Chapter 2: Keep Your Distance, It's For My Sake
The hallways were empty now that all the students were in their assigned classrooms. Yuno had taken his time getting ready, it didn't really matter if he was late considering Power Loader was never that strict. Yuno did want to stop by the workshop, so he went ahead and took his time doing so.
Exams went rather terribly if Yuno were to say. With that Midoryia kid breaking his limbs, Bakugo stealing all the faux villains, a mochi girl getting trapped under debris and so much more. It was chaotic, and frankly, he was surprised that people still passed the exam.
This year is full of surprises, I'm sure.
As soon as Yuno touched the door handle, an explosion blasted through the door. After fixing himself up for the first day back to school, he was now a complete mess with ash in his hair, face, in and on his uniform.
"Huhhh?" A girl with pink hair poked her head out of the door. "AHHHHHHH, Yuno-kun! I didn't expect you to be here!"
"Mei," Yuno wiped the ash from his eyes and spoke in a stern voice. "What are you doing?"
Mei Hatsume, a new first year. She got into the Support Course. Mei and Yuno have known each other since middle school, both sharing interest in inventing. Her Quirk is Zoom; she can see up to five kilometers far.
"Here," a towel was thrown to Yuno, a bit soiled, but otherwise usable.
Yuno wiped his face and looked back up to see another friend of his, Hitoshi Shinso. He too was a first year and was part the small group since middle school. His Quirk is Brainwashing, whoever answers his question, he can brainwash a person on command.
"Shouldn't you both be in class?" Yuno asked, wiping the ash off his uniform. "General studies is starting soon, and the Support Courses are asking us to meet right outside class. Apparently, Power Loader wants me there as well since we have first years mixed in some of the class. The second years are supposed to tour UA really quick, which I highly doubt will be quick considering how big UA actually is."
"You're so stiff!" Mei put her hands on her hips and puffed her cheeks. "My babies are almost done!"
"They just exploded, I'm not sure you noticed, but it exploded in my damn face."
"I'm sorry!" Mei put her hands together and spoke. "Don't kill me?"
"I'm not going to do anything," Yuno rolled his eyes and put his bag on the table. "You make it seem like I'm a bad guy."
Hitoshi, raising an eyebrow, asked, "didn't you just say Power Loader wanted your help?"
Yuno sighed, "Yea, he did say that. The only thing is I don't want to. He has more then enough second years in class."
Hitoshi and Mei looked at each other as Yuno took over Mei's project, they shrugged, then looked back at Yuno. Before they knew it, they were headed to class, determined to make it on time on their first day.
————--
By the time lunch came, Yuno had finished Mei's little invention. The machine wasp were carrying and buzzing around the workshop. From the look of it, Mei was already working on support items, such things that help with fragile bodies, overly powerful bodies, etc.
As Yuno pulled his goggles off, resting around his neck, the door was slid open and Power Loadee, along with Kisu were seen deadpanning at him.
"What are you doing?" Power Loader asked, crossing his arms. "I thought I asked for every second year to meet me and help with the first years."
"You have enough second years already, don't you?" Yuno turned around in his chair, pointing a wrench at Power Loader. "I'm sure you handled it fine without me."
"Well, we did, but it still would've been helpful!"
Before Yuno could turn back around, Kisu grabbed his goggles and put them away, then took his arm and pulled him out of the workshop.
"It's time for lunch! You should come meet the new first years!"
Kisu was supposed to be a second year, but due to violent behavior, teasing and harassing students, and failing grades, she was held back and is still a first year. So of course, she was put into class 1-A. If it weren't for everything holding her back, she'd already be a second year by now.
"Kisu, stop pulling me!" Yuno shouted as he was practically dragged across the halls.
"Then hurry it up! I have a feeling you're gonna really like the students this year!"
"And how are you so sure?"
Right in front of the cafeteria, Kisu let go of Yuno and turned around. "Remember Midoryia? And the Bakugo kid?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, they're in my class! There's also Endeavor's kid! Trust me when I say he's a good-looking dude."
Yuno rolled his eyes as Kisu opened the door and pulled him inside the cafeteria. She rushed him to grab his lunch. As always, Lunch Rush made the best food, even he agreed to that.
"Follow me!" Kisu was basically running at this point.
She sat down with a small group, including the following. A boy with yellow hair with a black lightning bolt streak. A girl with long earlobes. Another boy with oddly large elbows. A girl with pink hair and skin. And another boy with a red scar on his face.
This doesn't exactly look like a group I would pin together.
"Come sit," Kisu was already sitting down next to the blond boy and patting the space next to her.
Yuno could only indulge her, and sat down next to her, placing his tray on the table.
"Ooh, who are you? Are you friends with Kisu?" The boy with big elbows pointed his chopstick at Yuno.
Yuno only stayed silent, staring at him like he wasn't worth his own time. The boy gave a sort of offended look back at the expression he given.
"Say hi!" Kisu smacked Yuno, causing him to almost choke. "Introduce yourself. They're probably gonna look up to you since you a second year."
"A second year? Cool! What is UA like?" The girl with pink skin asked, full of bubbly energy which made Yuno almost instantly tired.
"If I told you what it was like, you'd know what to expect, and neither I nor the other second and third years would want that. Let's just say it's full of surprises." And under his breate, he muttered. "Especially the Hero Course teachers."
"What was that?" Kisu asked.
"Nothing. Anyway, what is it you want?" Yuno poked Kisu's cheek with his chopsticks.
"Relax," Kisu pushed the sticks away. "Like I said, it's good to talk to the upperclassman. And you just so happen to be, an upperclassman."
Between Kisu and the pink haired girl giving off terribly high energy, and the boys and other girl just eating and staying quiet, Yuno wasn't sure which he'd prefer. It was awkward to say the least.
"If none of you are going to ask me anything, I'll take my leave now."
Before Yuno could get up, the boy with the scar held his wrist, keeping him in place.
"I have a question," he said, his expression unchanging.
Yuno gave a look of suspicion, not for any particular reason, but it was just instinct. After all, he learned not to trust anyone, sometimes, even your closest friends.
"What?" Yuno asked, looking at his wrist and back up at the boy.
A moment of silence went by before the boy spoke again, bluntly and plainly.
"What's your name?"
Yuno deadpanned. How could there have been so much tension when he just wanted to know his name?
"It's, uh, Yuno. Yuno Tsumuyuki. And…yours?"
"Shoto Todoroki."
"Well then, Todoroki, I'll be on my way. If you could let go of my wrist, I'd be delighted."
Todoroki silently let go of Yuno's wrist. They locked eyes for a second, staring at each other, until the pink haired girl spoke.
"I'm Mina Ashido!" She grabbed Yuno's hand, shaking it, and pushed Todoroki aside. "Nice to meet'cha!"
"Ah," Yuno exclaimed, uncomfortable with having a stranger touching him. "Charmed." He stared at Ashido's hand.
"So, you sure you don't wanna sit and talk? Y'know, get to know each other? We're probably going to need help with stuff. And considering you're a second year, we're gonna look up to you."
Yuno kept quiet for a few moments, thinking about the question. Well, it's not like he'll just be left alone, especially since these seem like people who will seek him out.
"Perhaps," Yuno sat back down next to Kisu with his tray. "It wouldn't be so bad if I did make some small talk with new students."
"You're just worried about first impression." Kisu rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I am. You have no decency."
"Yes, I do!"
Yuno didn't spit back that time, only dipping his noodles into his sauce and slurping them up. That caught the attention of Todoroki, who had the same meal.
"You like soba?" Todoroki held his own bowl of sauce.
Yuno proceeded to pick up more noodles and drench them in the sauce. "I prefer soba over the other options of what's being served today. So yes, I do enjoy soba."
"Hot or cold?" Todoroki asked, making it seem like a very important question.
"Cold soba. What moron eats soba hot?"
"That moron is sitting right here, jerk." Kisu growled, simultaneously smacking Yuno.
On cue and at the same time, Yuno and Todoroki dipped their soba into the bowl of Tsuyu sauce and slurped up the noodles. They glanced at each other for a brief moment while chewing, then quickly turned back to their meals. Ashido and the girl with long earlobes' eyes met each other before they shook their heads in disbelief. Did they just...somewhat bond over soba?
"Now that I've introduced myself," Yuno said after finishing a mouthful of soba. "Mind telling me your own names. I can't be left in the dark of your titles as an upperclassman."
Oh, now he chooses to be all buddy-buddy with them, Kisu scoffed, thankfully, in her head.
"I'm Hanta Sero," he pointed at himself, nearly smacking the blonde teen with his large elbow, apologizing quickly after.
The blonde's eyes narrowed as his eyes moved from Sero to Yuno, slowly and suspiciously.
Something tells me girls are always over this guy, I don't trust him one bit.
"Denki Kaminari," he waved a hand dismissively and kept a pout on his face. "I get you're our senior, but don't think I'll be friends with you just because of- OW!"
Kaminari was interrupted by an earphone jack stabbing his ear, shutting him up about Yuno being suspicious of something he had nothing to do with. The girl with long lobes had scolded Kaminari about being rude to seniors. They looked close even though they've only known each other for about half a day.
"Don't mind him," she said while twirling her lobes around her finger. "I'm Kyoka Jiro, I'm Kiichan's friend too. Hope we can get to know each other."
Yuno eyed Kisu with every intent to pummel her. He hadn't heard that nickname in a while, since he and Kisu were in elementary school. "Kiichan" is what Yuno would refer to Kisu as since "Kisu-chan" just didn't roll off the tongue as easily. Though, that was a long time ago, they were friendly-to-everyone and naive children, Yuno would still call Kisu her nickname when they were alone. It was just too embarrassing and unprofessional in Yuno's eyes.
"Well, if you're good friends with 'Kiichan' here, then I guess that makes us friends already as well." Yuno said, looking innocent as he smiled and keeping up a facade. Although, Kisu could tell he wasn't in the brightest of moods now that he knew she was letting others call her that personal nickname.
Oh well, I guess I'll have to get to that later.
"I didn't expect you to be a loner, then completely change to a friendly guy," Ashido pointed out, putting her hands together joyfully. "Does that make us friends already?"
Yuno's eyes narrowed in Ashido's direction, while giving off an aura. Kisu scooted away from him, whispering a few words about "ignore him, he's always like that." Ashido only nodded, along with a quick "ohh" and smiled nervously.
"Sorry, I'm not sure how I feel about being friends with someone I don't know." Yuno answered Ashido's question from before.
"But you don't know Jiro-"
"Oh, but good ol' 'Kiichan' here knows her to some extent. I actually trust her more than anyone here. You're still first years, how could I trust you right off the bat? I'm having a hard time winging it with Jiro here anyway."
"You make zero sense," Kisu facepalmed in disbelief.
"Mm, I'm glad you're aware." Yuno rested his chin on his palm and smiled brightly, you could almost see sparkles coming from his pretty smile, albeit, even if it's just a joke.
—————
As soon as lunch was over, Yuno went straight back to the workshop. The place was his safe place in the chaotic school after all, but he also needed to get work done for the coming night. He did not enjoy using his Quirk, so in return, using his intellect, he'd create lightweight support items to help him fight. Every other day, Yuno had to fight at least once. He didn't enjoy, nor did he despise it, it was just a way to get easy money. Although, he may have to find a different way of getting paid if the heroes ever found out about the little "scandals" he and others have been getting into to.
Enough of that, He shook his head as set down the wrench in his hand, taking a break. I have more than enough on my mind already.
Yuno held up the new item he had made. It needed a bit more fine tuning, but otherwise, it should work. It was a simple item that you would wear on your wrist. It's not as lightweight as any other item Yuno has made, due to the metal the item carried inside. On command, you can shoot metal ropes that work as a capture item or even a grappling hook if you so pleased. Yuno chose metalic ropes because normal ropes would be useless in this day and age, only being a distraction to your opponent. Anyone could break through rope if they wanted to.
Yuno's thoughts were interrupted when the door opened, his homeroom teacher stood there with his arms dangling. Yuno might not be able to see his face, but he could tell his teacher was deadpanning behind that large helmet or whatever it was that sat on his head.
"Power Loader," Yuno spun around in his chair and crossed his legs, pronouncing Loader's name with a firm voice. "How nice of you to drop by. Is there something you need?"
"You know full well why I'm standing in this dreaded workshop." Loader pointed at Yuno; he may have been scowling but Yuno didn't care. "I didn't see you anywhere around the school today. I should've known to look in here first."
"What did you think I was doing? Mingling with the little kids? That's the third years' job. I, on the other hand, have other things on my mind."
Loader sighed, finding a seat for himself next to Yuno and leaning back against the slightly singed table. "Y'know you're a good kid, right? I'm not mad or anything."
"I know you're not; you rarely get mad unless it's you being held back from your desserts."
Loader let out a hearty laugh at that statement. "I see you still have a sense of humor."
"I wasn't joking."
"Don't be uptight."
There were a few moments of silence that went by, making it awkward, at least for Power Loader. Yuno however, enjoyed and relished in the silence, he never got any peace anyway, so he may as well take advantage of it. That peace only lasted so long when Loader spoke again.
"You doing okay, kiddo?"
Yuno gave Loader his usual glance, eyebrows furrowed, lips a straight line, a neutral face for Yuno. Loader has known this stingy kid for a few years now, he had multiple missions with Yuno's dad at one point and he met the rascal at a young age. That expression of his was what he always, always, wore. Loader is still surprised that Yuno's face isn't stuck like that yet. He does admit that he's never heard Yuno laugh or seen him smile genuinely.
One time. That's all.
"What kind of question is that?" Yuno turned around to find another item to work on, only to see there were only a few leftover pieces from Mei's and his own projects. He decided to just tinker with the remaining pieces and find out where it takes him.
"It's a genuine thing to ask." Loader answered and shrugged. "You're usually a very scheduled student. You've never been late to a single class, always had amazing grades, you talked a little, as long as you got the social standing it offered. And now, first day back to school, you're a second year, and you're late. In fact, you completely ghost every class you have for the day. You do realize there's only one class left for the day, right?"
"Mm, good, I can go home soon."
"You want to go home? I thought you like learning."
"I learnt everything already. I have my license, I've been on internships, I passed every exam. All I need now is experience."
"Which you can learn at school."
"School will only get me so far."
"Is this about your parents again?"
Yuno came to a halt with his tinkering, his lips pressed tight together. He didn't spit back, which concerned Loader with how out of character it was for the boy. With a small but sharp turn of his head, Yuno met Loader's eyes. They say the eyes are a window to one's soul, and Loader could see pink and blue eyes full of fear, frustration, and even anger.
"Yuno, I-"
"I think I'll excuse myself early. I don't feel well."
As quickly as it came, the fear and anger had gone and left with the wind. His eyes were back to their glazed over form as he dropped his tinkering and swung his bag onto his shoulder. He quickly shot out of his seat and headed for the door when a calloused hand grabbed his shoulder.
"Bud, you have to be open about these things. Whatever is going on, you can talk to me. I'd like to think I'm more than just a homeroom teacher to you."
Yuno locked eyes with Loader, noticing how he was now an inch or two taller than him now. Of course, Loader was a trustworthy person, not just as a teacher but as friend. Except, Yuno didn't want to be close to a hero. Heroes always turn around sooner or later. But Loader has seen Yuno grow, physically and mentally. He's helped Yuno out of unclimbable holes.
Yuno's shoulders loosened, releasing the tense feeling in his body as his head drooped.
"I'm tired."
"I know buddy, believe me."
"I don't want to be alone, I-"
"I know. You don't have to go back to them. They were never good parents."
"Then why, why are they still so high in the hero industry. They were never good people."
Loader pulled Yuno into a hug. He knew Yuno didn't like people pitying him, so Loader didn't pity him. But God, he hated how Yuno would come breaking down to him when his parents got to him. They were never kind to Yuno, and Loader despised that. Even if he had heard things happen, he didn't have any proof to turn them in, he'd just be tattle tailing to the police at that point. And the police are not sweet and giddy people.
Loader could hear small and quiet sniffles coming from the seemingly now frail teen. He was so proud by how much the boy had grown.
He never did like emotions, did he?
With a gentle rub on his Yuno's head, Loader spoke softly.
"You'll be okay, they can't do anything."