Hey all! Do you see our cover!? It's just a glimpse of Alumi, but I'm planning to reboot my Deviant account that I've neglected for quite some time now so I could show ya'll a complete picture of Alumi in all her glory. I actually used Paint to draw the cover, that's why it's amateurish as hell just in case you're wondering, which reminds me to say that I'm actually still a newbie artist lol.
Now then, let this update be a Christmas present from me to you~!
As always, a shoutout to the lovely people who took their time to review: Diamond-Grl45, MetteSK and Guests!
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〖 Chapter Four 〗
A Shot at Redemption
The assessment tests were over. The students gathered by the gym waiting anxiously for their teacher to reveal the results.
"The sum is simply the marks you got from each test," said Aizawa-sensei. "It's a waste of time to explain verbally so I'll show you the results all at once."
A hologramized screen appeared from Aizawa-sensei's Quirk assessment recording device and everybody saw their names in ranks.
'Oh, I'm on the ninth spot?' Alumi thought. It was not for the first time she was pleasantly surprised that day. She continued scanning down, smiling when she saw Ochako on the tenth. She searched for Izuku's name next, starting to feel a little uneasy when she couldn't find his name. She eventually did and wasn't too surprised to see him on the last place.
No matter how much Izuku reassured them that he could still move and participate, she saw how much he endured the pain and struggled with the remaining tests. She just couldn't help but sneak brief glances his way the entire time, as if her eyes always seemed to look for him.
Adhering to this odd instinct, Alumi glanced at the curly haired boy and saw the look of distress distilled in his emerald eyes. Everyone else also began to throw looks his way when they saw who the unlucky last placer was. Izuku was trembling faintly and Alumi repressed the urge to stand by his side, comfort him, and tell him that he did his best. But who was she kidding? He did do his best, it just wasn't enough.
They all waited in tension of what their teacher was going to say next, anxiously waiting for him to deliver the anticipated expulsion.
And then Aizawa-sensei shocked all of them when he said in a deadpan voice, "By the way, what I said about the expulsion was a lie."
The tense silence dramatically turned into stunned disbelief.
"It was a logical ruse to keep you from limiting your Quirks," Aizawa-sensei clarified with a grin, and everyone erupted into a state of incredulity and relief, particularly Midoriya who turned as white as a ghost.
"We're done here," Aizawa-sensei added. "You can find the handouts with the curriculum outline in the classroom. Be sure to look over them once you get back."
Alumi and Ochako exchanged relieved smiles while Aizawa-sensei gave the curly haired boy an admission slip to the nurse's office. She watched him carefully for a moment, recalling how she suddenly acted without thinking earlier. Aizawa-sensei had been right. What she did was totally uncalled for, but she couldn't help and do it anyway. Seeing the spitting image of her brother about to be attacked was too much to bear.
Although of course, while some features of Izuku differed from Haruki with those freckles of his, his emerald eyes, and black green-tinged hair, Alumi imagined this was probably how Haruki would look like if he's all grown-up. Bright-eyed and determined. Alive.
She quickly averted her eyes and willed her darkening thoughts and feelings to go away. She wasn't going to give in to the painful memories all those years ago. They had no place here. Not even if an awkward version of Haruki suddenly showed up and brings all those memories back again.
"Alumi-chan, it's time to head back!"
Alumi looked up and readily flashes the brunette a smile. "All righ—"
She was cut off by the painful, heated throb in her head, the sensation reverberating through her entire skull, heart, and down to her knees. Her eyes went wide as she realized with dread that she reached her limit already. Quickly Alumi covered her nose with both hands and ran away to the opposite direction.
"Eh, Alumi-chan!?"
"I-I'm sorry but please go ahead without me!"
"Uh, um, okay then? I'll see you later!" Ochako called after her as she blinked with confusion and worry, watching her friend disappear into the gym.
Alumi ran as fast she could in a state of panic. Her fingers were becoming wet and sticky and she hurriedly went to the girl's restroom inside the building, recalling where it was from memory when they first entered to perform some of the tests. She immediately went to the nearest sink.
It was a good thing she was the only one in the room, because when Alumi removed her shaking hands, a fat trail of blood was trickling down from her nose, tainting her fingers scarlet with some parts of her chin and mouth dotted with bloodied finger prints. She stared at her reflection with wide-eyed horror. It was an abnormal occurring nosebleed, the drawback of the other side of her Quirk when she increases her blood supply and it surpasses her regular blood pressure.
She was aware of the consequences and even took measures to lessen its effect through constant diet, but the experience had always been startling. Alumi always feared the sight of blood, even her own. She scrambled to turn the faucet on and washed away the traces of blood before any wayward trail could stain her P.E shirt. The nosebleed eventually stopped after secreting a sufficient amount and she felt all weak and dizzy from the loss of blood. Her world shook and the room spun as she pulled her handkerchief from her back pocket and pressed it against her face.
Alumi squeezed her eyes shut and saw a glimpse of the spiralling stars in the galaxy. This was another drawback from utilizing that side of her Quirk, this blasted wooziness. It was a drawback within a drawback. Just thinking about it served to make Alumi irate. It was why she didn't usually use it. What possessed her to do it in the first place again? Ah, right. It was after getting scolded and witnessing Izuku injuring himself by doing his best.
Alumi steadied herself by the sink and heaved a heavy sigh. She lifted her droopy, blurred vision towards the mirror and stared hard and cold into her own eyes.
'Midoriya-kun is not the only one who needs to improve. I can't rely on crystallization forever. I have to get used to it as soon as possible.'
After her detour from the restroom, Alumi gathered her remaining strength and caught up with the others, masking her state of weakness with a perfectly tamed smile as they went to change in the lockers. Ochako was quick to fuss over her, asking why she suddenly ran away. When she replied it was due to her Quirk's drawback, the brunette replied with shared sentiment regarding her own Quirk's drawback.
"Don't I know it! But it goes away after I press certain pressure points behind my neck and wrists." Ochako tapped a wrist and beamed at her. "How do you deal with yours Alumi-chan?"
"I have to go into a diet full of white mushrooms, spinach, red beets and sesame seeds…Oh, but it doesn't taste that bad." She giggled when Ochako made a face at the mention of spinach.
Truth be told, she also used to loathe the leafy green but gradually got used to it after four years of daily intake (with a mixture of various fruits and vegetables of course). However today, Alumi discovered it would take more than just a healthy diet to fully advance her ability concerning the other side of her Quirk.
The first day of class ended faster than expected. Their other subject teachers simply introduced themselves and gave a brief description of the respective subjects they were going to teach. Alumi was more than a little amazed they were going to be under the tutelage of Pro Heroes who were technically celebrities.
'A hero academy really is amazing,' she thought amidst the discomfort of her anemia-induced drowsiness.
Alumi hurriedly packed her things and made for the exit. Two of her male classmates, namely Kaminari and Mineta, immediately sought to talk to her, but unfortunately for them, the bluenette was out of the room faster than they could say "Hello!"
Her breathing came in laboured huffs as she walked as fast as her wobbly legs could go, cold sweat breaking over her skin. Her blood pressure was running low by the second and her hands became uncomfortably clammy. When she finally reached the cafeteria, Alumi took a moment to rest her shaking body against the wall, and closed her eyes tightly against the pang of blackness that overcame her vision.
When the darkness faded away, she squared her shoulders and strode over to the counter with forced casualness. She ordered a huge dose of vegetable salad to-go with dressed chicken along with an energy drink. Alumi had always been careful of her intake of sugar, especially from artificial drinks, but at this point, she didn't care if the caffeinated beverage disrupted her body's internal balance, as long as it would provide her even an ounce of energy.
She refused to prolong this state of weakness anymore than she already had.
The sky was blue and the afternoon breeze carrying the sweet scent of a blossoming spring was gentle and comforting. Most of Alumi's energy was now restored, the healthy glow returning to her cheeks after eating the salad, but it was mostly thanks to the artificially sweetened energy drink that her senses were now alight with sugar rush.
'But after this, I have to double the amount of bitter gourd I'll eat for the next three days.' Alumi thought bleakly.
"Alumi-chaaaan!"
Alumi turned and paused, smiling at the all too familiar voice. Ochako was still a good eight meters away from her, but it only took a moment for the Genki girl to close the distance between them.
"Urara-chan," she greeted back. "I take it that you're going to the station too. Shall we go there together?"
Ochako bobbed her head in agreement and they both settled into an amble pace.
"What a nerve-wracking first day of class, huh?" Ochako commented cheerfully.
"Yes, but I guess that's what makes U.A special."
As they walked towards the gate, they became aware of two familiar boys ahead of them.
"Isn't that..." Alumi began.
"Our classmates!" Ochako finished. "Hey, you two! Are you heading to the station? Wait for us!" And she took off towards them in a cheerful flurry.
Alumi followed in a much calmer pace, eventually reaching the group just in time for introductions.
"You're the infinity girl," Tenya commented to the round-faced girl.
"I'm Uraraka Ochako," the brunette supplied before Iida turned his head to the girl beside her.
"And you're the 300-meters crystal girl," he said.
Alumi let out a tiny chuckle at the nickname. "My name is Koseki Alumi," she said, remembering how he wasn't there during her initial introduction to the class. "It's nice to meet you, Iida-kun." She gave him a small bow, to which the taller teen returned.
She straightened and instantly locked eyes with Izuku, who flinched at the direct contact. "I didn't introduce myself properly before, Midoriya-kun. I look forward to getting along with you."
"Oh y-yes! Likewise, Koseki-san," he replied, and Izuku internally congratulated himself for giving a normal response this time.
Ochako shifted her gaze from one boy to another. "Um, if my memory serves me right, you're Iida Tenya-kun," she turned towards Izuku, "–and you're Midoriya Deku-kun, right?"
"Deku!?"
Alumi suppressed an amused grin upon seeing Midoriya's shocked protest. She leaned towards Ochako with an inconspicuous whisper, "I don't think that's Midoriya-kun's first name, Urara-chan."
"Huh? But didn't that boy named Bakugou…"
As if on cue, Bakugou's explosive outburst collectively flashed across their minds. Now that Ochako mentioned it, Alumi has yet to discover why Bakugou called Izuku such a demeaning nickname.
Faced with Ochako's doe-eyed curiosity, Izuku sputtered to clear things right away. "Uh, um…M-My first name is Izuku, b-but Kacchan calls me D-Deku to make fun of me."
'Kacchan…?' Alumi's feelings of friendly amusement morphed into worried wonder. Izuku just referred to the explosive teen by his first name, and now that she thought about it, Bakugou's strange reaction along with Izuku's recognition for the ash-blond…
A figurative light bulb lit inside Alumi's head. The two boys definitely had some sort of connection before becoming classmates in U.A, and whatever it was, their relationship certainly wasn't pleasant.
Apparently Iida and Ochako didn't notice this as they were both focused on his nickname rather than its nature.
"So it's an insult?" Iida speculated.
"Oh, really? I'm so sorry!" The brunette apologized with a hand rubbing the back of her head nervously. "But you know, 'Deku' sounds like the Japanese word for 'You can do it!'—"
'No, Urara-chan, it doesn't.' Alumi thought with a sheepish smile.
"—so I kind of like it," Ochako said with that straightforward, adorable bubbliness of hers that Alumi decided it didn't really matter whether that's what it really sounded like, especially after seeing Izuku's comical red-faced reaction.
"I'm Deku!"
Iida and Alumi were both surprised, but while the bespectacled teen was flabbergasted, Alumi lifted a hand to cover the sly grin that curled the corners of her mouth. 'My, my. What do we have here...?'
"You're accepting it too easily! Wasn't that an insult?" Iida said.
Alumi had to agree that he conceded it a little too fast, but after Ochako's positive comment, she doubted Izuku would continue seeing that name as an insult from now on.
The curly haired boy turned away, hiding his embarrassed face with both his hands and began to mutter sheepishly, "It's like a Copernican Revolution…"
Ochako blinked, looking eagerly confused. "Co-Pe?"
Iida remained dumbfounded while Alumi laughed quietly beside him. She also had no idea how the Copernican Revolution was involved, but it's certainly the start of something new in more ways than one, for all of them.
"The train I'm catching is over there," Midoriya said when they finally reached the station, which was only half a kilometer away from U.A. The train he was pointing at was the one situated on the Minobu Line.
He turned to the rest of the group and smiled sheepishly with a hand behind his head. "I guess I'll see you all tomorrow…?"
"Naturally, since we are classmates," Iida answered with a finger pushing up his glasses on the bridge of his nose and turned to a specific direction. "Then, I'm going this way."
"Ooh, I'm also heading that way, Iida-kun!" The brunette beamed, making the bespectacled boy look at her with surprise.
"The place I'm staying at isn't so far from here, but it's opposite from where their train is heading, so I'm taking that train too," she explained.
"I see."
"It looks like we all have our train buddies then."
Upon her statement, the trio turned to Alumi and Ochako eagerly asked, "Who's your train buddy then Alumi-chan?"
The bluenette gave Izuku a sidelong glance, smiling. "I live in the neighboring city, so I'll be boarding the same train with Midoriya-kun."
The boy looked at her with astonished eyes.
Ochako nodded with approval. "That's great! Then, we'll see you tomorrow."
Alumi and Izuku watched the two disappear into the crowd with Ochako waving nonstop until they were no longer in sight.
"Shall we take our leave as well?" Alumi suggested while she lowered her hand, flashing a smile at the curly haired boy.
"Ah, y-yes…" Izuku replied meekly.
'He must be nervous.' Alumi thought, amused, as they started to walk towards their designated train.
No words were exchanged for a while, but it didn't bother her that much. By now Alumi understood he wasn't used to these kinds of things, and she was going to give him space to adjust. She was perfectly content.
But to Izuku, who still hadn't fully grasped this sudden development, everything was a blur. He couldn't even remember clearly when exactly he bought a ticket or boarded the train. It was like his body was on auto-pilot while his consciousness hovered nearby. However he was fully aware of Alumi being right by his side, patiently guiding him the entire time. If she noticed his strange behaviour, she didn't show it.
Since it was a rush hour, the car was jam-packed with tired looking students and equally weary looking adults. It was a miracle they managed to nab two vacant seats. The train's multiple double doors closed, and only then did Izuku snap out of his anxiety-induced trance.
Timidly he moved his eyes to his left and saw Alumi looking perfectly calm with a small smile on her face. She had this mature air around her as she sat with her back poised and hands folded neatly on her lap, behaving like a true highborn lady. In fact, judging from the way she spoke together with her mannerisms, Izuku wouldn't even be surprised if she was actually from a well-to-do family.
He turned his head a little to get a proper look at this pretty but strange girl, wondering why she would willingly want to be around him. All the while, he couldn't help but realize how Alumi was without a doubt one of the prettiest girls he'd ever seen. She had the fair, rosy-cheeked complexion of a foreigner, with a slender nose that had a high, slightly pronounced bridge and a snub-nosed tip, a feature that almost seemed out of place amid her otherwise delicate Japanese features. Still, the defining feature complemented the over-all structure of her face, cheeks, and her small, bow-shaped lips. Her eyebrows may be a little too thick, but they were neat and defined, and did little to mar her lovely appearance.
A faint, slow blush started to spread across Izuku's cheeks as he thought of how Alumi could easily pass up as one of those girls he occasionally saw on TV commercials and teen magazines. But at the same time, he felt there was something unreal about her expression. Even him, with his lack of interaction with his peers, could see how it seemed practiced and forced, like she'd been doing it for a very long time that it eventually stayed that way. And then there were her eyes. They were an attractive shade of intermingling blue and lavender. Such pretty but emotionless eyes, like those of a wax doll. As he continued to stare, he felt a vague sense of nostalgia, like he'd seen those eyes somewhere before, but couldn't remember where and when.
Suddenly aware that he'd been staring too much, Izuku teared his eyes away as the sound of the train moving along the railway filled the silence between them. He gulped, not understanding why he felt so nervous.
'But isn't this really awkward!?' he screamed in his head.
It was supposed to be totally normal. He was just going home with a female classmate, and although that in itself was worthy of getting cold feet over, he knew that wasn't the only reason why he was so nervous.
He remembered the way she looked at him earlier, at how welcoming her gaze was despite having only met him today. He appreciated her kindness, but he also couldn't shake off the feeling of being unnerved. Why would she look at him like that? Why did she seem familiar and why was she acting like he was familiar to her? Was it possible they actually met before, but he forgot?
"U-um," he uttered, catching her attention immediately. Izuku couldn't hold it in anymore, he was going to ask her right now. There was no going around this any longer!
"Uh, Koseki-san, I-I'm sorry to ask this but, h-have we ever met before?" There. That came out easier than he expected.
Alumi looked taken aback at the question, but smiled in an almost teasing manner when she turned her head to him.
"I don't think so."
"I-I thought so," Izuku said, chuckling erratically at his own silliness.
She chuckled too, in a quiet way, and they both fell into silence again.
Izuku decided to break it.
"So, uh, you're from K-Kofu City, Koseki-san?"
Her smile grew wide. "Yes. And I take that you live somewhere in this city?"
"Y-yes," Izuku answered with a nod. "I live with my mom."
That seemed to spark a newfound interest in her. "Only with your mom?"
"Ah, well, my dad is...h-he works abroad y-you see, so it's kind of just me a-and my mom in the house," he replied with a finger grazing his cheek.
"I see…" Alumi shifts her gaze outside the window, the passing scenery like a blur of colors. "My dad also isn't home often. The same goes for my mother, actually, so it's just me most of the time."
Izuku stared with his concern overpowering the nervousness he felt. "Oh…but doesn't it get lonely?" He blinked and turns red. "Ah, I-I mean by yourself! I-i-it must be l-lonely by yourself!"
Alumi giggled, amused at how he downplays what he assumed to be a personal question. "It used to be," she admitted, "but I'm already used to it by now. I really admire my parents. They are always working so hard doing the things they love. So as their child, it's my job to behave and avoid causing unnecessary trouble for them."
She had cast her situation in a pragmatic light, but Izuku didn't fail to see the glimpse of emotion in her eyes. However, it disappeared as quickly as it appeared, and he wondered how she learned to cope being technically alone in the place she called home.
"I-I see…" 'So Koseki-san really is lonely.' He smiled at her. "I think you're doing a good job."
She blinked at him, her bluish-lavender irises gleaming. Izuku was surprised himself. That might have been the first time he'd seen her look genuinely surprised.
Alumi merely smiled and turned her head away. She fell strangely quiet for some reason.
Izuku didn't know what else to say or do, so he pulled his backpack closer to his torso and rested his chin on top of it. Once again the silence returned, but he was a little surprised to find it was more comfortable than before.
"Midoriya-kun."
Her voice was so soft it seemed to blend in with the engine's low droning hum. He almost missed it.
"Y-Yeah?"
"I was wondering…Why do you get injured every time you use your Quirk?"
Izuku perked up and sat a little higher, alarm flashing behind his emerald eyes.
Alumi patiently waited for his response, eyes attentive and expectant.
"Ah, w-well…I'm not r-really used to it yet, exactly…" It wasn't a lie, but it also wasn't the whole truth. He couldn't tell her the real reason, but now that she seemed to grasp his situation, he couldn't very well lie either. He much preferred to answer this way. That should be enough to answer her question, right...?
"I can see that," she replied amiably just before her voice shifted into a much serious lilt. "I thought it was a violent sort of drawback at first, but if it really was just a drawback, then the damage should've been under control by now if you trained with it regularly after it manifested. I've seen it with some people I know, and even I, too, struggled with something similar in the past…That's why, it makes me think that perhaps your Quirk just manifested for the first time." She paused, and he shivered involuntarily at the knowing, secret look held in her sharp eyes. "It makes me think that, until recently…You've never had a Quirk before."
'B-Bullseye!'
Izuku felt his shoulders hitch into a jolt but managed to stop himself from completely revealing the shock he felt, his skin prickling and beginning to break out in anxiety. He didn't know how to respond to that. His thoughts were a jumbled up mess of anxious brain circuits, with only one thought recurring over and over again. 'She knows! She knows! She knows! How did she know!?'
"Midoriya-kun?"
He almost jumped out of his skin. "W-wh-what y-yes!?"
She stared at him with furrowed eyebrows. "What's wrong? You're sweating."
"Ah, don't w-w-worry about i-it! I-It's just uh, w-w-well, y-you see-!" Izuku sputtered and flailed, and even he didn't understand what he was doing. All he knew was that he's at the brink of getting skewered with that speculation, and that hell, Alumi could be a really frightening person if she wanted to be in spite of her appearance. Still, she didn't seem like the kind of person who'd mock him for being Quirkless, even though he saw how much she seemed to enjoy watching him trip all over the place.
Finally, mercifully, Alumi lifted her scrutinizing gaze off the poor boy. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," she told him before smiling in a gentle, apologetic manner. "I just couldn't help but notice it, that's all. And if that really is your case, that if you really just recently had your Quirk and was Quirkless before, then I understand completely."
Izuku managed to calm down after hearing that, albeit only a little bit.
"Y-You do…?" he responded tentatively.
"I will," Alumi replied with complete sincerity, her eyes intense but soft. "Because I used to be Quirkless, too."
Izuku was struck with a shock he didn't expect. Words failed him at first and he could only gape at her with disbelief.
"K-Koseki-san, you…you used to be Quirkless?"
She gave him a solemn nod. "Oh, but I think the correct term would be a 'late bloomer'." Alumi lifted a hand and stared at it as if she's looking into the distant past itself. "My Quirk didn't manifest until I was around ten to eleven years old, so I lived and was treated as Quirkless before it did." She clenched her hand for a moment before settling it down on her lap.
Izuku would've been envious at how lucky she actually was. She might've been Quirkless before, but at least she had her own Quirk now, unlike him who was a Bona Fide Quirkless with a borrowed Quirk. But then her eyes shone with an untold story, and he found himself at a loss. He lowered his head and began to digest this shocking information.
Another train passed and intertwined with theirs, the screeching sound it made along with its fleeting horn drowned all noise within the car as it momentarily blocked the sun's light, casting a looming shadow inside.
"Still…" Alumi heard him say in the dimness. "That's really surprising, Koseki-san. I mean, y-your Quirk is really strong, so who would've thought, huh?"
She agreed with a chuckle. "Only a few people knew about it, so I suppose it really comes off as a big surprise to some."
His eyes widened, and Izuku started to fidget nervously. "B-But is it okay for me to know? I mean, it's basically a secret, r-right?"
"It's okay," Alumi assured. "I don't really mind with people knowing, because what matters is what we have right now and who we are today. Wouldn't you agree?"
Izuku nodded. He understood what she meant completely. To work hard, putting in life, limb, sweat, blood and tears, in order to reach where they were today and making it a point to work a hundred times harder than everyone else.
"But Midoriya-kun, isn't your Quirk also really strong?" Alumi said with a teasing lilt in her voice.
Izuku rubbed a sheepish hand to his nape. "I still have to get used to it though…"
He had half-expected for her to inquire about it again but to his surprise, Alumi only hummed in response. They both settled back into the silence, until the other train finally preceded them and they found themselves bathed in sunlight once again.
Alumi turned towards him with curiously amused eyes. "By the way, Midoriya-kun. About your question earlier if we've already met before, why do you ask?"
Izuku sat upright and inhaled sharply. He thought that was the end of that. "W-well, it's just…It's just the kind of feeling I get. P-please don't think too much of it though! I'm sorry for asking s-something so weird…"
"It's okay, I don't mind at all," she said and he exhaled with relief. "But you know, if we really did meet before, I don't think I'd be able to forget about you, nor would I hesitate to befriend you."
Izuku blinked and looked at her with wide-eyed hope.
"Um…" Alumi started but trailed off with a blush, suddenly looking bashful. "Do you…um, we can be friends, right?"
Izuku wasn't sure whether he imagined it or not, but he thought he saw the pedicel stalk of her hair flick and sway in an almost shy manner. He blinked hard once more with a blush of his own, surprised and somewhat pleased that he wasn't the only one who's flustered this time. Then he started to smile.
"Y-yeah!" His smile turned into a huge grin and he held a hand out to her. "Let's be friends, Koseki-san!"
Her eyes sparkled warmly. "Yes. Oh, but on under one condition~" Alumi sang playfully.
"W-what is it?" Izuku asked, feeling nervous again.
"From now on, I'm going to call you Mi-kun, okay?"
"M-Mi-kun!?"
"Mm-hmm. You have a lovely name, but four-syllable names are a bit of a mouthful for me. So, I'll call you 'Mi-kun' instead."
Izuku thought about it. It wasn't so bad, he supposed. It was definitely better than being called 'Deku' anyway, but even now 'Deku' had its bright side thanks to a certain brunette.
"And call me Alumi. I'd prefer you to call me that from now on, too," she added, and really, Izuku was powerless in the face of her persistent smile.
He relented with a nervous chuckle. "A-All right…then, u-um…A-Alumi-san."
Alumi nodded in approval, and together they gave each other a firm handshake on their newly established relationship, exchanging bright, acknowledging smiles.
Again, Midoriya Izuku was not, and will never be Haruki, but maybe, just maybe…
She could fulfill her broken promises to the next best thing.
A/N:
Oh Deku, I do adore your welcoming patience. Please continue to be patient with Alumi especially in the future~!
Next up, we're on to the Battle Trial! I'm so excited!
So here's your usual cup of info I'd like to be clear about:
※ Copernican Revolution – It's the belief that the earth rotates daily on its axis and the planets revolve in orbits around the sun, first introduced and published by Nicolaus Copernicus in 1543, hence the name. Its journey before being recognized was a long hard-fought battle that faced many obstacles. But when it did, it fundamentally changed the way people used to think about our place in the universe. And that is probably why Izu-chan referenced it to his situation when Ochako-chi declared that she liked the word 'Deku' because it somewhat sounds like 'I can do it!' (even though, let's admit it, it doesn't, lol). But of course, because a cute girl said it, it changed Izu-chan's view toward the demeaning nickname. It used to get him down on the dumps being called that, but now he actually made it into his hero name and made it one of the sources where he draws his strength. And that complete turnabout is certainly very Copernican-like.
※ The prefectures of Shizuoka, where the fictional city of Musutafu is apparently located, and Yamanashi, where Kofu City is, are both neighbouring prefectures. Regarding the train routes, Izuku and Alumi boarded the train on the Minobu Line, a railroad line that connects Shizuoka and Yamanashi.
※ Meanwhile, Iida lives in Tokyo, and while Ochako's originally from Mie prefecture in the Kansai region, we all know she rents a pad somewhere (probably near U.A) so I made her and our lovely glasses-kun as train buddies~!
※ About Alumi's health shake – spinach, white mushrooms, red beet and sesame seeds are all high sources of the Iron mineral. All this has a big part concerning her Quirk's other side. Also, bitter gourd is known for lowering sugar levels in the blood.
※ For those who are confused, Alumi has only ONE Quirk. I know I already mentioned this before but Crystallization is not the only thing she can do, it's just a part of her Quirk's range, which bids me to tell ya'll that her Quirk is actually sort of a hybrid. Not quite like Todoroki's Quirk, but definitely similar.
※ Genki girl – Genki means 'energetic or enthusiastic'. One of the famous tropes used in Anime/Manga, the term refers to overwhelmingly cheerful girls that always seem to tire or astonish those around them. They also tend to be quite air-headed. While Ochako doesn't tire those around her, is definitely not air-headed, and is technically only about a half of an actual Genki girl, I took the liberty to refer to her as such because of her positively vibrant persona 'u' The only true legit Genki girl in this series is undoubtedly Mina lol.
In Response to the Guest Reviews:
MetteSK: Oh WOW. This is the first constructive criticism I have ever received, I have waited for something like this! And may I first say that I am very embarrassed XD? But ofc I'm also very, very thankful. I'm really glad you pointed out the areas in which I have to improve, especially in my character's, and that's the kind of quality that an aspiring writer seeks in a reader.
First I'm sorry for Aizawa-sensei's OOC-ness. I've been struggling how to make him seem encouraging but also stern, and I can't blame you for that. *Hides blushing face with hands*
*Cough* Anyway, I understand that I have portrayed Alumi as quite the 'perfect confident' character, and to be honest, while it is not entirely my intention to make her look "perfect", that kind of demeanor/persona is the kind of intro I wanted for them(canon-characters), and you readers, to see. Of course as the story progresses, I will work at how I will develop her more– bring down her walls and such.
I'd also like to point out that it's much too soon for me to delve deeper into Alumi's character since I believe we are still quite early. I can only hope that you have the patience to wait with me. And you don't have to worry any further about everyone in 'awe' of her, that was just their initial reaction (and not to mention that part is written in Katsuki's pov and that's what it seemed to him) I assure you that she will fall back into normalcy and be the background bitch that she will be =D
I find you to be very supportive, attentive and overall helpful. Your constructive criticism has helped me organize my thoughts on some things that really matter, and the things I haven't given much deeper thought of before.
Thank you so much for taking your time in writing your thoughts, MetteSK-san. I really appreciate it.
P. S – Whad'dya mean farewell!? I expect to hear more from you so you better come back here okay!?
Guests (who I've surmised is the same person from Ch 2 and 3): Thank you so much for pointing the scores on the entrance exams! I've corrected that now, and my God if it wasn't for you, I would've NEVER noticed such a cringe worthy mistake on my part! *slaps self* I apologize for the lack of explanation about more of Alumi's Quirk, but we, my friend, are surely getting there~! Thank you so much for your kind encouraging words. Stay tuned!
Just a note everybody, but I really, really dislike Mary-Sues, so if you feel like Alumi's bein' a Sue, TELL ME RIGHT AWAY and I will put her in a gigantic washing machine until she ain't one. The last thing I want to do is make a Mary-Sue character and ruin this amazing Manga/Anime. I mean, I even have a guide for this kinda thing y'know! /(O[]O)/
Anyway, I always give a response to reviews via PMs, (unless you're in guest mode, then I can't reach you that way) but if you have any concerns in guest-mode then I would gladly answer at the end of every chapter!
Questions, Clarifications and Constructive Criticisms are all very welcome! Of course, Compliments are too~
Reviews are LOVE! But not required.
Happy Holidays!
[Edited]: Fixed grammatical errors, added minor change and re-wrote some phrases.
