Chapter 2: Settling In

Kagome's first few days back in Japan passed in a blur of unpacking and reconnecting with her family. Her mother, brother, and grandfather welcomed her with open arms, relieved to have her back after so many years. Kagome's father had passed away while she was in America, leaving an empty space in their lives.

The days turned into weeks, and Kagome settled into her childhood home. She took long walks around the neighborhood, visiting old haunts and reminiscing about her time growing up. It was comforting to be surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of her hometown.

One sunny afternoon, Kagome decided to visit the shrine where her mother and brother now lived. The Inari shrine had been a significant part of their family's history, and Kagome had spent many hours there as a child. The small, tranquil grounds were nestled among tall trees, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of incense.

Her mother, Ku-Loon, greeted Kagome with a warm smile and a hug. "It's good to see you here, Kagome. Your grandfather has been eagerly awaiting your visit."

Kagome nodded and followed her mother to the shrine's main building, where her younger brother, Souta, was tending to the sacred fox statues. Souta had been quirkless from birth, just like Izuku, but he had never let it dampen his spirit.

"Kagome-nee-chan!" Souta exclaimed, setting down a brush and rushing over to hug her. "I've missed you so much!"

Kagome laughed and ruffled his hair. "I've missed you too, Souta. How's everything been at the shrine?"

Souta's face lit up as he began to talk about his daily routines and the rituals he had learned from their grandfather. Kagome listened with genuine interest, proud of her brother's dedication and determination to carry on the family tradition.

After spending the afternoon at the shrine, Kagome returned home, feeling a sense of contentment she hadn't experienced in a long time. However, she knew that her desire to be a hero was still burning inside her.

That evening, as she sat at her desk in her old room, Kagome made a decision. She opened her laptop and began to search for local hero agencies in Japan. She was determined to continue her hero career and make a difference in her homeland.

As she submitted her resume and applications, she couldn't help but think of the life she had left behind in America—the thrilling missions with All Might, the late-night conversations at the diner, and the romance that had blossomed between them. All Might had become more than just her mentor; he had become someone she cared deeply about.

Kagome's heart ached as she thought about him, wondering what he was doing now and whether he ever thought about her. She knew that her decision to return to Japan had been the right one, but it didn't make it any easier to leave her past life behind.

The following morning, Kagome woke up to an unexpected email notification. She clicked it open and gasped in surprise. It was a job offer from UA, the prestigious hero academy where she had graduated. The offer was for a position as a protégée to Recovery Girl, one of UA's most esteemed staff members.

Excitement and nervousness swirled within Kagome as she considered the opportunity. UA had been a significant part of her life, and now it seemed that it was calling her back. Without hesitation, she accepted the offer and set up an appointment to go to the academy the following day for paperwork and orientation.

Arriving at UA the next morning, Kagome felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The sprawling campus was bustling with activity, and the memories of her time as a student flooded back. So caught up in the past she neglected to pay attention to where she was going and before she knew it she was lost.

Glancing down the seemingly never ending hallways she could only frown, yes, she had gone to school here once upon a time but it seemed the school had undergone some renovations.

She was lost and going to be late on her first day. Dread settled in the pit of her stomach, way to make a good first impression! "Need some help finding your way, Kagome-san?"

She turned to see a rugged figure with unruly black hair and a disheveled appearance. It was Aizawa Shota, also known as Eraser Head, one of UA's esteemed pro heroes and staff members.

Kagome smiled and nodded. "Yes, please. I'm a bit lost."

Aizawa chuckled, his tired eyes softening. "No problem. I can show you around. Let's start with the administrative offices."

As they walked through the campus together, Kagome and Aizawa engaged in casual conversation, discussing their shared love for cats and their passion for teaching young heroes. Kagome found herself drawn to Aizawa's straightforward nature and genuine dedication to his work.

Their conversation flowed naturally, and Kagome felt a sense of ease around him. Little did she know that this chance meeting would be the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one filled with unexpected twists and turns, including the rekindling of old flames and the start of new romances.

Over the next few weeks, Kagome settled into her new role at UA, working alongside Recovery Girl and helping with the medical needs of the students. She also began to build friendships with her fellow staff members, finding a sense of belonging and purpose in her work.

Her interactions with Aizawa became more frequent as they collaborated on various projects and discussed teaching strategies. Their shared commitment to the students created a bond of mutual respect and camaraderie.

One evening, after a particularly long day, Kagome and Aizawa found themselves sitting in the teachers' lounge, sipping on cups of tea. The room was quiet, the soft hum of conversation filling the air.

Aizawa broke the silence. "You know, Kagome, you've adapted to this role quickly. You have a natural talent for teaching."

Kagome blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, Aizawa-sensei. It means a lot coming from you."

He shrugged, his usual stoic expression softening. "I call it as I see it. You're a valuable addition to the staff here."

Kagome smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. She had come to admire Aizawa's no-nonsense approach to heroics and teaching. He was a mentor in his own right, and she was grateful for the chance to work alongside him.

As the months passed, Kagome's life at UA settled into a routine, and she found herself content with her work. But the past was never far from her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder about All Might, the hero she had left behind in America.

Then, one fateful day, an announcement sent shockwaves through UA. All Might, the Symbol of Peace, was returning to the academy as a teacher. Kagome's heart raced as she absorbed the news. It was as if her past and present were colliding in an unexpected twist of fate.

The first day of the new school year arrived with a sense of anticipation in the air. Students filled the hallways, eager to meet their new teachers. Kagome watched from the sidelines, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

She spotted All Might in the distance, his iconic smile still as bright as ever. He was surrounded by students, signing autographs and taking photos. Kagome couldn't deny the surge of emotions that seeing him again brought forth.

Aizawa, who had been standing next to her, noticed her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "You seem surprised. You didn't know he was coming?"

Kagome nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from All Might. "It's just... I didn't expect to see him again so soon."

Aizawa studied her for a moment before his lips quirked into a faint smile. "Well, get ready for a lot more surprises. This year is going to be interesting."