The Demon Within

Chapter 8 Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms. That was the first thought that ran through Izuku's head.

Just a few moments prior, he had been on a train to the Nomura station, a special stop built right across from the entrance to the academy. While convenient, it had accumulated quite a lot of noise, which had been complained about yet never fixed.

Feeling the train had stopped moving, Izuku left the vehicle alongside many other students adorning the same cobalt uniform that he did. Though he did see quite a few variations. Instead of a blazer, some students had a cobalt vest. Instead of pants, other guys had opted for shorts. Meanwhile, the girls had the choice between pants, shorts, or a skirt.

But more importantly, Izuku kept walking with his suitcase in hand, following the groups that seemed accustomed to the academy's layout already. Leaving the station and crossing the street, Izuku was left with a sight he has only seen online. Making up the entrance to the academy, a row of cherry blossom trees laid on either side of the path and all of them in full bloom, showing off the magnificent petals before they were whisked away by a breeze. Admiring the sight, he stopped and held up his hand, allowing a petal to land there before the wind had blown it away.

"This place is beautiful." He muttered to himself, head arched toward the tops of the buildings that made up the academy.

"I know, right?"

Jolting to the left, Izuku dropped to the ground, one hand on the path and the other reeled back.

"You're quite the jumpy one, aren't you?" Previously to his right was a tall young woman adorning an unbuttoned blazer and skirt that fluttered with the gentle spring breeze. "Sorry for startling you, but I'm Tomiko Tsukuda. And you are?"

"Izuku Midoriya," the freckled student replied, rising out of his wary stance. "Sorry for doing that. I... usually don't talk to strangers." He stuttered out, gripping onto his suitcase slightly tighter.

Suddenly, the girl's ears twitched, barely knocking her jet black hair out of place. Leaning closer, she had lowered herself to be at eye level with Izuku so she could look into his emerald green eyes with her own lime green eyes. "You just fibbed."

"Huh?" Izuku stammered, stepping back from the black-haired girl.

Standing up straight, she waved her hand at him and smiled with her eyes closed while she said, "It's nothing."

Glancing to the side, Izuku could only see a handful of students left, mostly those that were chatting amongst themselves. "Well, I have to get going now," Izuku stammered out, turning to face the building instead of the girl in front of him.

"You should get going then." She replied, her eyes still closed while she smiled. Walking away, Izuku glanced back after he had taken a few steps, expecting her to still be smiling or walking away. Yet she was completely gone, not a trace left of her.

Shaking his head, Izuku turned back to the building and kept walking, not even taking another glance back. Entering the building filled Izuku's mind with chatter, especially of the nonsensical kind. Nonetheless, he ventured through the first room of the building until he reached a counter where a brunette woman adorning a pantsuit resided.

"Excuse me, I'm here for my schedule," he squeaked out, catching the woman's attention.

"What's your name, kiddo?" She asked, picking up a small stack of papers that were on the counter.

"Izuku Midoriya," he answered, watching as she flipped through the stack until she reached the middle. Slowing down, she skimmed through the papers until she pulled one of them out. "Thank you," the freckled wonder said, taking the paper from the woman.