Chapter Text
There was noise down the hallway, like an air horn.
My feet stopped moving as it dreaded me to move around the corner ahead. It's only been a few couple days into the school year, and I couldn't tell if that was an explanation for the constant commotions, or just made them more remarkable.
The airhorn was followed by a bang, which was followed by shouts, curses, and the one or other insult. A deep sigh heaved my chest. Hero course my ass. That was a clown fiesta.
And I was supposed to be a part of it.
Well.
I just had to reach my seat and be able to leave the room again after class and – as well as my patience and migraine – would be fine.
Right?
Carefully, I straightened my tie and approached the corner. As if on cue, a bright, smelling, and steaming goo whizzed right past my nose. Just as I was about to turn that damn, dreaded corner. Flew right out of the even more dreaded hallway and hit the wall with a dull splash, starting to sizzle and burn into the concrete.
What the hell was even going on?
More cautious than before I backed off a bit and decided to peek around the edge to watch my classmates, quickly getting a hang of the situation. Though that didn’t make it make any more sense, per se.
Still, it appeared safe to make a break for the classroom, at least for a few seconds. So, I quickly turned the corner – as I was about to, before acid slime nearly would have burned my face off – and took large steps, passing mostly undetected. Which meant that the group might have noticed me but didn’t turn to acknowledge me.
Just as I wanted, especially this early in the morning.
Once inside the classroom, I forced myself to slow down and now much more sneaked towards my seat in the back row. Only when I lowered myself onto the chair by the window, I allowed myself to breathe out in relief. Alone and quiet, at last.
Mission accomplished.
“Hatake! You look tired, are you alright?” Well, I could dream, couldn't I? But not right now.
I looked up to see a floating school uniform, which emitted a cheerful concern. An oxymoron that fitted perfectly. Not a lot of people talked to me, the quiet and withdrawn dragon girl. Nearly none initiated a casual conversation like my classmate just did. But Hagakure Toru was something else, and not just because she was invisible.
“Good morning”, I replied awkwardly, a bit taken aback by her statement, and looked back onto my desk. Organising my writing material for the upcoming lesson seemed as good a technique as any to avoid answering that question. Yet Hagakure drifted closer, obviously awaiting a reply, so I gave in. By offering an excuse. “I’m fine… Just a slightly too long night, I suppose.”
I couldn’t see her, obviously, but somehow, I knew she was nodding understandingly. I felt bad for lying like that, she meant well, but I didn’t think I could just dump on someone I barely knew how draining it was for me to deal with people, and the thought of sticking around my class for the whole day alone was nearly too much strain on my nerves. Not to mention that it would be incredibly rude to say the latter right to her face.
“What… What about you?” The question made me cringe, forcing myself to socialise had been recommended to me, which didn’t mean I’d like doing it. Looking at the person speaking was probably a good idea, too. So, I forced myself to that as well. It was easier when I couldn’t see their face anyway.
What I could see, though – and what immediately caught my attention, what a blessing – was an air horn being thrown into the classroom, followed by the angry form of Iida Tenya, glasses glinting.
“I’m good, thanks!”, Hagakure answered happily, unperturbed by the commotion at the front. It was impressive, really, and kind of enviable. Sometimes I wished I could be like that. It was nothing personal that I tended to be an awkward, secluded and pissed off appearing individual and as such didn’t particularly display any joy about being surrounded by the other students. I just wasn’t a people-y person. If it hadn’t been for my legal guardian and former mentor, I wouldn’t be here. Recommendations could be a huge chance for young talents. But they could also be a curse.
Realising the silence between us was stretching to a universally awkward length, I roamed my brain for things to say. I already asked how she was, shit. I stupidly opened my mouth and closed it again. A miracle happened in the form of Yaoyorozu Momo walking backwards into the room, sounding another airhorn held up high in the air.
It was easy to figure she desperately tried to cause a single moment of silence for Iida to speak up properly. To regain some order, hands hitting nothingness with his wild gestures. They sure made quite the team, the only two people actively trying to do something against the major disturbance. Not that it worked with this bunch of teenage messes.
“What even happened?”, I heard myself ask before I even realised I was mumbling. Just loud enough for Hagakure to hear, though. “Apparently there were… differences between Bakugou, Kaminari and Ashido”, the invisible girl informed, and I glanced at her. Yeah, that made sense. Those three, together with Kirishima and Sero, were basically asking for it. The real trigger though was Bakugou Katsuki himself. The loudest and most aggressive braindead idiot that I’ve ever come across.
Okay, this may have been uncalled for. He had good grades, great instincts in battle and a fighting style much more advanced than one would give him credit for. Still, he was hot-headed, narrow-minded, sharp-tongued, and his temper was as explosive as his quirk. All in all, incredibly annoying to be around. It wasn't surprising that simple differences among his… friend group could easily turn into full-blown fights. They were all equally dense and stubborn, and if two clashed heads, the others were bound to pick sides or cheer them on just for the fun of it. Rather the latter than the former.
I remembered the white goo that was currently burning a hole into the wall just a few feet outside the door. Ashido Mina’s quirk. The hyperactive Alien Queen – she called herself that on occasion and I think it fits way too well – would never pass out on a chance to get messy and rowdy.
Again, the sound of an airhorn shrilled out. Of a new one, in fact, as it was easy to make out Kaminari Denki tossing an airhorn towards Kirishima Ejirou, which he must have snatched from Yaoyorozu. The redhead didn't even bother catching it, no. He hardened his skin and met it with his fist, sending the dented metal container flying. Hagakure still had her back turned to the whole commotion, so she wasn't able to see it was aiming straight for her if no one was warning her.
I, however, was quicker with actions than with words.
Those who were following the airhorn had already begun to grasp that the situation was far from ideal. Now though, they mutely stared towards the back of the classroom. And I stared right back, clutching the metal in my claws. Having claws presented… unique challenges throughout my days. But right now, I was unhealthily happy I had them. Because it was questionably satisfying to feel the tin crack and hiss and give out beneath them.
I had Hagakure shoved up against my desk when I tried to get her out of the line of fire, and it slowly dawned on me that it might be a far from comfortable position, so I carefully pulled her off it again. I averted my eyes from the troublemakers up front only long enough to check on her. There wasn't a lot I could see anyway, I mean, she WAS invisible.
“Are you alright?” “I-I am, just- Hatake, your hair…", she whispered, worry lacing her tone and I noticed the familiar prickle of static and electricity on my scales and skin. "Right…", I murmured back and drew in a breath before stepping away abruptly. My hair settled back into its usually fluffy state while I made my way down the rows, the electrical charge disappearing, though my metaphorical charge remained.
By now, Sero Hanta – who had been filming the entire ordeal – had caught up on me being worked up over a classmate nearly getting injured, and I saw his phone camera trained on me descending the stairs. I shot it a look, hoping to get my point across. Fucking children. Iida, too, watched me pass by and, as calmly as I could muster, drop the now completely broken airhorn into the garbage bin.
On my way back, just according to my luck, Bakugou bumped into me. “Hey, watch out Scaly Ram!”
I literally saw a bolt of blue lightning crack before my eyes at this, the audacity! Also, what a weak name to call me, just because I had horns… I could basically feel my slit pupils pull taught, drawn narrow when I looked up at him. "Be more careful", I replied lowly, my voice blank. He seemed startled, though annoyed, didn’t add anything else, gladly, and backed away. “Uuuh, scary”, Ashido commented, earning an insult from the blond. I sure hoped it was scary, my mood should be incredibly scary for them at the moment.
Now that Bakugou was disgruntled, he apparently wasn't in the mood to fight anymore and everyone was able to settle back down in peace, even though conversations were held quieter now.
With an exhausted sigh, Yaoyorozu hopped up the stairs to Hagakure and me, shoving the airhorn she had created last into her pocket. Or at least as far into it as possible. “Great work”, she praised me, gratitude clear in her voice, yet completely misplaced, if you asked me. Since we got teamed up in All Might’s combat training, the tall girl was more open with me, even offering me the seat furthest in the back. We already met at the exam for those who had entered through recommendations, but only since that specific class did she know that I didn’t hate everyone.
I was just tired of all people, all the time. Okay, maybe a bit less tired of those two. They were okay. Despite the invisible girl being cheerful as hell. Yaoyorozu, on the other hand, was not only smart, but also calm, and somehow seemed to understand my… complicated emotions when it came to our classmates and people in general.
“Reflexes”, I merely answered with a shrug and sat back down, poking at my pencil. “Still saved me a concussion!” Looking at the flapping skirt bouncing in the air, it was easy to tell Hagakure was trying to properly express her happiness and gratitude. I could feel the tips of my ears turning hot, why did they make such a big deal out of it? Even I couldn’t feel my anger anymore. “Don’t… Mention it”, I mumbled and started scribbling incomprehensible doodles on the edge of my notebook in an attempt to distract myself. I really couldn’t handle thanks. Another thing I’ve been told to work on.
“Don’t sell yourself so short”, Yaoyorozu said softly. “Your reflexes have proven to be very valuable multiple times now.” Okay, I was blushing now, a hand coming up to card through my messy bangs so I wouldn’t have to look at the two girls. “Yes, reflexes like… Like a snake!”, Hagakure offered excitedly. “A real snake! Like your name would suggest! Child of a snake!” Hebiko. My given name did indeed mean child of a snake, I wouldn't have expected them to pick up on that.
"Hagakure, it's rude to just simply mention someone's given name like that!", the taller girl scolded her gently, sounding like a mother. The invisible girl reacted accordingly, whining like a child. I couldn't be sure if it were actually her morals helping me out here or if she had noticed my distress and actively decided to redirect the attention elsewhere. Because I damn sure wanted to slide beneath my desk and curl up like a real snake.
“Hey, just because I am late doesn’t mean you can all just act as if the lesson didn’t start yet.”
Before, I wouldn’t have thought that a bored and monotone voice could cut through commotions like a warm knife through butter, but Aizawa Shouta proved it to me. Our homeroom teacher – and also pro hero by the name of Eraserhead – stood in the door and glared into the room, students immediately parting to scatter to their respective seats. Hagakure hopped down the stairs to her own and Yaoyorozu sat down in the one in front of me. I’d never have said it out loud, but I was glad she sat there. One reason being that I’d rather have her around than anyone else, another being that being completely alone sucked too. She would occasionally turn around to chat or share thoughts on the current subject, or ask me where I was going to go for lunch. And she did that all without being annoying or prying about it.
Observing her black ponytail in front I even missed the actual start of the lesson, only tuning back in at “I saw the video and results.” At the way Yaoyorozu glanced over her shoulder I figured Aizawa had to mean the combat training with All Might the day before. Everyone showed what they could do, but the biggest impressions were left by Bakugou and Midoriya Izuku. It had been impressive, and baffling. I also full-heartedly agreed with Momo on it been foolish as all hell.
…Did I just call her Momo? Hagakure’s nature must have had that effect on me. What an oddball.
I turned my gaze out the window, watching the sky while the teacher went over a couple results and handed out advice, deciding to listen again once the topic turned more valuable for me again. Which happened soon.
A chill rippled through the students as Aizawa announced to have a task and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. After the intense combat training, and especially the very unexpected and harsh lesson on the first day, people were on edge about his assignments. But that was exactly why he couldn’t just assign such things again so shortly after. This was still a school and right now we had homeroom and no combat training.
And as expected – what a surprise – he merely asked us to find a class representative.
Well, merely was the wrong word. Being a class representative was a big deal at a hero course as it enabled you to both practice and show off your qualities as a leader. I wasn't interested in it, though. I neither wanted to nor thought I was suitable for such a position. And considering everyone else wanted to do it, it could take a long while until they could settle on one student and a deputy.
Plus, our homeroom teacher would be no help in this, whatsoever.
So, I let it all go down, resting my cheek in my palm. I wondered what I should have for lunch today… I also wondered what they would serve in the cafeteria in the first place.
The class decided to put it up for a vote and I picked up my pencil when Todoroki handed me a piece of paper from the seat beside me. I should definitely get some Dango after lunch, though. And either matcha or jasmine tea with it.
I wrote the name on the paper without really thinking about it. It was just the most logical choice, you know? Aizawa would have been proud of me phrasing it that way. I could definitely tell the trend of students favouring Midoriya - or themselves, of course – after yesterday, and I did see their point. He had a lot of the great qualities of a hero, but he wasn't a leader. At least not yet. This person though could do it and would be great if elected. With some luck, my vote with their own could be enough for them to win.
Or not. As predicted, Midoriya got a majority. Which was only three votes, mind you. Considering his shaking figure, it clearly must have been Iida who voted for the short, green haired boy. Remarkable, one could only respect his devotion to doing the right thing. Or what he considered the right thing.
Yaoyorozu came only second, with two votes. I smiled the tiniest bit before gazing out the window again. She'd be a great support. "Hatake, do you want to have lunch with me?" It was her voice that brought me back to reality at the end of the lesson. Surprise made me raise my eyebrows, it was the first time she openly invited me, looking a bit shy about it herself. "S-Sure", I quickly breathed out when I realised I hadn't answered yet and was met with another warm smile.
“What do you think you’ll take?”, she engaged in friendly conversation once I got up and we strolled out the classroom. “I’m thinking about taking the Yakitori. But they are also serving Soba and Sashimi today.” I bit the tip of the claw of my index finger, a habit I developed from putting my finger to my lips in thought. Now it was not only when I was thinking, but also when I was trying to not fall out of my flow of a conversation. Because it was very hard to get back into it without wanting to melt into the floor at any given moment.
"I like Sashimi", I answered quietly and continued to nibble at my claw, feeling the tips of my ears warm AGAIN. She hummed in a way as if she was agreeing with my decision, though it really was all up to me. "Oh! Oh! Yakitori sounds good!" God, I was glad I was not the only one nearly jumping into the air when a hollow school uniform broke through the gap between me and my classmate. "Hagakure, you can't just scare someone like that!", Mom Friend scolded the invisible girl immediately, even though I could see her being just as startled as I was.
“Awh, I was just catching up to my friends to have lunch with them”, she complained and seemingly hooked an arm around Yaoyorozu’s to pull her towards the cafeteria. I felt something warm settle on my lower arm before I, too, was pulled into that direction. Her hand, I assumed. “Friends..?” The word startled me even more than the action, had I just been adopted by an extrovert?
“Yup!”, she affirmed on cue and humming a song beneath her breath, she led us with nearly no resistance.