Mind Over Matter [BNHA OC]

Darkside

It was the school day's fifth and final academic period, one which was to be focused mainly upon the many different intricacies of national history; but Hiro's thoughts were elsewhere, exchanging notes of wars past and forgotten for an opportunity to form scientific equations he would later apply when in use of his superhuman speed - allowing him to naturally increase the effectiveness with which his body transformed the power generated by antimatter into greater reserves of kinetic energy for him to tap into in later, more heroic endeavours.

"Mr Raizen," the teacher at the front began, having used a quirk-elongated finger to snap him out of the reverie, "I understand you've been .. away, for some time, but if you're going to remain in this class, I'd advise you pay attention to what's being taught."

"Right," concurred the science-inclined teenager, noting the silence that seemed to descend like a flowing veil upon a classroom previously rife with the noise of rambunctious children in similar positions to him; and he was once again reminded of the fact that to his peers, Hiro was little more than a dead man walking -- a charity case to the nicer students in his year group, but to all else, an aberration. "It won't happen again, teach."

"If memory serves, you've filed an application to U.A," the man continued, that particular statement eliciting whispers amongst the other pupils in the classroom; they thought Hiro wouldn't pay attention, but in reality, the skateboarder had taken clear note of the words spoken of him and of his unique situation. Lips pursed, he scribbled out and redrew his pen across the surface of the notebook he owned, in an attempt to excise the distraction scathing remarks and cold assumptions would bring forth. "If you'd like to stay afloat in that sort of environment, you can't afford to be complacent with your studies."

"U.A .. isn't this guy meant to be resident smart-ass? That's pretty stupid."

"He doesn't even have a quirk. You'd think after almost being burnt to ashes, you'd have at least some sense of self-preservation."

"Didn't you hear what happened to his uncle? It's like that entire family just has a knack for getting themselves killed."

Hiro slammed his fist into the table, features darkened; he could take jab after jab from these people in regards to his own failures, and he could acknowledge that it was well-deserved, but the line was drawn at insults directed to a man whose actions had only ever been in the best interests of his nephew. A man who'd been unjustly murdered, taken from the mortal coil by a remorseless criminal - a man who'd meant the world and beyond to the teenage genius. He rose to his full height, eyes slits.

"You can rag on me all you fucking like," he began, teeth gritted, "But keep my uncle out of it. He worked for the police force as one of their most experienced forensic scientists. He was a better man than any pro hero out there, so you had better start talking about him with respect if you don't want me show you what's what. I don't care whether you have a quirk or you don't."

Hiro noted the moment it had taken for his statement to register; they were shocked, it seemed, that the science enthusiast of months prior could bring himself to say such things, dare to speak out against people who were surely superior to quirkless regressors such as himself. He breathed out sharply through his nose, the pain of his uncle's passing still tearing away at his psyche despite the regular attempts he made to focus such emotion towards the achievement of his goals.

"Class dismissed," began the teacher, beckoning for the other students to exit, "Mr Raizen. A word, if you don't mind."

Hiro tilted his head forward, sapphire hues concealed by blue-tipped hair tufts. Izuku stayed for a moment, looking at his friend with an air of concern, before he obeyed the instruction and exited the classroom at the behest of his superior. The greenette hadn't known his father, but he couldn't imagine the unadulterated agony that would have befallen him should his mother lose her life to members of the criminal element, and so Izuku resigned to keeping an open mind should his childhood acquaintance need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on.