Endeavor had almost finished for the night when someone knocked on the door to his study.
His pen stopped.
That was odd, as very few people visited him in his study without being called first. Rei occasionally entered if she needed to speak with him privately. Fuyumi did the same, usually to bring him some food or if it was related to her brothers.
Yakuto technically visited too, although calling what he did a visit was a stretch.
The boy had been reminded repeatedly that closed doors existed for a reason. Endeavor had explained it firmly to him. None of it seemed to matter to him. Yakuto would simply barrel into whatever room he wanted to, say his piece and exit loudly, leaving a mess.
Endeavor had nearly given up correcting him, with his wife always at his back. Rei loved all the children equally but doted on Yakuto the most. It wasn't a secret. Maybe because of how many incidents he was involved in. At least she had tried to keep a tighter leash around him in recent years.
Thankfully, whether it was due to that or something else, Yakuto had caused considerably less trouble recently. He had become focused on the U.A. entrance examination, spending far more time studying than Endeavor had expected. His grades were still nothing remarkable, but there had been genuine improvement. Unfortunately, it still wasn't enough. And that wasn't even the part that was worth the most points. What he really had to pass was the practical. That's why instead of helping, he just let him do as he pleased. Maybe it was better for Yakuto to find out the hard way.
Another knock came from the door.
Endeavor set his pen down.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Endeavor was just genuinely surprised to see the person standing there.
Haise.
Endeavor said nothing. Of all his children, Haise was probably the last one he expected to voluntarily visit him. When the boys had been younger, Haise had caused nearly as much trouble as Yakuto. The two were constantly together then, disappearing somewhere they were not supposed to be, fighting, breaking something, or getting in trouble at school.
Endeavor had assumed much of it probably came from Yakuto's influence. He was glad he kept Shoto away from that. But that led to its own problems.
However, his assumption had only grown stronger once the two began attending different schools.
Haise had mellowed out considerably.
His grades were at the top. His attendance was nearly spotless. He rarely caused problems at school, never needed anyone to intervene on his behalf, and handled most of his responsibilities without being reminded.
If anything, Haise was easily overlooked. Not because Haise demanded attention and failed to receive it. The opposite was true. He simply never asked for anything. Endeavor could probably count on one hand the number of meaningful conversations the two of them had shared over the last year. Perhaps longer. It was his fault. But, Haise had always been difficult to read. Shoto's feelings, even when buried beneath his usual expression, had become somewhat familiar. Fuyumi was open enough that understanding her had rarely been difficult. Natsuo made his feelings toward Endeavor perfectly clear. Although they had somewhat mended their relationship, it was still strained.
Yakuto was an animal. His thoughts were written on his face. He slept, ate, and did what he wanted without really caring.
Haise was different.
He watched more than he spoke. Kept his thoughts to himself. And now, after returning from three months in Antarctica, he had come directly to him.
Endeavor leaned back slightly in his chair.
"What is it?"
Haise stepped fully into the study and closed the door behind him.
"I want you to recommend me for U.A.'s recommendation entrance exam."
For several seconds, Endeavor simply looked at him.
His expression did not change.
Internally, however, the request caught him completely off guard.
U.A.?
Shoto had already registered for the recommendation exam. He did expect Yakuto to also want to go to U.A. Endeavor didn't write it for him, because he believed it wouldn't have done anything. The recommendation alone wasn't enough. The test was still there, and harder than the standard test. But Haise also wanted to go to U.A? Since when?
Endeavor realized he did not even know when the boy had decided to want to be a hero.
"Since when did you want to be a Hero?"
Haise shrugged slightly. "For a while."
That was an irritatingly vague answer. Endeavor waited for perhaps something more.
Haise seemed to realize he wanted more than that. He sighed.
"I started taking it seriously this year. U.A. has the best hero course, so that's where I'm going."
There was no hesitation.
"And you want the recommendation examination to get in. Why not use the standard entrance exam next year. Why?"
Haise's answer came quickly.
"Because the people taking it should be the best applicants right?."
Endeavor's eyes narrowed slightly.
Haise continued. "If they're being recommended, their schools already think they're exceptional. Strong quirks, good grades, accomplishments and a Hero recognized their abilities. I want to compete against people like that."
Of course.
Endeavor almost sighed.
Yakuto wanted to attend U.A partly because All Might would be there and he wanted to fight him. A part of him was proud to hear that.
Haise wanted the recommendation examination because he expected stronger competition. They were more alike than expected.
Still, Haise's reasoning was not the issue. Students wanted joined U.A for many reasons.
Academically, there was almost nothing to criticize. Endeavor knew his grades. Haise consistently near the top of his class, and in several subjects his marks were even higher than Shoto's. His middle school record was clean. He had participated in activities outside normal coursework, earned strong commendations from his teachers, and had just returned from a three-month international career placement connected to a professional hero operation in Antarctica. Endeavor had already seen the evaluation sent back with him.
It was excellent.
The staff praised Haise's reliability, his work ethic, and willingness to go above and beyond. Apparently, once research preparations began, he had regularly helped staff outside as well.
On paper, everything was fine.
When Yakuto had asked for a recommendation, Endeavor had refused because there was nothing in his academic or extracurricular record that justified special consideration. If Yakuto did terribly, it would effect his agency's name. A recommendation wasn't just an ordinary letter.
But Haise did not have that problem.
If Endeavor submitted his name, he could justify it easily. Endeavor looked at his son more carefully. He knew Haise possessed an ice quirk. That was about everything he knew about him.
But was he strong? And would it be enough?
Endeavor had no idea. But maybe this was an opportunity to find out. Maybe even learn something more about his son.
Endeavor stood.
Haise's eyes followed him.
"Your grades are more than sufficient," Endeavor said. "Your teachers speak highly of you. Your record is clean, and the evaluation from Antarctica gives me no reason to question your work ethic."
"If academics were the only requirement, I would have no reason to refuse."
That earned the slightest change in Haise's expression. He caught something close to a smirk on his face. But it quickly vanished.
Endeavor walked around the desk.
"But I want to see if you are strong enough." Endeavor stopped several feet from him.
"I don't know your output. I don't know your endurance. I don't know how you react under pressure, and I have no idea what three months in Antarctica actually accomplished."
"What do you have in mind?" Haise asked.
Endeavor folded his arms. "A simple test. If you want me to put my name behind your application, prove to me that you deserve it. Land one clean hit on me."
Haise's eyebrows rose in surprise.
"That's it?"
"I will defend myself. I will not stand still. If you can land an intentional, clean attack on me, I will submit the recommendation."
Haise was only quiet for a moment. "Alright."
Maybe this was something new about him he would learn.
The school bell rang across the quiet afternoon, students spilling out in lazy waves onto the street.
Rumi Usagiyama, better known to the world as Mirko, leaned casually against a light pole, arms folded across her chest, snow-white hair tucked into her hoodie. She had on baggy clothes to try and blend in. Her rabbit ears twitched slightly as she scanned the crowd, bored eyes hunting for a familiar mop of spiky red hair.
A couple of fans approached her, recognizing her. But they were thankfully quiet about it.
Yakuto Todoroki. Middle schooler. She did her research after the little incident. It wasn't hard to do. He had his uniform on the day the incident occurred. From that it was easy to find the last name.
She smirked.
Yakuto stepped out of the gates alongside two classmates, an owl-headed boy and another boy with shaggy black hair. They were joking about something until they spotted her. All three froze mid-step.
Glowl's feathers puffed. "Oh my god! You're—"
Itsuki Shou was practically drooling.
"I need to speak to your friend, if you don't mind," Mirko said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
The two bailed immediately.
"Later, Yakuto. Call us if you live," Itsuki shouted over his shoulder as they vanished down the sidewalk.
—
'Damn traitors.' Natsu thought as he watched his so-called friends immediately run away.
Natsu turned slowly, squinting up at the pro hero as she pushed off the pole and walked toward him with easy confidence.
"Yes, can I help you Miss Lady I've never met." he muttered.
"You can just call me Mirko," she replied, stopping in front of him and giving him a once-over. "Don't tell me you forgot already. That punch you used on Black Leopard left a crater the size of a building."
"I don't know what you mean. I am just a middle school student." Natsu tried to wave her off. If anyone else found out, he could get in trouble. Probably…he didn't know the rules. He wished this lady would forget about that whole incident.
However, Mirko just stared at him. Deadpan. It was obvious she didn't buy it.
Natsu scratched the back of his head. "Right, right… that guy. You caught him afterward."
"I watched you catch him," she said, jabbing him lightly in the chest with two fingers. "And then you actually had the nerve to give me a fake name."
"Oh. Yeah…" Natsu looked away, sheepish.
"But, let me ask. Are you an idiot?," Mirko snorted. " You gave me your real last name. And it's Todoroki. Real subtle. Not like that's a real popular hero, Endeavor, who you happen to look like."
Natsu grimaced. "I was kinda just messing around."
"I'm not mad," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "Okay, maybe a little. But I was in the area and figured I'd check out the little hero. Making sure you stay out of trouble."
Natsu tensed. "I'm not doing that anymore. No more vigilante stuff, I promise. I'm focused on the U.A. entrance exam."
That caught her attention. She noticed the nervous edge in his voice.
"Don't worry, kid. I never mentioned your name to anyone. I'm no stranger to... unorthodox methods. I used to fight in underground rings before I went pro."
That made Natsu relax. The tension drained from his shoulders, and his trademark grin returned.
"U.A., huh?" Mirko said.
"Only way to go, it's for the best of the best," he replied.
She smiled. "I like the look in your eyes. All these wimps these days. They don't have the same kind of fire."
Natsu lit up the tip of his finger. "Like this?"
Mirko laughed. It was loud. It turned over a few heads in their direction. "Not literally, idiot."
"Oh man, I can't wait to see this. You've got the power, but maybe not the brains..." she added with a teasing look.
"Hey I'll be the best!" Natsu shot back, frowning. Mirko rolled her eyes. She quickly grabbed his backpack and rummaged through the mess. She pulled out a test. It was 75. It was impressive for him. She held it up to his face.
She laughed. "You don't exactly look like the academic type."
"You're kind of an asshole." Natsu said. Mirko shoved the backpack back at him, seemingly ignoring his remark.
"Y'know, I didn't go to U.A. myself," she continued. "Graduated from a hero school out in Hiroshima. I became a hero without any support. You kind of remind me of myself. So even if you don't get in, you can probably go to any school and still be a top hero."
Natsu didn't hesitate. "Yeah. But I have to get into U.A."
Mirko raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Why U.A? Is it because it's considered the best?"
Natsu gave her a confident grin. "Nah, it's not because of that. I'm gonna fight All Might!"
Mirko's eyes widened and she let out a big laugh. "Alright, then. Good luck, kid."
He chatted with the hero a bit more. But eventually people started gathering. She bid him farewell. Natsu was glad she wasn't going to say anything. She was pretty cool.
–
After waving the kid goodbye, she turned and hopped lightly up onto a rooftop. She glanced back just once and saw him already running to catch up with his friends.
"Hmm… maybe it'd be fun to take on a sidekick…" she mused as she leapt again, higher this time, disappearing into the distance. "Me get a sidekick? Nah. I always run solo!" She pauses. How does that process even work?"
She'd never wanted a sidekick or agency before. To her, having to rely on someone else was a sign of weakness. But this time... maybe it would be interesting. Seeing Natsu had reminded her of her own school days. She would constantly fight in underground fighting rings to improve herself and eventually became a hero with her own merit. She was excited to see someone like her. Maybe it would be good to stay in this town for a bit.
—----
By the time Natsu returned home, it was late again. His mother was already waiting by the entrance with a slipper. 'Shit.' Natsu thought as he reached the door.
"And where were you out this late?" She questioned. Natsu resigned to his fate and entered the house. After getting an earful from his mother and some fake promises that he wouldn't do it again, he was forced to take a bath and come down for dinner. He sat on the couch and sank into it. Even though he didn't train, he felt drained. The meeting with the rabbit hero was stressful. He was expecting her to arrest him at any point.
"Tough day," Shoto asked, sitting beside him.
"Like you wouldn't believe." Natsu groaned.
"What, did you have a test today?" Gray teased.
"No, I happened to run into a pro hero on my way home today," Natsu smirked.
"Oh?" Shoto looked at him. Even Gray seemed to perk up.
"Yeah, it was the rabbit hero. She showed up near our school."
"You didn't get in any kind of trouble, did you," Shoto questioned.
"What, no! I got to say hi. And told her I would be going to U.A. when she asked. Snowflake, are you taking the exam too?
"Yeah, but not the normal entrance exam." He said before pulling out a piece of paper. It was a recommendation letter from Endeavor. He had a smug look on his face.
Natsu was outraged. "Wha- how-, That asshole! How come he didn't give me one!."
"Should've done better in school." Gray laughed.