章 18: Chapter 18: red underwear
The two of them began walking towards the cafeteria, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty corridors of U.A. Clark adjusted his backpack on his broad shoulders, the weight of the books and training equipment almost imperceptible to him. Beside him, Momo walked with her characteristic elegant posture, her ponytail swaying gently with each step.
"So, about the schedule," Momo began, her calm and organized tone reflecting her meticulous nature. She gestured lightly with her hands as she spoke, a habit Clark had noticed over the past few days. "In the morning, we have normal classes in various subjects. You know, math, science, history... The usual stuff."
Clark nodded, absorbing every word. He admired the way Momo explained things, always clear and concise. His blue eyes sparkled with interest behind his thin-framed glasses. "Yes, it's important to have a solid knowledge base. Although I've had private lessons before, it's interesting to see how it works in a school environment."
"Oh, really?" Momo replied, casting a curious glance at Clark. She always wondered about his life before U.A. "It must have been quite a different experience."
He smiled, thinking about his lessons with tutors selected by his father. "Very different, yes. But I'm really enjoying the class dynamics here."
"I'm glad to hear that," Momo said, her dark eyes shining with enthusiasm. "And after lunch, things get even more exciting. Hero course classes begin. Combat training, rescue, quirk control... Everything we need to become professional heroes."
As they talked, they arrived at the cafeteria. The environment was vast, with long polished wooden tables and gleaming metal chairs arranged in orderly rows. Large floor-to-ceiling windows allowed natural light to flood the space, illuminating it warmly and creating interesting patterns on the tiled floor.
The aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air – a tempting mix of spices and fresh ingredients that made his stomach growl in anticipation.
As soon as Clark entered, it was as if someone had hit the pause button on a movie. Conversations ceased abruptly, and all eyes turned to him.
It was as if a superstar had entered the room. Whispers began to circulate, and he noticed looks of admiration, curiosity, and even a bit of envy from all corners.
"Look, it's Kent!"
"Man, we're seeing someone who only appears on TV!"
"He's so handsome..."
Clark, accustomed to attention from a young age due to his father's fame, maintained a calm and confident posture. He smiled politely and waved to some classmates before heading to the food line, his movements fluid and relaxed. Momo stayed by his side, observing with interest how he handled the situation.
"You're really a superstar around here," she commented, her voice low so only he could hear.
Clark laughed softly, his gaze meeting Momo's. "It's something I'm used to, to be honest. But here, I feel like I can be more myself, you know?"
As they served themselves, Clark noticed the impressive variety of options available – from traditional Japanese dishes to international choices. He opted for a generous portion of rice, grilled chicken, and vegetables, while Momo chose a balanced set of nutrients, typical of someone who understands the importance of a balanced diet to optimize her quirk.
With their trays full, they looked around for a place to sit. That's when an excited shout cut through the air.
"Hey, Clark! Momo! Come sit with us!"
The cheerful and slightly shrill voice belonged to Mina Ashido. Beside her, Tsuyu Asui, or "Tsuyu-chan" as she insisted on being called. Eijiro Kirishima displayed his toothy grin, his spiky red hair looking even more vibrant under the cafeteria light.
And, though it was hard to see at first glance, the floating clothes of Toru Hagakure indicated her lively presence at the table.
As we settled at the table, the buzz of conversations around us created a cozy atmosphere. Mina was the first to break the ice, her golden eyes shining with curiosity.
"Hey, Clark! You were amazing today! How do you manage to be so strong?"
I smiled, taking a sip of water before responding. "Well, my quirk allows me to absorb and metabolize solar energy in a unique way. It gives me strength, endurance, and other abilities."
Kirishima, chewing a piece of meat, leaned forward with interest. "So it's like you're a human plant?"
I laughed at the comparison. "Something like that, yes. Though I prefer to see myself more as a solar battery."
Tsuyu, with her characteristically neutral expression, observed my plate. "Kero, but you eat so little, Clark-chan. Don't you get hungry after spending so much energy?"
It was then that I noticed my plate was considerably less full than the others'. Momo also noticed, casting me a curious look.
"Oh, that," I began, choosing my words carefully. "Actually, my quirk allows me to get most of the energy I need directly from the sun. Food is more... a supplement, so to speak."
"Wow, that's practical!" Hagakure exclaimed, her gloves gesturing in the air. "Imagine the savings on grocery shopping!"
Everyone laughed, and I joined them, appreciating how my classmates could turn something so unusual into a light-hearted topic.
Momo, always analytical, added: "That explains your energy efficiency during training. It's fascinating how quirks can affect even our basic metabolic processes."
I nodded, grateful for her understanding. "Exactly. Although I enjoy eating – the food here is delicious, by the way – I don't rely on it for my main energy source."
"But what about at night?" Kirishima asked, his forehead furrowed in confusion. "Or on cloudy days?"
Momo, with her characteristic analytical look, leaned slightly forward. "If I may observe, even on cloudy days or at night, the Earth still receives solar energy. If it weren't so, we would probably freeze every night." She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I imagine your quirk can harness even that indirect radiation, right?"
I smiled, impressed by Momo's insight. "Exactly! You're absolutely right. My body is extremely efficient at absorbing even small amounts of solar energy."
Mina let out a whistle of admiration. "Wow, Clark! Your quirk is really amazing. I bet you could stay awake for days binge-watching series without needing snacks!"
Kirishima laughed loudly, giving Mina a friendly slap on the back. "Man, only you would think of using a quirk like that to binge-watch series!"
"Hey, don't judge me!" Mina protested, pouting playfully. "Wouldn't you do the same if you could?"
"But every quirk is unique and special in its own way. Your ability to secrete acid, for example, Mina, is fascinating." I said with a smile.
"Aww, thank you!" Mina smiled, her cheeks flushing a darker shade of pink.
When the bell rang, announcing the end of lunch, we got up to return to classes. As we walked back, Momo approached me.
"You know, Clark," she said in a low voice, "it's admirable how you handle all this attention and curiosity. Many would be intimidated or boastful, but you always find a balance."
I smiled at her, touched by the compliment. "Thanks, Momo. I'm just trying to find my place here, like all of us."
The afternoon was beginning, and the students of U.A. High School were restless in their seats, awaiting All Might's arrival for their first hero training class.
Clark, seated in the front row, drummed his fingers on the desk, trying to conceal his excitement. Beside him, Momo mentally reviewed the morning's lessons.
Suddenly, the classroom door burst open with a bang. All eyes turned to the imposing figure filling the doorway. There stood All Might, clad in his iconic uniform, with his brilliant smile and customary pose.
"I am here!" All Might announced in his booming voice, making his theatrical entrance. The room erupted in applause and laughter.
"Wow, All Might, that outfit is amazing!" Kirishima exclaimed, his eyes shining with admiration.
"Seriously, it looks like something out of a classic superhero movie!" Ashido added, giggling.
All Might chuckled, his chest swelling with pride. "Ah, youngsters, this is what I call timeless fashion! Reminds me of my glory days... and speaking of memories..." His bright eyes landed on Clark.
Clark felt a shiver down his spine. He knew that look.
"Clark, my boy!" All Might exclaimed, striding confidently toward him. "I remember when you were little and insisted on wearing red underwear over your pants, and a red cape saying it was the 'perfect uniform for a flying hero'!"
The room fell silent for a second before bursting into laughter. Clark felt his face flush, but couldn't help but smile, remembering his past life.
"Dad..." he began, but All Might was on a memory trip.
"Oh, and how determined you were to fly! I remember you jumping off the couch yelling 'up, up, and away!'"
Kaminari was nearly in tears from laughter. "Clark, man, did you invent your own hero when you were a kid? That's awesome!"
Clark, still red-faced but now laughing along, replied, "Well, what can I say? I had quite the imagination. And honestly, wearing underwear on the outside isn't such a bad idea. Easy access in emergencies, you know?"
This sparked a fresh wave of laughter in the room. Even Aizawa, who had just entered, managed a discreet smile.
All Might, still chuckling, patted Clark on the back. "Well, son, it seems you've fulfilled your childhood dream. Now you can fly around with red underwear!"
All Might then turned to the class, who were still trying to contain their giggles. "Alright, let's get down to business!" He said, changing his tone to a more serious one, but still with that characteristic enthusiasm. "Today, we begin hero training classes, and we're starting with combat training!"
The room fell silent for a moment, all the students hanging on his every word. All Might walked over to a large wall at the back of the room and pressed a hidden button. With a soft mechanical hum, the wall opened up, revealing a vast armory filled with cases.
"Here are the hero costumes you've ordered," All Might announced, gesturing toward the cases. "Each of you has a customized suit, tailor-made to complement your quirks."
The students stood up excitedly, murmuring to each other as they headed to retrieve their cases. Clark was one of the first to reach his, grabbing it with a mix of excitement and relief to change the subject.
Passing by Clark, Mina couldn't resist whispering with a playful grin, "Hey, does your suit come with built-in underwear or did you bring your own?"
Clark laughed, shaking his head. "Who knows? Maybe I've upgraded to boxers since then."
"Come on, guys!" All Might encouraged.
In the boys' changing room, Class 1-A students were busy opening their cases and donning their hero suits for the first time. The air was filled with anticipation and excitement.
Clark opened his case, revealing a suit that immediately caught everyone's attention. It was predominantly dark blue, almost black, with vibrant red accents. The material seemed to be a blend of kevlar and spandex, offering both protection and flexibility.
"Wow, Clark! That looks amazing!" Kirishima exclaimed, peering over his shoulder.
Clark smiled, picking up the top of the suit. It was a one-piece that covered his torso and arms, with a large stylized red symbol on the chest - not quite an 'S', but vaguely reminiscent of the letter's shape.
"Man, that's so cool," Kaminari commented, leaning in for a closer look. "What does that symbol mean?"
"It's... a symbol of hope," Clark replied, with a nostalgic gleam in his eyes.
He continued dressing, putting on the dark blue pants that fit perfectly on his legs. The red boots reached halfway up his calves, with an aerodynamic design.
Midoriya, changing beside him, couldn't take his eyes off Clark's suit. "The engineering on this suit is incredible! It looks like it was made to withstand high speeds and impacts."
Clark chuckled. "Well observed, Midoriya. That's exactly what it's designed for."
As Clark fastened the red belt, Sero couldn't help but joke, "Hey, Clark, where's the famous underwear on the outside?"
The room erupted in friendly laughter, and Clark shook his head, smiling. "I think I left that part in the past. But who knows, it might come back into fashion one day!"
Finally, Clark picked up the long red cape from the case. He fastened it over his shoulders, completing the look.
When Clark turned around, fully dressed, there was a moment of awed silence in the changing room.
"Dude, you look like a real pro hero!" Sato exclaimed.
Todoroki, usually reserved, nodded in approval. "The design is impressive. Functional and intimidating at the same time."
Clark looked at himself in the mirror, feeling a mixture of emotions. The suit was a perfect fusion of his memories as Superman and his new reality as a U.A. student. It was as if his past and present had come together in that uniform.
"Well, guys," Clark said, turning to his classmates with a confident smile, "I think we're ready to show what we're capable of!"
With that, the students, now all dressed in their unique suits, exited the changing room, ready to face their first combat training at U.A.
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