The locker room buzzed with idle chatter and the low hum of early-morning energy drinks kicking in. PE was next period, and half the boys were stretching, pulling on compression gear, or complaining about sore arms.

  Mineta leaned toward Kaminari and Sero with an exaggerated whisper. “So Robinn... I’m telling you, she’s got Olympic gymnast energy. Like, scary and hot.”

  Kaminari snorted, cracking a grin. “Yeah, I bet her abs have abs.”

  Sero deadpanned without missing a beat. “She looks like she’d fold you like a lawn chair, dude.”

  “Shut the hell up,” Bakugo growled from across the room, not even glancing up from tying his boots.

  The conversation died immediately.

  Kirishima gave a half-laugh but didn’t join in. He looked over at Midoriya briefly, then back at his locker, face unreadable.

  Robinn arrived early again, slipping quietly into her seat at the back of the classroom. Her hair was tied up, uniform crisp, eyes scanning a notebook. She offered a soft “Morning,” to those who greeted her, but didn’t seek conversation.

  “Hey, good morning!” Uraraka said brightly as she passed and sat next to her.

  Robinn looked up, nodded. “Hey.”

  No awkwardness. Just... distance.

  A few students still whispered about her sometimes. But not like before. The mystery had faded, what remained was the presence of someone impressive but strangely out of step.

  Colorful posters dotted the hallway walls and cafeteria bulletin boards. CLUB FAIR! JOIN NOW! TRY SOMETHING NEW!

  At the usual table, Mina and Jirou were campaigning.

  “Music and Dance club’s where it’s at,” Mina said, holding up a flyer. “We need new blood.”

  Kaminari leaned back in mock fear. “I’d join, but I don’t want Jirou to jab her earphone jack in my ear every time I get a note wrong.”

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  Without a word, Jirou reached across and jabbed it against his temple.

  “OW... okay, okay!” he yelped, laughing.

  Robinn sat at the edge of the group, tray neat, posture relaxed but slightly apart. She watched and smiled. But didn’t speak.

  Uraraka glanced over. “You thinking of checking anything out?”

  Robinn shrugged, poked at her rice. “Dunno. I’ve never done that kinda thing. What’s it even for?”

  Uraraka blinked. “To have fun?”

  There was a pause. Robinn frowned slightly, the words sticking in her head like gum.

  “Right... fun.”

  Cementoss stood at the board, voice echoing through the classroom.

  “For this week, you will work in groups of three or four to present report on a historical hero and connect their legacy to the modern Hero system.”

  The class shifted into movement, desks scraping. Pick-your-own-groups.

  Uraraka turned to Robinn immediately. “Hey, wanna team up? Me, you, Iida, and Deku?”

  Robinn blinked once, then gave a nod. “Sure.”

  As they gathered at a desk cluster, Uraraka grinned. “You’re always so... professional. You remind me of a girl version of Iida.”

  Robinn snorted softly. “Oof. That’s rough.”

  “I take that as a compliment,” Iida chimed in, adjusting his glasses. “Robinn is an exemplary student.”

  Midoriya chuckled under his breath. Robinn smiled at the table, letting the moment pass.

  She didn’t lead the discussion. But she followed every word, ready to fill in gaps, jotting down their ideas with some clarity.

  And then the last small class of the day.

  Aizawa slouched into the room like a ghost in a sleeping bag.

  “New rule from the higher-ups. First-years need to join a club before the month ends. Doesn’t matter what. But you’re doing it.”

  Groans rippled through the class.

  “Balance is part of training,” he added. “Heroes burn out and clubs can help.”

  No further explanation or negotiation.

  Robinn didn’t protest. But she sat still for a moment longer than necessary.

  Externally her face didn’t move. Except for the faintest tightening of the jaw.

  Uraraka shot her a look from next to her, half a smirk, half a dare. Well, now you have to join something.

  The sun was dipping as students filtered out for the day. Robinn headed toward the training gym, gym bag over her shoulder.

  Footsteps padded behind her. Uraraka caught up, casual as ever.

  “So,” she said, nudging her gently with an elbow. “Any ideas yet? Clubs, I mean.”

  “Not really,” Robinn said without stopping. “I was just going to train.”

  “That’s not a club. That’s a Robinn thing.”

  Robinn shrugged. “Feels like enough.”

  “C’mon, there’s cool stuff. Calligraphy, gardening, support tech, cooking...”

  Robinn gave her a side glance. “You just pulled those out of a hat.”

  “No, I read the flyer.” Uraraka grinned. “Here, have it,” she said, handing Robinn a crumpled flyer.

  They reached the gym entrance. Robinn paused. “You join one yet?”

  “Not yet. I’m looking. But I figure... might as well try something dumb and fun before we’re stuck fighting villains again, right?”

  Robinn looked at her. Not blankly... just long enough that Uraraka raised an eyebrow.

  “I’ll think about it,” Robinn said.

  “That’s the spirit!” Uraraka waved, peeled off toward the U.A gates, ready to head home. Robinn pushed open the gym doors and walked into the familiar space.