𝙃𝙀𝙔, 𝙁𝙇𝙀𝙓 𝙏𝘼𝙋𝙀 // 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙤 𝙭 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

thirty-three

The days of training passed, and the day of Provisional Hero Licensing exam came. We were at the National Takoba Arena.

"I'm getting nervous now," Jirou commented.
"So we're doing this in Takoba?" Midoriya wondered.

"Earn your provisional licenses by passing this exam, and you won't be mere eggs anymore. you'll be full—fledged hatchlings," Aizawa said, "show them your best! Especially you, Tetsuya, Mineta. You haven't been with us long, and it's now you can show your classmates your true potential."

"Yeah! We're gonna hatch from those eggs and become hero chickens! All together now!" Kirishima called, "Plus..."
"Ultra!" a big guy in a hat yelled from behind him.

Kirishima looked like he crapped himself as the guy randomly yelled. I nearly did, too.

"I am so very sorry!" the guy said, bowing.
"Who's this whacked-out, big ball of excitement?" Denki yelled.
"He's like Iida, plus Kirishima, squared!" Hanta added.

They were Shiketsu High School students, one of the only schools that could rival UA's Hero Course.

"Wait... you're saying that this guy is a huge fan of UA, but he turned down an offer to join?" Hanta asked.
"Weird," I said.
"Weird or not, he's the real deal. Keep an eye on him," Aizawa said.

"Eraser! Is that really you, Erasee?!" a voice called out, "I saw you on tv and at the sports festival! It's been too long since we saw each other in person!"

I looked over and my jaw dropped. Miss Joke, the smile hero. Fukukado Emi.
"Emi!" I called out.
"Hey, kiddo! Long time no see!" she waltzed over and tousled my hair before turning to Aizawa, "let's get married!"

"Huh?!" I yelped.
"No thanks," Aizawa said.
"Just do it!" Emi replied.
"You're the same pain in the neck as always, Joke," he looked at me, "just like your mother, actually."
"Oh yeah, I haven't seen Kyouki in a while!" Emi said. "we used to be inseparable! How is she?"

"She's great," I smiled, "got outta the hospital recently."
"Your school's here?" Aizawa asked Emi.
"Yeah! Come on over, everyone! Come meet UA!" she beckoned.

I backed away to my spot beside Hanta.
"So many new people," I said, my eyes wandering over the crowd, "so many more friends to make."
"I'm your best friend though, right?" he replied.
"Duh! No-one could ever replace you!" I looked up at him.
"You two are sweet," Tetsuya commented, "I didn't figure a guy as plain as you would really get a girlfriend."

"G-girlfriend?!" he repeated, eyes widening.
"Oh no, you misunderstand!" I waved my hands wildly in front of me, "Hanta and I, we aren't dating! He's my best friend, I-I don't..."

"Oh, jeez, forget I asked," Tetsuya sighed, "you seen Katsuki anywhere?"
I stiffened at the way she could use even Bakugou's given name so casually.
"No," Hanta shook his head, face bright red still.
"Oh, right. I'll go find him then. See ya, lovebirds," she shrugged. Her ears twitched off in a different direction and she scampered off.

"Tetsuya's really something..." Hanta sighed.
"I'm more of a something though, right?" I batted my eyelashes and then laughed.
"Of course," he grinned.

"Woah! It's really them!" a black-haired boy gasped.
"Wowee! All those guys from television!" a blonde smiled.
"This is class 2–2 of Ketsubutsu Academy!" Emi said, "say hello to my students!"

The black-haired boy approached Midoriya.
"My name's Shindou!" he said, grabbing the green-haired boy by the hands, "UA's had it all kinds of rough this year, right? The hits just keep coming!"

'Wait. Shindou... Shindou?' I thought. Mu eyes widened, 'it really is him!'
"Shin!" I called out. He looked up and our eyes met.

"Wow, Zumi! Is it really you?" he grinned, walking over, "it's been years now!"
"Aw, come on. It's only been three," I said, high fiving him, "how've you been getting on at Ketsubutsu? Any good?"