"I'm going to U.A.!"
Even on his first day, Izuku's cheek was still swollen.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Inko Midoriya asked, her eyes lingering on his face. "Did you pack everything?"
"I've got it. I just— I need to go. I'll be late."
He slipped into his shoes a little too quickly, nearly missing the heel, then grabbed his bag.
"I'm heading out!"
Inko's expression softened into a small smile. "You look really great today."
Izuku paused just long enough to smile back. "See you!"
—
He ran the entire way.
By the time U.A. came into view, his breathing had deepened into a steady rhythm, his pace unbroken. He was beginning to understand One For All—just enough to push himself further than he ever could before, even if the control still slipped through his fingers at times.
He slowed at the gates.
"…Made it."
The weight in his legs caught up to him all at once. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the ground had thickened beneath his feet.
"…Too much this morning."
He exhaled, straightening his posture as he stepped onto campus.
"Class 1-A…"
The school stretched out in every direction, larger than he had imagined. It took several wrong turns and a growing sense of urgency before he finally found the correct building—and then, at last, the right classroom.
He stopped in front of the door.
It loomed above him, tall and solid.
"…That's huge."
His hand hovered over the handle for a moment.
"…Please let this go smoothly."
He pushed it open.
Inside, Katsuki Bakugo was already arguing with someone.
Izuku froze in the doorway.
"…Of course."
The student facing Bakugo stood perfectly upright, posture rigid, every movement sharp and deliberate. The kind of person who treated rules like absolute law.
Izuku felt his shoulders sink.
"…This is the worst possible combination."
He tried to slip inside quietly, lowering his head, hoping to pass unnoticed.
No such luck.
The other boy spotted him immediately and stepped forward, extending a hand with crisp precision.
"You must be Izuku Midoriya. I am Tenya Iida. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Izuku stiffened, then hurriedly took his hand.
"Y-Yes—nice to meet you. I'm Midoriya. Please take care of me."
Iida nodded firmly, as if the exchange had been conducted exactly as expected.
The door opened again.
"Hey—wait! It's you!"
Izuku turned.
Ochaco Uraraka stood there, her face lighting up the moment she recognized him.
"You're in this class too? That's awesome!"
She stepped inside, her energy bright and unfiltered.
"You passed, right? Just like Present Mic said!"
Izuku nodded, a little flustered by her enthusiasm.
"Yeah… somehow."
"That punch you threw was incredible," she said. "Seriously, it was amazing!"
Izuku shook his head quickly, almost reflexively.
"No, that was just— I mean, you helped me afterward. If you hadn't talked to them, I wouldn't have—"
Uraraka blinked, tilting her head.
"…Wait. How do you know about that?"
Izuku froze.
"…Uh…"
The answer caught in his throat.
Before he could figure out what to say, more students began filing into the room.
Voices overlapped. Chairs scraped softly against the floor.
One by one, the seats filled.
Eighteen desks.
No empty spaces.
Izuku glanced around, taking it all in—the faces, the noise, the quiet tension of a new beginning.
"So this is everyone…"
A brief pause settled over the room.
"…Then where's the teacher?"
"They may be waiting outside," Iida said, already turning toward the door. "We should greet them properly."
He reached for the handle and pulled it open.
Something long and yellow slid into view—