Chapter 1 : Araki

06:30

"Auntie! I'm out for the entrance exam! Tell grandpa I'm going to visit later in the afternoon."

A teenager came out of a room with his backpack strapped on his shoulder. He is wearing his school uniform, black pants, black shoes with a matching black coat. He is quite tall at a towering height of 184cm, tall compared to his peers.

Concerning his appearance, he has quite a handsome face. Alluring eyes, sharp jawline, seductive lips, and perfectly-shaped nose. Black long hair with red highlights on the end tied in a ponytail fashion. Pliable but very muscular body. He is also wearing six black bracelets in his arms, three with each one. He also has a diagonal scar on his left eye, though his eye is undamaged.

"Be safe Araki, don't forget to eat your lunch. Take this paper and go to the grocery before you go home."

Araki took the paper and the money from her auntie's hand. He is actually on his way to U.A. High School for an interview and entrance exam hence the uniform. He applied for U.A.'s hero course for his high school and ASPIRES to be a hero.

After getting the money and saying goodbye to his aunt, he left his home and walked to the train station. The day is normal. People on their way to jobs, cars jammed in traffic, stores opening for business, and heroes patrolling in the street.

More than thirty minutes later, he arrived at the entrance of U.A. Standing in front of the big entrance, he can see many students walking to the school. As Araki starts walking to the school, he saw a green-haired boy who is on verge of falling when a girl with brown hair made him float.

"I'm sorry I used my quirk on you, but it would be bad if you fall right?"

Araki is cringing at the boy's very awkward expression as if it was his first time talking to a girl. However, he became intrigued with what he sensed from the boy.

'His quirk just awakened. For someone his age, his quirk factor is that of a child with a very explosive quirk. Also, that quirk is very familiar. Is he...?'

He ignored it and continued his journey and registered his entry at the front door of the school. He showed his I.D. card to the nearest staff of the school.

"Good morning, madam. Do you know where the principal's office is? I have an appointment with Principal Nezu at 7:30 a.m."

When the staff saw his name and checked her list, he called another person forward.

"Mr. Araki, please follow him." She simply stated while pointing at the staff.

"Okay." He replied with a smile.

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Araki is standing in front of a door with a sign saying, 'Principal's Room'. He knocks three times on the door when he heard a voice from the other side telling him to come in. When he enters the room, instead of the jolly and playful person(?) mostly seen on televisions, the one that greeted him is Principal Nezu with a serious expression on his face.

"Please sit," Nezu says as he points to the chair opposite to him while reading the documents in his hand.

Araki sat down in the chair in front of him with a never disappearing smile on his face.

"Good morning, Mr. Araki. I would cut to the chase so this interview will be short."

He puts the documents in his hands to the table, raises his head, and looks at Araki with menacing eyes. As if he was in a manga, katakana characters with familiar font start to appear on his back.

"What is the grandson of former Yakuza boss doing applying in one of the most prestigious hero schools in Japan?" Nezu asks while still looking at the smiling kid in his front.

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On the other side, Araki wasn't a bit surprised at his question. On contrary, he was expecting it. He knows that there is no way that they don't know his background. He may not be living with his grandpa since he was hospitalized, his surname not aligning with his grandpa's surname, but with enough effort from a huge party, one can know his background. Still, he was smiling looking at Nezu as if nothing is wrong.

"Principal Nezu, I am here to take the entrance examination for the hero course," Araki replied simply.

"So, you want to be a hero? However, what would you do if we can't accept your application given your affiliation with the Yakuza?" Nezu continued his questioning.

"To answer that question, you can't do that Principal Nezu." "For what reason?"

"Simple. I may be the grandson of the former boss but I am never part of the organization. If you didn't accept my application because my grandfather is a former Yakuza boss, it is like saying that a criminal's child cannot apply to school since he or she is a child of a criminal." Araki answers his question maintaining the bright smile on his face.

"That was a brilliant answer, Mr. Araki. However, can you prove that you are never part of the organization?" Nezu was testing Araki's skills in answering questions while under pressure but he is disappointed for Araki is never bothered.

"Principal Nezu, given U.A.'s connections and intelligence unit, I doubt Principal Nezu doesn't have proof that I am never part of my grandfather's organization. However, if you need further proof from me, it will take at least a day for me to show something given that I am unprepared for this question. Is Principal Nezu willing to give me a day or two to show my proof?" Araki replied.

"That wouldn't be necessary. I have several more questions for you and after you answer these questions, you can go straight to the auditorium for the exam's introduction."

After several questions about him and his background, Nezu dismissed him. Araki left the room with a satisfied expression and went to the school's theatre.

There he more than thousands of students sitting and waiting for the teacher.

-Inside the Principal's office-

Nezu is skimming through the pile of papers when Aizawa entered the room.

"What happened to the interrogation?"

"It was okay. He was a very smart kid and everything he told me aligns with everything we knew. I'm 99% sure he would pass and when that happens, I would like to assign him to your class." Nezu said with his hands on the paper and pen.

"Can't you put him on Vlad's? I don't want to deal with very troublesome kids this year."

"I'm pretty sure he is going to flourish even in the other class but what he needs is a very troublesome social group that is why I'm putting him in your class of troublesome kids." Aizawa hearing this shuddered. His wish of a very sleepful year became a very busy one.

As Aizawa leaves the room, Nezu replayed his conversation with Araki in his mind.

--Rewind minutes ago—

"For the last question, what is your opinion on All Might?" Nezu went straight to the question since he already knows Araki's personality.

"As a person, he is like the shining light for everyone. The typical invincible hero that would save everyone, and he is like that. But now I don't think so. The latest I've seen him in last year but I know he might not last long." With this answer, Nezu is baffled.

"Although I don't really aspire to be like him, I admire his heroism even if it's a menace to my grandfather that is now retired. If we are talking about All might as an image and symbol… He is like a fragile foundation of a house. Once he retires, no matter who or how many takes his place, the hero society will be devastated. Criminals, prison breaks, and some hidden forces might try to take over Japan and maybe even the world. You can't not know this sir and I know that." Nezu is silent on Araki's accurate answer.

He himself knows that Toshinori can't hide it for longer. They must be ready for the possible grim future.

"You seem like a very smart kid. I hope you use that for good." Nezu gave his last regards.

"Not really. I just know more than my peers. Anyone exposed enough to the society's full picture can see what I can." Araki simply gives him an innocent smile.