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The museum was quiet. Most people were either with their families or working everyday jobs, but one soul found themselves wandering and Japan’s Best Hero Museum was open to welcome them in.
Kefi stepped through the metal detector at the entrance, finally taking a look around. It was incredible! One could barely describe how surreal it felt to look at the majority of Japan’s history from the lens of heroes and what they meant to society. Quirks were now something that everyone had, Kefi having learned they could shapeshift with just one look at the individual they wished to copy, so it was expected that quirk control and history was in every syllabus on the planet.
But this… seeing some of the world’s most incredible heroes memorabilia, old merchandise, battle trophies, etc. was a whole different experience.
“Hey kid, shouldn’t you be in school?” a gruff voice called out from behind them.
Kefi couldn’t help but laugh a little, turning to meet burning red eyes. “Don’t you know what day it is?”
The man was young, probably in his early 20s, with a spikey mess of blonde hair atop his head. HIs attire was an interesting one, bright oranges mixed with forest greens and ebony black that tugged at the back of their mind as familiar.
“Right, duh.” he snorted, walking over to where Kefi stood. “You’re clearly not from around here.”
“Is it that obvious?” they asked, hand immediately flying to the back of their neck.
“You look like a tourist, besides who goes to a museum other than tourists? Kch.”
Raising an eyebrow, Kefi began to walk forwards, their eyes having been drawn to the Pro Hero Memorial Hall.
“Don’t ignore me, you extra!” the stranger’s voice shouted despite not being too far behind. “Since none of these guys will get off their asses to show you around, at least let me show you this wing…”
They stopped together in front of a display consisting of several heroes huddled together, forming a wall of power as if there was an enemy behind where they stood.
“Wow… who are they?” Kefi asked.
“You know what day it is but you don’t know who these guys are? Kch… They’re heroes.” he paused. “They’re my friends.”
“Can you tell me about them?” they asked, turning to look the man in the eyes.
An indescribable emotion passed through the red irises, taking a breath before nodding his head and pointing his gloved finger downwards.
“That green kid crouched in front? That’s Deku. What made the nerd pick that awful nickname as his hero name, I haven’t the slightest clue. Full name is Midoriya Izuku, he was born quirkless in a time where it was uncommon but wasn’t unheard of. He… he was bullied relentlessly, told horrible things and treated as less than human. But he was trusted with a source of power that a single “quirk” couldn’t be identified.” he started.
"I’m unstoppable"
Kefi smiled. “He must have been really strong, to get through all of that.”
A fond smile broke the man’s nonchalant composure. “Yeah… yeah he was. See the guy beside him with the glasses? Looks like a knight with mufflers? That’s Ingenium, or Iida Tenya. A gigantic pain in the ass class rep, but a good one that cared for his teammates. His quirk was called “Engine.” The guy literally had engines in his legs, shared with his older brother Tensei who had them in his arms. Four Eyes literally could run around the entire planet faster than I could walk from the school to our dorms, which were barely a block and a half away. He had a strong mind and a stronger heart. He definitely made his brother proud.”
I’m a Porsche with no brakes
“Who is that one? With the really sharp teeth that’s putting his fists together?” Kefi asked.
“Hah! That’s Red Riot. Kirishima Eijiro still has the shittiest hair I’ve ever seen, but it’s what made him happy so I really have no room to complain. His quirk was “Hardening,” where he basically could turn his entire body into rock on command. Starting out he terrified kids, but that idiot is one of the most loveable goofballs on the planet with a need to be chivalrous and manly.” he smiled softly.
I’m invincible, yeah I win every single day
“This one wasn’t in our class, but Dunce Face and Deku really wouldn’t let him not be their friend. Mindjack, or Shinsou Hitoshi, was mostly an underground hero like his mentor Eraserhead, who’s somewhere in this exhibit… His quirk was “Brainwashing,” which was honestly more like subconscious suggestion. He was told he would end up a villain, or he had a villain’s quirk. I’m really glad he proved them wrong.” the man said quietly.
I’m so powerful
Kefi was beyond intrigued, looking at these life size figures with wonder in their eyes. “Which one is Dunce Face?”
A loud laugh burst out from their impromptu tour guide. “The one beside Red Riot giving finger guns… That is Chargebolt, or Kaminari Denki, quirk “Electrification.” He could produce up to 2 million volts of electricity, but starting out it fried his brain a lot, leaving him looking like a dunce holding two thumbs up. He did get the hang of it eventually, and it’s honestly a super powerful quirk.”
I don’t need batteries to play
“The one up against the fake ice wall is IcyHot. Todoroki Shouto, hero name Shouto. His quirk was two combined all thanks to a gross quirk marriage. “Half-Hot Half-Cold”, flames on the right from his father Endeavour, another hero that should be here somewhere, and ice on the left from his mother Rei. It took him a while but once he overcame his long-ass list of trauma and started to use both sides of his body to fight, the half and half bastard was almost invincible.”
I’m so confident
Kefi nodded along, smiling as they listened to him talk about his old friends. “What about you?”
“Me? Hah! I’m Dynamite, full name Bakugou Katsuki. I make explosions with the nitroglycerin I sweat out. Saying it that way sounds weird… but I was unstoppable. Deku and I fought for the Number 1 Hero spot and switched places on the board at least once a day.” Bakugou answered.
A smile graced their face before a realization came to them, eyes widening in shock.
“Oh my gosh, he looks just like you!” they called out, looking to their companion only to find nothing but air.
Turning back, their smile returned, looking at the heroes of the A-Team with eyes stinging with tears.
“You really loved them, huh?” Kefi asked the empty room.
They could have sworn they heard a short conversation, but that was impossible… right?
”Aw you do love us Bakubro!”
“Shut up Shitty Hair!”
“Kacchan, there’s no need to be angry, we’re just happy you-”
“Deku, shut the fuck up!”
“Dude I’m honoured you think my quirk was powerful!”
“Well objectively speaking you could have fucked shit up if you decided to be a villain!”
“I’m siding with PIkachu on this. I’m not sorry for the trauma dumping it was good for my character arc.”
“When did Kamibro become Pikachu?”
“Could you all stop being nosy extras?!?”
“Bakugou?”
“What is it Eye Bags?”
“Tell us you love us.”
“I love you guys more than life itself and I would do anything to fix what happened.”
“Kacchan… you know this was never your fault… right?”
Looking up at these heroes… who were no older than themself, Kefi took a moment to appreciate the strengths of each one. That’s when it clicked.
“Today is A-Team Day…”
The day the A-Team, former students of Eraserhead, Present Mic, All Might, and so many more in Class A at UA High, fought together to defeat the worst villain to have ever existed. They ended up giving their lives to finally bring him to justice. Everyone knew them, the effects from that battle radiating to the entire world and changed how heroism is honoured. That’s why Kefi had a day off from classes…
Tears were freely falling down their face, admiring each hero and reaching out to gently touch and read the plaque that describes their place in the history of hero-kind. Kefi had read about it so many times, but hearing it from Dynamite himself… it made it so much more real and personal. He really did love his teammates, he just had his own way of showing it.
“Thank you... “
I’m unstoppable today