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3 - Thank You

-Trigger Warning-
Nightmare (not detailed dw)

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Y/N shot up in bed, drenched in cold sweat, her heart pounding as her nightmare receded into the dark corners of her mind. It was always the same—her parents' deaths replaying over and over again, a brutal scene she could never escape. Even after all these years, the memories still haunted her, the pain still fresh. No matter how hard she tried to block it out, the trauma always found its way back into her dreams, resurfacing when she was most vulnerable.

Now, at fifteen, Y/N had grown into a strikingly beautiful teenager, though her heart still carried the scars of that fateful night. Her once innocent eyes had become sharp and focused, filled with determination and a thirst for justice. The grief that had consumed her for years hadn't diminished, but she had learned to use it, to harness the pain as fuel for her ambition. It was what kept her going, what pushed her to get stronger every day.

Her goal was clear: she would become a hero, not just for herself, but for her family. She would find the person responsible for destroying her life, and they would pay for what they had done. But not through death—no, that would be too easy. Y/N had decided long ago that killing her family's murderer would be giving them an escape. Instead, she wanted them to suffer. She wanted them to rot in prison for the rest of their miserable life, wallowing in self-pity, haunted by their own actions.

The cold air of her apartment hit her as she threw off the blankets, her bare feet touching the hardwood floor. Y/N had bought this place with her own money, a testament to her independence and resilience. It wasn't big, but it was enough. After years of hard work and saving, she had managed to secure a steady income by working as a designer for a company that specialized in creating hero gear. The job had come through Aizawa's recommendation, though she had more than earned her place there.

Despite the recommendation, Y/N had still been required to showcase her talents before the company hired her. She remembered the day clearly, the tension as she presented her modified version of Aizawa's capture scarf—a project she had worked on tirelessly. She had observed his fighting style for months, analyzing his strengths and weaknesses, and had designed a scarf that was lighter, faster, and more durable than the original. The gear specialists had been impressed, and she was hired as a junior designer.

It wasn't a glamorous position, but it allowed her to do what she loved: studying heroes, understanding their quirks, and designing tools to enhance their abilities. She had practically memorized the strengths and weaknesses of every pro hero, constantly thinking of ways to improve their gear. Each design she crafted was meticulous, with precision and thought put into every detail. But while the work was rewarding, it wasn't her ultimate goal.

Her sights were set on something far greater: UA High.

Ever since she was a child, Y/N had dreamed of attending the prestigious hero academy. But now, it was more than just a dream—it was a necessity. UA wasn't just a school; it was the key to becoming the hero she needed to be. It would give her the training, the connections, and the opportunities she would need to track down the villain who had torn her life apart.

As the entrance exam approached, she trained harder than ever before. Aizawa had offered to pass a recommendation on her behalf, knowing full well that she was more than capable of excelling at UA. But Y/N had refused.

"I need to earn this," she had told him firmly after a grueling training session. Her breath was ragged, her muscles aching, but her resolve was unshaken. "I want to pass the exam on my own."