CHAPTER 5. THE RESULTS ARE IN
❝We know what we are, but not what we may be.❞
Vespertilio M.List
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ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙.·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙ ✩ *̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ .‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ
The hum of machinery and quiet murmur of voices filled UA's faculty room as teachers gathered to review footage from the entrance exam.
Large screens lined the walls, each one displaying a different examinees from various angles with their quirks on full display.
And in the center of it all sat Principal Nezu: the mutant rodent's sharp gaze drifting, his paws tapping rhythmically against the chair as he intently watch the clips.
"Hmmm, very peculiar," Nezu mused, his eyes glinting with interest as he watched one particular feed. The camera zoomed in on a figure darting through the simulated city, dodging and weaving through the city.
Following his gaze, the other teachers' attention turned to the screen.
"She's... not fightin'?" Snipe was the first to break the silence, scratching his head beneath his cowboy hat. "Most kids dive straight into the action, but she's just...skirtin' around."
"She's not even going for the robots," Cementoss added, "More like avoiding them completely."
"Hold on...OH YEAH!!" Present Mic's booming voice cut through the air, making a few teachers jump in their seats. He leaned forward with a wide grin. "THAT'S THE LITTLE LISTENER WHO YELLED 'HEY!' DURING MY INTRODUCTION!"
Nezu's expression remained calm, a twinkle gleaming in his eyes.
"Indeed. Examinee #9948..." he announced. At that moment, small drones whizzed through the air, dropping thin folders onto each teacher's desk.
The sound of fluttering paper filled the room as each teacher picked up the document in front of them, opening it to reveal a student profile....your student profile.
Looking back at them was your smiling face. Subtle crinkles formed at the corner of your eyes from the soft smile you had as a pair of fangs peeked out from your lips.
Scattered through your [hair color] were clusters of delicate urn-shaped highbush blueberry flowers, a mark of your quirk's botanical side.
Nezu's voice carried over the hum of murmurs. "...also known as Akashiya ____."
An audible, dramatic gasp broke the room. Turning towards the source, Present Mic was there, mouth covered in shock as recognition dawned on his face. "AKASHIYA, YOU SAY?! PRESIDENT NEZU, YOU SURE THAT'S THE AKASHIYA?"
Practically bouncing in his seat, Mic whipped his head to his left. "SHOUTA! DID YA HEAR THAT?! YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S THE SAME AKASHIYA FROM—"
"Enough." Aizawa cut him off in his usual flat, deadpan tone. Leaning back in his seat, tired and disinterested eyes watch as you help a pair of students avoid the zero-pointer.
A flicker of recognition crossed his eyes at the sight of you, but nothing else was expressed.
It wasn't until the sudden color change of your hair to an almost eerie white and the your eyes glowed red, did his mask break with a raised brow.
More gasps and murmurs erupted around the room as the teachers watched in awe.
"OH WOW! DID YOU SEE THAT?!" Present Mic screamed as the footage showed you stomping down on the zero-pointer's arm, completely severing it with a single move. "SHE JUST—WHAM! THAT'S SOME REAL POWER, RIGHT THERE!"
Midnight smirked from her seat, twirling a lock of her dark hair between her fingers. "Well she certainly knows how to make an impression," she commented, eyes glued to the screen.
Ectoplasm, usually calm, chimed in. "For someone who didn't seem interested in fighting at first... she's got real combat potential."
As the faculty members buzzed with amazement at your display of strength, Aizawa's gaze drifted back to Nezu, who was already watching him with a knowing smile.
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𝑻𝑾𝑶 𝑾𝑬𝑬𝑲𝑺 𝑳𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑹...
The next few days passed in a blur, and the tension around the UA exam results grew. You spent most of your time pacing your room, a pit of dread sitting deep in your stomach.
Your phone suddenly buzzed, startling you. It was Izuku.
"____! I made it!" His voice was practically shaking with joy. "I got into the hero course!"
You forced a smile. "That's amazing, Zuki! I'm so happy for you!"
"What about you? Did you get your letter yet?"
"...N-no, not yet. I haven't checked."
"Ah, well, let me know as soon as you do, okay? We'll hang out to celebrate later!" he said before hanging up. As soon as the call ended, your smile dropped, face falling into a grim expression.
"Let's hope I failed..." you muttered under your breath.
Your eyes drift over to where the unopened UA letter had been sitting, waiting until you knew of Izuku's fate before you found yours.
Approaching the desk, you eye the envelope as if it was about to bite you.
You didn't want to end up in the hero course. You never did. As much as the world loved heroes, as much as Izuku dreamed of becoming one—the idea never quite sat right with you.
General studies was where you wanted to be. Less attention. Less pressure.
'I did the bare minimum,' you remind yourself. 'I should at least land in General Studies...'
With trembling fingers you rip open the envelope. A small device slid out, lighting up as it activated and a hologram of All Might himself appeared before you.
"Congratulations, young Akashiya!" His booming voice filled the room. "You've made it into UA's Hero Course!"
Your stomach drop.
"...Fuuuuuuuuuuuck."
You slump down onto the floor and clutch your hair in frustration with a racing heart and spinning mind.
"B-but how?" you stammered, your hands trembling. "I don't remember doing any of that..."
Almost as if hearing your confusion, the hologram continued, this time showing footage of the exam.
Your eyes widened as you watched various clips of yourself saving random students from tedious accidents and falls, even showing where you saved a pair of students—Kirishima and another unknown girl—from the zero-pointer.
'THEY FUCKING SCORED ME HELPING?!'
Then the image of Moka appeared; your hair shifting to a bright white before you kicked the massive robot away with terrifying strength and precision.
Your eyes remained glued to the display as you weakly let out a small "Oh..."
*˚＊✿❀༓❀✿＊˚*
You trudge down the stairs, each step heavier than the last. The reason for you being accepted was still pressing in your mind, the weight of it suffocating.
Your parents were seated on the couch chatting away, but quickly stop upon hearing your footsteps. Turning, your mother's face brightened at the sight of you.
"Honey! I-what's wrong?" The blank expression on your face makes her pause.
You stared at her, mouth opening and closing as you struggled to get the words out. Then suddenly, without warning, the dam burst.
"I... I got in..." tears stream down your face as you stood at the bottom of the stairs. "I got into the hero course..."
Your voice cracked at the confession, but your parents didn't notice the dread laced in your words.
Instead, they both lit up with pride and joy.
"Oh, sweetheart!" your mother exclaimed, rising from the couch and rushing over to you. "That's incredible! You did it!"
Your father follow close behind, pride gleaming in his blood red irises as he clasp a hand on your shoulder. "Looks like you're finally on your way to become a hero."
Their words hit you like a punch in the gut making your tears flow harder. Mistaking the breakdown for tears of joy, they pull you into a tight embrace.
"There, there," your mother coos, rubbing your back as she held you close. "I know it's overwhelming, but this is what you've been working so hard for."
You shook your head in denial, but the sobs kept coming.
You wanted to tell them. To explain that this wasn't what you wanted at all. But you couldn't.
You couldn't bring yourself to ruin the pride they felt for you.
And so, you cried as they held you with smiles, oblivious to the truth.
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You solemnly walk alongside Izuku on the way to U.A. High, dragging your feet a little. The sky is clear and bright, but you can't seem to find it in yourself to enjoy it.
It was like walking to your own doom, even though the greenette looked excited—too excited, if you're being honest.
"Isn't it amazing, ____?! We're finally starting at U.A.!" his voice was filled with joy, almost making you wince.
"Yeah... amazing," you muttered, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach your eyes. "Just...can't wait."
'I did the bare minimum. I shouldn't even be here.'
When you both entered the building, Izuku was already muttering up a storm. Normally you would've consoled him, offered some words of encouragement to ease his nerves.
But today? Today you were too bummed.
U.A. Hero Course...
How did you get stuck in this mess? You wanted to lay low, go unnoticed. And yet here you are, walking toward a future you never asked for.
Opening the door to Class 1-A, noise hit you like a tidal wave.
The sight before you was all too familiar: Bakugo Katsuki, mid-scream, yelling at the blue-haired guy from the exam who had called out both you and Izuku. "WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME, FOUR EYES?!"
Kirishima saw you the moment you walked in. His face lit up and he raised a hand to call your name.
But his excitement falters once he spots your quiet, almost defeated demeanor. Instead he lowers his hand, deciding to speak to you later when he has the chance.
"Oh, that curly hair!"
You and Izuku turn to see a girl at the room's entrance. You recognize her from before the exam, who saved you two from a nasty fall.
"You passed! Just like Present Mic said you would!" Her short brown hair bounced with her bubbly movements. Her grin was bright, big eyes shining with excitement. "I mean of course you did! Your punch was amazing!!"
Izuku's face turned bright red as he stumbled over his words. "I-I was? I mean, I was just trying to do my best—"
When she glanced at you, however, her confident demeanor shifted. "Oh! Um... h-hi!" she stammered, her eyes darting nervously between you and Izuku.
You noticed she was wearing the flower you'd given her weeks ago—except now it was decorated in her hair.
"Is that the flower I gave you?" you asked, pointing to it.
The brunette furiously blushed, subconsciously brushing her fingers against it. "Y-yeah... I, um, made it into a hairpin because... well, it's...nice." she mumbled, ending the statement in a quiet voice.
You blink in surprise, warmth flooding your chest. You hadn't expected her to cherish it like that. "You made that? Wow...looks pretty."
She malfunctions at your compliment, words tangle up in her throat. "T-thanks! Y-you're really p-pretty too!"
Before the situation could get any more awkward, 'Four Eyes' strode over with a serious face, as rigid as ever.
"Greetings! I am Iida Tenya from the Somei Private Academy! Midoriya, I see you've made it into the Hero Course. It seems you were aware that there was more to the entrance exam than just combat! That takes foresight and strategic thinking. I misjudged you!" He bowed stiffly.
And of course, the freckled boy panicked under pressure of the sudden praise.
"N-no, I didn't! I mean, I wasn't—It was just—!" He fumbled over his words while you subtly rolled your eyes, not bothering to acknowledge Iida's over-the-top demeanor.
Just then, a tired voice cut through the room. "If you're here to socialize, get out."
Everyone froze, including you. Slowly you turned around, looking for the source of the voice. At first, you didn't see anyone—then, you heard shuffling and looked down.
There on the floor, was a man in a raggedy yellow sleeping bag, sipping on a juice pouch like he had all the time in the world. His tired eyes barely opened as he took another sip.
He stood up sluggishly, as though he had just woken up from a particularly bad nap. "My name is Shota Aizawa. I'll be your homeroom teacher," he muttered.
Already you didn't like him. Interrupting Zuki's chance to make friends and social connections? Not cool.
Not to mention he seemed very uninterested in being there, which annoyed you for some reason.
"It's kind of sudden, but we're going straight into it: Quirk assessment test," his eyes lazily scan the room, but you could feel they were sharp.
The entire class tensed up, sensing the weight of his words.
Aizawa pulls out a stack of gym clothes out the sleeping bag and throws it on top of his desk. "Get dressed and meet up outside."
*˚＊✿❀༓❀✿＊˚*
Herded outside, Aizawa stood in front of the class, arms crossed and face blank.
You half-listened as he began to explain what was happening, that you'd be performing various physical tests using your quirks.
"This is a serious evaluation of your abilities. Don't screw around. And so, for a little motivator, the person who came in last would be kicked out ."
You perk up at that.
Izuku's face drained of color. You could practically feel the anxiety radiating off him, and for once you couldn't blame him.
He turns to you, clearly worried. "W-what are we going to do ____?! We can't get kicked out already!"
"Don't worry, I'm going to sit this one out. You just make sure to do your best, okay?"
"But—! You can't just—"
"I'll be fine, Zuki. Can't use my advanced abilities anyway unless this is taken off." Giving a sad smile, you tug at the rosary around your neck. "Besides, I need to know if I can handle myself without it."
That was a lie. You weren't doing this for practice.
You had no plans of staying at U.A., and this was your perfect way out. If you placed last, you'd be expelled. You'd gladly sacrifice yourself so he could stay.
The tests began, and true to your word, you barely tried.
50-meter dash? You jogged at a leisure pace. Grip strength test? You squeezed just enough to move the needle a few inches. Long jump? Just a lil hop as a kid would when playing hopscotch.
When it came to Izuku's turn for the throw, you watched in confusion as he managed to hurl the ball incredibly far.
Your brows furrowed 'How the hell did he just do that? '
Something about it didn't add up. But you shook your head, deciding to worry about that later. 'Focus on getting kicked out first.'
Aizawa watched you the whole time, sharp eyes narrowing with every test. Kirishima, on the other hand, looked genuinely confused.
He had seen what you could do during the entrance exam—the way you'd saved people and destroyed the Zero Pointer with a single kick. Now, you were acting like you couldn't care less.
Finally the scores were displayed. And as expected, you were dead last.
"Well dang!" You clap your hands together as you jump up with a wide grin on your face. "Really wanted to stay, but it looks like I GOTS to go!"
With a pep in your step, you began to walk to the nearest exit.
"W-wait! You can't just go! You... you don't have to do this!" Izuku's voice cracked as he shouted with tears brimming his eyes.
"She wasn't using her full quirk!" He reached for your rosary, his hand shaking as he tried to grab it. "If you just take this off, you can still—"
You jumped back before his fingers could touch the necklace, holding your hands up defensively.
"Whoa there!" You let out a nervous laugh, giving the greenette a light pat on the head. "You know I can't Zuki. I'd feel like a total cheater if I used my quirk now. That wouldn't be fair."
Izuku stared at you with quivering lips, clearly on the verge of begging Aizawa to let you retake the test with your vampire quirk side active.
He couldn't do this, not without you.
You rub his back, keeping up your fake disappointed smile. And though you hated seeing him like this, you had to stick to your plan.
Aizawa watched the scene unfold in silence, his tired eyes taking in everything as he processed everything. Then, he sighed.
Just as you were about to give Izuku another consoling pat on the back, Aizawa's monotone voice cut through the air. "Oh, and about the last person getting kicked out—"
You whipped your head up, glancing at him in confusion. Why was he dragging this out?
Catching the strange glint in his dark eyes, your face drops. 'No...no way...'
He wasn't serious...was he?
Aizawa's lips curved into a dark smirk as the panic spread across your face.
You glared at him. 'You wouldn't dare,' your eyes said.
Aizawa's grin widened as if to say, 'Oh, I would,' before delivering the finishing blow: "I lied."
For a second, everything was still. The the words finally sunk in.
"____'s not getting expelled?!" Izuku lets out a cry of happiness. Aizawa gave a nod in response, barely sparing a glance as you dropped to your knees with a wail.
You weren't getting kicked out....you weren't leaving. There was no getting out of this.
Tears began streaming down your face, you try to cover them to hide how distraught you were. Not that it mattered, to others it looked like tears of joy.
Izuku immediately knelt beside you, pulling your hands away from your face. "Hey, ____. Look at me! It's okay... it's alright... No need to cry," he said, voice soft and gentle.
You calmed down with a sniffle, managing a shaky and hesitant grin. "R-really?"
Your bestfriend nodded vigorously, his grin lighting up the entire field. "Yes! We can finally become heroes together!"
That fake grin you had crumbled and you couldn't hold back the loud ugly sobs that followed.
You were stuck here. You had to be a hero now.
Misunderstanding your feelings Izuku continued to console you thinking you were crying of happiness. "It's okay! We're gonna be heroes!" he repeated, voice filled with excitement for the future.
One by one the other classmates began to gather around, offering words of encouragement and patting you on the shoulder with words of "You've got this!" or "We're a team!"
Bakugo could only stand off to the side, arms crossed and looking thoroughly unimpressed. "What a bunch of extras," he grumbled under his breath. Todoroki, equally unamused, kept his distance.
Through all of this, Aizawa watched, munching on a bag of popcorn. Where he got the popcorn? No one knew, but he was clearly enjoying himself.
And so, your new life at U.A. had officially begun. Whether you liked it or not.
