Chapter 488 - My CO Stash #88 - Emiya-sensei? by xolef225 (Fate/staynightXMHA) (1/2)
-My boy Emiya is Rank 2? Gotta be only for the plot cuz All Might even in his peak will still catch these swords
Synopsis: Saving people was his purpose. With the concept of heroism being so tightly threaded into who he was as a person, it came as no surprise that he would succeed as a pro hero. That said, no one could say they expected him to be brought on as a teacher at his alma mater. That couldn't be a good idea, right?
Rated: T
Words: 31K
Posted on: fanfiction.net/s/13645704/1/Emiya-sensei (xolef225)
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Chapter 1
X
His first memory was of a fire.
A villain was the cause, he was told. Apparently, the villain in question wasn't caught, either.
Not that who did it really mattered to him. All that mattered was that it happened at all.
It was horrible. A scene out of one's darkest nightmares.
The bodies burned, and burned, and burned, but not a single hero came to help. Or maybe they had, only they couldn't be everywhere at once. All Might –the greatest hero– was indisposed chasing the culprit.
Then, he was saved.
A hero –for surely, that's what he was– dug him out from a pile of rubble. The man's smile was like a beacon of hope, assuring him that everything would be alright.
From then on, he strived to be like that man. To wear a smile that could tell people ”Do not worry, because I am here!”
His hero wasn't really a ”hero”, he had discovered –he hadn't ever found out more than that– though that hardly mattered.
His father became sick, dying a few years later from an unknown disease. All that remained of his legacy were the ideals they now shared.
He was lucky, for his quirk was a strong one. His natural talents paired with the work he put in allowed him to attend the most prestigious school for aspiring heroes, UA academy, and thrive in the competitiveness of the environment.
Naturally, he graduated three years later. Causing much controversy, he opted out of signing on as a sidekick at any of the multitude of hero agencies that extended an olive branch. Instead, he began his career right away as an independent hero.
Most wouldn't understand his reasons, but in the end, the reasoning itself was quite straightforward. As a sidekick, he would only be able to act when directed by the agency.
If he wanted to save as many people as he could, being restricted in such a way wouldn't do.
And so, to the surprise of many, the beginning of his professional career was met with meteoric success. Saving everyone he could, it wasn't long before everyone knew his name.
The Wrought Iron Hero, Archer.
His story was a fine one, brimming with adventure, be it his escapades as a student or his action-packed encounters throughout his unorthodox career.
Our tale does not begin with a fire, a school, or even the early days of a pro hero. Instead, it begins ten years later with a man receiving an unexpected phone call.
X
Shirou hummed a pleasant tune to himself as he prepared the marinade for the chicken b_r_e_a_s_ts he found on sale the day before. He had originally intended on something a little simpler after a long day at work, but cooking was a much-enjoyed pastime of his. It was nice to destress this way too, every now and then.
Dinner tonight would be delectable, no doubt. The chicken would go excellently with the eggplant parmigiana that would be coming out of the oven shortly.
Unfortunate that he didn't have anyone to share it with, but no matter. He would bring a Tupperware of it down to the landlady. Surely, she would appreciate the gesture.
His home phone rang.
He didn't reach for it right away, as he was stuck trying to figure out who it could be. Not many people had this number, and fewer would bother calling it. His usual over-the-phone discussions were conducted almost exclusively on his work phone, which was more or less a way for his staff to reach him when he wasn't at his agency.
After a moment longer, he answered.
”You have reached the Emiya residence. Who is speaking?”
”Emiya-kun. It's Nezu, from UA Academy. I trust you have been doing well?”
”…”
Shirou blinked. He didn't want to seem rude by not answering, but he had been caught off guard. He hadn't spoken to the principal since his days as a student.
”Of course,” he finally replied. ”And yourself?”
His question probably should have been ”why are you calling”, but etiquette won out.
”Quite, thank you. Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I'm reaching out to you so suddenly, so I won't keep you guessing any longer. Are you partial to the idea of becoming a teacher?”
”…Are you offering me a job?”
And what a strange way to do it.
”Yes. A certain position has made itself available, and you're the first one I thought of.”
...
Was the man alright in the head?
Though the principal surely couldn't see his face, Shirou frowned. Did he even want to be a teacher?
In short, not really.
There were merits to the idea, of course, notably the opportunity to guide the next generation. He wanted to save as many people as possible, but admittedly he was only one man.
If the heroes of tomorrow could reach the peak of their potential, then wouldn't that mean more lives would be preserved in the grand scheme of things?
His reason for wanting to decline was much more personal and selfish.
If he spent his time teaching, then it would mean that he would have less time to spend saving people himself.
”I…”
”It's two positions, actually. The first is as a teacher of a course new to the curriculum as of this year, called Hero Ideologies. Naturally, there would be no-one better to lead this class than yourself.”
”The second is a little more delicate. Mr. Aizawa will be off on medical leave for the first few months of the new semester, and we'll need someone to take his homeroom until he returns.”
He was much less sure of the second duty than the first. Shouldn't homeroom be assigned to someone more experienced?
Nezu must have sensed his discomfort.
”The matter won't be a permanent arrangement, I promise– just until Aizawa can resume his duties. Other than that, the Hero Ideologies course is only part-time, so I'm sure that it won't interfere with your own hero work on its own.”
When the principal phrased it like that, it didn't sound too bad…
”Can I think about it?”
”Of course!” Nezu sounded ecstatic. ”Why don't you stop by the school this Friday? I can show you around, and explain in further detail what the position would entail. You can make a more informed decision then.”
Friday would work. He was only scheduled to be at the office until noon, then he was on call for the remainder of the day.
”I'll be there.”
UA was just as large as he remembered it.
Despite its size, however, he couldn't really call it ”too big”. Every last bit of space on the other side of the world-renowned gates was dedicated to the development of the next generation.
It was a space they used well.
Still, there was something eerie about seeing such a large building practically empty. It made sense that it would be, though. The new semester wouldn't start for another month or so.
”Emiya.”
Shirou c_o_c_ked his head over his shoulder in order to locate the droning voice.
A man stood in his shadow. A hero dressed in a peculiar costume consisting of a black, baggy jumpsuit and a ribbon-like scarf.
”Senpai,” Shirou greeted with a nod.
”Stop calling me that. It's Aizawa.”
The younger of the two men c_o_c_ked his head. ”Why? You're my senior. Even if we weren't ever students at the same time, we're both alumni of this academy.”
”It makes me feel old.”
”You're the more experienced teacher between the two of us, then.”
”You haven't even accepted the position.”
Shirou laughed. ”That's fair. That said, is there something wrong?”
”I have dry eye.”
The not-yet-teacher sweatdropped. ”I meant more along the lines of your medical leave of absence.”
Aizawa nodded. ”Like I said, I have chronic dry eye. My physician recommended a series of operations that could fix it. It's not critical or anything, though. If the principal can find a replacement for me, I'll go ahead with it, but if not I guess I can manage as I am now.”
Shirou scratched the back of his head bashfully. It was much harder to turn down the position knowing that the man's state of health depended on it…
”Anyway, Emiya, please follow me. I don't know if you remember where the principal's office is, but…”
Another laugh. ”No, I can't say that I do. Lead the way.”
X
”Archer-kun,” Nezu greeted.
The man in question waved his hands. ”You can call me by name, really.”
The principal –a man resembling some sort of animal– shook his head. ”Of course, but if you do decide to take the open position, you'll need to remember that both of your identities are you.”
Shirou wanted to answer that it was a given, but…
”What do you mean?”
”I'll be blunt. UA respects Emiya Shirou greatly as an individual, but we didn't approach you for your abilities as an instructor.”
”Evidently.”
He hadn't taught a day in his life, after all.
Nezu continued, ”We approached you because of what ”Archer” represents. Tell me, do you know why all of our instructors are pro heroes?”
He wanted to say, ”Because heroes would be best to teach other heroes,” but was that really true? He recalled his own experiences at this institution, and the first thing that came to mind was how unorthodox some of the teachers really were. As great as they were at their real job, it didn't always translate perfectly to the classroom.
The same was true in other professions. The world's greatest scientist wouldn't necessarily be the best at explaining his field, and the greatest coach didn't have to be the greatest athlete.
”I don't know.”
Despite admitting he didn't have an answer to his question, the principal smiled. ”By having a faculty comprised of pro heroes, the students are constantly surrounded by role models.”
Shirou's eyes widened in understanding.
”And as such,” continued Nezu, ”what greater role model is there than the Wrought Iron Hero himself?”
The hero in question grinned. ”I can think of one.”
Nezu laughed uproariously., thought it came out as more of a squeal. ”I'll give you that! Though 'second to none' is out of reach, 'second to one' isn't terrible either!”
”Indeed!”
Shirou recognized that voice.
Everyone recognized that voice.
Turning, he was met with the impossibly-bright pearly-whites of the number one hero, All Might.
”Young Emiya…” he started, but he trailed off. The giant of a man shook his head. ”No, Emiya-san, for you are a boy no longer– little would bring me greater joy than the opportunity to teach the future symbols of peace alongside you!”
It didn't take long for the shorter man to catch on. ”You're going to be teaching here too?”
The elder hero nodded. ”I've seen first-hand what this upcoming year has to offer. I dare to say that you are quite possibly the luckiest hero in japan, to be given the opportunity to be their homeroom teacher– for however short an amount of time.”
”Why don't you take the open spot, then?”
He didn't mean for it to sound like a challenge or a jibe. It was an honest curiosity on his part.
All Might's smile dimmed the slightest amount. ”I wish I could, truly. Only, I cannot. I have certain… circ_u_mstances.”
”I understand.”
He didn't, really, but he was sure that the man had his reasons to keep things vague.
Shirou sighed.
There was still a matter that needed to be addressed, right?
Turning once more to face Nezu, he spoke, ”So what would I have to do, then? If I take the job, that is.”