Chapter Text
Well, life’s been good so far. His classmates were warm and accepting and so freaking nice. Izuku hadn’t had a single problem adapting to Shiketsu’s classes, which still felt weird to admit even after a month of being here. And on top of everything else, he’d managed to snag a spot in a Quirk Analysis elective class—a class he didn’t even know existed until orientation. Now he got to spend two days a week geeking out about quirks with other five equally obsessed classmates.
It was paradise.
Right now, though, they were doing some independent research for his Quirk Analysis class, which basically meant five kids in a dead quiet classroom with piles upon piles of books in each desk.
“I knew it,” Izuku muttered under his breath, flipping to the latest page of his notebook. His pen flew across the paper, jotting down his latest observation about Takami-san’s quirk. Her Ant quirk fascinated him to no end. She could shrink down to just a few centimeters tall and carry fifty times her weight—small, but so efficient.
Structural impact at full strength? he scribbled. Potential applications for search-and-rescue? Battle maneuverability?
The antennas were a whole other story. She could sense vibrations through them, making her practically impossible to sneak up on. Izuku’s pen hesitated as he thought. Could she fine-tune them to detect changes in air pressure? Locate trapped civilians underground?
He grinned. This class wasn’t just letting him nerd out—it was forcing him to think about quirks in ways he’d never had time to explore before. UA felt like a battlefield, he thought. Shiketsu feels like—
“Midoriya!”
Izuku practically jumped out of his chair. He looked up to see Gang Orca standing in the doorway, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the classroom. Despite his towering figure and intimidating presence, there was something calm about the way he carried himself.
“Oh, um—yes, Mr. Sakamata?” Izuku stammered, snapping his notebook shut.
“Ms. Nakano,” Gang Orca added, turning his attention to the girl sitting in the desk next to Izuku’s. She gave their homeroom teacher a small bow with her head. “Once this class is over, swing by Ms. Ichijou’s office. She wants to see you both.”
Nanami tilted her head, clearly curious, but didn’t ask questions. “Got it, sir. Thanks.”
Izuku, on the other hand, couldn’t help blurting out, “Is something wrong?”
Gang Orca’s brow twitched, but instead of answering, he gave them both a knowing look. “Finish your work. Worry about it after.”
With that, he strode back into the hall, leaving Izuku and Nanami exchanging confused glances.
“What do you think that’s about?” Izuku asked as Nanami packed up her notebooks.
“No clue. Probably not bad news, though. He didn’t do the dramatic pause thing,” she said as she packed her pencil pouch and closed her bookbag. She fixed her silky white gloves as Izuku watched intently.
“Dramatic pause thing?”
She grinned. “You know, when he stops talking mid-sentence and just stares at you for, like, forever. That’s his ‘you’re in trouble' face. He didn’t do that, so we’re fine.”
Izuku nodded, though he wasn’t entirely convinced. Why would Ms. Ichijou want to see us?
“Hey, you’re overthinking it again,” Nanami said as they made their way toward the cafeteria. She nudged him with her shoulder, her gloved hand already looping casually around his arm like always. “Relax. It’s probably something cool.”
Izuku blinked down at her. “You think so?”
“Yeah. What’s the worst it could be? ‘Hey, you’ve been selected for some secret government experiment, congratulations?’ ” Said the girl as she swung her other gloved hand in the air.
“That’s not funny,” Izuku muttered, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“It’s kind of funny.”
They got their food—rice bowls for both of them, curry for Nanami, and katsudon for Izuku—and found their usual spot by the window. The cafeteria buzzed with chatter, but their table stayed comfortably quiet. Nanami liked the spot because it was out of the way, and Izuku didn’t mind because it gave him a good view of the campus beautiful courtyard. The rose garden was thriving ; maybe they could hang out there before the leaves fall out in autumn.
“You’ve been weirdly quiet lately,” Nanami said, breaking the silence as she poked at her rice. “Something on your mind?”
Izuku hesitated. “Not really. Just, um… I guess I’ve been thinking a lot about quirks lately.” He paused, glancing at her. “I mean, I always think about quirks, but you know what I mean.”
“Classic you,” she teased. “Do I need to confiscate your notebook for the day?”
“Please don’t,” he said, clutching his bag protectively.
***
Once they finished eating and gave their trays back, Izuku gathered his things quickly, trying not to look too eager. He slung his beaten yellow backpack over his right shoulder and looked back at Nanami, who was doing the same.
"Ready?" Nanami asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She shot Izuku a grin, which he returned awkwardly.
"Yeah," he mumbled, following her down the hall.
The two of them had developed a routine, one that Izuku wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about. It had started with Nanami simply walking alongside him, but over time, the distance between them had closed in a way that now felt perfectly normal. Her habit of wrapping her gloved hand around his bicep, even when they were just going to class, had caught him off guard at first, but these days it felt... comfortable. Familiar.
Still, there was something about it that made him flush red, especially when it was just the two of them. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy her company—it was just... Nanami , you know? She wasn’t afraid to be physical with him, in a way that was so casual it left Izuku a little unsure. His heart fluttered a little, and he could’ve sworn it wasn’t just from the quick pace they kept. Get a grip, Izuku, he thought, trying to focus on the words of the conversation and not the warm pressure of her hand.
"So, uh, you think it’s something important?" He asked, his words falling awkwardly into the space between them.
Nanami shrugged, unbothered. “I told you, dork, I’m sure it’s nothing major.” She gave him a playful nudge.
Izuku blinked, still too lost in his thoughts about her touch to fully register her words. "Uh, yeah, I guess you're right."
As they reached the door to Ms. Ichijou’s office, a burst of laughter echoed from just around the corner. Izuku looked up, startled, and saw two figures lounging near the door. They were from class Beta, he was sure he analyzed their quirks once.
Inasa Yoarashi was leaning back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest with that carefree, almost cocky grin plastered on his face. His big form towered over the girl next to him. Hitoka Kira was standing next to him, arms folded, but her wide smile was infectious. She didn’t speak as loudly as Inasa, but her eyes sparkled with the same kind of energy.
"Looks like we’re not the only ones, huh?" Nanami said, nudging Izuku with her gloved hand. Izuku nodded, but his attention was caught on Yoarashi’s boisterous attitude and Kira’s bubbly enthusiasm. The two were worlds apart from him and Nanami, in terms of personalities.
Inasa’s voice rang out, clear and confident as always. “Yo, Midoriya-san! Nakano-san!” He pushed off the wall and gave them a broad wave. “You two been called too? I swear, it must be something special if they’re calling us in like this.”
“I’m pretty sure they call everyone to Ms. Ichijou’s office at some point,” Hitoka chimed in with a grin, her voice light, but her eyes twinkling with excitement. “Still, what’s the deal? Something about our grades?” Her short blonde hair gleamed in the light from the big window in front of them.
Izuku blinked, still processing the energy of the pair in front of him. He wasn’t used to people being so loud and cheerful all the time. He offered a small wave back, his own response quieter. “Hey, Yoarashi-san, Kira-san....”
Inasa shot him a playful look. “You sound so unsure, Midoriya-san. Lighten up, dude! We’re going to crush whatever they’ve got for us. Right, Hitoka-chan?”
“Oh, absolutely! I’m so excited!” Hitoka bounced on her feet, her enthusiasm almost too much for Izuku to handle. He shifted uncomfortably under the weight of it, exchanging a quick glance with Nanami, who only shrugged with an amused smile.
“They’re something else, huh?” Nanami whispered to Izuku, the words teasing but with a hint of affection.
“Yeah... totally ,” Izuku muttered, not entirely sure how he felt about Yoarashi’s loudness and Kira’s constant energy. Maybe it was just a matter of getting used to them.
Before he could answer, the door to Ms. Ichijou’s office opened, and the woman herself appeared, all business despite her warm smile.
"Ah, there you are," she said, her tone soft yet firm. "Come in, please."
With that, the four of them were ushered into her office.
Ms. Ichijou’s office was a sharp contrast to the more chaotic yet antique, bustling atmosphere of the school halls. The room was neat and orderly, each book on a shelf stacked in perfect alignment, the desk immaculately organized, and a small plant in the corner added a touch of life. There was a calm efficiency to it all, a quiet hum of professionalism that somehow felt warm instead of intimidating. A large window framed the view outside, letting in the soft noon sunlight, giving the space a sense of openness that made the students feel at ease.
Still, her office glowed in that classical beauty that the school had. It was like being transported to a book about kings and queens and castles and dragons.
"Come in, come in," Ms. Ichijou greeted with a welcoming smile, gesturing for them to sit around the round table in the middle of her office. Her tone was soft, inviting, but there was an unmistakable tone in her voice that made it clear this was no casual chat.
Izuku, Nanami, Inasa, and Hitoka took their seats, settling into the cushioned chairs, each of them trying to read the situation. Ms. Ichijou sat at the head of the table, her posture straight, yet her expression remained open and relaxed.
"I’m glad you could all make it," she began, folding her hands neatly in front of her. "I’ve asked you here today to discuss something quite important, something that I’m sure you must be curious about."
Izuku shifted in his seat, trying to gauge the mood. He didn’t know why, but something about the way Ms. Ichijou carried herself gave him the feeling this meeting wasn’t just a routine check-in. He glanced at Nanami, who was sitting beside him, her expression calm and collected as always. Then, his eyes darted over to Inasa, who was practically bursting with energy, and Hitoka, who looked eager but not quite as exuberant as her friend.
"You’ve all shown exceptional promise, far beyond what we expect from first-year students," Ms. Ichijou continued, her voice steady, cutting through the low hum of curiosity. "As a result, the faculty has decided to give you a unique opportunity." She paused for a moment, letting the weight of her words settle before she dropped the bombshell. "You’ve been selected to take the provisional hero license exam a full year earlier than most."
The room went silent, save for the barely contained excitement that seemed to buzz from Yoarashi’s side of the table. Izuku’s mind immediately raced as he processed the news. A year early? His palms felt suddenly clammy, and he wiped them on his pants before forcing himself to look up at Ms. Ichijou, trying to hide the surge of nervousness that hit him. The responsibility, the weight of what this meant—it was a lot to take in.
"Wait— a year early?" Hitoka echoed, her voice high with excitement. "That’s incredible!"
"That’s... a huge responsibility," Izuku muttered, more to himself than anyone else. His gaze dropped to his hands, now fiddling nervously with the strap of his bag. His scars looked better, but they still needed one more session, or maybe two, with Nurse Sasaki, for them to heal completely. Still, he could move his hands like he used to before getting One For All, so that was something.
He clenched his fists until his knuckles went white. He was excited, but also terrified. He still felt like he was stumbling through being a hero, and now he had to face the exam earlier than expected? Will I be able to handle this?
Ms. Ichijou nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the announcement. "Yes, it is. But we believe you have the potential to succeed. You’ve all shown remarkable growth and abilities that set you apart." Her voice softened as she looked at each of them in turn, pausing on Izuku for a brief moment before moving on. "It’s an opportunity that’s not given lightly, and it will require dedication. And the faculty is sure that you will make us proud."
Yoarashi, who had been practically vibrating with excitement, slapped his palms on the table. "YES! Finally! I knew it was something special!" His grin stretched from ear to ear, his voice practically booming with energy. "I’m ready! I’ve been waiting for something like this!"
Kira, meanwhile, bounced in her seat, her bright eyes fixed on Ms. Ichijou. "When do we start? I’m so excited!"
Nanami, by contrast, was the picture of calm, her gloved fingers lightly drumming against the table. "How are we going to prepare for something like that?" she asked, voice steady and composed.
Ms. Ichijou’s eyes sparkled at the question, impressed by Nanami’s level-headed approach. "Well, to prepare for the provisional exam, we’ve arranged for you to begin intensive training sessions with the second-year students, who have begun preparing for this exam this month. You’ll be divided into two groups. Yoarashi-san and Midoriya-san will train with class Alpha, and Nakano-san and Kira-san will train with class Beta. Each class will be doing the exam in different facilities, so you will train with each other to ensure teamwork."
The students exchanged looks, murmurs of curiosity and anticipation passing through the room. Izuku’s heart rate picked up again—the fact that they were being split into groups only added to the suspense.
"The exact location of the exam itself will be revealed five days before it begins," Ms. Ichijou continued, leaning forward slightly, her eyes focused on each of them in turn. "This will give you just enough time to get your parent’s consent to travel to each facility."
Izuku’s mind buzzed with questions. What if they weren’t ready in time? What if they failed?
"Why us?" Yoarashi asked, unable to contain his curiosity. "I mean, I know we’re awesome, but... what makes us stand out?"
Ms. Ichijou’s lips quirked up into a small smile at Inasa’s bluntness. "You all have unique abilities that make you particularly suited for the challenges of this exam," she explained. "Midoriya-san, your analytical skills and ability to work under pressure. Nanami-san, your adaptability and levelheadedness in any situation presented. Yoarashi-san, your sheer will and drive. And Kira-san, your resourcefulness and quick thinking. Each of you brings something special to the table, and together, I believe you have what it takes to succeed in this exam and become provisional heroes."
Izuku felt his heart race a little, his self-doubt briefly pushed aside by her words. Maybe he was ready for this. He couldn’t let the pressure overwhelm him. He had to push forward—for his friend, and especially for himself.
"The training will be intense," Ms. Ichijou continued, her tone now serious. "You will be expected to work with the second-year students as equals. And though the exam is still a mystery, I have no doubt you will be ready."
The group fell silent, each of them processing her words in their own way. The sense of excitement that filled the room was palpable, but so too was the weight of the responsibility now placed on their shoulders.
"We’re counting on you to make us proud," Ms. Ichijou said with a firm yet encouraging smile, her eyes meeting theirs.
Ms. Ichijou stood as they all gathered their things, signaling that the meeting was officially over. "You’re all free to go. I look forward to seeing how you approach your training," she said with a final, warm smile.
Izuku stood slowly, still processing the weight of the meeting. He couldn’t shake the mix of excitement and anxiety that churned in his stomach. A provisional hero license... a year early. I... I have to prove I’m ready for this.
As he followed the others out of the office, he felt the buzz of energy in the air. Kira, naturally, was the first to speak up, her voice high-pitched with excitement. "We’re going to crush this! I can’t believe we get to take the exam early. This is huge!"
Her words seemed to float through the hallway, her voice carrying an infectious energy. She spun around, practically bouncing with enthusiasm, and grabbed Nanami’s arm, pulling her into an impromptu celebratory dance. "We’re officially that good, Nana-chan! You realize we’re one step closer to being licensed heroes?"
Nanami, for all her calm demeanor, couldn’t help but smile at Kira’s exuberance, though she looked more than a little out of her element being twirled around. "Provisional licensed heroes, Hitoka-chan," she said, her voice steady but with a slight laugh beneath it. She didn’t mind Kira’s joy—it was infectious in its own way—but it was a little more than she had bargained for after such a heavy meeting.
“It’s the same thing!” said the blonde as she spun around the hallway.
Meanwhile, Izuku and Inasa had fallen behind the girls, their reactions more measured. Inasa scratched the back of his head with a big grin, clearly trying to mask his own nerves behind an energetic front. "Man, that’s a lot to take in. You think we’re really ready for this? We’re gonna be training with second-year students, and there’s no telling what this exam’s gonna throw at us."
Izuku nodded, though he didn’t look as confident as Inasa. "Yeah, I’m... I’m not sure, either," he admitted, voice quieter. "But Ms. Ichijou believes in us. That has to count for something, right?" His words were more to reassure himself than Inasa, but it was the best he could do at the moment.
Inasa seemed to think about it for a moment before giving a thumbs-up. "True. If she thinks we’ve got it, then I guess we’d better step up. No backing down now!" He grinned widely, but Izuku couldn’t help but notice the faint hint of uncertainty behind his bravado. They both had their own anxieties, but they weren’t about to let that show in front of their classmates.
As they neared the end of the hallway, Hitoka’s voice bubbled up again, her energy infectious. "We’re going to make a killer team. Just think, we’ve got all sorts of quirks to work with—Midoriya-san, you can analyze everything, and Nakano-san, you do a lot of amazing things with your quirk too! The possibilities are endless!"
Nanami, still trying to regain her balance after Kira’s burst of energy, nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, but we’ll need to be strategic," she said, her tone far more serious now. "If we’re working with second-years, we can’t just rely only on our quirks to carry us. We’ll need to work together with them to figure out how to cover each other’s weaknesses. Remember, we will not be training with ourselves; you two will be training with class Alpha, and we will be training with class Beta." It was so weird for Izuku to see Nanami speak like this to other people; she was so proper and so polite , while when talking to him, she is way more relaxed and casual. That change never fails to give him whiplash.
Izuku’s mind was already turning, his eyes lighting up as he thought through the potential combinations. "That’s right. We can set up plans. I’ve already got some ideas, but... we should probably talk more about that after class."
Kira, never one to let things get too serious for long, threw an arm around Nanami’s shoulders, dragging her into the conversation. "Of course! Let’s brainstorm some moves, Nana-chan! Maybe you and I could come up with a combo—we can mix your quirk with my force fields and do something cool!”
Nanami’s face was a little more serious now, though she looked at Kira with an amused, if slightly uncomfortable, expression. "I’m not sure what you mean with cool... but I get the idea."
Izuku couldn’t help but smile at the pair’s dynamic. Kira’s energy was boundless, and Nanami’s cool-headed responses were the perfect balance to it. And as for him? Well, he had his own ideas, but he wasn’t quite sure how to bring them to life just yet.
They continued down the hallway, their pace casual but their minds already working. The excitement of being chosen was settling into a quiet anticipation, but Izuku still couldn’t shake the thought: We’re going to be tested sooner than I thought. I need to prepare more than ever now.
Izuku and Yoarashi lingered a few steps behind as they made their way down the hallway, the others already a few paces ahead, their laughter and conversation filling the space. Yoarashi, ever the instigator, nudged Izuku with his elbow, his mischievous grin pulling at the corners of his lips.
"Your girlfriend traded you for Hitoka-chan already. Tough luck, Midoriya," Inasa said, his voice light and teasing.
Izuku’s face turned a deep shade of crimson, his hands flailing helplessly as he stammered, "Wh—She’s not my girlfriend! Dating is forbidden at Shiketsu!"
Inasa burst out laughing, clearly enjoying Izuku’s flustered reaction. "Yeah, yeah, I know the rules. But the way she clings to your arm? You’ve got to admit it looks pretty suspicious!"
Izuku’s gaze darted to the floor, his face still burning. He couldn’t understand why Inasa was making such a big deal out of it. "We’re just friends. Besides, what’s wrong with that?" he muttered, trying to sound casual despite his embarrassment.
Inasa’s teasing softened, and he gave a casual shrug. "Nothing’s wrong, but it’s intriguing. Nakano-san doesn’t really like touching people, even with those gloves. I’ve never seen her do that with anyone else."
Izuku blinked, a little taken aback. He hadn’t really thought about it that way. "Really? I thought she was just... I don’t know, comfortable with me."
Inasa raised an eyebrow, his voice more serious now. "Maybe she is. But the Nakano family’s pretty strict, you know? Powerful quirks, old traditions, all that jazz. Nakano-san’s quirk is one of the strongest in her family, so she’s got a lot on her plate."
Izuku tilted his head, a flicker of curiosity crossing his mind. "Strongest how?"
Inasa glanced over at the girls, who were still chattering away ahead of them, and lowered his voice slightly. "Her quirk’s hard to control. Like... really hard. She’s got to know what she’s doing all the time, or things could get messy. That’s why she wears those gloves—to make sure nothing activates by accident. You know."
Izuku’s brows furrowed as he processed this new information. Hard to control… He knew that, he’s seen Nanami’s quirk in action. The more he thought about it, the more his mind kept flashing briefly to Todoroki and Yaoyorozu—the way they had both struggled to harness the power of their quirks and the pressure that came with it. His empathy flared up, realizing that Nanami was carrying a similar burden.
It’s like they all share this same pressure...
Inasa, oblivious to Izuku’s inner thoughts, continued in a more light-hearted tone. "Anyway, it’s cool that she’s comfortable with you. Just don’t make any moves, okay? You don’t want Gang Orca breathing down your neck."
Izuku’s eyes widened in horror and his face flared bright red as he sputtered, "Wh—what? No, I’m not—!"
Inasa’s grin stretched even wider, and the mischievous gleam in his eyes intensified. "Just saying. No need to give the guy a reason to lecture you again. He’s already got his eye on you, you know."
Izuku, caught between embarrassment and genuine concern, could do nothing but glare at Inasa, his face now so red that it felt like his head was on fire. "I’m not trying to get lectured by Gang Orca," he muttered, embarrassed at how easily Inasa had gotten under his skin.
They both laughed as they walked the last few steps toward their classrooms, the teasing atmosphere lightening Izuku’s mood despite his internal turmoil.
"Good luck, Midoriya-san," Inasa said, his tone returning to something more sincere. "See you at training!"
Izuku waved, his mind still whirling with the information Yoarashi had shared, though his thoughts kept drifting back to Nanami and her strange, powerful quirk. It was no new information though; he had the change to briefly analyze Nanami’s quirk in one of their Quirk Analysis classes. But still, Nanami didn’t really like to talk insides of her quirk, so his analysis was brief and mostly taken out of their heroics classes.
He entered his classroom, the door clicking shut behind him, and for a moment, he just stood there, letting the noise of his classmates fade into the background as he processed the whirlwind of thoughts in his head.