LOST // BAKUGO X OC

Press Release

The cameras flashed before the trio as they stood on the podium. Estelle had been waiting for this moment for weeks, hoping for the chance to step away from hero duties. She was between Hawks and Endeavour, silently despising the ruckus around the room as reporters and a few other heroes spoke over each other. She felt like she was about to go blind, the flickering lights of the cameras not stopping before her eyes could even begin to adjust.

Feeling uneasy at being the focus of everyone's attention, Estelle let a hiss of a breath leave her lips as her back straightened. Hawk's eyes glanced over to her face from the action, his mind automatically computing the fact she was uncomfortable. Her stance was tense, like she was ready to fight a boss at any moment.

'It's a shame that the boss is a bunch of civilians. She can't fight her way out of this one,' He pondered wistfully. Positioning his hand on her shoulders, hoping it would help, he learned that it only worsened as the camera's flash became more belligerent.

Endeavour stepped forward, his voice booming, forcing everyone around the hall into quietness. "The Guardian has been signed with both my agency and Hawks. I am sure she will do well under our care and provide support to those in need."

Opening his mouth once more, Endeavor's mouth tipped down into a scowl as his eyes turned white, and the screams of reporters began to fill his ears like static. Glimpsing their words, the hero was already aware it would be a shock to find this out as Estelle had always stood on the side of fixing things and leaving this world. Joining a hero agency directly contradicted that in their eyes.

Estelle remained frozen, unsure of what she was supposed to do in this circumstance. When she joined the humans after the war, she had barely even been given a thank you. So, having people surrounding her as if she was worthy almost seemed too much for her to comprehend.

"The hell am I supposed to do?" She muttered quietly, her body rigid as she stared forward, unwilling to look anybody in the eye.

"Just be yourself!" Hawks muttered back gleefully, grinning towards everyone with ease. It was almost amusing to see the stark difference between the two, their personalities so far removed from each other that it struck everyone who saw them.

Internally scowling, Estelle urged to wack the male across the back of the head but contained herself. The female didn't know who she was besides being a soldier. She didn't have many hobbies outside of that, and if she had to label her personality, she wouldn't know where to begin.

Moving her stare from the back of the room and looking directly at the camera, Estelle filled her eyes with steely determination. Estelle was clueless about things that came to her, but she knew what she had to do for the upcoming war. The otherworldly being had been planning in the background, training her comrades, and ensuring that squads were ready for any missions their general would have to throw at them. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough, and it meant she wasn't fumbling in the dark.

She would protect them.

Estelle didn't know that every eye that watched the screen could see the unwavering globes as it seared into them. It seemed to hold everything she didn't say, a profound promise to defend and protect.

She looked like a hero.

Typically with these kinds of announcements, the populace was used to seeing those with powerful quirks show off their personalities, as the public ratings were a significant factor in becoming top ranks. They would please the crowd, tell them their catchphrase, and voice their promises of heroship.

The Guardian did none of that.

Because her actions were louder than words.

She had been consistent in the daily news, papers, and conversations the general public had. They wondered what she was like, the power she held, and the world she came from. They were awed at her strength, watched her fights, and cheered her on.