Kris Miller, UA, doors to class 1-A, 1-st day, 1-st year - «A Shattered Illusion»

* This and some subsequent chapters are currently being reworked. This isn't their final form, but the direction is roughly the same. *

Chris Miller stood at the threshold of Class 1-A, a wave of excitement and anticipation coursing through him. It was his first day at UA, and though he knew what lay beyond the door, everything felt new. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside, meeting the curious gazes of his future classmates.

The classroom buzzed with hushed whispers and subtle activity. Some students had already claimed their seats, while others milled about, searching for a spot. They appeared slightly awkward and nervous, yet a vibrant energy pulsed in the air, as if everyone sensed something extraordinary was about to unfold. Chris scanned the room, trying to conceal his excitement at finally meeting the people he’d watched for so long. He knew them, but seeing them in person – rather than on a phone screen – left him unsure of what to expect. Still, he was ready for the unexpected.

His gaze landed on Midoriya, the current successor to the number one hero’s legendary quirk, "One For All". Midoriya sat with a cautious, distant expression, mumbling to himself as he scribbled furiously in a well-worn notebook, its edges slightly charred. Beside him was Bakugo, his fiery red eyes burning with irritation. Oddly, Bakugo didn’t lash out with his usual venomous remarks like "Stupid Deku". Instead, he merely shot Midoriya sharp, resentful glances.

It was strange.

In the anime, Bakugo would explode at Izuku for speaking more than three seconds, especially at this early stage of the story, where Katsuki was still an impulsive, prideful, and perpetually angry boy untouched by maturity. Something felt off…

Suppressing a sigh, Chris moved deeper into the classroom, avoiding curious stares. He quickly noticed discrepancies in the scene. Iida, the ever-responsible and punctual class representative, was conspicuously absent, despite being the type to arrive first. The seating arrangement also seemed slightly off, not quite matching his memories of the anime.

Perplexed, Chris approached the desk where Jiro sat. She looked as he’d expected – reserved, calm, and a touch aloof – yet something about her and the others felt subtly different. It wasn’t just their appearances; it was the atmosphere, their postures, even the expressions on their faces. These "canon inaccuracies" were minor but unsettling, stirring both intrigue and concern. The unknown thrilled him, but it also posed a potential threat to his plans for "Pink Sky".

Shaking off his spiraling thoughts, Chris met Jiro’s gaze, offering a friendly nod before taking the seat beside her. She returned a small smile and a wave before turning back to her classic rock playlist, earbuds in place. Questions swirled in Chris’ mind, but he reassured himself that these differences were minor. The characters were here, their core personalities intact, just as in the anime.

"Pink Sky" was still within reach.

As the break continued before the first lesson at the academy for young heroes, Chris observed his classmates – familiar yet unfamiliar faces – with a mix of nerves and fascination.

His mind began to churn with anxious possibilities: «What if the League of Villains attacked earlier or later than in the anime? What if they stormed UA right now, slaughtering unprepared young heroes to eliminate future threats?! Or what if All Might, "society’s pillar of hope", fell, his heart stopping and shattering the fragile peace!?», this was, after all, merely an alternate version of the universe he knew so well.

But then Asui’s soft croak broke his reverie, and Iida finally arrived, slightly late due to an unexpected traffic jam. True to form, Iida immediately scolded Bakugo for propping his feet on the desk, his robotic arm gestures as precise as ever. Bakugo’s predictable aggression flared in response, snapping at the blue-haired boy. The familiar scene grounded Chris, reassuring him that the characters’ core traits remained unchanged. Mentally, he steadied himself: «Breathe in… breathe out… Hua-ah… Everything’s fine. "Pink Sky" is still on track. The characters are mostly as expected, so I can relax… a little…».

With a few deep breaths, Chris calmed his nerves, his confidence in "Pink Sky" growing. Covering his mouth to hide a sly grin, he imagined the transformations and possibilities that awaited.

"And remember! The Empire cares about you!"