Chapter 11: UA High Exam.

As Itachi and Keigo entered the building, they were immediately met by a large, bustling crowd of students. Keigo looked around and said, "I think this is the place."

Itachi nodded in agreement. "I think so too."

They moved through the crowd, noticing faculty members guiding students toward their assigned rooms. Itachi's sharp eyes spotted a board nearby, where a cluster of students were gathered. "Look, over there," he said, gesturing to the board.

Keigo followed his gaze and quickly understood. "Ah, the seating arrangements," he said with a grin.

Itachi scanned the board, locating his name. "Room 101," he said, then glanced over at Keigo.

Keigo smirked. "I'm in Room 102. Guess we're separated for the exam."

Itachi sighed but gave a small smirk in return. "I'll see you after the written exam, then."

"Definitely," Keigo replied, with a confident grin, before they parted ways and headed to their respective rooms.

Entering Room 101, Itachi noticed several students already seated and murmuring amongst themselves, their conversations laced with anxiety and speculation. He found his seat and sat down quietly, overhearing snippets of conversation.

"I heard today's entrance exam is different from the previous ones," one student said in a hushed tone.

"Yeah? How so?" another student asked, sounding nervous.

"Word is, we'll have to fight third-year students on the grounds later. That's how they'll decide who gets in."

Itachi listened to this, his expression calm but his mind thoughtful. So we'll be fighting the third-years... He couldn't help but find the idea intriguing. A part of him relished the thought of being tested in such a direct and challenging way.

Before he could dwell on it any further, a voice cut through the chatter. "Alright, students, settle down. I'll be distributing the exam papers now."

Itachi looked up to see a figure clad in a tan cloak that covered most of his body, with a high collar reminiscent of a trench coat. His entire head was covered by a sleek, black helmet, and his jaw was guarded by a muzzle-like piece. Itachi immediately recognized him—Ectoplasm, one of the UA faculty members.

With a wave of his hand, Ectoplasm created several clones, each of them taking stacks of papers to distribute throughout the room. Itachi couldn't help but think how similar these quirks were to the abilities from his own world. Cloning... not unlike shadow clones.

When Itachi received his paper, he glanced over the questions and felt a wave of disappointment. These are basic questions… math, grammar, riddles, and situation-based problems. He sighed inwardly, finding the material beneath his abilities.

Ectoplasm's voice echoed through the room. "You have one and a half hours to complete the exam. No quirks allowed. My clones and I will be monitoring the room. If anyone is caught cheating, you will be immediately disqualified. Am I clear?"

A collective murmur of agreement rose from the students, and Ectoplasm glanced at his watch. "Time starts now."

Itachi picked up his pen and began to work. His mind, as sharp as his Sharingan, moved through the problems with ease, though the exam itself seemed to offer no real challenge. He worked steadily, efficiently, all the while keeping a calm demeanor

About forty-five minutes into the exam, Itachi quietly stood up, his movements graceful and controlled as always. He gathered his paper and approached Ectoplasm, who was monitoring the room.

Ectoplasm noticed him and raised an eyebrow. "Already finished?"

Itachi nodded in response, calm and composed.

"If you want, you can take a second look at your answers," Ectoplasm suggested, his voice offering a touch of advice, though he didn't expect the student to take it.

Itachi shook his head. "I've already done that," he replied with quiet confidence.

Ectoplasm studied him for a moment, then sighed lightly. "Alright, if you're sure." He took the paper from Itachi's hands, impressed by the young man's quiet certainty. "Head over to Gate A and wait there for the next part of the exam."

Itachi nodded respectfully. "Thank you," he said, bowing slightly before turning to leave the room.

As the door closed behind him, Ectoplasm's curiosity got the better of him. He glanced down at Itachi's paper and decided to skim through the answers. After a few moments, his eyes widened slightly. Every mathematical problem was solved with precision, each logical reasoning question answered flawlessly. But what really caught his attention was the response to the situational questions.

He read through one of the hypothetical scenarios, a question designed to test the moral and strategic thinking of the students, and felt a chill. Itachi's answers were not only sharp but demonstrated a deep understanding of the world—both its light and its dark sides. His solutions were methodical yet empathetic, pragmatic but never cold.

Ectoplasm leaned back, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I've conducted many exams in my career, but these answers... He glanced toward the door where Itachi had exited and thought, This kid... it's like he already understands how the world works.

He chuckled to himself. "There are some interesting students this year," he murmured, impressed and intrigued.

As Itachi reached Gate A, he looked around and realized he was alone. The silence around him felt heavy, and he sighed, thinking, Am I really the only one here? He scanned the area, noticing the empty benches lining the sides, and decided to sit down, lost in his thoughts.

After about ten minutes, he spotted Keigo approaching with his usual carefree smirk. "I knew you'd be here," Keigo called out.

Itachi nodded. "How did it go?" he asked calmly.

Keigo shrugged, his confidence evident. "It was easy," he said, as though it were no big deal. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, "But I heard something spicy."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Keigo leaned in slightly, lowering his voice in mock secrecy. "For the quirk exam, they're going to have us face off against the 3rd years."

Itachi's expression remained stoic. "I heard that too," he replied, not fazed by the news. He remained silent as more students began to filter in, their anxious whispers filling the air.

Keigo observed the growing crowd and grinned. "Now the real fun begins," he remarked.

Itachi simply nodded in agreement, though a spark of excitement flickered in his eyes, barely noticeable to anyone but those who knew him well.

Once the area around Gate A was packed with students, a voice came over the loudspeaker. "Attention, everyone. I will now explain the rules for the quirk exam."

The crowd hushed instantly, all eyes and ears focused on the announcement.

"In this exam, you are allowed to use your quirks," the voice explained. "Your objective is to fight against the 3rd-year students of UA High."

The students erupted into murmurs, some whispering anxiously, "How are we supposed to fight them?" while others, more confident, scoffed, "We can easily beat them."

The announcement continued, addressing their concerns. "I understand your doubts—how can you fight them? What are the criteria? To clarify, you do not need to defeat them to pass. Even if you lose the fight, that's okay. We will be judging you based on how you fight—your technique, your strategies, and your ability to adapt. Is that clear?"

The students responded with a mix of emotions. Some looked nervous, fear evident on their faces. Others appeared excited, eager to prove themselves. Some, overly confident, looked as though they couldn't wait to take on the challenge.

Itachi and Keigo, however, remained composed. Though neutral on the surface, there was a shared excitement between them—a silent thrill at the prospect of testing themselves against more experienced fighters.

Keigo smirked and nudged Itachi. "This is going to be interesting."

Itachi glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, it will be.

As the 3rd-year students made their entrance, all eyes turned toward them. Dressed in their hero costumes, they exuded confidence and experience, a stark contrast to the nervous excitement buzzing among the applicants. Itachi's gaze drifted, stopping on someone familiar—Tsutsumi. She had her long hair tied into a ponytail, secured with a clip. Her hero costume was simple yet practical: a dark bodysuit with protective plates beneath her chest and knee guards. A scouter shaped like a lightning bolt covered her right eye, adding a sense of intensity to her look.

Keigo nudged Itachi with a smirk. "Look who's here."

Itachi sighed, already sensing where Keigo was going with this. "Not this again," he muttered, clearly unamused.

As the other 3rd-year students stood at attention, observing the crowd of applicants, Kaina's eyes scanned the area. When she spotted Itachi and Keigo sitting together, she smiled and gave a small nod. Itachi and Keigo acknowledged her with a polite nod in return.

Then, the announcement came over the loudspeaker once again. "Now, everyone will be split into groups. There are 40 3rd-year students and 400 applicants. Each group will consist of 10 applicants, and we will be observing your performance closely. And lastly—no killing. Is that clear?"

The crowd murmured their agreement, and everyone turned their attention to the big screen, which displayed the competitors' names and the group assignments. Itachi scanned the list, his eyes quickly finding his name, while Keigo's smirk widened.

"I think you're destined to be together," Keigo teased.

Itachi sighed, not bothering to dignify the comment with a response. His focus was on the task ahead.

Soon, the screen assigned everyone to their respective gates. Itachi stood up and said, "Mine is Gate B."

Keigo checked his own assignment. "I've got Gate E." He smirked again, this time with genuine excitement. "All the best."

Itachi nodded, his usual calm demeanor unshaken. "Good luck to you as well."

With that, the two friends parted ways, each heading toward their respective gates, ready to face whatever awaited them in the next phase of the exam.

As Itachi entered Gate B, he saw the other 10 students standing around, some looking nervous, others anxious. The tension in the air was thick, with murmurs rippling through the group.

"We're screwed…" one student muttered, looking down.

Another replied, "I know! She's the top student from the Sports Festival. Even big heroes like All Might have recognized her."

"Really?" someone asked, wide-eyed.

"Yeah, her quirk is no joke. Those bullets are ruthless," the student replied.

Itachi overheard the conversation and thought to himself, Yes, I remember watching the Sports Festival with my mother and Momo teasing me about it. He knew Kaina's quirk was unique and dangerous, but that didn't faze him. He remained calm, his eyes focused.

Just then, a voice cut through the noise. "Alright, everyone!"

Itachi turned to see Kaina standing there with her usual confident smile, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. She spoke with authority, "I'm your test in charge. So… who's going first?"

Silence. Itachi glanced around, noticing the hesitant faces of the other applicants. No one wanted to volunteer.

As Itachi's gaze returned to Kaina, he saw her eyes already on him. It was as if she was waiting for him to step forward. He understood her silent challenge and sighed before raising his hand. "I will."

A smile spread across Kaina's face. "Great. Come here."

Itachi stepped forward into the center of the large circle where they would be fighting. The air seemed to thicken with anticipation as Kaina outlined the rules. "The rules are simple. You have five minutes to fight me. You can use your quirk, and the match ends if either of us steps out of the ring. You can use external weapons, but no sharp objects."

Itachi pulled out his kunai and showed it to her. "It's dull, but still, for safety—"

Kaina inspected the kunai closely, nodding after confirming it wasn't sharp. "That'll work."

Itachi nodded in return, placing it back in his pouch. Kaina then leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I know you, still. I won't go easy on you."

Itachi met her eyes, his calm expression unwavering. "It's better that way."

Kaina smiled, pleased by his response. She straightened and raised her voice. "Alright, then. Shall we begin?"

As the timer clicked down, both fighters readied themselves. The moment it hit zero, the battle began.

Kaina wasted no time activating her quirk, Sniper, instantly firing several precise air bullets toward Itachi. Her movements were fluid, calculated, and swift, showcasing why she was the top student in the Sports Festival. Each bullet was aimed perfectly, targeting weak spots that would immobilize an opponent without causing severe damage.

But Itachi was ready.

His Sharingan activated, spinning as he read her every move. His body moved in perfect synchronization with his eyes, effortlessly dodging each of her shots. The world around him seemed to slow down as he analyzed Kaina's technique. She's good—very good. But she doesn't know how I operate yet.

Kaina narrowed her eyes, impressed that Itachi was able to dodge her attacks so easily. "You're fast," she said, reloading her quirk. "But can you keep up?" She fired another round of bullets, this time faster and more unpredictable.

As Itachi calmly analyzed Kaina's movements, he observed something crucial: her bullets could change direction mid-flight. She wasn't just firing; she was manipulating their trajectory. One bullet in particular stood out, turning sharply in an attempt to hit him from behind. But Itachi, predicting the shift in a split second, simply bent down, dodging it with ease.

Kaina's eyes widened in surprise. He predicted that? So quickly?

Her interest piqued further, and she began to fire even faster, pushing her quirk to the limit. But Itachi, unfazed, threw a kunai toward her. She dodged it with a quick sidestep, but that's when he capitalized on the opening, rushing toward her with his incredible speed.

She swung her gun arm toward him instinctively, but Itachi ducked under the swing, launching a swift kick aimed at her side. Kaina barely managed to dodge, her heart racing. He's fast. Much faster than I expected.

Realizing she needed to create some distance, Kaina quickly pulled out specialized tranquilizer bullets from her hair and fired them at Itachi. One bullet zoomed toward him, so close that dodging seemed impossible. But instead of moving out of the way, Itachi did something that shocked everyone watching, including Kaina herself—he grabbed the bullet mid-flight, letting its force drag him backward but stopping it before it could harm him.

The students gasped in disbelief, and even Kaina found herself momentarily stunned. He caught it? She watched as Itachi, still in the ring, looked down at his hand, bruised from the impact, but otherwise unbothered.

There were only two minutes left on the clock, and Itachi knew he had to end this. He rushed at Kaina with newfound speed, his Sharingan analyzing every detail of her movements. She, regaining her composure, prepared to block his next attack. As Itachi threw a punch, Kaina skillfully blocked it with her free hand.

"That was impressive," she remarked, locking eyes with him.

Itachi gave a small smile. "Thank you. But now... it's over."

Kaina felt a strange shift in the air as she looked into his eyes. The red of his Sharingan pulsed, the patterns within his eyes swirling. For a moment, everything felt surreal. Then, the world around her darkened, and she found herself in a pitch-black room. Crawling from the shadows were giant centipedes, their segmented bodies slithering across the floor toward her.

Kaina's heart pounded in her chest. She looked down, seeing the centipedes crawling up her legs. Panic set in, and she banged on the walls of the room, desperately trying to escape. "Let me out! Please! Get them off me!" Her voice trembled with fear.

But then, as suddenly as it started, the illusion shattered. Kaina blinked, finding herself back in the ring, with Itachi standing in front of her. His kunai was now inches from her throat, his eyes calm and unwavering.

"It's over," Itachi said quietly.

Kaina, still shaken from the genjutsu, blinked twice, trying to steady her breathing. Slowly, she smiled, although a bit embarrassed. "You... scared me with those centipedes." She gave a nervous laugh. "I didn't expect that."

Realizing she had lost, she raised her hand in defeat. "Okay, I lose."

Itachi lowered his kunai and slid it back into his pocket. Kaina, still composed despite the embarrassment, looked at him with newfound respect. "Good job," she said with a smile, her confidence returning. Then, in a whisper, she added, "Can you meet me after this?"

Itachi glanced at her, slightly taken aback by her request, but her confident smile showed no malice or trickery. He nodded silently.

Kaina grinned. "Alright, you can go now. You'll know your results tomorrow. But first, you should go to the infirmary."

Itachi nodded, bowing politely. "Thank you." With that, he turned and left the ring, leaving behind a crowd of astonished students and a very intrigued Kaina, who couldn't help but keep her eyes on him as he exited.

Itachi Yaoyorozu... I knew he was definitely someone special, Kaina thought, already looking forward to their next meeting.

She turned to her fellow contestant, eyes narrowing slightly, and said, "So, whose turn is it now?"

In the monitor room, several key faculty members of U.A. High School gathered, watching the applicants' trials unfold on the large screen. At the center sat Principal Nezu, the small but highly intelligent animal who oversaw the school. Around him were notable heroes like Hound Dog, Gran Torino, Ectoplasm, Power Loader, and newer members like Eraser Head, Present Mic, and Midnight.

Present Mic, in his usual energetic tone, sighed dramatically. "Principal, you should've let me announce to the crowd!"

Eraser Head, ever the calm one, sighed and said nothing. Nezu, with a patient smile, responded, "Next year, perhaps."

Midnight, meanwhile, leaned forward, her seductive demeanor on full display as she observed the applicants on the screen. "Look at them," she said, her voice dripping with sultry amusement. "These students, so full of enthusiasm... they make me feel... alive." Her statement made everyone in the room sweatdrop.

Gran Torino, shaking his head at her theatrics, mumbled, "Today's generation sure is... something."

Ectoplasm, standing quietly, nodded in agreement, deep in thought. "Yeah... they're impressive. But Principal Nezu," he began, looking towards Nezu, "there's something I want to show you. It's about one of the applicants. His name is Itachi Yaoyorozu."

Nezu raised an eyebrow. "Yaoyorozu? A relative of the business mogul?"

Gran Torino chimed in, "Yes, his son."

Eraser Head, still unfazed, asked, "What's so special about him?"

Ectoplasm handed Nezu a paper. "Just read his answers to the written test. They're... different. It's like he sees the world in a way most students can't."

Nezu's curiosity piqued as he began to read the document. As his eyes scanned the first question, he paused.

The question read: "If forced to choose between saving a loved one or stopping a villain, what would you do?"

Eraser Head, half-paying attention, muttered, "Most students would answer they'd save their loved one."

Nezu nodded. "You're right. But listen to how he responded."

Nezu read aloud: "In life, we are often faced with impossible choices. To save a loved one is to protect a piece of your soul, something precious beyond measure. But to stop a villain is to prevent the suffering of many, to protect the lives of those who cannot defend themselves. The question is not which is the greater act, but which burden you are willing to carry. If you save your loved one, you may be haunted by the lives lost because you chose them. If you stop the villain, you may live with the emptiness of having sacrificed someone dear to you. In the end, there is no right answer — only what you can endure."

As Nezu finished, the room fell into a stunned silence.

Midnight, her usual playful demeanor gone, spoke with uncharacteristic seriousness, "I didn't expect something like that."

Ectoplasm nodded, clearly impressed. "Neither did I. But it gets deeper with the last question."

Gran Torino, intrigued, leaned in closer. "What was the last one?"

Nezu adjusted the paper and read: "Imagine you are the leader of a group, and you must make a choice: risk the lives of your team to save an innocent group of strangers, or abandon the innocents to ensure the survival of your own. What would make your decision heroic or villainous in the eyes of others?"

Gran Torino shook his head. "That's a tough one, even for experienced heroes."

Ectoplasm agreed. "Most students left this one blank. But read what Itachi wrote."

Nezu began reading Itachi's answer aloud: "A leader's decisions are not defined by the labels of hero or villain, but by the consequences of their actions. To save your team is to honor the bond of trust and loyalty that holds you together — a decision that could be seen as selfish to outsiders but heroic to those who follow you. To save the innocents, you risk the lives of those you swore to protect, a sacrifice that may be seen as noble by many but could be viewed as betrayal by your own. Heroism and villainy are not absolutes; they are perspectives. What makes a decision heroic or villainous is not the choice itself, but how we live with the outcome."

Nezu lowered the paper, his expression unreadable for a moment.

Gran Torino widened his eyes, absorbing the weight of Itachi's wisdom. "Such depth... in his words," he muttered, clearly impressed.

Midnight leaned back in her chair, her usual confident smirk replaced by a contemplative frown. "He's... profound."

Present Mic, unusually quiet, nodded. "Yeah, that's some deep stuff for someone his age."

Eraser Head, always one to read between the lines, added, "It's not just the answers. It's the way he thinks. He's already seen the weight of life and death, probably more than anyone his age should."

Nezu, closing the file, smiled softly. "This Itachi Yaoyorozu... he's different. He's more than just a student. He's someone who understands the complexities of the world far beyond the average hero in training."

Midnight, always more attuned to the background of students, interjected, "But isn't he from a wealthy family?"

Gran Torino shook his head. "Money can't buy happiness or shield you from the harshness of life."

At that moment, Nezu, scanning the monitor, pointed toward the screen. "Look, Itachi is about to face Kaina in a match."

Eraser Head's eyes narrowed, studying the situation. "Kaina, one of our top students."

Midnight smirked. "She's ruthless with that quirk of hers."

Gran Torino leaned back, smiling with pride. She's in my class, after all. Let's see what he's made of."

Eraser Head turned his focus entirely on the screen. Gran Torino, noticing his intent gaze, teased, "So the new teacher's interested in this student, huh?"

Eraser Head didn't deny it. "Students like him are rare. There's something about him..."

Nezu said our Aizawa's first homeroom teacher at UA high

Gran Torino nodded. "I agree. Look at his demeanor—he's calm, even in the face of an unpredictable quirk like Kaina's."

They all watched closely as the match unfolded. Suddenly, Gran Torino pointed toward the screen. "Look! His eyes!"

Eraser Head, ever observant, nodded. "It's similar to mine..."

Nezu, flipping through the file, confirmed their suspicions. "It's called the Sharingan—his quirk. According to the report, it allows him to see things in slow motion and predict movement."

Midnight raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, it's a visual quirk. But just how strong is it?"

Eraser Head, determination clear in his voice, said, "I want him in my class."

Nezu, with a knowing smile, nodded. "It's done. We'll assign Itachi Yaoyorozu to Class 1-A."

As the faculty members watched the match, they knew this student wasn't just skilled—he was something more, someone who could change the very dynamics of hero training at U.A. High.

Itachi stood outside, gazing into the distance, lost in thought. What was she trying to say? The question lingered in his mind, drawing him deeper into contemplation, until the soft ping of a notification pulled him back to the present.

Message:

Keigo: Bro, where are you?

Itachi: Gate B.

A few moments passed before the reply came in.

Keigo: Bro, the practical exams are already over. Why are you still standing there? Wait… you're waiting for someone, aren't you? [smirk emoji]

Itachi's gaze flickered a brief hesitation before typing.

Itachi: Yes.

Keigo: Alright, bro. Have fun. We'll catch up tomorrow… after the results.

Itachi: Yeah.

Keigo: (A final message popped up, accompanied by a playful GIF of a woman with a sultry voice: "Enjoy…")

Itachi looked at his phone and sighed, shaking his head slightly. He'll never change, he thought. As his gaze shifted to his hands, still bruised and battered, he muttered, I really don't want to go to the infirmary...

Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Itachi turned, and there stood Kaina Tsutsumi, dressed in her UA uniform. She gave him a polite nod.

"I'm sorry, Yaoyorozu-kun."

Itachi shook his head. "It's okay, Tsutsumi-san."

She smiled warmly, her eyes brightening as she added, "I must say, your fight was incredible."

He gave a small, humble smile. "Thank you."

Kaina's expression turned more confident as she continued. "And I know you're already selected."

Itachi blinked, surprised by her certainty. "Thank you... I hope so."

She waved off his modesty. "You don't need to be so humble." Then, with a curious glance, she asked, "Your quirk... what exactly is it? Those illusions... they were terrifying. How did you know I was afraid of centipedes?"

Itachi hesitated, his mind scrambling for the right words. "Ah... as I cast the illusion, I can understand what someone fears," he admitted, his voice quiet.

Kaina noticed his hesitation and smiled softly. "You don't have to feel awkward about it. It's your quirk, and I don't mind. But... it was a little embarrassing."

Itachi chuckled lightly. "Next time, no centipedes."

Kaina laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Next time, show me something cute instead."

Itachi's eyes widened at her words, a memory flashing before him. He recalled a similar phrase from Erika: "If you ever use your quirk again... make it something cute next time, okay?"

He composed himself quickly, forcing a small, sad smile. "Okay."

Kaina's smile faded slightly as she noticed the sadness in his eyes. She decided to change the subject, glancing at her watch. "It's time to go now. We'll see each other in few days."

"Few days?" Itachi asked, raising a brow.

"Yeah," she said with a smile. "At UA High."

Itachi smiled back. "Sure."

Kaina's gaze shifted to his bruised hands. "I told you to go to the infirmary, didn't I?"

Itachi glanced at his hand, trying to downplay it. "Yes, but—"

She cut him off, her voice firm. "No buts. You know, I was honestly shocked when you grabbed that bullet with your bare hands." She reached out, gently taking his hand in hers, examining the bruises. The skin was torn away, revealing the deep purple and blue veins underneath.

Her eyes narrowed in frustration. "Look at this! Your skin is torn apart."

Itachi tried to pull his hand away. "It's nothing."

Kaina snapped and, without hesitation, dragged Itachi to the infirmary. As they entered, Itachi, still slightly taken aback, noticed a short, elderly woman with gray hair styled into a netted bun, a large syringe poking out from the left side of it. She wore a doctor's lab coat and a dress, her demeanor calm but authoritative. It didn't take long for him to realize who she was: the Youthful Heroine, Recovery Girl.

She looked up and smiled warmly. "Oh, Kaina, it's good to see you here." Her eyes shifted to the boy beside her. "And who's this?"

Kaina gestured toward Itachi's hand. "Ma'am, he needs treatment."

Recovery Girl glanced at Itachi's bruised and battered hand, her eyes narrowing in understanding. "Boy, sit here," she instructed, her voice soft but firm.

Itachi sighed, resigned, and took a seat on the bed. Recovery Girl examined his hand, then stretched her lips to an abnormal length and kissed his injured hand. Itachi blinked in surprise, but when he looked down, his hand was fully healed.

A wave of exhaustion washed over him, and he thought to himself, This must have taken some of my life energy...

"Good," Recovery Girl said with a nod, handing him some candy. "Take this."

Itachi sweatdropped but accepted the candy with a small nod. "Thank you."

Kaina chuckled softly at his expression as they left the infirmary. As they walked, Itachi pulled out one of the candies and handed it to her.

"Thank you," she said, accepting it with a smile.

The rest of the candies, Itachi tucked into his pocket. "Thank you," he repeated, his voice quiet but sincere.

Kaina glanced at him and teased gently, "Do you even know the meaning of 'thank you'?"

Itachi gave her a faint smile. "I know a few things."

She smiled back, her tone becoming more serious. "One day, I'll become a hero... before you." Her eyes filled with determination as she added, "And I might even start my own agency. I want you to become a hero too. Whether you join me, or create your own agency, the world needs people like you."

Itachi chuckled lightly, feeling a sense of déjà vu. "This feels familiar..."

Kaina laughed. "Yeah, kind of like when we ran for the student council." But then, her expression shifted, growing more serious. "But this... this is bigger."

Itachi nodded, his gaze steady. "I know."

She smiled softly. "You have my number, right? If you ever need anything, I'm here to help."

Itachi nodded. "And the same goes for you."

Kaina smiled, genuinely touched by his words. "Alright then, I'll take my leave. Goodbye, and good luck on your journey to becoming a hero."

Itachi returned her smile, his usually stoic expression softening. "Good luck with your own hero career, Kaina."

Her steps faltered, and she froze, her eyes widening in surprise. "What… did you just say?"

Itachi immediately realized his mistake, the formality of their relationship slipping too easily. He quickly bowed his head, his voice calm but apologetic. "I'm sorry… Tsutsumi-san. I didn't mean to overstep."

Kaina, however, surprised him once again. Her lips curved into a warm smile, and she waved off his concern. "It's fine," she said softly, her tone gentle but firm. "You can call me Kaina from now on. We're friends, right?"

Itachi blinked, processing her words. He met her eyes, seeing the sincerity in them, and after a moment, he allowed himself to smile again—a rare, genuine smile. "Yes… we're friends."

They shook hands, and Kaina, despite her usual confidence, suddenly seemed a little shy as she averted her gaze. "Well then… bye, Itachi," she said softly, almost hesitantly.

He gave her a slight nod, still smiling. "Goodbye"

She waved at him as she walked away, and Itachi gave a small wave in return. As she disappeared from view, he let out a quiet sigh, a small smile still lingering on his face. He made his way to the car and headed home, back to the mansion.