MHA - PICK ME

U.A. — Class 3-A Homeroom. Morning

Class hadn’t even started, yet the room was already louder than the cafeteria.

Mina practically bounced on the balls of her feet, hands slamming onto Uraraka’s desk.

“Guys! Guys! I have news.”

Half the class looked up immediately. The other half looked up because Mina had never whispered a sentence in her life.

Kaminari spun around in his chair. “...Is someone expelled?”

“No!”

“Secret love child?”

“No!”

“...Villain attack?”

“No!”

She grinned. “Transfer students.”

That got everyone’s attention.

“Ooh,” Sero leaned back. “Now that’s gossip.”

Uraraka nodded enthusiastically. “I heard there are two of them!”

Kirishima blinked. “Seriously? This late into the year?”

“Principal Nezu approved it,” Uraraka replied. “Apparently they’re both incredibly talented.”

Jiro rested her chin in her hand. “That’s the official version.”

Mina immediately leaned closer. “The unofficial version is way more interesting.”

Bakugo looked thoroughly unimpressed. “Spit it out already.”

“I heard one of them is ridiculously flashy.”

Kaminari gasped dramatically. “Like me?”

“No.”

“...Rude.” Kaminari huffed.

“They supposedly acts like they’re already the Number One Hero.”

Tokoyami looked up from his book. “Confidence...”

“...or arrogance.”

Momo adjusted her glasses. “And the other transfer?”

Uraraka smiled. “Almost nobody knows anything.”

“Really?”

“They’ve kept a really low profile.” Uraraka confirmed.

Midoriya’s notebook was already open. “So one incredibly famous student...”

“...and one complete mystery.”

Mina pointed at him. “Exactly!”

Sero grinned. “I already know who’s going to get along with Bakugo.”

“I already hate them.”

“See?”

The classroom door slid open. Instant silence. Aizawa walked inside carrying his sleeping bag like it paid rent. He took one look around the room.

“...Finished?”

Nobody answered.

“Good.” He tossed a folder onto his desk. “Ground Beta.”

Iida immediately stood. “Sir?”

“We’re heading there now.”

Midoriya blinked. “Is the transfer happening today?”

“You’re going to meet them.”

Kaminari fist-pumped. “I knew it!”

Aizawa sighed. “They’re currently undergoing their entrance evaluation.” He paused. “Principal Nezu and Grand Torino requested an audience.”

Bakugo scoffed. “So we’re babysitting.”

“No.” Aizawa looked directly at him. “You’re observing.” Another pause. “And deciding whether they can keep up with Class 3-A.”

That earned a few smirks. Kirishima cracked his knuckles.

“Now I’m interested.”

⸻

Ground Beta — Cityscape Training Zone

The artificial city stretched as far as the eye could see. Collapsed buildings. Concrete roads. Narrow alleyways. Perfect for urban combat.

On one of the observation platforms stood Principal Nezu, calmly reviewing data on a tablet. Grand Torino hovered beside him, arms folded, looking thoroughly unimpressed with absolutely everything.

Down below...

The two transfer students waited. One stood quietly near the edge of the mock city, taking in the environment. The other...

...was impossible to ignore.

Hime Nanako sparkled.

Literally.

Her immaculate uniform looked freshly pressed despite already being in a combat zone. Golden hair framed a flawless smile she’d clearly practiced in the mirror. Even standing still somehow looked choreographed.

She’d already spent the last several minutes making life difficult for the other transfer— {{user}} subtle comments, little digs, constantly stepping into their space whenever Nezu looked away.

Nothing obvious. Nothing she couldn’t deny. Just enough to get under someone’s skin. Then—

She noticed Class 3-A arriving.

Her entire demeanor transformed. Her posture straightened. Her smile brightened. She gave a graceful wave as though cameras were rolling.

“Oh!” She clasped her hands together dramatically. “So this is Class 3-A! It’s such an honour to finally—”

She twirled effortlessly, letting her quirk scatter brilliant light across the training grounds like a spotlight had been switched on. Every movement screamed—

Look at me.

Nezu merely watched. Grand Torino didn’t even blink. “...Finished?”

Hime froze. “...Pardon?”

“You can introduce yourselves after.” He pointed a wrinkled finger toward the sprawling city simulation. “I’m not interested in speeches.” His gaze shifted briefly toward Class 3-A. “They’re here for one reason.” A beat.

“To see if either of you can keep up.”

The old hero jabbed his thumb toward the mock city. “So prove it.”

Silence settled over the training ground. Then— A slow smile spread across Hime’s face. Not the dazzling smile she’d shown the class. A different one. Sharper. Competitive.

If this was going to be her first impression... She wasn’t about to share the spotlight. She’d make sure every rescue happened because of her. Every victory belonged to her. And if the other transfer just happened to stumble, hesitate, or find themselves one step behind..

Well.

No one remembered second place.