With the provisional license exams approaching quickly, a sense of urgency falls over all the first years. Shinsou's under-eye bags grow darker than ever, Bakugou's attitude takes an even meaner turn, Kirishima and Sero can often be found passed out on the couches, and Sensei's exhausted form is more often found even in the early hours of the morning, draped over notes.

I dive into training with a new determination, lips firm and expression set.

Aunt Nemuri, recognizing my new motivation, pushes me even harder. I manage to expand my wings even further, making them large and strong enough I can glide from one side of the training center to the other.

But unlike my shadows, despite their size, they're brittle and easily dispersed. A single hit from Aunt Nemuri's whip and they shatter like glass.

"Don't give up love," my godmother says with a laugh, pausing as she glances down towards where Toshinori had come to visit. He'd been by more often, especially since him and Sensei's private discussion Wednesday.

It was one where I'd been kicked to the lobby and told not to return until they were done. Midoriya, red-faced and refusing to meet my eye, had all but raced from the room. That left me with a choice between Todoroki and the new kid, Mineta's replacement, the literally the last person I wanted to spend time with.

So I sat down with Todoroki, content to just stare off into space as he ate his cold soba.

"Do you ever eat anything else?" I'd asked, annoyed by their stupid secrecy.

"On occasion," he'd responded, completely unbothered by my tone. He just shrugged, took another bite, and slurped.

I glowered, and when he'd finished, joined Sero and Mina on the couch, deciding to join in on their game when they offered me a spare remote. I never did notice when Toshinori left, but he'd been an almost constant presence since. Strolling around the training building, offering advice where he could, and just being visible.

He'd only attempted to approach me once.

I'd jumped off the cliff with a glare, wings glorious and spread, and landed by a rather confused Aoyama.

I would never make that mistake again. He'd taken one look at my glowing wings and literally spasmed, slipping into French and gesturing excitedly.

"You are the light to my sparkle!" he'd declared, before immediately twirling and spinning and somehow managing to reflect the glow from my wings like a disco ball all across the room.

"Ready to try again?" Midnight asks instead, pulling my attention back. I flush and nod, stepping over to the cliff face and the dizzying dip below. We'd been working on air tricks, specifically building speed as I fell and then changing directions to rise again.

I could do it with my shadow wings no problem. In fact, had learned it almost instinctively with fear and anger running hot through my veins. But doing it while staying happy… that was different, harder. All I'd managed so far was to make a running stop that had me nearly bowling Iida over.

Sensei had not been amused.

I lean forward, happy thoughts flashing again through my mind, and dive off the cliff. I catch sight of Toshinori and Sensei's eyes as I dive towards the ground, but I don't pay attention. I can't, with the sting of the wind in my eyes and my braid slaping against my neck and back. My stomach jumps into my throat automatically, forcing my mouth shut.

Hold, hold, hold it…

I wait until the ground is only a few meters away before focusing my wings wide and open. My body jerks and my back aches as what feels like a fishing hook catches against my spine. It drags me to a sudden stop.

The wings flicker, my weight plummets, and I gasp for air as I drop down several meters, rolling and rising completely unsuccessful on unsteady feet.

Ugh. Stupid quirk.

"Young Hoki, are you okay?"

I scowl as my attention shifts, switching to the nervous, gaunt-looking man. My chest aches at the sight of him, the sound of his voice invoking a familiar warmth. I shove it away.

All Might.

Liar.

"Fine," I snap, rubbing my back discretely.

"You looked like you might have-"

"I said I'm fine," I snarl, glaring. "I don't need your help."

I walk away quickly, ignoring Sensei's disapproving gaze and Toshinori's slumped figure.

I don't care.

Except I do.

Especially when Bakugou nearly drops a two-ton rock on his head. Already gliding in a dive, my mouth goes dry when I catch sight of it. Time slows, my stomach, already caught in my throat, burns as acid coats my tongue. I watch the trajectory, staring as it plummets dangerously towards Toshinori's small figure.

I look up from the hospital bed at a stranger with kind blue eyes, and an unnaturally thin frame, and hair the color of sunlight.

He doesn't change.

"Toshinori-san!" I greet excitedly, scrambling over to hug him. He sits on a large blanket beside Yamada-sensei and Midnight, all three of them circled around a small cooler. I take up the spot beside him, arms wrapping around his middle and smiling up at bright, kind eyes. "What are you doing here?"

He still doesn't change, mouth opening in a silent shout.

"Why would I care?" I ask, even more suspicious. "I don't like All Might and I don't care what his stupid civilian form looks like."

"Because Toshinori is concerned you will reject him out of principal."

My wings blacken and expand, nightmarish and ragged and wide. They adjust midflight like they wouldn't before, but I'm still too far, blue eyes wide.

My heart hammers in my chest.

"You… don't like All Might?" Toshinori asks, his voice oddly strained. "Why's that? He's the number one hero!"

It's only Midoriya's physical speed and head start that destroys the stone before my tentacles can reach.

I swerve, shadows dispersing from my arms, and use that speed to climb, moving vertical up the cliff-face and dropping elegantly on the top. The wings dissolve and I stare, expression shuddered as the blonde's fear transforms to astonishment—to pride as he looks at Midoriya.

Midoriya who had known.

Sensei, however, stares at me, expression seemingly bored if not for the knowing tilt to his lips.

I scowl, hands fisting at my side.

Why didn't he transform and stop it himself?

.

.

.

The night before the licensing exams, Sensei has me try on my new hero outfit.

I do, sliding on the thicker fabric with a strange, thick emotion in my chest.

The fabric's heavier than the other, made of a sturdy material that barely stretches.

And wrong.

Like Sensei had warned, the baggy pants that I ordered are skintight. My shoes, which were supposed to be combat boots, are now heeled, sleek, and knee-high. My top, which was only supposed to be a simple tank top, now strangely had become long-sleeved, cropped, and snug with a small diamond cutout on my chest and back.

It might also be the reason my fingerless gloves were currently missing.

I sigh, pursing my lips, and step up to the mirror and turn.

It doesn't look bad, just different.

Whoever had redesigned it had redone the color scheme as well as the fit. The shoes, now a light, almost baby blue, sweeps seamlessly up my calves. The black pants tucked into them is dark and seamless with two horizontal blue stripes across my right thigh and another, thicker one at the waist of my strangely padded hips. My top, also black has that weird padding too, extending my chest at least a cup size with the same soft blue color wrapping around my neck and outlining the fist-sized cut out in blue. It all fits securely, pressing against my skin like a second skin.

It's strange and wrong and nothing like what I ordered.

But I kind of like it.

Especially when I unfurl my braid and let the dark hair all hang loose at my back.

I look different.

I feel different.

Remembering the belt Sensei left me, I quickly pick up the silver, scuffed thing and hook it against my hips. Despite the obvious signs of age, it fits perfectly after some adjustments. I look in the mirror and grin, barely recognizing the person staring back.

She looks like a hero.

And for once, my chest doesn't ache at that thought.

"Sensei, do you wanna see?" I call, stepping out of my room. I peek into the living room and giggle, unsurprised to find him cross-legged with Miska, reading a rather thick looking file with his hair pulled back in a low bun.

"I guess," he grumbles, not even looking up. "How wrong is it?"

"Terribly," I answer, snickering.

He flips the page and sighs.

"Next time do your research. Support companies are essential to a hero's image and success. Improper equipment can mean the difference between life and death. Luckily for you, it's just cosmetics. Now, are you coming out or what?"

I blush and step into the room, twirling into the center of the space. He still doesn't look.

"Sensei," I whine.

"Hold on," he grunts, lowering the folder full of papers onto his lap. He glances up, and his expression hardens immediately, as his eyes sweep my body. He takes in the bright blue lines and obvious padding silently with narrowed eyes. He doesn't stare long, jaw tight as he reaches down to pick back up his papers. He glares at the reports, lips thin.

"Sensei?" I ask, wide-eyed. "Do you not like it?"

"It's flattering," he says, sour. "Now go take it off."

I giggle.

"Y-Yes, sir."

.

.

.

The morning of the exam dawns bright and sunny. My body buzzes with energy, much like my classmates around me.

I watch my classmates curiously, back against the wall as they squeal and scramble to prepare. Kaminari pulls apart the couch desperately searching for his lost uniform. Momo nervously trails behind him, asking questions and offering advice. Bakugou glares and snarls at Mina, who tries to badger him into cooking her breakfast since she always burns everything. By the elevator, Sero and Kirishima lock into some sort of weird chanting dance, arms extended and hopping from foot to foot. I think they're trying to 'pump themselves up,' but I'm not really sure…

So weird…

And of course, in the midst of it all, Iida tries to direct everybody, shouting and chopping violently at the air as he tries to collect everyone in a line.

It's noisy and ridiculous and vibrant.

And for some reason, after a few weeks of it, it makes me smile.

Sensei does not.

He takes one exhausted look at the chaos and activates his quirk.

The room silences instantly.

That's so cool…

He ignores me, his red eyes narrowed dangerously, dark hair floating above his head.

"You are all too noisy. Stop playing around and get on the bus."

I do, shuffling to my customary spot and pushing my new hero costume under the seat. I take the place by the window, leaning against it as the others board much quieter than earlier. Todoroki joins me a moment later, grunting as he slides into the seat beside me.

"Good morning," I mumble, glancing curiously at him.

"Morning," he says back, mismatched eyes meeting my own.

We stare at each other mutely for a moment before I flush and turn away, not really sure where to go after that. Usually, Kirishima or Mina or one of the others just starts talking.

I try to remember a topic.

"A-Are you ready for the exam?" I ask, hesitant as I glance back over. He's still looking in my direction and he blinks curiously.

"Ah… I suppose."

The pause lingers again and I frown when he doesn't go on.

Is he not going to say anything? Shinsou would have said something more.

But what do I say?

Ugh, stupid words.

I scowl at the seat in front of me.

It's fine, just pretend that it's Shinsou.

That's easy enough.

"I'm a little nervous," I tell him, looking down at my hands. I had told Shinsou as much last night. "Not- Not as much as before though. Part of it, I think, is the exam, but I also don't want to disappoint Sensei. He... But Sensei says that as long as I try my best, he won't be upset either way. I… I'm also nervous about using my shadows again. I- I haven't used them since the camp, and- and-"

I cut off, shoving away the quickly rising emotions. They'd been swelling with each passing day as if they knew I'd need them soon. Sharp claws that dig into my chest and squeeze at my insides.

That ached in the pit of my belly.

This is one of your emotional wounds.

I force a smile.

"I don't really want to use them," I admit, rubbing my neck.

He nods, and something in his rather flat expression seems to resonate.

"It's your power," he agrees, nodding.

I blink.

"I… yeah?" I mumble, raising an eyebrow.

What a weird thing to say. Of course, it's my power…

He blinks.

"What?"

I consider telling him, but Shinsou would call it rude.

Not that he ever had a problem calling me weird…

"Never mind," I mumble, crossing my arms. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. With a sigh, I turn and stare out the bus window as the city passes by. Todoroki makes a noise, but when I glance back at him he's frowning at his hands.

I want to ask him why, but I don't.

I don't really know what to say.

So… life? Yeah?

Why is this so much easier with everyone else?

I shrink into the seat and pout.

With nothing to do, I alternate between staring out the window or at the back of the seat. I consider pulling out my phone, but I'd already turned it off and stowed it in my uniform bag, and the idea of undoing all that work feels like a waste. So I literally have nothing to do. I wiggle in my seat, bored and mind whirling with a million ridiculous thoughts.

I manage to last a good five minutes in silence before I finally crack.

"Is your hair naturally half red and white?"

The quiet boy blinks, eyebrow rising as he turns curiously my way.

"Ah... Yes."

As usual, it stops there. I purse my lips and stare down at his arms and exposed hands.

"So does it all grow like that everywhere? Are your arm hairs all white on this half of you and red on the other?"

Todoroki frowns.

"No."

"No, it doesn't grow like that everywhere or no it's not half and half?"

"Why do you care?" he asks, looking at me strangely. "It's hair."

I feel my face heat.

And you called him weird…

"I was just curious," I scowl, wrinkling my nose and crossing my arms. "I'm bored."

He makes a face.

"Oh."

The pause between us lengthens again, and I snort.

"We could trade," I offer, not really sure what to say. "I mean, take turns. A question for a question or something?"

His mismatched eyes stare. I wilt a little under their intensity.

Why doesn't he answer like he's supposed to?

"It's all white."

I blink, looking at him strangely, before I realize that's his answer. I make a small o-shape with my mouth and then quickly shut it back, feeling idiotic.

"Is Shinsou related to Aizawa-sensei?"

The feeling intensifies.

What the hell kind of question is that?

"No," I draw out slowly, furrowing my eyebrows. "Why would you even think that?"

Todoroki shrugs.

"They both have messy hair and dark circles. They also have similar glares."

I can't help but snort.

"The dark circles are because neither of them ever sleep," I tell him grinning. "Sensei stays up all night reading files or doing hero work, and Shinsou… he just doesn't sleep. Their hair is completely different though! Sensei's hair is way nicer! It's wavy and super soft and I think he cuts it himself too because it's always uneven even when he brushes it. But Shinsou never brushes his! It's always stiff and gross because he puts all that gunk in it. I tried it once, but it just made a mess. Do you use it? The jelly stuff?"

He blinks and I realize how dumb that question is, considering his very flat hair.

"No."

I sigh, head falling forward.

.

.

.

We run out of questions long before we arrive at the national stadium that we'll do our exams. I've never been to a national stadium before, but it's pretty similar to the one at UA except with more of a spiral shape. It kinda looks like one of the shells from the beach, with a pointed roof that swirls up and around to point precariously at the sky. It's bright too, with yellow and red patterns repeating all around the edges.

And huge.

Uniform clutched to my chest, I line up with everyone else outside the bus, surprised at the line of buses arranged behind us. There must be hundreds, no thousands of people here.

Just how many others are competing?

"That's a lot of people," Kyouka mutters, swinging side to side. "I'm nervous."

"Y-Y-Yeah," sweats the new kid. "A-Are all of them c-c-competing?"

I send him a sideways glance but say nothing, lips pursing.

It should be Mineta.

Sensei, slouching up ahead in his hero uniform, glances their way as well.

"You'll be competing against thousands. But this is what you've trained for. Trust in your hard work and don't give up," he says in his deep baritone that carries across the class. Beside me, Ochako straightens and Iida nods his head. "If you all manage to pass this test, then you novice eggs will become chicks and you'll hatch into semi-pros. So do your best."

I give him a strange look at the weird egg analogy.

Does that make him a rooster? Would Aunt Nemuri be a hen?

Since All Might retired, is he dinner?

"Alright! I'm gonna be a chick!" Kaminari exclaims, an arm pumping at his side.

Kirishima shouts something as well, but I ignore both of them and their antics. Instead, my eye catches on to the people steadily approaching from a nearby bus. White button-down shirts, dark pants and skirts, and a matching navy hat with a shiny golden seal. I frown as a rather muscular one sneaks close, eyes narrowing when he coils for something.

"Plus Ultra!" he yells obnoxiously with the other two, and I relax.

Some commotion breaks out as everyone starts growling at the boy, but I ignore it all. Scanning the crowd of students, my eyes catch instead on a familiar face, black as onyx and smooth with magma-like veins running all through his skin. It takes me a moment to realize why.

Come hang out with us, I'll introduce you to my friends!

It's the boy from the beach, Touya's friend.

My mind whirls, remembering the friendly boy from the pool and his little sister. Had they been in the hotel when it crumbled? Had they been caught up in my bad luck?

My stomach churns.

Were they okay? Did they escape?

I step forward, remembering the plumes of smoke, the ash in my mouth and the screams.

Sensei drops to his knees.

I stare in horror as red droplets fall to the floor.

I skirt the outside of the group, feeling Sensei's eyes on my back as I step over to the taller boy. He looms several inches over me, with eyes the same shiny black as his skin and the lines in his rock-like flesh glowing orange.

"You're Taisho-kun."

"Rin-san," the boy repeats, his voice cooler than I expected. "I am disappointed to find you here. Why? Your lack of respect and heroism during the emergency disgust me. I had hoped you'd be expelled."

I flinch back, and reel.

What?

"Excuse me?" I choke, eyebrows furrowing at the unexpected attack.

He frowns, or as much as his rock-like skin can, caught in a perpetual line.

"I have no interest in the conversation," he says, voice gruff. "Go away."

I almost do, but something keeps my feet still.

How dare he judge me?

He doesn't know anything about me!

"I came to ask about Touya-kun and his sister," I snap, jaw clenching shut.

"I don't believe you actually care."

Hot flames break under my skin and I grind my teeth.

What would he know?

"You don't know anything-"

"I don't care," he says, expression hard. He turns towards the other, the one behind me that had been making a scene putting back on his hat. "Good luck. Why? Because if we meet in battle, I will show you a true hero's strength."

He walks away and I can only glare at his back, barely listening as Sensei gives out info on someone else.

I don't believe you care.

I snarl at his uniformed back, before spinning on my heel and stomping back to Todoroki's side.

I had hoped you'd be expelled.

Bastard.

"Hoki-chan?" Midoriya asks nervously. "W-Who was that?"

I glare at the green-haired boy and he eeps.

Todoroki raises an eyebrow when my gaze falls on him.

"Someone I met this summer at the beach," I scowl, still feeling the hot flames dancing under my skin.

I'll show you a true hero's strength.

Show me, I think nastily, black shadows dancing from my fingertips.

"Rin-" Sensei starts.

"ERASER! OH ERASER IS THAT YOU!?"

Sensei's face morphs from concern into annoyance in a second, and I turn to glower at the woman speed walking towards us. Pale green hair, an orange bandana, and a too-colorful ensemble. She looks like a clown. She stops far too close and I can feel my eyes begin to narrow.

Who is she?

Why is he letting her stand there?

"Oh Eraser, I saw you on TV at the sports festival! But… it's been so long since we've seen each other face to face! Let's get married!"

I choke.

Sensei, eye twitching, offers me an annoyed glance before turning back to her.

"No thanks."

The woman, brash and loud, glances my way curiously before laughing outrageously. I glare between them. Marry? Did she say marry?

Who is this?

"That's the smiling hero, Ms. Joke!" squeals Midoriya excitedly, and I have to squish the urge to snarl at him. I ignore his random mumblings, some nonsense about her villain suppression technique, and narrow in on the strange way she reaches out for him, laughter still ongoing.

"No thanks! Haha! That's such a good one!"

"As always, you're unamusing."

I'm inclined to agree.

"C'mon! If I was your wife, we could have a family full of constant laughter!"

"That sounds like an actual nightmare."

My lips thin and my nostrils flare. Kirishima standing a few steps ahead, quickly backpedals to my side, squeezing my shoulder warningly. I shove the arm away, crossing my chest.

"You guys seem pretty close, ribbit!" Tsuyu says tapping her chin.

"She seems like an idiot," I grumble under my breath.

I've never even heard of her.

What does she mean marriage?

"Our offices used to be near each other!" Joke laughs. "We'd help each other out! You know, rescuing each other, hanging out, a mutual relationship built on love…"

"Untrue," Sensei says flatly, arms crossed as well. "Knock it off."

"Hey! Aizawa-sensei already has a family!" Kirishima says, and Joke's grin falters. She looks at me again and I glare, teeth bared, while Sensei sighs.

"Kirishima, Rin, that's enough."

"Oh?" she asks, raising an eyebrow. "Well aren't you a cutie-pattootie!"

"No."

She grins down at me, completely nonplussed. Sensei sighs again, and I grind my teeth.

"If you're here," Sensei says, obviously trying to change the subject. "that must mean…"

"Oh yeah! Meet my class!"

I glower at the new group of students, completely done with all of these people. One, a particularly upbeat boy, immediately starts shaking hands. He gets as far down the line as Bakugou before the blonde slaps his hands away.

Good, I think nastily.

"Rin-chan," Kirishima interjects, voice low as he pulls me back towards the bus with a grimace in Bakugou's direction. No doubt he wants to chastise him for his rudeness, but he doesn't, his hand firmly against my shoulder. "You okay? What did that guy even say? You looked- you looked pissed!"

I take a practiced, deep breath.

I am disappointed to find you here.

"He hoped I'd been expelled."

Someone bumps into my other shoulder and I frown over to see Toru standing there, shirt sleeves crossed and her clothing exuding irritation.

"That creep!" she growls, voice angrier than I ever remember hearing it. "Who does he think he is?"

I twitch and look at her oddly, surprised.

But Momo, in front of us, is turning as well, expression caught somewhere between being offended and sad. She frowns deeply.

"That's so unmanly!" Kirishima growls, wrinkling his nose. "What kind of hero puts down others?"

"You shouldn't listen to him, Rin-chan," Momo agrees earnestly.

"If we see him in the exams, I vote you kick his ass!" Toru agrees, nodding. She punches her hand and makes a grunt of frustration. "You're way more heroic than he'll ever be! I bet he's just jealous-"

Whatever else she was going to say is cut off though as Sensei clears his throat.

"Oi!" he grumbles, his voice breaking through the chaos effortlessly. I frown as his dark eyes find mine. Control yourself. "Go change into your costumes and go to orientation. Don't waste time."

Everyone shouts a quick, "Yes, sir!"

Toru hooks her invisible arm in mine, and I cast one last, sour look back at the green-haired woman. She throws me a wink and I glare.

Marriage?

Who is she?