Chapter Six

While Hawks stands on the stage with the others in the Top Ten Heroes, he kept getting old looks ever since his grand entrance. Hawks knows that it's only because he has Naofumi in the baby holder and he noticed the look that lady from the Commissions gave him too. Nonetheless, he could care less about all the looks he's getting.


"We chose to put on this kind of event this time because we saw that this was a critical juncture," a woman speaks into the mic. Her back facing the Top Ten. "It's been about three months since All Might's retirement. There are still rumors that we are lacking an icon, but the heroes who will bear the future are right here. Let us work toward a peaceful society with them."


Hawks moves his upper body while keeping his feet planted on the floor. He then looks to the man beside him. "How does it feel to be number one?"


Endeavor quickly glares at him, not fazed by seeing a baby on Hawks's person. Hawks makes a gesture of zipping his lips shut while Naofumi simply stares at Endeavor. Endeavor sees the baby staring at him and Naofumi lets out a coo, his little hands wanting to reach out to Endeavor.


"And now, let's have a comment from each person!"


"Thank you very much," Ryukyu started, the staff holding a microphone out to the Number Ten Hero. "But if I could have refused, I would have. There were lives I should have been able to save, but didn't. I will strike to become a hero worthy of the rank I received."


"I get you, Ryukyu!" The Shield Hero exclaimed, standing near Ryukyu. "The anguish in your heart! The remorse! We must stand tall! You can do it, Ryukyu! Let's do our best!"


"Crust, it's not your turn yet," Ryukyu stated.


"What we must do now is no different," Yoroi Musha stated, speaking into the microphone that the female staff is holding out to him.


"Wash!"


"I would like to work in a way that does no shame those who have come before me, starting with Edgeshot, who accepted me on his team," Kamui Woods said.


Hawks changes his expression to a scowl. Naofumi simply keeps looking at Endeavor, letting out a few coos and giggles as if trying to get the Number One's attention. Hawks could hear the whine that Naofumi was about to let loose and Hawks put his hand in front of Naofumi. His son giggles, a smile spreading on his face as he grabs Hawks's hand and begins to play with his fingers.


"Oh, why was I not at Kamino on that day?!"


"For those of you planning evil deeds right now--prepare to be sent flying by me!"


Hawks lets out a sigh, dropping his head at hearing those words. Naofumi is content with playing with Hawks's hand while Hawks himself is having somewhat a difficult time holding himself back.


"You were third in the approval ratings."


"I am not concerned with numbers," Edgeshot started. "I am grateful for all the support I have received, but I am not doing this for the fame." Hawks scrunched his eyebrows. "I believe my job is to bring about peace."


Hawks unzips his lips. "Who's gonna be happy listening to that? Stain?"


There's silence that fills the room. The only noise that could really be heard is Naofumi's giggles and laughs as he plays with Hawks's fingers. Now all the eyes are on him and Naofumi after Hawks opened his mouth. Not that Hawks the attention being on him and he wanted to brinig Naofumi to this event because the press is gonna be there.


"I like you! You're cheeky!" Mirko said, a smirk on her face.


Edgeshot furrows his eyebrows at Hawks. "As always, you like to rock the boat and you brought a child here too."


"I'm just bad at controlling myself," Hawks confessed, he walks to the staff and grabs the microphone. "And he's my son, too." There's a few gasps in the audience from Hawks's words. "Let's see... If we're just talking approval ratings... Best Jeanist is number one with the boost he got from being on hiatus." Hawks takes flight and Naofumi happily laughs. "Second is me, third is Edgeshot, and fourth is Endeavor. I'll skip the rest. I think approval rating is the most important number right now, though. Is this really the time to be dragging out the past? You don't think we need to change how we do things? The Symbol is gone. At this "critical juncture," why are those less accomplished than me playing it safe? Say something that sounds more hero-like. That's all from me."


Hawks flies down, hovering besides Endeavor with the microphone out to him. Naofumi squeaks, tiny hands reaching out to Endeavor. Hawks didn't think that Naofumi would want to be held by Endeavor because Naofumi isn't the type to just reach out to just anyone.


"Now, go ahead, number one hero with a lower approval rating than me," Hawks said, a carefree smile on his lips.


Endeavor takes the microphone from Hawks and Endeavor glances at Hawks while Hawks simply tilts his head a little. Endeavor's eyes drop to Hawks's son, seeing how the little baby is reaching out to him.


"After that young person has fanned the flames, I won't say much," Endeavor started, he clenches his free a hand into his fist as he has an intense look in his eyes. "Just watch me."


There's a few soft gasps from the crowd and the only person who's clapping is Hawks. Naofumi grabs one of Hawks's gloved fingers as Hawks is clapping. Hawks chuckles, watching his son as Naofumi simply holds Hawks's finger and Hawks make sure not to really make his movements big so  Naofumi doesn't move so much.






---




"I'm not surprised you said that yesterday," you said, watching Hawks and Endeavor walk into the room you reserved. Hawks smiles over to you and he sits beside you as Endeavor looks between the two of you with confusion. "I hope Naofumi wasn't trouble for you, Hawks."


Hawks smiles. "Of course not! I'm glad to have him with me." Hawks looks at Endeavor. "Are you going to take a seat?"


Endeavor takes a sit across from the family. Hawks took Naofumi out of the baby holder and you take your son from him, placing Naofumi in your lap. Naofumi coos happily at you, his tiny hands touching your face as Endeavor talks about what happened on their way here. Hawks ate his food quickly as you and Naofumi were simply snacking from the appetizers. Endeavor didn't touch his food. You heard Hawks let out a laugh.


"Of course he'd say that," Hawks chuckled. "It's not like you. Oh, if you aren't gonna have anymore, can I have it?"


Endeavor closes his eyes. "What a glutton. Eat what you want!"


"I just have no self-control when it comes to the things i want," Hawks stated, grabbing the food and holding the wooden sticks between his fingers. "After the school festival, too, I scouted your son. I mean, having the son of the number two hero would look good, right?" Hawks finished the food on the stick, his eyes closed. "But well, I'm glad I got Tsukuyomi now, since Shoto failed the provisional exam and left a mark on his brand."


"You know a ot for someone who didn't go to U.A.," Endeavor said, his flames on his face becoming a little intense.


Hawks smiles, placing an arm around your shoulder. "I'm well-informed."


Endeavor clicks his teeth, pointing his finger at Hawks. "Stop messing around! I didn't come all the way to Kyushu to talk about this! Hurry up and get to the point."


"About the rumors?" Hawks questioned.


"Remodeled Nomu... Those grotesque puppets the League of Villains has..." Endeavor trailed off, his eyes landing on Naofumi.


"A few dozen stored in Kamino were captured along with All For One, and since then, the League has been busy, but no more Nomu have appeared," Hawks said, the serious look in his eyes. "Either that was all of them, or old A.O.F was the only one who knew where the rest were."


"Bastard, since you asked me to team up with you, that means you have some definitive proof, right?" Endeavor questioned.


Hawks smiles. "No, I don't. They're seriously just rumors."


Endeavor stands up, clapping his hands. "Bring the check! I'm going home!"


"Endeavor, wait, please!" You begged, Naofumi slamming his hands on the table. "Just listen for a couple more minutes."


Endeavor stops walking, looking at you then his eyes go to Naofumi then to the man beside you.


"This is not the only place where Nomus have been sighted," Hawks continued. "You don't know, do you? They've been reported across the country. Not so much that they've been gathered into a news article... but among housewives while they gossip or between elementary and middle school kids as they walk home from school."


"What do you mean?"


"I heard about it first on a business trip from the locals," Hawks elaborated. "At the first time, I worked with the police and investigated quietly to not raise unnecessary panic, but I got nothing. So, it made me curious, and I flew around the country investigating on my own." Hawks's wings spread out and Naofumi plays with a single feather."


"Investigating?"


"There were some differences, but similar rumors were popping up in places that were completely unconnected," Hawks informed. "In the end, they were all just rumors, though... Now, this is just an unsubstantiated opinion,  but after U.A., Hosu, and Kamino, everyone knows how creepy those remodeled villains are, right? So I think some idiot is telling scary stories to stir up the uneasiness, and they spread across the country. That villain earlier shouted, "Hooray for metahuman liberation!" right? That's similar, too, where an old villain's biography was republished and has been selling pretty well. He was probably influenced by it." Hawks looks out the window. "Those kinds of books sell more when society's uneasy, like they thrive."


"Don't put on airs," Endeavor said, looking at Hawks. "Just what is it you want? Get to the point!"


Hawks points at Endeavor. "I want you to become a dependable leader now that you're number one. I want you to verify the veracity of those rumors and tell everyone proudly to stop worrying." Hawks points to himself. "I'm not gonna do anything special. I said the same thing yesterday, but basically, I'm being the producer behind the number one."


"Bastard," Endeavor hissed.


"I just want to take it easy," Hawks said, placing a hand on top of Naofumi's head. "I want to be able to spend more time with them and go around on leisurely patrols, complain that nothing happened today, and then go home to my family. The best life!" Hawks leans his cheek against his palm, a smile on his lips. "I want to make it a world where heroes have too much time on their hands."


It's quiet and you hears the door open, the waitress standing at the door. You stand up with Naofumi in your arms as you were about to approach the waitress so she wouldn't have to come inside all the way.


"Here are your drinks--"


"Get back, Miss!" Hawks yelled.


You weren't really able to process much that happened besides Hawks grabbing you and Naofumi as something smashed into the window. Hawks has you and Naofumi in his arms, shielding the two of you from the broken pieces of glass as there's a Nomu sticking its head through the window. The waitress lets out a scream as your eyes are wide.


"Who's the strongest?" The Nomu asked.


"Hawks, evacuate everyone!" Endeavor ordered.


You clutched onto Hawks's jacket with one hand and the other one shielding Naofumi's head. Hawks has his arms around you as he looks down at you and Naofumi, his eyes looking for any cuts or scratches on the two of you.


"Roger! What about you?" Hawks questioned.


"They weren't just rumors, huh?" Endeavor said, clenching his fist. "Must be my lucky day. Oh, well. Either way, this is what I came for. Flashfire Fist! Jetburn!" Endeavor pushes the Nomu out of the room and the Nomu is floating as well as Endeavor once he's out the room too. "Come. I'll show you who I am."

Comment