Aizawa stood at the entrance of the station looking like a man who had been told to supervise a group of hyperactive kittens.
"Everyone has their costumes, right?" Aizawa's said.
"Remember, you are not to wear them in public unless under the direct supervision of your pro hero. Do not cause trouble. Do not draw unnecessary attention to yourselves. Act like heroes-in-training."
His gaze lingered on a specific student who was currently trying to see if he could balance his hero briefcase on top of his head.
"Akagi," Aizawa said, his eyes narrowing.
"That applies to you double. Do not engage with villains. If I hear that you've spent an hour lecturing a street mugger instead of handing him over to the police, I will personally see to it."
"Understood, Aizawa-sensei! My lips are sealed, I'll be as intellectually shallow as a puddle"
"Hmph." Aizawa turned his attention back to the group.
"Dismissed. Head to your respective platforms."
As the class began to splinter off toward their different train lines, the energy shifted.
Uraraka gave a determined fist-pump to Midoriya, while Bakugo pushed past everyone with a snarl that suggested the train itself was an enemy he intended to conquer.
"Mineta-sama!" Haruto called out, spotting the smaller boy looking nervously at a platform sign.
"This is it! The road to the giantess! Remember our oath: if she steps on you, describe the sensation in detail for the research notes!"
"I won't let you down, Akagi-sama!" Mineta shouted back, his fear momentarily replaced by resolve.
"I'll become the floor mat she never knew she needed!"
"Truly, a hero for our times," Haruto wiped a fake tear from his eye.
"You're still encouraging him?" Toru's voice floated from his left.
"You're going to get him killed, or worse, arrested."
"Toru-chan! You came to see me off!" Haruto grinned, leaning toward her.
"I knew you couldn't stay mad at me forever. Are you going to miss me? Is this the part where you tell me to come back alive?"
"In your dreams!" Toru huffed.
"I'm just making sure you actually get on the train and don't try to sneak into a cargo container. And stop calling me 'honey' in front of the others! Ashido hasn't stopped texting me heart emojis since yesterday!"
"It's called 'engagement', Toru-chan! We're the most talked-about ship in the comments section!" Haruto laughed, dodging a playful, invisible swat at his shoulder as he began to back away toward his platform.
"Just go already!" Toru called out.
"And try to actually learn something!"
"No promises!"
Haruto turned and merged into the river of people flowing toward the Shinkansen tracks.
***
Haruto stepped onto the Shinkansen, the sliding doors hissing shut behind him. He navigated the aisle scanning the seat numbers until he found his row.
There sat Tenya Iida, looking like he was preparing for a board meeting rather than a train ride.
Haruto tilted his head observing him.
No shadows. No vengeance. Just a kid excited to hang out with his big brother.
Haruto slid into the seat beside him.
"Ah, the Shinkansen," Haruto murmured.
"The iron artery of our glorious nation. Truly a testament to Japanese engineering."
Iida blinked, his glasses sliding down his nose slightly.
"Akagi-kun? Is everything alright?"
"I was just reflecting on the importance of public transit and the civic duty we share as passengers"
Iida adjusted his glasses, his expression flickering between confusion and intense approval.
"I... I couldn't agree more! It is refreshing to see you taking our civic infrastructure so seriously."
"Precisely!" Haruto barked, nearly giving a nearby elderly woman a heart attack.
"I've decided that my past statements were... a disgrace. From this moment forth, I shall follow every crosswalk signal! I shall pay my taxes with a smile! I shall report any and all suspicious activity to the authorities"
He leaned in closer to Iida, his eyes shimmering with fake patriotism.
"Iida-kun, tell me: on a scale of one to 'The Emperor', how much do you love the rule of law? Because right now, I'm feeling like a solid twelve."
Iida looked like he was having a spiritual experience.
"Akagi-kun! I knew there was a man of integrity beneath that... whatever that is"
"It's the only way to live, Iida-kun!" Haruto said, pulling out a small notebook and a pen.
"Now, help me out. I want to make sure I'm breathing at the government-recommended frequency We wouldn't want to over-consume the public oxygen supply, would we? That's practically theft!"
Iida opened his mouth to agree, then paused, his logical brain finally catching up to the sheer absurdity of the statement.
He looked at Haruto, who was currently staring at a "No Smoking" sign with the reverence usually reserved for the Mona Lisa.
"Wait... Akagi-kun. Are you... making fun of me?"
"Me? Mock a fellow law abiding citizen?" Haruto gasped, clutching his chest.
"I am hurt, Iida-kun. If I weren't so committed to maintaining a calm and orderly environment, I might just faint from the shock of such an accusation!"
He then leaned back, his voice returning to its normal tone.
"But jokes aside. Where are you spending your weekend? I mean, I already know, but I'm asking for the sake of social courtesy."
Iida adjusted his glasses, a genuine warmth lighting up his eyes.
"I am heading to Tokyo," Iida stated, his voice ringing with pride.
"I will be interning at the Ingenium Agency. My brother, Tensei, has requested my presence personally. He says there is much I can learn about leading a team."
"Ah, the family business," Haruto said, a genuine smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Tensei, huh? I guess it's better than any direct nomination you could've gotten from a stranger."
"Indeed! To learn the mantle of Ingenium directly from the man himself... it is the greatest honor I could imagine."
"Good" Haruto mused, popping a piece of candy into his mouth.
"How about you, Akagi-kun?" Iida asked, turning the question back.
"I'm heading to Hosu City to work with a pro named Native."
"Native? He is a veteran with a formidable reputation for urban tracking and close-quarters combat."
"Right? he'll probably end up giving me a 'Karate Kid' montage and teach me the value of silence through manual labor"
Iida nodded, looking impressed. "A focused environment can be very beneficial."
"Exactly! You get the shiny heroic speeches, and I get to learn which dumpsters have the best lighting for a dramatic pose"
He leaned in a bit closer, his voice dropping the playful edge for a moment.
"In all seriousness, Tenya, enjoy it. Not everyone gets to learn from their hero. Make sure you actually listen to what Tensei says."
Iida looked at Haruto, momentarily silenced by the uncharacteristic sincerity. He adjusted his glasses and gave a firm nod.
"I will. I shall strive to be a credit to the Iida name and a worthy student to my brother."
"Spoken like a true protagonist," Haruto sighed.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go back to being a model citizen. I've noticed the person three rows up is wearing mismatched socks, and I am currently vibrating with the urge to report this visual disturbance."
***
The Shinkansen hissed to a halt, and as the doors slid open, Haruto and Iida stepped out onto the platform.
"Well, Tenya, this is where the tracks diverge."
"Indeed," Iida replied, extending his a hand.
"Thank you for the conversation, Akagi-kun. Despite your... unusual methods, your perspective has given me much to reflect upon."
Haruto grinned, shaking Iida's hand.
"Don't mention it! If you ever feel the urge to break the law. I have a list of 'victimless' crimes that are great for character development."
"I shall decline that offer," Iida replied firmly, though a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Good luck. Try to remain within the lines of the law."
"No promises" Haruto said, walking away and waving a hand over his head.