We were woken to a loud bang on our door. "Outside in thirty!" Why was Aizawa up so early? My classmates groaned, slowly beginning to move. What time was it? I fell asleep face-first in my pillow. I lifted my head and tapped my phone. It was five in the morning. Uraraka slammed her phone onto the tatami, groaning into her pillow. Ashido kicked off her blankets and stretched. We had arranged our beds in a circle, so our heads faced the middle, Uraraka on my left and Ashido on my right. Our phones and a hog mosh of playing cards sat between us. We had fallen asleep while playing. The girls had taught me how to play spoons, poker, and go fish between adding our numbers to each other's phones. Well, my number into their phones and theirs into mine. I should not have been so afraid of making friends with them. They did most of the talking amongst themselves, but they always made sure to include me.
I pushed myself onto my forearms and rolled my head on my shoulders. I set my weight on my right hip and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I pushed my hair out of my face and pulled my duffel bag into my lap. I opened the bag, opened my small white pill bottle and took out a capsule, and quickly dry swallowed it. I hid the bottle at the bottom of my bag inside of a shirt before grabbing my gym uniform and quickly changed. Yaoyorozu and Tsu were the most awake and were changing as well.
"I'm hungry," Uraraka groaned into her pillow. She waited a moment before peeling her face from her pillow.
Ashido hummed happily, "whatever's for breakfast is going to be amazing!" I slipped the jacket of the gym uniform on over a black tank top and zipped it up to my chin.
Rapid banging began to sound on our wall. "Good morning!" It was Kirishima. A few of the other boys chimed in with him. The others pulled themselves out of bed and got dressed. We exited the dorm together and joined the rest of the class in front of the cabin. Aizawa was patiently waiting for the last of the boys to arrive. Mineta, Sero, and Kaminari joined the rest of the class, sluggishly complaining about the early hour.
"Good morning, class," Aizawa spoke in front of us. How was he so alert and functional this early in the morning but needed his sleeping bag in class so much? "Today, we begin a training camp that will increase your strength. Our goal is to increase your skill exponentially so that each of you earns a provisional license. This will allow you to face the dangers that continue to fester in the darkness. Proceed carefully. Look alive, Bakugo. Try throwing that for me." Aizawa threw a ball to Katsuki.
He caught it easily in one hand. "Yeah, sure. Like in the fitness test."
"That's right. When you first started school, your record was seven hundred and five-point two meters. Let's see if you've improved." Katsuki moved to the side as Aizawa spoke.
"Oh! I get it; you're checking our progress," Ashido smiled, watching Katsuki warn up his arms to throw.
"Maybe he can throw it a whole mile now," Sero shouted. Kirishima cheered for his friend.
"I've got this, no one blink." Katsuki smirked as he threw the ball into the forest with a massive explosion, "go to hell!" It looked like it went a lot farther than before.
"That was seven hundred and nine-point six meters." Aizawa held up his phone with the distance.
"That's it?" Sero gawked, "kinda disappointing." Katsuki, as well as everyone else, looked absolutely stunned. We had not grown as much as we thought over the first semester.
"You've had a single semester at UA, and due to your various experiences, all of you have definitely improved. But those improvements have mostly been limited to mental prowess and technical skill. With a slight increase in stamina thrown in along the way. Your quirks really haven't grown that much stronger, not on a fundamental level. That's why we're now going to focus on improving your powers." Aizawa let his creepy smile appear, but there was something sinister behind it this time. "This'll be so hard; you'll feel like you're dying. Let's hope you all survive." I sighed. Redemption had already beaten him to it with physical training, and I had already felt as if I was dying from my quirk too often. Aizawa had denied my request to borrow my suit for the training camp, so I had to assume my training would not involve breaking myself down. What did he have in mind then?
We followed Aizawa from the cabin through the forest to a large clearing. Pixie Bob was using her quirk to create a few large mountains. Mandalay waived to us. She was with the other two Pussycats. "Good morning, everyone! This is Tiger and Rag Doll. Is anyone hungry? There are muffins on the table there for your breakfast." Aizawa went down the class list, giving each student a training regimen, to begin with. But after Sato, he went to Shoji instead of me. Katsuki looked at me; he must have caught that as well. I pulled at the cuffs on my jacket. Aizawa finished going through the rest of the class until I was the only one that remained without a task.
"Satoshi," Aizawa walked with me to a table that had been set up closest to the cabin. "Did you bring your pills?"
"Yes, and I took one already." I scanned the bench. It was covered in motherboards and other electrical components.
"Good. There's blood on-site, too, if you need another transfusion. You'll be working on combining multiple items into one. Right now, you can easily break down and reform the same item, but you have difficulty compiling or separating those items. I want a working computer." Aizawa motioned to the bench with his head. "If you're going into distress; give Rag Doll a shout." He walked away from my station and took a muffin from the large table near the path back to the cabin.
I sat down at the bench, hands clasped under the tabletop. I had broken computers and other electrical items down before, having studied the mechanics of how they functioned. I picked up two components, a board and a capacitor. I broke both down in my hand and reformed them together. I broke the two down into their separate parts and added in a battery. I repeated the process, slowly adding another component. I kept going until my fifteenth component. I could not correctly compile all the pieces together. The fifteenth piece sat crooked, with only half of it connected to the motherboard. I frowned, breaking down fourteen components a few more times before trying to add the fifteenth in. It took about an hour of trying, but I was finally able to reform all the components into one. That was when Class B joined us. They stood off to my right, staring at my classmates in fear as Vlad shouted at his class for being behind. Come on, Makoto, just ignore them. I picked up a small LED and worked on forming all sixteen pieces together.
Vlad worked away at assigning his students to different activities, most of his students going off to join Tiger and Midoriya to work on their strength. Akari was tasked with manipulating different wavelengths of light and changing her own body into those wavelengths. "But Vlad, that's way too hard and boring. Can't I just beat Makoto again and again?"
He snarled, "I said you'll have to break yourselves earlier. I didn't say break your sister's face again. Now, get to work!" Akari stared at me for a moment before scoffing and following her remaining classmates into another clearing. Vlad had such a great idea of her training, too – if she could master that technique, she would be able to turn her solid body invisible just like Hagakure. I would never be able to do something as amazing with my quirk without hurting someone. I reformed sixteen components together, but all of them formed out of sequence and sent a shock up my arm. I squeaked, dropping the vibrating and sparking board to the table. I waved my hand over the top, breaking it down to its base components once more. I sighed. Damn it. I needed to work on my concentration and not let Akari get to me. Thankfully, she was not practising near me.
After four more hours, I had been successful at combining and parting thirty-four components. I felt tired and heavy. I stopped and stood, setting my hands stiffly on the edge of the table. It was hard to breathe. I observed my
classmates for a moment. It appeared that only Uraraka and Aoyama were facing some harsh consequences for using their quirks so much. I lifted my hands and broke down thirty-five components. I was only able to reform thirty together while the last five sat in a clump. I became lightheaded and tried to steady myself on the table.
"Hey, Eraser!" I felt a body press up against my back and a gloved hand on my forehead. I started my descent to the ground as I entered a dark abyss.
[B&M]
I felt the rough upholstery of a sofa under my hands. I grasped at the sofa before running that same hand over my face. "Ah, be careful, dear. Don't want to sit up too quickly."
I let my hand drop back to the sofa before slowly opening my eyes, adjusting to the fluorescent lighting. A bag of blood and another of nutrients hung from above – I guess Recovery Girl had supplied them with everything. I slowly looked around the room as I rose into a seated position. Three couches were arranged around a wooden coffee table. Four desks sat at the edge of the room with their own computers. Mandalay sat at one of the desks, smiling at me. A bowl of hot soup and a sandwich sat on the coffee table before me.
"How are you feeling?"
"So tired." I looked down at my feet, resting my head in my hands. My head was pounding.
Mandalay nodded. "We expected as much. I made you some lunch if you're up to it."
"Thanks," I adjusted myself and picked up the spoon, "I'll get back out there once I'm done."
She smiled and shook her head. "You need to rest. We can try again tomorrow." I frowned, setting the spoon back down. "I'll come to grab you before dinner. It's rough not training with your classmates, but it's the best thing that you can do right now. You don't want to leave this boot camp in an ambulance early, do you?"
She had a point. "I'll eat later." I laid back down on the sofa, watching the IV in my arm, and rolled into the back of the couch. Mandalay waited a moment before exiting their workspace. Once the door was shut, I let out a groan and flopped onto my back. I was sore, in pain, my lungs were on fire, and I was starving. I sat back up and let my legs fall over the edge of the sofa. I picked up the bowl of soup – it was still hot. I looked up at the clock above the doorway; it was just two in the afternoon. I had only stayed incapacitated for three hours. Last time, I had been unconscious in Recovery Girl's infirmary for eight hours when I overused my quirk at USJ. I tipped the bowl towards my lips, ignoring the spoon. It was a delicious minestrone full of hearty vegetables and soft-shell pasta. I quickly polished off the bowl and grilled meat and cheese sandwich. I laid back on the sofa, watching the bag of blood and nutrients drip down the intravenous line. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. I could only fill up my lungs so much before they began to burn. I pushed past the burning sensation a few times until it was too much. I rolled onto my side, holding onto the table with my left hand and coughed violently.
What was happening to me?
[B&M]
"Satoshi," a calm voice spoke as a gloved hand touched my forearm. I jolted awake, blinking against the harsh light. Mandalay stepped back as I sat up, rubbing my face. "How are you feeling?"
The burning sensation in my lungs had faded to a dull ache. My headache had dulled to an annoying throbbing, but I was no longer dizzy. My entire body did still feel stiff and sore. "Better." I looked up at the empty bags and easily undid the line of my arm.
Mandalay frowned and took the set up from my hand, removing it to the far corner before putting the bags and needle into a biohazard bin in a closet. "You're free to join your class outside. They're just about done making their dinner. Remember – take it easy for the rest of the day."
"Thank you," I nodded, standing from the sofa. My legs felt like lead weights. I slowly made my way out of the office and out of the cabin. The sky had already turned a darker shade of blue, dark enough that the lanterns that were strung up were illuminated. Class A and Class B were set up on opposite sides of the large wood-burning grill apparatus. Class B was already doing their dishes from their meal while my class was just dishing up their portions. Everyone had changed out of their gym uniforms for more comfortable clothing. I stuck out like a sore thumb.
"Ah! Makoto, are you okay?" Uraraka shoved her bowl into Midoriya's hands and ran to me. "We were so worried when we heard you fainted." I looked past her to see Katsuki standing with Kirishima. He was glaring at me.
I swallowed hard. "Yeah – I'm fine now. It happens when I overuse my quirk sometimes, especially if I'm trying something new. Sorry if I scared you."
Uraraka smiled and clasped her hands behind her back, "as long as you're okay. Let's get you in line to get some dinner – you must be starving!" She hooked her arm with mine and marched to her spot. We passed a table laden with bowls and cutlery, I quickly grabbed myself a bowl and a spoon before we stopped beside Midoriya.
He smiled as Uraraka took her bowl back. "I hope you like curry."
I nodded, looking down into my bowl. "I do." The last time I had eaten curry was with Katsuki after work one night. I could feel the warmth spread across my chest at the thought.
Todoroki turned around and pointed with a lazy finger to my bowl, "you shouldn't be moving too much since you passed out. Why don't you sit down, and I'll bring you your bowl?" Before I could protest, Uraraka had given her bowl back to Midoriya and had taken my own and had handed it to Todoroki.
"Thank you, Todoroki! Deku, do you mind getting mine as well? I'll sit with Satoshi and keep all of us a spot." Uraraka beamed before dragging me out of the lineup and over to a picnic table. She sat herself down on the end and pulled me into the middle seat. Uraraka began to fill me in on how training had gone after I had left as well as the fact that we were now responsible for our own food from now on. Ashido and Ojiro were the first to join us with their curry. It looked just like normal curry and smelt like normal curry. Ojiro and Ashido sat across from one another, leaving one space open beside me.
"Are there any games you want to play tonight?" Ashido smiled at me before shoving her spoon in her mouth.
"How about another round of spoons – what about you?" Uraraka tilted her head as she watched me.
"Yeah, that sounds good to me." I forced out. My bowl appeared in front of me as Todoroki took the space between myself and Ojiro. Midoriya sat across from Uraraka and slid her bowl across the table. "Thank you." He nodded before taking a bite. I picked up my spoon began to eat. The curry did not give me that same warmth that I remembered, but it was good. I ate in silence as our table spoken candidly; Iida and Tsu took the last two open seats. I was disappointed when Katsuki and Kirishima had chosen to sit at the farthest table instead of taking those last two seats. Was he upset with me? I looked across the cooking area – Class B had finished cleaning up. Only Akari and a few of her classmates remained, giggling at a table together. She turned and kissed Honenuki, earning more giggles from her friends.
"Would you like seconds?" Midoriya pointed to my bowl.
I snapped my attention back to our table. "No, thank you. I'll go start dishes." I stood before anyone could speak and marched over to the three tubs of hot dishwater. I quickly washed my bowl and spoon through the soapy water, then the rinse, and in the bleach water before letting it rest upside down on the tray. I set to work washing the cutting boards, knives, and other cookware. Once I was done, I took a cloth and dried off my hands while watching Katsuki stand from his table. He made his way toward the forest. Akari's classmates entered the cabin – but she was not with them. I quickly turned around. Akari stood in front of her table and gave me a wave of her hand before she smirked. She started towards Katsuki. My heart plummeted into my stomach. She could not be serious.
I watched as Akari reached Katsuki. She reached out and touched his arm. I dropped the cloth. My feet began to carry me towards them, my pulse hammering away in my ears – it was deafening. Katsuki pulled his arm away, shouting at her. Akari skirted around him and touched his shoulder. He used his arm to block her hand and knocked her attempt to the side. She glared at me over his shoulder and spoke, crossing her arms. What was Akari trying to do?
"Aw, Baku-babe." Akari giggled, latching onto his bicep. She leaned back, which forced Katsuki to turn to the side. A weight fell on my chest.
"Go back to your messed up boyfriend," he roared, slapping her hands away. Katsuki looked past my sister and saw me approaching. He turned to glare at Akari before pulling his arm free. She stumbled with the force that he had used to free his arm. "Psycho bitch!"
"I'm so much better than her, why don't you ditch her already? She's just dead weight." Akari scoffed. Katsuki ignored her and stalked toward me. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the forest.
He wanted to get away from my clingy sister, but he was moving too fast for my short legs to keep up and his grip on my wrist hurt. "Ka-Katsuki, slow down." He kept going, pulling me deeper and deeper in the forest. "Please!"
Katsuki stopped in his tracks and turned to stand in front of me, letting my wrist go. "What would you do if I kissed you?" I paused mid-step, my stomach churning and fluttering. Did he just say what I thought I heard? No, that could not be it. Wait, why was I getting anxious? He did not mean that anyway. I rubbed my sore wrist as I studied his face. He stared down at me with a harsh look – expecting an answer.
What would I do if Katsuki kissed me?
"Well? What the hell is her problem, huh?" Katsuki crossed his arms, his whole body was stiff.
I did hear the wrong phrase. I started to shake my head but stopped and stared at the ground. "She's changed a lot since we started school. I – I don't recognise my own sister anymore." I looked up and rubbed my collar bone with my hand. "The night you walked me home after the movie… Akari had been spying on us, and she said that she was getting bored of her boyfriend and wanted to date you instead."
Katsuki let out an annoyed sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "What the fuck is up her ass? There's no way I would ever date someone as weak as her." I felt the heaviness in my chest release.
"You wouldn't?" My gaze snapped up to meet his. His hand fell back at his waist.
Katsuki glared down at me. "Oh, hell no!" I felt a shock run down my spine. "Have you been eating like shit again? You skipped out on half of today's training. How are you going to show all these extras up if you keep passing out?"
"Sorry, I'll try to concentrate more," I started to apologise, but Katsuki raised his right hand and set it on top of my head.
"Stop apologising when you don't need to." Katsuki kept his hand there for a moment longer before dropping it. "Let's head back."