2163/05/31 13:00

When it comes to those in society holding the title of 'principal', I honestly have never thought much of them. They essentially sit in a chair all day and do nothing. Don't even try to tell me that you count stamping papers as actually doing something productive. Do they even read half of the things they sign off on?

The majority of their job basically comes down to arguing with their local government for more money. Once again, not really something that needs to be given its own job. This is especially true for a certain principal not too far from here. I think every time I've peeked in her office, she's been making tea, messing around on her phone, or doing some other weird thing when she thinks no one is looking.

All this considered, I have to admit, I have a bit of respect for his er…rat? Giant guinea pig? I don't know exactly what this creature is, but JB gave me some information on him a while ago. He not only constantly manages the multiple curricula at the school, but is always trying to find ways to push them forward. And on top of that, he alone is responsible for all security systems for the entire academy.

At first, I just assumed he was a human given the appearance of an animal due to a quirk. But no, he's a true animal. One that awakened a quirk granting him high intelligence.

Quirks that boost intelligence can vary wildly, and usually manifest in different ways. My sister's quirk wasn't exactly something you could call a simple enhancement of her IQ, but an ability that allowed her intuition to surpass anything you could call intelligence to begin with.

"Ah, Kazami. I'm glad you made it. I apologize for taking up your scheduled hero course of the day. Though, because of your…special circumstances, I thought it would be prudent for us to have a little chat about your time here at U.A."

"I see. What did you want to talk about?"

"To start us off, you have been here for over a month already. Is there anything that you are having trouble with? Do you feel like you are fitting in?"

"Fitting in? Looking at just my time here at this academy, I guess there isn't too much to complain about. I'm top of my class, won the sports festival, and I don't have anyone who dislikes me here I would like to think."

"Just your time in the academy? Excuse my intrusion, but would I be correct in assuming that you don't see your time here as something that should be social in nature?"

"Hrm. Yeah, you aren't wrong."

"Is there something wrong with the other students in your class?"

"No, not really. It's just that I'm not exactly the most social person around. I have enough communication issues back where I live as it is. The students here are more…normal I would say. But in my case, I don't think that's a good thing."

"Because you don't feel like you can fit in with people with such differing world views as you."

"Pretty much. If I acted even a little more myself around my classmates, I think I would probably be universally despised."

'First off, you don't touch me physically if I don't give you permission to. And you definitely don't call a girl a 'maggot'

Yeah, I would probably get reactions like that…

"So would you say you're fairing better socially at Mihama?"

"Mihama? Forgive me, it's not that I mind talking about that with you, because I've already been briefed that you know pretty much everything that's going on, but I don't see a point."

"Despite what you might believe or think of yourself, you are still my student Kazami. And I care for each one. My responsibility to nurture and guide my students don't end when they leave the class."

I honestly find that a little hard to believe when you have thousands of students, but for the time being I'll buy it.

"I guess that makes sense. Well, I don't know what to say other than the fact that I still feel like some undercover spy or something. I come to your school and I'm vastly ahead of everyone else. Even the great Todoroki Shoto wasn't exactly the hardest challenge for me. Am I actually learning something while I'm here? Or am I just going to fly through everything put in front of me? And then I go back home, and I can't smile without feeling guilty about it. It's not that I don't enjoy my time there, but when I do, I suffer for it."

"It seems to me that you still have much to work through. But don't you think that maybe what you can learn while here isn't the technique, but the mindset?"

"What do you mean?"

"You say that you feel like you might not learn anything here, but according to a talk I had with All Might, that's not exactly true is it? Even something as small as figuring out what a motivational speech means to you can be learning. You aren't the first student at U.A. to have the power and skill to enter the professional scene at such an age. After all, you already have."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Instead of treating U.A. as a place to hone your techniques, I implore you to open yourself up to your classmates more. It might seem difficult, but everyone has their own hopes and dreams, and there's always room to learn from their mindset."

"Haa…well, all I can say is that I'll think about it."

"And that's all that I can ask from you."

2163/06/03 17:22

'open yourself up to your classmates more'

With that in mind, I had done the unthinkable. Something so out of left field that I felt that I had gained several levels from this one notion alone.

I briefly mentioned to the guys that if they were going to do something this Friday, I wouldn't mind tagging along.

Of course, this ended up becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have no doubt that little to no plans were actually in the making until I had said that very sentence. Still, Nezu said that I might gain insight into myself and my situation both at school and at home by interacting more with my classmates. So it's not like it's a bad thing. However, I thought that it would just be Hanta, Denki, Eijiro, Minoru, maybe Mina, and then myself.

"So why the hell are all of you here?"

"Do not say such things, it is only natural that you would find moi in an arcade, everything is sparkling!"

I press my hand to my face and sigh.

"And of course, the only one who gives me an answer is another idiot blonde."

Instead of the four to five I thought were going to show up, as they were the only ones I even spoke to about this, over ten of these bastards showed up.

"Oh come on, we couldn't resist seeing you actually hang out! And besides, arcades are fun!"

"Who said that? There's no one- oh it's you."

The invisible girl. Not like she would be a prominent character even if we could see her.

"So harsh!"

"Alright, so we got the five I actually mentally prepared myself to speak to, Gravity girl, the crybaby, frog girl, the fantastic four rip-off, sparkle man, and the karate master. Am I missing anyone?"

"You really don't hold back do you?"

"Alright, I have an idea, how about we all disperse around the arcade and play games? Preferably different ones, and spaced out if you don't mind."

Some of the girls begin to whisper with the boys, and more and more eyes turn to me. I take a step back in confusion and fear.

"Hey. What are you guys plotting? I won't hesitate to kick your collective ass up and down this arcade. Eleven? No problem."

"...Get him!"

"Hahaha! Guess you aren't the best at everything!"

"Yeah! Having trouble back there!?"

Sitting side by side, Mina and Toru taunt me from first and second place. I have to admit, I'm somewhat impressed, the girls in this class have shown me that they have a stronger drive for competition than the boys do in some areas.

Having been forcefully dragged around to play different games with them, it quickly became a contest between them to see who could beat me at anything. Though I realized that after I solidified myself as the temporary champion of Daichi and Bunta's Arcade, the boys in the class shrank away from putting in their best effort.

On the opposite end, the girls only got more frustrated, demanding I face them in another game of Tetris battle or other nonsense. At one point, I was even challenged to a laser shooting gallery. You know, those ones where you have a mock rifle that plays a little noise when you press the trigger and shines a red dot that activates the animatronics when you hit the red dot.

This time, I was dragged to play some spin-off racing game based on an Italian plumber. Why is an Italian plumber racing go-karts? Don't ask me. We Japanese have a tendency to be 'creative' with our licensing.

"Um, shouldn't we tell them Ochaco?" Tsuyu asks.

"Nope~ I wanna see this happen!"

"Even you can be merciless at times."

Completely ignoring the chatter from behind, my opponents continue to gleefully revel in their premature victory, while I stay behind in last place.

"Didn't you recently change your hero name? Well, I got a new one for you, Mr. Eight Place!"

"Ah, there we go."

"huh?"

With one lap to go, and all preparations set, it's time to put it in gear, literally and figuratively.

"Let me show you something you've never seen before. This…is item smuggling!"

"Ah! His placement!"

From eighth place, I suddenly shoot to seventh, sixth, all down to third.

"Mina! Mina! What's that sound!? Ah!"

Smashing her vehicle into the side wall, my avatar passes through with complete ease thanks to its transformation into a giant bullet.

"How did he get the bullet!? He was in third place!"

"Tch! Well, it ran out already so good luck!"

"Luck? Like I'll need that. Aren't you forgetting that there are two item slots?"

Her face goes cold when my machine from the other side begins playing a familiar tune. Completely cutting a corner thanks to my rainbow ability to traverse any terrain without a loss in speed, I pass Mina, and the finish line with seconds to spare.

"AaAUuww!"

"Got us again!"

"Bro what was that? I thought you were actually gonna lose!"

"It's a type of common strategy used for this game called item smuggling. By falling into last place on purpose, you get some of the best items in the game. Time it right, and use them when you're back near the top to get a quick win."

"Even with such a little game…and against girls to boot, you try so hard."

"I think they would prefer to beat me if I was actually trying rather than me giving them the win."

"Eh. I don't know man. If it was me, I'd let them have the win."

"Because that would be the 'manly' thing to do? Letting them parade around thinking they're better than you?"

"W-well-"

"I see. To each his own."

With little else left to play, we decided to push some tables together in the relatively empty dining area and sit together for a highly nutritious meal of pizza. We had agreed that if I even lost one game I'd have to pay for all of it, but despite winning every time, these punks still pulled the 'but you have a part-time job don't you?' I'll have to figure out which one of these guys spread the word and talk to them later.

"Say, Yuuji, where did you say you live again?" Ochaco asks.

"Hrm. I live in a shared community complex. It's in Cape Mishima."

"Cape Mishima? Isn't that by the coast?"

"Yeah."

"Woah Yuuji, you live in Cape Mishima? Isn't that where Mihama Academy is!?"

Denki swallows his piece of greasy cheese bread to ask.

"...! Mihama Academy? Never heard of it." I lie.

"You haven't heard?"

The others at the table lean in, with some nodding their heads in agreeance, and others tilting them in confusion.

"So get this, a couple of years ago, a bunch of small businesses all get bought out at the same time right? After being demolished, this super expensive-looking school is built in their place. And then a wall. Like a prison wall around the entire thing."

"I see, is it a juvenile detention center?"

"Who knows? There's only been a few students ever sighted to actually be inside at any time. Online the working theory is that Mihama is a prototype Ultimate hero academy. Like, only the best of the best can ever hope to get in. We're talking students stronger than Todoroki, and maybe even you!"

The best of the best…

Flashbacks of some interactions I've had fill my mind.

Michiru struggling to understand that pistol shrimp do not actually carry handguns.

Sachi going to Tokyo at midnight to see the city lights at night because I suggested it to her 'sometime when you get the chance'.

Amane stealing a pair of my U.A. gym clothes so that she could sniff them all night.

Yumiko breaking into tears because she went into the lounge and got scared because Ricky Jackass trying was on TV trying to 'catch a thunderbolt' when the volume was a bit too high.

And Makina, well. Doing most things.

Best of the best? These girls?

"Stronger than Todoroki…I see."

"Yeah, at least that's the theory. If you ask me, I think it's some sort of crazy social experiment or something. You know, like those ones you see being talked about in scary videos?"

"Social experiment."

That's a good term for it if anything.

"Hey! I got an idea! So hear me out, how about one day, we sneak over and try to see what's going on!"

"Hold it! You absolutely cannot do that!"

"Huh? Why not? Doesn't that sound fun?"

He asks the others around the table. Getting a lukewarm response.

"Sorry bro, traveling to a different city and breaking into some facility doesn't really sound like a smart idea. What if we get caught? We might get kicked out of U.A."

"Well said Eijiro, good thing one of us has common sense."

With that conversation hopefully being killed for good, we slowly move onto different topics, with me silently watching, and paying from the back.

But if there's one thing you best learn, is that the curiosity of idiotic teen boys getting into trouble is not something to underestimate.

2163/06/03 20:45

"Now watch, the Cheetah explodes into an all-out sprint!"

An old and peaceful voice narrates as a hunt begins on television.

"Go Cheetah! Get that bitch ass ga-zale!"

"Kazami." Yumiko says simply.

Thunk

"OuwIE!"

"Stop cussing like that."

"Aye aye sir!"

"Good."

"Seriously Yuuji? That's all it takes? How many times have we watched this same thing happen? She obviously hasn't learned anything!" Michiru says.

"Hasn't learned anything? I wonder who that reminds me of. Miss 'isn't Friday after Wednesday?"

"Wagh! What do days have to do with having the mouth of a sailor!?"

"What Yuuji's trying to say is that you can't get onto Makina for having a tough time when we keep having to remind you of some pretty simple things yourself…" Amane responds.

"Augh…"

"Not to worry lady Michiru, I managed to procure some of these 'My first days of the week!' books! Aren't they so colorful and cute?"

I suddenly stand up, getting everyone's attention.

"Gotta go do something real quick, it won't be long."

I don't listen to any of their questions and quickly run out the door.

"If nothing else, they're fast."

We were being watched. Two shadows in the corner of my eye. They must have thought I didn't notice them, because they weren't even trying to be stealthy after a minute or so past. All I was doing was drawing them in, waiting until the distance was too short for them to open it back up again.

After they scale the wall, one sprints up the street, while the other sprints in the opposite direction towards the water. Making me choose eh? It only takes me a moment to decide on the least troublesome of the duo, which means we're going towards the coast.

Of course, their athletic ability is nothing to write home about. In less than twenty seconds, they stop completely, turning to face me and raising their hands in the air. Looking to surrender?

"No."

The last thing he sees before being knocked unconscious is a flying knee. I can be stylish sometimes.

Glug glug

"You alright in there? Water is supposed to short-circuit electricity, isn't it?"

Glug glug!

"What's that? You love water? You want to change your name to short-circuit? Sounds like a strange idea to me, but you do you, my friend."

I harshly pull the blonde-headed trespasser out of the water.

"HaAAa! Y-Yuuji! I got it! I won't tell anyone! I swear!"

"Really? You won't? You're too kind."

I force his head back in.

GLUG GLUG!

What an annoying problem I have now. There wasn't supposed to be this much crossover between both sides of my life. Especially because I myself don't know everything about the girls and what issues could possibly arise in the face of them meeting people outside Mihama. It was built to keep them out of the public eye after all.

I don't have the biggest trust in the idea that these two could actually keep a secret, guys like these tend to easily spill their guts…I wonder.

"HaaA!"

"Tell me maggot! Which girl in the class do you want to fuck the most!?"

"W-WHA!? I-"

"Guess you're going back un-"

"Jiro! JIRO!"

"Ahh, we got us a goth girl fan. Are you a goth girl fan Denki?"

"Y-yes!"

"Hrmm…alright. Guess I can let you go."

"R-really?"

"Don't get too comfortable. I even hear about you mentioning this and I'm turning you back into a sugar cookie."

Denki, drenched from head to toe and covered in sand, nods vehemently.

"Good. Now hand me your phone. You're going to call someone for me."

"What for?"

"Well I got to do the other one don't I?"

2163/06/10 08:52

What makes up a male's optimal girl? What we usually call a man's 'type' basically boils down to his taste in appearance things like their clothing style or hair, combined with his taste in character or personality. Do they lean towards being dominant or submissive? Are they shy, or extroverted? Not everyone has full leanings on one side or the other when it comes to every little question you can ask. For the most part, a person's type will almost always have something to do with how they look and dress.

"My type?"

"Yeah, what kind of girl are you into?" Denki asks.

"Yeah Yuuji, are you perhaps a fan of blondes? No wait, maybe girls with long dark hair! Or are you a lolic-"

Thunk!

"Augh!"

I almost missed that one. Seriously, I know I've already thought this before, but how could you be shorter than Makina?

"My type. Well, it's kind of hard to say. If you're asking for the more simplistic answers, I'm somewhat of a fan of large breasts."

"Ah! He just came out and said it!"

"Hmm, so in that case, would it be Yaoyorozu?"

"Why are you trying to narrow it down to a girl in this class?"

"Yeah Kaminari, there's no point. I'm sure he's well serviced at home!"

Thunk

"Ough!"

Momo. A very simple response to that suggestion. Would I? Of course, her body is honestly not bad in any way. But I'd probably want to at least have a "Hello, how are you?" before going at it with a girl I've barely spoken to before.

"As scummy as he makes it sound, Mineta has a point. Is there someone you like at home?"

These guys. Ever since that day, they've been pushing the limits, trying to get me to open up about what actually goes down at the academy. Not only could it make things annoying in the future, but it sure as hell would be a big disappointment for them to learn that it's just a bunch of rejects all lumped up together.

"Someone I like at home? That's a big negative."

Sure I guess you can say I don't mind them at all, some more than others, but for the most part, there's not really any romantic interest in any of them.

I feel closest to Amane and Makina for obvious reasons. We eat dinner as a trio pretty much every night now, but there's still something off about it. I can't see myself completely letting my guard down around Amane, while Makina doesn't really inspire feelings of romance as much as feelings of protectiveness.

Next would be Sachi. There's nothing I have against her, quite the opposite, she's strong, capable, and reliable. And when I look into her eyes, there's something oddly nostalgic? It's hard to put into words. Though her personality, at least as it is now, isn't really my cup of tea. Watching every little thing I say, and the idea that she would date me simply because I asked her to are big problems I want to avoid.

Then we have Michiru. If I had to collect my thoughts on her before last month, I wouldn't have much to say. She's not a bad person by any means, and truly cares about her friends and will step up to help us if we need her, but she's whiny, would be almost completely helpless without Sachi, and is overall unable to comprehend even the most basic things. Now, however, I think there are depths to her that I honestly am curious to learn more about.

Finally there's Yumiko. We got off to a pretty abysmal start, and even now we only share small words here or there. She did smile at me once, but that's about it. One thing I need to keep an eye out for is what kinds of information she has on us. I wouldn't doubt the idea that she knows the girl's backstories in detail. Furthermore, how much does she know about me? There aren't really any strong feelings for her aside from caution for multiple reasons.

"I've said it before and I'll say it now. We're only friends, and I don't see that changing anytime soon."

"That's such a boring answer…but the redhead chick had a crazy body!"

"That…we can agree on."

I'll let him have this one.

2163/06/12 15:00

"The high inkwi-si-tor demands Sachi! Where is Sachi!?"

"Hm? I'm right here Mak-"

"Oi. If yer not gonna roleplay, then I'm not gonna tell ya what I needed to tell ya."

"I understand!"

"From the top!"

I watch Makina go back up the dorm stairs before beginning a slow descent.

"...what could this possibly be now?"

"How am I supposed to know? With Makina, it can be anything." Amane says, rubbing the space between her eyes.

"Ahem! As high inkwi-si-tor, it is my duty to report that the empress herself is coming!"

"I understand." Sachi places a single knee and fist on the ground as if speaking to some royal guard.

"Show only the greatest of respects! Else I'll kill ya!"

"I understand."

"Empress! We await yer command!"

I hear a door slowly open.

"Seriously! Why do I have to go along with this friggin' thing!? This is stupid! I just want to ask her a question!" Empress Michiru calls down from the second floor.

"Eh!? Thems the breaks punk! You want my maid finding service, you play along!"

"Maid finding- what!? All I did was ask you if Sachi was downstairs!"

"Hey! You wanna talk to Sachi or not!?"

"Fine fine! Just shut up about that already jeez!"

Coming down with a forced smile on her face, Michiru steps in front of Sachi, who remained down on one knee for the entirety of their screaming match. Much to Michiru's discomfort.

"Eh…ahem! Ah, Sachi! You've done well to await me. I have need of your services."

"Anything, my lady."

"I've been having a strong desire for some Otoro. You understand?"

"O'Toro, my lady?"

Sachi raises her head for the first time.

"Yup! I- I mean yes. Otoro. Make it happen my subordinate! I wish to see nothing but the finest knife work."

"..."

For a moment she remains silent. I'm unsure if I should speak up, but something seems wrong with Sachi's eyes. As if all the light suddenly drained from them in an instant.

"Yes. Certainly."

Rising from the floor, Sachi collects some things from her room, and with a backpack, she leaves the dorm.

Oh this cannot end well. Should I do something about it? Nah, better let them make their own mistakes. Can't let myself be a helicopter parent after all. Remember that discussion?

"Yes! Sweet Sashimi, all for me!"

"Eh!? What about yer faithful inkwi-si-tor!?"

"What!? If you wanted some you should have said so! Besides, Sachi is sure to make enough for all of us."

"Will you two mind lowering the volume!" A stern shout comes from upstairs, before a loud door slams.

"Y-yes mam."

So much for the dignity of an empress.

Will it be difficult? Very much so. But not impossible. If it is not impossible, then I will find a way.

O'Toro, a Spanish hero who was born and partially raised in Spain. Growing up watching an event known as the running of the bulls, he had created a hero persona around his favorite animal, what they call a 'Toro'.

With a quirk that allows his forward mass to increase exponentially with his running speed, he can even smash concrete walls with nothing more than a jog and a headbutt.

Does that certain question pop into my head? Of course it does, if only for a moment.

'Why?'

Why would Michiru want to eat the flesh of a beloved hero?

But it's quickly wiped away. It doesn't matter why. The only thing that matters, is that I fulfill her request.

Perhaps, she knows my past? It couldn't have been a coincidence, for her to ask this of me.

After all, this won't be my first time killing a hero.

Because a good girl always does what she is told.

-Extra-

2163/05/23 08:11

"Eh!? Are you sure you want that as your hero name?"

"I already said that this was only temporary. I'll be changing it in the future."

"But what if people start to know you by that name forever?"

Erg…that is something I'm a bit afraid of. But I'm a man of my word, and so it had to be this.

Earlier in the day, before class started I made my way to administration to submit my name change. I made it pretty clear that this was only going to be a short-term thing, but even still, they treated it like a big deal. Being a small-time celebrity in my own right at this point, they looked at me with the confusion of a man who had just learned that his all-star college quarterback son decided to become a birthday clown.

'You want your name to be…Mr. Standoffish man!?'