Hiro looked apprehensively across the gym to the line of students. Without her knowledge, Mirio watched her closely. He wanted to figure out what was going on with her after being late to class and acting so intensely.

He turned his attention to the kids in front of them. They appeared to be a normal bunch of kids like themselves, ready to learn what it means to be heroes. That is, until he saw a peculiar boy with purple eyes and messy brown hair.

The strange boy grinned as if he held a secret or was plotting a dangerous scheme. Though Mirio didn't like to judge, he could not help but do so. He figured that perhaps Hiro knew him and that, maybe, the hoy had to do with her behavior that day.

* * *

"Alright, students!" Said Present Mic, who was the 1-C homeroom's teacher. "The student you see across from you is the one you will be sparing! So, pick a spot on the line and no swapping!"

I saw Haruki plotting on the other line. He began to whisper to the boys next to him as they looked over us with shifting eyes. After coming to an agreement with each other, him and his friend switched places, leaving me to spar against Haruki.

I wanted to say something to the teacher; we were specifically told not to switch, but of course he'd break the rules if that meant he would be able to fight me. I guess I was stuck with him. Then, I jumped at the sudden touch on my shoulder. When I looked over, I saw a hand. It belonged to Togata.

"Psst! Swap places with me, it's fine," he said. He gave a signature wink to reassure me. However, it only raised questions and more concern.

"What? But you heard the teacher! No switching," I said. Why would Togata deliberately go against the teacher's orders? Besides, he doesn't know who he's dealing with if he takes my spot.

"Trust me, I'll be okay," he said and, without another second passing, Togata gently, and effortlessly, pushed me aside.

I blinked several times in befuddlement. I knew Togata was strange, but his sudden actions left me with no explaination. "Well, do you know that guy?" I said, discretely nudging in Haruki's direction.

"No, do you?"

"Uh, I mean," I hesitated, "just a little."

He hummed in response, not asking any more questions. I wanted to ask what he was thinking, but it was best to stay quiet since the teacher came by to write our names for the line-up.

Our teacher looked at me and Togata for a few seconds longer than necessary. His dark eyes lingered, almost studying us before walking further down the line, jotting names.

"So, what happened to our teacher from yesterday?" I asked.

Togata shook his head and shrugged. "Beats me, this teacher popped up from out of the blue. They said yesterday's teacher was a sub-in for them, that she wasn't a teacher here long-term."

I placed my hand to my lips deep in thought. "Strange," I said. "What's their name then?"

"They introduced themself as Tacticle. Apparently they used to teach at a different school outside of the country. They just moved over here to specifically teach at UA."

"Really?" I leaned over in line to get a better look at the teacher. They had a lean build and long legs like a spider. Though they didn't look sickly, just tall and intimidating, as well.

But, as I continued to study our teacher, they slightly turned their head enough to glare at me. I gasped before quickly standing up straight in line once more. I replayed their look in my mind; the way they shot their glance as if to kill.

"You okay there?" Asked Togata. "What happened?"

"Uh, nothing. The teacher just sent a nasty look my way is all, just scared me a bit."

"Oh okay, but," he reluctantly paused. "I meant what happened this morning, though? Why were you late?" It was as if he felt the breath hitch in my throat, causing him to correct himself to prevent any emotional injury. "I mean, if you don't mind me asking that is."

I half-smiled. He did try to be as polite and considerate as can be. I truly appreciated that, whether he knew it or not. "Well, you know how I said I knew only one other person here at school?"

"Yeah?"

"That's him; he's the guy you're about to spar with," I said. There's so much history with Haruki, the bad kind, that I couldn't explain to Togata at that moment. Even if I could, it would be best to save it for another time. I didn't want to frighten him or throw him off before the fight.

Soon enough, Present Mic announced the beginning of the training session saying, "Mirio Togata and Yozo Haruki, please come forward to the center of the ring."

"Well, guess I'm up first!" Said Togata with a great smile plastered onto his face. Before he could leave, I reached out to grab his arm, holding him back. He looked startled at first, but eased into my hold once he realized it was me.

"Please, be careful,"I said as I gave the best smile possibly could give. He reassured me with a wink and a pat on the head before walking away. He doesn't know what he's stepping into, I thought.

The teachers stood at the side lines with the rest of the students. Soon enough, the match started, leaving Togata and Haruki to fight as directed.

I was able to sift through the crowd and cheering kids and found Nejire and Amajiki chatting together. They looked pumped andexcited, ready to see their friend fight and give his all. As for me on the other hand, I felt queasy.

"Hey, yuya!" Called Najire, bringing me into a hug. "What's the matter? You nervous for your turn just like Amajiki over here?"

"Uh, something like that!" I said. I looked over to Amajiki to see him intently observing the match.

"What's with that guy fighting Mirio?" He asked. "He's got his hands casually in his pockets after the match has already started."

Of course, Haruki would definitely be the kind of guy to try and show off. Sure enough, he was dodging Togata's punches, swiftly ducking and leaning back in feigned ease.

* * *

"So, what was that back there that you did on the side lines, hm?" Asked Haruki, egging on his opponent. "You know, switching was against the rules, right?"

Mirio scoffed. "Like you have any room to talk. I saw that you did the same thing." He slowed down his punches. It was obvious Haruki was experience in hand-to-hand combat.

"Aw, didn't know I had a fan in the room, watching my every move before getting the courage to walk up to me!" Without warning, he pounced over to Mirio in attempt to land a punch. He nearly got the hit, but was an inch too far out of reach. "Lucky you, I guess," he joked.

"Why did you want to fight Hiro?" Asked Mirio. He sounded worried, but his expression looked more angry than concerned. Breathless, the two began to circle the ring, waiting for the other to try and strike.

"Eh, why not? Is it a problem if I just felt like it?" He snickered as he imagined a defenseless Yuya standing in the ring instead of Mirio. Then, snapping him from his dream, a punch landed square under his jaw. "Ugh, you Bastard!"

"Leave her alone," commanded Mirio with his hand still balled into a fist. "If you plan on taking your frustrations out on her, take it out on me instead!"

Blood began to trickle from a cut on his lip. Haruki licked up the little red left, fueling his rage. "I think I'll take you up on that offer," he said. He transformed his arm into a beast's, lunging himself quickly towards Mirio. "Because you were the one that had to intervene!"

Fortunately, Mirio doged the hit by sinking into the floor. The crowd of students gasped at the sight of Mirio emerging from the ground without his gym uniform.

"Not again," said Tamaki from the crowd. He placed his face into his hand, clearly feeling the second hand embarrassment.

Nejire laughed to herself. "I knew this was going to happen!" She said in amusement.

As for Yuya, she could feel the blood rush to her head. "He really needs to find a way around this issue,"she whipsered under her breath.

The students in the gym watched in awe and appallement. The ground Haruki hit had broken into pieces. Mirio had gained a few beads of sweat on his forehead as he witnessed the damage done; the damage that was supposed to be done to him.

'This guy means business,'Mirio thought as he caught his breath. 'Hiro, what does this guy have against you?'