Chapter 12: Essentials and Heavy Coats.
U.A. High School was not just a battleground; it was a rigorous academic fortress with glass walls reflecting the ambitions of thousands.
For most students, the transition from the adrenaline of Aizawa's terrifying physical tests the previous day to the monotony of regular morning classes was a jarring culture shock. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting long, geometric shadows of desks onto the polished floor, while the sound of scratching pens filled the air.
In English class, Present Mic was screaming grammar rules as if he were announcing a heavyweight boxing match in a packed stadium.
"Which of these sentences is grammatically incorrect?! Huh?! EVERYBODY, SAY HEY!!"
Kaminari, sitting next to Kuma, sighed and rubbed his temples in pain. "Man, his voice is way too loud... I feel like my eardrums are going to burst. How do you stay so calm?"
Kuma looked at the teacher, who was waving his arms with excessive enthusiasm, a faint smile touching his lips. "I believe he is simply excited about the curriculum. That passion... is somewhat admirable."
From the seat in front, Jiro Kyoka—the girl with the earphone jacks—tilted her head back, clutching her ears with a grimace.
"I wish I could admire him like you do," she whispered. "My ears are killing me."
Kuma looked at her with mild surprise. "I thought sound was your strength."
Jiro exhaled sharply. "His tones are unbalanced. The high frequencies he shoots out are totally random. He's the worst natural counter to my Quirk. My sensitive ears can't handle this screaming."
Kuma couldn't quite grasp the auditory complexity, but before he could respond—
Thwack!
A piece of chalk flew at high speed, hitting Jiro squarely in the forehead with sniper-like precision.
"JIRO!!" Present Mic shouted, pointing a finger, his sunglasses gleaming. "Wake up! The answer is here on the board, not in side chatter! IT'S NOT GOO!!"
Jiro rubbed her forehead in embarrassment while the class stifled their laughter.
Then came the Lunch Break.
The U.A. cafeteria was a place pulsing with life. The high glass ceiling allowed the noon light to flood the space, and the smell of spices and grilled meat from the kitchen of the "Cook Hero: Lunch Rush" stimulated the appetites of even those who weren't hungry.
Kuma sat at a large round table with Midoriya, Iida, and Uraraka.
While the others ate standard-sized portions, Kuma's tray looked like a family feast. A towering mountain of steamed white rice, a massive pile of roasted chicken pieces, and next to it... a soup bowl the size of a small bucket, steaming with the scent of miso.
Uraraka stared at the food, her eyes wide. "Wow... Kuma-kun, are you going to eat all of that?"
"My Quirk consumes immense energy," Kuma replied, clasping his hands in gratitude before picking up his utensils. "The body does not work without fuel."
"I completely agree."
A poised voice came from the opposite side. Yaoyorozu Momo set down her tray and sat across from Kuma. To everyone's surprise, her tray also contained a significant amount of rice and proteins, rivaling Kuma's portion.
" The act of creation requires converting lipids and calories into matter," Yaoyorozu explained, her cheeks turning slightly pink as she noticed their stares. "If I don't consume large quantities, I cannot use my ability effectively."
Kuma nodded to her with respect. The two proceeded to eat with terrifying efficiency and silence, while the rest watched in awe.
Midway through the meal, Midoriya set his chopsticks down and looked at Kuma with concern.
"By the way, Kuma-kun," Midoriya lowered his voice. "About what you did yesterday... that red bubble. Were there any side effects? I mean, the ability seemed... really intense."
Kuma paused. For a split second, the image of his dark room from the previous night flashed in his mind. He remembered the electric shock tearing through his nervous system, the raw pain freezing his lungs, and the dark drop of blood falling into his palm.
Kuma closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, offering a gentle, reassuring smile.
"Nothing," Kuma lied smoothly. "It simply dissipated into the air. Nothing happened."
Midoriya sighed in relief, a wide, innocent smile breaking across his face. "Really? That's great! I was worried there might be a backlash, but it seems your Quirk is truly amazing!"
Kuma returned to his soup silently, accepting the fact that some truths must remain hidden to protect the peace of mind of others.
In the afternoon, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted. The sun began its descent, casting orange hues across the desks. The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
Foundational Hero Studies.
The class was buzzing with whispers and anticipation, until the door burst open.
"I AM HERE!!"
The booming voice echoed as All Might marched through the door wearing his Silver Age costume, his cape fluttering wildly despite the windows being closed.
"COMING THROUGH THE DOOR LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!!" (Though his walk was anything but normal).
The class erupted.
"It's All Might!"
"Look at those muscles!"
"He's wearing his Silver Age costume! So cool!"
Kuma sat in his seat in the back, watching the Symbol of Peace. He felt something different from the rest of the students. It wasn't just admiration; it was a sense of pressure. All Might's presence in the room displaced the air itself. Pure, bright energy.
He is bright as the sun, Kuma thought. And the sun burns as much as it illuminates.
All Might stood at the podium, posing dramatically.
"Hero Basic Training! Are you tired of the boring lessons?!"
"YEAH!" the class shouted in unison.
All Might grinned. "Good! Because today, we jump straight into the action! Combat Training!"
He pointed a massive hand toward the side wall.
"But before that... a hero is not complete without this!"
The shelves in the wall opened mechanically with a heavy clack, revealing rows of numbered suitcases.
"The costumes you requested based on your Quirks and designs! There are twenty cases! Grab yours, get changed, and meet me at Ground Beta!"
The classroom turned into a frenzy of excitement as students rushed to grab the cases marked with their seat numbers.
The Tunnel to Ground Beta
One by one, the students emerged from the dark tunnel into the bright light of the simulated city. They had transformed from ordinary teenagers into aspiring heroes. The colors and designs reflected their personalities and dreams.
Midoriya walked out in a green jumpsuit with long ears. Bakugo looked menacing with grenade gauntlets. Uraraka wore a sleek pink and black suit.
Then, Kuma emerged.
His heavy footsteps made heads turn. He stepped out of the shadows slowly.
His costume was simple, yet imposing.
He wore a long, black trench coat made of reinforced material, open at the center. Underneath, he wore loose grey trousers decorated with a distinct pattern: black paw prints scattered across the fabric. His boots were massive and plated with metal to protect his feet during landings.
On his head, he wore a very distinct hat: a white, spotted beanie with two small, round ears resembling those of a bear.
In his left hand, he carried a thick, leather-bound book with the word BIBLE embossed on the cover. His hands were completely bare, the pink pads exposed and ready.
Kirishima, who was shirtless with gear-shaped shoulders, looked at the book. "Whoa, Kuma! That's a cool look. But... why the book? Is it for a special move?"
Kuma looked down at the book in his hand. "No. I enjoy noting down the places I see in the outside world. I wish to keep this book close to me at all times."
Suddenly, Midoriya appeared from the side, practically vibrating. He pulled a notebook and a pen out of nowhere—presumably a pocket in his costume.
"I get it! I get it!" Midoriya stammered, his cheeks pink with excitement. "Information is power! You want to document everyone's Quirks and analyze the battlefield in real-time! That's so smart, Kuma-kun!"
He started scribbling furiously before Kuma could speak.
"Midoriya," Kuma interrupted gently. "I am interested in tourism."
Midoriya froze. "Huh?"
"Scenic locations. Historical sites. Travel destinations," Kuma clarified. "I document these things."
The class stared at the two of them.
They are exactly the same, the class thought collectively. Total nerds.
All Might approached, his eyes scanning the students with pride. "You all look fantastic, you embryos! The clothes make the man—and the woman! Now, let's begin!"
All Might explained the scenario: Villains are hiding a nuclear weapon (a paper mache dummy) in the building, and Heroes must secure it or capture the villains within the time limit.
He held up a yellow box. "Lots! We will determine the teams by lottery!"
The drawing began.
Team A: Midoriya Izuku & Uraraka Ochaco.
Team B: Shoji Mezo & Todoroki Shoto.
...
The draw reached Kuma.
All Might pulled a ball. "Team J!"
He pulled another. "And your partner is... Young Kaminari Denki!"
Kaminari jumped in the air, pumping his fist. "Yes!! I got the human tank! I'm so lucky!" He ran over to stand next to Kuma, looking like a child standing next to a vending machine.
Kaminari patted Kuma's arm (which was at his head level). "I'll handle the shocks, you handle the heavy lifting. We'll be invincible, man!"
Kuma nodded. "Let us do our best."
"And now," All Might announced, reaching into two other boxes labeled 'VILLAINS' and 'HEROES'. "The first match will be..."
He pulled two balls.
"Team A [Heroes] vs Team D [Villains]!"
"Midoriya & Uraraka vs Bakugo & Iida!"
The tension in the air snapped instantly. Bakugo turned his head, his eyes locking onto Midoriya with a predatory glare. Midoriya flinched but stood his ground, his fists clenching at his sides.
Kuma stood silently in the back, holding his book, watching the spark that was about to ignite a massive fire. The first battle was about to begin
.
.