[25:We Just Got A Letter. I Wonder Who It's From?]
I put in my request to intern for Selkie, which I also think is where Tsu goes as well. Yeah, that's pretty nice. I like her the most out of all the girls in the class. Wow, quite a coincidence.
Anyway, I was relaxing in my dorm until I heard a knock.
"Who is it?" I asked.
I got no answer, but the door opened. It was Nezu. Just Nezu. How does he open the doors if the handles are…way above him?
"Hello, Eleanor, I hope your day is good so far."
"Yeah, it is. What brings you here, Nezu?"
"First of all, congratulations for winning the sports festival. And thank you for the increase in viewership."
"I assume my entrance and what I did during the award ceremony increased viewership more than usual?
"Yes. Many news outlets are talking about you being the first American to win the sports festival. And you're the biggest celebrity in America as we speak. It's not an exaggeration to say that you're the biggest cultural icon in America right now."
Yeah, he wasn't kidding. I saw the difference in headlines, and it's what you would expect. In Japan, some of the headlines read "U.A. Sports Festival Sees First International Champion in School History," "American Exchange Student Wins Festival. A New Era for Hero Education?" and "Principal Nezu Comments on Increased Global Viewership Following Festival." As I said, it's what you would expect. Professional, polite, kind of formal, and whatnot.
But in America? I think telling you the headlines will tell you everything you need to know. "AMERICAN STUDENT DOMINATES ELITE JAPANESE HERO SCHOOL." "ELEANOR HAYES: THE GIRL WHO STOLE THE SHOW IN TOKYO." and "WHITE HOUSE PRAISES TEEN HERO FOR 'EXTRAORDINARY CULTURAL IMPACT.'" That last one in particular gave me a weird feeling, like something big was going to happen. I even saw some of the videos, which were like ninety percent all about my entrance, and the rest was actually coverage of my performance.
"That's quite a bit of spotlight, but I've seen all this. Why are…is there something more that happened?" I didn't know it yet at this moment, but that feeling I had was about to come true.
"Did you see the most recent reports?"
"No, I stopped looking, since it was mostly the same."
That was when he dropped a bombshell on me. "The President of the United States mentioned you by name in a press briefing this morning."
…
"I'm sorry, I must've misheard. Can you run that by me again?" I was almost speechless, but what he did next…I don't have the words to describe what I felt.
"And…" I saw Nezu pull out a big envelope. "...this came in the mail for you this morning from the U.S. embassy." He held out the envelope to me. I slowly grabbed it, and what caught my eye was the Great Seal of the United States. Oh…oh…this is…real official stuff; nothing to joke about. I saw the address it was sent from…it was from Washington D.C. Okay, okay, okay, calm down, calm down.
Oh man, am I actually shaking? I slowly opened the large envelope. There were a few things inside—a small letter envelope, some kind of ID pass and lanyard, and a small pin of the seal of the United States and the American flag.
"Nezu…what, um…what did the president say exactly about me?"
"I think the letter will have the answers you seek."
I opened the letter and read it.
…
My hands shook a bit from nervousness and anxiety, my eyes widened, and I let out a slight laugh in disbelief. There was one line I kept rereading in my head, "…for exceptional contributions to international cultural unity…" This is directly from the president. "Holy—"
"Please watch your language, Eleanor, but I'll let it pass given the circumstances."
"Nezu, where is the U.S. embassy? I need to get there yesterday! And I need a suit!" I scrambled around, but I didn't even know what to do.
"Calm down, I have prepared a suit for you as well as transportation to the U.S. embassy. Also, time travel remains outside the budget of U.A."
"Time travel is very easy, Nezu, you only need more energy than there is in the universe. How do you know my suit size?"
"We got the data from your hero outfit."
"Hmm…yeah, that makes sense. Okay, I need to get ready now!"
/\\//\\//\
(Some time later)
'Okay, okay, okay, okay, calm down. It's nothing major; I'm only getting recognized for my cultural achievement by the president; athletes get this all the time. There was Connor Hellebuyck, who got it basically immediately after USA beat Canada in hockey; there was Simone Biles, Michael Jordan, and a lot more. This is fine.
…
I'm so nervous. And this car ride seems to be taking way too long, or maybe it's my perception.
I got my suit all decked out. Gloves? Check. Shoes? Check. Tie? Check. Both pins I got from that envelope? Check. ID pass with lanyard? Check. Everything was good. I triple checked before I left, and I'm checking again on my way there.
I will say, though, I look pretty good in a suit. It reminds me of Helltaker or maybe Chainsaw Man with how good some of those ladies look in a suit. I guess I'm a…sharp-dressed woman. Clean shirt, new shoes, silk suit, black tie, and so on.
The car started to slow down. I looked out the window and saw the US embassy. Thank goodness Tokyo was close to Musutafu. Well, Musutafu is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, right? So…is it also just Tokyo? Or do cities work a bit differently in Japan?
The car came to a full stop. The chauffeur opened the door for me, and I stepped out. I looked up at the embassy. It was a lot different than what I remember. It wasn't that ugly, rectangular building; it actually had a sense of style. Whoever the architect was did a good job.
"I'll be waiting nearby when you return, Ms. Hayes."
"Thank you."
I nodded to the chauffeur before they drove off. What do I do now? Do I just enter? What am I thinking? Of course, I enter! That's why I have this special ID and stuff!
I stepped forward and entered the embassy. It was a bit weird, because I looked way too overdressed, but…
"Look, it's Eleanor!" one of the workers said, which caused a chain reaction. It reminds me of when people clap whenever a plane lands safely. The place lit up in excitement. Cheers, whistles, applause, and all that stuff were happening. And it was all for me. I knew I was a celebrity from all the news, but experiencing it in person was something else. It was a lot to take in, but I guess I'll have to get used to it. I smiled and waved at everyone.
"THAT'S OUR GIRL!" someone in the back said.
"Can I get a picture with you!?"
"My daughter wants to be like you!"
Stuff like that was being said all over the place. I even saw some people crying tears of joy. Um…I'm not going to suggest anything, but I hope I'm not the reason some babies get born nine months from now, because of the excitement. Maybe I shouldn't think of something like that.
'Come on, can someone come up to me and tell me where to go or something?' I thought to myself, and I was saved just in time.
"Ms. Hayes, welcome! Follow me!" A woman came up to me and escorted me to a large room. I think this is where the ceremony will happen. There was a small podium with a bunch of background decorations that would be perfect for a photoshoot. Why? Because there's like a million cameras here with a bunch of people that look like news reporters. I know this is a big moment, but this many cameras? I have a feeling something more is up.
The same woman spoke to me again. "Ms. Hayes, we're all excited that you're here. Your performance is the only thing everyone here and at home can talk about. I just want to say congratulations, and that we have a very special guest today who will present you with your award. After that, we'll have a little feast to celebrate. The president would also like to say that it's unfortunate we couldn't do this at the white house."
"Um…it's alright. This is already a lot to take in for me. I don't know what it would be like if I were actually in the white house meeting with the president. I'm grateful for all this already."
"Relax a little and enjoy the moment. What do you think so far?"
"It's a really nice place. The building wasn't as ugly as I thought it would be. Some of the embassies don't look so good, but this one is nice." The lady looked at me and laughed a little.
"Oh! I haven't introduced myself. My name is Angela Anderson. I am the current US ambassador to Japan."
…
She's the ambassador!? And I just told her the building looks less ugly than expected?! This is already a disaster. I want to stick my head into a hole like an ostrich and forget about everything.
"You've made your family and their legacy proud. I wonder what they would say."
"Um, uh…yeah, me too."
"Alright, it's about to start soon. I'm going to finish putting a few more things together, and it'll start. You can help yourself to the drinks we have here. Please, enjoy yourself, Eleanor." She walked away, leaving me alone, or I would be alone, if I wasn't hounded by some reporters instantly.
"Eleanor, here, here, I have a quick question for you!"
"Eleanor, how does it feel to win?!"
"Eleanor, what does this mean for American representation?!"
"How many hours a day do you train?!"
"Are you planning to return to the United States permanently?"
"Are you and Bakugo rivals?!"
"Is this proof America has the superior hero curriculum?!"
I simply smiled for the cameras. I had no clue how to handle all of this. I need media training now. Instantly. Someone, please save me.
Just then, I heard some small gasps and sounds of excitement.
"She's here! It's her!" one of the media people said before they all turned their attention and cameras to somewhere else. That wasn't directed at me.
The volume in the room spiked. All the cameras turned in perfect unison. Everyone's posture became straight as a pencil. This… this can't be good, right?
I turned. And that's when I understood why heroes are larger than life.
"It's Star and Stripe!"
She's the special guest the ambassador mentioned?!
(A/N: HAHAHA! Cliffhanger of doom!)