First Day of School
Terra hummed, as she turned to her right then to her left. The mirror reflected back the school uniform she was wearing. To her the grey blazer clashed with her hair, but the outfit was cute. The red tie really pulled the uniform together with the right amount of bright color to balance the greyness of the outfit.
"You are the cutest high school young woman I have ever seen."
"Uncle Toshi!" Terra whipped around and dove into Toshinori's arms. "I didn't think I'd see you before tomorrow!"
Toshinori laughed and swung her around before placing her on her feet. He patted her head. "How could I not come see my favorite girl before she starts the biggest journey of her life?"
"You're so sweet." Terra beamed up at him. "If only that sweetness could calm my nerves."
"Still nervous, huh?"
"My stomach is all up in knots."
"All right Mr. Sweet and Miss Cutest High School Young Woman." The two turned to find Tomoko leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "Get out of that uniform before you ruin it. Dinner's ready."
"Let the girl have some fun," Toshinori said.
Tomoko shook her head. "You spoil her far too much. Terra, now."
"Yes, Mom." Terra released her uncle. She waited until he and her mom were out of her room before changing then met them in the dinning room, which was combined with the kitchen and living room. Spices wafted to her nose, making her mouth water. If only her stomach was as eager as her moth. With a smile she sat down beside Toshinori. "Are you excited about teaching at UA?"
Toshinori nodded. "It's going to be interesting. UA has molded a lot of great heroes." He tweaked her cheek. "And I know you're next."
Terra dropped her eyes to the table. Her stomach summersaulted. Heat from Toshinori's hand seeped into her shirt.
"It's going to be okay, Terra," he said. "I promise. I'll be right there to help you."
"I know." Terra nodded. "The waiting is so nerve wracking."
"No worries. It'll all start tomorrow. The first day is always the hardest," Toshinori said. "Is Young Todoroki still walking you to school?"
"Yes." A smile blossomed on her lips.
"Wanna make her smile? Just mention Shoto's smile and out comes the sun." Tomoko chuckled as she sat down at the table.
"Of course! He's my best friend! So hush up and eat!"
"There is another reason I came here," Toshinori said as they ate. "I have information on Terra's homeroom teacher."
"What is it?" Tomoko asked.
"You'll be relieved to know that I was able to get her into Aizawa's homeroom class," Toshinori said.
"Aizawa?" Terra shoved a small bite of fish in her mouth. She rather not eat with her stomach acting like a gymnastic, but knew better. She didn't want to get a lecture from her mom about skipping meals.
"He's the pro hero Eraser Head," Toshinori explained. "He can erase a person's quirk for a while."
"Ah, that would be handing." Terra nodded.
"Beware thought. He's very strict. He'll fail a kid simply because he doesn't like them or doesn't think they're pro hero material."
"He'll seriously do that? Can he do that?" Tomoko's eyes widened.
Toshinori nodded. "Once he expelled an entire class."
"Wow. I knew UA was a tough school to go to but I had no idea the teachers there could do something like that." Terra's heart skittered as she shifted on her chair. "I think I'm more nervous than before. How am I going to handle this?"
"You'll be fine." Toshinori patted her shoulder. "You're good. You've been trained by the best." He gave a thumbs up, his teeth sparkling white.
"And the most modest." Tomoko cocked an eyebrow.
"Oh! Sorry!" Toshinori rubbed his head.
Terra laughed. Her uncle never failed to make her laugh.
…
Later that night, Terra stretched out on her bed. With the light from Birdie's chest lighting her room up, she started messaging Todoroki. "Sho-chan, you awake?"
The text scrolled cross Birdie's glowing chest.
"Birdie, send." The message blinked away. A few short seconds later, Todoroki's reply came.
-Yes, I'm still awake. Though we both should be asleep by now. We have school tomorrow. And we have to get up early to get there before the crowds show up.
"I know. I'm so not looking forward to all the attention I'm going to be getting." Terra looked to her laptop lying on her desk. "Birdie, send."
Toshinori did his best to not let news get out that All Might was recommending a student to UA. It didn't happen. Somehow the information managed to get out. For three weeks now it had been all over the news about All Might's mysterious student recommendation. "At least no one knows who I am. Yet." She sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't go…"
-Don't worry. I won't let anyone hurt you. And I'll keep them away from you as much as possible.
Terra's chest warmed. "Thanks, Sho-chan. I know I can count on you. Birdie, send."
-Go to bed now. Morning will get here before you know it. You need to be well rested for tomorrow.
"I know, I know. Goodnight, Sho-chan. Birdie, send."
-Goodnight, Ter-chan.
Terra smiled. The older they got the less Todoroki called her Ter-chan when others were around. But when no one else was around he still called her that. The light vanished as the chest plate slid back over Birdie's chest. "Birdie, night recharge."
Birdie chirped then flew over to her desk. Its tail feathers shifted to allow a cord to come out and plug in to the outlet.
Terra hugged her pillow and waited for sleep to come.
…
"I couldn't sleep at all." Yawning, Terra dropped her head on the table. "So sleepy."
"Well, you shouldn't have stayed up all night talking to Shoto," Tomoko said.
"I didn't." Terra glared at her mom's back. Pancake batter sizzled. "We only text for a short time."
"Okay, I'll believe you this time." Tomoko smirked over her shoulder.
Terra rolled her eyes then yawned again. "Is the day over yet?"
"Not even started." Tomoko placed a short stack of pancakes on the table. "Eat up."
Terra fumbled for her fork before spearing two pancakes. She ate slowly, wishing she had some sleeping pills.
After cleaning up the dishes she stepped back into her room and pulled on her blazer and attached her water bottles to her hips. A quick glanced in the mirror she called for Birdie and headed for the door.
The doorbell rang.
"Terra, your boyfriend's here!" Tomoko sang.
"Very funny. Good morning, Sho-chan!" Terra walked up to her friend while eyeing the uniform. He looked good in grey.
"Don't you look handsome in that uniform," Tomoko gushed.
Todoroki nodded.
"Don't torture him." Terra slipped her shoes on.
"Have a nice day, you two." Tomoko waved them off. "Remember, I'll be working late tonight!"
Terra waved back before turning her attention to getting to school. "So this is it. We're finally heading for UA."
"Yeah." Todoroki nodded.
Terra squinted and scanned the morning crowds. People meandered along, heading to their jobs or school. None of them seemed to notice the two teenagers wearing the uniforms of UA. She hoped it stayed that way. Though she figured the chances were low since she was walking with Shoto Todoroki. Because his dad was the number two hero Todoroki was famous, too.
Somehow they managed to get all the way to the train without being noticed. There a few people whispered about them. "Look, they're students at UA."
"They looked like first years."
"Hey, isn't that Endeavor's son?"
"It is. Who do you think the girl is?"
"She's wearing the uniform of UA. So she must be a student there."
"UA really is popular." Terra shifted closer to her friend.
"Better get use to it," Todoroki said.
Terra huffed and turned her attention to the window. She watched buildings pass by until the train pulled into the station and they were walking again. Then, she saw it. UA was rising before them on a hill over looking the city below. Four pillars with cross bridges made the school look like an H. She wondered if it was done like that on purpose. A large gate, looking like an upside down U, led them onto the path to the doors. More upside down U shaped pillars lined the walkway where a few students were talking. "Why do you think there are numbers on the doors? Are they for the students? We're first years so we go through door one?"
Todoroki didn't hesitate as he entered into the door with the one on it.
"Oh." Terra tilted her head back as she walked through the open door. The top of the door was over ten feet tall.
Goosebumps ran up and down her arms upon stepping into the school's cool air. While storing a few items in their assigned lockers, Terra scanned the room before continuing on into the building. The lobby was larger than she had expected. Potted plants occupied corners. A receptionist sat at a desk. A few adults, she assumed were teachers were sitting in chairs in one corner, talking and laughing.
"Come on. We're upstairs." Todoroki headed for the stairs.
Terra rushed to his side. Reaching the correct floor, she gasped. "Wow! Even the doors inside are huge! Do you think they have giants here? Teachers or students? What about Mount Lady? She can change her size. I wonder if anyone else will be able to do that here." She forced her eyes off the door and to the signs above them. "So where's our classroom? Oh, there it is. Class 1-A. I hope our classmates are nice."
Todoroki grunted.
"I know. You couldn't care less." Terra poked him on the side. "You can at least be nice."
Todoroki opened the door and stepped inside.
Terra followed him. Only one other person was in the room, a girl with long dark hair, pulled back in a layered spiked ponytail, sat in the back corner of the room. Her nose was in a book so Terra wasn't sure if she noticed the two of them come in. She closed the door and headed for Todoroki.
There were four rows of desks, five desks in each row, with an extra seat in the back behind the chair Todoroki sat in. Terra smiled. All Might had managed to get her a seat behind Todoroki. She was going to have to buy a thank you gift for him or make him something. He's already done so much to make sure her time at UA was comfortable.
Terra hooked her bag on her desk and sat down, her eyes roaming over every inch of the room. The large windows gave a great view of the front lawn. Most students were gathering there. The blackboard at the front of the room looked brand new. Even the desks looked new.
"Oh, good morning."
Terra jumped, her body stiffened.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." The long dark haired girl smiled.
"Hello." Terra bowed her head. Her words poured out of her mouth. "It's all right. It wasn't your fault. I was distracted. This place is a lot bigger than I had expected. And it looks so new, even though it's not. Or maybe it is. I don't know much about this place. They could buy new stuff each year. But then again maybe not." A nervous chuckled slipped passed her lips as the black haired girl stared at her. She glanced at Todoroki, who was also staring at her. She ducked her head. "Sorry."
"It's okay. I know the feeling. This place is pretty impressive and intimidating. I'm Momo Yaoyorozu," she said.
"Terra Tanaka. And this guy here is-"
"Shoto Todoroki." Yaoyorozu nodded. "Who doesn't know him? It's nice to meet you both."
Todoroki closed his eyes, ignoring the girl.
"Don't mind him. He really is friendly." Terra patted Todoroki's head. "He only needs time to warm up to people. He's really a good boy."
"Stop treating me like a dog." Todoroki pushed her hand away.
"Of course." Yaoyorozu smiled and went back to her book.
Terra sighed and slumped in her chair.
"What was that about?" Todoroki turned to her. "You never ramble like that."
"I don't know. It just happened. Maybe it's my nerves." Terra turned her attention to the students coming into the room. She watched them, studied them.
"Looks like we have a lot of cute girls in our class." A spikey bright blonde guy with a single black squiggled on the left side walked towards the back of the room, his eyes on Terra. "Hi! I'm Denki Kaminari."
"And I'm Eijiro Kirishima." A well-built, spiked redhead came over as well.
"Nice to meet you both." Terra clenched her hands on her lap, her spine straightened like a rod. "I'm Terra Tanaka. Please, call me Terra. I never liked people using my last name. It can get confusing, you know? But I'll use yours, if that's what you want. So what do you think of UA so far? Amazing and intimidating, isn't it?"
"She's rather talkative," Kaminari said.
"Sorry." Heat rushed up Terra's cheeks.
"Hello, Terra. I am Tenya Iida. I look forward to sharing our educational experience together."
Terra looked up to a third young man standing beside her. He was tall, squared glasses perched on his nose, his dark blue hair brushed over the top of his eyelids.
"I don't remember seen you at the entrance exams." Iida moved his arms in stiff motions as he spoke. "There's not many people with crystal green hair and eyes like yours running around."
"Oh, well, I didn't have to take them." Terra ducked her head. "I got in on recommendation by All Might."
"You're the one All Might recommended?!" someone yelled. Shoes thundered on the floor.
Terra stiffened. Eyes. So many eyes were starting at her, bombarding her with question after question.
"Did All Might train you?"
"How well do you know him?"
"How did you meet All Might?"
"Is he really a teacher here?"
A boy with green hair was at the front of all the questions. He leaned in close to her.
"Uh, well, it's All Might. He's taught me a few things. But it's not all that exciting." Terra rubbed her head. Heat rushed her face when she realized what she said. She frantically waved her hands at the confused students. "I mean it's not like that. All Might's the best. He's number one, after all. It's just I've know him for a while now. The newness and amazement kind of worn off. Wait, no, that's not right either. I can't seem to find the right words." More nervous laugher escaped her.
"She's All Might's recommendation?" a girl colored pink said.
"That's what she said." Another girl with long earlobes crossed her arms. "Not what I expected from a recommendation by All Might."
"But that's who she is. All Might must have seen something in her to recommend her for this school," the green haired boy said while eyeing Terra with deep curiosity.
More heat rolled over Terra's cheeks. Her heart hammered her ribs in an attempt to escape before leaves sprouted from her skin and wrapped her in a cocoon.
"She hid," Kirishima said.
"Maybe we should leave her alone for now," the green haired boy suggested.
Footsteps faded away from her. Terra's leaves pulled back and disappeared. She dropped her head on her desk with a groan.
"I could be wrong but you seem to have a case of social awkwardness." Yaoyorozu chuckled. "You have a plant type quirk?"
Terra turned her head and peaked through one eye. "Social awkwardness? Yes, I do have a plant type quirk."
"I can't wait to see what you can do. You must be amazing if All Might recommended you."
Terra twisted her lips to the side.
"Shut up, you idiots!" a voice boomed. "Who cares about her?! She's nothing special because All Might recommended her!"
Terra glanced up to see yet another spikey haired boy. She blinked. Apparently spikey hair was a trend around here. And this guy didn't look as friendly as the other two. His eyes and teeth were sharp and intense as if he were going to bite someone.
"Take it easy, Ka-chan." The green haired, freckle-faced boy held up his hands.
"What was that, you nerd?!"
The green haired boy ducked his head. "It's just…everyone is excited about All Might recommending a student for this school. That's all."
"So what?! I can tell she's nothing special!" The angry boy sat down. "Now, shut up!"
The green haired boy's shoulders sagged before he took his seat behind the angry boy. Terra's eyes locked onto him until an older voice flowed from the door.
"Okay, it took eight seconds for you kids to be quiet. When I speak you all should shut up immediately." A zipper followed the man's voice. Then a man with shaggy black hair stepped into the room. He looked out at the students over his scarf with bloodshot eyes. "I'm your homeroom teacher, Shota Aizawa. Nice to meet you all." He reached into the yellow sleeping bag he had drug into the room and took out a blue tracksuit marked with red and white. "Let's get started now. These are your tracksuits. Put them on and meet me on the field outside." The man placed a stack of tracksuits on the podium and left the room without another word.
"So that's our homeroom teacher."
"He's sure not what I expected."
The students murmured together while searching for their tracksuits.
"You going to be okay?" Todoroki stood.
"Of course."
Todoroki gave her a curious look.
Terra shrugged as they worked their way to the front of the room.
"Does anyone know where the locker rooms are?" Kaminari asked.
"I know! I have the building guide map memorized!" The green haired boy lifted his hand.
Terra took her tracksuit from Todoroki. They walked out of the room and downstairs, following the green haired boy. It didn't take them long to get to the locker rooms. There the boys and girls split up. Terra gave Todoroki one last glance before they parted.
"This is so exciting!" The pink girl leapt into the air. "These tracksuits are so cute!"
"They are."
Terra quirked an eyebrow upon finding the one who spoke was invisible, but for her clothes. They floated in the air.
"Oh, I'm Toru Hagakure," the invisible girl said.
"Mina Ashido!" Ashido shook Hagakure's hand.
Terra moved to the locker closest to her while committing their names and faces, or lack there of, to memory. Opening the narrow door, she started to disrobe; glad she wore a thin layer of clothing underneath.
"Mind if I take the locker next to yours?"
Terra turned to find Yaoyorozu smiling. "Sure. It's fine."
"Thanks." Yaoyorozu stared stripping.
"So did you have to go through the entrance exams?"
"No, I also got in on recommendation."
"Same as Sho-chan and me."
"Sho-chan?"
"That's what I call Shoto." Terra shoved her arms into the sleeves. "We've known each other since we were kids."
"So you're close then?"
"Very." Terra nodded.
A few minutes later the girls left the locker room and went outside. A cool wind rushed over Terra's skin. It took her a moment to notice that, despite the coolness, the tracksuits were warm and breathable. Spotting Todoroki's hair she rushed over to him, noting that the white marks on their suits for a U over their shoulders and an A going down over their torsos to their ankles. "What do you think we're doing out here?"
"We'll know soon enough." Todoroki shrugged, eyeing the white marks on the ground.
Their teacher stood at the edge of a racing track with his arms crossed. He waited for them all to settle down and he took in a deep breath. "All right, let's get start. Today, we will be doing a quirk assessment test."
"A quirk assessment test?" most of the class asked.
"But what about the entrance ceremony? We're going to miss it," a girl with pink cheeks said.
Aizawa sighed. "If you're going to become a hero, you don't have time for such leisurely events. UA's selling point is how unrestricted it's school traditions are. And that means I can run my class how I see fit." He pulled out a digital device and showed them a list of what they were going to be doing.
Terra scanned the list. They didn't look all that hard. Though some of them would be a bit difficult with having to use her quirk.
"You'll do fine," Todoroki said.
"Wish I had a faction of your confidence." Terra pressed her shoulder against his.
"You guys did this in junior high, yes? Physical fitness tests where you weren't allowed to use your quirks?" Aizawa asked. "The country still uses averages taken from results from students not using their quirks. It's illogical." He took a step back. "Bakugo, you finished at the top of the practical exam, right?"
Bakugo nodded. "Yeah."
"In junior high, what was your best result for the softball throw?" Aizawa asked.
"Sixty seven meters," Bakugo replied.
"Try doing it with your quirk." Aizawa handed him a ball. "You can do whatever you want as long as you stay in the circle. Hurry up. Give it all you got."
Bakugo's eyes lit up as he stepped into the chalked circle marked on the ground. He stretched his body then took his stance. With a windup, he gritted his teeth, threw the ball, and screamed, "Die!"
"Eh?" Terra tilted her head. "Did he tell an inanimate object to die?"
Todoroki grunted.
Bakugo's hand exploded. The ball sailed high up into the air with fire streaking behind it before it disappeared from view.
"It's important to know your own maximum first. That is the most rational way to form the foundation of a hero," Aizawa said as the ball fell to the ground, the device in his hand measuring the distance the ball flew. He held up the screen for all to see.
"705.2 METERS?!" the class exclaimed as Bakugo puffed up his chest and smiled.
"We can use our quirks as much as we want! This is going to be so much fun! I'm pumped!" A boy with a sharp chin and black hair grinned.
"Fun, huh?" Aizawa frowned. "You have three years to become a hero. Will you have an attitude like that the whole time you're here? When you face all kinds of dangers and villains? That won't do at all." His frown formed into a malicious grin. "All right, let's raise the stakes. Whoever comes in last place will be expelled from UA."
"Are you kidding?!" Kirishima shouted. "We just got through the entrance exam! Why should we be tested again?"
"Expelled? On the first day of school?!" Ashido said. "No! Even if it wasn't the first day of school, this is too unfair!"
"Welcome to the UA hero course! Natural disasters, crisis, crimes," Aizawa said. "We cannot control when these things happen. Life is unfair. Heroes are the ones who reverse those situations. If you came here thinking it would be just a normal day at school, too bad. For the next three years, UA will do all it can to give you one hardship after another. Go beyond. Plus Ultra."
"All Might was right." Terra blew a strain of hair from her face. "This guy really is strict."
"The demonstrations over. Let's get started," Aizawa said and walked towards the track. "First test is the fifty meter dash."
Iida step up to the starting line with a dark green haired girl. Terra took a moment to study the girl's squatted posture. That combined with her tongue sticking part way out gave the impression of a frog. Then when the girl started jumping down the marked lane instead of running, Terra knew for sure that the girl's quirk was frog related. She gasped, pressing her hands to her cheeks. "So cute! A froggy quirk!"
"Hm? Oh, I believe her name is Tsuyu Asui," Yaoyorozu said.
"Cute, cute, cute, cute! I have to talk to her!" Terra squealed and rushed over to the green haired girl when she rejoined the group. "Excuse me."
"Ribbit?" The girl turned to her.
"So cute! You even ribbit!" Terra squealed again as she circled the girl. "Your quirk. It's frog related, isn't it? You hopped like a frog. What else could it be?"
"Ribbit. Yes, it is. I can do anything a frog can do. Jump, climb up stuff, stretch out my tongue, and a few other gross stuff."
"That's so cool!" Terra's eyes sparkled as she held out her hand. "I'm Terra Tanaka. It is so nice to meet you."
"Tsuyu Asui. Call me Tsu." Asui shook Terra's hand. "It's nice to meet you, too."
"So cute! I absolutely love frogs! So if I get too annoying, please tell me."
Tsu tilted her head, pressing her finger to her chin.
"Focus, Terra." Todoroki walked over to them. "You're turn will be up soon."
"Right. Sorry." Terra whipped to him with a grin.
"Excuse me, Terra?" Asui said.
"Hm?"
"What is that on your should?" Asui pointed to Birdie.
"This? Oh, it's Birdie. My mom made it for me." Terra caught a glimpse of Aizawa looking at her before he turned back to the students racing. "It's my cellphone."
"That thing is a cellphone?" Asui asked.
"It sure is. Mom uses her quirk to make stuff like this. Though Birdie here is one of a kind. She only made it for me."
"Interesting," Asui said.
Terra smiled then refocused on the tasks at hand. One by one the class ran the course, getting good scores as they went. Then it was her turn. "Let's see. How should I do this? I could use a vine from my hand but there's nothing to grab onto."
"Hurry up," Bakugo growled. "Don't just stand there like a moron!"
"That's not manly at all, dude," Kirishima said.
"Yeah. I want to know what All Might's recommendation girl is capable of."
"Me too."
"Same here."
"Hurry up." Aizawa glared. "We don't have all day."
"Right!" Terra flushed and took her position, searching for the plant life under the ground. The speed record at the other end buzzed. A vine broke through the ground. It shot towards her, wrapped around her waist, and pulled her to the other end in four seconds.
"Did you see that?!" Kaminari said. "She used a plant that wasn't part of her."
"I thought her could only use plants from her body," Hagakure said.
Iida cupped his chin. "Clearly she can control plants around her while also being able to produce them from her body. Interesting. Maybe All Might was right in recommending her."