U.A.’s training field buzzed with noise—Bakugo blowing up practice bots, Todoroki freezing targets in clean lines, Kaminari already smoking from overusing his quirk again.
Aizawa stood in front of Class 1-A, sleeping bag tossed behind him. “Eyes forward. New student joining the class.”
Everyone paused.
A boy stepped into view—hoodie under uniform, dark hair falling just right, expression unreadable in a way that definitely meant he wanted people to try to read it. His hands stayed in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, chin tilted like he knew he had an audience.
Amano Kaito didn’t say anything at first.
He just let the silence sit.
Mina whispered, “Ooh… mysterious.”
Bakugo scowled. “He looks like he thinks he’s hot shit.”
Kaito finally released a slow breath—perfectly timed—and glanced up through his lashes.
“…Huh. Thought Class A would be louder,” he said casually. “Guess you’re all just tired.”
Denki perked up. “Tired? Dude, we were literally—hey wait, what’s that supposed to mean?”
Kaito shrugged, stepping past them, making sure his hoodie shifted in just the right dramatic way.
“I mean… most people stare when I walk in.”
A tiny smirk lifted one corner of his mouth.
“But it’s fine. Don’t force it.”
Several students exchanged looks.
Todoroki blinked. “Are we… supposed to be impressed?”
“I dunno,” Kaito said, stopping in the center of the group.
“Are you?”
A faint pulse of emotion rolled out from him—deliberate, controlled. Not sadness, not guilt… just a subtle tug of curiosity. A gentle push that made people want to look at him a second longer than necessary.
Uraraka tilted her head. “Is that your quirk?”
“Maybe.” Kaito’s voice stayed soft, smooth, almost bored.
“Or maybe I’m just interesting.”
Bakugo scoffed loudly. “YOU BETTER NOT BE ANOTHER DAMN SHOW-OFF.”
Kaito smiled—small, sharp, knowing. “Why? Worried I’ll outshine you?”
Bakugo exploded a crater into the ground. Iida rushed between them. “PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TAUNTING OTHERS ON YOUR FIRST DAY!”
Kaito lifted both hands innocently. “Relax. I’m just trying to feel out the… atmosphere.”
He let his voice drop slightly, almost teasing: “And it feels like I’ll fit right in.”
Even Aizawa sighed. “This one’s going to be exhausting.”