A cool breeze swept through the emerald leaves, carrying with it a faint scent of fresh grass.A tall, slender boy stood nervously outside Class B's doorway, stealing glances into the room from time to time.
"Hey, Ono, what are you staring at?"
A girl's voice suddenly broke through his thoughts.
Ono jumped, whipping his head around. When he saw who it was, he exhaled in relief. "Jeez, you scared me half to death."
Standing before him was none other than his childhood friend—Momoko.
"Was it really that scary?" Momoko puffed up her cheeks in mock annoyance. "You've been acting like some kind of thief lately. Always zoning out, sneaking around here every few days… it's honestly starting to bug me."
"Sorry, sorry." Ono scratched his head awkwardly, but his gaze still kept drifting toward the classroom.
It was clear he was focused on someone sitting near the back.
Following his line of sight, Momoko's eyes landed on a particular student.
The girl was small and delicate, her body draped in a black cloak. Her head hung low, hidden beneath a dark hood. Only strands of sleek black hair and a glimpse of pale arms slipping out from her sleeves gave any hint of her form.
Unlike the other students, she sat in silence, completely isolated, her presence slightly at odds with the classroom's cheerful buzz.
When Momoko saw her, her expression changed instantly. "Wait—Ono, don't tell me… you're watching her?"
"Shh!" Ono hissed, raising a finger to his lips. "Keep it down! Someone might hear you."
"Hmph. I knew it."
Though Class B was located on the top floor, where few students from other classes ever came by, that didn't mean Ono's behavior went unnoticed. Teachers passing through and B Class students had already caught on to his odd habit.
"They say she's really pretty," Momoko muttered, biting her lip slightly, her tone tinged with jealousy. "She's just… a bit reclusive. I guess I can understand why you'd like her."
It was true—she was beautiful. At least half the boys in their class had admitted to being curious about her after seeing her for the first time. It was no surprise Ono was drawn to her too.
"Sorry," Ono mumbled sheepishly.
"What are you apologizing for? It's not like I can stop you from liking whoever you want." Momoko rolled her eyes. "Just… if you do like her, you'd better be prepared."
"What do you mean by that? Is there something… special about her?" Ono's eyes widened in confusion.
"Not exactly special," Momoko said, frowning slightly. "It's just… there are some weird rumors about her. And don't you think it's strange that no guys ever actually try to talk to her?"
"Why's that?"
"I don't really know…"
Just then, the teacher who had kept Class B late finally left the room, and the students began standing up from their seats.
"Crap—they're coming out!"
The two quickly retreated from the classroom's corner, slipping toward the hallway near the restrooms.
A moment later, Ono's eyes lit up. The mysterious girl he'd been watching quietly stepped out of the classroom.
She brushed her long black hair aside and—much to his shock—started walking straight toward their direction. When she reached the restrooms, she glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then turned and slipped inside.
But then…
"The men's restroom?"
Ono froze in disbelief.
"Phew… I don't think anyone saw me."
Once inside, the small, hooded figure leaned back against the wall with a quiet sigh.
No need to worry about dirt—the school's hygiene was excellent, and the outer section of the restroom was clean enough to rest against.
After taking a few deep breaths, the girl's body began to swell and shift. Her bones cracked faintly, and within seconds, her entire form transformed into that of a young man.
His features were delicate yet masculine, and he now stood several centimeters taller than before.
"That's why I hate this Quirk," he muttered, rubbing his temples. His right leg bent slightly as he stayed where he was, waiting in silence.
After about thirty seconds, a male teacher walked in.
"Well, you're already here waiting for me?" the man said with a small chuckle, stepping closer. "Let me take a look at your Quirk."
"Tch." The now-transformed young man hesitated briefly before replying. "I just released my Quirk."
"From what I've heard, your ability doesn't just let you transform—it can also create an entirely separate body?" the teacher asked, intrigued.
"Yeah," the young man nodded.
"Then show me. Your written scores are impressive, but I still need to confirm whether your Quirk is strong enough for U.A. High."
Rin sighed softly, resigned. "Fine."
He took a deep breath. His body shifted again.
From beneath the hood, strands of black hair cascaded down once more. His arms turned slender and pale, his figure softening into gentle curves until he had the unmistakable silhouette of a girl.
Even his clothing changed, morphing into a checkered mini-skirt and black thigh-high socks.
"Keep your head up," the teacher said, voice firm. "Let me see your face."
The girl hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised her head. A delicate face emerged—soft features, porcelain skin, and glimmering eyes that carried a faint, melancholy glow.
Their gazes met. After a few seconds, a blush spread across her cheeks, and her serious expression faltered. She turned her head shyly to the side.
"This is it," she murmured quietly. "Please don't get any weird ideas."
The teacher's facial muscles twitched.
She had really transformed—completely. A genuine teenage girl, fifteen or sixteen at most. It was hard to believe such a unique Quirk existed.
More astonishing still, according to Rin's description, this ability didn't just transform him—it allowed him to create an independent duplicate of himself.
To maintain his top student status, Rin often stayed in his "substitute" form to maximize focus and preserve the duration of his ability. Because of that, almost no one in school even knew he was actually male.
The young teacher coughed awkwardly. "So right now… biologically speaking, are you… female as well?"
"What are you planning to do?" Rin—now in his female form—looked up sharply, her voice wary.
"Ah—sorry," the teacher stammered, holding up his hands. "I just need accurate details for your Quirk registration. That way, when I submit your application to U.A., it'll be fully documented. Your academic record is excellent, and it'd be a shame if this ability kept you from enrolling."
Rin went silent for several seconds before turning away with a small huff. "You're standing way too close. People could easily misunderstand."
"…"
The teacher blinked, then suddenly realized how it looked—cornering a girl against a wall in the men's restroom. If anyone walked in now, it would be career-ending.
He quickly stepped back, clearing his throat.
"Well, now that I understand your Quirk, I'll handle the registration. Keep working hard for finals—and… don't use that form to walk into the men's room again. If someone sees you, it'll be… problematic."
He gave the "girl" a gentle pat on the shoulder and briskly exited through the door.