AN: Two chapters in one day? What's this? Well I have the third ready to go right now, but i want to polish it up a bit. I'll post that one up when chapter 4 is ready, adn keep one in reserve always. :D
Just to hopefully avoid leaving you all waiting for years like my DP story, and my SU story. (that next chapter will be out by the end of the month btw ;D )
Edit 4/10/2022: Nothing major, but I have continued to updated a few lines in this chapter to better describe things and hopefully avoid confusion... Keep in mind the PoVs are in first person, and anything they do not notice/misunderstand/ignore, will not be explained. I will try to describe characters looks in a way that feels organic, but do comment if you feel I'm not giving enough info and I'll try to correct it. (chapter 0-1 updated this day.)
Chapter 1: A Young Girl's First Day
Tanya Yamada, Hero Student, 1-A Seat #6
For the past few days, I have been making and discarding plans recklessly. After being accepted into the hero course for U.A., I instantly became the most liked person in the Orphanage, second only to lucky Sando.
Mita, the caretaker, even pulled me aside and confessed that she always knew that I could do it.
This explains so much, such as why she purposefully changed my application for the school.
I couldn't really stay angry at the woman. Funding for orphanages are generally low, something to blame on self-serving politicians, and good publicity is needed to divert some more funds their way. Having more children in hero schools would naturally have potentially high-profile donors down the line.
But while I can understand that didn't mean I had to like the position it put me in.
Being attached to the Hero Course, I had looked into various ways to be transferred without the typical stigma of "Dropping Out." That stigma is something I have to avoid at all costs because it would only be amplified with such a prestigious hero being part of the faculty, not to mention that Hero being the literal head of the entire hero industry.
Thankfully there are a few options. If lucky, I would be "fake expelled" into the general education course on the first day, not even having a single heroics class with All Might. That would imply that my admittance was a fluke, but being ninth place overall…
Regardless, those posts were from over ten years ago, and the more recent ones seemed to imply they actually started expelling students without even recommendations to other schools as recently as last year… Which I, unfortunately, was unable to find any information on.
So that's not something worth hoping for. My other options are to suffer a crippling injury, not happening, or fail the sports festival badly enough to be replaced.
So that's the plan now, even if the sports festival is broadcasted to the whole of Japan. Students are generally forgotten if they don't appear in the second or third-year portions. I just need to keep up my general education studies and get into an excellent comfortable position at the bottom of Heroics. Come to the sports festival, I will take a dive in the first round and be transferred out into general education.
With my well-practiced smile, I headed to my first day of school.
Toru Hagakure, Hero Student, 1-A Seat # 16
I am used to being ignored. Being unnoticed, at times, is relaxing. The best times are when it leads to hearing the juiciest of gossip. A secret conversation between two people was overheard by the third person they didn't notice sitting nearby.
Most times, however it is annoying. Being labeled absent if I didn't draw attention to myself. People not holding the door for me when I'm right there. No one takes the invisible girl seriously when she declares she will be a hero.
Oh sure I got the whole, "Your quirk would be good for nighttime heroics, sneaking around." spiel. The thing is, though, shocking news incoming, I don't WANT to be a nighttime hero. I am going to be a daylight hero, thank you very much! Everyone will know the name of Toru Hagakure, The Invisafist! hero name pending.
When they laughed at me, thinking I was joking, I ignored their jeering and went to the gym.
Momma told me that she did one pull-up every time someone made fun of her looks growing up. When someone went too far with their insults, they discovered how much hurt she could put out the hard way. When I told her I wanted to be a hero, she took me to the gym to start working out, teaching me all she knew about how to throw down.
So I did the same thing she did. I tallied all the people who laughed at my dream- and I did one push-up, sit-up, pull-up, squat, toe touch for each mark…
Every other day. For years.
That is why I wasn't worried when I was told we had to fight robots for the exam.
I just kicked down a stop sign (surprisingly easier then the last time I did it.) and stabbed the robots to death with it for half the exam until I noticed the off switches. Then I just ran around poking them. I guess the robots had no other way of seeing someone except with their camera cause it was relatively easy shutting a bunch down until the zero pointers showed up.
Exam over and then seven days later, I got that letter I knew was coming.
I made it and rubbed it in everyone's faces that I made it into the U.A. Hero Course! No more Toru the Invisible Girl. Toru. The girl who shouts when everyone else is whispering. I am Toru. The gawds, damn Hero!
So here I am, sitting in the back of the class, waiting for everyone else to arrive and for our first day to start! Sure, I am… thirty minutes early, but I couldn't help but jog here! I mean, I MADE IT! U.A.!
I couldn't help my squeal. Sue you, not me.
I watched the door open, and a blonde kid with an angry face stomped inside to his seat. His clothes look like he threw them right out of the dryer, and his collar was loose. He didn't seem to give any attention to his appearance as even his head looked like someone gave him a noogie. Overall he looked like he was trying too hard to be the cool guy… His eyes barely glanced at where my shirt's collar was before he turned away to lay back in his seat.
Rude. Hopefully, the next student will be more likable.
The next one to walk in was a girl. She had short blonde pixie cut hair and was wearing the standard female uniform: a gray blazer with blue-green stripes, a formal white shirt, a red tie, a blue-green pleated skirt, black knee-length socks, and brown loafers. Her uniform looked pressed without any wrinkles… and she was short. And thin. And she was adorable with that bit of pouty face she was making! I would have mistaken her for a kid if it wasn't for the uniform. It honestly was like looking at night and day between the two.
One girl trying her best and succeeding, and one boy looking like a dumpster fire.
I moved to wave to get her attention and introduce myself before I noticed the look on her face- She was smiling far too broadly to be normal, and did she have fangs? "It's good to see that my fellow students are as punctual as myself." She bowed to that rude boy and then myself- She noticed me before I made a sound? - "I am Tanya Yamada. I hope we can get along." Her throat was glowing while she was talking. Was that part of her quirk?
The rude boy grunted, and his volume made me flinch, "Whatever you damn extra, just stay out of my way!" Jeeze, what is this guy's-"I see." The girl tilted her head, no longer smiling, before she walked towards her seat. Before she sat down, she looked back at me. Her eyes were trying to look at where my eyes were. I chuckled at the attempt knowing she was looking through my forehead, "I'm Toru Hagukure!" I moved my arms wildly so she could see my smile. Body language is more than half of communication, after all!
Tanya gave me a broad smile before she turned back towards the front of the door. Hopefully, she will be a friend! I couldn't help pouting, though, her seat was on the other side of the room, so it would be weird to try to talk while waiting… The rude boy might explode if we make too much noise.
A few minutes passed, and a few others walked in. Nods of greetings were given, but everyone seemed to just hold up walls to each other, waiting for class to start- at least until the rude boy pushed his chair back and raised his legs on the desk… A prim and proper-looking boy stood up, his uniform was well maintained just like Yamada-chan but his movements were almost robotic, and he marched around the desks towards Rudeboy.
With all that fanfare he began to arguing over proper classroom decorum…
Don't you think that's a bit hypocritical there, Glasses?
Tanya was stuck right next to where Glasses was standing, and after a few biting remarks back and forth, she hid her face in her hands. The poor girl was getting uncomfortable- "Leave reprimands to the teachers and sit your ass down. This is a hero academy, not a playground!"
A deep voice came out of nowhere, echoing around the room. The Glasses boy and the Rudeboy stopped arguing and jumped. Glasses rushing to his desk after taking a look around and not seeing who could have made that voice- Even me being in the back of the room, couldn't see where the voice came from-
The rude boy leaned over to Tanya, who was looking at him, her eyes glowing slightly. She held out her hand towards him, and I watched as he scoffed and left her hanging.
What a piece of work.
Regardless- whoever made that announcement must be watching them- like that hidden test at the entrance exam. Better just sit still and wait for the class to start!
More students entered, and I mentally counted the girls-to-boys ratio. Looks like we are going to be outnumbered here.
When a pink-skinned girl sat next to her, I took note of her black and gold eyes, and curled horns. After she introduced herself, Mina Ashido, I replied with a whisper and told her about the baritone voice so she wouldn't get in trouble. Who knows what secret test they are doing right now- no matter how much it sucks to keep quiet for a bit, I would instead not get in trouble on the first day!
The last two students came through the door almost one after another with barely any time to spare.
The green-haired boy rushing into the class was a little jumpy- he froze when he saw the rude boy- but other than that, he rushed to his seat without much fanfare.
Right on his heels was another girl and their last classmate in the class. The brunete waved at everyone smiling, her cheeks flushed from jogging, it seemed- Another friendly girl is always welcome- as she took her seat.
The morning bell went off, and everyone stood waiting for the teacher… when the door opened, and a dark-haired man walked. I…
Logically I know U.A. wouldn't let a hobo on school grounds, but…
He seemed to look us over for a moment, nodding to himself before speaking- his voice sounding one step removed from dead tired, "Good, you all are ready to start lessons. This is the hero course. I am your homeroom teacher Shota Aizawa. Let's not waste any time today, in your desks you will find your track uniform. Take it and your things to the locker room and meet me out on the field. You have ten minutes."
With that statement, he walked right back outside. I could only blink, and the rest of the class took a moment to absorb everything when I caught the little head of Tanya following out behind Aizawa. Huh, she was-
Ten minutes?!
Kyoka Jiro, Hero Student, 1-A Seat # 12.
The rush and fight to get out the doorway of the classroom ate up more time than I would have liked, but everyone could keep up with Tanya as she followed Aizawa to the field. The class broke off into separate locker rooms.
The locker room was a quiet affair just like the classroom, everyone focusing on changing quickly rather than talking to one another, the gym uniforms being a blue short sleeve track suit and pants- my ear jacks picking up mutterings about scary teachers and not wanting to be the last one out. However, one girl was cursing under her breath, something about her scars showing.
I had always been able to hear things people say around me- so I just did what I usually do whenever I hear something I shouldn't have heard, discard it and pretend I didn't listen to it, even if it was glaringly obvious who it was when the shortest of them neatly folded her uniform into the locker before leaving, her right arm covered in large scars from wrist to shoulder.
Quickly following her example, the group followed her out. The teacher gave us all an appraising look before grunting a 'not bad.' I couldn't help the smirk on my face at that. It faded when he glanced at me before turning towards the boy's locker room, where the blonde boy was walking out of just now.
groups of them walked or jogged out of the changing room before standing with the rest of us. When the last boy, a very short midget with purple balls for hair walked out and stood with us, Aizawa finally spoke, "It took the girls six minutes to be here. The boys took eight. That's unacceptable." What? That was the fastest I-
"Do you realize how many crimes can happen in two minutes? How many people can be injured, killed, in four? Going forward every heroics class whoever is last to change out will serve detention after school."
"That's not fair!?" The brown-haired girl spoke, Oruchako?- I internally winced. I didn't know who this teacher was, but I doubted he cared about what was fair, "Fair?" His tone and gaze said it all.
"You are not heroes, but you are here at U.A. to become Heroes. Heroes fight against what's unfair every day. Natural disasters, villains… Here at U.A. I am the judge, jury, and executioner of this class. You will be trained in everything related to heroics and if you are found lacking you will be expelled from the course- and from this school."
I heard a curse from the scarred girl. 'Damn Being X.' Self-preservation is the only thing that stopped me from commenting. Is that the teacher's hero alias?
'Being X' crossed his hands before him, leaning to the side while examining us with his red eyes. "You have been taking standardized tests your whole life. But you never got to use your quirks in physical exams before. The country is still trying to pretend we are all created equal by not allowing those with the most power to excel." He scoffed, "It's not rational. One day the ministry of education will learn."
I heard, 'Destro fan.' and raised couldn't help but raise a brow. Who's Destro?
"Bakugou. You were first in the entrance exam." The rude boy took a step forward. Was he first? Guess he has reason to be cocky, then. "What was your farthest distance throw with the softball in junior high?"
"Seventy or eighty meters I think." Aizawa nodded, "Now do it with your quirk."
The brown-haired girl muttered when the blonde shoved past them to the ball, 'Guess we aren't going to orientation then….'
Aizawa pointed to a circle on the ground, "Anything goes so long as you stay in the circle… go on, you're wasting our time."
The blonde boy sneered while stretching his arm, "Alright man, you asked for it."
He took a step forward and screamed as his hand-
Fuck!
I clenched my Jacks with my hands and took a few deep breaths to get rid of the ringing. Thankfully I'm used to these types of things, and the ringing goes away after a few seconds.
The scarred girl was looking at me, her eyes glowing a faint golden slightly. I gave her a nod that I was fine, and she smiled- too wide- before looking back at Aizawa, "Fun, you say?"
What did I miss?
"You have three years here to become a hero. Do you think it will all be fun sunshines and rainbows?" His eyes seemed to shine red beneath his long black hair. "Idiots. We will going over the same eight standardized tests you had in middle school. You will use your quirks to the best of your abilities to test your potential as students here."
He paused as he seemed to look over everyone, "Whoever comes last will be immediately expelled from U.A."
What?! After all that work, training, and fighting for their chance to enter the U.A. He's going to expel someone on the first day?!
The scarred girl was shaking, seeming to take it the worst out of the other classmates, who all were freaking out. I saw a few boys looking at their hands, the green-haired boy in particular sweating.
"Like I said!" Aizawa grabbed the class's attention again. "I get to decide how this class is run. Understand? If that's a problem, you can head home right now…." This… Can it really be allowed?
He seemed serious, and I could see some students preparing themselves. Overconfidence?
Then again… I just don't have to be last… and I did train my Jacks to crush things… I should be able to ace the grip test. At least not last… Yeah.
Yeah, I got this! But first…
I approached the blonde girl as Aizawa moved towards the track- the rest of the class following. "Hey, I'm Kyoka." She looked at me, her shaking gone, but her eyes no longer shone the light she had earlier. "Yamada." I smiled, "You think your quirk will be good for any of the eight?" She hummed, and I took notice of the faint light her throat was giving, "... Maybe."
I smiled at her, "Well, if anything you just need to not be last right?" There was only one person shorter than the girl in class, the little purple ball-haired midget boy. The run might not be in her favor, then, but I'm sure she can ace somthing right?
Yamada grimaced while replying, "Yeah… That's… the plan."
I heard my name and nodded to her; hopefully, that helped her, but now it's survival of the fittest…
Test one: the fifty-meter dash.
I leaned forward on the block. I took a breath looking forward to the finish line.
The slowest so far was eight seconds. Just need to beat that.
The camera… manikin… robot? At the finish line rang out, "Runners on your mark."
Breathe in…
Gunshot- Run.
Almost! I threw out my jacks as far forward as I could, hoping those crossings would count-
"Five point one two seconds!" It did! There's no way I'll fail this! I moved to stand near the gaggle of finished runners when I heard the hum of… a note?
I looked around, noticing that the others were not seeing the sound. There- Yamada's throat was glowing red, and her sound was picking up speed. I didn't recognize the tune, and it wasn't really catchy, just a single note repeating faster and faster.
But… whatever it was making my heart beat faster. She took her place next to the girl with a ponytail and large- THE TALLEST girl in class.
My face flushed as my heart beat faster. I don't know what was happening. The note was hitting more and more; my heart was- Come on, it's only been-
I faintly heard the gunshot as Yamada rushed forward, her eyes and throat glowing red as she ran right towards the finish line, leaving her larger classmate in the dust.
"Three point four two seconds…." Doki "Five point one two seconds…." Doki
I turned my eyes away as the others around me were amazed at the time. I couldn't hear the note from Yamada anymore, but my heart wouldn't stop pounding in my chest. Argh…
As we made our way over to the next test, I asked her, "So… um… Yamada-san, what is your quirk?" she hummed, and my eyes zeroed in on her throat, which glowed a faint white light, "Well… it's called Fantasmic. When I make sounds at different frequencies, I can do different things?"
That's… Vague. "It's hard to explain shortly, but I can make myself move faster while singing. My vocal cords also shine a light when- "her mouth was moving, but no sound was coming out, her eyes were no longer bright either, and she seemed to freeze.
"If you're here to make friends you can leave. I will not repeat myself." Aizawa was looking right at us, his eyes shining red. Everyone around was silent as he turned to the next test area.
As soon as he turned away, I saw the light return to Tanya's eyes- but they were unfocused, her mouth moving without sound- she was shaking.
I…
I grabbed her shoulder and turned her around to the rest of her classmates, who were all shaking slightly. Even the calm girl with the ponytail seemed tense now.
I whispered to Yamada, "Remember, just don't be last." She nodded, her eyes watching the teacher.
Whatever he did seemed to shut her down and make her unable to talk. Just what kind of teacher does that to his students?
My heart was beating with something else now.
Momo Yaoyorozu, Hero Student, 1-A Seat # 20.
U.A. Was a lot different than I expected.
I expressed my desire to be a hero to my parents many years ago when I practiced my quirk day and night for weeks, creating doll after doll.
They encouraged my dream and hired the best tutors, nutritionists, and trainers for various martial arts. I was homeschooled for most of my life.
My only friends were books and my various instructors.
To be a hero, however, I would have to learn to interact with others my age- at least, that's what my butler Alfred said.
So I expressed the desire to join a high school. My parents encouraged my dream again, and I took the recommended exam for the best of the hero schools.
I passed, of course, my training was the best of the best, and my intellect got me top marks in the written exam.
I came into a silent classroom. Everyone was sitting silently, so I waited and walked to my assigned seat and waited. I've read that people would be talking in the books, but I guess this is another part of school life that isn't like the books I've read.
Then… all this happened. The short girl led the group to the locker room and brought us to where the teacher was. Then he thought to scare everyone with intimidation to perform their best, but he went a bit too far and made it evident that he was lying.
Obviously, he wouldn't actually expel whoever came last. What kind of school would allow that?
What kind of school would allow a teacher to use their quirk on a student?
I hate how I thought of this phrase… but… My father will hear about this.
The atmosphere was tense when we began, but it lightened as we ran through the first test. Now, however…
Now, what else are these tests supposed to be?
Grip Strength? Simple enough.
With a shudder, I released a modified Jaws of Life from my arm and maxed out the grip tester.
After presenting the tester to Aizawa, I reviewed the subsequent tests, thinking about what to make.
I can make a pole for the long jump, spring shoes for the sidesteps, a cannon for the ball throw, and a scooter for the long-distance run. I can make a scooter…
For the toe touch and sit-ups, though…
My musings were cut short when the blonde girl approached the teacher and asked him a question.
I couldn't hear what she asked, but the teacher didn't hide his response, "I expect you to do your absolute best. If you slack off I will know, and you will be expelled."
The girl turned away towards the test again. However, Aizawa wasn't done: "If you blow yourself up again, needless to say, you will be expelled as well."
Blow herself up? My eyes slid to the numerous scars across her right arm. She seemed fine, but if that was caused by her quirk what is she even doing here?
Her father will definitely be hearing about this.
The girl, Tanya Yamada, grabbed the tester from our much larger multi-armed classmate. He politely leaned down for her as she raised her hand up.
She looked around at everyone looking at her. The only other student not called yet was the green-haired boy- Deku Midoriya, if I got that right.
She sighed, looking tired or- shy? Her throat started glowing, turning red, brightening as a hum - a beat?
"-you know nothing till you run with me-"
Tanya raised the grip over her head before slamming it down into her other hand while singing with a flash of red light surrounding her.
And run WILD!~
I blinked away the bright spot in my eye as the hum disappeared suddenly, whatever song she was singing stopping abruptly, "Three hundred forty-eight kilograms." The tester announced. Tanya's eyes were still glowing while her teeth were gritted together- not sure why she was nervous if her quirk required her to sing- she sounded fine, and besides my Jaws of Life, that was the highest score any of the girls got.
Aizawa must have really scared her.
Tanya handed the grip tester over to Deku, who was shaking.
Should I tell him that Aizawa won't actually expel him?
Tsuyu Asui, Hero Student, 1-A Seat # 3.
Usually, I speak what's on my mind.
Usually.
But this teacher is giving me bad vibes, and I will not compromise my future at this school. If this is what it takes to be a hero, then this is what I will do!
I was a little winded from the fifty-meter sprint, but whatever fatigue I had wiped away when Yamada-chan used her quirk for the test. Was she related to Siren somehow? That would be so cool.
The long jump was simple enough for her. Her strong legs let her clear the box. In fact, everyone cleared the box except for the very short purple-haired boy. And Midoriya-chan, but he only failed due to falling back into the sand at the end of the box. Yamada-Chan didn't sing but held a hum through her gritted teeth.
Was she shy? Or was she embarrassed?
I wish I could encourage her, but since the teacher chewed her out, no one has said a word. Just taking the tests and gritting their teeth.
In the locker room, she'll ask for everyone's number. At least from everyone's attitudes so far, all the girls will be friends!
On the repeated sidesteps, it seemed this was the shorter student's time to shine.
The boy popped off the balls on his head and stuck them on both sides of the two squares. Then he bounced rapidly between the two for a few seconds, picking up speed.
The robot counting the steps beeped at each step, going faster and faster until he flipped over onto the ground, groaning.
The teacher told him to get up and remove his balls, which he did as soon as possible. To the teacher's chagrin, the balls on the ground took some effort and time for the boy to remove.
When Yamada-chan took her place, I held my breath as everyone waited for her song.
Instead, I heard a high-pitched whistle. I felt my fatigue fade as she jumped quickly between the two boxes. The sound cut off halfway between her steps, and she stumbled on the ground. As she picked herself up, Aizawa approached her.
"Alright that's enough. Stop using your quirk, it's giving me dry eye." His eyes were glowing red, and his shaggy, unkempt bangs were slightly rising off his face.
Yamada-chan's fists balled behind her back as she stood at parade rest- at least, that is what her grandpappy called that position.
"Your quirk. You have no control over it whatsoever. The last few tests have proven that." He glared down at the girl, who seemed to snap, her fists shaking, a twin voice escaping her mouth, "ʷWͪhͣaͭt!ͥ iͪ ͣhͮaͤvᵖeͤ ͬᶠpͤeͨrͭfeͨcͦᶰtͭ ͬcͦˡontrol! I haven't-" Her voice cut off when Aizawa used his quick again.
I let out a ribbit, Aizawa snapping his eyes to me before returning to Yamada, "You have demonstrated you won't blow yourself up, but that alone is not enough. You haven't once used your quirk without affecting your classmates." He looked at the class, "Raise your hand if you felt something when Yamada used her quirk. Adrenaline, the urge to move, hit something? Anything."
I slowly raised my hand, and others did the same after a second.
Yamada-chan was shaking when she replied, "I can't-" Aizawa cut her off, "How are you going to fight a villain if doing so will only make them more dangerous? How are you going to make yourself stronger when the villain you are fighting will get that boost as well? Fight without a quirk? What will you do when you are pushed into a corner with Nothing to defend yourself with when you can't defend yourself without your quirk- when using said quirk will not only empower yourself, but the villains that put you there in the first place?!"
Yamada froze. Aizawa scoffed, "Your admittance was a fluke, your quirk is unsuitable for this line of work. Even Midoriya who hasn't used his quirk has more sense than you- This is a competition to not be last, and here you are keeping everyone from being fatigued at the cost of yourself. You would be Nothing more, but a liability in battle. Worthless."
That explains what has been happening, but- "Do your jump, and sidesteps again. If your quirk affects me, or anyone else again you will sit out the rest of the tests. Pray your score averages higher than last with zeros on half of them."
He walked back away from the group as Yamada shook in place, facing away from them.
I could swear I heard a sniff from her before she turned to the sandbox. Her eyes were misty. She clenched her teeth, "Pray huh…."
"Ribbit?"
The group watched in silence when "Yamada!" I turned with the rest of the group to the girl with Jack in her ears, "You got this!" She raised her hands and… seven?
The hardening boy shouted as well, "Yeah! Show Aizawa how manly you are!"
The teacher glared at the group, but it was like a damn burst with the brave students shouting words of encouragement.
I kept my silence, but…
"Quiet! Yamada jump already." Yamada smiled, no longer shaking, and turned, and my heartbeat quickened. A high-pitched sound echoed in the clearing. Yamada is-
Wait: Aizawa isn't activating his quirk?
I looked around as the others watched Yamada. She had covered her throat with both hands- hiding her glowing throat before jumping over the sandpit. No one else seemed to say anything, but- the jack girl was blushing. Her quirk gave her super hearing, right?
"Good. Now onto the ball throw."
… She normally says what's on her mind, but…
No.
She doesn't think she will right now.
Mina Ashido, Hero Student, 1-A Seat # 2.
When I got my acceptance letter, I was stoked. I got into the best hero academy in the whole world! The same school All Might himself graduated from!
I immediately made plans. I would meet so many new people and make so many new friends, and then when we graduated, we would be the best heroes ever. Maybe even I would meet Mr. Ashido…
Then, despite the tense atmosphere in the classroom, I decided to open my dumb fat mouth and tried to lighten the mood at the field…
Seeing how we could talk without Aizawa killing us now, I made sure to get near the target of the teacher's Ire. While everyone was taking turns for the ball throw, I leaned over and whispered to her, "Look, Yamada-chan, I'm super sorry that I started it. I shouldn't have said the thing about it being fun if I didn't…."
She shook her head slightly, keeping her eyes on the teacher, "... he would have found any other reason to do this. It was probably all planned from the start, you just provided the perfect reason."
She looked up at me, her eyes having a faint light making them glow slightly, "Don't worry about it… Ashido-san right?"
"That doesn't make it better." I groaned, "I hate bullies, and I thought that heroes were supposed to work together, not try to trample each other to be the best."
I looked over to the teacher who seemed to be bullying the green-haired boy- Midori? "I made sure my last school didn't have any bullies. I thought that U.A. had a zero-tolerance policy on that kinda thing…."
I heard a hum from next to me, "They do. Aizawa had a point though… If I can't use my quirk against villains without empowering them-" "But you just did it! You can't throw in the towel now Yama-chan!"
"Yama-" SMASH!~
Multiple cracks drew my attention as I heard and saw The green-haired boy that did, honestly, poorly in all the tests so far use the softball to break the sound barrier!
Three rings mean a triple-break sound barrier, right?
"... have a kid?"
Yama-chan said something but cut herself off, and I turned to her, "What was that?" She looked away, blushing slightly, "... Nothing. Nevermind. I think you should go up there before he thinks you're wasting his time, Ashido-san."
I smiled and jogged over. She's right, of course.
But I'm definitely going to make sure to boost her confidence. A hero shouldn't be so shy after all!
Tanya Yamada, Hero Student, 1-A Seat # 6
Being X is out to ruin my life now. I should have known there would be a catch twenty-two on top of his convoluted scheme to force me into being the hero course.
Not only did he make sure I couldn't leave without ruining my prospects for a simple life.
He also attached a Destro follower, perhaps a Quirkist, as my homeroom teacher. Who, for some reason- Hates my guts. Or at least that's what it feels like despite him making a valid point.
Thankfully, his wording was vague, and… Jiro-san gave me the idea to use a frequency outside his hearing range. I covered my throat and ensured that while the frequency was high, the volume was as low as possible to still be useful to myself.
If he sat me out, I would fail this test for sure.
Thankfully it seemed he either didn't notice or was waiting for the right moment to mess with the other students and me.
Both are possible.
We moved towards the softball throw, the pink girl with horns- Ashida? Ashido. Stepped up to my side. I kept Aizawa in my line of sight. However, despite a few whispered conversations around us, he focused on whoever was preparing to throw the ball.
I rolled my eyes when the green-haired boy walked up, shaking like a leaf. The only thing unique about him was the vibrations he made with his breath. Normally people have a certain unique frequency to it. His was changing every breath, cycling between a dozen or so various pitches- but that might be because of his… anxiety? Shyness? The different vibrations reminded me of something, but…
Whatever it is, it won't be my problem when he gets expelled. I could sit out this next test and still make it above him, assuming he doesn't go and get Infinity like Uraraka-san.
I saw pink next to myself before hearing a voice, "Look, Yamada-chan, I'm super sorry that I started it. I shouldn't have said the thing about it being fun if I didn't…."
Honestly yes. However, I shook my head, "... he would have found any other reason to do this. It was probably all planned from the start, you just provided the perfect reason."
Not that you should have given him the opportunity, but what can you do. Good help is hard to find, as they say.
I turned to look at her. Eye contact is only polite. After all, no need to antagonize a prospective hero. She was taller then me, as was everyone else in this damn class, with light pink skin and hair with horns curling out of it. Making eye contact with her black sclerae and yellow irises, she looked worried, so I might as well reassure her, "Don't worry about it… Ashido-san, right?"
"That doesn't make it better." she groaned while turning to look back at the teacher, "I hate bullies, and I thought that heroes were supposed to work together, not try to trample each other to be the best."
I can understand that sentiment, no matter how naive it is, but that I.S. what heroics is now. A popularity contest that replaced SWAT teams with actors that then fought over commercial deals and adverts…
I turned to look over at the green boy, my eyes causing the sight of his arm rippling with- my eyes narrowed at the teacher. I didn't see it before, but I can see the red light in his eyes smother the child in front of him… He used his quirk on the boy- what reason-
"I made sure my last school didn't have any bullies. I thought that U.A. had a zero-tolerance policy on that kinda thing…." Ashido was still talking, and I hummed. She has something against bullies, huh? I wonder if she is going to report this teacher as well. While I personally will not rock the boat, so to speak, if only because Aizawa made a good point earlier, I wish I could have been encouraged instead of berated...
If I was fighting them, it would be rather difficult to prevent someone from taking advantage of my quirk. I will need to test the actual reason for others being empowered. As far as I know, if they are within line of sight of my light, it affects them… Later. Right now, I should answer the schoolgirl.
"They do. Aizawa had a point though… If I can't use my quirk against villains without empowering them-" "But you just did it! You can't throw in the towel now Yama-chan!"
Thanks for the vote of confidence., but all I did was guess and cheat. I don't want the vote of confidence anyway. Wait… what did she just call me?
"Yama-" SMASH!~
I whipped back to the boy, my eyes zeroed in on his hand- the light…
I have seen those vibrations before. All Might invited many children from schools all over to Might Tower years ago. He wasn't there long, and Sir Nighteye handled most of the public relations. However, when All Might appeared near the end of the tour, he showed off his Detroit Smash… The frequencies match- but there was another layer on top of-
"Did All Might have a kid?" That would explain why he started patrolling less than nine years ago. As well as how this boy that has been performing less than stellar was allowed into U.A.
I can't imagine how strong his body must be to contain a quick that could change the weather with a punch…
"What was that?" Oh. I forgot Ashido was there for a moment. I turned my head to hide my embarrassment… Also, I shouldn't draw attention to the boy. The others are all ready to lynch this teacher. I don't want them to change targets to eliminate justified nepotism, "... Nothing. Nevermind. You should go up there before he thinks you're wasting his time, Ashido-san."
She looked back at the teacher, who looked in awe at the Son of All Might.
She smiled and jogged over.
A stray thought entered my mind. If I am going to survive this teacher, assuming he isn't replaced before the school festival, I will actually need to talk with Mita and test my quirk more than I ever have.
What do different colors mean, and what frequencies affect what? I know how to 'energize' and 'strengthen' myself and calm myself and others down, but what else can I do?
The years of purposefully ignoring the finer details of my quirk because of the HPSC will come to bite me in the-.
I sighed, muttering, "I really need to work on this."
—-
I did not use my quirk for the rest of the tests, or at least not as I normally did. Sure, I turned my light on, focusing on creating a high-pitched frequency that generated the light, but it did Nothing else because the volume was minimized… I think that's how it works anyway.
Running long distances with a hand on my throat to 'prevent my quirk from affecting others' definitely affected my time, but I was not last, so I did not care.
Like Jiro-san told me at the start, So long as I'm not last! While I would usually be one to admonish such laziness, in terms of surviving being expelled from school- I am willing to let it go.
At the end of the testing, Aizawa gathered everyone before himself. Pulling out a hologram remote from his scarf. "You're ranked from best to worst. I'm not going to go over each score. Here you go." Without any fanfare, he clicked the remote. Such laziness…
My eyes immediately zeroed in on the last place- Izuku Midoriya.
Well, it's not me, so thank you for your sacrifice whoever you- Wait. That's All Might Junior. Is he really going-
"And I was lying. No one is being expelled. That was a rational deception to ensure you all performed your best!" His face looked like he was trying his best to smile through gritted teeth.
Okay, that tracks. Nepotism was keeping Midoriya from being expelled.
I did a quick scan and found my name in eighteenth place. Which, while not ideal, makes sense. The grip tester was the only test I did better than slightly below average, and I wasn't even fifth.
"I'm surprised the rest of you didn't figure that out. I guess I probably should have said something." The voice of the tallest girl in our class. Yaoyorozu-san.
You're wrong, though. He expelled his entire class last-
"What?" The class was looking at me, and Aizawa's fake smile changed- It was more demented now.
Oh, I said that out loud… "Uh… Well, I did my research on what happens in the hero course here- a lot of the forums talk about the high transfer rates in the first and second year… a few years ago, that changed from transfers to expulsions, so…" I gestured towards the teacher.
The girl with the ponytail's eyebrows furrowed as she turned to the teacher. With their attention back on the deranged teacher, he laughed, "Hah! Yes. Last year I expelled my entire hero course class. None of them showed any promise to be heroes. This year, however, is different… Don't let that get to your head. If at any point I deem you unsuitable for heroics, I will push for your expulsion from the school immediately."
He looked over everyone, his eyes lingering on my own for a second too long, "It's cruel to let a kid keep dreaming about something that will never come true. Shower and head back to the homeroom. You all have classes soon. Be there in eight minutes." He walked around the children, dropping a note to Midoriya as he passed him.
I nodded to myself and marched off to the locker room.
A few seconds passed before the class behind me seemed to shout as one, "Ten Minutes!?"
I walked a little bit faster to avoid being trampled.
Getting detention on the first day for being late wouldn't bode well for my prospects here.
—-
The rush into the locker room was crazier than earlier. Everyone ran into the various showers to wash off the sweat- Yaoyorozu created soap and towels for everyone with her quirk… I am not ashamed to say the soap she made smelled amazing, and the towel felt softer than my bed…
I did not return it because she didn't ask for it.
I was lucky enough to not share my shower and took an extra minute to ensure my uniform was as neat as possible before stepping out. Behind me, the others rushed as fast as they could- a floating bundle of clothes actually running past me outside before anyone else- Hagakure-san taking advantage of her invisibility to change when she gets to class or on the move?
Either way, I will need to tell her that while being invisible means she isn't flashing anyone- they can still see her underwear, and that's… pretty indecent? Right?
Regardless. Other than Hagakure, I was once again the first out of the locker room due to my prior experiences with changing as fast as possible. So it again fell to me to lead at least the female half back to the classroom.
Unlike when we left this morning, there was a sheet of paper on each one of our desks. Not bothering to read it, I sat down and let myself relax for a moment. This morning's stress was not what I was expecting today.
Is this what everyone in the hero course must expect for their days here? I will gladly salute their sacrifice for the safety of the business course. Two months of this to go. I leaned back, slouching slightly in my chair, and just closed my eyes.
"GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE!" Eyes wide, I straightened up as the hero teacher, Present Mic, walked into the room yelling at the top of his lungs.
I hate this school already.