Post by Boomer on Oct 15, 2019 8:51:18 GMT
Today, the STANDFAST Hero Agency — shortened from their longer name of Students, Teachers, and Agents of heroism Now Permanently Fighting Against Sources of Terror — had picked up a hero; unlike its small motley of graduates from around Japan, this one had generated some buzz. Among the agency, the only talent that had kept it afloat for its first few years had been its highest-profile hero, Kyber Captain, who patrolled southern Japan. Today, Ken was joining them as his new and recently re-licensed hero persona: Boomer. Yet for all the "buzz", he wasn't sure what he might have expected. Without the money to fund him a new costume, the agency had merely offered to give a small promotional event for him to shake hands and earn a bit of face.
Yet in his casual clothes, the only thing that made him remotely seem like a hero was his visor. A few of the agency reps had been in the talks to have him over at UA High for helping with lessons, yet he wondered if they'd let him in the door without a proper costume. It had been almost two decades since he'd donned the role of a Professional Hero and he stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a small-time agency with only one reputable hero. The other four were young and spirited as he had been once... yet none of them were operating nearby. The only parts of the agency in Musutafu were those necessary to perform maintenance on his visor and eventually develop his costume, his long-time-friend-turned-handler, and a few part-timers hired for public events. His massive heart pumped loudly and his chamber echoed, forcing Ken to grab his massive chest and take deep breathes to calm it. Using his quirk for something small would be pointless.
Stay calm, Ken! You've waited fifteen years for this. Rukana wouldn't have sent you out into the field for public work if you weren't ready. Surely someone will remember Yellow Maki and make this work out. If not, then you can inspire the new generation; your life may have been tough, but you're an inspiration! A true hero!
The weaponized heart's beating calmed down and so too did his nerves rescind... finally allowing the man to step out into a plaza. Yet instead of standing and eager fans, the crowd was seated and on their phones. All of them texting and only a handful looking up to even give him a glance. It was a cold reminder than the urban landscapes of Japan were completely different to back home; all of them lived attached to the internet and soaking in it.
"E-Erm," he awkwardly coughed and raised a hand in greeting. "Hello... uh... everyone? I hope you can look forward to me aiding in the defeat of all the local villains starting from today! As STANDFAST's new-"
One of the crowd-dwellers groaned and waved his phone. "Urgh! I got the lame Normal Rarity Turbine!? I wanted STUDENT Turbine! This game is busted!"
The person's friends all laughed and comforted him, interrupting and directing momentum further away from Ken. His hand dropped and his shoulders with it, sighing under his breath.
"-est hero, Boomer, you can depend on me when in need. Why is it that you city kids are so attached at the hip to their... phones when they have a genuine hero in front of them?"