𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐛𝐧𝐡𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬

[23]

Two of hearts

23

___

"Your internships start in a week. For this all-important decision, I'll be handing out personalised lists to those who were drafted. You may choose from among those who scouted you."

Y/n sat in class, absentmindedly picking at the bandages on her hands as Aizawa discussed upcoming internships. Her mother, Sora, had left swiftly after the hero name reveal, a departure that left a mix of emotions in its wake.

As Aizawa's words on internships filled the room, Y/n's focus wavered between the lecture and the subtle unease that lingered beneath the surface. The prospect of the next phase in her hero journey stirred anticipation and nerves, her mind caught between the physical reminders on her hands and the desire for further acknowledgement from her mother. The classroom buzzed with the energy of aspiring heroes eager to step into the unknown, while Y/n grappled with both the physical and emotional remnants of the recent events.

The draft sheets circulated throughout the room, and Y/n took hers with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. As her eyes scanned the extensive list of nearly two thousand different agencies, a wave of overwhelm washed over her. The sheer number of choices left her feeling paralyzed, caught between the desire to make the right decision for her future and the uncertainty of which agency would truly have her best interests at heart. The pages seemed to blur as she grappled with the weight of choosing the path that would shape her hero journey, a decision that felt both monumental and daunting.

"Submit your choices by this coming weekend."

Y/n's eyes scanned the draft sheet, noting the expected listing of Endeavour's agency. Regular training sessions with him had solidified that choice. Among the various smaller agencies that didn't particularly stand out to her, one name on the page seized her attention — The Scorchrend Agency. The combination of familiarity and an intriguing allure surrounded the name, stirring a curiosity that went beyond the ordinary options.

Y/n's brow furrowed as her eyes lingered on the name: The Scorchrend Agency. The missing hero, the one Captain Ochre had cautioned her about after the sports festival. The hero who had disappeared due to his controversial methods in dealing with villainy and crime. The revelation added a layer of complexity to the choice before her, intertwining the allure of the agency with the warnings she had received.

"Mr Aizawa?" She called out, making him raise a brow and approach her.

"Yeah?" He responded, looking down at her with a lazy expression as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

She shuffled her papers and pointed to a name. His eyes instantly widened as he took the paper from her hands. A plethora of thoughts plagued his mind, the fact that Scorchrend, Y/n's father, was at the sports festival, completely undetected was one. Another was how the hell the school didn't notice the name when going through the scouting agencies.

"Sir?" Y/n questioned with a raised brow, his silence and stunned expression only fuelled her confusion and worry.

Aizawa gulped. "I had no idea his agency was still in operation..."

In a twisted logic, it made a sick kind of sense. Of course, Scorchrend would attempt to exert influence over his daughter, manipulating her without her awareness. Aizawa, having witnessed a fleeting glimpse of Scorchrend in Y/n during the USJ incident, couldn't shake off the unease it stirred within him. Frankly, it frightened him—the subtle echoes of a hero's controversial methods now potentially seeping into the next generation. The intricate dance of heroism and manipulation, veiled beneath familial ties, added a layer of complexity that sent shivers down Aizawa's spine.