Takeru POV
Takeru was looking over the list of heroes who had sent him invitations when he noticed Todoroki standing beside him, stone-faced as ever.
"Kurogane-san," Todoroki said evenly. "I am joining Endeavor's agency. I hate my father, but he is still the number two hero. I believe you should join him as well. You will learn a lot."
Takeru looked at him with a raised brow.
"And," Todoroki continued after a brief pause, "you are much stronger than me. If I want to be number one, then I have to surpass you."
This guy is as blunt as ever, Takeru thought.
Endeavor was the hero that the traitor Hawks admired the most, and he had sent Takeru an invitation as well. It was either Endeavor or Rumi, but Rumi was a known battle maniac and a lone wolf. Takeru suspected she had only invited him so she could fight him. Tempted as he was to spank the bunny rabbit, Takeru needed experience. Assassinations and covert operations did not prepare someone for hero work, and no one was better at hero work than Enji Todoroki.
Takeru rose to his full height and met Shoto's gaze. "Very well, Shoto-kun. I will take it into consideration," he said, patting Shoto on the shoulder. "And please, call me Takeru."
There was no way in hell Takeru was going to join Best Jeanist and his group of J-pop idols, no matter how strongly Shun-san had recommended it.
Takeru flew back home and entered through the balcony when his phone started to ring.
"Hawks," Takeru growled as he picked up. "Hey! Sorry, I was busy. You know, top hero business. So what did you want to talk about?"
"BASTARD!" Takeru snapped. "What, you think I'm not good enough for your agency? Why didn't I get an internship offer?"
"Stop being so sensitive," Hawks replied casually. "Besides, you're going to an internship to learn, not to laze around. Best Jeanist can teach you much better than I can. Shun said that's where you planned on going anyway. Besides, I should offer my internship to students who need it."
"Shun and you can both go fuck yourselves," Takeru said coldly. "I want to be a hero, not some fashion idol. And don't patronize me, Hawks!"
Takeru paced across the balcony, fingers tightening around the phone. "You know exactly why I'm pissed. You didn't even give me the option."
"I did that on purpose," Hawks said. "Because if I had sent you an offer, you would've taken it for the wrong reasons."
Takeru scoffed. "And you get to decide that?"
"Yes," Hawks answered without hesitation. "Because you don't need me right now. There's more to being a hero than punching people and neutralizing threats. Detective work—something you know nothing about. I understand why you don't want to work with Best Jeanist, but I'd suggest you choose Edgeshot or Endeavor."
Takeru stopped pacing and stared out over the city lights. "So this was some kind of lesson."
"Call it what you want," Hawks said. "But if you came to my agency, you'd be coasting. You and I would end up doing our own thing, and you know it. That wouldn't help you, and it wouldn't help anyone else."
There was a long pause.
"…You should've told me," Takeru said finally.
Hawks sighed. "Yeah. I probably should have. So who are you going with? And please don't say Rumi."
Takeru grit his teeth, annoyed that Hawks saw through him so easily. He had considered it, for reasons that were very unheroic.
"Shut up, bastard!" Takeru snapped. "Do you think I make every decision with my dick?"
Hawks cackled. "I knew it. Hah!"
"I'm going with Endeavor," Takeru said, and hung up the phone.
He turned just in time to see Kendo standing in the balcony doorway, her biker jacket thrown over her school uniform, helmet tucked under one arm, concern written clearly on her face.
Takeru caught her when she stepped closer, his hands settling at her waist as she tilted her head up toward him. The anger on his face dissolved into a smile. She rose onto her toes and kissed him, soft at first, then surer when he kissed her back. He lifted her easily, earning a startled laugh, and carried her inside before setting himself down and drawing her onto his lap. Kendo adjusted instinctively, one arm around his shoulders, the other resting against his chest as she looked at him with quiet curiosity.
"So, what happened?" she asked, breaking the silence. "You sounded quite angry."
Takeru sighed. "Hawks."
"Oh," Kendo said, nodding as though the name alone explained everything.
"I was planning on interning with him, but the bastard never sent an offer, so I was pissed," Takeru said. "I'm going with Endeavor now. I'll finish and submit the application tonight. What about you?"
She nodded. "I got a lot of offers… more than I expected. Some smaller agencies, a few mid-tier ones, and… I think I'll go with Uwabami. She's a rescue hero and very popular."
He raised an eyebrow, unable to keep the disapproval from his voice. "You want to go with Uwabami? Didn't you get an offer from Ryukyu? I thought Nejire said—"
"I did," Kendo interrupted, her fingers curling slightly in his shirt. "But I keep thinking… maybe I only got it because Nejire recommended me. She's a top-ten hero, and I got knocked out in the quarterfinals. I don't want—"
Takeru flicked her forehead lightly.
"Ow," she protested, rubbing the spot.
"Don't sell yourself short," he said firmly. "You led your class through the free-for-all. You adapted under pressure, coordinated people with wildly different quirks, and dismantled half my class with planning instead of brute force. That was all you. Ryukyu must have noticed and been impressed. Besides, Nejire only told her to look out for you during the Sports Festival because she said you were a very impressive candidate."
Kendo's cheeks warmed. "You really think Ryukyu would want me for me?"
"I know she would," Takeru replied. "Uwabami does rescue work, sure, but she's mostly known for endorsements and her image. Ryukyu will teach you how to lead in the field. That's who you're meant to be."
Kendo was quiet for a moment before speaking again, softer this time. "I'm sorry," she said. "About the Sports Festival. About getting angry at you. It was unfair of me. I just felt like you didn't trust me. I… you can tell me when you're ready."
Takeru exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting past her shoulder. "I'm sure you and Nejire already know, or at least suspect," he said after a pause. "I don't know who my parents were. I was found as a baby on the steps of an orphanage. No letter, nothing—just wrapped in a blanket. I was raised there, and my quirk didn't awaken until I was five. I had resigned myself to being quirkless by then."
He swallowed. "I was playing with another kid… and I tore her arm clean off. I was terrified. The next thing I knew, I was flying through the sky and crashing into buildings." His jaw tightened. "After that, I was taken in by the HPSC and trained my whole life. HPSC saw my potential. They trained me with one goal in mind—to make me the next All Might."
Kendo stiffened, then looked up at him, eyes wide. "Takeru… I'm so sorry. I knew you didn't talk about your family. That explains why there are no family pictures in your house."
"I'm not All Might's son," Takeru said quietly. "I promise. As for the money and the support items, they come from them. They're generous with me. I'm their magnum opus." He met her gaze. "What I told you is highly classified. Nejire knows some of it. I'll tell her more too. You both matter to me, and I want you to know that."
Kendo inhaled sharply and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry," she said again, her voice thick. "Thank you for trusting me. I love you."
Takeru lifted her chin gently and kissed her, slow and deliberate. "I love you," he said.
Kendo rested her forehead against his, smiling through lingering emotion. "Then I'll go with Ryukyu," she said softly. "And I'll make you both proud."
Takeru gave her a wicked smile that made her shudder with equal parts fear and arousal. "Wait," she said voice quiver as Takeru familiar bulk pinned her to the couch. "Let me shower first." gasped as Takeru planted kisses on her neck but " we will shower after .." he growled into her ear.
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The Endeavor Agency was a massive building. Inside, it was a den of buzz and activity. Endeavor had under fifty pro heroes working directly under him and over three hundred sidekicks. The decoration was sparse, and the place looked like a combination of a military mission control room and a stock trading office.
No sooner had Shoto and Takeru arrived than Endeavor stepped out of the elevator, his flaming eyebrows flaring.
"You're both here," Endeavor said at last after casting an appraising glance at Takeru in his hero suit. "No time to waste. We get started right now."
He led them past rows of analysts and into a briefing room, where a large display lit up the moment he entered.
"You will not fight today. You will only observe me," Endeavor said as he brought up a city map layered with data. "You will use your quirks only if I command you to. You are here to observe and learn how a pro operates."
Shoto frowned. "We're observing?"
"There is more to being a hero than brute force," Endeavor replied. "Today, you will learn about criminal behavior and how and when to use force. We will go on patrol first, after which you and Invincible will go through my old case files and learn. You are both already stronger than most pros. You will be learning when and where to use that power."
They moved outside soon after, Endeavor setting a steady pace through crowded streets. The public pointed at them, and crowds gathered to watch. Todoroki and Takeru were both famous from the U.A. Festival and had, in a short amount of time, gathered sizable fan followings. Shoto looked perplexed when handed notes to sign and when girls begged for selfies. Takeru, who had already been media-trained, slipped into his practiced celebrity routine and began taking pictures and signing autographs like he had been born to it.
Endeavor growled, his flames flaring intensely enough that fans kept a wary distance from the number two hero.
"We are leaving," Endeavor said as he stomped off, with Shoto following.
Shoto would rather follow the father he hated than face the throngs of women obsessed with him. Takeru gave an apologetic look before saying, "Criminals never rest, and neither can I, citizens. I must return to my duties." He gave a two-finger salute and flew after the rapidly moving Todorokis.
"Your fame is becoming a problem," Endeavor growled once they were moving again. "We heroes are not pop idols. We are here to catch criminals and protect the people, not sign autographs. That may be how that fool All Might operates, but not me."
Endeavor glowered at Takeru, who rolled his eyes. Although Takeru himself, deep down, had to agree with the number two hero. Endeavor never indulged in fan service. He had a mission-first approach to crime. Aside from having the most cases solved, he also had the highest villain kill rate. From what Takeru had researched, all of them were justified and well within the bounds of the law.
Endeavor gave both Shoto and Takeru a look before declaring that they would return to the office to read old cases that he had solved.
They were instructed to read the case files and come up with ways they would have handled each situation. Burnin dropped a large box of files onto Takeru's desk with a malicious grin on her face.
"I hope this isn't too much," she said. "But then again, you do look like you can handle it, big boy."
Takeru could not allow himself to be mocked, even by Endeavor's number one sidekick. "Kamaji-san," he said using her name instead of her Hero name. "I am Invincible. You are working for the current number two. I am the future number one. If you plan on impressing me you should try harder."
Burnin's grin turned into a scowl and then back into a grin. "Big words for a big boy. Endeavor expects reports by the end of the day. Hope your ass can cash the checks your mouth wrote, muscle man."
Takeru scoured the case files one at a time. His task was to solve each case using only the evidence that had been available to Endeavor at the time of capture. He worked as fast as he could, using his enhanced perception and super speed, writing reports and compiling lists of possible suspects based on the nature of the crimes.
Takeru was finishing the last report when he heard Endeavor and Shoto approaching. Shoto had been given quirk training instead of the task Takeru was assigned, as Endeavor must have recognized that Takeru needed more help with detective work than with combat. Endeavor could not keep the surprise out of his eyes when he saw the pile of reports Takeru had compiled in a matter of eight hours.
"That is enough for today, Invincible," Endeavor declared.
Takeru had not left his desk since 11 a.m., when Burnin had dumped the files in front of him.
"We are going home for dinner" Endeavor added.
Shoto gave his father a cold stare.
Endeavor paused, then looked at Takeru. "You're welcome to join us."
Takeru inclined his head. "Thank you. I would be honored."
The Todoroki house was an old-fashioned Japanese mansion in the heart of Tokyo, no doubt expensive considering the gardens that surrounded the property. Takeru walked into the compound behind Endeavor and Shoto.
The doors of the Todoroki residence slid open before Endeavor could speak. A beautiful young woman stood waiting, her white hair falling neatly to her shoulders, the ends tipped in red. She had gentle features, clear eyes, and a smile that felt immediately disarming.
"You must be Shoto's friend," she said. "I'm Fuyumi."
"Takeru Kurogane. I hope I am not imposing. Please take care of me."
"Oh, not at all! Please come in!" the woman said cheerfully.
Dinner was already prepared and carefully arranged across the low table. There was sashimi laid out with precise cuts, glazed eel resting on warm rice, tempura vegetables still crisp, simmered wagyu in a rich broth, and small ceramic bowls filled with pickled sides. The air carried the layered aroma of soy, dashi, and grilled fish.
Takeru paused as he sat. "This is impressive," he said honestly. "I cannot wait to taste your cooking, Fuyumi-san. It looks delicious."
Fuyumi giggled. "Oh, this is nothing! Please don't feel shy—help yourself!"
"Don't mind if I do," Takeru said with a winning smile.
Endeavor ate in silence, while Shoto remained quiet but noticeably more at ease around his sister. Takeru took his time, appreciating the care in every dish.
Takeru took a bite of the grilled mackerel, then another, before speaking.
"This is really good," he said. "The skin's crisp, but the inside's still soft. The meat is tender and moist."
Fuyumi looked up, surprised. "Thank you, Takeru-kun! I try my best not to overcook it."
"It shows," he replied lightly. "The seasoning's simple, but it really complements the takikomi gohan."
She laughed, her shoulders easing. "That's exactly what I was going for. Too much flavoring ruins the natural taste of the fish. You're quite knowledgeable about food, Takeru-kun."
"I didn't get as big as a sumo wrestler by being shy about eating," Takeru said. "In fact, sumo was my backup plan if I didn't get into U.A."
Fuyumi giggled. "Oh, stop it."
Shoto looked at him seriously. "Really? I didn't know that."
Black lines formed on Takeru's forehead. Why is this guy so dense? he thought.
Takeru tried the simmered wagyu next. "Fuyumi-san, you surpassed yourself with the beef."
"Really? I'm glad you liked it," Fuyumi said. "I was worried it'd get tough."
"You pulled it off," he said.
She smiled, clearly pleased. "I'm glad someone appreciates it."
Takeru glanced toward Endeavor. "You eat like this every night, Todoroki-san?"
Endeavor didn't look up. "When schedules allow."
"Well, nothing works up an appetite like fighting crime," Takeru said quickly, trying to salvage the situation. "I'm very jealous of you, Shoto. Did you grow up eating like this?"
Shoto glanced at his sister. "Yes."
Damn, Father and son are both hopeless, Takeru thought.
"That's the most you're going to get out of them," Fuyumi said apologetically.
When dinner ended, Fuyumi began clearing plates. Takeru stood. "Let me help."
"You don't have to," she said.
"I insist," Takeru declared.
They stood side by side at the sink, warm water running steadily as the last of the dishes were rinsed and stacked. Takeru dried a plate carefully before speaking, his tone softer than it had been all evening.
"Thank you for the meal," he said. "I can't remember the last time I had a home-cooked dinner."
Fuyumi paused, then smiled at him, a little shy. "I'm really glad. I'm… happy that Shoto has a friend. I worry about him… and our family."
Takeru paused for a moment before saying, "Shoto will find his way in time. I'm sure."
She gave him a warm smile as she passed him another bowl.