Soooo I made this for next week but I really really like it so I'm posting it early, enjoy.
Chapter 29: nighteye
Later that afternoon, during a free period, Mirio Togata found a quiet corner of the third-year common area. He pulled out his phone, dialed the familiar number, and held it to his ear with his usual bright smile.
The line clicked after two rings.
"Sir! It's Mirio. Sorry to call during work hours, but I wanted to check something."
Nighteye's calm, precise voice came through clearly. "Mirio. What is it?"
Mirio leaned against the wall, keeping his voice low but cheerful. "You know that first-year you had an eye on from the Sports Festival? Cid Kageno? The one with the shrinking and space manipulation Quirk? I'm pretty sure you mentioned sending him an internship offer. Did that go through?"
There was a brief pause on the other end.
"I did send the offer," Nighteye replied. "Why do you ask?"
Mirio rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… I overheard him talking with his girlfriend earlier today. He only got five offers total. It just seemed off. I'm pretty sure something's wrong on the agency side. I figured I'd let you know in case the offer got lost or… something."
Nighteye was silent for a moment longer, processing.
"Thank you, Mirio. I'll look into it. You did the right thing by calling."
"No problem, Sir! Let me know if you need anything else!"
Mirio hung up with a thoughtful hum, already wondering what was really going on.
**Nighteye's POV**
Sir Nighteye adjusted his glasses as he set the phone down on his desk, his expression sharpening.
Five offers.
For the student who had dominated both the obstacle race and the Cavalry Battle, and the tournament matches in seconds with that much precision and control. The same student who had publicly displayed a level of power that should have drawn every major agency's attention.
That number was not natural.
Nighteye leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, mind already turning over the facts. The only organization with enough quiet influence to suppress internship requests on that scale, especially for a high-profile first-year student, was the Hero Public Safety Commission.
A connection that had soured, then.
The boy must have had some prior tie to the HSPC. Something that had gone badly enough for them to retaliate in such a petty, bureaucratic way. Blocking legitimate offers to stunt his growth. Classic Commission behavior when they couldn't force things the way they wanted.
Nighteye's lips pressed into a thin line. He picked up the phone again and dialed a different number.
It rang only once before a familiar, composed voice answered.
"Principal Nezu. This is Sir Nighteye."
"Nighteye," Nezu replied warmly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I'll be direct," Nighteye said. "I sent an internship offer to one of your first-year students, Cid Kageno. I have reason to believe it never reached him. In fact, he only received five offers in total, despite his performance at the Sports Festival. I suspect the HSPC is interfering."
Nezu's tone didn't change, but there was a knowing edge to it. "You are correct. The Commission is… unhappy with Mr. Kageno's recent choices. They no longer have as much influence over him as they would like, but they still have enough to make things difficult. I know exactly what is happening, but I cannot stop them from exercising that influence through certain channels this time."
Nighteye's eyes narrowed slightly. "I see. I had planned to request him personally. If the HSPC is blocking standard offers, a direct request from a hero of my standing might carry more weight."
Nezu's small cackle came through the line. "Indeed. And it would be a much better option than what I had planned. I had thought of placing him with one of our own teachers or calling in a favor. I will take this as a direct and formal request for Cid Kageno to intern under you. I will inform him personally to ensure the offer does not… get lost again."
Nighteye allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "Thank you, Principal. I look forward to working with him."
"Likewise," Nezu replied, voice formal and precise. "I will make the arrangements immediately."
The line clicked off.
-Later-
Classes had ended for the day, but the weight of the internship situation still sat heavy on Cid's shoulders as he packed his bag. Yui waited for him just outside the classroom door, her expression soft but determined.
"Come on," she said quietly, slipping her hand into his. "We're going to talk to Principal Nezu. You can't just accept this. There has to be something we can do."
Cid sighed, but he didn't pull his hand away. "It's probably pointless. The Commission's already made their move and will be a hassle to deal with."
Yui squeezed his fingers. "It's not pointless. We're going to try, if you don't then they win. "
He looked down at her for a moment, then gave a small nod. "… alright."
They walked through the halls side by side, the afternoon light streaming through the windows. A few students waved or called out greetings, but Cid only offered brief, polite responses. His mind was elsewhere.
They reached the door to the principal's office. Cid raised his hand to knock.
Before his knuckles could even touch the wood, the door slid open on its own.
Nezu stood there, smiling pleasantly, paws clasped behind his back.
"Ah, perfect timing," the small principal said cheerfully. "I was just about to send for you Mr. Kageno. Please, come in, you as well Mrs. Kodai."
Cid and Yui exchanged a quick glance before stepping inside. The door closed softly behind them.
Nezu hopped up into his oversized chair and gestured for them to sit. "I assume this is about the internship offers."
Cid sat down, posture relaxing a bit. "You already know?"
"Yes," Nezu replied calmly. "I am fully aware of your situation, Mr. Kageno. The Commission's interference was… predictable, if disappointing. I had already begun planning an appropriate setup for you, perhaps an internship under one of our own staff or calling in a favor."
He paused, a small, knowing smile forming on his muzzle.
"However, I was contacted directly this afternoon by a very interested hero who formally requested you. It seems one of his interns, Mirio Togata, a 3rd year student, happened to overhear your conversation in the hallway earlier today. Mirio immediately informed his mentor, Sir Nighteye, who then reached out to me personally."
Cid's eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise. "One of the third-years… did that for me?"
Yui's hand found his under the desk and squeezed gently, her face lighting up with excitement, clearly thrilled.
Nezu nodded. "Indeed. Sir Nighteye is quite impressed with your performance at the Sports Festival. He has made a direct and formal request for you to intern under him. Given the circumstances, I will treat this as an official offer and ensure him it would reach you without any… unfortunate 'misplacement.'"
Cid sat back, processing. The annoyance in his expression eased, replaced by quiet surprise and a hint of relief and gratitude towards nezu and his sempai.
Yui gave his arm another excited squeeze, her smile bright and proud.
Nezu's eyes twinkled. "You have options now, Mr. Kageno. Real ones. I suggest you consider Sir Nighteye's offer carefully. He is a hero of considerable reputation."
Cid nodded slowly. "Yeah… I will."
"Well then on your way you have things to think about and I have work to do, have a good night you two" nezu said with a knowing smile they didn't see. (The rat know all)
Later that night, the dorm room was dark except for the soft glow of the TV mounted on the wall. Cid lay on his back in bed, one arm behind his head, the other resting lazily on Yui's waist. Yui was curled against his side, head on his chest, her legs tangled with his under the blanket. She was wearing one of his oversized shirts again, the fabric soft and familiar against her skin.
They weren't really watching the show playing on the screen. It was just background noise while they enjoyed the quiet together.
Cid's fingers traced slow circles on her hip as he stared at the ceiling. After a long moment he spoke, voice low and thoughtful.
"I'm going to accept Sir Nighteye's offer," he said. "I need to thank Mirio too. Guy didn't have to do that for me."
Yui lifted her head, eyes bright in the dim light. Without a word she shifted, climbing on top of him and straddling his waist. She cupped his cheeks with both hands, leaning down so her face hovered just above his. Her hair had grown longer so fell around them like a curtain, framing his face.
Cid looked up at her, surprised for a second, then his expression softened into something warm and open.
Yui smiled down at him, thumbs gently stroking his cheeks.
"This is a good chance for you," she said softly. "Sir Nighteye is a well-known hero. He was All Might's sidekick, he has so much experience. He'll be a great teacher for you."
Her smile was warm and full of pride, eyes shining as she gazed at him.
Cid reached up, cupping her cheek with one hand and gently stroking his thumb across her skin. "You're right," he murmured. He pulled her down into a slow, deep kiss, holding her close for a long moment before pulling back just enough to speak against her lips.
"Yeah… I think this will be good for me. I just hope Sir Nighteye isn't weird or something. You know how goofy All Might can be in classes."
Yui let out a soft giggle, the sound light and happy as she nuzzled her nose against his. Then laid her head down on his chest, ear pressed over his heartbeat, and wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm sure it'll be fine," she whispered. "And if not… at least you won't be bored."
Cid huffed a quiet laugh, the sound rumbling in his chest. He slid one hand into her hair, running his fingers through the strands in slow, soothing strokes.
Cid kept gently playing with her hair, eyes half-lidded, a small, content smile on his face as he listened to her quiet breathing.
'I… could get ….used… to this….forever ' he thought as he drifted to sleep, pulling her slightly closer.