Chapter 91: 91: Departure and Arrival
The morning sun streamed through the windows of a spacious lecture hall at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. The room hummed with the quiet energy of students murmuring to one another as they waited for the professor to begin.
At the front of the room, Professor Callaghan, a tall man with a commanding presence and a sharp intellect, stood at his desk, organizing a stack of papers.
The digital board behind him displayed the day's topics: "Emerging Trends in Microbotics" and "Special Announcement."
Clearing his throat, Callaghan drew the room's attention. The conversations ceased almost immediately as the students turned to him, eager to hear what their renowned professor had to say.
"Good morning, everyone," he began, his voice steady and engaging. "Before we dive into today's lecture, I have some news to share. Later today, we'll be welcoming an intern from U.A. High School in Japan."
The mention of U.A. immediately sparked a ripple of whispers. The prestigious hero school was known worldwide, and its students were often regarded as prodigies in their fields.
"This intern," Callaghan continued, "is not only known for his impressive academic and technical prowess but also for his contributions to innovation in his homeland. I expect everyone to make him feel welcome."
A hand shot up in the back of the room. "Do we know his name yet?"
Callaghan smiled faintly. "His name is Aiden Wilhelm Fritz. While he's primarily recognized for his accomplishments in hero training, his background in engineering and design caught our attention. Trust me when I say he will be a valuable addition to our institute."
Another student leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "Will he be joining our classes or working on a project?"
"Both," the professor replied. "He will be attending classes and participating in several ongoing research projects. For now, I need volunteers to help him acclimate to the campus and city. Who's interested?"
A flurry of hands went up immediately, including those of Fred, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, GoGo, and Tadashi Hamada. Callaghan's eyes twinkled with amusement as he nodded at the eager group.
"Alright, it seems we have a good number of volunteers. Fred, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, GoGo, and Tadashi, you'll be responsible for showing him around and helping him settle in."
"Absolutely!" Fred exclaimed, his enthusiasm evident. "This is going to be epic! A real-deal hero-in-training on our campus!"
Wasabi rolled his eyes but smiled. "Calm down, Fred. It's not like he's going to fight crime in the middle of the quad."
Honey Lemon raised her hand again, her cheerful expression lighting up the room. "Professor, I'd be happy to share my dorm with him if he needs a place to stay."
"Thank you, Honey," Callaghan said with a nod. "That's very generous of you. If Aiden agrees, we'll arrange for him to stay with you."
Later that afternoon, the group gathered at the San Fransokyo International Airport. The island-city's airport was a marvel of modern engineering, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with cutting-edge technology.
Its towering glass walls offered a breathtaking view of the bustling cityscape, and the steady hum of air traffic overhead added to the lively atmosphere.
Honey Lemon bounced on her heels, her bright yellow dress matching her sunny disposition. "I'm so excited to meet him! I wonder what he's like."
Tadashi chuckled, standing with his hands in his pockets. "If he's from U.A., he's probably pretty impressive. They don't let just anyone represent their school internationally."
GoGo leaned against a nearby column, chewing gum nonchalantly. "As long as he doesn't slow us down, I'm good."
Fred was practically vibrating with excitement. "What if he's got a cool quirk that lets him, like, build giant robots on the spot? Or maybe he's super strong! Oh man, I hope he's got a superhero costume!"
Wasabi adjusted his glasses, exhaling in mild exasperation. "Fred, you've got to chill. Let's just meet him first."
The group's banter was interrupted by a voice over the intercom announcing the arrival of the flight from Tokyo. They turned their attention to the terminal as passengers began streaming through the gates.
It wasn't long before they spotted him. Aiden stood out immediately, his tall, athletic frame and confident posture drawing the eye. His long black dreadlocks, streaked with a few white strands, framed his striking features.
He was dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit: a dark hoodie with golden accents, fitted jeans, and sneakers that seemed designed for both comfort and flair.
A large duffle bag hung over one shoulder, and his expression was a mix of curiosity and calm assurance.
Honey Lemon waved enthusiastically. "Aiden! Over here!"
Aiden's gaze landed on the group, and a warm smile spread across his face. He approached them, his movements graceful and relaxed despite the weight of his bag.
"Hey," he greeted, his deep voice carrying easily over the noise of the terminal. "You must be my welcoming committee."
Fred stepped forward, extending a hand. "You bet we are! I'm Fred, your go-to guy for anything fun or superhero-related."
Aiden chuckled, shaking Fred's hand. "Good to know. Nice to meet you."
One by one, the rest of the group introduced themselves. Honey Lemon was especially enthusiastic, giving Aiden a brief but bubbly rundown of the campus and her excitement to have him as a roommate.
Tadashi offered a firm handshake and an easy smile. "Welcome to San Fransokyo. We're all looking forward to working with you."
"Thanks," Aiden replied. "I'm looking forward to it too. This place has a reputation for being cutting-edge. I'm ready to dive in."
As they made their way out of the airport, Fred bombarded Aiden with questions about his quirk and hero training, while Honey Lemon peppered him with inquiries about his engineering projects.
GoGo and Wasabi hung back slightly, listening with mild amusement as Tadashi occasionally interjected with more practical questions about Aiden's plans and interests.
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The sun had barely begun to rise when Aiden stood in the grand entrance hall of the villa, saying his goodbyes to everyone gathered there. The air was filled with a bittersweet mix of emotions, excitement for his journey and the temporary ache of separation from his loved ones.
Toru stood in front of him, her usual cheerfulness tinged with a touch of sadness. Aiden gently cupped her face, brushing a stray lock of green hair behind her ear. "I'll miss you," he murmured softly.
"I'll miss you too," Toru replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Before either of them could say more, Aiden leaned in and kissed her deeply. The world seemed to fade away for a moment, leaving only the two of them.
Toru's hands clung to his hoodie, unwilling to let him go too soon.
When they finally pulled apart, Aiden pressed his forehead to hers, smiling warmly. "I'll call every chance I get. And remember, Seraphina's here for you."
Toru nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You better. And don't forget, I'll be cheering for you from here."
Aiden then turned to Celeste, who stood with her arms crossed, trying her best to look indifferent. He pulled her into a big hug, lifting her slightly off the ground. "Don't cause too much trouble while I'm gone," he teased, patting her head playfully.
Celeste huffed, her cheeks flushing faintly. "I don't need your patronizing pats, Aiden," she grumbled, but her tone lacked its usual sharpness.
Aiden smirked as he released her. "Sure, sure. Take care, alright?"
She nodded, averting her gaze to hide the conflict in her eyes.
Next, Aiden approached Seraphina, who stood at attention, her posture rigid as ever.
"Seraphina," he began, his tone shifting to one of authority, "protect Toru and Elara with your life while I'm away. I trust no one else with this task."
Seraphina saluted crisply. "With my life, Your Highness."
"Good," Aiden said, his voice softening. "Thank you."
Finally, Aiden gave a small wave to the others before picking up Nimbus's cage and slinging Baymax's briefcase over his shoulder. Kaela, who stood by the door with her own luggage, gestured for him to hurry.
The drive to the airport was uneventful but filled with quiet conversation between Aiden and Kaela. Nimbus chirped occasionally from his cage, and Aiden occasionally peeked inside to reassure the chinchilla. Baymax remained in his dormant state, a sleek and compact form waiting to be activated.
When they arrived at the airport, they moved quickly through security and to their gate. Aiden's dark hoodie and relaxed demeanor made him blend in with the crowd, though his striking features still turned a few heads.
The plane ride was long but peaceful. Aiden and Kaela had managed to secure seats in a spacious section of the plane, giving them room to stretch out. Nimbus's cage was tucked safely under the seat, and the little chinchilla seemed surprisingly calm for the duration of the flight.
Kaela handed Aiden a tablet. "I've uploaded all the information we have on the institute and the city. You might want to familiarize yourself before we land."
Aiden took the tablet, scrolling through the files. "San Fransokyo… It's like a blend of Tokyo and San Francisco. Never thought I'd see a city like this."
"It's second only to I-Island in technological advancements," Kaela added. "The perfect place for someone like you."
Aiden smirked. "You mean someone who loves tinkering with anything that has gears and circuits?"
Kaela chuckled. "Exactly."
As the flight wore on, Aiden leaned back in his seat, gazing out the window at the endless blue sky. His mind wandered to the institute, the projects he'd get to work on, and the people he'd meet. He couldn't shake the feeling that this internship would be more than just an academic experience—it felt like the start of something extraordinary.
When the plane finally landed at San Fransokyo International Airport, Aiden stretched as he stood, grabbing his belongings. Nimbus's cage was the first thing he reached for, checking on his furry companion before slinging the cage over his shoulder.
Kaela walked ahead, her professional demeanor already in full effect as she coordinated their luggage.
As they stepped into the terminal, Aiden took a deep breath, the air tinged with the unique blend of salt from the ocean and the faint metallic tang of a technologically advanced city.
His eyes scanned the bustling terminal, taking in the diverse crowd and the architecture that screamed innovation.
It didn't take long for him to spot the group waiting for him. Honey Lemon's enthusiastic wave and bright yellow dress were impossible to miss. Aiden smiled, his earlier nervousness fading as he approached them.
"Hey," he greeted, his voice carrying a mix of confidence and curiosity. "You must be my welcoming committee."
And so, his journey in San Fransokyo began.
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