What does it mean to be a hero?
Patrick remembers when his grandfather would tell him the stories of his heroism and the countless lives he saved. Not for fame nor wealth, but for the safety of others. Heroes used to save people for just being selfless and nothing else.
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The motion of a plane landing on its now rotating wheels awoke Patrick from his nap. Reaching over and grabbing the window shade and pulling it upwards revealed Musutafu in all it's glory. A city filled with glory, wealth, and honor.
Tall buildings gleaming in the sunlight as the plane slows down to turn into the terminal.
Patrick wasn't the only American teen heading to Japan at this moment. Three other boys are joining him with the same goal in mind. William who stayed quiet for most of the flight can be noticed by his head peaking out from over the seat. Victor is next, he's vocal and vulgar so you'll know when he's arguing with someone or trying to start a fight. Last is Raymond who hides his emotions through his long hair which also hides his eyes.
Soon the group of American teens departed into the airport terminal where crowds of people passed by them. Varying in different quirks and different lives being led by each and everyone of them. Like a cog in a machine, the Americans were only a small piece of society that moved constantly everyday.
Heading down the escalator. Four sets of eyes spotted a sharply dressed Japanese man that held out a sign which had the names of them in roughly written english.
Heading towards the stern looking man, he spotted them halfway to their approach. His expression softened when they were much closer. The man bowed and the boys did as well.
"It is nice to meet you boys, I assume you are the children Ultra Heroics spoke of?" The man spoke in English.
"Yes we are, I'm Patrick Rafferty and these are my friends William Lenus, Raymond Blagden , and Victor Puño." Patrick spoke truthfully in Japanese as he looked to his friends.
"It's nice to meet you sir, please don't mind if they act roughly towards you or say something bad. We are still getting used to speaking another language and it's been a long flight." He said trying not to seem tired.
"He try's anything, let me know and I'll put him on his ass quickly." Victor whisper towards Patrick.
"Vic. What did I just say?" Will complained as he gave Vic death glares, almost giving off a hatred.
"YOU WANNA GO RIGHT HERE BITCH?" Victor threatened as he threw his hands up in a orthodox fighting stance.
"Guy's please stop.." Ray pleaded which had Victor only huff and back off. His face still showing anger.
"We're causing a scene, please not here of all places" William spoke as he looked around.
People were looking at them with a mix of expressions, it was evidently clear they needed to get out of here before they get kicked out of the country before they could do anything.
"Please gentlemen, before we start a panic let's get moving to my vehicle. Prying eyes and ears aren't always good." The man mentioned as he made a motion to follow him.
"What is your name sir? We failed to ask before..." Patrick trailed off as he looked at Vic who only huffed and put his hands in pockets.
"My name young man is Sawada... Sawada Naoki." He smiled cheerfully.
Patrick fixed his glasses and sighed. Looking back at Sawada, he smiled and bowed.
"We're in your hands Mr.Sawada. Thank you for being our ride." They boys said in unison.
Bowing in respect to the man, the group headed to Mr. Sawada's vehicle. Naoki's vehicle was a relatively new transport van that could hold a dozen people and their luggage.
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Naoki took his time getting the luggage inside the trunk of the vehicle. Naoki could only smiled when one of the boys looked at him, especially Victor who glared daggers.
"Victor is such a strange boy." Naoki thought as he placed the last piece of luggage in the back of the vehicle which reached above the seats but not quite hitting the roof of his vehicle.
Shutting the trunk. Naoki headed for the door of his car, opening it and placing himself in the drivers seat. Naoki was expecting them to be rowdy in the car while he placed their luggage away, instead it was quiet conversation up until he climbed inside the vehicle.
Turning the keys, the car purred awake. Waiting for the chance to turn, Naoki finally moved on to the busy street.
Silence hanged heavy in the car, Naoki would occasionally glance back at the boys who were messing with their phones or listening to what he presumed is music.
William was the only exception, he seemed to be enjoying the view of Musutafu. William's eyes moved from place to place, from heroes on patrol to citizens living their lives.
Naoki coughed before asking "Tell me Lenus-San. Why did you boys decide to come to Japan for hero schooling? instead of learning it from your own country? No offense of course."
"Please Sawada-San. Call me William, everyone does or Will if you prefer." William comments before speaking again.
"Also to answer your question Mr.Sawada, my friends and I have different reasons for going abroad. My reason in particular is to become a good hero, mainly understand what it means to be heroic in every aspect. I can't say much for the others though, Patrick in particular from what I got is that he is only becoming a hero for his grandfather. Raymond wants to understand his destructive quirk better. Victor most of all, wants to destroy villains for the fun of it, almost like a thrill of battle. All in all studying at the greatest hero school in the world would be a start." William explains, giving occasional looks to Sawada in the process.
Naoki didn't want to ask further because he doesn't like to intrude on people's lives that much. William is more open to talk about such things then his personality let on.
The rest of the car ride was quiet again. It didn't take much longer for them to reach their destination. Driving up to the home, it was a Japanese row house at the end of the block.
The home was provided from a partnership of Ultra Heroics and U.A that which comes with the exchange student program. Given that if the boys pass the entrance exam, they will be able to live in the home under the care of U.A.
Escaping the confines of the car, the boys approached the gate of the home with relative curiosity. Pictures and videos never amount to the real deal.
The gate opened with a clang, swinging open freely. Shuffling through one at a time with their luggage, it took about 5 minutes to get everything inside.
Taking off their shoes, the group proceeded to tour the inside of the row home. Modern by design, Ultra Heroic's briefed the boys of their residence before the trip. Inside a three bedroom and two bathroom home that was meant for a family but it seems it will house another group of people.
"Well, that's the home gentlemen. I apologize for the lack of the room's but it seem's the four of you are capable of figuring what room belongs to who for the time being." Sawada said as he bowed in apology.
The boys looked at each other for a few moments but when no one said a word William spoke up first."It's alright Sawada-San. I found a futon in one of the room's closets. When we figuring things out, someone will get the futon and sleep in the living room. That's if we all pass the U.A entrance exam."
"Ah yes, that's every aspiring hero's dream is to go to U.A. I wish you the best of luck and if you four do pass... I do look forward to your growth." Naoki spoke with a smile, his tone dripping with happiness.
Sawada was no actual hero himself, he loved aiding those to their destination no matter how far. Sawada wished he can do more for the boys considering, but it seem's at some point they most part ways.
"One more thing Gentlemen." Sawada beamed as he turned around to the door but turned his head enough to look back at the boys.
"I'll be taking you to U.A for your entrance exam's but after that you'll be on your own. The U.A entrance exam is a week from today, so be prepared to do your best gentlemen. I'll be here the morning of, so get plenty of sleep and study for the written in the meantime. I heard from colleagues that it's especially tough." He spoke.
Sawada put his shoes on and reached for the door. Saying his goodbyes, he shut the door behind him.
"What now?" Victor broke the silence, looking at the others for an answer.
"I'm hungry." Patrick answered.
"So am I..." Raymond added, barely being heard.
"The school gave us currency for the month. We might as well look for a place to eat around here..."
"Sounds good to me." Vic said glaring Will.
With that, they went to find some good food.