Shadows of the Mind

Chapter 3: Lunchtime

The first half of the day at U.A. had gone by in a blur, and when the lunch bell finally rang, Kageko Yamikaze quietly gathered her things, watching as the rest of Class 3-A quickly grouped together, heading off to the cafeteria. She wasn't sure what to expect from lunch at U.A., but the idea of eating alone didn't bother her. It was what she was used to. Solitude was easier—predictable, controlled.

As she made her way toward the door, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "Kageko," Shinso called, catching up to her with his usual calm expression. "Eating alone?"

Kageko shrugged slightly, glancing around at the bustling classroom. "I was just going to find a quiet spot."

Before Shinso could respond, Mina Ashido appeared beside them, her bright smile almost blinding. "Yamikaze! Why don't you join us for lunch? We're all heading to the cafeteria. You should totally come!"

Kageko hesitated, caught off guard by the invitation. Socializing wasn't her strong suit—she wasn't one for casual chit-chat. But before she could decline, Ochaco Uraraka and Kyoka Jiro joined in, echoing Mina's enthusiasm.

"Yeah, come with us," Ochaco urged, her voice warm and welcoming. "It'll be fun, and we'd love to get to know you better."

Kageko glanced at Shinso, who gave her a small nod as if to say, "It's okay." She offered the girls a small, polite smile. "Sure, I'll come."

The walk to the cafeteria was filled with light chatter, mostly led by Mina. Kageko stayed a little behind, observing more than speaking. She wasn't used to this—being part of a group. It felt strange, like stepping into a role she wasn't sure she fit. But she was here now, and she wasn't about to back down from a challenge.

Once they grabbed their trays, the group found a table near the windows, where sunlight streamed in, giving the space a warm, inviting feel. Kageko took a seat, feeling a bit out of place but determined to make an effort. She wasn't here to make friends, but she wasn't opposed to it either—if it happened naturally.

Mina, always quick to start a conversation, turned to Kageko with a curious grin. "So, Yamikaze, how do you know Shinso? You two seem pretty close."

Kageko felt the eyes of the group on her, and she took a moment before responding. "We trained together before U.A.," she said simply, not offering more than necessary. She wasn't one to share unless there was a reason.

Jiro, adjusting her earphone jacks, nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. You both have that... serious vibe. Like you're always thinking ahead."

Kageko managed a small smile at that. "We had to. Training was intense." Her words were straightforward, but there was an underlying pride in them. She had worked hard to be where she was.

Ochaco leaned in slightly, clearly intrigued. "What kind of training? It sounds tough."

"It was," Kageko replied, her voice calm and measured. "But it helped me figure out what kind of hero I want to be."

Mina's eyes lit up with curiosity. "And what kind of hero is that?"

Kageko paused, considering how to phrase it. "Someone who protects from the shadows. I want to be there when I'm needed, even if no one sees me coming." She knew it sounded a bit intense, but that was who she was. She didn't do things halfway.

The table fell into a brief silence as the girls processed her words. There was something about Kageko's quiet determination that seemed to resonate with them.

"That's really cool," Jiro said, breaking the silence. "You don't meet many people who think like that."

Mina nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, we've got a lot of big personalities in Class 3-A, but I think you're going to bring something really interesting to the group."

Kageko felt a warmth in her chest, though her expression remained composed. "Thanks," she said, her tone sincere but controlled. "I'm still getting used to everything, but I'm glad to be here."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics—favorite foods, hobbies, and funny stories about their teachers. Kageko listened, contributing here and there, but mostly observing. She wasn't fully comfortable yet, but this was a good start. The laughter and easygoing nature of her classmates didn't feel as foreign as she'd expected. It was...nice.

As lunch came to an end, the group began to gather their things, ready to head back to class. Mina looped her arm through Kageko's, flashing her a bright smile. "You're sticking with us from now on, okay?"

Kageko smiled back, a small but genuine smile. "I'd like that." She wasn't one to easily admit it, but she was beginning to enjoy their company.

As they walked back to class together, Kageko felt a sense of contentment. It was still early, and she knew it would take time to fully adjust, but this was a good start. Maybe, just maybe, she could find her place at U.A. after all.