Chapter Text
Blair arrived in Japan ten hours ago. She checked into a small motel and rested after her twelve-hour flight.
Principle Nezu requested to meet her in his office at seven in the morning. Naturally, she is fifteen minutes early, the perfect time to arrive.
The details of her exchange program are clear. U.A wants to build strong ties to other hero academies in other countries. So Blair will be an exchange student, the student she will be replacing left this weekend. The Standguard has sent Blair to observe the education of U.A students and report back. Blair thinks of her school and briefly wonders if anyone will miss her.
“Ah, Miss Smith! How nice to meet you.” Blair is startled from her thoughts and registers that an excited voice just spoke to her in English.
She looks down at the speaker and sees Principal Nezu standing in front of her. He is some sort of white animal, and he’s barely taller than her knees. She snaps to attention. She responds in Japanese--she learned a few years ago.
“Principle Nezu. It is an honor to meet you.” She salutes him. He chuckles and shakes his head.
“Please, Miss Smith, there’s no need to do that here.” Blair lowers her arm but remains at attention. He unlocks his door and looks back up at her.
“Please do come in.” Blair follows him into his office. The room has the traditional furniture an office would have. Including a large dark desk that principal Nezu is currently sitting behind.
Blair stands behind one of the chairs facing him, her back perfectly straight and hands at her sides. They both stare in silence, Blair waiting for permission to sit and Nezu testing her resolve.
“Wow, they really do teach good manners at the Standguard schools.” He says cheerfully, “I can’t see any emotion on your face!” His smile widens farther, to an almost unsettling degree.
“In that case. At ease, Miss Smith, and please have a seat.” Blair bows.
“Thank you, principal Nezu.” Blair rounds the chair and sits.
“I wanted to speak with you today before classes began, to let you know about your role here at U.A.” He takes a folder from the desk and places it in front of him.
“I’m sure that your institution has given you an objective to complete during your time here.” He says pleasantly, but Blair knows that it's a warning. Blair knows what the Standguard wants. They want to know if U.A is raising proper heroes.
To translate that without the bullshit, Blair knows that means they want to make sure U.A has the same ideals as the Standguard.
Perhaps it's to gain principal Nezu’s trust, or maybe she was actually unsettled by his cheerfulness, but Blair speaks.
“The institute wants me to report back with U.A methodologies and training methods. They will be making this into a report to give to Standguard.” She finishes flatly. Principle Nezu’s expression doesn’t change.
“Ah, so that’s what they’re after?” Blair bows her head.
“I’m afraid so, Sir. However, I am honored to learn at your great academy.” His eyes glint slightly.
“That’s great to hear! You have my full permission to share anything you learn here with your institute. Also, if you need, you can interview the faculty for your report.” Blair bows her head again.
“Thank you, Sir. I promise not to raise a fuss.” He laughs lightly.
“I’m sorry, Miss Blair, but you have already caused quite a stir.” Blair allows some surprise to show on her face.
“Oh yes! Everyone is buzzing about the news of the American exchange student.”
“I’m sorry to have disrupted your school then,” Blair says dryly. She really was hoping to avoid the dramatics of being the new kid. “The novelty of having a new student will wear off shortly.” Principle Nezu laughs again.
“You haven’t met your new classmates yet.” He says, slightly teasing. He slides the envelope towards her.
“In here is your locker number as well as your student pass and dorm room number.” Blair takes the envelope and removes the badge. He leans back in his chair and folds his…paws?
“I must say I was surprised when the Standguard decided to send you from their Pro-Hero school.” He’s bating her, Blair knows that, but she doesn’t know why.
“Then again, you were highly recommended by one of our teachers.” Ah, there it is, the personal reason she’s agreed to do this. Blair lets her persona of nonchalance fall. Her diplomacy professors would be disappointed.
“So you know the personal reason I’m here then?” He smiles.
“Oh yes, I made him explain once I saw how enthusiastically he requested you for the exchange program.” Blair sighs. This just got a whole lot more complicated.
“Who else knows?” She asks, and he hums in response.
“Just me, he asked me for permission to request you for the exchange program.” Blair groans internally.
“I hope I have met the standards of your school, and I’m not just getting in on a recommendation.” Principle Nezu laughs again.
“He did ask for my permission, which I gave after seeing your records. Truly you will fit in here.” He smiles brightly. “School will be starting shortly, and I have a student to guide you for today so that you can become acquainted with the grounds.”
He climbs onto his desk, Blair stands in reflex. He stands at the edge of the desk, at eye level with Blair.
“Your visitor pass, please.” He holds out his paw. Blair unclips it from her jacket and hands it over.
“Well then. Welcome to class 1-A, Miss Smith!”
Blair smiles softly as she takes the student badge and tucks it into her jacket. A knock sounds at the door, a quick rapt of knuckles.
“Ah, that would be your guide! Please come in!” Blair straightens to attention once again as someone enters the room.
“Early as always, Iida.” Blair almost has to double-take when he comes into the room. For only being a first-year, he could pass for a senior. He’s a few inches taller than her and has dark blue hair. His glasses glint as he begins to shout.
“Of course. Principle Nezu! As class 1-A’s class representative, I am honored to represent this amazing school and perform my duties beyond excellence!” He chops the air wildly. Principle Nezu chuckles beside her.
“Passionate as always, Iida.” Blair steps forward, holding out her hand.
“Blair Smith.” She introduces herself. He grabs her hand in a firm handshake. “It’s a pleasure to meet a U.A student.” Blair lays on a healthy dose of flattery.
“Tenya Iida. Please It is an honor to meet a student from the American Pro-hero institute.” He continues to shake their hands together. “As the class representative of Hero class 1-A, I am thrilled that you will be joining us!”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She responds, squeezing his hand slightly. He finally drops her hand.
“Please follow me, and I will give you a tour of the grounds before class begins.” He snaps into a form of attention with an arm proudly on his chest. Principal Nezu chuckles again and looks back up to Blair.
“Miss Smith, do stop by your locker before class.” Blair turns to him and bows.
“Thank you, Principal Nezu. You have been very kind.” He smiles and waves as the two students leave.
Iida marches Blair around the school campus, pointing out classrooms and other important places while providing commentary. On the walk back into the main building, he clears his throat.
“I wanted to ask you what you would like to be called. I know our countries have differences.”
“I won’t mind if any of you call me Smith-San or by my first name.” Iida grins.
“Excellent, I have a feeling that many of my-our-classmates will call you by your first name with your permission.” Blair nods gladly once again she did her research before coming to U.A
He walks her back to the lockers in the front of the school. Class starts in ten minutes, and students are beginning to rush in. She opens her locker without issue and finds a few notebooks and textbooks sitting inside—Iida chimes in beside her.
“All textbooks are covered by the school and can be taken to the dormitories.” He watches her as she takes the books out. His face clearly shows that he also wants to say something else but nervous to say it. Blair cocks her head and looks him in the eyes.
“Anything else?” She prompts—a faint blush streaks across his cheeks.
“Uniformsarealsocoveredbytheschool!” He gets out in a rush. Blair looks down at her own school uniform.
She decided it would be best to wear the formal version for meeting with Principal Nezu today. It’s a dark blue military jacket with red crossed straps and a wide red belt with a belt buckle over the jacket. Her pants are dress gray and her boots shiny black. Clearly much different than U.A’s grey uniform. She looks back up to Iida, who looks a tad embarrassed.
“Huh, I never got anything. Do you think I’ll get a demerit?” He begins to wave his arms wildly, clearly growing flustered.
“No! You’ve only just got here. I’m sure the teachers will understand.” Blair feels unease begin to creep up on her. She just wants to go to class and not disrupt anything.
Her dress blues will certainly cause a stir, not to mention highlight her differences in the class. Some of the unease must show on her face because Iida stops waving his hands around and rambling.
“Smith-San, please do not worry. If it is necessary, I will explain the situation.” Blair smiles slightly.
“Thank you, Iida-kun. Shouldn’t we get to class?” He straightens and places his hands on his hips.
“Yes! It is time for you to meet your new classmates!” He turns on his heel and begins marching to the classroom. Blair follows close behind.
She isn’t surprised when she walks in the room, that eighteen pairs of eyes land on her when she enters. She is surprised when the teacher is lying in a yellow sleeping bag on the floor. He lifts himself, and tired black eyes crack open and land on Blair. They scan her up and down.
“Introduce yourself.” He states, closing his eyes again.
Then he flops back down on the ground and goes to sleep. Blair scans the room, seeing expressions that range from mild interest to people vibrating in their seats. She takes a quick breath and draws herself up. Holding her hands behind her back.
“Hello everyone, my name is Blair Smith. I am from the Standguard Pro-hero institute. You may call me whatever you like. If I do anything to offend you or disrupt the class in any way, please let me know.” She bows.
“I’m looking forward to learning here.” When she straightens, she sees a hand in the air. Blair quickly glances at the teacher, who is still asleep. She looks back to the pink hand in the air.
“Yes?” She asks, slightly confused. The girl rockets out of her seat and rushes forward. Her large black and yellow eyes are wide with excitement.
“Oh my gosh! Where in America are you from? Can we really call you by your first name after just meeting you? How can you speak Japanese so well?” She speaks quickly, getting closer to Blair.
“Uhm, Texas. Yes, you can. I learned a few years ago.” Blair answers, slightly bewildered. Someone laughs behind her, Blair looks around the pink-haired girls…antenna? Horns?-and sees a yellow-haired boy doubled over in laughter.
“Wait. Texas? Don’t you guys have really weird accents?” The pink-haired girl gasps.
“Really! Say something right now!” The class begins to murmur excitedly. Blair can hear Iida tell them to be quiet.
“God bless America,” Blair says in English, her accent feels thick on her tongue as everyone stares. The class uproars in excitement, the pink-haired girl grabs Blair and begins to shake her.
“Ohmygosh!” Blair is completely at a loss of what to do. Unused to having so much attention focused on her.
Luckily the bell rings, silencing the class. The teacher rises from his sleeping bag and glares at the pink-haired girl.
“Ashido, let her go and get back to your seat.” Ashido lets Blair go quickly and scampers back to her desk. Not liking the attitude rolling off of the teacher, Blair turns.
“Sorry for disrupting your class. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.” He huffs.
“Do that, get to your seat.” He points to the one empty seat in the room. Blair holds her head high as she walks through the class. Some people mutter to each other.
Blair sits behind the curly green-haired kid that she’s here to protect. Izuku Midoriya. The teacher calls everyone’s attention and writes a page number on the board. Blair’s first day at U.A begins.