It was the morning of the third day of my workplace experience.
I was brushing my teeth with bleary eyes when the secretary came to get me. Apparently, the old man was calling for me. When I checked the time, it was thirty minutes earlier than the departure time I'd been told yesterday. I get that when you're a hero, time doesn't matter, but I really wish they wouldn't drag us students into that mindset. Let me sleep. Once I'm an adult, I'll have to work whether I like it or not, so just let me sleep for now.
"...And that's why you should let me sleep."
"Don't underestimate the working world, Futora Midoriya."
I'd told the old man exactly what I was thinking, and he'd responded with a lecture. Being lectured by the guy who usually needs a lecture... I don't know, it kind of ticked me off. For a guy with no hair, he sure has a lot to say.
A little later, Shoto arrived. He ignored the old man as usual. It was such a cold-shoulder response that you'd think the conversation they had last night was a total lie. The old man let off a lonely aura for a second, but when he noticed my judgmental stare, he cleared his throat and got down to business.
"We are heading into Hosu City to hunt the Hero Killer."
Apparently, the old man had been having his sidekicks investigate the Hero Killer who's been causing a stir lately. Based on the information they gathered, he'd profiled the villain and narrowed down his next likely appearance. He'd applied for a temporary activity permit for Hosu City a while ago, and it finally came through yesterday.
"The Hero Killer is a troublesome villain, the likes of which we haven't seen in years. Normally, this isn't a case I would bring students without hero licenses along for... However, I am taking you."
That was a bit of a surprise. I'd pegged him for the overprotective type. While I was staring at him, the old man looked back at us with an incredibly serious gaze.
"You both will become pros eventually. Given that you already possess the strength of a sidekick, you'll likely do so without much trouble. Therefore, while there may be some danger, you should see this with your own eyes. Watch, and learn well. Learn the true meaning of what it is to confront genuine evil."
I don't know what kind of deep emotion was packed into those words, but hearing them made Shoto clench his fist as if in response.
So, with the added condition of two sidekicks joining us as support, we headed for Hosu City with the old man to arrest the Hero Killer.
During the trip, I spent my time peeking at the old man's receding hairline, playing with Shoto's hair by braiding it with one of the sidekick ladies, and doing ten-pulls in a gacha game that was having a campaign this week. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. Checking it, I saw a message from Ochaco.
"Have you heard anything from Iida?"
Remembering how he looked when we parted ways three days ago, I decided to just call her.
"...Ochaco? Hello?"
"...Futora! Oh, I—I'm sorry. You're busy with your workplace experience, and here I am sending you such a weird message."
Ochaco's voice on the other end sounded terribly down.
"What's up? Did something happen with Four-eyes?"
"It's not that something specific happened, but he hasn't really been replying to my messages since then... If he's just busy, that's fine, but I'm just worried."
I could understand her concern. Anyone who saw how on edge he was back then would be worried.
"So, have you heard anything?"
"Nothing. Sorry."
"It's okay. I'm the one who should be sorry. Ugh, I wonder if anyone else has heard anything. Do boys usually talk to other boys about this kind of stuff?"
Looking at Kacchan, I highly doubted it. But then again, I don't think everyone lives their life like a feral explosion.
"Is there anyone else doing their internship in the same place as him?"
"I think he's in Hosu, right? There aren't any famous heroes in Hosu, so I don't think anyone else went there. If it was nearby—"
"...Hosu?"
Could it be?
"Hosu... is that the one written with the characters for 'preserve' and 'sand'?"
"I think so...? Wait, did you hear something, Futora?"
"I didn't hear anything. It's just... my group is headed to Hosu right now to catch some guy called the Hero Killer."
"What! Futora, you're going to Hosu!? And the Hero Killer is there!?"
Ochaco's panicked voice rang through the phone. She sounded like she was losing it. Her voice must have leaked out, because Shoto, sitting next to me, widened his eyes, and the old man sitting in front of me glared.
I guess that was supposed to be a secret.
"Ah, my bad. Off the record."
"Right, yeah! I'll... yeah, I'll do that! But that's not it, Futora! The Hero Killer is the one who hurt Iida's older brother! What if Iida went there specifically to hunt him down...!?"
At Ochaco's words, Iida's face flashed through my mind. That hollow, dark, obsessed expression.
"That... stupid four-eyed idiot...!"
+++
"I don't care what you think or what you're planning to do, but don't forget that there are people who will worry if you keep wearing a face like that."
Ever since that day, her words had remained lodged in my chest. Along with the faces of my friends, Ochaco Uraraka and Midoriya, as they looked at me with such concern.
"It's better if you don't move out of a desire for revenge."
Manual's voice had been soft, as if trying to reason with me.
But then, what was I supposed to do?
"Tenya... I wasn't sure if I should tell you yesterday... but I can't feel my legs."
To my brother, who spoke with such pain.
"The hero Ingenium... is probably... finished... here."
To my brother, who spoke with his fading breath.
"I hate it too... so... if it's okay with you..."
What was this emotion I felt?
"Nah, it's not like they work for me... it's the opposite, Dad. I can't do anything on my own yet. They're the ones supporting me. I have to work hard to pay them back for that."
To my brother, who laughed awkwardly.
"I don't really have much talent or anything special... but I'm carrying the title of a Hero. Knowing my work helps so many people... it makes me happy."
To my brother, who looked at our father with such directness.
The admiration I felt back then...
I won't forgive him. I will never forgive you.
How could I ever forgive the person who destroyed the man I looked up to? The one who crushed my precious brother's dreams?
"...We urge everyone watching the news to stay cautious. He is characterized by a blood-red scarf and multiple blades carried on his person. Hero Killer: Stain. While his victims are currently limited to those with hero licenses, if you see him, do not make contact and report it immediately. He is extremely dangerous. I repeat—"
Hero Killer: Stain.
"I'm sorry, Ochaco. Midoriya. Manual. Even so, I..."
I will take you down.
In the name of my brother—in the name of Ingenium.
***
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