Chapter 219 - 18

"I like that mindset. Let me see the list," he asked. Izuku handed it to him and nodded.

Gran Torino took the list from Izuku, his sharp eyes scanning over the names of the agencies one by one. Izuku felt a slight tension in the room, and he couldn't help but fidget in his seat. Gran Torino had a certain intensity that made him feel both respected and slightly intimidated.

"Hmph," Gran Torino grunted after a moment, his fingers tapping on the list. "Endeavor, Edgeshot, Best Jeanist, Gang Orca, Ryukyu, Hawks, Fat Gum, and Sir Nighteye… Quite the selection you've got here, kid."

"Thank you," he said as he looked away from him.

"What I wanted to tell you was that because you have been offered by many heroes, I would like to tell you that I will also be there to help you alongside whoever you choose. I would have taken on all three of you but because of…the circumstances…I won't," he said looking to the three of them.

"Though Inori. You keep proving yourself and that might change one day," he said, assessing her.

Inori didn't meet his eyes. "Yes, sir," she said.

"Alright. I will talk about this later, but your father needs to talk about something to Ichiro alone, so please step out for a moment," he said, going to the corner to watch what Toshinori would say. He handed Izuku the list and Inori, and he walked out, feeling like that went by in a blur.

He shut the door as Inori looked down at the hallway, not seeing his eyes. She turned to him and spoke.

"You want to have that talk now," she asked. Izuku sighed and nodded. "Sure," he said, walking over to a bench in the hallway with her sitting down a few seats away. They both sat in silence for a few minutes before Izuku spoke.

"You know…Inori…I don't 100% blame you and Ichiro…for everything anyway," he said making her look up.

"Why?" she asked whispering.

"Because mom and dad consistently fed yours as well as Ichiro's ego. So much to the point that you were on a high horse that you couldn't be knocked off," he said looking at her. Inori's eyes softened as she listened to Izuku's words, but she still felt the weight of his previous judgment. It was clear that despite his attempt to understand, the pain of their past still lingered for both of them.

"However, I do blame you for what you did to me, Inori. It wasn't right. When you, Ichiro, and Bakugo would beat the hell out of me without an actual reason behind it. It was dumb and stupid. There were a few times when I went to the hospital myself. I eventually learned how to patch myself up just for that reason. The one I remember the most though was the day that you stepped in front of me when Bakugo tripped me, and I had enough of you shit and pushed your face first into the locker. After school, you then proceeded to hold me and fling me around while Ichiro punched me in the chest. I bet you didn't know that I had a few broken ribs as well as a broken nose after that whole thing, but I had no one to go to because our parents didn't believe me. There wasn't a point in telling them," he said quietly.

Inori remained silent as she absorbed his words, her face pale. She could see the weight of those memories in Izuku's eyes, and for the first time, it felt like he wasn't just speaking out of anger or resentment, but from a place of deep hurt. The hurt she had caused. The room between them felt heavy, the atmosphere thick with unspoken guilt and regret.

"I know. I really doubt…that you could or would forgive me on that. There is nothing that can reverse that no matter how much I want it to. Or hope that it will happen," she said looking at him. "I'm sorry…for everything…you don't have to believe me…just know that I am…like I said before…you won't get any problems from me…not anymore," she said wiping a tear from her face.

Izuku glanced at her, his expression still torn between anger and the understanding that had started to form over the past few moments. The rawness of the situation was undeniable, and though he couldn't fully shake the resentment, something in his chest felt lighter. It wasn't a forgiveness, not yet, but there was a kind of uneasy peace settling between them. The words she spoke felt sincere, and for once, Izuku didn't feel like she was just saying what he wanted to hear.

"I appreciate you saying that, Inori," he said quietly, his voice hoarse. "But you have to understand that it's going to take time. I'm still angry… and I can't just forget everything that happened, no matter how sorry you are."

"I know," Inori replied softly, her eyes downcast, focusing on the ground. "I wouldn't expect you to forgive me right away, or at all. I don't deserve it, not after everything I did to you."

Izuku clenched his fists, fighting the wave of emotions rushing through him. "You don't get it," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "It wasn't just the fighting, Inori. It was how you all acted like I wasn't even there. Like I didn't matter. You—Ichiro—Bakugo… you were all part of that. I was invisible to you, like I was some kind of punching bag." He paused, looking at her with a pained expression. "I spent so many nights wondering because I even bothered trying to be a hero, with people like you making my life hell."

Inori flinched, her face contorting with the weight of his words. She had never really understood just how deep her actions had cut him. She had never stopped to think about how she and the others made him feel invisible, weak, like he wasn't even worthy of being seen as a person, let alone a hero.

"I know…" was all she said looking at him.

Izuku looked at her, his eyes full of pain but also understanding, a tension still between them that could completely erase. "I know you want to change, Inori. I saw it. I can see you change too. The other day Kyoka came up to me and said you apologized to her. I didn't expect that. That's how I know you are changing, for the better anyway."

Inori almost forgot she did that. Then something came to her mind. "Izuku, why haven't you told anyone of what we did. Like the higher levels of U.A., because if they caught wind of it, we wouldn't even be near the school. So why haven't you told anyone aside from a couple people?"

Izuku nodded at her question and decided to respond. "Because…I know that people can change. You are proof of that. I remember that I wanted nothing more than to have your names all over the streets saying Izuku was abused by his family but…I couldn't. I am a guy who believes in second chances. Even if you treated me like shit, I recognize that you and Ichiro want to be heroes. To be someone that can save others. I didn't want to take that away from either of you, or I am surprised that I didn't in the first place."

"You really believe people can change?" Inori whispered, her voice shaky, as though testing the sincerity of her own words.

Izuku met her eyes, his expression softening, but there was still a firmness to his gaze. "I do. I don't want to be the kind of person who holds grudges forever. It doesn't do anyone any good, not for me and not for you." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I'm not saying it's easy, and I'm not saying I'm not still hurt, but I believe that if you want to change, you can. That's what being a hero is all about, right? Giving people the chance to be better."

Inori had streams of tears falling from her face as she looked at her younger brother. "I will change," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "No matter what. I will make sure that I can be someone as worthy to be your sister again. I promise you that."

Izuku glanced at her, his expression softening even further. "That's all I can ask for, Inori."

The door to the room opened and Inori wiped her tears away as Ichiro stood out. He looked over to Izuku with a blank look. Not anger. Not frustration. Not sadness. Just a blank look. He turned to walk away, back to the dorms, just ignoring the two of them. Grand Torino and Toshinori came out of the hallway seeing him walk away.

"What happened in there?" asked Inori.

"Nothing to worry about," said Toshinori. "We just had a talk about something from the tournament in the festival and other things, but Gran Torino has something for you Izuku."

He walked over and looked at him in the eyes. "Here is my info. Tell me who your decision is so that I can help you. I will get in contact with that hero and then we shall go from there," he said walking away.

"I also know you two are the users, if you know what I mean. We will stay in touch," he said with them understanding what he meant immediately. "Alright you two. Go and get your stuff to head to the dorms and decide who you want to be with in the internships," said their father as he went back to the lounge. "Have a good night, you two."

As Izuku and Inori stood in the hallway, the weight of their conversation still lingering in the air, they exchanged a brief glance before nodding to each other. Without another word, they turned and made their way toward the dorms, their thoughts heavy with everything that had been said.

Izuku clutched the list Gran Torino had returned to him, his mind racing with the decision he had to make. He had narrowed it down to eight, but now, knowing that Gran Torino would be working with him no matter what, his choice carried even more weight. He needed to choose a mentor who would push him to be better, someone who could help him unlock his true potential.

Walking side by side, Inori hesitated before finally speaking. "Izuku… I know you said you believe people can change, but do you really think Ichiro will?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Izuku sighed, staring straight ahead. "I don't know," he admitted. "Ichiro's different. You… you've shown that you regret what you did. You're making an effort. But Ichiro… I don't know if he's even acknowledged that he was wrong. Until he does, nothing will change."

They walked in silence for a while longer, the cool night air brushing against them as they reached the dormitory building. As they stepped inside, Inori hesitated once more.

"Izuku… thank you," she said sincerely. "For even giving me the chance to fix things."

Izuku looked at her, his expression still guarded but less tense than before. "Like I said… it'll take time. But I hope you mean it."

She nodded, determined. "I do."

With that, they went their separate ways—Inori heading to her room, and Izuku making his way to his own, still gripping the list Gran Torino had given back to him. He sat down at his desk, staring at the names of the pro heroes he had selected.

Endeavor. Edgeshot. Best Jeanist. Gang Orca. Ryukyu. Hawks. Fat Gum. Sir Nighteye.

Each of them had something to offer, each a powerhouse in their own right. He knew that any of them could help him grow. He knew that he might have many internships through the terms, so he could go with others in case something happens.

He smirked as he thought of his answer. If Gran Torino was there, then he could help with his power as well as some other things to help. He smiled as he texted Gran Torino his answer and started to jog back to the dorms.

THE NEXT DAY

Izuku was walking back with some of his friends and classmates from Class 1-A and 1-B as they talked to each other animatedly. "These internships are going to be nuts," said Tetsutetsu as he slung around Kirishima. "Yeah, Kirishima and I are going to be under the same guy. He is the hero Fourth Kind."

Izuku chuckled, catching Tetsutetsu's enthusiasm. "Sounds like it's going to be intense." He looked over at Kirishima, who was grinning from ear to ear. "You two are going to be a force to be reckoned with."

Kirishima nodded, his red hair spiking with excitement. "Fourth Kind's got some wild abilities. I'm ready to go all in!"

"I'm going with my dad and brother. I might as well, and not to mention they can help me control my fire and ice," said Todoroki calmly.

Itsuka smirked. "I think that I will go with Uwabami."

"You sure? What kind of hero do you want to be? She doesn't seem like that much of a fit for you," said Izuku with Itsuka giving him a pout.

"That is why I said, I think. I might join Momo with what she is doing with Kamui Woods or something," she said, crossing her arms.

"That would be better to be honest," said Kirishima chuckling.

"What about you Izuku?" asked Shoji, opening the door for the group as they made their way into the dorms.

"I decided that I would do mine with Edgeshot," he said, making the others nod impressed.

"Edgeshot, huh?" Tetsutetsu said, raising an eyebrow with a grin. "That's a pretty solid choice, Izuku. The guy's a freakin' ninja. You'll probably learn a lot of stealth and precision from him."

Izuku nodded, a hint of excitement creeping into his chest. "I think so. His quirk is so versatile, and he's been known to get in and out of situations without even being noticed. If I can learn how to move more strategically, I'll be able to think on my feet more."

"Plus," Izuku continued, "I think his style of thinking could really help me out. He's precise and always thinking ahead, and that's something I can apply not just in combat, but in other situations too."

Kirishima grinned, clearly impressed. "Man, you're gonna be a beast after that! Stealth and strategy, huh? Just don't let Edgeshot get too far ahead of you; otherwise, you'll lose him, literally."

Izuku laughed softly. "I'll try to keep up, but I'm sure he'll be teaching me a lot more than just that. It'll be a good challenge."

They reached the common area of the dorms, where most of their classmates were starting to settle down. The energy was high, with everyone buzzing about their internships and their plans for the coming weeks. It was clear that this was a major step in everyone's journey toward becoming pro heroes.

Izuku looked around and nodded to himself. He had an idea. He would make everyone an awesome dinner for all the hard work they were about to do. He would just have to go to the grocery store to get some stuff because they had jack shit. He quickly ran to his room to get his wallet and change into some clothes. He put on a black long sleeve with white sweatpants and his red shoes as he slid on the railing down the stairs. He was hoping not to be noticed, but he was stopped when Tokoyami called out to him.

"Izuku, where are you off to in such a hurry?" Tokoyami called out from across the room, his deep voice drawing everyone's attention.

"Just going to the store real quick. I am going to make everyone a meal for how hard we all have been working. Wanna come with me," he offered to him.

Tokoyami shrugged his shoulders as he stood up. "Why not, might as well help you with all the ingredients and food for 40 people in the dorms."

Todoroki peered out from right around the corner and looked at the two of them. "Did someone say food?" he asked, making Izuku and even Tokoyami jump.

Izuku blinked, surprised by his sudden appearance. "Oh, uh, yeah! I'm going to the store to grab some ingredients for dinner. Thought I'd make something nice for everyone since we've all been working so hard."

Todoroki raised an eyebrow, his cool composure still intact, but there was no hiding the slight interest in his expression. "You cooking, Izuku? That's... unexpected."

Izuku scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "Well, I figured it'd be nice to do something for everyone before we head into our internships. You know, a little team bonding before it gets hectic."

Tokoyami, who had already been leaning toward the idea of helping Izuku, now seemed more intrigued by Todoroki's presence. "Are you interested in joining us, Todoroki?" he asked, his voice low and steady.

Todoroki tilted his head slightly, as if contemplating. "I don't know... but if there's food involved, I'm willing to give it a shot. Besides, I can't let you two handle all that by yourselves, especially if it's for the entire dorm. Let's just say it's... an offer of help," he said with a slight smirk that made Izuku's stomach flutter in excitement.

"Great!" Izuku exclaimed, relieved that Todoroki was on board. "Thanks, Todoroki! I wasn't sure how I was going to manage it all by myself."

"Don't worry, Izuku," Todoroki replied, walking closer. "I'm sure it'll be fine. If it's edible, I'll be impressed."

With the trio now headed to the store, Izuku's mind buzzed with ideas for the meal. He was excited but a little nervous. He was thinking about what to make everyone. He needed a meal with the basics for something filling and good: meat, fruit, veggies, rice, and finally dessert. It was only 1 p.m., so he had plenty of time.

They got to the supermarket and grabbed a cart to get what they needed. "Izuku, what do you think is suitable for this meal?" asked Tokoyami.

"I was thinking chicken mainly and some fish for some variety and have some rice too. Then some fruits and vegetables. Then dessert," he said, looking at the aisle numbers for where the food was.

"Sounds reasonable," Tokoyami said with a nod. "A well-balanced meal will keep everyone in top condition for what's ahead."

Todoroki hummed in agreement. "I assume you have a plan for how to cook everything without it taking all night?"

"Well, yeah. I know how to cook and bake if need be. I am not a master chief, but I think I can cook pretty well," he said, smiling.

"You can cook? You never said that before," said Tokoyami raising a brow.

Izuku chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, it's not like it ever came up in conversation."

"Very well. Let's go to the meat section then," said Tokoyami nodding at Izuku.

They walked over to the meat section and Izuku looked at the chicken and fish. "You guys good with chicken breast and tights with salmon. The salmon is good for muscle recovery."

"Chicken breast and thighs sound good to me," Todoroki replied, glancing at the selection of salmon. "And salmon is a solid choice. Rich in protein and omega-3s—good for recovery and endurance."

"I am fine with that too," nodded Tokoyami.

Izuku grabbed several packs of chicken and salmon, loading them into the cart. "Alright, that's the protein done. Next up, rice."

The trio made their way to the grain aisle, where Izuku picked up a large bag of rice. "This should be enough for everyone," he said, testing the weight before placing it into the cart.

Todoroki studied the shelves. "Do we need any seasonings? Plain rice will be pretty bland."

Izuku smiled, already a step ahead. "Good call. I was thinking of making some garlic butter rice with herbs. Adds some flavor but isn't too overpowering."

Tokoyami glanced at Izuku. "You sound like you've done this before."

"I get bored sometimes," he said pouting and looking at the ground.

Tokoyami and Todoroki exchanged a glance before Todoroki smirked slightly. "So, when you're not training or analyzing quirks, you're in the kitchen experimenting?"

Izuku nodded. "I have a very specific set of skills. Skills that I have acquired over a long period of time."

"Nice movie reference," said Tokoyami amused slightly. Izuku smiled at him when he felt someone tugging at his pants. The three of them looked to see a kid around seven years old smiling at Izuku.

"Excuse me, mister, are you from the Sports Festival on TV? Izuku or something," he asked excitedly.

Izuku blinked in surprise before crouching down slightly to meet the kid's eye level. "Oh! Uh, yeah, I was in the Sports Festival." He scratched the back of his head, feeling a little awkward but also flattered. "Did you watch it?"

The little boy nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! You were so cool! You went boom! And then whoosh! And then SMASH!" He mimicked the movements of some of Izuku's fights, swinging his arms wildly, almost toppling over in the process.

Izuku chuckled. "That sounds about right."

"You two were also in the battles. You were the fire and ice guy, and you were the black and dark bird dude," he said, pointing to Tokoyami and Todoroki.

Tokoyami exhaled quietly but nodded. "That is an accurate, if somewhat simplified, assessment of our abilities."

Todoroki, on the other hand, merely gave a small nod. "Fire-and-ice guy works, I suppose."

The boy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Can I get a picture with you guys?"

Izuku looked to see the boy's mother walking towards them with her phone. She likely told him to go and talk to them, which was cool.

Izuku smiled warmly at the kid. "Of course! We'd be happy to take a picture with you."

The little boy's face lit up with joy as his mother handed over the phone to Izuku. "Thank you so much! He's a huge fan of all of you," she said, looking between them.

Izuku crouched down again, giving a thumbs-up while Tokoyami stood to the boy's left, his arms crossed in his usual cool demeanor. Todoroki simply placed a hand in his pocket but nodded slightly, his expression neutral yet not unkind.

"Alright, say 'Plus Ultra'!" Izuku prompted with a grin.

"PLUS ULTRA!" the boy cheered as his mother snapped the picture.

After checking the photo, the mother beamed at them. "Thank you so much! You've made his day."

Izuku chuckled. "No problem. I'm glad we could."

The boy looked up at them, still bouncing with excitement. "I wanna be a hero like you guys someday!"

"You can do it," Izuku encouraged. "Just keep training, and don't give up, no matter what."

The boy nodded determinedly before his mother gently ushered him away. "Come on now, let's let them finish their shopping."

"Bye, mister Izuku! Bye, fire-and-ice guy! Bye, bird dude!" he called out as he waved.

"Take care," Tokoyami replied with a small nod.

Todoroki exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "Must be nice to have someone remember you by name, Izuku. At least my name wasn't something like bird dude," he said smiling to himself.

"I will admit, I expected something a bit more… dignified," Tokoyami said with a sigh, though there was a trace of amusement in his voice.

With that, the trio resumed their shopping.

"Let's see…I need some broccoli…what do you guys want for dessert? Some like fruit salad to keep it healthy, or do you want something sweet?" he asked as he put broccoli in the cart.

Izuku glanced at Todoroki and Tokoyami as they walked down the aisle. The two of them seemed lost in their thoughts for a moment before Todoroki spoke up. "Fruit salad sounds good. It's refreshing after a meal like this."

Tokoyami raised an eyebrow. "I would not be opposed to something more… decadent. Perhaps a chocolate cake?"

"Alright, so both then," he said, getting lots of strawberries, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Now let's get the rest of the cake ingredients." He quickly made his way down the baking aisle, grabbing flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and a few other essentials for the cake. Meanwhile, Todoroki walked beside him, pushing the cart with one hand, his other hand in his pocket. Tokoyami lingered behind, scanning the shelves with a more focused look on his face, as if the whole shopping trip was some kind of mission.

"So, do you guys think we'll be able to find some time to relax soon?" Izuku asked as he carefully chose the right baking powder. "I feel like the last few weeks have been non-stop, with school, training, and everything else."

Todoroki gave a short exhale, his lips twitching upward in a faint smile. "A break sounds nice. But I don't think it'll happen anytime soon. There's always something to do, whether it's preparing for the internships or continuing to improve ourselves. The work never stops."

Izuku nodded thoughtfully. "I know what you mean. It's like, no matter how much you want to take a step back, there's always something pushing you forward."

"That's the life of a hero," Tokoyami added, his voice surprisingly serious for someone whose usual demeanor was so composed. "It's a constant battle, not just against villains, but against yourself. You have to keep pushing forward if you want to be the best. But I do know the teachers and admin are required to give breaks because we are only 15 years old after all. Not like we are 23 or something."

"Fair point. You are doing your internship with Hawks then Tokoyami?" he asked as he put more stuff into their carts.'

"Yes indeed. It should be nice. He is the number three hero after all," he said nodding once more. Soon all of the ingredients Izuku needed were collected, and they checked out with the food, and started to make their way back.

Izuku hummed in thought. "Now how am I going to get this through without being seen," he said to himself.

"You don't want anyone seeing this stuff? Oh yeah, you said it was a surprise," said Tokoyami.

"Uh…we will be fine. Let's just use Dark Shadow to hide it all," offered Todoroki as he pointed to him.

Izuku nodded eagerly. "Great idea, Todoroki. We'll just have Dark Shadow carry everything. That way, no one will notice until it's time for the big reveal." He smiled, relieved that they had a plan. The last thing he wanted was for the others to spoil his surprise.

Tokoyami shot him with a knowing look. "You're lucky I'm willing to cooperate with your plan, Izuku. Just make sure you don't end up with too much cake in your hands; otherwise, I might have to step in to help out," he said with a smirk, walking ahead of the group.

"You just want some cake, don't you, Tokoyami," said Izuku smiling at his friend.

"Who wouldn't," he said smirking as they walked onto the school grounds. Soon they were at the doors of the dorms, and he activated Dark Shadow who grabbed all the supplies, and they made their way to the large kitchen.

As they entered the kitchen, Izuku quickly set up his workspace, laying out the ingredients with practiced hands.

Tokoyami, his usual calm self, immediately began scanning the area for anything that could potentially disrupt the surprise. His sharp eyes were always looking out for possible distractions. "I'll have Dark Shadow keep watch while you work, Izuku," he said, his voice low and composed, though there was a hint of anticipation in his tone.

Todoroki, on the other hand, walked over to the fridge and placed the ingredients that needed chilling inside. "Let me know if you need help with anything. I'll be in the living room if you need me."

"Actually, could you chop up the fruit for the fruit salad? Tokoyami, could you get the water set to boil the rice? I'll get the salmon and chicken and other stuff ready. If they smell it then they do but it'll be fine," he said as he started to open up the packs of food.

Todoroki nodded and began prepping the fruit for the fruit salad, carefully slicing strawberries, honeydew, and cantaloupe. His movements were precise, but there was a slight air of relaxation about him, as if this task was a welcome distraction from his usual intensity. Meanwhile, Tokoyami took a few steps towards the stove, activating Dark Shadow to keep watch as he turned on the kettle and set it on the burner. The dark, feathered figure watched over everything with a vigilant, almost intimidating presence, its glowing eyes scanning the room.

Izuku, who was already busy with the salmon and chicken, hummed to himself as he began seasoning the meat. He glanced over his shoulder, noting that everything was falling into place. The kitchen felt surprisingly calm despite the flurry of activity happening in the space. It was almost as if the team had fallen into a rhythm.

"Alright, I've got the rice boiling," Tokoyami said, his voice smooth and controlled as always. "Do you want me to start on the garlic butter for the rice?"

"Yeah, that'd be great," Izuku replied, turning his attention back to the chicken. He seasoned it with garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt before placing it on a grill pan. The scent of the spices began to fill the kitchen, adding to the growing layers of delicious smells. "Thanks, Tokoyami."

With a nod, Tokoyami grabbed the butter and garlic, melting them in a pan on the stove. His movements were practiced, though his usual seriousness never wavered. As the garlic sizzled, he added herbs—parsley, thyme, and rosemary—creating a rich, savory aroma.

Todoroki finished chopping the fruit and began arranging it in a large bowl. The vibrant colors of the fruit combined in a visually pleasing way, making it look as if it belonged on the cover of a recipe book. He added a little honey to the mix to give it a touch of sweetness. "It will 100% be enough for 40 people. This fruit bowl is huge," he said.

Izuku chuckled as he glanced over at the massive fruit salad. "Perfect. It looks like we're going to have a feast." He returned his focus to the chicken and salmon, flipping the pieces carefully. The sizzling sound of the meat on the grill pan was accompanied by the soft hum of the rice as it began to boil.

Tokoyami focused on the garlic butter simmering on the stove. With careful hands, he stirred the sauce, making sure the garlic and butter blended smoothly with the herbs, creating a rich and flavorful aroma that made the kitchen smell even more delicious.

Izuku grabbed a tray and began plating the salmon and chicken, the grill marks adding a beautiful color to the meat. The anticipation for the big surprise dinner was growing, and Izuku couldn't help but smile at how well everything was coming together.

"You're all set for the garlic butter sauce?" Izuku asked Tokoyami as he moved the grilled chicken and salmon to the side to rest.

"Just about," Tokoyami responded, his focus unwavering as he carefully poured the garlic butter sauce over the rice. He paused for a moment, taking a moment to appreciate how everything was coming together. "I have to admit, Izuku, your cooking skills are impressive."

"Thank you," he said grinning. They then heard something coming from the doorway. "What's that smell," said a feminine voice. Izuku sighed at that voice.

"Make sure that Setsuna doesn't get in here, Tokoyami," he said, with him nodding. "Dark Shadow has us covered," he said as Dark Shadow went to the doorway.

"Dark Shadow, block the entrance," Tokoyami said calmly, his voice barely above a whisper as his shadowy familiar stretched across the doorway, effectively stopping anyone from entering.

"Hey, what's going on here?" she asked, her hands resting on her hips as she peered inside, eyes scanning the busy kitchen. The overwhelming aroma of the grilled food and garlic butter rice filled the air, making her stomach rumble audibly. "This smells incredible, and I've got a good nose, you know. What are you guys hiding?"

Dark Shadow waved his hands in front of him, "Nothing."

Setsuna chuckles. "I call bull on that. So, let's see...Tokoyami is here, just based off of Dark Shadow," she said trying to look around him. She then saw Izuku and smirked even more. "Oh my gosh, Izuku is in here, now I got to see," she said, separating herself into pieces.

"Sorry ma'am you aren't on the VIP list," said Dark Shadow trying to stop her.

Setsuna grinned mischievously, her body disassembling into pieces, slipping through the gaps in the door. "You really think you can keep me out?" she asked, her voice coming from all directions as her fragmented form reassembled just inside the kitchen, her smirk plastered across her face.

Izuku, now caught in the act, sighed, knowing there was no stopping her now. He gave Tokoyami an apologetic look. "I guess the surprise is blown," he muttered, not entirely surprised by her usual antics.

Setsuna bounced into the kitchen with a gleam of curiosity in her eyes, eyes widening as she saw the spread of food being prepared. The grill marks on the chicken and salmon, the garlic butter rice simmering with herbs, and the vibrant fruit salad that sat on the counter—all of it made her stomach growl louder. "Wow, okay. You guys have been busy! Is this all for me, or are you planning to feed the whole school?" she teased, eyeing the large portions of food.

"Well, it was supposed to be for the forty of us before we all head off to our internships," said Izuku as he started to work on getting the chocolate cake mix ready.

Setsuna raised an eyebrow, her mischievous grin widening even more as she looked at Izuku. "Oh? Forty, huh? You were gonna keep this a secret from me? You know I have a thing for chocolate cake," she said, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "I'm hurt, really. But, I'll let it slide, since it smells so good. You have chicken, salmon, rice, fruit, and cakes. You should have just asked me out on a date."

"It's... it's not like that," he stammered, clearly flustered. "I was just trying to make something nice for everyone before we all leave for our internships. It's for all of us—no special reason, I swear."

Setsuna let out a playful laugh, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I'm just messing with you, Izuku," she teased, leaning against the counter. "But seriously, this spread is impressive. Who knew you had it in you?"

Izuku chuckled awkwardly, running his hand through his hair. "I, uh, like to cook sometimes. It's a nice way to relax." He turned his attention back to the chocolate cake mix, trying to focus on getting everything ready. "The cake's for dessert. I'm hoping it'll turn out well."

"Well, do you guys need help?" she asked. "Just to set out the stuff on the counters in here. It's quite a bit for 40 people, especially when there's like hundreds of pieces of chicken and lots of salmon," he said, helping Tokoyami with rice and garlic butter.

"Alright, I can do that," she said walking over to them to get the chicken from near the stove.

Izuku nodded as Setsuna walked over, her energy as high as ever. "Thanks, Setsuna," he said, trying to focus on the next steps in the meal prep while she got to work.

Tokoyami, still standing with his usual composure, glanced over at Setsuna's action. "Just be careful with the chicken, Setsuna. We don't want anything to go wrong now." His voice was calm, but there was a hint of seriousness as he spoke, though it was likely more out of habit than concern.

Setsuna, unfazed by his caution, grinned widely. "Don't worry, I've got it under control," she said, beginning to carefully set out the chicken pieces on the counter, making sure everything was arranged neatly. "It's nice to see everyone working together like this. I feel like we should make more of these team dinners—if only to show off how great I am at organizing food." She gave Izuku a playful wink.

About 20 minutes later, the food was ready to go, and the cakes were in the oven now. They just need to bake while they can eat all. It was about 5 o'clock and nearly everyone smelled what was cooking in the kitchen, and they were curious about what was going on.

"Guess you can't keep it a secret anymore Izuku," said Tokoyami.

"Yeah. That's alright. It's almost time to eat the main course anyway," said Izuku finishing mixing the rice.

Izuku nodded, his excitement bubbling as he turned his attention to the oven, where the cakes were just about done. The smell of the main course had already made its way down the hall, and he could tell that the others were starting to get hungry. "We should do this again," he said smiling.

Setsuna, who had been busy organizing the spread, turned toward him with a playful grin. "Oh, I'm sure we'll be doing this more often now that we know you're hiding cooking skills. You might even start a new trend around here," she teased, her fingers running along the edges of the fruit salad bowls as she added the finishing touches.

Todoroki, who had been quietly monitoring the progress of the dishes, finally spoke up. "You really have thought of everything. It's impressive how much work went into this. I'm glad I could help," he said, his usual reserved demeanor softening in the warmth of the moment.

"Yeah, me too," Tokoyami chimed in. "I think it's time to tell them it's ready."

Izuku walked over to the doorway to call to everyone in Class 1-A and 1-B. "Time to eat guys," he said with everyone getting up from their seats in the large common area. As more students filed into the kitchen, their eyes widening at the sight of the spread, a chorus of exclamations filled the room.

"Whoa, this looks incredible!" Kirishima exclaimed, his usual enthusiasm matching the energy in the room. "Izuku-bro, you made all this?"

Izuku chuckled nervously. "I had some help from everyone." He gestured to Tokoyami, Todoroki, and Setsuna, who were all standing nearby, giving the scene a mix of casual coolness and sly grins.

"Looks like we have enough food for a small army," Sero joked, rubbing his hands together as he eyed the chicken and salmon with hunger.

"This is going to be amazing," Mina added, eagerly bouncing in place. "I could really use a good meal like this before we head off for internships."

Izuku felt a wave of relief wash over him. The stress of keeping everything a secret and preparing such an elaborate meal was melting away, replacing with the warmth of seeing his friends and classmates enjoying the fruits of their labor.

"Okay, everyone, help yourselves," Izuku said with a grin, stepping aside to give the others room to dig in. As they all crowded around, plates quickly filled up with chicken, salmon, rice, and the vibrant fruit salad.

Setsuna, who had been grinning the entire time, now took a seat, eyeing her plate with approval. "I guess I can forgive you for hiding all this from me," she teased, reaching for a piece of chicken.

Todoroki, now seated at the table, nodded in satisfaction. "This is really good, Izuku. You should cook more often."

Tokoyami, ever the quiet one, simply gave a slight nod of approval, his attention focused more on his meal than the conversation.

As everyone dug in, the energy in the room lit up. The hard work that went into making the dinner paid off, and the laughter and chatter around the table felt like a much-needed respite from the pressures of being a hero-in-training.

"Thanks for doing all this, Izuku," Inori said from across the table, his voice softened by a mouthful of rice and chicken. "I'll admit, this is good."

Ichiro nodded as he ate the rice. "I guess this is good," he said just loud enough for Izuku to hear him. Izuku smiled at everyone's reactions.

"Since when could you cook?" asked Jiro, surprised, but ate the food faster than normal. Momo looked up at him. "Yeah, you never told us." "Since always and it was never brought up."

"This shit is awesome," said Tetsutetsu scarfing down his food. "I have to agree," said Monoma. "I've got nothing sarcastic to say," he said eating some fruit salad.

"Are you sure you're not secretly a professional chef?" Uraraka asked, pausing between bites of chicken and rice, her face lit up with genuine amazement. "This is incredible, Izuku!"

Izuku scratched the back of his head, trying to downplay the praise. "I just follow the recipes and enjoy cooking. It's not that big a deal," he said, though his smile was full of pride.

Kaminari, already on his third serving of chicken, raised his hand dramatically. "I nominate Izuku to make all our meals from now on. This is like restaurant-level good!" He stuffed more food in his mouth, clearly not bothering with manners. "Honestly, I didn't think you had it in you, bro."

Izuku ate his dinner with gusto, and it honestly was pretty good. He at least wanted to do something for everyone. He then heard the oven go off and he walked away for a minute to get the three cakes out of the oven. He pulled them out and carefully set them on the counter to cool.

Sato looked in the direction of the kitchen with narrow eyes. "My baker sense is tingling right now."

The room seemed to be quiet for a moment as everyone turned their attention to the cooling cakes. Sato's playful comment only added to the anticipation, and soon everyone was craning their necks to get a look at the treats.

Izuku was in the kitchen, got out the chocolate frosting, starting to open it when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He looked to see Yui Kodai in his face, and he jumped in surprise. She mumbled something that caught his attention.

"Cake?" she said pointing to it.

Izuku looked at her. "Yeah, that cake. I need for it to cool off before I put the frosting on it."

"Cake?" she said once more.

Izuku blinked, a little taken aback by Yui's enthusiasm, and chuckled nervously. "Yeah, the cake. You'll have to wait for a bit before I can frost it, though. It needs to cool down first."

Yui's expression shifted from eager anticipation to one of deep concentration. She stared at the cakes, and then back at Izuku, nodding slowly as if processing this important information.

"Cool down…" she repeated, as though saying the words out loud would make the wait seem less excruciating.

Izuku smiled softly at her, admiring how seriously she took this, but also feeling a little amused. "You're really looking forward to it, huh?"

Yui nodded vigorously, still transfixed by the cakes. "I like cake," she mumbled under her breath, as if that was all the explanation anyone needed. Her eyes never left the dessert, her hands wringing together impatiently.

"It'll be a bit. Let your stomach settle, and it will be done cooling off," he said, putting the frosting done.

Kodai sighed and nodded at him but turned around, walking away from the kitchen.

"Is that cake in their Izuku?" asked Sato.

"Yeah, it is. I need to give it time to cool off before we can eat it," he called out to them. Izuku waited in the kitchen for the cakes as some of his classmates and friends walked in to wash their dishes.

Itsuka was standing there with a smirk off to the side with Kodai holding her by the shoulders, peeking over her.

"Cake?" Kodai asked once more, making Izuku laugh. "Just a couple more minutes."

Izuku chuckled at Yui's unrelenting enthusiasm. "You really like cake, huh?" he asked, amused.

Yui nodded enthusiastically, her eyes locked on the cakes like a hawk, her hands gripping tighter at Itsuka's shoulders in anticipation. "Cake," she repeated softly, almost as if it were a sacred word.

Itsuka, watching the exchange with a smirk, leaned against the counter beside them. "She has always been a fan of cake so don't mind her," she teased, her gaze flicking between Izuku and the eagerly waiting Yui.

Izuku grinned, feeling a warmth in his chest at the sight of everyone enjoying themselves. "I didn't realize cake was such a big deal," he said with a playful shrug.

"Well, it's cake," Itsuka said matter-of-factly. "Who doesn't love cake?"

The group of students in the kitchen began to finish cleaning up their plates, and the energy in the room shifted slightly as everyone seemed to be drawn back to the sight of the cooling desserts. Some were still lingering around the counter, talking and laughing, but most couldn't help but steal glances at the cakes, eagerly waiting for them to be ready.

After a few minutes, Izuku looked down at the cakes. They had cooled sufficiently, and it was time. He grabbed the chocolate frosting and began spreading it over the first cake. As he worked, he noticed several of his classmates beginning to gather around the counter again, and he could feel the anticipation in the air.

"Alright, I think we're good now," Izuku said with a satisfied nod as he finished the last cake. He turned around to find most of his friends standing nearby, practically hovering in place as they waited for the moment to dive in.

Yui was right there, her eyes practically sparkling. "Cake now?" she asked again, her voice almost pleading.

Izuku laughed softly. "Yes, it's ready. I'll get you guys slices."

Without another word, Yui immediately grabbed a plate and hurried over to the cake, her eagerness palpable. The others quickly followed suit; their eyes glued to the cake like a flock of birds on the hunt.

"I've got to admit, Izuku," Kirishima said, taking a generous slice of cake for himself, "You've really outdone yourself with this dinner and the cake. This is next level."

"I'm just happy it turned out well," Izuku replied, wiping his hands on a dish towel. "I wasn't sure how the cakes would turn out, but I'm glad they're being enjoyed."

As the first slice of cake was placed onto Yui's plate, she wasted no time in picking up her fork and taking a bite. The moment the rich chocolate flavor hit her tongue, her usual stoic expression softened just a bit, her lips curving into the faintest smile.

"Good," she murmured in approval, nodding once before immediately taking another bite.

Izuku grinned, feeling oddly proud of the reaction. Before he could say anything else, the rest of the class descended upon the cakes like a pack of starving wolves.

"Alright, one at a time!" he called, laughing as everyone eagerly reached for their own slice.

"Izuku, this might actually be the best cake I've ever had," Kaminari declared dramatically, already halfway through his piece. "No joke. I feel like I've been lied to my whole life about what cake should taste like."

"That's because you usually eat store-bought snacks," Jiro pointed out, rolling her eyes as she took a smaller, more refined bite. She paused, her own expression shifting slightly before she gave Izuku an approving nod. "But… yeah, this is really good."

"As a baker myself. I give it 8.7 out of 10. That's pretty damn good," said Sato eating the cake.

Izuku chuckled at the praise, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm really glad you guys like it. I just wanted to do something nice for everyone."

Everyone enjoyed the meal that was provided for them when Izuku noticed one person was gone.

Iida.

He frowned, knowing that he was missing out on this. But family is important for a lot of people and when your brother damn near dies it's natural to want to be near him. He would save him a piece of cake.

Izuku carefully set aside a slice of cake for Iida, wrapping it up so it would stay fresh for when his friend returned. He knew how much Iida valued responsibility and discipline, and he imagined that even something as simple as a homemade cake might serve as a small comfort during such a difficult time.

"Not bad, nerd," Bakugo muttered after finishing his slice and walking away.

Everyone soon settled down and were all lying on the couch in the common area holding their stomachs. That's how Izuku knew it was a good meal. Thankfully there were no leftovers so there was that, aside from Iida's cake. Izuku finished eating his slice of cake and walked over to the sink to wash his dish. Everyone said it was amazing, and they were grateful for the meal, which made him happy. Now all that was left to prepare themselves for their internships.

He felt his phone buzz. He looked at his phone, and it was a call from Mr. Aizawa. A better question was how the hell did he got his number.

"Hello?" he asked, questioningly.

"Yagi," said sternly. "Make your way to the Support Course Development Studio. Power Loader is expecting you for something, but he didn't tell me what. Be there in 10 minutes."

Izuku straightened at the unexpected request, his mind already buzzing with questions. "Yes, sir! I'll head there now," he replied quickly before Aizawa hung up.

Why would Power Loader want to see him? The Support Course rarely had any direct involvement with hero training unless it was for costume adjustments. Did this have something to do with his internship?

Shaking off his confusion for now, Izuku grabbed a napkin and wiped his hands before making his way out of the common room. His classmates were still sprawled out, lost in their food comas, though a few waved lazily as he left.

The walk to the Support Course Development Studio was quiet, the halls mostly empty at this hour. The faint hum of machinery and the occasional sound of welding echoed through the corridors as he neared the workshop.

When he arrived, the door slid open with a hiss, revealing the bustling workspace of the Support Course. Various students were hard at work, tinkering with gadgets, modifying hero suits, and testing new prototypes. The scent of oil, metal, and burning circuits filled the air.

Standing near the back of the room was Power Loader, arms crossed, his signature yellow helmet and clawed gloves making him stand out even in the sea of inventors. Beside him, with an excited grin and a smudge of grease on her cheek, was none other than Mei Hatsume.

"Aw…Izuku Yagi. Come over here for a second," said Power Loader. "I know we haven't talked much but I am Power Loader. The teacher for the Support Course and the Hero Course. This here is Mei Hatsume," he said with her bouncing around.

"Nice to meet you both. Mr. Aizawa said that you need to see me about something," he said walking over to the two of them.

"Yes, we do. About three things actually," he said stepping to the side to show him the Sound Gauntlets Mark II, the Formuband, and the Volt Vanguards. Izuku went wide-eyed at what he meant. These were the inventions that he made for Momo, Jiro, and Kaminari.

"I think you know why you are here now. Now we haven't touched them yet, but we wanted to ask you how you were able to think about something like this. Most hero course students don't really think about stuff like this. I like to see what happens in the minds of other students and your mind has me spinning," he said, Mei still bouncing around.

"Well," Izuku started, rubbing the back of his neck, "I guess I just wanted to help my classmates in ways that made sense for their quirks. Jiro's Sound Gauntlets Mark II are meant to amplify and direct her heartbeat vibrations better, giving her more precision and power, and she doesn't have to use her Earphone Jacks. Momo's Formuband is to help her scan the objects around her to see what they are made of, and so she doesn't have to remember every little thing when she creates an object. And Kaminari's Volt Vanguards… well, if he can't control electricity in one direction, I could give him something to channel it in streams."

Power Loader nodded, clearly impressed. "That's a solid breakdown of your reasoning. You're not just thinking about making something flashy, you're engineering solutions tailored to your classmates' specific needs. That's what a good support engineer does."

Mei, who had been silent for a whole five seconds (a record for her), suddenly burst into excitement. "And they're sowell designed! The integration between function and form, the way you've optimized power efficiency—'chef's kiss!' Yagi, you've got a brain for tech, and I love that!" She leaned in, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So, tell me, what other ideas do you have rattling around in that head of yours? Got any upgrades in mind already?"

"Alright Mei, simmer down…I brought you here to see if you would like to work in the Support Course from time to time. You've got a bright mind. You wouldn't necessarily be in the class itself, but could come and work in here when you can. Think of it like an honorary support course student. You could run by a few ideas, build stuff, and learn what works best," said Power Loader offering.

Izuku blinked in surprise at the offer. An honorary Support Course student? He had always been interested in hero support gear, but he never considered actually working alongside the Support Course. His mind immediately raced with possibilities—ideas for improving his classmates' gear, ways to enhance his own costume, and even designs that could help other heroes in the future.

He looked at Power Loader, then at Mei, who was practically vibrating with excitement. "I... I'd really like that," he admitted, a small smile forming on his face. "I've always been interested in support gear, and if I can learn more while helping others, then I'd be happy to contribute."

Power Loader nodded approvingly. "Good. You're not officially part of the Support Course, so you won't have assignments or projects like the other students, but you'll have access to the resources here when you have time. If you want to work on something specific, you can coordinate with me or Hatsume."

With that, Hatsume jumped right into his face and started to ask him loads of questions. "How did you come up with the ideas for those three babies over there? What are you going to do next? Do you need help with it?"

Izuku took a half-step back as Hatsume leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement. Before he could respond, she unleashed a barrage of rapid-fire questions.

"Oooh, and what kind of materials did you use? Did you think about integrating nanotech? What's your stance on kinetic energy conversion? Have you thought about making an energy regulator for Kaminari's gauntlets? What's your opinion on electromagnetic shielding? Ooh! What about a self-repairing function? That could be fun! And tell me—do you plan on making something for yourself? What kind of hero tech would you design for your own quirk?"

Izuku felt his brain short-circuit for a moment as he processed the wave of questions. He knew Hatsume was energetic, but this was something else. He raised his hands slightly, laughing nervously. "H-Hold on, one question at a time!"

Power Loader sighed, shaking his head. "Hatsume, breathe."

Mei pouted but relented—only slightly. She took a deep breath, then immediately leaned in again. "Okay, but seriously, Yagi, you've got to tell me—do you have any new projects in mind? Because I need to see what else is rolling around in that big brain of yours!"

Izuku considered that for a moment, rubbing his chin. Truthfully, he did have a few ideas. With the internships coming up, he'd been thinking about ways to improve not only his classmates' gear but also his fighting capabilities.

"I was thinking about making something related to the wind pressurized attacks I can do. Some more precise when I snap my fingers rather than something that spreads out," he said, making the snapping motion. "I haven't started it because of our internships coming up."

Mei's eyes widened as if Izuku had just handed her the greatest treasure in the world. She vibrated with excitement. "Ooooh! So, like, concentrated air blasts?! That's genius! If we design a mechanism that refines the way the pressure builds up before release, you could create something with way more precision!"

"Yeah. I thought it would be better that way because then I don't risk hitting someone if they are my allies or teammates or even causing unnecessary damage. Maybe use some micro sensors so that it knows what finger I am snapping. Then also something with shock absorption to handle the power I am channeling into my finger snaps," he said, starting to ramble on.

Izuku's mind raced with possibilities as he continued, his fingers instinctively mimicking the snapping motion. "If I can refine the output, I could use it for pinpoint attacks instead of broad bursts. Maybe even have adjustable settings depending on the situation. If I need to push back multiple enemies, I could keep it wide, but for direct hits, I could focus the force into a smaller, more concentrated blast."

Hatsume practically vibrated in place. "Yes! Yes! And if we use a variable compression chamber—oh, or maybe a rapid-response pressure modulator—no, wait! We could integrate microturbines to further regulate output! Ooooh, this is going to be so cool!"

Power Loader rubbed his temple. "Hatsume, pace yourself. We don't even have a prototype yet."

Mei stepped back and sighed. "Alright, sorry."

"It's fine," said Izuku. "But I should be going back now. Thank you for allowing me to work in here."

Power Loader gave a firm nod. "Of course. Just remember, this is an opportunity, not an obligation. You come in when you have time, and if you need any guidance, you know where to find me."

Izuku bowed slightly in gratitude. "Thank you again. I'll do my best."

As he turned to leave, Hatsume shot forward again, nearly bumping into him. "Wait, wait, wait! You can't just drop an idea like that and leave! If you're serious about making this, we need to start brainstorming now! Or at least, like, tomorrow!"

Izuku chuckled nervously. "I'll try to find time after the internship starts. I don't want to rush something like this."

Mei pouted but quickly nodded. "Fine, fine. But you better not let that genius brain of yours go to waste! I wanna see results, Yagi!"

He gave her a small smile. "I'll make sure to keep you updated."

As he finally left the Support Course workshop, the cool air of the hallway was a stark contrast to the bustling energy inside. He took a deep breath, letting the weight of the offer and everything that had just happened settle in. It was overwhelming, but in a good way.

3 DAYS LATER

It was nearly time for Izuku to leave, but he had to meet with someone before he left for Edgeshot's Agency. Hounddog asked to meet with him. He didn't know why but it was likely for his weekly meeting since he wouldn't be able to do it at all. It was 4:51 am right now and he was at his office. He knocked on the door when he heard a voice.

"Come in," he called out.

Izuku opened the door and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, with only a single desk lamp casting a soft glow over Hounddog's desk. The man was seated in his usual spot, the ever-present aura of professionalism hanging over him, even at this early hour. His sharp features softened only slightly when he noticed Izuku entering, but there was a noticeable warmth in his eyes.

"Izuku, good morning," Hounddog greeted, pushing aside a few files on his desk. "I know this is a bit earlier than usual, but I wanted to talk before you head off for your internship."

Izuku nodded, slightly confused but intrigued. "Of course, sir. What's this about?" He moved to sit across from the older hero, trying to gauge the mood.

Hounddog leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. "I just wanted to have a quick conversation. During the Sports Festival…Mr. Aizawa said that you were…acting different in your fight with Inori. Is there a reason for that?" he asked thoughtfully.

Izuku froze a little bit, not sure how to answer. "Well…I was nervous…to fight one of the people that bullied me growing up…it…was pretty hard…for obvious reasons."

Hounddog's gaze softened as Izuku spoke, sensing the weight behind his words. He leaned forward slightly, his voice steady but full of understanding. "I see. That would certainly make things more difficult. I can imagine how hard it must've been, especially considering the history between you two. But Izuku…" He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, almost as if he were trying to read Izuku's thoughts. "You can't let that define how you approach things in the future. You're a hero in training now. That means facing your emotions head-on and still being able to act with clarity when it counts."

"Yeah, I know. I'm trying…" he said quietly.

Hounddog stood up and looked to Izuku. "I know. It's all I ask. That's all you can do, and it takes time. But don't worry about that now. Go back to the bus. You are about to depart with your internship. Good luck with Edgeshot. You can learn a lot from the number 5 hero."

Izuku nodded, trying to absorb Hounddog's words as they sank in. He had heard similar things from other mentors, but coming from the calm, collected hero in front of him, it hit differently. His thoughts were still tangled, but there was something reassuring about Hounddog's steady presence, as though everything would fall into place in time.

"I will. I'll make sure to learn as much as I can," Izuku said, feeling a new determination settling in him. "Thank you, Hounddog. I really appreciate the advice," he said running out of the door.

"No problem kid," he said calling out to him.

Izuku made it with record time getting back to the dorms in less than 1 minute. He had a bit of help with Jolt. The bus was outside waiting for them and many were getting on. Mr. Aizawa looked to Izuku, who was holding his hero costume, with Izuku smiling.

"Right on time," he said, getting on the bus.

Izuku stepped onto the bus, scanning the rows of seats. Most of his classmates were already inside, chatting excitedly or checking their gear. Some, like Todoroki and Iida, sat quietly, mentally preparing for what was ahead. Others, like Kaminari and Kirishima, were buzzing with anticipation. He sat next to Jiro who was listening to music.

"You ready dude. We won't see each other for a week," she said putting her headphones down for a minute.

"Yeah, I am. Just...lots of emotions right now," he said putting his hands to his face.

Jiro smirked slightly, nudging him with her elbow. "Yeah, I get that. First big internship—pressure's on."

"Yeah, you know I'm always like this. I get the jitters, then it fades out eventually when I'm used to it," he said leaning back in his seat, breathing. "You ready to work with Death Arms?" he asked her. "I personally know it will be good for you. You'll learn how to fight more hand to hand in case you ever need to do that."

Jiro stretched her arms and let out a small sigh. "Yeah, I know. I've been thinking about that too. I can't always rely on my sound waves alone. If someone gets too close, I need to be able to fight back properly."

"You will be fine. You're tough," he said looking at her. He looked at her and noticed she had a huge blush on her face. "You ok, Kyoka? Do you have a fever or something," he said putting a hand to her head.

Jiro's blush deepened as Izuku's hand rested gently against her forehead. She immediately swatted his hand away, turning her head toward the window to avoid eye contact. "I'm fine, nerd! Just… surprised, that's all."

"Just making sure," he said as she offered him an earpiece. She was still blushing as she looked out the window. "You…wanna…listen to music…with me?" she asked.

Izuku blinked in surprise at the offer, then gave a small smile as he took the earbud. "Yeah, sure. What are we listening to?"

Jiro still refused to look at him directly, pretending to fiddle with the cord of her headphones. "It's just some rock. Thought it might help clear your head before the internship."

"Are you sure you are good? Your cheeks are red," he said putting his hands to her cheeks once more.

Jiro nearly jumped out of her seat when Izuku placed his hands on her cheeks again. She swatted them away for the second time, her face burning even more. "Would you stop that?!" she hissed, turning to glare at him, though the effect was ruined by how flustered she looked.

Izuku laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, sorry! I just wanted to make sure you weren't getting sick before your internship."

"I'm fine," she grumbled, crossing her arms and sinking a little into her seat.

"Sorry, if I made you mad, Kyoka, I didn't mean to," he said feeling bad.

Jiro glanced at him, noticing the way his expression dropped slightly. His usual energy seemed to dim, and she could tell that he genuinely felt bad about upsetting her. With a sigh, she shifted in her seat, turning toward him slightly.

"You didn't make me mad," she muttered, tapping her fingers against her thigh. "I just… wasn't expecting it."

Izuku blinked. "Really?"

Jiro rolled her eyes. "Yeah, really. You're such a dork sometimes."

"Psst...hey, Izuku," said Momo from behind them. "I don't mean to be a bother, but could you help me with the settings of the Formuband," she asked showing him the invention he made her.

Izuku turned around, spotting Momo holding the Formuband in her hands. He had suggested it a while ago and seeing her actually use it made him feel a surge of pride.

"Oh, of course!" Izuku said, shifting in his seat so he could get a better look. Jiro leaned back, subtly watching as he examined the device.

Momo handed it over. "I was testing it last night, but I think the calibration might be slightly off. It's taking longer than expected to recognize the mass-to-energy ratio of my creations."

Izuku nodded, already analyzing the issue in his head. "That makes sense. The sensors might not be adjusting to the variance in your Quirk's output. Let me…" He trailed off, pressing a few buttons on the side of the band, fine-tuning the input sensitivity.

Jiro smirked, resting her chin in her palm. "And here he goes… full nerd mode."

Izuku shot her a quick look before turning his attention back to the Formuband. "Okay, I think if we adjust the responsiveness here… and tweak the processing delay…" He tapped the screen, his expression lighting up as he found a solution. "Try it now."

Momo slipped it back onto her wrist and activated her Quirk. "Oh! That's much better!" She smiled at him. "Thank you, Izuku! Your attention to detail is always so impressive."

Izuku blushed at the compliment, rubbing the back of his head. "I just like figuring things out."

The right was filled with chatter even if it was a little after 5 in the morning. He looked over to his left to see Mineta glaring at him. He went wide-eyed when he made a gesture to come here. He took out the earpiece to make sure not to disturb Jiro as he scooted over to them.

"What's up. Why are you glaring at me," he whispered to him.

"Because you are always with girls," he said, upset. Kaminari next to him leaned into the conversation. "He has a point Izuku-bro. You are a chick magnet."

Izuku blinked, his face turning red. "What? No, I'm not!" he whispered back, incredulous. He quickly glanced over at Jiro, who was still listening to her music, blissfully unaware of the conversation unfolding.

Mineta pulled out a sticky note and cleared his throat, whispering to him. "These are the girls you talked to over the past 24 hours. Jiro, Yaoyorozu, Setsuna, Shiozaki, Ashido, Asui, Uraraka, Yanagi, Hagakure, and Pony."

Izuku stared at the sticky note in disbelief. "W-Wait a second! You've been keeping track of who I've been talking to?!" His voice was a mix of surprise and embarrassment. He glanced over at Jiro again, who was still completely oblivious to the conversation going on around her. Izuku couldn't believe what he was seeing—was Mineta actually keeping a record of who he interacted with?

Kaminari snickered; his expression was full of amusement. "Mineta doesn't miss a thing, bro. It's his thing. He's got the whole 'chick magnet' tracker system down. He's like a walking romance encyclopedia." Izuku groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I'm not a chick magnet! I don't even know how I ended up talking to all of them!" He glanced down at the note again, feeling the heat in his cheeks intensifying. "Some of these are just casual conversations, not… not like that!"

"What are you guys whispering about?" asked Kirishima, looking over the set behind him as he was in front of them. "Yeah, what is it," asked Sero as the two of them were looking over the seat.

Izuku's face turned even redder as he tried to explain himself. "It's not what you think! Mineta's just… uh, keeping track of who I talk to." He quickly glanced at the sticky note again, his heart racing. "But it's not like that, okay? It's not a big deal."

Mineta snickered and added, "Oh, it's a big deal, alright. Izuku's got more girls on his radar than you'd think. I'm just helping him keep track, so he doesn't miss out."

Kaminari chimed in with a smirk, "Yeah, man. It's like you're in some kind of romantic spy game, and Mineta's your mission control."

Izuku let out an exasperated sigh, his face still burning. "Guys, come on, this is embarrassing! I'm just trying to focus on the internship, not some… some girl tracker thing!"

"I don't know bro," said Sero, whispering. "Women tend to gravitate to you. I look at it in a way that Mineta is jealous," he said chuckling as Mineta looked offended.

"No shit I am jealous," he whispered pointing at Izuku.

Izuku shook his head in disbelief, trying to process the conversation that was rapidly escalating. "Jealous? Mineta, this isn't about being jealous! It's just... I don't even know how to explain it. I'm not... I don't even know how all of this started! I am going back to my seat," he said turning around blushing. He put his earpiece back in and sighed, listening to her music to calm down.

Jiro smirked at Izuku as she heard the whole conversation. She wouldn't tell him, but it was cute the way he acted sometimes.

Soon all of Class 1-A were all at the train station ready to be sent off to where they needed to be sent off to. Mr. Aizawa had a few words to say for his class.

"Alright everyone. This week is going to be pretty important for all of you." Mr. Aizawa's eyes scanned the group of students before him. "You've all been selected for internships with professional heroes. You've worked hard to get to this point, but remember, this isn't a vacation. You'll be expected to work just as hard as any pro, if not harder. The internship will test your skills, your decision-making, and your ability to handle real-world situations. Also…remember this…you are not pro heroes yet. You still need licenses. So, if something does get a bit iffy. Listen to the pros."

The class stood at attention as Mr. Aizawa's words settled in. The weight of his message was clear—this wasn't just some learning experience. It was a real-world test, and mistakes could have consequences. Izuku shifted uneasily, still feeling the heat in his cheeks from the earlier teasing, but the thought of the upcoming internship was quickly taking precedence in his mind. He couldn't afford to be distracted by jokes, no matter how persistent they were.

"Now. Good luck. Do your best and learn a lot," said Aizawa as he looked to his students. Izuku smiled as he looked over to his friends. He walked over to the group of Jiro, Momo, Uraraka, and Kirishima.

"Good luck you guys," he said smiling at all of them. "Ah, yeah! We will do our best!" said Kirishima.

"Agreed. We will all come back better," said Momo happily.

Izuku smiled as he continued to talk with his friends. He looked out of the corner of his eyes to see Iida walking away. He turned around and ran over to him. Ochaco looked to see Izuku running and she did the same.

"Iida, wait!" called out Izuku. Iida stopped in his tracks when he heard Izuku calling his name. He turned around, a strained expression on his face, his usual stern demeanor replaced by something more somber.

"What is it, Yagi?" Iida's voice was quieter than usual, with a hint of frustration. His hands were clenched at his sides as if he were holding something back.

Izuku approached him, his smile fading slightly as he noticed the change in Iida's posture. "Iida, I just wanted to wish you good luck on your internship. I know you'll do great! You've worked so hard for this."

"Thanks, Yagi. But there's something I need to focus on during this internship. It's not just about the work," Iida said, his gaze briefly turning away as though he was lost in thought. "I have... other things to keep in mind."

Izuku blinked, sensing the weight in Iida's voice but unsure how to respond. "Other things? Like what?"

Before Iida could respond, Uraraka caught up with them, slightly out of breath from running behind Izuku. "Hey, Iida. We're all in this together, okay? If there's anything you need to talk about, we've got your back," she said, her voice filled with concern.

Iida didn't immediately answer. Instead, he looked down, clenching his jaw. His usual confident and reassuring aura seemed to be slipping, replaced by something far more conflicted. "I appreciate it, but there are... things I have to deal with on my own. Just focus on doing your best, okay?"

"Iida..." Izuku started, his voice hesitant. "If you ever need to talk, or if there's anything we can do, don't hesitate to reach out."

Iida straightened up at that, forcing a small smile. "Thank you, Izuku. I will... but for now, I have to focus." His expression hardened once more, and he turned to walk away, his steps quick and purposeful.

Izuku wished that he had done something more to help his friend that day. To be there for him. To help him. Izuku got off at his stop saying goodbye to his friends a while ago. He opened his phone to see he had a text from a group chat that he was put into from his dad. It has his parents and two siblings.

Dad: Good luck with your internships everyone. Proud of you all.

Mom: Love you, my babies! Kick butt!

Inori: Thanks guys!

Ichiro: Ty

Izuku: Thank you

It wouldn't hurt to reply. It didn't hurt. But he put it away for now and walked out of the train station to be greeted by a chauffeur holding a whiteboard with his name on it.

"Izuku Yagi," said the man opening the door in the car. "I am here to escort you to the Edgeshot Agency."

Izuku nodded, his nerves still tingling from the earlier exchange with Iida. Something was clearly bothering his friend, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He took a deep breath, shaking off his concerns for the moment. He had a job to do now, and he couldn't afford to get distracted. This was his first internship, and he had to make a good impression.

He climbed into the back of the car, and the chauffeur shut the door behind him. The inside of the vehicle was plush, the leather seats inviting and comfortable. The soft hum of the engine settled in as they began driving toward the Edgeshot Agency, and Izuku stared out the window, watching the city pass by. His mind was buzzing with excitement, anticipation, and a little bit of anxiety.

Edgeshot was one of the top heroes in the country, known for his incredible speed and ability to transform into a human projectile. He had a reputation for being extremely meticulous and professional, which made Izuku both excited and nervous. He had no idea what to expect. What if he wasn't good enough? What if he made a mistake?

The car came to a stop outside a sleek, modern building, the headquarters of the Edgeshot Agency. The exterior was a sharp contrast to the older, more traditional buildings around it, its polished glass and metal structure gleaming in the sunlight. Izuku's heart started to race as he stepped out of the car. This was the real deal. He was about to enter the world of professional heroes.

"Thank you," Izuku said to the chauffeur as he stepped out of the car and adjusted his bag on his shoulder. The man gave a polite nod before driving off.

Izuku took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and walked toward the entrance. He wasn't sure what awaited him, but he was determined to give it his all. As he approached the door, it slid open automatically, and he was greeted by a tall man with sharp, angular features and a stern expression.

"Izuku Yagi?" the man asked, his voice low but steady. "You're here for your internship with Edgeshot?"

"Yes," Izuku replied, nodding. "I'm here for the internship."

The man sized him up for a moment before nodding and gesturing for Izuku to follow him. "This way."

Izuku followed the man down the hallway, his footsteps echoing in the quiet building. He couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. This was its first real step into the world of professional heroes. He had worked so hard to get here, and now the time had come to prove himself.

The man led him into a spacious room with high ceilings, sleek modern furniture, and a large glass window that offered a panoramic view of the city. The room had a serious, non-nonsense vibe, and Izuku immediately felt the intensity of the environment. Many people were at desks, likely looking for crimes to report on. Some with statistics boards, radars, and radios. He counted nearly 30 people.

"Follow the carpet until you get to the double doors at the end, they are waiting for you," said the man leaning against the door now.

As he reached the double doors, he hesitated for just a moment. He pushed the doors open to be greeted with a big desk and with windows providing a nice view of the city. In the center was Edgeshot looking out of the window. Gran Torino was off to the side of the desk as Izuku walked in and he nodded at him.

Edgeshot turned around and Izuku could see a smile under his mask. "Ah, welcome Izuku Yagi," he said walking over to him. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Izuku clutched his suitcase handle in his right hand as he switched the suitcase to his left. He stuck out his right hand to greet him with a handshake.

Edgeshot's grip was firm and steady as he shook Izuku's hand. Despite the mask that covered most of his face, there was warmth in his voice that made Izuku feel more at ease.

"It's an honor to be here, sir," Izuku said, trying to keep his voice steady. His nerves still buzzed in his chest, but he was determined to make a good impression. This was his chance to prove himself, and he wasn't about to squander it.

Edgeshot's eyes seemed to glint behind his mask, his smile more apparent now. "I've heard and seen good things about you, Yagi. You've made quite a name for yourself already." He stepped back, motioning to the room. "Please, have a seat. Let's get down to business."

Izuku nodded, taking a deep breath as he moved toward the chair in front of the desk. As he sat down, he couldn't help but glance around the room. The atmosphere was so different from what he was used to back at U.A. The polished desk, the sleek technology around them, and the serious tone of everything reminded him that this wasn't a training ground anymore. This was the real deal.

Gran Torino, who had been quietly observing the exchange, gave Izuku a small nod of acknowledgment. The seasoned hero's presence added to the weight of the moment. Despite his usually laid-back demeanor, He walked over with Izuku and sat down next to Edgeshot, pulling a chair up from the background to get closer.

"Right," Edgeshot continued, turning his attention back to Izuku. "Would you like some tea?" he offered, pouring himself some. Izuku nodded slowly as he poured himself and Izuku some tea.

Gran Torino settled into his chair beside Edgeshot, his usual laid-back posture making the atmosphere seem slightly less intense. He gave Izuku a small, approving smile as Edgeshot poured the tea, the steam rising gently from the cups.

"Tea always helps to calm the nerves," Gran Torino said, his voice light but still carrying an air of experience. "You've got quite a big day ahead of you. You might as well take the edge off."

Edgeshot looked at Izuku with curious eyes and sat up straighter. "Now then. I should tell you now that you are the only one that I offered an internship to out of everyone at the Sports Festival. The first in a few years."

Izuku's eyes widened slightly at the revelation. The only one? He couldn't help but feel a sense of both pride and pressure settling over him. Being the sole person chosen was a huge honor, but it also meant that he had to live up to some very high expectations. He swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves.

"Thank you, sir," Izuku said bowing slightly. Edgeshot put his hands up in a placating manner. "No need for thanks kid, that was all on you. But do you know why I chose you?"

Izuku tried to think of an answer, but he couldn't think of one off the top of his head right now. Edgeshot saw he was hesitating and decided to answer for him.

"When I was watching you in the one-on-one battles, I didn't take an interest in you immediately. The first round against that Shinso boy, I didn't think much of it, but it was quite clever that you found a way around his quirk. The second round, when you fought your sister Inori, now that was where I started to be interested in you. You were pitted against an incredible strong telekinesis quirk, and you found a way around it. The third round you showed your durability and strength against your brother by showing that you were a brick wall. The final match against Bakugo showed to me that you were there to show everyone that you weren't going to give in and give up. The reason I chose you was because of four things. Determination. Heart. Intelligence. Adaptability."

Izuku listened intently, his heart pounding as Edgeshot laid out the reasons behind his choice. He hadn't expected such an in-depth breakdown of his actions. Hearing it all laid out like that, he could feel the weight of the responsibility that now rested on his shoulders.

Gran Torino, who had been sipping his tea, nodded approvingly. "It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of a fight and lose sight of strategy. But you, kid—you saw what mattered. That's what makes the difference."

"I… I never realized I was showing all of that," Izuku said, his voice soft but filled with a sense of gratitude. "I just… I just wanted to do my best, to keep up. I still have a lot to learn, but I'll keep working hard. I won't let you down."

Edgeshot smiled, a small but genuine smile. "That's the attitude I like to see. Hard work, resilience, and a willingness to learn—those are the traits that separate the good from the great. But remember, this isn't just about proving yourself to us. It's about proving yourself to you. Heroes don't just fight for recognition—they fight because they believe it's the right thing to do. Though one question, if I may. What type of hero do you want to be?"

Izuku smiled at the question. "I want to be a hero that falls into many categories. Combat, rescue, and support. I want to be as well rounded as possible," he said with conviction.

Edgeshot leaned forward, his eyes studying Izuku with an intense focus. "Well-rounded, huh?" he repeated, as if tasting the words. "That's ambitious. There are a few heroes like that. Myself, All Might, and a few others. I will do my best to help you get there Izuku Yagi."

"Thank you, sir," said Izuku.

"Well then. How about you go and get changed into your hero costume, and we will go from there," Edgeshot said happily.

"Right!" Izuku said, his voice full of determination as he stood up from his chair. He gave a quick, respectful bow to Edgeshot and Gran Torino before heading to the back of the room where the changing area was located. His heart was pounding in his chest as he made his way to the small, private space. He set down his bag and opened it, pulling out the neatly folded hero costume his mother had helped him design.

He pulled out a note from Mei and he sighed. "Oh boy," he said flipping it open. "The Support Course department has made some changes to your suit. Mainly your gloves. White looks better than gray on your costume. That's the only thing I changed," -Hatsume.

Izuku gave a deadpan look as he started putting on his forest green jumpsuit. He put on his white gloves and black boots and Mei even gave him this weird thing that connected around his neck. It was likely for style more than anything, but he looked good regardless.

He looked himself over one last time, taking in the full outfit. This was it. His first day on an internship, with Edgeshot, of all people. He was both nervous and exhilarated. His heart raced, and the weight of Edgeshot's words echoed in his mind: Determination. Heart. Intelligence. Adaptability. He was determined to live up to those expectations, but a small voice in the back of his mind reminded him of how much he still had to learn.

"Alright, Izuku," he muttered to himself, straightening his posture. "You've got this." He gave himself a final nod of encouragement before stepping out of the changing area and making his way back to where Edgeshot and Gran Torino were waiting.

When Izuku reentered the main room, Edgeshot gave him a brief glance up and down, a small, approving nod on his face. Gran Torino, meanwhile, gave a thumbs-up with a wry smile.

"Looking sharp, kid," Gran Torino commented. "I'd say you're ready to take on the world."

Izuku blushed slightly but nodded. "Thank you, Gran Torino." His eyes shifted to Edgeshot. "I'm ready, sir."

Edgeshot rose from his chair, his movements quick and precise. "Good. Let's not waste any more time. We've got work to do." He turned toward the door, and Izuku followed closely behind, feeling a surge of excitement running through him. Time to start this internship.