The Class That Cried Werewolf

52 - Proving Our Worth

Trigger Warning: This chapter contains scenes of self-doubt and internal conflict related to violence, which people may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised.

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-Tatsuya's POV-

With my provisional hero license, things would be different from my previous internship, when I fought against Reji and Saito. I could use my Quirk under the guidance of a pro that I would be working under during my work study, and I could even be dispatched to fight villains and help out in disaster areas with full authorization.

If things go well with my work study, I could be invited by the hero I worked with to be their sidekick. I might even be scouted by famous pro heroes who always look for new talent.

This tantalizing opportunity led Izuku and me to take Togata's advice and aim high—applying to Sir Nighteye's agency, the former sidekick to All Might himself. But Togata hadn't sugarcoated the challenge: getting accepted wouldn't be easy. Nighteye wasn't the type to be impressed by credentials alone. No, the real hurdle was... making him laugh.

Izuku had taken the lead, attempting what I could only assume was his best All Might impression. From the moment the words left his mouth, I felt the metaphorical pit form in my stomach as it might've made things go to a horrible start already.

"The nerve," Nighteye said, his tone icy as he turned toward us. His brow furrowed into a sharp scowl, and the air in the room seemed to grow heavier. "What are you doing with that face? Is this a joke to you?"

"Uh. No, I guess not?" Izuku replied, his voice awkwardly pitched as he tried to maintain the impression.

"You attempted this blasphemous excuse of an impression on All Might's former sidekick?" Nighteye asked, his steps deliberate as he approached. Just as I braced myself to defend Izuku, he reached out and... started adjusting Izuku's face.

"All Might's wrinkles aren't like this at all. You fool." His fingers pressed against Izuku's cheeks, tilting his head slightly for inspection.

"In his early days, his crow's feet were zero-point-six centimeters long. From the Silver Age on, they were zero-point-eight. These days, even unlicensed merchandise manages to have the correct wrinkles in the correct era," he explained in a tone that was somehow both clinical and exasperated as he inched his face closer to look Izuku in the eye. "But you don't even know that much?"

My eyes widened in disbelief. How in the world did he know such absurdly specific details? Especially considering what All Might had told us about their strained relationship? But as my gaze shifted around the room, the answer smacked me in the face.

All Might paraphernalia was everywhere. Posters, figurines, keychains, and stacks of limited-edition memorabilia filled nearly every corner of the office. The place was practically a shrine.

And here I thought Izuku was the ultimate fanboy.

Nighteye stepped back from Izuku, his sharp gaze cutting through the air as he cast him a disapproving side-eye. "I don't care for this one bit," he said, his tone cold and final. "You can see yourself out."

Izuku stiffened, a flash of panic crossing his face. He took a deep breath, his fists clenching at his sides as if trying to anchor himself. "The vinegar riverbank incident."

The words hung in the air like a challenge, and they worked. Nighteye froze mid-step, his expression unreadable as he slowly turned his head back toward Izuku.