Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 11: Hero Names and Workplace Training

Kirishima could feel the buzz of excitement in the air as his classmates chattered about their newfound fame from the Sports Festival. The energy was contagious, but his mind kept drifting back to how everything felt different now—how he felt different after the intense events of the festival. His thoughts briefly flickered to Bakugou, still reeling from everything that had happened. But Kirishima was snapped out of his thoughts when Aizawa walked in, fully recovered from his injuries.

"Today, we’ll be discussing hero names," Aizawa said, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention.

Kirishima felt a spark of excitement in his chest. Hero names—this was a moment he’d been looking forward to. The name that would define his career, that would carry his hopes, dreams, and the kind of hero he wanted to be. The weight of it settled on him as Aizawa continued explaining how hero names influence their futures, especially given the nominations they received from Pro Heroes.

Kirishima’s heart swelled with pride as he remembered his own nomination. The idea that pro heroes saw potential in him filled him with a renewed sense of determination. He glanced over at Bakugou, who was slumped in his chair with a scowl, but the tension between them had lessened. The sports festival had taken its toll on both of them, but Kirishima refused to let that drag him down.

When Midnight arrived to help them decide their hero names, the class erupted in excited whispers. Kirishima watched his classmates reveal their names one by one, a smile tugging at his lips. But when it was his turn, he hesitated for a moment. His mind flashed with thoughts of strength, resilience, and brotherhood. Then, with a grin, he proudly declared his name: Red Riot—a name that symbolized his unbreakable spirit and homage to his idol, Crimson Riot.

As the class continued, Kirishima couldn't help but glance back at Bakugou, who was still brooding over his rejected names. He knew Bakugou wasn’t one to ask for help, but Kirishima felt a tug of concern. He wished he could help Bakugou come up with the perfect name—something that truly embodied his strength and fiery determination.

After the hero names were settled, Aizawa handed out lists for their workplace training. Kirishima’s heart leapt when he saw that he and Tetsutetsu had both chosen Fourth Kind’s Agency. He admired Tetsutetsu's strength and resolve, and they’d bonded over their shared hardening quirks. Working with someone like Fourth Kind, a hero known for his strong sense of discipline and justice, would be the perfect opportunity to grow.

Yet, despite the excitement of his own plans, Kirishima couldn’t help but worry about Bakugou’s choice. Best Jeanist was known for his strict, refined approach to heroism—something that didn’t exactly align with Bakugou’s explosive personality. Kirishima winced at the thought of Bakugou getting styled and lectured about elegance. But if anyone could make it through, it was Bakugou.

As the day went on, the excitement of choosing hero names and workplaces faded into the background for Kirishima. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something deeper was changing within him. His thoughts were no longer just about his own hero journey—they kept drifting back to Bakugou.