The days went on quick.
Hero Basic Training with All Might on Mondays and Thursdays.
Foundational Hero Studies with various teachers throughout the week. Standard academics filling the gaps.
I kept my head down. Took notes. Answered questions when called on but never volunteered.
Eleventh place became my comfort zone.
Not memorable enough to stand out. Not weak enough to worry about.
Perfect mediocrity.
Except—
Control was getting harder.
Wednesday Morning – Classroom
I sat at my desk, waiting for homeroom to start. The pencil in my hand snapped.
Again.
The third one this week.
I stared at the broken pieces. The wood had splintered where I'd gripped it. Not crushed—just enough pressure to fracture.
I'm getting careless.
Kirishima turned around from the seat in front. "Dude, you keep breaking pencils. What's up with that?"
"Cheap ones," I said, sweeping the pieces into my bag. "Break easy."
"You should get the reinforced kind. They sell them at the school store for people with strength Quirks."
"Good idea. Thanks."
He grinned and turned back.
I pulled out another pencil. Held it lighter. Barely touching.
Focus.
The pencil stayed intact at least for now.
Lunch Period – Rooftop
I'd claimed the rooftop as my territory. It was quiet, empty and more importantly away from the cafeteria chaos.
The door opened halfway through my meal.
Tokoyami stepped out, Dark Shadow hovering beside him.
He noticed me, and paused.
"My apologies. I didn't realize someone was here."
"It's fine. There's room."
He walked to the opposite corner. Sat with his back against the railing. Dark Shadow disappeared into his body.
We ate in silence.
The quiet was comfortable. No forced conversation. No prying questions.
After ten minutes, he spoke.
"You prefer solitude."
Not a question. An observation.
"Sometimes," I said.
"As do I." He finished his sandwich. "The others are... loud."
I almost smiled. "Yeah."
"You performed well in the battle trial."
"Thanks. So did you."
"Dark Shadow is powerful. But difficult to control in darkness." He looked at the sky.
"Control is everything for someone like me."
Control is everything for someone like me.
The words echoed.
"Same here," I said quietly.
He glanced over. "Your Quirk is unstable?"
"Something like that."
He nodded. Didn't push.
We finished lunch. The bell rang.
As we walked back inside, he said, "The rooftop is large enough for two."
"Agreed."
From that day forward, Tokoyami joined me for lunch. We rarely spoke, but the companionship was... nice.
Thursday – All Might's Class
"Today, young heroes, I'll teach you about RESCUE TRAINING!"
All Might's enthusiasm today could power a small country.
He explained the exercise. Mock disaster scenarios. Civilians to rescue. Time limits. Teamwork essential.
We'd be visiting a special facility next week—the USJ. Unforeseen Simulation Joint.
USJ.
The name triggered memories. Canon knowledge.
The villain attack. The League of Villains. All Might fighting the Nomu.
My stomach dropped.
When is it? Next week? Two weeks?
I couldn't remember the exact timeline. The entrance exam had been in late February. Battle trial in early March. USJ would be—
Soon.
Very soon.
"Yamamoto! Are you paying attention?"
All Might's voice snapped me back.
"Yes, sir."
"Then tell me—what's the first priority in a rescue situation?"
"Civilian safety," I said automatically. "Secure the area and assess threats. Then proceed with evacuation."
"CORRECT! Well done!"
He continued the lecture.
I sat there, mind racing.
The USJ attack is coming.
Canon's biggest threat so far.
Do I interfere? Do I let it play out?
If I interfered too much, I'd change everything. Midoriya needed that experience. The class needed to bond through adversity.
But people could die.
What do I do?
After School – Training Grounds
I stayed late. Found an empty training area behind the main building.
Placed a stack of books on the ground. Picked one up.
Don't crush it. Control.
I held the book. Opened it carefully. Turned pages.
One. Two. Three.
On the fourth page, my finger tore through the paper.
Damn.
I tried again with another book.
Same result. Paper ripping. Covers bending.
It's getting worse.
The more I suppressed my strength in daily life, the harder control became. Like holding back a flood with a paper dam.
I set the books down. Looked at my hands.
Maybe I need to use more power. Not less.
Let it out in controlled bursts instead of constant suppression.
I found a boulder near the treeline. About a meter wide. It was a solid stone.
Small amount. Controlled release.
I punched.
The boulder exploded into gravel.
Too much.
I found another boulder. Smaller this time.
Less. Just enough to crack it.
Punched again.
The boulder split cleanly in half.
Better.
I continued. Boulder after boulder. Adjusting and calibrating.
By the time the sun set, I had a system.
Mental scale. One to ten.
One: holding a pencil.
Five: normal combat.
Ten: destroy everything.
Never go past five in public.
I tested it with a broken concrete pillar. Punched at "level three."
The pillar cracked but didn't shatter.
Good.
That's progress.
Walking Home – 6:47 PM
My phone buzzed.
Class group chat.
Ashido: "Movie night this Saturday! Who's in?"
Kirishima: "Hell yeah! What are we watching?"
Kaminari: "Something with explosions!"
Sero: "We should invite everyone. Make it a class thing."
Jiro: "As long as it's not a romance movie."
The messages continued. Plans were forming and excitement was building.
I scrolled past without responding.
I should go, maybe.
But who'll protect Hana in the meantime.
Me: "Can't. Work."
Sent.
Kirishima: "Aw man! Next time for sure, okay?"
Ashido: "We'll miss you! 😢"
I pocketed the phone.
Next time.
Always next time.
But next time never comes.
Apartment – 7:34 PM
Hana was doing homework at the table when I arrived.
"Welcome home! There's leftover curry in the fridge."
"Thanks."
I heated it up and ate it standing at the counter.
"Nii-san?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay?"
I looked at her. She'd set down her pencil. Watching me with concerned eyes.
"I'm fine. Why?"
"You've been... distant lately. Even more than usual." She hesitated. "Did something happen at school?"
Everything.
And nothing.
"Just tired. Lots of training."
She didn't look convinced. "You can talk to me, you know. About anything."
I walked over and ruffled her hair.
"I know. But really, I'm okay."
She smiled.
"Okay. But if you need to talk—"
"I'll let you know."
I finished eating. Washed the dishes.
My phone buzzed again.
Unknown number.
I dried my hands. Opened the message.
"USJ next week. Big day for heroes. Shame if something went wrong."
They know.
They know about the USJ attack. And something went wrong? IS IT AFO AFTER ALL?
Let's not come to conclusions.
I typed fast: "What do you want?"
The reply came instantly.
"Haha. You know it. We know it. What's the point of asking?"
The message deleted itself.
I stood there, heart pounding.
Are they going to be part of it with the league of villains?
Is the cannon changing?
I pulled up Yuki's contact. Forwarded the conversation screenshots I'd saved before the messages deleted.
Me: "Got another one. Can you trace it?"
Three minutes later:
Yuki: "Trying. But whoever this is... they're bouncing signals across multiple countries. Professional level encryption. It'll take time."
Me: "How much time?"
Yuki: "Days. Maybe a week. I'll keep digging."
I closed the chat.
Looked at Hana. She'd returned to her homework.
These bitched will definitely try something, I have to protect my classmates.
Even if it means exposing myself.
Friday – Foundational Hero Studies
Present Mic taught communication strategies. He was as loud as always and filled with extreme energy.
I took notes mechanically.
Beside me, Jiro winced at the volume. Her Quirk made her sensitive to sound.
"Does he ever use his indoor voice?" she muttered.
"I don't think he has one."
She snorted. Almost smiled.
Class ended. Students filed out.
Midoriya was talking to Iida and Uraraka near the door. Smiling and laughing. They were all comfortable.
He's grown, I thought. More confident. Less scared.
The training is working. He's becoming a hero.
Bakugo shoved past them. "Out of my way, extras!"
Although, some things never change.
I walked past the group. Headed toward the exit.
"Yamamoto-kun!"
Uraraka's voice.
I turned. She jogged over, Midoriya and Iida following.
"We're going to study together in the library. Want to join?"
Say no. Maintain distance for now.
"I have work," I said.
"Oh." Her smile faltered. "Maybe another time?"
"Maybe."
Iida adjusted his glasses. "You work very hard, Yamamoto-kun. Admirable dedication."
"It's just what I have to do."
Midoriya spoke up. "Your Quirk—Kinetic Boost—how do you train it? I'm still figuring out One For—I mean, my Quirk."
He stumbled over the name but covered quickly.
He almost said One For All. Well, its not like anyone in the class knows about it, yet.
"Practice," I said. "Start small. Build up gradually. Don't push past your limits."
"That makes sense." He pulled out his notebook. Started scribbling. "Do you have a training regimen? What exercises—"
"I have to go," I interrupted. "Good luck with studying."
I left before he could ask more questions.
Imagine giving advice to the main character of your favorite manga. Crazy.
Behind me, I heard Uraraka say, "He's kind of mysterious, isn't he?"
Iida responded, "Indeed. But clearly dedicated. A commendable classmate."
Mysterious and dedicated.
I like it.
That Night – Rooftop of Apartment Building
I couldn't sleep.
The threats. The USJ. The constant strain of hiding.
It was crushing me.
I climbed to the roof of my building. Sat on the edge. Let my legs dangle over five stories of empty air.
The city sprawled below. Lights glittering and people walking, unaware of everything.
The USJ attack.
I'll be ready.
I'll try to help without exposing myself.
Somehow.
I clenched my fist. Felt the power coiling beneath my skin. The endless and almighty.
Control.
That's all that matters.
Until then, I'll try to remember what happened in the arc, one by one.
The wind picked up. My cape—still in my hero costume at school—would've billowed dramatically.
But here, in civilian clothes, I was just another kid.
Sitting on a roof.
I stood. Walked back to the access door.
Tomorrow would be another day.
Another test.
And soon—
Very soon—
Everything would change.
TO BE CONTINUED...