MHA: Crystal Clear

A week has passed since we turned in our sheets.

I've finished middle school. The time has finally come the entrance exams are in February, I'm going to high school. And that's where everything is really going to start.

I have a few weeks of rest ahead of me, and that's all I need to relax. What, you thought I was going to say I'd be training for the entrance exams? Well, you're not wrong, I'll do that, but personally, it's not like I've just started doing it during this period. I've been doing it since I got my quirk, so basically, 5 days a week for 10 years.

I think I'm pretty well prepared. By the way, I have entrance exams for recommended students at many high schools across the country.

One day during my days off...

"Takashi, we're here! Come on!" I hear Mirio calling me from a distance as I get out of the subway.

"Mirio, speak more quietly, everyone is looking at us" Tamaki, who was next to Mirio, says. Clearly, Tamaki wasn't too comfortable with the situation.

People went back to their own paths, and I joined my friends. "It's been a while, guys, what's up? Oh, you got your hair cut, Mirio. Looks clean."

"Yeah, I think it'll be more convenient like this. As for me, yeah, I'm doing well. To be honest, I'm just looking forward to U.A. entrance exam. I've been training with my dad, I hope it'll be enough." He says with a determined look.

"And you, how's it going Tamaki?"

"Yeah, hmmm... I guess you could say I'm okay, even though I don't really know what to expect, Takashi. I'm not sure if I'll be able to pass the entrance exams, to be honest, but well, we'll see."

"Have more confidence in yourself, Tamaki. I've already told you, but your quirk really has a lot of potential, you just need to make the most of it."

"Tamaki, listen to him, I keep telling you the same thing too. It's not the quirk that defines the person, but the person who defines the quirk, or something like that." Mirio intervenes.

"Yeah, maybe you're right... but I don't want to get my hopes up too high." He says the end of his sentence in a whisper. We didn't ask you, how's it going with you?" Tamaki asked me.

"I've received quite a few invitations for recommended entrance exams, but I've decided to only take those for U.A., Shiketsu High School, and Ketsubutsu Academy High School. I don't want to bother with the others like Isamu Academy, Seijin High, or any of the others."

"Wow, but are you sure taking three exams won't exhaust you? Their dates are pretty close to each other, right?"

"No, you know me, I think I'll manage. Anyway, let's go guys, should we hit the movies or head to the arcade?"

We ended up going to the arcade, then watched a movie. After that, we each went back to our own homes.

Back home...

"Takashi, back already?"

"Yeah, Mom, it was just to motivate each other before the exams arrive."

"When are yours, again?"

"The U.A. one is on February 26th, Ketsubutsu High Academy School's exam is on February 27th, and Shiketsu High School's exam is on February 28th, all in the afternoon, because the mornings will be reserved for the regular entrance exams." I head to the fridge to see what I can snack on while answering my mother.

"I see... In each of the exams you take, don't forget that you need to outperform everyone around you."

I turn around to look her straight in the eyes and say, "Don't worry, mother. I won't fail. No one will ever see their name above ours. It's never happened until now, and it certainly won't start here."

"I know, I know you're aware of that, but I just wanted to remind you, just in case. Also, there's pizza in the oven if you're hungry. Good night, son."

"Yes, good night," I said, and she left.

It's now February 26th. I'm standing in front of the building they told me to go to for my written and practical exams for U.A.

As I enter, I see other students—there are three of them, and they're wearing numbers. Around us, there are heroes in the stands, probably observing to see who they should target for internships.

I'm stopped at the reception and given the outfit I need to change into. I head to the changing room, change, and then make my way to the room where I was earlier.

We're told to head to a room for interviews. That part went well for me, then we're directed to another room to take the written exam. The written exam wasn't that difficult. A few trick questions here and there, just to test our sense of morality, but that was about it. We were finally heading to the most important part of the exam—the practical exam.

"Hey you, number 7, you seem pretty calm," says number 11, not too far from me.

"You just have to treat it like any other exam we've had so far" I reply.

"Yeah, I'd love to see it like you do, but this is U.A. after all," number 11 responds.

"All four of you, line up behind this line, please! The practical exam will consist of a single trial! You'll race at the same time through a 3-kilometer obstacle course, and you're allowed to use your quirks. Your times will be recorded by me, Present Mic!"

We all took our marks, ready to give our best.

"Go!!" shouted Present Mic, starting the race.

We launched forward without hesitation.

'I know what to do.' I created crystal walls in front of the three other candidates beside me, then followed up by forming a crystal surfboard beneath my feet.

I use it to hover over the course and its obstacles, a bit like Silver Surfer, while the other contestants behind me are battling each other. From a distance, I can see that number 11 is trying to catch up to me, but unfortunately for him, I'm already far ahead. I have too much of an advantage in this kind of challenge; honestly, I have the advantage in any kind of challenge.

And just like that, I win the race without any trouble.

"We already have a winner AHAH!... That was pretty quick, you've just set a new record, number 7, with a time of 3 minutes and 29 seconds!"

minutes later, the other participants finished the race.

"With a quirk like yours, I can see why you weren't stressed," number 11,out of breath, says.

The next day...

This time, I was at the entrance exam for Ketsubutsu Academy High School. Just like at U.A., I had to put on the school's uniform, which was gray here, and then head to the written exam room. The written exam wasn't that difficult here either.

In this exam, however, I recognized someone from the manga. 'What was his name again? I think it was... yes, it's Shindo Yo.'

He notices that I lingered a bit too long on him while I was trying to remember who he was. Anyway, an instructor announces that the test will just consist of 1v1 battles.

8 candidates finished their battles when my turn was finally announced, and I was up against none other than Yo Shindo.

"I saw you staring at me earlier. If you have a problem with me, let's settle it now, I'm going to set you straight." he says arrogantly.

Without waiting, we immediately start fighting. I create a dozen crystal clones, each with a bat, and instruct them to engage with Yo.

Yo manages to break some of the clones with his quirk. His quirk allows him to vibrate anything he touches, and it's strong enough to create intense tremors when he uses it on the ground. However, he struggles to keep up as I send clones at him from all directions, nonstop. One clone hits in the back, another in the stomach, some in the legs like that without pause, Yo vomits. I turned the fight into a sort of humiliation for him by dragging it out longer than necessary , until the instructor told me to stop.

After canceling my quirk, I walk over to Yo, who is on the ground, disfigured, and say, "Next time, be careful who you talk to like that, especially if you can't back it up." He didn't respond but I could see hatred in his eyes, and I left.

Today, it's February 28th. It's my last exam, at Shiketsu High School. You already know the process: I put on the school's uniform, then take the written and practical exams. As expected, everything went well for me. Before leaving, a man stops me to talk.

"Hello, Kessho Takashi, I'm Professor Michi. I am an instructor here at Shiketsu High School. I just wanted to tell you that we truly hope you will come and study here and learn to become a hero."

"I'm thinking about it, otherwise I wouldn't be here."

"U.A. has been ranked above us for years, and we believe you have the potential to change that narrative by joining us, imagine being the face of such a change. I hope my words will help you make up your mind. Have a good evening."

"Yeah, you too, have a good evening mister."

A week later, I was informed by all three schools that I had been accepted, but honestly, my choice was already made.

I decided to enroll in Shiketsu High School.