Chapter 23: Hero Internship begins


After the whole debacle about Hero names, with Bakugou finally relenting to using his last name as his temporary Hero name, Aizawa issues us a list of Pro Heroes for us to choose from for the upcoming Workplace Internship. Those of us that got drafted got an additional list that listed all the Pro Heroes that has scouted for us. We are to submit our pick by this weekend.

Which brings us to lunch and me talking it over with Taikou and the rest of our little circle of friends. Shinsou, sadly, didn't show up at all. He did message me that he would be busy with some things, but still…

"So, which Heroes drafted you?" Taikou asked me.

"There's a quite a few well-known names here." I noted as I flip through the list I was given. Air Jet, Backdraft, Uwabami, Wild Wild Pussycats, Kamui Woods, Rock Lock, Snatch, a lot of these names were on the news at one point or another. Not on the level of the top ten, but definitely up there.

My eyes then wander to one name, Ingenium.

I have a feeling he would draft me after how he has spoken to me in the Sports Festival. Honestly, it might work to my advantage. Ingenium's agency, Team Idaten, is situated near Hosu City where Stain's latest kill was found. And not to mention that Ingenium is definitely on the Hero Killer's list of 'fake' Heroes, so there's a chance he would target the Hero if given the chance.

I feel a little guilty about possibly using my dad's old student as bait, but he is best shot I have right now.

"Hm?" A certain name on my list caught my eye, "Hawks…?" As in the number three Hero, the youngest Pro Hero to make it to that level and future double-agent? Why is his name here?

"Hey, Genko."

I was brought back to reality when Taikou snaps his fingers in front of my face, "You okay? You were spacing out there."

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing." I assures him, "Just thinking about which Hero to pick for the Internship."

"Must be nice to get scouted by the Pros." Tetsutetsu grumbles as he eats his gyudon, "The only ones in our class that got drafted the most are Kendo and Taikou. The rest of us didn't even get one offer."

"Kendo-san only got like ten offers, though…" Taikou noted.

"How many offers did you get, Taikou-kun?" Tsuyu asked curiously.

"About three thousand…ish?"

"That's a lot!" Kirishima cries out, "Dude, you're up there with Bakugou and Todoroki!"

"Midoriya-san as well." I added in.

"Yeah, he's our class's hero, that's for sure." Tetsutetsu noted, "Heck, he even got the attention of Endeavor."

"The number two!? You're really making waves, man!"

"He is Class 1-B shining star!" Pony declares happily.

I nod to her words. Taikou is definitely going up in the world, especially with that super flashy fight with Bakugou. Although I did think that him giving up the match would hurt his chances a little. I guess I think wrong.

"So, who are you guys going to pick?" Tsuyu asked.

"Fourth Kind, that's for sure!" Kirishima declares to us, "When you think manly, there's no one else quite like him!"

"Oh, he's my pick too!" Tetsutetsu stated with a grin, "That's great! It'll be awesome working with you, bro!"

"Me too, bro!"

And cue the manliest handshake since Armstrong and Curtis.

"I'm still thinking about it, though." Pony tells us, "What about you, Tsuyu-chan?"

"Maybe somewhere near the water?" Tsuyu noted before turning to me, "Genko-chan, how about it? Which Hero are you picking?"

"Hm, maybe Ingenium?" I noted, "I mean, he did come to talk to me back in the Sports Festival. What about you, Taikou?"

"Me? I'm not sure…"

We discussed the topic to its fullest until the lunch bell rang. By the end of it, I think every one of us has made a decision on it.


"Support lab no.4… Support lab no.4…"

I scan the passing rooms' door plates, trying to find the room that Aizawa has refer me to.

It is now after school, and after getting the blueprints for the add-ons that Tetsu has emailed me just this afternoon, I decided to ask my homeroom teacher if I can make some changes to my Hero costume. I couldn't make heads or tails about his blueprints; all I can tell from it is that it will be gloves at least. Not sure how it is going to help me with my quirk's handicap.

But it is made by my brother, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Aizawa then refers me to the labs at the Support Department building, where any changes to our Hero costumes are to be issued there. Normally, no one would make any changes to their costumes this early in the semester, especially first-years like myself, but he is willing to make an exception for this.

And with the way Tetsu has written in his email, this might be crucial for the remaining term, especially with the Workplace Internship coming up soon.

Now, if only I can find that darn lab…

"Tatsuya?"

A certain two-toned haired teen walks up to me in the corridor much to my surprise.

"Oh, Todoroki-san?" I greet him, "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to make some changes to my costume." He tells me, "My fight with Midoriya has open my eyes a little. And it made me want to change, starting with my costume."

"I see…"

This must be where his half-frozen costume gets a huge overhaul. Guess Midoriya has really made a huge impact on him for him to make such a huge change.

"And you?"

"Oh, me? Back at the Sports Festival, my quirk's weakness is made very apparent to me. So, I asked my brother for advice and he came up with an add-on to my costume that can help compensate for it."

"I see."

"Yup."

"…"

"…"

Well, this is awkward. I guess we didn't really talk much before all of this, with him and his daddy issues and me with trying to make sense of the plot and places I wish to make some changes.

"So… which lab did Aizawa-sensei refer to you?"

"Lab 5."

"Oh, same as mine! Want to head there, together?"

"Sure."

The two of us slowly make our way down the corridor, looking out for the door plate all the while an awkward silence echo between us.

Oh god, this is so awkward…

"Can I ask you something, Tatsuya?"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Back in class, when we're coming up with Hero names, you brought up wanting to be a Hero like your father. Do you really mean it like that?"

"Huh?" I'm confused by his words, "Why do you mean?"

"Your father, do you really want to be like him?"

I'm just confused at that, before remember his little trauma and issues with his own father. I guess someone who wants to emulate their parents in some way is confusing to him, especially when that parent is a Hero.

"Is this about Endeavor?" I asked curiously, getting a nod in response, "Well, I don't think it is right to compare my dad with him. He is way better than Endeavor, not to mention much nicer and the way better Hero."

"Hermes didn't even make it to the top ten rankings, though?" He pointed out.

"Eh, rankings don't matter! For me, the best Hero would forever be Hermes! I mean, All Might is cool and all, but Hermes is way cooler than him!"

"I… see?"

I felt my cheeks heating up at his flat but bewildered response before letting out a few coughs to try and dispel my embarrassment a little, "The point is, I don't think me trying to become a Hero like dad meant anything to you and your father's relationship. You don't have to try to become him, you know."

"Yeah… I guess…"

"Besides, I don't think you are suited for the whole ruthless persona like him." I noted, "You're more of the icy yet warm persona than anything else. Oh, here's an idea for your future Hero name! The Cold-Warm Hero: Icy-Flames! Eh? What do you think?"

"Heh, maybe." He noted with a smile.

Holy shit, he looks so cool! Those eyes, that smile, that perfect chin-line! He has the perfect face for a host! A model even! Oh man, how is the gruff and rough Endeavor related to him!?

"Hm? What's wrong, Tatsuya?"

"O-Oh! N-Nothing! Hey, look! Lab 5!"

We made it to the lab without any more trouble, but the image of Todoroki smiling is seared into my brain now.


The week passed by within a blink of an eye.

Besides school, I have been using my spare time after school to prepare for the upcoming internship. Practicing my forms, sparring with Taikou, trying to beat my fastest speed, working on my movements and so forth. I didn't waste a single moment to improve myself, even image training with what I could do to take down Stain.

Of course, I didn't neglect my schoolwork and still studied for the midterms that would definitely come after the internship.

Soon enough, it is time for the internship.

"You all got your costumes, right?" Aizawa tells us as both we and Class 1-B are gathered at the Musutafu train station after a small briefing at school, "Obviously, wearing them in public is strictly prohibited, but be careful not to drop them."

"Yeeaaah~!"

"Don't slur your 'yeah', Ashido." He warns her before turning to the rest of us, "Now, all of you, I expect you all to be on your best behavior, do you understand?"

"Same goes for you guys too." Class 1-B's homeroom teacher, Vlad King added in.

""Yes, sir!""

"Good, now go on. Don't be late for your internship."

Everyone all starts to part ways with one another, some heading to a different line while some are buddied up with each other.

With a huff, I adjusted my heavy haversack and checked my hero costume's case before heading towards the train line heading towards Hosu City. This is it, the start of the arc. Whether or not Stain gets taken down, it'll all depends on what I can change from here on.

"Hey, Genko."

To my surprise, Taikou suddenly walks up to me before I could enter the gantry, "What is it, Taikou?"

"I… just want to say that I've got your back if you need it, okay? If you need any help, just call."

"…Of course. Thanks, Taikou."

I know he has my back. I know that all too well.

But that is why I can't tell him about my plans. I can't risk his future, especially with how much progress he has made so far. Too much is at stake for him, not as much as me.

And so, with a heavy heart, I walk through the gantry and towards the train departing towards Hosu City.


As Taikou watches his childhood friend heads for the next railway line, he hopes that she would be alright.

Over the week, he has noticed something off about her. A certain abnormal drive to improve has driven her to train harder than before. And this isn't just about her quirk either.

During sparring, there's a sense that she is fighting someone else, someone extremely dangerous with how she is desperately moving about. For every movement, she has this look in her eyes that doesn't bode well with him.

Whatever is driving her right now, it feels like it would just bring her more harm in the process.

He wanted to help her, and the fact that she most likely wouldn't allow him to do so is chewing at him.

'Just… don't do anything reckless, Genko…' With a final wistful look, he walks back to the station towards his train.

He has an internship to go to.

To Be Continued…


Omake

*Sorry. No omake this week…* TT_TT


Okay, so this is it. The Hero Internship arc has officially commenced! The arc that I have been semi-dreading for a while now.

Sorry it took so long. I have trouble with how I want to go with this chapter. I was intending to be longer, but I fear it might take too long and just ruin the whole chapter all together.

Also, for those who read this on SpaceBattle and SufficientVelocity, you can now see what Hero I ended up picking!

With that, I thank you for reading this!

*I didn't realized that I didn't post this chapter here until now. Oh man, this is embarrassing... O/O