The day Midoriya had waited for was finally here.
"Be ready," Haumea called, her voice tight as she checked his bag. "Follow the instructions we gave you, stay safe, and let us know if anything goes wrong—"
"I'll be fine," Midoriya cut in, his eyes scanning the room for Jiren. "Where's Dad?"
"He's at work," Haumea said quickly. "He hasn't been home much since we got here, but he'll talk to you when you get back. Now go – you don't want to be late."
Midoriya had hoped for more answers, but he bit back his questions and headed out the door. The walk to school felt like a new world opening up – sun on his face, sounds of people chatting and cars passing by filling his ears.
When he reached the gate, whispers rippled through the crowd. He didn't understand why everyone was staring, but he pushed it aside – this was his first chance to be around kids his age, to learn how to talk to people like normal. Spotting a girl with curly hair standing near a hallway poster, he stepped forward.
"Excuse me," he said. "Where is Class 1B?
He's so cute... and he smells nice, the girl thought, her cheeks warm. She shook herself and pointed. "Oh! Yeah, sorry – just go past that poster, you'll see it. Everything you need is there, I mean... you're welcome!"
"Thanks," Midoriya said. "Pardon me."
"Okay, then – bye!" she called as the school bell blared. Students scattered like ants, racing to their classrooms as if chased by a lion.
Midoriya reached Class A and paused at the door. Inside, the teacher – a bald man with sharp eyes – spotted him immediately.
"Quiet down!" he called to the murmuring class. "Welcome our newest member – Midoriya, son of the famous CEO of Labs Technology."
A wave of whispers swept through the room. The teacher gestured for him to enter. "Come in, come in."
Midoriya stepped forward nervously. "I... I already introduced myself earlier, sir."
"Did you now?" The teacher smirked. "Well, I've already split the beans – all of you know who he is. Now go sit at the back."
Midoriya took the empty seat at the back row. Whispers still followed him, but he pushed the confusion down and focused on the board.
"One of you come solve this math problem," the teacher ordered, writing a complex equation on the board. "Every student in Class A better be ready – if no one can solve it, we're all doomed to extra work."
Students shifted in their seats, avoiding eye contact. Even Hibana – one of the smartest kids in school – looked stuck. Midoriya stared at the numbers, and something clicked in his mind. Before he could think twice, he stood up.
The room fell silent as he walked to the board. With smooth, steady movements, he solved the equation like it was second nature – as if mathematics itself was speaking to him. When he finished, the class erupted in cheers and claps.
The teacher stood frozen. He'd planned this to punish the class for teasing him about his bald head, but Midoriya had stolen his moment. "Ahh," he muttered under his breath. "This was supposed to be my moment..."
"Nice save!" said a boy from the opposite desk. Later, Midoriya learned his name was Magabel.
"Thanks," Midoriya replied. "Someone must've prayed for me last night – or maybe God just sent a saviour."
"Unfortunately for me," the teacher grumbled, "he's taken all the glory."
After the lesson ended, the bell rang for break. Midoriya followed the crowd to the cafeteria, his stomach growling. Every table was full – except one, where Magabel sat with his friend Magellan.
"Mind if I sit here?" Midoriya asked.
"Sure thing!" they said together.
As they ate, Magabel nudged him. "By the way – that was a solid save back there. We'd have been in deep trouble without you."
"Nah, it was nothing," Midoriya said, but he smiled.
From that moment on, the three were inseparable. Wherever you saw one, you saw the others – laughing, talking, or huddled over homework.
"Haah! I hate this class," Hibana groaned to her friends Augusta and Persia.
"Come on," Augusta said. "You can turn this to your advantage – you were supposed to answer that question first."
"Whatever," Hibana snapped. "He took all the glory."
"Just find something to use against him," Persia suggested. "You can get your revenge."
Hibana agreed, but after searching all day, she found nothing useful on Midoriya. She'd have to wait for another chance.
The rest of the day flew by. Hibana watched as Midoriya soaked up every lesson, his talent shining brighter the more he practiced. By the time the final bell rang, students were pouring out of school – some heading to karaoke, others meeting friends.
But Midoriya lingered by the gate, staring at the building. For the first time in his life, he'd felt like he belonged. He never wanted to leave – but he also knew he had to go home, where secrets and questions still waited for him.