Temper×Temper

{Internship}

Nozomi's internship experience with Hikari Guardian was both rigorous and enlightening.

- Nozomi was introduced to the team and the facilities.
- She received her training schedule and objectives.
- Hikari Guardian gave her a tour, emphasizing the importance of understanding the environment where one operates.

Throughout the week, Nozomi not only honed her abilities but also gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be a hero beyond the battles and fame.

During Nozomi’s week of internship, a villain attack took place that tested her skills and resolve.

During the villain attack, Nozomi faced a challenging situation that led to a regretful outcome. Despite her best efforts, her inexperience showed under the intense pressure of the real-world crisis.

**The Incident:**
As the villains launched their assault, Nozomi was tasked with creating telekinetic barriers to protect the civilians. In her eagerness to prove herself, she overextended her quirk, trying to control too many objects at once. This resulted in a lapse of concentration, causing a barrier to falter at a crucial moment, which allowed a villain to slip through the defenses.

**The Consequence:**
The breach led to a series of events where one of the heroes sustained a minor injury, and the power plant suffered some damage before the villains were subdued. Nozomi was filled with remorse, realizing that her actions, though well-intentioned, had unintended consequences.

**Reflection:**
After the attack, Hikari Guardian reassured Nozomi that mistakes are part of the learning process, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt. She spent the following days reflecting on her actions, understanding that being a hero also meant learning from one's failures and not just celebrating successes.

This incident became a pivotal point in Nozomi's journey, teaching her the importance of self-control, the weight of responsibility, and the need for continuous improvement. It was a tough lesson, but one that would shape her into a more cautious and thoughtful hero in the future.

In the aftermath of the attack, Nozomi grappled with a profound sense of regret and self-reproach. She felt that her weakness had not only endangered her comrades but also compromised the mission.

Nozomi replayed the incident over and over in her mind, each time berating herself for the lapse in focus that had allowed the villain to break through her defenses. She couldn't help but feel that she had failed to live up to the expectations of her mentor, Hikari Guardian, and the ideals of the hero she aspired to be.

She began to push herself harder in training, often to the point of exhaustion, believing that she needed to atone for her mistake through physical pain and fatigue. Nozomi started to withdraw from her peers, isolating herself in her quest for redemption, and became overly critical of every action she took, no matter how minor.

Her internal dialogue was harsh and unforgiving:
"I should have been stronger."
"Why couldn't I control it?"
"I'm not cut out to be a hero."

These thoughts consumed her, and she struggled to find solace in the supportive words of Hikari Guardian or the encouragement of her friend Haruto. Nozomi's behavior became a cycle of self-punishment, as she believed that she didn't deserve forgiveness or understanding until she could prove herself capable of preventing such a failure from ever happening again.

It was a dark period for Nozomi, one that tested her resolve and her belief in herself. Yet, it was also a crucial turning point, as it set the stage for her eventual realization that strength is not just about power, but also about resilience, compassion, and the ability to learn from one's mistakes.

*A bonding moment*

During one of the quieter evenings of Nozomi's internship, after a long day of intense training, she and Hikari Guardian found themselves on the rooftop of the agency's building, overlooking the cityscape as the sun dipped below the horizon. They were there to practice controlling their quirks in low-light conditions, but as the exercise wound down, they took a moment to simply enjoy the peaceful view.

Hikari Guardian shared stories from his early days as a hero, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned. Nozomi listened intently, absorbing every word. She then shared her own aspirations and fears about becoming a hero, expressing her determination to make a positive impact on the world.

In this moment, Hikari Guardian saw not just an intern, but a future hero with a strong will and a kind heart. He offered her a piece of advice that he had received when he was starting out: "True heroism isn't just about the strength of your quirk; it's about the strength of your character and the choices you make."

They continued to talk as the stars began to twinkle above, finding common ground in their dedication to heroism. It was a simple yet profound bonding moment that Nozomi would carry with her, a memory that would remind her of the human side of being a hero and the importance of connections.