Here is the twentieth chapter in this series released in keeping with my self-imposed upload schedule for this series. The attack is over and all the kids are safe even if their futures will be shaped by what they experienced so early in their Hero Course careers. Now, though, they have a day off so they may as well enjoy it and some of our heroes have interesting ways of spending that time before they get back to school and what's next for them in their first semester at U.A. High. That is all the administrative stuff I have, however, and while there are no questions that need answers, but there is a guest review to respond to which I will do now. Do keep the reviews and PMs coming as I always like hearing how much y'all are enjoying my work.

To KGBeastboy (guest), thank you for your review and support and you bring up an interesting point about Hound Dog, he is underutilized in his position though the likely reasons for it are that to do so might detract or distract from a story unless the story is focused around something that would require his assistance. I have seen one or two stories in the past that have tried to use him but didn't and while I appreciate the suggestion and have brought it up I won't be using it either because it would detract from things and as shown by Black Clover, they didn't need it or in Nero's case she'd seen way worse than that before. Certainly there are plenty in Class A who could benefit from that but their personalities do hinder them to some extent, but I'll keep his role in mind as suggestions for people in future even if I don't use it. One thing, I've not yet watched Volume 9, I haven't had the time and am waiting for it to fully run its course before enjoying a long binge of it in one go, so please refrain from any spoilers for it for myself and anyone reading reviews, thank you. Otherwise, please keep reading and enjoying my work.

Anyway, that is it for this longer than normal pre-chapter note which means that it is time to sit back and enjoy the twentieth chapter in Black RWBY Academia.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these three great franchises.

Chapter 20: Wake of the USJ

"Gah why am I still thinking of him!" Noelle wailed in her living room, hands on her head as she paced in front of the floor to ceiling windows that gave a spectacular view over Musutafu while wearing her normal clothes which were the same as her hero outfit. "He's a lowborn, musclebound, loudmouthed brat but ever since the USJ I can't stop thinking about him and I don't know why."

Weiss and Nero exchanged a look with each other, like Noelle they wore their casual clothes that just so happened to be the same as their hero outfits, before looking back at Noelle who was still pacing in the richly appointed and fancy living room. They had the day off after the USJ given all that had happened during there so Noelle had called them to come over, which had been a surprise to both girls, until they realized that Noelle was having some form of internal crisis over it and wanted to vent to them about it.

For Weiss this hadn't been too hard, well other than the fact that she'd initially planned to spend the day with Ruby but that was shot thanks to Noelle so she had to make it up to Ruby some other time and she totally would, seeing as she lived in the penthouse above Noelle. This was mainly due to Weiss having secured her place at U.A. before Noelle so her father bought the penthouse as a Schnee should still at least live in style as befitting her station. Appearances were everything to her father even if Weiss defied him by coming to U.A. and becoming a Huntress.

Well, that and the fact that shortly before he bought it he had learned that Noelle Silva would likely be admitted to U.A. via the special exemption spot so he had to one up the Silvas by securing the best place available and forcing Noelle to live on the floor below. It was some petty power play bullshit which neither Noelle nor Weiss cared for, but it was what it was.

Regardless of the girls' wishes, the move had worked as the Silvas, despite their treatment of Noelle, still couldn't let themselves be outdone by the Schnees in this stupid pissing contest and had bought both apartments on the floor below at well above market price to give Noelle the same amount of space though a good portion of the cheaper of the two had been turned into simple servant quarters for the two maids and cook brought in from House Silva to tend for Noelle. In addition, Noelle didn't have a training room like Weiss did due to the risks associated with Noelle's continued lack of control over Hydromancy.

Still, the Silvas had made sure that everything in the apartment was expensive and befitting of the family's high status. As such the large living room had a long sofa along one wall underneath several expensive works of art with an eagle statue on a pedestal in the corner, a fine wooden coffee table before it, several expensive chairs to complete the aesthetic and an ottoman for good measure all in the colors and styles preferred by the Silvas.

Along the other wall was a massive TV with all the works around it be it for TV channels, movies, or video games, not that Noelle used it at all other than for the news and maybe some classic films, full surround sound and a set of shelves flanking it complete with a collection of the finest, and in some cases rarest, DVDs and video games one could find. The opulence didn't end there as there was a full chandelier above them and next to the DVD shelves were more bookcases made from rare wood and filled with books from various genres with some being very rare pre-Advent books and in multiple languages.

The latter was because as a Silva it had been expected that Noelle be able to speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, French, and Spanish at near fluency from a young age as well as her native Japanese. Thanks to the rigorous tutors she'd had she did speak those languages though she often avoided showing off anything other than English unless it was absolutely necessary though she was now learning Hindi and Arabic in her spare time.

Admittedly that was part of catching up to Weiss who knew the same languages as Noelle with the additions of German and Dutch due to ancestral roots but that besides the point. Even though Noelle was a failure when it came to her Quirk control, especially in a family which prided itself on its water Quirks, she still had other obligations and expectations associated with being a member of House Silva that she had to live up to and the bookcase showed it.

The one big difference in this room though was that it was closed off whereas the living room in Weiss's apartment above was accessed via the entrance. That was because there was a simple hallway from the entrance that was where shoes and coats were kept and then led into the apartment where each room was off the main corridor that looped around the whole apartment, well apartments now that the Silvas owned both on this floor.

In addition to this living room, and attached balcony that was one of 4 that Noelle had with one on each side, she had a study that was basically all mahogany wood with even finer books, a great desk, tasteful sculptures, artwork, and nice chairs to do her homework in, a large bedroom and bathroom suite, dining room, kitchen, two spare bedrooms, and some storage places in addition to the servants quarters. It was really a place fit for someone of her status even if she had to live beneath Weiss.

As such Weiss was right at home as Klein, who'd come down with her to help with this little gathering as he was better suited than the staff associated with the Silvas, and Noelle was more comfortable with him as Weiss spoke highly of Klein while her staff were assigned by her brother, came in with a tray that had three cups, a pot of fine tea and another of coffee, and three plates of delectable cake for the girls. Nero on the other hand was a little out of her depth being here.

It wasn't because of the ostentatious finery, she was actually somewhat used to that given her past, but she'd never cared for it especially after how she'd basically been disowned back then, a feeling that was mutual to her, but rather because she had no idea why she had been invited in the first place. True she and Noelle got along alright though that was mainly because of their mutual friendship with Asta and their shared path as potential Quirk Knights but that was it so as far as Nero was concerned she wasn't on the level of being invited to Noelle's apartment on their unexpected day off.

Sure, she'd given Noelle her phone number because it made prudent sense given their shared hero path and how Nero would stand by Asta no matter what and clearly Noelle was going to do the same, so they had to get along because of that but this seemed odd to her. The only explanation that Noelle had given her was that Nero was nearby as she lived in the special housing for disadvantaged students on campus so she could come here with ease.

Well, Nero did at least knew Noelle somewhat, so she didn't really see much harm in it, and she should get used to Noelle more given how much time she was sure they'd spend together because of Asta. As such here she was and honestly she wasn't really regretting it as she found this dilemma that Noelle was going through, all due to her own insecure personality, rather amusing to watch and the cakes did look really tasty so it seemed like this would be worth the trip.

"There you go my precious snowflake, your coffee just as you like it." Klein said as Noelle continued to pace and moan about how Asta was on her mind before he turned to Nero showing his professionalism. "And for you miss?"

"Tea, please." Nero said and Klein nodded pouring a cup and handing it to her. "Thank you."

"I see the little eagle is still in a tizzy over a boy." Klein said as he poured a put the tray on the table and handed out the cake. "It's touching to see a first crush; one I am sure you girls will get in time as well so please be there for Miss Silva as she'll need friends. I'll leave these here for her so she can choose when she's ready. You're good friends to be here for her in this moment."

"Ruby has taught me to be more compassionate and clearly Noelle needs some help so I'm here for her." Weiss said. "Though I'm not sure it's a crush, more I think Asta's becoming her first friend from outside our usual circles, and first male friend, so she's stressing a bit."

"I had nothing better to do today and this is surprisingly entertaining because it is clear she's falling for him but can't admit it so it will be interesting to watch it develop." Nero said sipping the fine tea and let out a brief look of surprise at it. "Oh, Gold Tips Imperial, I'm impressed but then again I am in an apartment owned by the Silvas with the Schnees' butler serving it so I should have expected the best."

"I see you have a discerning palette little lady." Klein said with a kind smile as Nero put the cup down and gently placed it on the table with an element of grace and elegance that took Weiss aback. "It is, only the finest for my snowflake and her friends though Weiss has always preferred coffee to tea."

"Thank you Klein." Weiss said with a smile at the butler. "Could you please give us a moment, I think Noelle might be more open with just us girls."

"Of course, this is all part of growing up, I'm so proud of you." Klein said the pride clear in his voice and Weiss was pleased with the complement. "I'll be in the butler pantry if you need me."

"I'll call if we do, thank you." Weiss said as Klein left.

"I'm not surprised you have a butler." Nero said once the door was closed and now ignoring Noelle because the girl was just repeating herself at this point. "Fitting for you."

"Klein's more than a butler, he has medical knowledge, so he's also helped me out when I get injured in training, and he's basically raised me but I won't get into that." Weiss said. "When I moved here I had to take him with me and my father agreed as I should at least have assistance with stuff that is below a Schnee, his words not mine."

"Well it's good you have a parental figure to look out for you." Nero said as she sipped some more of her tea. "And even if I'm still confused why Noelle invited me I'll enjoy the finest tea around all the same. This is turning into quite the interesting little trip for me."

"About that." Weiss said as she took a sip of her coffee which was just as expensive and fine as the tea. "You know the brand by taste alone, few do with such a high end brand that is not one many people get to taste though Momo is so well versed in teas that she can tell different flushes of the same brand from each other, but she is an aficionado at that."

"And?" Nero asked her guard flaring up a little as she realized that in present company some of the mannerisms that were ingrained into her were still present and noticeable to those who knew what they were looking for. "Why does it matter that I know the taste of Gold Tips Imperial?"

"Well outside of high society people don't know Gold Tips Imperial, it's not exactly a brand that one just finds anywhere after all." Weiss said. "And then there's your mannerisms. You've been very formal with Klein, you showed the right attitude and deference coming in, and now that I think on it the way you hold yourself has an element of old school refinement to though your cool indifference hides it."

"So?" Nero asked. "What's your point Schnee?"

"Call me Weiss, no point in surnames now." Weiss said surprising Nero but as Nero asked everyone to call her Nero and not Swallowtail so she could do that if someone asked her to use her first name. "And my point is that you're a lot more than what I first presumed Nero. You've had some level of etiquette training and refinement that would indicate that you come from a higher class background than your housing implies."

"I see, guess some things are hard to avoid when they were drilling into you growing up." Nero said looking at Weiss. "Alright, you can tell that there is more to me than I let on, so I'll say this much Weiss. Yes, I am of a higher birth than my current situation would imply, but I'll leave it at that. For reasons I won't get into that part of my life is no more and I want to keep it in the past where it belongs."

"Is this somehow tied to why you refuse to use your legal name?" Weiss asked as she began to understand a little more about the quiet girl in her class.

"Somewhat yes." Nero confirmed. "My name is tied to my past self; I have severed that part a long time ago and moved on from it. Nero is a name given to me by someone who saved my life, who also introduced me to the delicacies of tea hence why I know the taste of Gold Tips Imperial, and allowed me to have this fresh start with a clean slate and identity that I didn't expect to get. I still have to use my legal name for official documents and records but outside of that I don't use it. I'll probably legally change it when I can but for now I just avoid using my legal name unless I absolutely have to use it."

"Very well." Weiss said understanding what Nero was saying better than most would. "I actually get what you're saying even if I don't know, and won't ask for, your reasons. My sister to an extent has severed ties with our family when she was stripped of her position as heiress due to her actions though she did keep the family name. I'll respect it and don't worry about Noelle, I think she's too worked up to realize."

"Oh she is." Nero said looking at Noelle and calling out to her as this was getting old and Nero wanted a little more entertainment out of it. "Hey, Noelle, tea, coffee, and cake is here so you may want some."

"Huh, oh right." Noelle said as Nero's words snapped her out of her current fluster, stopped her pacing, and caused her to look over at the girls she'd invited over before heading over. "Sorry, just can't seem to get Asta out of my head and I don't know why. I mean he did great yesterday not only saving us on that plateau but also facing that hand villain the way he did and helping out in the final confrontation All Might had with those villains. I just wish I could have helped as well."

"You did, without your dome Asta wouldn't have been free to take the fight to those villains we were forced to face so you were vital there and you gave me the time to heal Mr. Aizawa a little as well." Nero said as Noelle approached and looked at the selection that Klein had brought them. "What do you want?"

"Tea, please." Noelle said and Nero quickly poured a cup in the correct manner again surprising Weiss with just how easily Nero could pull off proper serving as well as proper manners before she handed it to Noelle who took it and finally took a seat nearby on the ottoman so that she could look at the girls she'd ask to come here and help her with her issues, she'd wanted Momo as well, but Momo was having a spa day at home so couldn't make it. "Thank you, I did need your words to motivate me up on the plateau we were sent to, but it does feel good that I can now use some form of control over my Quirk."

"I heard, well done." Weiss said. "I knew you'd manage it in time Noelle and I'm sure being here at U.A. has helped a lot more than being at Shiketsu would have."

"I still need to work on offense but to have defense is a good start and being at U.A. did help as I've started to realize that the specter of my family is too heavy at Shiketsu." Noelle said. "I'll help were I can even if it is just providing defense. Unfortunately it's not much yet and I couldn't help in the middle like you did Weiss."

"I didn't do much." Weiss said with a shrug. "Even arrived a little late to that party so all I really did was provide Ruby a platform to try and shoot Torchwick with a stun round as well as a wind break later on."

"Still, you were there." Noelle said. "You got to see Asta in action again, I wish I'd seen him face that hand villain and seen the look on the villain's face when Asta's swords hit him."

"Er…" Weiss said surprised at that with Nero just watched with amusement. "Well I caught the tail end of his attack on Shigaraki, that was the hand villain's name by the way, but that's it and I was coming from a different direction, so I didn't see his face. His swords were key though and he did carry Ruby when she was knocked out."

"Oh right, that, I remember that." Noelle said with a pang in her chest that she didn't understand. "Gah why did that really annoy me seeing Asta carry her the way he caught me when we fell? I don't get it, Asta was just helping Rose because she was passed out so that was the best way to carry here like a princess but still it made me feel off somehow."

"Yeah I had that as well though because I couldn't carry Ruby like that even though I wanted to do so." Weiss said with a note of sadness and what sounded like jealousy in her own voice which really intrigued Nero as she just sipped some more tea, this was definitely worth coming to now as it seemed the rich girls had a lot more in common than just being real life tsunderes though if her suspicious about Weiss were now true things may be a little harder for her compared to Noelle given the gender involved. "She can carry me like that, and has, but I don't have the strength yet to carry her as my fitness is all about speed and agility rather than core strength like Ruby's clearly is."

"Rose can carry you like that?" Nero asked genuinely surprised by that but also fishing a little to gage what she was suspecting Weiss was really feeling. "I didn't realize. She's a lot stronger than she looks. Must be that compact frame of hers and wielding that massive scythe that makes her stronger than her appearance would suggest."

"Oh it is though she's always so quick changing I've not seen just how defined Ruby's abs are yet." Weiss said before she realized what she'd said and flushing at it as it wasn't exactly something you should say about your best friend, especially when your best friend was the same gender as you were. "Not that I'd be looking mind you, we just all change together as girls."

"Right." Nero said her keen observation skills picking up on things though Noelle clearly missed it. "We are all girls though so it's not a big deal. After all, I'm sure there will be time when we go to a hot spring or a place with a communal bath, so we'll see each other naked in time."

"Yes, true, that is natural for us girls." Weiss said quickly before she shifted the discussion to something that she'd heard Noelle say so as to get off the topic of a hot spring and how much Weiss really wanted to enjoy one with Ruby. "Noelle, did you say that Asta carried you like a princess? I know you sometimes compare yourself to royalty given House Silva's history in the Quirk Knights and your own arrogance but still, that's interesting to say the least."

"Well it was more Nero and I had grabbed ahold of him after that warp villain had sent us away as he was nearest to us, so we were all together and falling through the air." Noelle said flushing as she spoke remembering it and how much she enjoyed it, as well as her reaction to it at the same time. "We were falling to the ground, and I guess Asta reacted instinctively and grabbed me knowing he was strong enough to land on his feet. Besides, he told Nero to grab onto him as well, it could have been reversed."

"Probably but it was better that way." Nero said idly as she tried some of the cake to find it delectable. "So I just did as told and held on tight. It was either that or probably break my ankles on landing and while I can mend that it's not a pleasant experience to mend my own bones with my Quirk, so I'd rather not do it."

"Exactly, Nero just grabbed on and pressed…" Noelle began before she suddenly recalled the position, got a flashback of how pressed up to Asta that Sally girl had been when they'd gone to the Development Studio and what precisely was pressing into Asta, made worse by Sally's revealing outfit that she wore due to her Quirk. "Wait, Nero, if you were pressed up to Asta then, then…"

"Huh?" Nero asked looking at Noelle confused as Noelle stared at her aghast and failed to finish her sentence. "What are you trying to say Noelle?"

"Well, like Sally…" Noelle began an unfamiliar feeling filling her as she spoke. "Pressing up would mean you, your you know what's would have been…"

"Do you understand what Noelle is trying to say?" Weiss asked Nero as Noelle devolved more as she was unable to speak aloud that Nero's breasts had been pressed up against Asta's back. "I don't get it and I've known her for a while. Then again I've never seen Noelle so flustered before, Asta really must have made some serious impression on her to cause this reaction."

"Yeah I think so." Nero said as the reference to Sally convinced her and she looked down at her chest, or noticeably the lack of it and then back to Noelle as she was almost certain that Noelle's reaction was due to extreme denial over developing feelings for Asta. "Noelle, calm down and take a look, I'm not exactly what you'd call endowed, not in the slightest. In fact I'm probably only one step above being flat as a board. My breasts are so small that I don't actually need to wear a bra the way they are, so I highly doubt that Asta felt a thing. Don't worry, you definitely have me beat there and by at least two cup sizes I'd say, maybe more."

"I, well, huh…" Noelle began as she began to malfunction a bit at how blunt Nero was being while Weiss just enjoyed some of the nice cake they had and tried not to splutter at the bluntness, Nero was turning out to be rather blunt in how she addressed things which might be refreshing at times. "I guess but still…"

"He would have felt with Sally, that's obvious as hers look like they're a decent handful, D-Cups if you ask me, but not me." Nero said. "Besides, I'm no threat to you in any regard like that."

"Oh well then that's good to know." Noelle said with a sigh of relief, not that she fully cleared Nero given how close Nero already was with Asta, before it hit her and she went bright red. "Wait, not that I care at all."

"Clearly." Weiss said as Noelle devolved again into her current issue which both girls understood clearly by now, even Weiss couldn't ignore what was staring her in her face when it came to Noelle's current predicament, but decided to just let Noelle continue being herself on that front. "Though, Nero, on the subject you just brought up, you don't wear a bra? I don't really check the other girls when changing so I didn't realize. I admit that I barely need one but I'm still large enough that it's prudent to wear one."

"Kinda depends on the day, but I don't need to wear one with my lack of development there." Nero said with a shrug as if it was nothing. "Sometimes I'll wear a wrap as that can be quite comfortable and I'll always wear nipple pasties just to be safe. I'm not really interested in or phased by things like sex, and I don't see anything inherently sexual with nudity but with that pervert in class…"

"Say no more." Weiss said her anger flaring at the thought of that little gremlin. "If I had a chance I'd accidentally run him through with Myrtenaster for his actions. I've noticed him lusting over Momo countless times already and he's always trying to look under every girl but Uraraka and Ruby's skirts whenever he gets the chance. Thankfully Ruby's safe because she wears tights but still, it's disgusting seeing him act like that. One of the few good things about being small up top is that he clearly prefers them larger but still we must defend all the girls in our class from him."

"Agreed." Nero said as Noelle seemed to start to recover from her latest spell of extreme denial that couldn't fool Nero or Weiss anymore. "He'll get his comeuppance though, just you wait. He'll slip up and we'll teach him the meaning of the word pain, providing he isn't some extreme masochist as part of his perversions but from what I've gathered I'd say he's more into voyeurism than masochism."

"I agree though, um, can I ask you something else on this kinda vein that isn't sexual or related to that pervert." Weiss said a little hesitation in her voice. "About breast size that is."

"Yeah sure." Nero said. "It's not something I'm concerned with so what about it?"

"Well that's actually the thing I wanted to as you about." Weiss said. "How come you're not insecure about them. I mean I'm pretty secure at times, and Ruby really complimented me yesterday which helped boost my self-esteem, especially because it came from her, but I've noticed from what you've said that you clearly don't have an issue, so I was wondering why that is?"

"Just never really crossed my mind." Nero said as if it was as simple as that, which to her it clearly was. "I've never really cared about my appearance or appeal to a member of the opposite sex in that manner. There is more to it, but I won't get into that just yet, I don't know you well enough Weiss. For now it's just my attitude I guess, it's not something that bothers me. I don't care what others think of me so why should I care how my body looks. I'm fine with it as is and have no reason or desire to change it."

"Huh, that's actually a pretty healthy way to look at it." Weiss said as Noelle finally returned to their level. "Oh Noelle, you're back from your latest spell."

"Yes I am." Noelle said as she tried to sound her usual confident self but that failed after what Weiss and Nero had seen from her. "Sorry, not sure what came over me. Just mentioning that princess carry before our fight on the plateau kinda set me off."

"If this wasn't about Asta I'd suggest taking Magna up on his suggestion to see Hound Dog." Nero said. "He is the lifestyle guidance counselor, but this is not something I'd recommend going to him about as it's clearly something you need to work out yourself and not with someone who's basically a stranger to you at the moment."

"Certainly not." Noelle agreed. "And it's not why Magna suggested it anyway so not relevant."

"That third year you lot ended up with suggested seeing the lifestyle guidance counselor?" Weiss asked confused. "Why?"

"Because after Asta beat three of the four guys we were facing, the leader committed suicide when they were tied up and took the other two with him from what I could gather." Nero said. "And I heard that the ones who you and Rose beat were found dead via some implanted device as well."

"I don't know about that." Weiss admitted. "They were alive but out cold when we left with the only bad thing being one was probably infertile but that was it."

"Infertile?" Noelle asked.

"Ruby shot the lead guy in a hood like the others in the crotch with a stun round." Weiss said. "After he threatened to do despicable things to her because he found her attractive and liked how developed she was."

"Good girl." Nero said. "The right course of action when dealing with a villain like that."

"He's lucky that Ruby just used a round." Weiss said. "I'd have castrated him with Myrtenaster to ensure it."

"Again prudent." Noelle agreed. "But yes, we saw three people die rather violently from ice erupting within them so Magna, who's seen death before, suggested that if we had an issue we should go to Hound Dog as it helped him in the past when an old mentor of his, the one who told him that he'd make a good hero in fact, was killed before he could reach the place to help out apparently. I'm not comfortable with him but I will use a therapist specializing in this if I need it though with my family issues there's a lot to deal with than just seeing death."

"Tell me about it." Weiss said agreeing with the whole messed up family thing given her family problems. "So you're not fazed by what you saw?"

"I mean I saw three men die from ice exploding within them, it's not a sight you forget." Noelle said her tone darkening a little. "But my brother made it clear the kind of things I'd see if I took this path, mainly as a way to stop me from becoming a Quirk Knight which clearly didn't work, so I was ready to see death. Well, as ready as anyone could be for it as it was a little different seeing it in real life. Once I get the right person to handle my family shit then I might be able to address this."

"I can see that and if the person is good let me know, I have some severe daddy issues to work out." Weiss said before looking at Nero. "What about you, will you see Hound Dog?"

"No, I don't need to." Nero said and as she'd learned a little about the other girls she decided to be a little more open with them, which would also avoid any more questions. "I've seen death before and worse than what I saw yesterday. That was an act of self-preservation, I've seen real evil carried out so it's this didn't really bother me."

"Er…" Noelle said as Weiss just blinked at Nero's rather nonchalant way of saying it. "Are you ok with that Nero?"

"I've had time to process that and I've spoken with someone regarding what I saw." Nero said. "So on that front I'm good. In an odd way meeting Asta and seeing the kind of person he is has helped me more than any therapist could ever hope to manage. I'll not get into it though; my past is my past and with my acceptance into U.A. I do want to start anew there and wash that part of my life away."

"Of course, I understand." Noelle said. "It's part of why you don't use your legal name."

"Correct, that name no longer means anything to me, so I have no need for it." Nero said. "Nero is my real name now and I've moved on from that part of my life. I'd appreciate it if we could just keep this between us and not discuss it anymore. I am moving forward with my life, not back, and I know that you two are doing the same in your own ways. After all, here you both are, the first Schnee and the first Silva to attend U.A., you've broken from your families as well and while your names still mean something to you they mean it in a way of personal identity and redemption rather than the way your families mean them. I don't have that with my name, it's dead to me and I'll leave it at that."

The other two girls just blinked at Nero for that amazed at her insight. The quiet girl was extremely astute and seemed to have a wisdom that went well beyond her years. It did make them curious as to what her past was like as clearly it had molded her but at the same time the respect Nero's decision to cut it from her life. After all, the girl had seemingly cast aside her legal name which really showed how much of a severance she'd made from her past.

"Yeah, don't worry." Noelle said with a small smile. "This will remain between us."

"Agreed." Weiss said as she finished her cake, Nero had already finished hers and Noelle had yet to touch hers. "And on that note what should we do?"

"Well as you can see I have everything set up here and my bath suite is top of the line." Noelle said as she tried the cake, savoring the sweet taste of it before she continued. "So how about we just relax and have fun as three high school girls, not that any of us seem to know how to be normal high school girls."

"True, we're basically the farthest thing from that other than being girls." Nero said. "But we can try but, um, what do three normal high school girls do?"

That was a puzzling question for all of them and they pondered it before deciding on what they would do as they enjoyed the rest of their day off. Hopefully the others were able to relax as much as well.

"Yo, Yuno, what do you want to do on this unexpected day off." Asta said as he walked into Yuno's room in their special housing completely unannounced and sat down on the simple bed that all the rooms had. "We've actually got a day off and don't have to work so we should do something."

Yuno just grumbled as he tried to focus on his homework as he sat at his desk. The housing that he, Asta, that Nero girl in Asta's class, and several other students in all four courses and across all three years were in was a simple affair on campus and just a few minutes' walk from the main building. It consisted of a what one would call a standard dorm in a boarding school with one wing for boys and one for girls and separations by course and year with a communal kitchen, bathing facility for both genders, and study area on the first floor though few used the study area, with the rooms on the floors above it.

The rooms themselves were standard single rooms with a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, bookcase, shelves, and an attached bathroom with shower that they could decorate as they saw fit, not that most had the funds to do so and as such Yuno's room was pretty barren but for his school stuff. It was a simple affair but for Asta and Yuno this was a huge upgrade from the communal bedroom they had in Hage so they didn't complain at all. Well, Yuno usually didn't complain but Asta was here bothering his, so he felt like complaining about that.

"Homework." Yuno said. "We have the day off so that's what I'm doing, and you should be doing it as well. We rarely get a chance to get ahead and I for one want to do that now."

"Yeah but I can manage to do it just fine without a day off." Asta said. "We got that now so we should use it as an actual day off and not do homework during it."

"Yes, a day off because your class got attacked." Yuno pointed out. "Not that I blame you of course, villains attacking is unexpected and highly unlikely, but remember that your class is the reason for it. That attention you got has put a spotlight on you and some in my class are getting annoyed at that."

"They are?" Asta asked confused. "Why? We got attacked by villains, kinda not what you'd want to happen, especially this early in our time at U.A."

"I agree but you got experience and attention that we didn't get." Yuno said turning to face his brother. "And that has riled up some in my class."

"Who?" Asta asked.

"Not saying, they are my classmates so my friends and thus my family." Yuno said and Asta understood that perfectly well. "Just letting you know that you've now got attention be it good or bad and you're going to get it especially Asta. Weren't you in the thick of it?"

"Well yeah we took down some tough guys who were extremists that killed themselves, that was tough to watch and see them just casually throw their lives away like that which I just can't understand." Asta said. "And I helped in the middle sure, even took on that hand villain who led the attack personally because my swords could take it, but it wasn't that big a deal. All I did was mildly injure him, I didn't bring him down or anything and I certainly wasn't as cool as All Might."

"Swords?" Yuno asked now confused. "As in more than just that large one you can summon or make with your Quirk, I'm still not sure how your Quirk works."

"Oh right, I forgot about that." Asta said with a grin. "Yeah I got a second sword during the battle I had with those extremists. It kinda just happened like it did the first time and I pulled a new one out as I attacked them thanks to Noelle gaining some control over her Quirk that allowed her to protect the others and allowed me to go on the offensive. The new sword is narrower, shorter, and lighter so I can wield it faster and with one hand, but it doesn't seem to have the reflection ability, not that I've tested it out yet, but will cut through Quirks with its edge."

"I see, well then it is as I expected." Yuno said with a smile. "You've gotten stronger from this experience against real world villains and so I won't let you get ahead of me. We're rivals Asta so I'll catch up and surpass you and that will be shown at the Sports Festival when I win it."

"Nah I'm going to win it." Asta said his grin getting wider. "I promise you that."

"We shall see." Yuno said. "I don't care much for my class's general rivalry with yours, but I will beat you, that is the goal. The rest of your class doesn't matter to me though."

"Ha well I'm going to win, and you'll see." Asta said. "So we'll just have to see who wins the Sports Festival."

"Oh we will." Yuno said and then he turned back to his work. "But if that is all then I really do want to get back to work."

"But we have a day off." Asta complained getting back to that topic. "We should do something."

"Bother that girl in your class who's also a Quirk Knight track student and in this dorm." Yuno said. "What's her name again, Nero was it?"

"Yeah can't do that." Asta said. "I texted her, but she said she was busy with girl stuff."

"Girl stuff?" Yuno asked. "What does that mean?"

"Not sure and I don't think she did either." Asta said with a shrug. "All she said was that Noelle had invited her over and was rather insistent so she went but she didn't know why Noelle invited her or even why she decided to go in the end other than it seemed like it would be interesting."

"Yeah I don't get it at all." Yuno said.

"Well, she may not be here, but you are." Asta said. "So let's do something fun."

"Homework is important and that takes precedence over fun." Yuno said. "You should strive to be good academically as well."

"I get by all thanks to Sister Lily." Asta said with stars in his eyes at the thought of her and then he got a great idea. "Hey, how about we call Sister Lily and the kids back home then? I'm sure they'd love to hear from us, and we do have the time to give them an update. Plus I should reassure my future wife that I'm safe and kicked ass in the process."

"You'll never marry her." Yuno reminded him but he did like the idea. "But ok, we can call for a bit but on one condition."

"What?" Asta said willing to agree to it to talk to Sister Lily.

"Afterwards you leave me alone to do my homework." Yuno said. "You can slack off more then but I want to get a fair bit done on my day off."

"Fine." Asta said as he pulled out his phone. "So how do we do this?"

"Here, let's use the video function and…" Yuno began as he put down his pen and went to help Asta call back home.

It was something they should do, and they did have the time to do so thanks to the day off after the unexpected villain attack. It was also the right thing to do for Asta to let them know that he was ok. As such they called and got ready for a nice chat with their adoptive family back in Hage and let them know how well they were doing in their first semester at U.A.

"Rubes, the cookies are done." Yang called out to Ruby where she lay on the couch playing her latest video game on the TV as Blake was curled up on the armchair that was off to the side of the small living room in the apartment the three girls shared in Musutafu reading her latest book very intently. "But be careful, they're fresh out the oven so piping hot."

"I know, I won't burn myself like before." Ruby said excitedly as she sat up and paused the game to wait for her sister to bring the delicious smelling cookies from the kitchen in the open plan living room and kitchen that was the main room in the simple two bedroom apartment with a single bathroom for all of them, but it was a cozy place for them to live. "I've learned my lesson by now."

"Only took a few dozen times." Yang chuckled as she put the cookies on a plate and poured some hot chocolate for herself and Ruby while making sure there was a cup of tea for Blake just how her best friend liked it, Yang had more than enough practice there as well to get it right by now though she would still make cat pun related milk jokes when she could. "Would be faster with help."

"I would but my back, it's still so sore." Ruby said melodramatically. "The idea of getting up causing too much pain so I best not risk it."

"It was an electrified stun round; how bad can it be?" Yang asked. "Yeah any of us but Nora or Luck would probably be downed by it, but it's been more than 24 hours. Plus, you were healed up and out of the Nurse's office before your classmate with the broken legs arrived."

"Yes but the twinges and spasms remain." Ruby said and she meant it though she was playing it up a little bit for extra sympathy. "I think I need to rework the charge on them now that I know what they feel like."

"It's probably the right charge, you do know the science well Ruby." Blake said as she turned a page in her book. "My bet is that you've got the right charge for an adult male, providing you used the average villain you'd encounter as your baseline, not a 15 year old girl. Aren't there biological differences between the sexes that would account for your continued issues. Well age as well I guess."

"I mean yeah, sex does play some role in it but I thought I'd factored that in." Ruby admitted as she thought on the rounds she'd made. "So does body type, Quirk, age, health, muscle to fat ratio, and many other factors."

"Ignore her Blake, Ruby is totally milking it." Yang said as she finished setting the tray. "Just let it be a lesson to always keep your guard up Rubes."

"And you don't milk anytime you end up needing healing?" Blake asked as she turned another page in her book still not looking up from it, which Ruby noted was called 'Ninjas of Love vol. 9' "How many times have I had to play nurse for you though at least I'm better than when Nora plays it for Ren as she sees it as another battle to be won. Her methods tend to cause more pain than the actual injury so the last time she tried it he ran away on a broken leg; the actual doctors weren't happy with them."

The entire time Blake didn't once look up from her book or stop reading as she spoke. Ruby had learned that Blake was an avid reader and really loved the series she was currently reading though from what Ruby had gathered of the series it was basically literature porn with a storyline to it. Blake read books like that at a voracious rate though it didn't really excite Ruby that way, well some scenes got a reaction out of her, but she didn't really think on that as she shouldn't be reading that stuff anyway.

"But you're so good at it, Blake." Yang said with a pout in her voice brining Ruby back to the conversation at hand, well that and the tray of cookies that Yang brought over and put down on the table while making sure she was between it and Ruby so that she could at least give her sister a paper plate before Ruby claimed her precious cookies. "You're the perfect nurse cat for a sick girl like me, a really cute kitten looking after her mama and that nurses outfit you wore, meow if I didn't like the guys as much as I do I'd have gone right for that…"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence with a cat pun that is also inappropriate." Blake said seriously as she put down her book, she was just about to start a hot and steam bit, so she'd save that for later, and accepted the tea from Yang while still glaring at her. "Just because I swing both ways doesn't mean you can finish it. This is why people think we're a couple you know. If I was single I wouldn't mind it, but I do have a boyfriend, remember."

"Can I at least say that I wanted to lap your milk in that outfit." Yang said saying what she wanted to say anyway as Ruby piled on the cookies and began to blow on them to cool them down as Yang set down her hot chocolate on a coaster and sat down on the sofa next to Ruby. "Because damn that outfit was cute and the way you had your ears stick through the bonnet thing, it was adorable."

"And that is why I am not wearing that outfit again." Blake said with a sigh. "Well, maybe if Sun gets injured again but only then and only for him. Also, you are basically a damage sponge so how is it that you end up needed 'nursing' so often."

"Because I am a damage sponge, that's literally my job in battle." Yang said as Ruby bit into a hot, fresh, gooey, chocolate chip cookie and moaned at how good it was, years of painful experience telling her when the right time to enjoy it was though it was still a shade too hot for her right now. "So the more I take the stronger I get when I use Burn but I still feel all the blows I take. My constitution may be well above human average so I can handle the blows I take for the most part, but I still need some nursing afterwards as I'm always bruised at least when I'm done laying waste to whatever is in front of me."

"Guess the milking it runs in the family then." Blake said as she got a cookie before Ruby ate them all without realizing it. "Just don't be like that all the time Ruby. This was your first action against villains, over a year before Yang and I saw our first action in our work studies at the start of second year when we could start them, so it's understandable that you're a little shocked from being hurt and by your own round no less but in the real world you're going to need to bounce back fast."

"Yeah I know, just a bit of a shock to take it as I never expected to test my own stun rounds that way." Ruby said through a mouthful of cookie. "Though at least I know that they work well both by seeing them in action and feeling them myself. Still might adjust them slightly and create some more for those with heterotroph bodies or resistant Quirks just in case."

"We heard how you did." Yang said ruffling Ruby's hair. "It was certainly impressive for a first combat. Taking down all those villains with only a few weeks of formal training in hero work, well done. Human combat is very different to Grimm combat which you're already trained in, so you've done well already."

"They were low level horde villains brought in for quantity rather than quality I think." Ruby said. "But good way to build experience as well. Weiss and I worked really well together so I know our teamwork is improving."

"That's right, you and Schnee have been getting along well now." Blake said. "You text her a lot, don't you?"

"And call, I've come back and you're on the phone with her as well." Yang said with a smirk. "It's really cute."

"Well she is my bestie." Ruby said with a slight blush and meant it, Weiss was already becoming her best friend. "I know Weiss and I started out on the wrong foot but after her apology we've really become close since then. It's really nice actually and I've got other friends in the class besides her which is new for me but also exciting. I feel more at home at U.A. than I ever did at Signal."

"Good for you Ruby." Blake said with a smile. "You're really coming out of your shell. It helps to be around people with shared goals. Middle school can be tough when your classmates don't want to be heroes no matter the track but now that you are in a Hero Course you've got likeminded people and that is vital to have not just for being a hero but also in life in general."

"Yeah and Weiss Schnee, you really go all out Rubes but then again you did get a recommendation because you decided to confront one of the most wanted men in Japan and his goons when they tried to rob the store you were in while us scrubs had to take the normal exam." Yang joked and Ruby just smiled at that, she'd finally started to truly come to terms with her recommended status and not feel insecure or like an imposter for how she earned her way into U.A. and that was just another thing she had to thank Weiss for. "Actually, I'm surprised you're not with her on your day off from classes that you lot bought all of us. I'm sure she'd look adorable in a nurse's outfit as she made sure you were fully healed."

"Nurse Weiss, she would look good." Ruby said thinking on it and picturing Weiss in a traditional nurse's outfit. "White is her color, no question about it. She'd rock that look hard."

"She does suit white just as I suit black and Yang yellow." Blake admitted. "I only met her once when we saved her from the reporters but Schnee does have this element of chilly purity that really goes with white. That and her hair."

"It is gorgeous and looks so silky." Ruby said causing Yang to smirk. "I want to just stroke it when it's in her ponytail but that might be a little weird."

"Well when it comes to hair my mane is the best." Yang said fluffing her blonde locks that the other girls knew well given how little time they got to shower thanks to Yang's daily, and lengthy, hair routine. "But you didn't answer earlier Ruby, why aren't you with Weiss on your day off?"

"Oh we texted and were going to meet up and hang out at her place, maybe go to a local mall or something as we need stuff for our weapons, but then she got an emergency message from Silva who lives in the apartment below her in that ritzy place in town." Ruby said. "It seemed urgent, and Weiss had to sort it out. I don't really know Silva well, so I didn't want to intrude on their time and Weiss promised to make it up to me. She'll call in an hour or so to chat and next day off we'll plan something together."

"I see that is sensible." Blake said. "Annoying but is Silva is dealing with some issues then Schnee is probably the best to sort it out given that they're from the same circles."

"Yeah it is a shame cos I really wanted to spend the day with Weiss." Ruby said. "We could have had a lot of fun but it's touching that she's helping her friend and I will get to know Silva in time myself I'm sure, she's close with Asta who's becoming a good friend to me as well, so we'll all be close by the end of the semester. Next time though, I'll get Weiss all to myself for a day and I'll make the most of it."

"Aww, so cute." Yang said with a smile. "I fully support this."

"Huh, what do you mean?" Ruby asked confused looking at her sister.

"Yang, best not to tease Ruby." Blake said. "Let her come to it one her own and in her own time."

"I know but it's my duty as the big sister to oversee this." Yang said. "And make sure that the person is suitable for Ruby be it a guy or a girl, depending on which team Ruby bats for, or if she's a switch hitter like you."

"Huh, switch hitter?" Ruby asked looking at Blake as it was the second time she'd heard that since Yang had brought out the cookies. "I don't get the baseball reference."

"Damn it Yang." Blake said but she still smiled as Ruby was 15 so old enough so she explained and would then leave anything uncomfortable to Yang as Yang was the big sister after all. "Baseball is, for some reason that is beyond me, used a lot as a euphemism for sexual relations in various forms. Personally I prefer more prosaic and graceful language than what amounts to a crude sports analogy in my opinion."

"What like your books?" Yang asked. "They are good if a bit overly complex in their language."

"You just don't understand the intricate details of a well woven story that provides a great tale as well as a sensual experience to the reader as she's captivated by the author's words." Blake said with a slight blush. "It's a true stimulation mind, body, and soul."

"Yeah just give me a good video any day of the week." Yang said. "Especially ones where…"

"No Yang, you're sister does not need to know that." Blake scolded and Ruby decided it was best to agree with Blake there. "Just because you're a philistine in this matter doesn't mean that you can corrupt Ruby."

"Your books are complicated, but they are interesting." Ruby said. "I get them to some extent."

"That's because you're not some cretin like your sister who's basically like one of the guys with this stuff." Blake said. "Though you may be a little young for the language as it can be quite advanced."

"One of the guys, I'm more manly than almost all the guys I know." Yang said proudly. "Must be why I get along so well with guys."

"And yet still more feminine than Sol." Blake said.

"Yeah well hard to beat that tomboy, she's got it down to an art form." Yang said with a hint of respect in her voice. "Though I'd never look good in short hair like how she does. Also, I'm sure she wants to jump Magna."

"With how they fight, honestly I agree." Blake said. "The sexual tension between them is unbearable now. They really just need to get it out of their systems and then we can all breath again because this has been going on for over two years. At least with Pyrrha and Jaune it's cutely annoying with how they love each other but neither can make a move, Magna, and Sol it's just at the point where they need to get together just to work it all out."

"What they need is real angry, animalistic…" Yang began.

"Don't finish or else I'm going to get you a shock collar and this time I mean it." Blake said interrupting Yang yet again. "Anyway I think we're pretty far off topic now."

"Yeah you were going to explain switch hitter." Ruby said. "I don't get the analogy."

"It's pretty simple, a switch hitter in baseball is someone who bats on both sides of the plate so in this thing it just refers to someone who's bisexual." Blake said. "Which I am, I like men and women in a romantic and sexual sense."

"Oh is that all, ok." Ruby said, she didn't really think of these things often as she was so focused on her work and becoming a great Huntress that she still hadn't really decided where she lay on that spectrum though she would admit that certain things in Blake's books did get a reaction, but she'd dwell on that at a much later date when she was actually ready to address that side of her. "But you have a boyfriend right now, correct? I've heard about him but not that much."

"Yes and I love Sun dearly." Blake said with a smile. "Even if he goes to a rival school, he's a great guy and I see a future with him. I am still attracted to girls as well as guys but I fell for a guy with Sun and we are in a happy, loving, monogamous relationship."

"It's amazing how that licensing exam was a matchmaker for you, I would never have expected that to happen." Yang said. "Though I still don't get what you see in his immature nature and habit of just going off on his own."

"It's charming and he gets serious when he's with me and it's not because we're both heteromorphs." Blake said. "It's a lot more and he doesn't agree with the White Fang which is great because of how they've become in recent years under Sienna."

"Yeah well let's not deal with them I know how deep that runs with you." Yang said. "I'm just happy you found a good one in Sun."

"Oh I did and I'm very happy with him." Blake said with a smile. "But Ruby, just ignore Yang's teasing ok, find yourself in your own time and in your own way."

"I will but for now I want to focus on being a Huntress and getting stronger so that I can help people." Ruby said. "That attack taught me a lot and I really need to improve."

"That's my sister." Yang said as Ruby finished the cookies and washed them down with half her mug of now lukewarm hot chocolate. "Now, how about I kick your ass in that video game, we rarely get to play so we should make the most of the time off. You in Blake?"

"Sure." Blake said as Yang cleared the stuff and Ruby went to wash her hands before she picked up the controller again. "But this won't be pretty, you know I suck at this."

"I know which is why I enjoy beating you at it because when our midterms come around you're going to thrash me in every subject like you always do, even English and I'm technically a native speaker." Yang said as Ruby got back to set up a team battle royal in the game. "I still don't get that."

"Being able to speak a language natively doesn't mean that you're good at it and your too crass to be good at English in the academic sense." Blake said as she picked up a controller. "But I'll let you have this one over me, combat is your specialty miss solves problems by punching them."

"Hey, anything can be overcome if you hit it hard enough." Yang said with a grin. "I may be a Huntress, but I still admire that trait in All Might, he knows that a good punch solves many a problem."

"Whatever, I'll beat both of you." Ruby said as the game started. "Face my wrath, muhahaha."

At that the game began and the girls had a good time playing. They didn't get these days off together often and even if this one had been caused by a villain attack it was still a good relaxing moment. They'd need it for what was to come not just for them but for everyone in Japan.

Izuku lay on his bed as the day off they had came to an end. He'd not done much with it as he was recovering from his injuries, which had taken until late to heal the night before, but Uraraka and Ida had waited up for him which had been really touching of them, and keeping an eye on the news regarding how many villains had been caught, the fatalities that were all one unidentified group who seemed to kill themselves rather than be taken in alive, and think back on everything that had happened the day before. The attack had been a lot to take in and the chat with All Might afterwards just as much so.

It had all shown Izuku how serious the real world was and the evil that they faced when they became pros so he had to make a strong effort to master One for All and succeed All Might now that he knew what was out there. That was the commitment he made as he fell asleep, but little did Izuku know that what he'd seen was only the tip of the iceberg as the various factions from the USJ and more converged to prepare for the future, a future that would rock not just Japan but the whole world to its core.

I think that's a good, ominous, place to end this nice, relaxing, bridge chapter between the USJ Incident and the Sports Festival as we see some of the characters enjoying their day off and either relaxing or at least trying to deal with the recent events in their own ways. Next up is a very special chapter and I won't say anything else about it and as such that is all that I have for y'all so I'll leave this chapter off here. If you like this story please follow, favorite (this story and me) to keep up with it and leave a review or PM, your support is what helps motivate me to keep up this work and any questions posed before the next chapter is uploaded I will try to answer. Until next time.

Stringdog