MHA; Its me, Monoma!

**Chapter 13: The Dormitory and the First Steps**

The UA dormitory stood tall and imposing, a modern architectural marvel that seemed to hum with the energy of the students who called it home. Rentaro stood at the entrance, his black briefcase in one hand and his suitcase in the other, feeling both excited and overwhelmed. The building's sleek glass exterior reflected the afternoon sun, casting shimmering patterns on the ground. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, and approached the reception desk.

A friendly-looking woman with glasses and a warm smile greeted him. "Welcome to UA's student dormitory! May I see your ID card, please?"

Rentaro nodded, pulling out the card he had received with his acceptance letter. He handed it over, his fingers trembling slightly. The woman scanned it quickly, her eyes flicking to the screen in front of her. "Ah, Rentaro. Room 307. Third floor. You're in the Hero Course wing. Here's your keycard. Make sure to keep it with you at all times."

He took the keycard, his heart racing. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

As he stepped into the lobby, Rentaro was struck by the sheer size and elegance of the space. The floor was polished marble, gleaming under the soft glow of overhead lights. The walls were adorned with framed photographs of UA's most famous alumni, their heroic deeds immortalized in black and white. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals catching the light and scattering it in tiny rainbows across the room.

To his left, a group of students lounged on plush couches, chatting and laughing. Rentaro recognized one of them immediately—Nejire Hado, a third-year student known for her bubbly personality and incredible quirk. She was surrounded by a group of girls, all of whom seemed to hang on her every word. Rentaro felt a pang of nervousness. These were the kinds of people he would be sharing a space with—heroes in the making, already so confident and accomplished.

He quickly averted his gaze, not wanting to draw attention to himself, and made his way to the elevators. As he waited, he noticed a boy with spiky red hair and a determined expression walking past. Kendo, from Class 1-B, if Rentaro remembered correctly. The boy gave him a nod, which Rentaro returned awkwardly before stepping into the elevator.

The ride to the third floor was short but nerve-wracking. Rentaro's mind raced with thoughts of what his room would be like, who his neighbors would be, and how he would fit in among so many talented individuals. When the doors slid open, he stepped out into a long hallway lined with doors. Each one had a small plaque with a room number and a nameplate. He found his room quickly—307, just as the receptionist had said.

He swiped his keycard, and the door clicked open. Stepping inside, Rentaro was pleasantly surprised. The room was small but cozy, with a single bed, a desk, a closet, and a large window that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were a neutral beige, and the floor was covered in soft carpeting. What struck him most, though, was the fact that it was a single room. He had been prepared to share, but having his own space felt like a luxury.

"This is… perfect," he murmured to himself, setting his suitcase down and running a hand over the smooth surface of the desk. He walked over to the window and looked out at the campus below. The view was breathtaking—UA's sprawling grounds, the training facilities, and the distant city skyline. For the first time since arriving, Rentaro felt a sense of calm. This was his new beginning.

He spent the next hour unpacking, carefully arranging his clothes in the closet and placing his few personal items on the desk. The black briefcase sat prominently on the bed, a constant reminder of the path he had chosen. As he worked, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation from the hallway. Students introducing themselves, laughing, and making plans. It all felt so… alive.

By the time he finished, the sun had begun to set, casting a warm orange glow over the room. Rentaro sat on the edge of the bed, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the days to come. He wondered what his classmates would be like, what challenges he would face, and whether he would be able to keep up. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction. He had made it this far. That was something to be proud of.

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The next morning, Rentaro woke up early, the excitement of the day ahead making it impossible to sleep in. He showered quickly, dressed in his new UA uniform—a crisp white shirt, dark blazer, and red tie—and grabbed his briefcase. As he stepped out of his room, he noticed that the hallway was already bustling with activity. Students hurried past, some heading to the cafeteria, others to the training grounds.

Rentaro made his way downstairs, his stomach growling. The cafeteria was a large, open space filled with the smell of freshly cooked food. He grabbed a tray and loaded it with rice, miso soup, and grilled fish before finding a quiet corner to eat. As he ate, he observed the other students. There was a boy with glasses and a serious expression, a girl with long green hair who seemed to be deep in conversation with her friends, and a tall, muscular boy who looked like he could bench-press a car.

After breakfast, Rentaro headed to the main campus building, his heart pounding with anticipation. He had no idea where Class 1-A was located, but he was determined to find it. The campus was a maze of hallways and staircases, and he quickly became lost. He passed by classrooms, training rooms, and even a few teachers who gave him curious looks.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he found the right hallway. The door to Class 1-A was slightly ajar, and he could hear the murmur of voices inside. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was filled with students, all dressed in the same uniform as him. Some were chatting, others were sitting quietly, and a few were already at their desks. Rentaro's eyes scanned the room, taking in the faces of his new classmates. He didn't recognize anyone, but he could feel the energy in the room—a mix of excitement, nervousness, and determination.

He found an empty seat near the back and sat down, placing his briefcase on the floor beside him. As he waited for the teacher to arrive, his mind raced with thoughts of what was to come. This was it—the start of his journey to becoming a hero. He didn't know what challenges lay ahead, but he was ready to face them.