Author's Note: If you're a reader of Curiosity and the Copycat with its 120k words for the first HUG, then you are slightly prepared for this slow burn. Why? Because this is an entire series and Part 1 is literally about how Shōto and the OC become just friends. No quotations marks. Actually just friends. Otherwise, it wouldn't actually feel like Shōto whose entire character is learning how to socialize with peers and connect with people after an isolated childhood. I seriously believe that before he can feel romantic attraction towards someone, he first needs to form a deep friendship with them. For him to actually enter into relationship, there first needs to be a lot of mutual trust and respect.

Once that foundation is set between him and the OC...well, Shōto is arguably the most emotionally driven character in My Hero Academia. Our boy is intense. It'll pick up quickly from there. (¯ . ¯;) I just hope my girl's ready for that.

Please be patient with this story and the relationship's progress.

Also, I wish to use this author's note to inform you that this story - and its upcoming sequels - will touch on very sensitive topics including: canon-typical violence, societal prejudices (within Quirk society and our own), failures of the justice system, abuse of power, assaults, toxic families, referenced past child abuse, corrupt politicians, irresponsible journalism, and mental health issues (i.e. depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation). If you yourself struggle or have struggled with any of this in the past and are at risk of being triggered by such content, please take care of yourself and do not read this story. I encourage anyone to get help if they need it. The United States National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. For readers outside the United States, please reach out for similar resources available to you.

Again, please take care of yourselves. This will be the one and only time I put up content warning for this series, as I don't want to give away anything I have planned for it. Ultimately, people are responsible for their own content consumption and how they respond to it. Warnings like these are a courtesy.

Overall, though, this story is about heroes and how not every hero is someone with insane super powers who saves the day. Sometimes it's a regular person who speaks up for someone they don't even know. Sometimes it's a bystander who chooses not to be a bystander. Sometimes it's a kind stranger who doesn't judge or ask questions or give advice but accepts you for who you are and where you are in the moment.

And sometimes, the day isn't saved. There isn't a hero to help.

You have to save yourself.

This is Nozomi's story.

...end note.

Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards observed her client carefully, as was her habit. The first thing she looked for in clients' was clues on their physical self-care, and at least her youngest patient seemed to be doing well in that regard. Part of the girl's crow black hair was pulled into small cornrows at the top of her head while the rest of her loose curls fell over her shoulders. Her complexion was clear, now free of her early pubescent acne, light-brown skin smoothed into a healthy glow. It was difficult to gauge her weight, though. The gray cowl neck sweater almost swallowed her. Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards made a mental note to check the nurse's notes from when she was weighed right before her appointment.

"How do you feel about leaving junior high?"

As with most questions, the 15-year-old furrowed her brow and gave it some thought. "Relieved, I think. It's...I didn't start off right my first year and never really settled."

An understatement.

The doctor hummed. "Do you feel like UA will be a new start then?"

"Aren't all high schools a new start for junior high students?" Nozomi asked, tone dry.

"A question isn't an answer, Nozomi," the doctor said. Typically, she veered away from clients' given names but it was their shared American heritage that mitigated her usual protocol. The much-revered hierarchy in Japanese society could be stifling, and it was a private relief to relax it a bit in her appointments with Nozomi. At least enough for the girl to open up.

"Not really a new start," Nozomi admitted. "I'm still...me."

Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards' head tilted, assessing the solemn girl. She briefly considered delving deeper into Nozomi's "me" but decided the coming transition and how Nozomi handled it was more pressing than the girl's sense of self. There was next month's appointment for that.

Nozomi drummed an anxious rhythm on her thigh, eyes fluttering to the clock. Her therapist internally counted with her up to that number and her patience was rewarded when Nozomi said, unprompted, "I heard some other girls talk about 'reinventing' themselves in their new high schools but I never really looked to UA as an escape from who I am or this magical place that'll make my dreams come true."

Ah, now they were getting somewhere.

Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards crossed her legs and leaned back into her leather chair. "What kind of place do you think it will be?"

"A means to an ends."

Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards raised her eyebrows, waited. Then she asked, "And what 'ends' are those?"

Nozomi sighed, dropping her chin to her chest. "That's the thing: I don't know. All I know is that most high schools wouldn't help me figure that out. It's funny because I just realized... From first year to third year, junior highs just prep students to take high school exams. And then when you get to high school, you just spend another three years studying for more exams and for what? Getting into a good college, maybe. Study another four years. But then you still don't know what you want or who you are or what you're doing."

Precocious girl.

"That's what clubs are for," the therapist offered mildly.

"Sports are pointless and so are most culture clubs," Nozomi said without pause.

It made the corner Dr. Tsutsumi-Edward's twitch. "Not necessarily. Sports help build relationships and learn teamwork. Culture clubs are a chance to work with a group of peers for a common goal. All good, useful things for a young person's development."

"Did any of those make you realize you wanted to be a therapist?"

At that, Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards actually smiled. "No. It was an internship my second year of college."

"That's exactly what I mean," Nozomi muttered. She took off her glasses to wipe them with her sleeve.

"Why the rush?"

Nozomi looked at her with sharp lavender eyes, eyes too old for her young face. "I don't want to waste any more time figuring myself out when I can be helping people. But I can't help anyone until I know how I can do that."

"So, the country's best hero school," Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards surmised.

At the the word hero, Nozomi's gaze lowered to her lap. Curls fell over her shoulders and partially obscured her face. Her fingers twisted the loose material of her sweater, tightening. Her voice was like silk draped over steel. "I want to push myself. And that's what UA does. Pushes people until they're more than - than - "

Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards waited.

Nozomi drew in a breath and then released it in a shuddery exhale. "More than themselves. And I need to be more. The way I am now..."

You're enough now, Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards wanted to say but held it back. Previous sessions taught her those sorts of assurances did little for Nozomi's self-esteem. Besides, it was her job to help Nozomi discover that for herself. Instead, she said, "It sounds to me...like you want to challenge yourself."

Mauve eyes flashed, molten with sudden heat. "Yes."

"How do you want to challenge yourself?"

The question made Nozomi avert her eyes again. She fiddled with her glasses.

Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards reclined in her seat, waiting.

Finally, Nozomi murmured, "I'm taking myself to UA."

This simple statement was easily the culmination of years of work, and it made Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards sit up accordingly.

"I...talked with my parents about it. Tou-chan offered to drive me like usual but UA is a lot further away than my junior high and in the opposite way of his job. Mom could but that would mess up Meg's schedule."

Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards waited. When Nozomi said nothing else, she asked, "Is this just for your family?"

Nozomi inhaled. "No. I want to do it."

A slow, proud smile slipped through Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards' professionalism. "How do you feel about it?"

"Nervous," she said immediately. Her face twisted, more frustrated than anxious. "Honestly...just the thought makes my stomach sick. But I can't rely on my parents for things I can do myself. I'm not a scared little kid anymore."

"What scares you the most?"

This time, when Nozomi said nothing, Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards knew there would be no response.

"So." Dr. Tsutsumi-Edwards clicked her pen. "We've talked about some tools you can use when you get anxious. What's one you can use on the train?"

"Counting," was the prompt answer.

"Counting what?"

Nozomi frowned, thoughtful. "...everything?"

"Try something a little more specific, Nozomi."

"People."

"That's a good start. But we don't want you to get overwhelmed by how many people there are. Especially in the morning rush. How about this... It's called the '5-4-3-2-1 technique'. It's a fairly common grounding exercise that you may find helpful."

Those hand still twisted in the hem of her sweater tightened, knuckles protruding, before she forced them to loosen. She picked up her red-framed glasses to slide them back onto her nose. Nozomi's lips were pressed together, still anxious, but the heat - determination - in her eyes returned. She nodded. "Okay."

One...two...three...four...five...six...seven...

...eight...nine...ten...eleven...twelve...thirteen...fourteen...fifteen...sixteen...seventeen...eighteen...

...nineteen...twenty...twenty-one...twenty-two.

Sometimes, change happens slowly... A lot of people start off small and soft and innocent. Years pass; they gradually grow and change. Become a little more aware of the world, learn more about it day by day. From a baby discovering their own fingers to a child figuring out the difference between real and make believe to teenagers learning just how complicated - and unfair - society is.

Other times, change is quicker than that - quicker than years. A matter of moving places, into an entirely different country or from one city to another, in less than a month. Sometimes it's just an hour: before you were an only child and now you have a baby sister. Your life can change in minutes when you learn something that shifts your entire perspective. Or mere seconds, riding your bike one moment and falling the next - your knees knobbly and whole one moment, skinned and bleeding the next. A lot of injuries are like that. Pain is like that. Sudden and unexpected and tilting your whole world upside down. As easy as falling off a bike.

Healing is never that quick, though.

The first life-altering change in my life was when I was five and my family moved to my dad's home country, Japan. That one was planned.

The second one wasn't.

22 minutes. 22 minutes and my life was changed, shifted, torn. Someone else made a choice and 22 minutes later, I was never the same.

22 minutes = 1 year in the hospital, 3 surgeries, 18 months for the trial, 13 hours interviewing with police, 2 court appearances, 1 conviction, 12 years sentencing, 143 kilometers from Kōfu to Musutafu, 1 month inpatient, approximately 237 hours of cognitive therapy, 6 years before I could go to school by myself again, and an entire life changed.

22 minutes. 1 stranger, 1 witness, 1 little girl walking to school, 0 pro heroes.

I was 9-years-old.

The third change was my little sister. 9 months, 1 week, 3 days, and 82 minutes of labor. Then she was brought into my life. My baby sister, mine to love and protect. My Megumi. She is the greatest gift my parents ever gave me. I was 13-years-old.

The fourth change came when I was 15, and I didn't realize the change until much, much later.

A split second and a glimpse of red hair in a crowded train.

Hikyō Station

...a My Hero Academia fanfiction story...

Hikyō Station © Mx. Irony

My Hero Academia/僕のヒーローアカデミア © Kohei Horikoshi

第1章

彼女の名前は梅沢望実です。

"Her name is Umezawa Nozomi."

"the girl i haven't met yet" - kudasai

Tuesday 2138 April 9
7:22 a.m.

The train slid to a smooth stop, barely jostling her. But with the stop came another flood of commuters. Nozomi's teeth clipped together and she breathed out in a slow hiss. She hugged her burgundy backpack closer to her chest, huddling further into her seat. She started to regret plopping into the closest free space, as it put her next to a narrow door - right next to the tidal wave of bodies pushing in and out. Now there were no other free spaces left.

Pressed between two businessmen, a young woman stopped in front of her. Instead of staring listlessly at the passing scenery or dead-eyed at her phone like a normal person, she made eye contact with Nozomi. Like any good city kid, Nozomi pretended to adjust her glasses and swiftly looked away.

"Excuse me," the woman murmured.

Nozomi's brow furrowed.

The woman swung her purse into view where a small, round badge dangled. It had a pink heart-shaped design with two faces at the center, one clearly a woman's and the other's an infant. The caption read: "There's a baby inside me."

Mauve eyes stared blankly at the maternity badge, then back up at the woman.

She smiled demurely.

Nozomi grimaced helplessly.

Begrudgingly, she relinquished the seat. Another man openly considered it but the woman was quick to claim her prize with a chirpy, "Thank you!" Nozomi squeezed between the two businessmen, clutching her backpack to her chest with an arm, and gripped the guard rail. She was a small person but suddenly felt much, much smaller tucked between strangers. She used her backpack as a guard up front but could feel the body heat of the man behind her.

The next stop arrived. More bodies crammed inside, Nozomi caught in a whirlpool of people. She could only clutch the guard rail for fear of getting swept away in it.

It was getting harder to breathe.

Five things you see. Nozomi forced her eyes open and looked around: a brown briefcase, a Mirko t-shirt, feathers, dangling earrings, and bright red hair.

Four things you can touch. Her backpack. Her red-framed glasses slipping down her nose. The crisp blazer of her uniform. Her loose braid, dark curls pressed against her check after all the jostling.

Three things you hear. "Motion" by Takeuchi Marika from the earbud tucked into her left ear. An announcement ("Next stop: Fubuki Station."). Someone's yawn.

Two things you sme -

Another stop, more movement. An unfamiliar body, taller and broader, pushed against her side.

Nozomi tensed, muscles locking almost to the point of pain. Several seconds passed and nothing happened. She slowly sighed through her nose.

Five things you see. Brown suitcase, Mirko t-shirt, feathers, dangling earrings, bright white hair - .

Huh?

Peering around the businessman, Nozomi curled the arm around her backpack further up to push her glasses up. She squinted.

Several feet away from her, almost at the clear opposite end of the train car, stood a tall boy about her age. She could only just make out his striking profile - the soft curve of his cheek, the slope of his nose, his rounded jawline, fair-skinned.

And yes, white hair. Longish strands fell into his face like snow as he looked at something on his phone. So bright it glowed under the morning light filtering through the train's windows.

Nozomi blinked.

I could've sworn… How did anyone mistake white hair for red? She just got a new prescription, so she knew it wasn't her glasses. Nozomi wondered if color hallucinations were some under reported anxiety symptom.

If that weren't enough, the more she looked at him...the stronger this sense of déjà vu crept over her.

"Arriving at Yoko Station."

Nozomi nearly wept. Muttering quick "excuse me's", she weaved between commuters and skittered onto the platform. Any longer on that train, she might have fallen to her knees and kissed it. Sighing, Nozomi crossed her arms over her backpack and squeezed. She briefly closed her eyes in silent thanks. One down, one more to go. She got one down - by herself. More than halfway there. I can do this.

Nozomi opened her eyes to read a flashing sign above her, checking for when the next train. Five minutes left.

Five. A prime number.

Five minutes, 300 seconds total. 150 seconds to recover from the last train and 150 seconds to mentally prepare for the next.

Nozomi walked to the place where her last train would pull up, a small distance from other people. Opposite of the tracks and across a fence were some blossoming trees. She recognized a few remaining cherry blossoms, lingering after last week's peak. Nozomi tucked her second earbud into her right ear and scrolled through the Takeuchi Marika playlist on her phone.

"Roots". Five minutes, three seconds. Piano notes filtered through the earbuds, joined by a violin half a minute in.

Breathing slowly, Nozomi focused on the present - and not the intrusive thoughts racing through the back of her head. Cherry blossoms. Sunshine. A kid holding his mom's hand. Birds.

Red.

Catching the color from the corner of her eye, Nozomi's gaze snapped to it.

That soft curve of his cheek, that nose, that jawline, that light complexion, he was an exact copy of the boy on her earlier train. Only longish red hair, bright like a sunset, brushed against his cheekbone which was touched by the outer edges of a vibrant red splotch over his eye. Either a birth mark or maybe some kind of Quirk-related marking, she assumed.

Twins? was Nozomi's first thought. Then she recognized the shoulder straps on his gray blazer - the same ones on her own, what her friend Yukari teasingly called her "air officer's uniform" - and his dark blue-green slacks.

The sight of another UA student hushed the paranoid noise of isthiseventherighttrain in the back of her brain. But then it was quickly replaced with a louder, Oh, dear god, please don't talk to me. Nozomi fiddled with her phone, avoiding looking at him but all too aware of his presence. Her uniform now felt uncomfortably like a target for unwanted social interaction.

Please, please, do not interact.

He didn't. In fact, the tall boy didn't even seem to notice her existence. He simply stood several feet down away, hands tucked into his pants pockets.

The music picked up, light voices harmonizing behind the melody. Just as it crescendoed, it fell into soft violin croons and light piano keys and finally silence as the train arrived. All without so much as a glance from her classmate.

Nozomi sent him silent thanks. Then, inhaling shakily, she stepped onto the train. She carefully avoided brushing against other passengers until she found a secluded corner for herself. Heart in her throat, Nozomi leaned against a wall as the train rode across a bridge. She watched the shining waters below until the train crossed the bridge and it was all concrete again.

Glancing up, Nozomi searched the train car for her classmate...s? She wondered what happened to the white-haired boy and if he was in fact related to the redhead. Nozomi had to rise to her tiptoes to see over people's shoulders.

White hair again, and a carbon copy of the red-haired boy - down to his messenger bag and the freshly ironed lines of his slacks.

Brow furrowing, Nozomi's mouth twisted. Her eyes roved around for his twin.

Were all three of them classmates at least? Or rather, were they upperclassmen? The redhead at least seemed tall enough to be older. It was harder to confirm with the white-haired one sitting, again on his phone.

Nozomi didn't realize it was their stop until he stood up, adjusted the strap of his messenger bag, and walked onto the platform with a totally aloof mien. Gasping, Nozomi rushed through the oncoming swarm of new passengers.

An old woman shot her a disapproving look when she almost barreled into her.

"Oh! Sorry, ma'am." Nozomi bowed, simultaneously sliding her backpack onto her back.

She shook her head. "You young people, always in a rush."

"Ah - I'm sorry. It's just - "

"That uniform…" Her expression softened into an approving one. Nozomi's junior high plaid skirt certainly never got such recognition. It was strange. "Don't mind this old woman. Go make a hero of yourself."

Nozomi laughed, breathy and sheepish. "Um, actually -"

"Go on now, shoo." She flicked her hand dismissively. "Have a good first day of school."

Biting her smiling bottom lip, Nozomi bowed again. "Thank you! You as well!"

Only halfway down the platform steps did Nozomi realize...that she wished an seventy-something-year-old a good first day of school. She cringed.

Sender: i made it!
7:58 a.m.

Mama (◡‿◡✿): Proud of you baby girl :)
Mama (◡‿◡✿): Have a great first day! Can't wait to hear all about it at home. :D
7:59 a.m.

Tou-chan (ᗒᗊᗕ): Good luck with your speech, Zo-chan!
8:02 a.m.

8:43 a.m.

Nozomi sacrificed hours of free time for the sole sake of studying for UA's entrance exam. She had known anything less than complete dedication would not get her a seat in the nationally recognized school, and all of that hard work had been worth it when her acceptance letter arrived. She had stayed up the entire night after the envelope arrived, simply staring at the letter. Her parents had it framed soon after.

Now, though, Nozomi wished she had worked a little less.

Off to the side of the stage, the teenager sat as stiff and straight as a board while her entire class filed into the auditorium. By entire class, not just students from 1-C - classmates whom she hadn't even met yet, as she was instructed to meet with Principal Nezu at the assembly instead of filing into it later with the rest of them. Entire class meant the entire graduating class of 2141.

Nozomi did the math: 4 departments, 2 hero classes, 3 general studies, 3 support, and 3 heroic management. Each had approximately 20 students. 220 students.

220 students minus herself, 219 students. But that didn't include all of the faculty members and parents who could make it…

"Woow. So many new students! Almost makes ya kind of nervous, huh?"

Nozomi's head swiveled to look at the third year seated next to her, the one whose name she'd already forgotten. Her eyebrow twitched. "Please don't say things like that with that kind of smile."

The blond blinked at her. Briefly, his arms tightened where they were crossed over his chest - biceps flexing - and Nozomi wondered if she'd misjudged his relaxed, happy-go-lucky demeanor. Then he threw his head back and laughed loudly.

It gave Nozomi flashbacks of another upperclassman from her junior high. The resemblance made her deadpan.

"You're pretty bold for a first year, Umezawa-chan! I like it." Again, that weirdly perky smile. It didn't match the things he said or the intelligent gleam in his eyes. Nozomi decisively did not like it. "Your class already seems pretty energetic. I can't wait to see what you guys do."

At the mention of her class, Nozomi glanced back at the gathering student body. Many chatted amongst themselves or were staring at the open-aired, clearly expensive auditorium with their mouths open. (It was certainly a far cry from the cramped assembly hall of Nozomi's own junior high with its creaky foldable chairs and wild dust bunnies.) While most were "energetic", Nozomi noticed a more...morose group of students somewhere in the middle. Instead of gawking at their surroundings, they seemed intensely focused on the students sitting in the front row.

Most definitely not "energetic".

"I guess we'll find out soon enough," she mumbled, eyeing the oddly sullen-looking group.

"Hey, Umezawa-chan."

Brow crinkled, Nozomi looked back at him.

This time, the older boy's smile was smaller, more reassuring. Nozomi wondered if they taught those kinds of pleasant expressions in the hero course. Given all the toothpaste commercials she saw pro heroes do, it wouldn't surprise her. With his bright blond hair and blue eyes, combined with the happy demeanor and muscular build, Nozomi reckoned it was only a matter of time before this guy's face snuck through the AdBlocks on her computer.

Dear god, he was even giving her a thumbs up. "You're gonna do great!"

Nozomi stared for no less than 9 seconds. "...sure."

His expression froze.

"Hello, Class of 2141!" a small, pleasant voice reverberated through the auditorium. It immediately quieted, some students clearly looking around for the source of the voice. "I cannot tell you how much it pleases me to see such bright young faces in this year's incoming class."

Suddenly, Principal Nezu's little face popped up from the podium. "Welcome to UA!"

A chorus of surprised exclamations filled the hall despite teachers' attempts at shushing them. Nozomi's face softened at the sight of her adorably tiny principal.

"I'm sure you must be startled by my appearance but I assure you that you will meet many startling characters here at UA. We are a school of exceptionalism and that includes individuals with some exceptional appearances. Of course, as students here, you'll certainly adapt quickly and will treat everyone with due courtesy."

Straight to the point. Nozomi smirked slightly. She recognized the thinly veiled warning in the gentle reprimand. It was just as much for himself as it was for students with heteromorphic Quirks. Her new principal - human or animal, however he defined himself - was someone who cared deeply for all of his students. She realized this quickly in an earlier meeting with him and her parents.

He was also very, very direct. Which Nozomi appreciated.

And also a bit long-winded, which Nozomi appreciated a little less as his welcoming address dragged on. She listened attentively but nonetheless found herself glancing at the clock. 12 minutes and 32 seconds.

"And now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to one of our most well-known alumnus who is joining our staff as our newest teacher for Hero Foundational Studies. Please welcome - "

"AHAHAHAHAH!"

That laugh. Everyone in the packed auditorium recognized that laugh.

Nozomi stiffened.

"There's no reason to be nervous, Class of 2141!"

Boom!

Crashing through an open window, the hero landed on feet-first on the stage. His wide blue cape whipped out behind him - nearly smacking Nozomi and the third year in their faces - and he posed dramatically, hands on hips and chest puffed out.

Nozomi breath hitched.

"Why? Because I am here!"

Loud gasps and delighted screams filled the auditorium. In less than 6 seconds, the audience went from bored teenagers to half-rabid All Might fans.

"Thank you, Principal Nezu, for the warm introduction! And let me just say it's good to be back!"

"So the rumors are true," the upperclassmen whispered in awe.

She said nothing, staring wide-eyed at the world-renowned pro hero. He looked every bit as fit and put together as he appeared on TV, smiling just as brightly, standing with such confidence. Even his iconic bangs stood straight up, not a hair out of place. But his eyes...

His every limb wrapped, even what little of his broad, powerful chest visible was covered in bandages. Blond hair in complete disarray, the tall man leaned heavily on the wall for support as he kept stumbling on. His broken smile was more of a grimace. Despite his weakened state, however, his blue eyes burned with something more than pain or helplessness.

His eyes were the same.

Most of All Might's speech was lost on her, even while she stared at his broad shoulders and watched him gesture empathetically. Something about "going beyond" and fond high school memories and other inspirational messaging.

Nozomi's bottom lip trembled.

Principal Nezu gave a discreet, delicate cough. His subtle gesture at his watch was lost on everybody off stage.

All Might abruptly cleared his throat. "I could talk to you young people all day - "

Bzzt.

Nozomi's eyes narrowed.

" - but that would deprive you the opportunity to hear from your own peers!" All Might said with enough gusto to cut through the students' disappointed grumbles.

"Thank you, All Might," Principal Nezu said, taking over the mic. "UA is glad to have you back. Now, students, please give a warm applause for your upperclassman, Togata Mirio of 3-B!"

Her seatmate beamed.

Ooh, yeah, that's his name!

To Nozomi's surprise, the name caused a ripple of whispers throughout the student body. It made her frown thoughtfully. Had he already started making a name for himself?

As he stood, Nozomi whispered, "Good luck, senpai."

That gave Togata pause, enough to eye her curiously. Then he smiled and winked at her.

Without her meaning to, Nozomi's nose wrinkled.

Togata's smile cracked like glass, withheld from shattering by pure force of will. Ah, she's a tough one, he thought. At first she reminded him of Tamaki but she was more honest than even Hado.

Perking up, Togata approached the podium. All Might gave him an encouraging pat on the back. Nozomi's eyes flashed between one smile to the other. So much alike...even the blond hair.

"Ahaha, thanks, Principal Nezu! Hi, first years, it's good to meet all of you!" Togata waved at the crowd. "Like Principal Nezu said, my name is Togata Mirio and I am in Class 3-B but you may hear me called me by my hero name, Lemillion!"

Another rush of excited chatter.

Nozomi deadpanned. ...what does your hero name have to do with most of the student body here?

"You all must be super excited, confused, nervous, and even scared on your first day. I know this because I was just like you two years ago when I first started out. And that's completely normal when you first enter high school. It isn't easy. But as Principal Nezu said, UA is an exceptional school! And unlike other high schools, UA will absolutely put you through the wringer."

It got dead quiet.

Nozomi tilted her head.

Grinning, Togata held up a fist. "It's pretty scary but these intense and scary things you're about to go through in the next three years will teach you more than any regular curriculum ever could. That's why I encourage you to use these upcoming first-rate experiences to become stronger, smarter, and more capable adults."

I want to push myself, and that's what UA does. Pushes people until they're more than themselves.

A surge of emotion pushed at the corners of Nozomi's lips until she was outright grinning.

"When I first started out, I was naive and inexperienced. I was just Togata Mirio. But under the guidance of our teachers and the out-of-school experiences UA provided me, I've grown into someone more than that: Lemillion. That's why I'm excited to see what kind of exceptional people UA shapes you into. Turn this scary experience into power and make something of yourselves, first years! Plus Ultra!"

The entire auditorium thundered with the first year student body's approval. Shaking her head, Nozomi clapped along with them. She smiled nonetheless.

I made the right choice, she thought, validated. She privately hoped that whatever public speaking curriculum the Heroics Department underwent also blessed other departments.

When Togata left the podium, All Might heartily shook hands with him. "Well done, Young Togata!"

The teenager still practically radiated charisma and warmth when he returned to his seat next to her.

Principal Nezu spoke into the microphone. "Next I would like to introduce everyone to one of your own peers, a representative of this year's incoming class. Not only did she impress our admissions team with her thought-provoking essay, 'Everyday Heroes', but she also scored the highest in this year's entrance exams! Please welcome Umezawa Nozomi."

Polite applause followed, lackluster compared to All Might's receiving and even Togata's. At least if she botched up her speech, no one would remember. The highlight of the Entrance Ceremony had already spoken.

As if sensing her thoughts, Togata went to nudge her encouragingly.

Nozomi instinctively leaned away.

Nonplussed, he smiled at her. "You got this."

Another thumbs up.

"Thanks, senpai," she mumbled as she stood and made her way to the podium, note cards in hand.

On the way over, she passed by All Might and looked at him from the corner of her eyes. He was still smiling, still standing tall and strong, but her gaze lingered on the beefy forearms crossed over his chest. There was no clap on the back for her, and Nozomi knew she wouldn't get a handshake afterward, either. Not even a kind nudge like Togata attempted earlier.

Because All Might knew better.

He remembers me, she realized, heart hammering.

Without pause, Nozomi walked to the podium and stepped up on the stool Principal Nezu used. The microphone rang out as she adjusted it. Nozomi looked out into the crowd of her peers and then back down at her note cards. Her hands trembled slightly.

Plus Ultra, huh?

Nozomi sighed, then promptly threw her note cards over her shoulder.

"We really do have some big shoes to fill, huh?" she said, a small joke at her own expense. Making a speech after All Might and one of UA's top students wasn't an enviable position for anyone, let alone a first year on their first day.

It at least earned her a couple laughs.

Smiling wryly, Nozomi adjusted the mic a little more. "Or maybe a better saying would be that we're standing on the shoulders of giants."

Even on a stool, Nozomi was easily dwarfed by All Might's full 220 centimeters. The hilarious difference in height brought on more laughter. Even Principal Nezu chuckled. The sound of it loosened the knot in her stomach.

"I want to respect everyone's time but first, real quick, I - I kind of want to do a little bit of a poll: If UA was your dream school, please raise your hand." Saying as much, Nozomi raised her own hand.

Immediately, a crowd of hands followed her as every student raised their hands. Some of the faculty members followed suit. Even Togata raised his own without hesitation, smiling broadly at her. All Might shortly followed after.

"Okay. Keep your hand up if you feel like you somehow conned admissions into letting you in."

Very few hands went down. To her surprise, even the still ruefully smiling Togata kept his own raised. This made everyone pause as they took in all the hands.

Nozomi sighed, letting hers fall. "Thank god, I thought it was just me."

More laughter.

Relaxing, Nozomi continued, "Crazy, right? Literally thousands of applicants and we're the ones who made it in. And I know everybody worked really hard to get in. Like Principal Nezu said, UA is an exceptional school with exceptional people and I'm looking forward to learning with all of you over the next three years. We have a lot to teach each other.

"But entrance exams were just the first step. Togata-senpai made that pretty clear. And you know, as scary as it is…" Nozomi smiled, jittery from growing nerves. "I was relieved to hear it. Because if none of us wanted to be challenged, we wouldn't have bothered with applying, right?"

A pause.

She inwardly berated herself for asking questions in a one-way speech, but she pressed on. Nozomi took previous public speaking advice and looked for a friendly face in the crowd. She found it in someone in the front row, a girl with her long, ginger-colored hair pulled into a side ponytail who looked up at Nozomi with rapt attention.

"We're all coming here with our own experiences, our own trials and struggles," she went on, focusing on the girl. "And our own goals. I'm sure most of us have an idea in our head of the person we want to become and applied to UA to become that person. I heard a lot of old classmates in junior high say they're looking at high school as a chance to 'reinvent themselves'. But that's not what I want for us."

The orange-haired girl blinked.

Licking her lips, Nozomi gathered her thoughts and finally said, "I want for UA to challenge and push us further beyond any school ever could...to be even more than that idea, into who we really are. I want UA to make us the very best version of ourselves."

As she spoke, a bright smile bloomed across the girl's face.

That was enough for Nozomi.

"With all the exceptional mentors - no, all the exceptional people in this room, I'm sure that's exactly what UA will do. So...in advance." Nozomi stepped off the stool and bowed to the others on the stage with her. Then she offered another one to the entire crowd.

She raised her voice and called out, "Let's do our best."

It was the orange-haired girl who called back first. "Let's do our best!"

Similar calls chorused afterward. A few even threw in energetic "Plus Ultra!" Clapping followed.

Ears burning, Nozomi bowed again and went to walk back to her seat. She paused in front of All Might, craning her neck to meet his eyes.

All Might smiled down at her from his great height; it was softer than his prior ones. To her shock, he bowed to her as well. When he spoke, it was quiet but warm - for her ears only. "You've grown into a splendid young lady, Umezawa-chan."

Nozomi swallowed and partially to hide her burning eyes, she bowed back. "Thank you, sir."

Then she went back to her seat as quick as her short legs could carry her and flopped into her chair.

Still clapping, Togata grinned broadly at her. "That was great, Umezawa-chan!"

"Thanks…" she whispered back, hugging herself.

Principal Nezu took over the mic, offering her praise before starting introductions of the homeroom teachers.

"First we have Class 1…" The tiny principal paused for the briefest of seconds, taking stock of the present faculty. "1-B, Kan Sekijiro-sensei. Also known as the Blood Hero: Vlad."

1-B? Nozomi blinked, eyes sweeping over the student body. At the call of their homeroom teacher, the first row rose from their seats to line up and follow the intimidatingly hulking man out of the auditorium. Then where's 1-A?

UA was famous for its hero program yet one half of its first year hero students missed the Welcome Ceremony? Nozomi was baffled.

"Class 1-C, meet your homeroom teacher Hanabusa Kiyoko or as you may know her, the Quicksilver Hero: Mercury."

Nozomi nearly forgot that every teacher was a licensed pro hero, even the kitchen staff. That included her own teachers in the Department of General Studies. It seemed a little excessive but...well, it was UA. Plus Ultra.

Perking up, Nozomi looked down to watch a slender, silver-haired woman rise from her seat in a single fluid motion. She raised an elegant hand and gestured for Nozomi to come over.

"Good luck, Umezawa-chan," Togata murmured.

"Hm?"

The senior simply smiled. "I'll see you around school, yeah?"

"Um...yeah, okay. Bye, senpai." She spared All Might another look before going down the going down the stairs. As she approached her new homeroom teacher, Nozomi peered at the line of students - her new classmates - beside her. 10 girls (11 including her) and 8 boys.

Her stomach dropped as she realized: They were the same students who had stared down the front row, Class 1-B she now knew. And now they were looking at her with the same appraising looks.

Why?

"Well done, Umezawa-chan. You represented our class well," Hanabusa stated, her voice as clear as a bell. Unlike many of the other faculty members, she didn't wear a hero costume. Yet there was no mistaking her vocation with those intense, fierce hazel eyes and the way they analyzed Nozomi. It made her gulp.

"Th-thank you." She bowed. "Nice to meet everybody."

Only one girl with a squirrel-like heteromorphic Quirk smiled at Nozomi, waving cheerily. The rest...

What's with these guys? Nozomi frowned as some classmates openly sized her up.

Mercury smiled demurely. Silken strands of silver fell over her shoulder as she tilted her head, glancing at her new class. "Let's head up to our classroom, shall we?"

Good luck, Umezawa-chan.

While Nozomi didn't know the cause for...this, she was quickly starting to understand the meaning behind Togata's comment. He wasn't just wishing her luck on her first day. There was more to it than that.

But what else was there?

9:57 a.m.

Much like the rest of UA, 1-C's classroom was all tall doors and wide windows and modern design. Even the desks were slim and functional, most of students' storage in short square lockers in the back of the room. At Nozomi's junior high, students sat in hard wooden chairs but UA supplied its students with plush rolling chairs instead.

Nice to see where the Japanese government's education funding goes now, Nozomi thought dryly, as she attempted to lower her seat to where her feet didn't dangle above the floor. It was a hard compromise between that and seeing the board over the tall, indigo-haired boy in front of her.

At the front of the room, Hanabusa leaned back against the teacher's desk with her hands braced behind her. "Now that we're all here… Let's all introduce ourselves. As you know, I'm your homeroom teacher, Hanabusa Kiyoko. You may call me Hanabusa-sensei or by my hero name. I myself am not a graduate of UA but have taught here for eight years. Pleased to meet you all."

She gestured at the first student in the front row. "Tell us your name and what junior high you went to."

A serious-looking boy with pale green hair stood first. "Mochizuki Akimitsu, Soumei Junior High School."

"Uotani Mizuki, Kaisei Academy."

"Fukuda Hinagiku, Seirin Junior High."

As each student stood and introduced themselves, the lower Nozomi's heart fell. She recognized the name of every single junior high listed: Elite. Every single one of them was an elite place.

She swallowed. While she herself went to a private school, it was a tiny Christian one her parents' church ran. UA's first year class alone made up the entire student body of her old one.

"Gwan Min-jun," another boy said in perfect, clear Japanese. He smiled sheepishly. "I just moved to Japan, so…"

Hanabusa inclined her head, looking to the next person.

Just moved here? Nozomi remembered when her family first moved to Japan and her initial struggles with the language, even after speaking spurts of it with her father in the States. Now, ten years later, her mother - who majored in linguistics - still struggled with the language sometimes. Yet here he was.

A shining moment of reprieve arrived when the boy in front of her stood up. He raised a hand, rubbing the back of his neck. "Shinso Hitoshi, Nabu Middle."

Nozomi sighed. Finally, someone with a normal background.

Hearing her, the boy glanced over his shoulder.

Nozomi offered him a shy smile. Hi, fellow commoner.

There was no returning smile, no quietly shared comraderie. Shinso's stoic expression didn't change but his eyes narrowed, assessing.

Nozomi's smile fell. She blinked up at him.

Shinso faced forward as he took his seat, and the next couple of classmates went ahead.

Did I...did I make a bad impression during the speech? Nozomi wondered, mind racing. She thought back to when she threw the note cards over her shoulder and flushed with shame. I must've looked really cocky.

Maybe the ginger-haired girl from 1-B was an outlier… Nozomi should have stuck with her scripted, well-practiced, sensible speech.

Finally, it was her turn.

Determined to redo her first impression, Nozomi breathed in and stood up straight. Nineteen pairs of eyes instantly landed on her.

She tried to keep her voice calm without any trembling. "Umezawa Nozomi. St. Monica's International School. Please treat me well."

Hanabusa nodded, looking to the next student. Nozomi practically fell back into her chair.

Several classmates followed after her and once the last one introduced herself, Hanabusa smiled lightly and crossed her arms. -"Now… I want to do a little 'poll' of my own."

Please, dear god, strike me down. Nozomi sank in her chair. If only there were a hole in the ground for her to jump into but life never offered her any convenient getaways.

"How many of you took the practical exam for the hero's course?"

The hero's course? The corner of her mouth twitched. This is General Studies. Who here wants to be in the - ?

Every single hand shot up.

Every single hand but Nozomi's.

Oh.

Head whipping back and forth, she gawked at her classmates.

Hanabusa arched her silvery eyebrows, her too sharp hazel eyes lingering on Nozomi. A cold smile tilted her shimmery pink lips. She looked at the rest of her students. "And yet here you are, in the Department of General Studies…"

1-C's classroom was so quiet, Nozomi swore she could hear other classes down the hallway.

"Just gotten into UA by the skin of your teeth," Hanabusa drawled. "Really, I applaud you all for having the foresight to apply for General Studies as well. It's good to have reasonable expectations for yourself. As I'm sure you all know, occasionally a student from gen. studies who proves themselves as truly exceptional has the opportunity to transfer into the hero program."

So still that she stopped breathing, Nozomi gripped the edge of her desk. Transfer? Into the hero program? Did everyone here seriously apply to General Studies just for another shot at the hero program? Even 1-D and 1-E?

Those intense, steely eyes in each of her new classmates' faces confirmed just that. Nozomi recalled the way they'd cast those same appraising looks at 1-B and...at her. She suddenly felt light-headed. Why me, though?

Hanabusa's gave a cool chuckle, shaking her head. "Ah, you guys are too easy to read. I know exactly what you're thinking: 'Me. I'm the one who is going to transfer to the hero program. Out of everyone here, I'm the special one. I won't be wasting my time here for long.'"

No. Nozomi's eyes widened with horror as the intensity in the room tripled.

Hanabusa's laughter stopped cold.

Suddenly, her hand slammed against her desk.

Everyone jumped.

"If you seriously think that you can just worm your way into the hero course, you brats got another thing coming!" Hanabusa snapped, expression fierce. "'Nothing less than all of your blood, sweat, and tears will get you in. Only the student with the highest grades will be considered. And just your luck, your entire year's top scorer is in your class."

Suddenly, Nozomi felt nineteen pairs of cold, hard, assessing eyes fall on her. Her hands trembled. Hanabusa-sensei, why?!

Hanabusa straightened up and started to walk between the rows, a white tigress on the prowl. "And don't think that giving up and slacking off is an option, either. This is still UA. It's my job to push to the very brink. And when I do, you're expected to get back up and ask for more."

She paused by a window, looking out at the wide forest on UA's property. "That said...my job this year is to teach the Department of General Studies, so don't expect any extra help from me. If you want to be a hero, you'll have to train yourself to get into the hero course. I couldn't be less bothered if none of you transfer."

Bzzt.

"Your dreams, goals, ambitions... They mean nothing to me."

Bzzzzt.

Nozomi's previously widened eyes narrowed thoughtfully, considering the willowy figure of her new homeroom teacher.

"That's not fair!" a girl suddenly exclaimed. It was the one with the squirrel Quirk who had spared Nozomi a smile earlier. "You're our teacher. Aren't teachers supposed - ?"

Hanabusa turned to her with an absolutely frigid expression, and Nozomi swore the classroom lowered ten degrees. "You really think the world of pro heroes is fair, Taki-chan? Let this be your first lesson in UA: It's not."

Because life's not fair, Nozomi silently added. Her expression softened into a thoughtful one. She absently touched her right side, eliciting a soft crinkling sound. Their teacher was trying to teach them that before life's harsher lessons did.

All the same… Nozomi cringed under her classmates' intense stares. What did I get myself into here?

3:16 p.m.

Recently finished with the second of many visits to Recovery Girl's office, Midoriya Izuku slumped down the hallway. "Maan, I'm out of it," he sighed.

It was only his day at UA and he'd barely scraped through it. He never thought a class like homeroom could be so intense. I can't keep going at this level, he thought, looking at his hand. I need to figure out how to regulate my own power. And soon...

"Pssst. Young Midoriya!"

"Huh?" Izuku blinked.

Two long blond bangs peaked out from behind a corner, followed by the top of a very familiar face. Izuku would recognize it anywhere, as it was plastered across his entire room.

His freckled face lit up. "A-All Might!"

Just who he needed to see to lighten today!

All Might held a thick finger to his lips. "Sshh!"

Izuku covered his mouth with both hands.

The tall man made a "come here" motion with his hand, to which Izuku immediately complied. Gripping his backpack straps, the boy practically bounced over and followed All Might into an empty classroom. Door shut, All Might almost immediately deflated into his smaller form. He coughed into his hand, barely avoiding getting blood on his now too long yellow pinstripe sleeve.

"I'm so glad to see you!" Izuku exclaimed. "I'm sorry I missed your speech at the Welcoming Ceremony. Our homeroom teacher had us test out our Quirks and I just made it through."

"Yes, I heard. Eraserhead's reputation proceeds him," All Might said, a little dry. "But I knew you'd pull through."

Izuku beamed under his mentor's praise.

"But that's not why I called you in here. Something came up - something I never thought to anticipate." All Might's voice lowered, grim. He looked at Izuku with burning eyes, shadowed by age and fatigue. The boy stiffened. "It could threaten the very secret of All for One."

All the excitement from his first day of UA instantly evaporated. Izuku stuttered. "W-what? But I...I haven't said anything, I swear! How?"

"It's nothing you said or did, young Midoriya. I simply ran into someone..." All Might's expression turned distant, softening into something that Izuku couldn't quite recognize but made his own heart ache. "Someone unexpected. Someone I haven't seen since just after my battle with All for One."

"Someone you… Who? Where? A-are they dangerous?"

With how I am right now, how can I expect to go against someone like that? Izuku inwardly panicked. He had only just scraped through a basic apprehension test by his teeth and even then scored last in his entire class. He knew too well that he wasn't ready to seriously fight anyone.

"She isn't," All Might snapped, frown suddenly fierce. Just as quick, it faded into that distant expression again and Izuku finally understood it.

Pained.

Head lowering, All Might sighed. "But her Quirk can be. There's a girl in your year...one with quite the formidable Quirk. It's unlikely you'll ever run into her. Compared to the other courses, it's rare for hero students to spend any time with General Studies."

"In...General Studies?" Izuku wondered how a student with a Quirk that intimidated All Might could end up in the General Studies Department. Beyond her course placement, he couldn't even fathom what kind of Quirk it could be.

"Yes, General Studies," All Might confirmed softly, lost in thought. When he spoke again, his tone was stern. "On the off chance you two cross paths, you must be careful what you say around her. You mustn't lie, young Midoriya. She'll know in an instant. And whatever you do...under absolutely no circumstances, should you allow her to touch you. Not even a single brush."

A foreboding chill ran up Izuku's spine. "All Might... Wh-who is she?"

"Her name Umezawa Nozomi."

3:57 p.m.

After the swarm of gray uniforms at the train station closest to UA, Nozomi was glad for the pointed lack of them at the second one. Even if she was taking a train again. But she found it was easier leaving school by herself than going to it. Maybe it was the sheer relief of leaving behind her classmates' constant side-eyes and coldly terrifying homeroom teacher?

A quick web search revealed that the Quicksilver Hero was known as one of the more ruthless of licensed pro heroes. Dozens of headlines popped up when Nozomi typed "Mercury professional hero" into a search engine, some of them criticizing her use of force in villain suppression (which said something, in a world that praised All Might's Detroit Smash - or maybe it's a sexism thing, Nozomi thought). She was particularly known for her frigid demeanor, cold to the press and harsh on her own constituents. Mercury was cool and effective but her low approval ratings tanked her official rankings. A small news clip showed the full, terrifying use of her Quirk Silver Mist.

And now Hanabusa Kiyoko was her homeroom teacher.

Sighing through her nose, Nozomi took a long sip from the milk carton she'd picked up from a vending machine. The light notes of Nishimura Yukie's best collection soothed her through tangled earbuds. She stared listlessly at the cherry blossom trees across the tracks and over the fence.

Of all things she'd considered while catastrophizing about how her first day would go, Nozomi never thought she would be thrown into an involuntary competition with her entire class. UA really is an exceptional place, she thought to herself. At the very least, it really would push her. And that's what she wanted, right?"

"Did you really not take the practical exam?" Fukuda demanded as soon as the first period ended. Already taller than Nozomi, the long-haired brunette towered over her as she sat at her desk.

Heather eyes blinked up at her from behind red-framed glasses. "Um, hi?"

Fukuda crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "What's your deal?"

"I...heard a lot of good stuff about the General Studies program here," Nozomi said carefully. She didn't particularly feel inclined to share her deeper ambitions in front of the entire class. Or with anyone for that matter. It was nobody's business but hers. She smiled awkwardly up at Fukuda. "Even if no one gets into the hero course, we'll still get a good education. You know?"

She'd meant the optimism as a comfort but apparently, it was the wrong thing to say. Fukuda narrowed her eyes. "Becoming a hero is the only reason I'm in this class in the first place. Watch out, Umezawa - I'll be taking your spot soon enough and then I'll be the one to transfer to the hero course."

The air crackled with sudden tension. Eyes turned toward them at Fukuda's bold proclamation, first to glower at Fukuda and then to watch Nozomi's reaction.

Taking..."my" spot? As if anyone's actually entitled to it - or the hero course. These guys really need to learn that things aren't just handed to you.

Nozomi's brow wrinkled before smoothing over. She smiled. "Okay."

Fukuda's eyebrow twitched. "Okay?"

"Yeah, sure." Nozomi shrugged, unwinding her earbuds from their tangles. "It's not like I'm interested in transferring. Best of luck, Fukuda-chan."

Bewildered, Fukuda blinked as the other girl started listening to music and continued reading her book.

Nozomi chewed on her straw. She wondered if perhaps she'd been too blasé about the whole thing or if she should've explained herself further. But she didn't know how else to react to...that. Was it overly dramatic to call it a declaration of war? Nozomi wondered how Switzerland would respond to such and if she herself could declare neutrality. Never one for competition, she disliked it being the very start of her relationship with classmates - especially over such a immature, one-sided thing.

Just then, a bell rang out to signal the arrival of her train. Nozomi quickly tossed the crumpled carton into a nearby trash can and adjusted the straps of her backpack. This train car was emptier than the other three she took that day. Plenty of empty seats and no pregnant ladies to steal them.

Sinking into one, Nozomi stretched her legs out and sighed.

Red.

Eyes widening, Nozomi looked up to find the same redheaded boy from her morning commute sitting several seats down from her. He wasn't on his phone this time. Instead, he simply leaned back in his own seat with his eyes closed. By his smooth expression, he could have been just as wiped out as she was or completely unbothered by the first day. It was hard to tell.

There's Red. Nozomi searched the rest of the train car for his twin. Where's Snow White?

A group of teenagers from another high school, a dozing salary man, and a single woman trying to wrangle two toddlers at once. Unlike the crowds of gray in the first train, it seemed she and the redhead were the only UA students on this route. Did his brother have to stay after school?

As if sensing her stare, his eye - bright in that swatch of red surrounding it - opened. The boy lifted his head and tilted it to look at her full on and - oh.

Oh.

Nozomi almost slapped her forehead.

Red and white hair, one color on each side. It was like someone had drawn a line straight down the boy's body, separating him into two perfect halves, and then forgot to color in his right side. His appearance wasn't the most "startling" Nozomi had ever seen in their Quirk society but there was no denying how...striking he was. Either side stood out uniquely on their own, as her morning observations proved, but together...he was memorable, Nozomi decided. Very memorable.

Genetics are wild.

Whatever his coloring, though, there was no missing the cool, flat stare he sent her way.

Caught, Nozomi flushed and quickly looked away.

"Arriving at Aino Station."

Breathing a thankful sigh, Nozomi snatched up her bag and bolted for the doors. It was only as they opened that she looked over her shoulder to offer the boy a shy smile. But already his eyes were closed, head reclined as though he never moved in the first place. Nozomi lingered for a second longer, considering his quiet form, before slipping out of the train.

"Of course! Of course, boss, I'm on my way right now. Yes, I got the file. Sorry I got sidetracked in a meeting - " A young man crashed against Nozomi's shoulder as he raced onto the train just before the doors closed. " - at the love hotel with your wife!"

A furious "WHAT?" from the cell's receiver resounded through the entire train.

The young man blanched, mouth falling open as what he just said caught up with him.

His introspection interrupted, Shōto opened his eyes a second time and glanced at the loudly apologetic man. His mouth tightened at the noises but otherwise his expression didn't change. He'd been warned about strange things on public transit but watching a full-grown man nearly dissolve into tears wasn't one of them. Annoyed, he cut his gaze out the window and watched the city pass.

Author's Note: Following in Horikoshi's footsteps, references to Nozomi's Quirk and personality both can be found in her name. Her family name - Umezawa - is formed with two kanji: 梅, "ume", a Japanese apricot or plum for the tree is a symbol for winter and a harbinger of spring. According to the Wiki page, they're also seen as symbols for "perseverance and hope, as well as beauty, purity, and the transitoriness of life". The second kanji, 沢, can mean swamp, marsh, brilliance, or grace.

Her given name, Nozomi, is the Japanese word for hope or wish (typically said as "Nozomu" in conversation or if it were a masculine name). The kanji her father lovingly chose are 望 and 実: hope and truth.

Until then, next chapter's song: "Who Cares If You Exist" (Eisu remix) by Peacock Affect.