Diamonds in the Rough *INDEFINITE HIATUS*

Starting Line

Izuku stretched out and swung his bat back and forth to get a better feel of it. He, along with all the others in his exam area, had changed into their fighting clothes and equipment. Midoriya himself was wearing a variation of his parkour outfit. A grey hoodie, white tank-top underneath, leggings, volleyball shorts, his usual red boots, fingerless leather gloves and a holster on his right thigh where his taser was strapped. He patted his waistband to make sure his switchblade was still snugly hidden, and once reassuring himself that it was, finally took a good look around.

Lots of people were chattering about the size of the city but the big gate blocked out most of the view. I'll be fine. He told himself I work best in the city. Piece of cake. He saw a familiar mop of purple hair and grinned. Sou-chan! And that girl who saved my ass this morning! She seemed to be doing some breathing exercises while Shinsou looked ready to puke. I didn't manage to thank her for earlier. I'll go do it now. And maybe give Sou-chan my bat. He looks like he'll need it more than me. He rested the bat on his shoulder and started his way over when a familiar voice piped up, freezing him in his tracks

"That girl seems to be doing some kind of meditation to focus" oh my fucking god its you again. The boy from earlier placed his hand on his free shoulder and Midoriya tried not to scream in frustration. "Why are you even here? Are you trying to distract her too?" The other kids around them began to murmur and chuckle, no doubt remembering the whole incident from earlier. He shook the hand off of his shoulder and turned only his head to glare at the taller boy

"You got a problem with me or something?" he snapped. The other blinked in surprise at Izuku's viciousness "Look. I already apologized for earlier okay? Lay off, because right now you're distracting me and everyone else" he gestured to the crowd forming around them. The other opened his mouth to say something before getting interrupted

"What's going on here Izu?" Hitoshi asked, walking over to step in between them and staring at Glasses "Is there an issue?" he crossed his arms and the look on his face said that there better not be

"ah, no. I was just-" the boy sputtered. Izuku gave the boy a quick look over, huffed in amusement and shot him a condescending smirk

"Nothing I couldn't handle" he reassured sweetly, smirk dissolving into an innocent smile before turning to his friend. "Come on Sou-chan" he began dragging him away from the stunned crowd. "I don't want any more distractions right now" They made their way over to Kirishima who looked shocked at the quiet Midoriya's outburst.

"You good bro?" the boy asked. Izuku let out a sigh of relief and leaned on him

"I'm fine Kiri-san" he sniffled "I just wanted to thank that girl from earlier"

"You gotta stop picking fights with people dude" Shinsou chuckled. The greenette held a finger to his lips

"Sshhh~" Izuku murmured "hush now Sou-chan." He pushed himself off the dark-haired boy and shook his head, curls flying wildly "Okay." He began pulling his hair back in its usual half-ponytail and slipped his headband on. "Test'll start in a bit. Focus Izuku." He turned to the amused Hitoshi and held out his bat "Do you need to borrow this?" Shinsou shook his head

"Nah. I'm sure I'll be fine" he hesitated "Probably..."

"Why didn't you bring something Hitoshi-san?" Kirishima asked. The two of them gave him a mournful smile

"Didn't know there'd be robots" he chuckled sheepishly "Thought I'd actually get to use my quirk"

"You'll do fine. Just remember the fighting techniques we taught you." Midoriya reassured "Last chance. You want the bat or not?"