Chapter 25
"A good name is rather to be chosen than riches."
- Solomon
Musutafu, Japan - April 2197
On a serene Sunday evening at 8:30 PM, Yaoyorozu Momo was nestled in the comfort of her bedroom, immersed in a creative endeavor. She sat at her elegantly designed work desk, bathed in the warm glow of both a desk lamp and a nightstand lamp, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for her literary pursuits.
Dressed in a knee-length, frilly red nightgown that added a touch of elegance to her relaxed demeanor, her black hair cascaded freely down her shoulders, framing her focused expression.
In front of her was her personal laptop, the screen illuminating her determined features. Eagerly, she dived into crafting the latest chapter of her story, her imagination buzzing with excitement for what came next.
"Save the Date" by The Incredible Yaomomo
Chapter 70: The Last Night
In the dimly lit room, Kumiko stood facing Captain America, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and fear. "You can't go to Norway," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I have a feeling... a bad feeling. Please, don't go."
Captain America looked at her with a resolve that was both gentle and unyielding. "Kumiko, I have to. My country, the world, needs me. This is bigger than us."
Tears welled up in Kumiko's eyes as she reached out to him, her voice tinged with desperation. "But Cap, you might not come back. I can't lose you, not now when—"
Before she could finish, Captain America stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Gently, yet firmly, he pulled her into an embrace, cradling her face in his hands. Then, in a moment that stole her breath away, he kissed her—a kiss filled with all the unspoken words and emotions that lingered between them.
Stunned, Kumiko's eyes widened in shock, but she soon melted into the kiss, her arms wrapping around his neck. When they finally broke apart, the Captain smiled warmly at her. "Duty calls and I can't ignore it...but now I have a very good reason to come back alive, Mukashi."
"Captain..." she whispered, her voice a mixture of awe and affection; especially from the First Hero using her given name.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face while a few strands of his blonde hair fell between his softening emerald eyes. "Please... Call me, Steve."
And with those words, they continued their passionate embrace, lost in the moment, the confines of Captain America's room the only witness to their profound connection.
Yaoyorozu leaned back in her chair, a flush of warmth coloring her cheeks as she finished typing the last words of her intimate scene. Her fingers tingle with a mix of exertion and exhilaration. She took a deep breath, releasing it slowly.
"Done," she whispered, her voice tinged with a blend of relief and pride.
She took a moment to proofread her chapter, her eyes meticulously scanning each line for any possible errors. The story, a product of her imagination, now felt more real than ever, and she was eager to share it. But first, she wanted her beta-reader's opinion, a necessary step to polish her work to perfection.
Her eyelids grew heavy, the hours of focused writing taking their toll. With a quick flurry of keystrokes, she attached the latest chapter to an email and sent it off, hoping her beta-reader would find it as enthralling as she did.
Shutting her laptop, Yaoyorozu stood up, stretching her arms above her head to relieve the stiffness that had settled in. 'Time for bed,' she thought. 'School awaits tomorrow.'
Turning off the lights, she slipped into her bed, the luxurious covers enveloping her in a cocoon of comfort. As sleep began to claim her, a serene smile played on her lips, content with her night's work.
But in her tired state, a critical error went unnoticed. The email, meant for her beta-reader, had been sent to an entirely different recipient…or rather recipients.
On a rainy Monday morning, the streets of Musutafu glistened under a persistent drizzle. Amidst the bustling crowd, each person a part of the umbrella-carrying throng, Midoriya and Uraraka made their way to the train station. Midoriya, in a simple green raincoat, held his umbrella aloft, conscientiously ensuring Uraraka remained dry as she had lost her own umbrella. Despite the grey skies and misplaced umbrella, Uraraka's spirits were high, her voice animated as she recounted her weekend.
"My parents and I had so much fun!" she exclaimed. "Dad managed to get us a reservation at this fancy restaurant downtown. The food was incredible! Though, dad's jokes... well, they were as terrible as ever." Her laughter was a bright note in the drizzly morning.
Midoriya listened intently, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "A high-end restaurant, huh? Sounds like your family's business is doing well."
Uraraka's face lit up, a glow that made Izuku's heart flutter momentarily. "It is! I haven't gotten a chance to tell you yet, but some wealthy clients approached my folks a few weeks ago with a long-term project. It's been a real game-changer for us!"
Having an idea who the clients were, Midoriya replied with a genuine smile, "That's great to hear. I'm really happy for them."
"So, what about you? Since I wasn't around, did you do anything fun over the weekend?" The brunette inquired.
The super-soldier glanced away, his thoughts immediately shifting to his meetings with Coulson over his upcoming mission and with All Might regarding One For All. "Well… Not much. Just rested and did some light training, and..." He paused, noticing Uraraka's disapproving look.
"Izuku-kun, you weren't supposed to be training at all! You were still recovering on Thursday!" she chided.
"It's alright, Occhan," he reassured her. "I didn't overdo it. Mostly, I just picked up stray litter at Takoba Beach. It was quiet, gave me time to think."
"Really? Just that?" Uraraka's expression softened.
"Yeah, pretty much," he shrugged. "Everyone else seemed busy, and I needed some time to clear my head, you know?"
Uraraka frowned slightly, sensing the loneliness that must have lingered in her friend's weekend. A twinge of guilt washed over her. "You could've stopped by again, you know. My parents would've loved to see you again."
Midoriya chuckled, "Even after my great first impression?"
"Of course!" She insisted earnestly. "My parents aren't upset about that. Next time they visit, you should definitely join us."
"Maybe next time, then," the verdette replied, his smile soft and thoughtful as they continued their walk.
After reaching the train station and boarding their train, Midoriya's phone buzzed with an unread email from Yaoyorozu last night, tagging the entire class. He opened the message, titled "Save The Date. Chapter 70: The Last Night" and raised an eyebrow. 'Why would Momo send her latest chapter to the class?'
Before he could ponder further, several passengers recognized them. "Hey, it's the guy who won the All-Star Games!" someone exclaimed.
"Yo Joe!" another voice joined in.
"Midoriya, his name is Midoriya!" corrected another.
Before the verdette knew it, more passengers crowded around him. He peeked over the top of everyone's heads and saw that Uraraka was being swamped with attention too.
"You're that cute gravity girl!"
"Eh!?" Uraraka squeaked. "Say what?"
"Yeah, you put up a good fight against Yaoyorozu," someone praised.
"I can't believe there's two students from Class 101-A here!" Another exclaimed.
For the next few minutes, both Midoriya and Uraraka kindly posed for quick pictures and signed autographs.
Meanwhile, a couple of college-aged girls pushed their way through the crowd and set their sights on a certain super-soldier.
"Yo Joe! A few pictures, please!"
"Sure thing," Midoriya was slightly flushed as two young women pressed against him on either side.
"Oh wow… You're so much hotter in person!" As one of the girls eagerly complimented.
Midoriya responded with a shy chuckle. "Thanks… I appreciate that." His cheeks tinged with a blush, he maintained his friendly smile, even mirroring their peace signs for the camera.
The other girl, equally excited, said, "I really loved your fight against Todoroki! Especially when your shirt got torn up. You looked so amazing!"
"Your body is like a god's!" the first girl added, her eyes shining with admiration. "Can we take another selfie with your shirt unbuttoned?"
Midoriya, slightly taken aback by the forward request, replied with a polite but firm smile. "Thank you for the kind words, but I'd prefer to keep my shirt buttoned. I believe in setting a positive example, in line with my military training and responsibilities at UA. However, I'm more than happy to pose for another picture with you."
From a distance, Uraraka caught the exchange and felt a mix of emotions. Relief washed over her as Midoriya declined the request, but a hint of irritation lingered at the boldness of the request. Her right eye twitched slightly in annoyance.
The girls seemed to understand, their expressions shifting from hopeful to respectful. "Oh wow! You're so cool!"
"If only more guys were like you, Midoriya-sama!"
Uraraka's eye twitched again at their comment, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration. 'Really? After that bold request you say that?' she thought to herself.
A concerned voice nearby interrupted her internal rant. "Hey, Miss Uraraka, what's with that intense face?"
Startled, Uraraka quickly composed herself, forcing a cheerful smile. "Oh, uh, s-sorry! Just lost in thought for a moment." She quickly returned her focus to the fan in front of her, maintaining her professional facade.
For several more minutes, Midoriya and Uraraka took selfies and signed autographs for passengers while thanking them for watching the games. However, as the announcement signaled their stop, Midoriya realized that Uraraka didn't seem to notice amidst the crowd.
'Don't want us to be late.' The train's announcement for their stop caught Midoriya's attention. Realizing Uraraka hadn't noticed, he quickly grabbed her hand and navigated through the crowd, pulling her with him to the platform. He opened his umbrella, covering both of them as they stepped off the train.
"Thank you, everyone! Sorry, we have to go!" Midoriya called back, bowing quickly to the passengers before hurrying away with Uraraka. Once clear of the platform, he released her hand, blushing slightly.
"Well, that was a thing," he chuckled.
Uraraka nodded, catching her breath. "Yeah, I can't believe they recognized us. Hopefully, we won't have to deal with that much longer."
"It comes with being a Hero, I'm afraid." Midoriya said. "Taking pictures can be nice. Though I was surprised so many girls wanted to take a selfie with me...but it wasn't that bad."
There was a brief pause before Uraraka asked, a hint of frost in her voice, "Oh? So you liked that?"
Midoriya shrugged, oblivious to her tone. "It wasn't so bad."
"Well," Uraraka rolled her eyes, "I'm glad you had fun. Maybe you'll have more fangirls to do it again with."
Catching her jealousy, Midoriya smiled softly. "Why would I do that when I'd rather spend time with people I care about? Like you and Yaomomo. Maybe we could go to the mall and find one of those photo booths. Those are still a thing, right?"
Uraraka's mood lifted, her cheeks tinted red. "Yeah, they are. I'd love that! I'm sure Momo would too."
The pair continued their walk to the university under their shared umbrella, raindrops gently patterning around them.
In the bustling main lobby of UA University, amongst the laughter and chatter of students filling the space were Yaoyorozu, Tokage, Tsunotori, Kaminari, Asui, and surprisingly Hatsume sitting at a set of chairs and sofas off to the side. With plenty of time before classes started, the group decided to wait for their other classmates to arrive.
"So, Yaomomo," Tokage, with a mischievous grin, turned towards Yaoyorozu, "about that email you sent us last night…" she began, her tone playfully teasing.
Yaoyorozu's face flushed a deep shade of red. "I can't believe I sent that out to everyone," she lamented, covering her face with her hands. "It was so late, and I wasn't paying attention…"
Tsunotori chimed in, trying to offer some comfort. "Hey, don't worry about it, Yaomomo! I thought the chapter was really good!"
Asui, nodding in agreement, added, "It did pique my interest a bit, kero. Though I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff, Yaomomo." Her straightforward comment only added to Yaoyorozu's embarrassment.
Hatsume, who had been tinkering with a small gadget, looked up, puzzled. "Wait, what are you all talking about?"
Kaminari, who had been scrolling through his phone while sitting next to Tsunotori, looked up with a smirk. "Yaomomo here accidentally sent out a smut chapter from her novel to the entire class."
"It's not smut!" Yaoyorozu protested, her voice rising in defense. "It's part of a historical-fiction romance story!"
"Okay, okay. I'm just teasing." Kaminari raised his hands in surrender, though he couldn't resist adding, "Though some naughty films start like that too, to be fair…"
"Wait a second," Tsunotori turned to the electric-blonde with a mild glare, "how would you know that, Denki-kun?"
Kaminari cleared his throat, flustered. "Uh…Well…"
Hatsume shrugged, seemingly uninterested in the topic. "Eh, as long as it's not about tech, it's all the same to me."
Before the conversation could spiral further, the front doors of the school opened, and Midoriya and Uraraka stepped in, shaking off their umbrellas.
"Hey, everyone!" Midoriya greeted cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the air.
Uraraka followed suit, smiling. "Looks like we're just in time. Did we miss anything?"
There was a brief exchange of knowing glances among the group. Kaminari, with a smirk still playing on his lips, was about to comment when Yaoyorozu quickly interjected, "Nothing much, just discussing some…class assignments." Her eyes darted to Kaminari, warning him to stay silent on the previous topic.
Midoriya, feeling the shift in atmosphere, looked around the group. "I see… Well, has anyone heard from Iida-kun recently?"
The mood sombered further as heads shook in response. "No, nothing," Yaoyorozu replied, her voice tinged with concern. "There's been a lot in the news about Stain lately, though."
Kaminari rubbed the back of his neck, visibly uncomfortable. "Yeah, and it's not good. There have been more attacks since Ingenium was targeted."
Tsunotori added softly, "And some weren't as fortunate as Ingenium."
Uraraka's frown deepened at the grim update. "Do you think he'll come to classes today?"
Midoriya could only shrug. "It's hard to tell, but I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't show up."
A silence enveloped the group, their thoughts heavy with concern for their friend.
Breaking the lull, Hatsume piped up, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "So, if Iida does come, what should we do? Or say? I'm not really good with this kind of stuff."
"Is there really anything we can do?" Asui questioned, her usual upbeat demeanor subdued.
"I don't want to pretend everything's fine, especially when he's hurting," Tokage mused, "but I also don't want to bring it up if he doesn't wanna talk."
Yaoyorozu, ever the voice of reason, spoke up. "We should let Iida-kun decide. If he wants to talk, we'll listen. If not, we'll respect his space."
Midoriya was in agreement. "We can't take away his pain, but we can let him know we're here for him. That's the most important thing."
As they nodded in consensus, none of them noticed a figure dash into the lobby. Covered in a large raincoat, the student stopped abruptly, catching his breath. "Ah, there you are! Classes are starting soon. You'll be late if you linger here much longer!"
Startled, they turned to see Iida, who, without waiting for a response, hurried off towards the lockers.
Kaminari was the first to break the silence. "Uh… What just happened?"
Recovering from their confused states, the group followed Iida and met up with him as he was placing his raincoat into his locker. As he turned around and saw his friends' worried faces, he sighed. His expression, usually so resolute, now carried the weight of recent events.
"I understand I've caused concern over the past few days," Iida began, his voice measured.
Asui, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced with concern, responded, "That's an understatement, Iida. We've been worried sick about you."
Yaoyorozu, echoing the sentiment, added, "You've been silent since Thursday night, Iida. We were all anxious."
Iida, looking down, nodded solemnly. "I apologize for the silence. Thankfully, the doctors were able to save my brother. He's recovering now, so there's no need for further worry."
Midoriya, observing Iida closely, noticed the strain behind his forced smile. He recalled Coulson's report on Ingenium's condition, which painted a far grimmer picture than what Iida was sharing. Concern flickered in Midoriya's eyes, but he chose to keep his thoughts private.
Hatsume, taking Iida's words at face value, brightened up. "That's great news about your brother! I'm sure he'll be up and about in no time!"
Iida paused before replying, "Yes, he's safe for now, but he has a long recovery ahead. We should get to class. Hatsume, you better head to yours too."
"Yeah, I should," Hatsume agreed, then quickly added, "Hey, Legs, don't forget to bring your costume to the Support Department. I've got some upgrades in mind for you."
Iida managed a small smile. "I'll consider it, Hatsume-san."
As Hatsume turned to leave, she called out to Midoriya, "Oh! Izuku-kun, bring your shield to the Support Department soon! See ya!"
Once Hatsume had left, Yaoyorozu turned to Midoriya with curiosity. "Are you planning to let her examine your shield?"
Midoriya nodded. "I promised her she could if we won Risk Trifecta. But I'll let you have a look at it too, Yaomomo."
Tokage looked unsure. "Um, are you really sure about letting that girl examine your shield, Greenie? What if she accidentally damages it?"
Midoriya replied with a confident smile. "I'm not worried about that. That ole girl has endured far tougher challenges than anything Mei might throw at it. She's pretty resilient."
Uraraka, listening to the conversation, found herself pondering Midoriya's choice of words. His description of the shield as an 'ole girl' and the various notes she had glimpsed on his desk stirred her curiosity.
In Class 101-A, Aizawa, now free from his bandages, began the day's lesson. "Okay, everyone take your seats," he instructed with his usual stoic demeanor.
Iida, eager to acknowledge their professor's return, raised his hand. "Aizawa-sensei, it's great to see you back in good health!"
Aizawa nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, after some rest and multiple treatments from Recovery Girl, I'm cleared to resume teaching. Now, let's discuss your upcoming internships. This year, due to some standout performances, a few of you have received an unusually high number of offers."
With a click, the ceiling projector sprang to life, revealing a list of students and their corresponding internship offers. The numbers were staggering, with a significant gap between the top four students and the rest.
Midoriya Izuku: 4719
Todoroki Shoto: 4,123
Bakugo Katsuki: 3,556
Tokage Setsuna: 607
Kaminari Denki: 353
Tsunotori Pony: 352
Iida Tenya: 301
Yaoyorozu Momo: 185
Uraraka Ochako: 90
Tokoyami Fumikage: 85
Ashido Mina: 69
Kirishima Eijiro: 59
Asui Tsuyu: 45
Sero Hanta: 39
Midoriya's eyes widened as he focused on his name at the top of the list. He then felt a mix of amazement and regret, knowing he wouldn't be able to accept any due to his upcoming mission with SHIELD.
Bakugo scowled at the screen, while Todoroki showed little reaction. Uraraka was visibly thrilled, and Yaoyorozu, despite having fewer offers than expected, seemed overwhelmed, her emotions teetering on the edge.
Tokage was in disbelief. "I can't believe I got over six hundred offers," she exclaimed, shocked.
Iida reflected on his performance. "Considering I didn't advance past the first round, this is surprising."
Asui, feeling relieved, commented, "I'm just glad to have received any offers at all."
Sero shared the sentiment. "Yeah, it's an achievement to get offers in our first year."
Ashido couldn't help but giggle impishly at her number of 69 offers, while Kirishima felt a sense of pride.
Kaminari and Tsunotori celebrated their offers, with Kaminari playfully gloating about having one more offer than Tsunotori.
Jiro, on the other hand, felt disappointed with zero offers, and several other students shared her sentiment, expressing their frustration at not making the board.
Aizawa, addressing the class, reassured those without specific offers. "Those not on the board will still have internships. Several agencies always take students. You have access to those, but remember, those on the list were specifically chosen. Make your decisions wisely."
Mineta, curious about the rankings, questioned, "Why did Tokage get more offers than Yaoyorozu? She ranked higher in the games."
Yaoyorozu sighed, "My second-round match might have influenced the scouts' decisions."
Uraraka, puzzled, asked, "You mean when Shinso forfeited?"
Yaoyorozu nodded. "Scouts may have viewed my advancement to the Semifinals as unearned."
Uraraka protested, "That's not fair. You can't control what your opponent does."
"Life can be unfair like that." Aizawa stated dryly. "But what's done is done. The interest those of you have garnered now can diminish if you don't continue to perform well."
Kaminari, slightly daunted, responded, "More work, then?"
Yaoyorozu added, "It's part of being a Pro Hero. You need to stay relevant in the public's eye."
Aizawa agreed, "Yaoyorozu's right. One good showing isn't enough. You need to consistently prove your worth. Now, before I hand out your offers, there's something else you need to do." He sighed in seeming exasperation. "You'll be going out into the field, which means that you'll need Hero names."
There was a brief pause as the classroom buzzed with excitement. A collective cheer erupted, quickly quelled by Aizawa's stern glare and his hair bristling menacingly.
"Choose wisely," he warned. "A hastily picked name can become a lifelong regret."
"That's right!" As if on cue, Midnight burst through the door with her characteristic flair. "Remember, darlings, a Hero name sticks. Choose something you won't hate later!"
Nodding in agreement, Aizawa distributed whiteboards and markers. "Midnight will guide you through this process. While her advice isn't mandatory, unless your choice is offensive, I recommend you listen to her. Take your time, think it over, and then present your names."
The students immediately started brainstorming, buzzing with ideas and suggestions for each other. Amidst the chatter, Midoriya gazed at his blank whiteboard, deep in thought.
'A Hero name...' he pondered. His mind wandered back to a conversation with Director Fury before he left for Japan."Try to keep a low profile while you're there, Cap," Fury had advised. "The world isn't ready to know the First Hero is back."
Twirling his marker, Midoriya contemplated. 'I've always been known by one Hero name. It's become part of my identity. Even temporarily, how can I adopt another?'
Then, an idea struck him. A name that wouldn't reveal his true identity yet stayed true to who he was. With a sense of resolve, he pressed the marker to the board.
In the classroom, the air buzzed with excitement and a hint of nervous anticipation as students presented their Hero names. It was a rite of passage, a step towards their dreams. Most had names in mind for years, evident in how quickly they came up with them. The results were a varied collection, reflecting each student's personality and Quirk.
Sato, confidently presenting 'Sugarman', received nods of approval, his name perfectly encapsulating his Quirk's essence. In contrast, Aoyama's initial choice, 'I Just Can't Stop Twinkling', prompted polite yet firm suggestions for a revision. He returned with 'Magnifique', a name that resonated with his flamboyant style.
Midoriya's attention was particularly drawn to Kirishima, who, inspired by the legendary Crimson Riot, chose 'Red Riot'. It was a name that resonated with strength and resilience, qualities Midoriya greatly admired. He made a mental note to discuss the Hero who inspired Kirishima later.
Bakugo, ever confident, presented his name with a bold declaration: "Lord Explosion Murder!"
The room fell into a stunned silence, only to be broken by Midnight's firm rejection. "No."
"What? Why not? It's awesome!"
"It has 'murder' in it. Either take that out or come up with something completely different."
Bakugo's frustration was palpable as he returned to his seat to reluctantly reconsider his choice.
Todoroki was next, and his choice was a bit perplexing.
"Okay, why 'Thermodyn'?" Midnight asked.
Todoroki shrugged. "It's shorthand for 'thermodynamics'. I thought it was fitting and sounded heroic."
"It does. Though I presumed you would select something similar to your father's Hero name."
Todoroki suppressed a scowl, calmly replying, "I'd rather be my own Hero."
Midnight nodded in understanding. "Well, it certainly does have a good ring to it. Approved!"
As Todoroki returned to his seat, Midoriya wondered about Todoroki's name. 'Looks like he's starting to move on without his father's influence. Good on you, Shoto. The first steps are always the most challenging.'
Asui was next, and she looked confident. "I've had this name in mind since middle school," she said, and held up her sign. "The Rainy Season Heroine: Froppy!"
Midnight clapped her hands together. "Oh, that's adorable!"
Most of the class was in full agreement and some even started chanting her name, much to Asui's embarrassment.
Sero was next as his choice of 'Tape Hero: Cellophane' was also approved.
Uraraka stepped up to the front confidently, her smile bright. "I went through some back-and-forth in my head, but," she held up her board, "I chose 'The Gravity Heroine: Zero-G'," she announced, her voice ringing with pride. "It represents my Quirk and my aim to lift people's spirits!"
Midnight smiled brightly. "The name is quite fitting. Approved! "
Tokage approached the front of the class, her confident smile revealing sharp teeth. "Like Todoroki and Uraraka, I've taken inspiration from my Quirk for my Hero name." With a flourish, she revealed her board: "The Chop-Chop Heroine: Lizardy!"
Midnight, intrigued, leaned forward. "The 'Lizardy' part is clear, but what about 'Chop-Chop'?"
Tokage replied with enthusiasm, "It's a nod to how my Quirk works, appearing as if I'm sliced into pieces. Plus, it's a homage to a character from a well-known manga series that's been running for ages."
Kaminari's eyes lit up in recognition. "Ah, you're talking about the clown from that series, right?"
Sero joined in, "It's amazing how that manga has continued for so long."
Midoriya, lost in thought, mused to himself about the longevity of the series, half-jokingly wondering if the original author had a Quirk for immortality.
Midnight, considering Tokage's explanation, nodded approvingly. "I like it. It's catchy and fitting." Most of the class buzzed with murmurs of approval.
Kaminari confidently made his way to the front, his typical swagger on full display. "I'll be known as 'The Lightning Hero: Power Surge'," he announced with a broad grin, fingers crackling with tiny jolts of electricity. "I think it's pretty self-explanatory."
Midnight nodded in agreement, "No explanation needed, it's spot on."
Tsunotori followed, her tail swishing with excitement as she proudly showed off her board. "The Blitz Heroine: Rocketti!"
Midnight, curious, inquired, "An interesting choice. What does 'blitz' stand for?"
With a beaming smile, Tsunotori explained, "It reflects my speed when I'm using my horns to surf, and it also matches my energetic personality!"
Midnight's eyes gleamed with approval. "A name with a double meaning, how clever! Approved!"
Jiro stepped forward; her demeanor calm yet confident. "The Ear Jack Heroine: Amped," she stated simply. "It's short, to the point, and speaks to my sound-based abilities and my love for music."
Midnight nodded approvingly. "Straightforward and effective names often make the strongest impact," she commented.
Following Jiro, Ashido leaped up, her energy infectious. "I'm going with 'The Pink Heroine: Meltdown'!" Her voice was full of enthusiasm. "It's bold, like my acid Quirk, and captures my vibrant personality!"
Midnight hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. "'Meltdown' might be misconstrued as intimidating by some."
Ashido's grin didn't falter. "That's why I included 'pink'. It softens the impact, making it more approachable."
"An interesting rationale," Midnight acknowledged. "Well thought out."
"Yaomomo helped me." Ashido waved to the Class Vice-President, who smiled and waved back. "So, can I keep the name?"
"Fine, go ahead." Midnight pointed at Yaoyorozu. "Since you got called out, do you mind coming up next?"
Stepping up with a composed air, Yaoyorozu presented her board. "My Hero name will be 'Lady Thesis'," she announced. "It represents my dedication to learning and applying knowledge to help others."
"Ooh, so elegant!"
Yaoyorozu blushed at the compliment, and then went back to her seat.
Midoriya leaned towards his friends. "Everyone's picked such great names."
Yaoyorozu, slightly flushed with pride, replied, "Thank you, Izuku-kun."
Uraraka turned to Midoriya, curious. "And you, Izuku? What's your Hero name?"
Midoriya's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "You'll find out soon enough," he teased.
Midnight then focused on Bakugo, her tone expectant. "Bakugo, have you come up with another name?"
Bakugo started to say, "King Explosion Murd–" but was promptly cut off.
"No," Midnight interjected firmly.
Bakugo scowled, erasing the slightly altered version of his original choice from his board. "Fine, I've got nothing then."
"Take some time to think it through," Midnight advised, adding, "Until you decide, we'll use your surname as a placeholder." She then redirected her attention to the class. "Next, we have Iida and Midoriya left. Iida, you're up."
The room's focus shifted to Iida, who, unbeknownst to his classmates, struggled internally. Holding the marker, he repeatedly attempted to write a name, only to find himself frozen each time. His breath hitched, and he became acutely aware of the increasing attention on him.
"Iida, are you ready?" Midnight's voice broke through his thoughts.
Iida, feeling the weight of his classmates' gazes, knew they weren't pressuring him intentionally, but it still felt overwhelming. He was particularly conscious of the concerned looks from his friends. He had strived to maintain composure, to not burden them, but his hesitation now was enough to draw their attention.
Midnight and Aizawa, observing from his sleeping bag, watched Iida with a knowing gaze. Iida sensed they were aware of his brother's true condition, a fact hidden from the media but not from the connected network of Heroes.
In a quick decision, Iida scribbled down his first name, but hesitated to present it, feeling it was inappropriate. He flipped his board over, hiding his choice. Looking up at Midnight, he requested, "Midnight-sensei, Aizawa-sensei, may I have a bit more time to decide on my name?"
After a brief glance between Midnight and Aizawa, Midnight agreed. "Alright. You have until the end of the day. Any longer won't be practical. For now, your surname will be your placeholder for internships. Is that clear?"
Iida nodded, grateful for the extension, "Yes, Sensei." The extra time, albeit short, offered him a moment of respite, possibly leading to a decision he could accept.
Midnight shifted her focus from Iida, allowing him a moment of reprieve, and turned towards Midoriya. "Midoriya, you're the last one. Are you ready to present?"
Midoriya stood up, feeling the weight of anticipation as all eyes in the classroom focused on him. He strode to the front, his board clutched firmly in his hands. The room buzzed with curiosity, everyone eager to discover the name choice of the student who had impressed them all in the All-Star Games.
Holding the board so that everyone could see, he revealed his Hero name. A murmur rippled through the class, mixed with expressions of surprise and confusion. Even Uraraka and Yaoyorozu's eyes both widened slightly at his choice.
Midnight, looking intrigued, commented, "I do like the first part…but I honestly thought you might go with 'Yo Joe' as your name."
Kirishima leaned forward. "Wasn't that what the crowd was chanting?"
Mineta piped up, "What does that even mean?"
Midnight explained, "It's an old rallying cry for American soldiers. Am I correct, Midoriya?"
"Yes Sensei." Midoriya nodded, mentally noting its origins as a catchphrase from the G.I Joe franchise, but kept that part to himself. "I considered that name, but I wanted something that truly represented me and my aspirations."
Midnight's expression shifted, showing a hint of concern. "With this name, combined with your costume and shield, you understand people will draw comparisons to the First Hero. Are you prepared for the responsibility and high expectations that will come with it?"
With a confident smile, Midoriya responded, "Yes, and I'm ready to embrace those responsibilities."
"I see." Midnight beamed, "Well, it's certainly a strong, commanding name. Just do your best to live up to it."
Midoriya nodded and smiled. "I will."
Uraraka and Yaoyorozu both looked on in admiration at their best friend, proud of the name he had selected—envisioning a future where he stood tall as a symbol of strength and integrity.
A Hero For All: Captain Midoriya
The afternoon signaled the beginning of the much-awaited lunch period. Midoriya, along with his friends, found a table in the bustling cafeteria. Each of them carried their own thoughts about the upcoming internships and their newly chosen Hero names.
Midoriya, ever observant, noticed Iida pouring over a list, his focus laser-sharp on the various pages; it seemed like he was looking for something specific. However, he decided not to disturb Iida, understanding his friend's need for concentration.
"So, 'Lady Thesis'," Tokage playfully elbowed Yaoyorozu, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "just between us, is Kumiko basically you in disguise?" she asked with a sly smile.
Yaoyorozu's face flushed a deep shade of pink, and she quickly stammered a denial, "N-No, absolutely not! Kumiko is a completely original character."
Ashido chimed in with a teasing tone, "But then why is she crazy over Captain America? Seems like a bit of a random choice for a love interest."
Caught off guard, Yaoyorozu fumbled for words, "W-well, you see, by chapter seventy, their relationship had developed quite a bit, so it wasn't that random..."
"Was the Captain's name really Steve?" Tsunotori asked. "I didn't know that."
Yaoyorozu shook his head. "No, his real name is unknown. I just came up with a common American name for him."
Jiro then joined the playful interrogation, fixing Yaoyorozu with a knowing look. "You're a total Captain America fangirl, aren't you Yaomomo?"
Yaoyorozu let out a small, embarrassed squeak and covered her face with her hands in a mix of mortification and playfulness. "Please, can we drop this matter?" she pleaded, her voice muffled behind her palms. "I'm already embarrassed enough; especially when Mineta-san was teasing me earlier."
Just then, Bakugo stormed past their table on his way to his own, glaring at Yaoyorozu. "Hey, Pony Tail! Why the hell did you send smut to the whole class last night? Have you been hanging out with the purple midget or something?" he barked, causing a few students nearby to snicker.
"NO! I-It was an accident, Bakugo!" Yaoyorozu replied, flustered. "I swear!"
"Sure it was," Sero chuckled, elbowing Kaminari, who was trying to suppress his laughter.
Bakugo rolled his eyes, murmuring, "Just don't spam my inbox with trash like that ever again," before stomping off.
Midoriya, noticing the playful teasing directed at Yaoyorozu was making her uncomfortable, decided to steer the conversation towards a different topic. "So, what's everyone's plans for internships?" he asked, his cheeks slightly flushed.
"Well," Tsunotori's expression brightened, "I got an offer from Gang Orca!"
The table erupted with various reactions. Midoriya's eyes widened, impressed. "Gang Orca? That's impressive, Pony! He's ranked highly and known for his intense training methods."
Uraraka whistled, clearly impressed. "And he's one of the top Heroes for crisis management. That's going to be some tough training, but I bet you'll learn a ton."
Jiro chimed in, "Isn't he at the top of the list of 'Heroes Who Look Like Villains'?"
"Yeah," Kirishima added, nodding in agreement, "Gang Orca is seriously hardcore. He's got a reputation for being as tough as he looks."
Asui tilted her head, considering. "His Quirk is pretty versatile too, right? I remember him being able to use sonar and super strength."
"Man, I'm kinda jealous, but I'm happy for yah. I know you'll kick ass with him." Kaminari grinned, bringing a small blush to Tsunotori's face.
Yaoyorozu smiled warmly. "It's a fantastic opportunity. I'm sure you'll gain valuable experience under his guidance."
Tsunotori beamed, clearly excited about the opportunity. "I'm ready for the challenge. What about the rest of you?"
"I'm still looking, but I'm aiming for an internship with a rescue-focused Hero, preferably one who works in aquatic environments," Asui chimed in.
Kaminari leaned forward, enthusiasm lighting up his face. "As 'Power Surge', I'm looking for a mentor who's an expert in electric manipulation. I want to learn from the best."
Kirishima's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'm checking out agencies known for handling tough, high-stakes situations. 'Red Riot' needs to be battle-hardened."
Ashido twirled her fork in her food, her expression determined. "And 'Meltdown' here is searching for a Hero who'll appreciate my acid skills. Someone with a bit of flair, you know?"
Midoriya, ever the helper, offered, "I've been doing a lot of research on Pro Heroes, so if you guys want, I can give you some insights on your choices."
Uraraka playfully interrupted, "Really, Izuku? We had no idea you were into that kind of thing," she said with a smirk.
Midoriya rolled his eyes in a playful manner and then focused back on the conversation. "Well, just let me know who you're considering, and I'll do my best to help out," he continued earnestly.
The others around the table nodded, clearly appreciative of Midoriya's offer for assistance.
Turning her attention to Yaoyorozu, Jiro asked, "What about you, Yaomomo? Any internships in mind?"
Relieved to move on from the earlier topic, Yaoyorozu responded, "I have a few options, but Uwabami's offer is quite appealing."
Midoriya raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Uwabami, huh? She's a competent Rescue Hero, but her focus seems to lean more towards her modeling career. Just something to consider."
Tokage piped up, supporting Midoriya's observation, "Yeah, I've mostly seen her in commercials lately."
"I see…" Yaoyorozu contemplated for a moment, then said, "Well, another option I'm considering is interning with Fat Gum."
Midoriya's interest visibly peaked. "Fat Gum? That's a solid choice. He's well-ranked and experienced. Plus, given his Quirk, he might offer unique insights that could be beneficial for you." He then launched into a detailed analysis of Fat Gum's Hero work, prompting chuckles and smiles from his friends.
Listening attentively, Yaoyorozu nodded along with Midoriya's analysis. "I think you're right, Izuku. Fat Gum seems like a more fitting choice. I'll prioritize him on my list."