the blue blur of U.A

-[ SHINICHIRO ]-

The first few weeks of middle school passed with relative peace, but it wasn't long before Shinichiro's notoriety from the Jaku Incident caused friction. Most students admired him, but there were those who felt differently. One in particular was Takuma Saito—a cocky boy with a strength-based quirk and a chip on his shoulder.

"I don't get what everyone sees in you," Takuma sneered one day during gym class, standing in front of Shinichiro. His broad shoulders and towering frame cast a shadow over the smaller boy. "Just because you fought some monsters doesn't make you special."

Shinichiro kept his cool, brushing past him. "I'm not trying to be special."

Takuma grabbed his arm, yanking him back. "Don't walk away when I'm talking to you!"

Hori stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly with the telltale shimmer of her Rose Shield. "Let him go, Takuma."

"And if I don't?" Takuma taunted, his grin widening. "You'll hide behind your little bubble, like you always do?"

Before Hori could retort, Shinichiro sighed and gently pulled her back. "It's fine, Hori." He turned to Takuma, his calm demeanor hiding the spark of irritation in his chest. "What do you want?"

"A fight," Takuma said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see if you're as tough as everyone says."

---

The class gathered in the courtyard, a makeshift ring forming as students surrounded the two boys. Whispers of anticipation buzzed through the crowd.

"Shinichiro, don't," Hori urged, tugging on his sleeve.

"It's fine," he assured her quietly. "I'll keep it under control."

Takuma stood across from him, grinning confidently. "This is gonna be fun."

The teacher reluctantly agreed to oversee the match. "No serious injuries," he warned. "This is just sparring."

"Got it," Shinichiro said, taking a ready stance.

Takuma wasted no time, charging forward with his enhanced strength. His quirk allowed him to deliver devastating blows, but Shinichiro's speed gave him an edge.

The first punch came fast, but Shinichiro sidestepped effortlessly, the force of the swing cracking the ground where he had stood.

"Not bad," Shinichiro said, darting around Takuma. "But you're too slow."

Takuma growled and swung again, each strike narrowly missing. The crowd gasped as Shinichiro weaved through the attacks, his movements precise and fluid.

"You're just running!" Takuma shouted, frustration mounting.

"Fighting isn't just about brute force," Shinichiro replied calmly. "It's about strategy."

As Takuma lunged again, Shinichiro countered. He ducked low, delivering a sweeping kick that sent Takuma sprawling. Before the larger boy could recover, Shinichiro was already at his side, his fist glowing faintly with the crackle of energy.

"That's enough!" the teacher called, stepping between them.

Shinichiro stepped back, his energy dissipating as he offered a hand to Takuma.

"You've got strength," Shinichiro said sincerely. "But you need to control it."

Takuma hesitated, then took the hand, his pride wounded but his respect for Shinichiro evident.

---

The fight ended with mixed reactions. Some students admired Shinichiro's skill, while others muttered about Takuma's defeat.

"Man, you were awesome!" Kirishima said, clapping Shinichiro on the back. "The way you dodged all those punches—so manly!"

Shinichiro smiled faintly, though his focus shifted to Hori, who stood off to the side, her arms crossed.

"You okay?" he asked, approaching her.

She sighed, shaking her head. "You didn't have to fight him."

"I didn't do it to prove anything," Shinichiro said. "Sometimes, standing up to people like him is the only way to get them to listen."

Hori huffed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Just don't make a habit of it, okay?"

"Deal," Shinichiro said with a grin.

---

The fight with Takuma sparked a desire in Shinichiro to refine his abilities further. With Takeshi's guidance, he worked on balancing his speed and strength.

"You're fast, but speed alone won't save you against stronger opponents," Takeshi said during one of their sessions. "You need to learn how to hit hard without losing momentum."

Shinichiro practiced striking heavy bags, focusing his energy into short, controlled bursts. Over time, his attacks became sharper and more precise, the energy crackling with intensity.

Hori, meanwhile, focused on expanding her shields. She learned to create multiple barriers simultaneously, using them to protect others while countering attacks.

---

At the same time, Detective Haruto finalized his investigation. After tracking Shinichiro to the Togata household, he requested a formal meeting with Takeshi.

"Mr. Togata," Haruto said, flipping through his notes, "I'm here to confirm the safety of Shinichiro and ensure his involvement in the Jaku Incident doesn't lead to further danger."

"He's safe," Takeshi replied firmly. "But if you think I'm handing him over to be questioned like a criminal, you're mistaken."

Haruto nodded, closing his notebook. "That's not our intention. In fact, his actions saved dozens of lives. The Pro Hero Association is considering a commendation."

---

All Might visited the Togata household shortly after, sitting down with Shinichiro and Hori to discuss their futures.

"You've both shown incredible potential," he said, his smile warm. "The Hero Development Facility has agreed to sponsor your training and education. With your abilities, you can become some of the greatest heroes this country has ever seen."

Shinichiro glanced at Hori, who nodded with a determined smile.

"We're in," Shinichiro said, his voice resolute.

---