Freeze Frame

Chapter 5

Lillian's pov

I did not expect to pass. In no way, shape or form was it what I saw coming. My parents, when I opened that letter, probably didn't really expect it either! But now here we are, sitting here at the table, staring at each other. I don't know what to say. I don't think they do either. They still don't know about my quirk, so as far as they know, I just got into UA powerless, and I somehow managed to land in the top five.

"I-I guess being a good person pays off?" I squeaked out, afraid maybe my parents were paralyzed. My mom blinked slowly, and my dad was still gawking at me. All Might's smiling face still hovered above our table, a sign of my victory. I couldn't bring myself to move or say anything else. I... I genuinely don't know what to do. I'm happy, and scared. And... I don't now. I'm going to have a mental breakdown. 

"Y-You... on a whim... decided you wanted to try for UA..." My dad breathed. "And you somehow managed to get in?"

"In the top five, no less!" My mother's eyes lit up. "Oh my god, my baby got into UA!"

My mother's arms were around me in an instant. I was still gaping at my father, and he was still gaping right back as my mother freaked out, talking about how she was going to have to tell all the family and boast, and invite them down for a celebration. My luck, which I'm really not sure I wanted, is too much. Way too much. I just happened to have the right quirk for the right setting. That and I don't, you know, let people die. Watching people get murdered by giant blood-thirsty robots had to be on the top tens list on things that would get you sent straight to hell.

"You're going to UA..." My father said in disbelief. "I...I think I'm going to call in sick today."

"Of course you are! We need to celebrate! Our baby just got into UA, passing with flying colors!" My mother squealed joyfully. There's no way I'm going to be able to resign now. I was so sure that I failed that I thought letting my parents know would do no harm. But now there's no way I can back out! Not with how rare it is to get in, and not with how proud my mom is. "Look at you! I always knew you were special. Oh, my baby is so smart. Look at her, Hisato! Aren't you proud?!" My mom asked my dad.

"O-Of course I am!" My dad stood up, his eyes suddenly alight. "I just... I can't believe it! I never thought someone from our family would make it into UA! And to think, my own baby girl! I never would have imagined! Not even in my wildest dreams!" My heart sunk. I was hoping, just a little bit, that my dad would be against me going. I know that's horrible, but I'm not hero material! All I did was pull a few people away from robots and tug some wires out. I want want to be a hero. I aspire to be one, really. But I don't want to put people in danger just because I'm not the right type of person for the job.

"Oh, there's more papers!" My mom lifted the envelope, gasping. "Forms! Oh, Hisato, we have forms to fill out! And look! There's a costume one!" She squealed excitedly as she rifled through them. I paled. This isn't good. This isn't good at all.

"Oh, wow! This is amazing! Let me go call my boss; then, we'll fill those forms out together!" My dad said giddily. My mom set down the papers, rushing to retrieve the home phone. I sat there in shock, staring at All Might's still-smiling face. My gaze drifted down to my official certificate that formally stated that no, this was not a a dream and that yes, this was indeed real and in no way a prank or hallucination.

"Lillian, who should I call first? Aunt Patty or Uncle Ted? Aunt Patty is visiting Grandma in Ohio right now, so maybe I'll do them first so they can all get the big reveal!" She said excitedly as I struggled to process that someone like me had landed in the top five. And all by chance, too. I'm not as talented as the other kids that were there. Any one of them would have done better in my place.

"I just can't believe it! Come April, my little gumdrop is going to be going to the top school for heroes! And all because she admires them and decided to give it a go! She's going to be one of the best!" I heard my dad say loudly in the other room. "We've even got an official form! I'll send photos. We even get to design her a costume!" 

I felt myself pale. I know that deep down this is something I'd dreamed of. When I went in, I thought I was going to fail. That doesn't necessarily mean I wanted to. It's just... terrifying. Me? A hero? I'm pathetic, and just about everyone knows it. I got lucky by picking off smaller robots in enclosed spaces that were easier to me. It's not like that in real life. Villains are people too, albeit bad ones, and they have minds of their own. They're smart, and more unpredictable.

But I did get in. That means I had to have done something right, right? It means... It means even though I'm not to fit to be a hero now, that doesn't mean I'll never be one. I just have to try. I just have to follow the school's guidance, and if in the end I'm still not ready, then so be it.

But until that moment, if it ever comes, arrives... I'm going to try my best!