The giant H shaped building rose up from the ground like a monolith, eclipsing the budding sunrise and prolonging the crisp dew laden morning air. The tree's lay barren, even as it neared the end of the winter months, casting an imposing bleak image alongside the repeating archways that led to the foot of the U.A.'s auditorium. Even though it was the twenty sixth of february the air had a chilling bite to it, something that did not settle well with me at all.
Go do a sweep of the grounds he said, it'll be fine he said, can you believe that guy?! Let's see him walk around stark ass nude in the middle of winter and see how well his tits fair.
Groaning inwardly I suppressed my more base complaints to the back of my mind, trying to keep myself focused on memorizing every detail of the grounds. I refused to let those ten long months of gruelling training go to waste, I had endured all sorts of torture at the hands of that man,Kurogiri. From basic strength and endurance training, to advanced combat tactics and reconnaissance exercises. The worst though, was when I failed to learn something, then I would be hooked up to some horrid device or splayed out on a table or chair, where we would begin a different sort of training. Shivering now for a reason other than the biting winter breeze, I shoved the unwelcome thoughts away and made my way back to where I had hidden my clothes. Upon reaching them I immediately wrapped the warm fabrics around me as quickly as possible, which wasn't as prompt as I'd like with my hands numbly fiddling at the laces and knots of my outfit. Once I had the majority of my clothes on I sat down and huddled my arms and legs close to me, trying desperately to shake the bitter frost from my limbs. Staring down at the remaining article of clothing I felt a somber sigh escape my lips, a hand knit beanie rested idly in my gloved hands, something Himiko had procured for me a couple months back. Gingerly I reached up and stroked a hand against the bristling hairs of my shaved scalp, wistfully recalling the volume and length of my hair all those months ago. It was petty, sure. Impractical, definitely. But I missed it, I missed the way it blew in the wind, I missed the way it felt to weave my fingers through, and most of all I missed the feeling of normalcy it brought.
What are you doing? You don't deserve to have nice things. Listen to yourself bitching and moaning. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get off your ass, you got a mission to complete. What's the use of trying? I'm probably gonna fail anyway. Stop it.
Taking in a deep breath I donned the beanie, pulling it down hard around my ears and shook my head trying to air out the bad thoughts.
You got this. Who are you kidding of course you don't. No, you're a bad bitch and you are gonna stop the pity party, march in there, and kick ass!
Puffing out my chest I thrust my fists into the air triumphantly, promptly slamming one of them into something hard and fleshy.
"Ouch, Fuck! Why'd you go ahead and do that?!"
Jumping away from the sound of duress, I immediately bowed my head, shame heating up my cheeks in embarrassment. Peeking an eye up at the progenitor of the voice, a boy who was close to my age by the look of it, I gave him a quick glance over. The boy had short, carefully styled blond hair, with otherwise unremarkable features beyond his sharp narrow eyes and a giant muscular tail that protruded from his back.
Great job, idiot. He's probably judging you right now, this is why you shouldn't leave the house. He's probably gonna go tell his friends about you later. Is that what you want?
Lowering my gaze back down to my feet I let off a small nervous laugh as I tried to stammer out a convincing apology, my hands quickly flapping through the air in front of me before dropping to my waist in defeat.
"S-sorry about that. I guess I was lost in thought, big nerves about the exam and all! Here I got some bandages in my bag because, well you never know when you might need them and I guess I was right! But I had no idea I would be the one causing the injury! Then again I do end up hurting myself a lot so I guess I really shouldn't be surprised."
Shut up, you're rambling, he's gonna think you're one of those peppy girls that never stop talking. God they're awful. Who are you to judge them? At least they look happy.
Rubbing his nose the boy looked down at me with an eyebrow raised in confusion, watching as I flipped my bag around and began producing medical supplies. Dismissively he waved his other hand, shaking his head as a small smile appeared on his face.
"No,it's alright I'm fine. Just caught me by surprise is all, I didn't think anyone else would be here and I didn't see you there, until I got a mouthful of your….fist? Oh sorry, that's a bit insensitive of me to say isn't it? Unless, can you turn it off? Or..?"
Replacing my supplies back in my bag I stared up at the boy mouth agape, no one's ever really asked me about that before, much less think of how it might affect my feelings.
Is he being nice to me? He's scoping you out you dimwit, this is an exam. Who could ever find someone like you charming. Even Himiko is only with you out of pity, you are trash. Only the top fifty get in remember? Or did you forget that in your unending quest for affection. Now say something you idiot he's staring at you.
"Uhhh, I'm not really sure we should be telling each other our quirks, this is a competition! Can't have you discovering all of my secrets."
Striking a fighting pose, I forced my tone to be cheerful and upbeat, even as I let myself fall into a pessimistic mindset. Looking a tad dejected, the tailed boy merely chuckled nervously at my over the top battle posture before averting his eyes.
"Oh. Oh yeah, sorry I forgot. Well good luck in there! Maybe we'll both pass and I'll see you in school!"
Rubbing the back of his head he briskly walked past me, a shade of red creeping over the back of his ears. Watching him hurry up the steps, I relaxed my posture and hung my head in embarrassment, as it dawned on me he might have just been as nervous as I was about the exam and trying to make simple conversation.
Nice going idiot, you never were good at making friends. Maybe if I tried a little harder. It's too late for that now.
Bringing my hands up to my head I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the dull pain of the onsetting headache that was beginning to radiate at the base of my skull. Turning my gaze back to the building, I let out a long steadying breath and set out towards it.
The auditorium had a grandiose feeling to it, being so large that it could easily fit about eight thousand people, curious considering the prestigious school of U.A. only lets in about forty to fifty people per year. They must have this room strictly for the entrance exam attendees, looking around I could see that while the room had been rather empty when I had first gotten there it had continued to fill up at an alarming rate.
"H-Hello"
Nearly jumping out of my skin at the sound, I wrenched my head to my right to see a small timid looking girl with long auburn hair staring down at a small pamphlet in front of her, she began fidgeting slightly as I became aware of her. Hesitantly settling back down into my chair, I craned my neck to try and get a better look at her face since her hair seemed to obscure all but her mouth and chin. Failing to, I relaxed back into a more normal sitting position.
How long has she been sitting there? She's probably wants you to move, you're unpleasant to look at. Maybe she wants to be friends, I should try being nice to her. Why? So it hurts more when she rejects you? What's the matter with you? Just answer her and go back to feeling shitty for yourself.
Forcing myself to smile to try and trick some joy into my voice, I found myself hastily spouting out a clumsy jumble of words.
"Oh hi! Didn't see you there! You ended up startling me something good! My name's Hagakure Tooru. I must of been so nervous about the exam I didn't notice you sitting down, sorry about that."
Curiously the girl seemed to return my smile, even as she continued to face towards the stage, hers being somewhat shyer and more subtle than mine. Bowing her head a bit she continued to fidget with her hands, her soft voice barely reaching me over the loudening chatter of the other attendants.
"Good to meet you Hagakure...my name is Komori Kinoko. If I may, could I ask for your assistance in a matter? I would be very greatful. You see, there is a pamphlet in front of me and I'm unable to read it. Could you perhaps read it for me? I completely understand if you do not want to, I don't want to be a bother."
What? She can't read? Of course she just had to sit here, gotta make my life harder at every turn. What's wrong with you? Just help the poor girl. You can't even help yourself, what makes you think you can help her? Good job making this about you, idiot.
"Sure, I don't mind at all"
You lying piece of shit.
Shrugging off the guilt that was pooling at the pit of my stomach, I gave Komori a quick nod and proceeded to read out the important bits of the pamphlet.
"So, the goal is to gain as many points as possible through the destruction of four different types of robots, the strongest gives three points while the second strongest gives two and so on till you hit the zero faux robots, which I guess is something more akin to a hazard then a villain. We are given a ten minute time limit to score as many points as we can with a…. huh, a strict rule against attacking other applicants. I guess it's good to know we don't have to worry about watching our backs"
Throughout the explanation Komori simply kept silent, her head nodding in agreement as I finished. Taking out her examinee card she slid it along the desk towards me an appreciative timid smile broaching her lips.
"Thank you for your assistance, if I may make one last request of you? This card….could you tell me what it reads as well?"
Looking between her and the card I could not help but let my face settle into a puzzled frown.
Is she blind? Surely this test would be too dangerous for her if she was and yet here I am reading out the examination information for her when I should be concentrating on the mission. Convenient excuse, you can't even take a moment out of your self loathing to help someone else can you? You are such a piece of shit.
Breaking my train of thought with a sudden gasp the girl bowed her head respectfully, an apology quickly tumbling out.
"Oh! I'm sorry for upsetting you, you must think me quite the burden. Do not feel obligated to assist me in my plight, for I can manage on my own I'm sure"
Confused by the sudden outburst I waved one of my hands in a dismissive way trying to convey to her that she had no need to worry.
"It's no trouble...why did you think I was upset?"
Komori dipped her head to the side in a perplexed manner before speaking again in that meticulous way she had.
"Oh are you not? When you frowned I had come to the apparently hasty conclusion that you were displeased by my request, I am thankful that it was a misunderstandment."
What?!
"What? You can see me?!"
Turning completely towards me for the first time since sitting down, Komori slowly nodded, the confusion she was feeling leaking into her words.
"Yes...should I not be able to?"
This is bad. You should of left. She's been watching you this whole time and you've been acting like an idiot. That bitch, she was watching me crane my neck, looking like a complete idiot as I tried to get a look at her face. She's probably laughing at you. No, stop it. It's not her fault. You're right, it's yours. What's wrong with you?
"Uh, no I'm just a bit shocked because well, I'm invisible. It's just rather surprising that you noticed I was frowning since normally people don't see my expressions at all."
Placing a hand over her mouth to shield a small gasp from view, Komori shifted back to facing towards the stage. After a moment the soft intricate way of her speech rose gently to my ears.
"Oh you must think me quite the insufferable fool. Please, you must excuse my blunder I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I was born blind and unable to view things in a normal sense. My quirk, if you'll forgive me for sparing you a more indicative description due of course to the impending examination, gives me detailed information of my , I'm still unable to read without the assistance of another. Sometimes, if I am fortunate enough, I can find a book entirely translated into braille." Letting out a delicate sigh Komori placed a hand to her cheek, leaning into it lightly. "But tome's such as they are as difficult to find as they are terribly expensive."
Komori then launched into a tangent of how, if she were successful in her effort to become a hero, she would use her fame to bring awareness to the unjust societal problems that people such as she faced on a daily basis. I barely listened however, as I instead wrestled with the idea that someone could actually see me and the cocktail of emotions that came with that knowledge.
Okay, this is obviously bad. If she see's me using my borrowed quirk that could be it for me. I should definitely keep her in mind if she does manage to get into the school. Look at you moaning about your problems when she's trying to discuss how she's gonna make the world a better place. What if she can tell me what I look like? No! That is a bad idea, what do you want her to say? That you're pretty? Are you that desperate for a kind word that you're willing to chance getting found out? I don't know, maybe? I wonder what she looks like under those bangs. What's wrong with you? She's probably tired of looking at your ugly, shitty body. You should be listening to her. What if she can see my scars, will she ask questions? Stop pitying yourself and listen to what she is saying. I'm gonna ask her. Don't!
Before I could ask my question the lights darkened and a man with an interesting haircut walked onto the stage. Knowing that the orientation was likely starting I glanced back down to the card Komori handed me, reading the information that disappointingly did not match mine. Relaying the whereabouts of her testing grounds and wishing her luck, which she reciprocated, I dejectedly settled back into my chair, listening to the proctor as he detailed the information we had been provided.
After the orientation I was led to site G while Komori, after exchanging a few words of encouragement with me, had parted ways. A bundle of nerves knotted in my chest as I began to strip down at the starting line, removing all of my clothing save for a single glove, so the judges could keep score of my points. Stretching out, I felt the rippling muscles that I had gained in those months of training and let out a small sigh.
Even if Komori could see my I doubt she'd find me pretty, all this muscle probably has me looking like an amazonian.
Distracting myself from that unsettling thought I looked around, amazed at how much space the school had to work with, this site alone had to be about the size of a small town.
Don't get too excited, you know that they're gonna want you to scout around this space once you get accepted. You know because that's what you're here to do infiltrate potential heroes and sell them out to villains. I can't do anything about that. Can't or won't?
Battling inwardly, I felt rather than heard waves of people rush past me. One of them actually slamming their way through me in their haste, apparently I had missed the signal. Willing my heartbeat to settle, I raised my ungloved hand up to my mouth and bit down with enough force to draw blood as I had practiced so many times before. This was my borrowed quirk, Sanguine Bonds, the power to manipulate my own blood. Rushing forward to try and catch up to everyone, I pressed my bloodied hand to my thigh and willed the blood to slip down my leg to my feet where I hardened it, creating soles. Relief flooded me as the pavements exertion on my bare feet was lessened, next I formed a sharp taloned gauntlet fitted tightly against my gloved hand by increasing the iron density within my blood. Feeling a bit light headed from the blood loss, I sealed the wound off and prepared myself for what I had to do next. Focusing on speeding up the process of blood circulation through my body and to my brain, I fell into an adrenaline fueled state of euphoria.
Pushing myself to run faster, now that my muscles no longer lacked oxygen, I sped around the edge of a building, coming only inches from a three pointer. With barely a thought I planted a hand on the front of the machine, vaulting onto it and immediately dodging a clumsy blind attack directed at the spot I had been touching. Gritting my teeth I dug deep and called upon my more natural quirk, emitting a blinding burst of light so as to blind any that may be watching me. Working quickly I delved my clawed hand into the robot, shredding and hacking at as many wires as I could until it ceased its movements. I felt a jubilant laugh erupt from me as I hopped down from the heap of metal.
Now this, this you are good at!
I left the exam feeling pretty confident in my score of thirty points, the other students I had spoken to after the test were well under my score. From what I had heard apparently one kid managed to not even get a single point during the entire ten minute duration. The only thing that gave me cause to worry was that there had been someone who had taken the test that had been strong enough to take down one of the faux targets in a single blow.
I'll have to get info on that one as soon as I can. If you get in. Oh shut it, let me have this.
You barely get thirty points and here you are brimming with pride like a puppy looking for it's treat. You're a real piece of sh-
Cutting off the train of thought, I turned onto one of the abandoned alleyways that littered the particular street I had been walking down and checked my phone for the time. It was a tad before noon, the portal that was to bring me home was set to open at exactly twelve. It would open and then stay that way for about a minute before closing, it would then repeat this process every half hour thereafter. Slouching down behind a nearby dumpster to wait, I could not help but to entertain the idea of meeting the tailed boy or Komori again.
They seemed nice and they didn't look at me strange or treat me different. Of course not, they don't know you yet, but once they , I know. Who would want to be around someone who killed their own- I KNOW!
A sharp pain suddenly stabbed at the base of my skull, interrupting my inner turmoil. A fog started to skate around the edges of my vision as my blood sluggishly churned about in my veins. Shaking slightly, I grabbed hold of my knees, tucking myself into a fetal position and began to take long deep breaths.
It's okay, everything's okay. Just breathe.
Willing myself back into control, I gently laid my head back against the cold bricks of the alleyway wall, gritting my teeth against the pain that drummed against the inside of my head.
You deserve know that don't you? You are only going be bringing trouble with you to this school, to those innocent kids, what'd they ever do to you? They chose to be heroes, laying down your life comes with the job. Is that what you're doing? No, I'm surviving.
Suddenly the subtle sound of rushing air popped into existence, glancing down I could see dark tendrils of black, swirling out like a whirlpool as the portal grew to envelope the ground before me. Pushing myself up, I stood at the edge of the swirling pit gazing down into the endless dark recesses of it before bracing myself and delving down into it's embrace.