My Hero Academia: Lion of Courage
Chapter 4: Friends and Thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia. All rights go to Kohei Horikoshi.
After the Entrance Exam was over, everyone got back on the buses to go back to the school and collect their gear. It'd be at least two weeks before they received their scores and know whether they joined the Hero Course or not. However, as stated before, only 44 out of hundreds would be chosen.
Takeo wished he didn't feel so nervous, but he couldn't deny the feeling. He had managed to score a lot of points, but since they were unable to view them for two weeks, all he could do was wait and see if he had made it into the Hero Course.
If he didn't, then he had to remember his mother's words. Even if he ended up in General Studies, he'd have chances to prove himself worthy of being in the Hero Course. He wondered how Kiyama and Yonaka fared since they weren't in the same battle centers he was.
Nagami Kiyama, the snake-human hybrid he met earlier, seemed very strong. Of course, he had just met her, so he didn't have any idea what her abilities were. Maybe she wasn't best suited for combat since the Exam depended on how many robots each of the students could destroy in the time limit.
As for Yonaka, he was certain that he would be accepted into the Hero Course. His Quirk, Shadow Flash, allowed him to move around quickly, but what also helped him was his skills in weapons and martial arts. He'd have to depend heavily on those for combat since his Quirk alone was good for moving around quickly, but on its own, it wasn't suitable for combat.
"Wait up!" a male voice called out. Takeo looked back to see a young blonde man hurrying up to him. His most distinguishing features was the large, monkey-like tail with a tuft of blonde hair on his body, which was most likely his Quirk.
Then it came back to Takeo: he was one of the students he helped rescue from the rubble after the giant robot attacked. He hadn't spoken to him on the bus on the way there and back, but he seemed like a pleasant and friendly person, much more so than the prickly and arrogant Bakugo.
"Yes?" Takeo asked.
"I just wanted to say thank you for helping me out back there," the tailed young man replied. "I have to say: I saw you fighting out there and I was pretty amazed."
"Oh, well thanks," Takeo responded. "Well, my Quirk isn't flashy or pack a lot of power, so I have to hone my martial skills."
"I know the feeling," the tailed man replied, showing his tail to Takeo. "A tail isn't exactly flashy either. Oh…my name's Ojiro, by the way. I don't believe I caught yours."
"Raionhato," Takeo replied. The two of them started walking away from the school together as they spoke about their experiences during the Entrance Exam.
As Takeo suspected, he wasn't the only one who had a foul opinion of the young man, Katsuki Bakugo. Right off the bat, Bakugo was arrogant, bad-tempered, crude and treated everyone around him as though they were beneath or owed him recognition. His Quirk was strong without a doubt, but Takeo thought that if Bakugo felt he deserved respect simply because of his Quirk, then he was more selfish than he thought.
Like Raionhato, Ojiro's Quirk was neither flashy nor possessed raw power. To compensate, he had studied martial arts ever since he was strong enough. He had trained with traditional martial arts weapons, usually sai knives and rope darts, but he usually preferred hand-to-hand since sometimes, his weapons could interfere with his tail.
"So how does your Quirk work?" Ojiro asked. "It looks like you could create weapons."
"I can store weapons," Takeo explained. "My Quirk works like an RPG Inventory: I can store items away, usually handheld items. However, the amount of items I can store depends on the amount of weight; I can't go over 40 lbs. So, yeah…it's not really flashy."
"That makes two of us," Ojiro stated. "My tail has a lot of advantages, such as it's strong, it can act as a third limb and makes getting around on the battlefield easier. But with it alone, I lack the means of ranged attacks and it's pretty hard to stand out."
"I can relate to that," Takeo responded as they continued walking.
"Hey, Raionhato!" a female voice called out. Takeo looked back to see Nagami Kiyama, the same snake-human hybrid he saw earlier before the Entrance Exam started. She waved to them happily as she slithered up to them.
"Hey, Kiyama," Takeo greeted. "How was the Exam for you?"
"Wasssssn't all that hard," Kiyama informed. "Though it did get difficult when that giant robot appeared…and thisssss ninja guy who could get around quick."
"Ninja guy?" Takeo asked, suspecting who it was. "Did his Quirk allow him to teleport in a black puff of smoke?"
"That'ssssss him," Kiyama confirmed in a hissing tone. "He ussssssed some weaponssssssss like rope dartsssssss and ssssssai knives. Do you know him?"
Takeo confirmed that he did know him as Kaze Yonaka, a student who went to the same middle school as him. His Quirk, Shadow Flash, allowed him to teleport anywhere that he could see or remember. On its own, it was only good for movement and getting around quickly, not for combat, which explained his use of rope darts and sai knives.
"So he's a trained martial artist like me?" Ojiro asked as the three of them continued walking…or slithering in Nagami's case.
"Yes," Takeo confirmed. "His Quirk alone isn't good for combat, so that's why he trained in martial arts and weaponry. As Kiyama saw, he prefers rope darts and sai knives."
"Are you two friendssssss?" Nagami asked.
Takeo was hesitant to answer. He and Kaze were friends once, but due to something years ago, their friendship had been all but destroyed. Now the two of them held disdain for each other, Kaze especially towards Takeo. He decided he could tell them that they weren't friends, but he'd say nothing more than that.
"We're not really friends," Takeo replied. "He and I…don't get along."
"Oh, that'sssssss sssssssad to hear," Nagami commented. "He ssssssseeemssssss like a calm, if ssssssstoic person. But there wasssssss ssssssomeone elssssssse who caught my eye."
She didn't know his name, but from what she saw, he didn't seem to possess a Quirk or if he did, it wasn't a flashy one. He only used two support items: a katana with a falcon motif and boots built for speed. Was it possible that this young swordsman was Quirkless?
Kiyama tried to talk to him, but he mostly brushed her off and kept to himself. However, she had seen his swordsmanship and it was very strong and skillful, easily taking down robot after robot in the battle center. There was no doubt that with his skill, he would make it into the Hero Course.
"Maybe he just has a Quirk that's easy to miss," Ojiro suggested. "Not to sound offensive, but I thought U.A. didn't allow Quirkless students to enroll?"
"They got rid of that rule a long time ago," Takeo answered. "After it was argued that the rule forbidding Quirkless from enrolling was discriminatory and unethical, they revoked it about…how long ago? Ten years?"
"Eleven," Kiyama informed. "But if he isssssss Quirklessssss, then that jusssssst makessssss hisssssss ssssssskillssssss assssss a fighter…" She stopped after realizing how many times she had hissed. She shook her head and slowed down, causing Takeo and Ojiro to stop.
"Ssssssorry about that," she apologized. "I tend to hissssss a lot when talking."
"No need to apologize," Takeo assured. "Actually, how does your Quirk work?"
Kiyama smiled and proceeded to explain her Quirk, Serpent. Like Lioness, she had animal-based powers, obviously snakes. Her snake tail, which replaced her legs, was very strong, could be used as a whip-like weapon and make her an excellent climber, especially with trees. Her other abilities included her scales serving as dermal armor, thermal vision and the ability to spit blinding venom at her opponents. With a skillset and powers like hers, there was no doubt she'd do well in the Hero Course…if they looked past her rather scary appearance.
Elsewhere, Kaze Yonaka had packed up his rope darts and sai knives, preparing to head home.
He wasn't concerned about his score; he had taken out a lot of robots thanks to his Shadow Flash Quirk, allowing him to get around quickly. However, even though he wasn't concerned, he couldn't let himself get cocky. He met plenty of strong students in his battle center, students whose Quirks were much better suited for combat than this.
Kaze looked behind to see one of the students from his battle center. He had spiky black hair, different from Kaze's feathery black, with gray eyes and a strong build, though slimmer than Raionhato's.
From what Kaze saw, his Quirk allowed him to fuse things, which he used to great effect during the Entrance Exam. Though from what he gathered, it was better suited for restraining opponents rather than direct combat. Regardless, he seemed like a good fit for the Hero Course.
"Hey," Kaze addressed the spiky haired man, catching his attention. "I saw you fight out there in Battle Center E. I have to say, you've got quite a good grip on your Quirk."
"I could say the same about you," he replied. "Your Quirk seemed to let you move around fast. Shit, I imagine it comes in pretty handy."
"In terms of movement, yes," Kaze informed. "In terms of combat, no."
"I guessed as much since I saw you using those rope darts and knives," the young man replied. "What's your name?"
"Kaze Yonaka. Yours?"
"Yosetsu Awase."
Despite their short conversation, the two of them immediately hit it off, with Awase admiring Yonaka's skill and martial arts while Yonaka admired Awase's creativity with his Quirk, Weld. It was clear to both of them that neither of them were really social people, but a friendship could undoubtedly be seen in the making.
When it was time for Kaze to leave, he used his Shadow Flash to return home, teleporting in front of a traditional Japanese house. Upon entering, he took off his shoes and teleported to the training dojo where he put away his weapons. He placed the rope darts on a rack on the wall and the sai knives on a rack on the floor besides katanas and naginatas.
"Hello, son," an older male voice greeted. Kaze looked at the door of the dojo to see a man with graying black hair, a full beard and purple eyes just like Kaze. He was bound to a wheelchair due to a severe spinal injury he received years ago, forcing him to put down the name of Shadowfox, his name as a Pro Hero.
This man was Dakusuta Yonaka, Kaze's father and the former Pro Hero known as Shadowfox.
"Hey, Dad," Kaze greeted as he walked over to him and hugged him.
"How was the Entrance Exam?" Dakusuta asked his son.
"It wasn't all that hard," Kaze replied. "I was right to bring my rope darts and sai knives. There were robots and my martial arts alone probably wouldn't have been enough. But my Shadow Flash let me get around quickly and score more points."
Dakusuta smiled with pride at his son, always believing he'd do well in the Entrance Exam and one day become a Pro Hero as he was. If things had allowed, Dakusuta would've trained Kaze himself in martial arts and weaponry. Unfortunately, his spinal injury prevented him from training alongside his son, restricting him to being only a mentor.
"I wish your brother could've been here to see you" Dakusuta brought up.
"Dad…please not now," Kaze asked as he walked with his father to the dining room, where Kaze's mother, Kurikari Yonaka, was preparing dinner.
"Kaze dear," she greeted. She walked over to him and hugged her son. When she pulled away, she smiled and held her son's face tenderly.
"You've grown into such a handsome young man."
"Stop it, Mom," Kaze chuckled. "Let me take my shower and I'll help with dinner."
Kaze went to his room to grab casual clothes and put his combat clothes in the dirty laundry basket. He stopped when he saw a photo on his shelf, one that had him at the age of six, his mother, his father…and his older brother, Yoruge. Kaze picked up the picture and looked at it with great sorrow.
"I miss you, brother," he spoke softly. "I wish you were here."
After getting showered, Kaze helped his mother prepare dinner. Twenty minutes passed and the three Yonakas sat around the table with rice, fish and sushi all set up for them.
"So, Kaze," Dakusuta asked his son. "Did you make any friends during the Entrance Exam?"
"Probably one," Kaze responded. "His name's Awase. He seems like a good guy, though a bit foul-mouthed."
"What about Raionhato?" Kurikari asked her son, causing him to freeze.
It was no secret to his parents that Kaze harbored disdain for Raionhato, but he wouldn't tell them why. It was a shame since Kaze and Takeo used to be good friends, but then something happened and all of a sudden, Kaze viewed Takeo as the scum of the earth. He never had anything friendly or positive to say about him anymore.
"Yes, I saw him," Kaze replied with immense contempt. "I'm hoping he doesn't pass. He doesn't deserve to be in the Hero Course."
"Now that's just a mean thing to say," Kurikari stated. "I know you and him don't get along anymore and I don't know why, but you two were friends; surely, you must have-"
"Mom, please don't," Kaze requested. "I'm not enrolling in U.A. to make friends, I'm enrolling to become a Pro Hero…just like you were, Dad."
Dakusuta had told Kaze that if people went to U.A.'s Hero Course simply to make lots of friends, then that would give a very bad first impression to the Hero Course Teachers. They could expel whoever they want at any time provided they had a legitimate reason for it and not just for the fun of it.
However, Dakusuta had heard lately of a U.A. Hero Course Teacher named Eraser Head, who was an underground hero, doing what he could to stay away from the media's attention. He was rather notorious for expelling students if he felt they weren't up to U.A. Standards. He had even once expelled an entire class of student after three weeks, believing they weren't suitable for the Hero Course.
"Just be careful if you get Eraser Head," Dakusuta warned. "He's rather notorious for expelling students if he feels they're not up to his standards."
"Well, considering the acceptance rate, I'd imagine they'd have very high standards for the Hero Course," Kaze stated as he ate some of his rice.
"Even if you don't end up in his class, any Hero Course teacher can expel you if they believe you're unfit," Dakusuta warned his son. "So you better give it your all and don't give them a reason to expel you. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," Kaze replied as he ate his dinner.
"So how do you think you did?" Satoshi asked the day after the Exam as the two of them played video games in Takeo's house. He had come over to share the news with Takeo that he had been accepted into U.A.'s Support Course, where his Quirk could be put to great effect through making support items and gadgetry. He'd be well on his way to helping his parents financially.
"I think I got in, but we'll have to wait and see," Takeo answered. "Though…there was this one guy I REALLY hope doesn't get in."
"Who?" Satoshi asked.
"Some guy with an explosion Quirk," Takeo informed with great contempt. "I didn't even bother to remember his name."
The explosive young man had certainly left a terrible taste in Takeo's mouth. He was arrogant, selfish, uncaring and short-tempered, yet acted like he was above everyone else. And for what reason? Simply because of his Quirk? Takeo strongly believed that if the Explosion Quirk user felt he deserved to be in simply because of his Explosion Quirk, then he was much more contemptable than he initially believed.
As Takeo explained about him to his friend, Satoshi could understand Takeo's point and why he disliked him. However, he felt the need to speak up.
"As arrogant and unpleasant as he is, if he passes the Exam, he'll be allowed into the Hero Course," Satoshi informed. "If the teachers believe he has what it takes, they'll let him in."
"Even if he acts more like a wild animal than a person?" Takeo asked. "I saw him during the Exam-"
"It was only one time," Satoshi interrupted. "Maybe he is a massive jerk, but just because he is doesn't mean he's not worthy of entering the Hero Course."
Takeo couldn't deny that Satoshi was right. The Explosion Quirk user was undoubtedly a very selfish and arrogant jerk who treated others like garbage, but if he passed the Exam, if he had the means of being in the Hero Course, then of course he'd be allowed.
But Takeo couldn't let go of what he saw. He acted like a ferocious wild animal rather than a fighter, a sadistic and bloodthirsty grin on his face as he destroyed robot after robot. When the giant robot appeared and several people were buried under the rubble, he acted as though they weren't worth his time.
And at the end, calling him stupid simply for wanting to help those buried beneath the rubble? It undoubtedly rubbed Takeo the wrong way, considering how condescending he was…and then had the gall to accuse Takeo of looking down on him.
He didn't bother to remember his name, unlike Ojiro and Nagami. He pulled out a small journal in his pocket and opened one of the pages, reading "Serpent – Nagami Kiyama" and the next reading "Tail – Mashirao Ojiro".
"Has that journal really helped?" Satoshi asked his pal.
"It has," Takeo confirmed. "I've always struggled with remembering names growing up, though not Quirks. I met two new people yesterday…actually, three, but I don't remember his name. His Quirk is called Dark Shadow, I believe. Pretty unique from what I saw."
However, Takeo noticed a very obvious disadvantage with Dark Shadow. During the Entrance Exam, after the bird-headed man helped Takeo, a robot tried to attack him. With Dark Shadow too far away to help him, the bird-headed man could only dodge the attack until Takeo took out the robot with Lion Hunter.
He didn't know if the Dark Shadow user knew close combat, but if he didn't, then that put him at a major disadvantage should anyone get past Dark Shadow.
The Explosion Quirk user, however, didn't seem to have a weakness, or at least one that was plain to see. It helped him move around quickly and was a very powerful offensive power, a Quirk that was both powerful and versatile. Too bad the person using the Quirk is unlikeable and seemed to have no redeeming qualities.
"Actually, Kiyama told me that she thought she saw someone who was Quirkless partake in the Exam," Takeo remembered. "She said he was quite the swordsman in there. I'd really like to meet him…though based on what she said, he brushed her off…whatever that means."
"It means to dismiss someone," Satoshi clarified. "He basically ignored her or didn't respond to her." She held his hand up to his face, deep in thought.
"A Quirkless wanting to enroll in the Hero Course…" he said aloud. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea."
"Why not?" Takeo asked. "If he has the skills and determination to become one, then why should it matter if he has a Quirk or not?"
"Takeo, some villains can't be beaten without powers," Satoshi stated. "You know I don't discriminate against the Quirkless and I never will, but I believe that heroes need Quirks. Without one, you're more prone to being a liability rather a protector. It's a practical way to look at it, Takeo."
The two friends always tended to have different opinions when it came to Quirkless being heroes.
Takeo firmly believed that with the proper training, skills and determination, anyone could be a hero. Why should they be restricted to only those who have Quirks? Perhaps they'd require the use of support items to give them an advantage, but even Quirk users used support items to help them control or direct their powers.
Satoshi was of the mind that heroes needed Quirks. Some villains couldn't be beaten without powers; if a Quirkless hero engaged a villain where their support items or weapons were useless, they'd become a liability, not an aide. Maybe it was rather cruel, but in Satoshi's eyes, practicality sometimes had to outweigh morality.
"Well, we'll see what happens," Takeo spoke. "From what Kiyama said, he was a very strong fighter, using a katana and a pair of boots for speed. Besides, if the teachers think he's not strong enough, they won't allow him into the Hero Course. But if he is strong enough, I wish him the best."
Two weeks passed by and Takeo couldn't stop thinking about the Entrance Exam, who would get in and who wouldn't. His mind was sometimes on the Quirkless he heard about. He made it clear that he believed the Quirkless could be heroes, even if people didn't agree with him on the topic.
He couldn't imagine what it was like to be Quirkless. From what he heard from his mother and saw at his school, people without Quirks were liable to a life of discrimination and disability simply for being who they were. They didn't choose to be Quirkless, they were born that way; they had no say in the matter.
Just as Takeo didn't have any say when he was born with a form of autism, neither did the Quirkless. Yet they were called worthless, useless, deluded dreamers…it was sickening to Takeo to see such disregard, such cruelty.
Another thought were the two friends he had made after the Exam, the snake girl, Nagami Kiyama and the tailed martial artist, Mashirao Ojiro.
Despite her scary appearance, Nagami was a very friendly and cheerful person with a love for teasing. On their way back home, Nagami teased Takeo and Ojiro about any girls they met during the Exam, which they did not. Like Chairo, she'd make remarks about the two boys attracting females, which constantly embarrassed them.
As she revealed, she was a very big admirer of Lioness, though she didn't say why nor did they ask. However, any time Nagami asked about Lioness, her eyes would sparkle like stars in the night sky. Whatever the reason was, Nagami truly admired Takeo's mother, the Sharp Clawed Hero: Lioness.
Ojiro was much more calm and rather discreet, though he was still very friendly and easy to approach. Like Takeo, he considered his Quirk unflashy and rather boring compared to others. However, they didn't decrease its functionality; it could work as a third limb, was very prehensile and strong and it definitely helped him in close combat. So while it may not be flashy, it was definitely very functional.
He wondered if Kaze Yonaka passed the Entrance Exam, knowing how formidable of an opponent he was. Based on what Kiyama saw, he definitely seemed to have no problem passing the Exam.
"Takeo!" Nakano called out to her son as she approached his room with Peter. In her hand was an envelope with the U.A. Logo sealed on it.
"The results are in," she told him. "Let's see it."
Takeo took the envelope, though he immediately noticed how heavy it was for a paper letter. It felt more like a metal disk, possibly a projector. Takeo opened the envelope and, as expected, it was a metal disk.
"Probably a projector," Lioness pointed out. Takeo placed it on his desk and a sudden whirring sound was heard. Above the disk appeared a projection of…All Might.
"All Might!?" Takeo gasped. "Are you serious!? The Number One Hero!?"
"Ahem," All Might started. "Hello, young man. It is I, All Might, a new teacher at U.A. High School, here to tell you the results of your score…" He looked down at a card and then back at the screen.
"Takeo Raionhato! During the Exam, you showed great skill, courage and battle prowess in the Battle Center. However, there was something we purposely neglected to tell the students."
"What does he mean?" Takeo asked. Nakano gestured for him to listen and see.
"You were informed that you'd be rated on how many robots you could defeat during the 30 Minute Entrance Exam. That was one way of earning your place in the Hero Course,,,but, there was another rule: Rescue Points."
"Rescue Points are given based on heroic acts by students during the Exam. You, Young Raionhato, scored a good number of Rescue Points when you helped those students who were trapped under the rubble by the giant robot."
A chart appeared onscreen, showing the top ten of the Entrance Exam. At the top was Katuski Bakugo…where did Takeo hear that name before? Whoever he was, he had 77 villain points, but not ONE rescue point.
In second place…Takeo Raionhato with 46 Villain Points and 30 Rescue Points. Takeo couldn't believe his eyes as he looked at the chart. 2nd place in the Entrance Exam! He hoped to do well, but didn't expect to be where he was.
He looked for Kaze's name…and found it in 5th Place with 31 Villain Points and 28 Rescue Points. He certainly did well, though Takeo was disheartened to see neither Ojiro or Kiyama's names up there. Did this potentially mean they didn't make it into the Hero Course?
"It is my privilege to invite you, Young Raionhato, to join U.A. High School's Hero Course! Welcome to My Hero Academia!"
After the video ended, silence filled the room. Takeo and Nakano looked at each other before they both cheered loudly and hugged.
"I DID IT!" he cheered. "I DID IT!"
He had made it into U.A.'s Hero Course and as he'd later learn, that was only half of the battle.
Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. Work's been very hectic and exhausting, especially with Christmas around the corner! Thank you for your patience and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!