It was 9:15 AM; within the walls of Somei private school's 3rd year Classroom, in History Class, when the instructor asked:

"Tenya, what does Chapter 7 say about the dawn of quirks?"

Promptly I stood and answered, precisely from the textbook's page:

"Sir! Approximately ten generations ago, an extraordinary child was born who radiated light! That child was the bearer of the first quirk, and ever since then, Quirks have continued to permeate, until nearly 80% of the population possessed these abilities! The trigger for these newfound powers was never determined. "

"Correct, to the letter. And the regulations put on quirks?"

"Quirk use in public is only permitted by those who have earned their licenses to act - legally, as professional super heroes."

I was ten years old when I first asked Tensei the question I'd been burning to know, ever since I was four years old and developed my Engines, and we all decided that, like Tensei, father, and everyone in our family before hand, I would pursue the mighty and noble calling of Hero for myself.

"You too, Tenya? A hero?"

"Yes. Brother. Like you. A cool one."

"With robot arms?" he asked me, with a smile. I have tendency to move my arms rather stiffly when I speak - it's a habit I formed at a young age and have never been able to shake.

We were standing together in Tensei's agency, among all the equipment shelves where he likes to store his gear - the flashy metallic helmets, engine fuel, and cleaning supplies needed to power the Turbo Hero Ingenium. Tensei is 15 years older than I am, and at the time he had nearly a foot on me.

Where my hair is always sleek and brushed to a perfect 3/4 ratio, Tensei's tends to be messy and wild. Where I wear glasses to aid my vision at all times, Tensei doesn't need them. I tend to wear polo shirts; he wears open checkered shirts and tees, off work. But otherwise, our features all agree quite to the point: We're both squarely built, from jaw to eyes to shoulders and so forth. The Iida family features.

While off the clock, Tensei is rather laid back, on the job he's an unmatched commander who honors the hero code. He is a peerless leader who has saved countless lives in the past. I have always strived to be just like him.

The day before, at dinner, Father had said to Tensei,

"You've made your father proud. You're so young, yet you've already become independent. You command so many sidekicks. That's no small feat, I tell you!"

Tensei shrugged it off with a nervous smile. "Nah, you say 'command', but…it's the opposite, father. I'm in no position to accomplish much on my own yet, so they're all there to support me. I've got to work hard to reciprocate, given all they do for me. Though I can't say I've got much sense for it all. Heroes have to bear the weight of that title. I'm just glad if my work somehow helps people out."

I wasn't quite sure what to make of that. Given the popularity of the profession, becoming a hero is not something that can be done easily. And if I was to be as good as Tensei, I just had to know.

So that is why, back then, I asked him, "Teach me how? For after I graduate. I want to know why you're a hero."

"To be popular," he replied.

"How base!" I cried out, a little shocked.

"I'm half joking," he said, with his usual crooked smile.

"Only half?!" I can never tell if Tensei is being completely serious.

He unloaded his chest plate armor from the cabinet above as he spoke, thoughtfully and carefully.

"Hmm…well, with grandpa and mom and dad being heroes, I've heard that everyone basically expected me to be one too. But…it's really pretty simple. People who find a lost child and then take him to a lost child center…I've always thought those sorts of people were the coolest." He held up the Ingenium helmet as he spoke, looking down at it with a smile.

"Then why not work at a lost child center?" I asked.

"Don't be so literal! Are you really a robot!?" he asked, getting a little annoyed now. But then he smiled. "Believe me when I say that you're way smarter than I was at your age, Tenya. Better reflexes too. Wait…hang on!" He reached out and patted my head. "Knowing you look up to me makes me better. I have to make sure I make you proud!"

I tried not to show him how moved I was, how much those words made me feel. I only smiled and reassured. But I knew, from that day onward - that I must strive to be a truly great hero. I can never let Tensei down, and I am quite resolved that I never will.