Chapter Text
A lot of the other students were panting from the long-distance run, either bent over, or, in the cases of a few of them, laying on the ground, sitting if they had a bit more self-respect.
He himself was sitting, panting slightly at the run. He had done decently, thanks Starcross for constantly running around, you’ve saved me he thinks, with a small grin remembering how his younger brother would constantly ask to be chased, or be the chaser. Even running away from their family to have that opportunity, their parents usually sending out either him or Lux to fetch him back.
A few were less tired, including, from what palette could overhear, the two recommendation students. The girl that could pull things from her body had made a self-moving scooter, and the Boy with red and white hair had glided along on an ice trail. Even Iida, the boy with the engine legs, looked a lot less exhausted, having cruised along at a faster speed than others.
Noticing the other students starting to gather around Aizawa, he followed suit, standing back up to see what was happening.
“Your final results have been compiled, based on the marks on each individual test” he explains. It’s a waste of time to explain the results verbally, so” he takes out his phone, “I’ll just show the results all at once.”
Pressing a button, a light flashed out of his phone, displaying one of those weird light screens, like from his acceptance letter.
Spotting his name immediately, he sighed in relief, spotting his name near the top of the list. Looking down further, he was somewhat thankful that both Toru, who he had helped, and Midoriya were not dead last.
Instead, it was a boy known as Mineta Minoru. Whose that? He wonders, looking around. A moment of tense silence fills the air, as Palette locked in on the boy, the one with the purple balls for hair, who was staring in shock.
Though one of the girls, the one with the creation quirk, seemed to be staring, hopeful? Back towards Aizawa at the result showcase.
“By the way, I was lying about expulsion” Aizawa announces. The girl seemed to be a bit disappointed, sighing.
A pause, the class staring in shock, as Aizawa grins at their confusion. “It was a rational deception to draw out the upper limits of your quirks”
Palette feels himself sag. The upper limit. he didn’t plan on just calling out one person, apart from maybe Midoriya he realises. this was him seeing what potential we had.
“Of course he wouldn’t expel us” Palette looked towards the speaker. The Creation girl. Some of his fellow students, including Midoriya and Infinity girl, exclaimed in shock, as she continued.
“I thought it was obvious from the start” She seems a bit disappointed, and Palette, remembering Gradients words from this morning, briefly doubts her.
Everyone gave it their All, even Mineta. If someone was cruising, and taking it, not seriously, I doubt they would be here still.
Midoriya was sent to the nurses office, while the rest of them picked up their student handbook and class schedules from their classroom.
Palette, sitting at his desk flicked through the booklet, speed reading the material briefly, before turning to his class schedule.
Maths, Science, Japanese, and English jumped out to him first. He frowned a bit at that one, wondering if he would have to go to that one if he already knew English. Would I have to study another Language? I’ve always picked up languages quickly he thought to himself, before reading further down the schedule.
They have art class? He blinked in suprise, looking at the subject that was on their schedule. Hmm, I guess some of the other subjects can be a bit boring, I didn’t know they taught art though he thinks to himself. After all, Art was all about having fun, making things you wanted to make, self-expression. It sounds like Its mostly a fun class! I guess they’ve got to have something good for students to look forward to! He smiled, glad that School, it seemed, would not be a total bore fest.
The end of class bell rang, and he watched as everyone got up, and started to chat with each other. Midoriya, who he wanted to talk to, to see if he was alright after breaking his bones, seemed to still be at the nurses office.
Following suit with his classmates, he picked up the booklets and schedules. Taking out his diary from his bag he slipped the schedule into the space between the cover and page.
Standing up as he put his diary and student handbook into his bag. Looking around, noticing that students were going off into their own little groups, talking to each other.
Noticing Toru, he smiled as she approached his desk. “Thanks so much for today by the way first place!” she, taking a seat on his desk as he slug his bag over his shoulders and rocked back onto his feet.
“Oh, it was nothing, I love being able to help!” he said reassuringly, “You did really well today!” turning slightly, he spotted a little dark shape with bright eyes staring at him.
Smiling, realising it is just Dark Shadow who approaches, and he smiles at the partner. “Your very Bright!” They announce, causing Tokoyami, from where he had been sat in his chair, to ruffle in embarrassment. “Plus you smell like Apples!”
“Oh, thank you Dark Shadow!” Toru turned slightly to look at the Shadow as they, and their Partner, approached.
They perk up at that, as Tokoyami approaches. “I apologise If Dark Shadow causes any trouble, for some reason She is quite attached to you” he explains, patting the head of Dark shadow, who seems to preen a bit under the attention.
“He Smells like Apples!” Dark Shadow repeats to Tokoyami, who quirks a brow slightly”
“Ah don’t worry, She’s alright, Dark Shadow is fine” he reassures, Dark Shadow sending a glance up at Tokoyami as if to say I told you so.
“Aww, your sweet, aren’t you!” Toru praised, leaning forward to Dark Shadow, who nodded in agreement, eyes crinkling slightly at the edges like she was smiling.
“Hmm,” Tokoyami hums, nodding as Dark Shadow preened at the attention from Toru, turning towards Tokoyami as he speaks. “You showed your true colours today, not only first during the exam, but offering assistance to others under threat of expulsion.” Tokoyami pats Dark Shadows head, as they curl around them slightly.
“I must thank you for your assistance during the exam as well.” He continues, Dark Shadow popping back up from the patting as it stopped, turning towards Toru and Palette. Noticing his chance, He smiles reassuringly at Dark Shadow, and gently holds up a hand, an invitation that Dark Shadow Takes, gliding over to him and Toru. Running his fingers gently across Dark Shadows Head, he continued listening to Tokoyami, gazing back up to him as he continues his introduction. “My name is Tokoyami Fuuymi by the way, and Dark Shadow, who has already met your acquaintance.” He explains, as Palette returns a smile, hands still gently patting the top of Dark Shadows head, “Its nice to meet both of you.”
“I’m Toru Hakakure!” The Invisible girl explains, moving side to side in a bit of a happy wiggle. “Dark Shadow, you are just so cute!” she adds, extending a clothed arm up gently, “May I?” she asks. Tokoyami Nods, as Dark Shadow Moves towards Toru, allowing the invisible hands to pat her head crooning a bit at the Attention.
Palette smiles a bit, noticing that the feathers on Tokoyamis face were slightly fluffed still in embarrassment at Dark Shadows actions. “I’m Palette, well, Palette Roller is what my father named me, by I really only use the first part” he explains.
Tokoyami Tilts his head, “A strange name, but nonetheless, It is not like I have any claim to not also suffer a similar fate with the meaning of my name.” Palette Laughs, realising that Tokoyami name means darkness belatedly. What a funny name!
“Ah, does that mean Palette is your First name, or Family name?” asks Toru, looking to him quizzically, “It is Foreign, right?”
“Oh, yes, I’m from Europe originally,” the lie comes easy enough, “Palette Roller is my Full name, and Technically both are my uh, Given names.” He rubs his head awkwardly, “I usually just use Palette, I don’t have a family name.” None of them do. Not PJ, Gradient, him, or even his Parents, well, maybe Cross, but that name would have been discarded long ago.
“Wow, that’s so weird, uh, no offense!” Toru says, waving her hands around.
“None taken. It’s a weird name, even I will admit that. My Father, er” he cringes a bit. “Is not, the best with names.” PJ, Blueprint, Palette Roller, who names their kid after Sleepware?
“So, were you named before or after your quirk?” Toru asks.
“Oh, before actually, though-“ He is cut off by a ringing coming from the pocket of his pants. His phone.
“do you have to go?” asks tokoyami.
He nods, “I promised PJ and Gradient I would meet them, I should take this.”
“No worries, See you tomorrow!” Toru calls out as she hops off his desk with a wave.
“See you tomorrow” Tokoyami Calls out, “come Dark Shadow”.
Pressing the green button, he brings the phone to his ear, hearing the slight argument from the other side. “Hello!” he greets, Stepping past some of the other students and out of the classroom and into the Hall.
“Hello!” he hears Gradient Call from the other side of the Phone.
“Did you get expelled or something?” PJ asks immediately. “Or did you get like, kidnapped. Again.” Palette Laughs off the joke as he quickly walks down the hall.
“Nope!” he says, taking the stairs two at a time towards the lockers, “We just had a test!” he explains, as Gradient can be heard in the background complaining for PJ to hand over Phone.
“No one got expelled yet, I was just talking to a few classmates!” he explains, “Although we were threatened with expulsion. We had to do a quirk assment test to prove our worth, so that’s where we were” Reaching the locker room, he finds his locker, opening it, he continues to explain slipping his hat on and taking off his shoes to switch into his boots. “It took almost All day, I’m at my Locker now, where are you two?” he asks, looking around the Locker room.
Not in here, he notes, only a few students are milling around, either in groups or by themselves as they ready to leave for the day.
“At the gate!” he hears gradient call out in the background. “Come Outside! Main one!” The Call crackles weirdly as he speaks, glitching slightly.
“Yeah, the gate, We’ll see you soon enough” PJ repeats, slightly more cleared than Gradient, before a beep as the call disconnects. Well, he knows where they are now.
Shoving the phone back into his pocket, he puts his finishes changing into his boots, and puts his shoes into the locker, and makes his way towards the two, spotting them.
Gradient spotting him, waves him over, and he reaches the two of them. “Did you know they have classes for art?” he asks the two of them, remembering his schedule.
“Haven’t you had an art class before?” Gradient asks, seemingly surprised, and a bit confused. Oh, Gradients been here, Longer, I wonder If he’s been in an art class before? Palette wondered, before continuing.
“No, I mean, why would you need art class for?” Gradient blinks, turning slightly to PJ, who shrugs. “I mean, its mostly for fun, and self-expression anyway. Isn’t it?” Gradient Makes a strange face at that, and Palette Blinks.
“Oh, they will make you hate art class” PJ informs briefly, “Don’t eat any of the glue either, alright”
“No,art class is about being better than everyone else and getting a good grade” Gradient informs. Palette blinks.
“They grade you?!” he askes, confused on how you would grade something like art. Was it based on what the teacher liked? How could you grade art?
Gradient turned on PJ, a worried look on his face “What do you mean don’t eat the glue, Don’t eat the art supplies!”
PJ scowls, turning on Gradient, like they were about to swing at him for the suggestion. “That’s disgusting!” Palette blinks a bit at the shout, “I’m not eating something that everyone grubby hands have been on! I bring my own food to school!” they exclaim, throwing their hands up into the air in exasperation. Palette looked away, feeling a Little bit awkward at the argument between the two.
If anyone would be for destroying art supplies, he thought it would be Gradient, but he seemed rather protective of them. And Also, it seemed like he didn’t hate art? Palette wasn’t really sure. Then again, Gradient can like art! Palette is certainly not complaining!
Gradient huffed, folding his arms angrily. Palette wondered if they were going to have a fight while still in front of the school Gates. Spotting a speck of familiar Green, he turns, slightly ignoring the fight as he spotted Midoriya. “You said don’t eat the glue! What’s that supposed to mean?” Gradient questions.
He looked to be Better, Midoriya that is, with a small bandage around his finger. Oh, I should make sure he is alright!
“It means don’t eat the glue Palette! Your not even Paying attention to me!”
“Huh, no, I am!” he says, turning back to PJ, who is looking pissed, and Gradient, who is smiling sort of awkwardly. “I just noticed over there!” he says pointing towards Midoriya, “One of my classmates! He got sent to the nurses office and I was sort of worried about him” he explains.
PJ turns away slightly, waving a hand, “Whatever!” they groan, as Gradient leans forward a bit, squinting, and rearranging his glasses slightly. “
“What’s wrong with him?” Gradient asks, stepping closer slightly to ask the question.
“He broke his finger,” he explains, looking back towards Midoriya. “During the Quirk Assesment, If its alright with the both of you I’m going to make sure He’s alright?” he asks, motioning to Midoriya with his thumb.
Gradients face twists, and PJ takes another look back at Midoriya, “Whatever, we can wait” PJ declares, and Palette and Gradient both perk up.
“What do you mean?” Gradient asks, pointing towards Midoriya, none to subtly.
“I’ll see you both soon!” he promises, already walking towards his friend. “Midoriya!” he calls out, as Gradient continues to question PJ.
He will probably have to come back soon to make sure that they don’t have a fight. “There is something obviously wrong with-“ he faintly hears from Gradient, before he is too far away to hear what he says. It seems that Gradient was talking more to PJ then him though, and Midoriya had already turned to face him.
“Huh?” he seems a bit surprised, having someone run up to him, before Midoriya blinks, and smiles recognising him. “Oh, first place!” he realises, “Palette-kun, right?”
“Yep, is your finger alright?” he asks, stopping next to the boy.
Midoriya nods, holding it up. “Yep, all Healed up now!” He wriggles it slightly.
Palette grins at the sight, thankful everything is alright. “That’s a relief!”
Midoriya Nods, “Thank you, for Today, I mean, I know I couldn’t, especially with Aizawa you know” he ducks his head nervously. Palette looked Behind Midoriya, noticing that it seemed that he wasn’t the only one who wanted to make sure that Midoriya was alright.
Midoriya jumps as a hand, one belonging to Iida reaches to his shoulder. “Midoriya-kun” Iida greets, startling him, before turning to Palette. “And Palette-kun?” he asks looking at him.
Palette nods, “Oh, Iida-kun” greets Midoriya, turning around slightly to talk to Iida, before the three of them shuffle into a bit of a circle.
“Your finger is healed, that is a relief” Iida states states, joining the two of them in polite conservation. “I was rather taken back by Aizawa-sensei, I was even questioning if this was the best of the best, and such” he explains “I never thought a teacher would encourage us with a lie.” He explains, as Palette and Midoriya nod in understanding.
Izuku smiles a bit, as Iida speaks, and Palette remembers Izuku from this morning worried about the two scary people potentially in the class, and how nervous he seemed when Iida approached.
Iida, while intense, was quite nice, especially once you got to know him! Palette realised.
“Wait up!” they hear from behind Iida. Peeking with Midoriya behind Iiida, they spot the girl that scored infinity. Wow, seems like everyone was meeting outside the gate! Speaking of…
Looking over to his siblings, he spots PJ tapping their foot impatiently, while Gradient continues to stare at them. I should probably get back soon he thinks as the girl that scored infinity reaches them, “Are you guys going to the Station? Mind if I join?” she asks.
“You’re the infinity girl” Iida recognises, and she nods.
“I’m Ochaco Uruaka!” she introduces, before she points towards him, Palette smiles nervously, “Your, Palette Roller, right?” she asks, before pointing towards Iida, “oh, and Iida Tenya, and your Midoriya Deku right?” she asks with a smile.
“Deku?” Midoriya asks, surprised and shocked.
“Yeah, during the Ball toss, Bakugou called you Deku, right?” she questions, head tilting. Palette nods.
“Yeah, I remember him saying Deku?” he says confused. Was it a nickname? He heard him call the boy, Bakugou Katsuki, Kachan. Did they know each other?
Sweating nervously, Midoriya fiddled with his hands “Well, yes, but he calls me that Because the Kanji for Midoriya can be read as Deku, like useless” he explains. Palette frowns. That’s not the nicest nickname.
“Ah, so an Insult” Iida recognises. Palette turns towards Gradient and PJ. He should probably get back soon; he made sure his friend was alright.
Uruaka panics at the explanation. “Oh, I thought it was cute, like you could do it!” she explains, “Not, that”.
Palette watches as Gradient and PJ start fighting about something, again. Hmmmm not good. He thinks to himself.
“Deku it is then!” Deku agrees, flushed.
Iida turns on him, chopping the air, “You’re accepting it that easy?” questions Iida, and a part of Palette can’t help but agree.
“Its, different, when Its like that” he explains, turning away flushed. “Feel free to call me Deku” he adds, turning back to the three of them with a smile. “Its different when you say it!” He seems a bit happy about the nickname at least, Palette thinks to himself.
Taking a step back, he caught their attention briefly, and Palette smiles at them apologetically. “Well, Its been nice to meet all of you properly, but I should go, I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” he promises, looking over his shoulder briefly towards PJ and Gradient as he inches slowly closer. “I’ve probably got to head back sorry” he explains, pointing over his shoulder towards the two of them. “I promised I’d walk home with them.”
Gradient is still staring at them. “No worries at All!” Iida reassures, and Palette nods, “We will see you tomorrow!” he says.
“That’s a shame, but we will see you tomorrow!” Agrees Ochaco with a small wave..
Izuku Nods, “goodbye Palette, and thanks again!” he calls out.
Walking backwards, he nods, waving to the three of them “Yes, see you tomorrow!” he agrees, before turning to walk towards PJ and Gradient.
As he walks away, he faintly hears the three talking amongst themselves “Hmm, who are they?” He can hear Uruaka ask, as they also start walking towards the train station.
“Hmm, pahaps siblings?” He briefly hears Iida mention, before they are too far away to hear.
Palette frowns slightly, worrying that PJ and Gradient will be in a bit of a fight again. He raises the corners of his mouth as he approaches though. He should be able to calm them down if they are fighting!