Chapter Three: Like Fathers, Like Son
Denki graduates with the rest of his class and focuses on his future career, but things don't always go as planned.
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Denki's brain was buzzing as he swallowed some more pain medication, his migraine drilling his skull. He had never been hungover before, but last night was the Year 3 graduation party and all the hero course students gathered in Heights Alliance to get wrecked together one last time. All the hero course teachers were there as well, watching as the students they would be bidding off the next day, acted like kids for the last time.
Somebody, if he had to guess was probably Sero, had spiked the punch bowls as a last ditch attempt to prank everybody. Boy, did it work, the classes downed the punch like water and he knew damn well that everybody was hammered. He looked in the mirror, his damp shower hair droopy and lifeless. He got out a blow-dryer and stuck the cord in his mouth, taming his locks that reached just beyond his collarbones. The dryer, as useful as it was for his hair, made his mind grind into itself.
Was it a bright idea to double fist cups of punch? Hell fucking no!
Was it a fun idea? Hell fucking yes!
Denki then straightened his hair, combed it down, and added some frizz protection spray. He then braided two side bits and tied them off at the back of his head, so only his bangs were in his face and his hair was off the front of his neck. He hairsprayed everything in place before doing skincare: washing it with a coconut oil sugar scrub, rinsing with warm water, adding his cucumber moisturizer, and applying his SPF 15 sunscreen. He then put on some chapstick before leaving the bathroom.
Most of his classmates were already dressed, so he kicked it into high gear by running to his room and quickly changing into a yellow dress shirt and black slacks, hopping on black socks as he got to the kitchen. Bakugo instantly went over to him and hugged his waist, kissing his cheek as he bent back to grab Denki's plate. He was about to hand it off to the smaller blonde, but as soon as Denki reached for it, held it above his head with a sly grin.
"No kiss, no breakfast," Denki rolled his eyes and gently tugged Bakugo's tie, smooching him lovingly. Bakugo wrapped his free arm around his waist, clamping a harsh hand on his hip and kissing deeper. Denki let out a slight moan and giggled, clutching Bakugo's scarlet dress shirt in his free hand. Mina and Sero wolf-whistled, which led to them being flipped off by both Denki and Bakugo. After the sweetly searing kiss, Denki fixed the wrinkles and lopsided tie as Bakugo handed Denki the plate and lightly slapped his ass.
"Bakugo, could you please refrain from such vulgar displays of affection! A kiss is fine, but I prefer not to watch as my friend gets groped," Iida shouted from his spot at the table. Denki laughed as Bakugo shrugged off the complaint.
"If you were dating someone with a perfect ass, you'd do the same!" Denki's cheeks went red at the compliment as he sat down between Ojiro and Mineta, but across from Jiro and Momo.
"Bakugo, you touch my brother again and I'll chop your hands off!" Shinso yelled from the common area, Midoriya and Ochako trying and failing to settle him down.
"Be civil, Hitoshi! It's a big day for us, can we be nice to each other for one day! Please~" Denki pleaded as he stuffed a spoonful of fluffy omelet in his mouth. He looked to Shinso, who looked back at him, groaning loudly. He slapped a hand over his face, trying not to look, "Hitoshi Shinso~ Look at me when I'm talking to you~"
"No! Cause you're doing those fucking puppy eyes that always work on Dad!"
"Hitoshiii~"
"No!"
"Hitoshi Iiiiiiiii~"
"NO!" Denki smirked and got on the cutest face he could muster.
"OTOUTO~" Denki whined before Shinso stuck up his hands, huffing.
"FUCK I HATE IT WHEN YOU USE THAT ONE!!!" he groaned into a pillow, "UGH! FINE!" Shinso looked at Denki, who still had his cute face on, "today, and today only, I will be civil and not antagonize Bakugo!" Bakugo chuckled darkly and went to get another kiss, but Denki's face quickly changed as he whacked Bakugo's forehead with his spoon.
"You too, Katsuki, don't antagonize him," Bakugo grumbled and crossed his arms, "if you're a good boy, I'll let us move to second base," he smirked as he watched Bakugo's eyes light up.
"Ok!" Bakugo said all too quickly.
"Are you fucking-" Shinso started to shout before Denki looked at him, making him regain control and grunt, "fine,"
Everybody in class chuckled under their breaths, except for Shinso and Bakugo, who both looked mildly annoyed. Bakugo realized he probably looked and sounded like an eager puppy, so he puffed out his cheeks and stomped off. Everybody continued to chuckle at his slumped posture and beet red cheeks. As soon as Bakugo was out of sight, Sero and Mina lost their shit laughing, falling from their chairs and clutching their sides. Mineta looked at Denki with a smirk, a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes.
"I'm proud of you dude, not only did you land one of the hottest dudes at UA, but you practically have him wrapped around your finger," Mineta chuckled and nudged him, "if you have the ability to woo Mr. Grenade, you have the ability to woo anybody. We better keep you on a leash, you sly dog,"
Mineta had calmed down a lot since the first war, he actually respected his female classmates a lot more and made it a point to make them feel respected. It took a while for the girls to believe he changed, but after he himself admitted to being wrong and promising to do anything to earn their trust, he was given a chance. Months of doing their chores and many proper written apologies later, they had earned his trust.
"I can't woo everybody, I didn't woo Kyo," he used his spoon to point to the purple haired girl in front of him. She chuckled and gestured to Momo, who glanced at her and then looked at Denki, a motherly smile on her face.
"Probably would have if I swung that way, but I don't," Jiro admitted, proving Mineta's point.
"See~" Mineta exaggerated. Ojiro clapped a hand on his shoulder, smiling brightly.
"I think it's a good thing! The fact that you got Bakugo to love you romantically shows your way with people! I mean, you managed to make friends with everybody! You're band buddies with Tokoyami, meme fiends with Todoroki, prank pals with Mina and Sero! You've got like four squads!"
"Five, actually," Shinso corrected, "he's part of the Bakusquad with Kirishima, Sero, Mina, Bakugo, and Jiro, the glam squad with the girls and Aoyama, the band squad with Tokoyami, Jiro, Momo, and Bakugo, the English speaking squad with Iida, Momo, Monoma, Pony, Shoto, Shishida, and I, and the adventure squad with Shoji, Koda, Sato, Hagakure, Testu, and Ojiro,"
"See! That is a skill every hero needs! Yet it's a natural talent for yourself! I'm sure a lot of heroes are actually jealous of your people skills, Denki!" Ojiro claimed. Denki smiled as he took another bite of his omelet.
"Soon enough, you'll be a part of the date squad too~" Momo exclaimed, clapping her hands with excitement.
"We have a date squad?" Denki tilted his head.
"Yep: Kyo and I, Ojiro and Hagakure, Kirishima and Mina, Sero and Todoroki, Midoriya and Ochako, Iida and Tsu, Tokoyami and Shoji, Kendo and Testu, and Monoma and Shinso," Momo explained. Jiro smirked and rested her face on his chin.
"You have to have sex first before joining the squad tho," Denki choked and Jiro began to laugh.
"Kyoka! Don't lie to him!" Tsu yelled and she and Iida ran over and began patting Denki's back. Once he could finally breathe again he saw Jiro, Sero, Mineta, and Mina all holding in their laughter. He gruffed, folding his arms and continuing to eat his meal. Once he was done, he got up and took his plate to the sink. He scanned the room and noticed a few of them still staring at him with clearly held back laughter tickling their throats.
"Jerks," Denki stomped off, his friends' blaring laughter and Iida's scoldings echoing through the common areas.
Denki fixed his green gown, flattening out any wrinkles he saw in the shiny fabric. He felt his nerves swell as he looked at himself in the mirror, then back at his now empty dorm room. He smiled fondly as he reminisced about his time there. But, this would be the start of his hero journey, his future. Everything he did the past three years, all the memories of pain, sorrow, and grief would culminate with his ones of joy, fun, and warmth. Today was the day he and his friends had been training so hard for, studying for nights on end for, working until they bled for. This way the day the world would officially call them heroes.
His mind came to a halt when a knock on his door alerted his senses. The knock was in the pattern of some American tune, letting him know who it was immediately since he did the same knock at home. Denki smiled as Present Mic peeked in, his ever infinite smile stretching cheek to cheek. Denki and Mic always got along, even well before Denki got adopted. They were both loud blondes who spoke English and shared a love for American culture: movies, books, music, fashion, even history. Denki always felt like Mic was meant to be his dad in another life, the two were just so similar. It's probably why Aizawa had a soft spot for him.
"Hey, papa!" Denki smiled at him. Mic noticed the nervousness in his eyes, going right up to him and rubbing his cheeks with his warm hands. That was something he would always note about Present Mic, the man was always naturally warm. His hair was down and his red-rimmed glasses framed his face nicely, more so than his hero costume shades. Mic's green eyes stared into Denki's amber ones, soft and gentle. Mic was great with kids of all ages, it's what made him an amazing teacher and a phenomenal father. Denki could only hope to be like him when he had kids of his own one day.
"You don't need to be nervous, Denki. Even if you graduated, Aizawa and I will always be there for you and the rest of the class. You guys will always have us to lean on,"
"I-I know, I'm just scared I won't be good enough. What if I become a liability with my quirk? What if I electrocute a civilian while taking down a villain and hurt them! I know I haven't done it, and my new gear prevents it from happening, but what if-" Mic hugged him.
"Denki, baby boy, calm down," he rubbed the back of Denki's head, "you will be an amazing hero! Regardless of what happens, you will always be one to us and the rest of the UA staff. We are all your family and you will always be our kid. Regardless of how old or experienced you get," Denki nuzzled Mic's chest, the two embracing tightly before letting each other go, Mic giving Denki a knowing look, "besides, there might be an opportunity right around the corner!"
"Thanks for the reassurance, papa," Mic winked and stuck up a thumb.
"Anything for you, little listener," Mic led Denki to the front of the dorms, where all of his hero classmates stood in their green graduation gowns. He noticed how all of them looked at him with smiles on their faces, making him feel the need to smile back. Class A and B all together, it was strange to Denki. In their first year, the two classes seemed at odds with one another. But, after the wars and reform of hero society, they all seemed to get along a lot better.
"Alright everybody! Let's gather for a picture! Hero Class A will be first, please line up on the stairs!" a man who had been off to the side screamed. Everybody did as told, lining up on the stairs just big enough to fit them all. Jiro was standing to his right, Ojiro to his left, Bakugo to his back, and Shinso to his front, "perfect! Now, everybody, say 'hero'!"
"Hero!" the class shouted in unison as the photographer's light flashed brightly.
Denki was standing on the field, surrounded by others of his year. The support course had just finished receiving their diplomas, leaving just the hero course to receive theirs. Aizawa and Vlad stood up, standing to each side of the podium before Nezu walked up and stood between them.
"Your path hasn't been easy, but as I gaze at all you young heroes, I can't help but applaud your efforts. It has not been smooth, in fact, you have faced more peril in your time here than some pros face in their entire careers. This experience, while troubling, has equipped you for success and will lead you all to bright hero futures! You all finally made it, your big day to officially be heroes!" The crowd of parents, peers, and staff all erupting in cheers, "it brings me absolute pleasure to welcome you all to the world of heroes! Your time here and every moment before have shaped you into marvelous people, and I look forward to seeing you all grow more as the years pass! Now, without further ado, let's get all these diplomas out to our hero course!"
Each diploma was handed out by that class' respected sensei, a firm handshake and smile each time. Aizawa seemed to beam with pride when handing Denki and Shinso theirs. But that made sense, they were his kids. As the final diploma was handed out, Nezu came back on stage.
"Before we finish our ceremony, there is one other matter of business to take care of! It has been decided that in one year's time, the entire hero course staff will be retiring!" Murmurs erupted from the crowd, but were quickly silenced, "it was also decided that their replacements will be hand picked from this current batch of students! When that sensei calls your name, please come up!" Everyone waited as Cementos stepped up.
"Jurota Shishida!" The beastly student walked up, standing beside Cementos as his class cheered. Ectoplasm stood next.
"Fumikage Tokoyami!" The raven head student followed Shishida as his class joyously congratulated him. Vlad smiled proudly.
"Neito Monoma!" The blonde smirked softly and stalked up, the whoops and whistles from his class pushing him forward. Aizawa looked out onto the crowd.
"Hitoshi Shinso!" Shinso blushed as he walked towards his dad while the whole course erupted with glee. This left Present Mic, smiling wildly.
"Denki Kaminari!" The electric user was shocked, but quickly moved forward. All the courses were cheering for him, as he had friends all over the school. Nezu then walked up and placed his hands to his sides.
"Thirteen, Midnight, and Snipe, may they all Rest In Peace, will be replaced by the first graduates of the Villain Rehabilitation Program: Tenko Shimura, Himiko Toga, and Iguchi Shūichi!" The white haired man, blonde girl, and green lizard all stepped from seemingly nowhere, "under the tutelage of myself and all other staff, as well their fellow new hires, they will help us guide the next generations with a view of acceptance and change,"
Each sensei and Nezu put gold sashes around their respected new hires, Mic giving Denki a wink as he brushed a stray hair from his forehead. All of them lined up, grabbing each other's hands. Denki was placed between Shinso and Shimura. With a smile and no hesitation, Denki grabbed both of their hands. He was careful to mind Shimura's fingertips, but still looked at him with a smile. They all bowed as everybody cheered for them, quickly rejoining their classmates for the final parts of the ceremony.
Afterwards, everybody was gathering for different photos. Kirishima, Sero, and Mina's moms along with Jiro and Bakugo's dads all decided to take pictures of the group. Denki had taken well over seventy pictures when counting those from different courses and family photos, when he was approached by Shimura. He had been talking to Tetsu when the white-haired man came forward, not wanting to interrupt the conversation. Denki noticed him shuffling his feet, trying not to be too noticeable. He smiled softly and pat Tetsu on the back.
"It sounds like you have a lot to do! Shouldn't you find Kendo, I'm sure she's looking to smooch her boyfriend's face off now that we're officially heroes," Tetsu blushed darkly and chuckled, giving Denki a fistbump before running off. Denki then looked at Shimura, the former villain still and awkwardly, "is something wrong, Shimura-san?" Shimura looked at him, his red eyes narrow.
"Can I speak with you privately?" Denki nodded, a soft smile on his face. Shimura led him to some back alley away from everyone, not looking him in the eyes. Denki waited for a few minutes, but Shimura didn't speak. Denki knew that Shimura was scared, he had been scared since the moment he entered the villain rehab. After taking back his real name and defecting from villainy, he had been a lot more shy. He wasn't used to being an equal to many, or having friends that were friends because of common interest rather than common goal. Denki knew he probably freaked him out a bit, his overbearing friendliness and energetic nature was not something you encountered every day. Especially for Shimura, who for most of his life was met with abuse or manipulation.
"If you don't want to talk now, I can give you my number. You shouldn't feel-" Shimura interrupted him with a weary tone.
"Why didn't you hesitate?" Shimura played with his bangs, brushing his undercut and pinching his ear lobes. He hadn't itched in a long time, so Denki figured that the pinching was a new tic.
"What do you mean?" Shimura looked at him in horror.
"You've seen me in action! You've seen how destructive my quirk is! Yet, you just grabbed my hand at the ceremony!" Shimura shouted, unshed tears in his eyes, "nobody in my life has been that trusting of me! So, why didn't you hesitate?!" Denki looked at him with a sad look in his eyes, getting closer.
"I don't know, I didn't think I needed to trust you. I mean, you've spent the past few years cooped up in the rehab facility. If you wanted to relapse, you would've taken the opportunity to do it somewhere like the ceremony, but you didn't. You aren't Tomura Shigaraki anymore, you're Tenko Shimura. You're a hero now, just like me, that gives me enough reason to trust you. But, that's not all, I think you need reassurance that you changed. I plan to be that reassurance!"
"How could you say that to the person who nearly killed you not even three years ago?"
"Like I said, you aren't that person anymore. You're Tenko Shimura, a hero who just needs a friend and support like the rest of us! You aren't All For One's puppet, you're you! You could be whatever you want, but I'm glad you'll be a hero and teacher with me!" Shimura began to cry and hugged Denki close. Denki hugged back, giving him a tight squeeze before looking at Shimura, "I have to get back to my dads, but take my number and feel free to call me whenever!" Denki took out a marker and gently grabbed Shimura's hand, writing his number on his palm before walking off with a happy wave. Shimura looked at the number in his palm, gently grazing it and smiling, looking back to the quickly departing blonde.
"I guess he's right," he chuckled softly, "finally, I'm a hero," Shimura sighed as he went to find Himiko and Iguchi.
The year passed in a flash and all the teachers were about to retire. The new hires had been carefully watching them, taking into account how they all taught, made lesson plans, graded papers, and were just overall there for their students. It was honestly a lot of work, especially when taking into account the hero job they all still had to do. They all were recruited directly by the commission so they could teach and still do hero work. Sometimes they went on missions, other times they did paperworks or office chores.
Denki began to garner a lot of fame as a pro hero, especially since his debut mission was to stop a drug bust. He ended up uncovering a trafficking ring that had been the true intention of the drug smugglers, who weren't petty dealers but rather a branch of the yakuza. The tabloids ate up the story like a feast on how the newbie hero basically crippled a branch of an underground syndicate on his first ever mission. He became even more popular once he started a gamer career, which was initially a stress reliever but ended up being a huge side gig that offered him brand deals and sponsorships.
It was pretty exhausting sometimes, but this was a path that he had chosen for himself. He may have been chosen by Mic, but he still had the choice to reject. In the long run, though, he's glad he didn't. All the UA students would watch his streams and comment how he wished they were his students, how he was so cool, and how his class would be so lucky. His gamer channel led him further into the public eye, helping him climb the hero popularity polls. He cracked the Top 20 in both hero rankings and popularity polls within his debut year, something no rookie hero had done. Even if he was just twenty in hero rankings, his popularity rank was twelve. He was the first of his class to breach the Top 20 rankings, but he wasn't going to be the last. Bakugo, Midoriya, Kirishima, Shoto, Ochako, Iida, and Tsu were quickly climbing the ranks, having hit the Top 50.
When April finally rolled around, Denki was happy to welcome his first ever class of future heroes! Mic's class had graduated, so he and Himiko, who had replaced Midnight, were now teaching the first year hero course! Their classes were very excited to be taught by the new heroes, but Denki's students were simply buzzing with happiness. The first few weeks passed in a blur, Denki couldn't recall them if he tried. He just knew his students were amazing and he looked forward to this year's Sports Festival.
At least, that's what he thought.
The Sports Festival had fallen under attack by a powerful villain, who followed Stain's ideals. His aim was to kill all the scouters in the stands with his pyrotissue quirk, which allowed him to blow up any form of body tissue by making skin contact with it. He was quickly apprehended by one of Denki's students. Denki, who had basically taken Mic's place as UA's host for events, quickly left the stands.
His student happened to be Tsu's younger brother, Samidare. He had quickly apprehended the villain from the stands and tossed him into the center ring. The man had been startled by the boy's sudden hold on him as he was thrusted into the concrete. He only took a few moments to compose himself before reaching out to grab Samidare's tongue when two white cords wrapped around his body, the ends pinching into some exposed skin on his arms as electricity flowed through him. He screamed in pain as he fell to the ground, Denki having stood with one arm out, two of his taser ribbons dispensed around the man.
"Samidare, rejoin your classmates, now," the young boy nodded and bowed.
"Yes, sensei!" He got up and ran away. The villain had been quickly detained with quirk-canceling cuffs around his wrist and ankles as he was led away. After all of that, Denki got even more popular. He was known as 'Sensei-nii' by a lot of students, since he acted like an older brother. Denki rolled with it, he was chill like that.
With his hero, gaming, and teaching career sorted, it really seemed like his life was going great!
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