Updated 2/3/2025
Once again Special thanks toLorelei, Drkshadow, and newcomerYertosaurusfor beingthe true heroesof this story. Couldn't have done it without you three!
A Young Girl's Name
Tanya Yamada, Hero Student, 1-A Seat # 6
The train came to a sudden stop, accompanied by a loud crash. The intercom buzzed on, apologizing for a reported incident. I couldn't help but feel frustrated at how Being X always seemed to bring chaos into my life, even when I was just trying to go home.
The other passengers immediately pulled out their phones, most likely contacting loved ones or work about the delay. I sat quietly and observed those around me. There was no need to call to say that I will be late when no one really is expecting me. A familiar face caught my eye; a man with short grey hair and high cheekbones similar to General Zettour. However, he was dressed in a business suit instead of his usual military attire. Our eyes briefly met before I looked away, feeling slightly embarrassed for staring.
He cleared his throat, breaking through my thoughts with a thick German accent. "Excuse me," he said, "Iz Dis..." before pausing to search for the right words in Japanese. He paused, searching for the right words in Japanese. I couldn't help but internally cringe at his butchered pronunciation of my language. Before he could finish, I politely interrupted him in german, "Yes, the seat is available."
He smiled softly as he cautiously approached the seat, his wrinkles slightly creasing in subtle amusement. There was a familiar quality to his grin, causing a feeling of nostalgia, "Thank you for offering me this seat, young lady. My legs aren't as sturdy as they once were," he said with a gentle chuckle.
I nodded politely and prepared myself for the inevitable small talk. While stereotypes don't always hold true, in all three of my lives older men tend to enjoy hearing themselves speak.
The man in front of me bore a resemblance to the infamous Zettour, known for his lengthy speeches and eccentric personality. He seemed lost in thought, fiddling with his hands as if gathering courage to converse.
I weighed my options, wondering if I should stay put or find a new spot to do my homework. Eventually, curiosity won out and I stayed where I was.
As I flipped through my textbooks, I spoke.
"So, what brings you to Japan?"
He grinned, grateful for the opportunity to break the ice.
"I'm actually searching for family," he explained, "my daughter married a man here...for a 'quirk marriage' as they call it. It caused quite a stir back home."
I tuned out his rambling thoughts, shocked by the revelation. A 'quirk' marriage? He was fortunate we were speaking in another language; such a thing was highly disapproved of by society nowadays. Some fringe science groups discussed irrational ideas like the approaching "quirk singularity" or the possibility of an "animalistic/demihuman uprising."
But it was all hogwash. The so-called "Singularitiests" claimed that Quirks were becoming too powerful for their own owners to handle, and would ultimately lead to the downfall of society. They conveniently ignored the fact that human bodies had evolved to contain and control the power of their own Quirks. It was simply evolution at its finest. On the other hand, there were those known as "Pure Humans" who argued that mutation quirks were slowly reverting humanity back into animals, while more and more quirked animals were gaining sentience.
Both fringe groups used pseudoscience to support their arguments for outlawing quirk marriages and imposing stricter regulations on quirk use in general. But their theories had been repeatedly disproven, yet stubbornly held onto by some in society who only believed what they wanted to believe.
Thankfully, such extreme ideas were only gaining traction in Japan...
As I tuned back into the rambling of the old man beside me, his words blurred together in a monotonous drone. He was in the middle of recounting a dispute with his son-in-law over a business agreement when he suddenly fell silent.
I glanced at him and noticed a glazed-over look in his eyes as he stared at me. Clearing my throat, I brought him back to the present and his eyes refocused on mine.
As I watch, the man's brow furrows before he frowns, "Sorry, you look remarkably like my little treasure," he finally says with a sigh. He rummages around in his wallet, muttering to himself, "I left my picture with that woman... Ah well, I don't care, I have others at home." He shoved the wallet back in his pocket before freezing once again and giving me an apologetic smile. "Forgive me, my manners seem to have escaped me. I'm used to talking to people who already know me. My name is Fryderyk Gottschalk."
What an unfortunate name for such a distinguished-looking man. "A pleasure to meet you," I replied curtly, "I am Tanya Yamada."
The man repeated my name, offering a friendly smile and extending his hand for a shake. However, before we could clasp hands, the train abruptly moved forward once again. The intercom announced an apology for the delay and reminded passengers to collect their free day passes.
Without being bothered by the interruption, I shook Fryderyk's hand firmly, noting the roughness of his grip. I wonder how someone who acts so politely got those calluses over his hands, a hard worker turned upper management perhaps?
The rhythm and boredom of the train ride must have compelled me to ignore my work on my lap as I listened to the German talk about his family and his son-in-law.
"You know," he said, leaning back in his seat, "I didn't expect my daughter to marry a self-proclaimed Bolshevik. Imagine! My daughter and a man obsessed with Russian literature."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A Bolshevik? How did that go over with your family?"
He chuckled, his shoulders shaking with mirth. "At first, terribly. My wife nearly fainted when she heard the word. But, as it turns out, the boy has a good heart and a brilliant mind. He even convinced me to readThe Brothers Karamazov. Can you believe it?"
I laughed softly. "I can't say I've read it myself, but I've heard it's dense. Did you enjoy it?"
Fryderyk gave a dramatic sigh, waving a hand. "Enjoy might be too strong a word, but I survived it. I was able to hold my own in their intellectual debates at least. What about you, Tanya? Any literature that's shaped you?"
I hesitated for a moment at the familiar address, but brushed it aside, "I… haven't had much time for novels lately. Most of my reading is focused on economics and history. Practical things."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Economics and history? A curious combination for a young lady."
"Curious," I agreed with a wry smile, "but necessary."
The conversation flowed easily, and despite a few stumbles in my German, this world apparently having different words, Fryderyk was patient and quick to offer corrections. "No, no," he interrupted gently when I mangled a verb. "It's 'reisen,' not 'reisten.' You'll get it right next time." His encouragement was genuine, his voice carrying an almost melodic quality that made even his critiques feel like compliments.
Eventually, his gaze drifted toward my throat, where a faint light pulsed from my quirk. His eyes widened with curiosity. "Ah, what's this? A trick of the light, or are you carrying a lantern in your throat?" His tone was teasing, but his interest was sincere.
I laughed. "Not quite a lantern. It's my quirk—it allows me to manipulate sound and, well, sometimes light is a byproduct. It's complicated."
"Sound, you say? Fascinating." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You must be quite the 'Ladungsinspektor.' You know, cargo cops—they're the bane of my existence."
I raised an eyebrow. "Cargo cops, do you mean border guards?"
He waved a hand dismissively, a grin tugging at his lips. "It's what we call inspectors who love to snoop through shipments. We have our visa, but they're always trying to catch us out, as if we're smuggling treasures from King Solomon's mines."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Sounds like you lead an exciting life."
"Exciting, yes," he said with a wink. "But tiring too. What about you? You seem like you've got a story or two of your own."
Before I could answer, the train's intercom crackled to life, announcing my stop. Startled, I sat up. "Oh, this is me!" I began gathering my things hastily. "Fryderyk, thank you for the conversation. I hope I didn't bore you."
"Not at all," he said warmly, standing as I did. His height made him tower over me, and he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Tanya, you're a delightful conversationalist. I've already found a little treasure today. Good luck with your studies—and don't let the world dim your light."
His words left a lump in my throat as I bowed respectfully. "Thank you. Take care, Fryderyk."
Stepping off the train, the bustling energy of the station greeted me. The kanji signs and the familiar chatter of Japanese filled the air. I couldn't help but smile, though a pang of longing lingered beneath it. Being in Japan was comforting, but part of me missed the the German aesthetic, and men like Fryderyk. Perhaps one day, I'd cross paths with him again.
With that thought, I adjusted my bag and headed toward my current home.
In no time at all, I arrived at the orphanage where I currently lived. The familiar sound of children's laughter echoed through the courtyard, mingling with the creak of the rusted gate as I pushed it open. The path was well-worn under my feet, a daily reminder of the countless times I'd walked it. Mita, the ever-tired but kind caretaker, greeted me with her usual faint smile. Her knowing glance told me she was well aware of my late arrival, though she said nothing.
After putting my bag away and washing up, I settled into the routine of the evening—helping with small tasks and listening to the chatter of the younger kids. The rhythm of the orphanage always had a way of grounding me, even after a busy day.
Later, I found myself in my room, the faint hum of activity outside fading as I closed the door. My phone, which I had been chastised more than once for not using enough, sat on my desk. Mita's earlier reminder lingered in my mind, so I plugged it in to ensure the battery wouldn't betray me at an inconvenient moment.
As the device came to life, a cascade of notifications lit up the screen. Text messages greeted me. It left me puzzled, until I remembered the group chat that Ashido talked about earlier. Scrolling through the messages, I tried to piece together the sudden influx of attention.
The next day arrived sooner than expected. I yearned for a cup of coffee or some form of caffeine to perk me up, but I reminded myself that being tired was not an excuse for tardiness. On the train ride, I took small breaks to rest and arrived at homeroom feeling slightly more refreshed.
Before entering, I quickly checked my uniform in the reflection of my phone's camera. It had taken embarrassingly long yesterday to figure out how to use the app properly.
As I opened the door, any sense of fatigue faded away instantly. The Number One Hero stood confidently behind the teacher's desk, his imposing figure demanding attention. His strong posture and commanding voice filled the room as he addressed me, "Please come in Young Yamada."
I paused for a brief moment, my muscles stiffened by his imposing aura. My phone, which I had been browsing earlier, swiftly vanished into my pocket as I mechanically entered the classroom and shut the door behind me. The other students appeared just as shocked, with some wearing expressions of surprise while others scrambled to document the scene on their devices - Mina's camera pointed straight at the door. I shot her a disapproving look, knowing I would have to request her to delete that photo later on.
The hero spoke again, interrupting my thoughts. "I arrived a bit early, so feel free to socialize with your classmates before class begins."
I nodded absently and headed towards an unoccupied seat, maintaining a composed demeanor. As I unpacked my materials for the first lesson, I couldn't resist sneaking glances at the Pro Hero standing at the front of our classroom. He was even more impressive in person, and I felt a mix of nerves and anticipation about having him as our teacher.
All Might was an imposing figure, standing tall above the others. Despite not acknowledging anyone, his mere presence inspired respect. He wore a crisp business suit and tie that stretched against his well-built frame, showcasing his strength and drive. His sharp features radiated strength, and his unwavering gaze spoke of a man who had conquered immense obstacles and emerged triumphant.
Even by just sitting at the teacher's desk, All Might's broad shoulders and imposing figure filled the room, radiating an aura of authority and wisdom. It was clear that he was a leader and master in his field.
All Might was a formidable and welcoming presence, effortlessly exuding strength and elegance. It was no surprise that his name held such reverence.
As my classmates entered the room one by one, I couldn't help but notice their reactions to seeing All Might in person. Even Izuku, who I assumed would have been told about his fathers presence, appeared genuinely taken aback.
All Might merely chuckled at our reactions, confirming that Izuku had indeed been kept in the dark about his true identity.
The jarring sound of the bell rang throughout the classroom. I only had enough time to blink before the image of All Might sitting in front of a blank chalkboard was replaced by the image of All Might standing at the front, his imposing presence overshadowing the chalkboard now covered in notes.
A heart beat later as I straightened up in my seat, a gust of wind caused my textbook to open and noise echoed through the room like a gentle murmur.
"Good morning hero hopefuls!" All Might boomed, his voice carrying through every corner of the room.
A few students responded by echoing a simple "good morning."
"I am sure you were expecting Aizawa today, but fear not! He will be returning tomorrow. Today we will be doing two things that will determine your fate here at U.A." My muscles tensed as everyone leaned in, anticipating what was to come. All Might flexed his muscles and pointed towards the words on the chalkboard, which everyone now took the time to read.
Class Representatives
Lead:
Vice:
"You will have the responsibility of choosing your class representatives!" All Might announced with a smile.
From the back of the classroom, Kaminari let out a shout, "So normal!"
All Might chuckled before continuing with his loud and attention-grabbing voice; "While your time here at U.A. will be hectic and full of surprises, these two individuals will serve as your guides and leaders, helping you become the best hero you can be. They will be there for you when no teacher is around."
He leaned forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across the class like a hawk surveying its prey. "Choose wisely," he commanded, his voice carrying authority and weight. And with that, he disappeared in a swirl of wind, leaving behind only the echo of his voice that lingered in the open doorway. "You have five minutes!" His words hung in the air, a testament to his mastery of public speaking.
After a brief pause, the majority of the class stood up from their chairs, their voices blending together in a cacophony of debates and idle talk. I gritted my teeth as I observed the lack of structure or self-control among my peers. Despite Ida's efforts to restore order, Bakugo's aggressive nature surfaced as he resorted to using his quirk to grab everyone's attention.
The deafening explosions echoed in the air, causing Kyoka to grip her jacks tightly. She struggled to maintain her composure and hide any discomfort she may be experiencing. I clenched my teeth in frustration, but quickly reminded myself that these were just children after all. Still, I couldn't shake off the tension as I sensed All Might's distinct presence on the other side of the door.
He's watching over the class to see how we respond to surprise decisions.
That realization spurred me into action. With a deep breath, I summoned up the one voice that I knew would command everyone's attention today.
"Silence! Enough!" My words cut through the noise like a whip crack, and every head turned to look at me. An angry All Might would scare anyone.
"Thank you," I said sternly, making sure to make eye contact with each student. "We must make a good first impression on the number one hero."
I observed Ashido fumbling with her phone to take a picture and my eyes narrowed disapprovingly.
With a final, determined look towards my classmates, I effortlessly hopped down from my desk and positioned myself at the front of the classroom. Kyoka swiftly activated her ear jacks to block out Ida's attempts at interrupting me as I advanced forward.
A small smile formed on my lips as I surveyed the eager faces before me. "I'm sure we all have aspirations of becoming a leader," I began, "after all, being the class leader can open doors to internships and other opportunities with Pro Heroes." The murmurs of agreement from my peers were strong, but I could also see some unsure expressions. "But let's consider the responsibilities that come with being a leader." Glancing briefly at the chalkboard, it occurred to me that I wouldn't be able to write down a list without a step stool. So instead, I turned back to my classmates.
I took a deep breath and composed myself before beginning my presentation. "As we all know, being a class representative comes with added responsibilities such as increased meetings with teachers and greater scrutiny on our behavior. However, it also provides opportunities for personal growth and leadership," I stated confidently, making eye contact with each person in the room.
"Now, let's put it to a vote. It seems that at least half of the class is no longer interested in being representatives. So may the best candidates prevail and good luck to all," I concluded, taking my seat as the voting process commenced.
Ida confidently took control, gathering ballots from his peers and recording the tallies. Midoriya offered his notebook for note-taking, but Yaoyorozu smoothly interjected and manifested slips of paper from her arm instead.
Satisfied with our cooperation, I simply nodded and returned to my seat at my desk.
Keeping an ear out for the vibrations of All Might standing just out of sight.
As Midoriya stood at the front of the room next to myself. All Might kept a comforting hand on our shoulders, I could still hardly believe the outcome.
"Well done!" he boomed with pride. "Midoriya and Yamada are our new class reps! Decide amongst yourselves who will take on the lead role and who will be vice by Heroics 101."
It was a tie between myself and Midoriya for class president.
"Now without further ado," All Might continued, "I will turn over the class to Ectoplasm-sensei. Keep an eye out for how a true hero exits a room!"
His voice boomed and echoed off the walls as he stormed out of the room in a flash.
The room fell silent, save for Midoriya's quiet muttering. "This... wasn't a mistake?"
Upon reflection, it all made perfect sense. As the son of the number one Hero, it was natural for my classmates to see him as a potential leader, someone who could gain valuable experience under such a title while also gaining favor from those looking to support my growth.
In the end, my peers selected me for my leadership during the voting process—and there is no easy way out.
Leaving would be seen as a betrayal to those who trusted me, tanking their perception of me, and hindering my future networking at this school. Therefore, I vowed to impress them until the sports festival at least. After that, when I failed and was transferred out of the course, they would attribute it to the teachers' lack of proper preparation, rather than my own desire.
As the day went on and I received nods of congratulations from my classmates, everything seemed to return to normal. During lunch, I met with Midoriya to discuss our roles and iron out any specifics. That's how I found myself sitting across from him and his entourage now, glancing at the other classmates gathering around us.
Midoriya's brow was furrowed in deep thought, his gaze fixed on something beyond the cafeteria walls. I decided to respect his silence and began to eat quietly, careful not to disrupt him. But before long, Uraraka's voice burst through the peaceful atmosphere.
"It's always so chaotic in here!" she exclaimed, her arms flailing as she tried to make space for herself at the crowded table. "How are we supposed to find any peace to eat?"
Tenya, sitting across from Midoriya, chimed in with a logical explanation. "That's because the support, management, and hero courses all share this cafeteria...it can get quite hectic."
As he spoke a thought occurred to me. I made a mental note to catch up with Sando later; we hadn't talked since starting at U.A. and it would be helpful to compare our classes to prepare for my transfer from the hero course.
Midoriya snapped back to reality, interrupting our conversation. His worried expression caught our attention.
"Guys," he began hesitantly, "I'm really starting to doubt if I'm cut out for this class rep thing." Humility can be a double-edged sword. While it may garner positive attention, it also leaves one open to manipulation. All Might should encourage his son to embrace his abilities with confidence.
"You're absolutely made for this," Uraraka stated with unwavering conviction. It was clear that she recognized his connection to All Might. Despite not sharing his father's physical resemblance, his deep admiration for him was evident, leaving him marked as either a loyal follower or an overly enthusiastic fan.
With everyone's gaze fixed on her, she kept hyping him up, "Your heroic spirit and strength—you saved me during the entrance exam with that knockout punch to the zero pointer!" She imitated the movement, emphasizing the force behind it, "Boom! How could I not vote for my hero?"
Feeling overshadowed by Uraraka's admiration, Ida interjected in a composed tone from the other side, "You understood the true purpose of the entrance exam before even I did. My vote was inevitable." Was Ida not already aware that selflessness and self-promotion are vital qualities for a hero? Perhaps Midoriya's influence will allow him to see things from a different perspective. After all, both selfishness and excessive modesty can tarnish a hero's image. Wait… Ida just implied something interesting.
I raised an eyebrow, trying to hide my surprise. "So you were aware of the Hero points before taking the test?" I commented casually, trying not to show any judgement towards All Might's involvement. His nepotism was becoming tiresome.
Midoriya panicked, speaking at a rapid pace that was difficult for me to keep up with. Despite his attempts to explain himself, I couldn't help but notice his lack of enunciation. Perhaps our school should offer a public speaking class to prepare students for dealing with press and public interactions. With Midoriya's tendency to speak too quickly, the media could easily twist his words and make him look foolish.
Before I could interject and try to decipher Midoriya's jumbled words, a loud alarm blared through the cafeteria, silencing the room.
The alarm sounded eerily similar to an air raid siren, triggering that same sense of panic and urgency within me. I shook my head quickly, my fingers digging into my knees to remind myself of where I was.
Older students quickly where calmly gathering up their things, one even hastily packing her lunch, before a voice over the speaker calmly stated, this was not a drill, and that evacuation to the parade field. The calm movements turned to chaos as everyone scrambled in different directions, some screaming and pushing past others without regard for order. Amidst the frenzy, Ida and Uraraka stood up to ask for clarification, only to be met with more panicked students running past them.
One of the students screamed, "Get out of here. It's a bomb!" Then like a switch was flipped, everyone in the room was standing and running- knocking others over and like a stampede bottlenecking themselves at the door. And just like screaming fire in a crowded theater, everyone was rushing for the same exit. People were being pushed to the ground. I watched as one person punched someone else out of their way. This was a catastrophe in the making, nothing like a refined institution like this should deal with.
Reflexively I looked around—boxes, bags, metal containers—there were numerous areas where the bomb could be. We needed to get out of here as quickly as possible, and there was only the central doorway… We needed to find another exit.
I tightly gripped Midoriya's collar, preventing him from being swept away by the crowd like Uraraka and Ida undoubtedly were. "We need to find another exit!" I exclaimed.
While I looked around I noticed that the kitchen where Lunch Rush was passing out food to everyone had locked down, a metal shutter closing it off from the cafeteria. Midoriya replied to me over the loud noises, "There is no other exit!"
It only took a moment to confirm the truth, and a plan formed in my mind.
Out of all our classmates, only Bakugo and Midoriya had quirks powerful enough to create an exit large enough for everyone, "You have to break through the wall!"
Midoriya nodded after a moment, determination burning in his eyes. As soon as there was a gap in the crowd, I released my hold on him and pointed towards the wall leading outside. He pushed through the people, clearing his own path towards the wall. Meanwhile, I climbed onto a table and scanned the sea of bodies, trying to spot our missing classmates.
The jumbled mess of different hair colors made it difficult to spot anyone in the crowd.
Squinting, I focused my eyes to try and located my classmates by their sound.
Unfortunately, I could barely distinguish anyone among the overwhelming number of vibrations surrounding me. The only recognizable sound waves were the distinct multi-frequency choir of All Might's progeny pushing through the sea of students, and an unrecognizable sound that seemed to try and mimic everyone it bumped into.
Regardless, I focused on Izuku's path, noticing his hesitancy to push people out of the way was making him slow down.
I growled; who knows how long we have before the bomb goes off, knowing Being X, I only had seconds.
I had to clear out the way for Midoriya- Right, All Might could get people out of Midoriya's way.
Taking a breath I recalled his voice from class…
"Never Fear Students! For I Am Here!"
All eyes snapped to me, the chaos of shoving and pushing dissipating in an instant.
"Midoriya do it! Now!"
In just a split second, a flash of green lightning erupted from the crowd, followed by a gust of wind. Midoriya's voice cracked as he shouted over the alarm. "Smash!"
Amidst the chaos and confusion, students were screaming in terror, thinking that the wall exploding was a bomb going off.
Once they realized it wasn't, they calmed down and rushed through the much larger opening to safety. Soon after the teachers finally arrived to take control and conduct roll calls. It was then discovered that one of our classmates was missing—Ayoyama who had secluded himself in a bathroom stall when the alarms went off— missed the latter part of the announcement, and just decided to keep his head down.
Lunch Rush, looking stern and exasperated, escorted us away and explained that the Level Three alarm was actually for trespassers on campus, not a bomb threat as everyone in the lunch room had heard. As it turned out, those trespassers were just reporters and there was no real danger. Essentially, we had caused all this commotion and damage to school property for nothing.
Because of this it came to no surprise to myself that we ended up outside of The Principal's office.
Meeting the formidable 'Beast of Education' under these circumstances was not what I had envisioned.
I couldn't attempt to shift blame onto Midoriya since it was my idea, as I was the one who pushed him to take action, as any witness there could attest to, and even if I wanted to hold him accountable, it would be useless. Being the son of the renowned superhero All Might, he was protected from any repercussions; only a major scandal could possibly jeopardize his standing at U.A. High School.
Sitting there with my jaw clenched, I racked my brain for a way to manipulate this situation to my advantage. Beside me, Midoriya fidgeted uncomfortably, his arm in a sling. Before I could strategize, a loud voice boomed from the nearby speaker, breaking my concentration. "You may enter now." I smoothed my blouse and took a deep breath as I stood up and headed towards the door leading to the Principal's office.
Midoriya followed suit, mimicking my polite bow before gently closing the door behind us.
The office was immaculately organized, showing no signs of its owner's unique appearance. It appeared perfectly suited for a human, despite the fact that the principal was something much different. Sitting across from us in an oversized plush chair was the Principal himself, a creature with the features of both a white mouse and a dog.
I took a moment to collect myself before approaching his desk, surprised by his sudden appearance. Midoriya joined me and we stood side by side in solidarity.
The Principal smoothly brought out a tea set from under his desk and balanced three cups on the tray. "Please, have a seat," he said with a commanding yet gentle tone. "Would you like some tea?"
I politely replied, "Yes, thank you." Midoriya eagerly agreed, "I wouldn't mind one as well," as we both took a seat.
As he poured the tea, I studied the man and his desk. He had a unique appearance with circular black eyes and a prominent scar. I wondered if it was from his hero work. His ears were rectangular-shaped with pale pink insides and his muzzle was elongated with a small round nose. His bright white fur was immaculately groomed, just like his pressed suit and tie. It was clear that he took pride in his appearance to make a welcoming first impression.
The desk in front of him was neatly organized, with a thin computer monitor facing him and only two pictures turned face down. Perhaps for privacy or another reason?
"So what led you both to think blowing up the cafeteria wall was a good idea?" The man asked inquisitively. I politely took the offered teacup and pondered my response before taking a sip. I can't just rashly reply—
"It was my fault." I twitched as Midoriya spoke, why was he taking all the blame? "I'm the one that—" The test!
He was proving to be a hero to stay in this school!
I quickly put down my teacup and interrupted him, stating firmly, "No. We were told there was a bomb and everyone panicked towards the exit, creating a stampede." "But—"
I shot him a stern look before speaking.
"Please be quiet. We were in a narrow hallway and I instructed Midoriya to punch through the wall to create an easier escape route." I maintained eye contact with The Principal while also making sure Midoriya wasn't going to intervene again.
Midoriya shifted uncomfortably in his seat as I observed the teacher sitting across from us. The Principal's expression was mischievous as he took a sip of tea. I remained composed, used to being under scrutiny. Midoriya seemed to be struggling with it, fidgeting nervously under the Principal's intense gaze.
After a moment, the Principal set down his tea and chuckled, "Hypothetically speaking, if there was a bomb, have you considered what would happen if the package was damaged?"
A test? I replied calmly, "There were no packages near the wall and the courtyard was clear of debris. And Midoriya's strength is more than capable of preventing anything from falling into the room."
The Principal contemplated, "But what if it was triggered by noise?" I recognized this as a trick question. "The alarm would have activated it, or the chaos of students panicking and screaming would have set it off."
"Maybe it was motion-activated?" "The stampede of students running and bumping into things could have triggered it."
"What about being remotely activated?" "We fled in the quickest way possible without receiving any instructions or demands."
I could tell from the grin on his face that I was answering correctly.
Midoriya squirmed beside me as I answered the Principal's questions.
"Well, considering the circumstances and damages caused, my hands are tied." He stated solemnly, pouring himself another cup of tea.
I nodded in understanding. "All I ask is that you let me continue my education he—" "Oh don't misunderstand; you're not being expelled. While the damage to the cafeteria is significant, it's not enough for expulsion to be necessary." A wave of relief washed over me. Honestly, the amount of funding is insane for the school. I might be tearing up a little at how this all working in my favor, "You and Midoriya will stay late to assist Cement Toss in painting the outside wall. Your points of contact have already been notified."
I'm… not… being kicked from the hero course?
Beside me, Midoriya let out a sigh of relief. The principal's mouth formed into what could only be described as a smug grin.
"Why did you bring us here if that was all you wanted?" I couldn't help but ask.
Midoriya froze and gave me a look like I was crazy while the principal's grin widened. "I just wanted to confirm something for myself. Now hurry back to class. You wouldn't want to miss today's lesson with All Might, would you?"
In a matter of seconds, we were dismissed. It took me a moment to stand up from my seat, feeling a bit disoriented before realizing what had just happened.
The principal wanted to speak with Midoriya. The successor of All Might.
With a polite bow, I followed behind the taller boy.
It was concerning how U.A. seemed to sweep things under the rug so easily. Perhaps it was because of All Might's influence.
That is nepotism at its finest.
Letting out a small sigh, we hurried back to class.
Surprisingly, we reached the classroom in no time. The hallways were deserted so I may have used my quirk a little liberally, but I'm sure it's fine, Mita does worse at home with her quirk.
Opening the door once again revealed the prestigious image of the Number One Hero. Thankfully we didn't interrupt a speech, as he looked to have been waiting for us to begin his class.
"Ah, welcome back Midoriya! Yamada! Come in, have a seat!" His broad smile and booming voice welcomed us back before resuming his instruction as if uninterrupted.
"You missed my hero entrance, but no worries—there will be plenty more in the future! Today's training involves a bit of a pop quiz of sorts!" The room buzzed with surprise and excitement. Mineta's nasally voice broke through the chatter, "What!"
All Might chuckled before continuing, "You'll be picking your hero code names and trying on your—" With a flick of his wrist, a remote appeared in his hand—how did he manage that with those short sleeves?—"Hero costumes!" The nearby wall flipped over, revealing rows of sleek briefcases, each labeled with our student numbers.
"How did they make them so fast?"
All Might's booming voice echoed through the classroom, causing students to look up in astonishment. Oblivious to their reactions, he continued speaking, his tone lighthearted and cheerful. "Haha~ Normally, costume designers take about a week to finalize the designs. However, someone must have mentioned my involvement, so they may have rushed everything."
He took a deep bow, his cape sweeping dramatically behind him, before adding with a smile, "Please forgive any errors in the costumes due to the rush. If there are any issues, don't hesitate to inform a teacher, and we'll make sure to get them corrected."
As he straightened himself upright, he gestured towards the row of briefcases lined up at the front of the room. "So, class president! It's time to organize everyone and get your gear!"
I glanced towards Midoriya, and he met my gaze. The room fell silent as our classmates watched on. There was a moment of silence before I narrowed my eyes at him.
Midoriya quickly stood up, full of determination. "Okay, everyone—" His voice wavered as he faced the rest of the class. He turned back towards his father for reassurance.
In that moment, I found myself taking charge and yelling out instructions in his voice, making sure that no one was looking towards me, "Stand up and line up single file!"
All Might blinked in surprise at me using his son's voice, but I was already leading the way as students began queuing up behind me.
I see no reason to create conflict; if All Might chooses to show favoritism towards Midoriya in school, I will do my utmost to help the boy appear capable until I transfer out of class.
But All Might should keep in mind this act of kindness for future reference.
Perhaps with a role at his agency? I'm sure his employees are well-compensated.
The gathering of briefcases was efficient and smooth, a carefully orchestrated routine. Once everyone had returned to their seats, All Might launched into his lesson on Hero names, moving around with vigor as he listed different options on the smartboard. Each name held significance as a potential identity to embrace and maintain.
"And now, dear students, onto the most crucial aspect of today's lesson—your Hero Names!" His booming voice echoed throughout the room as he gestured enthusiastically. "Do not fret! The monikers you choose today need not be permanent. It is common for Pro Heroes to go by a different name than they did in school. We'll discuss first impressions another time."
As he continued to write on the board, phrases like 'good with kids', 'fun at parties', and 'lots of fire' appeared next to various names and titles.
"Now a common misconception is that a Hero Name needs to be original. That is just not true. Some people may choose to use the same name, or a very similar name, as an already existing and well-known Hero that is no longer active."
"However," he cautioned, drawing arrows between two names — Blaze Fury and Blaze Flare — "taking on such a title comes with great responsibility. One must live up to the legacy of the Hero who originally bore it."
He flourished a question mark around the two. "Failure in that regard carries a heavy burden on both yourself and the hero you were attempting to honor."
He leveled a heavy stare across the room, his smile more…. strained.
Before he seemed to brighten up again and place his hands on his hips again, "Now the typical scheme of a Hero Name is your name followed by your title. Or vice versa. Such as 'Edgeshot: The Ninja Hero' or the 'Normal Hero: Manual'. Typically like a Hero Name, the Heroes title describes the Hero and what they can do. Which helps cement their image in the public and assist in team ups between agencies."
The room erupted into murmurs and chuckles as they absorbed his words. Then, our instructor raised his hand towards us in a commanding gesture. "Now I'm sure some of you have thought long and hard about what Heroes you want to be, so go ahead and introduce yourselves! Tell me, YOU ARE HERE!"
With an infectious enthusiasm, my classmates began shouting out their chosen names — from the earnest and determined "The Crimson Hero: Red Riot" by Kirishima, to the playful and creative "The Sunshine Hero: Invisafist" by Toru.
Each name was a reflection of its owner's ambitions and desires, as diverse as the students themselves.
Some were bold and creative, while others... lacked inspiration. Bakugo's self-proclaimed title of "King of Explosion Murder" for example.
But most seemed to just get amused laughter from All Might, who offered his thoughts on each name with an ever-brightening smile. I found myself nodding along, eager to gather insights on how to effectively present oneself—a valuable skill for any future endeavor.
As the initial excitement settled and the shyer students prepared to step forward, All Might interrupted the class, telling us to form groups and brainstorm names together.
Naturally, the room split with all the girls huddling together and the boys forming smaller friend groups.
The girls all looked towards me, so I took charge, asking Yaoyorozu to make us some whiteboards to organize our ideas on and suggested we take turns helping each other refine our concepts. Asui suggested a minute to write things down before starting, and so we started.
Lost in thought, I tapped my marker against the whiteboard when Kyoka leaned over and whispered, "What are you thinking of choosing as your hero name?"
I shrugged, "I haven't really thought about it," I confessed. "It's not something that has been on my mind."
After all, I only planned on using the fake name temporarily.
Prior to All Might's explanation on marketing and public personas, the necessity of a hero's name never crossed my mind. Some may consider secret identities and safeguarding loved ones, but those concerns are often associated with vigilantes. With the widespread use of the quirk registry, the concept of maintaining a secret identity has become obsolete.
For the publicity-loving heroes, they fight weaker villains who don't think or can't even attempt to target a hero's family; they are thieves and thugs who are just looking to gain money fast or out of need.
Then we get to the serious organized criminals like the Yakuza. They only survive by staying out of the spotlight so they don't get their organizations crushed by heroes. If they went after a hero's family, there would need to be a definitive advantage to be gained beyond just hurting their nemesis because they will make themselves a target for that Hero, along with all their friends, who. Surprise. Surprise. Are also heroes. What's there to gain from such a thing other than a massive target on your operation?
No. Only the truly deranged and mentally unstable individuals will target a Heroes family. So secret identities are practically worthless.
As I brainstormed potential hero aliases utilizing sound-related terms such as "Echoing Hero" or "Mimicry Hero," Inside I felt the fires of… anger? Embarrassment? Both? I didn't want to be a hero. I didn't want to be here at all. Recollections of my participation in that propaganda initiative resurfaced, bringing back the unpleasant sensation of being coerced into an unwanted position.
But just as I did back then, I will make the best of it and use my creativity to come up with unique and fitting hero names for myself.
I scanned the room, taking note of the other girls who were either lost in their own thoughts or engaged in quiet conversations. Beside Yaoyorozu, a small timer ticked steadily, reminding us of our limited time for group discussion.
Observing the rest of the room, I noticed that the boys were more dispersed. Midoriya sat with Ida and Mineta, while Tokoyami was engaged in conversation with his quirk. Bakugo leaned against the wall, displaying a sense of arrogant assurance with his arms folded across his chest.
The egg timer buzzed and Yaoyorozu quickly turned it off. The girls shared a knowing look, their faces showing a mix of determination and annoyance. With a sigh, Yaoyorozu decided to start holding up her whiteboard and said, "Deciding on a name was more difficult than I thought. I considered 'Produce Hero: Creati,' but it doesn't sound quite right."
Kyoka chimed in with a thoughtful hum, "I do like 'Creati,' but maybe we can come up with something catchier."
Asui, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, like 'The Hero of Invention: Creati' or something along those lines."
The dam then burst as the other girls launched into the brainstorming session, bouncing ideas back and forth with growing enthusiasm. Suggestions varied from quirky ones like "What about 'Innovate Belle' for Momo?" which elicited a groan from Yaoyorozu, Others were fun-like. "Or 'Frog Princess' for Tsuyu?" The girl ribbited while tapping her wide mouth, "I already have my name, 'The Rainy Season Hero: Froppy.'"
While the others cheered the cute name. I couldn't help but chime in, "Why not change the title to something like, 'The Leaping Hero' so you don't give the impression that..." I trailed off as the girls looked at me.
Feeling suddenly on the spot, I coughed awkwardly. But thankfully, Tsuyu skillfully picked up the thread and redirected the focus, "Maybe 'The Hopping Hero: Froppy?' Thanks, Yamada-chan."
Grateful for the diversion, I watched as the girls dove back into their discussions, the initial awkwardness fading away.
The room buzzed with creativity as ideas flowed freely. "Mina, how about 'Acid Queen'?" Ashido's face lit up with excitement, "Oh, I like that! Maybe we could tweak it to 'Acid-Pop Queen—no, Princess?'" she suggested playfully.
Kyoka joined in with her own spark of inspiration, "What about 'Toxic Tempest'? It just has a nice ring to it."
Mina beamed, adopting Kyoka's suggestion with flair, "I love it! 'The Toxic Tempest: Acid-Pop Princess.'" She gestured dramatically as she announced her new title, clearly pleased.
The girls continued to throw out ideas, each trying to help the others find the perfect Hero Name; eventually, I was put on the spot.
"So Tanya, what's your hero name going to be?" As they eagerly awaited my response, I hesitated and flipped my whiteboard to reveal a sea of scribbles. "...I have no idea." It was clear by this point that naming was not my strong suit.
Undeterred, the girls scanned my board and began throwing out suggestions, "Sonic Siren!" "Melody Marvel?" "Canary!" "Echo Empress?"
As my colleagues shared their ideas, I appreciated their contributions and was open to whichever name they deemed the most suitable. After all, it would only be used until graduation. My gaze drifted around the room as they continued exchanging suggestions amongst themselves
All Might's intense gaze scanned the bustling crowd below, occasionally shifting towards Midoriya's group with curiosity. As Tsuyu's voice brought me back to the present, I noticed her studying my whiteboard intently. "Where did you get these ideas from?" she inquired with interest. Carefully navigating the touchy subject, I opted to slightly embellish the truth. "They came from my experience in a club," I vaguely explained.
"Your friends helped you come up with them? What club was it?" Tsuyu pressed on.
I hesitated before admitting, "It was more of a scouting group."
Tsuyu tilted her head thoughtfully. "Like Girl Scouts?"
"Something like that," I agreed reluctantly. "They used to call me 'Pixie,'."
"I can see why," Tsuyu commented. She must have seen something on my face as she continued, "Though that doesn't really sound like 'you'. Was there one you preferred?"
Thinking back on my past, I revealed, "I actually liked 'Argent.' It means 'bright silver.' There were some other german names that I—"
Suddenly, Uraraka piped up from behind us. "Oh, because you're a Gaijin!" she exclaimed as if she had just solved a puzzle. The other girls turned their heads sharply in her direction.
"What do you mean by that?" Kyoka frowned at Uraraka, and the other girls joined in staring at her too.
Uraraka shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, she has an international vibe," she clarified, gesturing vaguely towards me. "The blonde hair, blue eyes… She definitely has the Western look."
Ashido chuckled at this statement. "And I guess since I'm pink, people think I'm straight out of a cartoon!" she chimed in sarcastically. "Seriously, it's the 24th century. Just today, I saw someone at school with a manga speech bubble for a head."
I wasn't bothered by the comment, but I appreciated how they leaped to my defense.
Uraraka's face was flushing red, she must have realized she stepped on a social landmine, so in the interest of salvaging whatever friendship we had, I spoke up in her defense, diffusing the situation before it could escalate.
"Well, I wouldn't know about that," I interjected calmly. "I grew up at the 'Nagant's Children's Home,' an orphanage over in Fukuoka."
The blank look I received from Uraraka and the glares she received almost had me chuckle, "But it's fine. I was raised here in Japan, even if I don't know who my birth parents are. Now, let's get back to discussing our hero names..."
Eager to move on, Uraraka spoke first, "Your quirk is your voice, right? So what about The Voice Hero?"
Never one to stay quiet for long, Toru waved her arms excitedly. "You like mimicking people, so why not Echo!"
As the ideas kept flowing, Yaoyorozu chipped in with her own suggestion. "How about The Argent Hero: Echo?"
Ashido piped in, "Or maybe The Argent Voice! Echo!"
The girls unanimously agreed; "The Argent Hero: Echo" as my official hero name.
After everyone had their turn in the spotlight, Mina beamed towards me, "Thanks girls, I couldn't have come up with my name without you all."
Tsuyu nodded. "Yeah, it's always better when we help each other out."
With that, the girls hugged and high-fived each other, then All Might signaled for everyone to return to their seats.
As we settled down, All Might instructed each of us to present our hero names once again, this time in the order of our assigned class seats.
I took the time to write down each student's hero name as they announced them.
Yuga Aoyama, Navel Laser, Shining Hero: Can't Stop Twinkling
All Might tried to have him shorten it, but it's at least not the poem that he wanted it to be at the start… All Might asked him to see him after class to talk about the name.
Mina Ashido, Acid, The Toxic Tempest: Acid-Pop Princess
Ashido was excited about the name the girls came up with, though I won't be surprised if she tries to change Princess for Queen before we graduate.
Tsuyu Asui, Frog, The Hopping Hero: Froppy
I'm glad she took my suggestion, her first one was alright, but it implied that she is only a hero during a particular time of year…
Tenya Ida, Engine, The Speedster Hero: Tengenium
Incorporating his family's title while keeping it unique, there is only a little to discuss there other than he was a part of Midoriya's sycophants.
Ochako Uraraka, Zero Gravity, The Weightless Wonder: Uravity
Despite her somewhat xenophobic views, she seems like an alright girl. A little airheaded, but that might just be because of some minor quirk mania? Regardless, she is also part of Midoriya's sycophants, so I must be on her good side.
It was my turn, so I set down my pencil and stood up. Kyoka caught my gaze as I turned to the class and gave me a supportive nod. Putting on my practiced smile, I announced to the class, "My hero name will be 'The Argent Voice: Echo'."
I turned to face the All Might who was maintaining his trademark grin. He responded, "A fine name for a singing hero." I nodded at that acknowledgement and sat back down as he moved on to the next student.
Denki Kaminari, Electrification, Stun Gun Hero: Chargebolt
With a name like Stun Gun, does he expect to use a taser full-time? It might be rather hard to justify that in Japan's highly gun-controlled state.
Eijiro Kiishima, Hardening, Sturdy Hero: Red Riot
I would have to look up who Red Riot is because All Might asked him if he was manly enough to carry that legacy.
Koji Koda, Anivoice, Petting Hero: Anima
A rather odd name for a quiet boy… I honestly forgot he was in the room with how little presence he gives off. That didn't stop All Might asking him to see him after class.
Rikido Sato, Sugar Rush, Sweets Hero: Sugarman
Sounds like the name of a candy store. I would like to know if he or his family sells Chocolate. Though All Might added him to the group to see him after class.
Mezo Shoji, Dupli-Arms, Tentacle Hero: Tentacole
Sounds like some sort of Pocket Ball monster… but I never really spent time playing those games.
Kyoka Jiro, Earphone Jack, The Sonic Heroine: Earphone Jack
My friend, I haven't really seen all her quirk can do. Can she send out sonic waves?
Hanta Sero, Tape, Taping Hero: Cellophane
The Taping Hero: Plastic. How creative. Make sure he is on my team for class projects; I need to get easy failures.
Fumikage Tokoyami, Dark Shadow, Jet-Black Hero: Tsukuyomi
The duo's comedy routine could use some work- Tokoyami's Dark Shadow arguing about how the title should be Sunshine Hero.
Shoto Todoroki, Half-Cold Half-Hot, Shoto Todoroki
As the son of the number two Hero, trying to start his own brand would be rather challenging; he should at least try to be his own person…
Well, there are leaders, and there are followers. At least he embraces that he can't escape his father's shadow. All Might asked him to join the group after class.
Toru Hagakure, Invisibility, The Center of Attention: Invisifist
Her title and name suit her… I'm curious what her hero costume will look like with a name like that.
Katsuki Bakugou, Explosion, Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight
It was difficult to determine if he was being serious or not. All Might shared the same confusion. When he discovered that Katsuki was indeed serious, he sternly instructed him to change his attitude and apologize to his classmates after class. The expression on Bakugou's face as he erased "Great Explosion Murder God" from his name was...
I had to remind myself that I don't laugh at children!
Izuku Midoriya, Superpower, Deku
This was the first hero name that sparked real controversy upon its announcement, and frankly, I found myself at odds with the general sentiment.
The room was abuzz with whispers and even All Might looked perplexed, perhaps wondering if 'Deku' was really the name they had agreed upon at home. Maybe they had considered something more traditional like 'All Might Junior' or 'Small Might'?
The only person who appeared genuinely pleased with the name was Bakugo, who usually had a fiery temper. Perhaps his close relationship with Midoriya gave him a special understanding of the significance of the name...
In an attempt to win favor from All Might, I decided to intervene.
I rose from my seat and silenced the room with a sharp glance. "Deku is an incredible name. 'Deku: The Hopeful Hero.' Imagine it — you're in a dire situation, feeling helpless and lost. And then, there he is!"
As I finished speaking, my voice unintentionally mimicked the heroic tone of All Might. The boy visibly perked up and started fidgeting with his hair. Uraraka also chimed in, showing her support for the name. "I believe it's fitting. When I was trapped and terrified, he swooped in to rescue me from the zero-pointer." With that, a small adjustment was made on the whiteboard: The Symbol of Hope — Deku. The last two in the class proceeded to introduce themselves, a little subdued due to the argument over Midoriya's name.
Minoru Mineta, Pop Off, Fresh-Picked Hero: Grape Juice
I'm not sure what he means by Fresh-Picked, but the grapes must be those purple glue balls on his head… Do they make juice if squashed?
Momo Yaoyorozu, Creation, The Arsenal Hero: Creati
The girl proudly announced her name though I didn't have much to say about the name, other than that it encapsulates her powers perfectly. Instead my mind still thought back to the possibility of draining Mineta's balls.
"With that said! It is time for the second half of today's class! Everyone meet at the Training Ground Beta!" All Might, in a show of power and an effort to push the urgency of his request, rushed out and away with the force of his movement, pushing the air around the room.
I rose to my feet, clutching my briefcase. With a Midoriya's voice, I commanded, "Boys, please follow me," before switching back to my natural voice and adding calmly, "Girls, you can come with me."
As I walked purposefully towards the exit, I could only hope for Midoriya to quickly follow, to lead the boys.
The time had come for my first hero class, donning my uniform not as Tanya Yamada, but as The Argent Voice: Echo.
Translations/Trivia:
My little (Jewel, gem or treasure) is a literal translation for Schatz or Schätzchen or Schatzi, and is a fairly common term of endearment from moms and dads to children in Germany.