Minato's POV
The late-night talk show studio had a different vibe than the earlier afternoon show – cozier, more relaxed, with a hint of playful mischief in the air. The host, the energetic and quick-witted Kenji Tanaka, greeted me with a boisterous handshake. My new album was still riding high, and this appearance was meant to be a more casual, fun promotion.
"Welcome, welcome, Minato Namikaze!" Kenji exclaimed, gesturing to the audience, who erupted in enthusiastic applause. "It's a pleasure to have you on 'Late Night Laughs'! We've heard your album, and 'LOVE' is, dare I say, perfect!"
I chuckled, taking my seat. "Thanks, Kenji-san. It's great to be here."
"So, Minato, your music is known for its heartfelt lyrics and powerful melodies. But we hear some rumors about you off-stage. Is it true you're quite the prankster among your friends?" Kenji leaned in conspiratorially, a playful glint in his eye.
"Prankster?" I feigned innocence. "Me? Never! I'm a pillar of responsibility."
"Oh, come on!" Kenji laughed. "Our sources tell us you once replaced your friends protein shake with a smoothie made entirely of spinach and broccoli. And he drank it!"
I couldn't help but crack a genuine smile. "Well, he does need his greens. It was for his health!" The audience chuckled.
"Alright, alright," Kenji conceded. "Next up, Minato, this is a burning question from your fans: What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten on a dare?"
I thought for a moment. Weirdest thing in this life or my previous one? I settled on a safe, albeit slightly gross, answer. "Oh, definitely durian fruit. My parents convinced me it was a delicacy. The smell alone almost knocked me out!" The audience groaned in comedic disgust.
"Fair enough!" Kenji exclaimed. "Moving on to something a little more serious, your song 'Hey Brother' was a massive hit. It touched so many people. Did you ever expect it to have such an impact?"
"Not on that scale, no," I admitted, my tone softening. "I wrote it as a message of solidarity, a reminder that we're all in this together, especially during tough times. To see it resonate so deeply, to hear stories of how it helped people find hope... that's the most rewarding part of my career."
"That's truly inspiring, Minato," Kenji said, nodding. "Now, I have to ask, with your incredible musical talent and your already massive global platform, what are your future plans? More albums? World tours? Or, as some of your fans speculate, will we see you on the hero scene eventually?"
This was it. The moment I had prepared for. I met Kenji's gaze, then looked directly into the camera, a quiet determination settling on my face.
"My music will always be a part of me," I began, my voice clear and steady. "And I'll continue to create and share messages of hope and unity through my songs. But there's another path calling to me, one where I can directly contribute to protecting those smiles I sing about."
I paused, letting the anticipation build. "I've been preparing for this for a while, and after much thought and training, I've decided."
A collective murmur went through the audience.
"I am going to apply for the U.A. University Hero Course."
A wave of gasps, exclamations, and then roaring applause erupted in the studio. Kenji Tanaka's eyes widened, a genuinely surprised smile breaking across his face. "You heard it here first, folks! Minato Namikaze, the global music sensation, is aiming for U.A.! That's huge news!"
He let the applause die down slightly before continuing, a mischievous glint back in his eye. "Well, Minato, before we let you go, we have one more treat for our audience. You're going to give us a live performance, aren't you?"
I nodded, picking up the acoustic guitar that had been placed beside me. "That's right. It's a song from my new album, 'LOVE.' It's called 'Perfect.'"
Kenji turned to the camera, his voice brimming with excitement. "You don't want to miss this, folks! A true exclusive! We'll be right back with Minato Namikaze performing 'Perfect' live!"
The commercial break began, and I adjusted the microphone, a quiet thrill running through me. The first step was taken. The announcement was made. The world would now watch as Minato Namikaze, the pop idol, began his journey to become a hero. And little did they know, he already was.
The studio lights came back up, bathing the stage in a soft, intimate glow. I was back, acoustic guitar in hand, a mic stand positioned in front of me. The energy from the earlier announcement still hummed in the air, a tangible excitement. This performance wasn't just about the music; it was about solidifying the image, the journey I was embarking on.
I took a deep breath, letting the familiar chords flow from my fingers. The opening notes of "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran filled the studio, warm and inviting.
I found a love for me
Oh darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
The audience was captivated. A few swayed gently, others had their phones out, recording. The quiet reverence was palpable. I poured everything into the lyrics, thinking of the blossoming feelings, the soft, sweet kiss on the cheek, and the electric touch on my lips just nights ago.
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
A collective "aww" rippled through the studio audience. Some fans in the front row exchanged knowing glances, a few whispered excitedly, "Is he singing about someone?!" My gaze remained steady, eyes closed for a moment, lost in the music.
Meanwhile, at Toga's Home (Toga's POV)
Himiko Toga was sprawled on her sofa, a bowl of popcorn forgotten beside her. Her eyes were glued to the television screen, her heart doing a frantic dance in her chest. Minato-kun was on TV. And he had just announced he was applying for the U.A. Hero Course! Her Minato-kun! A surge of immense pride washed over her.
Then, the break ended, and he was back, sitting there with his guitar. When the first familiar notes of "Perfect" filled her living room, her breath hitched.
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
Her cheeks immediately flushed a deep crimson. Is he... is he singing this for me? Her mind raced, remembering their date, the laughter, the subtle touches, and then... that kiss. A nervous flutter started in her stomach.
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
Toga instinctively pressed a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide. Her own memories of their shared past, of the strange, protective bond that had formed between them over the years, flashed through her mind. The way he'd always been there, a silent guardian. The way he accepted her. Could it be...?
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight
Her heart pounded. She remembered their slow dance at her birthday party, a spontaneous moment when someone had put on a slow song. And just last night, when she'd fussed about her hair before their date, he'd just smiled and told her she looked "great." Her face felt impossibly hot. She felt a profound warmth spread through her, a mix of overwhelming happiness and a touch of disbelief. He's... he's singing about me. She hugged a pillow tightly, a joyous sob catching in her throat.
Back at the Studio (Minato's POV)
I continued to sing, my voice soaring, putting all my emotions into the performance. The audience was visibly moved. Some had tears in their eyes, caught in the raw emotion of the song. Couples in the audience leaned into each other, a palpable sense of connection filling the studio.
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect tonight
The final chords faded, the last note hanging in the air before the studio erupted. The applause was deafening, a standing ovation from the audience. Kenji Tanaka looked genuinely touched. I stood, bowing deeply, a sense of quiet triumph swelling within me. The message was sent. To the world, and more importantly, to her.
The news broke like a thunderclap across the hero-obsessed nation. "Pop Sensation Minato Namikaze to Apply for U.A. Hero Course!" The headlines blared, social media exploded, and every news channel replayed the segment from "Late Night Laughs" on loop.
The public's reaction was, in a word, frenzied.
On the one hand, there was an enormous surge of excitement and admiration. My existing fanbase, already in the millions, went absolutely wild. Forums, fan pages, and social media feeds were overflowing with messages of support.
"OMG! Minato-kun is going to be a hero?! My heart can't take this!"
"He's already a hero through his music! Now he's going to save people directly! What a legend!"
"I knew it! Those dance moves were too powerful to just be for show!"
"This is the crossover event of the century! Music AND heroics? He's too perfect!"
"Imagine his hero costume! And his hero name! I'm screaming!"
However, a recurring question quickly dominated the conversation: "What even is his Quirk?"
"Wait, so... what is Minato's Quirk? I know he's super fast when he dances, but is that it?"
"Has anyone actually seen him use a Quirk? He's always just singing or doing acrobatics."
"If he has a Quirk, why hasn't it been revealed? Is he hiding it for the exam?"
"He's famous, but literally no one knows his Quirk. Is this some new hero strategy?"
"Maybe his Quirk is charisma? He definitely has that!"
Merchandise sales, already booming, skyrocketed even further. There were immediate calls for "Minato Hero" themed concerts and new songs about heroism. My agency was swamped with requests for interviews and endorsements, all clamoring to associate with this unprecedented career pivot.
However, not all reactions were positive. There was a significant undercurrent of skepticism and cynicism, particularly among older pro heroes and certain segments of the public who viewed heroism as a serious, grueling profession, not a side gig for a celebrity.
"A pop idol? Does he even know what he's getting into? Heroism isn't about looking good on camera."
"He'll probably just use it for publicity. U.A. shouldn't just let anyone in because they's famous."
"If he has a Quirk, why is it such a mystery? That's suspicious."
"This is just a celebrity stunt. He'll drop out once he realizes it's not all glamour shots and fan adoration."
"He'll never make it through the entrance exam. It's too tough for someone who spends all their time singing, especially if his Quirk is just 'being good at dancing'!"
There were also the more neutral, analytical takes from news commentators and hero analysts.
"This is an interesting development. Minato Namikaze has an undeniable platform. If he truly possesses the capabilities – and we still don't have clear information on his Quirk – his transition could inspire a new generation and bridge the gap between entertainment and heroism."
"U.A. is known for its rigorous selection process. It will be fascinating to see if Minato Namikaze can meet the demanding physical and academic requirements, especially with his unknown Quirk."
"His existing fame could be a double-edged sword. While it brings public support, it also brings immense scrutiny. Every action he takes will be amplified, and the mystery surrounding his Quirk will only intensify that."
For me, sitting at home and observing the whirlwind I had unleashed, it was all part of the plan. The diverse reactions were expected. The excitement fueled the narrative, and the skepticism, particularly about my "unknown" Quirk, provided the exact challenge I needed to overcome. It would make my eventual "success" at U.A. even more impactful.
The key was to manage expectations, both of the public and of U.A. itself. I needed to perform well enough to be undeniably qualified, but not so spectacularly that it revealed the full scope of my powers. It was a delicate balance, a tightly choreographed performance within a real-world stage.
My phone buzzed. It was a message from Toga. "Minato-kun! Did you see?! Everyone's talking about you! You're gonna be amazing!"
I smiled. The public's reaction was one thing, but hers, and the support of my closest friends, was what truly mattered. The U.A. entrance exam was looming, and I was more than ready for the next act.