To Stay (Hiro X Reader--A Sequel to "A Helping Hand")

Chapter 14--Meanwhile, at SFIT...

"So you want us to replace Hiro with you, Tadashi Hamada?" Professor Vector asked with an air of interest as he shuffled a few papers around on his desk. It's been a few days now since your departure and Tadashi knew he had to take Hiro's resignation into his own hands.

"Professor, this is for my brother, and for his girlfriend and my own best friend," Tadashi pleaded. "I know you want Hiro, and I know you're not happy about his leave. But I'm his brother, and I'm just about as smart as he is. To use your brain for something is one thing. To encourage people to use it is another. And Hiro got into this school because of me."

"Is that so?" Tadashi noticed the professor's eyebrows go up in slight surprise. "You must be a very persuasive older brother then."

"I have gotten an early look at one of the potential students' inventions via webcam," Tadashi even told him. "It looks amazing! I know she'll use her brain for the--"

"Whose invention?" Professor Vector interrupted him.

Tadashi swallowed. "Uh, (Y/N) (Y/L/N), sir."

Professor Vector nodded. "Oh. The one who has just recently been denied admission, and is now in the running for entry into the school?"

Tadashi resisted the urge to groan by this point. He knew you were already cleared of charges--everyone should know--so why is Professor Vector making such a big deal out of it? "Yes, Professor," he said. 

To this, Professor Vector heaved a long sigh as he took a good look at him. "We choose people very seriously based on their profound knowledge in robotics and how involved and innovative they can be in the things they do," he eventually told him. "It's not just students--it's other professionals around the community who know of SFIT and its renowned robotics program, who would be willing to keep up our reputation."

"Yes, I know," Tadashi said, suddenly growing impatient as he found himself drumming on Professor Vector's desk with his fingers. "But think about the time we have here. The showcase is in 5 days, and I doubt you'll be able to find anyone within that time, would you? Considering that our old robotics teacher has kidnapped (Y/N)'s guardian--"

"HE WHAT?!"

Tadashi nodded. "Mr. Lacitier's gone. That's why Hiro's gone--with (Y/N)--to get him back. Because if there's someone she deserves to keep living her life with, it's him. Professor, her parents are gone. And who knows how long it would take for them to come back?"

Tense silence hung in the air as Professor Vector tried to register what Tadashi just said. Of course, he heard of the news, and yes, he did decide personally to deny admission for you because of the heist you did not pull off at all. But when you were cleared, your application had been reconsidered, and now? Maybe you wouldn't make it back in time for presentations, and Hiro wouldn't be there either, so who is left?

With a heavy sigh, he eventually nodded. "Alright, Tadashi. You can fill in your brother's position as the judge."

"YES!" Tadashi whooped, dancing around. "I won't let you down, professor!"

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Professor Vector cried, stopping Tadashi from his victory dance. "There would be a few rules. No vile language, no explicit dislike of other peoples' work, no jeans, no hat--" Here, he paused to flick the brim of Tadashi's favourite baseball cap.

"Hey!" Tadashi cried in protest.

"--no disrespect, and absolutely NO DISTRACTIONS," Professor Vector finally finished. "That means, no running away on superhero missions, and no running away to the bathroom during people's presentations."

Ouch. That last bit really hit him hard. How did Professor Vector know that he was a part of his brother's secret superhero group?

"Uh, yes sir," Tadashi eventually obliged meekly.