Authors note:
Speaking: "…"
Thinking: '…'
___
Hitoshi's POV
Shiketsu High
In Shiketsu's hero course, the top five students in each grade are called the First to Fifth Seat of their respective year. The rankings are initially determined after the entrance exams, based on test scores. However, new placement exams are held each month to determine the best students. Of course, it's not just a title to hold one of the five seats. Among the privileges are: extra classes with Vice Principal Storm on Heroing, seats on the student council, full coverage of all hero-related expenses (including costumes and support gear, beyond the usual school sponsorship), a special uniform based on rank, and, most importantly, the chance to be a temporary sidekick to a pro hero approved by the school.
In the current first year, Hitoshi and Igarashi, along with the three others from their entrance exam, have held the top seats since enrolling, with no one in the class even attempting to challenge them. At the moment, they were leaving one of their bonus classes with Vice Principal Storm in the afternoon.
"Say, Shinso, have you finally decided where you want to work as a sidekick? As the Second Seat of Shiketsu's first year, I doubt anyone would refuse you," Igarashi asked while packing his laptop into his bag and pulling out two apples.
Throwing his own bag over his shoulder, Hitoshi shrugged. "Well, I'm thinking of asking Hawks for an internship, but I'm not in any rush. Besides, I heard you're going to Endeavor's agency soon. The Number One Hero as the teacher for the First Seat of Shiketsu, kinda ironic if you ask me."
"Like you're one to talk, Number Two Paradox," the hero-in-training chuckled, smacking his hand against the purple-haired boy's back and tossing him one of the apples. "But you know, I'm glad you finally decided to go somewhere."
As they were about to leave the classroom, Mrs. Storm called out. "Before you leave, there's something I'd like to discuss with you, Shinso," she said, looking at the boy with her usual businesslike expression.
"Alone, if you don't mind, Igarashi." She gave the earth user the look before he reluctantly held up his hands and said, "Of course, Vice Principal. Shinso, I'll wait outside the gate for you." He turned and closed the door behind him, leaving the two alone in the classroom.
"So, what can I do for you, Vice Principal?" Hitoshi yawned, the title leaving his mouth with noticeable disdain. At that, her head snapped in his direction, and the aura user noticed her eyes turning crimson red.
With a familiar, masculine yet unnatural voice, she spoke: "Don't pretend you don't know what's going on. Your senses are far too sharp to fall for such a simple disguise, Oni."
Looking at her with anger in his eyes, Hitoshi replied, "Of course. How could I not notice that disgustingly revolting presence around you, Master Blackwood?" He spat the last part into her face with a faint smile.
The crimson eyes narrowed. The air around the aura assassin thickened and tightened, choking him and dragging him into the air by the neck. Frantically clawing at the invisible grip, Hitoshi struggled for breath.
"Watch it, boy. I never said you could call me by that name. I left that family name behind decades ago," she said, a hint of anger breaking through the stoic temper the man behind this disguise usually maintained.
"Then... why do you... still use it?" Hitoshi forced out between breaths.
"It's convenient for my identity. But I don't want my own subordinate calling me by the name of that rotten family." She released him, letting the purple-haired boy collapse to the ground, panting. "Call me by that name one more time, and both your parents die. Remember, I can end them with a thought. Do I make myself clear?"
Glaring daggers at the disguised man, the boy simply answered, "Yes, Master Theodore."
"It's cute how much you're trying to use your Quirk on me. But you know as well as I do that unless you meet my main body, you can't do anything to me with that," she told him as the student got to his feet.
"Now then, did you get any new useful information on the Elders of the Aegis?"
"It's not much, but I found out that Nerion is currently working on something in the Bermuda Triangle," Hitoshi said. She pulled out a cigarette and held it toward him expectantly.
Snapping his fingers in annoyance, he created a pink flame and lit it, watching as the familiar cherry blossom scented smoke drifted from her mouth with a puff.
"It's nice to finally see you working together with Seraphina."
"Oh really? Well, she told me to give you a message," he said, as a white-and-pink mask appeared on the right side of his face. Then, spitting with a distorted, mismatched voice of two people, he growled: "Go fuck yourself, piece of shit." The mask retreated.
"Well, at least you're making progress in your shared hatred of me. Anyway, good work getting that info. Now at least I know where to go when the internships at U.A. start," she said, sounding almost tired.
"What's got you thinking about the U.A. internships? I thought you just wanted to learn more about the Eight Rings and the Aegis," Hitoshi asked.
"I already know all the identities of the Eight Rings and most of the Aegis, except those three other Elders. I'm just keeping tabs on everything. Besides, that matter doesn't concern you. It's personal business I have to tend to. I already waited too long. If I don't take that chance, it might be too late."
"Of course you do. Anyway, before I leave, what happened to the actual Vice Principal? I know you're not her," the purple-haired boy questioned while turning to the door.
"Don't worry, she's not dead. I just owed her a favor, so I'm taking over while she takes a vacation until next week." Her eyes returned to their natural color as she tended to the paperwork on her desk.
"Well, look at that. Never thought I'd see you owing someone," Hitoshi commented with a grin.
"Don't get in over your head, boy. She helped me a long time ago, this was the last of the favors I owed her. Now leave. You're dismissed, Second Seat Hitoshi Shinso." She answered, resuming her Vice Principal persona.
Leaving the classroom, Hitoshi had one thought: 'God, I hate him so much'
'Got that right, you chump. Seriously, he's such an ass' Seraphina added in his mindscape.
'Don't think you get to insult me just because we've bonded over our shared hatred of him'
'Well, what are you gonna do about it? It's not like you can just get rid of me. That damned seal wouldn't break even with all the destructive power I could give you' she argued.
'What makes you think I'd want to break that seal? I still want to use your power to get rid of him. But you should remember, I'm in control of the mindscape you live in. If you want to keep living in that tropical island resort, then behave yourself. Otherwise, the sewers are waiting.'
'You wouldn't dare.'
'Try me.'
'Fine, you win. But don't think I'm just going to sit back and let you use my powers' she reluctantly conceded.
'Of course, oh mighty destructiveness' Hitoshi joked sarcastically as he walked toward the Shiketsu gate, where Igarashi was waiting for him.