(Kenjiro's POV – First Person)
Aizawa's voice sliced through the leftover chaos like a paper-thin kunai.
"Internships. You've got your offers—now pick wisely."He dropped a stack of folders onto his desk like they weighed a ton."Those without nominations, you'll choose from a general list. Don't waste this opportunity."
From beside him, Midnight leaned against the podium, her red lips curled into a knowing smirk."Find an agency that fits. This isn't just about prestige—it's about growth. Real experience."
The room burst into chatter the second folders landed in our hands.
I flipped mine open.Pages. Dozens of them. Names of hero agencies, fancy logos, blurbs desperate to sell themselves.4,872 offers.
I groaned internally.Apparently, being the guy who nearly turned Bakugo into a mochi-sicle during the finals made me hot property. Who knew?
Across the room, Todoroki was staring at a name like it had personally insulted his mother.His fingers hovered over the line: Endeavor Agency.The temperature in the room dropped half a degree.
He didn't cross it out.
I filed that away for later.
The cafeteria was a madhouse of speculation.
"Mt. Lady, baby!" Mineta puffed out his chest like a budget peacock."Her combat style is—"
"You mean her assets," Tsuyu cut in flatly, tongue flicking out to steal a piece of his bread.
Mineta deflated."I—I can appreciate both!"
Mina was scowling at her folder."I got zero offers. Guess pros don't like acid-fueled chaos gremlins."
Kirishima frowned."That's weird. You made it to the second round!"
"Yeah, and Bakugo blew up the stadium. Logic doesn't apply."
Uraraka beamed."I'm interning with Gunhead! He specializes in close combat. I wanna be able to hold my own in a brawl."
She nudged Midoriya, who was muttering over his folder like he was deciphering ancient prophecy."Deku? You picked one yet?"
Midoriya jolted like someone hit his reset button."I-I'm still deciding! There's just so many—"
Bakugo slammed his tray down hard enough to rattle the table."SHUT THE HELL UP, NERD!"
Classic.
Then Mina turned to me."So, Mochi King—who's the lucky agency that gets to bask in your glory?"
I didn't even look up from my rice bowl."Endeavor Agency."
The whole table went silent.
"...Endeavor?" Kaminari's voice cracked."As in human furnace slash rage volcano Endeavor?"
"Yep."
Kirishima looked like I just kicked his puppy."Dude. Why?"
I leaned back, letting my chopsticks rest lazily across my bowl."His fire output is nuts. If I can adapt that level of heat into my Burning Mochi technique? I'll be unstoppable."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Todoroki drop his fork.Worth it.
The final bell rang, and people scattered like startled birds.
I was halfway to the gate when the hallway dimmed—not from the sun, but from the presence of a very skinny shadow.
All Might.Backlit like some kind of cryptid.
"Young Midoriya! A word, if you will!"
Midoriya turned paler than usual and followed him into an empty classroom.Uraraka hovered nearby, glancing around anxiously.
"Where's Iida?"
I shrugged."Left in a hurry. Probably trying to be efficient again."
But something twisted in my stomach.
Hosu.Stain.
I remembered bits and pieces from the anime—past season three is fuzzy, but the Hero Killer arc? Unforgettable.
Iida was walking right into it.
Moments later, Midoriya burst out of the classroom practically vibrating.
"I got an offer from someone who can help me with output! Gran Torino! He was All Might's teacher and—"
"Gran Torino?" I blinked."Isn't that a car?"
Uraraka smiled weakly."Sounds like a western. Still… I'm worried about Iida."
Midoriya's enthusiasm flickered, replaced with something far more grounded."Me too."
I stayed quiet.
Some people don't want to be saved until they're already broken.
Before we shipped out, Aizawa handed out our upgraded costumes like he was distributing groceries.
"No dying. Don't make me fill out forms."
That was the whole speech.
I mean, fair enough.
Before I could get far, I saw Midoriya and Uraraka catching Iida at the gate.
"Iida, if you're struggling, talk to us," Uraraka said gently.
"We're friends," Midoriya added, eyes wide, hopeful.
Iida smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes."Of course. Thank you."
Then he turned around and walked away—and his face changed.Hard. Angry. Determined.
Fake smiles.I'd know. I used them daily.
"Idiot," I muttered under my breath. "You're not fooling anyone."
The Endeavor Agency loomed like a fortress dipped in magma.
Steel walls. Sharp angles. The smell of ozone and smoke clinging to the air like it had a grudge.
Todoroki stood beside me in silence, watching the building like it might jump him.
"Why are you really here?" he asked, his voice low, almost robotic.
I smirked."Same reason as you. To get stronger."
He didn't reply.
The giant double doors hissed open, heat washing over us like a slap in the face.
And there he was.
Endeavor.Built like a tank, flame beard blazing, eyes that burned through people.
"Took you long enough," he growled."Get inside. Training starts now."
The heat intensified as I stepped over the threshold.
Sweat trickled down the back of my neck.My quirk stirred beneath my skin, reacting to the ambient temperature. The mochi in my bloodstream twitched—ready, eager, excited.
Good.
Let's see how far we can push this.
Time to turn up the heat.