Hey guys, welcome to yet another chapter! To some, this might be considered filler, but I think this one kinda had to happen, which is why I wrote it lol. WARNING there is an in universe text conversation in the middle, so be ready for multiple single lines of text, and typos! I do wish this was a bit longer, but I didn't want to inflate it anymore than necessary. I do think it could have been paced a bit better, but eh what can you do! Enjoy!
The rest of the day after his injury had been somewhat of a blur to Jayluf. After he had been healed up, he'd befriended a student named "Pony", who requested something called a "cell phone number".
Upon inquiring on what a cell phone was, it was explained to him that a cell phone was a sort of electronic device used for communication, similar to a radio. However, it did not use the same waves as a radio, and also had a functional display called a "touch screen".
Pony had seemed amused when Miss Hunee had showed Jayluf what a cell phone looked like, and had giggled when he began fiddling with the phone in fascination.
Who could blame him for being enamored with such a whimsical piece of technology? This was completely different from a radio. The display showed multiple small pictures or logos neatly packed into rows of four, ready for someone to select them for use.
In regards to controlling the machine, it used something called a "touch screen", which was a glass screen that responded to physical touch. If he swiped left, the strange icons would go to the left. If he swiped right, they'd go right instead.
However he did not get much time to play with it, as Miss Hunee had quickly confiscated it to save what was apparently Pony's number for later use. After that, he barely managed to give a farewell before being ushered back into the limousine by his caretaker. For some reason, he wanted to stay a bit longer, even though minutes before he had been screaming himself hoarse.
Unfortunately Miss Hunee had told him they needed to return home soon, and so she had buckled his seatbelt, and gave the driver the "okay" to take them back home.
For the first time during the middle of the day, Jayluf had felt extremely exhausted. So exhausted in fact, that when he idly focused on the droning white noise of the road against the tires of the limousine on the highway, he'd fallen asleep.
The trip home had felt much quicker, likely due to him being unconscious for the majority of the drive. When he'd been woken up by Miss Hunee, he'd seen that they were already back at the base, behind the walls that kept them isolated from the outside world.
For some reason, Jayluf had wanted to go back out.
But that wouldn't happen, for he'd been escorted right back to his room by Miss Hunee, who'd insisted on doing an "evaluation". So now he was sitting in his bed, back in his white pajamas, and patiently waiting for his caretaker to begin.
The woman in question gripped a pen and clipboard in her hands as she wheeled up her office chair to his bed.
"Now!" Miss Hunee exclaimed as she clicked her pen. "Let's get this started! The orders from the higher ups that I'm to ask you questions about the exam, and your job is to answer. Sound good?"
"Affirmative."
"Excellent! Basic stuff first, what did you think of the exam?"
"It was a very challenging test."
"Well, I mean other than that! I guess I should have specified, but were there any things you really liked about it?"
Jayluf blinked. Things I liked about it? It was difficult to hold the exam in a positive light, given what had happened near the end. He pondered silently for several moments before answering. "Well… I suppose I enjoyed being outside in such a large open area. I found the warm air very pleasant.. I liked how the outdoors smelled compared to back at the base. The base smell has a very different aroma compared to the scent of the battle zone."
"Probably because the base is spewing out so much pollution every waking minute," Miss Hunee hummed as she scribbled down something on her clipboard. "This place practically burnt our nostrils out, nose hairs included. You get used to it after a while, but it is a rather rancid stench."
"I prefer the new scent, far away from the base."
"Can't say I blame you. Now, second question, so listen up. How did it feel to be around people that were your age? I'm sure it must have been weird after being around us adult scientists for all your life!"
Jayluf glanced upwards at the fluorescent lights on the ceiling idly as he considered his response. "It was… a very jarring experience, and somewhat overwhelming when we were huddled close. Everyone had their own unique scent and look. I recall feeling somewhat overstimulated to the point I felt somewhat dizzy."
Miss Hunee raised an eyebrow. "Oh. In a bad way? Like, your brain was jumbled?"
"Negative. It was merely just the large amounts of information being absorbed in such a small period of time. That is all."
"Good, good. Next, what did you think of the U.A. High School? Was it as impressive as you thought it would be?"
"It was very tall, and its structure was a very peculiar shape."
"No no. I mean like, do you think it'll be a good hero school?"
"I see. Well, it appears to be very well equipped to instruct students how to become heroes. Their presentation on the entrance exam was very informative and provided the details necessary."
"Great. Your thoughts on the physical exam itself? Do you believe that it might be too difficult for some students?"
Jayluf paused for a moment. "Well…." He considered that while some of the robots were quite easy to destroy, they also managed to get a hit in, and it hadn't felt very good. "I believe that while it is logical that the test should be physically demanding for students who need to prove their worth, I do think that the giant robot, the Zero Pointer, I do not know if that was a necessary component."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because from what I have witnessed, the Zero Pointer has an unfortunate habit of causing…" he thought about the robot hitting the three pointer and falling down. "Collateral damage."
"I suppose that's valid criticism. How did it feel to use your quirk against active combatants like robots? Did you feel any rush of emotion? Happiness? Excitement to use your quirk?"
"Negative."
"I thought as much. Oh well. Well, how would you rate your performance?"
"I destroyed many robots, so I can safely assume my performance was acceptable, at least until the end. It was my ignorance of danger that caused my injury."
"How did you feel about making 'friends' with other people? I know friends as a concept is a bit unknown to you, so it must be quite unique. You made two right? The green hair and then the pony girl?"
The question made Jayluf stop to think for several moments. Friends until today was something he didn't know much about, and now he suddenly has two out of the blue. "I believe that… it is good for me to have made friends."
"Well, That's a rather good outlook to have, especially considering the point is to have you fit into society." Miss Hunee clicked her pen as she stood up from her chair. "Well, I think that's it for today Jayluf! Thank you for answering so diligently! I'll get these to the higher ups in no time. Now what we need to do is wait for the test results. Which usually takes a week. Fingers crossed, right?" Finally, Miss Hunee turned, and began walking away towards the door.
"Wait." Jayluf called.
The woman halted her March, and threw a glance over her shoulder. "Something wrong Jayluf?"
"May I… make an inquiry?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just?"
"What? What did I do just now?"
"Make an-" Miss Hunee let out an exhale. "Eh, never mind. It wasn't funny anyways."
Jayluf blinked in confusion, not grasping what the woman had been trying to say. "Okay."
"But anyways yeah, go ahead! Ask your question."
"I am merely curious, why did you want to have this evaluation so soon after the exam had ended? You said yourself that we have the entire week before any exam results could come in, and I've never seen you so excited over making such simple inquiries. "
"Well Jayluf," Miss Hunee began. "I thought it would be best to get these questions out of the way while the experience was still fresh in your mind, especially when you had felt emotions!"
"I felt… emotions?" During the exam? He didn't recall any time.
"Remember? When you were hurt by the falling robot and your leg got crushed? You had cried, remember? You, who is never bothered by anything, and has an extreme lack of emotions in general."
"I…" Jayluf pondered for a moment, tilting his head. "I am unsure if that would count."
"Yeah. You did! You were SCARED! And you're never afraid of anything before, but you were terrified for your life! I remember hearing you sob and sniffle over the radio, and the readings from your collar were all over the place."
She is… correct. Jayluf realized. "But… how?"
"A good question!" Miss Hunee hummed. "I think it was because of the injury itself! The extensive physical damage to your body caused a reaction to occur, allowing you to feel proper emotions! You were feeling fear, uncertainty, and panic in full force." She scribbled down a few extra notes on her clipboard. "It seems extensive physical trauma seems to unlock your normally fogged up brain. At least, for a certain period of time, since when you were healed, you quickly went back to your old self. Fascinating, isn't it?"
The suggestion made Jayluf reflect on himself as he absorbed her words. She was right. He'd felt emotions. He'd FELT.
The last time he'd slightly felt even the slightest bit of something akin to panic was when he'd been trapped in that dark room, when the situation forced him to grow an eye to be able to properly see.
He could still recall the sensation of terror, fear, and panic. He could still feel the crushing weight of the three pointer on his trapped leg as he vainly attempted to free it. The unbridled terror and uncertainty as he felt his limb crumple under the intense pressure as his leg bone snapped, it had hurt. He needed to get it off. I'm dying. He needed to get it off get it off GET IT OFF ME-
"Jayluf?"
His eyes snapped up towards Miss Hunee, who was staring at him curiously. "Y-Yes Miss Hunee?"
"Are you alright? You just sort of started to stare at me. Was kind of weirding me out."
Jayluf decided right then and there that he did not like feeling afraid. He didn't like pain either. "Oh. I'm okay Miss Hunee."
He hoped he would never have to feel like this ever again.
Miss Hunee frowned. "Well, if you say so. I'm going to go turn these notes in to the other lab people, but meanwhile, I'll let you talk to your new friend."
Jayluf tilted his head. "My new… friend?"
He realized that Miss Hunee was holding her cellular device towards him.
NEW MESSAGE #1
(06:20)Jill Hunee: Hello. Is this Pony from the U.A. High School entrance exam? This is Jayluf Viller. You may not remember me, but earlier today, you had helped me escape the battle zone when I had been severely injured. I am borrowing Miss Hunee's "cell phone" device to send you a "text message" via "message app".
(06:25)PonyPower: yse
(06:25)PonyPower: yes its me sorry jayluf its me pony hiii
(06:26)PonyPower: sorry if like giving my number was weird i dont like want you to get the wrong idea or anything haha still having trouble believing youve never used a phone before
(06:31)PonyPower: Jayluf?
(06:32)Jill Hunee: Apologies. Using this device is rather complicated. I have never used a cellular phone before, nor have I "texted" anyone. This is my first time trying to "type" using the touch screen, and I have to use my individual fingers to find the letter or symbol I wish to use. It is a very arduous task to accomplish.
(06:32)PonyPower: O u can like use your thumbs and like hold the phone in both hands if you want i can liek show u with a picture if thats okay?
(06:32)Jill Hunee: Very well.
(06:33)PonyPower: Ok lemme get up gotta walk to the mirror hold on also ill use selfie cam so it might look kinda weird but dont worry about it
(06:34)PonyPower: Ok here
(06:34)PonyPower:
(06:35)PonyPower: Ok so you see how im using the palm area below my pointer finger? You do that with both hands and you press it to the phone to hold it in place since you will be using your thumbs to type and stuff.
(06:36)PonyPower: Same goes if youre like using one hand but its risky you might lose grip and drop it and it didn't look like miss honey or whatever her name was had a protective screen.
(06:36)Jill Hunee: Acknowledged. I will try adjusting.
(06:36)PonyPower: U might need a bit to get used to it so be careful lol
(06:36)Jill Hunee: What does that mean?
(06:37)PonyPower: What does wat mean?
(06:37)Jill Hunee: LOL. What do those letters mean.
(06:37)PonyPower: Wat
(06:37)PonyPower: Omg "what does lol mean"
(06:37)Jill Hunee: What does "OMG" mean?
(06:38)PonyPower: WHAT DO YOU MEAN "What does omg mean" ROFL
(06:38)Jill Hunee: I don't know what you mean by "ROFL".
(06:38)PonyPower: Jayluf oml
(06:38)Jill Hunee: I don't know what "Oml" means either.
(06:39)PonyPower: please stop
06:39)Jill Hunee: Did I do something wrong?
(06:39)PonyPower: No no just stop give me a minute your killing me
(06:40)Jill Hunee: You're dying? I can call someone if you don't have medical assistance
(06:40)PonyPower: Jayluf no im not dying just wait a second please i'm okay everything is okay just let me get my bearings
(06:40)Jill Hunee: Are you certain you are all right?
(06:40)PonyPower: Yes im okay don't worry. Just give me a second
(06:41)PonyPower: Okay look ill explain what at a time are you ready for this
(06:41)Jill Hunee: I am prepared.
(06:42)PonyPower: Ok so look what I texted were like texting phrases, its like the beginning letters of a multi word expression squeezed into a few letters. LOL is like "laugh out loud" like you think something is funny.
(06:42)PonyPower: OMG is like "oh my god" to express shock or surprise. ROFL is like something really funny so your "rolling on floor laughing". OML is like a more formal or dignified OMG since its "Oh my lord"
(06:42)PonyPower: People use these in text conversations all the time trust me
(06:43)Jill Hunee: Very well. Those are very peculiar phrases.
(06:43)PonyPower: I guess lol
(06:43)PonyPower: I hope you can get ur own phone soon, if u get accepted u will definitely need a phone of ur own
(06:44)Jill Hunee: I can ask Miss Hunee about it. If I am fortunate enough, I will be able to obtain it within a week when the exam results come in.
(06:44)PonyPower: O ya I wish me didn't have to wait so long for the friggin exam results. Makes the wait literally agonizing ;_; I hope both of us got in tho. I feel like when I saved you I may or may not have lost point opportunities
(06:45)PonyPower: Omg i just realizes wat i sed im not saying that I'm mad I had to save you or anything if it sounded like I was blaming you. I would definitely take saving you over passing a dumb exam
(06:45)PonyPower: Sorry again.
(06:46)Jill Hunee: I suppose you may have risked failure by rescuing me. I apologize for getting injured, causing you to assist me.
(06:46)PonyPower: You shouldn't apologize for getting hurt Jayluf omg
(06:47)Jill Hunee: Why not? You are correct with your observation, me getting incapacitated and forcing your hand may have cost you from achieving enough points to enter U.A.
(06:47)PonyPower: Jayluf you can't mean that
(06:47)Jill Hunee: Why would I not? It is a logical conclusion to come to. You could have had the chance to dispose of the villain robots were it not for me. This exam is a very important one, is it not?
(06:48)PonyPower: Not as important as you Jayluf! Your a human being! This was just a dumb exam that if i failed I could redo it next year! Human lives don't get a redo when its over!
(06:48)Jill Hunee: I have considered your points and I have come to the conclusion that your logic is valid. I understand.
(06:49)PonyPower: Ok im glad to hear that
(06:50)Jill Hunee: I apologize, but I fear I must end this conversation here. Miss Hunee has just informed me that she wants her cell phone back, and I must give it to her. I must close the conversation for now.
(06:50)PonyPower: Aw okay. I hope u get a phone of ur own so we can talk more. Bye bye!
(06:50)Jill Hunee: Goodbye.
Pony hummed to herself as she closed the direct message application, adjusting her posture in her bed in an attempt to make her position more comfortable.
She began to ponder on her thoughts about Jayluf. Jayluf was certainly a rather interesting person, to say the least. He was weird, not not weird in a bad way! In fact, he was quite nice.
Although one could easily find his behavior somewhat bizarre, something about his abnormal behavior was endearing to her. Even though he spoke formally like some sort of highly sophisticated person, his knowledge on modern technology that was the norm was basically nonexistent, which she found odd.
How could someone not know about cell phones? It was unheard of. Cell phones have existed for like, forever now! Although it was odd that Jayluf hadn't known about cell phones, Pony herself had found it somewhat amusing explaining what texting words meant.
He didn't know what "LOL" meant… I'm still reeling from that revelation.
Even while most of Jayluf's odd behavior was amusing, Pony didn't find all of it endearing. Mainly, the conversation about him costing her the exam was when alarm bells had begun ringing in her head.
Originally when she had sent that message, she realized what it likely could be interpreted as, and had a miniature panic attack.
Because it had sounded like she had blamed him for her possibly not passing the physical exam, like it was his fault for almost bleeding out in the middle of an alleyway.
She already knew that one of two options would happen. The first being Jayluf being understandably angry with her words and lashing out at her for saying such horrible things. The second possibility would be the boy being understanding and forgiving her, and moving the conversation on to a different topic.
But neither of those happened. Instead, Jayluf had agreed with her original statement, claiming that it would make sense if she had decided to focus on winning the exam, instead of saving him.
The thought that Jayluf found it logical for her to prioritize winning a stupid competition over saving someone who was dragging themselves to the exit as they were dying…
It horrified her.
Why on earth had he said such an awful thing? It didn't make sense. It was a hero school for crying out loud, why would it be better to not save someone in danger?!
Sure, Pony did remember the nurse hero and Jayluf discussing him having a sort of "healing" quirk, or something. She'd managed to only catch bits and pieces of the conversation, but she deduced that it wasn't a very strong healing quirk. And there during the exam, he'd been clearly unable to use it, meaning it was likely a weak healing ability.
Was it because the healing quirk was why Jayluf had casually dismissed the possibility of him not being helped while having a crushed leg? Maybe it was stronger than Pony thought?
But if it was, why had he been sobbing and dragging himself to the gate? It didn't add up. It didn't make sense.
She came to the conclusion that Jayluf had been dying, and while he did have a healing quirk, it was very likely the boy had been ignorant to the idea that some injuries just might be too much for him to bear.
There was also a third option on why Jayluf would be fine with bleeding out all alone. One that Pony had refused to entertain, even for a second. But the more she pondered in silence, the more the thought made itself known.
Was the reason Jayluf was perfectly fine with the suggestion of being left behind was because he didn't value himself as a person? If that was true, did that mean he was depressed? The fact that his entire personality had completely changed back at the entrance exam. When she'd heard his screaming and traced it to his location, Jayluf had been acting normally for someone who was injured. He'd been crying in pain, panic, and fear. He also showed slight gratitude when she carried him to the entrance.
But then when the nurse hero had used her quirk on him, mending his broken bones and stopping the pain all together, it was as if a switch was flipped on him. Any humanity was almost entirely gone, and the boy had simply worn a blank, hollow, expression.
His voice was devoid of any emotion as well, a monotone voice that was more akin to a voice of an emotionless robot than a humans.
Even during the text conversation she had with him, he somehow conveyed the same blank empty personality in text form. It was like a machine or bot had been talking instead of a human being.
Pony knew she was no doctor, or expert on human psychology in general obviously. But she remembered when she'd read online about symptoms of depression, or the way depressed people acted in social situations.
Some would try to act completely normal and smile, as if nothing was wrong at all in their lives, hiding their pain from friends and family alike. Others would be open about their despair, not attempting to pretend that everything was okay.
But in some other cases… depression would cause a person to be a completely blank slate emotionally. What had it been called again? Emotional blunting, maybe. It was a complete regression of emotions, causing the person to numb almost all emotions, both positive, and negative. What was left was just a borderline emotionally dead person, someone who was more akin to a zombie that would shuffle around aimlessly in their lives.
Pony began to think hard. If Jayluf was indeed depressed, what had been the cause? Definitely not money, considering he'd been picked up by a woman in a limousine, so it was unlikely he had poor living conditions. He didn't have any bruises on him either, so it wasn't abuse either.
Or maybe he did have bruises, and she just didn't see them because of the nurse hero's quirk.
Maybe the reason for his state was because of lack of social interaction? That was definitely a probable cause for Jayluf's hypothetical depression. Considering he didn't even know what a cell phone was, Pony doubted that the boy got much socializing. Heck, the first thing Jayluf had said to her after introductions was simply if she wanted to be his friend!
She was well aware she was making a lot of assumptions about a person she'd just met today.
But if it was true that he didn't have friends, then the possibility of his mental state being in poor condition was actually quite high. She could attest to the importance of needing friends. When she'd arrived at Japan with barely being able to speak a single word in the country's native tongue, she'd been a bit of an outcast. So when she'd gotten friends in her school who would talk to her and would interact with her constantly, she'd been eternally grateful.
Of course, nothing lasts forever, since it's rather common for children and teens alike to change schools, they had to part ways. Obviously they kept in touch with online social apps on their phones, but it wasn't the same. She remembered the devastation of being separated, knowing they wouldn't be able to sit down at the lunch table and hang out. The pain of not having friends and having to let go of friends was horrible to experience.
She couldn't even imagine what it would be like to have grown up her entire life without friends like Jayluf presumably had. Did he even know what it was like to have friends? God, she hoped so. But if not…
Did that mean that Pony herself was Jayluf's first friend in this new chapter of his life? If she could even consider herself a proper friend. In fact, Jayluf was more of an acquaintance than an actual friend to her on a technical level, considering they barely had time to speak to each other before parting ways. Not to say she didn't want to be friends with him or anything! Of course she'd like to be friends with him!
If she was indeed his first friend, she'd do everything she could to make sure that whatever happened, she'd do her best to be a good friend. Even if one of them did not pass the exam, whether it be her or Jayluf, she'd still try her darndest to be a good first friend to him.
But she could only be a "first friend" to Jayluf if she was correct with her assumptions about the boy. She knew very well she had assumed many things about someone she barely knew, and the fact his depression and lack of friends could just be a scenario conjured up in her brain caused by her inability to not overthink every little thing.
Overthinking was something Pony was still working on. She'd stop doing that someday soon, hopefully. But even if Jayluf was just lacking in emotional expression and wasn't depressed at all, she didn't want to take that risk. Maybe she was projecting onto him, she honestly couldn't tell. Even if she barely knew him, and it would probably be considered weird to some people that she was making it her goal to help a boy that she'd just met that day.
In her defense, helping others is what heroes do, right? And she was attempting to enter Japan's biggest Hero School ever, so it made sense!
Hopefully this was just a huge misunderstanding created from paranoia, overthinking, and maybe the slightest sprinkle of projection. But from now on, she'd do her best to keep in contact with him, maybe at least check up on him every once in a while, nothing too dramatic, just in case..
ONE WEEK LATER…
Time was something Jayluf Viller usually did not care for. At least, he did not pay much attention to it, since it really did not mean much to him. Time was something he really only considered when he was wanting to know how close to bedtime it was, and that was pretty much it.
But now, time had seemed to go by at such a painfully slow pace, because for once in his life, he was actually waiting for something. He was anticipating something.
"Jayluf!" Cried a voice from the side. Slowly sitting up from his bed, Jayluf glanced to the side to see none other than Miss Hunee walking in, a strange white square held in between her left pointer and middle finger.
"Miss Hunee?" He said. "What is that in your hand?"
Miss Hunee grinned. "A very good question! Guess what? Your exam results came in! And before you ask, the results are inside the paper, so you'll have to open it and see."
The exam results? He quickly threw his legs over the bed and onto the floor, standing up. "They have finally arrived?"
"Finally indeed!" Sang Miss Hunne, holding it out to him. "Fingers crossed!"
Not hesitating, Jayluf accepted the offered object, and began to inspect it. She had said to open it, correct? How was he going to do that?
Should I just tear it in half?
Positioning both hands at each corner, Jayluf began to pull as hard as he could.
A loud ripping sound could be heard as the paper packaging gave way to the strain, and split in half, revealing a small metal device that dropped to the floor.
He blinked. "What is tha-"
Suddenly, the metal device made a bizarre whirring noise, and the top suddenly lit up, and in a flash, All Might himself was inside the room.
Jayluf's eyes widened in surprise. "What is this? How is All Might being displayed here?"
"I AM HERE!" cried the world famous hero. "AS A PROJECTED PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE, INSIDE YOUR ROOM!"
Jayluf tilted his head. A projection? What is happening? I thought the exam results from U.A. were inside the envelope. Perhaps he is associated with them?
The muscular Number One hero let out a loud laugh. "Greetings young…" All Might paused, leaning to the side and squinting, as if he was reading something off camera. For a split second, it looked as if his eyes narrowed for the briefest of moments. "Jayluf Viller! I am here to give you very good news in regards to your exam that you took last week! You have scored just enough points in order to pass, meaning that your future is here at U.A.! Congratulations!"
"I…" Jayluf said to himself, "I passed?"
Miss Hunee quietly cheered from the side.
"Not only that," All Might continued, "But the principal himself has been so pleased with your results, he's recommended you for one of the top classes, Class 1-A!"
"The principal!" Miss Hunee said from beside him. "Lucky you! Your quirk must be something special for it to get the attention of the principal!"
"So be ready young Jayluf!" All might said as he pointed at the camera. "Your future as a hero starts at U.A.! I hope you're ready!"
Jayluf straightened his back as he stared at the hologram. Was this… pride? Pride at the fact that he had passed?
Whatever he was feeling, he knew for certain that now, he was finally going to become a hero.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Sorry if Pony appears somewhat OOC to hardcore fans, the few times she appears makes it a bit hard to write. Honestly, I'm having so much fun writing this that I've been doodling down designs for Jayluf, and I might be able to post it next chapter! So if I'm happy enough with my below average art skills, I'll make it the cover art for this story! Also I don't know if it's better to have a text convo and the inner thought part combined, I thought it was best to have the text convo first, then Pony's thoughts on the matter. As always, if you enjoyed please do fav, follow and comment! If you really like it maybe consider recommending it to someone else! I realize since this is a crossover, not as many people see it, which is okay, because I'm going to write whether I get one or ten comments a chapter. It's been awhile since I've enjoyed writing like this, so I'm gonna keep on writing! See you guys next monday!