【６　Ｍｏｎｔｈｓ　Ｌａｔｅｒ】

"Checkmate."

I moved my queen diagonal to the white king's castle, finally ending Spinner's and my game of chess.

Spinner scanned the board for another two seconds. Seeming somewhat satisfied he laid back in his chair, sighing in defeat.

Dabi chuckled at his side. "Only took twenty minutes too."

Toga and Twice high-fived giddily while I looked over the board myself. I'd managed to keep most if not all my pawns and my own castle intact, but I could've ended the game a good five minutes earlier if I'd just cut across the board with my bishop, and then checkmated with the knight...

"That is some scary talent, Midoriya..." Spinner muttered.

Mr. Compress pat me proudly on the back. "As much as I'm sure he hates to admit it, and I bet he does--" Spinner crossed his arms spitefully at that-- "that's his... what? Fourth loss to you this week?"

"Actually, I believe it's fifth now-- nope, you were right!!" Twice interjected.

Magne flipped a page of her magazine on the couch. "But who's counting?"

Today was one of those rare days where near everyone was present at the bar, lazing away for a couple early hours. Kurogiri was away on a job for the League, while Shigaraki was in the backroom, like he always is.

The sun had barely risen yet, painting the sky a colorful mixture of red and orange. Like most things now, it didn't really leave any lasting impression on me. 

It seemed that ever since that first mission 6 months ago, I've begun to enjoy things less and less.

I could hardly believe that just a few months ago I was bursting with life-- an eagerness to change this world for the better. If anything, that passion is the only thing that's kept stagnant in me.

But all the other things-- the joy of mastering a new skill, the happiness that washes over me at new friends, the excitement of exploring a different world-- I don't feel much of it anymore.

Even the mundane things. The sky, food, music... It's all the same to me.

After my initial mission, I was encouraged to go  on a lot more. And of course, I did; what other choice did I have? I've gone on a joint mission with Toga and Twice before, who do most of their missions together. Though Toga does enjoy her occasional solo job, she told me.

I've sealed deals for cargo with Mr. Compress and Magne, stole confidential information with Spinner, and even met some clients with Shigaraki and Kurogiri. Dabi was adamant in doing things himself.

However planned the missions were, things went wrong and people got hurt.

I'm used to blood at this point.

I guess the violent side of being a villain's made me desensitized-- not only to things that happen during jobs, but most things in general.

Now everything's just dull. Call it emotionally stunted.

But today, I'm a lot more anxious than usual. My first solo mission-- one that All for One, the head of the League of Villains gave to me specifically; one that'll lead to All Might's defeat and the destruction of Hero Society-- it's today.

Only a few hours now until the UA Entrance Exam. Today is the day that I might see Kacchan again.

Mr. Compress broke me out of my thoughts. "But honestly though, you should compete. You'd get a lot of money out of it."

"Yeah," I chuckle. "Maybe I will."

I got into chess not too long ago. It was a good way to keep track of strategies and find skillful ways of putting them into practice; and also one of the few things that elicited some form of emotion from me.

Though I may have lost that part of me in bloodshed, it's somewhat made up for in combat and strategy skills. There was so much I couldn't do before... a poor quirkless boy who could never hope to survive in today's society.

Now my mobility's comparable even to Toga's, my swordsmanship with my small dagger akin to Spinner's, my reaction time as quick as Magne's...  I've learned a lot from her.

I can think as fast as Twice, see a situation the way Kurogiri does, be as persistent as Dabi; I can even relate to Shigaraki in how he always sees the bigger picture.

Everything that happens in this League: the violence, the death, the fighting-- it's all for the good of the world. And I get to be at the forefront of it all.

But I am still quirkless.

Despite my battle intelligence, despite my strategies, despite the hours I put in to make it not seem that way, I am still, and always will be, quirkless. Nothing will change the way people look at me when they hear about my lack of a quirk. Surprise, confusion, disgust, dominance-- a superiority that goes to their head.

Just thinking about it makes my blood boil and rip in detestment.

I'll purge the world of its evils, even if it takes me sacrificing myself to do so.

                         ----------------------------

UA looks exactly as I remember it. I looked upon the arch that led to the school grounds, a 20 foot tall gate bordering it on both sides. Beyond was the school itself: an intimidating four building structure connected by two glass hallways.

It's only 8:40 a.m. but the sun is already out; it really is spring. The sun beat down on the tiled path of which I stood, its rays bouncing off the school's windows at a perfect angle.

With the fame that comes from All Might being an alumni also arrived eager gawks at the prestigious school from other kids hoping to get in, news reporters, and anxious parents. My older self, of course, was one of them.

I used to spend hours reading magazines of impressive UA students, watching the Sports Festival on TV, taking virtual tours of its classes... Fantasies of being a great hero plagued my mind and UA was the first step.

It's considered a dream to attend the school, but not just anyone can get in. A 0.2% acceptance rate is trifling, sure, but not discouraging to everyone. That much was clear from the amount of students surrounding me.

Kids from all corners of Japan-- Musutafu, Kamino Ward, Fukuoka, Jaku City-- walked through the gates of UA in all kinds of school uniforms, prepared to take the standardized exams. Most walked in groups of two or three, some lingered at the steps of the school, and others were on their phones, assuring their parents that they'll do well.

There was certainly a variation in quirks too. Out the corner of my eye was a boy with fish gills sticking out from his back and face, his black hair limp and wet against his forehead. Others had long noses and feet, some with big hair and eyes, one girl in a sailor uniform had some sort of frog-like appearance. The others who still lingered outside must have an emitter type quirk because of their somewhat normal looks.

My stomach rippled with anticipation.

I've dreamed of this moment so many times, and for so long. My old notebook was full of cool moves I could use against the robots of the practical exam, ever since I found out they allowed quirkless students to apply last year.

My dream of becoming a hero...

I never would've thought that I'd apply to UA in the situation I'm in now, and certainly not with how I look. Kurogiri had reminded me to use a disguise and alias name before coming to UA, since "Izuku Midoriya" is still missing... not to mention the possibility of Kacchan.

Toga and Twice helped out with the hair dye, effectively drenching my green hair in all black last night. The red contacts weren't too hard to get in and Magne enjoyed using concealer to hide all my freckles.

I looked like a completely different boy in that stained mirror of the bathroom... and I was.

Haru Nakagawa was now the name of this boy with the face scars and the stronger build, and was also the name on the UA application form.

I adjusted my grip on the backpack strap, my Hero Analysis notebook and knives packed, and finally walked through the school grounds.

Kacchan, however much I may despise him, is admittedly sharp. There's no room for me to slip up and have him figure out who I really am.

I'll have to reinvent myself and play a different role completely... a character that gets along well with everyone but can keep them in check when needed, someone no one would suspect of betrayal.

Just then I bumped into something and knocked it to the ground, a grunt forcing my eyes to focus on my surroundings.

Laid out in front of me was a girl; her contents spilled out of her black bag.

She had rosy, blush cheeks and a round face, short brown hair framing her face perfectly. It didn't take long to realize that I pushed her over.

I quickly bent down to offer her a hand. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

I guess that's another thing that hasn't changed about me.

Her brown eyes widened a bit when they met mine, then lowered to my outstretched hand. She smiled and took my hand despite its scars, allowing me to bring her to her small feet.

"Don't worry about it!" she said. "I was kinda dazed myself."

I got a better look at her now that she was standing. She wore a pink scarf and a brownish red coat, which was interestingly the same exact color as her eyes. Underneath was her middle school uniform, tights and brown shoes.

She looked up at me once she got all her things packed. "I'm Ochako Uraraka, what's your name?"

Uraraka's eyes lit up-- inviting, pretty, innocent... did she really come here to become a hero?

"Mid-- Haru. I'm Haru Nakagawa."

She sighed, looking back at UA. "Isn't this all like way nerve wracking?"

I tilted my head at her question. I haven't felt something as strong as 'nerve wracking' in a long time.

"Yeah, I guess."

Uraraka turned to me, a brief look of interest on her face.

"Hey... are you--"

"Wait, isn't that the kid who withstood the Sludge Villain--?" someone whispered.

"His name's Bakugo, right?

And as if on cue, Kacchan walked right past me.

He wore our school's uniform, the same as mine, red eyes hooded and loathsome. He walked briskly, not bothering to lift his head up at Uraraka or I. My eyes strained on the back of his scarf as his figure disappeared through the front glass doors, mind inherently blank.

I knew he was going to be here.

I knew he wouldn't skip today, even if I've been missing for ten months now. Kacchan's ranted about being the only student from Aldera Junior High to be a full-fledged hero-in-training at UA for years; no matter what he'd never keep his mouth shut about it.

So why am I so pissed that he came?

Why is he acting like my being missing hadn't inconvenienced him in any way?

"That's the kid that went up against the Sludge Villain. He was on TV, right?" Uraraka thought aloud, placing a padded finger on her chin. "You know him?"

"I don't."

And I shouldn't. I'll have to limit any and all interactions with Kacchan if I hope of having a successful mission.

I waved half-heartedly at her as I followed everyone's lead and walked up the steps into the grand school. I'll make friends later.

My priority for now is passing this exam.