Now it may be just something personal, but I hate standing out. I don't know, it's just having everyone's attention on me is just soul crushing. As if they expect you to raise someone from the dead at that very moment. So, I try, key word try, to fit in. I guess I stood out because my hair looked like a grape lollipop but other than that I thought I looked normal.

Whoo boy, I would come to regret that in a few moments as I filed in with everyone else for the U.A exam. Everybody there either had a uniform or costume. People, who I could only guess had their own important reasons for being there. But everybody looked like they were bringing an A game. You could imagine their confusion (and some shock) when the most average looking Joe in a tracksuit and shorts carrying a foot and a half long blade by his side just walks in.

"Excuse me civilian, this is the U.A entrance exam," I did a full 180 to see who was speaking to me. Good lord, this guy looked professional, if I saw him on the streets I'd mistake him for a real hero. Perfect kept comb hair, glasses, and that business man physique, he must be a natural or something!

"I'm pretty sure I'm in the right place, unless they're holding the exams somewhere else?" I scratched my cheek as he looked at me as if I insulted him. Not that I thought I said anything wrong, I'm not the type of guy to do that. "Did I say something wrong?"

"You should leave."

"Huh?"

Oh boy, the glasses push, that's a move when someone just has that charm trait and they want it festering in their general vicinity. "I don't think you should be here," He spoke like he was telling a relative that their kid died in an accident.

"Well, I signed the sheets and I consider my capable, so we'll see after the results," I gave him my hand, trying to be friendly, "my name's Hoji, Hoji Ikimasuta pleasure to meet you."

We shared that sort of that, what is it called, "bro" moment? Yeah, that's it, we shared one of those as he shook my hand, "Tenya, Tenya Iida, same to you." I shot him a thumbs up as the two of us walked in to the gathering hall before the exam.

As we were seated, who I presumed to be the world's most eccentric sports announcer walked on stage to explain the exam. I only paid attention to the rules of the exam, spouted something about "Plus Ultra" and we were flooded out. It was time for battle strategizing.

"Hey, Ikimasuta," it was Iida. He was tapping my shoulder as he walked to the exam grounds. I guess I was that deep thought. Anyway, he seemed to have something on his mind.

"Please, just call me Hoji. Anyway, what do ya need?"

"Alright then, Hoji, why are you floating?" I looked down to see what he was talking about. Turns out, I was indeed floating, guess I was in such deep thought that it happened without me noticing.

"Oh this? It's just something my Quirk allows me to do. It usually happens when I train." I then placed my feet back on solid down before a question ran through my head. "Hey Iida, what's your strategy?" He looked at me confused for a moment, or at least I assumed he was confused because of the delay in his response, "I guess to rack up as many points as I can, seems reasonable." I got an idea, so dumb, it could work beautifully and get us both in.

"Hey Idia, I got an idea, how about we team up and do a 50/50 sort of plan? I'll be the defense, you be the offense. We alternate who gets the points between each robot. It'll go quicker and we'll rack up points quicker," I waited for his response as he pondered it. As soon I saw the grin on his face, I knew he was on board. We walked towards the exam as confident as ever. Soon, this school would know the extent of my father's words.

It seemed that everyone else was either in a pair of some sort, so it meant we only had the challenge of efficiency to deal with. I gripped my blade and pulled it out of its sheath. The metal looked as white as snow, shining in the sun, I could see that even Iida was impressed. I ran my hand across the blade as the seemingly white blade turned a bright shade of lavender. Iida was about to ask something, but I pointed him to the clock, which was t-minus 10 and counting. We got ready as the clock ticked down before the exam started.

Iida was fast, I'll give him that. So much so, I had to use my levitation to pretty much fly beside him. We found our first robot as we were moving at breakneck speeds. I decided since I was the defense I'd rush in first and engage. It swung one of its arms at me, I tilted my sword diagonally as I blocked the attack. "Now!" I yelled as Iida came up and smashed it into rubble. Well he had one point and I had none, so we moved on immediately to try and find another one. After a while, I thought we were doing good. Not top 10 good, but passible good.

I felt though, that he was mad at me for some reason, like I was messing us up. After a while, some of those large robots, the ones that weren't any points if I remembered were let out. Time was running short, but I was confident we passed, but now after I stopped for a breather I heard the loudest jet taking off. It wasn't a jet, it was another kid in the exam and he decked that unlucky hunk of metal so hard it was like a bomb went off. We were told time was up and moved on to the written exam. All throughout the written exam, I tried my hardest to figure out why Iida was mad at me.

After the exam, I met up with Iida before he was leaving. "Hey Iida," I grabbed his shoulder as he turned around, "You wouldn't happen to have a cell phone, would you?"

"Yes, I do, why do ask?" He asked as I handed him a slip of paper on it, "What's this for?"

"I thought you were a pretty good guy, so I thought we could keep in touch, as friends?" I squeaked out awkwardly. All my other friends were people I knew since kindergarten, so this was this first completely new person I attempted to make an acquaintance with, let alone a friend. I saw a smile on his face as he nodded.

"We proved to be an excellent team during the exam, so I consider you as a worthy peer, but…" he trailed off as I looked at him curiously. He finally came back to reality after what I thought was a solid two minutes. "Why didn't you use your Quirk during the exam?" Oh, so that's what he was mad about! Or was he curious, or worried, good lord it's hard to read this man.

"It um, how should I say this…" I fumbled for the words before I found my response, "It was my father's philosophy of sorts that a hero is made by his heart and not his power. And so, I sort of wanted to make a statement in the exam that I don't need my Quirk to be a hero. I did use it, but only to keep up with you and keep my sword from breaking." I either offended him tremendously that he was about to slap me, or he was moved by my father's philosophy.

"I'll, text you tonight," He said as he pushed up his glasses and walked off. I stood there with a grin on my face. I just befriended to me, the coolest guy on the block. I walked home humming happily, even skipping a bit.

Later that night, I got the said text from Iida. It was the usual "is this so and so?" text. I responded to him added him to my contacts, and we quickly began a conversation.

"Who was the Bomb Kid? The one that punched that robot so hard it almost blew up?" I texted him. That kid must've been made with raw steel to have done that.

"I think his name was Midoriya. I got his name before the exam."

"You think we passed?"

"With that performance, no doubt."

"I was meaning to ask, but what is your Quirk?" He took his time responding to that one, I knew I was in for a lecture.

"It's called "Engine", I have these car like exhaust pipes on my calves and an engine that gives me super speed. Did you not see them on my legs?"

"No! Why would I be looking at your legs? That'd be a little weird man. Let me guess, you want to know mine, right?"

"I'd appreciate it," man, that was fast.

"Well, it's technically called "Psycho Force", but I just call it "Psychic." I can levitate, as you saw in the exam, along with increasing the durability of objects, again as you saw, in addition to teleportation, telekinesis and energy projectiles."

"It seems you got a very versatile Quirk there."

"Same to you," I responded humbly, "We get our scores a week from now right?"

"Yes, if I remember correctly."

"Well, I'm going to catch a few Z's, hope to see you soon!"

"You too."

I shut off my phone and turned in for the night, but I couldn't sleep. I just stared at the ceiling. All I could think about was my Dad. Would he be proud of me right now? Would he want me to make it into the hero course? Of course, I'll never know the answer, but the thought kept me up.

About a week later I got the results and decided to open it with my Grandparents. We all gathered around the table and I started up the video feed. A mouse looking man appeared on the video feed.

"Hello, I'm Nedzu. I must admit Mr. Ikimasuta, your scores were exemplary among your other classmates despite not using your Quirk. It seems you're passionate about heroism. Someday, I'd like to learn what you believe it means to be a hero. Here's the scoreboard if you want to see how well you preformed. I look forward to seeing you soon. Plus Ultra." The feed faded over to a scoreboard that showed the students. It didn't take me long to find my name in third place.

"Villains defeated: 29, Rescue: 63?" My Grandmother was about to go into shock from the looks of it. "You got 3rd place? Oh, Hoji I'm so proud of you! And I bet your father is to!" She hugged me as I returned it, my Grandfather clapping in the back. I looked at the scoreboard and saw Iida at fourth, shy a few points in rescue but I felt happy for him. He did save me a few times from some punches I didn't see coming, but I didn't think they were worth that much.

After that was over I sent him a text, "Congratulations on 4th place!"

"Same to you for 3rd."

"We should celebrate! You free two days from now?"

"Think so, school doesn't start until four days. What did you have in mind?"

"I know a place nearby with some great noodles and stew. Sound good?"

"Yeah, just send me the details and I'll see if I can make it."

"Alright later man."

"Later Hoji."

Oh yeah, I am so hyped for the next chapter! I'm hoping to expand on Hoji's and Iida's friendship next time! Hope you enjoyed and leave a review if you think something can be improved.