Chapter 7: First Day At UA.
Monday morning arrived with the inevitability of a tidal wave.
In the Dragneel household, the sun streamed through the bedroom window, illuminating a scene of struggle. Natsu Dragneel stood before his full-length mirror, engaged in a fierce battle. His opponent wasn't a villain or a robot, but a strip of red fabric.
"Gah!" Natsu choked, pulling at the collar of his white dress shirt. "Is this thing really necessary?! It feels like a snake trying to strangle me!"
He tugged at the red tie, which was currently knotted in a shape that defied geometry. It looked less like a Windsor knot and more like a ball of yarn after a kitten had played with it.
Floating beside him at shoulder height was Happy. The blue cat had his arms crossed over his chest, nodding with an air of sophisticated approval.
"Mmm, mmm," Happy hummed, closing his eyes sagely. "You look sharp, Natsu. Very dapper. Like a true gentleman."
"I look like I'm suffocating!" Natsu grumbled, finally giving up and leaving the tie loose and messy. He grabbed the grey blazer and threw it on, not bothering to button it. He snatched his yellow backpack from the floor. "I'm heading out!"
He stormed out of his room and down the stairs.
"Natsu!" his mother called from the kitchen, holding a spatula. "What about breakfast? I made omelets!"
"I'll buy something on the way! I'm gonna be late!" Natsu shouted back, hopping on one foot as he shoved his sneakers on.
SLAM.
He burst out the front door, the morning air hitting his face. He didn't walk; he bolted. He took off down the street, his new shoes slapping against the pavement.
"Hey! Wait up!"
Happy flew after him, flapping his wings furiously to keep up with Natsu's sprint. "Natsu! You passed the bus stop! We need to wait there!"
Natsu didn't slow down. He turned a corner sharply, banking off a telephone pole. "No way! I am not going through that transportation hell again."
He grinned, looking ahead. "I'm running to the Academy!"
Happy's jaw dropped. He almost forgot to flap his wings. "Hah?! Are you serious?! That's miles away! My wings are going to kill me, man!"
"Why did you even come?!" Natsu retorted, glancing back. "You should have stayed home and slept on the rug!"
"You must be joking!" Happy cried, flying closer and grabbing onto the strap of Natsu's backpack to hitch a ride. "It's my first day at the Academy too! I can't be late for my debut!"
"Since when are you enrolled?!" Natsu laughed, but he didn't shake the cat off. "Alright then! Hang on tight, Happy! We're going top speed!"
"Aye!"
Natsu accelerated. He pushed his legs harder, his stamina burning bright. He wove through pedestrians, jumped over hydrants, and treated the morning commute like an obstacle course.
Fifteen minutes later.
The entrance to U.A. High School was a picture of serenity. The massive glass barrier gleamed in the sunlight. Cherry blossom trees lined the path, shedding soft pink petals that danced in the gentle breeze. Students from the General, Support, and Hero courses walked in groups, laughing, chatting, and enjoying the crisp spring weather. It was a scene of perfect academic harmony.
HAAAAAH... HAAAAAAH...
The beautiful silence was shattered by a rasping, heavy panting that sounded like a dying engine.
Heads turned.
Natsu Dragneel burst through the gate. He was a mess. Sweat drenched his forehead, plastering his spiky pink hair to his skin. His shirt was untucked, his tie was a disaster, and he was gasping for air so loudly it echoed off the school walls.
"Why..." one student whispered to another. "Why is he running like that?"
"He looks like he just ran a marathon," another girl giggled. "He's in a terrible state."
Walking quietly near the gate was Kyoka Jiro. She wore the female uniform with a cool, detached vibe, listening to music through her earphone jacks. She noticed the commotion and looked up.
Her eyes widened slightly as the pink blur stumbled past her.
It's that boy... she thought, recognizing the chaotic energy and the unique hair color. The one who almost threw up on the bus. He's causing a scene on the very first day. Figures.
She shook her head and kept walking, increasing the volume of her music.
A few meters away, Katsuki Bakugo was walking with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his posture slouched and aggressive. He heard the heavy breathing and looked to his side just as Natsu jogged past him.
Bakugo's red eyes narrowed instantly. He clicked his tongue.
"The Girl-colored hair bastard..." he muttered under his breath, watching Natsu run toward the main building.
Natsu reached the main entrance doors. A security guard stood by the frame, checking IDs.
"Hey! Student!" the guard called out, raising a hand. "No running in the hallwa—"
WHOOSH.
Natsu didn't even hear him. He zipped past the guard and skid into the polished linoleum hallway of the main building.
He ran for another ten meters before his legs finally protested. He skidded to a halt, bent over, and grabbed his knees, wheezing. Sweat dripped from his chin onto the shiny floor.
"Yeah..." Natsu gasped, a triumphant grin breaking through his exhaustion. "Made it... on time."
"Ooh! We're finally here!"
Happy released his grip on the backpack strap and fluttered into the air. He stretched his small limbs, looking completely fresh, clean, and energetic.
"Yay! Good job, partner!" Happy cheered, hovering in front of Natsu's sweating face.
Natsu looked up, his eye twitching. "Why..." he panted. "Why didn't you fly... the whole way? That's not fair..."
"I'm not an idiot like you, Natsu," Happy said, placing his paws on his hips and shaking his head disapprovingly. "Who in their right mind wants to smell like a locker room on their first day of high school? Didn't you think about the impression you'd leave on people? You stink of sweat!"
Natsu wiped his chin with his forearm and stood up straight, his breathing slowly returning to normal.
"Whatever," Natsu dismissed the criticism. "Forget that. Where is our class?"
Happy flew a bit higher, scanning the surroundings. He pointed a blue paw toward a large digital bulletin board on the wall where a small crowd of freshmen had gathered.
"Over there! Let's find your name."
They walked over to the board. Natsu squinted at the list for the Hero Course.
Class 1-A
Yuga Aoyama
...
Mashirao Ojiro
11. Natsu Dragneel
...
"There it is!" Happy pointed. "Number 11. Class 1-A."
Natsu grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Class 1-A, huh? Alright. All we have to do is find the door that says 1-A. Easy mission."
Fifteen minutes later.
Natsu and Happy stood in a random corridor on the second floor, staring out of a large glass window that overlooked a courtyard they didn't recognize.
They were completely, hopelessly lost.
Natsu pressed his forehead against the cool glass, sliding down slowly in despair.
"WHY IS THIS PLACE SO BIG?!!" Natsu yelled, his voice echoing down the empty hallway.
Happy floated beside him, looking equally confused. "I think we passed the cafeteria three times, Natsu. This school is a labyrinth."
"I'm gonna be late..." Natsu groaned, sliding all the way to the floor. "I ran all the way here just to get lost indoors..."
A polite, refined voice cut through their wall of misery.
"Excuse me?"
Natsu looked up. Walking down the hallway with the grace of a runway model was a girl with a tall ponytail and a pristine uniform. It was Momo Yaoyorozu. She paused, looking down at the heap of pink hair and blue fur with mild concern.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, tilting her head. "You two seem quite... distressed."
Natsu scrambled to his knees, tears of relief streaming down his face in comically thick waterfalls. "We're lost! This school is a dungeon! We can't find the class!"
"We're gonna be expelled for lateness!" Happy wailed, clutching his head.
Momo blinked, then offered a small, reassuring smile. "Oh, is that all? Please, there is no need for tears. I can ensure you reach your destination."
Natsu's eyes sparkled as if he had just seen an angel. "Thank you!!"
Happy, equally relieved, flew straight toward her. "You're a lifesaver!"
He attempted to hug her face in gratitude, but Momo gently caught him in her hands before he could make contact. She held him at arm's length, her expression turning slightly apologetic.
"However," she noted, looking at the blue creature. "I believe there is a strict rule against bringing pets onto school grounds. You might get in trouble if a teacher sees him."
CRACK.
The sound of Happy's heart breaking was audible. He turned grey, a dark cloud of depression instantly raining over his head.
"Pet..." Happy whispered, curling into a ball. "She called me a pet..."
Natsu stood up, dusting off his pants. He looked at Momo
"Happy isn't a pet," Natsu said firmly, placing a hand on his hip. "He's my partner. We're a team."
The rain cloud vanished. Life returned to Happy's eyes.
"NATSUUUUU!!" Happy screamed, crying tears of joy this time. He flew over and slammed into Natsu's face, hugging him tight. "You really do care!!"
Momo watched the interaction, surprised. "I see. My apologies for the assumption." She bowed slightly. "I am Momo Yaoyorozu. I am in Class 1-A."
"I'm Natsu Dragneel!" Natsu said, prying Happy off his face. "Same class!"
"And I'm Happy!" the cat chirped, floating proudly. "Also Class 1-A!"
"Then we are classmates," Momo nodded to Natsu. "In that case, please follow me."
"But I'm in the class too..." Happy muttered.
Momo didn't respond to the cat directly, turning on her heel to lead the way. Happy slumped in the air, feeling ignored. Natsu reached up and patted the cat's head gently.
"Don't worry about it," Natsu whispered. "Maybe she just doesn't like cats. Don't let it get to you."
They began to walk. Natsu and Happy trailed behind Momo, unable to see her face.
If they could, they would have been shocked.
Momo's cheeks were flushed a deep, rosy pink. Her eyes were shimmering with suppressed excitement. Her internal monologue was screaming at a volume that betrayed her cool exterior.
KAWAII!!!!
It's so cute! It's so incredibly, undeniably cute! It flies! It talks! And it has little paws! Where can I get a talking blue cat like that?! I am so lucky! Natsu-kun and his adorable little friend are in my class! I must pet him later. I must!
"We have arrived," Momo announced, composing herself as she stopped.
Natsu and Happy froze. They looked at the location. It was literally the first door around the corner from where they had been crying.
"IT WAS RIGHT HERE?!" Natsu and Happy shouted in unison, their jaws hitting the floor.
They stood before a massive door, easily ten feet tall, with a giant 1-A painted on it in red.
"Why is the door so big?" Natsu wondered aloud. "Is it for giants?"
The door was already open. Momo walked in gracefully, while Natsu followed, stepping into the classroom that would change his life.
The room was buzzing with activity. Most of the seats were already filled with unique-looking students. Near the podium, a chaotic scene was unfolding. A boy with green curly hair—Izuku Midoriya—looked like a ripe tomato, flustered as he spoke to a tall boy with glasses (Tenya Iida) and a bubbly girl with brown hair (Ochaco Uraraka).
Natsu scanned the room. He didn't recognize anyone.
Sitting near the middle of the room, leaning her cheek against her palm, was a girl with pink skin, black sclera, and yellow horns. Mina Ashido.
She sighed, tapping her fingers on her desk. She was already bored.
First day, she thought, blowing a strand of pink hair out of her face. I have to start a talk with my classmates.
Her eyes drifted lazily toward the door as the new students walked in. She saw the tall girl with the ponytail. Then she saw the blue cat.
Then, she saw the spiky, salmon-pink hair.
Time seemed to slow down. Her eyes widened. The boredom evaporated instantly, replaced by a spark of pure, chaotic recognition.
No way.
Mina shot up from her chair, kicking it back with a loud screech.
"NATSUUUUU!!" she squealed.
Natsu flinched. The tone of voice triggered a primal "fight or flight" response in his brain. It was the sound of childhood memories—some good, some painful. A chill ran down his spine.
He turned his head just in time to see a pink missile launching itself at him.
"Mi—"
He didn't get to finish her name.
Mina had intended to tackle him in a hug, but in her excitement, she miscalculated the angle. She dove headfirst.
THWACK!
Her hard, bone-like horns slammed directly into Natsu's forehead.
"GAH!"
The impact was brutal. The force sent both of them crashing to the floor in a tangled heap of limbs. The entire class fell silent, staring at the sudden violence at the doorway.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Natsu rolled away, clutching his forehead. He kicked his legs against the floor in childish agony. "That hurt! Are you trying to kill me?!"
Mina sat up, rubbing her own head. "Ouch... sorry, sorry! I was aiming for a hug, but I came in too low!"
Natsu scrambled to his feet. In a classic cartoonish fashion, a large, red, steaming bump swelled up on his forehead instantly. He pointed an accusing finger at her.
"You did that on purpose!" Natsu shouted. "You horned lizard!"
The air in the room dropped a few degrees.
Mina stopped rubbing her head. Her smile vanished. A vein popped on her temple. She slowly stood up, her fists clenching at her sides.
"Hah?" Mina growled, stepping into his personal space. "Who are you calling a lizard... you overgrown Salamander?!"
POW!
Before Natsu could retort, Mina buried her fist into his stomach with a perfectly executed gut punch.
"GURK..."
Natsu's eyes rolled back into his head, turning completely white. He froze for a second, then crumpled to his knees, clutching his stomach.
Standing a few feet away, Momo Yaoyorozu stared with wide eyes, her hand covering her mouth. Hovering beside her, Happy looked equally shocked.