The cafeteria was buzzing. Nova-1 students crowded the tables, some chatting, some practicing small quirks while eating.
Taiyashè was mid-story about sticky-note mysteries, gesturing wildly, and Kirishima was laughing so hard he almost spilled his juice. I was quietly munching my sandwich, notebook tucked under my arm, still thinking about the knife on the roof from last night.
Then, two more students approached our table.
One had messy green hair, big eyes that radiated both curiosity and determination. His gaze darted nervously to the board I had sitting nearby with all our sticky-note suspects.
The other had blond hair sticking up in a spiky fashion, electrifying energy crackling faintly around him every few seconds.
"Uh… mind if we join?" the green-haired boy asked. His voice was soft but earnest.
"Of course," Taiyashè said immediately. "Renny-Penny, meet Izuku Midoriya and Denki Kaminari. Heroes-in-training extraordinaire."
Izuku, the green-haired one, smiled nervously. "Hi… I'm Midoriya. Nova-1. I've… read about some of your assignments. Thought it'd be good to sit with people I might train with."
Denki grinned, giving a small spark that danced along his fingers. "And I'm Kaminari. Also Nova-1. I hear you two are kinda… dangerous. Thought I'd join before things get messy."
Kirishima chuckled. "Don't worry, Denki. We'll keep you alive… probably."
I glanced at them, studying their quirks subtly. Midoriya… calculated, cautious, observant. Denki… energetic, wild, unpredictable. Both seemed like solid additions.
Taiyashè leaned back with a smirk. "Perfect. Now we've got brains, brawn, and spark. And of course… Renny-Penny, fire and mystery."
I groaned. "Please don't call me that in front of them."
Denki laughed, waving a hand. "Too late! I'm a fan already."
Midoriya chuckled softly. "It's… fine. I can see why you two stick together."
I nodded, still feeling the faint pull in my mind from last night's knife incident. The Sovereign Pulse hummed quietly, almost a warning. Someone was still out there.
But now, I wasn't alone. Taiyashè, Kirishima, Midoriya, Denki — a small team, a mix of quirks, personalities, and strengths.
Someone had left a knife. Someone was leaving notes. But together… maybe we could handle it.
Taiyashè grinned, slapping the table. "Alright, team! Renny-Penny's mysteries await. Let's figure this out before the shadows get too cozy."
I smiled faintly, gripping my sandwich. For the first time since the knife, since the sticky notes, since the unknown observer… I felt a small spark of hope.
Because at Astra Hero Institute, friends might just be the best weapon of all.