When You Believe

Chapter 10

The following day, All Might had held a brief press conference. It was aired on every major news outlet, vocalizing his support of Yaoyorozu Industries, as well as other businesses that he knew were doing great things for the communities at large. Other businesses included Vanguard Insurance, Uraraka Construction, and Horikoshi United.

It had had an almost immediate effect. These businesses gained an overwhelming influx of consumers. Yaoyorozu Industries didn't necessarily need the extra business, but it was still beneficial, and Momo's parents had garnered further raises for employees, as well as a large bonus after a few months. It did, however, prove vital to businesses like Uraraka Construction, which had been struggling for some years.

Of course, not everyone was happy about this recent develop. Although that was mostly boiled down to Endeavor. When he had seen the press conference, he had almost destroyed the training room of his home in his anger and frustration. He couldn't go through with his threats on Yaoyorozu Industries now. Not if he still wanted to surpass All Might as the Number One. He may have been a self-centered, cruel man, but he wasn't an idiot.

In the meantime, Izuku and Momo had started dating, their feelings now out in the open. Their friends and families were excited for them, with the phrase 'about time' popping up once or twice. This did not keep everyone for continuing their training in preparation for UA.

And now the time was upon them. Well, upon Izuku, Mina, and Kirishima, as well as Kirishima's girlfriend Nakagami. Momo was taking the Recommendation Exam. Izuku had also been offered a recommendation, but turned it down. After everything, he still felt he needed to earn his way into the Hero school. Momo had also wanted to go for the practical exam, but it was a lot harder to fight against the recommendation, and her friends had insisted she take the recommendation.

"The Hell are you doing here, Deku!?" the unmistakable voice of Bakugo growled as the group had prepared to enter the gate. Izuku sighed, and the other three had looks of annoyance on their face. Though she hadn't met him, Nakagami had been told about the infamous Katsuki Baguko. They all turned towards the other boy, and Izuku looked at him, his emerald eyes bearing into Bakugo's red.

"I'm taking the UA Hero Exam, Bakugo," he said, his words even. "I assume you are, too. If so, we can't delay. Being late won't be looked kindly on anyone trying to be a Hero." This seemed to stop Bakugo in his tracks, but he growled and just moved passed the group. Izuku shook his head.

"Let's get inside."

*****

The auditorium was packed. But that was to be expected for entrance exam for UA High School. Mairu Satoshi took a good look around the room once more, noting some of the applicants that stood out. His eyes landed on a group that was very hard to miss, especially as they were sitting beside each other. A boy with red, spiky hair, sitting beside two curly haired individuals. One of the individuals had green hair. The girl beside them was entirely pink. They all definitely stood, but Mairu continued his observations.

His observations came to a close soon, however, as Present Mic entered the room and got everyone's attention.

"Can I get a 'YEEEAAAAAHHHH?!" The Voice Hero called out to the audience. There was silence as a response. "Tough crowd," Mic followed, before getting into how the exam worked. Seemed pretty basic, based on the packets that had been provided. Destroy robots. Get points. Mairu sighed to himself. He could do this.

He was brought out of his thoughts by a member of the audience, a rather loud, bespectacled boy with blue hair, going on about there being four robots on the handout. Present Mic set him straight by explaining he was getting to that. The boy apologized before sitting back down. Once Present Mic finished the presentation, it was time for the exam.

*****

Mina was a little bummed that she wouldn't be able to be in the same testing center as her friends. But that was pretty much explained by the fact that people from the same schools weren't generally placed in the same testing site. It was okay, though. With all of the training they had been doing, she felt confident in her abilities. She even felt confident with the written exam, since she had been reassured by Izuku and Kirishima to let the proctor know about her dyslexia, and they were able to make accommodations for her.

Now, she was standing outside of what had been referred to as a fake city, awaiting the start of the practical. She was doing some stretches, nothing too over the top, just so that way she was limber enough for the test. As she was finishing up, she noted someone walking up to her. She looked over to see a boy, probably between three and four feet, with what appeared to be grapes on his head. And she did not like the way he leered at her.

"Hey there, hot stuff," he said, with a lisp. He then winked at her. Great, she thought to herself, now she had to find a polite way to tell him to beat it. It didn't help that she felt completely exposed with how he was looking her up and down. And then the words started.

"So, tell me," he was continuing to talk. "How sensitive are those horns?" To emphasize his question, he raised his eyebrows up and down, as if relaying some hidden meaning. Okay, she decided, she had enough of this guy. However, it was another voice that interjected before she said anything.

"Hey, babe, everything alright here?" If it weren't for the tone in this person's voice, she would have cringed at the choice of words. As she turned to the new source, she got a look at who she hoped was her savior. He was taller. If she guessed around Izuku or Momo's height. He had light brown hair and blue-gray eyes. His hair was styled in a textured crop. He smiled gently to Mina, as he seemed to slide in between her and the perverted boy.

"Had we known we were going to be at the same site, I would have met up with you sooner," he said. His tone was definitely a 'play along so this guy will go away' tone. He then turned to look at the shorter boy. "Oh. Did you make a friend? So like you." He chuckled, and she couldn't help but to genuinely join in. Mainly because she was relieved, but also because he had unknowingly been accurate that Mina liked to make new friends.

"But where are my manners?" he said. "I'm Mairu Satoshi." He greeted the shorter boy, and Mina picked up.

"Yes, RuRu, I hadn't yet gotten a chance to introduce myself," she said. "Mina Ashido." The guy who had halted the perverted grape head looked at her in faux shock.

"Mimi," he said. "So unlike you not to introduce yourself right off the bat." Again, they shared a laugh, and the diminutive boy seemed to have taken the hint, as he walked away from the two. Once they knew he was gone and out of earshot, the other boy, who had introduced himself as Mairu, turned to Mina.

"Sorry about that," he said. "You were looking uncomfortable and I heard what he was saying. As bad as it is to say, I really hope he doesn't get in. Not if that's he approaches women. Or really anyone. And my name is actually Mairu, though I like the nickname." He quickly shut his mouth, a little red dusting his cheeks. Mina's own cheeks gained a lilac tint.

"You don't have to apologize," she responded. "If anything, I should be thanking you for helping me out. I think the only thing that would have stopped him would have been someone interjecting. And, for what it's worth. My name is also actually Mina, and I like the nickname you gave me, too." Mairu chuckled nervously.

"I'm glad," he said. "Um. Would you like to meet up after the exam? Just in case he decides to scope you out. He seems the type."

"That would be nice, thank you," she said. "I'm also meeting up with my other friends, but I'm sure we wouldn't mind another person hanging out with us." Mairu nodded, but before any further conversation could go on, the gates to the fake city opened, and they heard Present Mic one the speaker.

"GO!!!!"

A/N: So, I know I have a little while before we get to Hero names, but I was looking at alternative ones for Izuku, Momo, and maybe Mina (or just let Midnight be okay with her first name). If you guys have any thoughts on this, let me know.