The Emperor's Dragon II

Nerves, Nomu and Neuroses

In a year as tumultuous as this had been, the Hero Billboard Chart, Japan, had been one of the events that had been impacted. Specifically, it had been put off, and then put off and now, it was finally going ahead.

There was a muted excitement permeating the building, mixed with a nervous energy of anticipation. It was anticipation for the award announcement - this would be the first time All Might was not announced as the number one hero for decades - and for what might happen. It was no secret amongst the heroes that Izuku had not done anything for a while and the Hero Billboard Chart would make a very public statement should he chose to attack.

That's why the live audience, this year, had been reduced, to a mere 1700ish, when the event usually boasted 10 to 20,000 people. It was being held at the same location, a stadium, which had a massive stage and screen installed, but the reduced seating made it feel... empty.

And... elite.

With the reduced attendance, Inasa was painfully aware that with the exception of a few legacy teenagers, he was the only student in the audience. The rest of the audience was made up of pro-heroes, including a few from China, Korea and Russia, HPSC big wigs, the Prime Minister, a couple of very rich people and some media. He really really hoped that no one figured out where he'd gotten his ticket from. If it came out that he was here on the invitation of All Might's agency, then...

The rumour mill wouldn't stop, especially since Mirio was not invited. That was partially why Inasa was glad that he was wearing his Shiketsu hat. Shiketsu was not associated with All Might but he was also trying to stick close to either Sir Nighteye, Principal Nezu or Principal Kenshin Naruhado. The first part of the evening was filled with general chit chat.

Networking as All Might put it with a smile. Inasa knew what Koi would say, which was probably why she wasn't here. Even so, he'd managed to meet Commissioner Sozu and Sir Nighteye had introduced him to the Chairman of Tissu. They were the support company for hero costumes. Inasa wasn't entirely sure what Sir Nighteye had done, since he hadn't directly asked but the man had looked him up and down and then nodded and said that of course Tissu would make his costume.

It had taken Inasa a moment to realise the level of concession that was, and he thanked the man, while wondering what Sir Nighteye had seen in his future, for All Might's side kick to even strike the deal. The man was a bit like Koi, in that he didn't suffer idiots, but the difference was that Koi knew her students were learning. So long as you didn't make the same mistake twice, she'd let you learn. He wondered what Sir Nighteye had seen in his future... The man had never said.

A bell rang to signal the beginning of the actual Billboard announcement. Inasa moved with Sir Nighteye as they turned to the seats that were in position. All Might's agency had seats near the front. "What did you see?" he asked.

The man looked at him, using his 10cm height advantage to look down his nose. Inasa wasn't buying it, not even when Mirai used one finger to push his glasses up. Eventually the sidekick sighed. "I did not see you defeat Izuku or anything like that," he admitted.

Inasa was slightly surprised.

Sir Nighteye shook his head. "If everything goes to plan, you will have a long career," he pointed out. "There is a lot of time for me to view," he explained.

That made sense.

"What did you see?"

"Why do you want to know?" In the return question there was another. Sir Nighteye had looked into his future weeks ago and he hadn't asked until now, even though there had been some opportunity.

"I figured it was at least part of the reason you got Tissu to agree to make my costume," Inasa gave his reasoning.

The man considered that as they made their way around the front of the seats to the aisle. "I did not see you defeat Izuku or anything like that," Sir Nighteye said softly. "But I saw... hope for the future," he added and Inasa got the impression that he was not going to speak further.