(YOOOOO THANK YOU FOR 100K VIEWS ON THE FANFIC READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END PLS)
Finding the classroom this morning was much easier. I'd already learned the layout of the building, the shortcuts through the hallways, and where every turn led. When I stepped inside, the familiar smell of clean floors and chalk dust filled the air.
I dropped into my seat—the same one as yesterday—and let myself breathe for a moment. The chatter of my classmates buzzed quietly in the background.
That peace didn't last long.
The door slammed open with a metallic clatter. Heavy, fast footsteps followed.
An all-too-familiar scowl marched straight toward me.
Bakugo.
'Figures.'
He stopped beside my desk, shoulders squared like he was ready to start a fight then and there. The sparks already forming between his fingers told me he really might.
"Don't think I forgot the little stunt you pulled yesterday," he growled, slamming a palm down on my table. The faint smell of smoke followed.
I looked up slowly, keeping my voice as flat as my expression."You'd need pretty bad memory for that."
Bakugo blinked once. Then again, slower. The muscles in his jaw twitched."What did you say, you extra?!"
His voice cracked through the air like a small explosion. Half the class turned their heads. I could practically see steam coming out of his ears.
"I could've thrown that ball way farther than you!" he barked, pointing straight at me. "I just went easy on everyone!"
I tilted my head slightly."Okay."
That single word was somehow worse than a punch. His face twisted between anger, disbelief, and something dangerously close to a meltdown.
Before he could explode—literally—someone rushed in from behind him.
"Kaachan, stop!" The green-haired boy grabbed his arm. "You'll break a table again!"
Bakugo shoved him off with a sharp motion, clicking his tongue."Tch, whatever. Bunch of extras..."
He stomped toward his seat, muttering curses under his breath.
I exhaled through my nose, quietly. 'Well, that's one way to start a morning.'
The rest of the class exchanged uneasy glances, but before anyone could comment, the door slid open again—this time with a loud and dramatic presence.
"I... AM... HERE..."
Every head in the room turned instantly as the entire class collectively held their breath.
"... COMING THROUGH THE DOOR LIKE A HERO!"
All Might burst through the doorway, tall, broad-shouldered, his smile bright enough to light the entire hall. His presence alone was overwhelming—the air itself seemed to hum with energy.
There he was.
The Symbol of Peace himself.
The class collectively held their breath, eyes wide, jaws hanging. A few students practically sparkled with admiration.
'All Might… in person?' Rei thought, blinking in disbelief. 'I just saw him in a hologram last week… and now he's standing right there.'
He crossed his arms, keeping his expression neutral, but even he couldn't fully suppress the flicker of awe.
Around him, the room erupted—gasps, cheers, whispers overlapping into a chorus of excitement. Kaminari squeaked, "I can't believe it's really All Might!" while Kirishima exclaimed, "So he is a teacher! This year's gonna be awesome!"
All Might's booming voice filled every corner of the classroom, his energy practically shaking the windows.
"Welcome to the most important class at UA High! Think of it as heroing 101."
He paced in front of the desks like a showman on a grand stage, every gesture exaggerated, his cape fluttering behind him even though there was no breeze.
"Here you will learn the basics of being a pro and what it means to fight to the name of good!"
Every word seemed to hit like a burst of adrenaline. Some students were leaning forward in awe, eyes shining; others sat frozen, overwhelmed by the sheer presence radiating from him.
Rei just sat quietly, watching. 'He really doesn't do anything halfway, does he?'
"Let's get into it!"
With that, All Might reached into his pocket with a flourish so dramatic it could've had its own soundtrack. For a second, the class collectively leaned in, wondering what he was about to reveal.
"Today's lesson will pull no punches!"
He spun around and triumphantly held up a paper with a single word printed across it in bold red letters — FIGHT.
All Might struck another pose, the paper gleaming in the light like it was a sacred scroll of justice.
A few students gasped. One even clapped.
Rei, meanwhile, blinked once.
'I guess we'll be fighting today,' he thought calmly, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. 'I can work with that.'
Rei's thoughts were interrupted by All Might's booming voice once again—louder, somehow, than before.
"But one of the keys to being a hero is… looking good!"
He threw his arm dramatically toward the far wall, and with a mechanical whirr a series of metallic drawers slid out from hidden panels, each labeled with numbers.
The class erupted into excited murmurs. Some students gasped; others nearly tripped over themselves trying to find their designated lockers.
Rei blinked, a memory flickering to life.'That's right… the costume I submitted during enrollment. I remember it now.'
All Might stood proudly at the front, hands on his hips, cape flowing as if the air itself obeyed him.
"Get yourself suited up, then meet me at Ground Beta!"
The room filled with the sound of drawers opening and fabric rustling as everyone hurried to get their costumes.
Rei rose from his seat and walked toward his drawer. His movements were calm and measured, though a quiet anticipation hummed under his skin.
'Let's see how it turned out,' he thought, a small, almost imperceptible smile ghosting across his lips.
[- - | - - | - - | - -]
Rei now stood in front of his locker, staring at the neatly folded set of black fabric inside. His hero costume.
Piece by piece, he began putting it on.
The suit was made from a flexible, reinforced fabric — soft enough to move in, but durable enough to absorb hits that might normally break bone. The material was designed to flow with his movements, not restrict them, which suited his combat style perfectly. Subtle lines of muted silver ran across the chest and limbs, forming a faint pattern that almost looked like veins of light beneath the surface.
Next were the gloves — thick, black, and shock-absorbent, their inner linings reinforced to withstand the stress of his Ghost Hands' strikes. Every time his quirk would manifest, the gloves reacted, faintly glowing with a ghostly white shimmer that matched the spectral energy around his hands.
He adjusted the tactical half-mask over his lower face. It was light and breathable, made with micro-vents that filtered air and reduced the risk of inhaling debris during fights. The mask's design was simple — matte black with faint seams tracing its structure — but it gave him a sharp, focused look.
A short hooded cape hung from his shoulders, its inside marked with a subtle gray-white pattern resembling outstretched hands. The fabric fluttered softly as he moved, a silent nod to the quirk that defined him.
Finally, he slipped on the reinforced boots. Built for stealth, they muffled his footsteps almost completely. Each step was going to be quiet and deliberate.
Rei caught his reflection in the mirror. The faint light of the changing room caught his visor — thin and dark, with white digital pupils that flickered to life as he activated his quirk.
'Perfect,' he thought. 'Functional, silent, and just intimidating enough.'
Rei suddenly felt a firm clap on his shoulder. Turning slightly, he found Kirishima standing there with his usual broad grin, teeth flashing almost as bright as his red hair.
"Woah, man! That hero costume looks so cool! Totally manly!" Kirishima exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement as he gave Rei an approving thumbs-up.
Rei blinked once, his expression calm and unreadable. "Thank you," he said evenly. "I designed it along with Mr. Aizawa."
That made Kirishima pause. "Wait—Mr. Aizawa helped you? Why?" He tilted his head, scratching the back of it as confusion spread across his face.
Rei adjusted the cuff of his glove with quiet precision before responding. "It's a long story," he said, voice level. "I'll tell you about it some other time."
Kirishima stared for a second longer before deciding to let it go. "Right, got it," he said with a grin that returned almost instantly. "Still, that's awesome! Getting Aizawa to help you out is seriously manly!"
Rei gave a slow nod, his gaze turning toward the door. "If you say so," he replied, tone neither amused nor dismissive—just steady, controlled.
Kirishima laughed awkwardly and left the changing room, while Rei stayed back for a moment longer, feeling the edge of his half-mask before following the others to Ground Beta in silence.