The next few days, Kāsan and Otōsan didn't let me out of their sight at all. That meant I did homework at Otōsan's radio station until Kāsan picked me up, and I hardly saw Toshin-Oji at all.

They were both still mad I let myself get wrapped up in a villain attack without a license and even a plan beyond backing Izuku up. I was also featured on the news as a 'brave young woman' and 'a real hero', even being recognized on the street, which was always weird.

Regardless of how heroic my actions were, my parents said during one of their multiple lectures, it was reckless and could have gone badly.

I'd accepted their words and explained that I'd just wanted to help my friend, but it didn't help.

By the time half a week had gone by, we'd all sat down and talked it out. I'd promised not to involve myself in any more heroics until I had training and they agreed to ease up a bit.

Now, I sat with Toshin-Oji and hummed as I wrote in definitions on a worksheet. "So...your parents were mad?" He asks. "About the sludge villain situation?"

I nod glumly. "Yeah, but at me, not you. They wouldn't let me out of their sight!" I sigh and put the paper aside for the moment. "They didn't like that I ran into such a dangerous situation head-first without thinking it through too much. They do appreciate my heroic attitude and willingness to help, though." I muse.

"Well, they were worried you'd gotten hurt." Toshinori points out. "As your adopted parents, they're in charge of you. They must've been terrified when they heard what happened and were most likely keeping you in their sights because they wanted to make sure you were okay."

I blink. I hadn't thought of it like that. "Oh…"

"Takara, it's admirable to want to be a hero, but you have to understand that, right now, there are a lot of situations you aren't prepared for. While helping those who need it is what a hero does, you also have to consider your limits." Toshin-Oji elaborates. "Most likely, that's what worried your parents so much; they were afraid you'd gotten involved in a situation beyond your limits." I squirm. He was talking like Kāsan and Otōsan had.

"Yes, sir." I mumble.

He ruffles my hair. "That being said, the way you handled yourself and your Quirk was outstanding!" He cheers. "I saw you ready to attack, but you held back, knowing it was illegal. That was smart thinking, finding what else you could do, instead."

I giggle. "Thanks, Toshin-Oji." I reply.

He then stands. "Now, I'm making rice and sausage for dinner. You like Yum-Yum sauce?"

I nod eagerly. "Yeah!" He laughs and begins making the rice.

"Alright. I'm gonna give you the recipe. It's up to you to make it, okay?"

I nod. "Yessir!" I cheer and set to work. Toshin-Oji turned on Dad's radio show, and I caught Dad replying to a few callers wanting his opinion on the villain situation I'd been involved in. It was still a hot topic, even half a week later, mainly because the city hadn't seen any incidents like it since. And the fact that it was my Dad's radio show and his daughter been involved in a dangerous situation.

Of course, despite Mom advising against it (villains might try to hurt me to get to them, she said), Dad couldn't resist telling people for long that he and his wife had adopted me and as such, I was sometimes brought up on the show.

"Well, listeners, I'll say this; my little girl showed amazing initiative, but could have easily gotten hurt, and the boys would have likely been severely injured, too. Luckily, she was able to defend herself and the green-haired boy as best she could and the situation didn't get out of hand, but it scares me to think what might've happened if All Might hadn't been there." I blush.

It was reassuring that, once Dad had calmed down, he was proud of what I'd done, despite being terrified of the unknowns. I knew Mom felt the same way, deep down.

"You best believe that little girl will be a great hero one day." The caller muses. Dad chuckles.

"I heartily agree there, my friend. She'll be one of the best. Now, unfortunately, we're out of time, but call again sometime, okay?" Dad replies and the man thanks Dad before hanging up.

The next few callers are actually commenting on All Might's punch changing the weather briefly. After all, there's only so many times Dad can essentially repeat himself before he stops answering that type of question.

I frown. "Did you really change the weather?"

Toshin-Oji chuckles. "Yeah. My smash swirled the clouds closer and somehow that made it rain for a few seconds." He explains.

I grin. "That's so cool!"

He grins back at me. "Thank you." A comfortable silence settled over us as I resumed making the sauce.

Soon enough, we were seated and eating.

"...Mom said you were going to be teaching at UA." I note, to restart conversation. Toshin-Oji nods as he finishes his bite.

"Yes. I can't spend as much time as All Might anymore, and this is as good a way as any to ease out of the spotlight somewhat."

I nod. "I'd say so."

"Speaking of UA, are you going to take the entrance exam in February?" He asks.

I nod. "Yup! I'm graduating middle school this year, and Mom and Dad both work there now, so it'll be easier for everyone if I try out for UA."

Toshin-Oji smiles. "There's nothing wrong with that, but if you don't want to, I'm sure they'd let you go to a different- -"

I shook my head. Shinso didn't say much, to anyone, but I liked to think we were growing closer as this last year of middle school progressed. And, as his friend, I had to be there to support him and make sure he didn't have to put up with the 'brainwashing villain' thing anymore.

"No!" I interject. "I want to go to UA. There are a lot of kids from my class that are going to try out for the top school. My friend, Shinso, wants so badly to be a hero, but he's always treated like a villain because he can brainwash people. I feel really bad because there's not much I can do to change their minds. They always think he's got me under his spell or something, so I want to be there to encourage him and help him prove to the world that he can be an awesome hero. And it's where Mom, Dad, and you went, so it's gotta be the best, right?"

He chuckles. "You sound like that young man." He says. "Young Midoriya's always rambling about wanting to be a hero and wanting to make it to the top."

I raise a brow. "You've talked to him?" I ask.

Toshin-Oji nods. "I've come up with a plan to help him get in shape for my Quirk before the entrance exam, actually."

My eyes go wide. "Really?"

"Yeah. I admire the kid's spirit and ideals. He'll make a great successor."

I smile. Toshin-Oji had told me that his Quirk can be passed on, offering it to me one day.

I've given it a lot of thought and I've decided I don't care about the spotlight. If I got it, great. If not, too bad. As such, I wouldn't be a good successor for him.

Whatever gave Toshin-Oji that amazing power, I didn't want to ruin it. It deserved the spotlight, so let Izuku have it.

"Yeah, I think so, too. So, how are you getting him ready?"

I ask. "He's cleaning Dagoba Municipal Park."

I nearly choke on the bite of food in my mouth. "Wait, what?!" I'd passed it numerous times and it was just a gross pile of trash now.

"Yeah. He's a hard-worker. He can do it. I planned out a routine for him and everything. He'll be done by the exam." I suddenly realize that I need to start practicing myself.

Maybe get better with earth before February. Yeah. That's it! I'd practice in my spare time and try to get a lot better so I can fight even without water. Of course, I should look up hand-to-hand combat routines, too. Never know what'll be on the exam.

"Hey, Takara!" Toshin-Oi says, drawing me back to reality.

"Yes?"

"You gonna finish your food?"

I nod, resuming my meal. "Yeah." Determined, I finished my food, helped clean up, and wrote in the last few definitions.

Then, I got in an hour or so of TV time with Toshin-Oji before Dad rang the doorbell continuously. I sprang up and all but wrenched the door open to make it stop.

"Hey there, Tik-Tak!" Dad chirps

I roll my eyes at the nickname, but leap into his arms. "Hi, dad!" I squeal, letting him kiss my cheek repeatedly as usual before returning a single one to his cheek. "How was work?"

He chuckles, putting me down and ruffling my hair as we walk into the apartment. "What? You didn't turn on the radio?"

He asks with mock hurt "Of course I did! We didn't catch all of your show, though."

I reply. "That's alright." I hug him again.

"I did hear the part about the sludge villain." I murmur. "Thanks, dad." He hugs me back, scooping me up and plopping me in his lap when he sits down.

"I meant every word, Tik-Tak." He then looks at Toshin-Oji. "Sorry about not letting you see her." He apologizes meekly. "We felt it best not to let her out of our sight til we cooled down a bit." Toshin-Oji smiles, hands up.

"I respect that. It was probably best, really. I sometimes can't help getting involved in things I probably shouldn't."

"Yeah. I do the same thing sometimes." Dad replies, bouncing me slightly. "It's just that Shota and I panicked a little when we saw our kid on the news, in the middle of a fire and a villain situation. Can't tell yah how relieved we were when you showed up."

Toshin-Oji smiles, sheepishly putting a hand on the back of his neck. "I should've leapt into action the moment I arrived, but I hesitated. The kids didn't."

I sigh. "All I did was put out some of the fire and try to protect Izuku." I point out. "I probably could've done more. I might've even been able to get the hostage out, if I'd used my Quirk on the villain."

Dad wraps me in a hug. "And that would've gotten you, and most likely us, in serious trouble, young lady." I knew that, but it didn't make it any better. "That's why I'm so proud that you restrained yourself to the legal limits on what you could do, Takara." He says genuinely, nuzzling his face into my neck to tickle me before becoming serious again. "But you have to understand; as your parents, when we saw you in danger, your mother and I were so afraid we'd be too late and something would happen to you." I nod meekly. He then goes to stand and I get off his lap quickly. "But enough about that; it's your mom's hero debut anniversary and I cut the show a little short so I'd be able to surprise her with dinner with a nice cat-themed chocolate cake afterwards. She'll be back in two hours. You up for it, Tik-Tak?" I grin, nodding with determination.

"Let's do it!" We wave goodbye to Toshin-Oji and Dad drives home as fast, but safe, as possible.

=#=#=#=#=

The door opening is our cue. We know better than to jump out at her, so we sit on the couch (using the sound of the TV as cover) and pretend we've been there a while as she approaches. "Hi, Kāsan!" I cheer.

"Hi, Musume." She replies happily as I get up to hug her. "Your father behave himself?" She teases, knowing we can be a little crazy around the house sometimes without supervision.

I nod. "Yeah. I kept him in line." She smiles as Dad walks over, playing it as cool as ever. All that's left is to suggest dinner and head into the kitchen. We hadn't done much decorating, just a hand-made 'Happy Debut Anniversary' banner, but still we turned off the lights.

"Oi!" He protests with mock offense. "I resemble that remark, thank you very much, young lady!" He drops the facade and grins at Mom, kissing her soundly in greeting. "Have a good patrol, Tsuma?" He asks, hugging her. It was a pet name he's been calling her for years now.

"I did, Otto." She replies, smiling. Dad nods, slowly ending the hug.

"Well, hope you're hungry, cus Tik-Tak and I are about to eat the house." He cries, clutching his stomach over-dramatically. Mom tsks at him as she walks toward the kitchen. Dad winks at me and we follow.

"You're so over dramatic, love." She scolds fondly, shaking her head.

He grins. "I know, but you love me." He wraps his arm around her shoulders and pecks her temple.

"I do- -wait.." She takes in the banner for a split second before Dad spins her around.

"Happy debut anniversary!" Dad exclaims, plopping her down.

She genuinely laughs, a rare treat, before kissing him again. "You remembered the day of my debut."

"Of course! It's also the day I knew I was in love with you for real. You took that gang out single-handedly before I got there!" I hug Mom as she tries (fails) to hold back her emotions, snuggling into Dad's chest.

"It's also the day you proposed after just a month of dating." She adds, chuckling. I'd heard the story before and grin every time. They were too cute!

"Well, when you know, you know!" Dad protests happily. "I knew I wanted to marry you and, for some reason, you said yes!"

"I said 'fine, Hizashi' because your screaming had nearly deafened me. I then played along with the wedding cus it seemed easier than refusing." It was Mom's ultimate tease, but Dad knew she was teasing, so it was a bit of a tie between them. Still, she liked to poke him with that every once in a while.

"Well, it was spur of the moment, but then you said 'fine' and I was in too deep to pull out, so I rolled with it." He replies petulantly. It was his usual response.

They then laugh and ladle out soba. I grabbed a bowl and two rice balls and we ate in comfortable silence while watching some movie on the TV, Dad nuzzling against Mom and Mom reciprocating.

All in all, a perfect evening.

=#=#=#=#=

"You're up early, Musume. Where are you going?" Mom asks two days later, sipping her before-work coffee.

I grin. "Running!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! I wanna start getting in shape for the entrance exam." I explain.

She smiles. "Alright then. Don't go more than thirty minutes, alright? You need to get your body used to exercise."

I nod, tying my shoes. "Yes, ma'am!"

Turns out, running is no joke! When I get back, I am shaking and almost regretting starting this. Maybe thirty minutes was a little much for just starting out.

But that's the price I'm willing to pay to be ready to knock everyone's socks off at the entrance exam!

I go through some stretches I found online and drink chocolate milk as suggested and let my breath catch up with me before I go to the garden. I then do some more stretching while making different formations like rods, blocks, and walls. Keeping them maintained while stretching, I hope, will end up making me better at multitasking in a fight. I had no idea what was waiting on the exam, but I knew I wanted to be ready.

Unfortunately, I felt a draw on my energy pretty quickly, but doggedly kept trying.

=#=#=#=#=

Ten months of exhausting training later, and it was the morning of the exam.

Of course, Mom and Dad were able to drive me. I walked with them, knees shaking as I stepped through the gate. "It's so...big!" I breathe in awe.

"And you'll be a student, after today, Tik-Tak." Dad replies, clapping my back with a solid 'thunk' and ruffling my hair. I chuckle.

"That's provided I pass the exam." I point out. Dad waves absently.

"It's a piece of cake, really. You just gotta beat some bots. That's it!"

I pale. "Oh…"

"'Zashi, stop! You shouldn't have said anything about the test!" Mom protests, rolling her eyes before turning to me. "Kara, you'll do fine." Mom assures me. It was rare she used her nickname for me, so I can't help smiling.

"Right!"

I had to start thinking positively, or I'd never get through this. I happen to spot my school's group and jog over, waving goodbye to my parents.

One of the teachers and kind of an aunt of mine, Nemuri, or Midnight, was passing out test cards to everyone with numbers for assigned seats and the battle center we were going to. I happened to be in A. I look around and notice Shinso.

I walk over as we head into the testing hall to take the written exam. "Hey."

"Hey. Good luck, yeah?" He greets simply.

I nod. "Yeah!" We find our seats and within minutes, we begin.

It was harder than I thought, but I had a decent grasp of the material discussed and finished soon enough. Ectoplasm, another teacher here, was using his multiplying Quirk to proctor the test. I passed my answer sheet to him and waited at my desk. Shinso was done minutes later.

We smile at each other and I try to think of formations that could help in the physical exam coming up.

When Ectoplasm dismisses us, we head as he directed to an auditorium and find our seats.

"What's up, UA candidates?" Dad calls as upbeat music plays in the background. I smile. He was going full-on DJ mode. I wonder where Mom is. "Thanks for tunin' in to me, your school DJ!" The lights around the outside of the ring came on and Dad was revealed. "C'mon and lemme hear yah!" I was too embarrassed to start a response, and no one else did, so echoing silence filled the room. "Keeping it mellow, I see." Dad chuckles. I feel a little bad for him, honestly. "That's fine. Let me get straight to the main show." Maybe if he acted more like a teacher and less like a radio host, he'd get more of a response, but I suppose it's also just Dad's personality. He was too hyper for nervous students. "Let's talk about how this practical exam is gonna go down, okay? Are you ready?!" He calls in a sing-song voice and I nearly reply, but catch myself.

I'd single myself out if I did. People weren't likely to join me and I can hear Izuku going geek-mode at Dad and I smile. "Like your application says, today you rockin' boys and girls will be conducting ten-minute mock battles against faux villains in super suburban settings! After I drop the mic here, you'll head to your specified battle centers, sound good?" Dad asks. Still no response. "Okay?" He presses.

Finally, I roll my eyes. If someone didn't reply soon, he'd go nuts.

"Got it!" I call back. Dad beams up at me.

"Thanks, listener friend!" I was grateful he didn't go further as he gets back to explaining. "Okay, okay, let's check out yer targets!" On-screen, pixelated models appear for each type of robot, with labels '1P', '2P', or 3P' on them. "There are three types of faux villains in every battle center. You'll gain points depending on the level of difficulty, so choose wisely. Your goal in this trial is to use your Quirk to raise your score by shredding these villains like a mid-song guitar solo. Buuut, check it!" He continues, pointing a finger into the crowd to emphasize his point, shaking it back and forth. "Let's make sure we're keeping things heroic; attacking fellow candidates is a UA no-no, yah dig?"

About five rows in front of me, a student stands up. "Excuse me, sir, but I have a question." He calls. A single bulb is turned on to illuminate a young man with black-blue hair (undercut barely visible from the angle I saw him from) and tan school uniform on.

"Hit me!" Dad replies eagerly.

"On the print-out, you've listed 4 types of villains, not 3." I roll my eyes as the guy points out what he means on the sheet. Great. A stick-in-the-mud perfectionist. "All due respect, but if this is an error on official UA materials, it is shameful." I bite my lip, irritated. I'm sure Dad would have explained that other type of robot soon enough, if this guy had been patient. However, Dad listens attentively, nonplussed at the insult to his workplace. "We are exemplary students, and we expect the best from Japan's most notable school. A mistake like this won't do." The student then turns and points behind him to Izuku. "Additionally, you with the unkempt hair; you've been muttering this entire time. Stop that." He demands tersely. Izuku looks mortified and Shinso has to put his foot on mine to stop me rising. "If you can't bother to take this seriously, then leave. You're distracting the rest of us." Izuku claps his hands to his mouth and offers an embarrassed, muffled 'sorry' as the student then turns back to Dad to hear his reply.

"Alright, alright, Examinee number 7111." Dad replies, waving as if to calm the student down, then gives him a thumbs up. "Thanks for calling in with your request." On-screen, the final robot appears with the label '0P' above it. "The fourth villain type is worth 0 points, so that guy's just an obstacle we'll be throwing in your way. There's one in every battle center, kind of a hurdle for you to avoid. It's not that it can't be beat, but there's...kinda no point." I don't think Dad's saying everything there is about that robot, but keep my mouth shut. "I recommend my listeners try to avoid it and stay focused on the ones topping the charts!"

The student bows. "Thank you very much. Please, continue." He says, sitting down again to a few murmurs about this new development. Dad raises his arms and silence falls.

"That's all I got for you today, so I'll sign off with a little present; a sample of our school motto. As General Napoleon Bonaparte once laid down, 'A true hero is one who overcomes life's misfortunes'. Now that's a tasty soundbyte. You ready to go beyond?" I can't help the hype I feel at the prospect of testing myself in the battle center as Dad finishes with a 'let's hear a Plus Ultra!'. I can't help shouting it out and, surprisingly, a few others join in. "Good luck out there!" With that, Dad steps off the stage.

This was it. Just a short bus ride, and the physical exam would begin! My knees shake so bad, I might end up knocking them together.

How would I do? What would I do?!