that's just how it works [REWRITING]

isn't that the idea, midoriya? [1]

. . .

   Ten months.

   That was how long you had until the U.A. entrance exams. You were expected to train your quirk and body in that time to be prepared. 

   The first thing you did upon hearing this news was to go straight to your room and sit on your bed. 

   Concentrating, you held your pinkies close to each other, tongue sticking out as you tried, tried...

   Ah! There it is, that crackling of electricity jumping between them. A big grin broke out across your face. You weren't as rusty as you anticipated.

   That fact helped calm your nerves about all of this.

   And so, for the next ten months, you trained. You went out on runs, lifted weights, practiced your quirk, and so forth. And you got better. Then came that fateful day. You one you felt you were finally ready for.

February 26, 6:07

. . .

-The Day of the Entrance Exams-

   Streeeetch...! You reached your toes, your back making a satisfying pop. You straightened up slowly and pulled on your jacket as you left your apartment, making sure to lock it up behind you. Your plan was to get some last-minute exercise before the entrance exams, so you started jogging somewhere.

   Who knows where you'll end up!

   After some refreshing fresh air and exercise, you paused to take a breather. As you did some simple stretches and deep breaths, you observed where you were. Dagoba Minucipal Beach Park; the beach was well known for how messy and littered it was. From where you were standing, you couldn't see any trash around though.

Tapping your feet against the floor, you prepared to jog back home to get ready when a scream cut through the air. You whip around, immediately trying to find where it came from.

   After poking around, you froze. Standing on top of a big pile of trash, shirtless and screaming, was...

   Is that Midoriya?! You never expected to see your quirkless classmate doing... what was he doing..?

   It was at that moment you realized he started to fall forwards, toppling off the pile of trash. You're just about to rush forward to catch him when someone beats you to it. 

   At a closer look, it was the number one hero, All Might. Now you're really confused. They exchange some words before All Might sets Midoriya down. They interact a bit more, and you try to creep closer to hear some of what was happening, so you weren't freaking out so much and wondering what was going on

   "The mirage of it is finally just barely visible," All Might was saying, "But you have certainly become a suitable vessel!"

   A vessel for what? you wonder to yourself, sliding down a sand dune to land comfortably. You slowly peek around the wall to watch, curious. Midoriya brought his hand up and mumbled something that you couldn't hear properly and- oh, it's really distracting that he's shirtless.

   Your face burns bright red and you look anywhere but at Midoriya's chest as All Might continues to speak. "We'll have to fix those leaky eyes of yours! Now, it's time for the awards ceremony, Izuku Midoriya!" 

   "Yes, sir!" The young boy earnestly responded.

   You decided that was enough eavesdropping (did your mother teach you nothing about manners?!) and started to creep away silently. You felt really bad for eavesdropping, but you didn't really learn anything. In fact, you just had more questions! 

   After a bit, you hear running footsteps behind you. You glance over your shoulder and find yourself watching Midoriya catch up to you. Your heart skips a beat, even though you two have never spoken more than three words to each other in your lifetime. 

   Maybe the reason you're nervous is that he still has no goddamn shirt on.

   Your eyes meet his, and he slows his running to walk beside you. You quickly snap your head back around to look ahead at the ground, shoving your hands in your pockets.

   "You're... (last name), right?" He speaks out, his voice shaky with nerves. You glance at him out of the corner of your eye and nod. 

   "Mhm. Midoriya, correct?"

   He nods quickly. "Y-Yeah! That's me..."

   You smile slightly, chuckling to yourself. Maybe some small talk would be good for his (and your) nervousness. "I assume you're still trying to get into U.A.?" 

   He blinks at the question and nods again, this time slower. "I am... You are too, r-right?"

   "Yeah, I mean- being a hero seems so cool! You can save and support others, fight away the fear-" you paused, choosing your next words carefully. "Maybe even... prove your worth to certain people. Show that you won't go down the same road as them."

   He seemed surprised. "So, you have multiple reasons to be a hero?" You nod in response, speeding up slightly. Maybe it was a bad idea to initiate small talk. He grinned, "That's cool! I never imagined you, of all people... Ah, that doesn't mean anything, of course! But, multiple reasons... You don't h-have to tell me, of course, if you don't want to, but..." He started mumbling.

   You pause and laugh, putting a hand on his shoulder. He snaps out of his trance, a red blush spreading like wildfire across his face. "Woah, calm down, buddy! I don't mind telling you. Why else would I have brought it up? Isn't that the idea, Midoriya?" You remove your hand and start up your jog again. "I'll see you later today!"

   You jog away, waving at him. He was standing there, in a daze. Your words struck a chord in him. He lets a little grin appear as the blush only grows in intensity, burning and blazing across his face. Oh, he was definitely going to see you later. 

   And little did he know, you shared this feeling, rejoicing in it as you watch the sunrise along the clean coast of the beach, reflecting off the water. It all brought another smile to your face. So much beauty in a world messed up so badly.

   Maybe, just maybe, it was a piece of hope. A sliver of good, reassuring you that it would be fine. You listened to it, hoping it was right. Something right, in this pool of wrong. You let yourself run free, back to your apartment, where you got ready to go to the desired place for the dreaded entrance exam coming up. When you left your apartment the second time that day, you threw your head back, breathing in the fresh air.

   It was nice, peaceful...

   You prepared yourself mentally for the chaos that was sure to be approaching, whether you wanted it to or not.

   All you know, is you are ready. And you're going to give it Plus Ultra.

. . .

To be continued