Warning: swearing, bullying, blood, gore, maybe body horror, injuries, sexual assault, death, gaslighting, lies, murder
Don't ask questions, you'll understand when we get there.
So many people.
Two feet shuffled anxiously as green eyes stared upwards. She was not ready for the first day of school. Call it nervousness or a fear of embarassing herself, but the religious girl did not mean to be so mentally unprepared. She was excited for her first day of UA until now.
Her class was overall nice. They didn't laugh at her or whisper anything about her or stare at her like a few other past classes have. It was a nice first day of school for her, despite her nervousness.
Others shared her same nervousness too, from their looks; a chinese boy who kept glancing around the room, a ginger-haired man who kept squeezing his hands together in fists, a massive golden-skinned man with a bell head, a silver-haired girl, a tiny girl with long, brown bangs, and a tall boy with skin which was dark as the void.
It was a decent start and an ok week of getting to know her peers, though Monoma made them look like fools, and overall relaxing when she became more at ease with her friends.
The first incident Shiozaki had when growing close to Kuroiro, though, was during the first Thursday, when he was reading alone at an empty table during lunch.
She was looking for an empty seat when she spotted the dark boy peacefully mynching on his rice, staring blankly and calmly at a book in his one black hand. Shiozaki had decided to sit with him out of pity for his loneliness, and because he was really the only one the class didn't know anything about.
During the first few days, Kuroiro was quiet and mostly reading books during the whole day. When he was not reading, he was silently listening to Vlad King and others speaking, or introducing himself. Even when Kendo had tried to start up conversations with him and Monoma tried to being him into chats with Tsuburaba and Tetsutetsu, he only gazed at them, smiled softly with an apologetic gaze, then went back to reading.
At one point Monoma tried to place an arm around him and bring him closer to the buddy circle with a few others, but Kuroiro somehow managed to bend his body in half like a broken twig with the upper part on the brink of falling off. Even Vlad-King was surprised with his flexibility.
The boy merely glanced up with a raised brow as Shiozaki approached, gazing at her silently before offering a tiny smile and nodding.
Shiozaki blinked in surprise. Did Kuroiro know she wanted to sit with him?
"Um... hello," she murmured in an unsure voice as she settled down next to him.
"...Hey, Shiozaki-chan." his voice was small and quiet.
"...What are you doing here by yourself? If you don't mind me asking?"
Kuroiro blinked at her. "Most of the other tables are full, and I don't mind sitting by myself." That was the longest sentence he spoke since he introduced himself.
"Why don't you sit with your classmates? Or your friends?" Kuroiro's head perked up. "You know, like Kaibara or Shishida, or maybe Honenuki? We'd all like to get to know you, Kuroiro. More than just your name."
"I understand." His voice was sympathetic. "You don't mean for it to seem rude."
How did he know? How did he know?
"So... nice weather today?"
Kuroiro placed the book down and glanced outside. "I suppose."
What do I say next? I'm out of ideas!
There was a muffled giggle and a small chuckle form Kuroiro. "You're attempts at bonding are not as regal-sounding as I expected from someone who believes so dearly in god."
Shiozaki's gasp of absolute astonishment practically echoed above all the noise in the lunchroom. Most conversations died down and eyes began to peel their way towards them. Kuroiro's eyes widen with realization.
"Oh dear... I'm sorry Shiozaki-chan. I meant no harm to you or your savior."
That was not what shocked Shiozaki. The way he said it, and how he spoke, was as if he was reading her mind in an unknown way.
Dear lord, who knows what the class would think if they thought even for a minute that Kuroiro could read minds.
There was an awkward silence for a moment before Kuroiro gently brought his book up again and began to go back to his reading. "Sorry, Shiozaki-chan..." he murmured again before getting lost in the pages.
Shiozaki merely blinked before the bell rang. Both she and Kuroiro stood up in an exact unionized way that made them both almost sit down again. Shiozaki took her tray and began to depose of it as Kuroiro gently closed his book and went to do the same.
"So... talk to you again sometime?" she asked as they headed back to class.
"...Sure."
Shiozaki was impressed with how eye-catching everyone's hero costumes were.
Her costume was a simple white robe dress and black high-heels. Monoma had a pretty simple yet outstanding suit. Kendo had a turquoise chinese esthetic costume, probably an idea inspired from Rin's origin.
Shiozaki couldn't help but search for Kuroiro in the mob of twenty students. It was pretty easy, as he was the third tallest, had pure white hair, and had a completely black jumpsuit for his costume. What surprised Shiozaki was how close he seemed to be with Bondo. Had they already befriended one another?
Kuroiro was gazing at her calmly as she approached. He was watching her with listening eyes, though she hadn't even gotten halfway to them.
Bondo seemed more shy, nervously tapping his fingers as she came closer. Kuroiro had taken note of it without even glancing at him and reached a hand of comfort towards him. Bondo flinched before allowing Kuroiro to gently assure him everything was fine.
"Hey, Kuroiro." Shiozaki inwardly punched herself for sounding so excited to chat with him. "I see you made friends with Bondo already. I am glad you have found a friend within your class."
"Thank you, Shiozaki-chan"
Bondo watched them nervously. "U-umm... Kuroiro had came t-to me when... w-when we were changing into our hero costumes. He was really sweet a-and very kind."
The smallest trace of a smile appeared on Kuroiro's closed mouth at Bondo's words. His grey eyes shone with love.
Vlad-King's words suddenly called the three to attention.
"It's time for the test," Shiozaki murmured. "Good luck you two."
"You as well, Shiozaki-chan." Kuroiro was neutral sounding yet warming as he spoke.
...
Shiozaki ended up with Kuroiro as her partner.
Maybe she was lucky to have a friendly classmate as her buddy. Whatever Kuroiro could do, she was sure he could do it well.
They ended up against Komori and Bondo. Komori was small and very energetic. The small mushroom girl was bouncing on her feet in excitement while Bondo shook nervously. Shiozaki suddenly wished Kuroiro was paired with the bell student, as he seemed to be the only one who could truly comfort the kid. Especially since Bondo's team was the villain team.
As Shiozaki prayed to god Bondo would be alright, Kuroiro placed a soft hand on her shoulder and gazed at her softly.
"I'm sure Bondo will be safe," he told her carefully. "Whatever plan we come up with, I will do my best to achieve my part with the least harm done to our friend."
Shiozaki couldn't help but feel how touched she was. Kuroiro had said exactly what she needed to hear, and it was too genuine for it to be a lie. l
How did he know what I feared? Can he somehow actually read minds?
Kuroiro snickered. "Mind reading. Never thought of it like that." Shiozaki almost fainted.
Hero name... hero name...
Bondo nervously wracked his mind for his heri name as everyone else decided theirs.
"I don't have any clue," Honenuki was telling Awase. "What would be a name that suits me?"
As Awase thoughtfully began to think of a name for Honenuki, Kuroiro turned to gaze at them.
"What about Mudman?" his voice was quiet yet sweet.
Honenuki snapped his fingers. "That is a great idea, Kuroiro!"
Awase and a few others listening nearby seemd impressive as Kuroiro silently nods and goes back to wriying his own hero name.
He thought of one for himself and Honenuki so easily. I wish I could be as confident as he is.
Kuroiro's head suddenly popped up, staring in shcok at nothing before turning to glance behind him. His eyes wandered for a moment before meeting Bondo's gaze. Kuroiro's grey eyes were full of sympathy and gratitude as he smiled gently. His friendly gaze was too sweet and caring that Bondo couldn't resist the need to smile back.
After a while almost everyone had their names. Other than Bondo, at least seven others were thinking of a name.
Bondo was so positive he could form himself into a hero, one to keep his lovely adopted parents safe. He had always dreamed of protecting little kids who can't protect themselves, of being there to rescue elders in need and to protect others woth his glue. It was his dream, and he always strived to make it true since he was a kid. How can I be the hero I need to be for my country, though, if I struggle for a simple name?
Kuroiro had snapped his head back towards the bell headed student immediately, his eyes wide with pity and sorrow. The dark student then spoke something to Yanagi, who was chatting with him and Tetsutetsu, then politely went over to Bondo.
Bondo was surprised to see Kuroiro coming to him of all people, and more surprised when a soft and gentle touch of his hand rested slowly on his shoulder. It was so gentle and kind that Bondo felt his heart warm up and his panic fading away.
"Maybe Cementine?" Kurorio suggested softly. It too great of an idea that Bondo agreed.
Kuroiro is such a sweet man! He would definitely be a brilliant hero.