Chapter 7: Exposing Thorns
Ochako
Tenya Iida isn't the type of person to back down.
The younger brother of Ingenium is sure to impress not only the faculty, but his fellow peers with his quirk.
"I just want to make sure everyone here is safe considering your quirk's power." Iida's voice booms with authority.
'Remember what Nishimura-sensei taught you.' Ochako reminds herself, watching his interaction with Deku from the corner of her eye. Being calm under pressure is one of the first lessons of his class in prepping to be a proper hero or stay safe in danger.
However, right now she would forgo staying silent.
"Is everything alright?" She asks, noting the harsh grip Iida has on Deku's shoulder.
But to her surprise Deku only smiles, lightly brushing off Iida's hand as if it were only dust or a bug.
"Uraraka, hey! No, we're fine. Just getting an idea of everyone we'll be competing against." Izuku relates, turning back to Iida and fixing him with a sharp enough glare for him to step back.
So he really does believe just a bit in all the rumors involving Deku, that fear making him hesitate, pause in making his next move.
"Right. Well should limit distracting each other! It can mean the difference between passing and failing!" Iida remarks before marching off.
As soon as he is out of sight Izuku releases a breath, nerves jumping to life once more.
"So...Looks like he bought that act!" He laughs weakly, scratching at his head just to keep from fiddling with his fingers.
What would he'd have done if he hadn't backed down?
And Ochako feels herself holding back a laugh at Deku's tough act utterly evaporating, this is the Deku the media hasn't yet seen or believes...
"Seems you're already a pariah before the exam has even started." She mentions instead at seeing the array of stares on him that are a mix of panic down to annoyance.
Izuku only nods, stepping back from her as well.
"It might be better if you do the same too Uraraka." He murmurs.
"Oh, I don't mind-" Ochako begins only for a loud buzzer to interrupt her.
They both twist then to see the main gates up ahead creaking opening, a voice echoing out to them.
"All you newbies prepare yourselves, it's time to truly put those quirks of yours to the test!" Present Mic's voice booms out and its then as the dust clears they see rows of machinery clicking to life.
'Robots?' Ochako questions herself, eyes widening in alarm at seeing some as tall as skyscrapers. Well Nishimura sensei did say U.A. went above and beyond when it came to the physical portion of their entrance exams.
This must be an example of that.
"You'll only have 1 hour to score as many points as possible against these machines! Choose wisely as the larger machines will get you zip!" Present Mic explains.
There is no countdown, just the sound of the buzzer ringing out again before the pounding of dozens of footsteps thunder into her ears heading into the gate alongside her.
Amidst the noise and chaos she can no longer see Deku, swallowed up by what are hopefully to be her future peers. As much her chest twinges in worry, she ignores it. Everyone has to watch their backs and look out for themselves first if they want to successfully complete this exercise.
"Show U.A. why you're worthy of being a student there and eventual graduate!" Nishimura's voice cheers her on from her thoughts.
Her response back to him remained the same each and every time.
'I will!'
-X-
Izuku
'Break it's arms.'
'Shatter the head.'
The bustle of commands skitter one after the other across his thoughts, right arm becoming sore after crushing in 5 robots in succession.
"Watch it! That robot's leg could've crushed me under!" A boy remarks snidely from his side, sending him a dirty look until he realizes who he is. The venom in his expression evaporates then, twisting on his heel quickly without another word before he can hold his gaze any longer.
It doesn't matter right now what anyone thinks of him though when the world is spinning faster, dizziness threatening to catch up with him and pull him into a total blackout if he keeps this up.
'I can handle at least 10 more minutes max.'
"55 points, 60 points, 65 points." He counts off under his breathe, already a majority of the machines have been destroyed or mangled to pieces. There isn't much left to earn points from before time is up completely. He hasn't yet used Infliction or One For All to their full extent, perhaps he won't need to just yet.
'I hope Uraraka has earned enough points as well.' Izuku wonders.
They hadn't been given any instruction beyond the points system for each robot or if that was even all that they were being assessed for. He twists his attention down an alleyway, pausing at seeing two robots beside a flurry of auburn hair.
"And Release!" Ochako shouts, crashing the pair back down.
Her eyes twist to him for a brief second and he frowns at seeing the trail of sweat sticking to her, hands starting to tremble just slightly close to her weight limit. Behind her a beam of crimson shoots out, another mechanical body approaching...
"Uraraka look out-" Izuku begins, words falling away at seeing her jab her elbow harshly into the robot's face before it can get too close shattering it to pieces. Metal slices into her skin drawing blood and she winces, freezing in place as pain ripples through her body.
"2 minutes left! Hustle if you want to make sure you pass!" Present Mic's voice echoes out throughout the area.
There is still another massive machine in the area, scarlet orbs pinpointing on everyone within this vicinity.
"Go!" Uraraka hisses to him urgently, gritting her teeth as the sting from her wound rockets up her arm. Bile too crawls up her throat as her nausea worsens, leaving a trail of sourness reminding her just how much she has gone pass her limit.
Izuku shakes his head back at her, tightening his fists.
"I'm not leaving you here alone." He responds back quickly before she can leave any room for argument.
It's time, all his days of training have led up to this.
'This will be the first time I use One For All with Infliction; I'll intensify Infliction's power with one final burst!' Izuku decides.
His gaze shifts from Uraraka to the robot above, channeling energy into his legs shooting him up allowing him to get straight into position.
'One For All, boost my punch!' Izuku concentrates, drawing back his fist in preparation.
"SMASH!"
A wave of energy bursts out as soon as his fist makes contact, machine exploding instantly piece by piece from the shock-waves.
And then he is tumbling back to Earth, vision flickering as his migraine encompasses him fully. Briefly he sees Uraraka studying him in a mix of shock and joy keeping him afloat just enough to not splat against the pavement before she too collapses.
His arm is surely scorched and bruised, nerves on fire. Even using a tiny bit of energy to heal at his superficial wounds doesn't take away the pain.
Right, he didn't think about the landing or the repercussions...
'Uraraka's okay though.' Izuku notes before everything goes black.
-X-
All Might
"You have to admit Aizawa, that was a bit impressive, right?!" Toshinori repeats, unable to keep excitement out of his voice.
"You weren't kidding when you said he was unique!" Yamada beams, his score putting him in the Top 10.
Aizawa doesn't give him the satisfaction of a response, scoffing lightly under his breath. This really is an unusual freshman class from their personalities down to their quirks.
"...2 students need Recovery Girl's attention." He states instead, swerving his chair away from the monitors.
'I have some planning to do.' Aizawa sighs. It was one thing to watch Izuku in action, but completely another for him to be facing a proper opponent head on. He was still masking those negative feelings and powers of his to an extent, those thorns he wanted to avoid being in the public's image again...
But he won't be able to conceal such things forever, he'll need to remind him of that.
Toshinori watches him go, sighing at his usual behavior.
Despite him feigning interest, an icy thought snaps in that Aizawa plans to test Young Midoriya for himself. On how well he can control his abilities to stay within U.A.'s walls whether he wants him to or not...
'You proved yourself Young Midoriya, not just in holding your own against a good chunk of those robots, but in exhibiting heroic behavior to help keep a fellow peer safe from any further harm.' Regarding the recording again proudly.
Granted in the process he damaged himself as well...
"I'm going to go check on him in the clinic. I'll be back shortly!" He announces to Principal Nezu and the others.
"Be careful. You can't stay in that form for much longer for today in case any students are loitering about." Nezu remarks before he's even out the door.
It's nearing dusk as he makes his trek over to the next building as last rays of golds and reds falling against the windows. The days of he and Midoriya cleaning up the beach or watching the city from the towers seem like so long ago...
"He's still sleeping though so you can't stay for long-" Chiyo's voice echoes down the hall and Toshinori slows his steps.
"I don't care damn it! I want to know exactly how that nerd did that attack earlier!" The second voice snaps in return.
Ah, Young Bakugo!
"I'd watch my mouth young man, you never know who is watching or listening to you as soon as you let your guard down." She advises and Toshinori stiffens.
Well, at least Young Bakugo hasn't noticed his presence yet.
Katsuki snorts at her warning before eventually straightening up at her glare, restraining back a scowl or urge to curse once more.
"5 minutes. That's all you're getting." Chiyo states after a moment.
She meets Toshinori in his corner in the shadows, sighing. "So that injured boy is your successor everyone has been talking about, correct?"
Toshinori nods, already knowing what is on her mind. "Yes, I know he has a ways to go, but he's learning. That's why he's here at U.A."
They both turn then back towards the room at hearing some muffling. Just enough to hear Katsuki question Izuku's actions.
"Since when can your fucking quirk cause effects like what we all saw earlier? I'll be damned if I let this new ability of yours or even your old one stops me from being number 1!" He gripes.
It's a shame this idiot isn't awake right now, he needs to put this apparent secondary new quirk of his to the test he somehow forgot to mention to him.
Or at least get their future classmates to stop whining in fear that he's going to hurt them like Deku is some killer. He used to burst into tears from a simple glare he sent him from daring to talk back.
However, those days are long gone...
Chiyo steps forward at seeing the orange burst of flames in his hands, stopped only by Toshinori's grip on her shoulder.
"He's a bully! I don't care how strong his quirk is, U.A. will gain a negative image allowing students like him in!" She hisses.
"Funny, people are saying the same about Young Midoriya as well." He answers back.
And Chiyo had rightly agreed with those comments too.
"Look I went and vouched your not some evil monster to the police in person and in a letter to U.A.'s principal since Mom wouldn't shut up about it." He grunts at the annoying memory.
"A few damn rumors don't mean anything and it won't be long until I finally prove your quirk or quirks aren't going to best me forever. At least tell your stupid Round Face girlfriend that so she stops giving me the stink eye." He retorts at his silence before turning to go.
His yelling though finally wakes him up.
"Kacchan?" Izuku questions to his departing figure. His migraine still lingers, everything still an assortment of blobs and colored shadows.
Katsuki doesn't stop though, ignoring his wondering.
He's said enough as is.
"How is Ochako Uraraka?" Toshinori asks when neither no longer hears the sound of Katsuki's footsteps down the hall.
And Chiyo brightens at this, smiling. "Ah after rest in patching up that cut, a bolus of IV fluids, and some anti-nausea medication she was up and raring to go again! Over did it just like this young man here. Reminds me of another certain man back in his youth."
Toshinori merely chuckles, pulling out a chair the noise making Izuku twist towards him too fast. Verdant eyes try to focus to no use, closing them back.
"All Might?" He asks aloud despite his deflating figure.
Toshinori nods, sitting himself down right beside him.
"Yes, I'm here Young Midoriya."
He doesn't expect him to cry or maybe he should by now watching as a few tears stain his pillows.
"Did...Did you see me out there?" He inquires after a moment.
But more so, does he still believe in him? See how far he's progressed?
He feels his hand pat at his bandaged arm, tension lessening from the simple gesture.
"Of course I did."
-X-
Ochako
"It's boys like that who would make your Ma and Pa proud you know! Not sure why the news was reporting all those crazy stories and theories about him!" Mrs. Kimura notes with a grin as she finishes setting the table. It is a complete selection of her favorite foods from in and around their hometown from a plate of yakitori (skewered chicken) to fresh unadon (eel bowl) glazed with soy sauce.
"Whatever gets them a quick buck I always say, you know how so many city folk can be looking for the next big story!" Mr. Kimura replies in jest as he bumps their hips in passing lightheartedly.
Ochako feels her cheeks burn, heat spreading to her neck. Ugh, they were acting like she wasn't even here!
"Gamps, Gamma! I've told you this before we're just friends."
She hopes her tone is biting enough, fiery to prove her point.
But all they do is laugh and roll their eyes, this was a losing battle from the start.
"Sure, that's what they all say in the beginning! The missus here said very much the same until I won her over!" Mr. Kimura laughs waving off her concern.
"Still, didn't think U.A. would go so overboard for their new students. Suppose they have to in order to properly weed out the students who aren't prepared or will be too lazy. It's one thing to do good on the written exams though another if you can't put that all to use in the real world." Mr. Kimura muses aloud, stopping himself at his wife's stare.
Ochako was one of those said U.A. students now and yesterday was only the beginning of many future challenges to come.
The sting of her bandaged arm reminds her of said fact, programmed machines and actual villains are two vastly different things...
'I might've scored enough points to be okay, but it was nowhere near as impressive as the top 5.'
'Not as good as Deku's or even that violent friend of his...'
She badly wanted to train once more.
However, under Gamps and Gamma's watchful eyes that wasn't going to happen today or even tomorrow. They knew her far too well, removing all weights and strength training materials from her honorary guest room for the time being. Her body was relieved for the break despite her mind's urging she needed to catch up with her peers.
"Go ahead and eat Missy! Gamps and I didn't prepare this big old feast just for you to stare at it!" Mrs. Kimura notes with a gentle tap to the table, breaking her line of thoughts for now.
By 12:30 am once she's sure she's the only one awake she slips away to their balcony, moon golden and full shining down upon winding streets and the thralls of ongoing nightlife. It's not the same as the views she got back in Mie in the empty grasslands and she finds herself too late to squash down the niggling in her chest that longs just a bit for home...
'Who can I talk to?'
Izuku pops to mind first and a familiar blush warms her face, ugh if only Gamps and Gamma hadn't teased her so much!
"I won't call you this time Deku, it's late now anyways." Ochako whispers under her breath.
He'd been injured too, Recovery's Girl's efforts weren't going to be a complete fix. She should be resting as well after being so dehydrated from overdoing it, but sleep is far away from her thoughts in knowing all the little ways she can improve herself.
So instead she drags her thumb further down her list of minuscule contacts, there's only one other person that she can think of who is as much of a late owl like her right now.
Her heart rate rises in tempo with her phone's ringing, the seconds beginning to feel like they're dragging on until she gets a groggy Hello from the other end.
Crap, he had been sleeping after all.
"Nishimura-sensei? Hi, sorry I'm troubling you at this late hour!" Ochako squeaks out, cursing inwardly as her words jumble out faster than she wanted.
Instantly though whatever sleepiness in his tone fades, alert and curious.
"What's going on? Are you okay? Please tell me you didn't get caught up in another villain attack or-" He starts before Ochako hastily cuts him off.
"No, No; I'm fine!" She exclaims.
'I'm not leaving you here alone.'
She wishes her mind would stop replaying Izuku's words over, stop making her heart anxiously flutter and cheeks burn. She digs her nails into side of her leg cutting off the memory, burying those feelings once more into a deeper space of her mind.
Training, she has to keep doing more to not fall behind...
"Can we meet at Eclipse Park in around 10 minutes or so? I wanted to discuss something with you." Ochako asks quickly before her nerves can get the best of her, relieved when he says he can.
Her training gear is hanging up freshly in the front of her closet, freshly washed and patched up from yesterday courtesy of Gamma at having seen the rips and stains it had endured from the exams.
Nishimura regards her curiously as she approaches, all traces of sleep gone from his expression as he regards her attire. Uraraka is one of the most diligent students he's had in years and perhaps because of that he's going to have to change up his normal routine, to give her a taste of the life of a Hero.
'I hope she doesn't regret this path she's chosen...' He muses before smirking at her determined look already knowing what she wants to ask.
"Just wondering, are you up for a bit of night training?!"
-X-
Izuku
"You wanted to see me?" Izuku repeats, peering towards his name badge which seems purposefully hidden out of view behind his dark sleeves unnerving him even more.
'Did All Might give him my contact info?' He wonders.
This is what comes from being the center of attention he supposes, a sensation that feels neither good nor bad to him.
He hadn't expected to be back on U.A.'s campus again so soon, not when the final results of reviewing over their written and physical exams haven't been completely tallied and scored yet. The field they stand in now is void of anyone save for them.
"Do you know who I am?" Aizawa asks instead, he after all isn't in the public's spotlight as much as the more flashier heroes of his generation.
Izuku's stares at him thoughtfully, vivid green eyes studying him from top to bottom. "You're a teacher at U.A. I'm sure of that at least. However, I can't recall your quirk at the moment; sorry."
'You'll see it for yourself soon enough.' Aizawa knows shaking his head to show he takes no offense.
After all brought him out here to give him his own personal assessment test.
"I know you're All Might's successor, that you haven't learned yet how to manage that quirk or even your own." Aizawa notes dryly at his flinch.
Izuku doesn't respond so he continues on. "You'll never survive at U.A. if you can't even properly control your own quirk, especially not with the negative reputation you already have. You would become a danger to the faculty and your fellow classmates and your girlfriend and All Might can't protect you from an incident happening within these walls."
'Why is he telling me this? Girlfriend? Does he mean Uraraka, wait that isn't right! She's just the only person who will talk to me considering even Kacchan is keeping his distance more than usual.' Izuku frowns openly at his jumbling thoughts, willing his thoughts to calm as his eyes narrow at his change in stance.
"That's why I'd like to evaluate you for myself. Can you land a hit on me?" Aizawa challenges.
Izuku blinks, halfway looking around as if he is talking to someone else. "What?! You...You want me to fight you?"
Aizawa doesn't give him a response, launching out his binding cloth to strike ensnaring his left leg. "I didn't stutter, did I? I need to know you can safely handle yourself and not hurt any of your fellow classmates or Heroes in and out of a villain fight."
He's serious.
'All I need to do is land a hit. I can channel One For All into my right leg distracting him and then swing in with my left hand.' Izuku determines quickly.
It's not his dominant hand, but it will be enough to strike.
That is until he sees his dark hair begin to rise, eyes turning a deep scarlet.
And all at once he freezes, whole body going slumping.
Dread pools in his stomach, binds from his neck tightening as they slide further and further up his leg until it is completely immobilized.
'Wait, I know this ability.' Izuku realizes at his body's abrupt shutdown, he should've noticed it earlier from his trademark goggles and wrappings as Aizawa swerves him up in the air upside down...
Eraser Head.
The midday sun is bright on them, gaze flickering to it's position before focusing back on Aizawa. It's a long shot, but the watch his Mom has made him to wear in lieu of using his phone could help him out right now...
"You lost once our eyes met and even then I know ways to counter One For All." Aizawa notes.
Izuku doesn't answer, angling his wristwatch up before he can think any further on it, circular glare blotting out Aizawa's eyes loosening his hold.
'Strengthen my right hand.' Izuku rushes forward with his newly tightened fist just as his bindings shoot out again, managing to flick the side of his arm just as crimson orbs fall back on him.
He tumbles right past him into a thicket of weeds and grass unable to stop his momentum, 3 fingers burning from said action as a new headache slithers in.
Before his vision can completely focus Aizawa is beside him helping him up clearing away blades of grass and dirt. "I see why Yagi is so interested in you now. You're quicker on your feet than I expected."
"I have to be knowing what I've seen so far and will see." Izuku responds, glad to see a faint grin etch his face.
'He could've used that other quirk of his to truly hurt me, cracked my bones or even kept me blinded in those few seconds.' Aizawa considers.
Through and through, this boy is no villain or monster. He'd have a talk again with the police force on their actions towards him and his mother.
"I'll formally introduce myself now. I'm Shota Aizawa; I'll most likely be your homeroom teacher." He explains as he rolls out his sleeping back from where he left it by the trees.
'Are all teachers here this strange?' Izuku asks himself watching him prepare to apparently go to sleep now, but wisely keeps to himself.
Instead he nods along, eyes following as he points to the stone path from which they came. An indigo haired boy now standing there watching them.
"Oh yeah, he's the second reason I called you here. I wanted you to get introduced to that student as well, has a similar quirk to yours." Aizawa finishes, voice trailing off into a yawn.
'Which one? One For All or Infliction?'
Violet orbs are sharp and examining upon him as he gets closer, relaxing just faintly when seconds pass of him not spontaneously combusting into flames or collapsing on the ground writhing in pain as so much of the gossip concerning this guy has spoken of.
But that doesn't mean he couldn't do it...
He's just not in the business of becoming a villain.
He holds his hand out to him then in official greeting, pushing on what he hopes is a casual smile.
"So you're the one people think of as a villain too pretending it doesn't bother you. Well, welcome to my world; I'm Hitoshi Shinso."
-X-
Katsuki
'Where is that fucking nerd?'
Deku wouldn't miss his first official day at U.A., not when he's wanted to be at this school for as long as he has. Everyone knows he got in with how high he scored against those damn robots and studying came so easy to him the written portion was most likely a breeze for him.
'What would you do if he had actually jumped Young Bakugo?' All Might's question pushes back to front of his mind, a reminder of this continued new reality.
The glare he sends the redhead within the chattering group closest to him don't even flinch, they all know.
It's Deku who has put his life on the line in order to save him when he couldn't say he would've done the same if their situations had been reversed, a life he once told him to end...
"I thought he would've been safer transferring." A blond guy asks curiously.
"Well, I'm sure the faculty knows what their doing, they wouldn't have let him in if they knew he was a danger to himself and others." Another guy responds back.
"I for one have realized the error of my ways in my initial judgment of him and will promptly apologize once I see him! There is no reason for us to continue to spread mindless gossip about one of our peers!" A raven haired kid announces over their voices.
He slams his fists down against his desk, rattling it and creating a patch of heat that scorches the ends of it black silencing everyone. "Would you all shut the hell up already?! Deku isn't some crazy villain out to get anybody, did any of you stop to think if he actually wanted to cause trouble he would've done so by now?"
The redhead smirks, daring to laugh at his reaction. "Weren't you his bully or something back in Middle School? Guess your ass got handed to him pretty badly as a form of payback."
"It's been all over social media and the news that he rescued you from that sludge villain. Still trying to save face?" The blond one eggs him on in agreement.
The resulting snickering is halted by the clicking of the entry door opening, of course it's the man of the hour.
Round face sends him a tiny wave he returns, but more so than that Izuku nods in his direction as well and it's then he sees it.
All Might passes by in the corridor, it's only his shadow but anybody can recognize his build from a distance.
And he smothers then at a twinge of envy biting at his gut as if it were a flickering flame, clicking his tongue.
Why are they so close still?
'I haven't yet learned what exactly their connection is, but it's about damn time I did.'
-x-
In terms of Aizawa's characterization I went middle of the road hopefully he isn't too out of character. I've noticed he's a person people either love or hate. What do you guys think of him and Shinso in general? Love? Hate? Indifference?! Anyways, I appreciate any thoughts or ideas you may have as always!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!