Chapter Seven: Introductions
Itsuka walked home with a spring in her step, if somewhat lopsided from the cast on her arm.
Aside from the arm, she felt good about her performance during the entrance exam, and she even made a couple of friends along the way, going as far as trading numbers after they were let out. Yui and Reiko seemed like good people.
She walked down her street and was met with the sight of police officers out front. More than enough to be worried. Someone spotted her approaching and moved to intercept her.
"Excuse me," she said, pushing herself to the front door. "This is my house. Is my dad okay?"
"He's fine," said an officer with a cat's head. "Just…ruffled by some recent news. Come on. I'll take you to him."
Walking into the house was unnerving. There weren't any signs of a break-in, but a hole had been punched in the wall, and a mug had been thrown against the TV. Some other items had been energetically relocated around the room, as if a tornado had swept through the place.
Shinutsu Kendo was sitting with a detective in the kitchen, breathing heavily and head against the table, hands tugging at his hair. The detective cleared his throat, catching his attention and directing it to the door.
"Itsuka!" He said as he threw himself to his feet, and was hugging her fiercely before she could say a word.
"Dad? Dad, what's going on?"
He momentarily froze. "Megalodon got out," her father gritted out.
Itsuka's eyes widened and twisted out of her father's embrace as the detective stood.
"He had some help," he amended. "Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi. I'm in charge of the investigation into Megalodon's escape, as well as several others."
"So this wasn't an isolated incident?" Itsuka asked. "Any idea where any of them are?"
"Not at this time," Tuskauchi replied. "We'll be keeping an eye out for them and an eye on you. I trust you're okay with that, Mr. Kendo?"
"Why-?"
"He promised to make me suffer once he got out," her father rasped, and looked up with haunted green eyes. "I can't lose you, too."
"Alright. I'll do it."
[IB]
Izuku stared at the metal disk that had just finished playing the message, pinching his lower lip, processing the information he just received. The phantom aches from the entrance exam were still keenly felt, even if the wounds had closed and healed entirely by the time he went to bed that night.
"Hey, Izuku," Yuri called out, walking into the room. "Looks like U.A. got back to you."
"Yup."
Yuri sat across the table, hands tented as she waited. "Good news, I take it."
"Well, All Might's going to be teaching at U.A. this year. And despite somehow getting the top ranking during the practical portion of the entrance exam, they're honoring my choice of department."
"You sure about this?" she asked. "Being part of the Heroics program would allow you to train more openly and against different opponents. Or failing that, train them more efficiently for their career."
"Most of these kids are going to go out and live meaningful lives and promising careers. I'm not going to ruin that for them by associating with me." "Besides, I can train them well enough from the sidelines."
"Hm. Given your results, you're coming along pretty well. You still have a long way to go. And there's only so much I can still teach you. At this rate, you'll get predictable."
"Hence why I'm going with Management. It's something I already have a grounding in, meaning less for me to work on to improve, and it would be easier to conduct a double-life without worrying as much about academics."
Yuri tapped her fingers together. "Well. If you're serious about this. However, if you're doing this, you'll be following me to the letter. Remember that."
Izuku smirked. "Always."
[IB]
"Highest score? Really?" Sho asked, getting a nod in return. "Not bad, old man!"
"Stop referring to our peers as elderly!" Tenya chided, chopping his arm at Sho before turning to Izuku. "That is excellent news, Midoriya!" Tenya affirmed. "Have you been informed of which class you will be in?"
"Class 1-I, since I decided to go for Management," Izuku replied.
Tenya stared for a bit. "Are you disappointed with your decision?"
"Course not. Just thinking of some things."
"I never did ask, but what did the general entrance exam entail?" Momo asked.
"A written test, then a mock battle against robots in an urban environment."
"I would say it was more than that," Tenya interjected. "The test was posed as a simulated combat encounter, but with the underlying focus directed towards aiding fellow participants. As the exercise continued, we must have reached the threshold where they introduced a pronounced shift in the training environment, a behemoth of a machine."
Izuku cleared his throat and added, "no joke, that thing was taller than most of the buildings."
"The Zero-pointer that appeared was a menace. Thankfully, time ran out before it could do too much damage. Even in the limited time it was active, it was a mad rush to move other participants out of harm's way. Izuku, how did your test group fare?"
"Hm? I didn't give the thing much time to wreak havoc."
"You mean you took that monster head on?"
"Well, yes."
"On your own?"
"Pretty much."
"Why would you do something so reckless?"
"There was a girl pinned under the rubble, and I was one of the only ones not running in a mad panic."
Sho snickered. "Izuku Midoriya: not even in the Heroics course, but already saving damsels in distress."
"She still managed to catch me when the thing exploded in my face. It was a good investment."
The Support student shook his head. "Only you could refer to meeting a girl and saving each other as a 'good investment'. That's the sort of thing shōnen romances. Though, I suppose that's more than what…Ms. Kendo, was it? Whatever. Apparently she didn't warrant more than an oblique mention when you showed off All-Might's autograph."
"Tch. I have other things to worry about besides romantic pursuits."
"Just you wait. Puberty's going to hit you well and good before too long. And I'll make sure you eat those words."
[IB]
It was the first day of school, and Itsuka had to keep herself from jogging to school out of excitement, even with the police escort she had to the campus. U.A. was safe enough, with a cadre of Pro-Heroes on staff ready to react to any threats, if they were foolish enough to attack the school directly.
"Class 1-B. Where's 1-B? Aha!" She gave the door a long stare and took a deep breath as she slid the door open. She poked her head into the classroom, getting a lay of the land.
A tall kid with a buzz cut boomed in discussion with a girl with dark green hair and a fanged smile. Reiko waved from the back corner of the room, next to a boy practically made of shadows.
"Hi, Itsuka."
Spinning around, she came face to face with Yui Kodai.
"You got in!" Itsuka beamed.
Yui stoically nodded. "Hm."
"Come on, we can talk more while we wait."
Leading Yui into the room, Itsuka nearly jumped when someone tapped her on the shoulder, coming face to face with a grey-haired guy with fully encompassing eyebrows.
"Hey!" he shouted, causing Itsuka to wince a little at the boy's intensity. "I'm Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu!"
"Man, your parents must have really wanted to get bullied," the blond across the room said.
Itsuka gave the blond a bland look, but her eyes were drawn back to Tetsutetsu's teeth, then quickly looking away when he noticed
"Huh? Is something wrong with my face?"
"I'm sorry. You just remind me of someone…unpleasant."
"Oh. Okay!"
"Inside voices, please," a rough voice said.
Everyone in the room went still and turned to the door where Vlad King stood in full costume.
"Everyone line up. It's time for the entrance ceremony."
[IB]
Izuku had no real expectations when it came to his class, but the prospect of meeting new people in this kind of setting was a sensation he hadn't felt in a long time. A new beginning that he hadn't been able to really appreciate moving to Korusan. Even the move to Soumei was with friends. Here, it was fresh faces all around and the opening to a new chapter.
Slipping into an empty seat, he casually took in his surroundings. A kid with circular frame glasses. Definitely the most normal looking when the competition included a kid who looked like Cthulhu, a girl with long lavender hair tied off in an enormous bun, who was looking mightily annoyed at Izuku.
Oh, he thought. Her.
Ignoring her, he surveyed the rest of the class.
A kid directing a handful of mice to vocalize. Lo and behold, they were doing just that, making a nice barber shop quartet, all things considered. Just where the mice had come from, Izuku hadn't the slightest clue, as they looked rather clean. Something to investigate at a later date.
A sharp-looking woman with dark, purple hair wearing a suit and skirt that made her look like a secretary.
"Good morning," she said. "Katanori Tesetsu, your homeroom teacher. This is Class 1-I. Now unless someone got lost and is taking up a seat that's not theirs, it looks like everyone is here. Stand up, and we'll be heading to the Entrance Ceremony."
A quick shuffle of the class lining up and Kid Cthulhu wound up behind Izuku in the column. Hands thrust into his pocket, he steadily kept pace with the group.
"Psst. What's your name?" Izuku hissed.
"M-mine?" the boy answered, dual-toned. The higher one was likely his actual voice.
"You're the closest. Yeah."
"Haru. Haru Nakayama."
"Izuku Midoriya. Are you doing the voice thing on purpose, or is that a thing your Quirk does automatically?"
"Shh!" someone further back hissed.
"Can it, Suzuki," Izuku retorted, rolling his eyes.
"That's enough," Tesetsu chided.
The assembly hall where most of the other students were gathered. Izuku noted that a section of students was conspicuously absent. Similarly, two chairs among the teachers were empty. All Might had to be one of the ones absent, as it would be rather difficult to hide him among the rest of the staff.
Snipe gave an introduction, and allowed a diminutive creature to jump on the podium.
"Greetings, students of U.A High School. Yes, I may be a bear, a rat, or dog, but more importantly, it is I, Principal Nezu!" Letting the First-Years murmur among themselves for a bit, he continued. "For our returning students, welcome back. For the first-years joining us, I greatly anticipate how you will achieve your dreams here."
That's not likely, Izuku thought, but listened on.
"You have come to this school with a purpose, with the expectation of one day making a difference in your community. Each of you here today is here because you wish to change the world, even if in a small way. Even if your aspirations fall short of the Heroics Department, is it right to think yourself any less than your peers?"
Everyone was quiet, something Nezu had clearly intended.
"This Nezu finds this line of thinking to be patently erroneous!" he declared, throwing his paws out wide. "Police officers, fire fighters, medical response. Artists, caretakers, and so many others. While you may not be the ones to sweep in and thwart villainy, know that your contributions to society can prove just as necessary for the betterment of the world we all live in."
Izuku felt a sense of pride bubble in spite of himself.
"That's right. The title of 'Hero' is not restricted to those who don the costumes and use their Quirks to fight evil in the streets. So wherever you may come from, and whatever lays before you on your journey in life, I look forward to seeing each of you shine this semester and even beyond these walls. Go Beyond!"
"PLUS ULTRA!" the student body roared in reply.
[IB]
Led back to the classroom, Ms. Tesetsu went over the curriculum with them. Fairly basic stuff, but essential for the understanding and developing in the Management course. What really caught Izuku's attention was the bonus project.
"You are going to be given an opportunity to observe a student in Heroics or Support, and develop a sales pitch and market analysis for the prospective Hero or the Support technician's handiwork."
A girl with flowers growing from her hair raised her hand. "Will this be a group project?" she asked.
"Yes, but the group can be as small as two people," Tesetsu answered and pointed to the next hand.
"What will be the format?" the boy with glasses asked.
"You'll have a write-up and presentation."
"Isn't this a little early to be working on a project of such a scale?" the rodent conductor asked.
"This will be conducted throughout the semester, with progress reports conducted at intervals. You have some time to work on it, but that does not mean you can slack off. Anyone else? No? Very well. Don't be late for your next class. I'll be here for a few minutes if you have any other questions."
Izuku stepped out of from his desk and to the teacher's.
"Yes, Mr…?"
"Midoriya, ma'am. A proposal for the project, actually," he answered. "Am I limited to just a single student, or can I observe two? Furthermore, is there anything forbidding me from picking a Gen. Ed. student and training them for a Heroics transfer?"
The homeroom teacher clasped her hands on the desk. Izuku idly noted the dark nails that were definitely not painted or polished.
"Do you already have someone in mind?"
"I believe I do. I need to run it by them to see if they're game, but I'm fairly certain one will jump at the chance." And he hadn't gotten Gravity Girl's name. He didn't pick her out in the crowd at the ceremony, so if she got into the Heroics program, she had probably wound up with the same class as Momo. He'd have to put a bug in Momo's ear and see if he could bring the brunette around for lunch.
He was back at his chair by the time the bell was ringing.
"Hey, Midoriya. You already have a plan for the project?"
Izuku looked up at a girl with messy black hair and similarly colored wings/arms. Did they mimic hand articulations and dexterity? He wondered, and replied, "more or less. I figure it'd be better to test the waters early and see what restrictions might be present before I tried anything. Why? You looking for someone to team up with?"
"Yeah," she answered flatly, tracing her foot in circles. "If you're taking anyone, I'd prefer working with someone proactive."
Pinching his lower lip, Izuku mulled it over. Momo was always getting onto him about branching out some more when it came his social spheres.
"Tell you what ," he said. "I need to make some inquires before moving forward. I should have an idea after lunch, then run it by Tesetsu. If it pans out, would you be adverse to any other additions, should they arise?"
"Nah. That's cool."
"Just so you know, my idea involves more legwork and direct action. You cool with that?"
"Fine, fine," she trailed off, the perked up again. "Oh, by the way, I'm Suzume Osaki."
"Izuku-"
"Midoriya. Yeah, I heard you talking with Nakayama. Oh. Sorry. I interrupted you."
"No worries. Now, unless you have anything else for me, I believe lunch awaits."
[IB]
Hitoshi wasn't sure what to make of General Education. Thirteen seemed like they were going to be an interesting teacher. But after shooting for Heroics, it was a huge letdown. The Principal's words, while well-meaning, bordered on mocking, grinding salt in the wound. Sure, there were other kids disappointed by the practical's outcome, but for Hitoshi it was more than just an avenue to a popular, and possibly lucrative career. It was one of the few ways he could possibly get ahead in life.
It all came down to his Quirk. Brainwashing was a dark cloud always hanging over his life, no matter what. His odds of making it anywhere in life were slightly better than children of convicted criminals, actual criminals, and the Quirkless. There was no way of hiding it, so that left Heroics as the only really viable course of action.
And no one he met seemed to get that.
So lost in thought, he could barely yelp as he was suddenly jerked off of his feet and dragged into a darkened pathway, a hand clamping on his mouth as he came to a stop. Struggling against a formless grip holding him in place, he tried to identify his assailant.
Staring down on him, vacant eyes glowing faintly in the low light, was his ally from the entrance exam.
Midoriya.
"Easy," he said quietly. "I only want to talk."
What?
"And by talk, I converse, which means I'm going to remove my hand from your face. Are you going to scream when I do?"
Hitoshi vigorously shook his head, a task made difficult Midoriya's hand released him, letting him nearly hyperventilate.
"Sorry about that. Anyhow, I wanted to ask you something."
"Couldn't you-" Gasp. "-ask me like normal person?"
"Where's the fun in that?"
Hitoshi blinked. "You are psychotic."
"So I've been told," Midoriya said with a chuckle. "Whatever. Main point: what are your plans for lunch?"
"Um…nothing really."
"Not anymore!" Midoriya said, dragging Hitoshi along.
"What? Why?"
"You still want to get into the Heroics course, correct?"
Hitoshi nearly face-faulted. He had no idea what the guy was on about, but there was only one answer.
"More than anything."
"Perfect! Let's go." A few steps down the hall, Midoriya hummed. "Okay, I think I can see another reason why you got axed in the Entrance Exams."
"Why?"
"The problem is that you're built like a bundle of sticks. We'll have to work on that. But first: lunch."
[IB]
Sho was lounged across from Izuku, half-finished lunches in front of them, taking it all in stride, especially considering Izuku dragged a strange kid to their table. Shinso was zoned out next to him, unsure of what had happened.
"One of the girls in my class nearly blew us up," Sho said, recounting the events of his first Support class. We weren't working with any components that should have been combustible, but…" he trailed off, spinning his chopstick around.
"Wow. How did she manage that?"
"Don't know, and neither does Power Loader."
"Is she deliberately circumventing safety considerations?"
"Nah, she's just enthusiastic and determined. No one was hurt, and once things were cleaned up, she got back to it like nothing happened."
"Well, at least it your classes won't be boring."
"True enough. Ah. The conquering heroes return!"
Tenya and Momo guided a nervous brunette to their table.
"Uh, hi?" said Gravity girl. "Um, why did Yaoyorozu kidnap me?"
"I'm the one who got kidnapped," Shinso contested.
Izuku held up a waggling finger. "I prefer to call it 'surprise invitation'."
"What did you do, Izuku?" Momo asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Later," he replied, waving her off. "Alright, you're probably are wondering why I called you here."
The brunette awkwardly shuffled next to Momo. "I was kind of asking, so…yeah?"
"Just wanted to use that line. Loses the effect when I don't have an office chair to spin around in."
"Izuku," Momo chided.
"Right." Standing up, Izuku reached over and held out his hand. "Since we didn't formally introduce ourselves last time, I'm Izuku Midoriya, Class 1-I."
"Ochako Uraraka," she replied, shaking his hand and taking a seat.
"A pleasure. This here is Shinso. Say hello, Shinso"
"Hi." He still looked a bit out of place, trying to figure out what was happening.
"Anyway, on to business. Ahem. There's a school project for the Management course that asks me to pick out someone either presently in the Heroics course or aspiring for the same. I basically make a write-up of your abilities and how to advertise you. Short and simple: are you cool with me building up your portfolio, and possibly helping you improve?"
Uraraka considered it for a moment. "Uh…Okay."
"What all does this entail?" Shinso asked, suspicious.
"It means I'm going to make sure you're able to get into the Heroics course before the school year is out. Preferably before mid-terms. So. In or out?"
Shinso's eyes had gone wide, but the shock soon passed. "Yeah. Sure."
Turning to Uraraka, "I have no idea what Heroics is going to be like, so I'm not going to start you until you get your feet wet. You, on the other hand…well, you're going to be doing push-ups, sit-ups, and a whole lot of running. It's going to be a mini-boot camp for you."
At this, Shinso gulped nervously.
"Hey. This is the price you pay if you want to reach Heroics."
"Okay. How do you plan on getting me transferred?"
"The idea is to either have you clean out the competition at the Sports Festival and make it clear that you're properly motivated for the requirements of the Heroics course, or you show enough combat sense and esoteric capacities for someone to ask for you specifically. No matter what, you need to show improvement. On the plus side, Eraserhead's a teacher and is fully aware of the skewed testing parameters, and your starting level is fairly low. Improvement is easy under those circumstances. Down side, you have a lot of distance to climb and cover and not a whole lot of time to accomplish that."
Uraraka watched them with chopsticks halfway up to her mouth. "Wow, you've put a lot of thought into this."
"It's what I do," Izuku replied with a shrug. "Stamina is the first thing. You were gasping for a distance shorter than a football field. Your Quirk is pretty OP under the right conditions, but there's going to be some instances where it won't necessarily work, and its offensive and defensive options are limited. You're going to be relying on your body and your mind more than anything. School helps with the mind, I can help you with the physical training. Additionally, you can talk to Momo, Tenya, or Uraraka for tips on what to focus on. Networking, yo." He smiled and turned to the rest of the table. "Speaking of, more introductions."
"Momo Yaoyorozu, of Class 1-A. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Tenya Iida, also of Class 1-A."
"Sho Hajime, Support Engineer extraordinaire and Momo's cousin. Class 1-H."
Izuku Midoriya gulped down the rest of his drink. "So, as part of our bonding experiences, what did Aizawa pull you out of the entrance ceremony for?"
"How did you know Aizawa taught here?"
"It's not really a secret. Just not widely advertised. Really, the most outstanding thing is that he basically cleaned out his Heroics class last year. Nearly got him removed from the staff, or so I heard. Caused quite a bit of fuss, as I recall."
"What?"
"For real?!"
"Quirk Apprehension Test," Momo interjected.
Izuku blinked. "Wow. Already?" Looking over to Uraraka, the brunette looked nervous. "Something eating you, kid?"
"He said he would expel the lowest score," she answered quietly, tapping her fingers together. "It was super scary." "But he said it was a 'logical ruse' to motivate us."
"Eraserhead doesn't make idle threats," said Shinso. Realizing that everyone's attention had fallen on him, he hastily composed himself and continued. "Listen: Aizawa already has a reputation for being efficient, rational, and relentless. He's not going to jerk you around for the hell of it. If he thought you were not prepared for the realities and demands of the Hero industry, he'd have kicked you out in a heartbeat."
"A fan, I take it?" Izuku asked, tilting his head and smirking.
Shinso nodded.
"You mean we just…changed his mind?" Uraraka wondered aloud.
"Probably," Izuku replied. "That, and he can't necessarily expel you – not without serious legally concerning reasons – but he can remove you from the Heroics course and swap you with the next ranking student from the practical." He snapped his fingers. "Oh, Momo. Suzuki's in my class."
Momo took a deep breath. "You didn't-"
"She wasn't shrinking away from me this time," Izuku waved off.
"That's not necessarily a good thing," Momo replied.
"Who's Suzuki?" asked Uraraka.
"Teruko Suzuki," Sho explained. "Old classmate of ours from middle-school."
"Is there a problem with her?"
"Just some bad history between them."
"I will go on record and say that she started it." Izuku answered as the bell rang overhead. "But that's a story for another time."
[IB]
Katanori Tesetsu, Hero Name: Obsidian; Quirk: Obsidian Nails (her nails are made from a material reminiscent to obsidian, and she can extend them. They also regrow quickly)
Sekijiro Kan, Hero Name: Vlad King; Quirk: Blood Control (he can manipulate his blood once it has left his body).
A/N: Some of you might remember me planning on placing Izuku in Heroics instead of Management a while back. As you can tell, after some consideration and rewrites, I have reversed this decision.
If Yaorashi could flounce off to Shiketsu despite coming in first in the recommendation exams, Izuku could shuffle to Management despite coming in first for the general admissions. Furthermore, since Izuku is staying out of the Heroics course for the immediate future, Inasa Yaorashi is slipping into the empty slot (Shiozaki has been moved to 1-A). Reasons will be explained later, though Momo is partially to thank for it.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Leave a review or PM, and remember: constructive criticism is always appreciated.