? Benevolence ?

The next day, Hitoshi wasn't at lunch. It wasn't completely irregular for him to miss as sometimes he trained this period but it was still kind of lonely without him.

Later at hero training, I finally got to see everyone in their winter costumes. Mine didn't really have any big changes except my cloak was a little longer. I noted that Bakugou's winter gear looked really nice. The collar was much higher and had long sleeves.

Shivering quietly, I stood off by Kirishima, drawing my cloak tighter around me to ward off the temperature. Somehow, he wasn't even shaking despite the lack of a shirt. Before I could ask if he was cold, the sound of a familiar voice had me glancing up.

"Sheesh, got a party atmosphere goin' here, don't we? You guys aren't looking down on us, are you?"

I was surprised to see 1-B join us. Next to me, Kiri jumps excitedly.

"Oh! You're here! Nope, we're not lookin' down on ya! We're just excited!"

Monoma laughs. "I see... but too bad. The tides will surely turn in our favor this time. COME, CLASS A! TODAY'S THE DAY! LET'S SETTLE THIS RIVALRY ONCE AND FOR ALL!"

I take a cautious step back at his manic exclamation. He continues to brag, pulling out a graph from the cultural festival. It turns out they were more popular by two votes but I don't really see why we should care. People still enjoyed both of our shows.

He's suddenly cut off, a familiar capture weapon choking the words off.

"Quiet."

I turn my attention to Aizawa sensei and the class B teacher, Vlad sensei.

"We have a special guest today."

"Try not to look stupid in front of him. He's applying to transfer for the Department of Heroes."

My classmates break into eager conversation, wondering who the mysterious guest is until-

"Hitoshi!"

A giant smile spreads across my features at the sight of my friend. His eyes zero in on me and I notice a very faint blush on his features, though it could just be from the cold. I find myself buzzing with excitement all of the sudden.

Aizawa nods to him before glancing to me. "Yes, this is Hitoshi Shinso from Class C of the Department of General Education."

I watch Hitoshi glance around, a bored look on his features. My classmates break into conversation.

"Wait, is that Aizawa sensei's binding cloth?"

"So I guess the mask is an original, huh?"

"It's good to have you with us, dude!"

"If you talk to him, you'll get brainwashed, right?"

"If you've never seen it before your done for."

My eyes narrow suddenly and I feel a fierce protectiveness over my friend. I turn to the others swiftly, a frown on my features. Before I can say anything, I hear Hitoshi mutter my name in warning and I reluctantly turn back to face him, ignoring the rest of my class.

"Go ahead and greet everyone."

Hitoshi sighs before beginning.

"I know I've already encountered many of you at the sports festival, but you won't catch me thinking that we're all buddies now that we've traded blows. I'm not some good natured person-"

The lilac eyed teen meets my eyes before glancing to everyone else.

"-trying to tout a superficial sense of sportsmanship. The fact of the matter is, I've gotten a late start and I've already been left in the dust by hundreds of steps by all of you."

He meets my gaze again, eyes softer.

"I'm sorry, but I'm desperate. I will become a great hero, so that I can use my quirk to help others."

He tears his gaze to stare down the others, a sharp glare to his eyes.

"All of you here today are obstacles I must overcome. I have no intentions of making any friends."

Everyone starts to clap and I give him a bright smile. Kirishima bumps my arm.

"So I guess you're his only friend?"

Watching the lilac haired teen, a warmth fills my chest and I shrug.

"I suppose... he's really amazing though. Y-you guys would like him a lot if he'd just let his guard down more."

Sero's voice carries over to us. "It's like I'm looking at Earlyroki."

Seeing the similarities, I stifle a laugh before Aizawa claps his hands to get our attention.

"Alright, let's get down to it then."

Class B's teacher continues.

"Combat Exercises!"

Its explained that the battles will be between both classes, on an industrial training field. I note that there's very few open spaces. The battles will take place with four people to a team but Hitoshi will join in two battles. One on our side, and one on B's side. So out of 5 matches, two will be 5 v 4.

"The setting for this battle is 'the heroes move to surround the villain group and capture them.' Each team shall perceive the other as the villains. Once either team captures four members of the other, it's their victory." Class B's teacher goes over the plan and I find myself hoping I'm on Hitoshi's team.

He continues to explain that each team's camp has a prison. Once the opponent enters, they're considered captured. Bakugou speaks up suddenly.

"'Once either team captures four members of the other'... so that's the handicap, isn't it?"

Aizawa nods. "Not only do you have to team up with an inexperienced member, but also, even if you're a team of five, you'll still lose if four of you are captured."

"So you're saying we have to fight carrying a deadweight, is that it? Assholes."

I feel another surge of protectiveness and turn to the blond, almost glaring.

"W-watch it! That's really rude! Hitoshi isn't a deadweight!"

The lilac eyed teen in question sighs before speaking up.

"[Y/n]- it's fine. It's the truth after all."

I huff quietly, turning back to the front. Aizawa and the other teacher pull out boxes labeled '1-A' and '1-B'.

"Alright then, time to draw lots."

Drawing my lots, I'm disappointed to find I'm not on the same team as Hitoshi. Noticing my dejected look, Aizawa rolls his eyes before speaking to me quietly.

"It's for the best. You two work too well together after training. Give everyone else a chance, would you?"

His mild teasing brings a slight smile to my face and I glance to my team. Midoriya, Uraraka, and Mina wave me over. Before I join them, I run over over to Hitoshi.

His eyes are far more gentle when he sees me. I give him another bright smile, holding out my hand.

"Good luck, 'toshi... not that you need it, you're gonna be amazing!"

He rolls his eyes before taking my hand and tugging me into a quick hug. I blush nervously but relax into the embrace before pulling back. He has the barest hint of a smile as he addresses me.

"I know it's you verses me later but no holding back, yeah?"

I meet his gaze with determined eyes.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

---
Let me tell you, when I got to this point in the manga I just about screamed. I'm super excited for this!!

Also!!! One of my pals, Pandemia-Creativity, has started writing a BNHA universe story of their own so go check it out!!!

Thank you for reading!!!