Chapter 14

*Beep* *Beep* *Bee- click*

Turning off my alarm, I groggily sat up on my bed being greeted by the sunlight peering through the gaps of the curtains. For a few minutes, I was confused at where I am until I remembered that I moved to one of Academy City's dorm nearby my school.

The house I bought is in another prefecture and going to and fro between there and here is troublesome.

Academy City is an independent city-state where plenty of research and experiments are conducted everyday. Having important information leaked would lead to dire consequences hence why leaving and entering the city would require various amounts of paperwork done.

It was simply much easier just moving to one of the many available dormitories.

Stretching before separating myself from the comfort of the bed, I start getting ready to go for a light jog before preparing to go to school.

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'Another boring school day done.' I sigh as I quietly pack my things.

"Yo!" Haru greeted as he appeared Infront of my desk. "Wanna check out the clubs with me?"

I look up and make eye contact with Haru. He sits right behind me and as a 'misfit', he calls me, became my friend. He is fun to be around with, and he's the type of person who's hard to hate so I'm not particularly against associating with him.

Taking my bag and standing up. "Can't. Judgement test are coming up." I shrug.

His single eye widened in suprise as he watches leave the classroom before hurriedly took his bag and went after me.

"Wait, you're joining Judgement?! School only started a few weeks ago, you sure you're up for it?" He asked skeptically.

"Yeah."

"Hmmm... I was sure you'd join some art club. Personally, I'd go for the tea ceremony club." He ponders, his hand rubbing his chin. "Any reason why you're joining?"

"... Helping people feels nice. It'll look good on a résumé too." I said. "And I guess I could also use the experience for when I go pro...?"

"You want to be a hero?" He looks at me, confused. "Why bother studying in Academy City then?"

"Judgement is the only extra curricular activity that allows minors to legally use their quirks in crime fighting and investigation." I explained to him as we exit the school building. "And judgement is only available in this city. No other place, whether a private school or institution would give it the green light."

"Woah, really? So either join Judgement or go vigilante?"

"Or go overseas, pretty much."

Most residents of Japan are under the illusion that the peace brought by All Might would last forever. He alone, brought tranquility to the nation unlike Star and Stripe, whose treated more like an emergency nuke than a hero hence why her territory, America is still riddled with plenty of strife. Putting the youth in dangerous situations is frowned upon here but too much coddling will only hinder growth.

The other reasons why is that Recovery Girl finally put down her foot against my vigilante activities when I showed that I can heal. As one of the few healers in the world, she was knows firsthand how many people were desperate for a quick fix. She was worried that something would happen to me similar to what she experienced when she was younger.

Which is why I'm thankful that Nezu gave me a compromise by attending school here rather than any other middle school. On one hand, keeping an eye on the plot of [Toaru], and on the other, Keeping my skills from rusting and honing them instead in fighting crime, are two birds with one stone in my opinion.

Walking as we passed by the white steel gates and left the school grounds, Haru continued to ask me some questions that I'd answer until we came to a split in the road.

"Right, Imma go to the arcade instead, see ya tomorrow!" He says as he separated from me in an intersection.

I waved him off and started walking towards the Subway.

The middle and high schools are located in District 7 of academy city alongside school dormitories, boarding houses and hospitals. Meanwhile, the training facilities for Judgement and Anti-skill are located in District 2 together with other military-related facilities.

There is quite a distance between the two and I'd rather not waste time and energy entirely going there by foot or by head.

Not only that, but I also never left my attention leave the familiar presences that followed me since leaving the classroom. Making three right turns on random streets in hopes of gently shaking them off but it didn't work as expected.

I tried my best to ignore the stares coming from behind me before sighing and giving up and calling out to them. "Come out."

No response was directed at me. Although the faint whispers was more than enough proof of their existence.

Sighing again and walking over to the alleyway, I see the startled figures of my two classmates.

"Uiharu-san, Saten-san, Good afternoon." A smile forming on my lips and a dark aura starts to emerge. "Might I ask why you're following me?"

Uiharu started to get worked up and stutter quite a bit. 'maybe I'm exuding too much pressure?' I thought.

"Ah, W-we can't help but overheard what you said in class earlier." The taller one, Saten, starts to explain with a forced smile. "My friend, Uiharu here, was also interested in joining Judgement so I thought 'Why not go together?' since we're in the same class and all." She says while holding Uiharu by the shoulders to prevent her from running away.

'Yup. Too much.' I thought as I Recede the pressure.

"I see. Alright, sure."

""Eh?"" They blinked as I start walking. This is how our friendship began. We were walking silently together for a good minute or two before someone broke the ice.

"Ano... Where are we going?" Saten asked.

"District 2. Training."

"Can't you just do that at a park? Or at school, I'm sure they'll allow it if you say that you're gonna join Judgment."

"Quirk training."

"Ah! It's because there are better facilities in District 2 that can handle the more destructive quirks desu!" Uiharu spoke for the first time. "Does this mean that you're aiming for a more frontline position, Shuzenji-san?"

I nod.

"Is it really that hard to get into judgement? really? I thought you just had to shoot someone to be admitted."

Kazari paled. "S-shoot?"

"You know–" She made a motion with her hands as if she was aiming a gun, "Bang! Taking down the bad guys. If possible, you should have two guns at once, though you might get obsessed with symmetry–"

"That's not how Judgment works!" Kazari squealed and I give a wry smile as I look at the girl. "Besides, I won't be shooting anyone! Judgment works to preserve peace and quiet with the students in the city!"

"Moreover! There's 13 different tests! And there's a theory test too. I've heard you need to know at least 150 of Academy City's laws by heart."

"Hm?!…" Saten-san looked at her in suprise. "I don't think I even know 10 laws..." She muttered.

"That's right! I forgot we hadn't introduced ourselves properly yet!" Saten exclaimed, trying to change the subject. "My name's Saten Ruiko! And this here is Uiharu Kazari! Nice to meet ya!"

"Shuzenji Kizuki." I nod.

"Straight to the point, same as the first day." Nods Saten. "Now that I think about it, you don't really hang around with anyone else except that Haru-kun."

"Busy."

"Er...That's it? Nothing else to add or expand?" She asked with a puzzled expression. "Saten-san! That rude!" Interjects Uiharu.

"Eh? Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to put you down or anything." Her face faltered.

"It's fine. You're right." My lack of communication skills, especially towards new people, is something prevalent throughout the years, even before Gensokyo.

'Hopefully, it would get better eventually.' I thought as we continue to make small talk on the way.

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"Run?!... M-me?" Uiharu point to herself as I nod. "B-but I can't!"

"One of the test requires you to run a lap under a certain amount of time." I look at her deeply with a serious expression. "If there was an emergency, nearby personnel should rush to the site of activity."

"Good point! I'll watch over her while you do your own thing." Happily aid Saten.

I gave a meaningful glance at her before I nod and walk off to do my training on the other side of the field, decidedly ignoring Uiharu's squeals as Saten urges her to run faster.

We are currently in District 2's training center, which is just one among many of large fields of different materials. Ice, fire, stone, rubble, stormy winds, etc. the one we're currently using is the debris that also has a straight road which Uiharu is currently using. Saten, on the other hand is allowed access because I vouched for her, and therefore responsible for any injury she may or may not receive during the duration of our stay.

Making sure that I was at a safe distance away from the girls, I began warming up and started my training with a game of solo tag.

Spawning half a hundred heads and having them come after me as I navigate through the area is a workout for the entire body and my awareness towards my surroundings. As an extra obstacle, I spawn another 10 heads to randomly hide amidst the debris. The goal would be to find all of them without the help of my connection to them before I get hit.

My physical fighting style focuses on maneuverability, speed, precision and agility.

I originally wanted to increase the strength of my body but no matter how much I work out or how heavy the load I lift, it just doesn't have any sort of effect. Even using muscle or strength augmentation magic fails to provide any form of improvement, leaving my body visibility indistinguishable from anyone else my age.

Beyond that, my actual physical strength is only a little above average of what you'd find with any of those among my peers.

Due to this, I just gave up wasting time of thinking about the problem and just chalked it up to my nature as a Rokurokubi or as a Youkai.

The next part of my training involved moving around by jumping from head to head in the air, Adding in some fancy moves like a certain boy wonder sidekick.

As an optional difficulty, I would avoid getting hit by my heads flying as fast and as hard as they can. After that comes the Danmaku training which is simply just hitting the debris.

It was was getting late as the dusk is forming on the horizon, painting the sky a beautiful orange. Thinking that it was about time that we get back home, I looked for the two girls that came with me here when a voiced called me over.

"Oi~ Shuzenji-kun! Over here!" Waved Saten who was standing next to Uiharu that's laying on the ground, exhausted and panting.

"How was it?" I asked once I walked over to them. "Uiharu? She did better than I expected! She could still use some work but she has potential!"

"No...*pant* more...*pant*"

"No can do! This is for your own good!" Said Saten as she then points a finger at Uiharu. "You want to get into Judgement don't you? Then this little bit of training is nothing! I know you can do it!"

"That's enough for today. It's getting dark so we should head home." I said as I help Uiharu stand up. "It's important to train but it also important to rest. There still a week left until the test so don't push her too hard, Saten-san."

"Don't worry! I got this in the bag, hehe~" laughed Saten, and from the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Uiharu shivering in fright.

Saying goodbye and separating from the two of them, I walked down the street staring at the darkening sky.

'Full moon tonight.' I realised and stopped by a convenience store.

Minutes later, back in my dorms and out of the shower, I turned off the lights and went out into the balcony carrying a red paper lantern the size of a basketball, a plate of yakitori and some homemade rice sake.

Two years since I was sent to this time period and not once have I failed to do something like this. Even if the adults, namely chiyo, was against it at first, she eventually allowed only a small bottle on secret due to how stubborn I am, although she still grumbles about it from time to time...

Getting together for a drink, eat lots and having fun once a month was a Gensokyo tradition, after all.

I relaxed in peace enjoying the silence as I watch the glimmering city lights and listen to the faint cacophony of distant sounds from the 5th floor balcony.

"Eh?"

When I turned my head to the side to look at who made that sound then I froze in shock.

"...eh?"