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The great hall was full of people. Heroes and journalists and whoever else had managed to snatch a spot on the exclusive list of guests for the event. Most of Japan had to watch the event from home, broadcasted on the national channel. It was a relatively new tradition, started after the war, to cheer the spirits of the people of the country and to strengthen the bond between the public and the hero community. A way to celebrate something that didn't immediately remind everyone about the horrors of war, the still ongoing restoration of ruined cities and the remodeling of many of their laws governing the society.
Spring was in the air and with it the graduation of a new class of fledgling heroes, this year it was the famous class that had taken a big role in the war. Most of them were already considered top pro heroes by the public, having a big fanbase and even merch, dedicated fans excitedly watching their lastmonths as students at UA. It was no surprise that many more guests filled the spacious hall to witness the ceremony than the previous year. The graduation ceremony was in a few days, it would be less crowded, reserved for family and friends, but this was focused on the public. Each graduate of class A and B was going to announce the agency they were going to work as a sidekick in. Some people grouched that it was useless to make a spectacle of it, after all the young heroes would be on the streets in less than a month, but most people understood that it was for fun. There was a charity donation side to it too, all guests were encouraged to donate to a few fundations that had their tables set in one corner of the hall. It was also an opportunity to mingle and meet new people, to see friends andto relax for a while, to relax.
After the principal's speech and a few words from the homeroom teachers of the graduating hero classes the students were coming to the stage, expressing their joy, sharing little stories of their student life and announcing the agencies they were going to work at. There had been a lot of speculation going about where the famous students would go, since they had been keeping their choices secret for the sake of this event. Every announcement was followed by a chorus of congratulations, laughter and cheers from the gathered crowd. Proud pros were congratulated as well by their peers for snatching the promising sidekicks. Journalists ran this way and that to get a statement or at least a picture of the heroes that were welcoming a new batch of younglings in their community. Even heroes who rarely came to social events were there so it was a perfect opportunity to talk to some of them.
Among the crowd fans could spot Mirko , the Rabbit Hero, holding a glass of what looked like carrot juice. She was smirking like a predator ready to pounce. A few journalists gave her curious looks, but for the time being they were busy pestering the heroes getting new sidekicks. Everyone suspected she was going to end up snatching Bakugo, the explosive blonde had been interning with her for the last year of school..
As the time passed the anticipation rose steadily, many eyes straying to where the waiting students were sitting, their group smaller and smaller. Among them sat a certain young man with a bush of green curls and freckles on his cheeks. The said cheeks were tinted pink because a blonde man was fixing the disaster of a tie around his neck, grumbling under his nose. The rest of the students acted as if nothing strange was happening, talking among themselves excitedly.
Mirko took a sip of her drink and resisted her need to cackle when she overheard a bunch of businessmen and pros chatting nearby and spoeculating to which agency the soon to be hero Deku was going to go. Itt wasn't the first time people wondered about that, the young man had proven himself more than capable and his dedication and kindness were legendary at this point. Everyone knew that the agency that would get him would get way more fame and public approval than the rest. And way more fans flocking the events housed by it. Not even mentioning that Deku would bring his work ethics and insane levels of desire to help anyone in need, bringing the levels of criminal activity to near nonexistence. No sane villain would want to cross paths with Deku. Not after what had happened to All For One and his pupil. Bets had been made about the matter, just like about most of his classmates’ choices. Many people wondered what could entice his young hero to pick a particular place.
Deku's tie was finally fixed and right in time, because he was next in line. Mirko watched with a small grin as the boy stumbled towards the microphone stand like a baby deer making its first steps - seriously, where was his grace from his battles? - and barely avoided knocking it over. The rabbit hero's ears twitchedwhen she caught a faint snicker from the blonde still standing with the remaining few classmates. The whole hall practically stopped breathing while Deku straightened himself in front of the mike.
Now, the big reveal. The public wanted to know where each of the students of the famous classes were going to go, but no no matter the favorites this one was the most speculated about. Some said he'd go for Enndavor's agency, since he had interned there in his first year, before the war. Others were sure he was going to go to join one of the agencies he’d worked with in his latter years of school.Some said he was snatched by some American one. Where would the unassuming boy go? Which pro was the lucky future employer of the war hero? Who managed to entice the famous Deku to join them and not anyone else? Some even speculated he'd go freelance, moving between agencies to help where his skills were most needed. No one knew for certain what place held Deku’s interest.
Mirko was highly entertained.
Midoryagulped at the abject attention of the whole hall, cameras and even some phones pointed at his flushed face. But then he took a deep breath, lifted his head ans smiled. It wasn't the smile reminiscent of AllMight, telling the public all would be alright, it was a more relaxed, excited grin saying that the young man was hopeful and happy, if a bit flustered. Scarred hands came up and gripped the sides of the sleek podium where the microphone was mounted.
"Hello, everyone," Deku said in his airy, warm voice. "I can't believe it's happening, but my friends and I are graduating in a few days and starting on the path of being actuallfull fledged sidekicks. I'm so excited! There were times, years, when I thought this was a dream beyond my reach and now... Here I am, following my dream." He raised his right hand, crooked fingers curling into a fist. He lowered it after a moment, casting his eyes towards where the teacher sat, to where the rest of his classmates mingled with the crowd. "Thank you to everyone who helped me get here. I'll do my best and save to win," he added, glancing towards the blonde, who smirked and made a motion with his hand as if to hurry him along. “I chose to work for Mirko.”
With that statement he bowed and moved a step aside, making way for Bakugo, who came up to him with a cocky grin. The crowd was eerily silent, still shocked by his declaration. Many heads swiveled to look towards the bunny woman, who simply took a sip of her drink. She knew it as just a matter of time before journalists flocked to her.
"I'll win to save," Bakugo's voice broke the silence, starting more than a few people. "And keep the nerd alive."
With that said, he grabbed Deku's wrist and pulled him off the stage, dragging him towards Miruko, who made no effort to hide her own smirk.Deku, for all his strength, let Bakugou pull him along easily, smiling a more innocent smile.
"You managed to snatch Deku?" asked a journalist who had been interviewing another hero nearby. She shrugged.
"He asked to work for me, actually," she said, knowing it was going to be quoted on the late evening news.The crowd was already whispering among themselves about the last two announcements, the noise filling the hall again like rustling leaves in a forest.
"What? How?" the hero that had been adamant about Deku certainly going to work forBest Jeannist, blinked at her owlishly.
"I got a carrot he wanted," she informed him, so well entertained by the impact of her words.
"Oi, insane bunny, what did you say?" Bakugo yelled, the duo certainly had heard her final remark judging by furious blushes on their faces.
Oh yes, Mirko was very entertained. And she was willing to bet money she was going to be even more entertained in the future, watching her new sidekicks fail spectacularly at hiding their relationship.