My Hero Academia Symbol of Hope (DC x MHA)

Dorms

Kara blinked awake as sunlight streamed through the curtains of her room. It was her first day at UA, and her heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. She pushed herself out of bed, stretching, before her gaze landed on the neatly folded UA uniform hanging on the closet door. It felt surreal seeing her name sewn into the tag, proof that she was truly a student here now.

She got ready, pulling on the uniform piece by piece, adjusting the tie with care. Her reflection in the mirror showed a girl who looked determined, though a flicker of uncertainty lingered in her eyes.

With a steadying breath, she opened her door and stepped out into the apartment. The smell of something delicious reached her nose, and she followed it to the kitchen, where Toshinori Yagi—her adoptive father for only a few days now—stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with an almost casual ease.

"Morning, Kara," he greeted, turning to her with a warm smile. His sunken eyes crinkled at the edges, his gaunt face lighting up with a kind of pride.

"Good morning, Toshi," Kara replied, her nerves easing slightly at his presence. "What's all this?"

"Breakfast, of course!" he said, motioning to the table already set with plates, syrup, and a pitcher of juice. "I did the same for Kai on his first day at UA. It's a bit of a tradition now."

Kara's heart warmed at the thought. Despite everything, Toshinori always managed to make her feel safe and supported.

As they sat down together, Toshinori poured her a glass of juice and looked at her with a fatherly seriousness. "Kara, I want you to be proud of what you've survived. You've been through more than most people your age, and yet, here you are—standing strong, ready to face this new chapter. I'm so proud of you, and so is Kai."

Kara bit her lip, holding back tears. She'd never had someone talk to her like that before—not like this.

"You're not alone in this, you know," he continued, placing a gentle hand over hers. "Kai and I are here for you, every step of the way. And you've already got a friend in Izuku. Trust me, you'll be fine."

She nodded, feeling her confidence build under his reassurance. "Thanks, Toshi. Really."

"Now," Toshinori said, his tone lightening, "do you know what my master used to tell me?"

"What?"

"To face everything with a smile," he said with a wistful grin. "Because those who smile in the face of adversity are the strongest of all."

Kara smiled back, a genuine one this time. "I'll try to remember that."

As she finished her pancakes, Kara asked, "What was Kai's first year at UA like?"

Toshinori chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Your brother? He was a prodigy when it came to practical training—always at the top in combat and rescue exercises. But he wasn't just about physical talent; he was good with academics too. Not perfect, mind you, but good enough to make me proud every time."

Kara's smile grew. It was nice to hear about her brother from Toshi's perspective—it made her feel more connected to both of them.

When she finished breakfast, she stood and adjusted her uniform one last time. "How do I look?"

"Like a hero in the making," Toshinori said, his voice filled with pride.

As she grabbed her bag, Toshinori added, "Once you see your dorm, text me if there's anything you need. I'll get it for you. But in the meantime, I've already stocked up on the essentials. Melissa helped me pick out some things."