All For None

Students from different schools hurriedly made their way towards the entrance of UA academy, the most prestigious and famous hero school in all of Japan. Out of 100%, the chance of qualifying to enter was as low as 3%, and yet thousands of students swarmed around to try their luck as little as it might seem. Teenage boys and girls chatted among themselves, some boasting about their quirks or chances of their success. While others briskly talked about mundane topics about their everyday lives.

However in the midst of the lively and anticipating atmosphere, Bakugo didn't feel any of it. It was the complete opposite of the cherry atmosphere, he felt …empty. It was a quiet walk towards the academy, the distance from his house to the school was an hour apart surprisingly. Bakugo's legs weren't in a hurry to arrive there early, instead leisurely taking his time to view the environment. The explosive quirk user strides a bit uneven at times, each step more hesitant than the last.

The chill morning breeze did nothing to his qualm composure. Bakugo wrapped a scarf around his neck, hoping for the cold to be negated by the warmth the scarf had to offer. Getting to the entrance, he saw several other students wading to get in. Like a swarm of flies attracted to the sweet scent of food.

"Better keep up Dekuro or we are going to be late!" A blue haired student yelled as he zoomed past Bakugo, almost knocking down some students on his way.

"Hold up Katchi! You're going to hit people at that rate!" A timid looking boy wearing a gakuran wailed as he was running after the blue haired teen…who had unfortunately knocked the very same students down. Some didn't let it slid as they were about to pick a fight with the abrasive student. Luckily, his friend Dekuro rushed to tame down the situation.

Bakugo couldn't help but look on at the situation that as suddenly attracted a small amount of crowd. Soon enough, it was quickly resided as nobody wants to risk their first impressions.

Dekuro looked at Katchi with a mix of anger and resignation. "Why do I ever help you get out of your own mess?" Katchi just grinned and grabbed the teen closer to himself, giving him a head nuggie. "That's why I have you Dekuro!"

Bakugo was almost plagued by the similarity. That simple friendly act sent Bakugo spiraling back to the past.

Kacchan. Do you need help standing up? Let me help you.

Bakugo sighed to himself. Don't go there. Don't go down there. That was in the past, he couldn't allow his past to preoccupy his mind. Not when he still has an exam to partake in. Unfortunately, it would seem that the very embodiment of bad luck has decided to tag Bakugo. As Bakugo walked, he heard whispers resonating around him.

"Hey, isn't that the student that caught up in that sludge accident?"

"I heard All might was there!"

"Wonder what happened to that other kid"

"The one who rushed into the open scene? I heard he was dead. Someone probably killed him."

"Poor kid. Must be a close friend of his from what I heard."

"Midoriya something. I think"

Bakugo tried to ignore the sudden attention aimed at him, but the sudden mention of Deku's death held him in his tracks. Like as if an unseen force punched him straight in the gut.

"Shit! I think he heard us."

"Just keep walking and avoid eye contact." The pair of far too curious for their own good onlookers scurried away, as if nothing happened. More students kept on flooding into the school. And Bakugo…was just standing there, once again ignoring sets of confused students giving strange looks at him.

"What's he doing standing on the road like that?"

"The guy must be scared shitless."

"That's what happens when you decide to enter UA without being prepared. Entering UA's exams is a tough choice afterall."

Bakugo gritted his teeth. He wasn't afraid, he has never been a coward. What do they think of him? Some wimp?! So what in the all living fuck is wrong with his legs! Why won't they move?! He's been through this already, he won't allow the past hold him back. For God knows how long though.

He shook his head and breathed out his nostrils, trying to even out his frantic breathing.

Wait, when had his breathing been frantic?

"Um…Excuse me"

"What the fu-!"

Bakugo didn't had time to process that because something had crept up to his shoulder, startling him. He had wanted to turn around to look at what-or who- had pated his shoulder, only for him to almost fall backwards. Just as he was about to pummel to the pavement, he was- Floating?!

"What the hell!" Bakugo exclaimed, frenzied beyond the point of bewilderment.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to use my quirk on you! Here let me help." A hand stretched out to him. He extended his own relatedly larger hand to the smaller hand as the person helped him back up from his floating state.

"I am really sorry for the inconvenience I have caused you. Are you okay?"

Of course not! Who scares someone shitless like that?!

"Do I look okay to yo-" Bakugo angrily said to the person that had saved him from his inevitable demise, only to hold back the amount of swears he had listed in his mind. And to his surprise…

…It was a girl.

A girl with brown hazelnut shoulder length hair and equally brown eyes. Bakugo had to crane his head down a bit to fully look at her. She was short and had a slender figure, fair skin. She had two small pink blush marks on her cheeks, and had a comical size of eyes that were round with slightly thick eyelashes. Her hair was shoulder-length with short bangs, and the style is bobbed with two long strands framing her face. She also plastered a rather large smile on her face.

It took Bakugo 5 seconds to realize three things:

One: The girl was smiling at him

Two: She was talking to him

And three: This was the first female he had ever talked to apart from his own mother.

Another horrible realization dawned on him… he was thinking on punching the person that had almost made him trip. And said person… was a girl.

The girl bobbed her head to the side, still having that coincidentally nostalgic smile on her face. Her other hand stretched out to him, in her hand was his scarf. "I noticed you dropped this and wasn't aware, so I wanted to return it back." She gave a nervous embarrassed laugh. "But I didn't expect for you to be spaced out when I touched you. Sorry again for bothering you."

Bakugo tentatively took back his scarf. He wrapped it gently around his neck. "It's a nice looking scarf by the way. The morning was quite cold so I had one on as well." The girl (Round face? I mean her face really is round) pointed to her neck. Residing on the neck was a plain looking scarf.

Bakugo was a bit short of words, he was used to talking with guys not girls. What had his old hag told him when talking to a girl again?

Oh yeah, 'Don't be a dick'.

Bakugo cleared his throat, Christ he looked like a blooming teenager entering puberty. "Uh, thanks. It's not mine actually."

The girl looked surprised at his response. "Oh, I didn't know. Who owns it?" 

Bakugo frowned at the question, his hand briskly touching the edges of the scarf. "It was for a friend of mine."

"Wow. Your friend must mean a lot to you."

Bakugo's voice became strained and quiet. "Yeah, wished I did better for him."

The brunet was confused. Why was this person using past tense for his friend? "Did something happen to him?"

Bakugo's eyes narrowed at the inquisitive girl. She was stepping on unwanted territory, and she seems to get the message.

"My bad, I deeply apologize." (Round face) quickly placated as she waved her hands in a pleading manner. Now the air was just sour.

"Um-" Bakugo looked at the girl, raising his eyebrow. "-I'm Ochaco. It's nice to meet you."

"…Bakugo."

Ochaco looked at him with something hidden in her face. Mischief? "You know for someone who looks threatening, you don't look so much as that."

"Hah?"

"Well it's a pleasure to know you, Bakugo. I'll be heading to the exams orientation center." Ochaco waved at him before jogging to the front gate, her backpack making jiggly sounds.

"Oi!-er- Ochaco!" Ochaco stopped in her tracks, glancing back at the blonde.

"T-thanks."

Ochaco eye smiled at Bakugo. "No problem. Afterall it did be bad luck to lose your item and fall on your first day."

Bakugo watched as she jogged to the entrance, he looked down and blinked. Then he blinked again.

Did- did he just talked to a girl?

____________________

At the Examination Orientation center; students filled the seats. Each of them bustling with bottled excitement, waiting for the events to start. Then all the lights went off except the ones on the stage. Stepping in the stage; was pro hero Present Mic.

Bakugo looked at the hero's… choice of hairstyle. If he were to be asked on his opinion, Present Mic's hairstyle looked like a peacock that was set on fire. The hero's hair was spiked to a ridiculous height, almost reaching armlength. If Bakugo remembered correctly, this was the prohero who specialized on using sound, or more so; his voice; as his quirk. He had glanced through Deku's old hero notebooks and saw this hero's profile. Present mic was known for having his own Radio podcasts and partook in Television programs.

Bakugo looked down in slight contempt. Had the nerd been here, then he would have talked non stop about the pro hero in front of all the students now.

AND IT'S ALL HIS FAULT.

"Good morning dear candidates. Can someone give me a hey!" Present Mic yelled, craning his head and putting his hand to his ear. Only to be met with…

Silence.

Present Mic faltered a bit at the quiet. "Okaay… tough crowd" Clearing his throat to alleviate the awkward atmosphere. "I think we all know what today is. Are you ready?"

Silence.

Present Mic literally deflated. What was wrong with kids of these days.

The pro hero elaborated on the concepts of what they had to do. They will all do a mock test exam, then afterwards the practical exam. Now that was the hardest part, since they will be timed with a short amount of time which hasn't been disclosed to them yet. In the mock battle, a specified battle area will be assigned to each candidate. There, three types of battle bots will be waiting for them. 1 pointer robot was 1 point, 2 pointer 2 points and 3 pointer 3 points. Their goal: destroy as many robots as they can.

Present Mic kept on addressing them until a candidate stood up.

"Sensei! Will you permit be to say something?"

"Sure. Fire away."

The candidate, a blue haired boy wearing glasses brought out a piece of paper and showed the diagram of the battle bots. "According to this script, each year there are specifically 4 pointer robots that are placed in the battle centers, but you claimed that there are 3! If UA is giving inaccurate information, then shouldn't we question this mistake of this trusted school?" The teen questioned.

"Ah, thanks for your keen eyes examinee 7111." Present Mic said, giving a thumbs up. "Yes, it is true. There are 4 not 3. But the last one is called a 0 pointer. Just as the name implies, it has zero points and it goes berserk in tight corners or spaces. So best to run away and abandon any thought of engaging in battle."

Before Present Mic could explain further, the sound of the door creaked open, catching everyone's attention. There, was a candidate who was rushing inside. A male, of slight tall stature and having purple unruly hair that defies the literal definition of gravity, was cutting his way through some students with some pardons to get to his assigned seat. Good thing they have been arranged alphabetically, or else the late comer wouldn't have a place to seat.

(Glasses) decided to turn his assault of reprimanding from Present Mic down to the late comer. "And you! If you plan on coming late to an important event then it's best for people like you not to come in to UA at all. Tardiness is a major sign of lack luster in heroism!"

People started laughing at the latecomer. The purple haired teen looking slightly offended and embarrassed. Bakugo frowned at the assaulter, what's this guy's beef. Was he a fucking perfectionist or something? That wasn't correcting, that looked like straight up-

Bullying.

Wow. He sounds like a complete asshole just saying that to himself.

HYPOCRYTE

Okay, he believes that someone needs to put this guy in his place. "Oi glasses!"

The blue haired teen looked at Bakugo with a stern look with a mix of surprise. "Are you referring to me by chance?"

What was this guy? An idiot as well?

"Of course you dumbass! If you have a stick right up your ass, then you should have just kept it to yourself." Gasps and woos echoed in the large auditorium.

Present Mic was about to intervein "Alright, I think there's no need for an argument no-"

"No! Sorry teach, but someone has to tell this guy the truth." Bakugo turned his attention on glasses who looked like he was about to explode from anger.

"What school did you come from by chance glasses?"

With refrained anger, glasses shifted his glasses and looked up at were Bakugo stood. "Soumei Junior High School."

Of course. Prissy kids from such an expensive school like him tend to be assholes for the sake of it.

"You don't just judge people on first appearance, that will just mark you off as a bad person. Maybe you should stop being a prick and try to understand someone's condition before saying shit like that. Everyone have the right to be in UA, so some little tardiness doesn't make them invalid to be students here!"

The guy was speechless, all glasses did was look down, his expression unreadable. "I see." Then all of a sudden he bowed his head down to Bakugo and Present Mic. "Please forgive me for my presumptuousness." Then he proceeded to sit back down. Bakugo looked back at the purple haired teen who he had just defended, only to see him keeping his head down and his hands clenched.

Present Mic clapped his hands together. "Okay, okay. That's enough examinees." He turned to the late comer. "Examinee 5764, you weren't that late so you can have your seat. As of now, your center battle numbers are on the cards on top of your desks." Every candidate took a look at their cards, Bakugo glanced at where he was being assigned.

"Battle center B huh?" He muttered more to himself.

"Good Luck candidates. You will need it."

____________________

Battle Center B.

The air was suffocating, tension and excitement bubbled from various candidates. Bakugo stood like a lone wolf, ready to attack and defend himself when needed. He was running this solo, and so were many others. The battle had just begun, and it would be tough. The writing aspect has been cleared through, now all that was left, was the actual combat exam.

Bakugo surveyed the area, looking and studying each candidate's expression. Everyone had changed to casual or training attire, not wanting their school uniforms to get in their way. The explosion quirk user had decided to put on a casual black sleeveless T shirt and a pair of black trousers, overall he doesn't look different from any other candidate. The only difference is the scarf he had decided to still wrap around his neck. Many had given him weird looks, it was already afternoon and the weather was getting humid, so what's up with the scarf? Some had wanted to question but the murderous glare sent to their way mad them step back a good 3-4 meters away from his line of sight.

Bakugo took a deep breath, closing his eyes to reflect on the upcoming battle sure to foreshadow. The wind was nice, giving the sense of calm and sharpness. And that he used to his advantage as he caught hold of a hand that was about to come in contact with his shoulder. He spun around to see the owner of the hand.

It was the purple haired teen.

"Um.."

Bakugo looked at the direction of his eyes. He was holding his hand in a vice grip. "Oh, sorry." Bakugo let go of his hand as the teen started rubbing the reddening hand.

"Thanks for helping me back there."

Oh that? Bakugo wasn't expecting him to thank him for that.

"Uhhh, sure. No problem" What was wrong with him and talking today?!

"I'm Shinsou. Shinsou Hitoshi."

"Bakugo Katsuki."

Now they were just being awkward. "Why are you still wearing that scarf. Isn't it not hot?"

Bakugo gaze softened at the sight of the scarf still wrapped around him.

Hours before the exam…

Bakugo, why are you carrying that scarf with you?

Bakugo looked at the scarf he had just freshly pulled out. He could have picked other scarfs, but he decides to take this one instead. This scarf…was Deku's. Some months ago, he had asked aunt Inko for some of Deku's items like his hero journals and his scarf. Aunt Inko had kept them in Deku's room, hoping that one day, even if it was a slim chance, that Deku will be back.

But he was dead. Aunt Inko still refused to believe that fact.

5 stages of grief

Bakugo looked at his mother.

"Deku had always wanted to do this exam. So… even if he can't be here… I want to at least take this with me so that a part of Deku can still be there."

"It's personal." Shinsou raised his eyes but didn't prod him for any reasons.

"Okay… Bakugo, can I ask you something?"

The doors to the battle center were already opening. "Sorry, I don't think I have time for that."

Just as he was matching to the entrance, a hand stopped him. And it was still Shinsou's.

"What the heck?! Let go!"

"Please! Can you hear me out?! It's really important."

Should he listen. Bakugo looked back at the opening doors. They haven't announce dthe countdown yet…

 "Fine. What is it?"

Shinsou was hesitating on something as he glanced back and forth. "My quirk, is not really efficient in battle."

"So, how's that my problem?" Shinsou flinched at that remark.

Crap! He shouldn't have said it like that!

Heaving a sigh, he turned back to Shinsou. "And…"

"I was wondering… if we could team up?"

Bakugo was not a person known for cooperation. What sort of request was that?! He could just leave this guy to his fate. Seriously, why bother with this exam if you don't have the efficient quirk to take it on?!

"Sorry. But I don't think I have time for this." And shinsou's grip on his arm only tightened not faltering.

"Oi-"

"I've tried asking others but they turned me down. Please! You're the only person that I can rely on!" As much as Bakugo wants to smack this guy off him, his pleading face looks far too awfully familiar. Like a certain greenette.

Also, they were starting to attract some attention.

"Fine. What's the plan then genius." Bakugo begrudgingly relented.

Shinsou smiled sadly at him. "Sorry about this."

"What the fuck do you mean by-"

All of a sudden, Bakugo's mind went blank. His eyes turning to milky white, and his expression like a doll, a puppet waiting for orders.

Shinsou felt really bad for doing this to the person that stood up for him, but he had to do this if he wants to pass the exam. From a distance, Present Mic's voice echoed in the large vicinity.

"All right Kiddos, the exam's already started. What are you waiting for, there are no countdowns in real life!"

Shinsou turned to the brainwashed Bakugo that is still standing like a dummy.

"Let's go, Bakugo."

And Bakugo just followed like a dummy would.

Shinsou smirked to himself. This was going to be easy.