A/N: Apologies for the lack of updates on this story, I've had little to no spare time between part-timing and classwork. The tardiness ends here though!

Alternative Title: The Cocka-Two of Us

-Two Months Later-

Atsuko's P.O.V

I marvelled quietly at the enormous building before me, its prestige something the pictures couldn't catch. The glistening windows reflected the sunlight at an angle I had to stop to appreciate as the rays shone on the trimmed shrubbery and trees of the school's gardens and entrance.

"Waaaaooow! It's just like Matsuo said, huh?" I smiled with wide eyes, shifting my messenger bag so the strap would stop rubbing at my wings. Why I hadn't switched to a backpack yet was down to one reason, a dear old friend of mine.

Procrastination.

I continued my small strides once more, realising I was standing in the way of many people who had opted to go around me in my moment of awe. I offered them nervous smiles while holding onto my bag strap, my shoulders scrunching closer to me as they smiled back or didn't respond at all. 'Ah well, next time,' I thought with more confidence in my smile.

"Outta my way, Deku." A rough, angry voice spat from behind me the second I put my foot on the steps. Deciding to keep to myself instead of turning around and being nosy, I strode on with an inkling of familiarity at the responding voice, no matter how saturated with fear and nerves it sounded.

Footsteps drew closer to me from behind and an explosive blond made his way into my line of sight; his scarlet eyes narrowing with annoyance when I caught his eye and sent him a reassuring smile, though it was more-so to calm my own nerves in hopes of not getting snapped at by this angry looking boy. Cockatiel-kun shoved his hands deeper into his pockets and burrowed into his scarf, despite the warm weather.

"You don't look too happy to be here, if you don't mind me saying," I spoke with faint mirth in my voice, though I desperately tried to raise it so it didn't deter him from the conversation. God, this socialising thing was much harder than Matsuo said it'd be.

"Yeah? Well I do mind, so shut your fucking trap, tweety-bird," Cockatiel-kun snapped as his eyes rolled over to glare at me instead of the back of someone in front of us. I rose my eyebrows in surprise at the vulgarity but lowered them soon enough as I looked back in front with my shoulders now level. He gave me a nickname! Gosh, I feel so warm and fuzzy~

"Nerves get the best of us, don't you think? Must be why you're snapping at everyone." I grinned with a carefree shrug following. "You must be really strong if you're applying to U.A. so I wouldn't worry; someone like you will pass with flying colours, I bet!" I cheered him on in an attempt at ridding him of his sour mood. He must've been riddled with nervousness and turned to pushing everyone away in anger, poor thing.

He said nothing and turned his stabbing eyes forward while hiding himself further in his scarf, his ears tinged pink, most likely from the layers heat he was putting himself through. It was almost as if he were blushing because I praised him.

Nothing more was spoke during our walk to the lecture hall that was repurposed for our orientation, though I noticed his pace had slowed slightly from before when he was trying to pass me. My grin melted back down to a smile.

'Seems like I've made a new friend!'

-Location: 'U.A High School Hero Course - Exam Orientation Hall'-

I had left Katsuki's side to saunter over to the avian quirk section, the staff at U.A. considerate enough to compensate for all possible quirks. I managed to wrangle the blond's name from him before I left, though he basically handed it to me on a silver platter!

-Ten minutes prior-

"PLLEEE-HE-HEAAASEEE! I CAN'T KEEP CALLING YOU COCKATIEL-KUN IN MY HEEEAAD,"

"GET YOUR CRUSTY ASS FUCKING HANDS OFF ME, YOU CRAZY BITCH!"

"HEY! MY HANDS AREN'T CRUSTY, STUPID HEDGEHOG!"

-Present-

...Basically.

I chatted idly with my fellow avian-quirked seatmates before the lights dimmed, the large projector finally lighting up with the golden U.A. logo.

"Welcome to today's live performance!" A charismatic voice called out from the stage; pulling my eyes towards it as I leaned forward, my wings leaving their designated slots in the seat to follow.

'IS THAT PRESENT-FUCKING-MIC?!'

Maybe Katsuki was a bad influence after all.

"Everybody say 'Hey!'" He continued with a flourish of his leather-clad arms. His English must've been hard to understand if you didn't know at least a few phrases, or if you didn't listen to the pro constantly. His flamboyant personality reminded me instantly of a cockatoo, his crest -hair- adding to the resemblance.

'Put Your Hands Up Radio!' was filled with outbursts of English phrases, most of them encouraging or old slang he'd procured, the radio show unsurprisingly one of my favourite things about Mic-san. It ranged from 1am to 5am, seven days a week and blasted hits from the current charts or the past, though Mic-san's most popular segment was definitely the requests line.

It was also the reason for many late arrivals to school, my drive to stay up late until the man played the final song of the morning being impeccable.

"Heeeeey!" I called out happily with my hands cupping my mouth as I stood from my seat, trying to get the same volume as the pro to show my enthusiasm. I expected a roar of response along with me, considering how popular the show was, but could only hear my own voice echo with Present Mic's lingering one. I regretted it only slightly.

"I'm loving the support, little listener!" He called back with an evident grin on his face, as if he expected total silence, bar my little budgie squawk. The wax wings on my lower back flitting in excitement and admiration.

"I'll start this show by giving you all a rundown on your practical exam!" He threw in a pose.

"Are you ready?! YEEEAAAAH"

I echoed him once more with a fist thrown in the air and wings fluttering, silence becoming a common theme after our yells. If they won't support this man, I sure as hell will.

"As it says in the application requirements, you listeners will be conducting ten-minute mock urban battles after this!" He continued to include the audience by gesturing to many of them, though I noticed him pointing to our avian section more often than others.

The projector lit up with a layout of what I assumed was one of many areas we'd be participating in.

"You can bring whatever you want in with you, ain't that neat? After the presentation, you'll head to a specific battle centre, okay?" Multi coloured boxes listed A through G expanded from the original layout.

'Must be a precaution so you can't help your friends out. Smart of U.A.' I thought as I held onto my exam ticket, noting my battle centre as 'E' so I didn't forget. My wings drooped immediately, their weight dragging me back down into my seat.

I was totally going to forget.

"Three different types of faux villains are stationed in each battle centre. You earn points for each of them based on their level of difficulty." Silhouettes of the villains appeared on the projector with '1P', '2P', and '3P' tagged to them. There was one missing though, did they opt out for three at the last minute? Maybe it was just a slip up..

A pixelated, almost video game-esque animation appeared with Present-Mic in place of an examinee.

"Your goal, dear listeners, is to use your quirks to earn points by immobilizing the faux villains." He pointed an accusatory finger towards the centre of the room with a grin.

"Of course, attacking other examinees and any other unheroic actions are strictly prohibited. You're trying out for the Hero Course, aren't ya?" Present Mic laughed with a wiggle of his finger, opening his mouth to speak again when a strong voice called out.

"Excuse me! May I ask a question?"

I turned to look at the origin of the call and found a tall, stiff-shouldered boy standing with his hand raised, his demeanour very soldier-like and refined as he pushed his glasses up his nose briefly and held up a printout we were all handed before we entered.

"On the printout, there are four types of villains listed. If that is a misprint, then U.A., the most prominent school in Japan, should be ashamed of such a foolish mistake!" He stood his ground as he pointed out the possible mistake, taking this very seriously as he should be. Everyone around us mumbled at his seriousness and some even snickered, earning a glare from me personally.

"We examinees are here in this place because we wish to be moulded into exemplary heroes. In addition, you over there with the curly hair," He turned suddenly, pointing at a boy a row behind him sat with Katsuki. The mess of hair was familiar, though I couldn't pin point where I saw it before. Perhaps someone at the barber's? Maybe a young store clerk?

"You've been muttering this whole time. It's distracting. If you're here on a pleasure trip, then I suggest you leave immediately!" The stiff Somei student stared the boy down as he covered his mouth with a mutter of an apology, looking oddly sick.

"Okay, okay, Examinee Number 7111." Mic-san took back the attention from the poor boy as he waved his hands to calm the air before his frown widened into a grin.

"Thank you for the great message. The fourth type of villain is worth zero points!" The final silhouette transitioned in, an uneasy sense of dread coming over me suddenly.

"This guy is an obstacle, so to speak. There's one in every battle centre." He pointed behind him at the animation once more to show the 0P in action.

"An obstacle that will go crazy in narrow spaces." Much like a real villain when cornered by Pros.

"It's not impossible to defeat, but there's no reason to defeat it, either..." The hero shrugged before gesturing to us again.

"I recommend you listeners try avoid that one, for your own sake." He sounded coy and mysterious, did he know something and wasn't telling us? Jeez, I hate mysteries.

"Thank you very much! Please excuse the interruption." The Somei student from earlier bowed at the waist before sitting back down stiffly, the light positioned on him fading quickly.

Murmurs flooded the room again, a few repeating such as 'avoid' and 'video game.'

"That's all from me, sadly! Finally, I'll give you listeners a present-our school motto!" Present Mic called out with his arms splayed.

"What's a motto?" A brunet boy with tawny owl wings and bird legs asked from beside me, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion and pulling his wings closer to him.

"Nothing, what's a motto with you?" I responded on instinct before wincing and explaining it to him, despite his confusion growing at my outburst. I knew memeing with Matsuo and Dad would backfire someday.

"The hero Napoleon Bonaparte once said-"

'More like Napoleon Born-To-Party, am I right ladies? Shut up, stop it, Atsuko. No one can hear you.'

"'A true hero is someone who overcomes life's misfortunes.'"

"Go beyond. PLUS. ULTRA!" He shrieked the motto in English, his quirk causing the floor to shake, hyping me up with its raw energy.

"Now, everyone, good luck suffering! Break a leg!"