Ultra Responsibility (My Hero Academia X Spider-Man Reader)

Issue 4 - Welcome to UA

My alarm clock had become my sworn enemy. Each shrill beep made me slam my hand down harder, hitting snooze three times until the fourth made me stare at the ceiling in defeat. My body felt like it had gone through a meat grinder. Every muscle screamed in protest as I finally forced myself upright, groaning.

A knock came at my door, followed by May's voice, warm but firm. "You'll be late if you sleep in any longer, Y/N. I've put some toast on."

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the mirror and nearly laughed despite myself. A thick, ugly black eye stared back at me, already bruising in colours I didn't know skin could make. The aches in my back made me wince as I stretched. Great. First day at UA, and I look like I got run over by a truck. Or worse, like Wolverine lost a bar fight.

"Why was that Hammerhead's head so well... hammer?" I muttered, rubbing my back with a wince.

I tossed on the brand-new UA uniform, the jacket still stiff, smelling faintly of plastic and detergent. Halfway through buttoning it, I caught sight of my costume sitting in the drawer, neatly folded but tempting me like a bad habit. I sighed, hesitating. "Maybe just one day won't hurt..." My fingers hovered over it, but instinct won out. I slipped on the web-shooters beneath my sleeves. "But you can never be too sure."

I glanced at the guitar leaning against the wall, then set it back gently. "You're staying put today." I webbed up my school bag, tossing in notebooks, pens, and, because I knew my luck, a spare set of clothes. If something went wrong, I wanted to be ready.

Stumbling down the stairs, I finally slid into my chair at the kitchen table. "Good morning, Aunt May," I mumbled, leaning on the table like the walking dead.

"Good morning, Y/N." Her smile faltered as she caught sight of my face. "Oh dear, that black eye looks worse this morning. I can get my makeup kit if you want to cover it up?"

I shook my head, pushing down a groan as my hip popped painfully. "No, it's fine. I'll just tell people I fell off my bike or something."

"You'd feel better with food in you," she said, setting down the toast. Her voice softened. "I'm sorry, but I can't drop you off today. I have to get to F.E.A.S.T. early. Promise me you'll be careful?"

"Always am," I said through a mouthful of toast, even though we both knew that was a lie.

May leaned at the doorway, smiling at me with that look only she could give, half-worried, half-proud. "Look at you, all grown up. Tell me everything when you get back, alright?"

"Yeah, see ya," I muttered, waving slightly.

When the door shut, I sank back, nibbling the toast slowly. My phone buzzed, lighting up with a message. It was Ashido. Ever since Harry handed her my number, she'd been messaging me nonstop—little jokes, random thoughts, pictures of her pet, and now a selfie in her UA uniform. She was grinning widely, her pink hair tied back in a messy knot, clearly excited for her first day.

I chuckled despite my bruises. "I can't blame you, Ashido. I'm excited too..."

Still chewing, I went to the fridge for juice and froze. Two lunches sat neatly wrapped, with a sticky note on top: For later. Don't forget to eat! Both were packed the same way. I blinked, holding them up. "Did she think I'd get extra hungry? Whatever. Harry can have the other one."

With barely any time left, I slung my bag over my shoulder, adjusted my tie one last time in the mirror, and stepped out of the apartment. The elevator ride down was quiet, the kind of silence where you could feel the weight of something new waiting just beyond the doors.