Chapter 4: Ripples in the Routine
Life at the Mizuho Youth Development Center had settled into something that resembled routine.
Wake up. Eat. Train. School. Talk a bit. Train again. Sleep.
But in a world like ours, peace never stayed for long.
It all shifted with a visitor.
---
We were hanging out in the common room when Ms. Hana clapped her hands, snapping everyone to attention.
"Alright, eyes up! We've got visitors today, so behave. No Quirk displays unless someone asks. Got it?"
Souta let out a groan. "Is this gonna be like that ramen guy again? The one who gave us the expired stuff?"
"Nope," she said, voice sharper than usual. "This is different. They're from a school."
That snapped me out of my thoughts.
Two people walked in. One was a thin man in a dark suit, his graying hair and tired eyes giving off serious principal vibes. The other? Taller, dressed in a plain blue tracksuit, and radiating quiet intensity.
I knew him instantly.
Shouta Aizawa—Eraser Head.
He looked just like in the show: unshaven, hair like he just rolled out of bed, and those heavy-lidded eyes that made it feel like he could see straight through you. He didn't need to say anything. Just one look, and you knew—he was sizing everyone up, calculating who was worth his time.
I kept my face unreadable.
The suited man stepped forward. "Good afternoon. I'm Principal Sakamoto from Taisetsu Academy. We're starting an outreach program for students who show promise."
"Hero school knockoff," Souta muttered beside me.
I didn't say anything. Just kept my eyes on Aizawa.
He hadn't spoken yet. He was still scanning the room, observant and quiet. When his eyes locked with mine, I felt a chill run down my spine.
He saw something in me. I wasn't sure what.
But I knew I had to tread carefully.
---
After the introductions, some of the kids were asked to show off their Quirks. Aiko went first, stretching her fingers into a star shape with a proud grin. Souta followed, heating a coin until it turned a faint red.
Then Ms. Hana called my name. "Riku, you're up."
I stood slowly.
No flashy Quirk to show. Just Haki.
So I stuck with what worked: smoke and mirrors.
I raised my palm and focused. Using Observation Haki, I scanned wind pressure and air movement, tracked distance and timing. Then, casually, I flicked a pebble across the room into an empty soda can. It hit dead center.
The principal raised an eyebrow. "Some kind of precision-based Quirk?"
I nodded. "That's what the doctors say. A rare neuro-type. Improves reaction speed and spatial awareness."
Aizawa narrowed his eyes.
"Ever experience side effects? Nosebleeds? Muscle tremors?"
"Nope. Nothing like that."
He didn't press further. But the way he looked at me... I could tell he wasn't buying it.
---
The scouts left not long after, saying they'd be in touch once they reviewed their notes.
But that wasn't what made things weird.
Later that night, I went out to the training shed like always. When I opened the door, I stopped in my tracks.
Someone was already inside.
A girl, punching one of the old foam mats I'd nailed to the wall. Short brown hair, wide eyes, looked about my age.
"Uh… who are you?" I asked.
She turned but didn't back off. "Ochaco. They just moved me in today. Is this your training spot?"
I blinked.
Ochaco Uraraka? Wasn't she supposed to have a family? I couldn't remember if the original story said anything about her being in a group home.
"It's not mine. I just train here."
She smiled. "Cool. Mind if I join you?"
I shrugged, stepping in. "Just don't move the mats. I've got them spaced for footwork drills."
"You training for something?"
"Future stuff. You?"
"U.A., if I can swing it."
Even now, she was the same—kind, determined, maybe a little naïve. Seeing her in this setting, rough around the edges and still finding her way, felt surreal.
"It's tough," I said. "But not impossible."
"I've been saving up for exam coaching, but it's slow going. My folks don't really have the cash."
So she did have parents…?
"My dad's in construction," she added. "Mom runs a bakery. No good schools near us, and traveling every day isn't an option. So, they arranged for me to stay here during the week."
That explained it.
"I train on my own too," I told her.
"You have a Quirk?"
I hesitated for a second. "Yeah. Sort of a detection type. Helps me dodge things."
"Like super-sensing?" she asked.
I smirked. "Something like that."
---
Over the next few days, we started training together.
I learned more about her. Her parents weren't well-off, but they supported her dream. She was here because it was the best shot she had at a good education. She'd head home on weekends and stay here for school during the week.
Ochaco was more focused than I expected. Her technique was a mess, but her work ethic was solid. She learned fast—especially rhythm drills. Her balance was naturally good.
"Ever done sparring?" I asked her one evening.
She bit her lip. "Not really."
"Then we start tomorrow. I'll go easy."
She grinned. "You'll regret saying that."
---
Meanwhile, the center was buzzing with excitement.
Two kids were selected for the Taisetsu trial program—Souta and some new kid named Kai. Souta tried to play it cool, but he was clearly excited.
"They said we'll get real combat classes! Hero theory! You think we'll meet actual Pro Heroes?"
"Maybe," I said. "You're gonna do great."
"Hell yeah. You better keep up, Riku."
I laughed. "Wouldn't dream of falling behind."
---
That night, I sat at my desk with my journal and started jotting things down.
Observation Haki: improving. Can sense through walls now. Almost tracking heartbeats.
Armament Haki: unstable. Still flickers. Needs stronger focus or emotional catalyst.
Training partner: Ochaco. Good potential. Will test during sparring.
Goal: U.A. entrance exam in two years. Need to build up strength, endurance, awareness.
Also noted: Aizawa's visit. A U.A. teacher checking out a group home? That felt… important.
Something bigger was going on.
---
The next day was sparring day. Ochaco wrapped her wrists and slipped on a pair of worn gloves like she knew what she was doing.
"No powers," I reminded her. "Just hands."
"You're going down," she teased.
She came at me hard—quick, aggressive, unpredictable. But with Haki, I read every move. I dodged without effort, tapping her lightly on the shoulder or ribs every time she left herself open.
She got frustrated fast.
"How are you this fast?!"
"You telegraph too much. Keep your feet lighter. Relax your shoulders."
She groaned. "Fine. Coach me then, Sensei."
We trained until we were both soaked in sweat and collapsed on the mats, laughing.
---
That evening, we sat on the roof, looking out at the city lights.
"You think we've got a shot at U.A.?" she asked.
I nodded. "If we outwork everyone else."
She bumped my shoulder. "Good. You're my rival now."
I smiled for real this time. "Deal."
---
When I got back to my room, Ms. Hana was waiting with an envelope.
"This came for you," she said. "Looks like someone's paying attention."
The letter had U.A.'s insignia on it. My heart started racing.
Inside was a note. Handwritten.
> Riku Akashi,
Your performance during the recent visit did not go unnoticed. You are invited to participate in a U.A.-sponsored training assessment, scheduled three weeks from today.
Attendance is optional—but encouraged.
—Shouta Aizawa
---
A door had opened.
And I wasn't about to let it close.