We got so much attention after the sports festival! In class next day everyone got to talking.
"I got so embarrassed, everybody was staring at me so intently!"said Hagakure.
"Yeah, me too!" said Kirishima.
"I got consoled with 'Don't mind' calls by friction elementary school kids," said Sero.
"Don't mind?" said Asui.
"We became the centers of attention for just one day! UA really is amazing."
"Morning," said Mr. Aizawa. Everyone scrambled back to our seats.
"Mr. Aizawa, I'm happy you were able to remove your bandages!" said Asui.
"The old lady went crazy with her treatment. But let's put that aside. Today's hero informatics period is a little special. It's time to formulate your codenames. Your hero names."
We all jumped to our feet. "Oh my god, YES! Now this is making my chest swell!"
Mr Aizawa continued, "This is related to the draft nominations by pros I mentioned the other day. The nominations will truly start mattering only after you've gained some experience and your adaptable fighting ability os judged during your sophomore and senior years. In other words the nominations you're getting this year are more akin to expressions of 'interest' in your future potential."
"And it's not rare that that interest dries up by graduation, or is simply unilaterally dropped," said Yaoyorozu.
"Damn grown-ups playing with our emotions!" muttered Mineta.
"So I guess the nominations we received are like personal hurdles, then!" said Hagakure.
"Yes. Now the tally of nominations is as follows," said Aizawa, pointing at the board.
My own name sat at the very top of the list. Over 4,000 offers.
"Damn it's so clear it's practically black and white!" said Kaminari.
"Those pros have no discerning eye," said Aoyama.
"Look though, 1st and 2nd places are the reverse!"
"Seeing him all straight-jacketed on the winners stand must have scared em off," said Sero.
"PROS AIN'T GONNA BE SCARED!" yelled Bakugou.
"Just as expected, Todoroki," said Yaoyorozu, looking at me rather sadly.
"A lot of that's just gotta be because of my dad," I reassured her.
"Based on this, regardless of whether or not you received any nominations, I'll be having you all go get some so-called work-place experience. Well, you've all dipped a toe in the world of the pros, unfortunately. But I think experiencing the activities of pros firsthand will prove to be more fruitful training than before," said Aizawa.
"And cuz of that we need Hero names, huh?" said Sato.
"Things've got fun all of a sudden!" said Uraraka.
"Of course, placeholder names are fine too, but something appropriate…" said Aizawa.
"Because if not it'll be hell from here!" interrupted Midnight sensei. "The names you pick now! The names you come to be known by the world as now! In many cases they stay that way after becoming pros!"
"Well, she is correct," said Aizawa. "I'll be having Ms Midnight evaluate your naming sense. The way your futures end up will approach the image projected by the names you choose. It's all down to that old phrase, 'names and natures often agree.' For example, 'All Might.'"
15 minutes later…
I decided to go with my own name. "Shoto".
"Just your name?" asked Midnight.
"Uh-huh."
Later on after everyone had picked their names, Aizawa said
"Your workplace experience will last one week, and where you choose is essential. For those with nominations, I'll be handing out individualized lists, so choose from what's listed in yours. As for those who haven't received any nominations. These are 40 agencies that are offering places. I'll be having you choose from those among this list. I want them in by the weekend."
"We have two days!?" cried Sero.
Over 4,000 offers. Looking it over, the 5th name down caught my eye. Endeavor Hero Office…
Day of departing for workplace experience.
"You all brought your costumes right? Normally you're prohibited from wearing them in public areas, so don't drop them," said Sensei.
"GOT IT!" I called.
"Don't stretch out your 'got its' Ashido. Make the effort to be respectful. Now move it."
The routes my classmates took were most likely new and exciting ones for them. But mine simply brought me to a very familiar skyscraper in a very familiar city.
My damn old man's very own agency.
