Entrance Exam (1)
A/N: Double Release (1/2) Also let's continue with the powerstones. Our Goal is 200 Powerstones by Sunday for another Double Release.
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The school gates creaked slightly as Shiro stepped through them, the warm hues of the setting sun casting his shadow long across the pavement. It was 6 PM, and the final whistle of his basketball game still echoed faintly in his ears. Waiting for him outside the gates was Uraraka, her outfit a sharp contrast to his.
She wore a sailor-style blouse, pristine white with a navy blue collar, paired with a matching pleated skirt. A red ribbon tied neatly at her neck completed the look, and her black tights shimmered faintly under the fading sunlight.
Shiro, on the other hand, wore a maroon blazer with his school's emblem neatly embroidered on the right side of his chest, paired with grey slacks and a crisp white shirt—though one button was casually undone. His hair, which had grown longer over the years, now spiked upward naturally.
"I heard you won," Uraraka said, a soft smile on her face as Shiro approached.
"You know how it goes," Shiro replied, sighing as he adjusted his bag strap. "I get that I'm good at basketball, but is there no one else as talented? Even without my vision, it feels like I'm leagues ahead of the competition. Honestly, it's getting boring."
Uraraka chuckled, falling into step beside him. "It always amazes me how you complain when you win instead of celebrating. You're something else, Shiro."
The two began walking, their shoes clicking against the pavement in rhythm. "Any scouts today?" Uraraka asked, a hint of intrigue in her voice.
'That again,' Shiro thought, suppressing a groan. 'She never misses a chance to bring it up.'
"Yeah," he said, keeping his gaze ahead. "There were a couple this time. They wanted me to play overseas in the U.S."
"And?" Uraraka pressed, her tone eager.
"And what?" Shiro teased, glancing sideways at her with a smirk.
Uraraka huffed in frustration, playfully punching his arm. "You know what I mean! Did you accept or not?"
Shiro's smirk widened into a satisfied grin. "I rejected it."
"Eh?!" Uraraka's voice shot up an octave as she stopped in her tracks. "Why? I thought you went to that elite school just to go pro!"
Turning to face her, Shiro shrugged. "I've told you a million times—I want to become a Pro-Hero, not a basketball player."
Realizing she'd come on too strong, Uraraka's face turned a faint shade of pink, and she dropped her gaze to the ground. "Right… sorry. I just… I thought—"
Her words trailed off, but Shiro cut through the awkward silence. "How's your family holding up?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Uraraka's shoulders tensed slightly, but she didn't look up. "Things… haven't gotten better," she admitted softly. "Business is worse than ever."
Shiro glanced up at the fiery sky, his expression thoughtful. "Just three more years," he said. "They only have to hold out three more years. By then, you'll be a pro and able to help them out. I know you can do it."
The sincerity in his voice made Uraraka pause. She lifted her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Thank you, Shiro… And I'm sorry for pushing my desperation onto you."
Shiro placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair lightly. "Don't worry about it. I know things haven't been easy for you. But listen—tomorrow's the entrance exam. Don't stay up all night worrying, okay? Get some sleep."
Uraraka nodded, her spirit rekindled. She clenched her fists and punched the air, nearly grazing Shiro's chin. "I'll pass tomorrow no matter what!"
"Hey! Watch where you're throwing those hands!" Shiro scolded, stepping back in mock alarm.
"Sorry!" Uraraka yelped, bowing in apology.
Shiro couldn't help but laugh at her earnestness, his chuckles easing the tension between them.
They parted ways soon after, and Shiro made his way home. As he unlocked the door, he was surprised to find his mother, Kiyoka, waiting for him in the living room.
"You're back early," Shiro said, dropping his bag onto the dining table.
"I wanted to make sure you're ready for your entrance exam tomorrow," Kiyoka replied, getting up to greet him with a warm hug.
Shiro returned the embrace briefly before pulling away. "How was work?"
"Same as always," Kiyoka said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "But never mind that—how did your game go?"
"Same as usual," Shiro said nonchalantly as he sat down.
Kiyoka raised an eyebrow. "You're not telling me everything."
With a sigh, Shiro added, "There were scouts. They wanted me to play overseas."
"Scouts?" Kiyoka repeated, her eyes widening for a moment.
"Yeah." Shiro replied reluctantly, thinking his mother would scold him for not accepting the offer.
All of a sudden, Kiyoka broke out into laughter, her laughter filling the room.. "I wish I could've been there to see their faces when you turned them down!"
Shiro, taken aback by his mother's prediction, began to relax and chuckled. "It was pretty funny."
"Your father would've lost his mind," Kiyoka said, shaking her head.
"Good thing he wasn't there, then," Shiro replied, grabbing his bag. "Anyway Mom, I'm heading to my room." Shiro said, standing up.
"Of course. Don't spend all day there like you usually do though." She warned.
Shiro waved and headed into his room.
Once inside, Shiro sat on his bed and called out, "System, I'd like to spin."
The familiar blue interface appeared before him.
[What type of spin?]
"Legendary, of course," Shiro said confidently.
[Understood. Beginning spin…]
A new notification with the word "Spinning.." appeared. The tension Shiro began to feel increased with every passing second. Shiro chewed on his fingernails—a nervous habit he hadn't shaken even after all these years.
[Spinning complete! Power Selected: Jujutsu Kaisen: Mahoraga: Adaptation.]
Shiro's eyes widened as the words materialized on the screen. 'Mahoraga… Adaptation?' He felt a chill run down his spine, his mind racing.
'This changes everything,' he thought, a small smile creeping across his lips.
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Reminder: Our Goal is 200 powerstones. Get us there by sunday for another double release.