Chapter 6: The Entrance Exam
"Today's the day of the U.A. High entrance exam."
Yoshikage Kira took a deep breath, stepped out of his bedroom, and put on a new tracksuit that had cost him more than half a month's salary. To be honest, it was the first time he had ever spent so lavishly on anything other than basic necessities.
The school did provide decent quality uniforms, but his had become worn and tattered from his Quirk training. While no one at his old school would have judged him for wearing patched-up clothes, this was U.A. High—the birthplace of Japan's greatest Pro Heroes. It was bound to be full of students from prominent hero families.
Although Yoshikage didn't particularly care what others thought, it was always best to avoid unnecessary trouble. He had no interest in playing the part of an underdog only to reveal his strength later for a dramatic face-off. Simply passing the entrance exam smoothly was enough to achieve his goal.
The previous night, Inasa Yoarashi had called to tell him that he had passed the Shiketsu exam with the highest score in the school's history. While sharing the good news, he also offered some encouragement for Yoshikage.
"You were always my role model! You have to pass the U.A. exam and show that Endeavor's son a thing or two!"
While Inasa was usually polite and gentle, he became quite extreme whenever Endeavor was involved. Although this could be a source of motivation for him, Yoshikage couldn't help but feel that if this hatred continued to fester, something bad would eventually happen.
Then again, I'm in no position to worry about others...
He thought back to a few days ago, to Camie Utsushimi's almost fanatical attitude towards him. He had felt an uncontrollable urge to gently touch her, to make her vanish in a scream, leaving only her hand behind...
Yoshikage silently touched his fingernails, which he had trimmed just last night. His hands were as smooth and flawless as a girl's, with a pale, clean luster. But who could imagine that these hands held the power to make people disappear...?
Although he had managed to get through that day, and had even given in and destroyed another hand model that night, the craving to make something disappear hadn't vanished. It was only temporarily hidden, and there was no telling when it might resurface.
But of one thing, Yoshikage was certain—as his life force grew stronger, the time between these urges would become shorter and shorter.
But I'm not Yoshikage Kira! he told himself. Ultimately, this desire is just a side effect of the Stand. As long as I don't use that Quirk, it won't be a major problem.
"Deku! I can't believe you actually dared to show up! You're just going to fail anyway, so don't embarrass our school!"
At the entrance to the U.A. High Hero Course exam site, a boy with spiky blond hair, looking like a delinquent, shoved his face in front of a boy with a mess of green hair, his expression fierce.
The green-haired boy gently pushed him away. "Kacchan, don't be like that. We're representing our school here."
"Ha?! You have the nerve to talk about our school?!" The blond boy's face twisted into a snarl, and he raised his arm as if to strike. "If it weren't for you, the honor of being the only one from our school to apply to U.A. all these years would have been mine!"
Just as the blond's fist was about to make intimate contact with the green-haired boy's face, Yoshikage moved.
Golden ripples of Hamon silently enveloped Yoshikage's body with his breath, giving him a powerful boost. He was able to precisely grab the blond's arm, firmly halting its forward momentum.
"Who the hell are you? Let go of me, or I'll kill you!" the blond boy roared, snapping his head up. Although he hadn't used his Quirk in that punch and hadn't used much force, being stopped so easily was infuriating.
"I say, could you please calm down?" Yoshikage said, calmly looking at the boy's contorted face. "I don't care what kind of grudge you two have, but this is the entrance to U.A. High. If you start a fight, I don't care what happens to you, but I'm standing right here. I could be affected and rejected by U.A. because of you."
The boy froze for a moment, then sharply retracted his fist, rotating his wrist.
The spiky-haired blond shoved his hands in his pockets. Though his expression was still one of annoyance, he had stopped his attack. He took two steps toward the campus, then paused.
He turned back and asked Yoshikage calmly, "What's your name?"
"Yoshikage Kira."
Suddenly, like a cat whose fur had been rubbed the wrong way, he shouted at Yoshikage, "Tch. The name's Katsuki Bakugo. You better remember it, because next time, I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"
"...Did I just needlessly get myself into trouble?"
Yoshikage sighed. He knew he shouldn't have gotten involved. No, that wasn't right. Even if he was reluctant, his reasoning was exactly as he'd told Bakugo. If he had just stood by and watched this kid get hit, who knows what would have happened?
"Um... thank you!" the green-haired boy exclaimed, finally snapping out of it. He bowed deeply to Yoshikage and shouted, "I apologize on Kacchan's behalf! His bark is worse than his bite. He won't really cause you any trouble!"
Looking at the boy who was defending his own attacker, Yoshikage couldn't help but ask curiously, "He was about to punch you. Why are you still defending him?"
The boy straightened up, looking a little embarrassed. "My name is Izuku Midoriya. Kacchan and I have been classmates since we were kids. You might have misunderstood his attitude. He's actually very concerned about me. He's just on edge because he's worried I won't pass the U.A. exam."
That can't be right, Yoshikage thought. No matter how you look at it, that attitude could not be called 'concern'.
Without another word, Yoshikage started walking toward the exam site. Had he actually interrupted their "greeting"? He really shouldn't meddle in other people's affairs...
"Hey? Wait for me!" Midoriya called out, watching Yoshikage walk away. He started to run in a panic, but his foot caught on something, and his body pitched forward uncontrollably.
Midoriya squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the impact, but he felt his body stop short of the ground. He opened his eyes in confusion—he was floating in mid-air, as if defying gravity. A girl had her hand pressed against his backpack.
"Are you okay?" she asked as she steadied the flailing Midoriya and set him back on his feet.
She put her hands together and smiled apologetically. "It's my Quirk. Sorry for using it on you without asking."
"But..." she tilted her head, "it'd be bad luck if you fell, right?"
"Um... ah..." Midoriya's face turned beet red. He waved his hands around frantically, unable to speak.
"Let's both do our best! See you!" the girl said with a cheerful wave, bidding him farewell.
"..."
Midoriya stood frozen in place, a deep blush spreading across his face as he was lost in thought.
"What a strange person," Yoshikage Kira muttered to himself, shaking his head as he walked into the U.A. Hero Course exam hall.