Broken Identity ~ ShinDeku and Demon Deku

*03

     A restless week passes with little more than criminal activity and a few sleepless nights to show for it. At last, it's Sunday, the day of the written and physical entrance exams for U.A. Izuku studies the grandeur of U.A. with apathy, a sight far from others' marveled gazes.

     Many of these aspiring students have set their eyes on the school before. Why feign impression?

     The marble pathway he treads is lined with a crisp row of cherry blossoms billowing in the breeze, their petals falling in a dizzying array of marked beauty. He must admit, the groundskeeping is phenomenal.

     The hustle and bustle of people swaying to and fro causes unease to settle beneath Izuku's skin as he squeezes past faces laden with determination, fear, and sheer unrest. The entrance into U.A. is somehow more grand than the gates, cherry brick, and hardened steel melding to create a display of dominance. The construction compels its emphasis on safety while managing to act aesthetically pleasing.

     Once inside, he heads for the auditorium, having memorized the layout on a previous, perhaps more illegal visit to the school while undercover. The room is filled to the brim with prospective students. Anxiety begins its trickle into the forefront of his sleep-deprived mind.

     Static engulfs his senses and the students quiet. The voice of Present Mic bellows from a podium on the room's stage. "Attention, attention! For those wishing to enter the Support Course, please exit the auditorium and take a left. Those wishing for General Education take a right. Signs will lead the way! As for the rest of you trying out for the Hero Course, remain here!"

     Izuku takes the opportunity to weave away from the crowd and follows signage leading to a classroom with 1-C embedded in the door in azul lettering. The Pro Hero Snipe mans the doorway, and he offers Izuku a soft smile.

     "General Education?" Snipe drawls.

     Izuku nods.

     "You've come to the right place. Pick any seat, the test will begin shortly."

     Izuku traipses past Snipe and scans the room, taking note of the general lack of students within. A certain boy with pastel-purple hair and matching dull eyes meets Izuku's own, if only for a second.

     He looks like hell, Izuku thinks in passing before snagging a seat in the back of the classroom, closest to the window. The same boy sneaks a glance at Izuku, and once their eyes meet yet again, they both quickly turn their attention forward.

     A distant, unknown feeling tugs at Izuku's heartstrings, which he ignores.

     Snipe enters the room and all chatter dies down. "Well, y'all, let's get this test started." He passes out tests while he explains the parameters. "Three hours is allotted, and pencils are already on your desks. No cheating, no talking, no food or drinks. You may leave whenever you are finished. Acceptance or rejection letters will be sent to your houses within a few days, so please fill out your personal information correctly." He claps his hands twice. "You may begin!"

     The test breezes by with Izuku finishing after an hour and a half, intellect being a perk of his true identity. As he stands to turn in his test, another student shouts out. All eyes turn on Izuku.

     "Are you seriously going to let him leave? He doesn't deserve to get in if he won't take the test seriously."

     Snipe scowls. "No outbursts are permitted. The school will grade everyone's tests fairly."

     The student grimaces but returns to his test-taking. The purple-haired boy gives Izuku a puzzling glance, as does Snipe when Izuku hands in his entrance exam.