"Why is All Might here?"
For most people, seeing someone like All Might in their own city would be enough to spark awe and excitement. Kuro felt none of that. Even the rumors about All Might possibly becoming a teacher at U.A. didn't interest him. After finishing breakfast, he simply cleared the table, his expression faintly impatient.
Today, he was supposed to accompany Shinso Hitoshi to U.A.
"Something like an open campus?" Kuro muttered.
U.A. High School didn't need publicity, but before entrance exams, parts of the campus were opened to visitors. Staff and students provided information about each department, helping applicants understand what to expect.
"After graduating, you either debut as a Hero or join an agency. That's how the Hero course works," Shinso said as he put on his shoes. He glanced at Kuro, who looked uninterested, and sighed. "If you don't want to go, you don't have to force yourself."
"Just don't use your quirk on me."
Shinso stiffened slightly.
Fujita Emi stepped in before the mood could sour further. She handed them both lunch boxes.
"Be careful on your way," she said. "Kuro, take care of yourself."
She scooped up a nearby cat and waved its paw playfully. "And don't cause trouble. If I hear anything, I'll have you cleaning the whole place for a month."
Kuro watched the cat flail in the air, unimpressed.
How exactly am I supposed to mess with someone whose quirk controls people just by talking?
Still, he nodded. "Got it. Let's go."
"Kuro… Kuro."
"What?"
"You're going the wrong way," Shinso said, pointing. "The bus stop's over there."
Kuro paused, then reluctantly turned around.
"Next stop: U.A. High School."
A large group of passengers got off.
Outside the gates, information booths had been set up. Students stood by each section—General Studies, Business, Support, and Hero Course—answering questions.
The Hero Course booth was packed.
The Support Course also drew a steady crowd.
The others were quieter.
Kuro stood among the visitors, nearly pushed aside by the crowd. Shinso reached out and grabbed his arm to steady him.
Kuro stumbled slightly, almost dropping his lunch.
Once he regained his footing, he stepped away.
Deliberately putting distance between them.
Shinso noticed.
Of course he did.
He let out a quiet, self-directed laugh.
So that's how it is.
"Stay here if you don't want to go in," Shinso said calmly. "I might take a while. You can leave if you want."
Kuro didn't answer.
Silence.
For Shinso, that was enough.
At least this way, he won't respond. No risk of triggering my quirk.
Things weren't the same as before. Whatever they used to be was gone.
Friendships didn't always last.
"Wait."
Just as Shinso turned to leave, Kuro handed him one of the lunch boxes.
"One for you. I won't be back."
Before Shinso could reply, Kuro turned and boarded another bus.
Shinso stood there, watching it disappear.
His hands tightened, then relaxed.
After a moment, he looked toward the towering gates of U.A.
Don't think about it.
Focus.
Get in.
He stepped forward and joined the crowd.
The bus window rattled softly as it moved.
Kuro leaned back and pulled off his mask, taking a slow breath.
Fresh air filled his lungs.
Across from him, a child stared openly.
"Mom, that guy looks weird… it's scary."
Kuro froze.
Heat rushed to his ears. He quickly pulled the mask back on, turning his face away.
When the bus stopped again, he got off without checking where he was.
The area was quiet.
Green stretched in every direction—trees, grass, patches of shade layered in different shades of color.
It reminded him, briefly, of the green-haired boy from the morning news.
Midoriya Izuku.
Quirkless, but still trying to become a Hero.
And somehow, even after being treated as a liability, he'd been praised.
That's how it works, Kuro thought.
That's what a "proper" Hero looks like.
Not someone like him.
Without a strong quirk, there was no path forward. People like him should just live ordinary lives.
Trying to reach higher was pointless.
He found a shaded spot, set his lunch down, and removed his mask again.
"No point chasing something like being a Hero," he muttered. "Better to just live quietly."
Unseen, four pairs of eyes watched from the bushes.
They held toy swords, crouched low as if preparing for something serious.
"Do you see him?" one whispered. "That's the villain king."
"No, he's a fugitive," another insisted. "Every scar means he's hurt someone. He even took off his mask. This is our chance."
"What if we're wrong?"
"Who looks like that and isn't a bad guy?" a third said. "Only villains look like that."
"That's right. We're going to be Heroes."
"Heroes catch bad guys."
The group straightened, gripping their toy weapons.
"Hero Squad—move out!"