Disclaimer: I own nothing :3
"...I don't think you understand, Miss Hirano, this is an offer you cannot refuse"
I bit down on my lip as I thought the offer over. Pro Heroics was a career path I'd all but laid out for myself when I'd first been reincarnated in this world. I mean, seriously, you live an entire life in some old, mangy world like I was and then get reborn, not just in a future society with holograms and flying cars and shit, but superpowers too? My issue with the offer was… well, it came from a place of nepotism and I didn't really want that.
I'd been poor in both lives, my first life back in england I'd lived in a family that was literally skirting the poverty line and in this world, I'd been born to a more well off family in comparison but… well, I lived in an old - like, literally from the 1900's old, so close to 400ish years ago by modern standards - basically abandoned danchi, a type of Japanese apartment that was built following World War 2 and basically only lived in by old people, poor people or people working for the company who owned it.
My family was from the latter, like a couple of my neighbours, but we were also still pretty shit off. Mostly because my dad - the sole parent in my life and only source of income in the family - was a drunkard. Seriously, thank god for Mama Midoriya or I think I'd have literally starved to death as a kid.
Shame about her kid though, got a head on his shoulders at least so he should be good, even without a quirk.
Ahem, anyways. I'd basically been forced, in both lives, to work for everything I'd wanted. I'd put everything I could into education in my first life, never being professionally scouted for any football or sports teams, but I'd come close enough and when I'd finally gone off to university I'd consistently be hitting Firsts. I didn't get that from poverty stricken parents and a school whose Ofstead ratings were constantly fluctuating between requires improvement and inadequate.
In this life, well, I didn't have to focus too hard on academics, but I'd thrown myself into the development of my body. I'd first had to get used to the fact I was a woman - and fuck do periods hurt, one more, thank god for Mama Midoriya - and all the rebalancing that came with that, then I had to retrain my body enough to be sufficient for my, hopeful, future career as a Pro Hero.
I didn't just get handed a body already prepped for this kind of stuff. I didn't get super strength, or an enhanced condition or intellect, I didn't get some super computer brain which allowed me to learn everything at one hundred times the speed of a usual person. I'd had to teach and train myself from the ground.
And I was being offered a one-time pass to take a private exam that only 100 other students would be taking that would guarantee me a spot in the school of my dreams should I pass it. It was, genuinely, an amazing offer and declining it would be like declining a scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in the world. So why was I hesitating?
It's… actually a really petty reason. I wanted to prove I could do it on my own. I have my pride after all, I want to take the normal exam and prove to myself that I could get in without the special help, I wanted to prove I wasn't some preppy little shit who got in through knowing some Pro-Hero or another, I wanted to prove I belonged their on my own terms and skills.
Except… well, my teacher had sprung a lot of favours for this. My homeroom teacher at Daiya Junior High, Mr Ichiro Iwata, was old. He'd been teaching long before All Might was around and had lived through the Modern Dark Age, he'd been there, seen it and done it. He'd been a sidekick for a little while too but when All Might came knocking and old age began to climb up, he'd retired into teaching. The man had pulled strings for me to get in.
He'd called up every single Pro he knew, got in contact with all the old agencies and tracked down all the successors to the Heroes he did know until he'd finally compiled a list of a dozen or so references to send off to UA to sponsor me into the Recommendation Exam. We hadn't gotten lucky and won the UA lottery this year after all, had it been last year I'd have been guaranteed the spot, but not this year.
I couldn't, in the goodness of my heart, not accept the offer. It burned my pride to do so, I know I'll be second guessing myself about it for years to come, but I couldn't let the man's work go, even if I didn't want the offer he'd given me. The fucker knew it too, I'd spent too long sitting around with him to not know I didn't want a recommendation, but he'd gone and done it anyway the old fuck.
…he'd not dead. The thought just occurred that it might come across that way, the fuckers still alive, I can almost hear the mad cackling he's no doubt doing. He's just a dick, a kind hearted, well meaning dick, but a dick all the same.
"...When's the exam" The words fought me on the way out, and the flicker of disappointment on the principal's face told me all I'd need to know about his feelings towards my hesitance, but I got them out all the same.
"The Recommendation exam takes place in January, 9 months from now" I nodded, glancing at the stack of papers that had been pushed before me when I first sat down. It was a month before the normal exam, probably to give students who failed the Recommendation Exam the time to train and prepare for the normal exam. "The file has all the forms you need to sign and information about what you're expected to bring. It also has a hologram inside, which should feature a message from the school explaining everything."
I pulled it into my lap, frowning at my name embossed on the front in gold. It was gaudily ornate, but then again, this is an exam typically only given to hero nepo babies and rich fucks who bribe the school or heroes with the ability to grant recommendations, so what else would I expect.
"I want to thank you for this, Hirano" The Principle bowed his head. "I truly believe that you will be the first from this school to be accepted into U.A, for all of us, please try your best"
"Ah, thank you for the opportunity" I bowed back, thankfully hiding my frown.
It wasn't a heavily publicised fact, even if it was common knowledge, but schools would receive a bit more funding for every student they got into a hero course in Japan. The money wasn't anything amazing, not unless you were a private school known for pumping out Hero Course students or if you managed to graduate a couple of students into the school, but it was a hidden benefit of pushing your students forward.
It was also one of the reasons the career advisors in schools didn't tell people to get serious with their expectations, or why career aptitude tests were heavily pushing for heroics. They were rigged so the chances of getting heroes out of your schools were higher, even if they have no actual chance.
Every single student in my class had applied for UA, Shinketsu and half a dozen other Hero Schools, all hoping they'd get in, and a good couple of them had a decent chance of it in my opinion, but the guy who could pull his fingernails out and regrow them? The girl whose entire power was changing her hair colour? No, I doubt they'd get in and no fault on their quirks part, people had much worse quirks and still managed, but because none of them seemed to put the effort in.
It was something Mama Midoriya's kid did too, talking about heroics and being one, but not doing the effort needed to see it through, seemingly happy to coast by on the Charles Atlas effect.
One only has to look in the top ten to see why that doesn't work. You think Endeavour, the fire manipulator, is able to pull off some of the feats he does by simply standing around? The dude literally pulls off superhuman feats of strength without having a strength based quirk! Edgeshot is literally faster than sound! And sure, most of that is his quirk, but it's not like he just suddenly spawned in at mach one or whatever!
The conversation trailed off from there and I was luckily spared the embarrassment of sitting in the principal's office for any longer. Daiya Junior high, I deliberated as I walked through the slowly emptying school, is one of the more prestigious middle schools within Musutafu. Not to say it was an award winning school or anything, but of the handful of middle schools close to my home, it was easily the best of the bunch, if the furthest away.
I could've went to Aldera, with Mama Midoriya's kid and that annoyance Bakugou, but I'd had to listen to the latter scream through the walls of the Midoriya apartment far too often to want to spend more time with him, and after the whole daycare incident, I don't think anyone wants us to spend too much time together.
It didn't take too long to reach the homeroom of Iwata-sensei, I'd left my bag in the room before visiting the principal, but I'd have stuck around for a bit anyways, especially after everything that had occurred just now. Without a moment of hesitation, I threw the door open, already sensing nobody inside aside from the man himself, and walked in with a frown, much to the older man's amusement.
"You're sick, you know that" I commented, to the man's visible amusement.
Ichiro Iwata was a strange man. Not in the sense he was a pervert or because he acted strange, but as an effect of his quirk. Quirks, as many people would tell you, are bullshit existences. We literally have no idea how they first occurred, with dozens of different explanations about how or why they came about, but with every generation that passed, quirks began to grow more and more powerful and complex.
Look at Bakugou, the fucker might be annoying but his quirk was powerful, the ability to sweat nitroglycerine and light it on fire at command to cause explosions. No doubt he'd grown past the little sparklers he'd managed as a kid, but who knows what the upper limit of such a quirk could be. Iwata-sensei, despite nearing his 90's, was much the same in the terms of his quirk being weird and bullshit.
Except, Iwata-sensei's quirk wasn't quite bullshit in the sense of being overpowered, but in the sense of just… how. See-
"You don't appreciate what this old man has given you? And to think I tried to spoil my star student" The old man mocked lightly, his tone giggling with laughter as I seethed, marching to grab my school bag, gently placing the envelope inside so I didn't forget about it later.
Iwata-sensei's quirk didn't do anything special, but it did do one thing that had every student to ever be taught by him jealous- It made him beautiful. That's technically a lie, and the quirk is more bullshit than just that, but that's how the man described it when we asked him a couple years back. The quirk actually made his physical ageing slow down to a near stop, he did age, but just incredibly slowly.
He wouldn't live forever though, his body was still technically that of an old man and he was just as susceptible for all the common diseases and disabilities that came with being an 80 year old, but he just physically looked like a 20 year old frat guy. The shaggy blonde hair, tanned skin and blue eyes really weren't helped by his love of tank tops, shorts and beer.
It also made the situation of parents day much funnier. I don't think Hana's parents would ever show their face again when they began to complain about the "new, young teacher" and how he should be "respecting his elders", especially not when he literally pulled out his birth certificate.
"I thought I made it clear I wanted to take the normal exam" I complained, thumping into the seat before his podium. "I mean, you literally offered to recommend me last year and I said no, why do it now?"
The ex-sidekick sighed, shuffling some papers and placing them down before looking at me.
"You're easily one of the best students in the school, Kaori" I fidgeted under his stare, slumping a bit in my chair. "Top of the class, your athletic results are remarkable and if it wasn't because of your clear desire to be a hero, I'm sure you'd have been scouted into one of the many sports teams here at Daiya rather than allowed to go home and train"
It really was a juxtaposition, seeing a man who looked barely older than I was in either life acting so wise, wearing the face of... Not a disappointed father, but a lecturing one.
"I'm sure, had I let this go and allowed you to take the standard exam, you'd have pulled through and came out on top. I'm sure you'd have came first as well, you're no slouch physically and you're quirk is powerful and dexterous enough that I know you'd have done your best" He continued on and I felt my cheeks darken at the praise, it was uncomfortable, even if I did revel in it. "However, this? This is a point of pride."
My confusion must've shown, since the man took a breath and continued, furrowing his gaze as he levelled his eyeline to mine.
"I'm old, Kaori" Obviously, but I didn't say that, even though it did confuse me. "I've been here for decades. I've seen Japan at its height, I've watched All Might terraform this desolate country and turn it into the utopia it's posing as. But I fought during its darkest hour. I was there when Villains outnumbered Heroes a dozen to one, I watched as Heroes died on the streets fighting for a better tomorrow. I walked these streets when the country was shrouded in darkness. Heroes today… they're not like me. They don't have that drive anymore, it's all about popularity and money, true heroism… it's a dying breed."
That… was a little too close to the Hero Killers ideology for me to be entirely comfortable, but I couldn't disagree with the man. I could count the number of heroes on one hand who I thought actually deserved the title. Sure I might be comparing them to Superman but… well, he's the gold standard of a hero right?
"What does this have to do with you Kaori? Well, you certainly don't have the heart of a true hero" ouch "But you have the potential to forge one. Heroics aren't a popular thing for you, are they? I'm sure the moment you knew what a hero was you set your sights on being one, not for greed or fame, but for something more. I don't pretend to know what that something more is, Kaori, but I know that, of every Hero hopeful to pass through my door seeking a recommendation of some kind, only you had the purehearted need to be a hero, not the idealistic wish to pose as one. And, well, if that meant snubbing you and pulling all the contacts I knew to secure you a placement, then so be it."
He hushed for a moment, looking out the window in such a way the afternoon light cut across his face.
"All Might won't exist forever." He finally continued, his gaze never leaving the skyline. "He's getting old and the moment he retires the country will fall into that darkness once again. I want to make sure I have someone I trust to bring it back into the light out there and keep fighting for a better future. I needed to make sure you were out there and fighting. The other students… I know some of them will get out there, they'll be taking part in heroic courses all across the country, but when push comes to shove…? No, Kaori. I trust you. I've taught you for years, I've seen you push and grow, I know when push comes to shove you won't just hang up the cape, you'll keep pushing. I put forth your recommendation because I trust you, because you might be my only hope of feeling safe in this future, of my grand-nieces and nephews being safe in this world. That's why I pushed for your recommendation."
The room seemed to still in the resulting silence, the monologue coming to a resounding end that, in all honesty, left me silent. My heartbeat echoed in my chest, thumping in my ears. My heart was surprisingly heavy as I took in the experience behind the youthful visage of the man opposing me. It was easy to underestimate him, I suddenly realised. It was one thing to know he had been a Hero, if a sidekick, and another thing to realise what, exactly, that meant.
"I…" I tried to speak, the word escaping my mouth breathlessly. I had too much on my mind to answer though. Why did he feel so certain? Is this a test? Why does he trust me? Am I literally just his last choice or was this more calculated? Too many thoughts ran through my brian as I tried to think up an answer, the previous annoyance left behind in the dregs of my mind as I tried to even articulate.
"Or I could just be wanting to show these youngsters what an old man like me can put forth" Iwata-sensei bounced back, his face smiling but it didn't reach his eyes and I think we both knew I could see through the, admittedly, pitiful attempt at humour.
"...Thank you, Iwata-sensei" I finally found my voice, the words cracking as they escaped my mouth.
"Now, off you go. I have work to sort out, these lessons don't exactly plan themselves" He finished off, the not so subtle not to leave being taken at face value as I began to prepare for leaving. "Come see me after school, from now until the exam in January. The Principal and I have come to an agreement and any quirk usage found within the school will be quietly overlooked for the next nine months."
He didn't look up from his papers, and I didn't say anything either, but a smile formed on my face at the thought. It was an unforeseen benefit, if nothing else, but I was glad for it. Training with an ex-pro… I wonder how that'll turn out.
"Oh, Midoriya, hello" I gave a polite bow as I met the green haired boy outside the danchi. He looked… haggard, to put it lightly. His clothes were a weird mix of soggy and singed, he had flecks of green goo covering parts of his uniform and looked all around sleep-deprived and yet, judging by the absolute megawatt of a smile covering his face, he seemed to be in a surprisingly good mood for someone looking so totally abused.
"Oh, Kaori, hello" He gave a small bow back, stupid polite social rules, ugh. "You're just getting home now?"
"Ah, yes, I had a meeting with the principal so I stayed back for a while" I commented idly, quickly backtracking at his worried look, which looked entirely out of place given his current state. "Ah, for nothing bad, I was actually hoping to meet with you mom to discuss it, but it's really nothing to worry about"
"Oh! I'm glad" We began the walk in. I tried to stay a little bit away from him, I didn't have any other uniforms right now and I really didn't want to get some sludge on me, or soot for that matter. Seriously, what the hell happened?
"Are you okay…?" I probed, making the boy blush as he seemingly realised the state he was in. I frowned, only kid I knew that could cause soot was Bakugo and if the fuck was still causing problems for Midoriya then I'd be more than down to pay him a visit, his mom be damned. "If t's Bakugou again I can sort him out- Don't, give me that look Midoriya, I'm pretty sure every kid this side of UA has heard about the pomeranian"
"A-Ah, n-no, T-This wasn't Kaac- Bakugou" I sighed, rolling my eyes. Seriously, you'd think he'd have stopped with the pet name by this point, but apparently not. If I ever doubted Stockholm Syndrome, then meeting Izuku Midoriya surely ratified the truth behind that syndrome.
"Well, what happened then?" I pushed. Might not interact with him often but if people were making his life difficult for no reason then the least I could do for his mom is sort them out. Most of his class at Aldera would remember me from elementary school no doubt, if they don't then their parents surely do. "If somethings happening at school then I don't mind coming and visiting, it'd be nice to see everyone again anyways"
Nice for me, that is, wouldn't do for them to forget what consequences are just because I left them all behind.
"A-Ah, no, no, n-nothings happening at school, I swear!" He "promised", like a lying liar who lies. Seriously, he should know better at this point. Seems a visit is in order, what fun hehehe. "I- Well- Ah- Umm, there-"
"IZUKU!" He was interrupted by a giant, green heat seeking missile in the form of a small - compared to me - plump woman known affectionately by me as Mama Midoriya and to the rest of the apartment as Inko. "When I saw you on the news I was so worried! What were you even doing out there! Oh, I can't believe my baby boy got caught up in a villain attack! I'm so glad you're okay, come in, I need to make sure you're alright!"
And before I could even process anything that was spoken, the mother-son pairing had disappeared back into the apartment, moving so fast I honestly believed one of them had suddenly developed super speed.
"...huh?"
So... been a while, huh guys...
Yeah, alright, I got no excuses so I'll just tell the truth, I just... fell out of love with writing for a long, long time. It was a really annoying honestly! Fanfiction is like, one of the few things I enjoy doing wiht my time and mixes two of my greatest hobbies together! But every time I just sat at my desk, all the want to write would leave me! And the few times I did get a chapter out and pushed into the infinite void that is the discord server I'm in, it would end up a one chapter wonder and I'd never expand on it for, well, see above reason~!
Anyways! I'm back (sorta, maybe, kinda)! If you've read previous fics from me and have come here hoping to hear good news about those too then... sorry, you're out of luck. Honestly, I'm suprised I'm even posting this, though I'm hoping that now that I have, it'll be enough of a kick up the ass for me to get back into the swing of things. It was surpisingly more daunting than I thought it'd be, seriously, I sat at my desk for like, a ful 20 minutes just contemplationg doing this aha~
Anyways, her quirk hasn't been revealed in this chapter, but it will be in the next~! I totally didn't just use another characters power from a different work of fiction and plop it into the mc here~ I don't know what you're talking about :3
Anyways, hope y'all enjoy the chapter~