"Young master, there is an hour left until you need to leave for school." said Ayako to Yuuichi who was currently training.

Ever since Yuuichi began his tutelage under Yamamoto, he would wake up an hour and a half earlier to train. Since he was still a child, he wasn't allowed to do very rigorous weight training, so everything he did followed the way Shaolin Monk children trained.

He would train his flexibility by going through a routine set of stretches used by Shaolin Monks for generations. He would train his breath to strengthen his internal organs and improve blood flow. He would train his strength using only his body weight in what amounted to calisthenics. He would train his arms and legs by punching and kicking a training dummy.

At first, it was very hard for him to get used to and he would have to split the training into two sessions, in the morning and in the evening. But after 1 year he was able to do it all in one morning, and after another, he had to double his training. And now at 8 years old, he would give any Shaolin Monk child a run for his money.

"Got it, thanks, Ayako." said Yuuichi as he finished up the final part of his stretching routine before going inside and washing thoroughly. Most kids his age hate bathing and cleaning themselves as they would rather spend that time doing something else, but Yuuichi hated being grimy and sweaty. So, he would clean himself so thoroughly that a military drill instructor wouldn't be able to find fault with him.

"Ah, that feels nice. Can't imagine being this clean in a dorm." he said as he finished brushing his teeth before quickly checking himself in the mirror.

The school he went to was one for the wealthy and powerful in Japan, but it was located in the same city he lived in, so he didn't have to live in the dorms. That was the only good thing about it, however. The uniform that the students were required to wear, while similarly styled to most schools in Japan, was nonetheless uncomfortable to wear.

And Yuuichi being Yuuchi, didn't like to wear the uniform but was forced to both by the school and his parents. Still, the rebellious and free-spirited kid he is, he would wear the uniform sloppily so he could feel at least a bit comfortable.

"You're going to be late for your first day of the school year! Hurry up!" shouted his mom from downstairs.

Quickly fixing his clothes so his mom wouldn't do it for him, picking up his bookbag, and putting a lollipop in his mouth, he went downstairs.

"Can't I be homeschooled?" he said as he reached the front door.

"No. And I've already told you why so stop asking." she said as she fixed his uniform anyway.

"But the making friends thing doesn't really matter. I have Rumi. And when I go to a hero school, I'm sure I'll make friends there." he said as he tried to struggle to get away from his mom's licked palm that was trying to fix his hair.

"Stop moving. And no. I know you have Rumi, but both of you need to be more social. You also need to learn to hold your tongue or no one will be friends with you."

"Sigh, fine." he said.

"You said fine just so this conversation won't go on anymore, didn't you?"

"Bye mom." he said with a smile as he ran out the door and started walking to school.

He could be dropped off at school but he preferred to walk there because he would meet up with Rumi on the way there. And the school was also only a 20-minute walk so he didn't mind walking.

10-minutes later and he was coming up to the same intersection where he meets Rumi on his way to school, and today was no different.

"Yuuichi!" said Rumi waving her hand.

"Hey, Rumi." he said noticing she had cut her hair but refused to say anything.

"So, notice anything different about me?" she said while not so subtly drawing attention to her hair by shaking it around.

"Mm, no. Did you grow taller?" he asked as they started walking to school.

"Yes, but that's not it. Are you sure you don't notice anything?"

"Not really." he said keeping a straight face.

"Tch, take a look at my hair, dummy!" she said yelling, breaking her innocent facade.

"Haha, I was just teasing you. I'm not that blind you know." he said smirking at her.

"Tch. So, what do you think?" she said.

Rumi usually had her hair loose or in a ponytail and she had it rather long. But her new haircut was shorter, only coming up to her chin.

"It's nice, but I like your hair longer. But either way is good." he said.

"Oh, then I'll keep it longer." she said.

"So, you excited for your first day back?" he said.

"No."

"Me either." he said before they continued their way to school talking about random topics.

As they reached the school, the two of them continued talking but they both noticed that the other students would look at them before turning away and start whispering.

"Great, another school year of brats whispering about us." said Rumi.

"Not much we can do. And we're the same age as them." said Yuuichi as he loosened his tie, unbothered by the looks and whispering.

As for the reason the two of them were being whispered about, it goes back to their previous school year when the kid who Rumi punched in Yuuichi's party transferred to their school. Once he found out the two of them were in his new school, he gathered yet another posse to try to bully the pair. Unfortunately for him, and the rest of his posse, neither Yuuichi nor Rumi were the type to let sleeping dogs lie.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

So, the two of them punched a few kids in the nose, causing nosebleeds, got suspended for a few days, and returned only to be known as the Devil Duo of their class. After that, the kid didn't dare to mess with them for fear of getting punched in the nose a third time. But that also caused the rest of the school to fear the two, thus leading to their current situation.

It also didn't help their reputation that the two of them didn't use their uniforms correctly, and the two of them looked like little delinquents with their ties loosened and their shirts untucked. But the two of them ignored it all, and the teachers couldn't really tell either of them anything since they both had good grades. Also, Yuuichi's parents were the owners of one of the biggest conglomerates in the world, and they didn't want to get fired, not that they would.

"What class are you in?" asked Rumi, hoping that they would be in the same class.

"Class 3-A." he said.

"Nice, me too." she said fist-pumping.

"You're in 3-A?" he said, surprised.

"Why are you so surprised? You don't think I'm smart enough?" she said, fist ready to punch him.

"No, I do. I just didn't think you were that smart." he said with a teasing grin before he ducked down, dodging a kick she had thrown at him.

"Stop dodging." she said with a smile as she continued to throw combos at him while Yuuichi continued to dodge. Clearly, she wasn't using all her strength or it would be harder for Yuuichi to dodge them considering she's a Heteromorphic-type.

As the two of them did that in the hall, the other students walked around them while whispering and looking at them in fear.

~

"Wake up." said Rumi as she shook Yuuichi awake.

"Hm? Is class over?" he said as he sat up and stretched.

Yet another benefit of having good grades and wealthy parents, he could sleep in class whenever he wanted.

"It's time for lunch. Let's go to the cafeteria before the good food's gone." she said before Yuuichi stood up, stretched a bit more, and then the two started walking toward the cafeteria.

"What are you getting today?" asked Yuuichi.

Because the school was mostly occupied by kids of wealthy parents, the school charged for lunch. And because of that, they hired really good chefs to cook the food which also provided a wide variety of food.

"Curry with extra carrots." she said as she drooled a little thinking about the food.

"You sure do like carrots."

"Of course! They're so good and crunchy and juicy and sweet." she said.

As they reached the cafeteria, they noticed there was a crowd of students in a circle.

"What's going on?" said Yuuichi, causing some of the students that were blocking the way to turn to look at them before getting scared and backing away.

"What's going on up there?" said Yuuichi to one of the kids backing away.

"S-some new k-kid getting b-bullied, I think." he said before looking away.

"Bullied?!" said Rumi before pushing her way forward while Yuuichi followed close behind.

As they pushed their way to the front, they could see a group of kids surrounding a student who was on the ground covered in food. And even though the kid was covered in food, he still had a smile on his face.

"Wipe that smile off your face, it's gross." said one of the bullies, who was a Year 6 student while Yuuichi, Rumi, and the kid were in Year 3 evident by the pin on their shirt.

As to why the school allows Year 6 students to eat at the same time as Year 3 students, that's a question for the principal.

"Tch, dumb scholarship kids. You don't belong here." said one of the girls that was part of the bully group.

"Mm, sorry. But please don't waste food." said the kid who still had a smile on his face.

"Didn't I tell you to wipe that smile off your face? It pisses me off!" said the kid who was about to hit him.

"Oi, oi, oi. What's going on here?" said Yuuichi as he made his way next to the kid.

"Bullying a new kid and wasting food, I should punch all of you!" said Rumi, getting angry at seeing such an injustice.

"Haha, if it isn't the "Demon Duo" of Year 3. Go away before you two get hurt." said the leader as the rest of the group started laughing.

"Mm, you two should go before you get hurt." said the new kid.

"You heard him, scram!" said the girl.

"Come on, get up." said Yuuichi to the kid as he put his hand out, ignoring the group.

"You should go." said the kid, still with a smile.

"Don't worry about them. Stand up." said Yuuichi as the new kid got his hand and finally stood up.

"Oi, don't ignore us!" said the leader.

"Shaddap." said Yuuichi turning to look at the bully.

"What'd you say, you little shit?! You want to get beat up, huh? Fine by me. Let's see how scary the Demon Duo really is." he said with a taunting smirk.

"Okay. At least this way we'll finally be left alone." said Yuuichi to Rumi who was fired up and ready to go.

"Please, leave them alone. Just beat me up." said the new kid as he stood in front of the pair.

"Hey, relax. We'll be fine." said Yuuichi as he pulled the kid behind him.

"Tch, and here I thought you would chic-" was all the leader was able to say before Yuuichi rushed him, feinted a punch to his chest to draw his attention before using his leg to hook the leader's leg, bringing him down to the floor where Yuuichi threw a fist out that stopped right before it broke his nose.

"Do you still want to continue?" said Yuuichi with a smirk that made the leader get angry before he tried to trip Yuuichi who just took the hit and stood still like a tree.

"Is that it? Sigh." said Yuuichi before he punched him in the nose for real this time.

"You broke my nose!" he said, tearing up.

"Good. Next time, I'll break your arm because one of the things I hate most in this world is bullies. And remember this, Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the Honored One." said Yuuichi with a smile as he used his quirk to create a small "Sun" behind him for added effect, causing everyone to fall into a stunned silence.

'Was that cringe? Nah, that was cool.' thought Yuuichi.

~

"Okay, I'm going to repeat this back to you, to make sure I'm understanding this correctly. My son and his friend stopped a couple of older kids from not only bullying but almost assaulting a new student, and you're going to suspend both of them. Am I correct?" said Yuuichi's mom.

"Y-yes, Yaoyorozu-sama. U-unfortunately, w-we have a z-zero v-violence policy. A-as you know." said the principal, who was an older, short man that was currently drenched in sweat.

"And what about the group of bullies? What's happening to them?"

"The s-same, Yaoyorozu-sama."

"The same? They're an older group of students and you are giving them the same punishment? Are you sure about that?" she said staring down the principal who shrunk in his chair.

"I-I-I seem to have m-misspoke. I m-meant they would get m-much harsher punishment."

"Good. I'd be very disappointed to hear that they got off lightly, Principal-san. Come, Yuuichi, Rumi." she said as she and the pair got up before leaving.

As the three were walking out of the school, they were silent.

"So, what do you two have to say for yourselves?" she said as they reached the gate.

"They deserved it." said Yuuichi, whose uniform was now in pristine condition for fear of angering his mother further, while Rumi just nodded.

"I agree, they did deserve it. I'm proud of you two for standing up for that new student. But, I'm disappointed in you two for getting suspended once again."

"Sorry." said the two of them.

"Good. Now, before I take you two home, it looks like there's someone who wants to speak to you. I'll be waiting in the car." she said before entering the car while the pair turned to see the new student.

"New kid, what's up?" said Rumi.

"I just wanted to say thank you for standing up for me and sorry for getting you two suspended." he said as he bowed.

"It's okay, but don't bow to us. We're 8." said Yuuichi.

"Right, haha, sorry." said the new kid as he stood up.

"What's your name?" said Yuuichi.

"Kunio Kure, it's nice to meet you two."

"Yuuichi Yaoyorozu."

"Rumi Usagiyama."

"Wow, you're a Yaoyorozu." he said.

"Don't tell me you're a fanboy?" said Yuuichi.

"Not a fanboy, just thankful. Your family's scholarship is why I'm here." he said.

"Oh, seems like it's being used properly. That's good." said Yuuichi.

"Yes, if it wasn't for the scholarship, I could never be in a school like this."

"So, you have no friends here?" said Rumi.

"N-no." he said looking down.

"You do now. Us." said Yuuichi with a smile.

"E-eh, but you'll keep getting targeted." he said now staring right at the two.

"Nah, trust me, we'll be fine. Well, I'll see you in a week, Kunio." said Yuuichi.

"Bye, KK." said Rumi.

"Mm, bye. Yaoyorozu-san, Usagiyama-san."

"Call me Yuuichi."

"And me Rumi."

"Okay, then bye Yuuichi-kun, Rumi-chan."

"Better. Later." said Yuuichi as the pair got in the car.

"Friends." said Kunio as his smile got a little brighter.