Shadows of the Mind

Chapter 6: Settling In

Kageko pushed open the door to her dorm room, letting out a small sigh as she stepped inside. The room was her sanctuary—a quiet, cozy space where she could unwind after a long day. The walls were a deep grey, with purple curtains that made the room feel ethreal and peaceful. Her bed, with its black comforter, looked inviting, and a few plushies sat at the head, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise minimal decor.

Her guitar leaned against the wall next to her desk, which was cluttered with books and her laptop. A small photo of her and Shinso as kids hung above the bed—a reminder of home and the bond they shared. Kageko smiled softly at the memory, then sighed, running a hand through her hair.

UA is different from what I expected, she thought, sitting down at her desk. But I guess I'm getting used to it... slowly.

Her mind drifted back to the training session with Bakugo. His attitude had been hard to ignore, but she tried not to let it get under her skin. Why should I care what he thinks? she told herself, though it still bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

She stood up, deciding she needed a break from her thoughts. The common room was probably bustling with her classmates, but she figured it wouldn't hurt to join them, if only to observe and get a better feel for the group dynamics.

As she moved toward the door, Kageko paused. Voices from the hallway caught her attention. She recognized them immediately—Kirishima and Bakugo. Instinctively, she stopped, leaning slightly closer to the door to listen.

"Yamikaze, huh?" Kirishima's voice was low but excited. "She's really something, don't you think? Strong, smart, and she's got that whole mysterious vibe going on."

"Tch," Bakugo's voice was sharp, filled with irritation. "She's just another newbie trying to act tough. There's nothing special about hiding in the shadows."

"You're being way too harsh," Kirishima replied, clearly frustrated. "She held her own against you today, and that's saying something. I think she's got real potential. Plus, she's... well, you know, kind of amazing."

Kageko felt her heart skip a beat at Kirishima's words. He... really thinks that about me?

Bakugo's response was quick and dismissive. "Whatever. She's not as great as you're making her out to be. She's weak. Hiding behind tricks instead of facing things head-on like a real hero."

"That's not fair, Bakugo," Kirishima shot back. "You don't have to like her, but you should at least respect what she can do. She's got a unique Quirk, and I bet she's worked just as hard as the rest of us to get here."

There was a brief pause before Bakugo responded, his tone softer but still edged with irritation. "You're just saying that because you've got a crush on her or something."

Kirishima didn't deny it. "So what if I do? She's strong, and she's got this quiet confidence that's... well, it's really cool. You should give her a chance."

"Whatever," Bakugo muttered. "She's not worth the hype. You'll see."

Kageko stepped back from the door, her mind racing. Kirishima has a crush on me? She wasn't sure how to feel about that. It was flattering, but also a bit overwhelming. And Bakugo... he seemed determined to dislike her, no matter what she did. Why does he care so much?

Taking a deep breath, Kageko decided to head to the common room anyway. She couldn't let their conversation affect her too much. She was here to prove herself, not get caught up in drama. But still... Kirishima's words lingered in her mind, bringing a small, uncertain smile to her lips.

When she entered the common room, she hesitated at the entrance, watching the scene before her. The atmosphere was relaxed, with students lounging around and chatting. It was a stark contrast to the tension of the training ground, and for a moment, Kageko considered retreating back to the quiet of her room.

But then Mina spotted her. "Yamikaze! Come hang out with us!" she called, waving her over with a big smile.

Kageko took a deep breath, then walked over and sat down. "Thanks," she said quietly, still getting used to being part of a group like this.

"So, we were just talking about Quirks," Mina said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Yours is so cool—what exactly can you do?"

Kageko noticed Kirishima leaning in, looking genuinely interested. She wasn't used to being the center of attention, but she figured it was better to be open with her classmates. This is as good a time as any to explain, she thought.

"It's called 'Shadow Whisperer,'" she began, her voice steady as she fell into explanation mode. "It's a dual Quirk, which means it has two main abilities. First, there's the shadow manipulation part. I can control shadows, using them to create barriers, become invisible, and even form objects like weapons or cloaks. The shadows can spread across an area, creating a smokescreen or even trapping an opponent temporarily. It's all about using the environment to my advantage."

She paused for a moment, gauging their reactions. Everyone seemed genuinely intrigued, which made her feel a little more at ease. Kirishima was nodding along, clearly fascinated.

"The second part is telepathy," Kageko continued. "I can communicate with living beings through their minds, including humans, animals, and even spirits of nature. I can read thoughts, send messages, and understand emotions. It's useful for coordinating during fights or getting a sense of what someone's planning."

"Telepathy? That's awesome!" Kirishima exclaimed, his eyes wide. "You could be a huge help in team missions, especially with that stealth stuff. Super manly!"

Kageko blinked at the compliment, a little taken aback by the term. Manly? she thought, amused. "It's useful," she replied modestly, not used to this kind of attention.

"Wow, that's incredible," Ochaco chimed in, her eyes wide with admiration. "So you can talk to animals too? That's really unique!"

Kageko nodded. "Yeah, animals and even nature spirits, though that's more rare. It's not something I use often, but it can be helpful in certain situations."

"So, when you were fighting Bakugo earlier, you used your telepathy to mess with his head?" Jiro asked, leaning forward with interest.

Kageko hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sort of. I didn't really mess with his head, but I did use my telepathy to distract him. It's all about strategy—knowing when to strike and when to stay hidden."

"Sounds like a smart way to fight," Jiro said, her tone approving.

Just then, a loud scoff came from across the room. "Manly? Hiding behind shadows and whispers? Sounds pretty weak to me," Bakugo said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kirishima frowned, turning to face Bakugo. "Come on, man. You saw how she handled herself today. Give her some credit."

"Yeah, I saw," Bakugo retorted, leaning back with a glare. "Lots of smoke and mirrors. Not impressed."

Kageko felt a flicker of irritation but kept her expression neutral. He really has a problem with me, huh? she thought, not wanting to escalate things. "Everyone's Quirk is different," she said calmly, meeting Bakugo's glare. "What matters is how you use it."

Bakugo just grumbled something under his breath, and before things could get more tense, Mina jumped in, her bright voice cutting through the moment. "Exactly! And I bet Yamikaze's Quirk can do all sorts of cool things!"

Kageko relaxed a little, appreciating Mina's easygoing nature. This isn't so bad, she thought, starting to feel a bit more at ease around her classmates.

As the conversation shifted to lighter topics—favorite foods, funny stories about their teachers—Kageko found herself relaxing more. She still felt a bit like an outsider, but she was starting to see that maybe, just maybe, she could fit in here.

Later, as the evening wore on and the group began to drift off to their rooms, Kageko found herself thinking about the day's events. Kirishima's interest in her Quirk, in her was... nice, even if she wasn't sure how to handle the attention. Bakugo's attitude, though, was harder to shake off. Why does he care so much? she wondered yet as she headed back to her room. Why do I care if he cares..?

I'm not here to make friends, but... it wouldn't be the worst thing if I did, she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips as she opened the door to her room. The shadows inside seemed to welcome her back, and for the first time since arriving at UA, Kageko felt a little more at ease.