Ken paced by the wall of the hall where dozens of prospective students were waiting for the UA International entrance exam to start. It was mid-summer, and the weather was perfect for sunbathing. But Ken was trapped inside. Some students formed little clusters in the open floor space, creating an almost overwhelming excitement. Some were explaining their goals, their plans to become top heroes, how far they had travelled to get here. Ken heard different languages. And despite his curiosity, and usual outward openness to new encounters, this time Ken kept to himself. There was one thought that wouldn’t leave his mind.

His peers had such stories that led them to this point, so many experiences and journeys. Ken just rounded the corner to get here. Literally. His mom and dad’s flower shop-cafe was just a few blocks away. UA international was a staple of his childhood, he’d walk by it everyday. And when his quirk manifested, an incredible combination of his parents’ seemingly mundane quirks, grass hair and green thumb, he set his eyes on UAI, as he felt he knew it best. But now, with all these students here, he felt a sudden inadequacy. Why would they pick some random kid off the block over the daughter of an internationally renowned hero? Or someone who’s had countless accolades already?

Maybe he assumed too much about how easy it would be for him to get into UAI, Ken didn’t plan for backups. His parents enthusiastically encouraged him, of course, they wanted him to stay close by. But they also had full confidence in him. What happens if he lets them down? He’d probably just go work at their shop - become another plant for his mom to take care of. Yes... being a stationary plant sounds good...

“..Hey?” A sudden voice pulled Ken out of his house plant doom-scenario. 

“You..ok?” Ken looked up, seeing that a tall blond boy had approached him. Ken didn’t remember seeing him when he scanned the room. Though among all of the flashy mutation quirks, this boy was quite forgettable… like… really average. Except for maybe his height. Ken blinked blankly at him, prompting the other to ask again, who now looked a little more concerned 

“You ok?” Ken turned to face him a bit more and gave him a quick nod as he crackled “Uh.. yeah.” Holy shit his mouth was dry.

 “Oh good!” The boy gave him a smile, though it quite soon turned back to a face of concern “I was watching you for a while.. You seemed like you were about to pass out.” 

Ok... thought Ken, that’s totally not weird at all. “No no I’m totally ok- Just a little-” as he said that he felt himself stumble a little bit on his feet, the pacing had made him dizzy. Clearly already counting on it, the other grabbed his arms, sitting Ken down against the wall. 

“Easy- there you go.” Ken looked up, prepared to root himself right there and never leave, how embarrassing. But suddenly, right as the blonde boy let go of his arms, Ken felt a sudden appearance of saliva in his mouth. “You were dehydrated.” the other spoke up looking forward at the crowds of kids while Ken raised his eyebrows… how the hell did he know. “And seeing how this is quite an anxiety inducing event, no surprise.” The boy once more looked over at Ken and gestured with his head towards the crowd “And I bet a lot of them are in far worse state than you, having to put up a confident front on top of it while being scared shitless! I know I am, so I stayed on the side lines like you.” 

Ken couldn’t help but let out a little giggle, this was definitely a weird kid, who quite promptly stretched out a hand. “I’m Eita, nice to meet you!” Ken shook Eita’s hand, which was surprisingly warm. 

“Ken, nice to meet you too… How did you know I was dehydrated?” Ken didn’t delay the question, now that he was actually talking to someone he couldn’t contain his curiosity. 

“Welllll, first, I heard it when you spoke, and then when I caught ya- I felt it cause y’know! Quirk… stuff…” Eita seemed to trail off unconfidently, almost like the effect of him knowing about Ken’s dehydration was very much unwanted. 

“Oh! Let me guess.” Ken beamed “Water manipulation quirk? Cause suddenly I wasn’t dehydrated” Ken pointed at his mouth, sticking out his tongue - Eita shook his head, laughing at the enthusiasm “Hmm then what about power boost, like giving energy to others!” 

“That’s a bit closer..” Eita laughed once more. 

“Ok tell me then! What’s your quirk” 

Eita put his hands together and in a dramatic reveal spread them apart “It's called Homeostasis.” After the dramatic emphasis was complete he turned to Ken with a wide smile, holding one finger up to gesture along with his explanation “It lets me control my own body’s internal conditions - y’know, like temperature, oxygen.. water - and, if I have two hands on someone else, I can make their body conditions match mine! So when I grabbed ya.. I just caught ya up to my hydration level.”

Ken beamed “That’s so cool!! You could do so much with that! You can heal and support-”

“I can’t fight though,” Eita pointed at him, almost like giving him a cautionary warning.

 “... You can’t?”

“Well, not in the way that all of them will fight” Eita gestured to the rest of the kids “Overt strength kinda thing.. not my vibe..” Ken pulled his neck back, pursing his lips “Well then you won’t like my quirk…”

“Oh no!! That’s not what I meant!!!” Eita waved his hands frantically “Please, tell me!!” 

“Well,” Ken smirked. This was always his favorite part, showing his quirk before explaining it. Within moments he stuck his left hand out, plant buds emerging on his skin and instantaneously growing into sharp plates, which layered onto each other and formed a short wooden lance, reaching to Ken’s fingertips. Ken pointed it at Eita, who flinched back “Tada!!!” Ken looked proud. 

“Woah!!!” Eita’s eyes glimmered in awe “That’s incredible!!” he proceeded to carefully touch the bark “Wood.. and it's really real- can you grow it only on your arms?” 

Ken replied “Nope, I can grow it anywhere- can also control its shape but… that’s difficult. So I just make these bad boys!” Ken flexed his arm “Only problem is-” as he continued Ken started breaking off the wooden plates, and tossing them aside “I can’t retract it. So I gotta pull them off.” Eita winced at the sight while Ken realized that he may have gotten a little too caught up in his demonstration.. he just revealed his main weakness, and if anyone noticed, they could use it against him. Though he felt at least Eita wouldn’t. 

“Does it hurt?” Eita asked cautiously. 

“A little, but I’m quite used to it. Don’t worry!” 

Eita still looked worried. As Ken continued pulling off wooden pieces the intercom of the hall came to life with some static, before a voice began to speak.

“Prospective UAI students, what an incredible turnout we have today! We will be starting the exam shortly, so please prepare yourselves. On the screens you see on the walls you will be able to find your name and the respective quadrant of the hall you should locate yourself at for the exam’s beginning. Thank you, and good luck!” 

Eita stood up, offering Ken a hand as well as they both peered at the screens. 

Ken Hill - Quadrant A

Eita Takenaka - Quadrant C. 

They were standing in Quadrant B. “Well, I guess this is goodbye for now” Eita gave Ken another friendly smile.

“Mhm!” Ken nodded, and then, mostly jokingly asking “How ‘bout one more hydration boost before we run off?” .. he always could use more water. 

Before he knew it Eita had grabbed his forearms and released. “You’re all set! Now you’re definitely going to do fantastic!”

Ken looked back at Eita… so weird… but quickly thanked him, he felt quite reassured in his abilities now. “Hey! And you better do too, I wanna see you on the other side” Ken gave Eita a confident nod, before giving him a two finger salute and dashing off to the other side of the hall. Eita chuckled to himself, turning around and heading in the opposite direction.