A/N; Welcome to chapter one, y’all! I really hope you like it, ik this is all introductory stuff, but I’m soso passionate about this fic and my ocs in it. Enjoy!!
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It surprised me when I got into the prestigious school of UA. Despite the family history, I made it. Though, I think mama was more surprised than I was.
The school map was crisp in my hands, pink highlighter circling my classroom several times over.
Room 1-A. Homeroom teacher; Aizawa Shouta.
Lively noise already came from the closed sliding doors. Bickering and friendly chatter alike.
Lifting up my glasses, I adjust my mask one last time before opening the doors.
Silence.
Eyes on me.
My throat closes, I blink harshly.
Then, back to the noise.
My throat opens back up.
With a quick scan, I spot a few semi-familiar faces.
The pink girl, from exams.
And the electric boy, also from exams.
And, to my extreme relief; Tokoyami Fumikage, who has left the seat next to him empty.
Chastly, I hurry my way up the fourth column of seats; sitting down in the one next to Tokoyami.
Now, I wouldn’t exactly label me and Tokoyami friends. Moreso, close allies.
“Mayumi! We’re glad to see you!” Dark Shadow’s perky, yet distorted voice comes from my left. Turning, I see both of them looking at me.
Thank you. I’m glad to see you both as well. Congratulations. I sign, fingers moving swiftly.
“And congratulations to you as well Hinode. Dark Shadow and I look forward to continue working together.” Tokoyami’s voice has gotten ever so slightly deeper over the break, though it may just be my imagination.
The bickering starts to become louder at the front of the class, drawing everyone’s attention.
The blond boy seems to be aggravating the situation, escalating it far more than it needs to. The one with navy hair isn’t much better, he has blinkers on and keeps pursuing his pointless version of justice. All over his feet on the table.
An unstoppable object meets an immovable force.
“This class is certainly more lively than the years past, is it not?” Tokoyami mumbles, a vague amusement in his tone.
I nod in agreement, unsure of how to feel.
The door slides open; the first person to enter since myself.
Once again, all eyes turn to him; myself no longer exempt. His green hair is unruly, with wide green eyes to match.
His freckled skin and scared expression mirror my own just minutes before.
The navy haired boy’s attention is sharply snatched away from the blond as he storms over to the new boy.
“Hello! I am from Somei Private Academy, my name is-”
“I know! I heard!” The smaller boy puts his hands up in an almost defending position, shying away.
“I’m Midoriya, it’s nice to meet you Iida.” A nervous smile dons his face.
A boy after my own anxious heart. A small smile and a bit of comfort come from finding someone likeminded so quickly.
One of the girls in the class bounds up, excitedly running towards the pair. Her speech is fast, and far softer than Iida’s boistrosity and Midoriya’s anxious yells, so I don’t catch exactly what she says.
But, Midoriya’s heart eyes tell me all I need to know about what he thinks. I barely stifle a laugh.
Tokoyami raises an eyebrow.
They’re cute, no? I sign, silent chuckles shaking my shoulders.
“I would have to agree. Though let’s hope they’re not oblivious.” The bird-headed boy sighs.
A gravelly, but loud voice comes from the hall.
“Go somewhere else if you want to play at being friends. This is the hero course.” A long yellow, Thing stands up before unzipping.
A raggedy looking man in all black emerges from what I now recognise as a sleeping bag. This must be our teacher.
“It took you all eight seconds before you were quiet, and time is limited.”
Sluggishly, the man strolls to the front and centre of the classroom.
“I am Aizawa Shouta, and I will be your homeroom teacher here at UA. Today we will be doing a quirk assessment test.”
The first part I expected; there was no way this man was not our teacher.
The second part, not so much.
My quirk is so limited in its safe use, surely Aizawa sensei knows this?
“Meet me outside on the oval asap. In your sports uniform.” Aizawa grumbles.
A panicked rush overtakes the room, everyone scrambling for their bags as well as the nearest changeroom.
Soon enough, we are all outside and changed.
Aizawa sensei explains that the tests will be the same physical tests as middle and elementary school; but with a twist.
We are allowed to use our quirks.
And the person ranking last will be expelled.
The blond boy goes first, showing that his explosivity is in more than his nature as he blasts the softball across the oval with miniature explosions.
Everyone is silent in awe as Aizawa sensei lists of the physical exams.
First, the 50 meter dash.
My quirk will be of no use here, and I’m painfully aware of that.
Again, the boy with the explosion quirk excells, as does the loud boy - Iida? - from this morning.
Myself, not so much.
The pink girl lines herself up next to me, sparing me a smile before the timer starts.
As soon as it does, she takes off - sliding on a strange transparent liquid that secreets itself from her skin.
Not long after, a blond boy shoots past, a bright laser coming from his stomach.
My regular run seems pathetic in comparison.
The side steps, long jump, distance run and ball throw were equally as pathetic.
I was nearly last, only beaten by Midoriya; who looked about as miserable as I felt.
And the only reason I stood a chance against him, was because of the sit up exercise.
Thankfully, my core strength hadn’t failed me; making me the most successful in that task.
Exhausted, I sit beside Tokoyami as our classmates line up for the last exam; the ball throw.
“How did you go?” The raven-headed boy asks non-chalantly.
Don’t expect to see me here tomorrow. I sign.
“That poorly?” He hums, leaning back on outstretched arms.
“You’re always such a cynic, Mayumi.” Dark Shadow whines, curling around Tokoyami’s shoulder.
I wave them both off, turning my attention back to our classmates.
Most have finished, leaving just one.
Midoriya.
From afar, he seems to shrink into himself as sensei speaks; the latter’s hair somehow floating.
A solemn nod, and my heart hurts for my peer.
Right before he launches the softball further into the distance than I could ever imagine.
I can’t control the gasp that leaves me, hands immediately going to cover my mouth - before reaching the familiar cotton.
“That is certainly impressive,” Tokoyami comments, surprise evident in his tone.
“See sensei,” Midoriya’s cry echos over the sports field.
“I can still fight!”
My heart warms for the boy.
Though, it seems not everyone’s does.
The explosive boy launches himself towards Midoriya, sparks flying from his clenched fists. Midoriya and I flinch back almost in sync, before the other boy is stopped.
What I just assumed was a scarf; entangels the blond boy - Aizawa sensei wielding the other end. His hair raises again; and the sparks die in the boy’s hands.
How?
Oh.
O h.
“Enough.” Aizawa snaps, tugging at the material.
The boy falls into the tan dust of the field.
“Don’t make me use my quirk more than necessary; it gives me dry eyes.” Even from several feet away, I see the scarlet glow.
A/N - Welcome to chapter 5! I’m sorting out a masterlist now, so y’all can access the chapters easier. Happy reading!!
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Careful is not blood leaking from your hairline, flooding your face. Careful is not gravel leaving raw skin peeled off in chunks. Careful is not having your head slammed in by some,, monstrosity of a creature.
Taller than any person I’ve met, muscles bulging grotesquely from skin as dark as the deepest pits of the ocean. A bird-like beak, filled to the brim with canines has what can only be described as a grin etched on its face.
It makes me sick.
Seeing Aizawa sensei like this makes me sick.
My stomach churns, and I duck my head under the water to take a deep breath.
Oh my god.
Aizawa sensei is going to die.
We are all going to die.
The man of mist shows up.
“Tomura, one of the students have escaped. We should take our leave.” His voice hums through the thick silence.
“Ugh, that means the pro heroes will be here soon. It’s game over.” A man, boy? I didn’t notice him, steps from behind the creature. I can almost feel the pain of his rasp.
Disgusting, bulging eyes scan over us. Fear burns my throat.
“Huh, some of the brats made their way over. Maybe All Might will come if we start picking them off?” The young man - who surely can’t be that much older than us - stalks over. He crouches down, scanning our faces. I feel Tsu lightly tremble beside me.
“This one will do.” He sneers, reaching toward her face.
No.
I don’t know who he is. I don’t know what he can do.
I do know that Asui Tsuyu is so unbearably kind. I know that she has been the first person to know who I am and show no care in a very, very, long time.
I know I want to protect her.
At whatever cost.
“Get your fuckin hands off, get on out of your seat.” His hand stops, inches away from Tsu’s face.
“All eyes on me, all eyes on me.” Their eyes; both Tsu’s and the villains turn to look at me. But otherwise; they’re still. I see the disgust in the villain’s eyes.
“I said get your fuckin hands off!” I spit as I sing, frozen as if my own song affects me.
I need to move.
“Get on out of your seat. All eyes on me, all eyes on me.” My voice warbles, just enough for the villains face to fall into a scowl.
“You say the ocean’s rising, like I give a shit.” I hate everything about this, but I have no choice. I wrap my arms around Asui’s torso and tug her backwards.
She moves seamlessly through the water, the only major movement since I’d started singing.
I need to breathe.
I need to keep singing.
A quick shallow breath is all I allow myself.
“Nomu, finish him.” The villain glares, seemingly speaking to the creature.
No.
“You say the whole worlds ending,” Project. I need to project.
Like Asui, Aizawa sensei is kind. He may not seem it at first, but he is. He gave me a chance. He protected us. Protected me.
He promised to be careful.
“Honey it already did.” My instincts scream against it, but I have to swim.
“You’re not gonna slow it, heaven knows you’ve tried.” I haul myself onto the land, slightly winded.
Movement in the corner of my eye.
“Got it? Good, now get inside.” I cry out, holding the note as long as I can.
He’s not too far. If I can just shuffle close enough…
“We’re going to go, where everybody knows,” The gravel scrapes my scales, stinging.
“Everybody knows, everybody knows.” I’m so close. I can almost reach.
“We’re going to go, where everybody knows, everybody knows.” I repeat, reaching out. And it blinks at me.
It blinks at me.
And then it bats me away.
Gravel digs and stings and I gasp.
My webbing tears and I can’t breathe.
“Aren’t you fascinating?” The rasp comes from closer than it should’ve. My hands, bloody, tremble.
“Hinode-san, move! His quirk disintegrates everything!” A desperate cry. Midoriya.
Large hands grab my hair by the roots. This is it.
Nothing happens.
“No.” Quiet. Pained. Firm. Frightened tears fill my eyes.
Aizawa sensei stares, eyes glowing and unblinking.
The villain drops me with a scoff.
“Hinode, go. Take the others and leave.” His voice is so,, quiet. I don’t like it.
“Wow, you really are so cool, Eraserhead.” The compliment is sarcastic, mocking.
“You’d really die to save these brats?” Aizawa-sensei’s stare is more than enough answer.
A/N - your girl has been writing So Much oml. rip my uni marks for this semester lmao. enjoy!!
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“Asui!” I scream.
“Midoriya and I are down here!” My throat scratches uncomfortably.
Shocked eyes peer over the edge and no longer than a few seconds later are Midoriya and I wrapped in the long, slimy, muscle.
“Oh my god is he dead?” Mineta questions, once the two of us slam upon the cold ship deck. I shake my head.
Midoriya is still coughing, and I intuitively rub his back.
“Hinode-san, kero. You spoke.” Asui deadpans. I go to sign, but let my hands drop.
“I’m sorry. I had to.” Shame burns my chest, more than the chlorinated water ever could.
“Who cares if she spoke, she has a tail!” Mineta screams, gesturing wildly.
Pitifully, I attempt to cover it with my skirt.
“I knew it,” Midoriya wheezes beside me. All heads snap to him. He stares at me, eyes wide.
“You’re Hinode Mayumi, the niece of Hinode Kaori. I knew it wasn’t just a coincidence!” His excitement takes me aback. The stars in his eyes are undeniable.
Hesitantly, I nod.
“Kero, as in the ex-pro hero Fugu?” Asui asks.
“As in the murderer?” Mineta’s eyes are wide with fear.
All I can do is nod.
“Your quirk is so amazing! I mean, look at your tail, it’s-” Midoriya reaches for my caudal, and I flinch away.
“Right, sorry!” He moves back.
“You’re not scared?” Mineta and I ask in sync. His eyes go wide, and he shuffles behind Asui.
“Well, a lot came out about the case later so-” Midoriya starts before Asui interrupts.
“No. You’re our classmate, kero.” Despite her blunt tone, the cogs are ticking in her mind.
“Also, kero, never call me Asui again. Call me Tsu, kero.” She adds, almost as if that were her original thought. Shock courses through my veins.
“okay.” My voice is barely a whisper.
Without hesitance, she moves past me to look over the ship’s railing. Her leg even brushes against my tail.
I could almost cry.
My chest burns, but instead of acid, it’s a cup of tea that’s slightly too warm. I’m at a loss for words. Surely she has no idea how such a small act can mean so much.
Mineta and Midoriya follow suit, leaning over the edge.
Pale flesh speckles through the dried areas of my tail, but not enough to allow me to stand. The railing can only get me up so far.
“There’s so many,” Midoriya mumbles, “We have to figure out how to escape so we can find the others.”
“I agree, kero.” Asui - no, Tsu, nods solemnly.
“Okay everyone, what is everyone’s quirks.” Midoriya spins around, eyes darting between everyone else.
“Well, kero, I can do pretty much anything a frog can. I can jump pretty high, and I stick to flat objects, and my tongue is really long.” She explains, Midoriya nods along attentively.
“I’m pretty strong, but it breaks my bones so I have to be really careful channelling it.”
“Hinode-san?” Midoriya looks at me expectantly.
“My quirk has two aspects. The first is the aquatic mutation that happens whenever my entire body is covered in water.” I gesture down to my tail, more and more blotched flesh finding its way through. Air rattles my lungs as I prepare to continue.
“The second aspect is to do with my voice. Anyone who hears me sing will be sent into a state of complete paralysis.”
“So that’s why you don’t talk, kero.” Asui - Tsu, hums.
I nod, focusing on my hands. Talon-like nails pick at my webbing, leaving angry lines.
“Woah, you guys are so cool,” Mineta sits there, mouth agape. “All I can do is take off these balls on my head, they’re really sticky.”
What I had assumed was heavily gelled hair comes off of the short boy’s head with a light pop, sitting stagnant on his gloved hand.
“Okay,” Midoriya mutters “okay, okay, okay. We can work with this, if we do this, and then…” His mumbles quickly become incoherent, but the flickering of his eyes say he is not done yet.
Within seconds, he slams a fist into his palm.”I got it,” Stars are in Midoriya’s eyes as they feverishly flick across the group.
“Asui, do you think you can jump out of the test area?” The frog-like girl nods firmly.
“Easily, kero. But I don’t want to leave anyone. And it’s Tsu, kero.” She explains. Midoriya nods frantically.
“Do you think you can carry us all with your tongue?” The freckled boy asks. Another nod.
“I won’t be able to jump as far, but I think so, kero.” With that, Midoriya’s attention turns to Mineta.
“Mineta, how fast can you make those balls?”
“Pretty fast, I start bleeding if I go too fast though.” The small boy mumbles.
“That’s okay! We can make that work!” Finally, pleading green eyes land on me. Tension winds my shoulders like a toy shoulder.
Surely not. He won’t.
“Hinode, can you sing to keep all the villains stuck in the water?” I open my mouth to protest, my head already shaking.
“We’ll use Mineta’s balls to cover our ears! And it won’t be for long, just until I can-” Midoriya’s words are speeding up, getting harder and harder to comprehend.
“Midoriya.” I speak, voice still burning my throat. He stops in his tracks, eyes sparkling.
“Okay.” Fear continues to wind my shoulders.
“Okay!” He smiles.
“Mineta, pass us some of your balls.” Midoriya orders, and the short boy obediently starts plucking them off his head.
“Asui- Tsu, sorry. On my signal, throw me at the villains, then grab Mineta and me and leap as far as you can okay?” A sharp nod from the girl.
“Got it, kero.” She hums. The green haired boy goes to give me orders next, but I hold up a hand.
“I’ll dive back into the water, and swim over once its safe.” I explain. The further they are from me, the safer.
“Okay, lets go.” Midoriya’s whisper is strong, determined.
He’ll be a fantastic hero.
I go to haul myself up; subsequently putting weight on my half-formed fin. Embarrassment heats my face.
“Here, kero.” Without thought, without fear; Tsu balances me on the railing. I swear my heart falls out of my throat.
Pleading green eyes and a nod is all I need to dive. This is what I signed up for.
The water is cool and welcome on my dry scales, bringing them out from my flesh. A small flick is more than enough to propel me back up to the surface.
Air is just as refreshing as the water. The dark figures advandcing in the water; not so much.
Closer, and closer.
And its time.
“Are you feeling nervous?” A man with a shark mutation stops in his tracks.
“Are you having fun?” His eyes glaze over, but more still advance.
“Project, little pearl. Projection is everything.”
A phantom hand straightens my chin.
Head up. Open the throat. Elongate the diaphragm. Project.
“It’s almost over, it’s just begun.” My voice warms, crystaline rasp turning back to liquid. I refuse to move my eyes from the first villain.
I don’t want to know how many people I’m hurting.
“Don’t overthink this, look in my eyes.” Gentle sways of my fin keep me upright. I turn my eyes up, a flash of green in the sky.
My pause is noticeable. He’s impossibly closer.
“Don’t be scared, don’t be shy, come on in the water’s fine.” I push the air out of my lungs.
“Detroit Smash!” Midoriya’s voice follows my echo, sheer force rippling the water.
His force implodes, creating an artificial whirlpool. Just as he expected.
It takes more effort to break free than expected, the water pulling me back in; time and time again.
The still depths of the pool welcome me as I dive, searching for any side of my classmates. Three blobs of colour huddle at the edge and I head over.
My head breaks water, near the green blob that is Asui. Her wide eyes seem somehow wider, fearful, hands over her mouth.
A/N - another chapter ready and raring to go! i’ve also started posting this story to Ao3 :) enjoy!!
Somehow, class feels lonlier the next day.
I swear I can feel people staring at me, even though Tokoyami assures me that they’re not.
Home is even lonlier.
It’s a two and a half hour train ride to my home town, and it only runs three times a day. It wouldn’t get me to school in time, so Mama’s renting me an apartment in the city. It’s small and old, and in the bad part of town.
But it means I get to go to U.A.
I miss my brother today. Seeing me, most people are surprised with how Jun can be. He’s a little ball of energy, just finishing up elementary school now.
Some days I wish I was him.
I would give up my quirk any day to be as carefree as he is.
Udon is lonlier without his excited yells, and mama’s following laugh.
But time moves on, and so do I.
Midoriya recovers swiftly, thanks to recovery girl.
He gets voted in for class representative, but passes the role onto Iida.
The press invades school grounds.
I pray its not my fault; even though Aizawa assures me it isn’t when I try and apologise.
Before I can recover, its time for our next practical heroics lesson; this time off site.
I spend the majority of the ride to U.S.J fiddling with my translucent skirt, occasionally signing confirmation to Tokoyami and Dark that yes - I’m fine, there’s no need to worry.
Loud talk of everyone’s quirks fills the bus and has me like a deer in headlights. I get afraid at somepoint I’ll tear my skirt.
I would be lying to say I wasn’t scared out of my mind for whatever All Might would say about me today.
It would be another lie if I said Aizawa sensei’s presence at this lesson wasn’t oddly comforting.
But to my guilty relief, it isn’t All Might that greets us at the stadium-like centre. Pro hero Thirteen is a much more grounding figure. She calmly explains that the USJ is primarily used for rescue-based training - her primary line of work.
My shoulders sag as she goes through the different environments. Earthquakes, floods, avalanches (both snow and rock), severe weather, sea wrecks and more. The opportunities for scenarios are endless. Awe overtakes me.
I can’t stop gazing at the water.
This is what I want. This is what I can do.
Surrounding gasps tear my attention away from the still blue.
“Is this apart of the exercise?” A voice I recognise as Kaminari’s asks. Aizawa weaves between Tokoyami and I, standing in front of the class.
“No, it’s not. This is a real villain attack. Thirteen, evacuate the students, and call the school for backup. I’ll try and hold them off.” He grumbles, pulling his goggles down.
My entire body trembles.
Villains.
Actual real villains.
Stumbling up to Aizawa, I finally see what everyone else has. A black and purple abyss, with waves of people emerging left, right and centre. Sneers and eyes that can only be described as hungry are trained on us.
Shaking hands reach up and tug his scarf, gently but frantic.
“What, kid.” He sideyes me, sparing me a second of attention. There’s so much that I want to say, but my hands are shaking too badly.
Careful. Is all I can sign. Over and over and over again.
Careful. Careful. Careful. Careful.
A calloused hand warms my shoulder.
“I’ll try.” Aizawa sensei’s voice is rough. Sparing not even a second, he leaps into battle.
“Come one everyone, we need to evacuate.” Thirteen ushers us towards the door, but the same dark mist starts to appear before us.
Piercing yellow that can only be eyes is trained on us and my body freezes.
My breath quickens as Bakugou and Kirishima attack the mist, Thirteen quick behind.
At first, I think the darkness is a result of my fear; but then my eyes catch a swirl of deep purple.
We’re inside the mist.
Spiders crawl up my skin as I twist and turn to escape.
Freezing cold is my reward for escape.
My lungs feel free, and I feel strength seep into my bones. A blur quickly becomes a villain hurling toward me, but with a simple flick I’m far out of his way.
Oh god, I didn’t want them to know so soon.
But my frantic eyes spot mossy green starting to go limp, and my comfort is no longer priority.
I push as hard as I can and launch myself towards Midoriya, trying to grasp for anything. An arm brings me to the leverage of under his arms as I swim as fast as I can to the surface.
We breach surface and the unmistakable tongue of Asui carries Mineta onto the shipwreck. Midoriya, still spluttering, can’t speak.
Every hero has their own origin story. Something that puts them aside from the rest. Something to give them the motivation to continue down the grueling path of becoming a pro hero. For some, they have been inspired by the greats to surpass them and inspire even more. Others have something to prove; to themselves or the world, it can be hard to tell. Some feel as though they owe something to the world, or that the world owes them. Some of us just want to protect others, the way we so desperately wished to be protected ourselves.
I couldn’t say which category I fall into. It changes day to day.
Regardless, this is my story. It is a story of friendships and heartbreaks. Of family and love. Of good and evil. Of fear and hope. This is how I met some of the most important people in my life. This is the story of my journey to becoming one of Japan’s top heroes.
