Chapter 19 - Exploring Japan with Hawks

The day after the attack, U.A. High remained eerily silent. The usual hum of student life was replaced by the weight of uncertainty. The faculty gathered in the conference room, the atmosphere thick with tension. At the head of the table sat Naomasa Tsukauchi, the seasoned investigator from the Police Force. His sharp eyes swept across the assembled teachers as he steepled his fingers thoughtfully.

"We need to be cautious around this Y/N," he began, his voice steady but grave. The words hung in the air like a thundercloud, drawing a murmur from the others.

All Might, seated beside Present Mic, exchanged a knowing glance with his old friend. Memories of Y/N's immense power flashed in their minds—destructive yet protective, wild yet focused. She had been pushed to the brink, but even then, she had fought with purpose.

"All due respect, Investigator," All Might said, his deep voice carrying a weight of conviction, "Y/N is a good girl. I assure you of that."

Tsukauchi's piercing gaze turned to him, skepticism evident. "It hurts you to admit this, doesn't it?" he said, leaning forward slightly. "You want to believe in her, I know. But let's be honest, Toshinori. We don't truly know where she comes from, do we? And this is the first time we've seen her dragon form. What happens if she loses control again? What if the next time she doesn't stop before it's too late?" His tone sharpened. "What if she kills us all?"

The room fell into a tense silence, the words slicing through any remnants of doubt. All Might's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Present Mic broke the quiet.

"Listen," he said, his usual upbeat energy tempered by sincerity. He placed a firm hand on Tsukauchi's shoulder, his sunglasses reflecting the dim light. "Y/N's a good kid. A good student, and more than that, a good person. You saw her out there. When Aizawa got hurt, when any of us were in danger—she didn't hesitate. She didn't let her powers consume her. She fought for us."

Tsukauchi leaned back, crossing his arms as he considered the words. His lips pressed into a thin line, frustration flickering across his face. "I see your points, gentlemen," he said finally, his tone heavy. "But good intentions don't erase the risk. Her powers are too vast, too unpredictable. And it's not just the danger to others—it's the danger to herself. Still..." He turned to Nezu, his expression hardening. "This decision lies with you, Principal. You've taken custody of her. Do you trust her to stay at U.A., or should she be expelled for the safety of everyone here?"

All eyes shifted to Nezu, who sat at the center of the table, his small frame somehow commanding a quiet authority. The principal's ears twitched as he folded his paws neatly in front of him, his intelligent gaze unreadable. The room held its collective breath, waiting for his judgment.

Nezu tilted his head slightly, his voice calm but carrying the weight of his wisdom. "Y/N's potential is undeniable, as is the threat her abilities pose if left unchecked. But let us remember that the purpose of U.A. is not just to train the gifted but to guide those who might otherwise lose their way. Y/N's actions have demonstrated her heart and her values, even in moments of chaos. I believe she deserves a chance—not to be cast aside, but to grow and learn here, under our guidance."

The room exhaled, the tension lessening slightly, though not disappearing. Tsukauchi nodded slowly, though the hesitation in his eyes remained. "I hope you're right," he said, rising from his seat. "For all our sakes."

The meeting adjourned soon after, leaving the faculty members to grapple with the fragile hope Nezu had offered. Outside, the sun began to set over the quiet school grounds, a stark reminder of the challenges yet to come.

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Laughter bubbled from your lips as you held the phone close, your voice light with excitement. It felt surreal, hearing the familiar tone of someone you hadn't thought you'd reconnect with since being thrust into another world. "Felix," you said, your smile widening, "I'm really happy to talk to you again. It's been way too long. I can come to Korea in a few days if that works for you."

On the other end of the line, Felix's warm chuckle filled your ears, his voice a soothing balm against the strangeness of your new reality. "Great! That'll be fun, Y/N. Come anytime you like—I'll make sure everything's ready."

Leaning against the rough bark of a nearby tree, you let out a soft sigh, your grin lingering. "I'm looking forward to it," you replied, the thought of seeing your old bandmate and co-ruler again filling you with a rare sense of comfort. The steady hum of the forest surrounded you, its tranquil stillness amplifying the joy of the moment.

Then, the sound of a voice—smooth and confident—cut through the quiet. "Well, hello there," it drawled.

Your heart skipped as you quickly turned your gaze, your eyes landing on a man standing a few feet away. He was striking, his red feathers shimmering faintly in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. A luxurious fur-lined coat hung loosely around his shoulders, framing his lean yet powerful frame. His golden eyes gleamed with a playful light, and a smirk tugged at his lips, both disarming and enigmatic.

Caught off guard, you tensed instinctively, clutching your phone tighter. But the man raised his hands in a placating gesture, his tone softening. "No need to worry, little bird," he said smoothly, his voice carrying a note of reassurance. "I'm not here to hurt you."

With a graceful bow, he added, "Name's Hawks. I'm a pro hero."

The words hung in the air as you studied him, his calm demeanor and poised introduction doing little to quiet the flutter of uncertainty in your chest. Yet something in his presence—his relaxed confidence, perhaps, or the gentle amusement in his gaze—hinted at no ill intent.

Still leaning against the tree, you tilted your head slightly, your curiosity piqued despite yourself. "Hawks, huh?" you said, your voice steady but guarded. "And what brings a pro hero all the way out here?"

His smirk deepened just slightly, his golden eyes never wavering from yours. "Oh, I have my reasons," he replied cryptically. "But for now, let's just say I couldn't resist meeting the person causing such a stir."

You gave him a slow, measured smile, your lips curving with both confidence and intrigue. "Well then, it's nice to meet you, Hawks," you replied, your voice carrying a calm authority. Tilting your head slightly, you added, "I'm the one they call the Dragon Hero."

The title still felt foreign to you, despite the awe and whispers it commanded since the spectacle at the USJ. It clung to you like a second skin—an undeniable mark of your new identity. You shifted slightly, the weight of your tail brushing the ground behind you, your wings folding neatly against your back. Your slitted eyes, glowing faintly in the forest's dim light, caught Hawks' attention as they studied him with careful curiosity.

Hawks' smile broadened, a spark of admiration flashing in his golden eyes. "The Dragon Hero," he repeated, his tone playful yet sincere. "I like it. Suits you."

For a moment, he simply stood there, seemingly unfazed by your half-dragon form. If anything, the feathers on his back flared slightly, as if recognizing a kindred spirit in your transformation. Then, with an easy charm, he extended a hand toward you.

"It's great to meet you, Dragon Hero," he said smoothly. "How about this—let me show you around Japan a bit. I'm sure you haven't seen all the sights yet, have you?"

You glanced at his outstretched hand, weighing his words. There was something disarming about Hawks—his confident demeanor, the lightness in his tone. He wasn't wary of you, wasn't treating you like the unpredictable force others seemed to fear. Instead, he seemed genuinely curious, intrigued even.

Your lips quirked upward as you placed your hand in his. "Alright, Hawks," you said with a hint of amusement. "Lead the way. But fair warning—I'm not exactly the best tourist."

His grin widened as he gave your hand a light shake. "Don't worry," he said with a wink, "I've got enough enthusiasm for the both of us. Besides, you're not just any tourist—you're a dragon. I'd say that makes things pretty interesting."

With that, he released your hand, stepping back and gesturing for you to follow. As the two of you began walking through the forest, the promise of adventure lingered in the air, the faint rustle of leaves mixing with the soft rhythm of your steps. Hawks' feathers glinted in the dappled sunlight as he glanced back at you, his smile as bright as ever.

"You know," he said casually, "it's not every day I get to meet someone who can out-fly me. Think you could keep up if I took to the skies?"

Your wings twitched slightly, a playful challenge lighting up your eyes. "You'll just have to find out, won't you?"

And with that, the two of you ventured into the unknown, a strange yet promising camaraderie forming between the Pro Hero and the Dragon Hero.