The harsh sound of the alarm goes off in intervals. Its sound echoing inside my drowsy-driven head. I slap the top button, and the disturbing noise dulls out. I roll onto my back, taking in the hazy view of the popcorn ceiling looming over me. Such an ugly and distasteful choice of design.

"Mornin." With the will remaining in my tired bones, I roll off the side of the bed, planting my feet into my All-Might night slippers. The room feels awfully frigid against my pale skin, making me shiver. A pressure builds in my abdomen, so I quickly rise to my feet. I walk rushily out the door making it to the bathroom on time before the pressure got any worse.

After I relieved myself, the person staring at me through the mirror gazes with exhaustion buried deep into his emerald eyes. He looks tired, and if I were him, I would want to go curl up in the warmth of his blankets and sleep for another few hours. Now that sounds delectable. A soft rapping at the door pulls me away from the reflection.

"Izuku, breakfast is downstairs. Be sure to eat before you leave." Her voice kindles more life into my aching bones. Just her voice alone is better than a cup of coffee. The coffee alone is strong and bitter, but her fluttery tone this early makes it overly sweet in flavor.

"I'll be down in just a second!" I ruffle with my hair, messing around in the nest of curls, trying to straighten it up to be presentable. The more I try to tame it, the more it grows disheveled and wild.

My stomach growls intensely, and I only chuckle lowly. Food is only a jump, hop, and skip away from this bathroom. On a more serious note, it is rare for her to cook breakfast so early in the morning. I wonder if she'll join me this morning before we both have to leave. I take my time finishing up all of my personal needs in the bathroom. Satisfied with the end result, I leave to go downstairs for food. A rich scent gathers into the air, luring me to the wooden table.

"I hope you don't mind dear, I haven't been shopping lately."

"This is just fine, plus eggs are great to eat in the mornings."

"Don't forget to eat the leftover rice."

"From Saturday's dinner?"

"Yes, it tasted fine to me, so it's okay to eat for now. Don't be so picky with your food. I know your palette is more refined than you mother's cooking, but give this old lady some slack." I can feel her radiant energy bounce around the room like crazy. She is in high spirits today.

I sit down at the table, too hungry to really care how old the food may be or her energy. I can always have lunch at the cafe if I get hungry anyways. The food on my plate radiates off puffs of heat, making my stomach growl.

"I got a letter." My eyes furrow at the interjection. I look up with confusion lacing into my eyes. What is she going on about? Is there a letter for me and from whom?

"For me, but what for?" She cautiously sits across from me. She doesn't touch her food. However, in her hands sits a letter with a red credential printed in the upper right corner. I try to read it, but she moves it around in her fiddling hands. A natural habit of hers when she's nervous about something.

"There's a school I've been looking at." She can't be seriously saying this right now?

"A school, mother? But I clearly stated that I would be the only one to worry about that on my own accord." Her eyes are becoming troubled, but she takes in a small breath, calming herself down.

"This is a great school that your father had in mind for you." Her voice almost cracks at the end of her words. Anything dealing with dad is a tough subject for her, but it isn't for me. "I wasn't sure about it at first, but I think you're ready. Your grades are so remarkable, your english is amazingly fluent, and-"

"But Mom, this is ultimately my choice! I decided on my own that I'm going to help you and the cafe. Dad is no longer around to be able to support us. Let me help you." I settle my fork down onto the plate. It clunks loudly against the glass. She lies the letter face down on the table, pushing it with the tips of her fingers. Her expression looks pained, but this affects me as well.

"I already applied for you to go to the entrance exam today. I didn't want to tell you until you came down. The letter has your exam ID and money for lunch." All I do is pick up the letter. I stare at our address printed boldly in ink with barely any emotion other than distaste. It leaves a fowl taste on my tongue and my spirit.

She goes on to start on her own breakfast sitting before her. Her bites are smaller in comparison to mine. I place the letter face down and continue to eat breakfast with her. I at least have to try my damn hardest to make her happy. Plus, this is the first morning we've had breakfast together for months now.

I finish up the food on my plate. As I stand to go wash my dirtied up dishes, the chair makes a noise as it is pushed away. Mom keeps eating, not even batting an eye at me or the letter. I really don't care about school right now and of all days too. Today was no doubt going to be busy from all the customers.

"Fine, I'll go do the exam, but if I don't get accepted then you have to let me help. Can we at least agree on that?" This finally catches her attention away from her plate. I believe this means she's actually going to consider it.

"Are you serious?" Her eyebrows furrow together, and her face knits with annoyance. "How will I be sure that you won't fail on purpose just to satisfy your own wants? I need you to take this seriously for the both of us."

I stop talking to place my dish on the counter. Turning around on my heel, I quickly rip open the letter that was peacefully laying on the table. An identification card falls from the envelope along with a folded letter. I discard the envelope to open up the letter.

"Dear young Midoriya. You have been chosen to take part in the annual entrance exam for the culinary department of Yuuei." My mother stands to her feet, obviously drawn to the contents spilling from my lips. "All attendees must report to the auditorium for placement and numbering between four and seven in the morning. Any late arrivals will be turned away at the gate automatically." I pause to read the rest of the letter on my own. My eyes travel and skip over sections.

"Keep reading." My mother's voice speaks up from beside me. Her small figure seeming suddenly frail when just moments ago she stood arguing with me over a stupid letter.

"All attendees are required to wear clothing that is presentable and professional. Appearance is a minor part of the exam, so take this seriously. No tennis shoes, heels, open-toe shoes, sneakers, or crocks are allowed during exam hours." I stop reading and hand her the letter. That was really all of the important details I felt were needed. Her green eyes scan over it before settling on my freckled face.

"I believe I have a box of your father's clothes in my closet. They might be a great fit on you. Now go get ready, the school is an hour and a half ride by train. Two hours if it gets delayed without notice." She lightly pushes a palm on my arm, urging me to go. I eternally sigh, but I leave nonetheless to get ready. If I want to make it in time, then I really have to put in some effort.

When I reach her room adjacent of mine, it is tidy from floor to ceiling. Her hamper is empty, and the glass beside her bed is still full of water. The drapes over the window are transparent, casting an ambient blue glow to engulf the room in its beautifShe must have slept terribly last night. By morning, she's always made it a habit to drink a glass of water to begin her day. I guess today was different.

The wooden doored closet just a few feet away from me stood rigid and was covered in old photographs of me. The photos were terrible faded in some. When I turn the knob, and the pathway reveals a small walk-in room--enough room for one person. Shoes and jeans are scattered recklessly on the ground in aimless piles.

This is yet another terrible habit of hers, and she knows it. Her closet is always a mess, or a disaster persay. The only thing on my mind now is the fact that she has something of dad's. In all honesty, I thought she threw away everything that had a connection.

I find the box hidden away under a pile of old jeans and socks. It is rather small and rugged. After searching through the contents, I actually find a decent outfit and even a pair of his old shoes still intact. I close her door to change into the new garments. Knocking appears on the door, quite similar to earlier before breakfast. The sound echoes in the still room.

"A train will be leaving soon for Musutafu Station. Are you ready yet?" I open the door for her, revealing to her my appearance. A little baggy in the shirt, but I see no problem with it. "You look handsome in your father's dress shirt and slacks. Do take care of it will you?"

"Of course mother. I'll be careful. I guess I should be leaving now then?" I give her a small smile to show some enthusiasm. I say goodbye, and she plants a kiss on the cheek before I step outside. I hesitate to step any further, looking down at the envelope in my hand. I stuff it away in my pocket, not giving it another look of my time.

As I am walking closer to the station, I am quick to recognise a few of my former classmates, including a very temperamental blonde, walking leagues ahead of me. I can hear their crude jokes and Bakugou’s profanity. I decide to stay far behind them, hoping they wouldn’t spot me trailing them. Luckily, they turned the block, giving me a chance to breathe. 

“That was close.” I continue on my way, hearing the station roar with life. I see people crowding the ticket station. They all look like students I’ve seen, or have had classes with. I guess many schools are having an entrance exam today. Looks like I won’t be alone anymore. I step into line once I reach the bustling crowd. In front of me two girls chatter, both of them pulling at their scarves wrapped snugly around their necks. 

“I’m so nervous, but you're probably more scared than I am, right Ochako?” A girl with mahogany hair laughs nervously behind her rose-pink scarf. When she turns around, I can see her eyes in clear view. They too were of a nice brown color.

"Yeah, Yuuei is the only way I can make tons of money for my parents." Her voice is soothing and bubbly. It reminds me of my mother when I was younger.

"Excuse me?" I tap her shoulder lightly, trying not to be brash. She might be my future classmate. That is if we both pass the exams. She turns and looks slightly up at me from under her eyelashes.

"Yes, may I help y-you?" For an odd reason, her face slowly starts to become pink in color when she looks me in the eyes.

"We're applying to the same school. My name is Izuku Midoriya." I place my hand in the space in front of me, expecting her to take my hand. Handshakes are supposed to be the formal way of greeting someone you haven't met before.

The girl next to her bumps her shoulder, making her jump slightly. The mahogany-haired girl slowly reaches out and takes my hand. We shake our hands shortly before she retracts and stuffs her hand in her pocket.

"T-that's great! I'm Ochaco Uraraka. What's your exam ID say? Maybe we might be testing together." The color on her face remains flushed pink. It's understandable with the weather being so freezing cold.

"Ochaco, we're next in line." Her friend whispers closely to her ear. "Sorry, this will only take a minute or two. See you on the train, mister." She pulls Uraraka to the ticket booth where a man in uniform waits. They both giggle momentarily before Uraraka hands him an envelope for the both of them.

"Hey, nerd. What the hell are you doing here?"