Hey y'all, back for a brief chapter. I think Carry On will return in early June- we just gotta finish up some stuff.
I know it's weird to have a crossover with a manga series you've probably never heard about, but I think Medaka Box is incredibly underrated and needs more love. Even though it sounds pompous, Medaka Box is a story about a story. It's also a manga about shonen manga. It's a story that's always talking about how it's a story.
It's stuck out to me a bit more since I saw Yuri Lowenthal and Tara Platt at a comic con near me. They referred to stories as a "TARDIS" of sorts, since we're in one, we have our own, we're in other peoples stories, etc etc.
But the biggest thing to take away is this: Medaka Box is all about how bad it is to be the main character. Yes, it can be empowering to think of yourself as the major character in your own story, but this way of thinking hurts far more than it helps in the long run.
Just some food for thought.
Anyways, here's your chapter. Here's the Discord: /cgFmXz3qJ5
Shiketsu Academy was a renowned institution for aspiring heroes, known for its impressive facilities and rigorous training programs. Located on a sprawling campus, it boasted an impressive array of training grounds, each designed to hone different skills and abilities in its students.
At the heart of the academy stood a towering clock tower, which served as both a symbol of the school's prestige and a useful landmark for navigation. The clock tower was a massive structure that dominated the skyline, visible from every corner of the campus. It was a marvel of engineering, crafted from sturdy stone and iron, with intricate clockwork mechanisms that kept time with pinpoint accuracy.
The campus itself was vast, spanning over several acres and divided into various sections. One section was dedicated to physical training, with state-of-the-art equipment and obstacle courses that pushed students to their limits. Another section was focused on combat training, with simulated battles and realistic scenarios that helped students develop their strategic thinking and tactical skills.
How was Shiketsu able to maintain such a caliber of excellence? Simple.
Egoism.
Egoism is a philosophical belief that prioritizes self-interest and personal gain over the interests and well-being of others. The focus on egoism encouraged students to be self-motivated and driven to succeed. By prioritizing their own needs and desires, students were more likely to take initiative, work hard, and strive for excellence in their training and studies. It also promoted healthy competition, the desire to constantly improve and outdo each other.
...so, why was a static character like Kumagawa attending?
Simple.
Heroism involves selflessness, bravery, sacrifice, and altruism. Hence, egoism, which values self-interest, may conflict with heroism.
To teach these kids to inflate their egos even further is...
Just spitting in the face of what it truly means to be a hero.
So, Kumagawa saw himself as something of a necessity. If you have these future heroes boost their egos to insane degrees but give them none of the humility, well, that's how you get heroes like Endeavor or Hawks. The latter was just a personal choice for the always-losing student. Something about the winged hero just didn't sit well with him. When did Hawks start up his hero agency again? When he was twenty or something?
But, the reasoning behind Kumagawa's dislike of Hawks could probably fill a chapter on its own. Getting back on track, why was Kumagawa so needed at Shiketsu? He was the one to keep the proverbial scales balanced. If they got too high and mighty, Kumagawa would waltz right up to them and knock them down a few pegs, humiliate them. Fitting, really.
However, it's important to note that while egoism may have been a driving force behind Shiketsu's success, it was likely not the only factor. The school likely had other values and principles in place to ensure that its students also learned to work collaboratively, empathize with others, and prioritize the greater good.
Kumagawa's role in this environment would have been to provide a necessary counterbalance to the egoistic tendencies of some of the students. By challenging their inflated egos and forcing them to confront their flaws and weaknesses, Kumagawa may have helped them develop a more well-rounded perspective and a deeper understanding-
PFFFFFFFFFFFT. Nah. Kumagawa was gonna destroy these kid's egos, and make them pick up the pieces themselves. Ego is nothing. It's possible that Kumagawa saw his role as not just knocking down the egos of his fellow students but also helping them build a healthier and more sustainable sense of self-confidence...but, who am I kidding. Kumagawa was an agent of chaos.
...but compared to Kumagawa's 'tough love', someone else enrolled at Shiketsu for a similar reason.
More on her later.
Kumagawa was taking the lead, walking onto that campus like he owned the place, or like he would own it. Saki was close behind him, her face buried in a map of the campus as she tried to figure out where their dorms would be.
"Ok so...clock tower there," Saki thought aloud, "Training facilities Alpha, Beta, and Delta are to the right...three more on the left. Generic studies are in the building behind the tower-"
Someone bumped into Saki from behind, almost spilling the luggage they were carrying onto her.
"Hey! Watch it! That's my stuff you almost dropped!" Kumagawa's friend yelled. Behind the two newcomers were ten other students, newcomers and older classmen alike, all carrying one of Saki's ten suitcases.
「so nice of everyone to come and help out」Kumagawa hummed. 「but do you really need all that stuff」
"I could be asking you the OPPOSITE question, Misogi." Saki frowned, looking down at Kumagawa's lone rolling suitcase. "That can't be everything you have."
「we're sharing rooms」He insisted. 「i'll hope my roomie is more prepared than i am」
"You really like to gamble, huh?" Saki frowned.
Shiketsu High School had dorms all across the campus, and first years were required to share rooms with people. No one was THRILLED but it would at least be...interesting.
"You remember which building you're staying in? Maybe we'll get lucky. Same building, different floors," Saki said, still trying to find her way, "Oh, uh, we're supposed to the generic studies building first. Apparently the dorms are in that...general area."
「are you sure you're reading that map correctly?」
"Yes! I'm just...working out putting the directions into practice..."
「you've been working on your lying skills! i almost couldn't tell!」
"I will smack you, Misogi."
「there's the banter our readers know and love」
"I will never understand what you mean by that..." Saki deadpanned.
「only one other person does and i doubt i'll meet him in any chapter coming soon. unless the writers think up a clever enough scenario, of which i'm certain they're capable of」
"...suuuuuuure."
「but to be serious for a moment, we'll be staying in the X-Cels House」Kumagawa said. 「seems like a nice place」
As Kumagawa and Saki made their way to the X-Cels House, they couldn't help but feel...weirded out by its unique and modern design. The building resembled a giant sponge, with a series of interconnected bubbles forming its exterior. The bubbles were made of a light grey material that gave the building a futuristic feel, and they were arranged in a way that created a sense of movement and fluidity.
"What sort of idiots designed this place?" Saki frowned.
「even i have to say this place looks sketchy」Kumagawa frowned. 「oh well」He picked up his suitcase and walked inside.
"Glad one of us can brush that off easily," Saki said, folding up her map and following him in, "Uh, hey, could you get the door for them? I don't think they're exactly 'there' enough to multi-task too much. You only have one case, I got ten sooooo."
「you have the ability to control more than 10 people」Kumagawa said. 「you figure it out」And then he walked off, looking for his own dorm room.
"...dick."
Inside, the rooms were surprisingly spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Each room was furnished with a bed, a desk, a chair, and a closet, and had its own private bathroom. Kumagawa's room was sparsely furnished, with just a bed, a desk, and a few shelves that could old a scattering of books and knick-knacks. The walls were painted a deep blue-grey, and there was a single large window that looked out over the campus quad.
And his roommates side of the room was...a lot. It looked like a tornado hit. His desk was cluttered with papers and notebooks, and there were several textbooks strewn about haphazardly. A few posters of his favorite heroes hung on the walls, along with some colorful artwork he had created himself. On his bed, there was a bright red comforter and a pile of pillows, and a few stuffed animals were perched on top.
「who the hell did i room with」Kumagawa muttered, as he suddenly felt someone behind him. Kumagawa turned around to see a tall, broad-shouldered young man with short black hair and a wide grin on his face.
"Hey! You must be my new roommate! I'm Inasa," he said, extending a hand for Kumagawa to shake.
「oh i know you. you're the one everyone says dropped their application from u.a. despite getting in on recommendations. may i ask why?」
"...how do you know that?" Inasa asked, genuinely confused. "I just got here."
「i have an approximate knowledge of many things」Kumagawa said.
"Oh! Huh, well, should be interesting then!"
「misogi kumagawa」Kumagawa said, finally shaking Inasa's hand. 「nice to meet you」
"So pumped for this year!" Inasa admitted, as he followed Kumagawa inside.
Kumagawa raised an eyebrow at Inasa's enthusiastic response, finding it a bit overwhelming for his taste. 「don't expect me to join in on any of your overly-excited antics」He replied with a small smirk.
Inasa laughed, seemingly unfazed by Kumagawa's lack of enthusiasm. "No worries, I'm used to being the hype man," he said, looking around the room. "So, what do you think? It's not much, but we can make it work!"
Kumagawa shrugged. 「as long as i have a place to sleep and study, i don't really care what it looks like」 he said, walking over to his bed and tossing his backpack onto it. 「feel free to decorate your side however you want. including my side」
Inasa grinned. "Awesome, I already have so many ideas!" he said, pulling out a stack of posters and some tape from his bag. "I hope you don't mind if I go a little crazy with the decorations."
「have fun with it」
"Great!" Inasa said as he got to work. Most of the posters he had were of the Pros. Thankfully, no Endeavor posters so that was a plus in Kumagawa's book. All Might was there, but that was a given. Other heroes now plastered on the room's walls were newcomer Kamui Woods, Edgeshot, Gang Orca, and...
「may i ask...why hawks?」
Inasa looked up from where he was taping up a poster of Hawks to the wall. "Why not Hawks? He's one of the best heroes out there!"
Kumagawa took a closer look at the Hawk poster, noticing the hero's smug expression. 「he's got a bit of an ego, don't you think?」 he commented.
Inasa just shrugged, undeterred by Kumagawa's critique. "I mean, he's one of the top heroes, so I guess he's earned the right to be a little full of himself," he said. "But hey, to each their own, right? I just think he's really cool."
Kumagawa rolled his eyes, but didn't press the matter further. It wasn't worth arguing over someone's taste in heroes. Instead, he began to unpack his own things and set up his small collection of books on the shelves.
"If you're wonder, he's not even in the top ten favorites for me though, Inasa added.
「really? so then who is? and you can't say all might. too obvious.」
"Well, Kamui Woods and Gang Orca are pretty up there."
「fair enough. i heard he's teaching at UA」
Inasa paused. "...really. That so?"
「according to the story, yeah」
Inasa took a deep breath. "Well, hopefully that goes REALLY well for UA!"
「hopefully」Kumagawa said. Now, Kumagawa didn't always need to break the fourth wall. Here, he could just put his skills of reading people to work. Something about that seemed to not sit well with his overly enthusiastic roommate. Definitely sounded like he didn't know about Gang Orca's job. A little regret perhaps?
「so, what's your plan for tonight? Any big welcome events happening on campus」
Inasa's face lit up at the question. "Actually, there's a big ceremony happening over at the school!" he said excitedly. "We'll be getting our hats and everything! Are you coming?"
Kumagawa hesitated for a moment. Parties were never really his scene, but he didn't want to come across as a buzzkill to his new roommate. 「i guess」
"Great! What time is it?" Inasa asked.
「about...9 am」
"Great! Ceremony doesn't start until 3! Plenty of time! Or...was it six. Either way!"
「...yay」
"...do you want me to decorate your side of the room too?"
Kumagawa paused.
「knock yourself out」
"Ok, then who's your favorite hero? And just like me, you can't use All Might. Too obvious!" Inasa smirked.
"Sooo, who's your favorite hero?" Inasa asked.
「sir nighteye」
"Huh?" Inasa said. "His sidekick? Why him?"
「well, for starters, he wasn't just a sidekick. sir nighteye is a legendary hero in his own right, with incredible foresight and intelligence. i admire his dedication, his integrity, and his unwavering commitment to his ideals」
"Well, it checks out. He went here too!" Inasa said.
「is that so? i didn't know」
"Ha! You're kinda weird."
「not the first time i've heard that, doubt it'll be the last」
"How about after we finish decorating this place, we introduce ourselves to everyone else?"
「sounds perfectly nice to me」Kumagawa smiled.
Of course, introductions could be saved for two people.
Saki stood off to the side as she let her "drones" do the heavy lifting. Some of them were told to just leave the suitcases against the wall, while others were told to completely unpack them.
"Ok, ok...everything's good...oh, hey, if you don't have a suitcase, you can go. Control'll fade eventually." Saki said.
The drones bumped into things as they walked out. Saki shook her head, as she began to unpack her clothes. As Saki continued to unpack, she heard the sound of the dorm room door opening. She turned around to see a girl walk in, carrying a large box.
"Ah, here we are." A voice said. "Set the boxes down there, Zenkichi."
"Why did you bring so much crap!?" The voice belonging to Zenkichi huffed. "My back hurts from carrying all this...I dunno if it'll even fit in here."
Saki looked up from her suitcase to see the girl and her companion enter the room. The girl was tall and elegant, with long, flowing blue hair and a regal posture. Saki couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated by her presence. The blonde boy with her, on the other hand, looked more frazzled and annoyed, carrying a large box and grumbling under his breath.
The girl locked eyes with Saki. "Oh! Saki Sukinaki, correct?" The girl asked.
Saki nodded. "Uh, yeah."
"Medaka Kurokami! A pleasure to meet you!" Medaka greeted with a friendly smile.
"Y-yeah. Same to you," Saki said, still very much intimidated by her, even if she was coming off as friendly, "Does uh...does your friend need help with that?"
"I'm fine..." Zenkichi huffed, setting the box down on the ground. He huffed. "Medaka. It's a dorm. You don't need to bring your entire house with you."
Medaka just shrugged. "I like to be prepared for anything."
Saki picked up on a weird vibe almost immediately from Medaka. It was like...the direct opposite of whatever Kumagawa gave off. A warm and welcoming one.
"Well, I'm sure you'll find a way to make everything fit," Saki said, trying to make small talk.
"You don't have any decorations you want to set up do you?" Medaka asked.
"Uh...nothing too crazy," Saki admitted, "Just a few desk things, some books...most of this is clothes and a few other uh...let's just call 'em card trick supplies."
Medaka's eyes lit up. "Oooh! Card tricks. May I try some?"
Saki raised an eye. "Uh, sure." She pressed her hands together, and made Medaka a full deck of cards. "Go crazy."
Medaka took the deck of cards and began to shuffle them, moving her hands in a blur of motion. Saki's eyes widened as she watched in amazement. She had seen card tricks before, but nothing like this.
Medaka started to manipulate the cards with an incredible level of skill, executing one flashy move after another. She twirled them between her fingers, flipped them into the air, and even made them vanish and reappear in impossible places.
Saki couldn't help but stare in awe as Medaka continued to show off her incredible cardistry skills. The sound of the cards being manipulated filled the room, and Saki couldn't help but smile at how much fun Medaka seemed to be having.
As the display came to an end, Medaka looked up at Saki with a big grin. Saki had her jaw agape.
"I-it took my years to learn how to do all that stuff!" Saki said. "How long have you been practicing?"
"Oh, that was all free-styling." Medaka smiled.
"...I'm sorry, I must have zoned out for a micro-second," Saki said, shaking her head, "Did you just say that was all free-style? No practice? Whatsoever?"
"Precisely!"
If Saki's mental state was a computer, it would be blue-screening right now.
"Don't break their minds before the first day, Medaka." Zenkichi huffed.
"But she offered it..." Medaka pouted.
Saki just stood there, trying to process what she had just witnessed. It was clear to her that Medaka was not an ordinary girl, and she wasn't entirely sure what to make of her new roommate.
"R-right." Saki said, clearing her throat.
"My sincerest apologies!" Medaka said, bowing her head.
"I-i mean...it's fine just...maybe you have a hidden talent for it?" Saki suggested.
"She has a lot of hidden talents then," Zenkichi said.
Saki huffed. "Is that your quirk or something?"
Medaka grinned. "You could say that."
Saki's eyes darted over to Zenkichi. "What about you, cool guy? What's your story?"
Zenkichi shrugged. "I'm just a regular guy. Just trying to fit in."
"That's...that's it?" Saki asked.
"Yeah. Why, what were you expecting?"
"I...I dunno. Something? Tragic, epic, something more to your backstory than just 'regular guy.'"
Zenkichi frowned. "...I'm gonna go set up my room now." He frowned, stomping off.
"Don't mind him." Medaka said. "He's very friendly when he warms up to people."
"Uh-huh...kinda felt like that was more of a 'I said something wrong' situation honestly," Saki admitted. She really was expecting there to be a bit more to him than just "regular guy." Everyone had something more than that, no one was just regular.
"Zenkichi's just someone who needs to work harder than most." Medaka said. "But don't worry. I admire his determination."
"Why's that? Not the admiration. Why does he have to work harder?" Saki tilted her head in curiosity.
"His quirk is purely 'supportive'." Medaka explained. "Meaning he doesn't really have a super powerful quirk to back himself up with. He has to rely on his body to carry him through...if he went to UA, I doubt he'd make it into the hero course."
"What is his Quirk then?"
"Sorry. No spoilers here~" Medaka grinned. "I can't tell a story and show it, you know." She turned around to start unpacking.
"Jeez. You and Kumagawa would get along with each other nicely- he also loves dropping cryptic stuff like-" Saki said.
"...Kumagawa?" Medaka repeated.
Saki paused. "Yeah. Do you...?"
Medaka paused. "...Hm. So he's here now, is he?"
"Huh?"
"Nothing you need to worry about. How do you know him?" Medaka asked, turning the question around on Saki.
"We attended school together last year," Saki said. "I guess we're best friends? I dunno. He's weird, and all we did was train together."
Medaka hummed. "Best friends, huh?"
"Like I said, I guess we are," Saki shrugged, "Hard to really put into words."
Medaka took a deep breath. "That's a good way to describe him."
"Did...he attend your junior high at some point?" Saki asked.
"...it's complicated." Medaka said.
"Yeah, that's fair," Saki said. Complicated and "hard to put into words" just described Kumagawa down to a t. Maybe she knew the whole "author, audience" thing he always talked about…
Sometime before the opening ceremony, Medaka took it upon herself to hold the first Class 13 meeting. She didn't want to wait for the official orientation and thought it would be a good idea to get to know her classmates beforehand.
"Alright everyone, welcome!" Medaka said as she stood at the head of the main room, her forceful personality on full display. "Hello, everyone! I thought it would be good for us to hold a meeting before the opening ceremony. We are all in Class 13, and it is important that we work together to make our time here a success!"
There were murmurs of agreement from most of the students, but Kumagawa just rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Hey." Saki said. "She's my roommate...do you know her?"
Kumagawa hummed. 「yes i do. it seems like she hasn't changed in the slightest」His lips curled into a smile. 「might as well say hello」
Medaka spotted Kumagawa in the back of the room, looking as...Kumagawa as ever. Zenkichi raised an eyebrow, and looked behind him. His eyebrows went up as he saw Kumagawa.
Ah, hell...he's here too. Zenkichi frowned.
"Maybe one day you can actually explain this...cause she acted just as weird when I asked her about it," Saki said.
「i wouldn't be so sure on that, but hold onto that if you want」Kumagawa chuckled a bit.
Medaka continued with her introduction, detailing her plans for the class and how they could all work together to achieve success. However, her speech was interrupted by a loud voice.
"HELLO, EVERYONE!" Inasa yelled out. The boy was just too damn excited. "I just wanted to say how excited I am to start classes! I can't wait to learn all about our quirks and how we can use them to be heroes!"
There were a few awkward murmurs from the other students, but Inasa didn't seem to notice.
「that's my roommate」Kumagawa muttered.
"Oh boy." Saki said.
"Excuse me! Mr. Yoarashi, was it?" Medaka said politely. "Please refrain from any outbursts before I finish my speech."
"OH!" Inasa yelled. He bowed his head into the ground. "I'M SO SORRY!"
"...what is with this class and all the weirdos?" A bespectacled girl with brown hair done up in a blue bow muttered.
A boy with pink hair chuckled. "Maybe it's just fate bringing us all together."
"Ugh." Another boy with a boxhead sighed.
"Well...I guess we can at least say this won't be boring?" Saki asked.
"That's the last thing I'd want this to be!" A girl with blue and pink hair, some of it tied up into "horns" said.
"To enjoy what one loves to do". Those words come easily from the mouth. But it's another thing to help them grow," Medaka said, pausing for a moment before continuing. "We are all here because we want to be heroes. We want to make a difference, to help people, to save lives. But it's not just about having a powerful quirk or the desire to do good. It's about hard work, dedication, and learning how to use our quirks to their fullest potential. And that's where we come in as classmates. We can help each other grow, learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses, and push each other to be the best we can be. So let's work together, as a team, to become the greatest heroes we can be!"
The other students listened to Medaka's words, some more intently than others. Kumagawa was still looking bored, while Inasa was nodding his head enthusiastically. Saki was somewhere in between, not sure what to make of Medaka's grandiose speech.
So, trying to win them over already, huh? Zenkichi thought, shaking his head with a light smirk. You're crazy, Medaka...but I can respect it.
"Thank you for letting me take up this small bit of time before the ceremony starts! I'm sure you all have some last minute things to attend to...or if not, then just thank you, anyway!" Medaka capped off her speech.
"That's it?" the pink-and-blue haired girl asked sheepishly. Not really offended, just a little bit shocked. She was on a roll there!
"Well, I think that's enough for now," Medaka said with a smile.
And then her eyes locked with Kumagawa's.
Kumagawa just stared back at her, his usual sardonic grin in place. 「what」 he asked, his tone laced with amusement.
"Misogi Kumagawa..." Medaka frowned.
「no, that's not right」 Kumagawa teased. 「younger twin brother. kumagawa yuki」
Medaka sighed. "Oh, really?"
「nope. i lied. gotcha, didn't i? you were right on the first try」 Kumagawa said.
"Lying as always, are we?" Medaka said, crossing her arms.
Woah. These two really do have a history. Saki thought.
「a rousing speech as always. always need to bring that morale up don't we?」Kumagawa asked.
"Of course," Medaka said, "Morale's important, especially at the start of a new semester."
「and is that another medaka fact or did you read that somewhere? about morale being important for the start of a school year?」
"I mean...she's kinda right," Saki muttered.
「not now saki」
"So, Kumagawa, what do you have to say for yourself?" Medaka asked, still with her arms crossed.
Kumagawa shrugged. 「not much to say, really. just here to see what all the fuss is about.」
"...so, you have nothing to say to me?" Medaka said. "I've waited a long time for this reunion."
「huh」 Kumagawa said. 「you want me to say something? ok」
Medaka leaned in.
「something」
Zenkichi rolled his eyes. "Seriously..." Kumagawa's eyes drifted over to him.
「oh, so you're here too?」
Zenkichi nodded. "Yeah, I'm in this class too."
「i'm shocked! i can't say i'm not proud of you」
"That means peanuts to me." Zenkichi said, all cooly.
Saki frowned. How was that a cool thing to say?
The little argument between didn't go unnoticed, though. Several of the other students couldn't help but listen in, including the box-headed kid, the "horned" goth girl, and a kid who was pretty silent and...well, had a blank, black face save for two white, pupil-less eyes. Honestly, the look would've been a little creepy if he couldn't emote.
「oh fun. means i can just start calling you the peanut gallery」Kumagawa joked.
"That's not funny," Zenkichi deadpanned.
「it is to me. plus, my sense of humor shifts so often lately, so you can't really blame me there 」
"Why'd you even come here?" Zenkichi frowned. "Don't tell me you're still on about that."
「i am」Kumagawa said.
"Buddy, with your standards, no one is gonna fit into hero society. I'm sorry there's some bad eggs here and there, but...you can't do anything about it by knocking down someone else." Zenkichi said.
He knows about that? Saki thought.
Kumagawa's grin turned into a sneer. 「you don't get it, do you? it's not about knocking anyone down. it's about finding those who are truly worthy and have the right mindset to be heroes. people who don't just rely on their quirks, but are willing to put in the work and the effort to become great heroes」
"But you can't just judge someone based on their quirks and how they use them," Medaka spoke up. "There's more to being a hero than just that. It's about the choices you make, the sacrifices you're willing to make, and the willingness to help others."
Kumagawa scoffed. 「easy for you to say, with your superhuman abilities. but not everyone is born with such potential. for the rest of us, we need to work harder just to keep up. And that's why it's important to have high standards. to weed out the weak and the unworthy...you know what i mean, don't you...Zenkichi?」
The mood in the room turned frigid.
Saki hadn't really said a word the entire time, unable to say anything due to the back and forth. Now, she was too scared to speak. It was like Kumagawa had just verbally armed a bomb and the four of them were waiting for it to go off in the tense silence. Zenkichi glared daggers at Kumagawa, who continued to have a smug grin on his face. It felt like, at any moment, Zenkichi would just punch his classmate in the face.
That'd be a way to start off the new semester, wouldn't it? Introduce yourself, hear an inspiring speech...and then watch two of the newcomers get into a bloody fight.
"Listen, Kumagawa," Zenkichi said, his voice low and dangerous. "You may have your own ideals and beliefs, but that doesn't give you the right to belittle others and their potential. I'm here to prove myself, just like you. If you seriously think you can break me just because my quirk doesn't fit into your little 'box' of what makes a hero...then you're mistaken."
Zenkichi turned to leave. "I don't need your approval or validation to be a hero. I'll make my own path and prove to myself and others that I have what it takes."
...that line was cooler than his peanuts line. Saki thought.
Kumagawa sighed. 「if i said that to him two years ago, he would've cracked...but now here he is, standing all tall and mighty」
A small smile formed on his lips. 「maybe he'll be a half decent hero after all」
"Still the same as ever, I see," Medaka sighed. This was...really the first time Saki had seen the girl without some hint of enthusiasm in her voice.
「why wouldn't I be? No need to change...yet, anyway. but we'll see how the rest of the semester goes, won't we? 」
Medaka let out a small sigh. "I suppose we will. But Kumagawa, if you're going to be part of this class, you need to learn to work with others and respect their abilities."
Kumagawa shrugged. 「sure, sure. i'll try my best to get along with everyone. just don't expect me to lower my standards 」
Medaka nodded, seeming to accept that as the best she could get out of Kumagawa for now. She walked off, and Kumagawa hummed. He couldn't deny that Shiketsu was perfect for her, considering her egoism and the way she always needed to be at the top. But despite their complex relationship, there was a part of him that still hated her for always being better than him, for always being the one he couldn't defeat or break...
At the same time, however, he couldn't deny that he also idolized her in a way. His biggest wish was to defeat her and prove himself better. He couldn't help but respect her strength and tenacity, even as he despised her for it. It was a strange mixture of animosity, respect, and a desire to understand each other...
A few hours later, the ceremony was a few minutes away from starting. Students had filed into the main auditorium in one of the school's buildings, taking their seats and taking note of some of the Pros that were there. Just from a glance, people could see The Invincible Hero: Champion, The Defender Hero: Arclight and The Hazard Hero: Gasmask.
Saki sat next to Kumagawa, feeling a little nervous about the upcoming ceremony. This was her chance to prove herself and show that she had what it takes to become a hero. She looked around the auditorium, taking note of the other freshmen and the Pros in attendance.
Kumagawa seemed lost in thought, his eyes focused on the stage. Saki wondered what was going through his mind, but decided not to pry. She looked back to the stage, where the headmaster of Shiketsu High School was just starting his speech.
The headmaster, Hakama Shiranui, was an elderly man with a wrinkled visage, white hair, beard, and blue eyes. He wore a purple hakama beneath a golden vest with two red stripes.
"Good evening, Shiketsu students and esteemed Pros," Hakama began, his voice strong and commanding. "Today marks the beginning of a new era, the dawn of a new generation of heroes. As you sit here, surrounded by your peers, I urge you to reflect on what it truly means to be a hero. A hero is not someone who is born with superhuman abilities or a special quirk. No, greatness is not given, it is earned. A hero is someone who dedicates themselves to the service of others, who puts their own lives on the line to protect those who cannot protect themselves..."
Kumagawa noted how strange it was that the principal added that line.
"Each and every one of you sitting here today has the potential to be a hero. But it is up to you to make that potential a reality. You must work hard, day in and day out, to hone your skills, to develop your quirk, to become the best version of yourself."
Kumagawa must've been the only one who thought it strange though, no one else really seemed to react to it from what he could tell.
"Now, there is something else I wish to announce before we get into the rest of the ceremony," Hakama continued, "We will be hosting a very, very special guest teacher this year, as part of an exchange program with our fellow Pros in the west."
That caught everyone's attention. Even a few of the other Pros seemed interested. Arclight, better known as Jaune Arc, was aware of the exchange program, but not of just who was being hosted.
"It is with great honor that I would like to introduce to you your new teacher, the Number 1 Pro Hero of the United States, Star and Stripe!" Hakama added and the minute those three words left his mouth, the student body went into complete shock, even Kumagawa. If there was a 1 Pro just as renowned as All Might himself, if not more so, it was her.
"No way!" Saki said, standing up in her seat. It was really her! The rest of the students in the auditorium were equally stunned, some even letting out gasps of disbelief. Kumagawa...felt something odd.
As the doors to the auditorium opened and the guest teacher entered, Saki couldn't help but be impressed by her presence. Star and Stripe was a tall woman with a well-muscled build. She had elegant facial features, narrow eyes, and long flowing blonde hair with eight distinct tufts swept backward and fashioned in a similar manner to the ones All Might possessed. Her hero costume was a high-collared skin-tight bodysuit with shoulder pads, boots and gauntlets. Fitting to her home country and hero name, the upper torso was decorated in stripes, and her gauntlets and collar are studded with metal stars. Completing the outfit was a long, striped cape that resembles of the U.S. flag.
The students erupted into applause as Star and Stripe made her way to the stage, her expression calm and collected despite the excitement of the crowd. She took her place next to the headmaster, and the room quieted down once more.
"Thank you, Headmaster Shiranui, for your kind introduction," Star and Stripe began, her voice ringing clear and strong. "It is an honor to be here at Shiketsu High School, and I am excited to work with all of you this year! Now, I understand that many of you are just starting out on your hero journeys, and that can be a daunting task! But fear not! You are not alone in this endeavor! I AM HERE!"
Kumagawa watched as Star and Stripe spoke, her presence commanding respect and admiration from everyone in the room. Despite himself, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. She was the embodiment of everything a hero should be, powerful, confident, and beloved by all...
"Did you know about this?" Jaune whispered to Champion, better known as Pyrrha Nikos.
"Mmm, maybe," Pyrrha admitted with a smirk.
"And you didn't tell me?"
"The headmaster wanted it to be a surprise," the red-headed warrior chuckled a bit.
"Does...does Ben know she's here?" Jaune asked.
"I'd assume so. You know how tight knit Yang is with Star." Pyrrha said. "I'm sure she blabbed at some point."
"True," Jaune smirked, "Hopefully Hakama's got the right insurance in case Yang drops by and they have one of their arm-wrestling matches again."
"The last one wasn't that bad," Pyrrha tried to hand-wave the comment.
"...pretty sure Star got in trouble with Agpar for that one, though."
"Oh, he was exaggerating." Pyrrha sighed.
"They ruined an aircraft." Jaune frowned.
"...at least it wasn't like her arm wrestling contest with Nora." Pyrrha shivered.
"The world would end if all three of them tried something," Jaune added.
"...what are you talking about?" Gasmask rasped. He couldn't help but overhear the conversation.
"Nothing, nothing! Friendships and...what not." Jaune said.
"Oh, yeah. I forget you're in Tennyson's clique." Gasmask sighed. "You met her before?"
"Here and there. We've never worked together or anything like that." Jaune said. "But she's pretty crazy. Ben has yet to even take her down in a fight."
"Can't blame him. With a quirk like hers?" Gasmask scoffed. "Any battle becomes a joke."
"It would've made Evernight so much easier," Jaune admitted.
"Years ago, All Might saved my life- and he was a rookie back then too! No one even knew the phrase 'Symbol of Peace'." Star went on. "The man spread his influence like wildfire! He encouraged thousands of heroes, like myself! And today...I want to return the favor! SO COME ON SHIKETSU! MAKE SOME NOISE!"
The entire student body practically erupted in cheers and applause. Saki even saw Medaka and Kumagawa adding their own respective cheers and applause to the chorus. Guess the "humbling presence" that Kumagawa thought of himself as wasn't immune to inspirational speeches after all. She would hold this over him, if she wasn't afraid of him bringing out one of those screws. Or maybe he wouldn't, but she preferred to act on the side of the caution.
On the stage, Hakama took a box off of a stack that was positioned neatly next to the podium and took off the lid. Inside were the trademark of the academy, those military-like hats.
"I take it you'll want to-" Hakama began.
"How many are in each box?" Star and Stripe asked.
"Well...56, and it'll be divided into-"
"Perfect!" Star and Stripe didn't even let the headmaster finish the sentence before she went and grabbed all of the hats in the box. She then tossed the hats out towards the crowd and managed to have them land perfectly on each student's head. Some needed a bit of an adjustment, but hey, they still found their marks. She did that for all 56 of the first year students, too. Kumagawa's hat landed on him backwards so he had to adjust that real quick. Not a major one, but he'll count that as a loss anyway.
"No way!" Inasa said, fixing his cap. "Star and Stripe just gave us our caps! THAT'S AWESOME!"
Pyrrha hummed. "She treats her quirk so casually." Pyrrha said. "It's like she doesn't even register it as an overpowered ability."
"She's showing off in the little ways right now," Jaune said, "I mean, remember the fireworks display that one time?"
"Where Yang had to throw one of the rockets into the air because if misfired? Yes."
"...I will never understand you people," Gasmask deadpanned.
"Not the first time we've heard that," Jaune chuckled.
Gasmask rolled his eyes. "So. You got lumped with the freshmen this year?"
"Don't say that." Pyrrha frowned. "They may be new to the school, but they are still students who deserve our attention and guidance. Plus, teaching the basics is important for building a strong foundation for their future studies."
Gasmask shrugged. "I think the best way to teach them is to throw them into the fire, and let them learn from there."
"Bit harsh, don't you think?" Jaune asked.
"Not really. After all, isn't that how you two got to where you are? Before the whole...witch thing?"
"We were trained beforehand." Pyrrha said. "And then overseen by the military and..." Pyrrha trailed off. "Things happened."
"UA only accepts those with powerful quirks into the Hero Course- Shiketsu, however, accepts all quirks into their Hero Course." Gasmask said. "That sort of thinking could pave the way for our future."
"Something we can agree on there, at least," Jaune said. Gasmask was...well, "toxic" wasn't the right word to use, but approachable he was not. Maybe it was just the environments he worked in influencing his personality to be a bit rough on the edges lets call it. Gasmask was the guy to call in for any rescue where normal rescue teams wouldn't cut. Chemical spills or radiation leaks where were he performed his rescue, giving people clear air with his Quirk.
He also excelled in dirty tactics- he had the most impressive takedowns of any Shiketsu teacher, including Pyrrha. Gasmask...was an interesting fellow.
Kumagawa adjusted his hat, and turned to Saki. 「how do i look」
"Like a Shiketsu student." Saki shrugged.
「good, that's what i'm going for」Kumagawa said.
"So, what the hell was up with you and Medaka and that blonde dude?" Saki asked.
「we have a...long and complicated history」
"To say the least. Look if you wanna talk somewhere more private we can, but I'd very much like to know since I have to share a room with one of them."
「oh that's right...medaka's your roommate. well best get the awkwardness out of the way for you」
"A-awkwardness!? You're the one who said all that weird shit. I get your mission, but still." Saki said.
「some people think there's potential in everybody」Kumagawa sighed. 「and they could be right, but are you willing to risk it on someone so fragile? do you think everyone can be really, truly saved?」
"She did, I'm guessing? And you're not the biggest fan?" Saki surmised.
「medaka sees the best in people」Kumagawa said, watching her proudly show off her cap to Zenkichi. 「even me. but I don't think everyone can be saved. some people are beyond redemption or help, and it's not worth our time and effort to try and save them」
Saki nodded slowly. "I get what you're saying. But Medaka seems to believe in the power of friendship and all that crap. Maybe she's onto something."
「could be」Kumagawa hummed. 「she has her own way of making everyone love her…」
"Don't think I didn't see you out there!" Inasa said as soon as Kumagawa got back to the two's shared dorm. The sudden announcement actually caught Kumagawa off guard, making him jump a bit. From his perspective, the room was empty and then Inasa just jumped out of nowhere.
「where did you-?!」
"Don't worry about that! I saw you applauding when Star and Stripe gave that speech! I knew you had some energy in ya!"
「oh...oh that's all, is it?」
"Yeah!" Inasa said. "I'm so freakin' pumped now! Shiketsu's awesome! With Star and Stripe here, I think I'll be at the top of my A-Game!"
Kumagawa blinked. 「huh」
"What?"
「sorry, just...usually when i make a first impression-」
"Oh, that?" Inasa said. "That whole thing with Kurokami? Eh!"
「eh?」
"Yeah. What were you expecting something more...I dunno, negative?"
「i don't even know if you're physically capable of negativity」
"I AM! But it's a very select thing!"
Kumagawa chuckled. 「maybe i misjudged you, inasa...」
"I get that a lot!"
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