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Graduation. Hero License. No more was he bound by the confines of UA. No more was he held to the strict schedule that had ruled his life day in and day out over the past three years. He and his friends had done it, they had become pro-heroes and graduated from the best institute in the school Yes, there was still another long way to go, another road ahead of them. It was the sense of freedom that Aizawa clung to, and it was the sense of freedom that was welling up inside of him as he sat on the stage that day. It was a special ceremony, one for those students who had graduated from UA high, and that day, he was watching his students graduate. One by one. Their hero names were called out, and they were presented with the diploma, and the license. How they had grown in the three years since they had been his students. There was little doubt in his mind that at least three of his students would be in the top three; Izuku Midoriya, Shoto Todoroki, and Katsuki Bakugo.
His eyes scanned the crowd memories flooding him. There were pro heroes and family members in the crowd. He could see Tensei in his wheelchair, a video camera in hand to capture the moment that Ingenium, now his younger brother, walked across the stage. He could see Ms. Joke in the crowd, giving him and Present Mic both a small wave. The Kirishima’s and the Urarakas were both in the crowd waving to try and get their children’s attention.
It was a warm day, yet still they were all dressed in their hero suits. It had taken some encouragement, but he had even gotten Toshinori to go in that gold suit of his. Aizawa had tried to get him into one of his old hero suits, just one last time, but he had seen the look in Toshinori’s eyes, that self-consciousness about his appearance that now was firmly in place in his heart. Aizawa had not pushed it any further.
Each of his students, Aizawa shook their hands, giving that small nod of approval. Only when the last student crossed the stage did he turn to the microphone. “Students of class 3-A. I congratulate you on your graduation from UA High. You are now professional heroes and I look forward to working with you all in the future. Go Beyond.”
“Plus Ultra!” His class shouted from where they were gathered in the front of the stage.
The other classes graduated after his, and then it was the reception, a chance for pictures a chance to spend time together before they all went their separate ways. Aizawa was arm and arm with Toshinori, helping him over towards one of the chairs so he could sit, relax. He lifted his hand, kissed the gold wedding band on his finger with a grin.
“You are in a good mood today,” Toshinori commented as Aizawa sat down, his eyes moving towards his students once more. How far they had come. Bakugo and Midoriya were a powerful and dynamic team now, and Todoroki had finally come to use his father’s power as much as he hated it. It was good to see Todoroki with his family minus Enji; his brothers, sister and mother were all there talking to him, congratulating him. Shinso with his parents, so happy that he had been moved into the hero course.
It was just good to see them all happy, to know that they had grown, and that even if they had doubts they were ready. They would become the heroes that they wanted to be, they could become anything that they sent their minds to. There was still that sense in Aizawa, that feeling of freedom he had felt so long ago as a student the day he graduated. They were free from the training, free to become whatever they set their minds to. Aizawa had, he had become a pro-hero, he had become a teacher, he was free to marry the man he loved.
Now they were free, his dear students, free to purpose their lives the way they so desired. Free to make a name for themselves, to learn and discover, and free to choose a different path. All he wanted was to know that he had done his job well, know that he had taught them that they were able to become whatever they chose. They were more than their titles, more than the personas that they put on in front of the cameras. The lives that they would build beyond the masks they wore while they stood tall and brave for the media.
Would they remember that they were free? That they had the liberty and the duty to embrace the emotions they held in their hearts and minds? That it was okay to fail, that it was okay to still be afraid? Would they know they are free to seek out help when they need it from the friends they had made over the years?
There was a gentle hand on his cheek, brushing the tear that slid from his right eye that he could barely see from any longer. “They’ll be okay Shouta. You taught them well. They’ll remember everything you taught them.” The look on Toshinori’s face was kind, loving, the same way he had looked that day when he had convinced him to stop hiding behind his glasses.
Aizawa nodded his head, looking back to his students, watching them all together for what would probably be the last time. Their lives were their own, and he wished them nothing but the best.
Now, his dear students were free, just like he had been fifteen years ago when he stood where they were now with Tensei and Yamada.
They were free to begin their next adventure.