❝ 起死回生 ❞

NOW IS MY CHANCE.

That exact sentence has been repeated for around four times now. Nonetheless, Yue is still frozen on the spot, struggling to accomplish her mission.

Just go up to him and do it! It's just socializing. It's easy, right?

Taking a step further, she stops immediately. For unknown reasons, her heartbeat picks a beat, which she immediately tries to synchronize back to normal. If not now, then never!

Yue collects her entire bottle of confidence and walks up to him. His back is facing her whilst he's laughing along to something his friends are saying, but they quickly quiet down as soon as their eyes land on her. "Why are you guys so silent—?"

By their eyes, they sends signals that someone is, in fact, behind him, but he's too dense to understand it. So, Yue taps on his shoulder lightly, head casted downward.

"Shiro!" he exclaims while spinning around in her direction, the trademark grin on his face. "What's up?"

Say it out loud. Now. She inhales deeply, desperately trying to hold eye-contact. Awkwardly, Yue motions to something behind her, probably the hallway. "C-Ca—"

Kirishima is listening intently, patience evident in his features as he smiles. With reddened cheeks, Yue sighs deeply for one last time, and finally asks in a small voice, "Can we talk outside?"

"Sure!" He's swift to agree, already walking as she's waddling behind him awkwardly; still in the process of how to start a proper conversation and finish her job. "What do you wanna talk about?"

Yet, before they could exit the classroom to talk outside, a huge crowd of other students are blocking the way. A few classmates are already standing in front of the door, also perplexed. "They're crowding the exit! What are they here for?" Mineta asks anxiously.

"They're scoping out the competition, dumb-ass," mutters Bakugou. "They wanna see the gang who came through the villain ambush. They're checking us out before the big battle, asshole."

Midoriya quickly apologizes for the Bakugou's antics.

Poor him. Imagine chasing after a boy with anger management issues for half of your life. Couldn't be me.

"It's pointless to try, so why don't you just fuck off, you goddamn extras."

Note to self: Do not ask Bakugou Katsuki for help about communication and social skills.

"Don't go calling people you don't know 'extras'!" Iida yells frantically, to which Yue stifles her chuckle. He's so cute.

Out of nowhere, a purple-haired boy pops up from the mob of students. "I came to see what you kids are made of, true, but I didn't think you'd be this arrogant." He also adds quite shadily, "Are all the kids enrolled at the department of heroics this way?"

Uh-huh...

Glancing over at Bakugou, she immediately notices his angered expression. "Ah?"

"I don't think we can get through the students," says Kirishima from beside her. "Do you want to say it here?"

Words leave her once again. They were never on my side, anyway. Traitors. "Uh..." She looks around, avoiding his eyes. "No."

"No?" repeats the redhead at her bluntness.

"I'm a bit disillusioned, so that's it, huh?" Purple catches the duo's attention again, sights directing at him. "There's lots of kids who wind up in the General Education department or other departments because they failed Heroics one. Did you know that?"

Purple continues, "And based on the results of the Sports Festival, people can even come under review to be transferred to Heroics, yet the reverse is also a possible outcome... Scoping out the competition? If nothing, a general Ed kid like me is thinking: 'Hey, why don't I try pulling the rug out from under those Heroics kids on their high horses?"

"Consider it a declaration of war," he finishes.

Damn, he's cool... Maybe I should ask him for help about communication skills!

Another head pops through the crowd, yelling soundly, "Hey! You! I'm from Class B!" He punches his way through the mob. "I heard you knocked around with villains or whatever, so I came to hear it direct! But I don't wanna hear from some snot-nosed punk!"

"You!" Then, he points at Yue's face, who's taken aback - all the attention on her now. "Did you fight some villains in there?"

Eyes ripped open, Yue feels overwhelmed as alarmed signals run through her body.

The loud boy suddenly begins screaming exasperatedly, clutching his ankle. "Ah! What are you doing! Make it stop!"

Realization kicking in, she's swift to step away, making him halt his agonized yelling. "Is this how you want to fight?" Him and his grey hair dash toward her. "Making secret attacks now, or what? Don't embarrass me in front of everyone!"

"Back away," mutters Kirishima in a darker tone as soon as he notices Yue's uncomfortable expression, putting his hand on the boy's chest to push him away. "I wouldn't want to mess with her if I was you."

Nevertheless, he continues yelling to the entirety of 1-A, but more likely Bakugou and Shirohono, "Don't get so full of yourself! If you bark too much, it'll be embarrassing for you durin' the real fight!"

"You ignorin' me, bastard?" shouts the gray-haired boy at Bakugou's walking form.

Indeed, Anger is completely ignoring him.

"Wait a minute, Bakugou!" Kirishima joins their conversation with a jittery expression. "What're you gonna do about all this? It's your fault that everyone's hating on us!"

In a confident tone, Bakugou says while glancing behind his back and back at 1-B, "It doesn't matter."

"It doesn't matter once you're at the top." Then, he walks away.

Kirishima gushes, tears in his eyes as he holds his fist up near his chest, "That's so simple and manly!"

Caught off-guard, Kaminari and Yue glance at each other and back at him. "The top, huh? There's the truth in that," explains Tokoyami to the perplexed duo.

"Hang on, don't be tricked!" Kaminari tries to change their opinions, waving his hands around. "He just made more pointless enemies!

Now is the time. Yue opens her mouth, but closes it right after. She groans while letting her head fall. Unaware of how else to gain his attention, she grabs his arm and leads the way through the crowd to finally talk outside.

"Huh?!" utters Kaminari at the scene, eyes widened and mouth on the floor. "I never wanted to be Kirishima so badly..." At that, Sato pats his back in comfort.

"So... what's up?" The grin stays on Kirishima's face, as Yue keeps on looking at the floor like it's the most interesting thing in the world.

To say that Kirishima is stunned by her antics is an understatement. He would've never thought that she would come up to him herself—let alone actually speak.

"I..." Yue fidgets with her fingers, suppressing the fact that her cheeks are probably heated up.

"You're really cool!" exclaimed the blue-haired girl loudly, but shook her head immediately.

She had been walking in a never-ending circle for around twenty minutes now, fingers tracing her chin pensively.

"The things you've done are very... manly?"

"Nah, I can't say that. Now I sound like a total dumpster..." Waving her hands around, she refused to say something like that. Yue faced the mirror now, fingers pointing at her reflection with an awkward face. "What about... Thanks...?"

"UGH!" She huffed soundly, flames of blue fire soon erupting from her mouth.

Shocked, Yue clutched her mouth to shut it, but the damage had already been done. She blinked innocently while looking at her now burned-down desk.

"What's going on?!" In absolute worrisome, the gray-haired man slammed the door open. "I smelt something firing up. Is anything wrong—?"

Then, his widened eyes changed to loose, tired ones as he noticed the damaged table. "Again, Yue?"

"Sorry..." Yue sheepishly looked down. "But I've already told you that having fireproof furniture is way more significant for someone like me!"

"Or maybe you could simply stop burning down your place...?" He asked in an obvious tone, tilting his head to the side.

Groaning, she nodded her head in agreement. "Do you have a problem?" asked the gray-eyed man at her poor sight.

"I'm trying to socialize, but my brain is malfunctioning at doing so!"

Finally raising her head, Yue gazes at the patient boy. "I..." She inhales a deep breath, stabilizing her heartbeat. "I wanted to thank you for understanding and sticking up with me ever since I've come here. Even though I don't talk, you somehow always found a way to hold up a conversation with me, and made me feel good, on top of that."

"I've been having problems with feeling comfortable around other people, mostly people my age, for a while now," she reveals coyly, looking down at that. "There are a few exceptions, and you're one—"

"I can't express how thankful I am that—" Shirohono tries to say it out loud, restarting her sentence, but it's like her tongue has betrayed her.

"Just say what you're telling me right now," stated the gray-haired man casually. "If you forget about your surroundings, it's easier."

His eyes were filled with concern and hidden grief again, as he added, "I'm aware that things have been different ever since... that incident. But make sure to show gratefulness to people who deserve it, because not everyone waters a weak flower that's ready to perish."

"That you're my friend..."

Even though her words were muffled and quiet, Kirishima still caught up on them. His eyes widen, a bright smile soon spreading across the joyed boy's face.

Not thinking about it twice, the redhead wraps his arms around her, squishing the shocked girl, while frantically waving her around.

"That was such a cool speech, Shiro! Of course I'm your friend!" He yells. As he pulls away, he wipes his escaped tears away. "And totally brave and manly at that..."

Soon, his expression changes, just as the topic does. "So, are you joining me in kicking asses at the Sports Festival?" His grin is back on his sharp features, holding his hand up in the air hopefully.

Confused at first, she gazes at his hand. Soon on, she catches onto his intention, cheeks darkening in embarrassment.

Smirking, she gives him a high-five. "Hell yeah!"

Today is the day of the Sports Festival, and Yue is putting on her shoes, ready to leave her apartment.

As she opens the door, though, her lips part ajar whilst seeing the familiar person in front of it. "Uncle!" She glances left and right. "Are you allowed to be here right now? Don't you have to be at work?"

"I came here to check up on you for one last time before heading to U.A," he explains, the mask of his costume concealing his mouth. "Don't you want to invite me in?"

"Oh!" Yue blurts out. "Of course."

The gray-haired man enters and closes the door right after. "Are you ready, Yue?"

"As ready as ever!" A confident smile is on her face, which relieves him. "All thanks to Aizawa-sensei. I'd never be like this without him."

Thus, he smiles, but it soon falters. "Yue." His serious tone is back. "If anything—whether it be minor or not—happens to you, if you suddenly get a strange feeling, show me a sign, okay?"

He assures her, "I'll be sitting on the seats with the other Pro-Heroes, so I have my eyes on you the entire time. If you feel like you don't have your Quirk under control, then hold your right arm up in the air with your middle and pointer finger directing the sky—"

"Uncle, chill!" She holds him by his shoulders, considering that he's not that tall, either. "Don't worry about me. I have full control over my Quirk now, whether it be physically or emotionally."

Still, he's hesitant and suspicious about it. "Okay..." He still gives in, knowing that he shouldn't say anything that would make her feel gloomy.

Obviously, he's thankful to her current state, which is why he smiles.

"I'll brag about you between the other Heroes," says the grey-haired man proudly, to which she chuckles at his customary giddiness.

His gaze stays longer on her, admiring her joyful features. To say that he takes delight in her would be an understatement. "I'm incredibly proud of you. You know that, right?"

Yue's mouth gasps open, not used to the softer side of the ninja-like man. "And I'm also grateful that you opened up to me after so much time." His smile enlarges, and she can see it through his eyes. "I hope to raise you for as long as you need me to."

Unbeknownst to her, tears build up in her eyes, but she quickly blinks them away. Yue nods.

"You better tear them apart in there, Yue." He hits her shoulder playfully, smirking. "Don't want to embarrass me whilst I gush over how good you are now, do you?"

"So you're really going to put your mysterious ninja image away for me?" Yue wipes a false tear away, clutching her heart dramatically. "That's so touching."

Her eyes fall down to her hands, though, a smile soon spreading across her face. Looking up, she smirks right back at him.

"Trust me. I will."

Iida starts yelling around, "Everyone, are your preparations complete? We're set to enter in no time!"

Indeed, they are. The Sports Festival has come through faster than expected - Class 1-A waiting in a room. Yue has been isolated from the others due to her over-flowing thoughts, yet she's snapped back into reality as she notices Todoroki's form.

"On an objective basis, I think I'm above you in terms of practical strength," the dual-haired boy says to Midoriya. "You've managed to get All Might's eyes on you, right? I feel no need to pry into that but..." He continues coldly, "I'm going to beat you."

"Oho?" says Kaminari. "A declaration of war from the strongest kid in class?"

Kirishima is quick to step in. "What's with the belligerence all of a sudden? Don't spring this on him right before—"

"I'm not here to play nice and make friends, but whatever," Todoroki cuts him right off. A deep breath escapes Yue, annoyed because of the disrespect and cockiness he's showing.

An utterly judging expression is on Yue's face, which Todoroki notices immediately as he throws his stoic eyes at her now. "Also, Shirohono."

"Call our first fight a mistake out of distraction," Todoroki states confidently. "I'm not going to back down on you. I'll be the one extinguishing your blue flames by my ice."

Her trademarked impassive look strikes back onto her face, standing up. As she's right in front of Todoroki, she speaks out, absolutely callously, "You will never win against me by not giving your all, Icy-Boy." He catches onto her intentions, jaw clenching. "After you're ready to clash fire against fire, then you may have a chance."

"Fire dampens, and then burns down ice," Yue finishes as a matter of fact.

Their eyes battle each other. Her eyes are giving a glare that is freezing his bones, like being nude in the middle of a hailstorm, where every chunk of ice is a frosted dagger cutting into her skin.

For some seconds, they both simple stand there, staring at eachother. They're assessing each other as though the other one is a competition, or prey, and the other students watch them through the unnerving, deadly silence.

"I don't know about y'all, but I like the new, confident Shirohono," mutters Sero, breaking the ice of a silence. Kirishima hits him across the head. "Not the time, man."

Midoriya gains the attention, by voicing his thoughts and saying, "I have no idea what you want from me... telling me all that..." Insecurity is evident in his posture, which causes Yue to frown, her anger toward Todoroki rising, as well.

"You're definitely stronger than me. I think the vast majority of people are probably no match for you..." His head stays casted downward, not daring to look up. "Looking at it objectively..."

"C'mom, Midoriya, don't be so negative!" states Kirishima, earning a curt nod from her side.

Still, Broccoli continues, "Even so... Everyone—even kids from other departments are aiming for the top with all their might, so not even I... can just let myself lag behind the rest!"

"So I'm going to go for it!" His confidence is back on his features. "With all my might, too!"

Bakugou and Todoroki let out displeased sounds, but Shirohono crosses her arms with a smirk.

"I expect a lot from you, Midoriya-kun," she speaks up again, causing many of the students to clutch their hearts dramatically due to her soothingly cool voice. "Don't let my high expectations stay expectations only."

Thus, Midoriya grins confidently. He nods.

After the heated conversation, the class strides out whilst confidence and a quiet fighting spirit lingers in the air, venomously to others.

The press is already talking about them loudly and in excitement, recording every single student at the perfect angle. "It's the freshman stage!" Present Mic announces. "And the students are making their entry now!"

Secretly, Kirishima and Yue fist-bump each other. "Let's finally kick some asses, Shiro."

They continue walking their path, as Present Mic continues his grand speech. Yue feels like the whole attention is on them, which makes her feel smaller, feeling rather jittery.

Midnight stands on a stage in the middle of the stadium, a whiplash in her hand. Her outfit seems to be taking everyone's attention, even her classmates.

"What is Midnight-sensei wearing?" Kirishima comments, cheeks heated due to his embarrassment.

Other boys agree and add their opinions, but Yue simply listens to what their teacher has to say.

"Silence, everyone!" Midnight gains the attention, whipping the flogger upward. "Now for the student pledge! Bakugou Katsuki!"

Bakugou's hands are in his pockets as he walks up to the stage. Everyone is awaiting for his speech eagerly - a speech that would help the helpless, motivate the unmotivated, and encouraged the discouraged ones.

"I pledge," he starts. "That I'll be number one."

Out of a bullet, the first years begin booing the blonde out, throwing various accusations his way like bombs. "Why are you being so disgraceful?" Iida asks, frantically moving his arms around the way he does. "You're the one who's representing us all!"

"You'll all make fantastic stepping stones, though, I'm sure," states Bakugou at that apathetically, showing his down-curled thumb.

Yue stifles her laughter. "This cocky roach."

No hints of apologies are on his face as he steps off the stage and serenely walks back to his other classmates. Through his path, his eyes meet Yue's naturally stoic, oblivious-looking ones, which causes him to huff angrily. His shoulder harshly bumps into hers as he passes by.

Holding in a choked groan, she stands tall and unfazed. Yet, after noticing that he's completely gone, she clutches the pained spot. Man, he just had to dislocate my shoulder...

"All right. With that, we can finally move onto our first event!" Midnight moves around photogenically, her whiplash pointing at the huge screen behind her.

During the excitement, Yue glances in between the bleachers in order to find the gray-haired man. As her eyes discover his concealed self, she salutes loosely, grinning.

"Did one of the students just salute at you?" asks All Might, to which the latter one stays silent; playfully cursing her out in his head.

The only thing the gray-eyed man does is nod her way curtly, still causing her lips to enlarge.

What catches her attention back is the holographic screen spinning rapidly, but then stopping once and for all. Obstacle Race stands on it. "This!" announces Midnight.

"It's a race between all eleven classes!" continues the pretty woman. "The course makes a nearly four kilometers ring around this stadium! We always sing about our freedom on campus... Well, this is what it's all about! You're free to do anything—anything, so long as you remain within the course."

"So, let's get on cracking your marks!"

Eleven classes soon huddle up in front of the tunnel-leading place. Yue inhales calmly, remembering what she's learnt so far, and what she has to do.

"Yue, do not be afraid of using your Quirk."

"Your Quirk is your strength, and not your weakness, Shirohono."

First task: Observe.

Fun-Fact: The main reason why Yue wants to become a Hero is because she wants to change the system, which, in her opinion, is corrupt and unfair.