The classroom was silent, not even a peep uttered as the shocked students slowly turned their heads to face me. Midnight was the first one to speak.

"I like the name, (L/N). It's very original." She had this pitiful smile on her face, obviously knowing that people were going to be surprised. I nodded and made my way back to my seat, not the least bit bothered. 

"Alright," Aizawa started, voice as monotone as ever. "You'll select one of the agencies you were offered, and if you weren't offered one, then we have a list of forty different agencies to choose from." 

"I suggest choosing an agency that best fits you. Be your aspiration." 

"Alright, class is dismissed."

__

I walked in silence, no one in particular coming alongside me, even Iida. I shook my head, smiling. I knew this would happen. I don't care, though. I turned into the lunchroom and picked up a tray, then sat at the random seat near the middle of the mess hall. 

I overheard Mina and the others talking from behind me. 

"Have you guys picked an agency already?" she chirped excitedly. 

"I chose Mt. Lady's hero agency." I almost snorted. Truly Mineta. 

"You probably chose that one since you're pretty perverted, Mineta," Tsuyu croaked. I smiled and picked up my glass of water, taking a drink.

"But isn't it odd that Mina didn't receive any offers? I mean, she did make it to the first round of the final battle," Ojiro interjected, obviously distressed. Everyone came to a hush, which left me quiet confused. 

"What about (L/N)-san?" Their voices were nearly whispers, but still definable. They think I'm not here, so let's see what they have to say. 

"I think it's admirable that they made it this far without having a quirk. And to think that I spoke to them that harshly during the Sports Festival makes me feel really guilty about everything," Mina whined. I heard hums of agreement from all around, making my insides feel like nothing. At the moment I felt so vulnerable. 

"I wanted to talk to them after class, but I couldn't find them anywhere. I wanted to congratulate them for being so courageous. If it were me, I wouldn't have even made it into the UA, not even scraping a third place in the Sports Festival." 

"Why the hell would a weakling get into the UA, though? It makes no goddamn sense. Has the bar fallen this low already? This is supposed to be a prestigious school, not one for damn nerds like you all." I understood this all too well. Of course it had to be Bakugo.

"You don't know what you're talking about! (L/N)-san is the most spirited person that I know of, and I'm proud to be their friend!" Iida shouted. I imagined him doing the arm motions rapidly, pointing at Bakugo with all five fingers. I clutched my heart, trying not to cry while eating. The positive affirmations were almost too much, at this stage of self-humiliation.

"The UA made a deliberate decision when inviting them inside to study on being a hero. I feel as if (L/N)-kun exceeds all those expectations when it came to testing. In fact, they got in through recommendations, just as Todoroki-san and Yaomomo did," Tokoyami interjected, voice a tad bit sharper than usual. "I don't like to argue, but I feel like you're wrong, Bakugo." Everyone started to pitch in, my appetite getting lesser and lesser as I felt no need to food, my appetite diminishing by the second.

I remembered how everyone looked at me when they didn't know my secret, and I would have never expected for them to turn this way. From condescending eyes to happy, secret saying behind my back, it was like a complete 180.

Everyone, thank you so much.

__

I handed in my final application that I chose to be my hero mentor. Aizawa gave me a small nod before I headed back to my seat and grabbed my bag, then went out the door and trotted along the tiled pathway, to the stairs. I went out the door, evening air blasting my face and ruffling my hair. I looked and found Denki, Mina, and Tokoyami all standing, chattering. I smiled and tried to sneak past them, only to be caught by the energetic pinky.

"(L/N)-kun! Come over here!" I sighed and briskly walked over, smiling. 

"What's up?" I greeted, waving. Ashido looked guiltily at me and scratched the nape of her neck.

"Sorry about what happened at the Sports Festival. We didn't know about you not having a quirk and all that. I hope you can forgive me." She bowed, hands straight at her sides. I let go of the breath I was holding and helped her stand straight.

"There's no need to feel that way. I understand that you felt as if I was underestimating you all." I turned to Denki, and then Tokoyami, and back at Mina, grasping her hand. "And I do hope to get better, and help my classmates. If you have anything that's going on, just tell me. I especially know what it's like to have hardships. This isn't really relevant to your apology, but I want you to know that I'm someone you can confide in, so trust me, okay? I'm not that weak." I laughed and flexed an arm, grinning. Everyone smiled along with me, Mina's expression now melting into one of comfort.

"That's great to hear!" Kaminari whooped, giving me a thumbs-up. Tokoyami nodded, Dark Shadow alongside him, grinning meticulously. I noticed what time it was and looked up at the small crowd.

"By the way, do you guys live near the apartments? My house is really close to there." Tokoyami nodded.

"I actually live in the apartment complexes." Mina rocked back and forth on her heels, thinking.

"We all have the same train, pretty much. There are two runs, one really early, and the other one about right now, if we hurry," Denki interjected, frowning and checking his watch.

"Different stops, I think. But at least we can all get on the same train," the pink-haired girl commented, pointing a finger in the air. I smiled and started to walk, the trio following me.

"So, what hero application form did you choose?"

__

The class was given their hero suits and dismissed, off to meetup with the hero agencies we were interning with. I checked on Iida, just to make sure he was okay after he magically disappeared during the Sports Festival.

"Iida-kun." He jumped, obviously shocked to hear a voice from behind. "Are you alright?" He laughed, seeming more bashful than usual.

"Yeah! Of course, why wouldn't I be?" I pressed my lips into a thin line, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"If there is anything you need, if there is anything you need to lift off your chest, I will be there for you. As a classmate, as a friend, and as a hero. You can confide in me." Iida just smiled and thanked me, gently lifting my hand off his shoulder. I winced, remembering the news last night about Ingenium.

"I confirm that there is nothing. Everything will be okay." He sounded like he was trying to persuade himself, to convince himself, not me, that everything was alright. I slung my arms around his neck and pressed my body into his for a hug.

"I heard what happened. I'm sorry if I'm intruding in anything. I don't know all the facts, but I want to help. Okay? Call me." Iida didn't hug back, even as I pulled away. 

"Yeah. Thank you, (L/N)-san." I smiled, still sad for my close friend, the one that had kept my secret, and a person that I trusted a lot. 

"Come back, okay? I don't know what I'd do without you in the classroom, Mr. Representative," I joked, raising my hand for a high-five. He grinned, the action finally reaching his eyes. 

"Okay. You have my word." He slapped my hand and we smiled at each other, parting ways as he placed his helmet on his head. 

I checked the map just to make sure I was going to the right station. It was in Kyoto, in a fairly small wooden building just on the the edges of the town. I'm going to train and experience real crime with the Number Ten Hero:

Gang Orca.