When Natsuo woke in the morning it wasn't with the expectation that anything major would happen that day.
And to his credit it did start out pretty normal.
He woke up with a minor headache from staying up late and his coffee dependence the night before, got up and took care of himself.
Making some noodles for breakfast with the camp gear Taira suggested to him and Natsuo really was glad for his partner in times like this.
Because as bad as it would sound he was avoiding Fuyumi more lately, especially in the mornings.
Natsuo just didn't have the will to put up with her 'family' stuff in the mornings anymore.
He seriously didn't get how Fuyumi's mind worked, that she'd overlook so much of Enji's bullshit.
Fuyumi had taken to texting him more but that was probably for the best since Natsuo had more patience for her over text than when he had to hear it in person.
At least she wasn't trying to guilt him into eating breakfast with her like he thought she would when he first stopped eating with her eight months ago.
Natsuo frowned at the thought.
One would think that Fuyumi would be pretty hurt by him doing this, well jokes on them because as far as Natsuo could see she was happy with him for doing it.
Natsuo wasn't going to lie, it stung when Fuyumi thanked him once he informed her that he wouldn't be coming to the main house for meals anymore, apparently seeing it as him finally listening to her about not purposely antagonizing Enji anymore.
Which yeah, really fucking hurt, Fuyumi had always been trying to de-escalate things by asking them to 'take the high road' and not anger Enji but to have her so clearly take Enji's side was...
Natsuo put his hand in his hair and gripped it to keep from tearing up over it again.
Because he'd always known that Fuyumi was more on Enji's side then his or Shouto's side, her constantly defending him wasn't subtle but Natsuo at least thought she'd be kind of sad about him not seeing her anymore.
He didn't even need to try that hard to explain himself, just a small text about it being easier on him with his new schedule and she had moved on, he wasn't even sure whether she knew what job he was working since she never asked.
Of course, she threw out offers to meet him for lunch and even tried to arrange other little meetings, not that he agreed to them much and she never pushed, just accepted he was 'busy'.
Shaking himself from his stupor he went ahead and took his shower and wasn't surprised when it was still icy cold, as it had for the last five months, Enji probably still didn't 'approve' to get anyone out to fix the pipe to the water heater.
Natsuo scoffed at the thought "As if he'd spend more money than he needed to on me." he said to himself as he got started on his hair, thankful he inherited just a touch of endurance to the cold from their mom's side.
Not enough for it to be a quirk and certainly not one since he didn't have the gene in him, he'd hate to say it but the man was very thorough in making absolutely sure if he was or wasn't a two-toes.
Getting dressed for his classes Natsuo nearly fell over himself while putting on his pants when he heard the doorbell ring, blinking surprised Natsuo left the bathroom and headed over to the front door to see who it was.
And Natsuo was far less shocked when he saw Fuyumi there on the porch, out of all the people who'd show up she was the most likely case.
Enji was a close second and unfortunately Shouto wasn't brave enough to visit him, though Natsuo understood, he'd like Shouto to come over but even when Enji wasn't in town it didn't feel safe to do, bastard probably had cameras all over and would know if he tried.
Leaning against the door frame Natsuo sighed "Hey Yumi, what 'cha doing here this early in the morning?" Natsuo asked because she didn't come by often, especially unannounced.
She smiled at him and immediately handed him a letter and Natsuo raised a brow, Fuyumi was way too happy for this to be the regular junk mail or his grades for the week.
Taking the letter he glanced at it only to stop when he saw the official U.A. embossing on it causing him to double take, his mouth opening and closing.
What the hell? Why was he of all people getting a letter from U.A?
"I can't believe you're in contact with U.A. Natsuo but I really hope whatever it is about is going well." she told him and gave him a quick hug then leaving all before he could question her about this.
Still confused Natsuo looked to the main house and down to the letter a couple of times before heading back inside trying to figure out why he'd gotten a letter from U.A.
He was too old to attend as a student and he certainly never went there since Enji wouldn't want the principal to figure out he was a two-toes, and unless he somehow got blackout drunk and sent a letter during said blackout without drinking in the first place then he sure as hell hadn't written to anyone at U.A.
Knowing he wouldn't get any answers until he opened it, he tore open the seem to take it out and once he read the letter his mouth fell open once again, not believing what he was reading.
Dear Todoroki Natsuo
On behalf of the board of Yūei Academia we would like to extend an offer for you to join our staff.
We have an opening in the medical wing for an assistant for our current school nurse Recovery Girl and you have come with high praise from the staff member who recommended you.
This along with glowing reviews from your current employer and teachers has only emboldened our decision to offer the open position on staff to you.
If you would like to take our offer please contact us at your earliest convenience Todoroki-san so that we may arrange the further details of your contract.
Should you wish to refuse, we shall understand but request you inform us of such either via written mail or an email directly to Principal Nezu.
Best regards.
Yūei Academia Human resources department.
Natsuo probably stared gaping at the letter for far too long to be honest but his brain was running on only half of its power since his brain was also still trying to reboot at the same time.
Someone had recommended him to work at U.A?
Someone on staff at U.A. recommended him to work directly under Recovery Girl as her assistant at U.A?
What the fuck?
Who? How? Why?
Natsuo's head was still spinning in circles as he tried to figure out who he could possibly know that worked at U.A. and just kept coming up empty.
He didn't attend so it couldn't be a former teacher or classmate, and Enji had kept him pretty far from all of the hero circuit circles so he didn't have a passing acquaintance there either, and his co-workers wouldn't want to lose out on having the prestige of having a Todoroki so them talking to 'friends' couldn't be it either.
Plus he was certain that if any of them did know any heroes they would've already gotten moved up to higher positions than the ones they already had so he doubted any of them knew whoever recommended him.
Hell the only person he knew that did was-
All at once it hit Natsuo and he scrambled over to grab his phone and open his contacts, finding Taira's number and immediately calling him up.
"Heya Natsuo! Isn't it a bit early for you to be calling? Don't you have classes in-" Taira said once he answered but Natsuo cut him off.
"Did your friend recommend me?" Natsuo questioned.
The line was silent for a second then Taira chuckled.
"Oh, I guess you got the letter now, huh?" Taira teasingly replied.
"You knew he was going to do this?" Natsuo asked wondering why his partner wouldn't tell him about something like this beforehand.
"Well yeah, who do you think Mido-Sempai called first when he was asking around for someone? Of course, I put in a good word for you with both Mido-Sempai and the other officials once they asked about your work performance." Taira answered matter-of-factly.
"Though I didn't think they would reach out so soon, did they call you about it?" Taira asked him.
"Wha- No, no they sent me a letter- No. That's not why I called. Why would you recommend me to work at U.A?" Natsuo questioned pacing in the living room.
"Seriously? You do quick good work, are way more competent than the other people I've worked with so far and you won't trip over yourself when someone with an odd quirk pops up after everyone we've treated. And you're not quirkist or riding Endeavor's tailcoats so why wouldn't I recommend you?" Taira listed off leaving Natsuo flustered and sputtering.
"I- You- Shut up." Natsuo told him only for Taira to laugh, making Natsuo very tempted to hang up on the boy.
"Okay I'm a good little worker drone, but why wouldn't you go work at U.A? I mean, Midoriya's your friend, surely you would've been an option too right?" Natsuo inquired instead of fighting about his skills in the field.
"Hm, I probably could since Mido-Sempai's real close with Nezu-San but nah, I prefer being out here on the streets. Like, I'd still be helping by fixing up the future heroes of tomorrow but I like being more hands on like I am now." Taira said, dismissing the thought almost outright.
Natsuo blinked before he really thought about that and realized Taira was right, he couldn't see the boy sitting in an office instead of running out on the street or driving the ambulance, sitting down for a quick break or restocking/cleaning the ambulance but that was it.
"Yeah, you'd probably go crazy if you had to sit around for that long." Natsuo agreed rubbing the back of his neck.
"Exactly, so I just pointed Mido-Sempai in your direction because you would get the most out of it and they'd get a decent employee, win-win for everyone." Taira replied.
Natsuo frowned at that "What do you mean?" Natsuo asked.
"Well there's the pay boost first of all, I can't see a place like U.A. giving you anything less than ¥5k an hour, safer work and knowing Endeavor, then your brother Shouto's going to start U.A. next year right?" Taira commented and Natsuo's brain once again screeched to a halt.
Shouto would absolutely be going to U.A. no question, and if he worked at U.A. then he could see Shouto way more without Enji being able to do shit about it, hell they'd be able to see each other nearly every day of the week.
Why hadn't he realized that when he first read the letter? Natsuo didn't think he'd be this excited if he was handed the keys to a literal gold mine.
"Taira, I could kiss you right now." Natsuo said before he could stop himself from voicing it.
Thankfully the embarrassing blunder only made the boy laugh so hard he snorted "O-okay, just not on the mouth or in public, wouldn't want the tabloids on your ass for being a perv." Taira joked teasingly, and Natsuo couldn't help snorting himself.
"I'll keep that in mind, Taira." Natsuo told the boy.
"That all you need ya big lug?" Taira asked.
"Yes, thanks Taira." Natsuo answered feeling so much better about today.
"Then you should hang up and get ready for classes, and maybe get some paperwork together to switch to different class times, you know since you'd be working in a school from now on." Taira suggested before he hung up on Natsuo.
Natsuo clocked the time on his phone and saw that Taira was right and he needed to get his stuff and get going.
Still Natsuo couldn't help feeling very excited for the coming days, but even more so he was absolutely determined to ensure that he could take U.A's offer and get that job.
Midoriya looks down at a paper with a list of names and crosses off one of them off.
Izuku: Four more to collect.
Mido: Ori, you can't keep collecting people.
Riya: But Mido how can you say no this face? *puts a hawks plushie in his twin's face*
Mido *facepalms*: Not you too Riya...