(As November neared its end...)
"We're going to take care of her here at U.A.," said Eraser Head.
"I didn't think I'd be able to see her again so soon for so long!" Izuku exclaimed.
"Yeah, me neither!" Mato added.
"Hey," said Kirishima.
"Oh, yay, it's Eri!" Nejire exclaimed.
"You remind me of my little sister," said Tsuyu.
(Everyone's eager to know Eri better... sorry, but I'm her favorite.)
The students went outside the school.
"It looks like Eri was abandoned by her parents," said Eraser. "And the only relative she has has been in a coma for a long time, so we decided to keep her here instead of giving her to a stranger."
"Thank goodness, I'd say," said Satoru.
"Maybe you already heard this from Aizawa-sensei," said Mirio. "But the horn Eri has on the forehead..."
"Yeah, I've heard it's gotten smaller since what happened at Shie Hassaikai," said Kirishima.
"It started to grow back," said Eraser.
"So... could that happen again?" Satoru asked.
"Yeah," said Eraser. "We'll watch her in the teacher's dorm."
"Seems like a lot of work..." Asui muttered.
"That's where I come in!" Mirio intervened. "I'm on a temporary absence from school, and I'm friends with Eri!"
"I know you're all busy, but stop and visit sometimes," said Eraser.
"Of course we will," said Izuku.
__________
Class B dormitory
Satoru was sitting on the sofa, eating a piece of pizza.
"Hey, Shirakawa, I've been wondering," said Shiozaki. "How's it like training under Oro?"
"It's good," Mato answered.
"You're so lucky, Hid," said Tetsutetsu. "I mean, you're the little brother of who's probably going to be the next number 1 hero!"
"It's not luck..." Satoru muttered. "Not at all..."
In that moment, Satoru wondered something. How were his parents like? Maybe he should have asked Oro. It had been a while since the two brothers spoke.
(I wonder how Aniki's doing...)
"Hey, we have guests," Vlad King said. "Greet them."
Someone entered the room.
"Lock on with these sparkling gazes!"
"We've come to lend a paw and help!"
"Coming out of nowhere..."
"Stringingly cute and catlike!"
"Wild, Wild.. Pussycats!"
"Yo, the Pussycats!" said Tetsutetsu.
"Who are they?" Satoru pretended not to know who they were.
"They were the ones present at the training camp," said Ibara. "But of course you don't know, since you weren't there."
"Anyway, why are you here?" Yosetsu asked.
"We can't stay for a long time; we already visited Class A," said Mandalay.
Mato got approached by Kota.
"You're Oro's brother, right?" he said. "When... when you encounter him, can you tell him I'm grateful to him?"
"Y-yeah... sure I will," said Mato.
"Oh, you're Hideki Shirakawa, Oro's brother!" said Mandalay. "What a pleasure to meet you!"
"Ragdoll, you're working again?" Itsuka asked. "Weren't you Quirkless?"
"I still am!" said Ragdoll. "But I'll be doing the office work."
"So you're back to work?" Mato asked.
"Yes," said Pixie-Bob. "And the reason will be announced later, but for the Japanese Hero Billboard Chart."
"A Billboard chart without All Might, huh?" Tetsutetsu said. "This means the number 1 hero will be either Oro or Endeavor."
(I have faith in Aniki, I know he can do it.)
__________
"This is the first Billboard chart since the Kamino incident, where the Symbol of Peace, All Might, was driven to an early retirement. Until today, heroes did not appear on stage for the announcement, but today, they will!"
"And now, let me introduce you to the top 10 heroes!"
"Number 10, Equipped Hero: Yoroi Musha!"
"Number 9, Laundry Hero: Wash!"
"Number 8, Kamui Woods!"
"Number 7, Crust!"
"Number 6, Rabbit Hero: Mirko!"
"Number 5, Ninja Hero: Edgeshot!"
"Number 4, Fiber Hero: Best Jeanist, even if he's not here today!"
"Number 3, Wing Hero: Hawks!"
"Number 2, Flame Hero: Endeavor!"
"And finally, number 1... the hero everyone always loved and who made a huge jump in the ranks, going from 3 to 1 today. Ladies and gentlemen, Light Hero: Oro!"
Oro stepped on the stage. "I'm honored to be here today!"
"Please, act serious, at least now," said Endeavor.
"And now, let's have a comment from each person!"
"What we must do now is no different," said Yoroi.
"Wash!" said Wash.
"I would like to work in a way that does not shame those who have come before me," said Kamui Woods.
"Oh, why was I not at Kamino on that day?" Crust said.
"For those of you planning evil deeds right now, prepare to be sent flying by me!" said Mirko.
"I am grateful for all the support I have received," said Edgeshot.
"And who's gonna listen to your speech, Stain?" said Hawks. "Let's be honest, guys; If we're just talking about approval ratings... Oro is number one, then there's Best Jeanist, me, Edgeshot, and then Endeavor. I think approval rating is the most important number right now, though. Is this really the time to be dragging out the past? You don't think we need to change how we do things?"
"The Symbol is gone, but I'm sure Oro will carry on his legacy. He's been trained by him, after all. Why are those less accomplished than me playing it safe? Say something that sounds more hero-like."
(Hawks, age 22, but I always call him Keigo when we're not in public,) Oro thought. (He's younger than me, but he's in a higher rank than I was at his age... he's a good friend, but... he just doesn't know when to shut up.)
"That's all for me," said Hawks, descending beside Endeavor. "Now it's your turn, number 2 hero with a lower approval than mine."
"I've got nothing to say," said Endeavor.
"That's even better," said Hawks. "So this means it's your turn, Oro."
Oro grabbed the mic. "I know what you're thinking. As I always said during my career, I'm not All Might, and I never will be. As Hawks said, the Symbol is gone, and I'm not aiming to replace him. There's only one thing I can guarantee: I'm the number 1 hero, and I'm also the hero with the most approval ratings, so I won't fail your expectations. Just watch me, that's all."
__________
"What were you thinking, boy?" Endeavor thundered, grabbing Hawks' dress.
"C'mon, Enji, let him go," said Hikaru. "He was just joking, or so I think."
"You..." Endeavor let go of Hawks. "You managed to surpass me, and I still ain't the number 1..."
"According to you," said Hawks. "You wanted to be the strongest, not to have the title of the number 1, right? If you were the number 1, it'll just be a title, but you wouldn't be the strongest."
"As much as it can hurt, Keigo's right," said Oro. "You'll become the number 1 hero when you'll be the strongest. Or when I'll die, either."
"Anyway, we're going to Kyushu, bro," said Hawks. "Do you want to come?"
"Yeah, sure," said Hikaru. "I'm going to Kyushu too, but alone."
"It's a reason more to come with us," said Hawks. "Endeavor does not hate you, you know that. He's just... rude, sometimes."
"Believe, I'd join, but I really can't due to engagements," said Oro. "Now I gotta go. If I catch you, I'll say hi."
"Okay," said Hawks. "Watch your back. Now that you're the number 1, all eyes are on you."
(I know, Keigo... I know.)
Chapter 49 - End