Mirio Togata - Blog Posts

By egosketch

what goes on behind the scenes of the overhaul arc

(original idea belongs to @coffee-toffee-twisty-frosty 🥺💘)

Can I ask for head canons for Bakugo (and Mirio if you will write for two characters) with a reader who has been stressed out over taking care of a sick family member (taking them to appointments, doing housework, picking up groceries). How would they react and help or comfort them? Thanks 😊 hope you have a nice day!

Ask and you shall receive my child!

@vs-redemption if anyone in your family is sick, I hope they get better soon. To anyone who’s sick or has a family member that is sick, just know that things will get better. They and you will make it through, I promise 💕. I hope everyone is well and having an amazing day!!

TW; Angst, sad Bakuhoe, sad mirio bby, sad reader, and sad author 🥺.

Keywords:

Y/N= Your Name

H/C= Hair color

H/L= Hair Length

S/C= Skin Color

S/O= Significant Other

F/M= Family Member

E/C= Eye Color

Bakugou! and Mirio! with a Stressed!; S/O that is taking care of a sick family member:

Bakugou:

At first he would have no clue what was going on with you. You two would have a scheduled date and you’d say something came up, having to cancel.

He was honestly scared that you didn’t like him anymore or worse: that you where cheating.

He didn’t say anything about it-or, he never had time to say anything about it. He would rarely see you and lately the only time he would get a chance to look at your beautiful/handsome form, it would look rugged and dirty, sacks under your eyes wile dried tears stained your face.

He only saw you late at night when you would come home to your shared apartment and immediately crash in your shared bedroom.

He wish he would understand what was going on, he was worried about you and in all honesty, he was getting pissed off.

When you left the next day, he prepped himself for the evening, practicing what he was going to say, wanting to take a calm approach to things and not scare you.

Finally, the night arrived, Bakugou slept silently on the couch till he heard the door of the apartment open slowly.

He rose slowly and looked at his beloved S/O, there (H/C), (H/L) hair frames there face perfectly and there (S/C) shone beautifully in the moonlight that ricocheted off of the counter from the open curtains.

The tall male strutted over and hugged them, placing his head on top there own head and he caressed there delicate body in his hands.’’Hey Y/N’’. His voice soothing there stress instantly as they couldn’t handle acting like they are fine.

They broke down, falling to their knees, taking Bakugou with them. He didn’t need an explanation yet, what he needed was to hold the one he loved most close to him, letting them know that he was there and that he would never let go.

You sobbed in his chest, holding handfuls of his shirt while you where at it. His large hands moved up and down on your back in a quite comforting motion as he hugged you closer to his warm frame.

‘’Babe, please’’. His voice laced with a begging tone. ‘’Please Tell me what’s wrong! Did I do something wrong? If I did, I’m so sorry; I’d never mean to hurt you”!

You froze. ‘Was he blaming himself this whole time’? “No no no honey, you didn’t do anything wrong”. You choked out a sob near the end. “It’s just- my (brother, sister, sibling, mother, father, etc.) is r-really sick and-‘’.

He cut you off with a big hug. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I was being selfish”. He whimpered as he felt a few tears strain his beautiful face. “Bakugou, please babe, it’s fine. You didn’t know”.

He only whimpered in response. “It’ll be ok, I’ll help you get through this. I know things will get better, I promise you”. His voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke.

You stopped crying and grey tired quite quickly. “Thank you Bakugou”. You whispered, voice barley audible as your eyes fell shut and you fell into the world of sleep. Your boyfriend chuckled softly and used his thumb to while away one last stray tear that fell down your soft (S/C) cheeks.

He leaned over and gently kissed you on the lips before scoping you up into his strong arms and walking you to your shared bedroom where you both would finally get a decent night sleep.

Mirio:

Sweet boy would know something was instantly wrong as soon as you walked into the shared dorm room. The aura heaving off of you was heavy and cloudy while your form looked weakened and tired.

‘’Babe, a-are you ok’’? He would ask hesitantly, his smile withering away. ‘’Yeah, I’m fine honey, don’t worry about me. Just a bad day’’. He nodded, a small, reassuring smile plastered on his face as he pulled you close, petting your (H/L) (H/C) hair softly to calm you down.

You and your lovely lover sat down and shared some tea while enjoying the comfortable silence that spread throughout the dorm.

When you got home it was around 7 PM, you two had tea at 7:45, now it was 8:50 as you both shared a dinner of rice and miso soup; courteous of Mirio and his decent cooking skills.

Once you finished you helped him clean up before; -ring- -ring- -ring-; you jolted as the phone in your pocket vibrated to life. You quickly pulled it out and your eyes widened after seeing the caller ID. You looked to your sweet boyfriend with a pleading look as he nodded, saying that he will take care of things here. You smiled gratefully as you stepped out onto the patio.

Mirio cleaned the dishes before setting them in the dishwasher gently, being aware of his strength and being careful not to shatter anymore plates.

He froze as he looked at you from the patio window. He saw your hand quickly move up to cover your mouth as you quivered, tears beginning to stain your beautiful (S/C) face.

He rushed out, not caring about the plates and wrapped his strong arms around you as you sobbed in his chest.

“Y-Y/n! What’s wrong love”?! He shouted fearfully as he swiped your hair out of your face before kissing your tears. “T-they are getting worse”. You sobbed helplessly into your boyfriend’s shirt.

“Who baby? What are you talking about”? You sniffled before taking a breath to try to speak more clearly. “E-earlier today I found out that my (F/M) got s-sick a-and they just got worse’’. Your voice shook, chest heaving and body shivering.

Mirio’s usually shining face dropped. ‘’Hey hey’’. He patted your hair while pulling you closer. ‘’It’s going to be ok. I promise you’’. You sniffled and looked up at him with you (E/C) eyes.

‘’Tomorrow we can work together. We will help them together. I promise, they will get better’’. You looked down, a solemn look plastered on your face. He only softly smiled and tilted your head up.

‘’I have never lied to you’’. He mumbled and placed a soft, delicate kiss on your soft lips.

The two of you headed to bed, forgetting about the leftover dishes as Mirio instantly put you on the bed and held you close, showing as much comfort and love he could give you without being rated R.

The next morning, he woke up early; getting ready for the day before you got up. He made coffee, went out to get some donuts and finished the dishes. Of course he showers though, it was the first thing he did.

Once you woke up, you where surprised to see Mirio holding a coffee cup and a plate full of your favorite donuts. ‘’C’mon babe! Might want to go get a shower; it would be a shame if I ate these all on my own’’. You simply giggled, knowing that you would get through this, with Mirio at your side, forever.

❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀

I hope this was ok! I have 17 requests to do and I want to get them all done by the next 3 or 4 weeks. I’m so sorry if there are any spelling or grammatical errors, Grammarly isn’t working right now. If this isn’t how you wanted it, I’ll fix it for you!!

-☕️ℂ𝕠𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕖_ℂ𝕦𝕡𝕡𝕤☕️

Mirio Togata X Reader

°❀.ೃ࿔Sunshine boy °❀.ೃ࿔

synopsis: the optimist always gets to the pessimistic

this drabble took so long… i haven’t the faintest idea why but i kept on having to come back to it. Also of course hawks is in it because this man will slip into here all the time.

If someone had told you years ago that you’d end up working closely with Sir Nighteye, you would’ve laughed in their face. It wasn’t that you didn’t respect him, he was a brilliant tactician, a respected pro hero, and had an impeccable track record. But you? You were the type to fight with instinct, to make decisions on the ball, to trust in your power and your gut rather than detailed predictions and meticulous planning….So why the hell were you here, standing across from the man himself in his office, flipping through yet another thick case file while he watched you with that unreadable expression?

“You’re still not much of a strategist,” Nighteye remarked, adjusting his glasses as he scanned the aftermath report of your latest joint mission.

You smirked, leaning back in your chair. “And you’re still not much of a field agent.”

He sighed. “That’s exactly why this partnership works.”

/////////

“YEAHHH! IT’S LUMINE!  Alright, listeners, it’s time for another Pro Hero Spotlight! And today, we’re talkin’ about someone who SHINES!! LITERALLY!

!!!!

Name: Lumine!

Quirk: Photon!

!!!!!

“This top ten hero is all about brightening it up, baby! She can absorb and manipulate photons to move at the speed ofwell, light! That means energy blasts, insane reflexes, and even phasing through attacks when she shifts into pure energy! How cool is that?!”

//////

The streets were in chaos. Smoke curled into the air, glass crunched underfoot, and a massive villain with reinforced armor was tearing through the city like a wrecking ball.

Sir Nighteye stood in a secluded location watching every movement below with razor sharp focus. And then

FWOOOOSH!

A streak of golden light SHOT through the sky, illuminating the battlefield in a flash before re forming into Y/n! You landed in front of the villain, body still pulsing with residual light. “You’re making a mess,” you quipped, cracking your knuckles. “How about we clean it up?”

The villain roared, lunging at you. But before he could land a hit “DODGE! NOW!” Nighteye’s voice cut through your earpiece. You didn’t hesitate. Your body shimmered as you phased into photons, the villain’s massive fist passing right through you. Reforming at his side, you unleashed a concentrated beam of energy, sending him skidding back.

“Shut up, i’m the one doing the fighting”

“Four seconds,” Nighteye said through the comm completely ignoring your statement. “His armor is weakest at the joints. Hit the right knee now.”

You grinned. “Got it.” just like that, you MOVED lightning fast, reappearing just in time to drive a photon charged kick straight into the villain’s knee joint. The armor CRACKED, and the villain staggered. “this is so lame, why does this feel so boring” The villain reeled back, dazed, and You exhaled, rolling your shoulders. “Well, as fuuuuun as that was, we still have to find the missing cargo.” Nighteye adjusted his glasses. “Hmph. ” You groaned. “ugh this is such a pain”

——-

Below, the warehouse bustled with activity villains moving in and out, unloading crates from a truck into the building. Whatever they were smuggling, it wasn’t legal, and it was your job to put a stop to it.

“This should be a straightforward operation,” Nighteye murmured, sharp eyes calculating every movement below. “We take out the guards, secure the cargo, and apprehend the ringleader before they realize what’s happening.”

You nodded, scanning the scene. “And what about the new guy you were telling me about?”

“He’ll be assisting,” Nighteye replied, his voice as unreadable as ever.

Right on cue, the rooftop door creaked open behind you. “Sorry for the wait!” The voice was bright, confident, and unmistakably full of energy. Turning, you saw a broad shouldered blonde stepping onto the roof, adjusting his gloves. Even through his mask, his beaming smile was obvious.

Mirio Togata.

Even if you hadn’t known his name, you would’ve recognized him by reputation one of U.A.’s most promising students, currently interning under Nighteye. But what caught you off guard was his presence. He wasn’t just strong; he radiated warmth, like the human embodiment of sunshine. “Lumine, right?” he asked, walking up to you with an easy confidence. “Sir’s told me a lot about you! It’s really cool to finally meet you.”

You raised an eyebrow, glancing at Nighteye. “Didn’t know you were such a fan of my work, Sir.”

Nighteye adjusted his glasses. “I made a passing mention of you. He was relentless in asking for details.” Mirio laughed, rubbing the back of his head. “Guilty! But can you blame me? You’re a top pro! It’s not every day I get to work with someone like you.”

You smirked. “are you kissing ass your way to the top?.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it!” he grinned.

Nighteye cleared his throat. “Lumine, you’ll take the east entrance. I’ll enter from the west. lemillion, infiltrate the main warehouse and secure the interior. Stay alert for reinforcements.”

“Yes, Sir!” Mirio saluted, then turned to you. “Stay safe out there!” You gave him a nod before vanishing into a stream of light, dashing toward your position.

———

The mission went smoothly at first. You dismantled the outer guards with ease, your photon based quirk making it simple to blind and disarm them. Inside, Mirio weaved through walls and floors, taking down enemies before they could react. Nighteye, as always, operated with precision, his foresight ensuring every move was calculated. Then, as you were securing the last of the cargo, a villain lunged at you from the shadows.

You barely had time to react before an arm wrapped around your waist and yanked you back just as a blade slashed through the air where you had been standing. A blur of blue and gold moved past you as Mirio landed between you and the villain, his usual cheer replaced by sharp focus.

“Whoa, that was close!” he said, keeping an easy stance but never taking his eyes off the attacker.

You let out a breath. “Did you just—”

“Pull you out of danger? Yup!” he grinned over his shoulder. “Figured you wouldn’t mind.”

Before you could respond, the villain lunged again. Mirio immediately let himself phase, the blade passing through his chest like mist. The attacker barely had time to register what had happened before Mirio resolidified behind him, delivering a precise, forceful punch that sent the villain sprawling.

You crossed your arms, smirking. “Not bad, lemillion.”

“Thanks! But, uh, if I could phase other people, I probably would’ve just pulled you underground instead of doing it the old fashioned way.” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.

“I’m glad you can’t,” you shot back. “I’d rather not find out what being buried alive feels like.”

Mirio laughed. “Fair point!”

You both turned as Nighteye approached, his usual unreadable expression in place. “I assume everything is under control?”

“All good!” Mirio said with a thumbs up. “Teamwork makes the dream work!”

You shook your head, amused. “Not a bad first mission together.”

Mirio beamed. “Hopefully the first of many!” as you’d later find out, it was.

—-

You learnt very fast that it was not just a one time thing. He came barrelling into the next big mission that you were working on. As the battle was over, the villains secured, and the dust had finally settled. The tension that had filled the air minutes ago had been replaced by the steady hum of cleanup efforts. You stood off to the side, rolling your shoulder as you surveyed the scene. Another mission completed. Another long night.

“Lumine!”

The familiar voice cut through the chaos, warm and unmistakably bright.

You turned just in time to see Mirio jogging toward you, weaving effortlessly through the debris and uniformed officers. His blue cape fluttered behind him, and despite the scuffs on his costume and the streaks of dust across his face, his grin was as radiant as ever.

He skidded to a stop just in front of you, hands on his hips as he looked you over. “You okay?”

You smirked. “I should be asking you that. Pretty sure you took on half the villains yourself.”

Mirio laughed, but there was a softness in his gaze that hadn’t been there the last time you’d worked together. “Eh, nothing I can’t handle. You, though, you were amazing out there.”

You rolled your eyes. “You always a charmer?”

“Because it’s always true.” He grinned, leaning forward just slightly, voice dropping to something almost conspiratorial. “You know, I’ve seen a lot of pro heroes in action, but you? You’re on another level.” Your smirk wavered for half a second, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. He wasn’t teasing or joking he meant it. Mirio, for all his strength and confidence, never acted like he was above admiration. He gave it freely, effortlessly, like it was second nature.

“…Not bad yourself, Togata.” You nudged his arm, trying to shake off the warmth creeping into your chest.

His eyes lit up. “togata? I haven’t given you my name yet, second meeting and is this a good thing or a bad thing?”

“oh my.” Warmth spread from your face. Respect was a huge thing in your book. But you’d be lying to yourself if his name didn’t reply in your head after your last encounter. you crossed your arms. “i’m so sorry lemilion! we haven’t even left the battlefield and you don’t even know me-”

Mirio’s laughter was bright, like sunlight breaking through the remnants of the night. “Don’t worry about it!! just a silly little slip”

Before you could answer, Nighteye approached, his usual composed expression in place as he took in the two of you. “You did well today,” he said simply.

your daze slightly disappears looking up to him “High praise, coming from you.”

Nighteye adjusted his glasses. “Don’t get used to it.”

Mirio chuckled, nudging your shoulder lightly. “Sir’s just being modest. We both know he’s impressed.” Nighteye sighed but didn’t argue, which only made Mirio’s grin widen.

You shook your head, glancing at Mirio. “i’m starting to think in the inside you’re a bright shiny ball puppies and rainbows in there” “you surround yourself with smiley blondes and people with a very bright outfits.

Nighteye’s expression barely flickered, but you swore you saw the tiniest twitch of his eye at your words. You smirked, pressing your advantage.

“I mean, really,” you continued, crossing your arms. “Mirio? All Might? Bubble Girl? Myself? What is it with you and people who radiate pure sunshine? Do you just absorb their energy like some kind of grumpy solar panel?”

Mirio snorted, clearly trying to hold back laughter, while Bubble Girl who had just arrived on the scene blinked in confusion. Nighteye sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as if you were giving him a migraine.

“I surround myself with competent heroes,” he corrected, but there was a hint of exasperation in his tone.

You raised an eyebrow. “Right, and it just so happens that all those ‘competent heroes’ have the same golden retriever energy? Be honest, do you break out in hives when you’re around pessimistic people?”

Mirio was straight up laughing now, arms crossed over his chest as he watched the exchange like it was the best thing he’d seen all night.

Nighteye merely adjusted his glasses again, as if recalibrating his patience. “Y/n,” he said evenly, “perhaps you should spend less time making baseless observations and more time debriefing the mission.”

“Oh, so you’re avoiding the question? Interesting.” You tilted your head. “That means I’m right.”

He gave you a long, flat stare before turning on his heel and walking away. You caught Mirio covering his mouth, trying and failing to stifle his amusement.

“You’re awful,” he whispered between chuckles.

You grinned. “He makes it too easy.”

——-

The hum of fluorescent lights buzzed softly overhead as you leaned against one of the agency’s desks, arms crossed, watching Mirio dig through a cabinet with the focus of someone searching for the meaning of life. His uniform was slightly rumpled from the day, his tie loosened, the top button undone. Without his hero costume without the grand, larger than life energy he carried in battle he looked more like a regular student, just a little tired, a little more human. But still, somehow, undeniably bright.

“You lose something, Togata?” you asked, voice dry as ever.

Mirio, undeterred by your deadpan tone, straightened with a triumphant grin, holding up a can of juice like it was a legendary artifact. “Victory!” he declared before cracking it open with an exaggerated flourish.

You raised an eyebrow. “That felt high stress for such little reason.”

“Hey, sometimes it’s the little things,” he said, taking a sip. He sighed contentedly, as if this really was the highlight of his day. Then, as if just noticing, he tilted his head at you, curiosity flickering in his gaze. “You’re here a lot, huh?”

You shrugged. “Guess so.”

Mirio hummed thoughtfully, tapping a finger against the can. “Shouldn’t you be at your own agency? Not that I’m complaining, it’s always nice to see you.”

There was something in the way he said it casual but genuine, like he meant it. Like HE liked having you around. It threw you off for just a second.

You smirked, shaking off the feeling. “Oh, I got kicked out.”

Mirio blinked, his whole body pausing mid sip. “…Wait, really?”

“Yeah.” You sighed dramatically, crossing your arms. “Turns out, if you glare at one too many people, they start thinking you ‘disrupt workplace morale.’”

For a second, his face flickered with concern, his brows furrowing just slightly. But then you saw it the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, the telltale sign that he was just now getting the message. there it was. His laughter erupted, full and unrestrained. “No way! You had me for a second!”

You grinned. “I have my moments.”

Mirio shook his head, still chuckling. “Man, you’re something else.”

“I try.”

Silence settled between you, but it wasn’t awkward just a lull, comfortable and easy. Mirio leaned against the desk beside you, close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating off of him. He always carried this… presence. Like standing next to him meant standing in a patch of sunlight. It was disarming.

Mirio, apparently, wasn’t one for silence. “So, if you’re not actually exiled from your agency, why do you spend so much time here?”

You hesitated for a beat before answering. “…I guess it’s not bad here.” You nodded toward the space around you. “Nighteye’s strict, but I can respect him. The work is solid. And the company’s… not terrible.”

Mirio’s lips curled into a playful grin. “Wow, your compliments feel kinda lackluster.”

“Hush now,” you said smoothly. “Don’t tell me you’re tired of me being here.”

“Never!” His response was immediate, like he’d been waiting for you to ask. His smile softened a little. “Actually, I think it’s nice. I was gonna say you’re kinda like an honorary member at this point. But, y’know…” He glanced at you, an easy warmth in his gaze. “That makes it sound like we don’t want you here when we do.”

Something about the way he said it lighthearted, but undeniably sincere made you pause.

“…Huh,” you said, for lack of anything better.

Mirio leaned in a little, grinning. “Huh?” he mimicked playfully.

You rolled your eyes. “I’m just not used to people being that direct, is all.”

He hummed thoughtfully. “That direct, or that nice?”

You gave him a look, but he just smiled wider, like he knew he had a point.

“You’re not bad company either, y’know,” he said after a moment, his voice a little softer now, like he was just saying it to you and not to the room. “I mean, you’re cool, and you’re strong, but you’re also… kinda funny. Even when you don’t mean to be.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying I’m accidentally entertaining?”

“I’m saying you’re interesting,” he said easily. “And that I’d rather have you around than not.”

Your chest tightened, just slightly. It wasn’t often that people just… said things like that. At least, not to you.

Mirio, as if sensing he might’ve thrown you off, nudged your shoulder. “Guess I’ll just have to stick around more,” he said, grinning again. “Y’know, in case you get actually exiled one day.”

For once, you didn’t have a sharp reply. You just shook your head, looking away to hide the small, involuntary twitch at the corner of your mouth. “…Yeah, yeah. We’ll see.”

His laughter was softer this time, but the way he looked at you like he genuinely wanted to know you, like he already considered you a friend made something in you settle.

———

The walk to U.A. was calm, the late morning sun casting a warm glow over the city as you and Hawks strolled along the familiar path. The school loomed in the distance, its towering gates just visible beyond the trees lining the sidewalk.

After a moment of quiet, you sighed. “You know… I feel like we’re getting the short end of the stick here.”

Hawks glanced at you, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. “Oh? How so?”

You gestured vaguely ahead. “Nezu gets free labor, the kids get their little motivational speeches, and what do we get? A pat on the back?”

Hawks let out a light chuckle, his wings shifting slightly. “You mean to tell me the honor of inspiring the next generation isn’t enough?”

You gave him a dry look. “I’m sure they’ll be fine without our wisdom.”

He hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe, but a little guidance never hurts.”

You exhaled, watching as a breeze rustled through the trees. “I guess.”

A comfortable silence stretched between you as you walked, the steady rhythm of your footsteps filling the space.

“At least we get a good meal out of it,” Hawks remarked after a moment, stretching his arms behind his head.

“If Lunch Rush is cooking, sure,” you said. “If not, I’m leaving early.”

He laughed. “I respect the standards.”

You smirked. “You should. I refuse to sit through a whole day of talking if the food isn’t worth it.”

Hawks tilted his head, as if considering something. “Y’know… spending the day at U.A. like this almost feels nostalgic.”

You glanced at him. “You think you would’ve been good in school?”

“Not really,” he admitted. “But sometimes I with for the simplicity of it. Having a schedule, training, learning new things every day.”

You hummed in agreement. “Yeah. It was… different.”

“Different’s a good word for it,” he mused. “We didn’t have a normal school experience, but it had its moments.”

You nodded, a small, knowing smile forming. “Like sneaking out past curfew?”

“Or convincing commission teachers we were just ‘exploring alternative training methods,’” he added, smirking.

You chuckled. “We got away with too much.”

“Eh,” Hawks said with a shrug. “Guess they figured we’d be fine in the end.”

You didn’t respond right away, but there was an understanding in the quiet between you. The path ahead felt familiar, but the two of you had changed since your own school days.

Hawks nudged your arm lightly. “Alright, be honest, what kind of student do you think is gonna annoy you the most?”

You sighed. “The overly eager one. From what i’m hearing about 1A i feel i need a Xanax. The one with too much energy, too many questions, and zero sense of personal space.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, there’s always one of those.”

“If we get stuck with a kid who talks back, you’re handling them,” you added.

“Deal,” he said easily. “As long as you grab me some extra food on the way out.”

You shook your head, amused. “Unbelievable.”

And with that, the two of you stepped inside, ready to face whatever the day had in store. It wasn’t often that you found yourself back here not as a guest, anyway. But after Nezu had oh so politely requested (read: roped) you and Hawks into speaking to the students about what it was like to become a pro hero so young, you hadn’t exactly had a choice. It made sense, you supposed. You and Hawks were among the youngest top ranking heroes, and Nezu likely figured your experiences would be valuable to the next generation.

Walking through the towering gates, you let out a quiet sigh. “Alright, if we leave now what consequences would we really have?”

Beside you, Hawks stretched, wings ruffling slightly. “Nezu said guest speakers. I heard free food.”

You gave him a flat look. “We’re not getting paid for this.”

He grinned. “Yeah, but we are getting exposure. And what’s better than exposure?”

You groaned. “Literally anything else.”

Before Hawks could tease you more, the school doors swung open, and there stood Nezu, looking far too pleased with himself. “Ah! Lumine, Hawks! Welcome to U.A.!”

Hawks gave a lazy salute. “Hey, little boss.”

Nezu chuckled. “Now, now, Hawks, I prefer ‘Principal.’”

You crossed your arms. “I prefer to not be scammed into free labor.”

Nezu simply smiled, ever unbothered. “Oh, but this is a wonderful opportunity! You’ll be inspiring the next generation!”

Hawks and you exchanged a knowing glance before he sighed dramatically. “Oh, what an honor.”

Nezu, unfazed, continued, “Before your talk, I thought it would be nice for you to get a tour of the school. And I’ve arranged for some of our top students to lead it.”

Before you could respond, a familiar voice rang out “Lumine!”

You turned to see Mirio, his wide grin already on display as he jogged up to you. “Yo! You finally came to visit us!”

You grinned back, stepping forward to meet him. Before you could say anything, he pulled you into a hug, squeezing you tightly. “It’s been too long! You’re looking good out here, away from the chaos of missions!”

You laughed, half surprised by the bear hug. “Calm down, Mirio. I’m just here for a quick talk.”

Hawks grinned. “Careful, Mirio she’s not used to being this popular.”

You elbowed Hawks lightly, but Mirio only laughed, undeterred. “It’s just cool! We usually only work together in high-stakes situations. Now you’re here!”

Hawks raised an eyebrow, walking over with a smirk. “Should we be worried that you’re this excited to see her? I feel like I’m being replaced.”

Mirio stepped back and smiled at you, his enthusiasm unwavering. “Of course not! I’m just happy to see my friend.” He then glanced at Hawks, before pointing at him playfully. “And definitely not because of him.”

You rolled your eyes, nudging Hawks. “Look at that, he’s already here to steal my spotlight.”

Mirio laughed, pulling away just as Neijire bounded over, her bright energy almost contagious. “Lumine!” She looked at you with wide eyes, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “You’re even more amazing than I thought! And you’re here with Hawks!”

“Yep, unfortunately,” you said dryly, though a small smile tugged at your lips.

Nejire suddenly appeared beside him, practically vibrating with excitement. “Oh wow, you and Hawks are so close, right? You work together all the time, and you both got into the Top 10 super young! Wait, wait…. are you dating?”

Tamaki, standing slightly behind them, visibly tensed.

You and Hawks exchanged a glance, the kind that spelled trouble. “Oh, absolutely,” you said smoothly, nodding.

Hawks let out a dramatic sigh, draping an arm around your shoulders. “Nejire, you caught us. Our secret romance, exposed.”

You shook your head. “We had a plan, too. Big reveal, dramatic photoshoot, matching hero costumes…”

“Matching hero costumes?” Hawks repeated, amused.

You shrugged. “Might as well commit to the bit.”

Nejire gasped, eyes sparkling. “Oh my gosh, really?! That’s so cute!” Tamaki looked like he wanted to teleport away.

“No, they’re not.”

You and Hawks immediately stopped, mid tease, and turned to Mirio.

Hawks raised an eyebrow. “Wow. That was fast.”

You and Hawks immediately shared a look, both of you smirking as you were about to go on your teasing tangent again.

“Oh, Neijire, sweetie,” Hawks started, voice oozing with sarcasm. “If you knew the kind of annoying this one brings into my life—”

“annoying ?” You cut in, laughing. “You are the annoying one, bird brain.”

“I’m just saying,” Hawks said, dramatically holding a hand to his chest, “that being with you is like being surrounded by a storm of bad decisions and caffeine.”

You grinned. “And don’t forget the occasional midnight chicken emotional breakdown because you can’t stop talking.”

Neijire’s face lit up with curiosity. “Wait, but are you sure?” She leaned toward you both, wide eyed. “You guys aren’t a thing? You’re so close like, a sibling vibe. But siblings wouldn’t…”

“You’re making this way worse than it is,” you interrupted, barely containing your laughter.

Hawks shot you a look, his own grin widening. “I’d like to see you try to keep up with all of her sass. Wouldn’t recommend it.”

Just as you and Hawks were about to double down on the teasing, Mirio suddenly interjected. “Nope! They aren’t dating.” Both of you stopped in your tracks, blinking. You stared at Mirio for a moment, then looked at Hawks.

“Uh… okay,” you said, a little thrown off by how fast Mirio had spoken.

“Yeah, we’re not,” Hawks confirmed, but he raised an eyebrow, glancing at Mirio.

Mirio, still peppy, shook his head. “I mean, you could be dating, but you’re not. You two are way more like siblings. Plus, Hawks would never stop bragging about it if it were true.”

Hawks gasped. “The little nugget is fighting back!”

You smirked. “No, no, he’s right. You would be unbearable.”

Mirio grinned. “Exactly! So, no, you’re not dating.”

Neijire smirked, her eyes practically sparkling with mischief. “Ohhh, Mirio, I see. You’re relieved, huh?”

Mirio looked momentarily flustered. “What? No, I—I’m just making sure everyone knows the truth!”

Neijire’s smile grew wider as she wagged her finger at him. “So, you like older women, then?” she teased, glancing between the two of you.

Tamaki, who had been standing quietly off to the side, suddenly spoke up, his face flushed. “Wait—no, no! That’s not what—” He nervously glanced at you. “I mean, you’re not old… right?”

You raised an eyebrow, mildly amused. “Tamaki, I’m only twenty. I think I’m safe from the ‘older woman’ label for now.”

Neijire blinked, realizing her slip-up. “Ah! Right! Sorry! I just got carried away…” She quickly backpedaled, practically bubbling with apologies.

Meanwhile, Mirio, still the image of cheerfulness, blinked in surprise. “Huh?”

Nejire leaned in eagerly to mario’s ear. “Well? Do yoooou? Do you like older women?”

For the first time, Mirio hesitated, opening and closing his mouth before laughing sheepishly. “That’s… not really the point here.”

Hawks lost it. He practically collapsed onto Mirio’s shoulder, wheezing. “Oh my god”

You smirked. “So, Mirio, should I be expecting a confession letter soon, or do you need someone middle aged…?”

Mirio let out a goodnatured chuckle. “Nope! But hey, if you do get one, I promise I’ll deliver it personally.”

Nejire mouth dropped all the way to the center of the earth. “PAUSE WHAT”

Hawks sighed trying to segue. “I’m stuck with her as my honorary sibling instead.” You shook your heads in ignorance to the bubbly blue haired girl.

“And I’m stuck with him making chicken nugget jokes at my expense,” you added.

Mirio laughed. “Chicken nugget jokes?”

Hawks smirked. “The students are like chicken nuggets tiny, but still good.”

You rolled your eyes. “Yeah, yeah. U.A.’s finest. A box of premium nuggets.”

Mirio grinned. “Well, I hope we’re at least the good kind.”

Hawks clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, buddy. You’re definitely a top tier nugget.”

Nejire giggled, Tamaki sighed in relief, and Mirio just shook his head, still smiling.

Hawks stretched. “Alright, let’s get this tour over with before Lumine escapes”

You scoffed. “Please. U.A. doesn’t scare me.”

Mirio grinned. “Well, in that case, welcome to U.A.! Let’s go!”

And with that, the tour began—

with you and Hawks following behind, still laughing.

REMEMBER: You’re 20. Then when you get to the school, you’re immediately thrown into a tour by the big three. Mirio being excited to see you. Neijire being bubbly as ever asking questions like if you and hawks are together and all that. Tamaki looks so nervous as if he hasn’t been fighting with fat gum. You and hawks having such a close friendship bully all of them from the question. Then mirio comes in and says you and hawks aren’t dating. interrupting you and hawks mid teasing. Both of you stop really fast, laughing and agreeing that you aren’t. Then pause to think about how fast mirio said it. Other than the missions he knew nothing about you. neijire joking after that mirio liking older women. Tamaki immediately defending you and not calling you not old. then neijire bubbly backtracking. meanwhile mirio is looking flustered and Hawks falling on mirio laughing. Then telling you that your fans are so cute.

——

The day had stretched long, but now, with the sun dipping below the horizon, U.A. had finally settled into a peaceful quiet. The tour, the teasing, the guest lecture it was all behind you now. You leaned against the railing of one of the school’s outdoor walkways, watching as the last bits of golden light painted the sky.

You heard footsteps behind you before you saw him.

“I was hoping I’d find you before you left,” Mirio’s voice was softer than usual still bright, still him, but lacking the usual boundless energy.

You glanced at him as he leaned against the railing beside you, arms resting against the cool metal. His school uniform was slightly ruffled, hair still tousled from the day’s events. But his usual grin was missing, replaced by something more thoughtful.

“Here to give me a final tour of the sunset?” you quipped lightly.

Mirio chuckled. “Something like that.” A pause. Then, “I wanted to apologize.”

You frowned, turning to face him fully. “For what?”

“For earlier.” He didn’t hesitate. “For interrupting when Nejire asked if you and Hawks were together. I just.” He exhaled, looking down at his hands before meeting your eyes again. “I had no right to say anything. I don’t really know you, not outside of missions. I shouldn’t have acted like I did.”

You blinked. Of all the things Mirio Togata had to apologize for today, this was not what you expected.

“You really don’t have to apologize for that.”

He gave you a small, almost sheepish smile. “I do.” Then, quieter, “Because when I thought even for a second that you weren’t available, it made me sad.”

Your breath caught.

Mirio looked back at the horizon, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know it’s kind of silly. We’ve barely spent time together outside of work. But I like seeing you. You’re always so bright even when you’re not fighting. It’s not just about battle, or power, or anything like that. You just are.”

You swallowed. “That’s just the reflection from your own sunshine, Togata.”

He laughed at that, and the warmth of it settled deep in your chest. Then he tilted his head. “You know what else I like?” You raised an eyebrow.

“You’re unflashy in the media.”

You blinked. “…Wow. Thanks?”

Mirio went blank then immediately, shaking his head. “I mean—you don’t put on a show for anyone. You don’t chase the cameras, or try to be something you’re not. You just do the work. You help people. You’re genuine.” His voice was softer now. “You’re a good person.”

Something in your chest tightened, a slow warmth creeping in before you could shove it down. You had been called a lot of things in your career. Powerful. Smart. Even intimidating. But good? That was rarer.

For the first time in a long while, you didn’t know what to say. The silence stretched between you. Mirio, ever patient, just smiled, waiting. And you feeling an unfamiliar heat rise to your face did the only thing you could do.

You turned on your heel and walked away.

“Hey wait!” Mirio called, laughter in his voice.

But you didn’t look back. Because if you did, you weren’t sure you’d be able to leave at all.

Editing on my phone is actually so comical when I have to save every two seconds

I’ve been considering posting Chapter 2 elsewhere since, as a standalone, it wouldn’t make much sense. I might still post it here, but I need to finish a few things first.

To summarize, the next chapter focuses on you and your bond with your class—composed of characters I created solely for plot purposes. Then, young Mirio and Tamaki are introduced (neither of them are love interests). None of the original characters I made will be permanent; they exist only for this chapter. However, without that context, the chapter might not feel as strong.

I already have it drafted here, and I’d appreciate the support. But unless you’re committed to reading future chapters, it might feel a LITTLE out of place.

Keigo Takami / Hawks X Reader (eventually various X reader but that’s if I decide to continue with the burst of inspiration)

If this isn’t that meaty for you…. THEY JUST MET LET THEM COOK

Summary: Small light banter for a first meeting between freshly debuted Hawks and an Isekai’d reader.

Basically after reading copious amounts of amazingly talented stories by amazingly talented writers. “DEPOLLUTE ME, GENTLE ANGEL” by @fallen-w1ngs and Changing History by SummerBlack on Quotev. With “depollute me” the author humanizes the pro hero from being just a symbol. Meanwhile with “Changing History” the author introduces an emotion more attuned to feeling real and how life isn’t just a cycle that is predetermined. So my dynamic of choice was you as the reader have already been thrown in this world for the first 18 years of your life. If you were put in this world why not do the expected? Become a hero. But if all things are fake why take anything seriously?

If you couldn’t gather from that, the reader and hawks will grow and learn that they have the ability to matter and deserve to feel like they belong. I don’t have a very serious style of writing but I do try! Maybe not my best but key emphasis on try! Today we delve into YOU! YOUR CHARACTER!

This was all made on my notes app while on vacation 😺

Word count: 4280 ish, (idk through editing I added some things)

A blur of red and gold emerged first, feathers catching the sunlight just before their owner stepped forward with an easy, lopsided grin. Hawks, the newly minted Pro, looked entirely unbothered by the attention, despite the sudden chorus of excited shouts.

“Hawks! Can you sign this?”

“Dude, your debut fight was insane!”

“Picture, please?”

He laughed, ruffling his windswept hair as he glanced over the eager faces.

“Man, you guys really know how to make a guy feel welcome,” he said, grabbing the nearest pen. “Alright, line up nice and neat, yeah? I’ve got places to be, but I can’t just leave my awesome fans hanging.”

As he signed posters, notebooks, and even the occasional wing-shaped keychain, Hawks kept that signature smirk in place. He’d always known he’d make it this far—but seeing the real, tangible proof of it in the form of starstruck faces and excited voices?

Yeah, this was pretty damn cool.

As the crowd died down, Originally just going to walk away you thought about when would even be the next time you’d see him. Unfortunately since being thrown into this world, the whole concept of canon magnets for main characters was not even a concept in your life.

“You know, if you’re acting like this right out of the gate, I can’t even imagine how inflated your ego will get once you’re officially ranked among the top heroes.”

“Sorry, sweetheart, but I have no idea where you’re getting that impression.” You almost felt bad for taking away his moment. The disheveled blonde looked like he might’ve been having a sincere, heartfelt moment.

“It’s always the pretty boys with the massive egos,” you sighed dramatically, looking away. Seeing Hawks in all his glory had to come with a little entertainment, right?

He took a step back, eyeing your UA uniform as if sizing you up.

“Maybe the hostility’s coming from jealousy?”

“It’s the Icarus trope for me” you mutter

“Sorry?”

You laughed lightly, rolling your eyes. “Oh nothing! You sure would think that.”

To be honest, you hadn’t meant to bump into him. You were just on your way home from school, with nothing more in mind than a nice nap. Being a third-year at UA in the most boring era of this universe really didn’t leave you with much to look forward to.

“I mean, looks like we’re heading in the same direction,” he said, curiosity creeping into his tone as he took another sip from his drink.

“You’re not wrong, but the flashy vibe you’re giving off? It’s almost alarming.”

He gave you a distraught look.

“Imagine this, I’m getting saved by—wait, what’s your name again?” Oh, it wouldn’t be impossible for actually knowing him. Sure, he had only debuted a few months ago and the crowd that just left that chanted his name every two seconds would be a sign for his name, but you couldn’t help it. In your past life, the sheer amount of content of the show you consumed meant you had to know him but better safe than sorry.

“Hawks,” he replied, deadpan, amusement flickering in his eyes.

You couldn’t help but chuckle. In response he raised his brow

It probably looked like you were laughing at him, which, in a way, you kind of were. You remembered the draft photos of when his character was first being developed—back when they considered giving him an actual hawk head. The thought alone made you smile.

“Pro hero Hawks saves me, and the sheer massiveness of his ego completely blindsides me. I’m struck by how conventionally hot he is, and then I die in your arms. Yeah, not a good look for you.”

You sighed inwardly. All in all, you were probably born in the worst generation in the My Hero universe. You couldn’t even be part of the middle generation where you could’ve had the chance to work as a teacher with Aizawa and the rest of the crew. It was a possibility, sure, but it felt so far out of reach. And the idea of being around Present Mic—preferably with his hair down and you age-appropriate for him? That would’ve been a dream.

But here you were, a few years older than the main cast. Actually, you were the same age as Keigo. As much as you loved his character, he didn’t really become important until the fifth season. Which meant you had little to no relevance to the plot or any of the major characters. You couldn’t help but feel like you were stuck in some lame generation, unable to make an impact.

Why couldn’t any isekai story go right? You really felt like you’d lost the genetic lottery over and over again. You couldn’t have been born just a few years younger, so you could’ve at least had the chance to be around your other favorite sunshine-blonde character, Mirio. Not being his age had probably made you feel like you’d lost years of your life unknowingly.

“Maamaa, we just met, and you’ve already got a grudge against me?” He teased, giving you a playful frown.

Immediately it springs in your head that you’ve probably come off as a total asshole. Screw the curse of having an outside point of view. The fact of knowing none of this was real maybe gave a bad look on the outside.

You suddenly felt a wave of regret hit you, realizing how your words had come across. His playful tone, the teasing frown—everything made it clear he wasn’t offended, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that you had crossed a line. You opened your mouth, but your thoughts were tangled, and it took a moment to collect your words.

“Ah, look, I—” You hesitated, eyes darting away, feeling heat rising in your cheeks. “I didn’t mean to sound like that. It’s just… I don’t know, sometimes I get carried away, and—” You mentally cursed yourself for being so awkward. You hated how easily you could go from sarcastic to genuinely sorry in a second.

Hawks gave you an odd look, the smirk still there, though softer. “Hey, no worries. I get it.” He shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big deal, but you could tell something about his tone had changed slightly. Maybe he was trying to lighten the mood too, like you were.

“No, I’m serious,” you quickly added, glancing up at him, feeling the need to apologize properly. “It’s just… I don’t know. I’ve been here long enough to see how people get caught up in all the… hero stuff. And I didn’t want to be another person acting all starry-eyed over you just because you’re a pro hero, you know?” God you sounded pathetic. Maybe if you prayed to all might really hard it would go away.

Hawks studied you for a second, then nodded slowly, his expression unreadable for a moment. “I get it. You don’t want to be one of those people who just worship the ground we fly on, huh?”

You sighed, relieved that he understood, but still uneasy. “Yeah... fly on. It’s just… this world, this universe… It’s all so… strange. I mean, I know you’re a big deal, and I respect that. But sometimes it’s hard to take things seriously when everything feels like it’s set in stone. To be so ‘MUCH’ all the time. Anyways I’m literally doing exactly what yours doing for a career so don’t take my words to heart. Heroes are kind of just people that help people and I’m like one or those people and by no means-” You paused, biting your lip.

There was an odd moment of silence before Hawks chuckled, and for a moment, you thought you might’ve said something ridiculous.

“You’re fine.” His tone was soft, genuine this time, as he took another step back, giving you space. “You’re not the first person to think I’m all ‘ego and feathers,’ but not everyone’s as honest about it as you are. So, props for that, I guess.” He tilted his head, his usual cocky grin returning, though it seemed more self-aware now. “But hey, if it helps, I do my best to keep my ego in check. It’s not as big as it looks.”

You blinked, unsure how to respond, but the words that came out were almost reflexive. “Well, you’re doing a pretty good job of hiding it, I guess. You’re going to be one of the top ten. I know it.”

Hawks laughed softly, the sound surprisingly genuine, and you found yourself relaxing a little. Maybe you hadn’t totally messed everything up. “You’re so sure about that? Well then fair enough. Just don’t expect me to give up my flashy style anytime soon. It’s a package deal.” He says that as if he doesn’t get In the top ten within a few months.

You could tell he wasn’t taking offense anymore, but you still felt like you needed to clear the air. “I mean, you’re doing your thing. I just—” You faltered, trying to find the right words, feeling like you were digging yourself into a hole. “I just didn’t want to be some random person making snide comments. You’re a pro hero, and I respect that.”

His eyes softened again, and there was an odd sincerity in his gaze. “Thanks. That means more than you know. You look about the same age as me so as you’re a pro as well, wouldn’t you know it you’ll be up there at the top, maybe we’ll have a hero rivalry” he smirks

“Ah yes the trials and tribulations of endeavour and all might persist in the bodies of 18 year old aspiring heroes” you pause for a moment thinking about it. You know that’s not too far from the original source material

“Well I’m not exactly a pro just yet, give me a few months and I’ll be there”

For a moment, neither of you spoke, the awkwardness between you two slowly evaporating. It was strange, how you’d gone from a sarcastic comment to a brief but genuine moment of understanding. And yet, in a world where everything seemed so scripted, the fact that this had played out in such a way felt a little… surreal.

After a beat, Hawks stretched, giving you a wink. “Well, I should probably get going. Hero stuff, you know?” He shrugged, turning on his heel. “But hey, if you ever need a hand or just wanna throw some more sarcastic remarks my way, I’m not hard to find.”

You managed a small, half-smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He flashed you one last grin before taking off, his wings spreading wide as he took to the sky, disappearing into the distance. You watched him go, still feeling that odd mixture of guilt and amusement bubbling in your chest.

Shaking your head, you turned and continued on your way home, feeling slightly lighter, despite the awkwardness. At least you hadn’t ruined everything completely. But, then again, in a world like this, there was always something new to look forward to. Maybe you’d even see Hawks again and maybe next time, you’d be a little better at handling it.

Or, you’d at least try to be.

In this world, reports of people with superpowers started popping up everywhere. No one really knew what was causing these Quirks. And before long, the supernatural became the new normal. Dreams became reality, and the world turned into a superhuman society, with 80% of the population possessing some sort of strange ability.

Blah, blah, blah. The world might sound impressive at first, but being dropped into a world where you know everyone’s futures? That kind of ruins the excitement. Save the fun stuff for when Izuku is supposed to take over

You’d think living in a world of superheroes would be a dream come true, but it felt more like playing a life simulator with a DLC attached.

‘Actually if any one had heard that thought, please smite me dead on the spot’

Maybe when you finally met Shigaraki, you two could bond over how lame your lives were.

————

The moment Hawks took off, disappearing into the sky with all the grace and flair of a man who knew exactly how cool he was, you were left standing there, alone in the middle of a busy street. You blinked a few times, processing the bizarre encounter, like a glitch in the matrix where you’d just met one of the to be top heroes, and somehow managed to be the awkward, sarcastic mess you were known for.

Oh god, you thought, did I just make myself look like an idiot?

The awkwardness of the moment hit you all at once, like a ton of bricks. Your brain replayed every word you’d said, every overly dramatic sigh, and every time you’d made some weird comment about his ego. I probably just ruined any chance of ever having a normal conversation with him ever again, you thought with a groan.

But, hey, at least you’d gotten one thing right: you had no idea how to not embarrass yourself in front of a pro hero. Progress, right?

Your feet shuffled along the sidewalk, your eyes fixed on the ground, just in case anyone noticed how ridiculously flustered you were. You didn’t even know where you were going at this point, your legs had basically decided to take you home, but your brain was still stuck on the fact that you’d just made a snide remark to one of the most famous people in the world. That was bound to come back to haunt you, right?

In the midst of your spiraling, a thought hit you like a slap to the face: What if he tells people?

No, no, no, no. Hawks wasn’t the type to hold grudges. He’d probably just chuckle about it with his equally cool friends and forget about it. Right?

… what if he tells Mirko. All you feel is dread

But still, the mental image of him, sitting around with his hero buddies, casually telling them about the weird girl who got all awkward and snarky when she met him, was enough to make you want to curl up in a hole and disappear for the next decade. I’m never leaving my house again, you thought, hands buried in your pockets. It’s safer this way.

As you trudged home, you passed by the same old buildings, the same street vendors, the same couple having a heated debate about the proper way to cook curry (which, honestly, you were kind of invested in now). It was the same old world. But now, you couldn’t help but feel like you were living in some kind of sitcom where you were the awkward side character. This is what I get for getting tossed into this universe, you thought, rolling your eyes at the universe itself. And why am I still here? Shouldn’t I be a sidekick by now?

You eventually reached your apartment building, doing your best to ignore the fact that you’d just been face-to-face with Hawks and didn’t manage to do anything remotely cool or competent. The elevator ride felt longer than it should’ve. It was like the universe itself was giving you a moment to reflect on your life choices. By the time you reached your door, you felt like you needed to apologize to the doorframe for even existing.

With a dramatic sigh, you kicked off your shoes and collapsed onto the couch. You stared at the ceiling, wondering if you should’ve just said something normal like, “Hey, cool wings.” That’s it. Cool wings… nope absolutely not, move on, but no, you had to act like a nervous wreck who couldn’t even handle basic social interaction. Congratulations, you’re a disaster.

But as your mind started spiraling into self-loathing, you couldn’t help but chuckle a little. The whole situation had been so ridiculous, so out of place, that it was actually kind of funny. You’d just had a conversation with Hawks granted, it was a weird, awkward, almost cringeworthy conversation but still, a conversation! That was more than most people could say.

“Maybe I should just call it a day. Hide under the covers and pretend nothing happened.”

You threw your arms dramatically across your face as if the weight of your shame was too much to bear, but in the back of your mind, a tiny thought crept in: Hey, if I run into him again, maybe I won’t make a fool of myself next time.

Then again, you thought with a grin, Probably not.

At least tomorrow’s a new day, right? You could try to be normal then probably. Or at the very least, you could give yourself a good pep talk, like, “You got this, champ. Try not to make an idiot of yourself this time.”

As you lay there, wallowing in your embarrassment, you couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. Because, in the end, this was just another bizarre chapter in your weird, barely-coherent life in the world of heroes. Maybe next time, you’d at least try to make a good first impression. Or maybe, just maybe, you’d accidentally land on your feet and make it out of another embarrassing moment unscathed.

Who knew? Anything was possible in this crazy universe. Well, except you being smooth. That was clearly out of the question.

————

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and as your classmates hurriedly packed their bags and ran out the door, you sat there, contemplating your life choices. Graduation was right around the corner, and while everyone else was excited about the future, you were just kind of… existing.

You were in your third year at UA, the very school that trained the next generation of Pro Heroes. But here you were, staring at your desk like it owed you money, with no idea what you were supposed to do next.

Let’s be real, everyone else had a purpose. Izuku? He was going to be the greatest hero of all time. All Might? He was the symbol of peace, the beacon of hope, and probably the only guy who could do a cartwheel and not look like a dad on a trampoline. Even Bakugo had a clear goal in mind: to be the best, which, considering his attitude, was more like a “do it or I’ll yell at you until you cry” kind of vibe.

But you? You were just here. You weren’t supposed to be in this world. Seriously, how did you even get here? One minute you were living your normal life, and the next you’re dropped into the middle of a world full of heroes, quirks, and crazy villains, but there’s no manual for how to fit in. It was like being cast in the world’s weirdest TV show and being told, “Yeah, just figure it out, you’ll be fine.”

And you were so fine. So fine, in fact, that you didn’t even know what the point of it all was. You had no grand dreams of becoming the next All Might or Deku. You weren’t even sure what your quirk was half the time, maybe you had an ability to be totally average? If so, congratulations, you were really nailing it.

“Look, you’re fine, you’re fine,” you muttered to yourself, giving the window a dramatic look. “You’ll graduate, become a hero, maybe stand by the snacks table at hero events, get a cool costume, the usual.”

You sighed, staring at the city below. Your classmates had their lives all planned out, while you had absolutely no clue what was happening. “Like, how do you even become a hero if you’re not, like, destined for greatness?” You asked, though you were fully aware the universe wasn’t going to answer. Or if it did, it would probably just laugh and say, “Sorry, you’re just here for filler content.”

You turned to the empty classroom, contemplating your entire existence for a moment. “Man, is this what it’s like to be a side character? ’Cause I really didn’t sign up for this. I was just trying to live my best life, and suddenly I’m here, trying to figure out if I should be saving kittens from trees or passing out flyers for charity events.”

A laugh bubbled out of you. “Who knows, maybe I’ll be that hero, the one who’s really good at handing out pamphlets at superhero conventions. You know, hero stuff. The job that’s always available but no one really talks about.”

You let out a half-hearted groan. “Ugh, I’m like a glorified intern in the superhero world. ‘Oh, sorry, your quirk is literally just being chill? Guess you’ll be a sidekick to the sidekicks!’”

But then it hit you: maybe that’s fine. Not every hero needs to be the big shot. Maybe your purpose was to just… exist. No huge fanfare, no dramatic showdowns with villains, just a random person who shows up at the right time to, like, hand out snacks or prevent a minor inconvenience. You could totally be that person! There’s a whole squad of heroes out there who are doing important stuff without anyone caring about them.

You snapped your fingers. “Wait a minute. Maybe this is my calling! I’ll be ‘The Human Buffer’. I’ll help all the heroes hand out protein bars, hold their coats while they go into battle, be that one person who’s just there to make sure they look good in their hero pose. Yeah, I could be that hero!”

You stood up, grabbed your bag, and strutted out of the classroom with newfound confidence. You might not have a big, world-saving destiny, but you would be the hero who was always there with the perfect snack after a long day of saving people. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a role that needed to be filled, and by golly, you were going to do it.

“Alright, world,” you said dramatically as you walked down the hallway. “You don’t need me to save the day, but I’ll be here when you need someone to tell you where the bathroom is during a fight. Hero work!”

As you passed your classmates, all talking about their big future plans, you couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe you weren’t meant to be the hero everyone else was, but you were still going to make your mark. Whether they needed an emotional support snack or someone to bring them a towel after they worked up a sweat, you’d be there.

And hey, you’d probably get a cool title too: The Most Average, Most Helpful Hero.

It wasn’t that you didn’t like the idea of being a hero. Who wouldn’t want to swoop in and save the day, right? But the thing was, you didn’t belong here. You didn’t have that spark that made someone destined to be a hero. You weren’t meant to exist in this world. You were more like an accidental extra, someone who wasn’t supposed to show up on the hero timeline but somehow did. And now you were just… waiting for your scene to end.

It wasn’t that you didn’t respect heroes, of course, you did! But watching everyone around you with their grand dreams and bright futures made you feel a bit like the odd one out. Even if you’re living in a year with just side characters. They had their roles, their destinies. Meanwhile, you were stuck in a universe where things were already set in stone. It was like showing up to a concert that was already halfway over and realizing you’re just gonna have to sit in the nosebleeds for the rest of the show.

Keigo had mentioned once that it was important for heroes to ease the worries of the people. Isn’t it paradoxical that his future words are the ones giving you a path. That they had to be more than just strong, they had to make people feel safe. And you’d never had any doubts about that philosophy. But how could you be that person when you didn’t even feel like you were supposed to be here in the first place? It felt like playing a game you didn’t know the rules to, in a world that wasn’t yours.

Sure, you were about to graduate from UA and technically become a Pro Hero, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were sort of stepping into a role that didn’t really have anything to do with you. You had no grand dreams of fighting side-by-side with All Might in his final battle. There were so any many risks and what if a simple butterfly effect made the villains win by you being here. Honestly, you’d probably end up being the hero who handed out flyers for charity events or stood at the front of the line for photos to be safe. Was that the kind of hero you wanted to be?

“Well, I guess I’ll be a hero of some kind,” you muttered, though it was more out of obligation than excitement. “But what does it even mean if I don’t have some grand purpose in all this?”

A little chuckle escaped your lips. This was ridiculous. Here you were, stressing over your place in a world that was literally made up. You were a character in a story that already had its plot laid out, and yet you were still acting like you had to be a main character. It was all just so absurd.

But you didn’t want to be that person someone who just complained about fate and waited for something to happen. You could still make a difference in small ways, right? Maybe not as the next All Might or Deku, but as someone who showed up when it mattered, who helped out in their own way. The world was full of side characters doing small but important things, why couldn’t you be one of them?

With a grin, you stood up and grabbed your bag, heading out of the classroom to join the rest of your classmates. Maybe you weren’t the protagonist of this story, but hey, you could still make your mark on it. A little self-awareness never hurt anyone, right? Besides, in a world full of heroes, sometimes it was enough just to be one even if you were doing it a little differently than everyone else.