1-C, 1-C, 1-C...

Katsuo was a bundle of nerves as he tried to find the classroom for 1-C. Most of it was from disbelief that he got into U.A., the rest was just because of his general disposition. He really hadn't expected to get in. In his mind, even getting into the General Education course was a miracle.

The doors were massive, so it didn't take long to find 1-C. For a moment, Katsuo simply stood outside the door, his nerves getting the better of him.

He took a deep breath and pushed the door open, feeling a rush of excitement and fear wash over him. The classroom was surprisingly empty, with only a few students scattered here and there. Katsuo's eyes darted around the room, searching for an empty seat.

He spotted an empty desk near the back and quickly made his way over, feeling the eyes of his classmates on him. As he sat down, he noticed a familiar face: it was the boy he had bumped into during the entrance exam.

Katsuo's heart raced; he hadn't realized that the purple-haired boy got in as well. The boy's eyes met his, narrowing upon recognition.

"...You," he said simply with a frown, the eyebags beneath his purple eyes more evident than ever.

"Yes, me," Katsuo replied, sounding a little confused. "I'm... uh, Katsuo, by the way. Katsuo Madarame."

The boy just stared at him for a moment before answering, "Hitoshi Shinsou," and turning his attention to his phone.

Katsuo tried not to feel too deflated by the lackluster response. He didn't know what he expected. Some sort of connection, maybe, or at least a friendly face to ease the weight of being in this place. But Shinsou had already looked away, as if their brief exchange had taken more energy than it was worth.

He leaned back in his seat, running a hand over his face. Stay focused, he reminded himself. This was a mission, and making friends or searching for kindness wasn't part of it. Yet somehow, he couldn't stop glancing at Shinsou from the corner of his eye. There was something intriguing about the other boy's presence, as if he were carrying a storm behind those tired eyes.

Class began soon after, and the teacher droned on about schedules, coursework, and expectations for the General Studies students. Katsuo found it hard to concentrate. His mind drifted, wandering back to Enigma's objectives and the quiet reminder they'd drilled into him: Heroes are only human, just as corruptible as anyone else.

But as Katsuo sat there, stealing glances at the students around him — their tired faces, the eager, restless movements of those who were clearly hoping to transfer into the Hero Course someday — he wondered if Enigma's assessment was entirely true. Was everyone here really as flawed as Saitō-sama wanted him to believe? Or was that just the narrative they needed him to accept, to make the mission easier to justify?

That afternoon, Katsuo lingered by the classroom door as the students filed out. He hadn't planned it — or maybe he had, and he just didn't want to admit it — but he found himself waiting until Hitoshi passed by. When he did, Katsuo fell into step beside him, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

"Hey, Shinsou," Katsuo said, clearing his throat. "Got a minute?"

Shinsou glanced at him, his eyes narrowing slightly, though he didn't brush him off. "I guess," he replied with a shrug, falling silent as they continued walking down the hallway.

"So... you always this friendly?" Katsuo said with a slightly awkward laugh, attempting to lighten the tension. He could see the hint of a smirk tug at Hitoshi's lips.

"Friendly?" Shinsou raised an eyebrow. "That's rich coming from the guy who's been staring at me in class like he's trying to solve a puzzle."

Katsuo felt his cheeks warm. "I don't stare."

"Right. You just... observe very intently." Shinsou's tone was dry, but Katsuo caught the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

Katsuo chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Alright, maybe I'm a little curious," he admitted, hoping he didn't sound as flustered as he felt.

"Curious, huh?" Shinsou replied, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, giving Katsuo an appraising look. There was a guardedness to him, but also a flicker of curiosity that mirrored Katsuo's own. "About what, exactly?"

Katsuo hesitated, glancing down the hallway as if searching for the right words somewhere in the distance. He hadn't anticipated the conversation getting this direct so quickly, but then, he should have known that Hitoshi wouldn't dance around things. This was a guy who clearly didn't waste time on social niceties.

"Well," Katsuo said, scratching the back of his neck, "I guess I'm curious about why you're here. In General Studies, I mean. Most of the people in our class don't... well, they don't seem like they're aiming for the Hero Course. But you... you look like you've got a goal." He tried to sound casual, but he knew there was something too genuine in his tone, something that edged a little too close to admiration.

Shinsou's expression flickered, and for a split second, Katsuo thought he saw a hint of vulnerability. But just as quickly, Shinsou's guard went back up, his eyes narrowing with that same wary look he'd given Katsuo during class.

"Maybe I do," Shinsou replied, his voice low, almost challenging. "But that's not exactly something I'm in a hurry to share with just anyone."

Katsuo felt a pang of disappointment, though he tried to hide it. He couldn't blame the other boy for being cautious. After all, Katsuo was here under false pretenses too, wasn't he? Not that Shinsou knew that.

"Fair enough," Katsuo replied, managing a small smile. "I get it. First day and all. It's hard to know who you can trust."

For a moment, Shinsou's intense gaze softened, as if he saw something familiar in Katsuo's words. "Yeah," he murmured, looking away down the hallway. "That's the problem, isn't it? People judge you before they know you. Or worse, they act friendly until they realize you're... different."

"People can be idiots," Katsuo said softly, surprising himself with how sincere he sounded. "They only see what they want to see. Doesn't mean they're right."

Shinsou glanced at him, and for a moment, his stoic expression cracked, revealing a hint of something raw, almost vulnerable. "Maybe," he replied quietly. "But it's easier to keep people at arm's length than to keep hoping they'll understand."

Katsuo could have left it there. He could have nodded, let Shinsou walk away, and refocused on his mission, but he found himself stepping a little closer instead.

"I don't think everyone's that shallow," Katsuo said. "I mean, I'm here talking to you, aren't I?"

Shinsou looked at him, really looked at him, as if searching for any hint of insincerity. Katsuo held his gaze, fighting the urge to look away, and after what felt like an eternity, Hitoshi let out a low, tired chuckle.

"You're either really naïve or... well, I'm not sure yet." There was a faint smirk tugging at the corner of Shinsou's mouth, a hint of amusement that softened his usual guardedness. "But I guess I'll keep an eye on you, Madarame."

Katsuo felt his heart skip a beat, and he realized he was smiling too. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Shinsou rolled his eyes, but there was a spark of genuine warmth there that Katsuo hadn't seen before. "Don't let it go to your head."

Before Katsuo could say anything more, Shinsou pushed himself off the wall, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I've got training to get to," he said, almost as if he were excusing himself before things could get too comfortable between them.

"Right," Katsuo replied, masking the disappointment in his voice. "See you around, then."

Shinsou nodded, but as he turned to walk away, he paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Hey, Madarame?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't take it personally if I keep my distance," Shinsou said, his voice lower, almost hesitant. "Just... habit."

Katsuo nodded, understanding more than he could say. "It's fine. I'm not here to force anything."

Shinsou lingered a moment longer, as if he wanted to say something else, but then he simply nodded, the vulnerability slipping back behind his usual stoic mask. "Good."

And with that, he walked off, leaving Katsuo standing alone in the empty hallway.