Shōji and Ojiro waited at the exit. Both watched the students leave UA with patience, each lost in thought. After a moment, Ojiro spoke to his classmate.
—You know, I can offer you help too. I'm sure you'd be accepted into the Dōjō easily.
Shōji shook his head.
—I appreciate it, Ojiro-San, but you don't have the resilience to withstand my blows. At least not without getting hurt and ruining your chances in the Festival. And if I hold back, then I won't make progress. Mei is the only option— the taller boy said.
—Yes, yes, I know. Don't worry, I'm aware of my limitations— Ojiro dismissed it. He couldn't disagree with Shōji's thought process.
The Festival was approaching, and if he entered the Dōjō now, he wouldn't reach his goals before the event. While Ojiro could train with him, it would force his classmate to hold back his blows, which would make the whole process a waste of time.
And Terumi Mei really was the only option. Not only an option, but the inspiration for Shōji to make this decision.
Analyzing their classmates, Terumi Mei was the only one who could practice hand-to-hand combat and help Shōji.
Why was this? Kirishima was strong, very capable of withstanding Shōji's blows, but his technique was not what they needed. Ojiro knew how to fight, and his agility would allow him to evade his classmate's blows, but one single mistake and he would get hurt.
Momo didn't have the strength to push him to the limit, and Bakugo wouldn't accept.
What they were looking for was a sparring partner who could push Shōji, forcing him to improve his reaction speed, who had the power to knock him down, the agility to evade him, and the stamina to push him beyond his limits.
No one fit this role better than the reddish-brown-haired girl. Technically, Tetsumaru did too, but no one knew that the black-haired boy's physical capabilities were not far removed from his sister's.
Tetsumaru had sold the act of relying heavily on his sand very well. Everyone thought his physical capabilities were due to the Satetsu.
—There you are, Shōji. Oh, hello Ojiro— Mei greeted the duo, appearing behind them at some point, which startled them a little.
—Mei-San? How did you do that?— Ojiro asked.
—Just Mei. And it's a secret, you know. That way, opponents don't expect a kick to the balls— she said with a mischievous smile.
Instinctively, both clenched their legs.
—Well, what did you want to talk about?— she turned to the bigger boy.
Shōji explained his desire to have sparring sessions and perhaps some combat advice that would leverage his strength and size, as well as his lack of agility.
—If you're available, of course— Ojiro added at the end. Mei thought about it for a few seconds and smiled at the duo, giving a thumbs-up in confirmation.
—No problem. I'm sure the school will let us use some place, and we can also meet on weekends. I have those days free anyway— she said.
—Are you sure? If you have your own training, I'd rather not interrupt— Shōji expressed.
—Fufufu, don't worry about those details. I've got it covered— Mei said mysteriously.
Suddenly, her eyes narrowed, and the temperature seemed to drop abruptly, catching Ojiro and Shōji off guard.
She craned her neck toward the exhausted figure of Tetsumaru, who was walking with his uniform askew. Some kind of special alarm howled in Mei's mind, and her cold smile adorned her face again.
—Well, see you tomorrow, guys— she said serenely as she walked to meet her brother.
Shōji and Ojiro noticed Tetsumaru's shudder when Mei approached and seemed to... sniff him? Afterwards, the siblings walked in silence, the black-haired boy's shoulders slumped and Mei's smile seeming more terrifying.
—She's kinder than she seems. And more social— Ojiro commented with a strained smile.
—I don't know how to respond to that— Shōji denied, still unable to reconcile the beautiful and flirtatious girl with the cruel figure who tore out a villain's eyes and destroyed another's virility without blinking.
—Maybe Tetsumaru-San isn't as indifferent as he seems. We should invite him too, his Quirk might give us new perspectives— Ojiro suggested.
—Just Tetsumaru— Shōji corrected.
After that, Mei, Ojiro, and Shōji spent the next three weeks practicing their combat skills, focusing on pure skill duels, without the use of Quirks.
From time to time, Tetsumaru, Midoriya, Mina, Momo, and Kirishima would join them, all leveraging Ojiro's greater wisdom in these matters to gain a slight advantage over the others.
The difference between hitting hard and learning to hit correctly can mean a lot in the moment of battle. Mei also gave some advice here and there about her Taijutsu style, one that reminded Ojiro of a mix between Karate, Kick Boxing, Muay Thai, and Systema.
The anticipation and nerves were growing among the students of Class 1-A, especially the nerves following Bakugo's incident with the other courses.
For their part, Tetsumaru and Mei barely increased the intensity of the routine they had maintained for years. Unlike the others, they have been pushing themselves to the limit from an early age.
It is the condemnation and the blessing of the reincarnates. Being practically adults, they could not miss the opportunity to do things differently and forge healthy and strong bodies from the start.
But a small point of contention made them reflect on their plans.
—What do you mean you're unemployed, Dad?— Mei asked in surprise.
—Well... the company headquarters was damaged in an incident with villains and things got very complicated. In the end, they had no choice but to lay off staff— Sasuke explained with a sigh.
—Don't worry, honey. Things will work out, and in the meantime, I can support us for a while— Sakura reassured her husband.
The dinner that night passed with a sour mood.
Later, in Mei's room, the shinobi duo contemplated their options.
—Maybe we could start with the publication. If it's successful, it would alleviate the burden on Mom and Dad— Mei suggested through their bond.
Tetsumaru wrapped his arms around her, pressing her head against his chest and stroking her reddish-brown hair.
—It's an option, but that wouldn't work in the short term— Tetsumaru refuted.
—And what if we start a new project? Something that would attract more attention from the Japanese people— she proposed.
—That would be complicated, Mei. We had estimated the impact that the most popular works would have, but the culture, and the timing, might not be right— Tetsumaru reasoned, stroking his other half to calm her.
Years ago, the duo had researched the entertainment media of this world. They realized that many works of fiction from their other life did not exist here. As reincarnates and orphans, they had set out to write some of those works and amass a small fortune.
But the idea wasn't that simple. This wasn't the West of the 21st century. It was Japan, a different Japan, with a different culture in a much more advanced era.
What might have worked in the 90s or 2000s of their old world might go unnoticed here. Moreover, dedicating too much time to writing fiction would have hindered their packed schedule of perfect grades and intensive training.
In the end, they decided not to cater to the Japanese public, focusing their efforts on almost a hundred books of a franchise that also didn't exist in this world, and which might achieve success in the rest of the world.
But they didn't bother to look for a publisher while they were being supported by Sakura and Sasuke. There was simply no need, as their parents gave them everything they needed and they weren't particularly interested in getting rich.
—Hmm, perhaps if we bet...— Tetsumaru proposed, capturing Mei's attention.
—What do you mean?
—Well, there will be battles in the festival, and people are sure to bet money on that. Besides, it's a certainty that there will be bets on the winner of the same— the Third Kazekage's reincarnation explained.
—Are you saying we could bet on ourselves and win the festival?— Mei asked with a curious tone. Tetsumaru nodded in confirmation and the idea took root in the duo.