'I can't do this.'
Izuku stood at the corner, UA High just one street away from him. Taunting him with its towering size and polished windows. He was currently surrounded by other applicants, all fidgeting nervously while they waited for an opening in traffic that would allow them to cross. But he wasn't sure if he could actually cross with them. He wasn't ready. He needed more time. Was it too late to call in sick and ask for an extension?
The crowd suddenly started shuffling forward as a gap in the cars formed, and Izuku got swept up in the sea of students. Too late to back out now, he was heading into UA.
The campus was just as pristine as he'd imagined. There were no grand sculptures or flashy displays of power, just simple, understated beauty. The wide lawns stretched out, bordered by bursts of flowers and the occasional bench. He noticed students already there in their UA uniforms, guiding the new arrivals with signs and directing them with calm confidence. They seemed so at ease, so…prepared. Izuku couldn't help but feel small in comparison, like he was an imposter among people destined for greatness.
He followed the signs carefully until he got to the building the exam was being held in. He was here and this was happening. The faster he got it done the faster he could stop the constant heart attacks that have been happening since his morning alarm sounded. 'I should probably swing by the hospital after this…'
As he and several others approached the building, a second wave of students started to exit. Stepping aside to let everyone through he heard a familiar voice call to him, "Hey! Green!"
Izuku felt his anxiety melt away as he saw Jirou pushing her way towards him from the crowd. "Jirou!" He hated that they couldn't take the test together, but he understood why. The hero applicants had to get to their practical exam so the written portion was done earlier than everyone else. But he was glad that he managed to catch his friend before she left. Once she managed to escape the crowd he asked, "So, how screwed am I?"
Jirou just rolled her eyes. "You'll ace it."
"How can you be so sure?" He tried to keep his voice steady, but the nervous edge crept in despite his best efforts.
"Cause I know for a fact I got at least a B." she said, confidence nearly overwhelming Izuku. "And if I can pass it, you definitely will." Both jumped when an older student started blowing on a whistle, indicating for others to follow him. Jirou's eyes flickered in the direction of the noise, and she sighed. "Alright, looks like I gotta go. Just remember to breathe dude."
As she ran off to join the other hero applicants, heading towards what looked like some sort of lecture hall, the green-haired teen turned back towards his own destination. All he needed to do was walk forward. Just take one step. One foot in front of the other. '… I can't move!'
"Izuku!" Jirou's voice cut through the panic, and he glanced back over his shoulder. She stood at the back of the crowd, her hand cupped around her mouth as she yelled, "You got this!"
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He had studied for months, he knew the material like the back of his hand. He did have this.
And with that, he took the next step.
Jirou sat in the auditorium trying to keep her cool but how could she be expected to do that? Present Mic was doing the presentation. Present. Fucking. Mic!
"Alright listeners. EVERYBODY SAY HEY!"
Jirou would have answered in kind, it was embarrassing how many times she replied to the call and response on his radio show, but the word got caught in her throat. Though judging from the silence blanketing the room she wasn't the only one too nervous to shout back.
"ALRIGHT!" Present Mic, unfazed, grinned like a pro. At least the pro was taking it in stride.
"Hey, you good?"
Jirou nearly jumped out of her seat hearing the voice so close to her. Turning she saw a blonde boy with a black streak in his hair whispering to her. "What?"
"You just seem a little tense." He looked around, noting that several others where fidgeting or focusing way too hard on the lecture, "I mean I get it. This is no joke, but I just wanted to make sure you were all right."
Jirou just forced her shoulders to relax and took a breath. "I'm good. Thanks, but it's just… How do I get his autograph before we leave?"
They both chuckled, letting the tension dissipate slightly. Jirou tried to focus on the presentation, but it honestly sounded more like a video game scenario than a hero exam. A fake city overrun with robots for them to destroy? Not what she'd expected at all. The boy started tapping his foot, and she honestly couldn't tell if he was fidgeting out of nerves or excitement. "What about you, you good?"
"Oh me? Yea, I'm great." He flashed her a smile, and she couldn't help but think he looked pretty cute. "This test is perfect for me. Though I have to admit," He looked around the room again, "there are a lot more people here than I thought. Competitions gonna be tight for those hero course spots."
Jirou just shrugged, making sure to keep one ear on the presentation as she talked. "Most of these people probably shouldn't be here. I doubt most of these guys put in effort UA expects in their training." Realizing she sounded a bit stuck up, she tried to clarify, "They'll probably make it into their second choices, but UA is a whole other beast you know?"
"Yea, guess you're right."
The blond didn't look any less nervous so she kept talking. "What group are you in?"
"5792. Why?"
"I'm in 7126. Your chances just went up, you won't be competing against me."
Before he could respond, a loud voice cut through the auditorium.
"EXCUSE ME SIR! I have a question!" A tall boy with blue hair suddenly shot up from a few rows in front of the two teens. And… did a spotlight just shine on him? "On the printout, there are four types of villains, not three. If that is a misprint, then UA, the most prominent school in Japan, should be ashamed of that foolish mistake. We examinees are here in this place because we wish to be molded into exemplary heroes by the best the system has to offer. In addition," His head turned sharply toward Jirou and the blonde boy, "you two. You are distracting others with your idle chatter. Cut it out. If you're here on a pleasure trip, then you should leave immediately!"
Jirou stiffened, glaring at the self-important boy, while her companion panicked, clapping his hands together and bowing his head in apology. "Sorry, sorry!" he muttered, mortified.
But Jirou wasn't so quick to back down. She narrowed her eyes at the blue-haired boy. She knew his type: all bark and no bite. Probably some over-privileged rich kid who thought he could breeze through UA on connections and arrogance alone.
As Present Mic answered the guy's question, which would've been covered if he hadn't interrupted, Jirou felt her irritation shift into a smug satisfaction. The kid had no idea what he was in for.
She leaned back in her seat, grinning. "I'm gonna enjoy leaving that guy in the dust."
Izuku was freaking out. Not just the usual jitters of taking the UA entrance exam, but full-on, mind-racing, heart-pounding excitement. Ectoplasm and Snipe were overseeing the exam! He knew UA was primarily staffed by pro heroes, but he'd never imagined they would personally conduct the general education entrance exam.
His initial wave of anxiety had vanished the moment he spotted them, replaced by a buzzing excitement that he struggled to keep under control. He had to calm down. If he didn't, he'd end up causing a scene, and the last thing he wanted was to be kicked out for being a disturbance.
The hero-geek in him was screaming. Two pro heroes, right there! Would it be inappropriate to ask for autographs after the exam? What would he even say? "Hi, I'm a huge fan. Could you sign this?" No, that would be weird. They had better things to do than humor an overzealous fanboy.
But maybe, just maybe... No! Izuku shook his head, trying to rein himself in. He couldn't bother them. They were likely swamped with hero duties on top of all the paperwork UA probably generated during entrance exam season. Plus, they had to ensure everything ran smoothly for all the applicants, not just the hero course hopefuls but everyone. They were professionals, after all.
Still, the thought of being this close to two pros was enough to keep him teetering on the edge of losing his cool. He clenched his fists, trying to channel the energy into focus. He'd deal with his fanboy moment later. Right now, he had to ace this exam, prove himself, and make sure all his hard work paid off.
There would be plenty of time for hero worship once he got in… right?
Jirou lazily stretched out her legs as she waited for the gates to open for the practical exam, a sense of calm settling over her. She didn't feel nervous anymore. What was the point? She was as prepared as she was ever going to be, and at this stage it was do or die. No amount of last-minute cramming or strategizing was going to change the outcome now.
Still, it would've been nice to have someone to chat with while they waited. Blond boy from earlier had been carted off to a different testing ground, and looking around, she didn't recognize a single person here. Well... almost no one.
On the far side of the crowd, Jirou spotted the tall boy from earlier, the one who'd made that big scene during Present Mic's presentation. He was already at it again, scolding another group of students, judging by their irritated expressions. Jirou rolled her eyes and went back to stretching. There was no point wasting energy worrying about some self-important prick she'd probably never see again.
"START!" Jirou's head snapped up as Present Mic's voice boomed through the air. He stood atop a nearby building, looking down on the crowd of examinees like an eager coach ready to unleash chaos. "What? Were you expecting a countdown? Heroes don't have that luxury. GET IN THERE!"
Without hesitation, Jirou launched into a sprint alongside the mass of applicants, the ground vibrating with the sheer volume of feet pounding forward. But she wasn't about to stay clustered with the pack. There'd be no chance of scoring points if she got stuck in the middle of the mob, fighting over scraps like a scavenger. As soon as she found an opening, she splintered off from the group, her instincts kicking in.
Within seconds, a large green robot came barreling around the corner of a mock building. Jirou didn't flinch, she had been expecting it. She could hear these things rolling around everywhere, it would be impossible for them to catch her off guard. With a swift motion, she stabbed her jacks into the robot, sending a pulse of her heartbeat straight through its circuits. The force rippled through the machine, causing it to sputter and collapse with a screech, its parts falling apart before it even had a chance to retaliate.
Jirou didn't stop to admire her work. She was already moving, her heartbeat quickening with the adrenaline coursing through her. 'These things must be fragile on purpose,' she thought, her lips curling into a smirk. 'I'm strong, but not that strong.'
With that realization, Jirou let herself cut loose. She zigzagged through the fake city, targeting any robot that crossed her path. Each strike was precise, every heartbeat pulse calculated to take down her opponents with minimal effort. Her mind was clear, her body fluid, the rhythm of her quirk pulsing in time with the rapid beat of the exam.
She wasn't here to impress anyone, and she definitely wasn't going to make a mistake this far into the game. She was here to prove that she belonged at UA, and judging by the way these robots crumbled under her attack, she was off to a damn good start.
Another robot came at her, its massive arm swinging in a wide arc. Jirou darted forward and leaped over the attack, launching a jack into its metal plating mid-air. The pulse of her heartbeat reverberated through the machine, and it sputtered to a halt before she even landed.
She hit the ground smoothly but allowed herself a brief moment to catch her breath. She knew stopping was wasting precious time, but if she didn't pace herself, she'd burn out too quickly. It wasn't just about taking down the robots; it was about lasting through the entire exam without squandering her chances by tiring herself out.
As she took a moment to recuperate, Jirou noticed a short, blonde girl nearby, locked in combat with her own robot. The girl wasn't doing too bad; she had impressive acrobatic skills, ducking and weaving through the robot's attacks. But something was off. The girl wasn't using her quirk, and Jirou couldn't tell if it was because she didn't want to or because her quirk wasn't suited for combat.
That wasn't Jirou's concern, though. What was concerning was the smaller robot charging toward the girl's blind spot. Jirou's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know what the blonde's quirk was—maybe she had enhanced durability, maybe not—but that robot looked like it would hurt regardless.
Without thinking, Jirou sprang into action. The blonde girl had just finished a kick that knocked the head off her own opponent when Jirou tackled her, knocking them both out of the path of the charging bulldozer-bot.
The two stumbled slightly before regaining their footing. Jirou turned, still catching her breath. "Are you alri-"
But the blonde girl was already gone. A loud crash echoed behind her, and Jirou spun around, jacks ready to strike again. But instead of the mock villain bearing down on her, the blonde girl stood triumphantly on top of the bulldozer, a mess of wiring clutched in her hands. The machine sparked and groaned, crumpling beneath her feet.
"Thanks!" the girl called out, flashing a wide smile, and just for a second, Jirou swore she saw fangs. "I didn't see that one coming at all!" She barely glanced at the defeated robot before scanning the area, clearly eager to find more opponents. She pointed down one of the nearby streets. "Those ones are pretty easy. You can have 'em. Thanks again!"
And just like that, she was off, already sprinting back into the fray in search of more points.
Jirou blinked, still a little stunned. It wasn't that she didn't see the girl move—she hadn't even heard her move. That was weird. 'Must be all the chaos,' Jirou reasoned, shaking her head. 'Yeah, that explains it.'
With a quick stretch, she continued down the street the girl had pointed out. Sure enough, there was another robot waiting for her—pathetic, really. It went down in seconds, her jacks making quick work of it. As the robot crumpled, Jirou smirked to herself. This was going better than she expected.
As she worked, she and several others seemed to be clustering together. Whether it was by design of the fake city or they were simply running out of robots to fight, Jirou couldn't be sure. But now, there were too many people and not enough robots to go around. The atmosphere grew more competitive by the second as she overheard the other applicants shouting their scores, some of them clearly trying to keep track, while others seemed to be bragging to anyone within earshot.
"That's twenty points for me."
"Forty-eight!"
"Thirty-nine, I'm in for sure!"
"Sixteen, where are all the robots!?"
"Fifty!"
Jirou clenched her jaw, refusing to keep count herself. It was pointless. No matter what the number was, there'd always be that lingering doubt of it was enough or not. She wasn't going to fall into that trap. This wasn't a game of numbers. It was pass or fail, and she was going to pass. That was all that mattered.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the area, sending shockwaves through the streets and nearly dropping Jirou to her knees. The intensity of it rattled her bones, the ground beneath her feet trembling as debris scattered into the air. She quickly turned toward the source, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Towering above the mock city was a massive robot. No, a walking skyscraper. The enormous green machine loomed over the buildings, its metal armor groaning under its own weight. The sound of its creaking joints echoed like thunder as it struggled to maintain its balance, standing ominously in the middle of the test area. On its chest, a large red zero was painted across it, a glaring warning that defeating the monstrosity wouldn't net anyone a single point.
Jirou's heart skipped a beat as she stared up at it, her mouth dry.
"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered, her voice shaky despite her attempt to stay composed. "That's the zero-pointer?"
Momo sat on her balcony, enjoying a nice lunch with her favorite tea as she dove into her latest romance novel. The gentle breeze contrasted the warmth of the sun perfectly, and the clouds overhead provided just enough cover so that the sunlight wasn't overwhelming. She had been productive that morning, finishing all of her schoolwork, chores, personal studying, and even her training ahead of schedule. Now, with nothing left on her to-do list, she could take the time to relax.
As she turned another page, Momo glanced over the edge of the balcony. Below, her mother was hard at work in the garden, preparing a new plot for the seasonal flowers that were supposed to smell divine once they bloomed. Her mother paused, wiping the sweat from her brow, and looked up, catching Momo's gaze. She waved, a warm smile lighting up her face.
Momo smiled back, suddenly feeling a tug at her heart. She adored spending time with her mother, but lately, between her rigorous studies and her training, their moments together had become rarer. The thought of her mother working alone in the garden on such a pleasant day made her close her book with a soft sigh.
'The novel can wait,' she decided, quickly finishing the last of her tea before heading downstairs. It had been far too long since they had shared a peaceful afternoon together, and there was something about working in the garden that always helped them connect.
As she descended the staircase, her thoughts wandered. 'I wonder how the entrance exams are going.'
"EVERYBODY RUN!"
She didn't know who shouted it, but she couldn't agree more. She quickly started running in the opposite direction of the behemoth, deciding to destroy any robots she came across while she ran towards the gate they entered from. There was no point in fighting this thing.
Knowing UA, there was probably some twist lesson here, but that lesson wasn't worth her life.
"Help..."
The voice was faint—so soft that Jirou doubted anyone else could have heard it. She wasn't even sure if she had really heard it. She risked a glance behind her, and her heart sank. There, collapsed amidst the rubble, was a girl with short brown hair, her leg pinned under debris. The scene seemed to unfold in slow motion as the zero-pointer loomed ominously closer. It was huge, and with each step, the ground cracked beneath its weight.
'Does it not have sensors?' Jirou wondered, panic building as she glanced around, hoping some teacher or pro hero was monitoring the situation. Why isn't anyone helping her? The girl's face was contorted in pain, and her hands clawed at the ground, desperately trying to free herself.
Time felt frozen, the air seemed to turn solid, and for a moment, Jirou stood rooted in place. The logical part of her brain screamed at her to keep running. But she didn't listen. She started to turn around, even as all her doubts at her inside of her head. Her quirk wasn't suited for this. She couldn't take on the zero-pointer, and even if she tried to destroy the debris, she risked making things worse by dropping smaller rocks onto the girl. But as her body instinctively started to turn back toward the trapped student, she realized she couldn't just leave her there.
That's when she saw him.
The boy from earlier, now with pipes sticking out of his legs, was already a blur of motion, sprinting toward the girl at a speed that shouldn't be humanly possible. In mere seconds, he had closed the distance, delivering a powerful flying kick that shattered the boulder trapping the girl's leg. Before Jirou could even process what had happened, he scooped the girl up and whisked her out of harm's way, moving with a kind of effortless heroism that left her speechless.
As the pair disappeared into the safety of the crowd, Jirou blinked, stunned. No longer needing to worry about the girl, she resumed her own sprint toward safety, her heart still pounding in her chest. A few more robots fell under the force of her attacks as she ran, but her mind kept drifting back to the boy. She had misjudged him completely.
'Apparently, he isn't all talk after all,' she thought, feeling a small pang of shame.
"TIMES UUUUUUUUPP!" Present Mic's voice rang out across the battlefield, signaling the end of the exam.
Izuku stared blankly at his test, his mind racing. He had finished it much sooner than expected, and from a quick glance around the room, it seemed like he was one of the first few done. That should have been a good thing, a sign that he'd prepared well, but all it did was send his nerves spiraling into overdrive.
'I must've missed something. Maybe I read a question wrong,' he thought, biting his lip as he flipped back through the pages for what felt like the hundredth time. He scanned each answer with a critical eye, hunting for any mistakes. All he found were a couple of minor spelling errors, which he fixed quickly, but the real problem wasn't on the paper, it was in his head.
His anxiety gnawed at him, each second feeling like a lifetime. His foot started tapping uncontrollably under the desk, a nervous rhythm that seemed to grow louder in the silent room. He shuffled his papers, trying to keep his hands busy, but it was no use. He felt the muttering building up inside him, words threatening to spill out before he could stop them.
"Ahem."
The sudden noise jolted him, and Izuku's head snapped up. His heart nearly stopped when he saw Snipe standing nearby, looking directly at him. The pro hero's gaze wasn't harsh, but the silent reminder to stay focused was enough to make Izuku's face flush red with embarrassment. He'd gotten so lost in his head that he hadn't even realized how obvious his fidgeting had become.
Swallowing hard, he forced himself to breathe, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling inside him. 'Okay. Breathe. Don't freak out. Just turn it in,' he told himself. There was no point in agonizing over every little detail any longer. His answers were solid. He'd studied hard. Now all he could do was trust in that preparation.
With a shaky hand, he gathered his papers, stood up, and walked to the front of the room to turn in his test. He could feel the weight of the exam hanging over him like a cloud, but the moment he handed it over, it was out of his hands.
As he stepped out into the hall where the other finished applicants were waiting, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to shake off the lingering anxiety. He wasn't the only one who looked tense—several others were pacing or tapping nervously on their phones. But seeing that didn't help. All he could do was wait. It was pass or fail, and he prayed that he passed.
2 Weeks Later
He had it in his hands.
The letter had arrived that morning, but by mid afternoon he still hadn't opened it. He never bothered to try out for backup schools so if he didn't get in it was all over. Ok that was being dramatic. There were plenty of school's that would take him in, but they wouldn't be UA. They wouldn't be his dream school. They wouldn't have his friend… He sat in the living room, envelope sitting on the coffee table, and just stared at it.
"I'm home!" his mother, Inko, called out as she entered the apartment. "I know it's a little early, but what do you feel like ea-" She froze when she saw him sitting in the living room, staring intently at the unopened letter. "Honey, is something wrong?"
Izuku didn't respond, his eyes glued to the envelope as if it held the power to decide his entire future. Which, in a way, it did.
Inko approached him slowly, her eyes widening as she saw the familiar seal on the envelope. "Is that from UA?" Her voice was soft but full of concern. "Oh, dear, did you read it yet?"
He shook his head, not trusting himself to speak. His throat felt tight, his nerves buzzing like static under his skin.
"Did you and Jirou promise to read them together?" she asked, a light teasing note in her voice that went completely unnoticed by her son.
"No," Izuku mumbled, finally speaking, but his voice was flat. "I don't even know if we get our letters on the same day."
Inko watched him carefully, her heart aching at the anxiety radiating off him. She hesitated before offering gently, "Do you want me to open it for you?"
Izuku considered it for a long moment, the thought tempting him. He could let his mom do it, and he wouldn't have to face it alone. But after a short debate in his head, he realized this was something he needed to do for himself. With a deep breath, he reached out, grabbing the letter with a newfound determination. His hands shook slightly as he tore the envelope open.
The results were in. Whatever fate had in store for him was about to unfold, and delaying it wouldn't change the outcome.
UA High School – General Education Department
Acceptance Letter
Dear Izuku Midoriya,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the General Education Department at UA High School for the upcoming academic year. After reviewing your application and entrance exam results, we are confident that you will thrive within our program and contribute to the diverse student body at UA.
As a General Education student, you will have the opportunity to pursue a well-rounded education while also exploring your interests, whether academic, artistic, or vocational. Our goal is to foster critical thinking, creativity, and personal growth, and we believe you have the potential to excel in this environment.
Please find the enclosed materials, including your potential class schedule and a list of required supplies. Additionally, we encourage you to participate in one of UA's many clubs and extracurricular activities, such as the Art Club or the Debate Team, which can complement your academic experience.
We look forward to supporting you on your journey to success. Should you have any questions or require assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to the General Education office.
Congratulations once again, and welcome to UA High School!
Sincerely,
Principal Nezu
UA High School
It was a standardized letter with his name copy-pasted into the blanks. But he didn't care.
He made it. He was going to UA.
Tears welled up in his eyes as his mom cheered beside him, her voice thick with joy. He had worked so hard, hoped beyond hope, and now it was here. The goal he'd clung to for so long—he was going to UA High School.
Izuku wiped at his face, smiling through the flood of emotions, and began going over the enclosed papers with his mom. They scanned through the list of supplies they'd need to pick up, the various rules and guidelines, and some dates for orientation. His heart was racing, overwhelmed by the idea that he was really going to his dream school. His mom's voice bubbled with pride as she flipped through the pages, muttering about where they should go for his uniform and which shop had the best school supplies.
In the midst of it all, Izuku's phone buzzed in his pocket. Without even checking, he knew who it was. He answered immediately.
"I just got my letter, I'm in!" Jirou's voice blared through the phone, excitement barely contained.
"Hello to you too, Jack," he teased, mocking her lack of manners.
"Don't care, deal with it. I! GOT! IN!" Her cheers continued, and he could easily imagine her dancing in her room.
"Congratulations, Jirou. I knew you could do it."
"We're going to have to figure out what train runs through both our neighborhoods," she went on without missing a beat. "Or we can meet at a station and catch a ride to UA from there. Shouldn't be too hard for us to get the same train home too, unless the hero course keeps me in late." There was a faint clicking sound on her end, probably her pulling up maps and train schedules.
"Jirou, you don't even know if I got in or not," Izuku said, trying not to laugh.
He could almost hear her eye roll through the phone. "You got in, Green. Stop doubting yourself."
He chuckled. "Actually, you're right this time." His eyes drifted back to his mom, who was still enthusiastically going through the supply list. "I'm holding my acceptance letter right now. I just finished reading it. Still need to figure out what electives I want to take and-"
"Don't do anything yet. I'm coming over," Jirou cut him off. Izuku could hear what sounded like papers being shoved into a bag. "Oh, and get this, fanboy. You'll never guess who's teaching heroics this year. All Might!"
"...oh."
Authors notes;
I don't hate Iida, but he as writen as a dick in his first appearance. Wanted to follow that formula a bit.
Just a reminder before speculations get out of hand. Izuku doesn't hate All Might. He's still a fan. But it's still awkward being around the guy who told you to give up.
Another disclosure, acceptance letter is chatgpt again. Needed something generic sounding for the copy and paste letter.
