————

"They're really.. Invested with each other." Mina commented, watching the two boys across the cafeteria. Momo fidgeted, feeling as if she were intruding- especially when Bakugou tipped his head back to cover a laugh.

"It's weird right? Bakugou being closed off, and then suddenly- that green cutie shows up and he acts all friendly." Toruu perked up, clapping her hands together, "Maybe they used to know each other!"

"Friends from the past?"

"I guess?" Izuku cupped Katsuki's face, grinning widely as he bumped their foreheads together in a gesture much more intimate. Their eyes widened in surprise. "I mean, from the looks of it- maybe more than that?"

"Um.. A relationship?" Jirou's voice was shy, as if not used to the word, and Mina smacked her fist against her palm, grinning brightly. "That must be it!"

The concept of same-sex couples were foreign, but not unwelcome. Yaoyoruzo was already introduced to the idea early on by her parents, teaching her about being accepting about these kinds of things, so she was confident she was educated enough to understand.

She looked around the table, and to her surprise, no one seemed to be disgusted with the idea- only pondering. "I'll ask!" Mina piped up again, an excited grin stretching on her face as she shot up. "W-wait, Mina!" Momo tugged her uniform, pulling her down quickly. "Don't you think we should.. Wait? I think it'll make a bad impression if that's the first thing you ask- let alone how you introduce yourself. Be patient. We don't want to seem like we're breaching their privacy!"

"And we aren't supposed to even be spying on them!" Tooru nodded, understanding, and Mina pouted but complied to Momo's relief.

————

"Alright, all of you. Find a partner." Aizawa scratched his stubble, eyeing his students, bored. As expected, the girls banded together, and the boys drawn to whoever they introduced themselves to on the first day.

Kaminari predictably paired with Kirishima, as did Tsuyu and Uraraka Ochako. Iida Tenya, one of the problem children, stiffly asked Shoji to be with him. Shoji nodded, tagging along with him.

He eyed Midoriya Izuku, a surprised brow rising as he bumped shoulders with 'the' Bakugou Katsuki, and instead of being berated, was bumped back and taken by the arm. Katsuki grinned, sharp and dark, while Izuku in contrast smiled softly as the previously mentioned boy ruffled his green mop of hair.

"Kacchan!" The boy snickered as Katsuki roughly squeezed his cheeks. Aizawa almost found this.. Endearing. And strange, because this is the only time he has seen Bakugou smile- let alone be close with someone, someone who had a childish nickname for him.

"You're too cute, Deku." Bakugou remarked, as if defeated, letting go of Midoriya's cheeks, who rubbed them with chagrin and playful annoyance.

Aizawa realized how their dynamics- although complete opposite from one another, balanced each other out. Loud, irrational, prideful- contrast to shy, quiet and meek- it was like they were two different puzzle pieces, with edges cut just so they could forcibly fit together.

Aizawa lifted his head. Maybe this exercise will be different after all.

————

"Team v-versus!?"

They all yelled. Aizawa kneaded his temples, frustrated. "If any of you have any complaints, I will personally kick you out of this exercise, ground Beta, and U.A.'s gates. Understand?"

That got them to shut up, but Ashido and Kaminari looked pretty down. Meanwhile, the two most problematic children grinned excitedly, with Bakugou's arm around his waist.

... Interesting.

Interesting indeed.

"We will draw lots," Aizawa drawled, gesturing to the box. "And you shall be assigned your number. Whoever picks yours will go against you." Aizawa eyed Tokoyami, a boy with jet black hair and a constant column expression on his face, partnered with Ojiro Mashirao.

"Come, Tokoyami," he waved him over, nudging the box with the top of his foot towards him, hands shoved in his pockets. "You'll be the first to draw."

————

"Team A and D, please go up to the platform."

Ochako and Asui nodded, stepping into Ground Beta, the opposite team- Momo and Mina, awaited on the opposite side of the match, taking their stances.

Yaoyorozu stood at the opposite of the concrete field with Mina by her side, the two girls nodding.

"You will start when I say so. The first team to get both of their members knocked down looses." Aizawa stood outside the court, with the students surrounding it like some kind of battle trial, excited sounds occasionally slipping through their lips. It was their first test, after all. An assessment so Shouta will see what they're capable of, before learning how to mentor each one of them.

"Three, two- start."

Mina's eyes widened the moment Ochako sailed forward, strong legs barely grazing the tip of her candy floss hair, bent back to dodge. She recovered easily, pivoting her right foot and twisting her upper body, a punch going in for the kill.

Mina's stance was of a boxer's, Shouta observed. Her back muscles were obvious from the tight thin athletic uniforms U.A. has provided them with. But it was obvious her attacks were slow and her timing was off, with Uraraka hot on her heels, the girl throwing an axe kick.

Uraraka's martial art was more of a dance than something to be used in the front lines, judging by the way she took turns and the pivot of her heels, and the relentless attacks suggests that she relies on taking her opponents down hard and fast. But, she lacked the skill of precision, her kicks grazing Mina and nothing more, and she seems to be aware of it, judging by the frustrated look in her eyes whenever she missed.

Momo's long legs and tall stature proved to be an advantage, her cut kick and precision was good, but she relied too much on her right leg, often times missing an opening to Tsuyu when she forgets to use it. But, her movements were stiff, unsure, doubting- and Asui caught her off guard when she leaped over her head and pulled grabbed Momo's shoulders.

Tsuyu was light on her feet, corded muscles on her legs suggests that she trained her lower body, but neglected her upper body strength. She was springy, looked blank, but gave her all, unlike Momo who was holding back.

Asui grabbed her shoulders- and Shouta winced. A.. Mistake, it seemed like. If Momo falls, Asui follows- but before she could hit the ground, the girl twisted her hips in mid-air, spun, and slammed Momo into the ground hard.

"Ugh.." Momo grunted, obviously winded as she winced. Her uniform was slightly torn, and Asui apologetically helped her get up. "Momo-chan, I apologize-" "No no! Don't worry, Tsuyu!" She smiled, but winced when a dull throb made her back scream. "You caught be off guard! You're really good!"

"Yaoyoruzu, head to the nurse's. Grab some ice packs," Aizawa dismissed with a wave of his hand, having no business with them anymore. "Tsuyu, go with her."

They nodded, stalking off into the building.

It looks like Mina had the upper hand now, with her cornering Ochako at the edge of the marked area, Uraraka desperately trying to block, but it only bruised her arms more. The girl was tough, Aizawa gives her that. Raw power, needs to be trained more.

The winner will be decided in a few seconds-

BAM!

Ah. Mina had nailed her right in the gut, and she doubled over, writhing in pain with her hair messed up and face on the solid ground. Mina was quick to help, pulling her up apologetically. "Sorry, Ochako-chan! I didn't want to hold back!"

"You did really good, Mina!" The brunette, instead of throwing up weakly encouraged, clutching her stomach as Aizawa gestured to the ground where Mina coaxed her to sit.

Aizawa saw Izuku and Katsuki out of the corner of his eye, pressed close together, a trusting look on both their faces as they seemed to discuss something incoherent.

"Midoriya's team and Iida's team, get up there."

Iida straightened up, stiff as a plank with Todoroki trailing not far behind him, a shadow casting over a nasty burn scar on his left eye. His hands were at his sides, clenching and unclenching, staring straight ahead like.. Like a soldier.

Bakugou grabbed Izuku's hand roughly, practically dragging him up, and Aizawa winced when the kid smacked his back in a supposed friendly gesture. Izuku did take it well- he laughed and shrugged the heavy hit off, before facing Iida and Todoroki.

Once Aizawa was satisfied with the set up, he backed up, watching in anticipation along with the other students.

"Start."