[btw, retconned Tetsutetsu's name as I don't think it's very appealing to read his name multiple times a chapter. And if you guys didn't notice, I added a third year student to 1-B, Juzo Honenuki.]
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He was back in the class yet again, sitting in his seat, resting his jaw on his palm as he stared out the window. It was a sunny day, and the sun's glare burned his eyes a bit, but he didn't blink.
The sounds were just muted out, as he stared simply, bored and grim.
"Hayashi. Hayashiii... Hayashi!" Tetsuji repeated, snapping him out of his trance.
Kazuki turned to him, blinking slowly; his eyes were watering. "Tetsuji... what happened?" he asked.
Tetsuji scoffed playfully, "It's morning, dude. Why are you so dull?" he asked, slapping him on his back, laughing it off.
Kazuki jerked forward a bit, still not completely out of that trance. "Yeah, yeah, I... didn't have enough sleep last night," he explained.
"Oh... then you should try to get some sleep before our homeroom teacher comes, then," he suggested, understanding.
"Alright, just wake me up when he comes, okay?" he asked him.
Tetsuji grinned as he pointed to himself, "Just leave it to me!" he said, excitedly.
Kazuki was still a bit awkward with Tetsuji's hyperactive and loud personality; his previous friends weren't like this.
"Thanks, bro," he said, nodding slightly.
He dropped down onto the desk, falling asleep instantly. Tetsuji flinched a bit, looking at him, abruptly dropping down, "Damn... when did he sleep for him to sleep that fast?"
Kendo was on the opposite corner of the room, taking slight glances at him.
And the pale boy, Honenuki, was dozing off too.
The classroom door didn't slam open this time. It slid open smoothly, and Vlad King walked in, looking all tough and rude.
His gaze lingered for half a second on Kazuki's sleeping form before moving on.
"Kondo."
Tetsuji jumped in his seat. "Y-Yes, sensei!"
"Wake him up."
"Oh, uh—" Tetsuji turned and shook Kazuki's shoulder. "Dude. Hayashi. Wake up."
Kazuki's eyes opened instantly, no grogginess, just immediate awareness. He sat up straight, blinking once before his gaze focused on Vlad King at the front of the room.
"Hayashi," Vlad King said, voice flat. "Sleeping in my class already?"
"No, sensei. I was awake before you entered."
It was technically true. Vlad King's expression didn't change, but something in his eyes suggested he knew exactly what Kazuki was doing.
"See me after class."
"Yes, sensei."
The room stayed silent. A few students glanced at Kazuki with sympathy. Getting called out by Vlad King on day two wasn't a good look.
Kazuki kept his expression neutral. He'd expected consequences. That was fine.
"Today we're doing something different," Vlad King announced, turning to write on the board. "Combat assessment."
Excited whispers rippled through the class.
"Pair up. You'll be sparring with Quirks allowed, but there are rules." He turned back to face them. "No lethal force. No permanent damage. If I say stop, you stop immediately. Break these rules and you're expelled."
"We here at U.A. take the job of students' safety very seriously, and a hero who can't take care of his allies is not suitable to be a hero, got it?" he asked.
The whispers died instantly.
"This isn't about winning. It's about control, decision-making under pressure, and understanding your limitations." He pulled out his tablet. "I'm pairing you based on yesterday's rankings. Similar skill levels fight each other first."
Kazuki felt several eyes turn toward him. First place meant he'd be fighting second place.
"Hayashi and Honenuki. You're first."
The pale boy, Honenuki Juzo, looked up from his desk. He'd been half-asleep a moment ago, but now his eyes were sharp and focused. He stood slowly, stretching his arms above his head.
"Finally something interesting," Honenuki said, his voice surprisingly relaxed for someone about to fight.
Kazuki stood and grabbed his gym uniform from his bag. The class filed out toward the training grounds.
In the locker room, Tetsuji caught up to him.
"Yo, you nervous?"
"No."
"Honenuki's Quirk is pretty strong, you know. He can soften anything he touches. Ground, walls, even people if he gets close enough."
Kazuki pulled his shirt on. "I know."
"Just saying, if he softens the ground under you, your wind won't help much if you're sinking."
"I know," Kazuki repeated, but this time he looked at Tetsuji. "Thanks, though."
Tetsuji grinned. "No problem, man. Just don't lose too fast. I want to see what you can really do."
The class formed a loose circle around a marked combat zone.
"Standard match rules," Vlad King called out. "Fight until one person can't continue, surrenders, or I call it. Both fighters start at opposite ends. You have thirty seconds to strategize."
Kazuki walked to his starting position. Honenuki moved to the opposite end, hands in his pockets, looking completely at ease.
The wind was calm today. Barely a breeze. Kazuki liked it when it was calm and peaceful.
He ran through the matchup in his head. Honenuki's Quirk, Softening, could turn solid matter into something like quicksand. Close-range fighter with a devastating grappling ability. Weakness: range. If Kazuki kept his distance and controlled the field, this should be straightforward.
"Begin!"
Kazuki moved immediately.
He created a low-pressure zone and launched himself backward, gaining distance. At the same time, he sent a compressed air blade toward Honenuki- not to hurt him seriously, just to test his reaction speed.
Honenuki sidestepped lazily, then touched the ground.
The concrete rippled like water. Then it started flowing toward Kazuki in a wave.
Honenuki was using his Quirk offensively. He could understand the abilities of his quirk well.
He was right. Sustained flight drained too much energy. Kazuki needed to land eventually.
He descended quickly, but not where Honenuki expected. He used the wind to curve his trajectory mid-air, landing on top of a concrete structure to the left.
The moment his feet touched down, Honenuki softened the building.
Kazuki felt it give way beneath him and immediately launched himself off, using a burst of compressed air. He landed on solid ground twenty meters away, already moving.
Honenuki was good. Really good.
Kazuki stopped running and planted his feet. He raised both hands and pulled.
The wind responded instantly. A massive gust formed around Honenuki, swirling inward from all directions. Not strong enough to hurt him, but strong enough to pin him in place, limit his movement.
Honenuki tried to step forward, but the wind resistance was too strong.
He touched the ground again, softening it, and started sinking into it.
Smart.
But Kazuki had expected that.
He compressed the air above Honenuki and released it downward in a focused column. The pressure slammed into him from above, driving him deeper into the softened ground he'd created.
Honenuki grunted, struggling. His arms were trapped now, sunk too deep to reach anything new to soften.
"Stop,"
"Stop," Vlad King's voice cut through the field.
The wind died instantly. Kazuki lowered his hands.
Honenuki pulled himself out of the ground slowly, covered in dirt and concrete dust. He was breathing hard but grinning.
"Damn. That was pretty good."
Kazuki walked over and offered his hand. Honenuki took it, and Kazuki pulled him up.
"You too," Kazuki said. "Your control is impressive."
"Thanks, man." Honenuki brushed dirt off his gym uniform. "Though I think you were holding back."
Kazuki didn't respond to that. He just gave a slight nod.
"Winner: Hayashi," Vlad King announced. "Both of you showed good tactical thinking. Honenuki, work on your speed. Hayashi, you rely too much on distance. What happens when you're in close quarters with no room to maneuver? Think about it. Next pair."
Kazuki returned to the edge of the combat zone. Students were talking, some looking at him differently now.
"Kendo Itsuka and Shiozaki Ibara," Vlad King called out.
A girl with long, vine-like green hair stood up. Kazuki recognized her from class. She always sat near the front and had a quiet, almost serene presence. Her hair moved slightly even when there was no wind, like it had a life of its own.
Kendo stepped forward, already looking focused. She enlarged her hands slightly, testing her Quirk.
"Begin!"
Shiozaki's vines shot forward immediately, faster than Kazuki expected.
Kendo jumped back and slammed her enlarged fists into the ground, using the impact to propel herself sideways. She was fast for someone her size.
More vines came.
Chapter Continuation
"Stop," Vlad King's voice cut through the field.
The wind died instantly. Kazuki lowered his hands.
Honenuki pulled himself out of the ground slowly, covered in dirt and concrete dust. He was breathing hard but grinning.
"Damn. That was pretty good."
Kazuki walked over and offered his hand. Honenuki took it, and Kazuki pulled him up.
"You too," Kazuki said. "Your control is impressive."
"Thanks, man." Honenuki brushed dirt off his gym uniform. "Though I think you were holding back."
Kazuki didn't respond to that. He just gave a slight nod.
"Winner: Hayashi," Vlad King announced. "Both of you showed good tactical thinking. Honenuki, work on your speed. Hayashi, you rely too much on distance. What happens when you're in close quarters with no room to maneuver? Think about it. Next pair."
Kazuki returned to the edge of the combat zone. Students were talking, some looking at him differently now.
"Kendo Itsuka and Shiozaki Ibara," Vlad King called out.
A girl with long, vine-like green hair stood up gracefully. Kazuki recognized her from class—she always sat near the front and had a quiet, almost serene presence. Her hair moved slightly even when there was no wind, like it had a life of its own.
Kendo stepped forward, already looking focused. She enlarged her hands slightly, testing her Quirk.
"Begin!"
Shiozaki's vines shot forward immediately, faster than Kazuki expected. They spread across the ground like a web, trying to trap Kendo's feet.
Kendo jumped back and slammed her enlarged fists into the ground, using the impact to propel herself sideways. She was fast for someone her size.
More vines came. Shiozaki's face remained calm, almost peaceful, as her hair extended and twisted through the air. "Forgive me for this," she said softly, then sent a massive wave of vines directly at Kendo.
Kendo enlarged both hands to maximum size and used them as shields, blocking the vines. But some slipped through, wrapping around her ankle.
She grunted and slammed her free hand down, grabbing the vines and ripping them apart with raw strength. Then she charged forward.
Shiozaki created a wall of vines, but Kendo crashed through it like it was paper. She got within five meters, close enough to end the fight.
But Shiozaki was already moving. More vines erupted from her hair, creating a dome around herself. Defensive position.
Kendo tried to break through, but the vines were too thick, too layered. Every time she destroyed one section, more grew to replace it.
"Time," Vlad King called. "Draw. Both of you showed good offense and defense, but neither could break the stalemate. Kendo, you need better strategy for defensive Quirks. Shiozaki, you're too passive. Heroes don't just defend. Next pair."
The matches continued. A boy with blonde hair and an unsettling smile fought against Tetsuji.
"I'm Neito Monoma," the blonde boy announced dramatically before the match started. "And I'll show you the true power of Class 1-B!"
Tetsuji looked confused. "Uh, we're all in 1-B, dude."
"Exactly! Which means we're superior to those pretentious 1-A students who think they're so special!"
"We haven't even met 1-A yet-"
"Begin!" Vlad King interrupted.
Monoma immediately rushed forward and touched Tetsuji's arm.
Suddenly, metal plating spread across Monoma's skin.
"What the-" Tetsuji's eyes widened.
"Copy!" Monoma announced proudly. "I can copy any Quirk I touch for five minutes! Now let's see who uses your quirk better!"
The fight was chaotic. Both of them were covered in metal, throwing heavy punches that clanged loudly. Neither of them was a skilled fighter; clearly, they were pure brutes.
Tetsuji won by endurance. Monoma's copied Quirk ran out after five minutes, and one solid punch sent him to the ground.
"Next time!" Monoma declared from the dirt. "Next time I'll perfect my strategy!"
Kazuki watched carefully. Monoma's Quirk was dangerous. If he copied the right Quirk at the right moment, he could turn any fight around.
More matches followed.
By the time all the pairs had fought, Kazuki had mental notes on everyone.
"Good work today," Vlad King said as the class gathered. "You all have a long way to go. Review your matches tonight. Identify your mistakes. Dismissed."
Back in the classroom, Kazuki packed his things slowly. Most students had already left. He remembered Vlad King wanted to see him.
He walked to the front where Vlad King was organizing papers.
"Sensei."
Vlad King looked up. "Hayashi. You know why I asked you to stay?"
"The sleeping."
"Partially." He set his papers down. "You're talented. That's obvious. First place in the assessment, decisive victory today. You have control most first-years don't achieve until second semester."
Kazuki waited. There was clearly a "but" coming.
"But talent means nothing if you burn yourself out. You look exhausted. When's the last time you got a full night's sleep?"
"Last night I got four hours," Kazuki admitted. "Usually six."
"That's not enough. Not for the training we do here." Vlad King's expression was stern. "Tired heroes make mistakes. Mistakes get people killed."
"I understand."
"Do you?" Vlad King leaned forward. "Because I've seen students like you before. Talented, driven, pushing past every limit. You know where most of them end up?"
Kazuki didn't answer.
"Burned out by the second year. Or injured. Or worse." He straightened. "U.A. will push you hard enough on its own. Get more sleep. That's not a suggestion."
"Yes, sensei."
"Good. Now get to lunch."
Kazuki bowed slightly and left.
'He deduced all that in one glance... maybe this is the level that separates pro heroes and students,' he thought.
The hallway was mostly empty now. He checked his phone as he walked.
Dad: How are classes?
Kazuki: Good. Had combat training.
Dad: Did you win?
Kazuki: Yes.
Dad: Expected. Keep it up.
He put his phone away.
The cafeteria was packed when he arrived. He grabbed his food.
"Hayashi! Over here!"
He turned. Kendo was waving from a table. Tetsuji and Honenuki were already there, along with Shiozaki and another girl he recognized from class—Tokage Setsuna, the one who could split her body into pieces.
Kazuki hesitated for only a second, then walked over.
"Nice fight today," Kendo said as he sat down. She was sitting directly across from him. "You made it look easy."
"It wasn't," Kazuki said. "Honenuki almost had me twice."
"Almost doesn't count," Honenuki said lazily, but he was smiling. "Next time I'll get you."
"Looking forward to it."
"That Monoma guy is crazy, right?" Tetsuji said, still rubbing his arms. "Copying Quirks like that? What kind of cheat ability is that?"
"It's quite fascinating," Shiozaki said softly. "The Lord blessed him with a unique gift."
Tokage laughed. "The Lord blessed him with an ego, that's for sure. Did you hear him going on about 1-A? We haven't even met them yet."
"He's just passionate," Kendo said diplomatically. "In his own... intense way."
"He's insane," Honenuki corrected. "But his Quirk's useful. If he learns to use it right, he'll be dangerous."
Kazuki listened more than he talked, but it felt natural. The conversation flowed around him without pressure to constantly contribute.
"So Hayashi," Tokage leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "You're the mysterious rich kid with the powerful Quirk, right? I heard your dad owns Starbuster Inc."
Kazuki tensed slightly. "Yeah."
"Must be nice. Custom support gear, personal trainers, probably a mansion somewhere."
"Tokage," Kendo said.
"What? I'm just curious!" Tokage shrugged. "Besides, he doesn't seem like the type to brag about it. That's respectable."
"Money doesn't make you a better hero," Kazuki said quietly. "Just gives you different problems."
The table went quiet for a moment.
"That's... surprisingly deep," Honenuki said.
"Yeah, what kind of problems does having money give you?" Tetsuji asked, genuinely confused.
Kazuki didn't answer. Kendo caught his eye and gave him a small, understanding nod. Something about that simple gesture made his chest feel lighter.
"Anyway," Kendo said, changing the subject smoothly. "Some of us were thinking about checking out the support course workshops after school. They have all the equipment needed to design hero costumes and support items. Want to come?"
"I should train-" Kazuki started.
"You should take a break," Kendo interrupted gently. "Vlad King told you that, didn't he?"
Kazuki blinked. "How did you-"
"You both stayed after class. And you look like you haven't slept in a week." Her expression was concerned but not pitying. "One afternoon won't hurt. Besides, you'll need to think about your hero costume eventually."
She had a point. And something about the way she looked at him made it hard to say no.
"Alright," he said. "I'll come."
Kendo's face brightened. "Great! We'll meet at the main entrance after class."
"I'm coming too!" Tetsuji announced. "I want to see what kind of crazy support items they have."
"Same," Honenuki added. "Maybe I can figure out some gear to complement my Quirk."
Shiozaki smiled serenely. "I shall join as well. It sounds educational."
"Perfect! Group trip!" Tokage grinned. "This'll be fun."
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When the final bell rang, students filed out quickly. Kazuki packed his bag and headed to the main entrance.
The group was already there. Kendo, Tetsuji, Honenuki, Shiozaki, and Tokage. Monoma had somehow invited himself too.
"Hayashi!" Monoma called out dramatically. "I heard about your victory today. Impressive! This is exactly the kind of talent that makes 1-B superior to 1-A!"
"We still haven't met 1-A," Honenuki pointed out.
"And we don't need to! I can already tell we're better!"
"He's exhausting," Tokage whispered to Kazuki, who found himself almost smiling.
The support course building was on the other side of campus. As they walked, Kendo fell into step beside Kazuki.
"Thanks for coming," she said.
"You basically didn't give me a choice."
"True." She smiled. "But you could've said no. You chose to come."
"I guess I did."
"Can I ask you something?" Kendo said suddenly.
"Sure."
"Why do you push yourself so hard?"
Kazuki didn't answer immediately. They'd reached the support building, and the rest of the group was already heading inside.
'Eh... It's been two days.' he thought.
"My mother was a hero," he said finally, quietly. "She got hurt fighting a villain. She's been in a coma for ten years."
She didn't say "I'm sorry" like most people did. She just listened.
"I want to be strong enough that what happened to her never happens to me. Strong enough to actually save people." He paused. "That probably sounds stupid."
"It doesn't," Kendo said firmly. "It sounds like you have a good reason. But Kazuki-"
It was the first time she'd used his first name.
"You can't save anyone if you break yourself first."
He looked at her. Really looked at her. Her orange hair caught the afternoon sun, and her eyes were warm.
It was the first time he'd been confronted like this, and that too by a girl he'd barely known.
The support course workshop was just chaos, with sparks flying all around. Surely that wasn't safe.
"Whoa," Tetsuji breathed. "This place is amazing."
A support course student noticed them. "Hero course? You guys here to commission something?"
"Just looking around," Kendo said. "Thinking about costume designs."
"Cool, cool. Just don't touch anything that's glowing or sparking. Actually, don't touch anything at all."
They wandered through the workshop. Monoma immediately started lecturing everyone about the superiority of support items that enhanced copied Quirks.
Kazuki found himself drawn to a section focused on mobility gear. Boots with compressed air chambers. Gloves that could create pressure differentials. All things that could complement his wind manipulation.
"Thinking about upgrades?" Kendo appeared beside him again.
"Maybe. My Quirk's versatile, but the right support items could make it better."
"What about your costume design? Have you thought about that?"
"Not really. I figured something practical. Easy to move in."
"Boring," Tokage called from across the room. "You need something with style! Make a statement!"
"I'm not trying to make a statement."
"Why not?" Kendo asked. "Part of being a hero is inspiring people. Your appearance matters."
Kazuki hadn't thought about it that way. His mother's costume had been designed to look both powerful and approachable.
"I'll think about it," he said.
They spent another hour exploring. Honenuki found some materials that stayed solid even when he used his Quirk on them. Shiozaki discussed biodegradable support items that wouldn't harm the environment. Even Monoma seemed genuinely interested, not just loud.
As the sun started setting, they headed back toward the main building.
"Same time tomorrow?" Tetsuji suggested. "We could check out the gym facilities."
"I have remedial classes," Honenuki said.
"Already?" Tokage laughed. "We just started!"
"Shut up."
"I can come," Kendo said, then looked at Kazuki. "You?"
He should train alone. That's what he'd always done.
"Yeah. I'll come."
The train ride was quiet. Kazuki stared out the window and thought about the day. The fight with Honenuki. Vlad King's warning. Lunch with everyone. The support course. Kendo asking him to come back tomorrow.
His phone buzzed.
Kendo: Thanks for coming today. See you tomorrow!
Kazuki stared at the message for a moment, then typed back.
Kazuki: Thanks for inviting me.
Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then they appeared again.
Kendo: Anytime, Kazuki.
He put his phone away and looked back out the window.
His father hadn't come home for two days, saying he was busy with a project of his.
Kazuki sighed, tapping his foot silently, listening to music on his AirPods, and looking down at the ground.
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[The first few chapters are really just gonna be slice of life to like really develop their friendship and bond, the story isn't really gonna come into play yet. So, yeah, some of you might find it boring. Sorry for that.]