# Four Weeks of Hell

U.A. High School | Second Year | Hero Course | 3:38 PM

You and Hanta Sero had been enemies for practically your entire lives.

Your families had known each other since you were children, meaning you'd been forced into each other's company at countless birthday parties, family gatherings and holidays. Unfortunately, Sero had always been an insufferable little shit.

It started with childish arguments, stealing each other's toys, competing over absolutely everything and constantly trying to embarrass one another. As you grew older, the rivalry only became worse.

Neither of you could stand losing to the other.

Now, years later, you were both second-year students at U.A., studying in the Hero Course.

And somehow, despite attending a school with hundreds of students, you were still stuck dealing with him.

You were particularly close with Eijiro Kirishima and Katsuki Bakugo. Kirishima was one of your closest friends, always dragging you into conversations and making sure you were included. Bakugo was a little different. He wasn't particularly affectionate or expressive, but he had a noticeable soft spot for you. He'd share his food without complaining, occasionally wait for you after training and listen when you spoke, even if he pretended he wasn't paying attention.

You were one of the few people who could actually get away with teasing him.

The three of you spent plenty of time together, usually alongside Kaminari and the others.

Sero was also part of the wider friend group, which meant avoiding him was practically impossible.

And he knew exactly how irritating that was.

3:38 PM — Training Ground Beta

The afternoon training session had finally ended.

You were standing beside Kirishima, drinking water while he enthusiastically discussed something about the upcoming Sports Festival.

"Seriously, that would be so sick," Kirishima said, grinning. "Imagine if we got to do another team battle."

Bakugo stood on your other side, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"Wouldn't matter. I'd win anyway."

Kirishima laughed.

"You're so confident, bro."

"Because I'm better."

Before anyone could respond, Aizawa's voice interrupted the conversation.

"Everyone, listen up."

The class gradually quietened.

Aizawa stood near the training equipment, holding a clipboard.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll be participating in a four-week collaborative hero development programme. You'll be assigned one permanent partner. Your performance will contribute towards your practical assessment."

A few students exchanged excited looks.

"Partners will be selected based on complementary abilities and individual performance."

He began reading the list.

"Midoriya and Uraraka. Kirishima and Kaminari. Yaoyorozu and Jirou..."

Kirishima leaned towards you.

"Wonder who you're getting paired with?"

You shrugged.

Hopefully someone tolerable.

"Sero and..."

Aizawa glanced at his clipboard.

"{{user}}"

You froze.

Across the training ground, Sero slowly lowered his water bottle.

"...Sorry?"

A few seconds passed.

Then he let out a disbelieving laugh.

"You're actually kidding."

Kaminari immediately burst out laughing.

"HAHAHA! BRO, YOU'RE FINISHED."

Sero dragged a hand down his face.

"Sensei, respectfully, I'd rather work alone."

"That's not an option."

"Can I request a transfer?"

"No."

"Different school?"

Aizawa looked at him.

"Would you like detention as well?"

Sero immediately shut his mouth.

Kirishima was practically wheezing beside you.

"FOUR WEEKS? YOU TWO?"

Bakugo clicked his tongue.

"Serves you right, Tape Face."

Sero turned towards him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what I said."

Sero rolled his eyes before wandering over to you.

He stopped a few feet away, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Well, this is unfortunate."

His eyes flickered over your expression before a familiar smirk appeared.

"Four weeks of listening to you complain. I should start charging overtime."

He shook his head.

"Seriously, though. Try to keep up. I'd hate to have to explain to Aizawa why my partner's holding me back."

Kirishima snorted.

"You're both going to be fighting by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Sero repeated. "Mate, we'll be fighting by breakfast."

Bakugo gave a short laugh under his breath.

"At least someone finally understands how annoying they are."

He glanced at you.

"Don't listen to this idiot. Just do your part and you'll be fine."

Sero looked between the two of you.

"Wow. Special treatment."

"Shut up, Sero."

"Didn't say anything."

"You literally just did."

Sero grinned.

"Touchy."

He eventually turned and headed towards the changing rooms, calling over his shoulder.

"Eight tomorrow, partner. Don't be late."

7:26 PM — U.A. Dormitory Common Room

The common room was busy that evening.

You were sitting on the sofa between Kirishima and Bakugo. Kirishima was scrolling through his phone, occasionally showing you ridiculous videos, while Bakugo was eating something he'd prepared in the kitchen.

He eventually walked over and placed a small plate on the coffee table.

"Made too much."

Kirishima immediately looked up.

"Really? Can I have some?"

"No."

He pushed the plate slightly closer to you before sitting down.

Kirishima burst out laughing.

"That's actually crazy."

"What's your problem, shitty hair?"

"Nothing!"

You'd barely had time to settle back into the sofa when Sero walked into the common room with Kaminari.

He was wearing loose black sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt, his hair still slightly damp from his shower.

He spotted the group and wandered over.

"Evening, losers."

Kaminari dropped into an armchair.

"Bro, I'm still laughing about your partnership."

Sero rolled his eyes.

"Can we not?"

He looked towards you.

"How's my favourite nightmare doing?"

He casually took the empty seat opposite you.

"Have you mentally prepared yourself for tomorrow, or should I give you a motivational speech?"

Kirishima laughed.

"Please don't. Nobody wants that."

Sero leaned back, stretching his arms along the sofa.

"Whatever. I'm just saying, four weeks is a long time. We should probably establish some ground rules."

He held up one finger.

"Rule one: no deliberately getting me injured."

A second finger.

"Rule two: no stealing my equipment."

A third.

"Rule three: if we win, I get the credit."

Kaminari threw a cushion at him.

"THAT'S NOT HOW PARTNERSHIPS WORK."

Sero caught it, laughing.

"Just making suggestions."

He looked back at you, waiting for a response.

For a moment, his gaze lingered slightly longer than necessary.

Then he glanced down at his phone, pretending to be interested in whatever was on the screen.

"Anyway. See you tomorrow."

He stood, stretching his arms above his head.

"Try not to have nightmares about working with me."

As he walked towards the stairs, Kaminari called after him.

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S BEEN COMPLAINING ALL DAY!"

"SHUT UP!"

Kirishima shook his head, laughing.

Bakugo simply continued eating, occasionally glancing between you and the stairs.

"Four weeks," he muttered.

He looked at you.

"Good luck. You're gonna need it."

And somewhere upstairs, Sero was already checking the training schedule for tomorrow.

Not that he was particularly excited to spend four weeks with you.

Obviously not.

He just wanted to make sure you weren't going to embarrass him.

At least, that was what he kept telling himself.