Everyone was dressed in their costumes, gathering around as Aizawa-sensei gave his usual uninterested stare.
I adjusted my mask, the lenses automatically dimming the harsh lights while keeping my vision sharp.
Some of the others glanced my way, probably still trying to get used to the all-black outfit and the creepy grin locked on my face.
Underneath the mask was a tired expression, i had forgotten about the glances i got the first time.
Funny enough, i had already found myself liking it since the battle training.
Iida blew his whistle, his stance firm and commanding. "Everyone, line up according to your student ID number before boarding the bus!"
A few groans sounded from the group, mostly from the more laid-back students like Denki and Sero, but everyone began shuffling into place regardless.
I just stood there, not too eager to squeeze into a line. Mina, ended up next to me, giving me a sideways glance. "You think he practices that pose in the mirror?" she whispered.
I snorted. "Definitely. Bet he's got it down to a science."
Denki shot us both a look from further up the line, smirking. "What, you two gossiping like an old married couple already?"
Mina rolled her eyes, giving him a light shove as he passed. "You wish."
As we moved forward, I noticed that the bus itself wasn't anything special—just your standard school transport. One by one, the students filed in.
I trailed behind, not too eager to be stuck in the middle of everyone arguing over seats.
As long as I wasn't squashed between Denki and Mineta, I didn't really care where I positioned.
We stepped onto the bus, and I glanced around to find an empty seat.
I noticed one and plopped down without thinking, resting my back immediately.
I took the mask off as it felt weird to wear inside the bus, i rubbed my thumb against the surface of the mask.
"Hmm?"
My gaze drifted to the side, and that's when I noticed her—Momo Yaoyorozu.
Damn.
Her hero costume clung to her figure like a second skin—deep crimson fabric that hugged her curves with a confident, almost regal grace.
The way the bodysuit dipped down in a plunging V-shape at the front showed off smooth, unblemished skin, accentuating the gentle curve of her collarbone and the subtle rise and fall of her chest.
The high slit of the bodysuit revealed long, toned legs, emphasizing her balanced physique without seeming overly exposed.
A thick, practical utility belt rested on her hips, the metallic accents catching bits of light, while her tall boots completed the ensemble with a sleek, commanding presence.
Her long, jet-black hair flowed effortlessly behind her, tied into a high ponytail that added to the overall elegance of her look.
It took way more effort than I'd like to admit not to stare. I couldn't deny it, even if I tried—she looked absolutely stunning.
I caught myself just in time, looking away and focusing on the mask again like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Azaria," she spoke up, her tone composed and direct. "You're not in the correct seat."
I blinked, turning back to her. "Huh?"
She gestured toward the spot beside me. "This is supposed to be Uraraka's seat. You were assigned to sit with Midoriya."
My mouth opened, but no words came out. Of course I wasn't in the right seat. I probably should've paid more attention earlier.
I glanced over at Deku, who was giving me his usual wide-eyed, confused look.
Before I could even attempt to fix the situation, Momo raised her hand to call out. "Iida!"
He turned around immediately, ever the diligent class rep. "Yes, Yaoyorozu?"
"Azaria isn't in the correct seat," she stated calmly.
Iida glanced between us and then noticed the moving scenery outside. "The bus has already departed. Rearranging now would be inefficient. Azaria, remain where you are until we arrive."
"Understood." She nodded, and the matter seemed settled.
But the tension still lingered. I felt stupid for not paying attention and even stupider for feeling so damn self-conscious just sitting next to her.
I could still remember the way she looked at me in class—like she was judging me for waving like a complete idiot. The memory crawled under my skin, making it hard to relax.
I adjusted the mask in my hands, trying to act like I didn't feel the awkward air hanging between us.
There was no way she was still thinking about that weird moment, right? Maybe I was just overthinking it.
Either way, this was going to be one long, uncomfortable bus ride.
***
The bus moved steadily down the road, and an uncomfortable silence hung between Azaria and Momo.
He couldn't help but feel a subtle tension gnawing at him, like an itch he couldn't scratch.
He kept his gaze fixed on the mask in his hands, rubbing his thumb over its smooth surface as if that would make the weird atmosphere disappear.
It wasn't like Momo was doing anything to make it worse—she just sat there, perfectly composed, occasionally glancing out the window.
But every once in a while, Azaria caught her eyes shifting back toward him, and his stomach twisted into a knot.
The last interaction they'd had still lingered in his mind. That awkward wave.
The way she'd just blinked and turned back around like he didn't exist. He mentally cringed at the memory, fighting the urge to groan. Of all the stupid things to do.
He couldn't help but notice how striking she looked in her hero costume, though. The outfit hugged her frame in a way that made her already elegant presence feel even more refined and captivating.
The exposed skin around her shoulders and neckline contrasted with the sleek, red fabric, highlighting her poised demeanor. Azaria swallowed, trying to focus on literally anything else.
But the awkwardness wouldn't leave. It wasn't just because she looked good—no, it was the lingering embarrassment from that moment in class.
Now, every glance in his direction felt like it was pointing out just how weird he'd been back then.
He felt like he was about to be suffocated by the awkwardness when Tsuyu's voice broke the silence.
"I generally say what's on my mind, Midoriya."
He stiffened, a bit caught off guard. "O-Oh, what is it, Asui?" he stammered nervously, fidgeting in his seat.
Still looking forward, Tsuyu replied in her usual calm tone, "Call me Tsuyu." Then she turned to face him directly. "Your quirk is similar to All Might's."
Midoriya's eyes widened in shock as she hit the nail on the head. He raised his hands defensively, nervously stuttering, "R-R-R-Really?! Nah. I-I mean–"
Kirishima jumped in before Midoriya could spiral any further. "Nah, hold up, Tsuyu. All Might doesn't get hurt—Midoriya's quirk is different in that aspect."
He gave Midoriya a reassuring grin. "But that sort of simple, enhancing quirk is awesome! You can do a lot of cool things with it." He stretched out his arm, hardening it to demonstrate. "Not like my quirk. It's good in a fight but kinda boring."
Midoriya stared at it, fascinated, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement.
Azaria couldn't help but smile warmly at the scene—seeing them talk like this felt surreal, like watching a moment from a story he'd read come to life.
The awkward tension that had been clawing at him magically faded away. He turned his head slightly and caught Momo glancing at him at the exact same moment.
Both froze for a second, not expecting the other to be looking.
Azaria cleared his throat, scratching the back of his head to ease the tension. "How's the assistant class representative position treating you?"
A subtle smile appeared on Momo's face—barely noticeable unless you were paying close attention. "It's been alright. A bit tedious, but nothing compared to Iida's workload. I'm just an assistant, after all."
Azaria leaned back against the seat, still facing forward. "An assistant in charge of the class, huh? You're pretty suited for the job. Can't think of anyone who could do it like you."
She glanced at him again, a hint of surprise in her eyes before she spoke. "Thank you, but honestly, a leadership position would fit you better."
"Me?"
"Yes, Azaria. You. I believe you have the attributes."
He raised an eyebrow, a bit skeptical. "Is that why you voted for me?"
Her eyes widened just a fraction before she quickly regained her composure. "Yes, that's why I did vote for you."
Azaria sighed, relaxing against the fabric of the seat. "Well, I'm not that type of guy. I'm guessing you just did it because of the fight we had."
Momo's eyes narrowed, and despite trying to keep her voice low, there was a slight edge to it. "The fight you won so easily? We didn't even get to hand-to-hand combat! You won without landing a single punch or kick!"
"W-Well, that's because I was taught never to hit girls." Azaria cleared his throat, realizing how his words could be taken. He hesitated, trying to sound convincing. "The reason I won is because you underestimated me."
His yellow eyes met hers. "You're strong and smart—a genius, honestly. I was just lucky that you held me in that perspective and the fact that your team mate was stupid."
Momo didn't seem entirely convinced, narrowing her eyes as if trying to gauge his sincerity. "No, you're just trying to butter me up. I'm not even sure whether Bakugo or Todoroki could do what you did."
Azaria couldn't help but chuckle lightly before slipping on his mask as the bus came to a stop. "Okay, now you're just overestimating me."
***
We stepped into the dome, and I couldn't help but pause, my eyes widening at the sheer scale of the place. The Unforeseen Simulation Joint was even more impressive in person.
It looked like a massive theme park, divided into different disaster zones—floods, landslides, fires, and more. There was even a shipwreck scene with a capsized boat in the water.
"Wow..." I whispered under my breath, genuinely impressed.
"This place is huge," Kirishima said, grinning as he took it all in. "They really went all out."
Mina bounced on her toes beside me, looking just as excited. "Totally! We're really gonna do rescue training in here?"
Thirteen, our guide for the day, stepped forward. Despite being bundled up like an astronaut, her presence felt warm and reassuring.
"Welcome to the Unforeseen Simulation Joint!" she announced cheerfully. "It's a training ground designed to prepare you for all kinds of disaster scenarios, both natural and man-made.
Aizawa-sensei stood nearby, his usual tired expression in place, but even he seemed more alert than usual.
I could tell he was watching the area closely—probably making sure everything was set up right.
Thirteen continued, her voice soft but steady. "As you all know, my quirk, BlackHole, can suck in and disintegrate anything. It's a powerful ability, but it can also be incredibly dangerous if used carelessly. That's why today's training isn't just about using your quirks—it's about using them responsibly."
I tried to stay attentive, but my mind wandered a bit as she kept talking about the importance of using our quirks responsibly.
I glanced around at my classmates. Some of them looked nervous, others excited.
Midoriya, of course, was soaking up every word like his life depended on it.
My gaze landed on Aoyama and a cold realization hit me like a truck.
He was off to the side, striking that ridiculous pose of his, sparkling like a damn disco ball.
On the surface, he looked harmless—just a flamboyant attention-seeker too wrapped up in his own glitter to notice anything else.
Damn it. How could I have been so careless?
I was supposed to keep an eye on him—monitor to see whether he would text them as soon as we got here.
Yet, I'd been too caught up in my own awkwardness with Momo to even think about it. I should have been monitoring him from before we entered the bus.
Judging by the time, he'd probably already sent the info to AFO. I couldn't help but click my tongue in irritation.
When Thirteen wrapped up her speech, Aizawa stepped forward, looking as unenthusiastic as ever. "Alright. Brats, follow the instructions, and don't do anything reckless."
But then, something shifted. A weird, heavy feeling settled over the dome, like the air had suddenly become too thick to breathe.
Near the central fountain, a dark, swirling mass appeared, warping and distorting like a twisted shadow.
A clawed, gnarled hand pushed through the darkness, followed by a hunched figure covered in severed hands. Shigaraki.
Aizawa's scarf unfurled, his eyes sharpening with fierce determination. "Thirteen, protect the students!"
More and more villains began to step through the portal, scattering around the area like a plague.
Shigaraki looked so terrifying that I couldn't help but feel a chill down my spine.
Around me, my classmates were reacting with a mixture of shock and panic. Midoriya looked pale, and Kirishima was already moving forward, thinking it was some kind of training exercise.
"Wait," I muttered, grabbing his shoulder before he could step any closer. "This isn't training."
His eyes widened, looking at me in confusion.
"They're real," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Those guys are real villains."
The realization hit him like a truck, and his face hardened with determination. He wasn't the only one—Todoroki and Bakugo were already stepping forward, clearly prepared to fight.
Kurogiri's massive form loomed through the swirling mist, his voice calm and authoritative.
"Greetings, pardon our audacity." he announced, his tone almost polite despite the malice dripping from his words. "We are the League of Villains. We have come to kill All Might, the Symbol of Peace."
My muscles tensed as he continued, his misty form shifting and expanding.
I caught a glimpse of his yellow eyes through the void of darkness that made up his body.
Before anyone could react, his mist shot out like tendrils, snaking through the air and engulfing everyone in its reach.
———
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