Nothing says "Valentines" like that weird kid doing stuff
Anyways, here's your chapter. Here's the Discord: /cgFmXz3qJ5
As the days passed following Kumagawa's internship with Nighteye, the atmosphere at the school began to change. Kumagawa's newfound confidence was like a ripple effect that touched the lives of those around him. It was as if a burst of positivity had infected the entire campus. Students who had known him primarily as a brooding, cynical figure found themselves taken aback by his newfound enthusiasm and charm.
In the hallways, it was no longer unusual to see Kumagawa engaged in friendly conversations with his fellow students. He wore a smile that was almost alien on his face, and his interactions with others seemed effortless, as if he had transformed into a well-adjusted person overnight.
It freaked people out.
Medaka hummed, as she watched Kumagawa walk with some pep in his step. "Seems he finally met the person who could help him. I'm glad about that."
"I dunno how to really feel." Zenkichi said. "I mean, it's great that he's feeling better, but…"
"But what?"
"...what happens when he 'slips'?" Zenkichi asked. Medaka tilted her head slightly, considering Zenkichi's question. It was a valid concern, given Kumagawa's turbulent history and penchant for self-sabotage.
"Hmmm." Medaka said. "Kumagawa's past behavior has been…erratic."
"Erratic is too nice a word." Zenkichi frowned.
"But perhaps this experience with Nighteye has given him the tools to cope with his darker tendencies." Medaka went on. "We should at least support him."
"I guess." Zenkichi rolled his eyes. He didn't know why, but he had this nagging feeling that something was forcing Kumagawa to act like this. This fake smile on his face felt like an omen.
…did Kumagawa know something?
「they want me BACK saki」
"Yeah. I know. You mentioned it about a dozen times." Saki said, not looking up from her phone as they walked through the halls.
「no one's ever wanted me anywhere」Kumagawa sighed. 「not even my own parents wanted me」
Saki, unsure if he was joking or not, made an awkward face. She had known Kumagawa long enough to recognize that his self-deprecating humor was a defense mechanism, but this time, it seemed like he genuinely meant it. "U-uh. Yeah. I'm really stoked for you."
「of course, this means i need to spread my joy…by knocking down people who have too high an ego」Kumagawa rubbed his hands together.
"There he is." Saki smirked. It was a quintessential Kumagawa thing to say. Even in his newfound positivity, he couldn't resist his natural inclination to challenge those who thought too highly of themselves.
Throughout the school, other students were also going through their own adjustments. New strategies picked up during the internship, new dogmas to follow…and something new to worry about.
The Stain incident in Hosu had left a lasting impact on many, and the gossip about it was still circulating. Some students were inspired by the heroes who had fought against Stain, while others were anxious about the dangers that heroes faced daily. This new…danger, palpable in how brazen villains were getting. And now, there were mentions of the villains taking out a family of heroes. That was…too much, honestly. Attacking someone? In their own home? If they would attack schools and family homes…who's to say Shiketsu wasn't next?
And of course…there was the Meta Liberation's reaction to Stain.
They were…flourishing with these seeds of discord. Kumagawa wasn't the only person walking with a pep in his step. Hakama seemed to be in high spirits too, something Gasmask noticed during their daily meeting.
"You seem…pleased." Gasmask noted, watching Hakama devour a full leg of ham.
"I always seem to overeat when I'm in a good mood." The headmaster joked. "And right now, I feel like this year is showing a bright future for our cause."
"You're referring to…him, aren't you." Gasmask said.
"The Hosu incident has sent shockwaves through the hero society," Hakama said, wiping some juices from his arm. "Because of that idiot's high standards in heroes, people are coming after who don't fit into Stain's box. And our organization must capitalize on the chaos it has sown. The public's trust in heroes is slowly starting to wane."
"I somewhat agree with that video that was posted. It was an interesting watch." Gasmask said. "Heroes see themselves as too 'high' and 'mighty'. They think they're these paragons of virtue…but now Stain's ripped some masks off."
"We need to continue stoking the flames of discontent within society. According to Re-Destro, the time for subtlety may be coming to an end." Hakama said. "I've heard that Curious is planning on doing a re-print on Destro's words…"
Their dogma- the book titled "Meta Liberation War". In this work, Destro passionately articulated his belief in the fundamental right to the free use of Quirks and his opposition to the government's control over them. It was a beautiful piece of work.
"That could be a powerful move," Gasmask acknowledged. "But we must also be cautious. Play it too strongly, and people will start to notice."
"We'll have to keep a close eye on the situation and adapt our strategy as needed." Hakama said. "We live in troubled times- and troubled times lead to great periods of…recruiting. We cannot afford to lose the momentum we've gained."
"Then I will talk to the students." Gasmask said. "The time for grassroots is now."
So, there's something to look out for.
…anyways, exams were coming up for the school. The usual nine yards of midterms and projects. But Shiketsu had…an interesting addition to their final exams. Most hero schools would test the kids in combat or have them fulfill a task. For the first years of Shiketsu, their exams would include…
"A psychological evaluation?" Yuna repeated, making sure she heard the teacher correct.
"Correct." Jaune nodded.
"Wait, so, why do it now? I thought that'd be like…a 'nearly graduated' exam. We're still developing." Itsuki said.
"Yeah, feels too early." Yoshida added.
"Well, Shiketsu teaching wants to offer insights into a child's learning, social, behavioral and personality development and adjust specific curriculum tailored to you kids." Jaune explained. The students exchanged glances, beginning to see the reasoning behind the decision. It was a unique approach.
"So, how are they gonna work?" Hana asked.
"We're going to figure out scheduling pretty soon." Jaune explained. "Find a time that works best for you. We'll choose a random location on campus, and you'll meet us there. If you're not there by the designated time period…you fail. And then you can't go on the summer trip."
"Summer trip!?" Inasa said, standing up in his seat. "Where is it gonna be!?"
"Calm down, calm down. We're not at liberty to reveal that until you pass." Jaune explained.
Mogana raised her hand next. "What kind of questions can we expect during the evaluation?"
"The questions will cover various aspects of your personality and experiences. You won't be expected to reveal your deepest secrets, but honesty is key. The evaluation is designed to help us understand you better and tailor your education accordingly. So, just be yourselves, and don't overthink it." Jaune said.
"Fair enough." Mogana said.
"Now, you'll either be interviewed by me, Mrs. Nikos, Miss Bates, or some other teacher if we're not available. Any other questions?" Jaune asked.
Zenkichi raised his hand. "Is there anything specific you're looking for in these evaluations? Like, are there certain traits or qualities you're hoping to identify in us?"
"We're trying to understand your individual strengths and areas where you might need more support. It's about tailoring your education to help you become the best hero you can be." Jaune said. "It's more like…a checkpoint, I guess. You kids have had a bit of an uphill semester."
"Is there anything specific we should prepare or study for before the evaluation? Or is it more about our natural responses?" Medaka asked.
"There's no need to prepare or study for it, Medaka. The evaluation is designed to gauge your natural responses and tendencies, so just come as you are. We want to understand who you are at this moment, without any external influence."
Medaka nodded in response, satisfied with the answer.
"Now, with that out of the way, you're dismissed. Study hard!" Jaune clapped, and the class began to disperse.
"So that's...definitely an interesting kind of exam," Saki commented as she and Kumagawa walked out of the classroom.
「very. and i think it's because of me. little thing that happened during my internship, nothing major」Kumagawa shrugged.
"You mean aside from the assassin?"
「oh you actually believe that huh? thought you would've said 'kumagawa did that? impossible. must be a different guy'」
"...admittedly first, yeah. But then seeing you come back and hearing Star's reaction? It just hit."
「certainly had an effect on me. still just wanted to let you know」
"Fair enough, I guess," Saki shrugged, "Oh, by the way. You wouldn't mind helping me prep would you? For the math exam. Mainly one section that I just can't seem to get right."
「why not?」Kumagawa smirked.
"I hate math as much as I hate your new ego." Saki frowned.
「i don't have an ego-」
「ooooooh! look at me! i worked with my hero and now i have a stick up my butt」Saki mocked.
「...i don't sound like that」
"You do." Saki said.
「you're putting too much 'pride' into it. if you're gonna do an impression of me, do it right. tone down the pride, amp the humility.」Kumagawa advised.
"Humility!?" Saki said.
Weeks passed faster than one would expect. Exams were taken, and results were in. Medaka was in first, Mogana and Zenkichi were in the top, Inasa near the top, Saki and Kumagawa in the middle and most kids were...elsewhere. Lowest grade belonged to Sato, who never showed up.
What a shock.
But now was time for the 'interviews'.
Somehow, this was the most nerve-wracking part of the exams. The others had their own issues, but there was a set time for those. Something about being randomly chosen and having to go in one by one just added a new level of anxiety.
Star and Stripe looked down at her papers, and flipped through the people she was interviewing today. She was trying to look more professional, hence her usual costume being replaced by a suit and tie.
Hopefully I can return this rental without any stains. She thought.
"Ok, this...shouldn't be too bad," Jaune muttered, looking over his own list.
"Who are you interviewing?" Star asked.
"Ah. Today it's...Saki, Satou, Mogana, Rin, Yuna..." Jaune said. "Pyrrha's got Inasa, Sunako, Medaka and Zenkichi."
"And I got the 'problem' child with a few other kids." Star said. "Save for Ryuji. Heard Gasmask has him."
"Yeah. He insisted on interviewing him."
"Does he just have one?" Jaune asked.
"From this year, yeah. He's mostly got his second and third years."
Jaune shrugged. "Well, okay...sort of wanted to do it myself."
"Think these kids are ready for it?" Star said.
"I'd hope so." Jaune said. "We're honestly doing this to see if they're ready to take the license exam."
"Hope so too," Star sighed, straightening her tie before checking the time. 2:30.
Time for her first interview.
"Alright. Time for the first one."
Star made her way to the 'meeting spot'- one of the classrooms in the main building. She opened the door to see Kumagawa already sitting there.
「afternoon」
"Afternoon, Mr. Misogi. Surprisingly early," Star nodded.
「had some spare time. plus, first impressions are important for interviews, aren't they?」
"They are. Business interviews anyway. This is a little different."
「eh, fair enough i suppose. now, shall we get started?」
"Straight to business then. Alright," Star said, straightening up her stack of papers and grabbing a pen, before she read off the first question, "Mr. Misogi, you often perceive yourself as a loser, even when you appear to have the upper hand. Can you explain why you have this self-image, and how does it affect your behavior and interactions with others?"
「honestly, i find it more easy to downplay my successes and focus on the negative」
「keeps people off-balance, never quite sure what to expect. great way to mess with their heads and maintain an aura of unpredictability」
「people love surprises, right?」
「i love them」
"Uh-huh," Star hummed, writing down the answer, "Ok...next. Losing appears to be a recurring theme in your life. What coping mechanisms or strategies do you use to deal with failure and maintain your mental well-being?"
「losing follows me like a shadow」
「but i can deal with it by embracing it.」
「being a good loser means i can i learn quite well. i'm like a sponge」
「i've seen so many bad losers, people who act like one setback will kill them」
「i doubt it would.」
「life's too short to dwell」
"Ok...the next one sort of builds on that. In class you seem to sabotage yourself and by extension others in subtle ways which often impact your success during exercises. What logic do you use to justify this?"
「nobody's perfect」
「i'm just there to highlight that fact」
「to humble」
「life gets dull if things go too smoothly」
「unpredictability makes everything a lot more...interesting」
"How do your ever-shifting personality and self-image affect your ability to form genuine connections with others? Have you ever felt truly understood or accepted by someone despite your complexities?"
Kumagawa paused.
「of course」
「people root for an underdog」
「don't they?」
"They do," Star noted, "And the first question? About connections?"
「a little」
「but it doesn't bother me all that much」
「i feel people need to initiate towards me」
「not vice versa」
"I see... Hmm. Next question. Despite your self-perception, do you have any goals or ambitions at Shiketsu High or in life in general? How do you approach these goals, considering your tendency to see yourself as a loser?"
「goals...」
「disruption and challenging status quo」
「i want to make people think」
「perceive weakness as strength」
「the like」
"And the how?"
「embrace chaos」
「unconventional thinking」
「no doubts」
"Interesting. Alright, last question. Your character seems to display a unique form of emotional resilience. Can you explain how you bounce back from perceived losses and maintain your confidence or composure?"
「i'm always going to embrace failure」
「its natural.」
「not totally out of nowhere」
「i'm always ready to bounce back」
"Always ready to bounce back," Star repeated as she jotted the answer down, "Alright. Thank you for your time, Mr. Misogi."
Kumagawa smiled. 「a pleasure」Kumagawa then walked out, leaving Star alone.
...it's weird. He's making too much sense with some of his answers. Star thought. Even though he's a defeatist, he's not a quitter.
Kumagawa left, letting out a sigh of relief once he was away from the classroom.
「i was literally answering out of my ass with that exam」
「hope they sounded decent enough...」He said, wiping sweat from his brow.
Next up, according to the schedule, was Jaune's first interview. Saki.
"Thank you for coming." Jaune said. "Your exam results were par for the course, but don't worry. You won't be graded on this one."
"Alright, alright." Saki said. "No wrong answers, right?"
"Right. So, shall we get started?"
"Sure."
"Perfect," Jaune made sure to grab a pen before he flipped to the first question of the interview, "You initially present yourself as a shy girl but later reveal your manipulative nature. Can you explain the reasons behind this facade and how it serves your goals in "weeding out the elites" in the hero world?"
"You know about that, huh?"
"Just an assumption since you hang out with Kumagawa a lot." Jaune said.
"People respond well to timid people. I can blend in, gain the trust and sympathy of those around me, including potential allies and unsuspecting targets. People are more likely to underestimate someone who seems shy and harmless."
"And then you take advantage of that? I take it you're going to also weave that into your hero work when you're able to?"
"In the world of heroes, where power and influence often determine success, I intend to level the playing field." Saki said. "I know it's a terrible thing to say, right after the Stain incident, but...some heroes need to be held accountable."
"I know we're supposed to be impartial during these interviews, but I can't help but agree with you there. Not all but...more heroes than there should be are wrapped up in the celebrity part than the helping part. Speaking of celebrity, you once had a career as an idol. If you had the chance to go back, things obviously changing for the better, how would you use that platform? How would you balance the hero life and the idol life?"
Saki frowned. "Not a pleasant experience, honestly. If I were hypothetically to go back...I'd make sure a lot of behind the scene faces get the justice they deserve."
"Sorry if that touched a sore spot. Just...needed to ask all of the questions," Jaune apologized.
"Yeah. This stuff is why I don't like to talk about what I went through." Saki said. "The idol life will never be my goal again. The only thing that I need to be...is clever enough to make it through this world."
"I see..." Jaune said, writing that down as well. Not a question, but it was important for the eval.
"Ok...last one. Your Quirk allows you to control others. How do you justify using this power to achieve your goals, and can you provide examples of situations where it has been particularly effective?" Saki's teacher read off.
"With infiltration and info gathering. People usually don't realize they're being controlled until it's too late." Saki said. "While I recognize the ethical concerns associated with using my quirk this way, I believe it's a necessary means to an end."
"And you're not worried about the public perception of that? Some people, no matter how many times you explain things, might bring up backlash."
"Like I said, necessary means to an end. They can bring up as many points as they want. If the concern's valid, I might try and tailor how I go about things, but if it's one of those people who just try to bait you into something, then I'll just pretend I didn't hear anything."
Jaune made a face. "Alright then...thank you for attending today's meeting."
"No problem," Saki nodded before getting up and leaving. Saki had to admit, even though the answers came pretty naturally, there was still that bit of anxiety that always came with interviews like this. Her way of dealing with it was just trying not to think about it too much.
Next to be interviewed was Inasa. Pyrrha had already set up everything she'd need for the interview in her own office. Not exactly as random as one might expect, but she thought it was ok. She tried to make her office approachable to the students should they ever need to just talk with her.
A loud boom knock came from the other side of the door. "Come in, Inasa." She said.
"Aww, what gave me away!?" He joked, as he opened the door a little bit too hard.
"Lucky guess," Pyrrha fibbed a little, "Please, take a seat."
Inasa sat down, and folded his hands. "I will be your best interviewee all day! I promise!" He said.
Pyrrha chuckled. "If you say so."
"Then let's get started! Fire away!"
"As energetic as ever," Pyrrha smiled before taking hold of the interview pack and reading off the first question, "You turned down admission to U.A. in favor of Shiketsu, despite being a fan of U.A. What motivated this decision, and how has your experience at Shiketsu lived up to your expectations?"
Inasa's smile nearly broke for a second. That caught Pyrrha off guard. "UA...I turned it down because I just had a feeling I wouldn't have the same opportunities there as I would here. And the kids didn't seem all that friendly."
"Really? I'm sure they were all fine kids. What gave you that impression?"
"...just the way a kid brushed me off. He had that look in eyes." Inasa elaborated.
"'That' look?"
"That look of...full work, no passion."
"But it was just one kid that soured you on the entire school?"
"...it was what was tied to him that bothered me." Inasa said.
Pyrrha looked confused, but didn't want to press further. "Fair...enough. But, Shiketsu."
"Oh Shiketsu's great! The teachers, the students, it's all amazing!" Inasa said, keeping the feelings short and concise. If he gave the full list, they'd be there for hours, even he admitted that.
Pyrrha made a face. "Was this everything you'd hoped it'd be?"
"Yeah, and so much more!" Inasa said. "Love this place."
"I see," Pyrrha hummed, writing down the response, "Ok, next up. How do you establish and maintain relationships with your peers at Shiketsu, given your enthusiastic personality and towering presence? Are there any close friendships you'd like to highlight?"
"I'm sorta like a magnet. I'm always the first one to strike up a conversation, whether it's about heroes or hobbies or whatever. I think I'm kinda Kumagawa's best friend! Guy's weird, but like, a fun weird."
"A fun weird, hm?" Pyrrha asked.
"Yeah! I know he kinda...puts himself down, but he's been a little different lately. Like he finally got a win. Outside of that though, he gets my jokes, has good taste in manga, you know, things like that."
"I see," Pyrrha said as she wrote down the answer. It seems Star's suggestion and collaboration with Nighteye worked like a charm.
"Alright, let's see. What are your goals and aspirations, both in terms of your personal growth and your role as a student at Shiketsu High? How do you plan to achieve them?" Pyrrha questioned.
"My goals? Hmmm. I guess being a hero in the top 10. Most of them are so high spirited and passionate! And it pumps me up to see ANY of them in action!" Inasa said. "I'd also like to graduate at the top of my class, and get a good partnership by the time I'm done!"
"Top 10 hm? Any of them?" Pyrrha asked.
"1 would be incredible, but I'd be happy with 5 or 6," Inasa explained.
"And you said partnership? You're looking for an official teamup when all's said and done?"
"Yeah! Doesn't matter if it's big or small. I'd be for whatever." Inasa grinned.
"Do you have any ideas for that team up? Preferences?"
"Anyone! Except..." Inasa frowned. "Except Endeavor."
"Endeavor?" Pyrrha asked. She'd worked with him once or twice, and he was unpleasant, but effective.
"Yeah...like I said before, all work, no passion. Just...taken to the extremes."
I guess that makes sense. Pyrrha thought. But I would've thought Endeavor would have been at the top of Inasa's list. Oh, well...
"Any others?" Inasa asked.
"No, that's everything," Pyrrha said, finishing off transcribing the final answer.
"Really?! Wow! That was short." Inasa joked. "Cool! I was stressed for nothing."
You were stressed? Pyrrha thought.
"Well, the interviews don't need to be the longest. Just thorough enough to where everything can be interpreted accurately," Pyrrha explained.
"Quality over quantity!"
"Exactly."
"Good saying for, well everything really! Thanks again, Mrs. Nikos!" Inasa beamed before leaving.
Pyrrha smiled, before he closed the door. Pyrrha paused to think. Endeavor's kid...he went to UA, right?
Was he the one person that Inasa quit over? A bit extreme, sure, but...
She might need to look into that one herself a little later.
Next up was the odd one out when it came to the interviewers, Gasmask. Unlike most of the other teachers, he didn't really like the idea of having the interviews be randomized in terms of location. All of his interviews took place in one of Shiketsu's chemistry labs. Ryuji wasn't really surprised by that choice, given the more hazardous and sometimes chemical-oriented missions Gasmask dealt with. He didn't really know much about the Pro, but he guessed that there was a love of chemistry hidden behind that expressionless mask. He was a few minutes early, but by the time he was walking to that lab, he saw someone walking out.
It was Akiko. She gave him a polite nod before going on her way. That just made Ryuji feel more anxious about this whole thing. Why was he getting interviewed by Gasmask when he had a feeling that the rest of his class was getting interviewed by Star, Mr. Arc, or Mrs. Nikos. What made him special?
He walked in right as Gasmask was getting his stack of papers ready.
"Mr. Takahashi," Gasmask greeted before he took note of the time, "Please, come in. Appreciate the punctuality."
"Uh, t-thank you, sir," Ryuji said, walking in.
"Now," Gasmask flipped to the first official question, " Have there been mentors or individuals who have played a significant role in shaping your strategic abilities? How have their guidance and support impacted your development?"
"I...I've never had a mentor, actually. Everything I come up with in battle comes from books I've read. Combat training guides, hero training books, etc. I'm self taught."
"Self taught? Given what I've heard, that's certainly impressive. Could you name any of those books? If they're not in the curriculum already, I might make a suggestion to include them."
"Uhhh...the last one I read was Mirko's Guide for Stronger Legs, but I'm sure it was ghost written. There were also some old books from these old karate heroes in the days of vigilantes, but their names were lost." Ryuji said. "That one did influence me a lot."
"Interesting. Something of a fan of the older books myself, but that's neither here nor there," Gasmask said, stopping himself from going on a bit of a tangent. The next question was definitely interesting. He'd only heard some hearsay about it, about Gang Orca's takedown of Froggie Mercury, stupid name if you asked him. This made him interested in reading the full report. This could prove very interesting.
"Without delving into specific details, you mentioned witnessing someone laying down their life for you. How has this incident affected you, and in what ways does it continue to influence your thoughts and actions?" Gasmask inquired.
"...I thought he was gonna die because of me." Ryuji admitted. "It was a lot to process. One second, he's behind me, the next he's on the ground and giving all these death flags. It...filled me with dread. Why are heroes the ones that have to go through this? I know what I signed up for, but...I don't think the citizens we're protecting will ever understand."
"And why's that?"
"We live in two totally different spheres of influences. The people are the reactors...and we're the spark to the reaction. They'll see the end results, but never the sacrifices we make." Ryuji said. "Looking at me, would you assume I chose this life? Or that I have up normalcy for something like this?"
"Interesting viewpoint," Gasmask mutters as he rights that down, not answering Ryuji's question, "Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations as a student at Shiketsu High and in the hero world, especially considering your strategic expertise and the incident that has shaped you?"
"I want to...be able to do what I want." Ryuji said. "It's hard for me to fit in sometimes. Everyone else is so overpowered and flashy..."
"Do what you want, eh?" Gasmask raised a brow at that behind his mask. That caught his attention even more. He was sounding more and more like a promising candidate. He didn't even need to ask the unofficial question with that response.
"Yeah. Just...I feel so judged sometimes. Because of my basic power. I know it's not true, but..." Ryuji huffed.
"That's how a lot of people have felt, ever since the advent of Quirks. Even back before they were called Quirks," Gasmask explained.
"...really?" Ryuji asked, interested. He'd never heard about this before.
"Ah, it's...it's nothing to worry about for now," Gasmask said, casting the verbal hook and hoping Ryuji would take the bait.
Ryuji made a face. "I'll...have to read up on it."
Hooked him.
"Good," Gasmask nodded. He wasn't going to throw the book at the kid yet, literally here, since that book was Destro's auto-biography. Let the kid do some of his own research. If it goes anywhere, he might buy the book on his own.
Ryuji cleared his throat. "Are there...any other questions to be asked?"
"No, no, that was it. Sorry. Just needed to write down the last of it."
"Uh...alright." Ryuji felt a little strange, but brushed it off. "Thank you, sir."
"Have a good day," Gasmask said, as Ryuji got up and left. He waited a few seconds, and then pulled out his phone to text someone.
Got one.
Today was a good day for potential recruits it seemed. He wrote down Ryuji's name on a separate sheet of paper, the latest in a list, and he added another tally to the count.
This was going well.
Second interview for Jaune rolled around, right after a rather special event that took Star some time to get set up. Sure it was in the middle of exams, but with most of the normal academics done and only the interviews left, she thought, why not? Another one of America's Pro Heroes, Cow Lady, had come over to give a guest lecture about international hero work. Was it a bit early to have something like this taught to the students? Maybe, but in Star's mind, it was better to learn the basics now than in the field. The usual rules applied there: the Hero of the host country had authority, and the laws of that country were paramount when it came to dealing with missions.
After the lecture was over, Mogana took a deep breath and made her way to the assigned interview spot.
Mogana slapped the sides of her head. "You're going to be great at talking. You're going to pass talking, which is a totally normal and achievable goal."
Did her little pep talk help? Hopefully. One way to know for sure.
Mogana knocked on the door. "Come in!" Jaune said, and Mogana entered.
...she looked so unexpectedly nervous.
"Are you feeling alright?" the teacher asked.
"Fine. Totally fine," Mogana lied, but trying to keep her composure as professional as possible.
"Might not be a counselor myself, but still. None of the other students will hear anything you say here. The staff can keep it all in confidence."
"I'm...I'm sure they can. Just...ok. Ok, give me a minute," the swim ace admitted, taking a few deep breaths to prepare herself. Giving her those extra few minutes to really relax and prepare did wonders for her. She was still incredibly nervous, but at least now she could be more honest with her answers.
"Ok, first question then," Jaune said, clicking his pen and flipping to the first page, "You have a strong attachment to money due to your past experiences. Can you elaborate on how your childhood shaped your perspective on wealth, and how do you justify risking your life for it?"
Wow...just starting off with that one? Thought they'd ease into it, Jaune thought to himself.
"Money makes the world go round. It controls happiness, living quality, life and death. After my dad left my mom...I kinda learned how important that was." Mogana said. "My dad thought we were 'dragging him down'. He was a frugal guy. I think he left because he didn't want to waste any more expenses on us."
Jaune made sure to write that down. He'd heard of some bad parents before, a certain icy friend's biological father came to mind, but outright leaving because you didn't want to pay for your child's support? That just made him want to punch the bastard.
"I...I see," Jaune said, "And...that belief on money being the driving force, that's how you can justify your more...let's call them reckless decisions?"
"Yes. Caution doesn't always net you the win. Sometimes, you just have to risk it all. Like gambling in that regard. Raise the stakes, win big, you could say."
Jaune frowned. Poor kid. No wonder she worked so hard- I guess that scholarship of hers is the only way she could get into Shiketsu.
"Granted...someone already talked to me about how damaging such a mindset can be."
"Who?" Jaune asked.
"I need to name her?"
"Medaka?"
"Medaka. During that club meet, if you were curious."
"Medaka's got a way of...inserting herself into these kinds of things. She means well, of course." Jaune said.
"You forget she's the one that set up that club meet in the first place. Technically at my request but...it's a whole story. Not really relevant to the interview."
Parts of it definitely are, Jaune thought, writing down the Medaka mentions.
"Alright, let's see..." Jaune nearly froze when he saw the next one, especially after that first answer. It might strike a nerve with her.
"Ok... Have there been instances where you had to make significant personal sacrifices or face difficult choices due to your financial pursuits? How did these decisions affect your relationships with friends and colleagues?" the teacher inquired.
"Plenty. Millions, even. I've had to give up everything for a job to support my mom after she got sick. I could have lived selflessly, but I don't think I could live with myself if I sat back and relaxed while someone else suffered." Mogana explained.
That...says so much about your character, Jaune thought.
"Work is everything. There's no life beyond it." Mogana frowned.
"You truly believe that?"
"I know it sounds pretty nihilist, but...I feel like if I stop working, I'll collapse. And then...I won't know what to do." Mogana said. "I've been in this mindset since...I dunno. 5 years ago?"
Jaune wrote that part down and underlined it. She's so ingrained in her mindset, that without it she might actually collapse. There was being a workaholic and then there was that.
Mogana sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if coming here was a mistake. My mom's home alone, all by herself..."
"Do...you have someone else to watch her? A family friend? A caretaker?"
"No one's willing to do it for free." Mogana said. "I want to do it...myself."
"No one at all?"
"Believe me, I tried asking. Schedules were either too busy or they wanted compensation."
"Jeez...I'm sorry to hear that." Jaune said.
"It's...it's just a lot." Mogana sighed. "I...don't want to talk about it anymore. Is the interview almost over?"
"Actually, yeah, that...that should be everything."
Mogana took a deep breath. "Thank you, Mr. Arc." She stood up, and left.
Jaune rubbed his face and sighed. All the more reason to get these kids in an internship.
Zenkichi looked at his phone again, just to make sure he remembered the time correctly. 12:30. Not exactly the best time, but not the worst. He finished up the last of his lunch before making his way out to the assigned meet-up spot.
"Am I early, or is she late?" Zenkichi wondered.
"You're early, but only by a minute or two," Pyrrha smirked, walking up behind Zenkichi, stack of paper and pen in hand for the interview.
"Mrs. Nikos. Thank you for taking time out to meet with me." Zenkichi said, showing gratitude.
"Taking time out?" Pyrrha chuckled. "This is my job. No need to be so polite!"
"Still feels like I should, given the interview and all."
"Nervous about it?" Pyrrha asked.
"Think everyone is. Some more so than others, I bet."
"Ah, everyone's been fine so far. You've got nothing to worry about." Pyrrha said, opening the door.
"If you say so," Zenkichi said, taking a deep breath before taking a seat.
"Now, let's begin. How do you perceive yourself in relation to your peers at Shiketsu High, especially given your interactions with Medaka and your unique qualities?"
"Unique qualities? What, the fact I get along with everyone?" Zenkichi said. "...with most people. Sorry, should have corrected myself."
"That's part of it, yes. The others are your incredible amount of patience and your ability to read people, know what they're thinking," Pyrrha explained.
"I honestly picked it up because of Medaka. The girl can be a handful." Zenkichi huffed. "Not all people are born the same. Some people need some help, more than others."
"And Medaka's influenced quite a few of your actions? Not all, but you've known her long enough that she's rubbed off on you, for lack of a better term?"
"I was...the one to sort of save her when she needed it." Zenkichi said. "Long story, but she's taken my words to heart."
"You saved her?" Pyrrha blinked, rather surprised by that. Quite the turn of the tables.
"Like I said, long story. Probably not really relevant to the interview," Zenkichi shrugged.
"Right, right." Pyrrha said, looking down at the next question. "You have a reputation for getting along well with even the most difficult individuals. What strategies or qualities do you think enable you to build rapport with such people?"
"Like I said. Everyone is built differently." Zenkichi said. "I could easily get in their heads with my quirk and figure out what makes them tick, but that's too cheap. I want the hard route."
"The hard route...interesting way of putting it."
"Quirks aren't everything. No one can really pass by because of it alone." Zenkichi said. "I'm pretty much...just a normal guy if you remove my quirk."
"I see..." Pyrrha wrote that down, along with a few notes of her own there, "How have the challenges you've faced at Shiketsu High contributed to your personal growth and your ability to fulfill your duties as a member of the Student Council?"
"Reaching out...is the most important thing a person can do." Zenkichi said. "Whether big or small."
"On that, we can both agree," Pyrrha nodded, writing that down. She knew she should be impartial in an interview like this, but hearing that just reminded her of so many people. Jaune, Nora, Ren, herself. It was honestly hard not to make a remark about it. She wrote it down along with a few positive notes that she had to preface were purely her opinion.
"Medaka's suggestion box has kind of...officialized the process a bit, but it's still a good idea. Shows people that we care. Finding that missing dog and getting the club meet set up proved that we'd actually get it done, no matter the request. People know we're serious now so they'll be able to open up and ask for help with a bit more confidence. Most of the obstacles so far have been related to that, actually."
"They have?"
"Mhm. Some student councils can be a bit...disconnected, I guess. But with the suggestion box, well, let's put it this way. Seeing the different issues submitted for us to help with...helps out with understanding the other students here."
"I see," Pyrrha nodded, "Now...let's talk about the future."
"The future?"
"Yes," the Invincible Girl cleared her throat before reading off the last question for his interview, " Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals, both personally and in your role within the school or beyond?"
"Looking ahead..." Zenkichi hummed. "I dunno. The present's always gonna take that hard right turn somewhere. Tomorrow could be our last day at Shiketsu due to some crazy accident, or it could just be a boring day of work. Regardless, I wanna be there to help. In any way I can."
"Nothing more detailed? Nothing like...say what rank you'd like to take as a hero?"
"Ranks don't really mean much to me. Not with Medaka shattering every glass ceiling she's encountered. I legit think she has a shot at being the next number one." Zenkichi said.
"She does make a good contender, I'd say," Pyrrha nodded and wrote down the last part of the interview, along with just a few more personal notes, "Alright. That should be everything."
"Wow. That was...fast." Zenkichi said. "Are you sure this is an exam? Feels more like a mental health check."
Pyrrha shrugged. "Two for one?"
"Eh, guess they don't really have to be that long," Zenkichi shrugged, "If that's all then."
"Free to go," Pyrrha confirmed.
"Thanks." Zenkichi said, heading out of the room.
Pyrrha wrote a few things down. It's so strange. It's like I'm seeing myself and Jaune, but in...different lenses.
Zenkichi was making his way back to the dorms from the interview, when he saw someone else making their way down the hall. Medaka was heading to her interview early. She had about ten or so minutes before she actually had to be there, but it was better early than never as she liked to say.
"Oh! Zenkichi! There you are. How'd it go?" Medaka asked.
"Alright, I think. Just seemed a bit short," Zenkichi answered.
"That's good to hear." Medaka said.
"A lot of the questions are pretty basic. Honesty feels more like a check in than an exam." Zenkichi said.
"Well, I suppose the school would want to check in with us after some of the things we've been through." Medaka hummed. "Especially after the Stain incident."
"Although we weren't really involved in it."
"It's also possible that this has to do with Stain's video as well," Medaka suggested, "See if anyone's been influenced by the rhetoric."
"Yeah. I did meet one of the kids involved in it." Zenkichi said. "Nice kid. He went to UA."
"Establishing relations, are we?" Medaka teased.
"Dunno if I'll ever see him again, honestly. He was...the engine guy. From the finals." Zenkichi said. "Had to act like I didn't know him to look cool."
"Oh! You mean one of the Ingeniums?"
"The Ingenium, from the sounds of it." Zenkichi said. "He's so young to be taking on the role."
"Maybe. But...I have a feeling he'll wear that mantle proudly soon enough."
"You always have that feeling about someone." Zenkichi joked.
"I see the bright side."
"Yeah. You do." Zenkichi chuckled.
"Anyways, I mustn't keep Professor Arc waiting any further." Medaka said. "See you after my interview?"
"Yeah. I'll be back at the dorms. See you then." Zenkichi said.
"See you then!"
Jaune was still setting things up for the interview when the door opened.
"I'm here!" Medaka announced.
"FIgured you'd be early," Jaune said. "Take a seat. I'll be with you in a moment."
"Of course," Medaka nodded and did so, patiently waiting for Jaune to be ready.
After a few more moments, Jaune was ready. "Okay, okay...let's see. First question. How do you perceive yourself in relation to others at Shiketsu High? Do you think your skills and talents set you apart from your peers, or do you believe everyone has untapped potential like yours?"
"Everyone has a wonderful ability- the ability to try and grow. I perceive myself as someone who, for now, has completed that growth. Trying is all I can really do now..." Medaka hummed. "So, I can 'try' to help everyone I see needs it."
"Completed? I'm not just talking about the growth of your Quirk, powerful as it is."
"I'm aware."
"You...think you've already gotten strong enough?" Jaune asked. "You're still very young, and learning."
"Yes, but...I know I'll get the top ranks. But I don't want to be there by power. " Medaka said. "I want to get there because of who I am. Not what I am."
"So the strength of your Quirk-"
"Is completely secondary, yes."
"That actually...leads into the next question," Jaune said after writing down the response, "You see your enemies as more like friends than allies. Can you explain this perspective further? How does it influence your interactions with people who oppose you or have different goals?"
"All enemies are people who have lost something, aren't they? I want to redirect them to the path that leads to the best version of them. Heroes shouldn't just defeat- they should rehabilitate." Medaka said.
"And...hating to sound pessimistic, but what do you do if that's impossible? What if that person is too far gone?"
Medaka's smile faded. "...then what's done must be done."
Jaune grimaced. "Of course." He decided it was best to move onto the next question. "You mentioned that without others to define you, you feel like a powerful woman without purpose, happiness, or orientation. How do you maintain a sense of purpose in your life beyond helping others?"
"I-" Medaka began, carrying on with her usual confidence before she paused. Her smile faded a bit and she stopped to think. A sense of purpose beyond helping others. Everything she did was to help others. She'd never stopped to think about that...ever.
"I...I don't...I don't know," Medaka finally answered, her tone and expression not lost on Jaune, a mix of confusion with a hint of dread maybe.
Jaune decided it best to move on from the question. She seemed pretty uncomfortable with that idea in her mind. "You expressed a desire to see Shiketsu High full of flowers. Can you describe what this vision represents to you, and what steps you believe are necessary to achieve it?"
"...I want to know I made a difference somewhere." Medaka said.
"And those flowers would represent that."
"Yes. I...I know it might sound selfish, but I want to know that my efforts actually changed things for the better."
"Selfish? I don't think that's selfish at all."
"It shouldn't be. I want someone to one day see those flowers, learn why they were planted...and try to supersede my record." Medaka admitted. "It'd be a nice record to see beaten."
"You want to inspire others, even in the small ways."
"Yes."
"That's a good thing to want to do." Jaune smiled. "That's all for this interview. I have one more left..."
"I...I see. Thank you," Medaka said, getting up and bowing a bit. Her usual confidence was still seemingly shaken by that one question.
"No problem. Please, take the rest of the day to yourself." Jaune suggested. "Sorry if that question troubled you-"
"I just...don't feel like I'd have much meaning not helping people." Medaka said. "I was given this power for a good reason, wasn't I? It gets lonely at the top...and I want people there with me."
"I...I see," Jaune said. He wasn't quite ready for that last revelation, but he understood it. Medaka, being as strong as she claimed to be, outclassed her friends, out paced them. And what worse thing for a relationship than an obvious gap like that?
"...I get it." Jaune said. "A long time ago, Pyrrha was so much further ahead than I was. I was still a rookie, and she felt like she'd been fighting all her life. That distance felt impossible to reach...the power she exuded was something almost otherworldly. Yet, she still took the time to work with everyone...maybe she felt that same sort of fear you did."
"Mrs. Nikos...?" Medaka asked, a little surprised by that, "I...I didn't-"
"If you want, I could ask her to talk with you. Off the record, of course."
"I..." she sighed, "Thank you, Mr. Arc."
"Ok...last interview on my list," Star muttered to herself as she shuffled some papers around and put away the interview for Habataki Hyuga, another first year. She didn't actually know who the last one was yet, just putting her focus on the immediate future. When she read that last name though, she wasn't exactly brimming with confidence. It was Satou. Satou...he hadn't been seen for a while, skipping out on every single class as of late.
Would he even show up to this?
To her elation, the door opened, and a very tired looking Sato stumbled through the door. "Mmph." Satou said, not really showing Star some respect. She didn't demand it, but still. She'd like the courtesy of a greeting.
"Long time no see, Mr. Satou." Star said. "How are you?"
"Tired. Let's get this over with. I want to at least pass THIS exam." Satou said.
"Alright then," Star said, "First up. Satou, your lack of enthusiasm and minimal effort in the Hero Course are notable. Can you explain your reasons for being in the course and your overall attitude toward hero work and training?"
Cutting right to it with this one, aren't we? Star thought.
"I was forced to be into it. I don't like being here. And I just wanna get out...but it's so hard to get kicked out, apparently. You guys don't care about grades here, do you? That's pretty weird." Satou said.
"It's...a unique curriculum, I'll grant you."
"Questionable, more like." Satou said.
"How do you interact with your classmates, considering your disengagement from class and hero activities?"
"I don't."
"You just...ignore them, then?"
"One of the only times we interacted, they tried to intrude on my personal life. Didn't like it." Satou said.
"They pried a bit too much into something, is that it?"
"...sure."
Star looked down at the last question on the page. "You've been absent from class for weeks but showed up for the final. What has led to your absenteeism, and what motivated you to return for the final exam?"
Satou didn't answer immediately. These questions were supposed to be personal, sure, but that one just felt tailormade to get under his skin.
"Mr. Satou. Please. Answer." Star frowned. "This isn't looking good for you, you know."
"Didn't you hear me? I said I don't want to be here."
"Then why are you here?" Star snapped.
"...been asking myself the same thing lately."
Star frowned. "Normally, I'd want a kid like you out...but there's something here that makes you want to stay. What is it?"
"Dunno."
"Is there something preventing you from going home?"
"...I'm not answering that," Satou huffed and angrily started to leave.
And that was the end of interviews.