As Izuku and Junae arrived at U.A., the excitement of the day weighed heavily on them. Izuku, still carrying the weight of the journey ahead, was caught up in his own nerves. Junae, however, stayed quiet, her usual confident demeanor unwavering. As they made their way through the bustling campus, Izuku fumbled, tripping over his own feet, the anxiety and pressure of the Entrance Exam catching up with him. Without even thinking, Junae reached out, grabbing his collar and yanking him back onto his feet, her voice calm yet filled with affection.

"Careful, love," she murmured, her eyes scanning ahead, focused and determined.

Izuku blinked in surprise, his heart racing as his mind struggled to catch up with the situation. His thoughts spun in circles. I almost embarrassed myself in front of... He froze mid-thought, realizing just who he had nearly stumbled in front of—a really, really pretty girl. He could feel his face flush in a mix of embarrassment and admiration.

"Oi, out of the way, nerd," came a sharp voice that sliced through the morning air, its irritation obvious. Izuku's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat as he turned instinctively, already familiar with the voice that carried so much disdain. There, striding toward him with that all-too-familiar fiery expression, was Bakugo, his golden eyes blazing with irritation. The spiky-haired boy didn't break his stride, not a hint of hesitation in his steps.

Izuku felt a rush of panic flood through him. His lips parted, but no words came out. He wanted to say something—anything—but the words caught in his throat. Finally, he stammered out something faint, perhaps a string of apologies or an attempt to get out of the way. But Bakugo wasn't listening. The explosive blond boy merely scoffed dismissively, his expression tightening into one of sheer superiority as he continued past Izuku with all the arrogance he could muster.

Izuku watched helplessly as Bakugo's form disappeared past him. His body still trembling slightly, Izuku exhaled in relief, only to freeze once more as Bakugo's sharp gaze flicked toward someone else—Junae.

Junae stood not far from Izuku, her posture as poised and calm as always. She didn't seem to notice the approaching storm that was Bakugo, her focus on something ahead of her. But Bakugo did. His pace quickened, a sly grin twisting his features as he made a beeline straight for the dark-haired girl.

"Hey, new girl," Bakugo barked, his voice as gruff as ever.

Junae, without missing a beat, paused in her walk. She turned her head just enough to glance over her shoulder at the younger boy, her gaze steady and calculating, as though she were appraising him in that single moment. The world around her seemed to slow down, and even Bakugo, typically immune to any challenge of his authority, seemed slightly thrown off by the way she took him in with a calm, unruffled expression.

"Yes?" she asked, her voice cool and measured, the faintest of interest curling her lips into an impassive smile.

Her words weren't dismissive, but they weren't inviting either. There was no fear or hesitation in her demeanor, just a quiet, controlled air of indifference—one that seemed to catch Bakugo off guard for a moment.

Izuku, still standing by the side, watched the entire exchange in quiet awe, the pounding of his heart faint against the silence that had settled over them. It was all so... different.

"Are you gonna show me your work soon or what?" Bakugo jeered, his voice dripping with the usual mockery that made it clear he expected no answer. His arms were crossed over his chest, his stance wide and confident as if daring Junae to prove him wrong. He was used to intimidating people with his explosive energy and unrelenting attitude.

Junae, however, didn't flinch. She stood there for a moment, silent and composed, her golden eyes taking in every detail of the scene before her. Her gaze swept over Bakugo, scanning his posture, his clenched fists, the sharp set of his jaw. She could read him easily—his anger, his pride, and most of all, the limits of his power. She knew that Bakugo's explosive quirk could only go so far before he reached the brink of exhaustion, and for all his bravado, she could see the tension in his frame, the hint of impatience that betrayed his desire to prove himself.

Raising an eyebrow, she met his fiery gaze with a calm, almost dismissive expression. "Maybe," she said, her voice laced with just enough mystery to keep him on edge. "If the test demands it."

With that, Junae turned away, the swish of her dark hair the only thing Bakugo could focus on as she walked past him, unfazed by the fire burning in his eyes. Her words hung in the air, leaving a trail of coolness behind her that seemed to challenge his very existence.

Bakugo stood frozen for a moment on the steps, his mind struggling to process the encounter. His fists clenched tighter, his teeth grinding together as he muttered under his breath.

What the hell is that girl? he thought, his frustration bubbling up as he watched her disappear inside.

For the first time, Bakugo wasn't sure who held the upper hand.

SCENMEBREAK

Inside, the air buzzed with anticipation as the crowd settled into their seats. The moment grew heavy with the scent of fresh paper and ink, the low hum of whispers vibrating through the room. Present Mic stepped up to the microphone, his presence commanding attention. He tapped the mic twice, causing a small, sharp thunk that echoed across the auditorium, silencing the students. A playful grin spread across his face as he addressed them, his usual excitement making his voice burst with energy.

"Alright, alright, everyone settle down!" he exclaimed, his voice full of electricity. "Let's get to it, shall we?"

He started explaining the rules of the Entrance Exam, his hands gesturing dramatically as he spoke. "The exam's got two parts," he continued, his voice booming across the room. "First up, a practical test. That's where you'll show us what you can really do. After that, there's the written test, but we all know the fun stuff's right here." He laughed, his enthusiasm contagious.

"The goal of the practical test is simple," Present Mic said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Dispatch as many villains as you can, rack up points, and show us you've got what it takes! But here's the kicker..." His voice dropped to a near-whisper, drawing in the audience. "These villains? They're not actual criminals. No, no. They're robots designed to look like villains. Your job? Take them down and prove your worth."

As he wrapped up, the students around Junae murmured among themselves, sizing up the challenge ahead. The atmosphere was electric, a mix of nerves and excitement filling the air.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted, cutting through the chatter. A man with striking blue hair stood up, catching Present Mic's attention. He had a serious look in his eyes as he began speaking, addressing the issue of the last villain—what was called the zero-pointer.

The moment became tense, and Junae could see Izuku's eyes widen with curiosity. Present Mic's response was casual, almost dismissive, but still filled with an underlying seriousness. "Oh, the zero-pointer," he said, rolling his shoulders as if shrugging off the concern. "Not worth fighting. They're just there for the spectacle. Focus on the other bots, alright? Leave that one be unless you're in real danger." His words, though nonchalant, carried the weight of experience, as if he'd seen these exams unfold time and again.

And just like that, the room quieted again as everyone prepared themselves mentally for what was coming next.

Before long, they were all led to the designated battle center, a large arena designed to look like a warzone. Robots lined up, their metallic limbs clanking, ready for combat. Junae found herself standing next to Izuku, the two of them side by side, the tension palpable between them.

The doors slid open, and Junae's pulse quickened. She felt the weight of the moment settle in—this was it. The Entrance Exam had officially begun.

SCENE BREAK

The air was thick with anticipation, the atmosphere buzzing as the massive gates to the training field slid open with a soft, mechanical whirr. The sheer scale of the arena before them left every student in awe. The field stretched out before them like a warzone, with towering, craggy walls, scattered debris, and mechanical monstrosities looming in the distance. The contrast of the beautifully crafted battlefield against the ominous presence of the robotic villains created a tension that could almost be felt in the bones. It was as if this was the stage for something monumental, and everyone was about to step into their own roles.

Izuku's heart raced, his nerves were on edge. His eyes darted around, scanning the area, but his attention was drawn to the girl standing beside him. Junae—Joanne, as some had called her—stood coolly next to him. She didn't seem nearly as overwhelmed by the field as the others were. Her golden eyes, sharp and calculating, flicked briefly over to him as he nervously tried to gather his thoughts.

"Umm, are you ready?" Izuku stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. His hands were sweating, and he could feel the weight of his nervousness pressing down on him. He was fully aware that this exam could determine his future, but being this close to her... his mind wasn't fully focused.

Joanne, however, didn't appear to share his unease. She glanced over at him, her expression indifferent yet calm, her golden eyes almost glowing in the sunlight. Her lips curled into the faintest, almost imperceptible smirk. "Yes," she answered simply, her voice cool and steady.

Izuku blinked, a rush of embarrassment creeping up his neck. That simple response, the way she held herself with such poise, threw him off. He could feel the heat in his face. Get it together, Deku, he chided himself silently, trying to shake off the momentary embarrassment.

Before he could collect his thoughts, a loud announcement boomed across the speakers, signaling the start of the exam.

"Begin!"

In an instant, chaos erupted around them. The students rushed forward, their eyes locked on the robots that scattered across the battlefield. Izuku hesitated for only a moment, but then the instinct to act kicked in. He dashed forward, his body moving before his mind fully registered the danger. His heart thudded as he rushed into the fray.

But as he moved, Joanne was already gone.

She disappeared from his side so swiftly, it was as though she had never been there at all. The other participants were caught up in the madness of the battle, struggling against the seemingly endless waves of robotic villains. But Joanne? She was a figure of grace amidst the chaos.

Izuku looked up in time to see her effortlessly dodging a series of attacks from a towering robot. With a fluid movement, she spun, the silver sheen of her whip-like power trailing behind her like a ghost. She struck, and the robot crumpled to the ground in a heap of scrap metal. There was no sweat on her brow, no sign of exertion. She moved with the precision of someone who had done this countless times before, her golden eyes sharp and calculating as she dismantled robot after robot.

Izuku couldn't help but watch in awe, his breath catching in his throat. She wasn't just participating in this test—she was dominating it. The way she handled herself, so effortlessly graceful, made it seem like the entire battlefield had bent to her will. He had never seen someone move like that before, with such complete control and power.

As Izuku faced his own challenges, trying to take down a robot or two, his mind kept drifting back to Joanne. How does she do it? he wondered, his heart racing not just from the intensity of the exam, but from his fascination with her. He could see her from time to time, her figure flickering in and out of his sight as she cut down robot after robot, each movement so effortless, so precise. And then, just as quickly, she was gone again, melting into the chaos that surrounded them.

Izuku clenched his fists, a renewed sense of determination building inside him. He couldn't let himself fall behind. If she could do this without breaking a sweat, then he could at least hold his own too.

But as he made his way toward another group of robots, his thoughts continued to drift back to her—the girl who had appeared out of nowhere and made everything seem so simple.