Chapter 2: New Beginnings
The moment Raku stepped into UA, she was engulfed by a whirlwind of activity. The bright, colorful posters plastered on the walls promoted various clubs and upcoming events, while the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. Students hurried past her, eager to attend their next classes, their faces alight with excitement. Raku paused at the entrance, her heart pounding in her chest. "Is this really where I belong?" she whispered to herself, grappling with the overwhelming sensation of hope mixed with an undercurrent of fear.
As she took a tentative step forward, the warmth of the school's atmosphere began to chip away at the cold dread that had settled in her heart. "Maybe it's not as bad as I thought," she murmured, glancing at a group of students who were animatedly discussing their quirks. They seemed so comfortable, so confident. But Raku couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider. The memories of her parents' twisted love and their chilling rituals echoed in her mind, making her question whether she could truly be free here.
Navigating through the crowd, Raku found herself in front of a vibrant mural depicting heroic figures soaring through the skies. She stared at the artwork, captivated by the powerful imagery. "I wish I could fly like them," she thought, brushing her fingers against the faded paint, feeling a longing deep within her. The pain of her mutilated wings surged at the forefront of her thoughts, and she quickly retracted her hand, a wave of shame washing over her. "How can I ever be a hero?" she thought, fighting back tears.
Suddenly, a cheerful voice broke her reverie. "Hey there! Are you new?" Raku turned to see a girl with short brown hair and a bright smile approaching her. "I'm Ochaco! Welcome to UA!"
Raku forced a smile, feeling a glimmer of warmth. "Um, yeah, I'm Raku," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's nice to meet you."
Ochaco's enthusiasm was infectious. "You're going to love it here! Everyone's super friendly. Plus, we get to train our quirks! What's yours?" Raku's heart sank at the question. She hesitated, feeling the weight of her past pressing down on her. "I, uh, I'm still figuring that out," she said, her voice trailing off, unsure of how to explain her complicated situation.
"No worries! You'll find it in no time!" Ochaco beamed, oblivious to Raku's internal struggle. "Let's go meet everyone else! You'll feel right at home before you know it!" Raku nodded, her apprehension lingering but softened by Ochaco's genuine kindness. Maybe, just maybe, she could start anew here.
The orientation room buzzed with excitement as Raku entered Class 1-A for the first time. Students filled the seats, their animated conversations swirling around her like a whirlwind. Raku's heart raced as she took a deep breath, reminding herself that this was a fresh start. "Just breathe," she thought, trying to shake off the remnants of her past as she searched for an empty seat.
At the front of the room, Aizawa stood with his usual unruffled demeanor, his hair a wild mess and a serious expression etched on his face. "Welcome to Class 1-A," he announced, his voice cutting through the chatter. "I'm Shota Aizawa, your homeroom teacher. This will be your first step toward becoming heroes." His tone was no-nonsense, but Raku felt an odd comfort in his presence, a reminder that she was safe.
As Aizawa began to introduce each student, Raku couldn't help but observe her classmates. The diversity of quirks and personalities was striking. Her eyes widened as she took in Izuku Midoriya, a boy with wild green hair and a passionate spark in his eyes. He was practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "I can't believe we're really here!" he exclaimed, beaming at the rest of the class. "This is our chance to train and become real heroes!" Raku felt an immediate connection to his determination, stirring something deep within her—a desire to be part of something greater.
Next, Raku's gaze shifted to Ochaco, who was seated next to Izuku. "And don't forget to enjoy the experience!" she chimed in, her bubbly personality shining through. "We're going to have so much fun together! You'll love it here, Raku!" Her warm smile made Raku's anxiety fade a little more, like a flicker of light in the darkness.
Then her attention turned to a boy with striking half-white, half-red hair sitting quietly at the back. Shoto Todoroki exuded an air of cool detachment, but there was a depth to his gaze that intrigued Raku. He seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, yet there was a quiet strength about him. "I wonder what his story is," Raku thought, momentarily lost in curiosity.
As Aizawa continued the introductions, Raku felt a mix of hope and trepidation. Could she truly belong here? Would these students accept her despite her troubled past? She stole glances at her classmates, feeling a glimmer of something new—a sense of belonging she hadn't dared to dream of before.
As the orientation continued, Raku watched her classmates demonstrate their quirks with effortless confidence. Izuku's excitement bubbled over as he showcased his ability, leaping into the air with bursts of power. "Look! I can use One For All to enhance my jumps!" he exclaimed, grinning broadly. The class erupted in cheers and applause, and Raku felt a tightening in her chest. "What's wrong with me?" she wondered. "Why can't I do that?"
Every time a student activated their quirk, a wave of envy washed over her. The joy that filled the room felt foreign to Raku, whose mind spiraled back to her past. She recalled the rituals her parents had forced her to endure, their twisted chants echoing in her ears. "It's for your own good," they'd said, wielding their faith as a weapon. She could still feel the pain of their hands on her wings, the agony of being stripped of her potential. "You are cursed, Raku," they'd told her. "We must purify you."
The stark contrast of UA's vibrant atmosphere only deepened her sense of alienation. Raku clenched her fists, her heart heavy with the weight of her identity. As laughter and excitement filled the room, she felt like a ghost, hovering on the outskirts of something she desperately wanted but believed she could never attain. "How can I even think about being a hero?" she whispered to herself. "I don't even have a quirk."
In her mind, images flashed—her wings, once magnificent and full of life, now mutilated and fragile. Raku winced at the memory, wishing she could forget the pain of rejection and shame. Each flashback pulled her deeper into despair, contrasting sharply with the joyful scene before her. "If only I could just be normal," she sighed, her voice barely audible. But a flicker of doubt began to creep in. "What if my wings aren't a curse? What if they're a part of me that I need to embrace?"
As Raku battled these conflicting thoughts, she felt a gentle nudge at her side. Turning, she found Ochaco smiling at her. "Hey, you okay? You look a bit lost." Her genuine concern brought Raku back to the present moment. "Yeah, I'm fine," Raku replied, forcing a smile. But inside, she felt anything but fine. The struggle between who she had been and who she wanted to become raged on, leaving her uncertain of her place in this new world.
After the orientation concluded, Raku lingered in the classroom, her thoughts swirling with confusion and doubt. Suddenly, Aizawa approached her, his expression serious yet kind. "Raku, can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked, gesturing toward a quieter corner of the room. Raku nodded, apprehensive yet curious about what he had to say.
Once they were away from the bustling noise of their classmates, Aizawa leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets. "I know this is a lot to take in," he began, his voice low and steady. "You've come from a difficult situation, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed." Raku stared at the floor, unsure of how to respond. "But I want you to understand that your past does not define you."
Raku looked up, meeting Aizawa's gaze. "But what if I can't control my quirk? What if I'm just… broken?" Her voice cracked, revealing the vulnerability she had been trying to hide. Aizawa sighed, pushing himself off the wall to stand closer. "I once thought I was broken too," he admitted, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "When I was in school, I struggled to find my place. I was often overshadowed by my classmates, and it felt like I would never amount to anything."
Raku tilted her head, intrigued. "Really? But you're a pro hero now. You must have been amazing back then!" Aizawa chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not quite. I was quiet, reserved, and honestly, I doubted myself constantly. It took time and effort to discover my strengths and to embrace who I really was. I had to learn that it's okay to struggle."
His words resonated with Raku, and she felt a flicker of hope. "So, you think I can find my strengths too?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Aizawa nodded, a faint smile breaking through his usually stoic demeanor. "Absolutely. It won't happen overnight, but you have the potential to do incredible things. You just need to give yourself the chance to grow. Remember, it's not about where you start; it's about how you move forward."
Feeling a warmth in her chest, Raku took a deep breath. "Thank you, Aizawa. I'll try to believe in myself," she said, determination creeping into her voice. Aizawa's expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That's all I ask. Just take it one step at a time."
The following day, Class 1-A gathered for an icebreaker session designed to foster connections among the students. Aizawa stood at the front, his expression as serious as ever. "Today, we'll be doing some activities to help you all get to know each other. The goal is simple: share your quirks and something interesting about yourselves," he announced, crossing his arms. The students nodded, excitement and nervousness palpable in the air.
Raku felt her heart race as she listened to her classmates share their quirks. "I'm Midoriya, and my quirk is called One For All! It lets me stockpile power and share it!" said Izuku, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. The room erupted into a chorus of impressed gasps and cheers, making Raku smile despite her anxiety. Next to him, Ochaco Uraraka chimed in, "I can make things float! It's called Zero Gravity!" She demonstrated by levitating her desk momentarily, earning laughter and applause from the class.
When it was Raku's turn, her palms were sweaty, and she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "Um, I have a quirk called Restoration," she stammered, "but… it's a little complicated." The room fell silent, all eyes on her, and she felt the weight of their curiosity. "It… it can heal injuries, but I also have these," she said, glancing at her small, damaged wings. "They… they were injured."
Raku braced herself for the usual pity or awkward silence, but to her surprise, several students leaned in with genuine concern. "That's really cool!" exclaimed Kirishima, his voice filled with encouragement. "Healing is an awesome power! You can really help people with that!" Raku felt a warmth spread through her chest at their acceptance.
As the icebreaker activities continued, laughter filled the air, creating a comfortable atmosphere. Raku began to relax, sharing more about herself and laughing at the funny stories her classmates told. She watched as Bakugo attempted to demonstrate his Explosion quirk, which caused a loud bang and left some students momentarily startled, only to burst into laughter at his dramatic flair. "Next time, aim away from the classroom, Bakugo!" Present Mic shouted, his voice booming, further easing the tension in the room.
By the end of the session, Raku felt a sense of belonging she hadn't anticipated. Her heart swelled as she engaged in conversations, trading jokes and playful banter with her classmates. The initial fear and uncertainty began to fade, replaced by a growing excitement for what lay ahead. "Maybe this place won't be so bad after all," Raku thought, a smile creeping across her face as she joined her new friends in their playful antics.
After a day filled with laughter and newfound friendships, Raku found herself alone in her dorm room, staring out the window at the sprawling campus of UA. The vibrant colors of the sunset painted the sky, a beautiful contrast to the dark memories that still lingered in her mind. "I can't keep hiding from my past," she whispered to herself, determination igniting within her. "I need to find out who I really am."
Inspired by the resolve and passion of her classmates, Raku made a decision. "I want to train. I want to understand my quirk and what it can do," she murmured, glancing at her reflection in the window. She imagined her wings, damaged and fragile, but also holding the potential for strength and healing. "If I can heal others, maybe I can heal myself too." The thought filled her with a sense of purpose she hadn't felt before.
With a newfound fire in her heart, Raku envisioned herself in training sessions, using her quirk to its fullest potential. "Maybe one day, I'll be able to fly again," she mused, allowing herself to dream of the freedom that came with soaring through the skies. Her wings, although wounded, represented her spirit—a spirit that refused to be crushed by her past.
Yet, a shadow loomed over her resolve, a reminder of her parents and their twisted beliefs. "What if they find me?" she thought, anxiety creeping back in. The memories of their rituals haunted her, and she felt a tightening in her chest. "They think they're protecting me. But from what?" Raku bit her lip, grappling with the fear that still lingered deep within her. She knew she would have to confront her past eventually, but for now, she wanted to focus on her future.
Taking a deep breath, Raku made a silent promise to herself. "I won't let them control me anymore. I will reclaim my wings and my life." With that resolve, she turned away from the window, her heart pounding with anticipation for the challenges ahead. "Tomorrow, I'll talk to Aizawa about training," she decided, a sense of determination coursing through her veins. Raku felt a glimmer of hope; perhaps this was the beginning of something extraordinary.
As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, Raku stood by her window, gazing out at the sprawling campus of UA. The sounds of laughter and excitement filtered in from outside, a stark contrast to the silence that had enveloped her life for so long. "This place feels alive," she whispered, a tentative smile forming on her lips. It was a new beginning, and for the first time, Raku felt the weight of her past begin to lift, if only slightly.
Her thoughts drifted back to her parents, their distorted love, and the rituals that had once filled her with fear. "I thought they were protecting me," she murmured, shaking her head as if to dispel the lingering doubts. "But they were just hurting me." The realization felt like a bitter pill to swallow, yet it also ignited a fire within her. Raku knew she could no longer accept their twisted version of love. "I have to find my own path," she declared to her reflection, determination setting her jaw.
The bright colors of UA seemed to promise a future filled with possibilities. "I want to be like them," she thought, remembering the smiles of her classmates, the camaraderie she had felt during orientation. "I want to be a hero, to protect others." Each thought solidified her resolve, stitching together a vision of who she wanted to become. Raku took a deep breath, feeling a newfound strength swell within her. "I won't let my past define me. I will shape my future."
In that moment, Raku felt ready to confront her fears and embrace the journey ahead. "Tomorrow is a new day," she reassured herself, a confident smile breaking through her uncertainty. "I'll talk to Aizawa and start training. No more hiding." The promise of growth and discovery filled her with hope, and she felt a sense of belonging that had been absent for so long. "I am Raku Tenshi, and I will become the hero I was meant to be."
With that thought echoing in her mind, Raku turned away from the window, her heart brimming with anticipation for the challenges to come. As she settled into her bed, she closed her eyes, dreaming of the possibilities that awaited her at UA—a place where she could truly begin to heal and spread her wings.