• Benevolence •

Chapter 61

"Endeavor, have you read this book?"

Hawks reaches into his pocket and pulls out a book. Something in his eyes shift and I glance to the cover as Midoriya mumbles the name aloud.

"The Special Ability Liberation Front..."

Hawks nods. "Man, it's incredible! Did you know?! They've been expanding like crazy recently! And they've been getting even more attention after the Deika City Incident!"

As he continues, I find myself watching his wings. Bright red, they flutter similar to how one would move their hands as they talk. His feathers ruffle lightly with the movements.

"Even though it's a pretty old book, it's predicted our current society! 'If we only allow freedom to a certain few, the consequences shall fall on those who lack it.' If you don't have time, just take a look at the parts I bookmarked! What Destro wanted was the ultimate society! One where each person takes responsibility for themselves! Now is the time!"

"What are you trying to say...?"

The smile on Hawks' face drops to something more serious as he holds out the book. "If that ever happens, Endeavor, both of us are gonna have too much time to spare! Please do take some time to read it, okay?"

Next to me, Midoriya mutters to himself. "The number two hero's book recommendation...! I wanna read it, too! Perhaps the secret to his speed is hidden within its pages..."

Hawks spins around with a brilliant grin, pulling several books from the inside of his jacket. "If you're interested, I've got plenty of copies to spare!"

He tosses us each a copy just as fast as he caught the villains. I thumb through the first few pages curiously.

"That's right! It's the age of number two hero now! If you're looking for speed, these'll give you the power to read into the future!"

Todoroki speaks up, looking over his copy. "He must really love this book... He's got so many of them."

"He probably keeps a few just to hand out."

"That's exactly right, Midoriya!" Hawks points a finger gun over to freckled teen, grinning brightly. "I'm recommending it to my friends and acquaintances across the country!"

He moves to take off, spreading his wings. They look a lot bigger than I had noticed earlier. "Going forward, I think that 'liberation' is going to become a founding philosophy of this society."

He glances back to Endeavor, looking serious again. "At the very least, take a look at the parts I've highlighted. That's my recommendation, as number two. Well, I've gotta head out. Good luck with your internships, y'all!"

Then he flies into the air. I watch him until he's nothing more than a speck in the distance. He really is fast.

"Despite being so young, he sees the world totally different... he's only 22, y'know." Midoriya sounds awed and Todoroki chimes in quietly.

"Yeah, we're only six years apart, huh."

I glance back to the book in my hands. "Becoming a pro hero that young and being so high on the charts... I imagine that'd give him a different mindset. It sounds r-really hard."

"...He pisses me off."

I sigh and turn to Bakugou, smiling fondly. "Most people do."

Eventually, we're led toward a large building. Endeavor leaves us with some sidekicks while he heads to his office and I prepare myself to get used to that. He had said that he wasn't concerned with us.

"Welcome to the Endeavor Hero Agency! We are the sidekicks of fire! It's the three of you's first time as interns here, right?! We're gonna put all of you to work right away!"

The sidekick laughs loudly before she continues. "But as you can see, we've got plenty of people here! There are over 30 of us sidekicks! In other words! There's nowhere for you to make yourself useful!"

I stand between Todoroki and Bakugou as she gives us a wicked grin. The latter cocks his head, a wild sort of smile on his own features. "Interesting! So you're sayin' to go steal some pro's work!"

"Exactly!" Everyone here seemed to have an abundance of energy. I find myself wondering yet again if I made the right choice. "You too, Shoto! Don't go makin' yourself comfortable just cause you're Endeavor's kid! You better keep up with the rest of us!"

I glance around the agency, watching different people rush around. With all the talking, it's more than a little loud.

Midoriya seems to notice the same thing, smiling sheepishly. "Boy are they a lively bunch...!"

"It's the agency of the number one hero, after all."

A sidekick who looks similar to a mummy takes over next. "In general, we cycle between going on patrols and standing by. With jobs ranging from emergency calls and escort requests, our agency will handle over a hundred cases every day!"

Bakugo punches his hand, a glare fixed on his features. "In that case, let's hurry up and get started. I'm still pissed at that cheeky bird for stealin' my kill."

"Cheeky bird? You mean Hawks?!" Midoriya looks mortified.

The mummy guy gives us a thumbs up. "That's the spirit! Now then, let's wait for Endeavor's orders!"

"The hell?! Don't y'all handle a hundred cases every day?!"

"Kaachan, calm down!"

"Hahahaha! Settle down already, kid!"

I tug on the blond's sleeve to get his attention. When he glances down to me, I simply give him a look. He scoffs but thankfully doesn't push the topic further. It wouldn't be good to cause too much trouble so early on.

"Well, since Endeavor is only interested in training Shoto, you three will probably be working with us instead!"

This seems to snap what little restraint Bakugou had. "I ONLY CAME HERE CAUSE THEY TOLD ME I'D HAVE FRONT ROW SEATS TO WATCH HOW THE NUMBER ONE HERO WORKS, DAMMIT!"

"We still can! Calm down, Kaachan!"

I glance to the others nervously. "Bakugou, p-please. I'm sure we will."

I hear Todoroki speak up as I tug on the blond's sleeve again.

"You're right though, this isn't what we had planned. I'll go ask him myself."

Suddenly, the doors to Endeavor's office swing open and I feel my stomach drop. His gaze sweeps over us and I try not to let my nerves show. When he speaks, the world seems to dampen around him.

"Shoto. Deku. Bakugou. Meraki. I will be the one in charge of the four of you."

---
Hawks has to be one of my absolute favorite characters!
I really hope I get the chance to write him some more!
Thanks for reading!!