In a rundown house on the outskirts of Japan, a pale stream of sunlight filtered through the worn-out curtains, casting muted shadows on the faded wooden floorboards. A fifteen-year-old girl with dark pink hair lounged on a tattered couch, her legs curled up beneath her. Her hair was unkempt, strands falling into her face as her mismatched socks peeked out from beneath her loose pajama bottoms. On the small, flickering TV screen in front of her, the dramatic clash of heroes and villains played out. A massive, monstrous villain roared, shaking the cityscape as pro heroes leaped into action, their voices drowned by explosions.

The girl leaned back, one hand absentmindedly stroking her fluffy white cat, Muchi, who purred contentedly against her lap. The sound was a soft comfort, almost drowning out the faint buzz of cicadas from outside the cracked window. Her other hand idly reached for a cup of tea sitting on the cluttered coffee table, but before she could take a sip, her phone vibrated sharply beside her.

Startled, she picked it up, brushing a pink lock of hair behind her ear as she swiped to answer.

"Hello, this is the Dawn residence. What can I do for you?" she asked, her voice polite but tinged with curiosity.

"Ah, hello, Dawn," came the deep, reassuring voice on the other end. Her breath caught for a moment, her grip tightening on the phone as she recognized it immediately. It was the Number 1 Hero. All Might.

"I just wanted to let you know," All Might continued warmly, "that you've been accepted to join the U.A. entrance camp in ten months. Can I count on you to be ready?"

Dawn froze, her wide eyes darting to the TV where a younger version of the hero had been fighting valiantly. For a moment, the world seemed to tilt, her heart hammering in disbelief. Her cat, sensing her sudden tension, let out a questioning meow and nuzzled against her hand.

"Y-Yes! Of course!" she stammered, sitting up straighter, her voice pitching with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I'll be ready, I promise!"

The call ended with All Might's trademark hearty laugh, but Dawn remained motionless, the weight of his words sinking in. Her chest rose and fell as she whispered, "U.A... me?"

Muchi meowed again, stretching lazily across her lap, blissfully unaware of how much Dawn's world had just changed.

SCENEBREAK

At Aldera Junior High, the atmosphere was buzzing with barely contained energy as the teacher paced at the front of the classroom, speaking with a sense of duty but little passion. "Now, students, it's time to start seriously considering your futures," he began, holding up a stack of papers. "I'll be handing out the printouts for your desired life courses soon, but let's be real—most of you want to be heroes."

His tone was laced with resignation as the class erupted in cheers, the students eagerly activating their Quirks to show off. One boy created sparks in his palm, while another floated a pencil in midair. A third grew jagged rocks along his arm with a triumphant smirk.

"Hey! No Quirks during school hours!" the teacher barked, but his voice lacked the authority to stop them completely.

Amid the chaos, Katsuki Bakugo leaned back in his chair, feet propped up on his desk, a confident smirk plastered across his face. "Don't lump me in with these extras," he said with a scoff, folding his arms. "I'm on a whole other level."

His classmates bristled at the insult, several of them snapping back at him.

"Shut up, Bakugo!"

"You think you're so great?"

Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Tch. You losers can say what you want, but I'm going to U.A. High."

That quieted them. Even the most outspoken students exchanged wary glances, muttering amongst themselves.

"U.A.?" one boy whispered. "Isn't that, like, the top hero school? The entrance exam's insane."

Katsuki smirked, leaning forward with an air of superiority. "I aced the mock exam. I'm going to surpass even All Might and become the number one hero. You losers better watch."

The teacher cleared his throat, raising a hand to regain control of the room. "Speaking of U.A. aspirants... Midoriya also plans to apply."

The classroom went silent for a beat before every face turned toward Izuku Midoriya, who froze under their collective stare. Then, as if on cue, the room erupted into laughter.

"Seriously? You?"

"No way a Quirkless nobody like you is getting into U.A.!"

Izuku fidgeted nervously in his seat, clutching his notebook. "I-I just... I just want to try," he said, his voice shaking but determined.

"Try?!" Katsuki stood abruptly, his palm sparking as he approached Izuku. "Don't put yourself on my level, you damn nerd. You'll never be a hero. The exam isn't for weaklings like you!"

Izuku flinched but stood his ground, his voice trembling but unwavering. "I'm not trying to compete with you, Kacchan. I just... I have to try. I've wanted to be a hero since I was a kid, and I won't know if I can unless I give it my all."

Katsuki sneered, raising his hand as if to ignite another explosion. "Dream all you want. You're just setting yourself up to fail."

The rest of the class snickered, some shaking their heads while others exchanged mocking grins.

Then a sharp knock at the door silenced them all. The room grew tense as the teacher glanced toward the door.

"Oh, yes! I almost forgot," the teacher said, smoothing his shirt hastily as he walked to the door. "Everyone, we have a new student joining us today." He opened the door, revealing a girl with striking dark hair streaked with pink and tipped in vibrant blue. Her piercing eyes swept across the room with cool confidence. She carried herself with effortless grace, her gaze calm yet commanding as she adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder.

"This is Junae Han," the teacher announced with a smile, motioning for her to step inside.

All eyes were on her as she entered the classroom, her presence radiating an aura that demanded attention. Even Katsuki, who had been moments away from tormenting Izuku further, narrowed his eyes, momentarily intrigued by the newcomer.

"Hey," Junae said with a casual wave, her voice smooth and steady. She flashed a faint smile, unfazed by the curious—and in some cases, envious—stares.

The teacher gestured to an empty seat. "Junae, why don't you take a seat over there? We're discussing future careers right now."

Junae nodded and made her way to the seat, the sound of her boots clicking softly against the floor. As she passed, a few of the students whispered amongst themselves, curious about the new girl. Katsuki watched her for a moment longer before scoffing and turning back to his desk, though his expression hinted at a flicker of curiosity.

Izuku, meanwhile, stared at her with wide eyes, unsure whether her arrival would change the dynamic of the classroom—or his own fate.

The classroom buzzed with chatter and laughter, the students continuing as if nothing had happened—despite the explosion that had left Izuku's desk in ruins. Junae stood in the center of the room, her sharp eyes scanning the scene. Her gaze eventually landed on Izuku, who was still seated, his face flushed with embarrassment as he clutched his notebook protectively against his chest.

The bell rang, and the students began to shuffle out of their seats, eager to leave for the next class or lunch break. Junae, however, moved with purpose, weaving through the crowd until she reached Izuku's destroyed desk.

She extended her hand toward him, her expression calm but curious. "Junae Han," she introduced herself, her voice carrying a quiet confidence.

Izuku blinked at her outstretched hand, his cheeks burning a deeper red. He scrambled to his feet, clutching his notebook tightly, and stammered, "I-Izuku Midoriya." His words tumbled over one another as he reached out to shake her hand, his grip awkward but sincere.

Before Izuku could say anything else, Bakugo stormed over, his presence commanding the space as always. With a sneer, he shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned toward Junae, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Hey, new girl," Katsuki said, glancing at her with a smug grin. "Don't bother hanging out with this nerd. He'll just drag you down with him."

The class snickered behind him, a few echoing his sentiment with muttered remarks. Katsuki's cronies flanked him, their expressions a mix of amusement and approval as they watched their leader dominate the moment.

Junae turned her head slowly to meet Katsuki's gaze, her expression unflinching. She held his stare for a long moment, her piercing eyes narrowing slightly. Then she tilted her head just enough to convey an air of calm defiance.

"And what about you?" she asked coolly, her tone sharp enough to cut through the murmurs of the class.

Katsuki blinked, momentarily taken aback by her audacity. He quickly recovered, his smirk widening as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "What about me? I'm the best in this class. I'm going to U.A., and I'm gonna be the number one hero. So don't waste your time on losers like Deku here."

Junae's gaze flicked back to Izuku for a brief second before returning to Katsuki. She didn't say a word to him at first, simply studying him with a steady, unreadable expression that made even Katsuki shift slightly.

Finally, one of his lackeys chimed in, eager to keep the conversation going. "So, new girl, what's your Quirk?"

The class quieted, their curiosity piqued. Even Katsuki raised an eyebrow, his ego momentarily set aside in favor of intrigue.

Junae's eyes flashed, an almost imperceptible glint of something dangerous sparking in their depths. She tilted her chin slightly, her voice smooth and measured as she answered, "Radiation."

For a moment, the air seemed to still, the weight of her words hanging between them. Katsuki's confident smirk faltered ever so slightly as he processed her reply.

"Radiation, huh?" he finally said, his tone laced with forced bravado as if trying to reassert control. "Sounds flashy. But let's see if it's actually worth anything."

Junae didn't respond to his taunt. Instead, she gave him a long, piercing stare that seemed to silence even the snickering from his followers. Then she dipped her head slightly, a subtle but deliberate gesture, before turning her back to him and walking away.

Izuku stood frozen, clutching his notebook as he watched her retreating figure. His mind raced, torn between awe at her confidence and a gnawing fear of what her Quirk might mean.

Junae, however, seemed entirely unfazed. She disappeared into the hallway, leaving behind an air of mystery—and a classroom of students who couldn't quite decide whether to admire her or fear her.

SCENEBREAK

Later that day, Junae walked along the cracked and uneven road leading to the rundown house she now called home. The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in strokes of warm amber and lavender. Her hands were tucked into the pockets of her jacket as the faint crunch of gravel underfoot filled the quiet air.

Ahead, she spotted Izuku standing beside a koi pond nestled in a small park along the way. His posture was slouched, his shoulders drawn inward as though the weight of the day bore down on him. In his hands, he held a burnt notebook, the edges charred and curling, a stark reminder of the earlier altercation in class.

Junae slowed her pace, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied him from a distance. Just what happened after I left? she wondered, her thoughts turning to the explosive personality of Katsuki Bakugo.

With a quiet sigh, she adjusted her stride and headed toward Izuku. She wasn't one for pity, but something about the sight of him staring so intently at the pond, his reflection rippling in the water alongside the koi fish, tugged at her.

"Hey, Izuku," she called, her voice calm but loud enough to carry across the park.

Izuku jolted at the sound of his name, spinning around to face her with wide eyes. His grip on the notebook tightened as he quickly straightened his posture. "Oh, hey, Han-san!" he replied, his tone awkwardly cheerful, though his red-rimmed eyes betrayed him.

Junae stopped a few feet away, tilting her head as she looked him over. "You've got a habit of saying everything's fine when it's not," she said bluntly, crossing her arms over her chest. "That notebook tells a different story."

Izuku glanced down at the scorched pages, his fingers tightening around the edges as if to shield it from her gaze. "It's nothing," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "Just... some notes I've been working on."

Junae arched a brow, unconvinced. "Notes that got set on fire?" she pressed, her tone light but probing.

Izuku winced, his shoulders slumping again. He didn't answer right away, his gaze drifting back to the koi pond as he fidgeted with the notebook. The silence stretched between them, broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Finally, he sighed, his voice quiet but resolute. "It's just... something Kacchan did. He doesn't think I can be a hero. And, well..." He trailed off, his words caught in his throat.

Junae frowned, her expression softening ever so slightly. She stepped closer, closing the gap between them, and gestured toward the notebook. "May I?"

Izuku hesitated, clutching it protectively for a moment before finally handing it over. Junae flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the intricate notes, sketches, and strategies scribbled across the paper. Despite the damage, the dedication behind each word was evident.

"You're serious about this," she said, more to herself than to him. She closed the notebook and handed it back, meeting his gaze with an intensity that made him stand a little straighter. "And you're not going to give up, are you?"

Izuku blinked, surprised by the question. Then, slowly, he shook his head. "No. I won't. No matter what anyone says."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Junae's lips. "Good," she said simply. "Because people like Bakugo? They'll keep trying to drag you down. But if you're determined, you'll get there. Just don't let him—or anyone else—convince you otherwise."

Izuku stared at her, his eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and gratitude. "Han-san, I—"

"Junae," she interrupted, holding up a hand. "You can just call me Junae."

"Junae," Izuku echoed, his voice steadier now. "Thank you."

She nodded, slipping her hands back into her pockets and glancing up at the fading sky. "Get home safe, Midoriya," she said over her shoulder as she turned to leave.

As Junae walked away, a faint blush crept up Izuku's cheeks. He clutched the notebook tightly to his chest, her words echoing in his mind like a spark of hope he hadn't known he needed.

Just as Izuku stood by the koi pond, clutching his notebook and watching Junae's figure disappear into the distance, a sudden, chilling sound caught his attention. A low, slimy squelch echoed nearby, followed by the unmistakable sound of something moving—slithering—toward him.

He froze, his heart pounding in his chest as his eyes darted around, searching for the source. Then, from the shadows of a nearby alley, a monstrous figure emerged. The villain was grotesque, its body made entirely of a viscous, greenish-black sludge that oozed and writhed with malevolence.

Before Izuku could react, the villain lunged at him with horrifying speed, its slimy tendrils wrapping around his body. Izuku let out a scream, struggling desperately against the suffocating grip, but it was no use. The sludge squeezed tighter, seeping into his mouth and nose, cutting off his air.

"Stop struggling, kid," the villain rasped, its voice a guttural snarl. "You'll make a perfect hiding spot for me!"

Izuku's vision blurred as he clawed weakly at the slime, his strength fading fast. His mind raced with panic, thoughts of his mother, of his dream, of everything he would lose if this was the end.

And then—

A thunderous BOOM shattered the air, followed by a gust of wind so powerful it knocked debris and leaves into the sky. The sheer force of it ripped the villain's grip from Izuku, sending the sludge flying in every direction.

Izuku collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as his vision swam. Through the haze, he saw a towering figure standing in the middle of the chaos.

It was him.

The Symbol of Peace.

All Might stood tall, his iconic grin shining as brightly as the sun itself. His larger-than-life presence radiated strength and hope, his golden hair swaying in the wind generated by his attack.

"You dare harm this young man?" All Might's voice boomed, brimming with righteous fury. He drew back his fist, muscles bulging with raw power. "Let's see how you handle this! TEXAS SMASH!"

With a single, earth-shaking punch, a blast of wind pressure erupted from All Might's fist, tearing through the villain with devastating force. The sludge was obliterated, scattered into harmless fragments that splattered harmlessly across the ground.

The chaos subsided, and the world seemed to hold its breath.

Izuku, still sprawled on the ground, blinked up at the larger-than-life hero. His body trembled from the ordeal, his mind barely processing what had just happened.

"Young man, are you alright?" All Might asked, his voice softer now as he crouched down to check on him.

But Izuku could barely make out the words. The adrenaline, the fear, and the sheer awe of seeing his lifelong idol in action overwhelmed him. His vision dimmed, and with a faint whisper of "All Might..." on his lips, he lost consciousness, the world fading into black.