Under the Starlit Rooftop

Chapter 1: Shadows and Sparks

It was never easy being the new kid, but being the new kid at U.A.—where quirks practically screamed out your status, your worth, and your potential—was a whole other level of difficult.

You weren't just the new kid; you were the one with Radiance, a quirk that left people in awe, intimidated, or both. You knew it had its beauty—golden light blooming in your hands, spilling through the air like threads of starlight. But you also knew how dangerous it could be. Radiance could heal, yes, but it could just as easily burn straight through concrete. People's expressions would shift the moment they realized the power it carried, seeing you not just as another student but as something... different. Maybe even threatening.

As far back as you could remember, people had a way of keeping their distance. You got used to it—hell, you even preferred it. But when U.A. sent you an offer to join the hero course, it felt like the only door in the world opening up. A chance to prove yourself, to be something beyond the girl with a light she couldn't always control.

Today was your first real joint exercise with Class 1-A, and while most people would feel some excitement, you were too busy mentally preparing. Your classmates were good—a mix of natural talent, hard work, and quirks as flashy as they were powerful. But none of them had the reputation that followed him.

You spotted him across the field the moment you arrived: Bakugo Katsuki, standing with his arms crossed, eyes sharp as flint, and looking like he'd just as soon incinerate someone as team up with them. He caught you staring, his expression shifting into a cocky smirk that made you look away before you realized you were even doing it.

The instructor started explaining the rules, but your mind was already turning over possibilities. The setup was a simulated city, with points awarded for completing hero tasks faster than the opposing team. You were more than ready to dive in, itching to show them what Radiance could do.

Then, the signal blared, and you were off.

You moved fast, dodging through the narrow alleys, your quirk illuminating the dim corners as you sprinted forward. Your team had split up to cover more ground, and every task you completed—rescuing "civilians," putting out controlled fires, containing mock villains—added another spark of confidence.

Just as you finished directing an evac team toward a safe zone, you heard a shout.

"Hey, Radiance!"

You turned, already clenching your fists, expecting some threat—only to find yourself face to face with Bakugo, looking every bit as pissed off as you'd imagined. He jerked his head, signaling for you to follow, though his words were anything but polite.

"Get your ass over here," he snapped, not even waiting to see if you'd listen. "That's if you think you can keep up."

You gritted your teeth but followed anyway, keeping pace beside him, though you were a little breathless. "Could you lose the attitude for, like, five seconds?"

He shot a glare at you, eyes narrowing. "Not my fault if you're slow."

"Oh, screw you, Bakugo."

He didn't respond, but you swore you saw his smirk turn into something else—some glint in his eye that was both competitive and just a bit impressed. The two of you didn't slow down, tearing through the fake city, each shouting directions, insults, and commands at one another. By the time you reached the final checkpoint, both of you were breathing hard, hands on your knees as you tried to catch your breath.

For a second, there was silence, and you could have sworn you felt some weird, unspoken understanding pass between you.

"You're not bad," he muttered finally, just loud enough for you to hear.

You straightened, meeting his gaze. "That's the nicest thing I think I've ever heard you say."

He snorted, a slight laugh breaking his usual glare, before he went back to scowling. "Don't get used to it, Radiance."

But you could feel it—a spark of something more than just rivalry, something that felt almost like respect.

You knew you couldn't give up now...

You...

y/n Kasayami was NOT going to give up

Not now

NOT EVER

Chapter 1 - End