I've settled hard on the VAs that Hitomi and Nori would have. Like, they are perfect for them in my mind.
Hitomi dub: Tia Ballard
Hitomi sub: Suzuko Mimori
Nori dub: Sean O'Conner
Nori sub: Daisuke Kishio
Tia Ballard and Suzuko Mimori voice Nanami in Kamisama Kiss (one of my favorite anime) and Sean O'Conner and Daisuke Kishio voice Kurama in Kamisama Kiss as well.
"Hitomi, gimme your phone!"
The pinkette blinked, reaching down into her backpack underneath her desk. "Uh, sure."
Mina didn't expect the cellphone to be tossed to her, and scrambled to catch it.
"Don't worry, it's a sturdy case."
Mina doubtfully stared at the bright pink phone, covered in charms. With a shrug, she took out her own. "We're all gonna trade contact info."
"We are?" Kirishima looked up from his sheet of agency offers.
"Yep! So hand 'em all over!" Mina held out an open hand.
"So we can stay in touch during the internships." Tsuyu deduced, retrieving her own phone in a well-used waterproof case.
Even Todoroki and Iida passed theirs off to the pink girl, understanding that she would take them by force if need be.
Bakugou sneered. "This is stupid. I'm not—"
Kaminari, clearly in a lapse of intelligence, blindly swooped in and reached into Bakugou's book bag. Using the shock of the fearless action, he fumbled his hand around until finding something thin and rectangular.
"Do your thing!" He tossed the plain phone to Mina, who eagerly caught it.
"You wanna die?!" Bakugou raged immediately once the disbelief wore off.
Kaminari squawked fearfully, holding his hands up in surrender as Bakugou stood and grabbed him by his collar.
"If you hit him you'll get detention and might even miss the internships!" Kirishima blurted out the first thing he could think of, spouting it all off without a pause.
Bakugou snarled, his hands smoking and searing Kaminari's shirt.
"All done!" Mina chirped, going around and passing out everyone's phones back. As if the act of hijacking them all to add the contacts then depositing them back not two minutes later was no big deal. Though she did have the help of Jirou, Aoyama, and Sero to swiftly add the twenty names to the twenty different phones, it was still impressive how quick work they made of it.
Hitomi checked her new contact list, quirking a smile when she saw everyone's numbers under their Hero names. All except Momo, who was already on her phone, Iida, who was "Emergency Exit", and Bakugou, his number listed as "Explosion Boy".
She had never had so many numbers saved before. It was always just Momo, Nori, Ayami, and Aunt Rumi and Nemuri. Along with a handful of her extended family. She had never had a friend's number other than Momo's. And now she had nineteen more.
Well, it would be eighteen if no one hurried up and rescued Kaminari.
…
"Internships, huh?" Snipe stopped behind Shouta's chair, peering down at the small pile of forms.
"Yeah. A few students already chose theirs." One-by-one, the homeroom teacher looked them over.
"It's an important time for them. Make sure they do it right. Plenty of third-years around here still regret their picks." Snipe imparted before leaving.
"Of course." Shouta concurred, pausing upon a specific form
Class 1-A: Tenya Iida (飯田 天哉)
Desired Internship Agency—first choice:
Hosu City, Tokyo. Normal Hero, Manual Agency.
His only pick was a Hero agency in Hosu… the very city his brother was attacked. A foreboding sense of worry weighed down Shouta's stomach, and it only grew worse when he moved on to the next form.
Class 1-A: Hitomi Saito (彩都 瞳)
Desired Internship Agency—first choice:
Shinjuku, Tokyo. Fiber Hero, Best Jeanist Agency.
Excel-lency was written nowhere on the page.
Damnit, just what the hell was that girl thinking?
…
"I'm gonna die." Kaminari groaned, swinging his arms, one of which was weighed down with his costume case. "What kinda monster made us get up at five-thirty in the morning?!"
"The kind that grades your homework." Sero pointed out after a yawn.
The blonde shut his mouth, looking around in a panic, worried if Mr. Aizawa overheard. Thankfully he was still busy getting everyone's tickets.
With her lilac backpack slung over her shoulder, and costume case in hand, Hitomi anxiously rocked on her heels, twirling and tugging on her hair with her free hand. The bandages were removed the night before, her palms just slightly pinker than normal. And thankfully her feet were the same.
Momo noticed her inability to stand still, and raised a brow. "You should take some of your medication before we all board our trains."
Hitomi groaned, her head falling back. "But they don't even do anything!"
Momo's eye twitched. "As someone who sits behind you, and can see when you go from vibrating in your chair, to lightly tapping your feet, I can assure you, they work."
Hitomi frowned petulantly, but caved and dug into her bag for the bottle. She made a big show of unscrewing it, taking out a pill, then putting it in her mouth.
"Good." Momo nodded her approval, handing over a water bottle for the pinkette to take a sip from and wash it down. "Now was that so hard?"
Hitomi stuck out her tongue.
The ravenette ignored her, causing her to sulk more, and watched the last few of their classmates arrive at the station. "So, how did Nori and Ayami take the news?"
Hitomi straightened, the put-on show of displeasure being replaced by genuine annoyance. "Well, I'm sure you can guess."
"Internships? That's fast."
Hitomi nodded nervously, fidgeting with the paper in her hands, crinkling it unintentionally. "Yeah…"
"Least it's not a far commute." He considered, shrugging.
Hitomi winced. "Well, the thing about that is… I'm not going to Excel-lency."
Ayami recovered first. "Oh?"
"Did Nemuri make an offer?" Nori cluelessly guessed.
"No."
"Uh, Aunt Rumi?"
Hitomi shuffled her feet, staring down at them. "No."
Nori paused, glowering thoughtfully. "...Gang Orca?"
With a shake of her head, Hitomi handed him the paper. "No. None of them."
The redhead looked down, and froze.
Ayami cautiously leaned in, reading the form with a thin frown. Right after she spotted the issue, the paper was rolled up tight, and brought down over Hitomi's head.
"Are you fucking serious?!"
Ayami didn't even bother chastising his language.
"But, I mean, he still drove me here. So that's a win, I guess." Hitomi said after retelling the events of the night previous. "Also said something about me bringing him back a souvenir."
"You won't have time for that." Momo logically warned.
"That's what I told him! But he just yelled "excuses", and—"
"Alright everyone, line up and grab your tickets." Mr. Aizawa waved a handful of slips, and in his other hand was a list of who needed to board which train. "Sato, Kirishima, Jirou, Aoyama, Uraraka. Your agencies are close enough for you to ride the first train together. Same as Kaminari, Ojirou, Shoji, Mineta, Ashido, and Yaoyorozu. And Iida, Midoriya, and Todoroki."
Lastly, Sero and Koda were paired up, and Tokoyami and Tsuyu were on their own.
That just left Hitomi, and Bakugou.
The pinkette beamed at him, her tail wagging eagerly. It was almost enough to make her forget just where she was heading.
Almost.
Bakugou grunted, snatching his ticket, and sending a fierce glare at her when she skipped forward and gently claimed hers.
"Alright, I better not get any calls saying any of you ran late or didn't show up at all. If you get lost, you have the faculty's number, so use it." Mr. Aizawa leveled them with a stern look. "Everyone has their costumes, right? Remember, you don't have permission to wear them out in public yet, and don't lose them or anything."
"Gotcha!" Mina lifted her case up with a bounce.
"Speak properly. It's yes sir, Ashido."
Mina deflated, hugging her case with a pout. "Yes, sir."
"Make sure you mind your manners with the other Heroes during your internships. Now get to it."
"Yes sir."
"Sure thing, Dad." Kaminari sassed under his breath, just loud enough for Hitomi to catch.
She slapped a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking with poorly contained giggles.
"This is it." Momo said, some of her nerves leaking into her voice. She cracked a weak smile, putting a hand out. "To getting stronger."
"To getting smarter!" Hitomi clasped it in return.
"Well then, see you in a week." Momo declared, her smile growing more sincere, but still with lingering worry.
Hitomi gave a thumbs-up. "One week!"
"Hurry your ass up, Mutt! I won't have you slowing me down!"
Hitomi moved back, placed her hands on her hips, standing tall. "Yes. One week to make him my friend!"
Momo put a hand on her cheek in dismay. "Oh no. Hitomi, please reconsider—"
Hitomi lurched back, her collar yanked by a smoking hand. Like the way he did after they listened in on Todoroki's backstory, Bakugou dragged her away, her legs sliding limply on the ground in front of her. And once again, he seemed unfazed in lugging her full weight.
"Have fun interning with Uwabami!" Hitomi called, waving merrily.
Momo raised a hand to wave back, but it was stiff, her face twisted in apprehension on behalf of her friend.
"Our train should be leaving in about five min— Oof!" Hitomi groaned, pouting at Bakugou's back after he dropped her unceremoniously upon reaching the terminal, earning her a strange look from the clerk.
She sprung to her feet, dusting herself off. Seeing that Bakugou was already entering the train by the time she did so, she hurried to hand over her ticket. Immediately after being ushered through, she ran to catch up with the blonde.
"The hell are you following me for!?"
"I'm... not?"
Hitomi giggled to herself, recalling his look of total disdain when she suggested they may be in the same class.
And lo-and-behold, look where they were now.
Bakugou seemed to find a suitable seat after making his way almost to the end of the train cars, only stopping once they came across one that was as empty as could be found.
He set down his case and travel-bag on the seat next to him, making it obvious that she was not welcome there.
Hitomi took advantage of the mostly empty car, and promptly claimed the seat right across from him.
The twitch in his eye told her that he had miscalculated, and dearly regretted it.
Hitomi smiled.
He started to stand.
Unfortunately for Bakugou, however, the train chose that moment to start moving. And say what you would about him acting like a thug, but Hitomi was noticing that when it came to rules, Bakugou tended to follow them, albeit reluctantly.
And there was a firm rule about people moving around while the train was traveling. In that, it wasn't allowed.
So, with a vein popping furiously from his forehead, Bakugou settled back down.
She interlaced her fingers, propping her chin up on them. "So…"
Bakugou's jaw clenched, his eyes drifting upward, as if he was praying for the patience to deal with this.
"You like train rides? I like train rides. Better than cars or planes. Trains always feel smoother and safer, y'know? Not to say cars and planes aren't safe! I just mean—"
"Do you plan to talk the entire trip?" Bakugou snarled, brow twitching.
Hitomi opened her mouth, let it fall closed, then shrugged. "Maybe."
If she wanted to befriend him, talking was really all she knew how to use to do so. With any other person, she'd be able to strike up a conversation and get some rapport going with them. But Bakugou was different. It was like talking to a brick wall. If a brick wall could glare at you like you're the bane of its existence.
Maybe she was going about this the wrong way. He clearly wouldn't participate in idle chitchat with her, which meant she needed to get on his level, and bring up a topic of interest.
Her gaze landed on his costume case.
Ah, there we go.
"Hey," Hitomi risked speaking up again, smelling a wave of immediate irritation, "why'd you choose Best Jeanist to intern with?" Her high, bubbly tone was set aside for something more tame. Not quiet, but relaxed.
Bakugou glanced to her for a moment, before staring back out of the window at the slowly brightening world. "He was the highest ranked Pro on my list."
Hitomi kept her face carefully neutral, her tail standing stiff as she refrained from letting it wag.
He didn't yell or glare at me!
Then, to thoroughly stun her, he narrowed his eyes and returned the question.
"Why the hell did you choose him?"
Hitomi tensed, her lips falling into a thin, insincere smile.
The question hadn't been asked with pure curiosity. It was posed with suspicion.
She squeaked a strained giggle. "Why wouldn't I? He is the number-four Hero, after all."
It took everything in her to keep the disdain out of her voice.
If anything, this only made him more suspicious.
"You were going to intern with your family's agency." Bakugou pointed out, scowling heavily.
For a moment Hitomi wondered how the heck he knew that, then she recalled the fact she sat right in front of him in class. How was he not supposed to hear her plan?
"A-ah, well…" Hitomi scratched the back of her head, scanning the train car around them as if it would supply her with a decent explanation.
Luck seemed to be on her side, as a beam of light broke through the window, shining into the train car and drawing her attention. Hitomi turned her head, eyes widening in awe at the view outside. The early morning sun bathed everything in soft light, and the morning moisture in the air created a thin fog floating low to the ground. She wished she could crack the window, knowing the morning air had to smell wonderful.
It was enough to distract her from the question, and Bakugou wasn't going to tamper with the sudden peace and quiet by asking again.
Even if something in his gut told him there was more to her choice than the simplicity of Best Jeanist being ranked the number-four Hero.
…
"Ah! You must be Ōkami and Bakugou, correct?"
Hitomi felt her brow start to twitch, her hands tightening around her case handle and backpack strap in irritation.
The Sidekick waiting for them at the station was wearing an amalgam of a Hero costume, and denim civilian clothing.
She was starting to wonder if something was wrong with her. Never before in her life had Hitomi felt so much hatred for someone that it branched off to other people who were only associated with that person. And here she was now, internally seething at the mere sight of one of Best Jeanist's Sidekicks.
Was this how Nori felt all the time? This constant simmering anger toward the world that kept on wronging him?
The Sidekick— whose name was Flairescence —shared a similar sort of attitude to Aoyama, but much less… just, much less. As he walked them from the station to the agency, he rambled about how lucky they were to be interning with Best Jeanist so soon, and that they'd be learning so much working under him.
The longer the man gushed about him, the stronger the sour taste on the back of her tongue grew. It bittered into something even worse once they reached the building. Looking up at the agency with her own two eyes, Hitomi morbidly wondered if it was the last thing her parents saw, before being slain in the neighboring alley.
Right under Best Jeanist's nose. In the city he lured them into.
Flairescence took them up to the ninth floor, where their temporary rooms were prepared, and instructed them both to change into their costumes before he led them to Best Jeanist's office on the top floor.
The suites set up for them were large and felt more like an apartment than a room. With a common area, master bedroom with adjoining bathroom, and an open kitchen. They were probably two unused dorms meant for Sidekicks, if Hitomi were to guess.
She set her backpack on the end of her bed, deciding then and there that all her things would be staying in the bag, despite there being available dressers and a closet. She didn't want to settle in, not even a little. Her UA uniform was switched out for her costume, and was stowed away in her backpack as well.
Stepping out of the bedroom, Hitomi peered around, acknowledging that this was her lodging for a week. It felt so bare, and lifeless. Like a hotel room— which in a way, it practically was. At least she could smell some food essentials stocked in the kitchen.
Meeting up back out in the hall, Hitomi was reminded again of her costume's unfortunate simplicity, comparing it to Bakugou's intimidating, and much cooler one.
That really was a nice shade of orange on black.
"Best Jeanist, sir! I've brought the students from UA." Flairescence announced after pushing open the double-doors to Best Jeanist's office.
Hitomi wrinkled her nose, the overabundance of hairspray in the room making it a chore to breathe.
The number-four Hero stood with his back to them, decked out fully in denim. And much to her horror, every single Sidekick in the room had some form of the fabric incorporated into their costume as well.
What kind of narcissistic—
"It's about time." Best Jeanist drawled, turning to face them. His arms crossed, and his eyes narrowed above his ridiculous mask. "Ōkami, and Bakugou, hm? So you haven't chosen a Hero name, then?" He aimed the question at the blonde.
Hitomi curled her fists, struggling to keep her expression measured.
He already knew that! He would have had to when Bakugou sent in his form! What's he trying to accomplish by bringing it up?
"To be perfectly frank… I don't like you very much."
"Hah?!" Bakugou was rightfully dumbfounded by the unnecessary critique.
"I know full well why you chose my agency." Best Jeanist laid into Bakugou, unprovoked. "It's because I'm one of the top five most popular Heroes."
Fuchsia eyes rolled dimly. Ah, yes, take the time to brag. We'll wait.
"Hey, look, you're the one who made an offer for me." Bakugou pointed out gruffly.
Best Jeanist sighed deeply, fixing his hair, despite the shell of spray that made sure not a strand was able to move out of place.
It could not be normal to hate someone this much.
"Recently, all my recruits have been perfect little angels, so you certainly stood out." Best Jeanist spoke with a mirthless laugh. "I watched the way you fought at the sports festival. You have a good handle on your powerful Quirk and a decent grasp of its application as well. You're an outstanding talent. I'd say you're already good enough to take on as a Sidekick."
But…?
"However, you do have a fatal flaw. You believe you're the best, and display that belief without regard for how it reflects on you, or your image. You have a ferocious nature."
Well hey, at least Bakugou didn't put "best" in his Hero name. Only a huge tool would do something so— oh wait!
Bakugou shook in withheld anger. "Don't tell me you brought me here just to give me a lecture!" He took a step forward— and immediately locked up. His arms and legs were bound to each other, tied together with hundreds of sheer strings, all coming from Best Jeanist's costume.
"I have to correct people like you. It's part of my duty to society. Heroes and Villains are cut from the same cloth. So your job here is to watch me." Best Jeanist practically growled. "I'll show you what makes someone a Hero."
You think you can judge what makes a great Hero?!
Hitomi looked down at herself, opening and closing her hands. She felt… hot. Like she was burning up with a fever. People could get hot from anger? Seriously?
"What in the hell are you doing?" Bakugou snarled, still unable to move.
"Isn't it obvious?"
No! No it's not! Because not everyone is narcissistic enough to blindly assume everyone's always on the same page!
"I'm educating you on becoming an exemplary Pro. That includes being aware of the way you speak, your appearance, controlling your emotions, your morals." Best Jeanist coldly stared the blonde down. "There are countless things you need to learn. But in the brief period of one week, I will stitch these things into the fabric of your being."
"Right, right. Because you're such a great role model. Manhandling an intern, and all. Setting an amazing example already."
Hitomi stood, arms crossed, absently staring out of the massive window behind Best Jeanist's desk. She only bothered to look away when the short silence carried onto something much longer, and tenser. Her gaze locked with her blonde classmate's, who for once didn't look the least bit feral.
He looked downright floored.
Hitomi blinked, once, twice, then froze.
She said it out loud.
Reluctantly, Hitomi slowly turned to Best Jeanist, wondering why he hadn't snapped back at her yet.
The Hero leveled her with an indecipherable stare, and she couldn't glean anything from his scent, with the strong cloud of hairspray overriding everything.
Finally, he moved to do something. But it was just releasing Bakugou with a flick of his wrists.
"You both will be escorted to the wardrobe. We'll need to tweak your costumes before heading out to patrol. Flairescence."
The Sidekick jumped, and nodded hurriedly. "Y-yes, sir. Let's go." He gestured for them to follow him, shooting unsure looks at the pinkette all the while.
Hitomi's brows scrunched, her lips pursed in an unsure frown.
What the heck was that?
…
"Why is this necessary?"
A few of the Sidekicks "helping" Hitomi alter her outfit shared uncomfortable glances, no answer being given for an awkwardly long time.
"All the interns wear some form of denim. That's just how it is." Flairescence finally explained, his scent much less judgemental than the others'.
Her comment had not made her any friends.
Hitomi huffed, glaring at the room of clothing wracks. Almost every single one was primarily full of denim.
If she never saw the fabric again, she could die happy.
It was with great reluctance that she swiped a soft, slightly distressed jean jacket from a hanger, shrugging it on with a petulant pout.
If Best Jeanist's head got any bigger, he wouldn't be able to fit inside the building.
After she put on a pair of tennis shoes as well, the Sidekicks were satisfied enough to lead her out. While passing by a wall of hat hooks, Hitomi spotted a plain white beanie within reach. She snatched it up, stowing it away into one of the jacket pockets.
Nori said he wanted a souvenir. And it wasn't like it would be missed.
Stepping out into the hallway, Hitomi was met with the sight of Bakugou grinding his teeth, his hands clenched so tightly in fury that they trembled at his sides. His mask and gauntlets were gone, leaving behind the gloves and bracers. And his baggy black cargo pants with the metal knee pads were replaced by a pair of fitting blue jeans.
And his hair.
For the first time since they got off the train, Hitomi smiled sincerely with a small giggle.
"Nice helmet." She stared at the blonde locks, sprayed down to mimic Best Jeanist's style.
She kind of missed the floofy Pomeranian spikes.
Bakugou rounded on her, eyes ablaze with rage. As if made to move by sheer fury alone, his hair poofed back up into his usual style
Hitomi gasped delightedly. "It's back!"
"Alright, it's time to go." Best Jeanist sauntered by, heading toward the elevator without waiting for either of them. He paused when he spotted Bakugou's hair, casting it a disdainful sneer.
Hitomi's hands clenched in the jacket pockets. This was going to be a trial of patience.
The question was, whose?
So, as you can see, Hitomi is an unreliable narrator here. Best Jeanist isn't as malicious as she's making him out to be, and all the little things— such as the Sidekicks wearing denim —she's interpreting the worst way you could. The Sidekicks aren't required to wear denim, they choose to because of how much they respect Best Jeanist. Which is an idea so unreachable to Hitomi, that she assumes they're being forced to.
By no means is Jeanist innocent, though. He is narcissistic, and he's one of the people who assumes Bakugou's going to become a Villain if not "groomed" correctly. But he's not the heartless egomaniac that Hitomi sees him as. I'm fully intending for Hitomi to kinda come off as childish, petty, and downright catty here. It's a side we haven't gotten to explore with her yet. And don't worry, she will get a wake-up call.
Was it stupid to give up her internship and chance of growing as a Hero-hopeful, in favor of giving Jeanist a hard time? Abso-freakin-lutely. But she's sixteen. And we all know how dumb and impulsive teenagers are. (I say as if I'm not still emotionally one.)
Anyway. We all know about Horikoshi's love for punny names, using different kanji spellings to reference or hint something about that character. Well, I did my best to replicate it with Hitomi's name.
瞳 (ひとみ) (Hi-to-mi) meaning "pupil"
彩 (さい) (sai) meaning "color"
都 (とう) (to) meaning "all, everything"
I of course know what this means in terms of future events. And I revel in your ignorance! Mwah ha ha!
Anyway. Do with that information what you will.