He felt warm. He didn't know why. He couldn't see why. The only thing he could see was the warm yellow light. The only thing he could hear was a whistling tune of wind. At least until a voice of silk bounced around him.
Welcome!
Hi?
This is the portal that leads to a new world!
A new world? Am I going somewhere?
But before I can let you through, I have several questions for you. I want you to answer them sincerely.
Some questions? Like a test? I'm good at tests.
Are you ready?
I'll do my best.
Ok...let the interview begin!
A harp strung in the light, the tune sending him shivers while a flute whispered in his ears and massaged his heart. Bells rung powerful around him, rippling out like droplets on a lake. Strings hummed up and down his arms, rubbing against his skin and easing his muscles to rest.
How quickly do you respond to a text?
Usually right away. Iida's a lot more punctual about quick replies than I am, but I try not to leave my friends on read. Sometimes I'll get messages like what I sent to my friends when I was fighting Stain, and I react more to moving than I do to typing and letting a message give my friends away. But more often than not, it's the instant I see the message, I reply to it.
Are you often late for school or meetings?
Yes, more than I would like to admit. I think it's something I picked up from Toshi. I'll spend too much time on patrol responding to every call for help I hear. Does hurt my timetable missing meetings by an hour at the latest.
Do you think you are cool? Be honest.
I try to be. This feels like a personal attack. Or something Denki would say. But I try to be someone the kids and other trainees actually look up to, someone inspiring like All-Might was to me. Not 'bad boy' cool but ideal cool.
It's the summer festival! Do you like carnivals?
God, I haven't been to one of those in a few years, have I? I think the last one I went to was ten year ago? There was a festival in Russia, just on its European border that I took my friends to and it was honestly some of the most fun I've had in years. Festival rides and attractions just aren't like resorts, they are something special I barely get to visit.
Do you like groan-inducing puns?
Oh god, don't even start. They are, honestly, the most painful experience I've ever gone through and my arm was once connected to my shoulder by four veins. Aizawa never grew out of them even after we graduated; he was the worst offender of puns when you least expected them. I think it was just his coping mechanism after retiring. Eri took after him in that department only, so it's stuck with me forever. No escaping it.
A human hand extends out of a toilet! What would you do?
Funny story, now that you mention it. That did happen once. Setsuna left her hand in the office bathroom as a prank, I think. Might have been an advancement she meant for Tetsu. Anyways, found that just floating there in the bowl right above the water when I went in. Not a single other person in the restroom other than me, so no one was around to question what or why. I just kinda slowly shut the lid and walked out of the restroom entirely. Nearly flushed her hand, I don't think she would have liked that. She can regrow them but that doesn't mean the process of losing them is any fun.
You win a lottery! What do you do with the money?
I actually gave away my first lottery win to my mom. I did not need the money as much as she did. My job pays enough for me and I owed her that and then some for everything she's done for me. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
A friend brought over something you'd forgotten. How do you thank your friend?
I left my uniform at Shoto's place once, after a long day from work and crashing at his place for the night. Accidentally borrowed his clothing and left his apartment half-awake until he approached me with my costume in a bag. We were still on the street too, so I had to act like it was not him giving me back my clothing in front of a crowd of people who recognized us outside of our uniforms. Gossip like that isn't something we need the public to spin around.
Are there many things that you like to do?
Not really? I don't get or take a lot of downtime from work. Being on the clock or relaxing at home are really the most of my schedule. My friends try to take me out for games and parties but I don't last long at them.
Do you feel lonesome when you are alone?
No. One For All basically makes it that I'm never alone, and even under that technicality just watching the news and hearing what people think about me just gets to me in the best of ways. It always makes me happy to hear people feel happy because of me.
Are you a cheerful personality?
I would think so. My job kinda requires that I be but I've always aimed to be an optimist. To smile and inspire and be open to people if they want to approach me, talk to me, spend a minute sharing stories about ourselves.
Do you like to fight?
I always fight but I don't like to. It's my job to fight people into submission if I have to but I never want to. It's effective but I have words I want to use to calm people down, to reason with them out of situations and combat. I think it sends a better message that way.
When the going gets tough, do you get going?
Never. I can't remember a time in my life where it hasn't been hard. It's always been this way. I can't afford to back down and out, to give up before I really get to try. Too many people have put their faith in me to be strong and I want to be strong. I can't lose that.
A delinquent is hassling someone on a busy city street! What will you do?
Help without hesitation. Simple as that. I became a hero to help people when they need it. I can't wait for the right moment to jump in because the instant it starts it could already be too late, no matter how small an outburst. I should be there to have their back and help them any way they need help.
Are you a boy or a girl?
Uh, boy. Least I should be. It's what I remember being.
Alright then, give me a moment to put your answers together.
The tune and hums soften around him.
You seem to be...
The Sassy Type!
...Really?
Or at least somewhat sassy!
Okay that makes more sense.
You don't like taking orders. You're a little rebellious and like to disagree. You're a lone wolf! You like to keep your distance from groups and go off to do things on your own.
Well I mean it isn't intentional. I usually do my work alone because I am just that fast, and my rebellious streak didn't always do me good. I'm trying to reign myself in now that we've fixed the system and hopefully for the better. I just need to make sure I'm working with it.
Older folks may be ones who find you the most disagreeable, even selfish. But people younger than you tend to really admire you!
Wow, right on both accounts. My senseis still give me flak for the things I do just at the snap of my fingers, but in the end it at least leaves a smile on the kids' faces. It matters a lot that I keep making those smiles.
So, a sassy type like you will be a Riolu!
Yeah...wait, I'm sorry?
Ok! We're all set.
No, no, I think we skipped a few things. What am I missing? What are you talking about? A Riolu?
Let's get you into the world of Pokémon!
Pokémon?! Wait, no, that's not right, hold on. Wait! WAIT!