The bell rang once again, signaling the end of the first lesson. Class 1-A had spent the last hour listening to Mr. Aizawa drone on about the upcoming training exercises, but the morning had already been filled with enough excitement for the day. The teasing between Mina and Jiro had died down, though every now and then, Mina's flushed face would betray the lingering embarrassment.
As the students gathered their things and prepared for the next class, the energy in the room shifted. Some students exchanged excited whispers about what the next activity would be, while others, like Ren, simply packed up without a word, his posture as composed as ever.
"Hey, Ren!" Mina called from across the room as she stuffed her notebook into her bag. Her voice was still a little shaky, but she was trying to make the best of the situation. "You've been really quiet. You sure you're okay?"
Ren looked up, his piercing grey eyes locking with hers for a moment before glancing down at his things. "I'm fine," he said shortly, his tone calm and distant, as if he hadn't even noticed the tension from earlier. "Just preparing for what comes next."
Mina raised an eyebrow. "What, you're not worried about the training? I mean, you're new here, right? You've gotta be a little nervous, at least."
Ren tilted his head slightly, considering her words. "Nervous?" he repeated, his voice almost tinged with amusement. "Why would I be nervous?"
Mina blinked, taken aback by his confident response. "Well, it's just... we've all been through a lot here, you know? And training is tough. You've gotta be prepared for anything."
Ren's gaze flickered over her, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stood up, his movements slow and deliberate. "I don't concern myself with things I can't control," he said cryptically. "Preparation is key, yes, but nerves only get in the way."
"Ren, you don't need to participate on today's training." Mr. Aizawa said.
Ren's gaze shifted toward Mr. Aizawa, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the teacher's words. A brief silence fell over the room, the students exchanging curious glances. Most were taken aback by the announcement. After all, it wasn't common for someone to be excused from training, especially a transfer student on their first day.
Mr. Aizawa's tone remained as neutral as ever. "You've had a long journey here, and I think it's best you observe today's exercises before jumping in. This will give you time to adjust and understand how we operate here at U.A."
Ren's expression didn't change. He simply gave a small nod, acknowledging Mr. Aizawa's decision without any outward sign of disappointment or protest. "Understood," he replied, his voice as calm and controlled as ever.
Mina, sensing the quiet tension, couldn't help but speak up. "Are you sure? I mean, you've been doing great so far! I was really impressed with how you handled Todoroki earlier," she said, attempting to make Ren feel more at ease.
Ren merely gave her a glance, his lips barely twitching into something close to a smile. "I'm not here to impress anyone," he said softly. "I'm here to learn. Observing is the best way to do that."
Mina's smile faltered for a moment as she processed his words. "Right... I guess that makes sense."
With a subtle shift in his posture, Ren moved to the side of the room, choosing an empty seat near the window. He wasn't one to draw attention to himself unnecessarily, preferring instead to quietly watch. His grey eyes scanned the room as the class began to file out, heading toward the training grounds.
"Alright, everyone," Mr. Aizawa called, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Let's get to it. No more distractions. Ren, you're free to watch, but I expect you to take notes. This is as much about observation as it is about your own growth."
Ren didn't respond verbally, but he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. He was already mentally preparing himself for what came next. He knew he'd be asked to participate in future exercises, but today, his role was to observe and adapt.
As the last of the students left the classroom, Ren remained seated. His mind wandered for a brief moment, thinking about the task ahead. The training exercises would test them all, but he was prepared. Not for the challenges themselves, but for the lessons they would bring.
The hum of the classroom settled into a quiet lull as the door closed behind the last student. Ren's focus returned to the present, and he pulled out his notebook, ready to take notes on the upcoming training. Today, he would learn not just about his own limits, but the limits of those around him.