Author's note:
I wrote this while on vacation.
It was the worst beach trip ever, too much effort
___
"About the hero work studies that are like a more serious version of the internships, where you go to agencies and help out pro heroes. We talked about that at the faculty meeting last week. And everyone, including the principle and student council..." Aizawa can see his class instantly snap their necks to the Kokotaim sitting at the back, the team were unfazed per usual.
"Thought you shouldn't do them."
.
.
.
"WHAT!?"
"After we had that big meeting about it?" Kirishima whines exasperatedly, the Kokotaim didn't spoke once about this when they asked how that meeting had gone. Why did they have that entire speech then ultimately decides that the Hero Course isn't cut out for it!?
"But, thinking about how we ended up in the dorms, I guess that makes sense..." Kaminari pouts, his hands fiddling with the fluff on Ojiro's tail. Not to mention, walking evidence of how badly they've messed up basically living with them and playing housekeeper.
"Serves you right!" Bakugou slams his table, still suffering from the hour-long speech he got from a guy who was playing video games and while not even looking at him.
"Just because you probably wouldn't be able to participate..." Hagakure awkwardly comments, they got back and Bakugou looked as if he got the soul sucked out of him.
"But some think we won't be able to raise capable heroes with our current policies, so we decided that only you first years are allowed to go to agencies with good track records of accepting work study students." He'll use the training regimes on them later, the Kokotaim already said that his kids are slow. It's better to let them work at their own pace with a lot of minor outside influence.
-
"You should be thankful to Boboiboy, even after you threatened his friends and family he didn't take away your chance to retake the exam." Todoroki had grown fond of the heroes, they are true to themselves and generally doesn't have an opinion on public image.
"Shut up." Bakugou snaps, but the Pomeranian is smart, he knows that Dumb Hat can and would've failed him if the brat isn't so damn nice. All of them are too nice, too unconditionally kind.
"We need to catch up as soon as possible." Nevermind Bakugou's attitude, Gopal's lecture must have done some pretty harsh damage if the blond is still so sour after an entire week.
"I said, shut up-" Boom boom boy saw him out the corner if his eyes and he couldn't believe it, the cause of his frustrations, standing right there waving at them innocently as if nothing happened.
-
"I don't mean to be rude, but is it necessary for you to come with us?" Midoriya sheepishly asks Fang who's coming along with them, he's going to meet Sir Nighteye with Mirio today. The third year is already here so is it really needed for a pro hero to come along as well?
"You're in the 'high-risk' group, also I got a bad feeling this morning" And strangely enough it's not with Boboiboy this time. Fang trusts his intuitions, when he feels that something bad is going to happen. He's correct all the time when it comes to the elemental master, it's weird that Bob isn't the cause of concern today.
"Ehhh? So you're doing this because you care, right?" Togata was skeptical of Fang's presence, because he heard that the boy is a total hermit and with his shadow quirk, thought he'd prefer to be inside. Also, the Kokotaim seem to not take their job all that seriously.
"Sure, why not." The shadow user sighs as they all step on the train, he's here because Gopal was on his bi-annual student council vice president duties, Yaya and Ying are working out the warehouse they planned on renting, apparently an investigation was happening there, and Boboiboy is already shipping off with Shoto and Katsuki.
Also there's a bakery nearby.
-
"I see. So you want to do a work study here in order to become stronger?" After the two done fanboying and Bubble Girl was released from the weird contraption. Mirio stood proudly, still basking in the afterglow of a first impression well-done, the man glanced at Fang who was standing with arms crossed behind him.
"Yes, sir! Please allow it!" Midoriya exclaims to which Fang in the back cringed, muttering a 'weirdo' under his breath.
"You have a contract from the school--"
"Of course, I brought it with me!" Broccoli boy exclaims and begin to rummage through his over-packed bag in frantic motions. Nighteye remained stoic.
"You will not interrupt me while I'm speaking."
"Y-Yes sir!" Midoriya continues to fumble and panic. The Shadow user sighs in exasperation, this meeting is taking longer than he expected. The bad feeling wasn't mass destruction or potential death, it was extremely awkward fawning and horrible office manners.
"Here." Fang calmly said, using a shadow hand to pull the piece of paper elegantly out before it gets wrinkled due to all the searching. Setting it flatly on the table and getting the stamp as well.
"Once my stamp is on this paper, the work study contract will become official." Nighteye stoically states, the panicked first year could only bow and yell another rather loud 'Yes sir!' while his friend let out a sigh.
"A hero work study is not like the week long internships of normal workplaces that you participate in casually. You must work here for at least a month, and of course you will be paid. As a first year who still have a lot of classes, you will also rack up a lot of absences, and you will not be able to continue on this path on the same level as your classmates."
"I understand that!" If that's what it takes to be a better hero then he will manage. The Kokotaim are bouncing between jobs, classes and yet still has time to mess around and participate in competitive events! Not to mention winning those competitions. "But... if I match my pace with everyone else, then I can't be at the top!"
With a dramatic look, Sir Nighteye holds up the stamp...
And missed the paper completely.
"...Um, you missed..." Izuku hesitantly points out, what is he doing? Is he accepted or not? Is this just a fluke?
"Because I don't feel like stamping it." Nighteye begins to continuously slamming his stamp up and down at his desk. "I understand the merits of working here for you. But what merit is there in me employing you? With two sidekicks and one work study student, this agency runs smoothly--"
"Alright, we're done here." Fang unceremoniously announce, the goal is to get a stamp on that paper right? With a raised hand, the shadow manipulator gracefully retrieves the contract and present it to everyone, a bright red stamp on it. "Get moving Izuku, it's an hour from here by train."
"Hey, you can't just do that kid!" Bubble Girl runs up and grabbed Fang as he was walking out the door. The boy jerks and slams her to the ground in one fluid motion to the woman's dismay.
"That wasn't very nice Fang, just let Sir finish talking first, right?" Mirio comes in, deciding that he can't take the already stamped contract away. While Bubble Girl slowly gets up from the harsh throw.
"So, what will I benefit from adding you? How can you contribute to society? How can you be useful to others? In order to be acknowledged, you must make those things clear." He stops the stamping. "All Might showed it with his power and humor. He gave hope to those who live in fear of crime. That's why he's acknowledged by the people."
"How I can contribute to society...?" Midoriya looks to Fang, who's still holding the contract in his hand. He has the option to leave now with his escort pro hero, with an official contract and to simply join his work study once it starts or to give Nighteye an answer that proves his worth.
"I was going to have you take this seal and stamp it yourself, but looks like your friend was one step ahead of me." Nighteye looks to the shadow user who was still standing with his back turned, that kid doesn't have a single funny bone in him. He stands up and walk forward to the boy, holding him briefly by the shoulder. "You're one strange child." Before anything, Nighteye decided he'd inspect this new enigma. How can a child be so daring as to take his seal and declare a departure so nonchalantly? The man contemplates as he waits for the choices to appear for him.
What greets him instead was a span of infinite darkness, the concept of time seemingly getting completely erased. He squints, trying to look further. While Midoriya couldn't help but feel uneasy at the glare he's having, looking to Mirio who could only shrug, he hasn't seen anything like this before. It took a moment of looking through nothing but shadows for the man to see them. Multiple pairs of crimson eyes looking back at him before one giant pair snaps him out of it and haul him back to reality.
Where he has a physical reaction of falling flat on his back. He looked into the void and it looked back, was it curiosity? Was it malice? What the hell was that anyways? What does this vision mean? He stares at the child who's now raising a brow at him, clearly confused as to why the man is on the floor.
"Sir! What happened?" Mirio rushes the hero, why is he so shaken? What did he do that enact such a violent reaction? As far as the blond was concerned, no one in the room moved, and he knows that Fang's quirk is physical, not psychological. Maybe. Midoriya has not given him all the research notes.
"Was the morning coffee inadequate?" Bubble Girl frantically gestures, Sir usually only shakes like this when he doesn't get the sufficient amount of caffeine. Did she put too much creamer? Or was it because she used a different ratio this time? He did say he wanted something new!
"Mr. Sasaki." Everyone goes wide-eyed at this, to which Fang tilts his head innocently and brush off the notion. His brother taught him that whenever he wants to leave a negotiation, in cases like Bagogo, to say that he doesn't really need what the seller is offering.
Sir Nighteye is having a mild existential crisis. What is this child talking about, what does this vision even mean? His visions are permanent! Aren't they? If they're not, then does that mean his fate isn't set in stone?
"I can talk to Boi and make him sign them up for our agency Right. Now." Fang points out the obvious, emphasizing on the last two words, holding the contract by both hands as if he's going to tear it, everything would be much easier for all parties involved if the team leader isn't so nice. "Unless you're still adamant about working with him."
"I haven't thought about that..." Midoriya muses, it was true. And the offer is tempting, although the agency has no knowledge of OFA, it certainly aren't going to take them long to figure out the basics considering the Kokotaim's prowess. And this will objectively make the team's job easier to have everybody in one place.
"W-wait! I wanted to bring Midoriya here for a reason! Maybe we still have something to offer him, after all its thanks to Sir that I was able to be as strong as I am now, right?" The young pro hero gave Togata a look up and down, then raised a brow. Mirio gulped nervously. Oh yeah, this kid has just beaten him in less than a second the other day.
This statement means that the current OFA successor only came to see him at all because he didn't think about more plausible options, how couldn't he see this coming? Is that kid messing with his quirk? No, if he was then there should've been nothing in his vision. If a child like that is qualified to mentor the successor then what is he even doing?
"Fang, your offer is very favorable. But I believe there's still things I can learn from him. Experience makes all the difference after all." Izuku states. Going with the Kokotaim will be far more interesting but the man was still All Might's sidekick, and he believes that there are plenty of things he doesn't know. He looks expectantly to see the young pro's reaction to his rejection.
"Cool." And with that, he shoves the paper neatly back into Izuku's backpack and strap it back on it's owner by a shadow hand, simultaneously opening the door as well. With a hand wrapped around broccoli boy's wrist, he promptly leaves dragging his classmate behind him. "You can come if you want Mirio."
-
=Wednesday; 07:30am=
"...Keep in contact at all times, and that should be it." Ying said from the other line, they're kind of busy nowadays because classes are starting up. Something blows up in the background and Izuku couldn't help but flinch. They're on a mission of sorts and had to leave for the airport early. "See you!"
"That's it, I guess..." Izuku repeats, the call has been cut off abruptly. He's going on a patrol at Sir Nighteye's agency today and was perplexed when he realized that none of the Kokotaim will be with him for the day. Ying's phone call right now is his only evidence to the fact that the team is keeping an eye on him.
"We'll split into two groups with me and Bubble Girl, Mirio will go with Midoriya." The man said as he gets the information report, he wanted to see that Fang kid again to confirm his doubts. "Shie Hassaikai is a small designated villain group. Its young head... in other words, the number two, Chisaki, has started showing strange signs." Sir pushes up his glasses showing the kid a photo of their target. "The plague mask is his trademark."
"But... designated villain groups are under police surveillance, so they usually seem pretty obedient." Midoriya mutters, the mask thing is freaky though. Does it help with his quirk or something? If not then wouldn't a gas mask work better than a plague mask?
"It's because there was a big break up in the past, but this Chisaki guy is starting to gather them again for some reason. Recently, he even made contact with the League of Villains. The details are unclear though." Bubble Girl explains briefly, it really doesn't help that the landlord has already start to rent out the property before the murder happened, having no idea that the League was meeting up there.
"But we haven't been able to get any proof that he's planning anything criminal. Because of that, the Hassaikai is a gray close to black, and we cannot treat them like villains." Nighteye elaborated. Although, they are so close no one has enough solid evidence. On another planet, a porcupine sneezed. "What we're after is their tail. Be careful not to let them notice anything."
-
=Wednesday; 08:30=
"I-I'm nervous." This is the first time he's going on a complete patrol, his last one was cancelled by the Hero Killer and a trip to the hospital. Everyone on the streets recognized him as 'that kid who broke his own bones and loss' at the sports festival.
"You must've gone on patrol at your internship right?" Mirio asks rhetorically, this is the first time he sees this kid without a pro hero watching their every move. "Oh, was the League of Villains' attack too traumatic?" The last time he saw Fang they were getting donuts together, the hero favor carrots a lot it seems.
"No, but for various reasons, I wasn't able to experience the basics..."Midoriya looks away. Now that he thinks about it, maybe he should ask Aizawa-sensei to address that, for Iida and Todoroki too. But Todoroki's busy with remedial lessons already.
"Really? That's strange, right?" Togata smiles. "But don't worry! Sir and Bubble Girl are the ones actually watching the target today. We're just on patrol! I'll teach you a bunch of stuff. Just stick with me!" He is unsure of what 'stuff' is exactly, but made enthusiastic arm gestures nonetheless. "Now that I think about it, we haven't told eachother our hero names, huh?"
"T-that's true, I'm Deku." Midoriya said, to this Mirio gave him a questioning look, seriously? And rhetorically ask if he's seriously okay with that. To which he replied that he is content with that silly name.
"I'm Lemillion. I don't have to save everyone, but one million... not all but at least million. That's what I chose to do, so that's why I chose Lemillion!" Togata said with a determined expression. "Once we put on our costumes and go out into the streets, we're heroes. Don't let your guard down, Deku-kun."
"I won't, Lemillion!" Izuku confirmed with lights in his eyes. Mirio's hero name holds a much more noble reasoning than 'Deku' because the first year chose that name due to the fact that a girl told him to do it.
The little girl's feet patters against cold concrete, paired with desperate gasps for air, she rushes to the road in broad daylight and painfully crashes into Midoriya. Falling harshly on the ground, looking up at the hero in training with shaky eyes.
"Sorry, that must've hurt." Izuku crouches down to eye-level, a toddler just bumped into him. "Can you stand? Are you okay?" He switches to picking her up by the shoulders instead, then he feels the shaking intensified.
"Now you know, you can't go around causing trouble for the heroes." Chisaki scolds lightly as he walks out from the alleyway. "I'm sorry about my daughter, hero." The small girl turns to look at him whilst grasping tightly to Deku. "She likes to play around a lot and keeps getting hurt. I don't know what to do with her"
"Your hood came off again." Mirio flips the rabbit hood back on Izuku's head, the first year was being too obvious. "Maybe the sizing's off?" Lemillion tilted his head instead of winking, hoping the newbie gets it. "We're sorry too, for bumping into her." Just act normal.
Izuku looked up with a bewildered expression, realization dawning on his face. He was showing a 'no way' expression, if he invokes suspicion then all of Nighteye's plans will be thrown right out the window.
"With that lovely mask, you must be from Hassaikai, right?" Mirio continues, just pretend they don't have any suspicions and all they know is that he's from a group. "You guys are famous around here." keep the conversation casual for now.
"Yes, don't worry about the mask. I'm sensitive to filth." These two seems young, not much of a threat but you can never be too careful with these types of disease. "It's my first time seeing you heroes."
"Right! We're still new, so we're pretty nervous. Now, stand up, partner! Let's head towards a future we haven't seen yet!" Togata scratches the back of his head, feigning naivety. That guy's obviously on guard, they can't tell him which agency they come from.
"What agency do you belong to?" These kids can either actually new to hero work or trying not to raise suspicion on themselves. Either way, he needs that brat back.
"We're students!" The third year whips his hands in exaggeration, the kind of behavior that new people tend to display before the trauma kicks in. "We're still so new that it would be presumptuous to identify with an agency. We're just gaining some experience in different places for our internships." This statement is true for many interns. "Anyway, we need to finish patrol by lunch. Let's go!"
"Right!" Deku was about to stand up, but the girl's grip tightens and she whispers a barely audible 'Don't go' with tears at the edge of her big eyes. "U-Um... your daughter seem scared..." He wanted to follow Lemillion's lead but she hasn't let go, that should be a valid excuse for later.
"It's because she just got a scolding." Chisaki narrows his eyes, this child has to be disinfected once they get back. Children are so troublesome, it's even worse that she ran to heroes this time.
"Let's go." Stop raising suspicions Midoriya, I want to help her too but there's nothing we can do right now.
"Wait, but..." He gets the implications behind senpai's words. But this girl grabbed him and won't let go... "Her bandages don't seem like they're from playing too much..." It's his tone or the words he chose, whatever it is, it was wrong. The child grip grows harsher.
"She falls a lot." That's a proper excuse, children do that.
"I don't think that's normal..." For a child to be trembling this much without making a sound, this man is lying through his teeth.
"Please don't force your concept of 'normal' on other people's families." This troublesome brat.
"Everyone has different dispositions, right?" Togata asks in his usual tone. Stop it, Chisaki visibly doesn't want you meddling, if he gets even more cautious, we'll have no chance. Let it go for now, wait, then he'll get even more guarded. Then again, a hero wouldn't let a scared child go.
"What are you doing to this girl?" Midoriya places a hand onto her head, holding her tightly as the child hid herself in his chest. Still shaking in fear as a tense silence fall on them.
"Jeez, heroes are so sensitive to the subtle signs in people, huh?" Chisaki sighs in faked exasperation. "Very well. People are watching here, so will you come this way with me." So troublesome, he thought as he leads them into the alley. "Actually, recently, I've had a lot of problems with Eri. She just keeps defying me no matter what I say."
"Parenting huh? It must hard." The yellow visors hide most of his features, making his smile glow brighter.
"Yes, children are hard to understand." Chisaki flips his hand, children are indeed confusing. "They feel like they can and will become someone." He goes on, a finger pulling off his left glove.
"They seriously think that..." Eri flinches in Deku's arms at his tone. And quickly clambers off of him after she realized what he was going to do to these heroes, she then hastily runs back to his side. "What, done with your tantrum already?" the girl only nods once.
"Huh, uhm Eri-chan..." Izuku was surprised by this sudden turn of events, so- not abuse? What?
"She's always like this." It would've been so much easier if she didn't run away at all. "I'm sorry you had to listen to my problems too. Sorry for the trouble." It was dismissive and insincere. "Well, do your best at work."
"Wait--" Deku was going to follow but Lemillion stops him. "Why..."
"We're not following them. Didn't you notice? He showed his killing intent to pull that girl back to him." It was obvious manipulation, she's definitely being abused. He wants to save her too, but they have to count their losses. "If we chase him too far it'll be even harder to catch him. Let's ask Sir what to do."
-
"Young people these days are sicker than ever." Chisaki grumbles, his subordinate carrying Eri right behind him. The halls reeks with the intense aroma of bleach. "Chrono, prepare the bath."
"Yes, sir." The subordinate, Chrono replied accordingly.
"I-I'm sorry, boss! I just took my eyes off her for a second, and that kid escap--" the mortified employee fruitlessly tries to excuse himself. The boss only held out a hand and in one move the employee is nothing but a splatter of crimson on the sterile walls.
"And clean that up." The man steps begin to take more force, Chrono replied with another 'Yes, sir'. While Eri cover her ears, eyes shut tight, unwilling to see what's left of her 'guard' unshed tears sparkle on her lashes. "This is maddening...They're all sick with the hero syndrome."
Chisaki knows that the heroes are sick, but what he doesn't know about. Is that there are tiny-almost ghostly ants, crawling all over his facilities and attaching themselves into any room or person they find as per their master's orders. Making use of the artificial lighting.
___
End notes:
Post when ch15 is finished.