Chapter 53 - Catching Up!? Putting the Plan in Motion!?

Tokoyami and Shouji didn't see their mentor for the rest of the day after he left that morning with Hawks. Beni had decided to take them on a more lax patrol route down the finer parts of the city, using their route as a chance to purchase some supplies she needed for one of her projects back at the agency. Beni, unlike Airdriver, was a little more lenient when it came to their need to cater to the crowds, seeing as she wasn't as well known as her superior and Tokoyami couldn't help but be grateful at that fact.

After the day before and the many pictures he was forced to take with Tourists, getting the chance to see the sights while being on the job, without the worry of people stopping him, was a breath of fresh air. They stopped by Canal City, as Airdriver had originally planned to take them there before he had decided to call off his own patrol, and marvelled at the bustling crowds and beautiful canals, though Shouji was much less interested in the busy public tourism spot, walking around silently and barely uttering a word the whole time.

Tokoyami couldn't help but feel worried for him, given he had seemed so excited that morning about the prospect of taking Tokoyami to Canal City. Had their conversation with Beni at the Agency soured his mood so much?

"Perhaps you could go to Uminonakamichi for your final day here," Beni thought aloud as they were coming to the end of their patrol route, turning to the pair with a large smile, her ginger hair swishing as she did so.

They were coming up on the hotel the pair was staying at as the sun began to set, so that made it clear they weren't stopping back at the agency, but still after such a patrol, he was surprised that of all the things on Beni's mind, it was their own plans for that final day where they'd be allowed to sightsee.

"To where?" He asked hesitantly, glancing over to Shouji, who was a few paces behind them.

The taller boy's eyes lit up ever so slightly at the mention of the place, however, Shouji's excitement coming across as he said, "It's a large Marine Park, one of the best places to visit here in Fukuoka. My mother used to take me there as a kid because I loved the aquarium."

"I'm guessing the Octopus exhibit was your favourite," Dark Shadow jeered, getting an eye roll from Shouji, though the slight crinkle of his mask seemed to imply Dark Shadow had hit it right on the money.

Tokoyami couldn't help the slight chuckle he let out at Shouji's embarrassment, Beni warmly smiling at the teenage pair who were lost in their own little moment.

"Those two really are something," Beni thought to herself as they continued to chatter away as they walked. "Hayate really made a good choice by letting Shouji come with Tokoyami. They're both so open around each other, even if they don't seem to realize it."

Beni had heard a great deal about Fumikage from her senior, having been working with Hayate for a few years during the time he was training the young bird-headed Hero to be. She had heard that he was a guarded boy who was trying to become better but had nothing to really work towards during his training. The young man she saw before her seemed to be the complete opposite of the one who Airdriver had described those months ago.

"I wonder if it has something to do with the one who inspired Tokoyami's convictions as Hero?" She thought to herself. Whoever the mystery student was that had inspired Tokoyami and had impressed upon Shouji as well was someone really special. She knew she'd love to meet them one day. Those two had such interesting lives ahead of them, so much to still discover in their three years they'd be at U.A.

"It really is crazy what U.A. can do, huh," She softly mumbled, her thoughts trailing off as they neared the hotel.

"Did you say something, Beni?" Fumikage asked, the young woman tilting her head back to reply.

"No, not at all," She said, shaking her head. "Anyway, while I may not be as exciting as Airdriver, I hope you enjoyed your time on patrol with me."

The pair gave their thanks, with Beni giving them a nod and a smile, letting them know they could travel to the agency themselves tomorrow since she'd be working on a project overnight for Hayate. So with that the ginger-haired girl pushed her glasses up, pulled up her army jacket ever so slightly and set off into the evening, leaving the two boys to reflect on their second day of patrols.

"Want me to buy some snacks from the store for us?" Shouji asked once Beni had turned the corner, the six-armed boy eyeing the small convenience store just a few doors down with four different eyes.

"Indeed. I shall head to our room as I'd like to get changed as soon as possible," Tokoyami explained, glancing down at the dark cloak he wore. It really wasn't the best suit to be wearing on a hot day and as much as he'd want to visit the store himself, he'd much rather be comfortable now that they were off-duty.

"Right, I'll see you in a few minutes then," Shouji replied, before briskly setting off towards the store.

Tokoyami watched as Shouji disappeared into the shop, then pushed open the Hotel Doors and headed inside. He gave curt nods to each of the employees of the establishment as he walked past, grabbing the nearest elevator and heading up to their room.

The first thing he did was strip off his Hero clothes, quickly setting them to the side before heading straight for the bathroom. He wanted to get a quick shower in, seeing as they wouldn't be going anywhere that evening and it was already nine. Dark Shadow chose to go dormant at this point, allowing his owner a brief moment of privacy as Tokoyami stepped into the shower.


Shouji arrived a few minutes later, two plastic bags slung over his shoulders as he unlocked the door to the room, glad to be back in their space for the evening. The taller boy had to admit that the day had been fairly trying, from the dramatic arrival of Hawks to the questioning he'd received from Beni about his desires. He couldn't help the shame twisting deep inside of him for hiding his past from the Pro Heroes, but it was something he couldn't dwell on.

And he resolved when he first placed on his mask that he would only allow those closest to him to know the true extent of his past. To know why he covered his face and concealed himself from those around him.

It was tough remembering those trying times...

Still, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the support he'd gotten over the last month when it came to his friends. Tokoyami, Midoriya, Kouda, Uraraka and the rest of Class 1-A had really helped him to feel more wanted and needed than he'd been ever in his life prior.

Wistfully, he pulled out his phone to see how the other internships were going, though a few minutes of scrolling and it seemed almost everyone was either asleep from overwork or busy. That is, except for one of the few people he wanted to hear most from.

He quickly pulled up the number on his phone, selecting a video call after getting permission. And then the screen flashed on to reveal Midoriya's beaming face on the other side.

"Good evening, Midoriya," Shouji waved to his friend on the phone.

Midoriya gave an excitable wave, though his phone shook in his hand and he almost dropped it from excitement, much to Shouji's entertainment. Though he had to admit, looking at Midoriya there was certainly something different about him already.

In the two days they had spent at the internships, Midoriya already seemed more confident and he could feel an air of power through the phone. "Good evening, Shouji!" Midoriya grinned back. "S-Sorry I almost dropped the phone, it's been a long day."

"You look stronger," Shouji noted calmly, Midoriya looking bashfully at the floor at that.

"Is it that noticeable?" He stammered awkwardly, unsure of where to avert his gaze, much to the mirth of Shouji who nodded.

"I'm guessing you're getting a handle on One for All?" Shouji asked, hoping for a positive answer.

Though he was surprised to hear an older voice call out from somewhere in the background, "Did your friend just say the name of your secret Quirk?"

Midoriya froze up at that, looking out past the phone to whoever was behind it. "Well, you see, they found out about One for All by accident because my class was betting on my Quirk and some people thought I was All Might's child, which wouldn't even make sense because we don't look alike at all and I don't know how I'd feel if he was my father because-"

Something suddenly slammed into Midoriya, the boy crying out in surprise as he was sent tumbling into the wall with his phone still in his hand. Shouji wasn't sure how to react when he saw a yellow boot fall into view just off camera. "You were mumbling again," The old voice despaired. "This is serious business, you should get to the point."

"R-Right, sorry," Midoriya stammered, pushing himself up from the wall, wiping some dust from his clothing with his free hand. "Basically, they figured out about my power and All Might confronted us about it. So now they know everything about the Quirk, how it works and the danger that knowing about the Quirk entails," Midoriya finished. "But it's okay. As I said, Gran Torino, All Might knows and is okay with it."

There was a moment of silence, with Shouji only able to hear the sound of the shower in the bathroom, before a small sigh could be heard. "I'll need to talk to that man about this," He heard the man he assumed was Gran Torino lament quietly. "Get back to your friends, I won't keep you. But I'll work you extra hard tomorrow. If anything happens to them because they know your secret, you'll be responsible."

Midoriya's face darkened considerably at that, the boy silently nodding before moving to head outside, Shouji watching as Izuku stepped onto the front doorstep. "I-I'm sorry you had to see that, Shouji..."

"It's fine, really. We've all had some tough moments over the past few days," Shouji explained casually. "I have to admit, I'm feeling somewhat out of place here."

"How come?" Izuku asked, sitting himself down on the top step of his abode.

Shouji leaned back on his bed slightly, letting out a sharp exhale as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say. "In all honesty, Midoriya, it feels like I am tagging along. It's clear that Tokoyami is the focus of the internship and while everyone here is telling me that I'm just as important, I know that isn't the case."

The frown on Midoriya's face said it all. "You shouldn't let that stuff get you down Shouji. You're a great Hero, you shouldn't doubt your importance. Without you, I don't think Tsuku or I would have done as well as we did at the Festival. Because you were looking out for us, for everyone!"

"Try telling me that when the Number Three Hero barely glanced in my direction today."

"What!?"

Shouji spent the next few minutes explaining about Hawks visiting the Agency and the break-in at the Penitentiary. Summing up the events of the last twenty-four hours, it only then occurred to Shouji that a lot had happened in Fukuoka in such a short time. He didn't mention Airdriver's disdain for Midoriya's heroic methods, however. With Midoriya already somewhat saddened by his own mentor, getting a hit from their mentor might be too much for one evening.

"Woah, that's amazing! I can't believe you get to meet the Number Three Hero! I've researched Hawks before. He's able to make his feathers do what he wants individually and can use each feather to save people from danger! He's super quick as well! You'll learn so much just from watching him!"

"I figured you'd enjoy hearing that," Shouji smiled from beneath his mask.

"Even so, it doesn't matter that he didn't look at you. If you really want Hawks to acknowledge you, it just means you need to make him look at you," Midoriya explained, a determined grin crossing his face, a look that could fire anyone up. "If anyone can get Hawks attention, it's you Shouji!"

And then so quietly Shouji almost didn't hear it, he heard, "I believe in you, anyway..." Midoriya looked away nervously at those last words, a slight red coating his cheeks as he said it.

And Shouji had no idea how to react at that moment, but it didn't matter.

It was at that moment when the bathroom door opened.

Tokoyami stepped out with Dark Shadow prattling on about why he had to dry every individual feather, much to the boy's irritation. He was already dressed in his nightwear, glancing over to Shouji while towelling his feathers with a curious look. "Are you talking to someone?" He asked cautiously.

"Oh, is that Tsuku!?" Midoriya's voice rang from the phone excitedly.

Tokoyami was at Shouji's side, looking into the phone in an instant, much to Dark Shadow's amusement, who slinked along behind his owner, the excitement in the air palpable. "Midoriya, you look stronger," Tokoyami stated smoothly.

Midoriya bashfully looked away, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly as he tried to hide his embarrassment at Tokoyami's compliment, face turning a slight red.

Shouji arched a brow at their interaction, folding two of his arms together tightly as he watched the pair chatter away for a few minutes, watching as one would make the other laugh as they talked about their internships. And Shouji couldn't help but attempt to tune the pair out for a moment. After a tiring day where he was already feeling inadequate from Hawks assessment of his powers, as well as the way Beni put him on the spot, he wanted nothing more than to rest, not be reminded of his stupid one-sided crush.

Dark Shadow was glaring daggers at him the entire time the other two chatted, which only further irritated Shouji who wanted nothing more than to hang up the phone and sleep. But that wouldn't be fair... Tokoyami and Midoriya had done nothing wrong to him, it was his own emotions that were quietly plaguing him.

But then his mind flashed back to that morning where they were in the changing room and how Tokoyami had grabbed his hands and held them, how Shouji had been doubting himself and trembling over his insecurities. Even now, he could feel a slight blush under his cheeks as he thought back to that moment, wishing that their moment had meant something more.

"Shouji?" He heard Tokoyami ask, the taller boy blinking as he found himself back in the room, so to speak, the pair of them looking at him with worried glances, Dark Shadow with his arms folded from his perch by the foot of the bed.

"S-Sorry, I was thinking..." Shouji muttered, pulling his mask up even higher. "Please, continue your conversation."

Tokoyami shook his head though, looking back to Midoriya with a weary gaze. "I'm afraid we must be getting some sleep now, Midoriya. Perhaps we can all catch up in a few days?"

"Y-Yeah..." Midoriya mumbled sadly, clearly noticing the tension that had just filled the air, even through his phone. "Shouji, before I go, just remember what I said earlier. If anyone can make an impression, it's you! I still believe in you!"

One goodbye later and Midoriya's face vanished as the call hung up and seconds later...

"You're upset." It wasn't a question, but a statement. Shouji refused to meet Tokoyami's eyes though. There was a silence as Tokoyami seemed to be waiting for an answer, then Shouji heard the last thing he expected to hear. "I'm sorry Shouji."

"What?" Shouji snapped his head back, not expecting an apology of all things.

"I can see you're not enjoying your internship," Tokoyami explained, the raven-headed boy looking down at the palms of his hands. "It's my fault, I forced you into this and I can see you don't want to be here."

Shouji didn't know what to say. He really didn't know what to say at that moment. He was just silent, looking at his friend, unable to express why he was upset. That would mean talking about his past, talking about his feelings, talking about the inferiority complex that he was certain was starting to stem from his time at U.A.

"I'm sorry again," Tokoyami sighed, walking over to his bed, the snacks that Shouji had bought them still sitting on a counter, definitely not being eaten that night. "Good night."

There was so much dejection in Tokoyami's voice, but Shouji couldn't bring himself to say anything else. He did feel like he didn't want to be here, or at least a part of him felt that way. But then the part of him that wanted to be there for Tokoyami and to learn from the Hero who taught Hawks and Toko... Shouji turned away, scrunching his eyes closed in irritation. He needed to sleep on it. That's all he needed...

The pair of students both fell asleep, that night, confused and upset.

Though Dark Shadow wasn't sleeping that night. His yellow eyes were glaring at Shouji, the Quirk almost tempted to smack the taller boy on the head for his idiocy. But he knew this was something they needed to resolve themselves. He couldn't keep prodding them like he did... So Dark Shadow slunk back into his dormant state, hoping that the pair would sort this little spat out because he was running out of patience.


The crashing of the waves in the distance was all that could be heard as Airdriver stepped down the dimly lit streets that led to the Warehouse District, the man glancing around at the deserted streets as they began to darken. It was around midnight and the plan was in motion. He was live bait, waiting to see if they could spring the trap on the wary Crimson Shadow.

He had made sure that nobody would be following him that evening, the only contact he had being a small radio button in his pocket that he could press to summon Hawks in the blink of an eye, courtesy of Beni, who was watching from the Agency with Hawks. When she had arrived after dropping the students off, Hayate had filled her in on the meeting and what they were planning to attempt, asking her to make some simple radio devices that could be used to wordlessly communicate between himself and the Agency.

He had set off at around eleven at night, doing his usual patrol route and talking to some of the late night visitors to the city, before slipping off into the part of town that nobody would normally tread in. The Warehouse District was always quiet with no civilians around as it was mainly a part of the city where storage was the main focus. He'd walk past a guard or two who were on night-duty but nobody batted an eye. He was a Pro Hero after all.

His plan was to head to a deserted set of storage houses near the ocean that had been unused for quite some time, with the hope that if the Crimson Shadow really was tailing him, she would show herself.

He arrived at the location, slipping through a side door into the main storage building, lighting a candle as he went. With the buildings in disarray, the lighting wouldn't work and would probably serve to scare the Crimson Shadow off, given her power seemed to be escaping through the shadows themselves.

"This place is a wreck," He muttered as he stepped on a broken piece of wood from a derelict storage crate that had begun to splinter and crack. The building itself was structurally sound, but the contents of whoever had owned the place prior to it's shut down had never been moved. It left the entire hanger with a mildewy smell that Airdriver wasn't fond of.

Placing himself flat up against one of the walls, he leaned on to it and placed the candle he had lit beside him on the floor, illuminating the short space around him. From his position, he'd be able to see anything enter or exit the warehouse, a perfect spot to set up shop. All he had to do now was wait.

And so he let out a deep breath and crossed his arms, senses alert as he began to the main stage of the plan.

To catch the Crimson Shadow.