"Hey."At the school gate, Warblade Kai leaned against the wall. "What did you say to that shorty?"
"Nothing much. I just saw a student who'll grow up to be an excellent hero and couldn't help but say hi in advance."
"You really need to fix that fight-happy personality."
"I can't help it. You know me—it's not something I can change. Besides, if I don't get stronger now..."Kameo Gin lowered her voice and smiled menacingly,"How else am I supposed to kill that little egghead?"
Little egghead… Kai was too tired to even comment.
Suddenly, Kai let out a quiet "Ah," following Gin's gaze. Surrounded by a crowd of boys, Tateko passed by them without sparing a glance.
"She used to have only me by her side," Gin muttered, glancing at Kai—Super High School-Level Siscon—and then looked away without saying more.
Since Tateko's transfer to the hero course and her overwhelming popularity as a "super high-level gal," Class 1-A had received less attention than usual. To avoid trouble, the three girls decided to rent separate apartments and move out of the dorms this semester—something that made Kai physically uncomfortable.
"But this is for the mission," Tateko had said, calming Kai with just that. "I'll still come visit you."
Kai collected herself and nodded to Gin. "Our apartments are in opposite directions. See you."
Gin waved and walked away.
On her way home, Gin stopped at a restaurant for dinner and decided to grab some desserts from a nearby sweets shop—just in case she got hungry later.
Gain weight? Please. A refined mercenary girl like her doesn't worry about that.
"Hm?"
Noticing someone's gaze, Gin casually diverted into an alley and concealed her presence, silently waiting for her stalker to appear.
"Huh? Where'd she go?"A cute high school girl with two messy buns followed her into the alley, confused.
Himiko Toga – a murderer who kills for fun and one of the top 100 enemies mercenaries should avoid.
"She should be right… here~"Toga wandered closer, acting carefree. "Where are you~?"
"What do you want with me?" Gin stepped out from hiding.
"Ah! There you are!" Toga's eyes lit up as she rushed over. "Hey hey, I like you! Can I have your blood?"
"No."
"Ehh~ don't be so cold~" she cooed, while suddenly lunging forward with a knife.
Gin, face blank, activated her Quirk—liquid metal manipulation—to block the attack. After a brief scuffle, she pinned Toga to the wall with metal restraints.
"No fair! That's the 16th time you've rejected me, Chabi~!"
"If it's you, I can reject you 160 more times."
"You're soooo cute though!"
Gin ignored the flirtation, knocked Toga out, and returned to her apartment.
While eating her late-night snack, she began weighing the pros and cons of moving again. But when she looked up and saw Toga hanging outside her window, she decided:
Yeah. Time to move.
UA's curriculum:
Morning = regular academic subjects
Afternoon = Hero Training, taught by All Might
"I have arrived… through the door, of course!"All Might dramatically entered Class 1-A's room.
Excited whispers broke out:"OMG, the real All Might!""He really is teaching here!""That's his Silver Age outfit!"
Gin remained unmoved, expressionless.
"Without further ado, today we'll start—combat training!"
Gin raised an eyebrow. "First day? Classic UA."
"We also have… battle costumes!"A wall panel opened, revealing lockers full of hero suits.
"Change quickly and meet at Field Beta!"
Gin examined her combat gear:
Black cropped jacket over a black tank top
Black tactical pants
Combat boots with metal embellishments
With her unkempt black bob, she looked like a punk mercenary.
"Maybe some earrings and a necklace will complete the look?"She added accessories and jogged out.
"Whoa, Gin-chan! Your costume is soooo cool!"Hagakure (the invisible girl) cheered.
"It's true—you look just like a high-class gang leader!" said Ashido Mina.
High-class gang leader?"That's not a compliment," Froppy (Asui Tsuyu) pointed out.
"Oops, sorry! Gin-chan, you don't mind, do you?"
Gin shook her head. "It's fine."
"Wow, Gin! Your outfit is awesome!" said Uraraka, circling her. "I ended up in a skintight suit because I didn't explain my request properly. It's kind of embarrassing."
Gin replied without hesitation, "Not at all! You're the cutest in the world in that battle suit, Ochako-chan."
"Eh?"Uraraka's cheeks turned slightly red.
Jirou compared their outfits. "We both have two-piece costumes, but yours gives off a totally different vibe. Must be the boots?"
"Right? Her shoes are decorated with metal—it's super cool!" Hagakure pumped her fist.
Yaoyorozu looked concerned. "But Gin-san, you're wearing earrings. Won't that give a bad impression?"
"From you? Seriously?"Mineta gave a thumbs-up: "Heroes are awesome!"
Midoriya entered the room, confused: ???
"All right," All Might clapped. "You'll now be split into Hero vs. Villain pairs for indoor combat!"
"I have a question!" Iida raised his hand. "We have 21 students. Someone will be left out. What happens then?"
"No worries. The odd student will battle one-on-one with today's Support Instructor under special rules."
"Support Instructor?""One-on-one?"
"Yes. Sometimes pro heroes serve as support teachers. If you're lucky, even a top 10 hero might show up!"
The class: "Ohhhhhh!"
Iida again: "So… who's our support teacher today?"
"About that… I forgot to arrange one," All Might admitted.
Awkward silence.
"But! I'll take responsibility!" he added. "Whoever is left out will fight me one-on-one!"
Todoroki: "The one left out…"Midoriya: "Will fight All Might…"Bakugo: "In a one-on-one battle!"
It's only the first day!
Gin tried to suppress her excitement—hand over mouth.
"Aaaaah!" She gave up and clutched her face. "This is amazing! UA is the best!"
"All right, pairings will be decided by lottery!"
Result: Hagakure is left out.
"Eh?! Me?!" she flailed. "I can't fight someone like All Might!!"
"Don't worry! The rules will be adjusted," All Might reassured her.
Gin was deadpan. Internally: Tch.Bakugo said it out loud: "Tch."
Kirishima: "Arghhh, I missed my chance for a one-on-one with All Might! What a shame!"
"Don't give up!" All Might encouraged. "Luck is part of strength! There will be more chances!"
"Now let's reveal the first match!"
Group A vs. Group D:Midoriya & Uraraka vs. Bakugo & Iida
"They'll be up first? That's a bit worrying…" Hagakure said.
Bakugo growled at Gin while yelling at Hagakure:"Worry about yourself, Glove Girl!"
Why's he glaring at me when he's yelling at her? Gin scratched her nose.
"Glove girl?! That's rude! I have shoes too!"
"Wait—that's your concern?!"