And once again I forgot to keep uploading. *shakes my head at myself* Ugh.
Well, anyway, let's get going, shall we?
I also want to thank the guest Purple Insomniac for reviewing and leaving such a positive message! :) Thank you so much sweety! Hope you like this chapter too!
God Bless and Good Day!
~The Lupine Sojourner
As we boarded the bus, I can't help shaking in nervous anticipation.
I then took a breath and headed a little deeper into the bus, plopping into a seat next to a black-haired boy who had his head down. I fidgeted with my fingers and wonder how long til I can start the exam and get it over with.
"Hey." The boy greets, looking at me with a small, half-hearted smile.
I smile back. "Hello."
"I'm Eijiro Kirishima." He says, offering a hand.
I shake it. "I'm Takara Yamada."
His eyes go a little wide. "Oh, wow. Never thought I'd be taking the exam with a pro-couple's kid, much less a kid who fought a villain." I shrug, feeling bad he looked depressed at the prospect.
"I didn't really fight a villain; I just put out some of the fire and made sure we didn't get hurt." I explain, eager to placate his worries and help him see I wasn't some superstar here. "I'm as unsure as anyone here about the test, really. Mom and Dad are professional enough not to tell me much of anything." Eijiro nods, still a bit glum.
"Still, you're gonna be so much better than me at this!"
I frown and shake my head. "Not necessarily, Eijiro." I then get an idea. "Hey, I got an idea; wanna team-up?" I'm not sure why I offered, but it seemed right, so I don't regret it.
He raises a brow. "What?"
"Team up." I repeat eagerly, "I'm great at tracking, so I can help you find the robots, and we can split the scores as we go. That way, we can practice teamwork and boost our scores at the same time."
Eijiro seems to consider it. "You know we're supposed to fend for ourselves, right? And why would you wanna team up with me?"
I frown. "It's not really for any big reason. I just want to. And, I mean, yeah, we have to fend for ourselves, but not all pro heroes are alone all the time. They need to have good cooperative skills, too. And it's not like we're going to usurp the other's score. All I'm suggesting is we work together a little to pass."
Eijiro finally nods, sighing. "Alright. Sorry for being a downer. I see what you're saying. Yeah, let's team up!"
"Awesome!" I chirp as he extends his hand and we shake again. That decided, all that's left to do is discuss Quirks and hope this ride is over soon so we can get started.
"So...what's your Quirk?" I ask. He looks a little embarrassed and holds up his hand. His fingers suddenly go stiff, looking like jagged pieces of rock.
"Hardening, and sharpening to an extent. Something to do with the carbon in my body, I think. I can't do it for too long, though."
I grin. "That's so cool!" I exclaim.
He blushes a little and smiles. "Really?"
"Yeah!"
"Thanks. What's yours? I don't remember from the news."
I flush. It still blew my mind that people knew of me from that incident and still recognized my name, at least.
"Well, I got both my parents' Quirks, Earth and Water. I'm pretty bad at moving earth, though, but I can track people using the vibrations in the earth. Water is easy to move, but using either Quirk does chip away at my blood sugar, especially for larger formations. If the formation is broken, it costs a lot of blood sugar."
His eyes go wide. "That's way better than mine!"
I shake my head. "No way! If I get hit, I'm gonna take the damage. You can make your body a suit of armor! That's so cool!"
He sighs. "Thanks, but I still think yours is cooler."
I shrug. "I guess we'll have to agree to disagree."
He chuckles. "Whatever you say."
Luckily, the bus arrives and I stand up. "Shall we?" I ask coyly.
He nods. "Yeah!" We exit the bus to find a pair of large doors with the label 'Battle Center A' on it. Beside me, Eijiro takes a deep breath. "This is it."
I nod, my face set in determination. "UA, here we come!" Before Eijiro can reply, Mom's voice comes over the PA system.
"Time is precious, so get going. The ten minutes start now." I watch the gates open and can't help running with the rest of our group into the battle center, where the frontrunners got the first points, much to everyone's chagrin.
I reach out with my Earth Quirk and feel several large objects to the left, so I tug Eijiro that way. He follows and we find ourselves facing six robots, mostly '2's with a few '1's for good measure.
"We can each get one of the one-pointers and two two-pointers." I note.
He nods. "Let's go smash 'em!" He exclaims, hardening his fists and grinning. It's the first time I've really noticed his teeth and I discover they're pointed. Oh, boy.
Regardless, I feel the water main beneath the street and draw the stream of water to me, bursting the pipe as the water surges around me. I form large sword-like extensions from each forearm and charge.
Slicing the legs off each of them quickly, I then stab the heads. "5 points!" I cheer. Eijiro is just finishing pounding through his one-pointer's head as I turn to him.
"Let's keep going!" He cries. "Where to next?" I lead the way and we each get two three-pointers, boosting us to 11 points before I feel out another large group with students approaching our score. I lead Eijiro down a shortcut and we demolish the next set of robots fairly quickly, ending up with almost 20 points each.
The other examinees groan and complain, but I ignore them and keep running.
This was great! We just had to maintain this momentum and we were sure to get a great score! Together, we blasted our way to 30 or so before something huge makes it's way toward us. "Watch out!" Eijiro calls, just as it rounds a corner. It's a huge robot that I recognize as the one Dad described as a 'hurdle you should try to avoid'.
I grit my teeth. "Dad, you jerk!" I growl. "You didn't say it was so big!"
"Doesn't matter!" Eijiro growls. "We should take it down!"
I sigh. "Right. Make an opening and I'll short it out with water."
He frowns. "Why do you get to kill it?"
I roll my eyes. "Eijiro, it's the 0-pointer. It doesn't matter who takes it down."
He grumbles, but nods, hardening his forearms. "Alright, alright. It's your plan; you take it down, just stay back." He leaps forward and punches the thing's leg, managing a sizeable dent before punching again. That gave me the opening I need, but before I can attack, the thing's leg swings toward me faster than I can doge!
"Takara!" Eijiro cries, leaping forward and tackling me out of the way. We get up quickly as it stomps toward other examinees.
I ignore the blush in my cheeks as I sprint after the robot. "Thanks." I murmur, shaken as I send a geyser rushing up the inside of it's leg. True to my prediction, it short circuits and falls. As it does, I have to create a water wall around a few examinees to make sure the resulting debris didn't hit anyone before returning the water to me. This was getting really exhausting. Hopefully, there's not much time left.
Several examinees murmur (things like 'isn't that the girl who ran into the sludge villain situation with that other kid?', 'who's she with and why is she letting him take her points?' and 'wait...a water Quirk? Isn't she Present Mic's kid?') as Eijiro and I take off to find more faux villains. We find a few more two-pointers before Mom calls out the one-minute warning. Eijiro and I race off and somehow manage another point each before time runs out.
"I think we ended up with somewhere around 39 points." Eijiro notes, grinning as we rejoin the crowd.
I nod. "Yeah! We were a great team!" I high-five him as we walk to the entrance to return to the main campus. I happen to spot Shinso and a few of our class. "Hey, Eijiro, sorry to cut this short, but I gotta say hi to a friend." He nods, then pales as I begin to walk away.
"Oh, wait!" He cries, drawing out his phone as I turn. "Can I get your number, before we have to go our separate ways?"
I blush. "Wait, what?"
"So we can tell each other if we passed!" I am aware I'm still blushing, but accept his phone. I enter my number in and give it back. He sends me a 'Hi! :)' text and I add the number as a new contact, sending him a 'Hey!' with a waving emoji in return. "Thanks!" He chirps, then seems to spot someone he recognized and decides to excuse himself, too. "Sorry! I'll text yah later!"
I then wave, the blush returning, as I head to Shinso.
"Hey there!" I chirp.
He turns. "Nice job out there."
I grin. "Thanks. You, too!"
He sighs, deflating. "I barely got above twenty points." He mumbles despondently.
I smirk. "That's still impressive." I reply easily.
He didn't need to know I'd gotten almost double his score.
"How many points did you get?" He asks as if he'd read my mind.
I chuckle nervously. He'd feel horrible if I told him.
"Not important. You did awesome!" I assure him, which might not have been the best way to reply.
"How many points?" He presses. "Or I'll use my Quirk to find out." I sigh. I know he'd never do it, but it was enough that he'd use the threat.
"I think around 39, but I can't remember exactly." I mumble. He groans, turning around to walk away.
"I knew it...nice job." I clench my fists.
"Hey, hold on!" I snap. "Shinso, I'm sorry. I know you've been looking forward to this, and I know you feel bad, but as long as you did your best, there's no more anyone can ask of you, really. I didn't tell you to make you feel bad or rub your nose in it." I point out sternly, then sigh. "Really, I think you did awesome out there. I gave it my all and I'm sure you did, too. Besides, this doesn't mean you can't get into the school." I explain, eager to make him feel better.
"But it might mean I can't get into the Hero Course, like I planned." He replies, not turning around.
"Maybe, maybe not." I counter. "Either way, you should be proud. You did your best."
"...Thanks, Takara." He mumbles, walking away.
I sigh, but let him go. I stand there, unsure what to do (go after Shinso or get in line for the bus arriving) when I'm bumped from behind.
"Watch it!" I spot blonde spiky hair and gulp. It was the angry kid from the sludge villain attack. Kacchan, right? "What was that?" He growls and I pale as he whirls around furiously, realizing I must have accidentally spoken his name aloud.
"I- -I'm sorry. I remember Izuku saying that when we tried to help- -"
"My name is Bakugo. Don't forget it." He spits, then walks off. I blink. Boy, was he intense.
"Mine's Takara, jerkwad!" I grumble, knowing he couldn't hear.
Not looking back, I enter the bus, trying to find Eijiro or Shinso, but they both seem to be in a different bus, so I sit in the next open seat and close my eyes. I was so tired…
=#=#=#=#=
The bus rattles to a halt and I jolt awake. I exit and yawn as I move automatically toward the doors, where I can find mom and dad.
"Hey, Mei." I hear Toshin-Oji murmur behind me as I enter the school building I hoped Mom and Dad were in. "You did amazing out there!"
I smile tiredly and nod. "Thank you. I am super tired, so I was hoping to find Mom and Dad and go home." He nods, gesturing for me to follow. I do and we walk in comfortable silence for a moment. "How'd Izuku do?"
Toshin-Oji smiles proudly. "He did great! He performed like a true hero out there!" I nod, too tired for even a smile. Or to realize Toshin-Oji didn't give any numbers to Izuku's points. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asks. "You look exhausted, borderline overworked."
I wave at him absently. "Uh-huh. I'm fine. My Quirk takes energy, that's all."
He frowns in concern, but offers his arm for support and I take it willingly. Soon enough, we arrive at our destination.
"Hey, Tik-Tak!" Dad cries, spinning me around when he sees me, and I suddenly feel more awake. "You did awesome out there!" He exclaims, plopping me down. "And you even made some new friends." He points out, nudging my side with his elbow. I wave him away.
"Stop, Dad. He's just a guy I sat next to on the bus there. I mentioned that we should work together since I could find the robots and we could split the scores and he agreed. That's it."
He laughs and ruffles my hair. "Sure, Musume." He teases, "Sure." Mom then walks over and swats his shoulder playfully, saving me from further embarrassment.
"You're ignoring the girl behind Takara, Otto." She scolds, pointing behind her. I turn and see a middleschooler with brown hair and a nervous posture to her.
The girl's big brown eyes go wide and she slowly steps forward.
"Oh, sorry! I...I'm Ochako Uraraka. Sorry to bother you, but do you have a sec?" She asks. Dad nods. "You know that boy with the really messy curls and the freckles? Um, it's hard to describe his face…"
I smile, knowing precisely who she was talking about. "He's kinda pale, but muscular, just taller than Uraraka and has green hair and big green eyes." I provide.
Uraraka nods, a little more confident.
"Yeah! Other than that, he's kinda plain looking...doesn't really stand out or anything...well, I was wondering; would it be possible to give him some of the points I'd earned in the exam? I heard him say something about wanting to get just one point in." I pale. What?! "It just seems crazy! How could someone who took down that huge drone all by himself not have any points in the end?"
I frown. He must be devastated that he couldn't get any points in. "He would have had a better score if he hadn't stopped to help me!"
I pat her shoulder.
"It's just who he is." I point out. "He was the same way with the sludge villain. He's a true hero."
She nods. "Yeah, but he won't get into UA with a 0 score! He saved me! I have to make it up to him! Please, can't you, just, give him my points?"
Dad chuckles, patting Uraraka's head. "Thanks for coming up to the station with your request, female listener, but there's no need to give him your points. The kid's charting well on his own." Uraraka and I are both confused, but Dad then smiles. "I'm sorry, but we're out of time. Show's ending. Call back anytime, though, alright?" With that, Uraraka bids us farewell and Mom comes and hugs me.
My question about Izuku will have to wait.
"I'm impressed, Musume. 39 villain points."
I blush. "Well, it was thanks to the vibration trick you taught me. I wouldn't have found that many if you hadn't taught me that application." I smile and duck my head shyly.
Mom grabs my chin and makes me look at her. "Musume, you defeated all those robots using your wits and control of your Quirk. It's an impressive feat."
I grin, hugging her again. "Thanks, Mom." Suddenly, as I move to sit down, my phone chimes. Curious, I bring it out, only to find Eijiro's name at the head of the text.
It's a simple Hi. I smile and send a What's up? :)
Before Dad notices. "Ohhh!" He squeals, snatching my phone to my dismay. "Who's this?!" I blush several shades of scarlet and unsuccessfully swipe at my phone.
"Daaad!" I whine, trying again. "It's no one!"
"Then why the smiley face?"
"Because...because I wanted to!"
"You liiike him!" I flush darker, if possible, and flop in humiliation and frustration onto a small sofa in the room, groaning loudly.
"I do not! We just met!" I protest petulantly.
"So? I liked your mother enough to want to be her friend the moment she walked in."
I roll my eyes. "Well, I'm not you!" I point out. "I don't like him!"
"But you are friends?" Dad presses.
I sigh. There was simply no winning this. "I think so." I mumble.
He hands the phone back. "All I wanted to hear."
I groan, sticking it in my pocket and ignoring the chime. "You didn't have to steal my phone." I grumble.
"Curiosity killed the cat, Musume." Dad replies coyly.
Mom finally decides to intervene, placing a calming hand on her husband's shoulder. "And satisfaction brought it back, so please stop teasing our daughter and let's get her home."
I want to kiss Mom's cheek repeatedly for that save, but manage to contain myself to a grateful nod.
"Fine." Dad pouts, then sighs and walks with us out to the hall. "Just glad you made a friend, Musume."
I snort. "You say that like it's the first time I've made a friend."
"Well, you never invite them over. They could be imaginary." Dad counters.
I roll my eyes. I had invited Shinso, but he insisted he didn't want to intrude and I'd not pressed him again. I hated making him uncomfortable.
"Because making imaginary friends at 15 is totally something I would do."
"Alright, young woman; who are you and where is my daughter?" Dad gasps in fake shock. "She'd never be this rude to her own father!" I giggle as we make it to the car.
"Dad, please. I'm 15 and you were teasing me about a boy; I'm allowed to be a little snarky."
Dad sighs. "Fair enough, but just this once." We laugh at ourselves and get in the car. Mom decides to drive and we let her. Once Dad was thoroughly distracted talking to Mom, I draw my phone out and check it.
Eijiro Kirishima:
I'm pacing in my room wanting to know if I passed or not. WBU?
Me:
My parents are driving me home. Ugh, why does it take so long?!
Eijiro Kirishima:
I don't know, but I WANT to know! I bet you'll find out in the next day or two, lucky girl.
I chuckle and shake my head. He had no idea who my parents are, does he?
Me:
I want to know, too, but even I won't know until everyone else does. I promise. Mom and Dad don't like to tell me things like that. They're professionals. ;)
I pause. Was emojis really the best thing to send a guy I happened to sit next to on a bus? Ah, well. I'd already sent it.
Eijiro Kirishima:
Haha, really? Even with your dad?
Me:
Yeah. I think Mom has something to do with that. :)
Eijiro:
I'd love to meet the woman who can keep Present Mic in line.
I frown. How did he not know who my Mom is?
By now, the car was pulling into the driveway. I put my phone down and yawn, suddenly tired.
I had tried to keep the formations as simple and small as I could, but taking down that many robots still took energy. I unbuckle and slowly head my way inside, wanting nothing more than a nice warm shower before enjoying leftovers for dinner while I watch whatever show was on TV. As I walk to my bedroom, though, my phone alerts me to a text. I close my bedroom door behind me before collapsing on my bed and pulling out my phone.
Eijiro Kirishima:
I'm thinking I'm gonna dye my hair. Maybe even get a whole new style, start over. Whatcha think, Mina?
I frown. What a random thing to text someone you- -wait...Mina? Ah. Wrong number. I think as I shift to a more comfortable position.
Deciding to play this a bit coy, I begin to type.
Me:
Well, I think it's a great idea, but I'd still ask Mina. :)
I grin as I send it and get up to grab some clothes for a quick shower. I wonder what he meant by 'turn over a new leaf'? Was it some kind of 'new school, new me' mentality? I decide that's most likely it and grab a loose pair of sweatpants and a fox T-Shirt with a pair of warm socks to wear.
By the time I've gotten back to my bed, I've gotten a reply.
Eijiro Kirishima:
I AM SO SORRY! THAT WAS FOR A FRIEND! There were several embarrassed and blushing emojis followed by a ...you really think it's a good idea?
I chuckle and move into the bathroom. I decide not to mention the 'start over' and focus on the (kinda) less personal element.
The water would take a minute or two to heat up anyway.
Me:
It's okay! I figured u had the wrong number when I read 'Mina'. I promise I'm not mad or anything. I think it's a good idea.
Eijiro Kirishima:
Ok, thnx! I felt so embarrassed! Anyway, how do you think red would look? Mina suggested it.
Me:
Oooh! I like it! What shade? More like a wine red or..?
Eijiro Kirishima:
I was thinking of crimson or fire truck. Stands out more, you know?
Me:
Yeah!
The shower took nearly fifteen minutes, and then I snuck out to get dinner (leftover takeout) before retreating to my room and staying up a bit too late texting with Eijiro about hairstyles and colors and excitement about UA.