A week had passed and it was soon time for Internships. Kurmara and her classmates were taken to a subway where their teacher spoke to them before they all headed to their separate agencies. "You've got your costumes, right? Wearing them in public is strictly prohibited, but don't drop them." "Yeahhh! Mina exclaimed. "And don't slur your 'yeah,' Ashido." Aizawa scolded. "All of you, be on your best behavior! Now go." Everyone began to head towards the trains that would lead them to their destination. "This is gonna be fun!" Before Kurmara headed towards her train, she stood with her friends, watching as Iida began to walk away without another word until Midoriya stopped him. "If it ever gets to be too much and you need to talk... just say something." The green-haired boy told him. "We're your friends." "We're willing to listen if that's what you need." Kurmara joined, concerned for the glasses-wearing boy. He turned to the three of them before giving a smile. "Sure." Was all he said before turning back and continuing to walk away. Kurmara sighed before saying goodbye to Midoriya and Uraraka, heading to her train which would take her to the agency she chose.
Kurmara arrived at the subway station and noticed Tokoyami a few feet away from her looking down at his phone. I guess Tokoyami is heading to an agency in Kyushu as well. The teen girl thought before she took the opportunity to work on her outfit designs in her sketchbook, creating a new outfit and an updated design for her hero costume. She managed to finish the new design before exiting the subway, Kurmara and Tokoyami walked together toward their respective agencies, realizing they are headed in the same direction. The agency he's going to must be in the same direction. Kurmara thought with a shrug as she continued towards her location, looking down at her phone to look at some more references for outfits. As they arrive at Hawks' agency, they stand in front of the building, taking a moment to observe each other before shifting their attention to the impressive structure. They enter the building and are directed to the top floor, where their internship will take place. They step through a set of doors and enter a spacious room, filled with the energy of hero activities. Suddenly, a man with a clipboard approached them, introducing himself as a staff member of the agency.
He confirms their presence for the internship and proceeds to provide an overview of the agency's operations and their roles as interns. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork, dedication, and continuous improvement during their time there. The man guided Kurmara and Tokoyami through the agency, introducing them to the staff and fellow interns. They caught glimpses of the agency's advanced training facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and dedicated heroes working diligently to protect the city. "Now, change into your outfits and meet back here." He told them and another person herded Tokoyami and Kurmara into separate rooms where they could change. Once the door closed behind her, Kurmara was left confused as she changed into her costume. She soon stepped out of the room, seeing her classmate waiting for her. She gave him a nod and the two of them walked back towards the room they were in prior, noticing Hawks sitting on a couch. He sat there messing with a feather of his, making it seem like he didn't notice the teens he scouted. I wonder if this is the first time he scouted anyone.. I guess since the Sports Festival it might be... Kurmara thought as she peeked at Tokoyami who just peeked back.
Suddenly the Pro Hero stood up and walked toward the front, followed by two other sidekicks. Intrigued by the vibrant red wings that adorned Hawks' back, Kurmara couldn't resist the temptation and reached her hand out to touch them. However, before her fingertips could make contact, Hawks swiftly turned around, gently yet firmly grabbing her wrist. Their eyes met, and Kurmara could feel a mix of surprise and curiosity in Hawks' gaze. "Sorry kid, but I would prefer it if you didn't touch my wings, okay?" Hawks spoke with a calm yet serious tone, his grip on Kurmara's wrist serving as a gentle reminder. Realizing her misstep, Kurmara nodded in understanding, her eyes reflecting a hint of embarrassment. Hawks offered her a small smile, releasing her wrist from his grasp. "Hope I didn't hurt you. I just have a personal preference when it comes to my wings. It's always better to ask first," he explained, his words laced with a touch of warmth. Kurmara nodded again, appreciating Hawks' guidance and consideration. With a newfound awareness, she and Tokoyami exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the unspoken lesson they had just learned.
They followed Hawks as he turned away, motioning for them to follow him deeper into the agency. Excitement and anticipation filled their hearts as they ventured further into the world of heroes, eager to embark on this internship under the guidance of the enigmatic Pro Hero, Hawks.
* * *
The two teens, Kurmara and Tokoyami, exerted their efforts to catch up to Hawks, the Pro Hero who was perched on top of a utility pole with a thug and a briefcase in tow. Upon reaching the scene, they heard Hawks' casual remark about the situation. "-Customer going wild! You guys handle the rest here." His preference for leaving some tasks to the sidekicks for cleanup duty made Kurmara groan. One of the sidekicks explained the Pro Hero's swift and efficient approach, noting that Hawks was accustomed to working alone and at his own pace. "Hawks is just too darn quick, but he says this way is the most efficient." Kurmara couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment as they caught their breath. She expressed her frustration to Tokoyami, remarking on her initial expectations for the internship and how she had hoped for a more hands-on experience. Tokoyami acknowledged her feelings.
"I guess that explains why he doesn't seem to care that we're here." He responded as they continued walking. "Hey, don't take it personally you two, that's just how he is." One of the sidekicks explained that Hawks had a tendency to work independently, given his exceptional speed and self-sufficiency. While this insight provided some understanding, Kurmara couldn't shake off her disappointment. "I can tell you feel a bit troubled by this," Tokoyami said lowly to her and she let out a small sigh. "Yeah, it's just I figured we would do a bit more than just clean up after his messes. But since he's super fast in everything he does, it can't be helped if we're left behind, so I just feel a little bummed, that's all." She confessed as she crossed her arms. As they kept walking, Kurmara continued to pout until she felt something on her shoulder and looked to see Tokoyami's hand. "I feel the same way. So, we need to figure out how to get his attention to us, even if it's a little." He told her and she nodded. "If we manage that, we need to first figure out why he finally chose to take on an intern. Let alone two high schoolers after not for a long time."
She nodded, appreciating Tokoyami's support and determination to make the most of their internship. After a second day of chasing after Hawks, Tokoyami admitted that he didn't understand the reasoning behind Hawks' decision and felt compelled to confront the Pro Hero about it. Kurmara nodded in agreement, sharing the same sense of bewilderment. Together, they decided to approach Hawks and seek some clarity. Finding Hawks sitting in a quiet corner, they greeted him, but instead of immediately engaging in small talk, Tokoyami took the lead and directly asked Hawks about his choice. "Why did you choose us as interns when you've never had any before?" he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity. Hawks glanced at them, his eyes holding a thoughtful expression for a moment before a mischievous smile spread across his face. "Cuz we're birds of a feather!" he responded, his tone light and playful. Tokoyami raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Is that meant to be funny..?" Tokoyami queried. Hawks leaned back in his seat, his smile widening.
"I'm twenty percent serious," he began, "and half of me just wanted to chat with some kids from class 1A. But more importantly," he continued, "I saw your skills, your sharpness, and your potential. You're the cream of the crop, fellow birds who can probably keep up with me." He voiced before pointing at Kurmara. "And you, I saw your performance as well and I think you have some potential, especially if you work out a few issues while using your Quirks in combat.. well, to some extent." Kurmara's expression shifted, a mix of curiosity and a tinge of irritation sparked within her. Hawks' subtle indication that he wasn't entirely convinced of her potential left her feeling a mild annoyance. She couldn't help but wonder what doubts Hawks might have had about her abilities. Despite this undercurrent of skepticism, Hawks' words still carried weight. He acknowledged her performance and highlighted the need to address certain issues in utilizing her Quirks during combat. She couldn't help but pout, feeling both flattered and irritated by the assessment. Hawks gestured for them to sit down, inviting them to delve into the details of the USJ attack.
As they settled in, Kurmara's annoyance slowly sank as they took turns telling him about the terrifying and traumatizing experience.
That night after gossiping with Hawks, Kurmara managed to sneak out for a nightly stroll. As the teen girl walked down the dimly lit street, her mind was filled with a whirlwind of emotions, causing her to groan in frustration and rub her temples. "I can't believe this... I thought getting scouted would be a good thing, but now I'm stuck cleaning up after his mess," she muttered, crossing her arms tightly. The weight of Hawks' skepticism about her potential still lingered which made her grow more and more irritated with him. "Ugh, and he had the nerve to say that I have potential "to some extent." Yeah, well I'll show you that I have more than just some extent.." Lost in her thoughts, Kurmara continued walking, unaware of the stranger lurking in the shadows behind her. Startled by their sudden presence, she let out a small squeak before turning to face them. "Geez, don't you know you shouldn't sneak up on a lady like that? Especially a teenage girl?" she scolded, slightly unnerved by the encounter.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "My bad. I was just wondering why you're out by yourself at this time of night," the stranger responded, their voice tinged with amusement. "Oh, it's just that I need a little walk is all." She responded and the stranger scoffed, making her raise a brow. "What's so funny?" she asked, her tone slightly defensive. The stranger's laughter grew louder, causing her to take a step back, a faint unease creeping over her. "It's quite rude to keep a joke to yourself," she chided, her nervousness beginning to show. Apologizing, the stranger's laughter subsided, but a peculiar feeling hung in the air. Sensing her discomfort, Kurmara cleared her throat, eager to escape the awkward encounter. "I'm going back now. If you'll excuse me," she said, walking past the stranger and quickly making her way back to the agency. The encounter had left her on edge, a strange sensation lingering within her. So strange... She thought as she shook her head and continued to walk. Suddenly, without warning, Kurmara was forcefully pulled into an alleyway, her back pressed against the cold brick wall. Her heart raced as she looked up, meeting the intense gaze of the person who had captured her.
Their eyes bore into hers, a chilling remark escaping their lips. "How interesting... your eyes glow in the dark," they remarked, their tone sending shivers down her spine. She tried to find her voice, but fear held her tongue captive, leaving her only able to nod in response. "I-It runs in the family," she managed to utter, her voice trembling. Her mind raced with questions, her body tensed against the wall. Who was this person, and what did they want with her? Kurmara's instincts told her to be cautious, to remain on guard. She silently prayed for a way out of this unsettling situation, her resolve to protect herself growing stronger with every passing second. Before they could say anything more to her, there was shouting and this stranger scoffed before leaving Kurmara alone. "What the fuck.." As Kurmara caught her breath, her heart still racing from the encounter, she heard someone calling out her name. "Hayashi!" "Where are you?" One of them calling out was Tokoyami's voice, his tone calm but laced with concern. She quickly straightened herself and stumbled out of the alleyway, relieved to see her classmate and one of Hawks' sidekicks approaching.
"What are you doing out this late, Hayashi?" Tokoyami asked, his voice composed. His eyes, however, betrayed his worry. She could sense his focused concern as he studied her. "I... I just needed some fresh air," she replied, trying to steady her breathing. "I took a walk and lost track of time, I suppose." She managed to sound convincing but the slight wobble in her legs almost gave her away. "You are under the care of Hawks, so try not to wander unaccompanied anymore." The sidekick scolded lightly and she nodded. "Let's head back now." They voiced as they turned their back and Kurmara took a step forward but leaned against the wall to support herself so she wouldn't fall over. Tokoyami stepped forward, maintaining his calm demeanor. "Are you unharmed? Did anything transpire during your walk?" Kurmara hesitated, weighing her options. She decided it would be best to share the encounter with Tokoyami in private, away from the prying ears of Hawks' sidekicks. "Tokoyami, can we talk privately?" she requested, her voice low but urgent. He looked back before back at her, nodding as he understood the gravity of the situation.
"Let's talk once we're back inside." He suggested and she nodded before they hurried to catch up. Once the two teens were away from the others, Kurmara plopped down with a silent breath. "What happened while you were on your walk?" He began as he leaned against the wall, patiently awaiting her response. "I... had a peculiar encounter," she confessed, her voice tinged with unease. "Someone startled me earlier, and then I was pulled into an alley. They released me when they heard you calling for me." Tokoyami's expression hardened, his focused gaze unwavering. "I'm glad you're unharmed. That is indeed a cause for concern." Kurmara nodded, appreciating Tokoyami's understanding. "I didn't want to worry the others unnecessarily, but I thought you should know. It felt... unsettling." She remembered the person in the alley with the glowing eyes. "Thank you for sharing your experience with me, Hayashi," Tokoyami said in a low, reassuring voice. "Your safety is of utmost importance. If anything like that happens again, please trust that I will be there to protect you." Kurmara's tense shoulders relaxed a little, grateful for Tokoyami's understanding and support.
"I appreciate that, Tokoyami. It means a lot to me." They continued their conversation in private, away from the prying ears of Hawks' other interns. Hayashi disclosed the unsettling encounter in the alley, describing the stranger's eerie demeanor and unsettling comments. Tokoyami listened attentively, his focus unwavering. With the weight of her encounter shared and Tokoyami's calm and focused presence by her side, Kurmara felt a renewed sense of determination. She knew they would face challenges during their internship, but she was confident that together, they would overcome them.