Was Jilan Jiyu a Hero?

As Jilan Jiyu understood it, Endeavor looked a lot like a villain. He was a burly man whose upper body and limbs were wreathed in raging flames, with a burning beard of fire. In terms of intimidation, even the most vicious criminals could not match him, and he regularly placed in the top ten heroes who looked like villains.

On the other hand, Endeavor was highly active as a Pro Hero in all kinds of crises, and he was just as much of a deterrent to criminals. He and All Might were like Japan's two pillars, maintaining peace in their respective regions.

"Are you talking about that Endeavor?" Camie Utsushimi seemed equally unable to understand Inasa Yoarashi's resentment. "He looks bad and has a really violent temper, but he's surprisingly a good person, you know?"

Jilan Jiyu said nothing, but Inasa Yoarashi could tell from his expression that he thought the same thing: a good person who looked scary.

"Ah, maybe that's true."

Inasa Yoarashi gave a wry smile, then suddenly looked up and stared at Camie Utsushimi. "None of that matters. What matters is whether I can get a recommendation to Shiketsu High School. Aside from U.A. High School, Shiketsu has the best Hero Course I can think of."

In the world of heroes, there was a saying: "U.A. in the east, Shiketsu in the west." Many Pro Heroes had graduated from the Hero Courses at those two schools, and Shiketsu High School was the only school that could match U.A. High School in both reputation and quality of education.

"That's right."

While Jilan Jiyu and Inasa Yoarashi had not eaten a thing, the girl had even ordered more snacks, including macarons, and was eating them with relish. Jilan had had enough. He lifted the plate, putting the snacks on it out of her reach.

Camie Utsushimi puffed out her cheeks and began to introduce herself seriously.

"Shiketsu High School may not be as flashy as U.A., but we're very strong. Lots of students get their hero licenses every year, and we welcome talented students to apply. I'm a student at Shiketsu High School's affiliated school, and I was chosen as an ambassador for the school's admissions campaign." She tilted her head, made a V sign as if posing for a photo, and said cutely, "I mean, look how cute I am~"

Seeing Jilan Jiyu's expression beginning to darken again, Camie Utsushimi stopped acting cute and continued, "Actually, the school offers one place each year without an entrance exam. Of course, there's no way it would be given to you directly without any conditions. You have to show what you can do."

"Originally, this interview spot should have been given away a long time ago, but..." Camie Utsushimi glanced at Inasa Yoarashi and continued, "This has something to do with you too. The spot was originally reserved for Endeavor's son, Shoto Todoroki. Everything had already been arranged, but then word suddenly got out that All Might was going to take a position at U.A. High School. Endeavor changed his mind and sent his son to U.A. High School's Hero Course."

"So that means the spot is still open?" Jilan Jiyu asked directly.

"That's right." Camie Utsushimi nodded affirmatively.

"Hahaha..." Inasa Yoarashi suddenly laughed. "That really is ironic. I chose to leave U.A. High School because of Endeavor, and now, because of him, I have a chance to come to Shiketsu High School..."

Camie Utsushimi leisurely drank her tea, which was nearly gone. "What, are you going to give up? This has to do with Endeavor, you know."

Inasa Yoarashi clenched his fist and slowly shook his head. "Hating Endeavor is just my personal feeling. It doesn't conflict with becoming a hero. Even if this opportunity just fell into my lap, there's no way I could give it up."

"But getting that spot won't be easy." Camie Utsushimi suddenly poured cold water on Inasa Yoarashi. "You have to pass a super-hard test. Hmm, it's probably several times harder than getting into U.A. on a recommendation."

Inasa Yoarashi smiled with the same confidence as All Might. "Difficulty isn't something that limits my abilities. Just the opposite—the more my back is against the wall, the more of my potential I can bring out."

Inasa Yoarashi tried to pat Jilan Jiyu on the shoulder, but Jilan silently dodged.

This guy really is like a hot-blooded protagonist, though I don't dislike him, Jilan Jiyu thought silently.

"But what does any of this have to do with me?" Jilan Jiyu suddenly interjected. "I'm just a waiter. Why tell me about it too?"

Although Inasa Yoarashi would most likely come running over to tell him afterward, that had nothing to do with Camie Utsushimi's attitude toward him. Why had she let someone uninvolved listen in?

"The reason..." Camie Utsushimi suddenly grabbed both of Jilan Jiyu's hands and gazed at him eagerly, her eyes sparkling as if she had met her idol. "It's just because I wanted to meet you, my hero."

"Do you remember what happened a year ago, at the bank...? You stood in front of the criminals back then, didn't you? While everyone else was trembling and covering their heads, even with the criminals pointing guns at you, you still had the courage to face them and buy the police time..."

Jilan Jiyu did have some recollection of the incident Camie Utsushimi was talking about.

At the time, he had wanted to deposit his wages into his bank account. While he was conducting his business, several people with guns had suddenly rushed in to rob the bank. He had not wanted to get involved. As long as he deposited his money, it did not matter how much the bank lost.

But unexpectedly, one of the robbers had been so blind as to point a gun at him and try to snatch the bag from his hands.

Are you kidding me!? That's the money I worked so hard to earn, and someone who hasn't lifted a finger for it dares to touch it?

Jilan Jiyu remembered saying a few things, and he seemed to have mocked all of them. Some of them had wanted to attack him, but just then, they heard the police calling out from the entrance. They hurriedly took him hostage and tried to leave with several sacks of stolen money.

Perhaps because of him, the police had been afraid to act rashly. Several Pro Heroes who had arrived at the scene had not dared make a move either, because of the guns. Little by little, the criminals had gained the upper hand.

Then, just as had happened at the hero festival, All Might descended from the sky like a god and stepped out into the open. Right in front of the criminals, he instantly rescued Jilan at a speed they could not react to.

The incident had caused quite a stir at the time. Society had condemned the police for their incompetence and the Pro Heroes for their inaction, and the sentiment that "things are better only because this country has All Might" had spread throughout Japan.

"All Might was the one who resolved that, right? It shouldn't have much to do with me, should it?" Jilan Jiyu asked. If she had been there, she should have known she had done nothing, just like those heroes, right?

...All right, he actually had done something. He had planted a bomb on the bastard who had pointed a gun at his head. After he had been rescued as the lucky hostage, he had secretly set it off from the crowd. If nothing unexpected happened, that man would spend the rest of his life in bed unless he was treated with a Quirk.

Camie Utsushimi imitated Jilan Jiyu's tone from back then. "'If you choose to stop now, I'll have the police let you live. But if you choose to keep pointing your guns at me, I don't mind letting you spend the rest of your lives in prison.' That's what you said, right? I was right behind you!"

Did I say something that embarrassing? Maybe I got a little angry after my money was stolen, and said something like a villain without thinking.

Ah, how should I silence this person who knows about my dark past...? Jilan Jiyu thought silently, gnawing at his fingernails in mild agitation.