Kurose Kuro set aside everything related to Katsuki Bakugo and focused on studying.
His routine was simple. He ignored anyone who tried to provoke him. Most people lost interest when they didn't get a reaction. The few who didn't learned quickly—Kuro had no hesitation using Pain Recall on them.
They could complain all they wanted. Without visible evidence, nothing ever came of it.
Kuro didn't feel guilty.
If someone chose to pick a fight, they should be ready for the consequences.
Every now and then, he wrote to Hitoshi Shinso about his progress. After school, he would stop by the seaside park and watch Izuku Midoriya working alone, steadily clearing the mountain of trash.
The change was obvious. The park was slowly taking shape again.
Kuro couldn't help but admire the effort.
At the same time, he kept up his own training. Unlike Midoriya's intense ten-month regimen, Kuro followed a slower, supervised routine under a medical professional.
If they were compared directly, the gap would be obvious.
Still, things were improving.
Winter came.
And with it, the U.A. entrance exam.
Kuro wrapped his scarf tighter and breathed into his hands, trying to stay warm.
Fujita Emi handed him a thermos and his stationery. "Which school are you taking the exam at?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "If you feel unwell, tell a teacher right away."
"I'll be fine," Kuro said. "I'm not that fragile."
"But the nurse said—"
"I know. I'll just take the exam."
He was about to put on his shoes when something crossed his mind. He hurried back to his room and opened the cabinet.
The pistol lay there quietly.
His father's.
Kuro hesitated, then wrapped it in a handkerchief and placed it in his bag.
He didn't expect to pass.
This was probably the first—and last—time he would come to U.A.
Bringing it along felt like bringing his father with him.
"Emi, Granny Neko, I'm heading out."
"Take your time. Do your best," Nekoyama Fumiko called after him.
They still didn't know he had applied to U.A.'s Hero Course.
Kuro had avoided the topic, mentioning medical schools instead. He didn't want to raise their hopes only to disappoint them.
The orphanage wasn't far from U.A. High School. Kuro had been there once before with Shinso, so the route was familiar.
But standing in front of it now—
It felt completely different.
The gate towered over him, massive and imposing.
A large sign stood nearby:
"U.A. High School Entrance Examination Hall."
Hero statues lined the path, dusted with snow.
Kuro took a deep breath and tightened his grip on his bag.
"Move it, you scared freak!"
Kuro turned.
Bakugo.
Even in winter, he looked ready to explode.
"I'm taking you down during the exam!"
Kuro blinked.
"…Okay."
"Don't 'okay' me!"
Kuro decided not to respond again.
Behind Bakugo stood Midoriya. Next to him was a girl Kuro didn't recognize—bright, cheerful, and undeniably cute.
She said something to Midoriya, and his face turned red instantly.
In this cold?
Impressive.
Kuro gave Midoriya a small nod, but the boy seemed too flustered to notice.
Shinso had said his Quirk wasn't suited for the Hero Course exam.
But he came anyway.
"I just want to see what they're really capable of," he had said.
Kuro didn't fully understand. To him, a Quirk was what it was.
Seeing others wouldn't change that.
"It's not just about the Quirk," Shinso replied, adjusting his hat. "It's about how you use it."
He glanced toward Bakugo.
"…Still, I can't help being a little jealous of someone like him."
"You know him?" Kuro asked.
"Yeah. He was involved in that sludge villain incident. For someone our age, he's already on another level."
Shinso sounded annoyed.
"Most top heroes showed something unusual even when they were students. It all connects."
Kuro tilted his head.
"…Then what about me? That long tongue incident counts, right—"
Shinso smacked him lightly on the head.
"Think before you talk," he said flatly. "Know when to help others, and when to protect yourself."
Kuro rubbed his head, muttering under his breath.
They entered the auditorium together.
It was packed.
Students clustered with classmates or familiar faces. Shinso didn't have anyone else, so he sat with Kuro.
Kuro ended up next to Midoriya.
Same school. It made sense.
At least it was better than sitting next to strangers.
That thought lasted about ten seconds.
Midoriya was muttering.
Constantly.
"It's Present Mic—he's amazing! I listen to his radio show every week! U.A. really has pro heroes teaching—this is incredible!"
Bakugo muttered, "He's so loud."
Kuro nodded in agreement.
Midoriya's thoughts were… a lot.
On stage, Present Mic struck a dramatic pose, his voice booming through the auditorium.
He gestured toward the large screen behind him, where the exam layout appeared.
"Let's get started! Here are the details for today's entrance exam!"