Feather and a Shotgun

Chapter Two: A Game of Kickball but Not

Emiko Akari's POV:

You aren't nervous, that would be absurd and illogical, you're merely... anxious? It doesn't matter anyway. Soaring above the city, the air on your wings makes you feel exhilarated and refreshed, that's good.

Ducking down and landing on the sidewalk as gracefully as you could manage, you think of your image to uphold. The Akari Family is very influential and made sure you were up to par.

It's not that bad, the only sad part was that you lived pretty far away from UA, the ideal hero school, and had to live with an old family friend while you were here.

Getting in on recommendation definitely would have been the easier option but since you didn't live in the area the two recommendation spots had been given to those who actually live around here.

You didn't really have any doubts about getting in. Not one at all. Definitely not. Nor did you have any worries about disappointing your family. That would be ridiculous.

Okay maybe you were a bit nervous. You weren't the best with people, that much was probably obvious already. Certain tendencies like being formal and even closed off sometimes could be disastrous in public environments.

It isn't easy being casual when you've never really been causal before. Maybe you can just sit in the back alone and no one will bother you while you ready? Good plan Emiko, wow, you're so smart.

You mentally chide yourself as you enter the entrance exam auditorium. Sarcasm isn't dignified. You sit down in the back, probably just of habit more than anything else.

No one attempts to sit next to you, which suits you fine, but it does hurt a bit. Sort of like being picked last for a kickball game.

But you've never played kickball.

Or gone to a public school.

So you wouldn't know anyway. Seriously, private tutoring does not give you any life experience whatsoever.

The time for the exam to start comes and goes. They're running late. After a few minutes someone practically leaps into the seat next to you.

You turn to look at them and they're all out of sorts. Their curly black hair pulled into a ponytail, their dark brown eyes are crazed and almost frantic.

You notice two freckles under each eye which give them an almost innocent look that you can tell is completely off based off the rest of them.

Your nerves kick up as she looks at you, you don't know why.

Probably just social interaction doing it's usual, horrifying thing.

They start to frantically apologize but stops suddenly. They're probably embarrassed. You assure them it's okay and start small talk. Yes, you're owning this.

Introductions are made (Susumi Chinori) and she finds your wings increasingly impressive, which feels good. She gushes about guns in a way that should probably feel off putting but instead seems almost...

Endearing? Interesting? Amusing? You're not sure what you're feeling so you chalk it off as nerves for the exam. That makes sense, right? Right.

It was going so well until Present Mic, a famous pro hero, starts the introduction, alas, maybe you can continue this conversation later?

Present Mic grabs everyone's attention quickly, "What's up UA Candidates? Thanks for tuning in to me, your school DJ! Come on and let me hear ya!"

Silence. Poor man, doesn't he know we're all dead inside?

Susumi seems too anxious to speak but has a smile plastered over her face (not to be confused with a friendly smile, it seems more competitive than anything).

"Keeping it mellow, eh? That's fine, I'm skip straight to the main show. Let's talk about how this practical exam's gonna go down, okay?"

He continues on with a detailed explanation that ends with everyone weighing their odds based on what's about to happen. Then, we split into battle zones.

By some luck, Susumi and I are sent to the same battle zone, Battle Zone A. She seems excited about that, which is a bit infectious.

"Yes! Now you can see my awesome quirk in action! Then I can see yours! I can't wait, I'm so excited!"

You can't help but smile, but can't help but remind her to keep your voice down. Ah, that's another thing mother drilled into you.

A few people try to warm up or test their quirks but she merely seems to be mentally preparing herself for what's to come.

You can see the muscles in her jaw clenching. It almost looks like she's arguing with herself.

Just then she screams and jumps into the air, quickly regaining her footing and defensive stance, "What the-!"

You look down and see a small boy with purple balls on his head and a blissful look on his face. You can see the moment Susumi explodes, her eyes practically turn into fire.

"You little-" she turns to you, "He lifted up my skirt!"

You immediately feel disgusted with the small grape boy but Susumi seems to feel more wrath than disgust.

The boy realizes her anger and starts to shake, raising his hands defensively, "Um..."

She isn't having it.

She seethes at him, "I should punt you right off of this pathetic rock we call a planet and into the sun!"

He regains his blushing face and whispers, "...hot..."

That's the last straw, she practically erupts in flames, "WHAT!"

You grab her arm before she can brutally murder this child, "Susumi-"

Just then a roar erupts as the gates open. Susumi immediately loses her rage and grins, "Oh- Oh!"

She breaks off into a run, leaving the grape boy to be trampled by the approaching mass of people.

You kick off of the ground and take to the air, a good strategy would be to get inside as soon as possible and seek out high point enemies as soon as possible before the others get there.

Activating your quirk creates a burst of speed that launches you ahead of the other contestants.

You hold your place in the air once you get inside and seek out the three pointers. The more you get of those the better and you only have a limited head start.

You find a few and burst straight through their heads. With a burst of speed an air vortex is created in front of you, making an easy shield for debris.

Just as you're about to destroy a two pointer, a thin, bright strip of light sails into it's head, effectively destroying it. You turn and see none other than Susumi, her arm outstretched in a throw.

She grins when she sees you. You would have smiled if you weren't too busy seeking out a new opponent.

Sorry Susumi, friends aren't exactly on the top of your priority list at the moment.