsuki, who in all honesty wanted to train and hone his skill right on the very first day of classes.

Yet, he smirked as he saw his name on the top line.

After he graduated in middle school, he knew WITHOUT A DOUBT that he would study in UA High School. He wasn't even surprised that he was on the top rank.

Of course I'm the best. But I guess a little recognition wouldn't hurt.

"Students whose names are listed above, be ready to grace the stage!" The voice of Midnight echoed in the whole court and began calling the top ranks.

"Bakugou Katsuki"

He stood up, expression nonchalant as he was called to go up to the stage. Top examinees? Tsk, they shouldn't lump me in with these weak shits.

"With the highest score of 77 villain points!"

Still, he decided to observe the next students to be called. Just to know what kind of people got into the high rankings such as him.

"Kirishima Eijiro"

A guy with spiky hair went up on stage, smiling widely. "39 villain points and 35 rescue points!"

Looks stupid to me. No threat from this one.

As soon as the guy stood beside him, he began praising him, "Woah so manly bro! 77 villain points?"

Shitty hair. Stop talking to me.

"Ochako Uraraka"

His eyes glanced briefly. "23 villain points. And 45 rescue points!"

Weak. No need to remember this one.

"Bro! What's your quirk? Do you practice a lot?" The red head prodded for answers.

"Shut up." It was too early in the morning and he was beginning to get pissed off.

TCH. That red head continued to nag him.

No use observing. I could just stop here. Rank 4's probably just full of shit.

"Ibara Shiozaki"

He didn't bother to look anymore.

But on the corner of his eyes an awfully green color waved through, compelling him to side glance.

And alas...

Well I'll be damned.

A girl with vines for her hair walked along the stage. "36 villain points and 32 rescue points"

The 4th student was a complete surprise to him, since he had completely forgotten about her after that day.

Actually, it wasn't all unbelievable that she was one of the top examinees. That kill-stealer.

In a brief moment their eyes connected, him glaring at her.

She seemed surprised as well, seeing him up close. She blinks. And again.

He folded his arms and mustered up the smuggest expression his face can do, 4th place? Hah. WEAK! I RANKED 1ST, I WON. His eyes gloating, obviously mocking her. His posture overflowed with conceit and pride that didn't go unnoticed by Shiozaki.

Her face turned from surprise to confusion to a hint of worry. And then in almost a rude manner, she turned her eyes away.

His face twitched in annoyance. "Bitch."

How dare she. I should be the one turning away!

Seriously! She pisses me off.

Only, she wasn't trying to piss him off.

77 POINTS? He was that adept in his quirk?

He is the top examinee this year! If they didn't count rescue points… I only manage to have 34 villain points for head on fight. He got more than twice as mine!

As much as she didn't want to admit, that guy is scarily strong. I have not even spared him a thought after that exam.

Chills ran through her spine as he glared at her, smiling so sinister.

Oh my goodness…

For a second there, she got frightened. Yet she tried her best to keep a straight face.

She looked away as she processed the guy- whom she fought with in the entrance exam could probably be the strongest in all of 1st year students. Why did they accepted a bully into a hero academy?

Bakugou Katsuki. His name rang in her head. I'll remember to avoid him as much as I can.

Their thoughts had drowned out the introductions of the next students that were called.

She's fucking annoying!

He's extremely unpleasant!

"Class 1B, where is it?" Shiozaki walked on the hallways where the guide routed her in.

She was giddy for the first day of the classes and was in awe as she looked around the hallways and classrooms. Amazing, the building is really spacious. UA really owns up to its name!

She looked outside the glass windows and suddenly mesmerized with the stretch of nature throughout the school.

How great it is to walk around in these areas. Absolutely astounding!

She lingered for a few more minutes to appreciate the view. She suddenly felt like crying because of how blessed she was to be able to get into a school that gives importance to nature.

Alright, I think it's time for me to go. She'll bask in nature some other time.

Now then, Class 1B where...?

For a very miserable turn of events, she looked up from her notes and saw Bakugou headed exactly parallel to her direction.

Oh God, please no.

He looked like he'd bite anyone who gets close to him.

And he totally would right now.

He just saw Deku for god's sake. Fucking shit! That worthless trash is in the same school as me! But that's not the worst part, THAT NERD WAS IN 7th PLACE!

How in the world did that happen!

Not to mention that shitty hair kept nagging at him at the school court!

And just now, on the way to his designated room, he finds that 4th place girl who pissed him off AGAIN, from a few feet away! He was at the edge of his patience and that wasn't even a lot to begin with.

There were a lot of students moving around between them but his eyes were locked on her. If both those green haired fucks were in the same class as me... I'd really be on a rampage!

BUT, if he had a choice though, to pick from the both of them…

Vine girl is tolerable enough. At least she doesn't act so meekly and weak before him. And maybe she wasn't too, since she doesn't flinch or cower in fear in front of him.

He observed her as she looked outside the school windows ogling at something.

What an idiot.

When she looked up to him, her face immediately became uninterested as if there was something repulsive about him. The gall!

She saw him for sure, yet she steadily walked with a face like a doll. BLANK. Not showing a little bit of emotion. Like she's never met him before.

Well technically they didn't, but something about that pisses him off.

I take it back. I fucking wish neither of them will be on the same room as me. Tch. Is she looking down on me? ME?

He continued to walk with an angry expression on his face as his palms were beginning to heat up.

His anger, is it… directed towards me? Is he trying to instill fear? If it is his plan to, well I'd have to apologize.

He's getting closer and closer. His eyes screamed murder.

That scary aura of his took a jab on her courage. Good Lord. Please spare me the punishment of being his classmate.

Closer.

I beg of you, all the saints up above. Please not in the same room.

And then he stopped by the door in the room next to hers, shot daggers at her before shutting the doors roughly.

THANK GOD! The heavens had literally worked down in her favor.

Never has she been relieved in her entire life, when the guy entered the other room next to hers. She held on her chest and let out a breath, she didn't know she was holding.

"You okay there?" An orange haired girl with a ponytail asked her. She was beside her at the opening ceremony. Seems like a nice girl.

"Huh? Oh yes, I'm fine!"

"So you're class 1B as well, huh?" Shiozaki nodded. "Great! My name's Itsuka Kendo! We were next to each other on the exam, congratulations to us!"

"1B yes, my name is Shiozaki-"

"Ibara? I know, you had one of the highest scores on the entrance exam.

"Oh, well I must say, you did great too."

"Thanks! I think we'll get along well, Shiozaki."

She smiled, something about the girl made conversations easy. "I look forward to being your friend then."

Kendou grinned back. "Let's go!"

This will be a great year.

The following days were peaceful enough. Getting familiar with the school grounds especially the forest areas. Few tests and practices here and there. And, she got to know her classmates, which she all adores very much, less the times they were being sinful.

Everything's going great except that ONE THING that bothered her.

Who else would that be but the foul-mouthed guy from Class 1A. She was glad she didn't have to interact directly with him. But with their rooms just next to each other, they were bound to pass by another at least once a day, both to their displeasure.

For Shiozaki, those passing death glares from the murderous-looking guy felt like a target mark on her head.

Not that she was scared.

Just don't mind him. Don't stare back. And definitely do not provoke him. Last thing I wanna do I piss him off. She reminded herself of those three things, to avoid any misconduct for the both of them.

Unfortunately..

That nonchalant expression on her face was ironically the main thing that Bakugou is pissed off about. Bitch looks too high and mighty for her own good! I'll wipe that smug look on your face if I get the chance!

That went on for days. Bakugou's condescending stare down at her. And Shiozaki's blatant avoidance of him. It wasn't even subtle anymore.

It was fine for her, as long as there were no interaction she'll be safe for the whole year. But it was damn vexatious to Bakugou, he was itching to fight her. Show her that he was way out of her leagues.

Yes. Peaceful enough. Until...

"Gather round Class 1A and Class 1B!"

The two sections were asked to assemble in Gym Gamma one afternoon. Ectoplasm had instructed both classes to train at the same time and in the same place.

"Today will be a semi-joint training for all 1st years Hero Department. We've decided to put you in one class for today's activities."

Suddenly, Ectoplasm multiplied and dispersed. "Today will be more of an individual activity. Our objective for today is to show you what would future trainings in the U.A. would look like. And of course, this will just be a practice, in the future as you progress as heroes, trainings will be much more difficult."

"These are just the first steps in honing your skills as future heroes!"

Iida suddenly raised his hands. "SIR ECTOPLASM!"

"Yes, Iida?"

"If I may ask, why are both sections together? Not that we are complaining, but why don't we practice like we always do?"

"Because there are some teachers in a meeting about the last week, the false alarm." The trouble in the security. "The other class had free time so today will be a joint class. Plus, it is very convenient. I'll be measuring everyone's quirk level at the same time."

"I see! Sorry for interrupting you Sir!"

"I wonder what practice we would do?" Kirishima whispered to Bakugou.

"Maybe if you shut up you'll know."

"We actually prefer to practice on our own without seeing those Class 1As." Monoma mumbled, earning a punch from Kendou.

"Oi Monoma don't say that."

"If it's an individual activity, then I guess it would be a peaceful training.." Shiozaki hoped that there won't be any interaction with that loud-mouthed guy.

"Okay settle down now class."

The noise from the students immediately ceased.

"There are two things that you should always remember as a hero, the two main objectives" Ectoplasm raised up two fingers. "One, taking down villains. And two, rescuing civilians. Never forget these two foundations of basic heroics."

Suddenly, clones of Ectoplasm were ushering robot dummies that look obviously as a villain. Each student was faced with their own villains.

"Woah what are these for?"

"Cool!"

"For the first exercise, you will be given your own villain dummy, your main goal is to take them down. The criteria for the grading is your speed, power, effectiveness in taking them down and strategizing how you use your dummies will be the one to grade you, the point system will appear in their chest. For example," One of Ectoplasm's clones kicked the dummy hard. Hard enough to put a crack on its head.

95 points!

"Wow, we have these things?"

"This will be a great practice!"

"U.A. is really great!"

"The school's logistics is no joke!"

Midoriya began muttering beside Ochaco. "I see, the dummies will be the one to grade us, will it be reliable? It will probably analyze the raw strength of one's quirk because as Sir Ectoplasm says it is an individual activity, so…"

"SHUT UP NERD!" Bakugou shouted back at his mumbling.

"The aim of our first exercise is to know the level in which you can beat a villain. Then, with my observation and guidance I'll teach you the things that you can improve on."

As soon as every student in the gym was given the villain dummy, Ectoplasm blew on his whistle. "Now then students, let's start!"

Whoosh!

Thump!

50 points!

The villain dummy hurled by Shiozaki in the air in hopes to destroy it without being too violent, earned her a low point. Just 50? Fine. I'll get a little serious..

Shiozaki forcefully threw her assigned villain dummy against the wall.

80 points!

"Not enough." She went again, faster this time as she wrapped her vines to dummy, with enough force to restrict the 'breathing' but not enough to take it down.

85 points!

Is it really okay to be this violent?

Her vines rose up again and started to attack the dummy yet again.

Hmm. What am I doing wrong? I want to get at least 90 points..

"Shiozaki, put more power into your attacks. Pretend that it is the real enemy."

But I am pretending they are real.. "Yes, Sir."

Shiozaki was in the midst of minding her own business, thinking and taking her time in destroying her dummy in her own corner…

Until a blast blew her practice dummy away.

100 points! The score of the hit was shown on the dummy's chest with a much larger font.

So much for a peaceful training. She thought bitterly.

No need to turn back to know who did it. With such a distinct and destructive quirk like that, she'll know him for a mile away.

She faced him with a darkened expression. "KINDLY," She emphasized the word. "Stay. In. Your. Own. Space."

The gym was large, Bakugou had no business going around with the other section, but he couldn't just pass the opportunity to mess with her. He saw her a while back, with some shitty scores, if he were to describe it.

"Don't tell me what to do Vinehead!" His hands bursted off small explosions. "My quirk is just strong enough to blast yours away."

"Your explosion was directed to my villain."

"Heh." He gloated over her. "That's right."

She breathed out in annoyance. With her vines, she lifted her dummy and prepared to begin her practice yet again. "Please do not disturb me again."

"I bet your villain's happy to get a hundred points for once! HAHA!" He laughed at her mockingly.

She huffed. Uncharacteristically for her. Seriously!

Bakugou clicked his tongue. HA! That should teach her!

Out of nowhere, a clone of Ectoplasm appeared between them. "Bakugou Katsuki, use your own villain dummy."

TCH!

Bakugou- 1

Shiozaki- 0

"First exercise is over! We will be tallying the scores and analysis after all the activities." The villain dummies were set aside by Ectoplasm's clones. "Now then, let's go to our second exercises."

Then came another set of normal looking dummies, the Civilians.

"Being a hero doesn't just means taking down villains, it's also our main goal to protect the lives of our people"

The students were faced with their own dummies.

"Now what does this do?" Shiozaki asked.

"I think we would need to save them?" Kendou replied to her friend.

Tetsutetsu raised his hand. "Uhm, is it like the other one that could also give you appropriate scores?"

"Yes, and this is almost 95% accurate in grading how you will respond to situations."

"The first exercise was about efficiency of taking down a villain through your quirk. Now this time, your goal is to rescue these Civilian dummies. Doesn't matter if you use your quirk or not. But how you'd handle them is important."

Ectoplasm took one civilian. "For example this one is injured, and being attacked by villains, you will be graded on how you will save them. And just to remind you, every situation will be different ranging from easy level to hard level, depending on what the dummy will say."

"Amazing! These tests are really helpful, it gives us time to reflect on ourselves as quirk users without the consequence of a real person being in trouble!" Midoriya once again spoke to himself.

Ectoplasm had run down of examples as the students nodded. "Let's start!"

Not this shit!

Bakugou's civilian called out to him. "Help me hero, my foot is dislocated!"

"Ah fuck! How would I do this?" Right away, he pivoted the dummy's dislocated robot feet into its correct form.

20 points!

Ectoplasm appeared before him. "You can't just do that to a real injured person Bakugou."

"BUT I JUST POPPED IT RIGHT BACK!"

"Even if you did the procedure correctly, not considering the civilians feelings is wrong. That would result in just upsetting them."

He growled.

"Practice more."

"Fine. I get it!"

65 points!

Just 65?! FUCK. He just grabbed his civilians by the back of his shirt- (quite forcefully) to save it from small villain bots and he got a low grade?!

Again!

Some robots- let out by Ectoplasm, had tied down his civilian. Before the robot villains can attack, he blasted them off but in the process, his civilians were caught in the blast.

0 points!

"FUCK!" It was hard to control the strength of his blasts.

"Bakugou! No foul language."

Tch. This is a long way to go.

The next situation his dummy was in wasn't any better.

It was surrounded by 3 villains. Knowing he couldn't just blast his explosions near it, he thought the best thing to do was fly over to him, grab it and bomb those stupid bots.

As he was about to pull his dummy, vines were wrapped around securely on HIS civilian pulling it into safety, away from him and the villains.

100 points!

Déjà vu.

He clenched his teeth in irritation. "OI! SHOW OFF!"

"Just returning the favor. I owe you 100 points right?" Shiozaki said with a tone of mockery or kindness that Bakugou couldn't decipher.

"I don't need your hundred points!

A pause.

It's not that she came for vengeance, she knows well that it is wrong.

But watching his civilian dummy being manhandled in misery from afar, him having low points, while she perfected hers, she felt an overwhelming desire for retribution. It's up to me to teach him the consequences of not respecting other people!

She should have gone and left him already but..

"I bet your civilian's happy to get a hundred points for once."

She just couldn't help it. His words against him, as sinful as that sounds, he should be put to his place. Quite petty of me to say. Though, I should ask forgiveness for this.

He let out an animalistic sound of anger. I'M GONNA GET YOU GOOD VINES. JUST WAIT!

Once again, another clone of Ectoplasm went between them. "Shiozaki Ibara, use your own civilian dummy."

"Yes Sir, please forgive me for this violation."

Ugh! Acting like an angel, when she's not!

Bakugou- 1

Shiozaki- 1

As soon as they were dismissed, Bakugou made his move. He went threateningly close to her.

"Oi, Vines!"

She sighed before looking back at him, with an uninterested expression.

"I aced the first activity. Don't think we're on the same level just because you had a higher grade on the second exercise."

"You're mad because I aced the second exercise?" One of her brows raised.

He huffed. "Your fucking head's too big for your shoulders."

"That's quite funny coming from you ."

His eyes narrowed at this. "You bitch, you pissing me off?"

"Mind your language, Heathen. We are in a learning institution." Tilting her chin to show she wasn't afraid.

"Guess what? I don't care!"

When she didn't reply, he tried to assert dominance by towering over her.

Well, tried to.

Turns out she's taller than she looks. He'll just glare at her until she looks away.

Few more seconds passed.

1..

I'm not backing down from this. You submit to me!

2..

I would not give you the satisfaction of you defeating me in this staring contest.

3..

JUST BACK DOWN ALREADY!

When will this guy ever turn away?

"Oi Bakugou!" Kirishima strolled over to him, "Time to go, come on man!" Sheesh! Picking a fight with the other section this early in the school year. And she's a girl!

"Shiozaki! What're you doing over there? Kendou's waiting for you!" Aren't you bold to be picking fights?

Finally, they split off. The two similarly quirked guys, nodded each other with thanks.

"You okay Shiozaki? That guy bothering you?"

"No, I'm fine, just got swayed by my emotions."

Without facing her, Bakugou spoke out, "Watch your back Vines, you're on my list now."

It was unexpected to Bakugou that she would actually retaliate. He just planned to show her to her face that he was better. He had no idea that she would ace the next activity. Well bad move Vines, you just made an enemy.

"Oi! You picking a fight?!" Tetsutetsu started to march towards him until Shiozaki pulled him back.

"Don't! It was also my fault, please do not fight with him." She definitely did not intend to piss him off.

She clasped her hands in prayer. "Oh God. I think I made it worse.." Small part of her regrets provoking him. Yet, it was really, REALLY satisfying to beat down his huge ego.

What a day!

Somehow, they have a feeling that this wouldn't be the last of their interactions.