MHA: I Am Homelander

The morning sun hung lazily over the horizon, casting warm streaks of gold across the sidewalk. Birds chirped in the distance as the narrow street leading from the modest, ivy-covered orphanage buzzed with the gentle hum of city life.

Kazuo adjusted the straps of his school bag as he stood just outside the orphanage gate, glancing back toward the building.

Loid strolled out moments later, his blonde hair slicked back, catching the golden light like a halo. He looked sharper, more composed — a stark contrast to the lazy mop that used to fall across his forehead.

Kazuo raised a brow. "New look?"

Loid smirked. "Figured I'd try something different. New Quirk, new me, right?"

Kazuo chuckled as they began their walk to school.

"So… Homelander, huh?"

Loid let out a short laugh. "Yeah, name's kinda grown on me. Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?"

"Sure, but that isn't the problem I have with it. Wasn't Homelander a Narcasistic Maniac in your dreams?"

In the past few days, Kazuo felt as though he didn't know who Loid even was, and upon the latter naming himself after someone he knew to be insane, he couldn't help but worry.

"Well, yeah. But it was also just that, a dream."

Kazuo gave him a sidelong glance. "But your abilities…"

Loid sighed and gestured lazily with one hand. "Relax, Kazuo. I can practically smell the scrutiny off you since that day. I'm still the same guy. A Quirk doesn't change that."

Kazuo looked away for a moment before nodding. "You're right. Sorry."

Loid bumped his shoulder lightly. "Speaking of Quirks, now that the media storm's died down and we're not getting hounded by Pro Heroes every ten minutes, I think it's time we revisit our old testing ground."

It was common for Loid to tag along with Kazuo while the latter went out to train. It had become such a ritual that they'd even coined an abandoned warehouse outside the city that they could practically call theirs.

Kazuo's eyes widened. "You're serious? You mean that..."

Loid nodded. "Yup, Dead serious. It's like a calling now. I've decided, I'm going to U.A."

Kazuo's lips slowly pulled into a grin. "About damn time."

It had always depressed Kazuo when he remembered they'd be going their separate ways after middle school. 

A part of him had always wished they could become Pro Heroes together, and now...

Kazuo reached into his pocket and pulled out a black card, etched with a silver insignia of a silhouetted Hero striking a powerful pose.

Loid squinted. "Oh, right. Daiki and Yuka gave me one of those too. What even is HeroTech?"

Kazuo blinked. "Have you been living under a rock?"

Loid shrugged.

Kazuo continued, "They're only the biggest Hero gear supplier in the country, maybe even the world. Gear, support items, training resources — you name it. They even partnered with the HSPC recently. The Black Card? That makes us very important clients. VVIP level."

Loid's eyes lit up slightly. "So they might be able to make us custom costumes?"

Kazuo nodded. "I've been chatting with Yuka about it. The stuff they have is nuts."

Loid grinned. "You've been keeping up with everyone, huh?"

"Yeah," Kazuo said. "Except for Kain. Nobody's heard from him since that day."

Loid said nothing to this, simply turning away, the name leaving his mind in the next second.

As they turned the final corner, the school came into view.

Immediately, whispers erupted as the surrounding students gradually increased.

"That's him! I never knew he went to our school."

"Dude, he's the one always being chased by Tetsutetsu and his goons."

"The one they're calling Homelander!"

"He really took down Seismurge?"

Loid didn't flinch. In fact, he smiled. These whispers weren't in earshot, well, in earshot of a regular human that is. Everything was within earshot for him.

He glanced at Kazuo, nudging him. "School might've just gotten more interesting."

Kazuo rolled his eyes.

"HALE!"

A booming voice cut through the murmurs as Tetsutetsu barged forward, eyes ablaze.

Loid gave him a mocking bow. "Morning, oh great steelhead."

Tetsutetsu scowled. "Still got that smart mouth. Look at you, strutting around now. Heard you unlocked your Quirk."

"What's it to you?" 

"Well, go on then. Let's see it."

Kazuo stepped forward. "He doesn't have to let you see shit, steel for brains."

Tetsutetsu snorted. "Careful, Kazuo. That almost sounded like jealousy. Or is it your foot fetish acting up again?"

A vein bulged on Kazuo's head as he prepared to swipe his shoes off, Tetsutetsu also stepping forward.

Loid chuckled, making the others pause to look at him. "Funny. Back when I was Quirkless, a comment like that would've gotten me hunted around the school, yet you still have yet to even activate your Quirk. What's the matter, steelhead? Scared?"

Tetsutetsu's jaw clenched, "Motherfu..."

"ENOUGH."

The sharp voice of a teacher sliced through the tension. She was tall and graceful, with short black hair in a tight bun, glasses perched on her nose, and an aura of authority that silenced even the rowdiest students.

"Inside. Now."

"Yes, Miss Aramaki." The three replied.

Loid and Kazuo followed her toward their classroom, the latter flipping Tetsutetsu off as they went.

Entering, they took their usual seats — Loid at the far-left corner by the window, Kazuo just ahead of him. The moment they sat, they exchanged wide grins.

"How long you been dreaming of doing that?" Kazuo whispered.

"Too long," Loid replied.

Suddenly, a blur of motion zipped to Loid's side.

A phone appeared in front of his face. "That's you, right?"

On screen: a freeze-frame of Loid with arms wide, the crowd roaring before him.

He tilted his head, amused. "I hope so."

The phone lowered.

Dark eyes stared at him with sharp curiosity.

Her hair was jet-black and neatly tied behind her head in a refined ponytail. She wore a fitted uniform with rolled-up sleeves and a navy skirt. Her posture was perfect.

"Yaoyorozu Momo," she said, reaching out her hand to which Loid shook. "I transferred here a month ago."

Before Loid could say anything, Kazuo muttered from the side, "She's the new girl from the rich district."

Loid didn't miss a beat, muttering back from the corner of his mouth, "She can also hear you."

Momo's gaze shot to Kazuo like a blade. He chuckled nervously and looked away.

But of course, Loid knew who she was. Sure, everyone wanted to be a Hero, but for someone like her who had a colorful background and an impressive Quirk, she already possessed the popularity of one.

'Though, I still don't know why someone would start attending middle school well into the last year after being homeschooled for so long.' 

"I just wanted to say," she continued, looking back at Loid, "What you did was amazing. Well, aside from the part where you almost died." She chuckled lightly, brushing back a strand of hair. "Homelander, huh? Really rolls off the tongue."

Loid gave Kazuo a sly glance. "It does, doesn't it?"

Kazuo grumbled something incoherent.

Momo looked Loid in the eyes, sincerity in her voice. "I'm planning to attend U.A. this year too. You're the first person I've ever met who I might potentially be classmates with. It'll be… comforting, knowing I have a peer who possesses real world experience. Maybe we can run drills together one day."

She finished, a clear enthusiasm of hers leaking out. She probably couldn't wait to attend, so that eagerness spread to Loid who could satisfy her dreams till them.

After all, between defeating a notorious villain and gaining public recognition, the only difference between him and an actual Hero was the liscence.

Loid nodded. "I'd like that."

Miss Aramaki's voice rang out again. "Miss Yaoyorozu, to your seat."

"Yes, ma'am." Momo turned and walked away, taking her seat a few rows down.

Kazuo leaned back and muttered, "Should've been me in front of the cameras."

Loid smirked.

Class began as Miss Aramaki took attendance.

"…Loid—"

A smooth voice cut in from the doorway, "—Hale."

Everyone turned as a soft gust stirred the room.

A figure stepped into the classroom, red wings stretching wide behind him, fluttering just enough to catch the light. They shimmered and moved with hypnotic grace, mesmerizing the entire class.

Gasps echoed. Time seemed to freeze.

Standing in the doorway was Hawks, the number 3 Pro Hero.

"I'm here for a student named Loid Hale."

Every head turned slowly toward Loid.

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Powerstones = Another chapter? Sounds about fair, huh?