CHAPTER 10

Juke Box Hero

UA High School,
Musutafu, Tokyo Prefecture,
March 5

Once again Yosetsu found himself at the lobby of Class-1A dorm, but this time, he was with Momo Yaoyorozu and Tenya Iida. He had homework, and he would rather not do it that evening, but Class 1-A had group assignment due soon so it was the only day Momo and Tenya agreed to help him out without jeopardizing their grades.

"You guys are the highest-ranking students in Class 1-A," Yosetsu started his interview. "Why do you want to become pro heroes? I mean, with brains like yours, you could get education at the top school in Japan, become corporate leaders, and make a lot of money. You don't have to brawl against supervillains to make money that isn't even a fraction of what you can make as corporate leaders. So why this path? Why choose the hard way when the easy way is within grasp?"

"Do you think this is about money, Awase?" Momo replied halfheartedly. Her voice was indifferent but there was a grievous tone in it. "My family's rich. I don't even need to go to school to get money."

"Then why do you come here? What motivates you to become a Pro Hero?"

"My brother Tensei was the original Ingenium," Tenya explained. "He is a good man and a respected Pro Hero. I looked up to him. I always wanted to be a Pro Hero like him. He was my inspiration. But of course, Tensei-oniisan is not the only inspiration. I also want to help people, just like most Pro Heroes."

"Being rich does not give me satisfaction," Momo added. "Neither does being smart. Iida and I were blessed with wealth and status in the society, but it is not a reason to live, merely a reason to exist. Being a Pro Hero gives us a purpose of life. Helping people in need, especially those who become victims of injustice, makes us feel worthwhile."

"Yaoyorozu says it best," Tenya followed suit. "I believe that we are all born as good people, and good people help each other regardless the reason. We are blessed with quirks, and it is our responsibility to use our quirks to help other people."

"When you saw those nine hot school idols having trouble on the leaking stage, you jumped to help, didn't you?" Momo gave Yosetsu a mischievous wink. "Was it because you expected to court one of them? 'I help you if you go out with me'? Of course not. You helped them because you could, and you knew it was the right thing to do. Isn't that so, Awase?"

"Yes, you are right, Yaoyorozu," Yosetsu hid his blushing face.

"Oh yeah, I heard Aqours is heading to Love Live Finals," Tenya fixed his crooked glasses. "Well, tell them good luck."

"Thank you, Iida," Yosetsu wrote some notes on his notepad. "They will appreciate it."

"I may come and cheer for them," Momo grinned. "Depends on how busy Pyrrha is."

"I look forward to meet you there," Yosetsu grimaced, then muttered almost inaudibly, "hopefully." He finalized his notes, then get up to leave. "Well, I won't take up more of your time. I know you are busy. Thanks for the help. I hope your input will give us inspiration in our project."

"Good luck, Awase," Momo gave him a sendoff.

"Keep trying your best! You will make Class 1-B proud!" Tenya got up and gave him a small bow.

"Thank you, Iida, I will do my best!" Yosetsu return Tenya's pleasantries, then headed back to his dorm.


The lobby of Class 1-B dorm was just as cozy as that of the Class 1-A counterpart. Sen Kaibara set himself comfortably in a love seat, next to some bonsai on the cabinet. Itsuka Kendo, Yui Kodai, and Setsuna Tokage sat at the long couch in front of him, while Ibara Shiozaki, Kinoko Komori, Pony Tsunotori, and Reiko Yanagi stood around the couch.

"Ladies, I appreciate your help in my assignment," Sen said while scribbling on his notepad. "As you may have already known, I – along with my good friends – are given assignment to write an essay about people's motivation to become a Pro Hero…"

"You mean 'punishment'," Kinoko Komori blurted, followed by chortles from the other girls.

"Punishment is too strong a word," Sen grinned sheepishly. "It's more like 'disciplinary action'."

"What did you guys do?" Setsuna followed up cheekily.

"I won't go into minute details, but we broke several protocols when we tried to stop a terrorist. We did stop the terrorist, but police office made complains about our… uhm, unorthodox methods. So we have to write this essay to show that we understand the concept and the responsibility of being a Pro Hero." He paused, composed himself, then continued, "So, I will ask this one question for each of you. Why do you want to be a Pro Hero? What is your motivation?"

"Well, I was recommended to UA, so in a sense, I don't have a choice," Setsuna said matter of factly.

"I want to become a Pro Hero to cleanse my soul from sin," Ibara Shiozaki stated with her hand tucked in her chest in praying pose. "Whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto The Almighty. By giving help to those in need, I am preparing myself for the afterlife."

"My reasoning to become a Pro Hero might be cliche, but I'll just say it again," Itsuka added. "I'm born with a quick, I understand what I can do and what I can achieve with my quirk, and so I decide becoming a Pro Hero is the best use of my quirk. I dedicate my quirk for the good of other people, to help those in need, and to make our world a better place."

"I'm with her," Yui Kodai pointed at Itsuka. "And getting paid in the process."

"I think Kendo speaks for the most of us," Kinoko Komori said. "We all want to be the good guys. We all want to help people in need and make the world a better place. Right, guys?"

"Right," Reiko Yanagi replied.

"I'm a transfer student, the same as Rin," Pony Tsunotori tuned in. "Japan is not my motherland, but I still want to do good for people of Japan. I want to see all people live in harmony everywhere I am, regardless of race, ethnicity, and quirk. I think Rin is the same way. You should know, Kaibara. You're close to him."

"Yeah, I know what Rin's motivation," Sen wrote down some notes. "And it is not different than yours. So the gist of it is we want to be Pro Heroes because it is the right thing to do. We all want to be good people and law-abiding citizens. Some of you had an off-target motivation, like money, vanity, or maybe even sex. But the majority of it, it's for goodness' sake. Is that correct?"

"Pretty much," Reiko chimed. "Aren't you of the same?"

"You can say that," Sen wrapped up the meeting. "Thank you for helping out. Your insight will be helpful in writing my argument."

"Good luck in your essay, Kaibara," Itsuka stood up and started walking toward her room. "I'm sure we will hear all about it. Good night everybody."

"Good night!" Yui and Pony followed Itsuka.

"Good night Kaibara, may Heavenly Father bless your rest," Ibara said politely.

"You know who you should get opinion on the subject?" Setsuna grinned. "Bakugo. It'll be an interesting conversation about his true intention to become a Pro Hero."

"Rin will handle Bakugo," Sen replied. "Good night, Tokage."

"Good night Kaibara, see you in the morning," Kinoko said.

"Good night girls," Sen raised from the love seat and bowed. He checked on his notepad, making sure everything he needed was recorded, then walked back to his room.


The coffee at Lunch Rush Cafeteria was not as good as those at chain coffeeshop like Starbucks or Doutor, but Hiryu Rin sipped his cup of joe with delight. The beautiful Akiho Suzuki sat by his side, trying to enjoy a cup of gyokuro, but she was too distraught to appreciate the flavor of the delicacy.

"I don't understand," she bemoaned, "of all the students of Class 1-A you could interview, you have to get Katsuki Bakugo."

"Somebody has to do it," Hiryu mumbled with his cup still on his mouth.

"And you volunteered?"

"No, of course not."

"So why is it you? Bad draw?"

"Why are you so upset?" Hiryu gave his girlfriend a quizzical look.

"Because!" Akiho grumbled. "Bakugo is an arrogant, rude, demeaning, condescending, arrogant, disrespectful, bullying, arrogant asshole! Not to mention arrogant! Thinking that I have to speak to him makes me want to puke!"

"You don't have to speak to him," Hiryu put the cup on the table. "I'll speak to him. You just sit here and give me some moral support. I need it."

"I gotta give it to you, though," Akiho took a sip from her own cup. "How did you get him to help you out? He's not one that cares about people."

"Actually he's not that bad. He has learned some camaraderie. He may not be as nice as the others, but he's learning to behave. There's even rumor he has a girlfriend."

"Pfft," Akiho stuck her tongue out. "If that's true, I wanna know the kind of girl that can tolerate Katsuki Bakugo."

By that time Katsuki walked toward them. He gave Akiho a quick derogatory glance, then switched his eyes toward Hiryu. "Whatever you need from me, 'Skin', make it quick. I have a busy evening."

"Thank you, Bakugo-san, for meeting with me and helping me out for my class assignment," Hiryu maintained his calm and cool demeanor, seemingly unfazed by Katsuki calling him 'Skin'. "I know you are busy, so I will make it simple. I need to ask a few questions. Why do you want to be a Pro Hero?"

"Why not?" Katsuki replied halfheartedly.

"I'm doing an essay about people's motivation to become Pro Heroes," Hiryu persisted. "Why did you choose UA? Why not Kakusei Koko or Tokyo Gakuen or other elite high school around Japan? Could you share your reason? I promise, I will not reveal the detail if you're not comfortable with it."

"Everybody does it," Katsuki muttered. "Little kid with superpower, amused with All Might, it's the only logical choice."

"But you don't strike me as somebody that would step in All Might's path," Hiryu said.

"What do you mean by that? I'm not fit as a Pro Hero?" Katsuki snarled. "You think you know me enough to judge me, 'Skin'?"

"No I don't know you enough, so please help me understand," Hiryu deftly replied Katsuki's comment. "Why do you want to be a Pro Hero?"

"All right, if you are so nosy you have to know people's personal life," Katsuki grimaced in disgust. "I want to be what every Pro Hero wants… to beat All Might at his own game and become the No.1 Pro Hero in the nation. I will be the best Pro Hero in the country! And in the World!" He looked at Hiryu in a conceited manner, then walked away. Before he left Hiryu completely, he asked, "Anything else?"

"Is it all your motivation to become Pro Hero? To surpass All Might as the No.1 Pro Hero? No helping people?"

"That's it." Katsuki then waked away without looking back.

"Well, that's not so bad," Hiryu went back to his coffee.

"Not bad? He called you 'Skin'!" Akiho sneered. "You don't find it insulting?"

"He can call me anything he wants. I get everything I need from him." Hiryu finished up his coffee. "Now let's finish our drink and call it a day." He looked at Akiho and wrapped his arms around his shoulder. "Come, I'll escort you back to your dorm room. I'll tuck you in and kiss you goodnight, unless if you're in the right mood, I'll tuck 'something else' in…"

Akiho puckered her lips, then left her tea unfinished with Hiryu in tow.


Kosei Tsubaraba was sitting nervously in his own bed. His phone had been blurting waiting tone for the last 10 minutes, but the other side had not pick it up. He took a glance at his watch; it was 20 minutes past the supposed phone interview. If the phone call was on time, he would've been done by now. Instead, he had to wait, wondering if it would happen or not, and it turned his stomach upside down.

"Come on come on come on come on…" Kosei mumbled impatiently. He hung up, waited 5 seconds, then called the number again. It was still the same waiting tone. "Well, I guess Isamu High School students are not as dependable as UA's. Their words are not bond." He tried the same thing, but the result still the same.

Dejected, Kosei threw his phone on the bed in frustration and started walking toward the bathroom, but suddenly his phone rang. He quickly jumped onto his bed and pushed the receiver. "Moshimoshi? MOSHIMOSHI?!"

"Tsuburaba-san? This is Habuko Mongoose from Isamu High School," a hissing female voice echoed from the speaker of his phone. "Please forgive me, I was at the library tutoring middle-grade students. One of them asked a lot of questions, so I was caught up. I hope I don't cause you too much trouble."

"Oh, not at all, Mongoose-san," Kosei grinned awkwardly as he lied through his teeth. "I understand you are busy tutoring on top of school workload. If I have half of your talent, I consider myself lucky."

"You honor me, Tsuburaba-san," the girl replied sheepishly, and Kosei could only imagine her charcoal-gray face would turn red. "How can I help you?"

"Ah, so, I have this class assignment. I have to write an essay on what motivate Pro Hero students to become Pro Heroes. I think you are an interesting subject considering your reputation."

"I am but a humble student, but thank you for considering me. How did you get my number, by the way?"

"Through friends of friends, who had heard of you," Kosei put his face on his palm as he said this. The truth was, he hunted down Habuko's number religiously, because Habuko held the key to his ulterior motive. "So, Mongoose-san, what inspires you to be a Pro Hero?"

"To be honest, I am not a Pro Hero material," Habuko said in casual fashion. "I always saw myself as treacherous and disagreeable. But in fact it was because I was lonely. I didn't have many friends. One day I met Tsuyu Asui, and we started to get together. I was moved by her kindness and big heart. She asked me to be her friend, and of course I accepted with jumping heart! We had the best middle school together. It is Asui that inspired me to be a Pro Hero, to spread kindness to other people, and help those in need. It was a shame that I couldn't go to UA to be with Asui, but even when we are apart, we are still best friends, and she does not inspire me to do my best as a Pro Hero in training."

"Wow, that is a great motivation," Kosei muttered. "I guess we can agree that Tsuyu-chan is a great personality…"

"What did you call her?" Habuko interjected. There was a slight offensive hiss in her voice.

"Asui-san, I said Asui-san," Kosei cringed. "What do you think I said?"

"I thought you said… ah, never mind," Habuko recoiled. "Sorry to interrupt."

"I was just saying that Asui-san is a great person and a great friend," Kosei moved forward very cautiously. "You know that her birthday was but 2 weeks ago, don't you?"

"Yes, and I sent her bunches of messages and flowers… internet flowers, not the real one. I don't have money to send a real bouquet to UA."

"So you didn't give her a birthday present?"

"I uh… actually I plan to, but I don't know if I should send it or wait until I meet her in person."

"What do you plan to give her?"

Habuko didn't answer immediately as she tried to digest what Kosei was implying. "Uhm… what?"

"Well, you know, I just want to know what you plan to give her, and why. Do you think she would like the present?"

"Why are you asking these questions?"

"Well, I just want to know, maybe as personal reference," Kosei swallowed hard. He knew that one wrong word would set Habuko's perspective about him the wrong way, and as Asui's best friend, she would definitely told Asui about it. He had to play his cards perfectly. "I'm close to Asui-san, but not as close as you. I too want to honor Asui-san the way you do, but I don't want to make her upset about my choices."

"Tsuburaba-san, Asui is a great friend. She wouldn't make a fuss about your choices. She would honor your gift, whatever you give her, because it is not the gift that she treasures. She will treasure your intention, your attention, and your care. Of course, if you are close to her, you know that she will, don't you?"

"Yes, yes, you are correct," Kosei chuckled.

"Is there anything else I can help for your essay?" Habuko kept the conversation close to the initial scope. "Do you have anymore questions about the motive of being a Pro Hero?"

"No, I think I got what I need," Kosei surmised. "Thank you, Mongoose-san, I appreciate your help."

"Glad to be of service. I look forward to meeting you one day."

"I hope we meet often, in much agreeable term," Kosei replied, giving a hint of his own volition to be in the center of Asui's life. "Ja ne, Mongoose-san." He turned off his ringer, then set out to the library with online shopping in mind.


Translation

Oniisan: big brother
Gyokuro: a kind of Japanese green tea
Moshimoshi: hello (in telephone)