The morning sun bathed the UA High School grounds in a golden glow as students began filtering into Class 1-A, chatting and laughing as they reunited after their week off. Aiden entered the room with his usual easy stride, a carefree grin on his face.
His classmates greeted him enthusiastically, still buzzing about his impressive performance at the Sports Festival.
"Yo, Basileus!" Kaminari called, giving Aiden a thumbs-up. "You absolutely destroyed the competition!"
"Literally," Jiro added with a smirk. "They're still fixing the arena floor."
Aiden chuckled. "What can I say? I like to leave an impression."
The lively atmosphere continued as the students exchanged stories about their week off. Mina excitedly shared her trip to a local amusement park, complete with exaggerated hand motions to demonstrate a roller coaster's twists and turns.
Momo talked about some new books she'd read, while Kirishima and Tetsutetsu were still debating which gym had the better training equipment.
At his desk, however, Tenya wasn't participating in the lively chatter. His usual high-spirited demeanor was replaced by a solemn expression, and he sat with his hands neatly folded, staring at the surface of his desk.
Midoriya noticed immediately and nudged Aiden, who was mid-conversation with Toru about an art exhibit she'd visited.
"Aiden," Midoriya whispered, glancing toward Tenya. "I think something's wrong with Iida."
Aiden's grin faded as he looked over. He knew about Tenya's brother Tensei's attack by the Hero Killer Stain, but seeing his usually energetic friend so subdued was jarring.
"Alright," Aiden said quietly. "Let's cheer him up."
Gathering the girls, including Toru, Momo, Mina, and Jiro, they approached Tenya's desk. Aiden leaned on the edge, his arms crossed.
"Hey, Tenya," he said lightly. "What's with the long face? You didn't spend your week off reading the entire school rulebook again, did you?"
The corner of Tenya's mouth twitched, but the attempt at a smile didn't reach his eyes. "No, I… I've simply been preoccupied."
Mina plopped into the seat next to him. "C'mon, Iida! We're your friends. If something's bothering you, you can talk to us."
Toru added, "Yeah! And if it's something serious, we'll help however we can!"
Tenya hesitated, his hands clenching slightly. "It's my brother," he admitted after a moment. "He's still in the hospital. His injuries… they're worse than we thought."
The group exchanged concerned glances. Midoriya placed a reassuring hand on Tenya's shoulder. "I'm really sorry, Iida. But your brother is strong, just like you. He'll get through this."
Aiden nodded. "And so will you. Your brother wouldn't want you to carry all this weight alone. Let us help you lighten the load."
Jiro pulled out her earphone jacks. "We could play some music. Nothing like a good beat to lift your spirits."
Momo added, "Or perhaps we could visit him together when the time is right."
Tenya looked around at his classmates, his posture softening. Though the worry in his eyes didn't vanish, there was a glimmer of gratitude. "Thank you," he said quietly. "All of you."
Before the conversation could continue, the door slid open, and Aizawa walked in, followed by Midnight. The room instantly quieted, with the students scrambling to their seats.
Aizawa, still wrapped in his scarf, gave them his usual tired look. "Good morning. I hope you all used your week off to recover, because we're moving on to the next important stage of your development as heroes."
Midnight stepped forward, her presence as commanding as ever. "That's right! The Sports Festival was just the beginning. Your performance caught the eyes of pro heroes all over Japan, and now the real work begins."
Aizawa held up a stack of papers. "Your internship offers."
Excitement rippled through the room. The students sat on the edges of their seats, eager to learn who had noticed them.
Midnight smiled. "You all did wonderfully at the festival, and now it's time to prove yourselves even further. This is where your journey to becoming professional heroes truly begins."
Aiden glanced at Tenya, who still seemed subdued but slightly more focused.
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Midnight stepped to the front of the room, her presence commanding the attention of every student. She held a clipboard in her hand, a teasing smile playing across her lips.
"Alright, Class 1-A, the moment you've all been waiting for!" she announced dramatically. "Let's see who caught the eye of the pro heroes."
The students leaned forward in anticipation, their excitement palpable. Midnight began calling names, starting with Midoriya.
"Midoriya Izuku! You received 10 offers!"
Midoriya's eyes widened in disbelief. "T-Ten offers?" he stammered.
Kirishima gave him a hearty pat on the back. "Not bad, Midoriya! Guess you really impressed some people out there!"
As Midnight worked her way through the list, the room buzzed with chatter and congratulations. Todoroki's name came next, and unsurprisingly, he had received a staggering number of offers.
"Todoroki Shoto! You received 128 offers!"
The class gasped, though Todoroki remained stoic, as usual. "Expected," Bakugo muttered, crossing his arms.
When Bakugo's turn came, his results were equally impressive.
"Bakugo Katsuki! You received 192 offers!"
Bakugo smirked, clearly pleased. "Damn right," he muttered, his confidence sky-high.
When Aiden's name was called, Midnight paused for dramatic effect, her smile widening.
"Fritz Aiden! You received... an outstanding 1,004 offers, both domestic and international!"
The class exploded with shock and awe.
"Over a thousand?!" Kaminari exclaimed, nearly falling out of his seat.
"Wow, Aiden! You've got agencies from all over the world!" Mina added, clapping her hands.
Toru gave Aiden a playful nudge. "Looks like you've got your pick of the best, Mr. Superstar."
Aiden chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, what can I say? I'm irresistible," he said, earning laughs and groans from his classmates.
The students spent the next hour poring over their offers, discussing which agencies might suit them best. Momo considered agencies that focused on rescue operations, while Kirishima looked at offers from agencies known for their combat training.
"I want somewhere I can really sharpen my hardening," Kirishima said enthusiastically.
Mina flipped through her stack. "I'm looking for someone fun to work with! I don't want a boring hero!"
As Aiden sifted through his own pile, one offer stood out among the rest. The envelope bore the sleek logo of the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. His brow furrowed as he read it, and his heart skipped a beat.
"San Fransokyo?" he muttered to himself. "That's... not supposed to exist here."
Toru leaned over, peeking at the letter. "What's that? A university?"
Aiden nodded, his inventor brain buzzing with excitement. "Yeah, it's a place known for cutting-edge tech and innovation. It's not even a hero agency, but this... this could be huge!"
The class noticed his growing enthusiasm, gathering around to hear more.
"What's so special about this place?" Kaminari asked.
"It's the most technologically advanced city in the world after I-Island," Aiden explained, his eyes sparkling. "Their focus isn't just on heroics but on technological development and research. This is a dream opportunity."
Midoriya's curiosity was piqued. "How did they even hear about you, Aiden?"
Aiden shrugged, still scanning the letter. "No idea. But they've invited me for a two-week internship to collaborate on some projects. This could be the perfect chance to combine my quirk with my love for invention."
Momo nodded thoughtfully. "It does sound like a unique opportunity, especially for someone with your skills."
The decision wasn't hard for Aiden. His classmates continued discussing their options, but his mind was made up. The thought of working in San Fransokyo filled him with anticipation.
"All right," he said, folding the letter with a grin. "Looks like I'm headed to San Fransokyo!"
The room erupted in cheers and congratulations, and as the discussion continued.
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