Katsuma stared up at the towering gates of U.A. High, the most prestigious hero school in the country. His heart raced, both from excitement and a hint of nervousness. The iconic school was steeped in the legacy of its legendary graduates: the walls adorned with murals of Deku and his classmates, statues of the Big Three near the entrance, and inspirational quotes from Pro Heroes scattered across campus.

This was his first step toward becoming a hero.

The new written entrance exams had been tough. They weren't just about academic knowledge but measured an applicant's morality, their courage in tough situations, and their ability to empathize. Katsuma had worked hard and poured his heart into it. He hoped that was enough.

As he entered the classroom, the first thing he noticed was the chaos. Two boys were in the middle of a heated argument, their voices bouncing off the walls. One of them was tall, with messy blond hair and sharp, pointed teeth that gave him a feral look. The other was Kota—Katsuma recognized him immediately as the boy from the Kamino rescue years ago. Kota looked annoyed as he yelled back.

"I told you to shut the hell up, didn't I?!" shouted the blond boy.

"DOES IT LOOK LIKE I CARE?!" Kota fired back, his voice rising even louder.

Katsuma hesitated at the doorway, unsure if stepping in would make things worse. "Guys, can we not argue?" he said timidly. "It's our first day. We're supposed to make good impressions—"

"SHUT UP, KATSUMA!" they both yelled in unison before turning back to their argument.

Just when Katsuma thought things couldn't get more awkward, a cheerful voice cut through the tension. "Don't worry, Katsuma. That's just Tamashiro and Kota."

He turned and saw Eri, her white hair glowing softly under the classroom lights. She smiled warmly at him, and Katsuma felt the tension in his chest ease. She was a familiar face, someone he could rely on.

"What's their deal?" Katsuma asked, glancing back at the bickering boys.

Eri laughed. "Oh, I'm not sure they even have one. Something about a desk or who got here first—who knows with those two." She shrugged, motioning for him to sit next to her.

Katsuma nodded and took a seat. As more students filed in, he realized just how diverse their class was. He quickly made introductions: Satsuki Asui, Tsuyu's little sister, who had the same calm demeanor as her sibling; Roro Soul, a kind and thoughtful boy who seemed like he'd go out of his way to help anyone; Sho, Who was Tamashiro's friend from primary school. Takuto, a boy with a bird-like appearance and piercing golden eyes; and finally, Dai—a timid boy who barely spoke. Something about Dai gave Katsuma pause. There was a strange energy around him, one that made Katsuma both uneasy and curious.

As the morning went on, Katsuma found himself relaxing. Despite the nerves and chaos, this class already felt like home. And with Eri by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.