….
The morning after the results were announced, Jin-Ho sat quietly in his apartment, staring at the plain white envelope bearing the Hero Public Safety Commission seal.
He had passed - officially.
That part was easy.
What came next wasn't.
Giran true to his word, the fixer had compiled everything Jin-Ho needed, application templates, academy contact information, staff directories, even insider notes about what each school valued in their support staff.
All the major ones to start.
"U.A. High School, Shiketsu High School, Ketsubutsu Academy, Isamu Academy, Seiai Academy..."
He scrolled down. "And a few smaller regional schools as backup."
Giran was right, U.A. is definitely going to be a long shot. They are the most prestigious academy in Japan, which means they get the pick of candidates. But the application process costs nothing except time, so there's no reason not to try
Still, the risk gnawed at him.
His paperwork, every piece of ID, every record of his existence is fake - and if Principal Nezu himself took interest in the background check, he was done for.
The mouse was said to have an IQ that could make calculations on par with a computer.
But Giarn was clear about one thing… in the worst case his application will be rejected, and that's all, they can't prove his documents were fake.
So yeah the risk… is there but not enough to be a 'threat' to his life?
But one more question popped at him–
Teaching? It definitely wasn't something he had ever planned for.
Now that he realised, he really was just going with the flow.
Well, it is too late, He scratched his head as already applied.
The process that followed was surprisingly swift.
He was contacted for an evaluation interview within a week.
The panel included a commission official, a staff member from the Education Bureau, and one small, sharp-eyed creature - Principal Nezu.
The mouse-dog hybrid perched on his chair, legs crossed, a cup of tea steaming beside him.
"Well now…
"A civilian applicant passing the Provisional License exam… I must commend, that's quite extraordinary, Mr. Yoo. You don't see that every day."
Jin-Ho cleared his throat reciting the script he prepared. "Yes, it wasn't easy. I hope others in the future will be fortunate enough to do the same, or better yet, that the process becomes less painful for them."
He emphasized that part for a reason.
Jin-Ho wasn't just thinking about Toya and Jin - he knew more people would join him eventually. And he wanted all of them to have the license, the freedom to use their powers safely.
Toya was still young; guiding him through a hero course could give him a normal path.
Twice, however, was already twenty-two. Helping him would require pulling strings, using influence.
Again, going Pro was the first step.
"Indeed. Our country needs as many capable heroes as possible." Nezu replied with a polite smile. "Still, I have found that those with true capability often create their own paths - as you have."
The silence that followed lingered a moment too long. Jin-Ho held his gaze and said quietly. "That can't be used as an excuse."
Nezu hummed, studying him, then finally nodded. "Understandable. Your demonstration was… elegant. You didn't rely on theatrics, or blame any misfortune - that's rare these days. I will admit, you intrigue me."
That was it.
Just a simple, unnerving interest.
….
Two weeks later, a sealed letter arrived - official, stamped, and real this time:
===
U.A. High School Acceptance Notice
Date: November 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Official Acceptance: Faculty Appointment
Congratulations! We are pleased to confirm your acceptance of the faculty position at U.A. High School.
| Position: Assistant Instructor
| Initial Term: 3-Month Trial
A complete contract and orientation packet will follow shortly. Welcome to U.A. High.
====
….
The first day came faster than expected.
Within a week, Jin-Ho arrived in the U.A. 's campus two hours before his scheduled meeting, using the extra time to familiarize himself with the layout.
The school was massive, far larger than it appeared in photos.
Multiple buildings, training grounds, simulation facilities. It was less a school and more a small military installation disguised as educational infrastructure.
Jin-Ho continued casually.
Honestly, he wasn't used to being inside a system like this, surrounded by professional heroes acting as faculty and students training to become the next generation of Heroes.
He wondered why there wasn't such a system back in his world.
As he reached the end of the hall near the staff room, the location of the meeting - a man materialized from seemingly nowhere, leaning against the wall with the casual posture.
Black hair pulled into a messy half-tie.
A worn scarf wrapped loosely around his neck, and eyes that looked perpetually exhausted but somehow sharp, assessing Jin-Ho.
"You must be the new one."
"Yoo Jin-Ho. Assistant professor. Quirk: Telekinesis." Jin-Ho introduced.
The man gave a slow, evaluating nod. "Aizawa Shouta. Hero name: Eraserhead. You will be working under my department for your trial period."
Obviously, Jin-Ho knows of Eraserhead from the show.
An underground hero, erasure quirk, and reputation for being ruthlessly effective and completely uninterested in publicity.
Honestly, he is one of his favourite characters. And he believes the man deserves the respect.
"Come on. Let's get this over once I introduce you to the others."
The staff room was larger than Jin-Ho expected, more break room than office, with comfortable seating, a coffee station that looked well-used, and several heroes scattered throughout in various cabins of relaxation or preparation for their day.
Present Mic was the first to notice them. "YOOOOOO! So you're the newbie they dragged in off the street! Civilian-turned-assistant-instructor, that's wild, man! Like, seriously wild! What's your story? How did you even—"
"Mic." Aizawa interrupted. "Volume. Inside voice. You are going to scare him off before he even starts."
"Right, right. Sorry! Just excited! We haven't had a fresh face around here in a while, you know? It gets boring seeing the same heroes every day. I am Hizashi Yamada - Present Mic, voice quirk, English teacher extraordinaire!"
He struck a pose that was somehow both ridiculous and practiced.
Midnight leaned against a desk nearby, her costume somehow both professional and suggestive in that way only she could manage.
"Well, well…" she purred, drawing out the words. "A fresh face and already stirring things up? And here I thought today was going to be boring."
Aizawa shot her a look. "Don't harass the new staff, Kayama."
"I am just appreciating the scenery, Eraser."
Cementoss, looking younger than Jin-Ho expected, offered a more measured greeting. "Welcome. Don't let them overwhelm you. We are intense, but we know what we are doing."
"Thank you." Jin-Ho said with a faint nod.
Aizawa gestured toward a coffee machine. "Get used to that. You will need it. Your trial is three months."
"Don't make promises to students, don't try to be their friend, and if a kid throws a tantrum or challenges your authority, defer to the primary instructor - which, most of the time, will be me."
Jin-Ho nodded. "Clear enough."
"Also." Aizawa added, his tone gaining a slight edge. "Don't lie to students. If you don't know something, say you don't know it. Credibility matters more than appearing knowledgeable. These kids are sharper than they look, and they will spot bullshit immediately."
"I don't waste time pretending to know things I don't."
For the first time since the conversation began, Aizawa's expression shifted into something that might have been approval. "You might actually fit in here. Most new instructors spend their first week trying to prove they belong. You are just... accepting the job."
"I am here to contribute, not audition." Jin-Ho replied.
"Good. Stay that way."
Present Mic grinned. "Man, Aizawa, I think you actually like this guy. When was the last time that happened?"
"I do not 'like' staff. Just like us, he has demonstrated sufficient ability to get this job. That is all."
Midnight laughed. "Translation: he approves. Welcome to U.A., Jin-Ho. Try not to die of exhaustion in your first month. The students here are... energetic."
….
As Jin-Ho attended to his duty, and by evening he reported his day in the staff room, and was now walking across U.A.'s campus.
As he walked toward the gates, he allowed himself the smallest hint of a smile.
Three months.
He had three months to prove himself, to build credibility, to establish the foundation that would let him protect the people who would come to depend on him.
Toya. Jin.
Anyone else who would fall through the cracks of this world's hero system.
Three months to become legitimate.
And after that?
He would figure it out. He always did.
Behind him, U.A. High School stood illuminated against the darkening sky - a symbol of heroism, excellence, and the future.
And for better or worse, Jin-Ho Yoo was now part of that future.
At least until his both tasks are completed, and needs to move back to his home.
But that was a problem for another day.
For now, he had students to teach and a role to play.
And Jin-Ho had always been very, very good at playing roles.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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