….
Six Months Later.
….
Quirks.
A phenomenon of superpower manifestation in people was still something with a relatively recent history.
As special abilities appeared in people one by one, it was initially thought to be a supernatural phenomenon or miracle. But now 80% of the population has Quirks, and they are considered commonplace.
However, there were many people who used their special powers for evil. Criminals increased explosively.
The population descended into chaos. Society began to collapse as the group of chaos grew in the name of Villains.
But as the saying goes, where darkness exists, light is never far behind.
Heroes.
Figures who used their abilities to protect and fight for justice appeared to stand against the criminals.
Those who rescued the weak, stood against oppression, and were firmly in favor of justice.
The dream everyone had longed for had become a reality.
Soon it became a professional occupation due to a widely receptive public.
Eventually, as their successes grew in number, they gained fame and steady income from the country.
But not just anyone could become a hero.
It was now necessary to have a certification to do hero work.
In principle, using Quirks in public places was banned to keep order.
So for one to become a Hero and use their Quirks for good, it became necessary to be accepted by the country and acquire professional licenses.
That necessity became the foundation for schools with Hero courses, which were essential to receiving those Hero Licenses.
In the footsteps of similar intentions, there was the most prestigious institution - U.A. Academy.
….
"What are you staring at in a daze?" A low, gravelly voice snapped Jin-Ho out of his thoughts.
He turned around and took in his surroundings.
He was in U.A. High School's P.E.
Grounds, where Hero Course students honed their Quirks and undertook fitness assessments.
There were designated areas for various evaluations: a running track for the 50-meter dash, a sandpit for the long jump, and a pitching circle for the softball throw.
His attention returned to the speaker who had interrupted his reverie.
Aizawa Shota.
———————
[Hero Name: Eraserhead]
[Quirk Name: Erasure (Quirk Nullification)]
———————
"Nothing, Sensei." Jin-Ho shook his head, dismissing the thoughts.
"Jin-Ho, you can stop calling me that. You are no longer an assistant faculty member at U.A.—you are a full-fledged Pro-Hero now. You weren't supposed to call me that in the first place." Aizawa looked over at him as he spoke.
"Heh, you know what, Sensei? For an unconventional Hero, you can be pretty particular." Jin-Ho smirked.
"And you are as disobedient and stubborn as ever." Aizawa shot back.
"Come on, if someone heard you, they might think I am a hooligan who doesn't respect his superiors."
"...are you not?" Aizawa replied, his tone tinged with annoyance.
"When have I ever disobeyed you?" Jin-Ho folded his arms, challenging him with a grin.
"Just a half year ago, if I recall." Aizawa's expression remained blank, not giving an inch.
"Half a year ago is ancient history..."
Jin-Ho knew exactly what incident he meant.
Technically, it was protocol he had disobeyed, not Aizawa directly. But since Aizawa had always emphasized following protocols, in a roundabout way, he had disobeyed him.
The incident involves Endeavor and helping out that boy with feathers, who now lives with him.
"Is that all you have to say to your awesome student who saved the day?"
"Don't get cocky, Jin-Ho." Aizawa warned, his tone stern but not unkind.
"Okay, understood. But remember, Sensei - now that I am a Pro-Hero, I can intervene without supervision this time around."
"Right, right. It slipped my mind for a moment." Aizawa said with a dismissive wave, feigning ignorance.
After a moment of silence, his tone shifted completely. "Anyway, you really did a good job, kid. As an assistant professor and more."
Jin-Ho looked at him, somewhat surprised. Aizawa could be encouraging when he wanted to be. For someone so blunt, there was no shame in him praising those who contributed during difficult times.
"...So don't worry about the setbacks and just move forward like you always did." Aizawa added.
He is definitely bad at motivating people, Jin-Ho thought. On the contrary, he was perfect at demotivating, and his directness could shock many.
But if he didn't act this way, he wouldn't be Aizawa.
"Why did you stop? Praise me more." Jin-Ho said in a dejected tone, feigning disappointment.
"Tsk. That's why everyone in the facility hates you. You are always so full of yourself."
"Oh, I did ask you to compliment me, but I never thought you actually would."
"Did you hurt your ears? How do you get 'hating you' from—" Aizawa stopped midway, as if realizing something. He facepalmed. "I guess with you, it really does come off as a compliment."
"You understand me too well, Sensei."
"That's the problem." Aizawa said, his worried voice directed more at himself.
Is he saying that understanding me is something to worry about? Jin-Ho thought. How cruel to say that to your own colleague.
"Anyway, don't worry, Sensei. I promise I won't cause any trouble this time."
It won't happen again... right?
"Yeah... what can I expect from a person whose only motivation to become a Pro was so he could use his Quirk without going behind bars..."
It wouldn't be a lie if Aizawa said he was constantly amazed by his once assistant tenacity and mental strength.
Right, despite all the complaining, he really did view Jin-Ho as a student rather than a colleague.
He had seen many aspiring young heroes stumble right before his eyes, especially as an underground hero.
Being a normal civilian, and choosing the path to become a Pro Hero was a hard path even his cold heart couldn't help but respect.
And Aizawa is certain that having a Hero like Jin-Ho on their side is a significant gain to Hero society, one that would prove in the future.
And no, he wasn't overestimating his value. It was what he truly felt.
"Are my eyes deceiving me, or are you actually smiling, Sensei?" Jin-Ho questioned, rubbing his eyes and taking another look with an astonished expression.
"...." Aizawa stayed silent.
Maybe I should have done a better job teaching him some basic communication manners, he thought to himself.
"I think it's about time I leave, Sensei. My people must be waiting for me at home to celebrate my promotion." Jin-Ho added unnecessary information, clearly implying: You still didn't congratulate me for becoming a Pro.
"...." Again, Jin-Ho received no response.
"You are such a boomer. Can't you just say 'I'm proud of you' or something along those lines?" Now he demanded outright.
At times like this, Aizawa was reminded of Jin-Ho's age - only nineteen years old.
"It's fine if you don't want to, but at least give me your autograph, right?" Jin-Ho pulled out a notebook and a pen from his pocket.
There was no sense of shame or embarrassment on his face, as if Aizawa had an obligation to do so.
Without any questions asked, Aizawa simply did what needed to be done.
Jin-Ho had been a fanboy of Aizawa even before his reincarnation into this world. He admired the guts and stubbornness Aizawa had displayed in the story, or rather, would display in the future.
If Jin-Ho had to name one person he could trust to have his back in battle, he would undoubtedly choose him. That's how much Jin-Ho trusted Aizawa.
On the other hand, Aizawa knew that Jin-Ho respected him, or more accurately, idolized him too much.
Aizawa considered himself an underdog hero, a path he chose for himself. Still, there were many people who respected him and the Quirk he was born with.
But the kid before him was different, unusual. Aizawa could tell Jin-Ho admired him as a Hero, but more than that, he revered him for the person he was.
Jin-Ho simply took his book back and pocketed it safely.
"Can't find your words now, huh? Must be emotional to have such a fine and great Hero like myself as your fanboy." he said with pride.
"You won't put it up for sale online or something, right?" Aizawa asked with a straight face.
Aizawa didn't give many autographs during his hero career. The few times he did were rare.
"Thankfully, I am not short on money and I don't think I ever will be, so no..." Jin-Ho said thoughtfully.
He added. "And even if I wanted to sell it, I don't think it would fetch much anyway, since you are so unpopular. Too bad, I say too bad." He shook his head in disappointment.
That definitely irritated Aizawa, but he suppressed it. He knew this hooligan of a youth was aiming for that reaction all along.
"So, what are you going to do now? Starting your own Hero agency?" Aizawa asked a question he wouldn't normally ask a newly promoted Hero, but the youth in front of him was anything but normal.
After becoming a full-fledged Hero, one would most likely join an established Hero agency to gain experience before going independent, or settle there if they liked the benefits, which was the option most Heroes chose as the risks were lower.
But logic didn't apply when it came to Jin-Ho.
"...Ah... I am thinking... of..." He started to speak but stopped midway. "...Opening a café maybe?"
"...?" Aizawa was clearly at a loss for words.
"Do whatever you want, but just don't tell anyone that you know me or an ex-U.A. assistant teacher." He conceded.
"Okay, Sensei, gotta go and check for a nice place for the opening of my new business." Jin-Ho said hurriedly, starting to walk away.
Aizawa simply stared at his back.
Just when Aizawa thought he had finally left, Jin-Ho turned back and called out. "Oh, and don't worry, Sensei. I will invite you to the grand opening as the chief guest."
Then he was gone.
There was nothing but thin air in the place where he had stood moments before.
"Good luck... brat." Aizawa said quietly.
He stared at the empty space, his expression perplexed.
Obviously, Aizawa was thinking about Jin-Ho, who, fortunately or unfortunately, only time would tell.
Within the past month, due to various reasons Jin-Ho and a few of the other Pro Hero staff had to cross fists, and to say it didn't end well for them would be an understatement.
He still wondered whether he had done the right job, whether he had unwittingly unleashed a catastrophic force into society to wreak havoc and chaos wherever he pleased.
But he couldn't deny the fact that he was proud of him.
When he thought of 'havoc,' it wasn't always destruction. Sometimes, even doing a good job leads to disturbance. But he trusted that the disturbance Jin-Ho caused would be a necessary one for the future of Hero society.
"But really, I can't handle another assistant like him." Aizawa said to himself.
He added, "If every assistant of mine is going to be like this, I better quit this job soon..."
….
.
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
Author Note:
Visit Patreon to instantly access +1chapter for free, available for Free Members as well.
For additional content please do support me and gain access to +13 more chapters.
->[email protected]/WrightBrothers